Relative quantification of CYP1A gene expression in whitefish (Coregonus lavaretus) exposed to benzo[a]pyrene

The expression of CYP1A (cytochrome P4501A) can be induced by a number of aromatic compounds in teleost fishes. We developed a real-time PCR assay for measuring relative quantities (RQ) of CYP1A mRNA in whitefish (Coregonus lavaretus). To test for the usefulness of the assay we performed a treatment study, using benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) a model CYP1A inducer. Primers for the CYP1A gene were adapted from the literature, whereas those for [beta]-actin (endogenous control) were designed from a region that was found to be conserved among salmonid [beta]-actin genes. A group of hatchery raised whitefish, with an average body mass of 15 g and total length of 12 cm were given an intraperitoneal injection (10 mg/kg) of B[a]P in corn oil (2 mg B[a]P/ml corn oil) or corn oil alone (Control). After 48 h, whitefish liver, head kidney and brains were collected for mRNA isolation and analysis. In all three tissues sampled, CYP1A mRNA was affected by treatment with B[a]P. Head kidney tissue showed the greatest induction potential (RQ=11.00) from base levels (RQ=1.00), followed by liver (RQ=9.45), and brain (RQ=3.76). These results demonstrated that CYP1A was highly inducible by B[a]P in whitefish head kidney and liver, and to some extent, in brain tissue. The approach presented here has the advantage of providing rapid and accurate measures of CYP1A induction in various tissues of fish responding to PAH contaminant exposure

Disorders in the CMG helicase complex increase the proliferative capacity and delay chronological aging of budding yeast

The replication of DNA requires specialized and intricate machinery. This machinery is known as a replisome and is highly evolutionarily conserved, from simple unicellular organisms such as yeast to human cells. The replisome comprises multiple protein complexes responsible for various steps in the replication process. One crucial component of the replisome is the Cdc45-MCM-GINS (CMG) helicase complex, which unwinds double-stranded DNA and coordinates the assembly and function of other replisome components, including DNA polymerases. The genes encoding the CMG helicase components are essential for initiating DNA replication. In this study, we aimed to investigate how the absence of one copy of the CMG complex genes in heterozygous Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells impacts the cells' physiology and aging. Our data revealed that these cells exhibited a significant reduction in transcript levels for the respective CMG helicase complex proteins, as well as disruptions in the cell cycle, extended doubling times, and alterations in their biochemical profile. Notably, this study provided the first demonstration that cells heterozygous for genes encoding subunits of the CMG helicase exhibited a significantly increased reproductive potential and delayed chronological aging. Additionally, we observed a noteworthy correlation between RNA and polysaccharide levels in yeast and their reproductive potential, as well as a correlation between fatty acid levels and cell doubling times. Our findings also shed new light on the potential utility of yeast in investigating potential therapeutic targets for cancer treatment

Depletion of the Origin Recognition Complex Subunits Delays Aging in Budding Yeast

Precise DNA replication is pivotal for ensuring the accurate inheritance of genetic information. To avoid genetic instability, each DNA fragment needs to be amplified only once per cell cycle. DNA replication in eukaryotes starts with the binding of the origin recognition complex (ORC) to the origins of DNA replication. The genes encoding ORC subunits have been conserved across eukaryotic evolution and are essential for the initiation of DNA replication. In this study, we conducted an extensive physiological and aging-dependent analysis of heterozygous cells lacking one copy of ORC genes in the BY4743 background. Cells with only one copy of the ORC genes showed a significant decrease in the level of ORC mRNA, a delay in the G1 phase of the cell cycle, and an extended doubling time. Here, we also show that the reducing the levels of Orc1-6 proteins significantly extends both the budding and average chronological lifespans. Heterozygous ORC/orcΔ and wild-type diploid cells easily undergo haploidization during chronological aging. This ploidy shift might be related to nutrient starvation or the inability to survive under stress conditions. A Raman spectroscopy analysis helped us to strengthen the hypothesis of the importance of lipid metabolism and homeostasis in aging

Influence of pH in AOP on Humic Compounds Removal from Municipal Landfill Leachate Concentrate after Reverse Osmosis

The choice of the optimal method of municipal waste landfill leachate treatment should take into account such factors as: the variability of their composition and quantity over time, requirements for effluent or economic capacity. Due to the variety of compounds found in landfill leachate, it is adviced to use a combination of different treatment processes. Biological methods are effective in the treatment of leachate from young landfills, but generally its efficiency declines significantly with the age of the landfill. Therefore, the preferred are physico-chemical methods, i.e. advanced oxidation, adsorption, membrane methods or a combination of mentioned. The aim of the study was the assessement of the Fenton's reagent utilization to process reverse osmosis concentrate of leachates collected from municipal non-hazardous waste landfill. The research was focused on the influence of pH on the process, and the effectiveness of organic compounds removal, increasing the biodegradability, as well as humic substances transformations were determined. Concentration of humic compounds were measured by optical density at the wavelengths: 254, 265, 280, 320, 465 and 665 nm. In the experiment, the H2O2/Fe2+ 10: 1 ratio was tested at with a dose of H2O2 equal to 3.4 g/l (0.1 M). It has been found that the pH affects the efficiency of COD removal and the increase of the biodegradability of the landfill leachate retentate, and also, the removal of humic substances and its transformation. It was found that at pH 3 the highest removal of COD occurs, with simultaneous increase in biodegradability, and decrese of absorbance caused by humic compounds

THERMAL CONVERSION OF MUNICIPAL WASTE INTO ENERGY: PROSPECTS FOR THE SUB-CARPATHIA

Municipal waste is produced by households and commercial facilities. The quantity and composition of waste depends not only on consumption profiles and the nation’s wealth but also on efficiency of waste collection and further handling. Dumping of municipal waste is the least expensive and most commonly used method of disposing of waste. However, there is an alternative, two-in-one, solution: conversion of waste to energy. Non-recyclable waste can be turned into heat, electric power or fuel using various processes, such as gasification, pyrolysis or anaerobic fermentation. This is how residual waste can serve as sustainable local source of energy, additionally contributing to environmental protection and, to a significant extent, energy supply security

The Characteristics of Organic Compounds in Landfill Leachate Biologically Treated under Different Technological Conditions

In this work, the semi-synthetic wastewater made of the leachate derived from non-hazardous municipal waste landfill in Kozodrza (south-eastern Poland) and supplemented by ammonium, was treated in hybrid SBRs to assess the removal efficiency of organic compounds, including humic substances and dissolved fractions, depending on the technological conditions. The technological layout variants concerned both the volumetric proportions of aerated and anoxic zones (0.33 and 0.66) as well as the N/C ratio (0.1 and 0.2). It was found that the efficiency of organic compounds removal (expressed as COD, BOD5 and TOC) was influenced by the geometry of oxygen supply; in the SBRs operating with 0.33 ratio, it was significantly higher compared to that with 0.75 ratio. The analysis also revealed that the N/C ratio set at 0.1 resulted in higher treatment efficiency than that obtained for 0.2. The composition of dissolved organic fractions in outflows was also related both with the SBRs geometry and the N/C ratio. It was found that proportions of TOC and humic substances were significantly lower in the SBRs operating with aeration geometry of 0.33, compared to the ones working with 0.66. Moreover, the N/C ratio of 0.1 led to a higher content of dissolved humic substances and COD in outflows

THERMAL CONVERSION OF MUNICIPAL WASTE INTO ENERGY: PROSPECTS FOR THE SUB-CARPATHIA

Municipal waste is produced by households and commercial facilities. The quantity and composition of waste depends not only on consumption profiles and the nation’s wealth but also on efficiency of waste collection and further handling. Dumping of municipal waste is the least expensive and most commonly used method of disposing of waste. However, there is an alternative, two-in-one, solution: conversion of waste to energy. Non-recyclable waste can be turned into heat, electric power or fuel using various processes, such as gasification, pyrolysis or anaerobic fermentation. This is how residual waste can serve as sustainable local source of energy, additionally contributing to environmental protection and, to a significant extent, energy supply security

Culturemes in the Poland Travel Guides in Spanish – a Translation Studies Perspective

Głównym celem pracy jest analiza hiszpańskich przewodników turystycznych po Polsce ze szczególnym uwzględnieniem przekładu kulturemów dotyczących obszaru gastronomii i dziedzictwa kulturowego miasta Krakowa i okolic. W pracy porusza się również zagadnienie przekładu kulturemów od strony teoretycznej, ich klasyfikacji i technik i strategii tłumaczenia z naciskiem na specyfikę tekstu turystycznego. Omawiana tematyka uwzględnia również analizę wielopoziomowości przekładu kultury w przewodniku turystycznym oraz roli tłumacza w procesie tłumaczenia tekstów turystycznych.The main objective of the thesis is the analysis of the Spanish travel guides to Poland with particular emphasis on the translation of culturemes related to the gastronomy and the cultural heritage of the city of Krakow and the surroundings. The thesis deals also with the question of culturemes’ translation from the theoretical point of view, their classification and translation techniques and strategies with the special attention given to the characteristics of tourist text. The subject matter covers also the analysis of the multiple levels of translation of culture in a travel guide and the role of the translator in the process of translating tourist texts.El objetivo principal de la tesis es el análisis de una serie de guías españolas de viaje de Polonia con un énfasis particular en la traducción de los culturemas relacionados con el ámbito de gastronomía y patrimonio cultural de la ciudad de Cracovia y sus alrededores. En la tesis se aborda también la cuestión de la traducción de culturemas desde el punto de vista teórico, su clasificación y técnicas y estrategias de traducción con el hincapié en la característica del texto turístico. La temática tratada incluye también el análisis de los múltiples niveles de traducción de la cultura en guías de viaje y el rol del traductor en el proceso de la traducción de los textos turísticos

The sociolinguistic situation and bilingualism in Catalonia

Celem mojej pracy licencjackiej było przedstawienie sytuacji socjolingwistycznej opartej na dwujęzyczności w Katalonii, gdzie w użyciu są dwa języki oficjalne: hiszpański i kataloński oraz przedstawienie jej jako zjawisko korzystne i w obecnych czasach nieodzowne. Dwujęzyczność w tym regionie jest tematem budzącym wiele kontrowersji, z powodu konfliktu językowego spowodowanego koniecznością współżycia tych dwóch języków, a zarazem zjawiskiem bardzo ciekawym i często analizowanym jako przykład dwujęzyczności na poziomie społecznym. W mojej pracy przedstawiam pokrótce historię współistnienia języka katalońskiego z hiszpańskim na terenie Katalonii, opisuję zjawisko dwujęzyczności przedstawiając jego zalety i wady, opisuję politykę językową realizowaną przez rząd Katalonii i podsumowuję danymi dotyczącymi użycia języka katalońskiego oraz wymieniam instytucje, które zajmują się jego promowaniem i ochroną.The aim of my thesis was to present the sociolinguistic situation based on bilingualism in Catalonia, where there are in use two official languages: Spanish and Catalan, as a positive phenomenon and nowadays indispensable. Bilingualism in that region is controversial because of the language conflict caused by the necessity of coexistence of those two languages but at the same time very interesting and often analyzed as an example of bilingualism at the social level. In my work I present briefly the history of coexistence of Catalan with Spanish, I describe the phenomenon of bilingualism presenting its advantages and disadvantages, I describe the language politics implemented by the Government of Catalonia and I conclude with some data about use of the Catalan language and I mention the institutions that work to protect and promote the language.El objetivo de mi tesis de diplomatura fue la exposición de la situación sociolingüística basada en el bilingüismo en Cataluña, donde se utilizan dos lenguas oficiales: el español y el catalán, como un fenómeno favorable y en la actualidad imprescindible. El bilingüismo en esta región es un tema controvertido debido al conflicto lingüístico causado por la necesidad de coexistencia de las dos lenguas, pero al mismo tiempo muy interesante y a menudo analizado como ejemplo de bilingüismo en el nivel social. En mi trabajo expongo brevemente la historia de la coexistencia del catalán con el español en el territorio catalán, describo el fenómeno del bilingüismo presentando sus ventajas y desventajas, explico la política lingüística llevada a cabo por el Gobierno de Cataluña y concluyo con los datos sobre el uso de la lengua catalana y enumero las instituciones que se dedican a su protección y promoción

Quantitative Dynamics of Chosen Bacteria Phylla in Wastewater Treatment Plants Excess Sludge After Ozone Treatment

Among the waste produced by municipal wastewater treatment plants, the largest technological problem is caused by the excessive sludge, the management of which consumes almost half of the costs of the entire installation. Regardless of the final disposal route, which may be, for example, reclamation of degraded areas, the the sludge derived from a wastewater treatment plant should be firstly subjected to a series of processes aimed at: reducing its volume, improving selected physical properties, recovering energy, rot preventing (stabilization) or eliminating epidemiological threats (hygenizing). These goals could be implemented using commonly known technologies, including: dewatering, liming, thermoconditioning, methanogenesis or composting. One of the alternative solutions is the use of ozonation of raw excess sludge, which, in principle, may lead to the simultaneous resolution of several above-mentioned problems, such as: drainage properties improvement, increase the bioavailability of organic matter for biogas production, as well as the removal of undesirable microorganisms. Confirmation of the hygenizing effects usually requires arduous microbiological methods; therefore, the fast and reliable tools of molecular biology could prove their usefulness in this case. In this study, the possibility of determining the dynamics of selected groups of microorganisms (including changes in total bacteria amount, Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes and Actinobacteria) after sewage sludge ozonation, by using the semi-quantitative RealTime polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), wasinvestigated