Venture Capital and Business Angels and the Creation of Innovative Firms in Poland

The article also points out that conditions fostering further development of the described types of entrepreneurship and innovation financing and a dynamic environment generating innovative capacity should be created.W artykule zasygnalizowano również potrzebę kreowania uwarunkowań sprzyjających rozwojowi opisanych form finansowania przedsiębiorczości, innowacyjności i dynamicznego otoczenia generującego zdolności innowacyjne

Norditerpenoids with selective anti-cholinesterase activity from the roots of Perovskia atriplicifolia Benth

Inhibition of cholinesterases remains one of a few available treatment strategies for neurodegenerative dementias such as Alzheimer's disease and related conditions. The current study was inspired by previous data on anticholinesterase properties of diterpenoids from Perovskia atriplicifolia and other Lamiaceae species. The acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) inhibition by the three new natural compounds-(1R,15R)-1-acetoxycryptotanshinone (1), (1R)-1-acetoxytanshinone IIA (2), and (15R)-1-oxoaegyptinone A (3)-as well as, new for this genus, isograndifoliol (4) were assessed. Three of these compounds exhibited profound inhibition of butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) and much weaker inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE). All compounds (1-4) selectively inhibited BChE (IC(50) = 2.4, 7.9, 50.8, and 0.9 µM, respectively), whereas only compounds 3 and 4 moderately inhibited AChE (IC(50) 329.8 µM and 342.9 µM). Molecular docking and in silico toxicology prediction studies were also performed on the active compounds. Natural oxygenated norditerpenoids from the traditional Central Asian medicinal plant P. atriplicifolia are selective BChE inhibitors. Their high potential makes them useful candidate molecules for further investigation as lead compounds in the development of a natural drug against dementia caused by neurodegenerative diseases

Evaluation of the anti-inflammatory effects of synthesised tanshinone I and isotanshinone I analogues in zebrafish

During inflammation, dysregulated neutrophil behaviour can play a major role in a range of chronic inflammatory diseases, for many of which current treatments are generally ineffective. Recently, specific naturally occurring tanshinones have shown promising anti-inflammatory effects by targeting neutrophils in vivo, yet such tanshinones, and moreover, their isomeric isotanshinone counterparts, are still a largely underexplored class of compounds, both in terms of synthesis and biological effects. To explore the anti-inflammatory effects of isotanshinones, and the tanshinones more generally, a series of substituted tanshinone and isotanshinone analogues was synthesised, alongside other structurally similar molecules. Evaluation of these using a transgenic zebrafish model of neutrophilic inflammation revealed differential anti-inflammatory profiles in vivo, with a number of compounds exhibiting promising effects. Several compounds reduce initial neutrophil recruitment and/or promote resolution of neutrophilic inflammation, of which two also result in increased apoptosis of human neutrophils. In particular, the methoxy-substituted tanshinone 39 specifically accelerates resolution of inflammation without affecting the recruitment of neutrophils to inflammatory sites, making this a particularly attractive candidate for potential pro-resolution therapeutics, as well as a possible lead for future development of functionalised tanshinones as molecular tools and/or chemical probes. The structurally related β-lapachones promote neutrophil recruitment but do not affect resolution. We also observed notable differences in toxicity profiles between compound classes. Overall, we provide new insights into the in vivo anti-inflammatory activities of several novel tanshinones, isotanshinones, and structurally related compounds

Environmental aspecst of oil and natural gas exploitation from Barnówko-Mostno-Buszewo deposit

W artykule przedstawiono analizę wpływów środowiskowych eksploatacji ropy naftowej i gazu ziemnego ze złoża BarnówkoMostno-Buszewo. Wykazano ograniczony, długotrwały wpływ na poszczególne komponenty środowiska. Opisano natężenie wpływu w czasie od odkrycia i udostępnienia złoża do chwili obecnej. Zwrócono uwagę na malejący trend wpływu w szczególności w odniesieniu do zwierzostanu.This paper presents an analysis of environmental impact of oil and natural gas exploitation from Barnówko-Mostno-Buszewo deposit. It was proved that this sustained impact on particular elements of environment is limited. Value of impact from the time of deposit development up to now was described. It was pay attention to decreased tendention of this environmental impact especially in relation to game population

Monitoring data in budget calculations for the suspended matter and chromium loads in the Czorsztyn reservoir watershed

Przedstawiono problemy związane z bilansowaniem ładunku zawiesiny i chromu w zlewni zbiornika Czorsztyńskiego w oparciu o dostępne dane z monitoringu jakości wód płynących. Chrom, będący jedynym zanieczyszczeniem metalicznym w tej zlewni, występującym w stężeniach mogących powodować oddziaływanie na środowisko wodne, pochodzi z lokalnych garbarni zrzucających ścieki w sposób niekontrolowany do okolicznych odbiorników. Pozyskane z bazy wyników monitoringowych dane, dotyczące wielkości przepływów i stężeń zawiesiny, uzupełniono wynikami badań dotyczących stężeń chromu w wodzie i zawiesinie. W efekcie obliczeń opartych na modelach regresji ustalono, że poziom akumulacji zawiesiny w zbiorniku wynosi kilkanaście tysięcy ton w roku o średnich przepływach. Realny poziom akumulacji chromu wynosi dla tej zlewni około 10 ton/rok. Przytoczony w artykule przykład potwierdza, że szacowanie wielkości ładunków zanieczyszczeń na podstawie dostępnych danych monitoringowych obarczone jest dużym błędem wynikającym z niewielkiej częstotliwości pomiarów.The paper presents problems related to the estimation of the suspended matter and chromium loads based on the available monitoring data. The upper Dunajec watershed (West Carpathian Mountains, Poland) is an excellent small system to examine the chromium budget, since it remains the only serious metallic contaminant in this watershed. Chromium is discharged from the local tanneries, where is used as a tanning agent. Due to the improper tannery wastewater management, pre-treated or raw wastewater is discharged into local sewers or directly into the Dunajec River or its tributaries. The existence of an impoundment reservoir in the watershed (Czorsztyn Reservoir), constructed to protect the area against the recurrent flood events, presents its role in the chromium transport within this system. The chromium budget calculations were based mostly on the state monitoring data. The obtained from the monitoring agencies dataset consisted of flows and suspended matter concentrations. These data were supplemented with water and suspended matter chromium concentrations obtained in the research program, carried in the watershed in 2000-2001. The budget calculations, based on the regression equations, estimated the suspended matter load for a dozen or so thousand tons in the year with the average flow. Acting as a sink for chromium introduced mostly with the suspended matter, the reservoir creates a barrier preventing transport of contaminated sediment to the lower part of the river. Chromium accumulation load for this watershed was around 10 tons per year. Recurrent patterns of chromium load delivery can pose an increasing threat for the Czorsztyn Reservoir. The current study proves that estimating the contaminants loads, based on the existing monitoring data, is charged with the big uncertainties due to the low frequency of monitoring data

Spatial changes of zinc concentrations in the Czorsztyn Reservoir sediments

Przeprowadzona analiza wykazała, że osady denne Zbiornika Czorsztyńskiego są zanieczyszczone cynkiem w nieznacznym stopniu. Naturalne zanieczyszczenie zbiornika cynkiem jest związane z budową geologiczną terenu zlewni i glebami. Przekroczenia naturalnej zawartości można się doszukać w działalności antropogenicznej, związanej ze spływami z pól uprawnych oraz ściekami bytowo-gospodarczymi. Wyraźne są przestrzenne zmiany w rozkładzie stężeń cynku w osadach dennych zbiornika. Największe koncentracje cynku obserwuje się wzdłuż dawnego koryta Dunajca. Występuje wysoka dodatnia korelacja między stężeniem cynku a substancją organiczną oraz między stężeniem cynku i frakcją ilastą w osadach dennych. Obserwuje się także bardzo wysoką korelację pomiędzy zawartością cynku w osadach dennych a zawartością miedzi, żelaza i niklu. Stężenie cynku w osadach nie stanowi potencjalnego zagrożenia dla organizmów bentosowych zgodnie z kryterium ekotoksykologicznym LEL i SEL.The current study shows that the Czorsztyn Reservoir sediments are contaminated with zinc only at an inconsiderable level. Concentrations comparable to the background level are associated with geology and soils of the catchment area. Values exceeding the natural content can be traced back to anthropogenic activities, related to run-off from farmland and domestic wastewater. Distinct spatial variability in the distribution of zinc concentrations has been found in the reservoir sediments. High concentrations of zinc have been observed mostly along the old bed of the Dunajec River. High positive correlations between zinc, organic matter, and clay fraction concentrations have been determined, and also between zinc and other metals (copper, iron and nickel). Zinc concentrations in the sediments do not pose a potential threat to benthic organisms as eco-toxicological criterions, LEL and SEL, are met

Spatial distribution of manganese and iron in sediments of the Czorsztyn Reservoir

Concentrations of iron and manganese were investigated in 26 sediment samples from the Czorsztyn Reservoir (South Poland). Spatial distribution of these metals in the reservoir is generally linked to the grain size distribution of sediments. The presence of manganese and iron in sediments is mainly related to the rock weathering and soil erosion processes. Furthermore, enrichment of waters in manganese and iron follows as a result of the Dunajec River flowing through the Orawsko-Nowotarska Valley, where peat bogs are present. However, anthropogenic influence on manganese and iron concentration levels in sediments cannot be excluded in this area