Recent Advances in Molecular Toxicology of Cadmium and Nickel

Cadmium (Cd) and nickel (Ni) are two toxic elements which are widespread in the human environment, but less recognized as hazardous by the general public. Herein, we describe molecular mechanisms of their toxicity towards humans, in the context of general chemical and toxicological properties of these metals. Following the introductory remarks, the routes of exposure are outlined. The next chapter covers the health hazards posed by cadmium and nickel with the main stress placed on diseases like cadmium induced nephropathy, reproductive disorders due to cadmium exposure, cadmium related COPD and cadmium carcinogenesis. In respect to nickel, acute toxicity, nickel allergy and nickel carcinogenicity were described. This overall description provides the basis for a detailed account of molecular mechanisms of cadmium and nickel toxicity. They include the involvement of metallothioneins and their role in the transport of Cd(II) ions, and the role of oxidative damage and DNA repair inhibition in cadmium carcinogenesis. The final issue covered in respect to molecular mechanisms of cadmium toxicity is its influence on cellular junctions. Molecular mechanisms of nickel toxicity are divided into subjects of nickel allergy and several mechanisms related to its carcinogenicity. The discussion is completed by the presentation of nickel and cadmium interactions with zinc fingers as a possible common ground of their molecular toxicity

Ternary Complex Formation and Competition Quench Fluorescence of ZnAF Family Zinc Sensors

Our current understanding of the intracellular thermodynamics and kinetics of Zn(II) ions is largely based on the application of fluorescent sensor molecules, used to study and visualize the concentration, distribution and transport of Zn(II) ions in real time. Such agents are designed for high selectivity for zinc in respect to other biological metal ions. However, the issue of their sensitivity to physiological levels of 10 low molecular weight Zn(II) ligands (LMWLs) has not been addressed. We followed the effects of eight such compounds on the fluorescence of ZnAF-1 and ZnAF-2F, two representatives of ZnAF family of fluorescein-based zinc sensors containing the N,N-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)ethylenediamine chelating unit. Fluorescence titrations of equimolar Zn(II)/ZnAF-1 and Zn(II)/ZnAF-2F solutions with acetate, phosphate, citrate, glycine, glutamic acid, histidine, ATP and GSH demonstrated strong fluorescence 15 quenching. These results are interpreted in terms of an interplay of the formation of the [ZnAF-Zn(II)- LMWL] ternary complexes and the competition for Zn(II) between ZnAF and LMWLs. UV-vis spectroscopic titrations revealed the existence of supramolecular interactions between the fluorescein moiety of ZnAF-1 and ATP and His, which, however, did not contribute to fluorescence quenching. Therefore, the obtained results show that the ZnAF sensors, other currently used zinc sensors containing 20 the N,N-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)ethylenediamine unit, and, in general, all sensors that do not saturate the Zn(II) coordination sphere, may co-report cellular metabolites and Zn(II) ions, leading to misrepresentations of the concentrations and fluxes of biological zinc

Asymetria jako czynnik osłabiający odporność i integrację w zrównoważonym rozwoju polsko-czeskiego pogranicza w kontekście sporu o kopalnię Turów

By analysing asymmetry in socioeconomic and environmental development in the Polish-Czech borderland, we contribute to the discussion on its impacts as a factor weakening resilience and integration for the purposes of sustainable development in the region. In the article, we use the results of the studies under the Project The crisis at the Turów Mine and its impact on Czech-Polish cross-border cooperation: An evaluation, conclusions and recommendations, funded by the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange in 2022. The main aim of our research is to draw conclusions for territorial self-governments as to how they should strengthen sustainable development based on integration with foreign partners, thus enhancing resilience. We draw conclusions based on qualitative research, statistical analyses and literature studies. One of the key conclusions which can be drawn from the present study is that the asymmetry visible in many socioeconomic areas weakens the resilience of institutional structures to crises, resulting in barely discernible cooperation between these regions. Analizując asymetrię rozwoju społeczno-gospodarczego i środowiskowego na pograniczu polsko-czeskim, włączamy się w dyskusję na temat jej wpływu jako czynnika osłabiającego odporność i integrację na rzecz zrównoważonego rozwoju regionu. W artykule wykorzystujemy wyniki badań w ramach Projektu Kryzys w Kopalni Turów i jego wpływ na czesko-polską współpracę transgraniczną: ocena, wnioski i rekomendacje, finansowanego przez Narodową Agencję Wymiany Akademickiej w 2022 r. Głównym celem naszych badań jest wyciągnięcie wniosków dla samorządów terytorialnych, w jaki sposób powinny wzmacniać zrównoważony rozwój oparty na integracji z partnerami zagranicznymi, wzmacniając tym samym resilencję. Wnioski wyciągamy na podstawie badań jakościowych, analiz statystycznych oraz studiów literaturowych. Jednym z kluczowych wniosków, jakie można wyciągnąć z niniejszego badania, jest to, że asymetria widoczna w wielu obszarach społeczno-gospodarczych osłabia odporność struktur instytucjonalnych na kryzysy, czego efektem jest słaba współpraca pomiędzy tymi regionami

Bearing Capacity Standards for Forest Roads Constructed Using Various Technologies from Mechanically and Chemically Stabilised Aggregate

Forest roads are essential for adequate forest management and environmental protection. They enable tourism and recreation activity, while at the same time playing a very important role in fire protection. When open to the local traffic, they significantly supplement the public traffic networks. Costs of constructing permanent roads in forested areas are considerable, because they need to have adequate bearing capacity. Forest roads are predominantly constructed using natural or anthropogenic aggregate stabilised mechanically and chemically. A tangible parameter verifying the proper construction of road structure is provided by its bearing capacity, i.e. the capacity of the pavement to carry loads generated by traffic without excessive strains hindering normal use of the pavement or reducing its durability. Some forest road networks are also constructed as temporary roads composed of cheaper aggregates. It seems reasonable to assume different bearing capacity standards for such roads than for permanent roads. The aim of the studies presented in this paper was to develop bearing capacity standards for forest roads constructed using various technologies. The adopted research hypothesis assumes that each of the analysed technologies is characterised by a different bearing capacity required during road construction inspections. An example of such a structure may be provided by the so-called geotextile mattress and crushed stone constructed on wetland soils. When developing the standards, the analyses included the predicted traffic intensity, assumed operation time before rehabilitation is required, soil conditions and the type of construction material. Bearing capacity of the testing road sections was assessed based on values of strain moduli calculated from the static plate load tests (VSS). As a result, bearing capacity standards were obtained for structures constructed using aggregates and chemical stabilisers as well as geotextiles potentially facilitating reduction of the layer thickness without deterioration of road durability

The Adipokines in Domestic Animal Reproduction: Expression and Role in the Regulation of Ovarian Function

Currently, it is clear that female reproduction is regulated by the hypothalamic–pituitary-ovary axis, which produces many hormones that control reproductive stages. It is therefore important to have knowledge of new regulators/hormones controlling reproduction in domestic animals. In female animals, energy metabolism and fertility are tightly connected, and reciprocally regulated. The adipose tissue is well known to be implicated in the secretion of several hormones, such as the adiponectin, resistin, chemerin, visfatin, vaspin and apelin, the so-called adipokines or “adipose tissue-derived hormones”. Many reports indicate that adipokines regulate the ovarian follicles’ development, the onset of puberty and/or ovulation. This chapter summarizes that several adipokines are expressed in the ovary and that they can regulate ovarian physiology such as the steroid hormone production, cell proliferation, apoptosis and oocyte maturation in different domestic animals like pigs, cows, goats, ewes, chickens and turkeys

Tectonic control on the distribution of onshore mud volcanoes in parts of the Upper Benue Trough, northeastern Nigeria

Onshore mud volcanoes are rare geological phenomena, which in Nigeria were reported for the first time few years ago in the Upper Benue Trough. In this study a detail geological mapping of the area of mud volcanoes occurrence was carried out, with the primary aim of defining their relationship, if any, to the structural geology there. The systematic field reconnaissance included field observations of the structural features, as well as analysis of the location and distribution of the onshore mud volcanoes, marking their locations on the topographic and geological maps, analysis of the aerial photographs and satellite images. The study area covered the central part of the Upper Benue Trough where the onshore mud volcanoes were found. The study area is the part of a sedimentary basin comprising Cretaceous clastic rocks that have been deformed intensively by a network of faults often embedded in the underlying Precambrian basement. This network of faults underwent a rejuvenation period from the Aptian to the Palaeocene. The most prominent tectonic structure in the study area is the NE - SW trending Kaltungo Fault Zone, however, there are other minor faults with N - S and NW - SE trends. This study shows that the mud volcanoes found in the study area are usually located near or within fault zones, within the outcropping Upper Cretaceous Yolde Formation and Upper Bima Sandstone, both of which were deformed by the Kaltungo faults, as well as by other minor faults. Worldwide, incidences of onshore mud volcano formation are usually attributed to areas of tectonic activity, rapid sedimentation or hydrocarbon occurrence. In this study, the interpretation of the field observations and mapping results, combined with information on the structural evolution of the study area and seismic pattern (very scarce), have led to the conclusion that the location of onshore mud volcanoes in the Upper Benue Trough, being located along the fault zones, is structurally controlled. The close relationship between mud volcano location and the structural framework of the area may be interpreted as one of several possible subsurface geological responses to present tectonic activity

The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the resilience of the labour market in the Polish-German borderland

The COVID-19 pandemic, as an external factor, quite strongly disrupted the existing trends in the evolution of employment in the Polish-German borderland. The objective of the article is to analyse how resilient Polish and German municipalities are to the COVID-19 pandemic. Border regions, due to their specificities, are characterized by weaker resilience to negative external factors, which meant that the COVID-19 pandemic had a detrimental effect and caused an upturn in unemployment. The empirical part of the study concerns the Polish-German borderland as a clear example of the described tendencies. The study uses the counterfactual before-after comparison method. The novelty in this approach to the study of this hypothetical rate of unemployment involves filling the gap in the literature regarding research of cross border regions, while also developing the existing approaches in the research method used. The results of the survey indicate that the unemployment rate in the Polish-German borderland area has risen (after and due to the pandemic). There are some major differences in how the pandemic has impacted the labour market. Considering the counterfactual approach used, this difference can be described as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic

Synthesis and antibacterial activity of new sulfonamide isoxazolo[5,4-b]pyridine derivatives

A series of novel sulfonamide isoxazolo[5,4-b]pyridines were synthesized. The substrates for their synthesis were 3-aminoisoxazolo[5,4-b]pyridine and selected aryl sulfonic chlorides, chlorosulfonic acid and selected amines. Reactions were carried out using the classical and microwave methods. Selected compounds were tested towards antibacterial and antiproliferative activity. The structure of the obtained new derivatives was determined by elemental analysis and acquired IR and 1H NMR spectra. Among the tested compounds: N-isoxazolo[5,4-b]pyridine-3-yl-benzenesulfonamide (2) and N-isoxazolo[5,4-b]pyridine-3-yl-4-methylbenzene-sulfonamide (5) showed antimicrobial activity towards Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27853) and Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922) at doses: 125, 250 and 500 μg. Both compounds showed a 50% inhibition of proliferation of breast carcinoma cell line MCF7 at concentrations of 152.56 μg/mL and 160 161.08 Ïg/mL, respectively

Zeszyt 2. Zabawa i nauka w grupie

Autorki rozdziału Jak to powiedzieć...? omówiły rozwój umiejętności językowych i komunikacyjnych dziecka i w nawiązaniu do wyników badań zaproponowały atrakcyjne zabawy z wykorzystaniem historyjek obrazkowych i różnych sytuacji społecznych. Dzięki tym zabawom nauczyciel może rozwijać kompetencje dzieci w porozumiewaniu się.W rozdziale Zabawa i nauka w grupie autorki przedstawiły wybrane gry i zabawy przygotowujące dzieci do nauki czytania, matematyki i przyrody. Wykazały, że nauczyciel może wyrównywać szanse edukacyjne dzieci o zróżnicowanych potrzebach i możliwościach poprzez elastyczne stosowanie reguł i warunków zabawy w podgrupach