The first homology group with twisted coefficients for the mapping class group of a non-orientable surface with boundary

We determine the first homology group with coefficients in $H_1(N;\mathbb{Z})$ for various mapping class groups of a non--orientable surface $N$ with punctures and/or boundary.Comment: To appear in Osaka Journal of Mathematic

Lock-in thermography versus PPE calorimetry for accurate measurements of thermophysical properties of solid samples: a comparative study

The aim of this paper is to compare the measurement accuracy of photopyroelectric calorimetry in back detection configuration (BPPE) and infrared lock-in thermography (LT) for thermal diffusivity measurement of solid samples. For this purpose, the following materials with well-known thermal properties have been selected: glassy carbon (type G), LiTaO3 crystal and binary II-VI semiconductors (based on CdSe and CdTe). The advantages and drawbacks of the two techniques have been analyzed both theoretically and experimentally

The radiometal makes a difference. Synthesis and preliminary characterisation of DOTA-minigastrin analogue complexes with Ga, Lu and Y

BACKGROUND: The minigastrin analogue — CP04: DOTA-(DGlu)6-Ala-Tyr-Gly-Trp-Met-Asp-Phe-NH2 has been developed for CCK2R targeting. This analogue can be radiolabelled with 111In or 68Ga for imaging, or with 90Y and 177Lu for therapy. However, affinity of the chelator-peptide conjugates to the cell membrane receptors may vary depending on the metal incorporated into the complex. So far, there are no such studies for the ligands of gastrin/cholecystokinin receptor CCK2R. It is supposed that the reason for the differentiation of receptor affinity to the respective receptors is in the changes of structure of chelating system and their influence on the bioactive conformations of the metal conjugated peptides. Herein, we report on the radiolabeling of CP04 with 90Y, 177Lu and 68Ga and synthesis of cold CP04 complexes with respective stable metals for further structural and physico-chemical and biological studies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 200 to 600 MBq of 90Y, 177Lu or 68Ga were used for radiolabelling of 20 μg of CP04 dissolved in ascorbic acid solution (50 mg/mL, pH 4.5). Non-radioactive complexes with Lu and Ga were synthesized in milligram amounts starting from 0.5 mg up to 5 mg of CP04 dissolved in ascorbic acid solution (50 mg/mL, pH 4.5) when using 2-molar excess of the metal ions. Complex formation needed 5 min in microwave oven or 12 min in thermo-block at 95°C. RP-HPLC isocratic method (Kinetex 150/4.6 mm; 25% AcN/0.1% TFA, 1 mL/min) with UV/Vis and radiometric detection was developed for investigation of the radiolabelled and “cold” complexes. For LC-MS investigations, HPLC method was modified replacing TFA by formic acid. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Yields of CP04 radiolabelling were greater than 90% for all three radionuclides. The HPLC method enabled identification of these radio-complexes based on comparison to their non-radioactive equivalents. In all cases, chromatograms revealed peaks that could be attributed to the metal-CP04 complexes and to impurities (including methionine oxidation). LC-MS analysis of Ga and Lu complexes revealed conformity of the observed molecular ions to the predicted formulas (m/z 2116 and 2220 Da for Ga and Lu, respectively). Different chromatographic behaviour observed for Ga-CP04 complex comparing to Lu- and Y- labelled peptide (relative retention to CP04: 1.08, 0.86 and 0.85, respectively) suggest different coordination of the metal ions. Therefore, further studies are planned using the non-radioactive complexes in order to assess their structural conformations

Titus Flavius Clemens’ Stance on Wine as Expressed in Paedagogus

Titus Flavius Clemens was a philosopher and Christian theologian from the period of the 2nd–3th century. The aim of this paper is to present his view on the subject of wine and his recommendations on wine consumption as described in his work entitled Paedagogus. In this work Titus Flavius Clemens focuses primarily on the moral side of drinking wine. He is a great supporter of the ancient principle of moderation, or the golden mean (μεσότης). We also find its traces in his recommendations regarding the drinking of wine. First of all, he does not require Christians to be abstinent. Although he considers water as the best natural beverage to satisfy thirst, he does not make them reject God’s wine. The only condition he sets, however, is to maintain moderation in drinking it. He recommends diluting wine with water, as the peaceful Greeks always did, unlike the war-loving barbarians who were more prone to drunkenness. On the other hand, Titus Flavius Clemens warns the reader against excessive dilution of wine, so that it does not turn out to be pure water. He severely criticizes drunkenness, picturesquely presenting the behavior of drunks, both men and women. Wine in moderation has, in his opinion, its advantages – social, familial and individual. It makes a person better disposed to himself or herself, kinder to friends and more gentle to family members. Wine, when consumed in moderation, may also have medicinal properties. Clemens is well aware of this fact and in his work he cites several medical opinions on the subject. Unfortunately, in Paedagogus we find little information about wine as a food product / as an everyday bevarage. The input on the subject is limited to the list of exclusive, imported wines. What is worth noting, Titus Flavius Clemens appears to be a sommelier in this way

Comparison of chromatographic methods for quality control of DMSA complexes with 99mTc and 188Re at (III) and (V) oxidation states

BACKGROUND: The reliable method for determination ofidentity and radiochemical purity (RCP) is of great importancein radiopharmaceutical development. This is especially relevantwhen more than one form of radiometal/ligand complex can beformed during radiolabelling, such as complexes of 99mTc or 188Rewith meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA), where dependingon the pH, metal can occur either at +3 or +5 oxidation state.The aim of our study was to evaluate possibilities for optimizationof chromatographic systems leading to specific and reliableanalytical method for determination of the identity and RCP ofDMSA complexes with 99mTc or 188Re.MATERIAL AND METHODS: The commercial DMSA kits(POLATOM) were used for preparation of technetium-99m (III) and (V) complexes with DMSA. 99mTc(V)-DMSA complexeswere prepared by addition of NaHCO3 to the kit vial prior to99mTc-eluate to obtain pH ~8. 188Re(V)-DMSA was prepared eitherdirectly or using intermediate 188Re(III)-EDTA complex addedto DMSA. RCP was evaluated by TLC using: ITLC-SG developedin methylethylketon, SG60 coated plates developed in:n-BuOH/H2O/CH3COOH and n-PrOH/H2O/CH3COOH systems,and in H2O. Comparative biodistribution studies were performedin normal Wistar rats.RESULTS: Using silica gel plates and n-PrOH, H2O and aceticacid in the developing solution, we observed that 99mTc/188Re(III)-DMSA and 99mTc/188Re(V)-DMSA complexes could be wellseparated from each other and from the impurities in the formof free pertechnetate/perrhenate. In vivo studies showed quitedifferent biodistribution of 99mTc(III)- and 99mTc(V)-DMSA. Thetrivalent complex accumulated mainly in kidneys (>40%ID),while 99mTc(V)-DMSA revealed high excretion with urine andrelatively high concentration in osseous tissue (ca. 2 %ID/g).Accumulation of this complex in kidneys was very low (ca.2.5 %ID). Biodistribution pattern of 188Re(V)-DMSA prepareddirectly was almost identical to that of 99mTc(V)-DMSA. Biodistributionresults of the 188Re preparation obtained using 188Re(III)-EDTA intermediate indicated that the preparation contained themixture of penta- and trivalent 188Re complexes. The quite highaccumulation of radioactivity in kidneys (23 %ID) gave evidenceof the presence of 188Re(III)-DMSA in this preparation, what wasalso confirmed by the results of TLC analysis performed usingsilica gel plate and n-propanol/water/acetic acid as developingsystem. CONCLUSIONS: Based on our study, we have made recommendationon the suitable methods for investigations of RCP ofDMSA complexes, i.e.: SG60 plates developed in the mixtureof n-propanol/water/acetic acid, which enable determination of the tri- and pentavalent DMSA complexes, as well as, thepertechnetate/perrhenate impurity, and developed in water fordetermination of the colloidal residue.BACKGROUND: The reliable method for determination ofidentity and radiochemical purity (RCP) is of great importancein radiopharmaceutical development. This is especially relevantwhen more than one form of radiometal/ligand complex can beformed during radiolabelling, such as complexes of 99mTc or 188Rewith meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA), where dependingon the pH, metal can occur either at +3 or +5 oxidation state.The aim of our study was to evaluate possibilities for optimizationof chromatographic systems leading to specific and reliableanalytical method for determination of the identity and RCP ofDMSA complexes with 99mTc or 188Re.MATERIAL AND METHODS: The commercial DMSA kits(POLATOM) were used for preparation of technetium-99m (III) and (V) complexes with DMSA. 99mTc(V)-DMSA complexeswere prepared by addition of NaHCO3 to the kit vial prior to99mTc-eluate to obtain pH ~8. 188Re(V)-DMSA was prepared eitherdirectly or using intermediate 188Re(III)-EDTA complex addedto DMSA. RCP was evaluated by TLC using: ITLC-SG developedin methylethylketon, SG60 coated plates developed in:n-BuOH/H2O/CH3COOH and n-PrOH/H2O/CH3COOH systems,and in H2O. Comparative biodistribution studies were performedin normal Wistar rats.RESULTS: Using silica gel plates and n-PrOH, H2O and aceticacid in the developing solution, we observed that 99mTc/188Re(III)-DMSA and 99mTc/188Re(V)-DMSA complexes could be wellseparated from each other and from the impurities in the formof free pertechnetate/perrhenate. In vivo studies showed quitedifferent biodistribution of 99mTc(III)- and 99mTc(V)-DMSA. Thetrivalent complex accumulated mainly in kidneys (>40%ID),while 99mTc(V)-DMSA revealed high excretion with urine andrelatively high concentration in osseous tissue (ca. 2 %ID/g).Accumulation of this complex in kidneys was very low (ca.2.5 %ID). Biodistribution pattern of 188Re(V)-DMSA prepareddirectly was almost identical to that of 99mTc(V)-DMSA. Biodistributionresults of the 188Re preparation obtained using 188Re(III)-EDTA intermediate indicated that the preparation contained themixture of penta- and trivalent 188Re complexes. The quite highaccumulation of radioactivity in kidneys (23 %ID) gave evidenceof the presence of 188Re(III)-DMSA in this preparation, what wasalso confirmed by the results of TLC analysis performed usingsilica gel plate and n-propanol/water/acetic acid as developingsystem.CONCLUSIONS: Based on our study, we have made recommendationon the suitable methods for investigations of RCP ofDMSA complexes, i.e.: SG60 plates developed in the mixtureof n-propanol/water/acetic acid, which enable determination of the tri- and pentavalent DMSA complexes, as well as, thepertechnetate/perrhenate impurity, and developed in water fordetermination of the colloidal residue

Low to middle Pleistocene paleoclimatic record from the Kraków-Częstochowa Upland (Poland) based on isotopic and calcite fabrics analyses

The quality of paleoenvironmental reconstruction based on speleothem records depends on the accuracy of the used proxies and the chronology of the studied record. As far as the dating method is concerned, in most cases, the best solution is the use of the U-series method to obtain a precise chronology. However, for older periods (i.e., over 0.5 Ma), dating has become a serious challenge. Theoretically, older materials could be dated with the U-Pb dating method. However, that method re-quires a relatively high uranium content (minimum of several ppm), whereas typical speleothems from Poland (and all of Central Europe) have uranium concentrations below 0.1 ppm. Because the materials in Polish caves are problematic, we applied oxygen isotope stratigraphy (OIS) as a tool for speleothem dating. By using OIS as an alternative tool to create a chronology of our flowstone, it was found that the studied flowstone crystallized from 975 to 470 ka with three major discontinuities, so obtained isotopic record can be correlated with oxygen isotopic stages from MIS 24 to MIS 12. The observed isotopic variability was also consistent and confirmed with the petrographic observations of the flowstone

Effect of the SARS COV-2 virus on diabetes symptoms, diagnostics, and treatment

Because COVID-19 has been recognised as one of the most important pandemics in the history of humankind, in recent years many scientists have investigated the effect of the disease on various aspects of mental and physical human health. This article presents a literature review regarding the effect of SARS CoV-2 infection on the symptoms, diagnostics, and treatment of diabetes. It discusses the effect of infection with virus SARS-CoV-2 on the course of type 1 and type 2 diabetes as well as the frequency of occurrence of the disease in patients affected by COVID-19. Moreover, it presents information on the pharmacotherapy and way of providing services by doctors during the pandemic. According to the literature, infection with virus SARS CoV-2 causes a general inflammation of the organisms and numerous metabolic and hormonal disturbances, and therefore affects the course of diabetes. It may lead not only to serious metabolic complications in the course of early diabetes, but also to the development of the disease. It was determined that infection with COVID-19 in diabetes patients (mainly type 2) increases the risk of complications (such as acute respiratory failure, multi-organ failure, and death).  &nbsp

Psilocybin's Emerging Role in Combating Depressive Disorder

        In this review paper, we delve into the potential applicability of psilocybin - a naturally synthesized psychedelic substance found within select species of fungi, as a prospective avenue for depression treatment. Depression, a widespread psychological malady affecting countless individuals across the globe, often proves stubborn against existing treatment modalities, necessitating exploration into new options. The spotlight has increasingly been cast on psilocybin, thanks to its promising therapeutic capacities for a spectrum of mental health disorders, notably including depression. This article dissects the operational mechanisms of psilocybin, referencing germane clinical trials, and weighing the prospective risks and rewards related to its usage. Pooled findings from an array of clinical studies hint at the possibility of psilocybin furnishing swift and lasting advantages for managing depression and similar disorders. Trial participants who underwent a combined regimen of psilocybin and psychotherapy recorded enduring alleviation in their anxiety and depressive symptoms. Psilocybin has been observed to trigger modifications in neural activity, predominantly in the brain's default mode network (DMN) and the prefrontal cortex (PFC). These alterations have been correlated with a decrease in self-oriented cognitive processes, an uptick in positive emotional states, and the facilitation of neuroplasticity. When compared with standard antidepressant medications, the symptomatic improvements seen with psilocybin were largely equivalent. Preclinical investigations have also underlined psilocybin's potential in augmenting neural plasticity and neurogenesis, thus hinting at its possible utility in the fields of neurosurgery and neurooncology

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia – a new perspective on prevention and treatment

Introduction   Premature birth is one of the most common problems in neonatal care and affects from 6 to 14% of pregnancies (frequency depends on geographical factors) [1].  Prematurity is the cause of almost half of deaths of children younger than 5 years old [3].  The most frequent and one of the most severe risks of preterm births is bronchopulmonary dysplasia (also called a chronic lung disease in some sources).   Aim of the study   The aim of this study is to collect data on both new and traditional ways of prevention and treatment of chronic lung disease in a population of infants born preterm (<37 weeks of gestational age).  Materials and methods  The work was created based on the articles available in PubMed and Google Scholar databases and available scientific literature. Publications were searched in English and Polish  using the following keywords: bronchopulmonary dysplasia, chronic lung disease of the newborns, pulmonary hypertension in bronchopulmonary dysplasia, stem cells in bronchopulmonary dysplasia.  Results  Although bronchopulmonary dysplasia is a common problem among children born preterm, there is still a limited amount of possibilities of prevention and treatment of this condition. Despite efforts of scientists, many children with this condition suffer from both short-term and long-term consequences, such as frequent infections, asthma and impaired growth and neurodevelopment.    Summary  In the last twenty years the survival rate of children born preterm rapidly increased thank to the development of neonatal care. Up to 20% of children born with body weight less than 1500g will develop bronchopulmonary dysplasia. That is why there is a need for further research on the topic of bronchopulmonary dysplasia management, especially when it comes to biomarkers, use of mesenchymal stem cells and treatment of pulmonary hypertension.  &nbsp