Określenie typów siedlisk w aspekcie hydraulicznym metodą MEM na wybranym odcinku rzeki Wisłoki

Rzeka o bogatej naturalnej ichtiofaunie stanowi wymierną wartość i dlatego, zgodnie z zapisem Dyrektywy Siedliskowej, należy podejmować środki mające na celu zachowanie lub odtworzenie właściwego stanu ochrony siedlisk przyrodniczych. Przedmiotem badań było określenie typów siedlisk w aspekcie hydraulicznym dla ryb występujących na badanym odcinku rzeki Wisłoki (km 57+723÷57+526) w oparciu o istniejące i zmienione warunki hydrauliczne. Do oceny typów siedlisk wykorzystano Mesohabitat Evaluation Model, który umożliwia klasyfikację danego obszaru według sześciu siedlisk odpowiadających różnym warunkom przepływu. Dla realizacji założonego celu wykonano szereg prac, które obejmowały pomiary przekrojów poprzecznych, spadku i reżimu wody w cieku oraz prace kameralne: opracowanie wyników pomiarów, obliczenia hydrologiczne, uruchomienie modelu w istniejących warunkach hydraulicznych i po wprowadzeniu ziaren ponadwymiarowych. W istniejących warunkach hydraulicznych stwierdzono obecność pięciu typów siedlisk na badanym odcinku. Nowa morfologia koryta różnicuje ich przestrzenny rozkład. Spowodowane jest to rozbiciem strefy dużych prędkości na mniejsze obszary, pomiędzy którymi tworzą się siedliska spokojnego przepływu i zastoiska. Dla gatunków ryb występujących w obrębie badanego obszaru zmiany te są korzystne

SB203580 : a potent p38 MAPK inhibitor reduces the profibrotic bronchial fibroblasts transition associated with asthma

Subepithelial fibrosis is a component of the remodeling observed in the bronchial wall of patients diagnosed with asthma. In this process, human bronchial fibroblasts (HBFs) drive the fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transition (FMT) in response to transforming growth factor-β(1) (TGF-β(1)), which activates the canonical Smad-dependent signaling. However, the pleiotropic properties of TGF-β(1) also promote the activation of non-canonical signaling pathways which can affect the FMT. In this study we investigated the effect of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) inhibition by SB203580 on the FMT potential of HBFs derived from asthmatic patients using immunocytofluorescence, real-time PCR and Western blotting methods. Our results demonstrate for the first time the strong effect of p38 MAPK inhibition on the TGF-β(1)-induced FMT potential throughout the strong attenuation of myofibroblast-related markers: α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), collagen I, fibronectin and connexin 43 in HBFs. We suggest the pleiotropic mechanism of SB203580 on FMT impairment in HBF populations by the diminishing of TGF-β/Smad signaling activation and disturbances in the actin cytoskeleton architecture along with the maturation of focal adhesion sites. These observations justify future research on the role of p38 kinase in FMT efficiency and bronchial wall remodeling in asthma

Composites of Montmorillonite and Titania Nanoparticles Prepared by Inverse Microemulsion Method: Physico-Chemical Characterization

TiO2/montmorillonite composites were synthesized using inverse micellar route for the preparation of titania nanoparticles (4–6 nm diameter) in 1-hexanol and for the dispersion of one of the clay components. Two series of composites were obtained: one derived from cetyltrimethylammonium organomontmorillonite (CTA-Mt), exfoliated in 1-hexanol, and the other from sodium form of montmorillonite (Na-Mt) dispersed by formation of an inverse microemulsion in 1-hexanol. The TiO2 content ranged from 16 to 64 wt.%. The composites were characterized with X-ray diffraction, scanning/transmission electron microscopy/energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, thermal analysis, and N2 adsorption-desorption isotherms. The Na-Mt-derived component was shown to undergo transformation to CTA-Mt, as indicated by basal spacing of 17.5 nm, due to the interaction with the CTABr surfactant in inverse microemulsion. It was also better dispersed and intermixed with TiO2 nanoparticles. As a result, the TiO2/Na-Mt series displayed superior textural properties, with specific surface area up to 256 m2g−1 and pore volume up to 0.247 cm3g−1 compared with 208 m2g−1 and 0.231 cm3g−1, respectively, for the TiO2/CTA-Mt counterpart. Members of both series were uniformly mesoporous, with the dominant pore size around 5 nm, i.e., comparable with the dimensions of titania nanoparticles. The advantage of the adopted synthesis method is discussed in the context of other preparative procedures used for manufacturing of titania-clay composites

Microbiological Biostimulants in the Improvement of Extended Storage Quality of In Vitro-Derived Plants of Popular Ornamental Perennials

In vitro propagation is a crucial method for the mass production of high-quality plants, but the impact of microbiological interventions during ex vitro storage remains an underexplored aspect. This study aims to assess the effects of three commercial biostimulants in the form of microbiological preparations—BactoFungiStop, AzotoPower, and Guard—applied over six months through foliar sprays on the post-storage quality of Brunnera macrophylla ‘Silver Heart’, Echinacea purpurea ‘Secret Glow’, Heuchera × hybrida ‘Northern Exposure Red’, Persicaria amplecicaulis ‘JS Caliente’, and Rudbeckia × hybrida ‘Sunbeckia Sophia Yellow’ plants. The monthly application of microbiological preparations adhered to the concentrations recommended by producers. Post-storage evaluations included shoot and root parameters, leaf morphology, and chlorophyll biosynthesis. All microbiological preparations positively influenced shoot elongation in B. macrophylla ‘Silver Heart’. The microbiological treatments stimulated root development in this species, i.e., increased root length, area, volume, and the number of root forks and tips. In E. purpurea ‘Secret Glow’, all three preparations enhanced shoot length, leaf parameters, and root traits, with Guard demonstrating the highest efficacy. As for P. amplecicaulis ‘JS Caliente’, BactoFungiStop negatively affected shoot and leaf parameters but promoted root development. Heuchera × hybrida ‘Northern Exposure Red’ exhibited increased shoot and leaf dimensions with all microbiological treatments, while Rudbeckia × hybrida ‘Sunbeckia Sophia Yellow’ displayed positive responses in shoot-related traits but no impact on root development. None of the microbiological preparations influenced chlorophyll biosynthesis in any of the studied species. The results of our research can be implemented in the large-scale production of ornamental plants

Structural Transformations of Hydrolysates Obtained from Ti-, Zr-, and Ti, Zr-Solutions Used for Clay Pillaring: Towards Understanding of the Mixed Pillars Nature

Structural characteristics of hydrolysates formed from the aqueous Ti-, Zr-, and Ti, Zr-pillaring solutions prepared from inorganic precursors (TiCl4 and ZrOCl2), was investigated and compared with that of precipitates obtained from the same solutions after a slight alkalization of pH to the values reported for the conditions of clay pillaring. The materials were recovered by lyophilization and subsequently subjected to calcination at 500, 800 and 1000 °C. Of special interest was the effect of pH on the possible formation of mixed Ti, Zr-oxide species. Powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy and scanning electron microscope/energy dispersive spectrometer (SEM/EDS) analysis showed that even a relatively moderate alteration of pH in Ti-, Zr-, or Ti, Zr-precursor solutions caused substantial changes in the outcome of hydrolytic transformations, manifested by different phase and/or chemical composition of the resulting hydrolysates. Analysis of thermal evolution of hydrolysates showed that alkalization facilitated the transformation of anatase into rutile in materials obtained from Ti-pillaring solution, but retarded tetragonal to monoclinic zirconia conversion in samples derived from Zr-pillaring agent. The most striking effect was observed for the mixed Ti, Zr-pillaring solution, where an increase of pH enabled the formation of zirconium titanate as the only crystalline phase, rather than a multiphase mixture of anatase, monoclinic zirconia and zirconium titanate obtained from the more acidic precursor. The finding supports the model of mixed Ti-O-Zr network in props generated in Ti, Zr-pillared montmorillonites

Synthesis of Nanocrystalline Mg-Al Hydrotalcites in the Presence of Starch—the Effect on Structure and Composition

The study describes the synthesis of Mg-Al hydrotalcite (Ht) with the use of starch as a structure controlling biotemplate. Syntheses were carried out at room temperature, by co-precipitation at pH = 10. The investigated synthesis parameters included the nature of the precipitating agent (NaOH/Na2CO3 or NH3aq/(NH4)2CO3), the nature of starch (potato, corn and cassava), the method of starch addition to reagents, the method of drying and the effect of washing. The materials were examined with X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and infrared spectroscopy. The data show that synthesis of Ht materials in the presence of starch, with use of the ammonia-based precipitant, enabled preparation of nanocrystalline Ht with very fine (<50 nm) particle size. All investigated starches had a similar effect on the crystallinity and the grain size of Ht precipitates. Ht with the smallest nanocrystals was obtained when starch was present in all solutions used for synthesis, and the final product subjected to freeze drying. Washing with water was found to enhance recrystallization and exchange of nitrates for carbonates. Infrared spectra showed that an interaction exists between the biopolymer template and the Ht particles, resulting in a higher degree of order within the Ht-adhering starch component

Fine Crystalline Mg-Al Hydrotalcites as Catalysts for Baeyer-Villiger Oxidation of Cyclohexanone with H2O2

The catalytic activity of Mg-Al hydrotalcite (HT) materials in base-catalyzed reactions is known to be promoted by the low crystallinity of the HT solid. In the present work, two routes enabling the preparation of finely crystalline Mg-Al HT materials were explored: (1) the inverse microemulsion technique, and (2) co-precipitation in the presence of starch. Carbonate, chloride and bromide forms of HT were prepared, examined with X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and infrared spectroscopy, and used as catalysts in the Baeyer–Villiger oxidation of cyclohexanone to ε-caprolactone with a H2O2/acetonitrile system. The bromide forms proved significantly less active than the chlorides and carbonates, as they promoted nonselective consumption of H2O2. The fine crystalline materials were more active than the more crystalline HT references obtained by conventional co-precipitation. Catalysts prepared by inverse microemulsion were less crystalline and more active than the starch-templated ones, but suffered stronger deactivation by the acidic reaction environment. Alkalization of the reaction medium with NaHCO3 stabilized the HT materials and increased the ε-caprolactone yield, which became comparable for both types of fine crystalline catalysts—thus pointing to the synthesis involving a simple and cheap starch templating approach as being a particularly attractive one