Breakdown of the de Gennes scaling in Y1-xDyxNi2B2C

Single crystals of Y1-xDyxΝi2B2C (1 ≤ x≤ 0.7) were examined by X-ray diffraction and stoichiometry was attested by XPS measurements. The superconducting transition temperature T^ and Neel temperature TN were determined by means of magnetisation measurements. A dramatic breakdown of the de Gennes scaling in the Dy-rich compounds was found when < TN

Balance of individuals at different age involved in physical activity – review of publications

Balance is what we call the ability to control the center of gravity over the support plane in a given environment (also defined as the ability to maintain a vertical position of the body without the help of another person and the ability of regaining  balance during and after motion). Not only is inner ear responsible for mandating balance but also proprioceptors, cerebellum,  properly functioning nervous system and well-trained movement organs or efficient effector.  Postural control also is also affected by genetic conditions and primitive reactive strategies. Included to them are ankle strategy, that is restoring the center of gravity only by movements of the hocks, the hip strategy which is restoring the center of gravity by violent hip movements and step-by-step strategy in which making a step is required to restore the center of gravity. The balance system is quite complex. Damage to even on of the element of this system causes postural instability. In the case of disturbance of balance system , it can be indirectly influenced by nervous system through feedback, priming motion and motor control learning. Improved balance can be achieved with equivalent training. The aim of the study was to analyze different authors’ research on athlete balance. Five selected research articles on athletes have been analyzed. The authors have demonstrated a high level of effectiveness in balance training in the process of developing and improving the sense of balance. Individuals who have been in the past or are physically active now retain a better body balance

Structural and magnetic properties of Dy(Fe,V,Si)12 compounds

An influence of Si on the structural and magnetic properties of Dy(Fe,V,Si)12 compounds is studied. X-ray diffraction shows that these materials crystallise in the tetragonal ThΜn12-typae structure. An increase in the saturation magnetization, the Curie temperatures and magnetocrystalline anisotropy in the Si substitutional systems is observed when compared with DyFeι2-xVx . The magnetic properties depend on the preferential site occupation and concentration of Si and V atoms in these compounds

Magnetic anisotropy of UFe10-xNixSi2 intermetallic alloys

The magnetic anisotropy in UF10x- Nix Si2 series has been studied by torsion magnetometry and initial ac magnetic susceptibility measurements in the temperature range of 77-293 K. The effective anisotropy constant changes with Ni content showing some increase for intermediate concentration. An increase in magnetic anisotropy energy at low temperatures is due to the uranium sublattice ordering. Magnetic anisotropy behaviour in UFe2Ni8 Si2 is influenced by an additional enhancement of the 3d sublattice connected with the ordering Fe magnetic moments

The Role of Molecular Structure in Monte Carlo Simulations of the Secondary Electron Yield and Backscattering Coefficient from Methacrylic Acid

In this paper, we show the influence of the chemical structure of four different conformers on the secondary electron emission and backscattering of an electron beam from a gel of methacrylic acid. The conformers have different permanent dipole moments, which determines the cross sections for elastic collisions with electrons. The cross sections are used in Monte Carlo simulations of an electron beam, which enters the gel of methacrylic acid. The secondary electron yield and the backscattering coefficient are computed as a function of the beam energy

The early Bronze Age feature from Wilczyce, site 10, Sandomierz district : an interpretation of its functioning in light of multidimensional analysis

The aim of this paper is to present the multidimensional characteristics of the feature number 4 at the site in Wilczyce located on the Sandomierz Upland. During exploration of the pit rich flint material, fragments of pottery vessels and animal bones were found and just above the bottom a “deposit” involved a human skull of the young female, two cattle mandibles, a sheep/goat tibia and astragalus, a damaged cattle scapula and radius, and a polishing stone were deposited. The C14 date obtained from the tooth from the cattle jaw was 3790 ± 35 BP. Based on the shape and the size of discovered feature it is possible to classify it as a typical storage pit but presence of “deposit” enable to postulate a ritual character of assemblage that reflect some kind of burial practices of the Mierzanowice culture. Rituals in the form of interring the dead or parts of their bodies can be found also in the Unietice culture so such features may indicate the emergence of a certain supra- -regional and cross-cultural trend in the early Bronze Age

WNT4 Expression in Primary and Secondary Kidney Diseases: Dependence on Staging

Background/Aims: WNT4 protein is important for kidney development. Its expression was found to be altered in experimental models of chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, the expression of the WNT4 gene has yet not been studied in human renal biopsy samples from patients with broad spectrum of glomerular disease and at different stages of CKD. Thus, the aim of the study was to assess the WNT4 gene expression in renal biopsies of 98 patients using the real-time PCR technique. Materials: In order to assess the relative amounts of mRNA, in samples of patients with manifestation of different renal diseases and separately at different stages of CKD, by QPCR, total RNA was isolated from human kidney tissues collected during renal biopsies. Results of blood and urine samples assessment were used to calculate the correlations of biochemical parameters with WNT4 gene expression in both studied groups. Results: After pathomorphological evaluation, 49 patients were selected as presenting the most common cases in the studied group. Among the patients who developed focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS; n = 13), IgA nephropathy (IgAN; n = 10), IgAN with morphological presentation of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (IgAN/FSGS; n = 8), membranous nephropathy (MN; n = 12), and lupus nephritis (LN; n = 6) were included in the analysis. We found that the level of WNT4 mRNA was higher in kidney specimens obtained from patients with MN as compared to those diagnosed with LN or IgAN. A correlation between WNT4 gene expression and serum albumin and cholesterol levels was observed in patients with FSGS, while WNT4 mRNA levels correlated with plasma sodium in patients diagnosed with LN. After consideration of 98 patients, based on the KDIGO classification of CKD, 20 patients were classified as CKD1 stage, 23 as stage 2, 13 as stage 3a, 11 as stage 3b, 13 as stage 4, and 18 as stage 5. WNT4 gene expression was lower in the CKD patients in stage 2 as compared to CKD 3a. Correlations of WNT4 mRNA level at different stages of CKD with indices of kidney function and lipid metabolism such as serum levels of HDL and LDL cholesterol, TG, urea, creatinine, sodium, and potassium were also found. Conclusions: Our results suggest that altered WNT4 gene expression in patients with different types of glomerular diseases and patients at different stages of CKD may play a role in kidney tissue disorganization as well as disease development and progression

Dimeric peroxiredoxins are druggable targets in human Burkitt lymphoma

Burkitt lymphoma is a fast-growing tumor derived from germinal center B cells. It is mainly treated with aggressive chemotherapy, therefore novel therapeutic approaches are needed due to treatment toxicity and developing resistance. Disturbance of red-ox homeostasis has recently emerged as an efficient antitumor strategy. Peroxiredoxins (PRDXs) are thioredoxin-family antioxidant enzymes that scavenge cellular peroxides and contribute to red-ox homeostasis. PRDXs are robustly expressed in various malignancies and critically involved in cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis. To elucidate potential role of PRDXs in lymphoma, we studied their expression level in B cell-derived primary lymphoma cells as well as in cell lines. We found that PRDX1 and PRDX2 are upregulated in tumor B cells as compared with normal counterparts. Concomitant knockdown of PRDX1 and PRDX2 significantly attenuated the growth rate of lymphoma cells. Furthermore, in human Burkitt lymphoma cell lines, we isolated dimeric 2-cysteine peroxiredoxins as targets for SK053, a novel thiol-specific small-molecule peptidomimetic with antitumor activity. We observed that treatment of lymphoma cells with SK053 triggers formation of covalent PRDX dimers, accumulation of intracellular reactive oxygen species, phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and AKT and leads to cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Based on site-directed mutagenesis and modeling studies, we propose a mechanism of SK053-mediated PRDX crosslinking, involving double thioalkylation of active site cysteine residues. Altogether, our results suggest that peroxiredoxins are novel therapeutic targets in Burkitt lymphoma and provide the basis for new approaches to the treatment of this disease

Results of Fullerton Test in older people. Group comparison due to the Nordic Walking and long walks undertaking

Introduction: Standardly, high level of physical activity is prescribed to the older patients. However, it is worth to examine if every kind of physical activity give the same amount of health benefits, or is it dependent on its modality.Aim: The purpose of above studies is to measure the differences in Fullerton subtests results in group who does vs in group who does not undertake regular long walks (LW) and Nordic Walking (NW).Material and methods: Subtests of Fullerton tests were used to examine the physical performance of patients. Physical activity questionnaire was used to distinguish groups of patients who do vs do not engage in long walks and Nordic Walking regularly.Results: There were no statistically significant differences in Fullerton scores due to NW-engagement. In contrary, group engaged in LW walked 42.41 meters more in 6-minute walk tests than group who do not undertake such activity. Moreover, Upper Right and Left Limbs Strength tests and its mean scores were better in LW-group by 4.23, 4.6 and 4.09 repetitions, respectively.Conclusions: There was no statistically significant differences in results of Fullerton subtests between group of NW-engaged older people comparing to group who do not undertake NW. Group of participants engaged in long walks had better scores aerobic capacity and upper limbs strength tests