Evolution of boreal bog-birch forest (thelypterido-betuletum pubescentis czerwiński 1972) in selected mires of North Podlasie Upland

Przedmiotem badań przeprowadzonych w latach 2007-2008 byłproces powstawania subborealnych lasów brzozowych, występujących na chronionych torfowiskach Niziny Północnopodlaskiej. Na podstawie analiz botanicznych szczątków makroskopowych (przebadano 164 próby osadu) odtworzono subfosylne zbiorowiska roślinne, poprzedzające fazę leśną roślinności torfowisk. Sosnowo-brzozowe lasy bagienne występują na średnio głębokich i głębokich torfach (średnio 2,3 m) rzadko podścielonych gytią. W osadach rozpoznano szczątki reprezentujące 51 taksonów różnej rangi. Roślinność subfosylna badanych torfowisk przynależy do czterech klas: Scheuchzerio-Caricetea nigrae, Phragmitetea, Oxycocco-Sphagnetea i Alnetea glutinosae. Zbiorowisko leśno-zaroślowe + turzyce-torfowce, pojawiające się na większości stanowisk, w warstwie stropowej złóż wyraźnie nawiązuje do współczesnego zespołu Thelypterido-Betuletum pubescentis i zawsze występuje w najmłodszym okresie holocenu. W ewolucji roślinności torfowisk rozwój brzezin był związany z występowaniem okresów klimatycznych o zmniejszonej wilgotności.The object of the study carried out between 2007 and 2008 was the process of evolution of boreal bog-birch forest situated on protected mires of North Podlasie Upland. The reconstruction of subfossil plant communities was based on the analysis of peat sediments (164 peat samples were studied). The boreal bog-birch forests are situated on medium-deep and deep peat ca. 2.3 m seldom underlined with gyttja layer. Remains of 51 different plant taxa were identified in the investigated peat sediments. They belonged to four vegetation classes: Scheuchzerio-Caricetea nigrae, Phragmitetea, Oxycocco-Sphagnetea and Alnetea glutinosae. In most locations, in the subsoil layer of peat deposit the forest-brushwood + Carex-Sphagnum community was identified. This subfossil community occurred during the Subboreal and Subatlantic periods and can be related to the contemporary Thelypterido-Betuletum pubescentis. Spreading of bog-birch forest onto mires was related to the occurrence of climatic periods featuring decreased humidity

The role and diagnostic potential of gastrokine 1 in gastric cancer

Olga M Koper-Lenkiewicz, Joanna Kamińska, Beata Gawrońska, Joanna Matowicka-Karna Department of Clinical Laboratory Diagnostics, Medical University of Bialystok, Białystok, Poland Introduction: Gene for gastrokine 1 (GKN1) was identified as one of the most significant in gastric cancer and indicated as a potential therapeutic target.Aim: The aim was a review of literature reports concerning the role and diagnostic potential of GKN1 in gastric cancer.Materials and methods: PubMED database was searched for sources using the following keywords: gastrokine 1/GKN1/AMP-18 and gastric cancer, Helicobacter pylori, aspirin, ­nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Preference was given to the sources which were published within the past 10 years.Conclusion: GKN1 is a stomach-specific protein, and its role consists of maintaining mucosal integrity as well as the replenishment of the surface lumen epithelial cells layer. The evaluation of GKN1 expression seems to be a useful indicator of the presence of neoplastic or inflammatory lesions in the gastric mucosa. GKN1 expression is decreased in gastric tumor tissues and derived cell lines and its upregulation in cell lines of gastric cancer induces cells apoptosis. The mechanism by which GKN1 is inactivated in gastric cancer cells is still not fully understood. The future diagnostic capabilities of gastric cancer concern the assessment of serum GKN1 concentration by means of ELISA method. Serum GKN1 concentration is not related to patients’ sex. Moreover, the measurement of GKN1 concentration is possible only after the incubation of samples at 70°C for 10 minutes. Nevertheless, the aspect of quantitative serum GKN1 evaluation is new in the context of available literature and requires further studies. Keywords: gastrokine 1/GKN1, gastric cancer, Helicobacter pylori &nbsp

Redox Biomarkers – An Effective Tool for Diagnosing COVID-19 Patients and Convalescents

Blanka Wolszczak-Biedrzycka,1 Justyna Dorf,2 Joanna Matowicka-Karna,2 Violetta Dymicka-Piekarska,2 Marzena Wojewódzka-&Zdot;ele&zacute;niakowicz,3 Piotr &Zdot;ukowski,4 Anna Zalewska,5 &Lstrok;ukasz D&aogon;browski,6 Mateusz Maciejczyk7 1Department of Psychology and Sociology of Health and Public Health, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Olsztyn, Poland; 2Department of Clinical Laboratory Diagnostics, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland; 3Department of Emergency Medicine and Disasters, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland; 4Department of Restorative Dentistry, Croydon University Hospital, London, UK; 5Independent Laboratory of Experimental Dentistry, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland; 6Medical Laboratory, “Diagnostyka” Olsztyn, Olsztyn, Poland; 7Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Ergonomics, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, PolandCorrespondence: Blanka Wolszczak-Biedrzycka, Email [email protected]: COVID-19 triggers the overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) which, in combination with a weakened antioxidant barrier, can lead to protein oxidation and lipid peroxidation. The aim of this study was to evaluate enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants, the overall redox potential, and protein and lipid peroxidation products in COVID-19 patients, convalescents, and healthy subjects, and to the determine the diagnostic applicability of these parameters in COVID-19 patients.Materials and Methods: The study involved 218 patients with COVID-19, 69 convalescents, and 48 healthy subjects who were selected for the research based on age and sex. The study was conducted between 20 February 2021 and 20 November 2021 in Bia&lstrok;ystok, Poland. The antioxidant barrier, redox status, and oxidative damage products were assessed in serum/plasma samples with the use of colorimetric and spectrophotometric assays.Results: Glutathione reductase (GR) activity was higher, whereas total antioxidant capacity (TAC) was lower in COVID-19 patients than in convalescents (p< 0.0001) and the control group (p< 0.0001). The concentrations of advanced glycation end products (AGEs), advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP), 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE), and malondialdehyde (MDA) were higher in COVID-19 patients (p< 0.0001) and convalescents (p< 0.0001) than in the control group. AGEs were the most effective diagnostic biomarker for differentiating COVID-19 patients from the control group (AUC=0.9971) and convalescents from the control group (AUC=1.000).Conclusion: An infection with the SARS-CoV-2 disrupts the redox balance and increases protein oxidation and lipid peroxidation. AGEs fulfill the criteria for a potential diagnostic biomarker in COVID-19 patients and convalescents.Keywords: oxidative stress, redox biomarkers, antioxidants, COVID-19, SARS CoV-2 viru