Methods for Monitoring Matrix-Induced Autophagy.

A growing body of research demonstrates modulation of autophagy by a variety of matrix constituents, including decorin, endorepellin, and endostatin. These matrix proteins are both pro-autophagic and anti-angiogenic. Here, we detail a series of methods to monitor matrix-induced autophagy and its concurrent effects on angiogenesis. We first discuss cloning and purifying proteoglycan fragment and core proteins in the laboratory and review relevant techniques spanning from cell culture to treatment with these purified proteoglycans in vitro and ex vivo. Further, we cover protocols in monitoring autophagic progression via morphological and microscopic characterization, biochemical western blot analysis, and signaling pathway investigation. Downstream angiogenic effects using in vivo approaches are then discussed using wild-type mice and the GFP-LC3 transgenic mouse model. Finally, we explore matrix-induced mitophagy via monitoring changes in mitochondrial DNA and permeability

Chosen properties of oak wood immersed for 6 months in the Baltic Sea

Changes of physical and chemical properties, mass loss and susceptibility of oak wood to decay caused by Basidiomycetes fungi were assessed after wood samples had been taken out of the sea within the framework of MACHU project. Test samples of oak wood of the dimensions of 250 × 10 × 10 mm were placed in coastal waters of the Baltic Sea at the area of medieval seaport in Puck and in waters of the Gdansk Bay at the same longitude as Orłowo (near the wreck of Swedish warship Solen). The samples taken out of the sea were examined visually and described. Changes in mass of the samples, their bending strength and modulus of elasticity, compression strength along the grain, ability to decay caused by Trametes versicolor fungus, content of mineral substances and substances soluble in water, ethanol-benzene mixture and in 1-percent aqueous solution of NaOH, content of cellulose, lignin and pentosanes as well as pH of the wood were investigated. The properties of samples taken out of the sea after 6 months of immersion were compared with the properties of control twin samples of oak wood which had not been immersed. The results obtained so far indicate that noticeable, measurable changes in oak wood immersed in sea occur already in half a year since immersion, so observation of them may be useful for protection and monitoring of underwater archaeological objects

Badania drewna zatopionego w morzu

The Polish Maritime Museum in Gdansk participated in the EU project MACHU aiming at creation of a system of location, making information on European subaqueous maritime cultural heritage available and dissemination of it. 7 EU countries co-operated in the project. The Wood Technology Institute contributed to research on durability of small oak wood samples submerged in the sea. The samples were considered bioindicator of changes. The outline of research in the project is presented below.Centralne Muzeum Morskie w Gdańsku uczestniczyło w projekcie UE MACHU zmierzającym do stworzenia systemu lokalizacji, udostępnienia i upowszechnienia informacji o europejskim podwodnym morskim dziedzictwie kulturowym. W projekcie współpracowało 7 krajów UE. Instytut Technologii Drewna wziął udział w pracach w zakresie badań trwałości w warunkach zatopienia w morzu małych próbek drewna dębu traktowanych jako bioindykator zmian. Przedstawiono zarys badań w projekcie

Energy biomass characteristics of chosen plants

The chosen energy plants species: willow, mallow and Miscanthus are presented. Result of analysis of combustion heat and heating value of these species biomass indicate on possibility of their utilization as fuel for combustion and energy and heat production