Anthropogenic sources of fluorine – the impact on the environment and human health – a literature review

Fluorine is an extremely chemically active element, which has a considerable impact on the entire ecosystem. Its influence may be both beneficial and harmful. This paper describes the biological significance of fluorine. It points out the sources of fluorine in the environment, paying particular attention to the part played by chemical plants producing phosphoric acid and phosphate fertilizers. The article contains the results of selected research, carried out on the area of impact of Zakłady Chemiczne "Police" S.A, concerning the following items: the monitoring of air and rainwater pollution by fluorine compounds, as well as the impact of fluorine and its compounds on plants, animals and human beings. The article also presents the effects posed by excess supply of this element

Czy fizyka wskazuje na istnienie transcendencji? Dyskusja wokół książki "Fizyk w jaskini światów"

Professor Krzysztof A. Meissner proposes a picture of transcendence resulting from physics’ understanding of the world. The transcendence of which he speaks does not mean the Absolute-God, but the world of universal and unchanging laws of nature, which are understood by him in the shape of the Platonic world of ideas. Therefore, one may ask whether such statements are legitimate on the grounds of physics, or should they be considered a particular philosophical view? Furthermore, what is Meissner’s actual understanding of the status of “laws of nature”? Can they legitimately be considered a world of ideas? Does their existence actually indicate the existence of some transcendence? This article is the transcript of a discussion around the book A Physicist in the Cave of Worlds, (Biblioteka Więzi, Vol. 389, Warszawa 2023) by Krzysztof A. Meissner, Jerzy Sosnowski, which took place on March 25, 2023 at the Department of Philosophy of Nature of the CSWU Institute of Philosophy in Warsaw

Etiology and diagnosis of dentine hypersensitivity – a literature review

Along with caries dentine hypersensitivity is a frequent ailment, which makes patients see the dentist. They are forced to do it because of sharp, shooting pain of mild or moderate intensity, which appears as a result of thermal, chemical, dehydrative, osmotic or mechanical stimuli. The study is based on the latest literature and it presents the causes and diagnostics of dentine hypersensitivity. The ailment has a multi-factor aetiology. Patients suffering from periodontal diseases are particularly predisposed to dentine hypersensitivity. The diagnostics of the ailment uses both the patient’s subjective feelings in response to stimuli and clinical examination with the application of objective methods. In order to develop a full therapy plan it is necessary to make an appropriate diagnosis and specify aetiological factors

The role of adiponectin and leptin in the treatment of ovarian cancer patients

Introduction: Ovarian cancer is most frequently detected in the advanced stage. Although its pathogenesis is not fully elucidated, it is assumed that body susceptibility and hormonal disorders are responsible. The role of some cytokines as predictors in the treatment process is still investigated. The aim of the study was to determine the relationship of adiponectin and leptin with the disease severity and response to chemotherapy. Material and methods: Forty-three ovarian cancer patients were treated by systemic treatment. Patients received 5–7 cycles of chemotherapy — paclitaxel/carboplatin with or without bevacizumab. Using standard ELISA kits before and after chemotherapy, adiponectin and leptin concentrations were determined in the blood serum. Results: The average adiponectin concentration before chemotherapy was found to be 8.83 ± 3.19 μg/ml, as compared to 10.37 ± 4.18 μg/ml (increase by 17.44%, p < 0.001) after treatment. Mean pre-treatment leptin concentration was 16.89 ± 15.54 ng/ml, and 21.77 ± 14.69 ng/ml after chemotherapy (increase by 28.89%, p < 0.01). A positive correlation was found between leptin concentration and age and BMI. There was no relationship of the disease severity with the response to treatment and the concentration of the adipokines. The leptin/adiponectin ratio (L/A) before treatment correlated with better response to chemotherapy. Conclusions: Adiponectin and leptin did not correlate with the stage of ovarian cancer and response to chemotherapy. The L/A ratio may be considered a predictor of clinical response to treatment

POLYPRENOL REDUCTASE2 Deficiency Is Lethal in Arabidopsis Due to Male Sterility

Dolichol is a required cofactor for protein glycosylation, the most common posttranslational modification modulating the stability and biological activity of proteins in all eukaryotic cells. We have identified and characterized two genes, PPRD1 and -2, which are orthologous to human SRD5A3 (steroid 5α reductase type 3) and encode polyprenol reductases responsible for conversion of polyprenol to dolichol in Arabidopsis thaliana. PPRD1 and -2 play dedicated roles in plant metabolism. PPRD2 is essential for plant viability; its deficiency results in aberrant development of the male gametophyte and sporophyte. Impaired protein glycosylation seems to be the major factor underlying these defects although disturbances in other cellular dolichol-dependent processes could also contribute. Shortage of dolichol in PPRD2-deficient cells is partially rescued by PPRD1 overexpression or by supplementation with dolichol. The latter has been discussed as a method to compensate for deficiency in protein glycosylation. Supplementation of the human diet with dolichol-enriched plant tissues could allow new therapeutic interventions in glycosylation disorders. This identification of PPRD1 and -2 elucidates the factors mediating the key step of the dolichol cycle in plant cells which makes manipulation of dolichol content in plant tissues feasible

The Effects of Using Sulfur and Organic Bedding on the Content of Macro- and Micronutrients and Biologically Active Substances in Winter Garlic Bulbs

Sulfur (S) directly influences the proper development, yield, and biological value of Allium sativum. The sulfuric forms of S are easily leached from the soil due to poor sorption. In this context, we looked at to what extent application of S and biomass of catch crops (CCs) left until spring would cause an increase in the yield; we also looked at the macro- and micronutrient content of garlic plants. The experimental factors included applications of 0 and 20 kg ha−1 S to CCs consisting of Trifolium alexandrinum, Raphamus sativus var. oleiformis, Fagopyrum esculentum, Sinapis alba, and control. The bulbs contained more dry matter and macro- and micronutrients (N, P, K, S, Zn, and Fe) than those without S. Garlic plants cultivated with S accumulated more glutathione and total phenolic acids (TPA), and the extracts showed greater antioxidant activity (AA) than those cultivated without S. In 2019 and 2020, the cultivation of winter garlic with S, in combination with clover contributed to an increase in the content of dry matter, S, TPA, AA in bulbs. In the cultivation with fodder radish garlic plants accumulated more nitrogen (N), S, TPA, AA and glutathione in bulbs. In those cultivated with buckwheat, garlic contained more TPA, AA, glutathione, and with mustard more TPA and AA. However, further research is needed to select the species of CC and to determine the S dose to be applied in the effective biofortification of garlic in a sustainable agriculture system