Evolution and Impact of the European Union's energy policy : from fossil fuels to renewable energy and greenhouse gas emissions reduction

PURPOSE: This scientific work focuses on analyzing the energy transformation in the European Union (EU) from 2000 to 2021, considering the shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources and strategies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The research aims to understand how the EU's energy policy has influenced the structure of energy production and consumption, as well as the emission of greenhouse gases in its member states, with particular emphasis on key initiatives such as the Kyoto Protocol, the 2020 climate and energy package, and the European Green Deal.DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: Utilizing a comprehensive dataset and a variety of research methods, this work provides empirical insights into the effects of the EU's energy policy. The analysis examines the impact of implemented initiatives and regulations on the energy mix, noting an increase in the share of renewable energy and a decrease in GHG emissions.FINDINGS: The study revealed that these initiatives and regulations have contributed to a significant change in the energy mix, marking an increase in renewable energy's share and a decline in GHG emissions. However, the research also uncovers challenges and disparities in achieving these goals among different member states.PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: This work makes a significant contribution to the discussion on the efficiency and future directions of the EU's energy policy. It highlights the importance of a holistic approach to energy transformation, which considers both environmental and economic needs and points to the necessity of further research and investment in technological innovation.ORIGINALITY/VALUE: These findings are crucial for understanding the process of energy transformation in the EU and can serve as a valuable source of information for policymakers, researchers, and stakeholders interested in sustainable development and energy policy.The project is financed within the framework of the program "Green technologies as a pathway to the competitiveness of Intercompact Sp. z o. o." has received funding under the Financial Mechanism of the European Economic Area (EEA), in line with priority axis 19 of the Norwegian Financial Mechanism 2014-2021, action 19.1 New Products and Investments, and sub-action 19.1.1 Environmentally Friendly Technologies - Green growth. The aim of the project is to increase the competitiveness of Intercompact Sp. z o. o. by introducing innovative and energy-efficient technological solutions, as well as by intensifying the use of renewable energy sources in the enterprise. The project includes the implementation of an advanced process for cutting sheets up to 10 mm thick using a state-ofthe-art 6 kW fiber laser cutter and the construction of a 192 kW photovoltaic installation that will power the company's plant in Łebcz. These initiatives are expected to lead to the development of Intercompact, an increase in revenue, job creation, and a reduction in electricity consumption, which will contribute to its competitive edge in the market. The total value of eligible expenditures amounts to 3,085,500.00 PLN, of which the funding from the EEA Financial Mechanism constitutes 1,672,025.00 PLN.peer-reviewe

Trigone ventricular meningiomas — clinical characteristics, histopathology and results of surgical treatment

Aim of the study. Intraventricular meningiomas (IVMs) are rare tumours accounting for 0.5–3.0% of all meningiomas. IVMs require different surgical approaches and preparation in deep brain areas. The aim of our study was to present the clinico- -histopathological characteristics and treatment outcomes of trigone IVMs in a series of 15 patients. Materials and methods. Eight women and seven men (mean age 52) with 15 trigone IVMs were retrospectively analysed. Patients presented with headache (47%), psychoorganic syndrome (40%), hemianopsia (33%) or paresis (20%), including three (20%) patients with Karnofsky Performance Scale (KPS) < 80. Mean tumour size was 55.2 mm (range: 30–100 mm). Results. Gross total tumour resection was performed in 14 (93%) cases, and subtotal in one (7%). A new deficit appeared in 83% (5/6) following a transparietal approach, in 14% (1/7) following a transtemporal approach, and in none of two patients following a transoccipital approach. Postoperative complications occurred in six (40%) patients; no patient died, but in two (13%) the new deficit was permanent. Tumour re-growth was found in two (13%) patients after 14 and 31 months. Meningiomas of WHO grade I occurred in 12, grade II in three, and grade III in one tumour recurrence. In long-term follow-up (mean: 60.8 months), including the results of revision operations, KPS: 80–100 was in 13 (87%) patients, KPS: 50 in one (severe hemiparesis after revision) and one patient was lost to follow-up (KPS: 100 on discharge). Conclusions. 20% of IVMs in our series were atypical. The results of surgery for IVMs, although satisfactory in general, require further improvement by reducing the rate of focal deficits resulting from a surgical approach

Surgical treatment for spinal dural arteriovenous fistulas: Outcome, complications and prognostic factors

Background and purpose Spinal dural arteriovenous fistulas (SDAVFs) are rare, acquired pathology and they inevitably lead to severe disability if untreated. The aim of this study is to present the outcome and complications, and to find factors that may affect the outcome after surgical treatment. Methods Seventeen consecutive patients (men – 14, women – 3, age: 41–79) were retrospectively analyzed. The patients presented with paraparesis (88%), bladder symptoms (71%) and/or sensory disturbances (65%). The fistula was found in the upper thoracic spine in 2 cases, in the lower thoracic (T7–Th12) in 11 cases, and in the lumbar spine in 4 cases. Microsurgical shunt interruption was performed in all, followed by epidural arteries coagulation in 12 cases. Results In the long term, improvement or achievement of a good stable condition was observed in 13 patients (76%), and no patient deteriorated. All 5 paraplegic patients improved by at least 1 grade in MCS. Satisfactory results (modified McCormick Scale grades I–II) were found in 10 patients (59%), and 15(88%) were independent. Postoperative complications occurred in 4 patients (24%), two of them (12%) required revision surgery for epidural hematoma. The success rate was 94%; one patient required revision surgery for recurrent SDAVF. Better neurological condition on admission (p=0.0098) and age >60 years (p=0.0498) were the factors associated with satisfactory outcome. Conclusions Microsurgical closing of a SDAVF brings good and stable results over time. Aggressive treatment should be attempted even in cases of total loss of spinal cord function. Neurological condition before surgery and age may influence the outcome

New hybrids of tacrine and indomethacin as multifunctional acetylcholinesterase inhibitors

A new series of hybrid compounds were designed, consisting of anti-AChE and BuChE activity components with an antiinfammatory component. A series of 9-amino-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroacridine and indomethacin derivatives were synthesized. All compounds were created using alkyldiamine with diferent chain lengths as a linker. Various biological activities were evaluated, including inhibitory activity against AChE and BuChE. The tested compounds showed high inhibitory activities against cholinesterases. The IC50 values for all compounds ranging from 10 nM to 7 µM. The potency of inhibition was much higher than well-known AChE and BuChE inhibitors (tacrine and donepezil). Compound 3h had the strongest inhibitory activity; kinetic studies showed it to have a mixed-type of acetylcholinesterase inhibition properties. The cytotoxicity of the newly-synthesized compounds against HepG2 (hepatocarcinoma cells) and EA.hy96 (human vein endothelial cells) cell lines was determined using the MTT and MTS tests. All investigated compounds presented similar cytotoxic activity against HepG2 and EA.hy926 cell line, ranged in micromolar values. Compounds with longer linkers showed higher antioxidant activity. The most active compound was 3h. Docking studies confrmed interactions with important regions of AChE and BuChE. Its multifunctional properties, i.e. high activity against AChE and BuChE, antioxidant activity and low cytotoxicity, highlight 3h as a promising agent for the treatment of AD

New tetrahydroacridine hybrids with dichlorobenzoic acid moiety demonstrating multifunctional potential for the treatment of Alzheimers disease

A series of new tetrahydroacridine and 3,5-dichlorobenzoic acid hybrids with different spacers were designed, synthesized, and evaluated for their ability to inhibit both cholinesterase enzymes. Compounds 3a, 3b, 3f, and 3g exhibited selective butyrylcholinesterase (EqBuChE) inhibition with IC50 values ranging from 24 to 607 nM. Among them, compound 3b was the most active (IC50 = 24 nM). Additionally, 3c (IC50 for EeAChE = 25 nM and IC50 for EqBuChE = 123 nM) displayed dual cholinesterase inhibitory activity and was the most active compound against acetylcholinesterase (AChE). Active compound 3c was also tested for the ability to inhibit Aβ aggregation. Theoretical physicochemical properties of the compounds were calculated using ACD Labs Percepta and Chemaxon. A Lineweaver-Burk plot and docking study showed that 3c targeted both the catalytic active site (CAS) and the peripheral anionic site (PAS) of AChE. Moreover, 3c appears to possess neuroprotective activity and could be considered a free-radical scavenger. In addition, 3c did not cause DNA damage and was found to be less toxic than tacrine after oral administration; it also demonstrated little inhibitory activity towards hyaluronidase (HYAL), which may indicate that it possesses anti-inflammatory properties. The screening for new in vivo interactions between 3c and known receptors was realized by yeast three-hybrid technology (Y3H)

Fructose 1,6-Bisphosphatase 2 Plays a Crucial Role in the Induction and Maintenance of Long-Term Potentiation

Long-term potentiation (LTP) is a molecular basis of memory formation. Here, we demonstrate that LTP critically depends on fructose 1,6-bisphosphatase 2 (Fbp2)—a glyconeogenic enzyme and moonlighting protein protecting mitochondria against stress. We show that LTP induction regulates Fbp2 association with neuronal mitochondria and Camk2 and that the Fbp2–Camk2 interaction correlates with Camk2 autophosphorylation. Silencing of Fbp2 expression or simultaneous inhibition and tetramerization of the enzyme with a synthetic effector mimicking the action of physiological inhibitors (NAD+ and AMP) abolishes Camk2 autoactivation and blocks formation of the early phase of LTP and expression of the late phase LTP markers. Astrocyte-derived lactate reduces NAD+/NADH ratio in neurons and thus diminishes the pool of tetrameric and increases the fraction of dimeric Fbp2. We therefore hypothesize that this NAD+-level-dependent increase of the Fbp2 dimer/tetramer ratio might be a crucial mechanism in which astrocyte–neuron lactate shuttle stimulates LTP formation

Initial experience with endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty in Poland

Introduction: Obesity is becoming one of the major public health problems. Bariatric procedures are considered the most effective methods of treating this condition but they are costly and entail a high risk of complications. Thus, there is a need to look for better bariatric treatment solutions. One of the newest, highly promising bariatric methods is endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG), which is comparably effective to other bariatric procedures in terms of weight loss but at the same time it is much less invasive. Materials and methods: Eight obese patients underwent ESG. Under general anaesthesia, an endoscope was inserted into the stomach, where a row of 4-5 running stitches was placed (from the pyloric part towards the GE junction). Each of the stitches was cinched tight, which resulted in gastric lumen reduction comparable to that achieved with laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy. Results: The procedures were performed without any severe peri-operative complications. The only adverse event was a minor haemorrhage in one of the patients, which did not require any surgical intervention. After the surgery, the patients reported a substantial weight loss. Mean %TBWL was 8.6%, 15.4% and 19.6% at 1, 2 and 3 months, respectively. Conclusions: Minimally invasive and highly effective in body weight reduction, endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty is a promising method of treating obesity. The procedure requires appropriate tools and equipment. The method guarantees gastric volume reduction comparable to that achieved with sleeve resection. The initial results confirm that the effectiveness of the surgery in terms of body weight loss is similar to that seen in other forms of bariatric treatment. Discussion: Compared to laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty is substantially less invasive. Also, it requires shorter procedure time and shorter hospital stay. Data from other medical centres demonstrate somewhat lower dynamics of total body weight loss but these results need to be verified in a long-term follow-up

Endoskopowa gastroplastyka rękawowa – doświadczenia z pierwszych zabiegów wykonanych w Polsce

Wstęp: Otyłość staje się coraz istotniejszym problemem z zakresu zdrowia społecznego. Za najbardziej skuteczne metody leczenia otyłości uważa się operacje bariatryczne. Wiążą się one jednakże z ryzykiem istotnych powikłań i są kosztowne. Istnieje potrzeba szukania lepszych rozwiązań w zakresie chirurgii bariatrycznej. Jedną z nowych, obiecujących metod jest endoskopowa gastroplastyka rękawowa (endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty, ESG), która charakteryzuje się podobną skutecznością co inne zabiegi bariatryczne, jest jednak znaczenie mniej inwazyjna. Materiały i metody: Ośmioro pacjentów z otyłością poddanych zostało endoskopowej gastroplastyce rękawowej. W znieczuleniu ogólnym endoskop wprowadzono do żołądka, gdzie założono serie 4-5 ciągłych szwów (od części odźwiernikowej żołądka rozpoczynając, do okolicy podwpustowej). Każdy szew po założeniu został zaciągnięty, co spowodowało zmniejszenie światła żołądka w podobnym zakresie jak w przypadku laparoskopowej gastrektomii rękawowej. Wyniki: Zabiegi przebiegły bez istotnych powikłań okołooperacyjnych, jedynym powikłaniem było niewielkie, niewymagające interwencji chirurgicznej krwawienie u jednego z pacjentów. Po operacji pacjenci notowali wyraźny spadek masy ciała, średnio 8,6%, 15,4% i 19,6% po odpowiednio 1, 2 i 3 miesiącach. Wnioski: Endoskopowa gastroplastyka rękawowa jest obiecującą metodą leczenia otyłości ze względu na małą inwazyjność i dobrą skuteczność w obniżaniu masy ciała. Zabieg wymaga odpowiedniego sprzętu, sposób wykonania gwarantuje zmniejszenie pojemności żołądka odpowiadające resekcji rękawowej, a wstępne wyniki potwierdzają podobną skuteczność zabiegu w redukcji masy ciała. Dyskusja: W porównaniu z laparoskopową gastrektomią rękawową endoskopowa gastroplastyka rękawowa charakteryzuje się wyraźnie mniejszą inwazyjnością, krótszym czasem zabiegu i hospitalizacji. Dane z innych ośrodków pokazują średnio nieco mniejszą dynamikę spadku całkowitej masy ciała, ale rezultaty te wymagają potwierdzenia w dłuższej obserwacji

The IOERT IntraLine accelerator – the development, current state, and future plans

Intraoperative electron radiation therapy (IOERT) is a cancer treatment method that combines oncologic surgery with electron beam radiotherapy. This method can reduce the duration of entire tumor treatment and increase its effectiveness. Moreover, shortening the treatment time significantly reduces the cost and accessibility of the therapy. As a result of interdisciplinary research, an innovative accelerator for IOERT, the IntraLine, was developed. In the course of this work, four patent applications were filed. Today, the work is half way through. In the near future, the device will be optimized. New mechanical design solutions will be developed. Mechanical optimization will significantly reduce the weight of the device. Accelerators control system, which today is in the demo phase, will also be significantly upgraded. This paper describes the stages of the IntraLine accelerator development, its current state and plans for the future R&D work, within the scope of our new Intra-Dose project