Między „Odeonem” a „Polskimi Nagraniami”. Organizacja państwowego przemysłu fonograficznego w Polsce po II wojnie światowej (1945–1955)

The article presents the history of music industry in Poland after the Second World War, in the period 1945–1955, on political background. The “Muza” music company, a well-known label in Poland in the era of socialism, was described. The organization of Polish music industry was shown in historical perspective. The influence of social circumstances and centralization on music industry is also described. The music perspective is widened by the presentation of trademarks and logos, labels, and the characteristics of recordings.Artykuł przybliża historię fonografii w Polsce po II wojnie światowej (1945–1955) na tle sytuacji politycznej. Przedstawiono w nim markę „Muza”, która była najbardziej znanym znakiem fonograficznym ery socjalizmu. Omówiono zasady funkcjonowania przemysłu fonograficznego w ujęciu historycznym. Zbadano wpływ sytuacji społecznej i centralizacji gospodarki na jego funkcjonowanie. Perspektywę fonografii poszerzono o prezentację marek handlowych, logo i charakterystykę nagrań

Significance of stigma receptivity in intergeneric cross-pollination of Salix × Populus

The pollen–stigma interaction plays an important role in reproductive process and has been continuously studied in many interspecific and intergeneric crossing experiments. The aim of this study was to investigate stigma receptivity (SR) of willow in order to determine the most suitable period for its pollination with poplar pollen and improve the effectiveness of Salix × Populus crosses. Tissue samples were examined histologically using light, epifluorescent, scanning, and transmission electron microscopy. Willow SR was determined by stigma morphological traits, test of pollen germination rate, Peroxtesmo test of peroxidase and esterase activity on stigma surface as well as papilla ultrastructure at anthesis. We have ascertained that the SR duration in willow is short, lasting from 1 to 2 DA. The poplar pollen germination rate on willow stigmas on 1 DA ranged from 26.3 to 11.2%

Differences in cell wall of thin and thick filaments of cyanobacterium Aphanizomenon gracile SAG 31.79 and their implications for different resistance to Daphnia grazing

Recent studies have shown that the filamentous cyanobacterium Aphanizomenon gracile Lemmermann, strain SAG 31.79, consists of two types of filaments that differ in thickness. These two types are known to vary in resistance to Daphnia magna grazing: thin filaments (&lt;2.5 µm) are more vulnerable to grazing than the thick ones (&gt;2.5 µm). In this study, we investigated whether the difference in the vulnerability to grazing of thin and thick filaments is a result of different thickness of their cell walls, a filament stiffness determinant. We expected thick filaments to have thicker cell walls than the thin ones. Additionally, we analysed whether cell wall thickness correlates with filament thickness regardless of the filament type. A morphometric analysis of cell walls was performed using transmission electron micrographs of ultra-thin sections of the batch-cultured cyanobacterial material.  Our study revealed that the thin type of filaments had thinner cell walls than the thick filaments. Moreover, cell wall thickness was positively correlated with filament thickness. TEM (transmission electron microscopy) observations also revealed that the thin type of filaments was often at different stages of autocatalytic cell destruction, which was mainly manifested in the increase in cell vacuolization and degradation of the cytoplasm content. Based on our findings, we assume that previously reported higher resistance of thick filaments to Daphnia grazing results from greater stiffness and excellent physiological conditions of thick filaments. </p

The Effects of Growth Modification on Pollen Development in Spring Barley (<i>Hordeum vulgare</i> L.) Genotypes with Contrasting Drought Tolerance

Drought stress inducing pollen sterility can reduce crop yield worldwide. The regulatory crosstalk associated with the effects of drought on pollen formation at the cellular level has not been explored in detail so far. In this study, we performed morphological and cytoembryological analysis of anther perturbations and examined pollen development in two spring barley genotypes that differ in earliness and drought tolerance. The Syrian breeding line CamB (drought-tolerant) and the European cultivar Lubuski (drought-sensitive) were used as experimental materials to analyze the drought-induced changes in yield performance, chlorophyll fluorescence kinetics, the pollen grain micromorphology and ultrastructure during critical stages of plant development. In addition, fluctuations in HvGAMYB expression were studied, as this transcription factor is closely associated with the development of the anther. In the experiments, the studied plants were affected by drought, as was confirmed by the analyses of yield performance and chlorophyll fluorescence kinetics. However, contrary to our expectations, the pollen development of plants grown under specific conditions was not severely affected. The results also suggest that growth modification, as well as the perturbation in light distribution, can affect the HvGAMYB expression. This study demonstrated that the duration of the vegetation period can influence plant drought responses and, as a consequence, the processes associated with pollen development as every growth modification changes the dynamics of drought effects as well as the duration of plant exposition to drought

The Role of Neuropeptide B and Its Receptors in Controlling Appetite, Metabolism, and Energy Homeostasis

Neuropeptide B (NPB) is a peptide hormone that was initially described in 2002. In humans, the biological effects of NPB depend on the activation of two G protein-coupled receptors, NPBWR1 (GPR7) and NPBWR2 (GPR8), and, in rodents, NPBWR1. NPB and its receptors are expressed in the central nervous system (CNS) and in peripheral tissues. NPB is also present in the circulation. In the CNS, NPB modulates appetite, reproduction, pain, anxiety, and emotions. In the peripheral tissues, NPB controls secretion of adrenal hormones, pancreatic beta cells, and various functions of adipose tissue. Experimental downregulation of either NPB or NPBWR1 leads to adiposity. Here, we review the literature with regard to NPB-dependent control of metabolism and energy homeostasis

The Impact of <i>Nigella sativa</i> Essential Oil on T Cells in Women with Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis

Background: Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT) is an autoimmune disease mediated by T cells. It is characterized by the presence of thyroid autoantibodies in the serum, such as anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPO-Ab) and anti-thyroglobulin antibodies (TG-Ab). The essential oil extracted from Nigella sativa seeds is rich in bioactive substances, such as thymoquinone and cymene. Methods: Therefore, we examined the effect of essential oil from Nigella sativa (NSEO) on T cells from HT patients, especially their proliferation capacity, ability to produce cytokines, and susceptibility to apoptosis. Results: The lowest ethanol (EtOH) dilution (1:10) of NSEO significantly inhibited the proliferation of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells from HT patients and healthy women by affecting the percentage of dividing cells and the number of cell divisions. In addition, 1:10 and 1:50 NSEO dilutions induced cell death. Different dilutions of NSEO also reduced the concentration of IL-17A and IL-10. In healthy women, the level of IL-4 and IL-2 significantly increased in the presence of 1:10 and 1:50 NSEO dilutions. NSEO did not influence the concentration of IL-6 and IFN-γ. Conclusions: Our study demonstrates that NSEO has a strong immunomodulatory effect on the lymphocytes of HT patients

Effects of <i>Daphnia</i> exudates and sodium octyl sulphates on filament morphology and cell wall thickness of <i>Aphanizomenon gracile</i> (Nostocales), <i>Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii</i> (Nostocales) and <i>Planktothrix agardhii</i> (Oscillatoriales)

<p>Grazing is recognized as one of the selective factors shaping the morphology and physiology of cyanobacteria. A recent study has shown that the filamentous cyanobacterium <i>Aphanizomenon gracile</i> strain SAG 31.79 thickened in the presence of <i>Daphnia</i> (Cladocera) and its exudates. The aims of our study were: (1) to determine whether this type of response to <i>Daphnia</i> cues is common for other strains of <i>A. gracile</i>, and other species of filamentous cyanobacteria, (2) to test whether the response is due to nutrients recycled by <i>Daphnia</i>, or kairomone induced, and (3) whether it is related to toxin production. Prior to the experiment, cyanobacterial strains were inspected using chromatographic methods for the presence of two toxins, cylindrospermopsin (CYN) and three homologues of microcystin (MC-RR, MC-YR, MC-LR). HPLC analyses showed that all strains were free of cylindrospermopsin, whereas microcystins were detected only in one strain (<i>Planktothrix agardhii</i>). We then tested whether <i>Daphnia</i> exudates can cause thickening of cyanobacterial filaments, which would suggest the morphological changes in cyanobacterial filaments are caused by recycled nutrients. Cyanobacteria were also exposed to sodium octyl sulphate (a commercially available <i>Daphnia</i> kairomone). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to check whether <i>Daphnia</i> exudates and sodium octyl sulphate trigger thickening of cyanobacterial cell walls, which would be a defence mechanism against grazing. The TEM analysis revealed no significant effect of either <i>Daphnia</i> exudates or kairomone (sodium octyl sulphate) on the cell wall thickness of cyanobacteria. However, our study showed that <i>Daphnia</i> exudates triggered filament thickening in nostocalean cyanobacteria, while filaments of the oscillatorialean strain <i>P. agardhii</i> did not show this response. It was also demonstrated that sodium octyl sulphate alone can also cause filament thickening, which suggests that this might be a specific defence response to the presence of grazers.</p

The Role of Peptide Hormones Discovered in the 21st Century in the Regulation of Adipose Tissue Functions

Peptide hormones play a prominent role in controlling energy homeostasis and metabolism. They have been implicated in controlling appetite, the function of the gastrointestinal and cardiovascular systems, energy expenditure, and reproduction. Furthermore, there is growing evidence indicating that peptide hormones and their receptors contribute to energy homeostasis regulation by interacting with white and brown adipose tissue. In this article, we review and discuss the literature addressing the role of selected peptide hormones discovered in the 21st century (adropin, apelin, elabela, irisin, kisspeptin, MOTS-c, phoenixin, spexin, and neuropeptides B and W) in controlling white and brown adipogenesis. Furthermore, we elaborate how these hormones control adipose tissue functions in vitro and in vivo