The V471A polymorphism in autophagy-related gene ATG7 modifies age at onset specifically in Italian Huntington disease patients

The cause of Huntington disease (HD) is a polyglutamine repeat expansion of more than 36 units in the huntingtin protein, which is inversely correlated with the age at onset of the disease. However, additional genetic factors are believed to modify the course and the age at onset of HD. Recently, we identified the V471A polymorphism in the autophagy-related gene ATG7, a key component of the autophagy pathway that plays an important role in HD pathogenesis, to be associated with the age at onset in a large group of European Huntington disease patients. To confirm this association in a second independent patient cohort, we analysed the ATG7 V471A polymorphism in additional 1,464 European HD patients of the “REGISTRY” cohort from the European Huntington Disease Network (EHDN). In the entire REGISTRY cohort we could not confirm a modifying effect of the ATG7 V471A polymorphism. However, analysing a modifying effect of ATG7 in these REGISTRY patients and in patients of our previous HD cohort according to their ethnic origin, we identified a significant effect of the ATG7 V471A polymorphism on the HD age at onset only in the Italian population (327 patients). In these Italian patients, the polymorphism is associated with a 6-years earlier disease onset and thus seems to have an aggravating effect. We could specify the role of ATG7 as a genetic modifier for HD particularly in the Italian population. This result affirms the modifying influence of the autophagic pathway on the course of HD, but also suggests population-specific modifying mechanisms in HD pathogenesis

Transport models of large speeds in the trans-European network of the European Union

Jednym z podstawowych czynników integracji europejskiej jest transport, a w nim kolejowy transport pasażerski. Od 1981 roku ulega on w Europie intensywnej modyfikacji polegającej na wprowadzaniu środków transportu o dużych prędkościach. Tworzy to nową jakość w przewozach pasażerskich, przyczyniającą się do możliwości ich realizacji trasami transeuropejskimi. Celem artykułu jest przedstawienie modeli oraz potencjalnych transeuropejskich tras kolei dużych prędkości w Unii Europejskiej.Transport models of high speed rail in the trans – European network of the European Union. Ever since 1981 this transport was subject to intensive modification in form of introduction of high speed rail transport. This creates a new quality in passenger transport and may potentially contribute to the possibility of transport with use of trans-European routes. The aim of the article is to present the models and potential trans-European high speed rail routes in the European Union

Water-bus in the public transport

Problems of sustainable economic development also apply to urban transport. The European Union emphasizes the creation of a sustainable transport system in which public transport will function more efficiently. Currently not all possible means of transport are used in public transport. Attempt to introduce transport water means in public transport does not always have a successful result. Existing solutions do not fully meet the postulates requested in passenger transport. The article analyzes the main technical and financial conditions and makes proposals necessary for the implementation of water public transport. Special attention in these proposals is paid to Szczecin agglomeration

Vegetable oils derivatives as the modifiers of the lubricating properties of water

Water has been used as a lubricating medium in a number of applications in tribology. Its insufficient lubricating properties are modified by appropriate additives. The aim of the tribological studies presented in this paper is an application of a mixture containing triglyceride ethoxylates and partial glycerides as well as esters and a block copolymer as additives. All the components are commercially available and relatively cheap. In order to examine the aqueous solutions, two kinds of tests were carried out on a four-ball apparatus: at the fixed load - measurements of the friction coefficient and wear as a function of time and seizure tests which made it possible to determine the scuffing load (Pt), the seizure load (Poz) and the limiting pressure of seizure (p(oz)). Changes in the quantities measured were analyzed as a function of concentrations ranging from 0.001% to 100%. In the fixed load tests the coefficient of friction decreased almost eight-fold, reaching the lowest value of 0.06 at above 0.1% concentration of the additive. Wear decreased over 3.5-fold. In the seizure tests a relatively high efficiency of the additive package was observed at the concentration of the order of the thousandth part of one percent. The compositions reached the maximum anti-seizure capacity at the concentrations of 4 and 10%. It is particularly interesting to note that the stability of the lubricating film being formed was characterized by the scuffing load. The maximum value of Pt was about 4kN high. Summing up, on the basis of the results obtained it may be concluded that the choice of package additives was correct and it effectively modified the lubricating properties of water

Colonization of wheat grain by Fusaria in two crop management systems varying in intensity of production technology.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of two cropping systems (intensive and integrated) on infection level of winter and spring wheat kernels by Fusarium species. Field experiments were conducted with winter wheat ‘Tonacja’ and spring wheat ‘Bombona’ during two consecutive growing seasons (2007/2008 and 2008/2009 - winter wheat, and 2008 and 2009 - spring wheat). A rainfall level in 2009 from the last decade of May to the first decade of July was 2.5-times higher than that in 2008. After the harvest, kernels were surface disinfected with 1.5% NaOCl solution for 2 min and then analysed for the infection level by different species of Fusarium. Fusaria were isolated on CZID medium and identified on the basis of macro - and micro-morphology on three media (PDA, SNA and a medium containing tannin). Our results demonstrate that the wheat grain infection by Fusarium depended mainly on a rainfall level. The intensive cropping system was more conducive to the grain infection by fusaria in comparison to the integrated one. The most frequent species were F. avenaceum in 2008, and F. graminearum, F. avenaceum and F. poae in 2009