Determinanty i metodologia wyboru modelu łączenia działalności spółek komunalnych (na przykładzie MPO i KHK)

The article presents different models for cooperation of two municipal companies MPO and KHK. Multicriteria analysis is proposed as a method for selecting the optimal solution. As criteria affecting the implementation and functioning of the analyzed models, formal and legal aspects, tax aspects, financial analysis, waste management, social aspects and the experience of entities were taken into account. The criteria proposed are both quantitative e.g. financial analysis and qualitative e.g. social acceptance. On the basis of the multicriteria analysis, merger of companies by share apport of MPO to KHK and the acquisition has proved to be the optimal solution.W artykule przedstawiono różne modele działania spółek komunalnych MPO Sp. z o.o. i KHK SA oraz zaproponowano metodę wyboru optymalnego rozwiązania za pomocą analizy wielokryterialnej. Jako kryteria mające wpływ na realizację i funkcjonowanie modelu uwzględniono aspekty formalno-prawne, aspekty podatkowe, analizę finansową, zarządzanie odpadami, aspekt społeczny oraz doświadczenie podmiotów. Zaproponowane kryteria mają charakter zarówno ilościowy (np. analiza finansowa), jak i jakościowy (np. odbiór społeczny). Na podstawie przeprowadzonej analizy wielokryterialnej warianty polegające na aporcie udziałów MPO Sp. z o.o. do KHK SA oraz połączenie spółek przez przejęcie okazały się optymalnym rozwiązaniem

Production of recombinant colicin M in Nicotiana tabacum plants and its antimicrobial activity

Antibiotic-resistant microorganisms causing a life-threatening infection pose a serious challenge for modern science. The rapidly growing number of incidents for which the use of standard antibiotics is ineffective forces us to develop new alternative methods of killing microorganisms. Antimicrobial proteins and peptides (AMPs) can be promising candidates to solve this problem. Colicin-M is one of the representatives of this group and is naturally produced by Escherichia coli acting on other closely related bacterial strains by disrupting their outer cell membrane. This bacteriocin has huge potential as a potent antimicrobial agent, especially, since it was recognized by the FDA as safe. In this work, we present the expression of colicin M in model transgenic Nicotiana tabacum L. plants. We demonstrate that purified colicin retains its antibacterial activity against the control Escherichia coli strains and clinical isolates of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Our results also show that plant-derived ColM is not toxic for L929 and HeLa cell line, which allows us to suppose that plant-based expression could be an alternative production method of such important proteins

Native Oils from Apple, Blackcurrant, Raspberry, and Strawberry Seeds as a Source of Polyenoic Fatty Acids, Tocochromanols, and Phytosterols: A Health Implication

The oils from strawberry, blackcurrant, raspberry, and apple seeds were characterized by a high content of unsaturated fatty acids (90.8%, 88.6%, 94.0%, and 86.9%, resp.). Strawberry and raspberry oils had high levels of C18:2 (45.4% and 49.0%) and αC18:3 (29.0% and 33.0%, resp.). Blackcurrant oil was the richest source of γC18:3 (18.5%) and C18:4 (3.6%). Apple oil had high levels of C18:2 (55.5%) and C18:1 (29.4%). Blackcurrant oil had 229.5 mg/100 g of tocochromanols, predominantly γ-tocopherol (117.8 mg/100 g) and α-tocopherol (84.3 mg/100 g). Raspberry oil was rich in γ-, α-, and δ-tocopherol (193.5; 65.6; and 32.2 mg/100 g, resp.). Strawberry oil contained γ- and δ-tocopherol, 49.0 and 6.1 mg/100 g, respectively. Apple contained all isomers of α-, β-, γ-, and δ-tocopherols at 41.7, 62.7, 13.6, and 21.8 mg/100 g, respectively. The level of tocotrienols in the analysed oils ranged from 0.85 to 6.73 mg/100 g. Ten different phytosterols were found in the tested oils. The richest sources of phytosterols were blackcurrant oil (6824.9 μg/g) followed by raspberry (5384.1 μg/g), strawberry (4643.1 μg/g), and apple oil (3460.0 μg/g). The dominant compound in the analysed oils was sitosterol, from 2630 μg/g in apple oil to 3630 μg/g in blackcurrant oil

Effect of supplementation with the combination of se-enriched Lentinula edodes mycelium, exogenous enzymes, acidifiers, sodium butyrate and silicon dioxide nanoparticle feed additives on selected parameters in calves

During the initial months of calves’ lives, the young animals are exposed to bacterial and viral infections, and during this period, crucial physiological changes take place in their organisms. Offering calves feed additives that will have a beneficial influence on their organisms and improve their growth while reducing the morbidity rate is the optimal task of feeding. This is the first study to investigate the effect of experimental supplementation for calves with the combination of two feed additives—one containing Lentinula edodes enriched with selenium (Se), and the second containing pancreatic-like enzymes, fat-coated organic acids, sodium butyrate, and silicon dioxide nanoparticles—on the serum Se concentration, selected immune parameters, and the average daily gains in the calves. During the study, the serum Se concentration was examined by means of inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, and the immunoglobulin and cytokine concentrations with ELISA assays. The white blood cell (WBC) count with leukocyte differentiation was examined with the use of a hematological analyzer, and the percentages of subpopulations of T lymphocytes and monocytes, phagocytic activity, and oxidative burst of monocytes and granulocytes with the use of a flow cytometer. The average daily gains of the calves were also evaluated. In summary, the supplementation of the experimental calves with the combination of two feed additives resulted in significantly higher serum Se concentrations, and the immune systems of the calves were not suppressed while the examined feed additives were being delivered. Although not statistically significant, some positive effects on the calves were seen: a tendency towards the improvement of some of the immune parameters evaluated, and a tendency for higher average daily gains in the calves

Oxidation, graphitization and thermal resistance of PCD materials with the various bonding phases of up to 800 °C

Three types of polycrystalline diamond composites (PCDs) were studied. The first material was sintered using the mixture containing 80 wt.% diamond, 15 wt.% of Ti–Si–C powder (mixture of 47.1 wt.% Ti_{3}SiC_{2} and TiSi_{2}, TiC and SiC, from self-propagating high-temperature synthesis) and 5 wt.% nanometric Ti(CN) powders. The second material was prepared using diamond powder and 10 wt.% of titanium diboride. Materials were sintered using a Bridgman-type high-pressure apparatus at 8 GPa and at the temperature of 2000 °C. The third material was a commercial PCD containing 88 wt.% of diamond, 10 wt.% of Co and 2 wt.% of WC. The coefficients of friction for diamond composites in a sliding contact with an Al_{2}O_{3} ceramic ball were determined from room temperature of up to 800 °C, in air. X-ray diffraction patterns of diamond composites after HP–HT sintering and wear tests are presented. In the studies, due to the use of Raman spectroscopy the strong influence of the bonding phase on the oxidation of diamond composites was confirmed. The most thermally stable material is the diamond composite with TiB_{2}. High temperature bonding phase for diamond composites guarantees higher hardness and low coefficient of friction at elevated temperatures

Physicochemical Properties, Fatty Acid Composition, Volatile Compounds of Blueberries, Cranberries, Raspberries, and Cuckooflower Seeds Obtained Using Sonication Method

Every year, thousands of tons of fruit seeds are discarded as agro-industrial by-products around the world. Fruit seeds are an excellent source of oils, monounsaturated fatty acids, and n-6 and n-3 polyunsaturated essential fatty acids. This study aimed to develop a novel technology for extracting active substances from selected seeds that were obtained after pressing fruit juices. The proposed technology involved sonification with the use of ethyl alcohol at a low extraction temperature. Seeds of four species—blueberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.), raspberry (Rubus idaeus), cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon), and cuckooflower (Cardamine pratensis)—were used for extraction. Following alcohol evaporation under nitrogen, the antioxidant activity, chemical composition, and volatile compounds of the obtained extracts were analyzed using chromatographic methods, including gas chromatography (GC)–mass spectrometry (MS) (GC–MS/MS), and high-performance liquid chromatography–MS. We analyzed physicochemical properties, fatty acid, and volatile compounds composition, sterol and tocochromanol content of blueberry, cranberry, raspberry, and cuckooflower seed oils obtained by sonication. This method is safe and effective, and allows for obtaining valuable oils from the seeds

Heart failure and the risk of left atrial thrombus formation in patients with atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter

AIMS: The aim of the study was to evaluate the prevalence of left atrial thrombus (LAT) on transoesophageal echocardiography (TOE) in patients with atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter (AF/AFl) with reference to the presence of heart failure (HF) and its subtypes. METHODS AND RESULTS: The research is a sub-study of the multicentre, prospective, observational Left Atrial Thrombus on Transoesophageal Echocardiography (LATTEE) registry, which comprised 3109 consecutive patients with AF/AFl undergoing TOE prior to direct current cardioversion or catheter ablation. TOE parameters, including presence of LAT, were compared between patients with and without HF and across different subtypes of HF, including HF with preserved (HFpEF), mid-range (HFmrEF), and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). HF was diagnosed in 1336 patients (43%). HF patients had higher prevalence of LAT than non-HF patients (12.8% vs. 4.4%; P < 0.001). LAT presence increased with more advanced type of systolic dysfunction (HFpEF vs. HFmrEF vs. HFrEF: 7.4% vs. 10.5% vs. 20.3%; P < 0.001). Univariate analysis revealed that HFrEF (odds ratio [OR] 4.13; 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 3.13-5.46), but not HFmrEF or HFpEF, was associated with the presence of LAT. Multivariable logistic regression indicated that lower left ventricular ejection fraction (OR per 1%: 0.94; 95% CI 0.93-0.95) was an independent predictor of LAT formation. Receiver operator characteristic analysis showed LVEF ≤48% adequately predicted increased risk of LAT presence (area under the curve [AUC] 0.74; P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: The diagnosis of HFrEF, but neither HFmrEF nor HFpEF, confers a considerable risk of LAT presence despite widespread utilization of adequate anticoagulation