“Late Hallstatt” hillforts in the Western Carpathians : new contribution to an old discussion

The article presents new research on fortified settlements from the Early Iron Age in the Orava and Dunajec river valleys. Based on the characteristics of the construction of the fortifications and similarities in terms of material culture, we propose recognizing the hillforts discovered here as a manifestation of one cultural and settlement horizon related to the so-called Pre-Púchov stage. The radiocarbon determinations obtained for the contexts stratigraphically related to the ramparts from the Nižná-Ostražica, Zabrzeż-Babia Góra, and Maszkowice-Góra Zyndrama sites are already located on the calibration curve after the so-called Hallstatt plateau and allow this horizon to be dated to the 4th century BC, i.e. to the times corresponding to the La Tène B1–B2 phases. Our observations confirm the opinions appearing in more recent literature about the need to date the Pre-Púchov stage in Slovakia earlier, and discuss the thesis about the continuation of settlement at the beginning of the La Tène period. With regard to the Polish Carpathian zone, arguments indicating the possibility of the survival of settlements with Early Iron Age traditions up to the 4th century BC are presented for the first time. This allows us to assume that the process of the formation of the cultural tradition of the La Tène period here progressed in a similar manner to Slovakia, and it was not solely the result of migration from the latter.Príspevok prezentuje nové výskumy na opevnených sídliskách z doby halštatskej v doline Oravy a Dunajca. Na základe charakteristiky výstavby opevnení a podobností z pohľadu hmotnej kultúry, považujeme prezentované hradiská za prejav jedného kultúrneho a sídliskového horizontu (tzv. predpúchovský horizont). Analyzované radiokarbónové vzorky získané z kontextov stratigraficky súvisiacych s valmi z lokalít Nižná-Ostražica, Zabrzeż-Babia Góra a Maszkowice-Góra Zyndrama, sa nachádzajú na kalibračnej krivke už po tzv. halštatskom plató a umožňujú tento horizont datovať. do 4. storočia pred Kristom, teda do čias zodpovedajúcich laténskej fáze LT B1–B2. Výsledky potvrdzujú názory objavujúce sa v novšej literatúre o potrebe skoršieho datovania predpúchovského horizontu na Slovensku a tiež o pokračovaní osídlenia na začiatku doby laténskej. V súvislosti s karpatskou oblasťou na území Poľska sú po prvýkrát prezentované argumenty naznačujúce možnosť prežívania osád s tradíciami v staršej doby železnej až do 4. storočia pred Kristom. To umožňuje predpokladať, že proces formovania kultúrnej tradície doby laténskej tu prebiehal podobne ako na Slovensku a nebol len dôsledkom neskoršej migrácie.The article presents new research on fortified settlements from the Early Iron Age in the Orava and Dunajec river valleys. Based on the characteristics of the construction of the fortifications and similarities in terms of material culture, we propose recognizing the hillforts discovered here as a manifestation of one cultural and settlement horizon related to the so-called Pre-Púchov stage. The radiocarbon determinations obtained for the contexts stratigraphically related to the ramparts from the Nižná-Ostražica, Zabrzeż-Babia Góra, and Maszkowice-Góra Zyndrama sites are already located on the calibration curve after the so-called Hallstatt plateau and allow this horizon to be dated to the 4th century BC, i.e. to the times corresponding to the La Tène B1–B2 phases. Our observations confirm the opinions appearing in more recent literature about the need to date the Pre-Púchov stage in Slovakia earlier, and discuss the thesis about the continuation of settlement at the beginning of the La Tène period. With regard to the Polish Carpathian zone, arguments indicating the possibility of the survival of settlements with Early Iron Age traditions up to the 4th century BC are presented for the first time. This allows us to assume that the process of the formation of the cultural tradition of the La Tène period here progressed in a similar manner to Slovakia, and it was not solely the result of migration from the latter

Serum ADMA concentration – an independent factor determining FMD impairment in cardiac syndrome X

Mechanisms of decreased endogenous vascular reactivity in individuals with cardiac syndrome X (CSX) are not fully understood

Artykuł oryginalnyZjawisko restenozy w stencie, a nie typ implantowanego stentu wieńcowego wiąże się z upośledzeniem wazodylatacji indukowanej przepływem

Background: Precise mechanisms leading to restenosis are not fully understood. The type of implanted stent and the intensity of atherogenic processes may affects the restenosis rate. Aim: To compare the long-term effects of the coronary stent implantation – paclitaxel-eluting stent (PES) or bare-metal stents (BMS) – on endothelial-dependent flow-mediated dilation (FMD), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) serum levels and to assess the relationship between FMD, PDGF, ADMA and every-stage in-stent restenosis (eISR). Methods: The study population included 40 patients with coronary artery disease, who underwent elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of the left anterior descending artery (LAD) with stent implantation (PES – 21 patients; BMS – 19 patients). Follow-up examination was performed 12 months after PCI. Results: There were no differences between the PES and the BMS patients regarding FMD (PES: 11.8±7.8%, BMS: 10.5±9.2%), PDGF (PES: 5540±2209 pg/ml, BMS: 4923±2924 pg/ml) and ADMA (PES: 0.474±0.04 µmol/l, BMS: 0.456±0.03 µmol/l) serum levels. The follow-up angiography was performed when clinically indicated in 25 patients: in 15 patients with PES and 10 patients with BMS implanted. The eISR was found in 12 subjects: in 7 (47%) with PES and in 5 (50%) with BMS (NS). In all patients with eISR, the FMD values were significantly lower (6.1±3.5%, p=0.003) compared to the patients without eISR (14.3±7.8%). FMD was the only independent risk factor for eISR (OR=0.631, 95% CI 0.412-0.942, p=0.0003). The cut-off point for FMD Ł8.4% as a parameter predicting eISR was established (p=0.0001, sensitivity: 83.3%, specificity: 92.3%, PPV: 90.9%, NPV: 85.7%). Conclusions: The type of stent implanted into LAD does not affect the FMD, PDGF and ADMA serum levels assessed one-year after a PCI procedure. The occurrence of an early in-stent restenosis is associated with impaired FMD at the time of one-year follow-up.Cel: Porównanie odległego wpływu rodzaju implantowanego stentu wieńcowego [stenty uwalniające paklitaksel (ang. paclitaxel-eluting stents, PES) vs stenty metalowe (ang. bare-metal stents, BMS)] na zależną od śródbłonka wazodylatację indukowaną przepływem (ang. flow-mediated dilation, FMD), na stężenia płytkopochodnego czynnika wzrostu (ang. platelet-derived growth factor, PDGF) i asymetrycznej dimetylargininy (ang. asymmetric dimethylarginine, ADMA) w surowicy krwi oraz ocena związku FMD, PDGF i ADMA z obserwowaną po roku od zabiegu restenozą w stencie (ang. every-stage in-stent restenosis, eISR). Metody: Badaniami objęto łącznie 40 osób z chorobą wieńcową po przebytym zabiegu elektywnej angioplastyki przedniej tętnicy zstępującej z implantacją stentu (PES – 21 chorych, BMS – 19 chorych). Badania kliniczne, w tym FMD i oznaczenie stężeń PDGF, ADMA w surowicy krwi przeprowadzano po roku od zabiegu. Wyniki: Nie stwierdzano znamiennych różnic pomiędzy badanymi grupami (PES i BMS) w zakresie FMD (PES: 11,8±7,8%, BMS: 10,5±9,2%), PDGF (PES: 5540±2209 pg/ml, BMS: 4923±2924 pg/ml) i ADMA (PES: 0,474±0,04 mmol/l, BMS: 0,456±0,03 mmol/l) w badanych grupach. Po uwzględnieniu wskazań klinicznych u 25 badanych, w tym 15 chorych z grupy PES i 10 chorych z grupy BMS, wykonano kontrolną koronarografię. Wystąpienie eISR stwierdzono u 12 chorych: 7 z PES (47%) i 5 z BMS (50%). U wszystkich badanych z eISR wartości FMD były znamiennie niższe (6,1±3,5%, p=0,003) w porównaniu z badanymi bez eISR (14,3±7,8%). Wartość FMD była jedynym niezależnym czynnikiem ryzyka eISR (OR=0,631; 95% CI 0,412–0,942; p=0,0003). Punkt odcięcia dla FMD jako parametru wskazującego na eISR wynosił 8,4% (p=0,0001; czułość – 83,3%; specyficzność – 92,3%; PPV – 90,9%, NPV – 85,7%). Wnioski: Typ implantowanego stentu nie ma istotnego wpływu na wartości FMD oraz stężenia PDGF i ADMA w surowicy obserwowane po roku od elektywnej angioplastyki przedniej tętnicy zstępującej. Obecność restenozy w stencie związana jest z upośledzonym FMD po roku obserwacji

Three-dimensional organization of pyrrolo[3,2-b]pyrrole-based triazine framework using nanostructural spherical carbon: enhancing electrochemical performance of materials for supercapacitors

Abstract Covalent triazine-based frameworks have attracted much interest recently due to their high surface area and excellent thermal and electrochemical stabilities. This study shows that covalently immobilizing triazine-based structures on spherical carbon nanostructures results in the organization of micro- and mesopores in a three-dimensional manner. We selected the nitrile-functionalized pyrrolo[3,2-b]pyrrole unit to form triazine rings to construct a covalent organic framework. Combining spherical carbon nanostructures with the triazine framework produced a material with unique physicochemical properties, exhibiting the highest specific capacitance value of 638 F g−1 in aqueous acidic solutions. This phenomenon is attributed to many factors. The material exhibits a large surface area, a high content of micropores, a high content of graphitic N, and N-sites with basicity and semi-crystalline character. Thanks to the high structural organization and reproducibility, and remarkably high specific capacitance, these systems are promising materials for use in electrochemistry. For the first time, hybrid systems containing triazine-based frameworks and carbon nano-onions were used as electrodes for supercapacitors

Recombinant Human Plasma Gelsolin Stimulates Phagocytosis while Diminishing Excessive Inflammatory Responses in Mice with Pseudomonas aeruginosa Sepsis

Plasma gelsolin (pGSN) is a highly conserved abundant circulating protein, characterized by diverse immunomodulatory activities including macrophage activation and the ability to neutralize pro-inflammatory molecules produced by the host and pathogen. Using a murine model of Gram-negative sepsis initiated by the peritoneal instillation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Xen 5, we observed a decrease in the tissue uptake of IRDye®800CW 2-deoxyglucose, an indicator of inflammation, and a decrease in bacterial growth from ascitic fluid in mice treated with intravenous recombinant human plasma gelsolin (pGSN) compared to the control vehicle. Pretreatment of the murine macrophage line RAW264.7 with pGSN, followed by addition of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Xen 5, resulted in a dose-dependent increase in the proportion of macrophages with internalized bacteria. This increased uptake was less pronounced when cells were pretreated with pGSN and then centrifuged to remove unbound pGSN before addition of bacteria to macrophages. These observations suggest that recombinant plasma gelsolin can modulate the inflammatory response while at the same time augmenting host antibacterial activity