Biometric features and content of phenolic compounds of roseroot (Rhodiola rosea L.)

Roseroot (Rhodiola rosea L.) belongs to important herbs in folk medicine of Scandinavia, Russia, Mongolia, and China. Its therapeutic usage is mainly associated with the adaptogenic properties of this species. Roseroot is characterized by high morphological, phytochemical, and genetic differentiation. The aim of the present work was to determine the biometric and phytochemical co-variability of this taxon. Samples of Rh. rosea were collected from 4-year-old experimental field cultivation established by rhizome division in western Poland. For each plant, the biometric measurements of the clumps, shoots, leaves, and rhizomes with roots were carried out. In the underground plant parts (raw material), the contents of the main active compounds (phenylpropanoids, phenylethanoids, phenolic acids, and catechins) were determined by the HPLC-DAD method. K-means clustering analysis showed three well-separated plant groups of Rh. rosea that differed significantly in the level of most of the investigated components. It was interesting that in the raw material with a high content of phenylethanoids, a low level of phenyl­propanoids was found, and vice versa. These chemical groups clearly differed in luxuriance of plants, too. The important diagnostic feature was also the degree of leaf serration. The morphological and phytochemical co-variability of roseroot was confirmed by the correlations detected between some active compounds (especially catechins and rosavin) and biometric traits describing the size and serration of leaves, the size of clumps and shoots as well as the weight of the raw material

Content of pyrrolizidine alkaloids in the leaves of coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara L.) in Poland

Coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara L.) is a common species, widely used in European and Chinese traditional medicine for the treatment of respiratory diseases. However, raw material from this plant contains hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs). The aim of the study was to determine the variability of the level of PAs (senkirkine and senecionine) in leaves of coltsfoot originated from natural populations in Poland. In the phytochemical analysis, 20 samples of T. farfara were used. This plant material was obtained from the Garden of Medicinal Plants in Plewiska near Poznań and originated from different regions of Poland. Coltsfoot leaves were harvested in the middle of July of 2010 and then dried at room temperature. The alkaloid content was detected using the HPLC-DAD method. The amount of PAs in leaves of T. farfara changed in a wide range from 0.06 to 1.04 μg g−1 of dry matter (DM). The content of senkirkine and senecionine was positively correlated (r = 0.68, P = 0.001). There was no statistically significant correlation between the amount of PAs as well as leaf weight and water content in leaves of T. farfara. Our results showed that a medium-sized leaf of coltsfoot (0.33 g DM) may contain from 0.02 to 0.34 μg of PAs (on average 0.14 μg). The level of PAs was not associated with the region of Poland, but phytochemical similarity of samples was usually visible at the local scale. Coltsfoot leaves are characterized by a high variability of the content of toxic PAs, much higher than in the case of the main active compounds, especially flavonoids and mucilage. This phytochemical variability is mainly genetically determined (samples came from a garden collection), and it can be increased by environmental factors. Our investigations indicate that Polish natural populations of T. farfara may provide raw material with a low level of toxic PAs

Polymorphic variants of genes involved in choline pathway and the risk of intrauterine fetal death

Objectives: Choline and folate metabolism disturbances may be involved in the occurrence of intrauterine fetal death (IUFD). The proper activity of this metabolism could be determined by genetic variants involved in choline pathway e.g. CHKA (gene encoding choline kinase α), PCYT1A (gene encoding CCTα) and CHDH (gene encoding choline dehydrogenase). Our study aimed at determining the genotype and allele frequencies of CHKA rs7928739, PCYT1A rs712012, PCYT1A rs7639752, CHDH rs893363 and CHDH rs2289205 polymorphisms in mothers with IUFD occurrence. Material and methods: The study involved 76 mothers with IUFD occurrence and 215 mothers of healthy children. Genetic analysis was performed with the use of PCR/RFLP method. Results: The frequency of genotypes and alleles of studied polymorphisms was similar in both groups. The study revealed no association of PCYT1A, CHKA and CHDH polymorphisms in analysed groups of women. While evaluating the co-existence of analysed polymorphisms statistically significant correlation was revealed. Co-existence of CHKA rs7928739 AC/CHDH rs2289205 AA genotypes was observed statistically more frequently in the study group than in the control group (p = 0,031). Conclusions: There is no correlation between single CHKA rs7928739, PCYT1A rs712012, PCYT1A rs7639752, CHDH rs893363 and CHDH rs2289205 polymorphisms and the incidence of intrauterine fetal death. However, revealed statistically significant difference between co-existence of CHKA rs7928739 AC/CHDH rs2289205 AA genotypes between study groups suggest the need of further analysis

The importance of polymorphic variants of collagen 1A2 gene (COL1A2) in the development of osteopenia and osteoporosis in postmenopausal women

Objectives: Collagen type I plays an important role in the bone matrix and is encoded by COL1A2 (collagen type I alpha 2) gene that may be a potential candidate for osteoporotic fracture. The aim of this study is to determine whether EcoRI, Del38 and PvuII polymorphisms of COL1A2 are associated with the development of osteoporosis and osteopenia in post­menopausal Polish women. Moreover, analysis of relationship between frequency of COL1A2 gene polymorphic variants and clinical parameters of bone turnover and degree of osteoporosis was performed. Material and methods: The study group comprised of women with osteoporosis (n = 90), osteopenia (n = 56) and healthy individuals (n = 56). The EcoRI, Del38 and PvuII polymorphisms in COL1A2 gene were detected by PCR-RFLP method. Results: In women with osteoporosis the TT genotype of EcoRI polymorphism had the lowest Z-score value compared to other genotypes (p = 0.034). In case of Del28 polymorphism, there was a statistically significant correlation between lower BMI values and the DD genotype in women with osteopenia (p = 0.041). There was no statistically significant correlation between polymorphic variants of Del28 polymorphism and clinical parameters of women with osteoporosis. The analysis of PvuII polymorphism showed that in women with osteopenia the CC genotype had the lowest body weight compared to other genotypes (p = 0.039). PvuII polymorphism and clinical parameters in the group of women with osteoporosis had no statistically significant correlations. Conclusions: The analyzed COL1A2 polymorphisms seem to be related to osteoporosis development and their particular clinical parameters. Hence, the COL1A2 polymorphism may be a genetic risk factor related to the development of osteoporosis

Cation exchange HPLC analysis of desmosines in elastin hydrolysates

Desmosine crosslinks are responsible for the elastic properties of connective tissues in lungs and cardiovascular system and are often compromised in disease states. We developed a new, fast, and simple cation exchange HPLC assay for the analysis of desmosine and isodesmosine in animal elastin. The method was validated by determining linearity, accuracy, precision, and desmosines stability and was applied to measure levels of desmosines in porcine and murine organs. The detection and quantification limits were 2 and 4 pmol, respectively. The run-time was 8 min. Our cation exchange column does not separate desmosine and isodesmosine, but their level can be quantified from absorbance at different wavelengths. Using this assay, we found that desmosines levels were significantly lower in elastin isolated from various organs of immunodeficient severe combined immunodeficiency mice compared with wild-type animals. We also found that desmosines levels were lower in lung elastin isolated from hyperhomocysteinemic Pcft−/− mice deficient in intestinal folate transport compared with wild-type Pcft+/+ animals

Criminal liability for CLI spoofing

Spoofing involves masking the identity of a person, group or organisation, by manipulating addresses, identifiers or other data used to identify a user or system. This can range from falsifying IP addresses, phone numbers and email addresses to generating persuasive, fake signals capable of disrupting the reception of legitimate GPS signals by receivers. The article aims to analyse the criminal liability of spoofing attacks, with a focus on CLI spoofing. Additionally, the article will identify the most common methods used by perpetrators of spoofing attacks. This will be followed by an examination of the statutory measures implemented in Poland to mitigate the effects of spoofing attacks, which are considered as reasons for criminal responsibility. The article confirms the research hypothesis that effective reduction of CLI spoofing requires not only legislation that introduces criminal liability for spoofing, but also appropriate legal regulations that impose certain obligations on telecommunications entrepreneurs, efficient international cooperation, and comprehensive education in the fields of cybersecurity and cyber hygiene

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cybercrime

The COVID-19 pandemic is accompanied by a cyber pandemic, involving changes in the modi operandi of perpetrators of various crimes, and an infodemic, associated with the spread of disinformation. The article analyses the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cybercrime and presents the latest research on the number of cybercrime cases in Poland and their growth dynamics. It determines the factors that contribute to the commission of a crime and prevent easy identification of criminals. It also suggests the legal and organisational changes that could reduce the number and effects of the most frequently recorded cyberattacks at a time of COVID-19. Particular attention is paid to legal problems of the growing phenomenon of identity theft, and the need to ensure better protection of users from phishing, including through education and proactive security measures consisting in blocking Internet domains used for fraudulent attempts to obtain data and financial resources

Hacking in the (cyber)space

The article analyzes the concept of hacking, taking into account its evolution from a neutral term that means going beyond specific schemes of action to a negative context in which the concept is often equated with a cyber-security breach or cyber- crime. A study of the understanding of the concept of space and cyberspace, as well as selected cyber threats, shows the impact of the development of modern technologies on the blurring of the boundaries between real and virtual space. Based on selected cases in the field of cybercrime, the specific features of actions in cyberspace and their effects in the real world are indicated. New methods of cybercriminals open up new areas of criminological research on the geography of crime. The paper points out the involvement of State-Actors in cyber attacks, which makes it challenging to eliminate safe harbors for cyber criminals and reduces the effectiveness of instruments of international cooperation in criminal cases

Raspberry seed extract improves the ferroxidase activity of ceruloplasmin in patients with lower artery chronic total occlusion

Ceruloplasmin (Cp) is the major antioxidant in plasma, a protein that carries about 95% of the total copper. Multiple biochemical activities of ceruloplasmin have been described, including copper transport or oxidation of Fe(II) to Fe(III) for subsequent uptake by transferrin and ferritin. Reduction of the pool of free Fe(II) ions by Cp prevents the generation of free radicals and reactive oxygen species by oxidation of Fe(II), thus inhibiting the Haber-Weiss reaction. The removal of both free Fe(II) and Fe(III) ions from blood plasma by polyphenols enhances the antioxidant system of the living organism. However, the mechanism of interactions between exo- and endogenous antioxidants is still under consideration. The effect of raspberry seed extract (RSE) on the ferroxidase activity of ceruloplasmin isolated from plasma of patients with chronic arterial occlusion of the lower limbs due to atherosclerosis (CpAO) was investigated. Moreover, the effect of RSE on the ferroxidase activity of Cp isolated from healthy volunteers (CpC) was also estimated. The ferroxidase activity of Cp, expressed as ΔFe(II), was determined by spectrophotometry with the use of the Fe(II) – histidine complex and ferrozine as a chromogenic reagent. The addition of RSE to samples with the same amount of both CpAO or CpC in each caused an increase in ΔFe(II). The polyphenol-rich RSE may assist Cp in the fight against free radicals and reactive oxygen species when the disease occurs due to an excessive use or reduced production of endogenous antioxidants

Yield and level of phenolic compounds in the inflorescence of yellow everlasting Helichrysum arenarium (L.) Moench collected from natural sites

Introduction: The inflorescence of Helichrysum arenarium (L.) Moench shows anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, detoxifying properties and is traditionally used in liver and biliary tract diseases. Because of its difficult and expensive cultivation, the plant raw material is mainly harvested from natural sites