The University of Life Sciences in Lublin (Polish: Uniwersytet Przyrodniczy w Lublinie) is a multi-profile higher education institution, which integrates a wide range of agricultural, biological, veterinary, technical and socioeconomic sciences in Poland. Although the university was established in 1955, its history stems back to 1944 with the creation of the Agrarian and Veterinary Faculties within the new Maria Curie-Skłodowska University (UMCS). In 1955, these two faculties, together with the Faculty of Zootechnics (est. 1953), were spun off to create a new institution, originally called the Lublin Higher School of Agriculture. It was called the Lublin Agricultural Academy from 1972, and took its present name in 2008.
This review summarizes recent advances (2023–2025) in coumarin-based fluorescent probes, highlighting their structural modularity, tunable VIS–NIR photophysics, and broad applicability in detecting metal ions, biothiols, ROS/RNS, organelle-specific microenvironments, and amyloid-β aggregates. Particular emphasis is placed on multifunctional and organelle-targeted probes, as well as emerging NIR-emissive and theranostic systems enabling deep-tissue imaging and modulation of pathological processes. The perspectives section outlines current limitations and future directions toward clinically relevant coumarin-based imaging tools. A though the review focuses on literature published from 2023 onward, several earlier studies are cited selectively to clarify fluorescence mechanisms, illustrate reaction pathways, or provide essential photophysical benchmarks necessary for contextual understanding.
This study aimed to demonstrate how modular green roofs align with the Nature-based solution concept (NBS) and how their site selection process can be optimized to maximize benefits while minimizing economic costs. The implementation potential was assessed based on a set of legal, social, ecological, technical and economic criteria. The most important factors detected are environmental benefits, technical and management feasibility, building ownership status, and the condition of the roofing material. The proposed site assessment methodology provides a versatile and replicable tool that can be adapted to other urban contexts.
Understanding the reproductive biology and breeding system of rare species is crucial for effective conservation. We examined floral biology, assessed the true pollinators, and investigated the reproductive effect of six pollination treatments (spontaneous and induced autogamy, geitonogamy, spontaneous and supplemental cross-pollination, control - flowers exposed to natural pollinators) on the fruit and seed set and their quality (size, viability) in two populations (artificial and natural) of clonal Scopolia carniolica (Solanaceae), a rare species distributed across Central and South-Eastern Europe. Hermaphroditic flowers of S. carniolica represent movement herkogamy and incomplete protogyny. Pollinators are necessary for transferring pollen onto stigmas (there was no fruit and seed set after a test for spontaneous self-pollination), and the species shows the system of obligatorily xenogamy (only cross-pollination guarantees the production of seeds with fertile embryos ensuring viable offspring) and self-incompatibility (no seeds are produced after within-flower self-pollination). Although fruits can be developed through geitonogamous self-pollination, this is associated with late-acting self-incompatibility because the seeds produced are non-viable (contain no embryos and endosperm). Bumble bees are the most effective pollinators; honeybees also contribute to pollen deposition. Conserving pollinator diversity is essential for rare clonal S. carniolica, sustaining reproduction, preventing inbreeding depression, and supporting long-term population viability.
Sesquiterpene lactones (STLs) are important secondary metabolites synthesized in the aerial parts of Arnica montana L. The accumulation of STLs in micropropagated shoots treated with yeast extract (YE), salicylic acid (SA) and methyl jasmonate (MeJA) was measured by HPLC, while qualitative analysis was performed using HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS. YE (100 mg/L) and SA (200 µM) applied separately increased the total STL content by nearly 4.5-fold and 3-fold, respectively, compared to the control. The shoots treated with MeJA displayed the least pronounced changes in STL levels. The RT-qPCR analysis revealed a similar pattern of expression in both YE- and SA-treated shoots, characterized by strong upregulation of key genes (GAS and GAO) involved in the final steps of STL biosynthesis. YE elicitation resulted also in increased transcription of FDS, which provides the universal C15 precursor for sesquiterpenes. SA treatment led to the induction of HMGCR—encoding a key rate-limiting enzyme in the mevalonate pathway. Although MeJA also led to upregulation of both HMGCR and FDS, the effect of this elicitor was minimal. None of the treatments affected the expression of genes associated with the MEP/DOXP pathway (DXS and DXR). These findings provide valuable insights for future investigations into molecular mechanisms regulating STLs biosynthesis in A. montana.
As biostimulants have become a strategic tool for sustainable crop production in the face of changing environmental conditions, there is a continual demand for the development of innovative and more effective formulations. A novel approach that utilizes plasma treatment to enhance the extraction process in biostimulant production has recently emerged. This study investigated the plant-based biostimulant (prepared from horsetail, dog rose, and soapwort) and the potential of using gliding arc cold plasma (GA) and low-pressure microwave (MW) discharges to improve its efficacy. The experiment evaluated the effects of untreated versus plasma-treated biostimulants on soybean plant growth and vitality while elucidating their mechanisms. The results revealed that biostimulant application had a positive effect (p < 0.05) on different microbial groups in the soil. The treated plants presented greater root length and biomass (p < 0.05) as well as increased shoot height (p < 0.05). Generally, treatment with biostimulants increased lignification, as reflected by higher acid detergent fibre (ADF) and acid detergent lignin (ADL) fractions, as well as elevated peroxide levels, total isoflavone content, and antioxidant potential of plants measured by DPPH and ABTS assays. All biostimulants strongly upregulated the pathogenesis-related protein genes CHIA1 (encoding chitinase A1) and GLU (encoding β-1,3-glucanase) in the leaves of soybean plants. Elevated expression of selected genes related to jasmonic acid (JA) biosynthesis, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signalling, cellular detoxification, and redox homeostasis was also observed. Overall, all the tested biostimulant variants improved the growth parameters of the soybean plants. Biostimulant application triggered complex defence responses involving changes in gene expression, antioxidant potential, secondary metabolite levels, and cell wall composition. The formulation generated by GA outperformed the other tested variants (MW discharge and untreated biostimulants), highlighting the potential of this technology to enhance biostimulant efficacy.
