| 1. |
- Ali, Sharafat, Associate Professor, 1976-, et al.
(författare)
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Investigation of the structural and thermal properties of aluminum-rich Ca–Al–Si–O–N glasses
- 2023
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Ingår i: Progress in Solid State Chemistry. - : Elsevier. - 0079-6786 .- 1873-1643. ; 71
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- In this paper, we investigate the structure and thermal properties of aluminum-rich transparent Ca–Al–Si–O–N glasses. The obtained glasses were prepared by a traditional melt-quenching technique at 1650 °C using AlN as the nitrogen source. The obtained glasses have a nAl/nSi>1 and contain up to 17 eq.% of N. The structure of the glasses was characterized by X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, infrared, and Raman spectroscopy techniques. The structure analysis shows a higher preference for Si–N bond formation relative to Al–N bond formation and aluminum is predominately present in tetrahedral coordination as AlO4 units. The thermal properties of samples were studied by differential thermal analysis and the obtained glass transition temperature ranges from 875 °C to 950 °C, and is primarily influenced by the N content. The glass stability can be correlated with both the N and Al contents in the studied glasses. It is improved due to the increased degree of network polymerization by the incorporation of nitrogen.
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| 2. |
- Bentinger, Magnus, et al.
(författare)
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Effects of various squalene epoxides on coenzyme Q and cholesterol synthesis
- 2014
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Ingår i: Biochimica et Biophysica Acta - Molecular and Cell Biology of Lipids. - : Elsevier BV. - 1388-1981 .- 1879-2618. ; 1841:7, s. 977-986
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- 2,3-Oxidosqualene is an intermediate in cholesterol biosynthesis and 2,3:22,23-dioxidosqualene act as the substrate for an alternative pathway that produces 24(S),25-epoxycholesterol which effects cholesterol homeostasis. In light of our previous findings concerning the biological effects of certain epoxidated all-trans-polyisoprenes, the effects of squalene carrying epoxy moieties on the second and third isoprene residues were investigated here. In cultures of HepG2 cells both monoepoxides of squalene and one of their hydrolytic products inhibited cholesterol synthesis and stimulated the synthesis of coenzyme Q (CoQ). Upon prolonged treatment the cholesterol content of these cells and its labeling with [H-3]mevalonate were reduced, while the amount and labeling of CoQ increased. Injection of the squalene monoepoxides into mice once daily for 6 days elevated the level of CoQ in their blood, but did not change the cholesterol level. The same effects were observed upon treatment of apoE-deficient mice and diabetic GK-rats. This treatment increased the hepatic level of CoQ10 in mice, but the amount of CoQ9, which is the major form, was unaffected. The presence of the active compounds in the blood was supported by the finding that cholesterol synthesis in the white blood cells was inhibited. Since the ratio of CoQ9/CoQ10 varies depending on the experimental conditions, the cells were titrated with substrate and inhibitors, leading to the conclusion that the intracellular isopentenyl-PP pool is a regulator of this ratio. Our present findings indicate that oxidosqualenes may be useful for stimulating both the synthesis and level of CoQ both in vitro and in vivo.
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| 3. |
- Chylenski, Maciej, et al.
(författare)
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Patrilocality and hunter-gatherer-related ancestry of populations in East-Central Europe during the Middle Bronze Age
- 2023
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Ingår i: Nature Communications. - : Springer Nature. - 2041-1723. ; 14
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The demographic history of East-Central Europe after the Neolithic period remains poorly explored, despite this region being on the confluence of various ecological zones and cultural entities. Here, the descendants of societies associated with steppe pastoralists form Early Bronze Age were followed by Middle Bronze Age populations displaying unique characteristics. Particularly, the predominance of collective burials, the scale of which, was previously seen only in the Neolithic. The extent to which this re-emergence of older traditions is a result of genetic shift or social changes in the MBA is a subject of debate. Here by analysing 91 newly generated genomes from Bronze Age individuals from present Poland and Ukraine, we discovered that Middle Bronze Age populations were formed by an additional admixture event involving a population with relatively high proportions of genetic component associated with European hunter-gatherers and that their social structure was based on, primarily patrilocal, multigenerational kin-groups. By analysing 91 Bronze Age genomes from East-Central Europe, the authors discovered that Middle Bronze Age populations were formed by an admixture event involving hunter-gatherers and that the social structure of resulting population was primarily patrilocal.
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| 4. |
- Filipowicz, Natalia, et al.
(författare)
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Comprehensive cancer-oriented biobanking resource of human samples for studies of post-zygotic genetic variation involved in cancer predisposition
- 2022
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Ingår i: PLOS ONE. - : Public Library of Science (PLoS). - 1932-6203. ; 17:4
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The progress in translational cancer research relies on access to well-characterized samples from a representative number of patients and controls. The rationale behind our biobanking are explorations of post-zygotic pathogenic gene variants, especially in non-tumoral tissue, which might predispose to cancers. The targeted diagnoses are carcinomas of the breast (via mastectomy or breast conserving surgery), colon and rectum, prostate, and urinary bladder (via cystectomy or transurethral resection), exocrine pancreatic carcinoma as well as metastases of colorectal cancer to the liver. The choice was based on the high incidence of these cancers and/or frequent fatal outcome. We also collect age-matched normal controls. Our still ongoing collection originates from five clinical centers and after nearly 2-year cooperation reached 1711 patients and controls, yielding a total of 23226 independent samples, with an average of 74 donors and 1010 samples collected per month. The predominant diagnosis is breast carcinoma, with 933 donors, followed by colorectal carcinoma (383 donors), prostate carcinoma (221 donors), bladder carcinoma (81 donors), exocrine pancreatic carcinoma (15 donors) and metachronous colorectal cancer metastases to liver (14 donors). Forty percent of the total sample count originates from macroscopically healthy cancer-neighboring tissue, while contribution from tumors is 12%, which adds to the uniqueness of our collection for cancer predisposition studies. Moreover, we developed two program packages, enabling registration of patients, clinical data and samples at the participating hospitals as well as the central system of sample/data management at coordinating center. The approach used by us may serve as a model for dispersed biobanking from multiple satellite hospitals. Our biobanking resource ought to stimulate research into genetic mechanisms underlying the development of common cancers. It will allow all available "-omics" approaches on DNA-, RNA-, protein- and tissue levels to be applied. The collected samples can be made available to other research groups.
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| 5. |
- Gisslander, Karl, et al.
(författare)
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Data quality and patient characteristics in European ANCA-associated vasculitis registries : data retrieval by federated querying
- 2023
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Ingår i: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases. - 0003-4967. ; 83:1, s. 112-120
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objectives This study aims to describe the data structure and harmonisation process, explore data quality and define characteristics, treatment, and outcomes of patients across six federated antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis (AAV) registries. Methods Through creation of the vasculitis-specific Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable, VASCulitis ontology, we harmonised the registries and enabled semantic interoperability. We assessed data quality across the domains of uniqueness, consistency, completeness and correctness. Aggregated data were retrieved using the semantic query language SPARQL Protocol and Resource Description Framework Query Language (SPARQL) and outcome rates were assessed through random effects meta-analysis. Results A total of 5282 cases of AAV were identified. Uniqueness and data-type consistency were 100% across all assessed variables. Completeness and correctness varied from 49%-100% to 60%-100%, respectively. There were 2754 (52.1%) cases classified as granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA), 1580 (29.9%) as microscopic polyangiitis and 937 (17.7%) as eosinophilic GPA. The pattern of organ involvement included: lung in 3281 (65.1%), ear-nose-throat in 2860 (56.7%) and kidney in 2534 (50.2%). Intravenous cyclophosphamide was used as remission induction therapy in 982 (50.7%), rituximab in 505 (17.7%) and pulsed intravenous glucocorticoid use was highly variable (11%-91%). Overall mortality and incidence rates of end-stage kidney disease were 28.8 (95% CI 19.7 to 42.2) and 24.8 (95% CI 19.7 to 31.1) per 1000 patient-years, respectively. Conclusions In the largest reported AAV cohort-study, we federated patient registries using semantic web technologies and highlighted concerns about data quality. The comparison of patient characteristics, treatment and outcomes was hampered by heterogeneous recruitment settings.
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| 6. |
- Gora, Anna, et al.
(författare)
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Occupational exposure to organic dust, microorganisms, endotoxin and peptidoglycan among plants processing workers in Poland
- 2009
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Ingår i: Annals of Agricultural and Environmental Medicine. - 1898-2263. ; 16:1, s. 143-150
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The objective of present work was to determine and compare the components of bioaerosol in several sectors of plant processing industries. The Study was conducted in 10 Facilities engaged in herb and grain processing, flax threshing, grain storing, baking, and cereals production. The air samples were taken on glass fibre litters with an AS-50 sampler. We determined the concentrations of airborne microorganisms, dust, endotoxin and peptidoglycan. Total concentrations of viable airborne microorganisms ranged from 0.18-861.4 x 10(3) cfu/m(3). The highest levels of microbial contamination of the air were observed at flax farms, in grain elevators and in a herb processing plant. Gram-positive bacteria aid fungi were detected at all sampling sites, and their median concentrations were respectively 18.1 x 10(3) cfu/m(3) and 0.66 x 10(3) cfu/m(3). The concentration of Gram-negative bacteria ranged from 0.0-168.0 x 10(3) cfu/m(3). The concentration of thermophilic actinomycetes ranged from 0.0-1.45 x 10(3) cfu/m(3). Qualitatively Gram-positive bacteria constituted 23-93% of the total microbial Count. The most common species were: Staphylococcus spp., Curtobacterium pusillum, Rhodococcus fascians, Aureobacterium testaceum, Sanguibacter keddieii, Microbacterium spp., and Bocillus spp. Gram-negative bacteria formed 0-48% of the total Count. The species Pantoea agglomerans dominated in all examined air samples. Fungi constituted 2.5-76.9% of the total microbial count. Among them, Penicillium spp., Mucor spp., Alternario spp., Aspergillus niger, and Aspergillus spp. were found. The dust concentration ranged from 0.18-86.9 mg/m(3). The concentration of endotoxin was large and ranged front 0.0041-1562.6 mu g/m(3). Muramic acid, the chemical marker of peptidoglycan, was detected in 9 out of 13 (69.2%) collected samples. The concentration of peptidoglycan ranged front 1.93-416 ng/m(3). A highly significant correlation was found between the individual components of bioaerosol determined in this study. The concentration of endotoxin was correlated with the concentration of Gram-negative bacteria, total microorganisms, and peptidoglycan (R>0.9, p<0.001). The concentration of peptidoglycan was correlated with the concentration of Gram-positive bacteria, Gram-negative bacteria, and total microorganisms (R>0.9, p<0.001).
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| 7. |
- Juras, Anna, et al.
(författare)
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Mitochondrial genomes from Bronze Age Poland reveal genetic continuity from the Late Neolithic and additional genetic affinities with the steppe populations
- 2020
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Ingår i: American Journal of Physical Anthropology. - : Wiley. - 0002-9483 .- 1096-8644. ; 172:2, s. 176-188
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective: In this work we aim to investigate the origins and genetic affinities of Bronze Age populations (2,400-1,100 BC) from the region of southern Poland and to trace maternal kinship patterns present in the burials of those populations by the use of complete mitochondrial genomes.Materials and methods: We performed ancient DNA analyses for Bronze Age individuals from present-day Poland associated with the Strzy(z) over dotow culture, the Mierzanowice culture, and the Trzciniec Cultural circle. To obtain complete mitochondrial genomes, we sequenced genomic libraries using Illumina platform. Additionally, hybridization capture was used to enrich some of the samples for mitochondrial DNA. AMS C-14-dating was conducted for 51 individuals to verify chronological and cultural attribution of the analyzed samples.Results: Complete ancient mitochondrial genomes were generated for 80 of the Bronze Age individuals from present-day Poland. The results of the population genetic analyses indicate close maternal genetic affinity between Mierzanowice, Trzciniec, and Corded Ware culture-associated populations. This is in contrast to the genetically more distant Strzy(z) over dotow people that displayed closer maternal genetic relation to steppe populations associated with the preceding Yamnaya culture and Catacomb culture, and with later Scythians. Potential maternal kinship relations were identified in burials of Mierzanowice and Trzciniec populations analyzed in this study.Discussion: Results revealed genetic continuity from the Late Neolithic Corded Ware groups to Bronze Age Mierzanowice and Trzciniec-associated populations, and possible additional genetic contribution from the steppe to the formation of the Strzy(z) over dotow-associated group at the end of 3rd millennium BC. Mitochondrial patterns indicated several pairs of potentially maternally related individuals mostly in Trzciniec-associated group.
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| 8. |
- Scholz, Marek, et al.
(författare)
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Conceptual design of the high resolution neutron spectrometer for ITER
- 2019
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Ingår i: Nuclear Fusion. - 0029-5515 .- 1741-4326. ; 59:6
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- A high resolution neutron spectrometer (HRNS) system has been designed as a neutron diagnostic tool for ITER. The HRNS is dedicated to measurements of time resolved neutron energy spectra for both deuterium and deuterium-tritium (DT) plasmas. The main function of the HRNS is to determine the fuel ion ratio n(t)/n(d) in the plasma core with 20% uncertainty and a time resolution of 100ms for a range of ITER operating scenarios from 0.5 MW to 500 MW in fusion power. Moreover, neutron spectroscopy measurements should also be possible in the initial deuterium phase of ITER experiments. A supplementary function of the HRNS is to provide information on the fuel ion temperature. Furthermore, the HRNS can be used as an additional line-of-sight (LOS) for the radial neutron camera. To meet these requirements, a set of four spectrometers positioned after each other along a single LOS has been designed. The detector techniques employed include a thin foil proton recoil spectrometer (TPR), a neutron diamond detector (NDD), a back-scattering time-of-flight system (bToF) and a forward timeof-flight system (fToF). The TPR system, positioned closest to the plasma, provides data at high fusion powers. For plasma conditions producing intermediate fusion power two neutron spectrometers are installed: NDD and bToF. The NDD is installed as the second instrument along the HRNS LOS after the TPR. The fToF spectrometer is dedicated for low tritium densities and pure deuterium operation. The paper summarizes the current state of the art of neutron spectroscopy useful in plasma diagnostics and the possibility of installing a dedicated HRNS for ITER in the designated diagnostic port. We conclude that the proposed HRNS system can fulfil the ITER measurement requirements over a broad range of plasma operational scenarios, including full power DT, start-up, ramp-down and pure D operations.
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| 9. |
- Surmacz, Liliana, et al.
(författare)
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Short-chain polyisoprenoids in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae - New companions of the old guys
- 2015
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Ingår i: Biochimica et Biophysica Acta - Molecular and Cell Biology of Lipids. - : Elsevier BV. - 1388-1981 .- 1879-2618. ; 1851:10, s. 1296-1303
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Dolichols are, among others, obligatory cofactors of protein glycosylation in eukaryotic cells. It is well known that yeast cells accumulate a family of dolichols with Dol-15/16 dominating while upon certain physiological conditions a second family with Dol-21 dominating is noted. In this report we identified the presence of additional short-chain length polyprenols - all-trans Pren-7 in three yeast strains (SS328, BY4741 and L5366), Pren-7 was accompanied by traces of putative Pren-6 and -8. Moreover, in two of these strains a single polyprenol mainly-cis-Pren-11 was synthesized at the stationary phase of growth. Identity of polyprenols was confirmed by HR-HPLC/MS, NMR and metabolic labeling. Additionally, simvastatin inhibited their biosynthesis.
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| 10. |
- Witkowska, Ewa, et al.
(författare)
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Ureido group containing cyclic dermorphin(1-7) analogues : synthesis, biology and conformation
- 2007
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Ingår i: Journal of Peptide Science. - : Wiley. - 1075-2617 .- 1099-1387. ; 13:8, s. 519-528
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Six cyclic peptides related to dermorphin(1-7) have been synthesized. The synthesis of linear peptides containing diamino acid residues in positions 2 and 4 was carried out on a 4-methylbenzhydrylamine resin, and cyclization was achieved by treatment with bis-(4-nitrophenyl)carbonate to form a urea unit. The peptides were tested in the guinea-pig ileum (GPI) and mouse vas deferens (MVD) assays. Diverse opioid agonist activities were observed, depending on the size of the ring. The results were compared with those obtained earlier for 1-4 dermorphin analogues. The conformations of all six dermorphin analogues were studied. The conformational space of the peptides was examined using the electrostatically driven Monte Carlo method. On the basis of NMR data, an ensemble of conformations was obtained for each peptide. The opioid activity profiles of the compounds are discussed in the light of the structural data.
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