Compositional differences of fluorescence dissolved organic matter in Arctic Ocean drift sea ice and surface waters north of Svalbard in spring.

We assessed the qualitative composition of fluorescent dissolved organic matter (FDOM) in Arctic Ocean surface water and in sea ice north of the Svalbard Archipelago (in the Sophia Basin, the Yermak Plateau and the north Spitsbergen shelf) in May and June 2015, during the “TRANSSIZ” expedition (Transitions in the Arctic Seasonal Sea Ice Zone). Samples collected in open lead waters (OW), under-ice waters (UIW) and from the sea ice (ICE) were analyzed by fluorescence spectroscopy and subsequently by multivariate statistical methods using Parallel Factor Analysis (PARAFAC). Statistical analyses of all measured DOM fluorescence excitation and emission matrices (EEMs) enabled four components to be identified and validated. The spectral characteristics of the first component C1 (λEx/λEm 282(270)/335) corresponded to those of tryptophan. The spectral properties of the other three components corresponded to those of humic-like substances: components two (C2 − λEx/λEm 315(252)/395) and three (C3 − λEx/λEm 357(258)/446) corresponded to humic-like substances of marine origin, whereas component four (C4 − λEx/λEm 261(399)/492) resembled terrestrial humic-like substances. Changes in FDOM composition were recorded in OW, in contrast to UIW and sea ice. In the OW the sum of fluorescence intensities of humic-like components (C2, C3 and C4) was two times higher than the fluorescence intensity of protein-like component (C1). Component C2 exhibited the highest fluorescence intensity. In the UIW and particularly in the sea ice the fluorescence intensity of the protein-like component, IC1, was the highest. The IC1 in the sea ice increased toward the sea ice bottom, reaching maximum values at the sea ice-water interface. The calculated spectral indices (SUVA(254) and HIX) and ratios of fluorescence intensities of protein-like to humic-like components, Ip/Ih, suggested that FDOM in water and sea ice was predominantly autochthonous, characterized by low molecular weight organic compounds and low aromatic ring saturation. Enrichment factors Dc, calculated from salinity-normalized values of the optical DOM properties and dissolved organic carbon concentrations, indicated the significant fractionation of FDOM in the sea ice relative to the parent open waters. The humic-like terrestrial component C4 was enriched the least, whereas the protein-like component C1 was enriched the most. A statistically significant (p < 0.0001) and relatively strong (R = 63) correlation between IC1 and the total chlorophyll a concentration Tchla was found in the sea ice, which suggests that sympagic algal communities were producers of the protein-like FDOM fraction

Usefulness of the SCC, CEA, CYFRA 21.1, and CRP markers for the diagnosis and monitoring of cervical squamous cell carcinoma

Summary Objective: To determine the usefulness of the SCC, CEA, CYFRA 21.1, and CRP markers for the diagnosis and early monitoring after treatment completion in women diagnosed with cervical squamous cell carcinoma. Material and methods: Serum of 140 patients with diagnosed cervical squamous cell carcinoma was investigated. The women with the advanced stage of cervical carcinoma (FIGO IIIB) were divided into two subgroups: with positive and negative outcomes of the treatment. Levels of SCC, CEA, CYFRA 21.1, and CRP were measured before the treatment and immediately after the completion of radiotherapy. Immunochemical methods were used to measure proteins in both serum and plasma samples. Results: 75% of the markers measured were within the reference range for FIGO stage I. The marker levels rose with the clinical progression of the disease. The median levels of all markers and the CRP levels in both groups were compared before the treatment. Only in case of CEA a considerable variation between these groups was observed. Elevated levels of CRP were observed twice more often in patients with negative outcome of the treatment. After the treatment, a significant decrease in all marker levels was observed in patients with positive outcome when compared to the levels at the moment of the diagnosis. Conclusions: SCC, CEA and CYFRA 21.1 markers show low diagnostic sensitivity in early stages of the disease in women diagnosed with cervical squamous cell carcinoma. The concentration of markers measured before the treatment, particularly CEA, may prove to be of prognostic value for women diagnosed with advanced cervical cancer. Certain markers may prove useful in the assessment of the therapy used. Measuring the CRP before the treatment may aid the prognosis of response to treatment in these patients

Usefulness of osteopontin (OPN) determinations in ovarian cancer patients who underwent first-line chemotherapy

Abstract Introduction: Currently CA 125 is a marker of choice for monitoring ovarian cancer. Nonetheless, scientists are still searching for new markers, which could provide additional information for the evaluation of treatment, especially in patients with normal CA 125 levels, despite the progression of the disease. According to the latest reports, OPN can be a potential new marker. Aim: Estimation of usefulness of OPN determinations in the monitoring of ovarian cancer patients. Material and Methods: The study included 54 ovarian cancer patients, undergoing chemotherapy. Markers were measured before, during and after treatment. The dynamics of the change of OPN levels was shown on line graphs, using Microsoft Excel programme. Statistical analysis was performed by Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test. Results: 44% of patients from the study group were found to have low CA 125 levels. In these cases only the increase of OPN concentration indicated recurrence of the disease. In 43% of patients the high initial CA 125 and OPN levels decreased during chemotherapy and complete regression was stated in these patients. Nevertheless, in 13/17 patients a repeated increase of OPN concentration signalling the recurrence, earlier than CA 125 and clinical recurrence manifestation, was observed. In 13% of patients high initial levels of markers did not decrease during chemotherapy, which correlated with the progression of the disease. Our study showed that only the CA 125 levels had a significant influence (p=0.00063) on the disease-free survival time. Conclusions: Our data suggest a potential usefulness of the OPN determinations in estimating ovarian cancer recurrence. Nonetheless, there was no correlation between the initial OPN concentration and the disease-free survival time

Evaluation of selected serum protein markers as early detectors of ovarian cancer

Summary Objective: an attempt to determine the value of the simultaneous quantization of osteopontin (OPN), insulingrowth factor II (IGF II), leptin, prolactin and CA 125 for early detection of ovarian cancer Materials and methods: Prospective study of 69 women including: - 15 females with ovarian cancer - 33 females with benign ovarian neoplasm - 21 disease-free females The levels of IGF II, prolactin, leptin and CA 125 were determined in serum, while the level of OPN was checked in plasma. Results: The concentrations of IGF II, leptin and prolactin do not let us distinguish among disease-free females, females with ovarian cancer and those with benign ovarian neoplasms on the basis of biochemical markers. The comparison of OPN and CA 125 levels showed significant differences in the concentrations of the biomarkers between disease-free females and females with ovarian cancer, as well as between females with benign ovarian neoplasms and females with ovarian cancer. The ROC curves for two groups: disease-free females and females with ovarian cancer, proved the diagnostic value of OPN and CA 125. Conclusions: The simultaneous quantization of OPN, IGF II leptin and prolactin has not been proved useful for the early detection of ovarian cancer. Statistically significant increase of OPN & CA 125 levels was noted in case of women with ovarian cancer diagnosed through microscopic examination. The analysis of ROC curves showed comparable diagnostic usefulness of both markers. Quantization of OPN may have an additional value for treatment monitoring of women diagnosed with ovarian cancer but with concentration of CA 125 within the reference value

Synthetic seeds technology of Salvia officinalis as a method for short-term storage and in vitro propagation of valuable genotypes

Introduction: The technological advancements in the production of synthetic seeds are critical for the preservation of valuable genotypes of many herbal plants, including Salvia officinalis – sage

A Strategy for Managing the Operation of Technical Infrastructure Based on the Analysis of &ldquo;Bad Actors&rdquo;&mdash;A Case Study of LOTOS Group S.A.

The article covers issues related to the selection of a management strategy for the operation of technical infrastructure. It contains the approaches, methodology and a general model of the system of operation of the Maintenance Services of the LOTOS Group production company, which is an example of a large oil concern. Nowadays, an increasing aspect is put on the efficiency of individual repair processes, as well as the operation of equipment. Doubts often arise as to which strategy is the right one and which one to choose. With numerous machines, there are problems related to work planning and optimal use of resources. In addition, there are frequently difficulties in identifying the devices that interfere with the processes. The aim of this article is to present the maintenance strategy of the LOTOS production company and to introduce a procedure that allows for the assessment of the efficiency of machinery and equipment operation. It includes a method extending the identification of &ldquo;Bad Actors&rdquo; used so far, based on data from the ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) system, with a solution based on reports made after device repairs. MTBR (Mean Time Between Repair) coefficients were calculated for particular Complexes, Plants and Machines, which allowed for the identification of troublesome areas and the most difficult devices in production processes. This made it possible to select the equipment that should be repaired in the first place. After the implementation of the method and service activities, a decrease in the number of problematic machines was observed

Del Nido cardioplegia as a safe and effective method of myocardial protection in adult patients undergoing cardiac surgery: a single‑center experience

Background: Del Nido (DN) cardioplegia is increasingly popular in adult cardiac surgery. It allegedly allows for up to 90 minutes of safe myocardial ischemia with a single dose. Aims: We aimed to evaluate the benefits of DN cardioplegia. Methods: Of the 2108 patients undergoing coronary or heart valve surgery with the use of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) between January 1, 2016, and September 30, 2017, 1236 (59%) received DN and 872 (41%) received cold blood cardioplegia. We retrospectively analyzed the collected data of all consecutive on‑pump patients to assess early mortality and postoperative troponin T release. A multivariable analysis of both outcomes adjusted for propensity to receive DN cardioplegia was performed. Results: Patients protected with DN cardioplegia had longer CPB and aortic cross‑clamp times (P &lt; 0.001) but received fewer doses of cardioplegia. Median postoperative troponin T levels were higher in the DN‑cardioplegia than CB‑cardioplegia group: 0.324 ng/ml (interquartile range [IQR], 0.210–0.559 ng/ml) vs 0.285 ng/ml (IQR, 0.191–0.496 ng/ml); P = 0.01. However, when adjusted for the cross‑clamp time, propensity to receive DN cardioplegia, and other factors, DN cardioplegia was associated with lower postoperative troponin T levels. Early mortality rates did not differ between DN and CB cardioplegia (3.6% vs 3%; P = 0.54). Conclusions: Del Nido cardioplegia is a safe and effective method of myocardial protection in adults. It allows for a longer redosing interval with a safety profile and mortality comparable to those for CB cardioplegia, as shown by lower troponin T release when corrected for the time of myocardial ischemia