Pressure-assisted solvent- and catalyst-free production of well-defined poly(1-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone) for biomedical applications

In this work, we developed a fast, highly efficient, and environmentally friendly catalytic systemfor classical freeradical polymerization (FRP) utilizing a high-pressure (HP) approach. The application of HP for thermallyinduced, bulk FRP of 1-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone (VP) allowed to eliminate the current limitation of ambientpressure polymerization of ‘less-activated’ monomer (LAM), characterized by the lack of temporal control yielding polymers of unacceptably large disperisites and poor result reproducibility. By a simple manipulation of thermodynamic conditions (p ¼ 125–500 MPa, T ¼ 323–333 K) and reaction composition (twocomponent system: monomer and low content of thermoinitiator) well-defined poly(1-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone)s (PVP) in a wide range of molecular weights and low/moderate dispersities (Mn ¼ 16.2–280.5 kg mol 1, Đ ¼ 1.27–1.45) have been produced. We have found that HP can act as an ‘external’ controlling factor that warrants the first-order polymerization kinetics for classical FRP, something that was possible so far only for reversible deactivation radical polymerization (RDRP) systems. Importantly, our synthetic strategy adopted for VP FRP enabled us to obtain polymers of very high Mn in a very short time-frame (0.5 h). It has also been confirmed that VP bulk polymerization yields polymers with significantly lower glass transition temperatures (Tg) and different solubility properties in comparison to macromolecules obtained during the solvent-assisted reaction

Association of Interleukin Genes IL10 and IL10RB with Parameters of Overweight in Military Students

To date, nearly 300 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with BMI, waist-to-hip ratio, and other adiposity traits have been identified by GWAS. With regards to IL10, at least 49 IL10-associated polymorphisms have been reported. However, little is known regarding the relationship between SNPs of the IL10 gene and the risk of obesity in young men. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between SNPs of the IL10 and IL10RB genes and the risk of obesity in young men

Analysis of trace element in intervertebral disc by Atomic Absorption Spectrometry techniques in degenerative disc disease in the Polish population

Objective Although trace elements are regarded crucial and their content has been determined in number of tissue there are only few papers addressing this problem in intervertebral disc in humans. Most of the trace elements are important substrates of enzymes influencing metabolism and senescence process. Others are markers of environmental pollution. Therefore the aim of the research was to analyzed of the trace element content in the intervertebral disc, which may be a vital argument recognizing the background of degenerative changes to be the effect of the environment or metabolic factors. Material and Methods Material consist of 18 intervertebral disc from 15 patients, acquired in surgical procedure of due to the degenerative disease with Atomic Absorption Spectrometry content of Al, Cd, Co, Pb, Cu, Ni, Mo, Mg, Zn was evaluated. Results Only 4 of the trace elements were detected in all samples. The correlation analysis showed significant positive age correlation with Al and negative in case of Co. Among elements significant positive correlation was observed between Al/Pb, Co/Mo, Al/Mg, Al/Zn Pb/Zn and Mg/Zn. Negative correlation was observed in Al/Co, Cd/Mg, Co/Mg, Mo/Mg, Co/Zn and Mo/Zn. Conclusions This study is the first to our knowledge that profiles the elements in intervertebral disc in patients with degenerative changes. We have confirmed significant differences between the trace element contents in intervertebral disc and other tissue. It can be ground for further investigation

Assessment of Sugar-Related Dietary Patterns to Personality Traits and Cognitive–Behavioural and Emotional Functioning in Working-Age Women

This cross-sectional study investigated interactions among sugar-related dietary patterns (DPs), personality traits, and cognitive–behavioural and emotional functioning. The study involved working-age women aged 18–54. Data were collected between Winter and Spring of 2020/21. The survey was conducted using anonymised questionnaires. The ten-item personality inventory (TIPI-PL) was used to examine personality traits based on the Big Five personality trait model. A three-factor eating questionnaire (TFEQ-13) was used to measure the following eating behaviours: cognitive restraint (CR), uncontrolled eating (UE), and emotional eating (EE). The KomPAN questionnaire collected the frequency of the intake. Dietary patterns (DPs) were derived by principal component analysis (PCA). A logistic regression (OR) was applied to verify the associations among the DPs, personality traits, and cognitive–behavioural and emotional functioning. Three DPs were identified: sweet-Western (SWDP), pro-healthy (PHDP), and dairy (DDP). Women with high conscientiousness were less likely, by 33%, to adhere to the upper tercile of the SWDP and 80% more likely to the upper tercile of the PHDP. Elevated CR intensity increased by almost twofold (OR: 1.93; p p < 0.01) the likelihood of increased adherence to the SWDP. Personality traits and eating behaviours significantly correlated with the extracted SWDP

Analysis of trace element in intervertebral disc by Atomic Absorption Spectrometry techniques in degenerative disc disease in the Polish population

Objective Although trace elements are regarded crucial and their content has been determined in number of tissue there are only few papers addressing this problem in intervertebral disc in humans. Most of the trace elements are important substrates of enzymes influencing metabolism and senescence process. Others are markers of environmental pollution. Therefore the aim of the research was to analyzed of the trace element content in the intervertebral disc, which may be a vital argument recognizing the background of degenerative changes to be the effect of the environment or metabolic factors. Material and Methods Material consist of 18 intervertebral disc from 15 patients, acquired in surgical procedure of due to the degenerative disease with Atomic Absorption Spectrometry content of Al, Cd, Co, Pb, Cu, Ni, Mo, Mg, Zn was evaluated. Results Only 4 of the trace elements were detected in all samples. The correlation analysis showed significant positive age correlation with Al and negative in case of Co. Among elements significant positive correlation was observed between Al/Pb, Co/Mo, Al/Mg, Al/Zn Pb/Zn and Mg/Zn. Negative correlation was observed in Al/Co, Cd/Mg, Co/Mg, Mo/Mg, Co/Zn and Mo/Zn. Conclusions This study is the first to our knowledge that profiles the elements in intervertebral disc in patients with degenerative changes. We have confirmed significant differences between the trace element contents in intervertebral disc and other tissue. It can be ground for further investigation

A newly discovered fragment of a Hunnic cauldron from site 59-60, Sanok, Poland

The article presents a newly discovered fragment of the Hunnic cauldron, unearthed during investment research conducted at site 59-60 in Sanok, Sanok County, Podkarpackie Voivodeship. As a result of conducted excavations, an extensive settlement from the Late Roman Period and the Early Migration Period were discovered. The fragment of the cauldron in one of the most important discoveries from here. Up to date just over 20 specimens of cauldrons or their fragments are known from Central Europe. The presented one is just the second cauldron discovered in the area of Poland. The article contains the results of stylistic, typological and chemical analyzes confirming the interpretation of this find

Back to the Eneolithic: Exploring the Rudki-type ornaments from Poland

© 2019, The Author(s). For a long time, the Eneolithic attribution of the Rudki-type double spiral ornaments was contested by a wide academic audience, and therefore, this new and extraordinary category of the copper metalwork seemed to have fallen into scientific oblivion. In this paper, we contribute to the debate about cultural attribution of the Rudki-type double spiral ornaments considering their chemical and isotope characteristics (using ED XRF and MC-ICP-MS) and the manufacturing technology (OM, X-ray, CT). Noticeably, this study represents the first documented implementation of the lead isotope analysis (LIA) for the Eneolithic metalwork from Poland. The new scientific analyses give ground to the hypothesis that the Rudki-type double spiral ornaments were produced by the Baden culture metalworker(s) who practiced somewhere in the Carpathian Basin and who have used copper ore mined in the Slovak Ore Mountains (Špania Dolina–Banská Bystrica–Kremnica mine complex). These ornaments were redistributed towards the northern ecumene of the Baden culture complex. The new owners, the Funnel Beaker (TRB) culture communities from the region of modern Poland, deposited the ornaments in hoards (Kałdus, Przeuszyn and Rudki) during the mid-4th millennium BC. The results, furthermore, indicate that the so-called Baden spiral metalwork package must be now complemented by the Rudki-type double spiral ornaments. Remarkably, this package also found an echo in pottery decoration, as documented by a narrative scene incised on an amphora from Kałdus, which could be also interpreted as one of the earliest known proofs for the wagon transport in Europe, alongside the famous ones reported from Bronocice or Flintbek.status: publishe

Human Cardiac Mesenchymal Stromal Cells with CD105+CD34- Phenotype Enhance the Function of Post-Infarction Heart in Mice.

The aim of the present study was to isolate mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) with CD105+CD34- phenotype from human hearts, and to investigate their therapeutic potential in a mouse model of hindlimb ischemia and myocardial infarction (MI). The study aimed also to investigate the feasibility of xenogeneic MSCs implantation.MSC isolated from human hearts were multipotent cells. Separation of MSC with CD105+CD34- phenotype limited the heterogeneity of the originally isolated cell population. MSC secreted a number of anti-inflammatory and proangiogenic cytokines (mainly IL-6, IL-8, and GRO). Human MSC were transplanted into C57Bl/6NCrl mice. Using the mouse model of hindlimb ischemia it was shown that human MSC treated mice demonstrated a higher capillary density 14 days after injury. It was also presented that MSC administrated into the ischemic muscle facilitated fast wound healing (functional recovery by ischemic limb). MSC transplanted into an infarcted myocardium reduced the post-infarction scar, fibrosis, and increased the number of blood vessels both in the border area, and within the post-infarction scar. The improvement of left ventricular ejection fraction was also observed.In two murine models (hindlimb ischemia and MI) we did not observe the xenotransplant rejection. Indeed, we have shown that human cardiac mesenchymal stromal cells with CD105+CD34- phenotype exhibit therapeutic potential. It seems that M2 macrophages are essential for healing and repair of the post-infarcted heart