Neuropeptides isotocin and arginine vasotocin in urophysis of three fish species

In this study, for the first time, both neuropeptides isotocin (IT) and arginine vasotocin (AVT) have been identified and measured in urophysis, the neurohaemal organ of the caudal neurosecretory system of teleost fish. So far, AVT, but not IT, was quantified by radioimmunoassay (RIA) in urophysis of several fish species. We have used high-performance liquid chromatographic assay with fluorescence detection (HPLC-FL) preceded by solid-phase extraction (SPE) and liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization triple-quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI MS/MS) technique to determine both neuropeptides in urophysis of three fish species. The efficiency of peptide’s SPE extraction was 79–85 %. In HPLC-FL method, the limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) were estimated as 1.0 and 3.4 pmol/mL for IT and 0.25 and 2.20 pmol/mL for AVT. In LC–MS/MS method, LOD and LOQ were estimated as 0.4 and 1.2 pmol/mL for IT and 0.06 and 0.2 pmol/mL for AVT. The chromatographic methods are good alternative for RIA, because enable to measure both nonapeptides simultaneously in one sample. In round goby (Neogobius melanostomus), three-spined stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) and sea bream (Sparus aurata), urophysial IT concentrations ranged between 0.056 and 0.678 pmol/mg tissue and AVT concentrations ranged between 0.0008 (or even below detection threshold) and 0.084 pmol/mg tissue

Wpływ kryzysu energetycznego na zarządzanie polityką inwestycyjną w jednostkach samorządu terytorialnego

The continuous increase in prices of raw materials and fuels, disrupted supply chains, the European Union’s climate policy, and Russia’s aggression against Ukraine are some of factors that have led to the energy crisis. Recently, energy prices have been growing on an unprecedented scale. The energy crisis is also encountered by local governments, which have already taken measures to reduce costs related to energy consumption. Local governments are increasingly taking advantage of energy efficiency solutions. Several options have been launched in recent years to support the implementation of such investments, based on domestic and European funds. Howev er, the availability of these funds for local governments in different provinces varies, as does the scope of their investment. Therefore, the assessment of the actual state of affairs seems extremely important from the perspective of management efficiency and social economy. It should also be noted that on 29 September 2022, the Parliament passed the Law on Special Solutions for the Protection of Electricity Consumers in 2023. It imposed obligation on the public sector to save energy, and failure to comply may lead to restrictions. The study examines results of research on investments made by local governments in the Łódzkie and Dolnośląskie provinces in energy efficiency and renewable energy sources, with the aim to mitigate effects of the energy crisis. The analysis presented shows the direction of actions taken and their scale in 2018–2022, as well as investment objectives for 2023. Two hundred and twenty-three local governments participated in the study, which made it possible to formulate valid conclusions. The study can fill the gap in the literature on the subject.Systematyczny wzrost cen surowców i paliw, zakłócone łańcuchy dostaw, polityka klimatyczna Unii Europejskiej oraz agresja Rosji na Ukrainę to czynniki, które wymienia się w gronie tych, które doprowadziły do kryzysu energetycznego. Oczywiście wzrost cen energii obserwowany jest od lat, jednak ich skala, w ostatnim okresie, postrzegana jest jako niespotykana do tej pory. Z kryzysem energetycznym borykają się również jednostki samorządu terytorialnego, które podejmowały już działania mające na celu obniżenie kosztów związanych z zużyciem energii. Samorządy coraz częściej korzystają z rozwiązań zwiększających efektywność energetyczną. Uruchomionych zostało w ostatnich latach wiele opcji umożliwiających wsparcie implementacji takich inwestycji zarówno z funduszy pochodzących ze Skarbu Państwa, jak i funduszy europejskich. Skala wykorzystania tych środków w samorządach zlokalizowanych w poszczególnych województwach jest jednak różna, podobnie jak zakres inwestycyjny. Zdiagnozowanie stanu rzeczywistego wydaje się zatem niezmiernie istotne z perspektywy efektywności zarządczej oraz ekonomii publicznej. Należy również zaznaczyć, że 29 września 2022 roku Sejm uchwalił dodatkowo ustawę o szczególnych rozwiązaniach służących ochronie odbiorców energii elektrycznej w 2023 roku, która narzuca obowiązek oszczędzania energii przez sferę budżetową, a nie spełnienie jej zapisów obłożone zostało restrykcjami. Opracowanie ukazuje wyniki badań dotyczących inwestycji realizowanych przez jednostki samorządu terytorialnego zlokalizowanych na terenie województwa łódzkiego i dolnośląskiego w obszarze energooszczędności oraz odnawialnych źródeł energii, których celem jest osłabienie skutków kryzysu energetycznego. Przedstawiona analiza ukazuje kierunek podejmowanych działań i ich skalę w latach 2018–2022 oraz założenia inwestycyjne na rok 2023. W przeprowadzonych badaniach uczestniczyło 223 samorządy terytorialne, co pozwoliło sformułować wiążące wnioski. Opracowanie może stanowić uzupełnienie luki w literaturze przedmiotu

Chromatographic and Spectroscopic Identification and Recognition of Natural Dyes, Uncommon Dyestuff Components, and Mordants: Case Study of a 16th Century Carpet with Chintamani Motifs

A multi-tool analytical practice was used for the characterisation of a 16th century carpet manufactured in Cairo. A mild extraction method with hydrofluoric acid has been evaluated in order to isolate intact flavonoids and their glycosides, anthraquinones, tannins, and indigoids from fibre samples. High-performance liquid chromatography coupled to spectroscopic and mass spectrometric detectors was used for the identification of possible marker compounds with special attention paid to natural dyes present in the historical samples. Weld, young fustic, and soluble redwood dye were identified as the dye sources in yellow thread samples. Based on the developed method, it was possible to establish that red fibres were coloured with lac dye, whereas green fibre shades were obtained with indigo and weld. Tannin-containing plant material in combination with indigo and weld were used to obtain the brown hue of the thread. Hyphenation of high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (QTOF MS) and triple-quadrupole mass spectrometry (QqQ MS) enabled us to recognise four uncommon and thus-far unknown dye components that were also found in the historical samples. These compounds probably represent a unique fingerprint of dyed threads manufactured in a Turkish workshop. Scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray detector (SEM-EDS) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) were used for the identification and characterisation of substrates and mordants present in the historical carpet. Carbon and oxygen were detected in large quantities as a part of the wool protein. The presence of aluminium, iron, and calcium indicated their usage as mordants. Trace amounts of copper, silica, and magnesium might originate from the contaminants. FT-IR analysis showed bands characteristic for woollen fibres and SEM micrographs defined the structure of the wool

Multi-Technique Investigation of Grave Robes from 17th and 18th Century Crypts Using Combined Spectroscopic, Spectrometric Techniques, and New-Generation Sequencing

The textile fragments of the funeral clothes found in the 17th and 18th century crypts were subjected to spectroscopic, spectrometric, and microbial investigation. The next-generation sequencing enabled DNA identification of microorganisms at the genus and in five cases to the species level. The soft hydrofluoric acid extraction method was optimized to isolate different classes of dyes from samples that had direct contact with human remains. High-performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode matrix and tandem mass spectrometry detectors with electrospray ionization (HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS/MS) enabled the detection and identification of 34 colourants that are present in historical textiles. Some of them are thus far unknown and uncommon dyes. Indigo, madder, cochineal, turmeric, tannin-producing plant, and young fustic were identified as sources of dyes in textiles. Scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray detector (SEM-EDS) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) were used to identify and characterize fibres and mordants in funeral gowns. Of the 23 textile samples tested, 19 were silk while the remaining four were recognized as wool. The presence of iron, aluminium, sodium, and calcium suggests that they were used as mordants. Traces of copper, silica, and magnesium might originate from the contaminants. The large amount of silver indicated the presence of metal wire in one of the dyed silk textiles. SEM images showed that textile fibres were highly degraded

Brain levels of nonapeptides in four labrid fish species with different levels of mutualistic behavior

There is strong evidence that brain nonapeptides are implicated as modulators of a wide array of social and reproductive behaviors in fishes. However, the question remains, as to whether there is a link between the distribution of active nonapeptides across brain regions and fishes specific behavioral phenotypes. To explore this link we compared the nonapeptides' profile across the brains of fishes representing different degrees of mutualistic behavior (here: cleaning behavior). Herein we studied the quantitative distribution of both nonapeptides, arginine vasotocin (AVT) and isotocin (IT), in the brains of four species of fish belonging to the family Labridae: two are obligatory cleaners throughout their entire life (Labroides dimidiatus and Labroides bicolor), one species is a facultative cleaner (Labropsis australis; juveniles are cleaners and adults are corallivorous), and one is a non-cleaner species, corallivorous throughout its entire life (Labrichthys unilineatus). The biologically available AVT and IT concentrations were measured simultaneously in distinct brain macro-areas: forebrain, optic tectum, cerebellum and brain stem, using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). We showed that the levels of both AVT and IT varied significantly across species, as measured in the whole brain or in the specific macro-areas. Significantly higher AVT concentrations in the cerebellum which were found in the obligate cleaners seemed to be related to expression of mutualistic behavior. On the other hand, the higher levels of brain IT in the non-cleaner L. unilineatus suggested that these might be linked to the development of sexual dimorphism, which occurs only in this non-cleaner species.National Science Center – Poland; Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT); North Portugal Regional Operational Programme 2007/2013; National Strategic Reference Framework (NSRF