Phenotypic variation of erythrocyte linker histone H1.c in a pheasant (Phasianus colchicus L.) population

Our goal was to characterize a phenotypic variation of the pheasant erythrocyte linker histone subtype H1.c. By using two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis three histone H1.c phenotypes were identified. The differently migrating allelic variants H1.c1 and H1.c2 formed either two homozygous phenotypes, c1 and c2, or a single heterozygous phenotype, c1c2. In the pheasant population screened, birds with phenotype c2 were the most common (frequency 0.761) while individuals with phenotype c1 were rare (frequency 0.043)

MARC1 p.A165T variant is associated with decreased markers of liver injury and enhanced antioxidant capacity in autoimmune hepatitis

The clinical picture of autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) varies markedly between patients, potentially due to genetic modifiers. The aim of this study was to evaluate genetic variants previously associated with fatty liver as potential modulators of the AIH phenotype. The study cohort comprised 313 non-transplanted adults with AIH. In all patients, the MARC1 (rs2642438), HSD17B13 (rs72613567), PNPLA3 (rs738409), TM6SF2 (rs58542926), and MBOAT7 (rs641738) variants were genotyped using TaqMan assays. Mitochondrial damage markers in serum were analyzed in relation to the MARC1 variant. Carriers of the protective MARC1 allele had lower ALT and AST (both P < 0.05). In patients treated for AIH for ≥ 6 months, MARC1 correlated with reduced AST, ALP, GGT (all P ≤ 0.01), and lower APRI (P = 0.02). Patients carrying the protective MARC1 genotype had higher total antioxidant activity (P < 0.01) and catalase levels (P = 0.02) in serum. The PNPLA3 risk variant was associated with higher MELD (P = 0.02) in treated patients, whereas MBOAT7 increased the odds for liver cancer (OR = 3.71). None of the variants modulated the risk of death or transplantation. In conclusion, the MARC1 polymorphism has protective effects in AIH. Genotyping of MARC1, PNPLA3, and MBOAT7 polymorphisms might help to stratify patients with AIH

Situation, Figuration und Gewalt. Versuch eines gewaltsoziologischen Dialoges zwischen Randall Collins und Norbert Elias am Beispiel sexueller Kriegsgewalt

Ebner J, Stopfinger M. Situation, Figuration und Gewalt. Versuch eines gewaltsoziologischen Dialoges zwischen Randall Collins und Norbert Elias am Beispiel sexueller Kriegsgewalt. Österreichische Zeitschrift für Soziologie. 2020;45(S1):43-67.In diesem Beitrag werden zwei in der soziologischen Gewaltforschung etablierte Ansätze – die mikrosoziologisch-situationistische Gewalttheorie von Randall Collins und die figurations- bzw. prozesssoziologische Perspektive von Norbert Elias – auf ihre Eignung für die Analyse von sexueller Kriegsgewalt überprüft. Nach einer kurzen Diskussion des Forschungsstandes zu sexueller Kriegsgewalt wird dieses Thema einmal mit Collins und einmal mit Elias beleuchtet. Danach werden die beiden Zugänge einander gegenübergestellt, um Unterschiede und Gemeinsamkeiten herauszuarbeiten. Darauf aufbauend wird versucht, die Fruchtbarkeit eines „pragmatischen Dialoges“ zwischen einem mikro- und einem figurationssoziologisch inspirierten Ansatz auszuloten. Abschließend wird diskutiert, welche Folgerungen sich daraus für die Forschung zu sexueller Kriegsgewalt ergeben.In this paper, two approaches established in sociological violence research – Randall Collins’ micro-sociological theory of violence and Norbert Elias’ figuration- and process-sociological perspective—are examined for their suitability for the analysis of sexual violence in war. After a brief discussion of the current state of research on sexual violence in war, this topic will be examined once with Collins and once with Elias. The two approaches are then juxtaposed in order to highlight differences and similarities. Building on this, the fruitfulness of a “pragmatic dialogue” between a micro- and a figuration-sociologically inspired approach will be explored. The concluding section discusses the implications for research on sexual violence in war

Assesment of thermal endurance of nanofilled polyesterimide varnish

Przedstawiono wstępne wyniki długotrwałego starzenia cieplnego lakieru poliestroimidowego zawierającego 1,5% nanokrzemionki płomieniowej. Przyjęto kryteria oceny degradacji cieplnej lakieru według UL – poziom siły wiążącej oraz dodatni wynik próby napięciowej. Dodatkowo wykonano badania termograwimetryczne TG w warunkach izotermicznych. Stwierdzono, że w przyjętych temperaturach starzenia trwałość lakieru nanokompozytowego przy kryterium elektrycznym jest wyższa niż lakieru wyjściowego. Dla lakieru z nanokrzemionką siła wiążąca po długotrwałym starzeniu jest również wyraźnie większa, a badania TG wykazują mniejszy ubytek masy. Uzyskane wyniki potwierdzają, że lakier z nanokrzemionką ma wyższą ciepłoodporność niż lakier wyjściowy. Nanocząstki krzemionki mogą stanowić barierę dla transportu masy i ciepła, utrudniając degradację cieplną nanokompozytu.The initial results of long-term thermal ageing of nanofilled polyesterimide varnish contained 1.5% fumed nanosilica are presented. The criteria of varnish thermal degradation according UL, i.e. the bond strength level and positive result of voltage proof were assumed. In addition, the thermogravimetric TG investigations under isothermal condition have been performed. At the aging temperatures lifetimes of nanofilled varnish is longer than that for the pure varnish when an electrical criterion is applied. The bond strength after a long-lasting ageing is also much greater for nanocomposite. The TG investigations show that mass loss of nanocomposite is less. The obtained results confirmed that thermal endurance of nanofilled varnish is improved with relation to pure varnish. The silica nanoparticles could form a barrier for mass and heat transport and hinder thermal degradation of nanocomposite

Reasons of leaves withering in tropical plants cultivated under greenhouse conditions

In order to determine the reasons of necrosis of exotic plants leaves cultivated in greenhouses plants belonging to ten following species were examined: Ceratozamia mexicana Brongn., Stangeria eriopus (Kunze) Nash (Cycadaceae), Eriobotrya japonica Lindl. (Rosaceae), Camellia japonica L. (Theaceae), Phoenix roebeleni O'Brien (Palmae), Sequoia sempervirens Endl. (Taxodiaceae), Calathea bachemiana Morr. (Marantaceae), Cordyline terminalis Kunth (Agavaceae), Spathiphyllum wallisii Reg. and Anthurium magnificum Lind. (Araceae). Chemical analysis were performed in soil samples in which these plants grow, in samples of tap-water applied for watering and in samples of decaying and healthy leaves. In order to examine the process of withdrawal of mineral components from necrotic leaves, both: necrotic and green parts of decaying leaves were subjected to examination. On the basis of the research it was concluded, that - in spite of generally low level of salinity of the water used for watering - some ions content, particularity that of CI-, was unfavourable to plants. Unfavourable ionic composition was discovered in water extracts derived from some of the breeding-ground soils. A comparison of healthy and decaying, necrotic leaves chemism proves that CI- assimilated by the plants from the breeding-grounds and accumulated in leaves, affects them toxically