Consequences of foreign direct investment inflow from EU countries to Poland

In recent years Poland has become the leader among the countries ofCentral and Eastem Europe in terms offoreign direct investment (FDI) inflow, ofwhich approx. 60 % is of the EU origin. As the country moves towards the integration with the single European market the incentives for EU countries to invest in Poland are still growing bigger. However, besides the inflow offinancial capital, FDI also encompasses the transferoftechnologies, know-how, managerial skills, new techniques in marketing and production organization. This paper discusses the consequences, both positive and negative, of these transfers for Polish economy and the competitiveness ofPolish enterprises

The use of shape memory compression anastomosis clips in cholecystojejunostomy in pigs - a preliminary study

This paper reports on the use of compression anastomosis clips (CAC) in cholecystoenterostomy in an animal model. Cholecystojejunostomy was performed in 6 pigs using implants made of nickel-titanium alloy in the form of elliptical springs with two-way shape memory. The applied procedure led to the achievement of tight anastomosis with a minimal number of complications and positive results of histopathological evaluations of the anastomotic site. The results of the study indicate that shape memory NiTi clips are a promising surgical tool for cholecystoenterostomy in cats and dogs

Enhanced self-administration of the CB1 receptor agonist WIN55,212-2 in olfactory bulbectomized rats: evaluation of possible serotonergic and dopaminergic underlying mechanisms

Depression has been associated with drug consumption, including heavy or problematic cannabis use. According to an animal model of depression and substance use disorder comorbidity, we combined the olfactory bulbectomy (OBX) model of depression with intravenous drug self-administration procedure to verify whether depressive-like rats displayed altered voluntary intake of the CB1 receptor agonist WIN55,212-2 (WIN, 12.5 μg/kg/infusion). To this aim, olfactory-bulbectomized (OBX) and sham-operated (SHAM) Lister Hooded rats were allowed to self-administer WIN by lever-pressing under a continuous [fixed ratio 1 (FR-1)] schedule of reinforcement in 2 h daily sessions. Data showed that both OBX and SHAM rats developed stable WIN intake; yet, responses in OBX were constantly higher than in SHAM rats soon after the first week of training. In addition, OBX rats took significantly longer to extinguish the drug-seeking behavior after vehicle substitution. Acute pre-treatment with serotonin 5HT1B receptor agonist, CGS-12066B (2.5-10 mg/kg), did not significantly modify WIN intake in OBX and SHAM Lister Hooded rats. Furthermore, acute pre-treatment with CGS-12066B (10 and 15 mg/kg) did not alter responses in parallel groups of OBX and SHAM Sprague Dawley rats self-administering methamphetamine under higher (FR-2) reinforcement schedule with nose-poking as operandum. Finally, dopamine levels in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) of OBX rats did not increase in response to a WIN challenge, as in SHAM rats, indicating a dopaminergic dysfunction in bulbectomized rats. Altogether, our findings suggest that a depressive-like state may alter cannabinoid CB1 receptor agonist-induced brain reward function and that a dopaminergic rather than a 5-HT1B mechanism is likely to underlie enhanced WIN self-administration in OBX rats

POSSIBLE HEALTH RISKS IN SUBJECTS WITH DOMINANT PLANT FOOD CONSUMPTION

ABSTRACT In two groups of apparently healthy non-obese non-smoking women aged 20-30 years – 79 vegetarians (39 lacto-ovo-vegetarians /plant food, dairy products, eggs/, 40 semi-vegetarians /as lacto-ovo-vegetarians with addition of white meat and fish consumption/) and 81 non-vegetarians (control group on traditional mixed diet) were analyzed the dietary questionnaires of food-frequency and measured the blood concentrations of vitamins B9, C, ?-carotene, B12, D and concentrations of iron. Young women in both groups had similar values of body mass index, concentrations of vitamin C, vitamin B9 and ?-carotene. In vegetarian vs. non-vegetarian group was found the significantly increased daily intake of fiber, whole grain products, pulses, seeds and nuts. These finding suggest that both nutritional groups had the similar nutritional regimen from view of fruit and vegetables and different from view of other key vegetarian food commodities. Vitamin B12, vitamin D and long-chain n-3 fatty acids are not contained in plant food. Bioavailability of iron from food can be lower in presence of phytic acid (from whole grain products and pulses) and fiber (pulses, seeds, nuts, whole grains). In group of lacto-ovo-vegetarians (narrow range of animal food consumption) vs. non-vegetarian or semi-vegetarian groups were found the significantly reduced concentrations of vitamin B12, vitamin D and iron with a greater incidence of deficient values (49 % vs. 13 and 15 % for vitamin B12, 67 % vs. 46 and 50 % for vitamin D, 44 % vs. 20 and 30 % for iron). Long-chain n-3 fatty acid intake (eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic) in lacto-ovo-vegetarian group was significantly reduced and very low (no fish consumption) in comparison to non-vegetarians and semi-vegetarians. Intake of these acids in semi-vegetarians vs. non-vegetarians was non-significantly increased. The substrate for long-chain n-3 fatty acid biosynthesis – ?-linolenic acid was significantly more consumed in vegetarian groups (mainly from linseeds). The findings suggest that limited consumption of animal food and dominant consumption of plant food can be connected with possible health risks (higher incidence of deficient values of vitamin B12, vitamin D, iron and long-chain n-3 fatty acids)

Transcription and translation of human F11R gene are required for an initial step of atherogenesis induced by inflammatory cytokines

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background -</p> <p>The F11 Receptor (F11R; aka JAM-A, JAM-1) is a cell adhesion protein present constitutively on the membrane surface of circulating platelets and within tight junctions of endothelial cells (ECs). Previous reports demonstrated that exposure of ECs to pro-inflammatory cytokines causes insertion of F11R molecules into the luminal surface of ECs, ensuing with homologous interactions between F11R molecules of platelets and ECs, and a resultant adhesion of platelets to the inflamed ECs. The main new finding of the present report is that the first step in this chain of events is the <it>de-novo </it>transcription and translation of F11R molecules, induced in ECs by exposure to inflammatory cytokines.</p> <p>Methods -</p> <p>The experimental approach utilized isolated, washed human platelet suspensions and cultured human venous endothelial cells (HUVEC) and human arterial endothelial cells (HAEC) exposed to the proinflammatory cytokines TNF-alpha and/or IFN-gamma, for examination of the ability of human platelets to adhere to the inflamed ECs thru the F11R. Our strategy was based on testing the effects of the following inhibitors on this activity: general mRNA synthesis inhibitors, inhibitors of the NF-kappaB and JAK/STAT pathways, and small interfering F11R-mRNA (siRNAs) to specifically silence the F11R gene.</p> <p>Results -</p> <p>Treatment of inflamed ECs with the inhibitors actinomycin, parthenolide or with AG-480 resulted in complete blockade of F11R- mRNA expression, indicating the involvement of NF-kappaB and JAK/STAT pathways in this induction. Transfection of ECs with F11R siRNAs caused complete inhibition of the cytokine-induced upregulation of F11R mRNA and inhibition of detection of the newly- translated F11R molecules in cytokine-inflamed ECs. The functional consequence of the inhibition of F11R transcription and translation was the significant blockade of the adhesion of human platelets to inflamed ECs.</p> <p>Conclusion -</p> <p>These results prove that <it>de novo </it>synthesis of F11R in ECs is required for the adhesion of platelets to inflamed ECs. Because platelet adhesion to an inflamed endothelium is crucial for plaque formation in non-denuded blood vessels, we conclude that the <it>de-novo </it>translation of F11R is a crucial early step in the initiation of atherogenesis, leading to atherosclerosis, heart attacks and stroke.</p

Improved pharmacokinetics and tissue uptake of complexed daidzein in rats

The pharmacokinetic profile and tissue uptake of daidzein (DAI) was determined in rat serum and tissues (lungs, eyes, brain, heart, spleen, fat, liver, kidney, and testes) after intravenous and intraperitoneal administration of DAI in suspension or complexed with ethylenediamine-modified &gamma;-cyclodextrin (GCD-EDA/DAI). The absolute and relative bioavailability of DAI suspended (20 mg/kg i.v. vs. 50 mg/kg i.p.) and complexed (0.54 mg/kg i.v. vs. 1.35 mg/kg i.p.) was determined. After i.p. administration, absorption of DAI complexed with GCD-EDA was more rapid (tmax = 15 min) than that of DAI in suspension (tmax = 45 min) with a ca. 3.6 times higher maximum concentration (Cmax = 615 vs. 173 ng/mL). The i.v. half-life of DAI was longer in GCD-EDA/DAI complex compared with DAI in suspension (t0.5 = 380 min vs. 230 min). The volume of distribution of DAI given i.v. in GCD-EDA/DAI complex was ca. 6 times larger than DAI in suspension (38.6 L/kg vs. 6.2 L/kg). Our data support the concept that the pharmacokinetics of DAI suspended in high doses are nonlinear. Increasing the intravenous dose 34 times resulted in a 5-fold increase in AUC. In turn, increasing the intraperitoneal dose 37 times resulted in a ca. 2-fold increase in AUC. The results of this study suggested that GCD-EDA complex may improve DAI bioavailability after i.p. administration. The absolute bioavailability of DAI in GCD-EDA inclusion complex was ca. 3 times greater (F = 82.4% vs. 28.2%), and the relative bioavailability was ca. 21 times higher than that of DAI in suspension, indicating the need to study DAI bioavailability after administration by routes other than intraperitoneal, e.g., orally, subcutaneously, or intramuscularly. The concentration of DAI released from GCD-EDA/DAI inclusion complex to all the rat tissues studied was higher than after administration of DAI in suspension. The concentration of DAI in brain and lungs was found to be almost 90 and 45 times higher, respectively, when administered in complex compared to the suspended DAI. Given the nonlinear relationship between DAI bioavailability and the dose released from the GCD-EDA complex, complexation of DAI may thus offer an effective approach to improve DAI delivery for treatment purposes, for example in mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS), allowing the reduction of ingested DAI doses

Ubiquinol Improves Symptoms in Children with Autism

Background. Autism is a spectrum of neurodevelopmental disorders with manifestation within 3 years after birth. Manifestations of autism include behavior problems (hyperactivity, toys destruction, self-harm, and agression) and sleep and eating disorders. Etiology of autism is poorly understood. Oxidative stress and antioxidants can participate in pathobiochemical mechanisms of autism. Methods. Twenty-four children, aged 3–6 years, with autism according to the DSM IV criteria and using CARS were included in the study. Concentrations of CoQ10-TOTAL, γ- and α-tocopherol, β-carotene, and lipid peroxidation were determined in plasma before and after three months of supportive therapy with ubiquinol at a daily dose 2×50 mg. Data on behavior of the children were collected from parents at the same time. Results. Ubiquinol supportive therapy improved symptoms in children with autism, as communication with parents (in 12%), verbal communication (in 21%), playing games of children (in 42%), sleeping (in 34%), and food rejection (in 17%), with CoQ10-TOTAL plasma level above 2.5 μmol/L. Conclusions. Beneficial effect of ubiquinol in children with autism has been demonstrated for the first time. We assume that plasma concentration of CoQ10-TOTAL and lipid peroxidation could be used as relevant biomarkers of ubiquinol supportive therapy

Maternal and perinatal health research during emerging and ongoing epidemic threats: a landscape analysis and expert consultation

Introduction Pregnant women and their offspring are often at increased direct and indirect risks of adverse outcomes during epidemics and pandemics. A coordinated research response is paramount to ensure that this group is offered at least the same level of disease prevention, diagnosis, and care as the general population. We conducted a landscape analysis and held expert consultations to identify research efforts relevant to pregnant women affected by disease outbreaks, highlight gaps and challenges, and propose solutions to addressing them in a coordinated manner. Methods Literature searches were conducted from 1 January 2015 to 22 March 2022 using Web of Science, Google Scholar and PubMed augmented by key informant interviews. Findings were reviewed and Quid analysis was performed to identify clusters and connectors across research networks followed by two expert consultations. These formed the basis for the development of an operational framework for maternal and perinatal research during epidemics. Results Ninety-four relevant research efforts were identified. Although well suited to generating epidemiological data, the entire infrastructure to support a robust research response remains insufficient, particularly for use of medical products in pregnancy. Limitations in global governance, coordination, funding and data-gathering systems have slowed down research responses. Conclusion Leveraging current research efforts while engaging multinational and regional networks may be the most effective way to scale up maternal and perinatal research preparedness and response. The findings of this landscape analysis and proposed operational framework will pave the way for developing a roadmap to guide coordination efforts, facilitate collaboration and ultimately promote rapid access to countermeasures and clinical care for pregnant women and their offspring in future epidemics