How minor structural changes generate major consequences in photophysical properties of RE coordination compounds; resonance effect, LMCT state

Lanthanide coordination compounds of the formula Na[Ln(L)4] (1Ln), where Ln ¼ La3þ, Eu3þ, Gd3þ, Tb3þ, L ¼ [L] and HL ¼ dimethyl(4-methylphenylsulfonyl)amidophosphate, were synthesized. Their structural and spectroscopic properties were discussed in detail based on X-ray diffraction measurements, IR spectroscopy, absorption and emission spectroscopy at 293 and 77 K and theoretical calculations of the intramolecular energy transfer (IET) rates. DFT calculations were used to investigate the 1Ln electronic properties required to calculate the transition rates. 30 and 22 pathways of intramolecular nonradiative energy transfer were examined in the case of 1Eu and 1Tb, respectively. It is shown that the main pathway for sensitization of the lanthanide emission is either the triplet (1Eu) or singlet (1Tb) transfer, occurring mainly through the exchange mechanism. The energy rates for energy transfer from S1 and T1 equal WS ¼ 1:53 105 s 1 (1Eu), WT ¼ 5:14 106 s 1 (1Eu) and WS ¼ 4:09 107 s 1 (1Tb), WT ¼ 6:88 105 s 1 (1Tb). The crucial role of the 7F5 level in the energy transfer process of 1Tb and the participation of the LMCTstate in the depopulation of the ligand singlet state of 1Eu were demonstrated. The influence of the resonance effect on the splitting of the 7F1 level in 1Eu was analyzed. By comparing the properties of 1Ln with the properties of 2Ln coordination compounds, sharing the same ligand and crystallizing in the same crystallographic system (monoclinic), but with a different space group, it is demonstrated how slight structural changes can affect the photophysical properties of Ln compounds.publishe

Increased percentage of T cells with the expression of CD127 and CD132 in hypertrophic adenoid in children with otitis media with effusion

The hypertrophic adenoid may promote chronic suppurative otitis media in children as it fulfills its immune function. The number of lymphocytes in the adenoid and their cooperation in the immune response depend of on their proliferation and migration to the effector sites. Interleukin 7 (IL-7) is essential for the normal development and function lymphocytes. IL-7 plays pivotal role for activation and proliferation of T and B cells. The heterodimeric interleukin-7 receptor (IL-7R) is composed of the IL-7Rα (127) and the common cytokine receptor γc (CD132). The aim of this study was to evaluate the percentage of lymphocytes T (CD4+ and CD8+) with IL-7R (CD127 and CD132) expression in hypertrophic adenoid in children suffering with otitis media with effusion for a duration of 3 months. Adenoid excised due to hypertrophy with or without chronic otitis media with effusion was used as study material. CD4+ CD127+, CD4+132+, CD8+CD127+ and CD8+CD132+ cell subpopulations were identified using monoclonal antibodies and flow cytometry. The percentage of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells with CD127 receptor expression in hypertrophic adenoid of children with otitis media with effusion was statistically significantly higher than in hypertrophic adenoid group. The percentage of CD4+ T cells with CD132 expression in the study group was statistically significantly higher than in the reference group. The percentage of CD8+ T cells with CD132+ expression was not statistically different in both groups. The increased percentage of T lymphocytes with IL-7R expression (CD127 and CD132) in hypertrophic adenoid seems to influence the quantity of lymphocytes and upset the immunological function of tonsils which can influence the course of otitis media with effusion

The Four types of Tregs in malignant lymphomas

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are a specialized subpopulation of CD4+ T cells, which act to suppress the activation of other immune cells. Tregs represent important modulators for the interaction between lymphomas and host microenvironment. Lymphomas are a group of serious and frequently fatal malignant diseases of lymphocytes. Recent studies revealed that some lymphoma T cells might adopt a Treg profile. Assessment of Treg phenotypes and genotypes in patients may offer prediction of outcome in many types of lymphomas including diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, follicular lymphoma, cutaneous T cell lymphoma, and Hodgkin's lymphoma. Based on characterized roles of Tregs in lymphomas, we can categorize the various roles into four groups: (a) suppressor Tregs; (b) malignant Tregs; (c) direct tumor-killing Tregs; and (d) incompetent Tregs. The classification into four groups is significant in predicting prognosis and designing Tregs-based immunotherapies for treating lymphomas. In patients with lymphomas where Tregs serve either as suppressor Tregs or malignant Tregs, anti-tumor cytotoxicity is suppressed thus decreased numbers of Tregs are associated with a good prognosis. In contrast, in patients with lymphomas where Tregs serve as tumor-killing Tregs and incompetent Tregs, anti-tumor cytotoxicity is enhanced or anti-autoimmune Tregs activities are weakened thus increased numbers of Tregs are associated with a good prognosis and reduced numbers of Tregs are associated with a poor prognosis. However, the mechanisms underlying the various roles of Tregs in patients with lymphomas remain unknown. Therefore, further research is needed in this regard as well as the utility of Tregs as prognostic factors and therapy strategies in different lymphomas

The Alternative Splice Variant of Protein Tyrosine Kinase 6 Negatively Regulates Growth and Enhances PTK6-Mediated Inhibition of β-Catenin

Protein tyrosine kinase 6 (PTK6), also called breast tumor kinase (BRK), is expressed in epithelial cells of various tissues including the prostate. Previously it was shown that PTK6 is localized to epithelial cell nuclei in normal prostate, but becomes cytoplasmic in human prostate tumors. PTK6 is also primarily cytoplasmic in the PC3 prostate adenocarcinoma cell line. Sequencing revealed expression of wild type full-length PTK6 transcripts in addition to an alternative transcript lacking exon 2 in PC3 cells. The alternative transcript encodes a 134 amino acid protein, referred to here as ALT-PTK6, which shares the first 77 amino acid residues including the SH3 domain with full length PTK6. RT-PCR was used to show that ALT-PTK6 is coexpressed with full length PTK6 in established human prostate and colon cell lines, as well as in primary cell lines derived from human prostate tissue and tumors. Although interaction between full-length PTK6 and ALT-PTK6 was not detected, ALT-PTK6 associates with the known PTK6 substrates Sam68 and β-catenin in GST pull-down assays. Coexpression of PTK6 and ALT-PTK6 led to suppression of PTK6 activity and reduced association of PTK6 with tyrosine phosphorylated proteins. While ALT-PTK6 alone did not influence β-catenin/TCF transcriptional activity in a luciferase reporter assay, it enhanced PTK6-mediated inhibition of β-catenin/TCF transcription by promoting PTK6 nuclear functions. Ectopic expression of ALT-PTK6 led to reduced expression of the β-catenin/TCF targets Cyclin D1 and c-Myc in PC3 cells. Expression of tetracycline-inducible ALT-PTK6 blocked the proliferation and colony formation of PC3 cells. Our findings suggest that ALT-PTK6 is able to negatively regulate growth and modulate PTK6 activity, protein-protein associations and/or subcellular localization. Fully understanding functions of ALT-PTK6 and its impact on PTK6 signaling will be critical for development of therapeutic strategies that target PTK6 in cancer

Malignant inflammation in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma: a hostile takeover

Cutaneous T-cell lymphomas (CTCL) are characterized by the presence of chronically inflamed skin lesions containing malignant T cells. Early disease presents as limited skin patches or plaques and exhibits an indolent behavior. For many patients, the disease never progresses beyond this stage, but in approximately one third of patients, the disease becomes progressive, and the skin lesions start to expand and evolve. Eventually, overt tumors develop and the malignant T cells may disseminate to the blood, lymph nodes, bone marrow, and visceral organs, often with a fatal outcome. The transition from early indolent to progressive and advanced disease is accompanied by a significant shift in the nature of the tumor-associated inflammation. This shift does not appear to be an epiphenomenon but rather a critical step in disease progression. Emerging evidence supports that the malignant T cells take control of the inflammatory environment, suppressing cellular immunity and anti-tumor responses while promoting a chronic inflammatory milieu that fuels their own expansion. Here, we review the inflammatory changes associated with disease progression in CTCL and point to their wider relevance in other cancer contexts. We further define the term "malignant inflammation" as a pro-tumorigenic inflammatory environment orchestrated by the tumor cells and discuss some of the mechanisms driving the development of malignant inflammation in CTCL

Wybrane metody zagospodarowania osadu pofermentacyjnego. Wykorzystanie ekstruzji do przetwarzania pofermentu (artykuł przeglądowy)

This review discusses the problem of management of digested sludge with the use of various methods for the management, including extrusion cooking. Extrusion cooking as a method of management of digestate can be an innovative approach to this topic. Until now there have been no studies on the use of the extrusion process to convert anaerobic digestion sludge. The extrusion process plays an important role in the transformation of materials on an industrial scale. An agricultural biogas plant can produce up to several tons of digested sludge per year (depending on the size of the installation). The most common method for utilisation of this kind of material is the use thereof as a fertiliser. However, this solution requires large areas of farmland. The best methods for conversion of digested sludge are those allowing the separation of the solid part from the liquid part. One of these methods consists in obtaining pellets in the extrusion process.Artykuł omawia temat zagospodarowania osadu pofermentacyjnego za pośrednictwem różnych metod, w tym ekstruzji. Wykorzystanie ekstruzji jako metody zagospodarowania osadu może być innowacyjnym podejściem do tego tematu. Nie odnotowano do tej pory żadnych badań na temat stosowania procesu ekstruzji do przekształcania osadów fermentacji beztlenowej. Ekstruzja spełnia ważną rolę w przemyśle przekształcania materiałów. Jedna biogazownia rocznie może produkować (w zależności od wielkości instalacji) blisko kilkadziesiąt ton osadu rocznie. Najczęstszym sposobem zagospodarowania osadu jest wykorzystanie go jako materiału nawozowego. Takie rozwiązanie wymaga jednak znacznej powierzchni pól uprawnych. Najlepszymi metodami do zagospodarowania osadu są te, które, pozwalają na odseparowanie części stałej odpłynnej. Jedna z takich metod polega na otrzymaniu peletu w procesie ekstruzji. Tak zagospodarowany osad, po wzbogaceniu go w mikro- i makroskładniki, może być łatwo przechowywany i z powodzeniem stosowany jako pełnowartościowy nawóz organiczno-mineralny

Changes of sedimentation in the Drużno Lake based on geoarchaeological data from the Teutonic fortress in Elbląg, North Poland

The wooden structures unearthed in 2012 during archaeological excavation in the courtyard of the Museum of Archaeology and History in Elbląg have been dated using the dendrochronological method to the period between 1245 and 1302, which allows them to be considered to be parts of a Teutonic fortress. The remains of the wooden building located directly on the prehistoric lacustrine sediments created a unique opportunity to reconstruct the near-shore sedimentation of the Drużno Lake. Geological, malacological and palynological methods were applied during the investigation. The results, compared with the ranges of both the Drużno Lake and the Vistula Lagoon, known from previous studies of the region, allowed the correlation of a phase of a deep lake with the “Roman Period”. Rapid shallowing of the lake occurred in the “Migration Period”. The final disappearance of the lake in the area of modern Elbląg occurred in the early Middle Ages

Analiza wybranych metod ulepszania cieplno-chemicznego stali 20MnCr5 w kontekście zużycia ściernego

This paper presents the results of tribological tests performed on a T-11 pin-on-disc type, which made it possible to determine the intensity of abrasive wear of steel 20MnCr5 subjected to selected thermo-chemical heat treatments. The tested steel, after the hardening and tempering process, is characterized by high endurance parameters and is used on heavily loaded machine parts. It is frequently used for elements subjected to intense abrasion. The analysis involved the following: carburizing, boronizing, and various methods of diffusion chromizing. For large loads, it is advisable to apply boronizing or carburizing with hardening. Chrome plating entails a very thin layer of increased hardness, which is characterised by a low abrasive wear resistance at high loads.W pracy przedstawiono wyniki badań tribologicznych wykonanych na stanowisku typu trzpień-tarcza T-11, które pozwoliły określić intensywność zużycia ściernego stali 20MnCr5 poddanej wybranym obróbkom cieplno-chemicznym. Badana stal po procesie ulepszania cieplnego charakteryzuje się wysokimi parametrami wytrzymałościowymi i jest wykorzystywana na mocno obciążone elementy maszyn. Często wykorzystuje się ją na elementy poddawane intensywnemu zużyciu ściernemu. Analizie poddano procesy: nawęglania, borowania oraz różne metody chromowania dyfuzyjnego. W przypadku dużych obciążeń wskazane jest borowanie lub nawęglanie z hartowaniem. Chromowanie odznacza się bardzo cienką warstwą o zwiększonej twardości, dlatego charakteryzuje się małą odpornością na zużycie ścierne przy dużych obciążeniach