Mitochondrial haplogroup N1a phylogeography, with implication to the origin of European farmers

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Tracing the genetic origin of central European farmer N1a lineages can provide a unique opportunity to assess the patterns of the farming technology spread into central Europe in the human prehistory. Here, we have chosen twelve N1a samples from modern populations which are most similar with the farmer N1a types and performed the complete mitochondrial DNA genome sequencing analysis. To assess the genetic and phylogeographic relationship, we performed a detailed survey of modern published N1a types from Eurasian and African populations.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The geographic origin and expansion of farmer lineages related N1a subclades have been deduced from combined analysis of 19 complete sequences with 166 N1a haplotypes. The phylogeographic analysis revealed that the central European farmer lineages have originated from different sources: from eastern Europe, local central Europe, and from the Near East via southern Europe.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The results obtained emphasize that the arrival of central European farmer lineages did not occur via a single demic diffusion event from the Near East at the onset of the Neolithic spread of agriculture into Europe. Indeed these results indicate that the Neolithic transition process was more complex in central Europe and possibly the farmer N1a lineages were a result of a 'leapfrog' colonization process.</p

In situ studies of particle deposition on non-transparent substrates

An oblique impinging-jet (OBIJ) cell was developed, suitable for colloid deposition studies at various interfaces including the practically significant case of non-transparent substrates. Particle transport conditions in the cell were quantitatively eva

Plasma surface modification of polyethylene

Oxidative (oxygen and air) RF-plasma treatment of HDPE was found as an effective tool for improving wettability, as well as for increasing its surface micro-hardness. The latter plasmas generate wide range of reactive species in the system, which undergo consecutive chemical reactions, creating thus several oxygen based functionalities at the interface (carbonyl, carboxyl, ether, peroxide etc.) as were detected by ATR FTIR and XPS analysis. An increased negative surface charge of plasma treated polyethylene (PE) confirms the presence of functional ionogenic groups containing oxygen. Simultaneously, the vigorous increase of the surface roughness was found as a result of the successful plasma etching. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Enhanced keratinocyte cell attachment to atelocollagen thin films through air and nitrogen plasma treatment

Collagen films (Atelocollagen from bovine Achilles tendon) were prepared in tissue culture dishes and their surfaces were modified by using air and nitrogen plasma treatment. The treated samples were characterised by surface probe techniques including attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), scanning electron microscopy imaging (SEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). In addition, human immortalised nontumorigenic keratinocyte cell line (HaCaT) was seeded on the treated and untreated films and cell proliferation was measured by using MTT assay test. The characterisation results confirmed physical and chemical changes on the collagen surface, such as increase in the extent of surface oxidation and surface roughness as well as, the treated samples showed better cell growth than untreated ones, and therefore this approach may be taken into account in the development of promising materials for tissue regeneration applications. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2011

Antibacterial photodynamic activity of carbon quantum dots/polydimethylsiloxane nanocomposites against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae

Despite great efforts, the design of antibacterial surfaces is still a challenge. In this work, results of structural, mechanical, cytotoxic and antibacterial activities of hydrophobic carbon quantum dots/polydimethylsiloxane surfaces are presented. Antibacterial action of this surface is based on the generation of reactive oxygen species which cause bacteria damage by oxidative stress. At the same time, this surface was not cytotoxic towards the NIH/3T3 cells. Swelling-encapsulation-shrink method is applied for encapsulation of hydrophobic carbon quantum dots in medical grade silicone-polydimethylsiloxane. XPS and photoluminescence spectroscopy analyses confirm that hydrophobic carbon quantum dots have been encapsulated successfully into polydimethylsiloxane polymer matrix. Based on stress-strain test the improvement of mechanical properties of these nanocomposites is established. It is shown by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy and luminescence method that nanocomposite generates singlet oxygen initiated by 470 nm blue light irradiation. Antibacterial testing shows the nanocomposite in the form of foil kills Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae and is very effective after only a 15 min irradiation. © 2019 Elsevier B.V.SASPRO Programme [1237/02/02-b]; People Programme (Marie Curie Actions) European Union's Seventh Framework Programme under REA [609427]; VEGA [2/0093/16]; Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the Czech Republic Program NPU I [LO1504]; Czech Science Foundation [19-09721S]; Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development of the Republic of Serbia [172003]; bilateral project Serbia-Slovakia [SK-SRB-2016-0038]; multilateral scientific and technological cooperation in the Danube region [DS-2016-021

Carbon quantum dots modified polyurethane nanocomposite as effective photocatalytic and antibacterial agents

Development of new types of antibacterial coatings or nanocomposites is of great importance due to widespread multidrug-resistant infections including bacterial infections. Herein, we investigated biocompatibility as well as structural, photocatalytic, and antibacterial properties of photoactive hydrophobic carbon quantum dots/polyurethane nanocomposite. The swell-encapsulation-shrink method was applied for production of these nanocomposites. Hydrophobic carbon quantum dots/polyurethane nanocomposites were found to be highly effective generator of singlet oxygen upon irradiation by low-power blue light. Analysis of conducted antibacterial tests on Staphyloccocus aureus and Escherichia coli showed 5-log bactericidal effect of these nanocomposites within 60 min of irradiation. Very powerful degradation of dye (rose bengal) was observed within 180 min of blue light irradiation of the nanocomposites. Biocompatibility studies revealed that nanocomposites were not cytotoxic against mouse embryonic fibroblast cell line, whereas they showed moderate cytotoxicity toward adenocarcinomic human epithelial cell line. Minor hemolytic effect of these nanocomposites toward red blood cells was revealed. © 2018 American Chemical Society.SASPRO Programme [1237/02/02-b]; People Programme (Marie Curie Actions) European Union's Seventh Framework Programme under REA [609427]; VEGA [2/0093/16]; Czech Science Foundation [17-05095S]; Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development of the Republic of Serbia [172003]; Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development of the Republic of Serbia via bilateral project Serbia-Slovakia [SK-SRB-2016-0038]; Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development of the Republic of Serbia via multilateral scientific and technological cooperation in the Danube region [DS-2016-021