Loss of heterozygosity (LOH)--implications for human genetic identification.

The aim of this study was assessment of possible effects of loss of heterozygosity on human genetic identification of histolopathogical tissue sections. DNA templates were extracted from tumour tissue specimens excised from oncological patients and from reference blood samples. AmpFlSTR Identifiler PCR Amplification Kit and ABI 310 Genetic Analyzer (Applera) were used to obtain genetic profiles. Frequency of LOH was calculated for respective samples. Fisher's exact test was performed for statistical analysis. Forty-two percent of the 101 cancer cases analysed were found to possess alterations of the microsatellites manifesting with allelic loss. The most frequently altered loci were D3S1358 and D18S51. The alteration was detected in 47% of cases with larynx carcinoma, 44% of cases with uveal melanoma, 60% of cases with cervical cancers, one case of liposarcoma G3 and one case od neurofibrosarcoma. No LOH was found in liposarcoma G1, dermatofibrosarcoma and cystosarcoma protuberans in either primary or recurrent tumours. In benign tumours (lipoma and fibroma) LOH was also absent. During genotyping of DNA extracted from histopathological tissue sections caution should be taken when non-match or exclusion based on few discrepancies is concluded

Graphene on quartz modified with rhenium oxide as a semitransparent electrode for organic electronic

Our research shows that commercially available graphene on quartz modified with rhenium oxide meets the requirements for its use as a conductive and transparent anode in optoelectronic devices. The cluster growth of rhenium oxide enables an increase in the work function of graphene by 1.3 eV up to 5.2 eV, which guarantees an appropriate adjustment to the energy levels of the organic semiconductors used in OLED devices.Comment: 8 pages, 3 figure

Fluorite and related fluids in the Karkonosze granitoid pluton, SW Poland

Fluorite mineralization was studied in the Variscan granitoid Karkonosze pluton in the northern part of the Bohemian massif (Lower Silesia, Poland). Fluid inclusions in fluorite and quartz were investigated by the following methods: heating and freezing on an immersion microscope stage, spectrophotometric and electron probe analysis, calcination and water leachate. The parent fluids of fluorite were of the Na-Ca-Cl type with a low CO₂ content. The fluoride ions had sources in the pluton and in its host rocks. Fluid inclusion observations provide evidence of various post-formation alteration. such as refilling, partition, cracking, migration, expulsion or vacuole modification from irregular to cubic habit. A final model of fluorite origin and parent fluid evolution is presented

Assessment of Air Quality in the South-Western Part of the Świętokrzyskie Mountains Based on Selected Indicators

This article presents the results of research on the air quality which was under the anthropogenic impact of the cement and lime industry in the Świętokrzyskie Mountains for many years. Research using geo- and bio-indicators was carried out at fixed measuring points in the years 2016–2018. Hypogymnia physodes (L.) Nyl. and two-year old Scots pine needles Pinus sylvestris L. were used for bioindication research. Physico-chemical properties of precipitation were developed on the basis of research conducted at the Jan Kochanowski University’s field research station located on the Malik Mt. Increased pH and specific electrolytic conductivity (EC) of precipitation, as well as variable concentrations of heavy metals throughout a year were found. Analysis of the chemical properties of transplanted lichens and pine needles confirmed the presence of elements from the cement and lime industry sector located in the Białe Zagłębie. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) image of the needles’ surface revealed morphologic changes resulting from pollution of stoma opening and closing by small solid particles of anthropogenic origins, disturbing gas exchange

High-Energy Transformations of Fossil Fuels in the Cement Industry

The energy stored in fossil fuels is released through combustion and is a fundamental process in the production of cement. The negative aspect of this combustion is the emission of greenhouse gases and dust. This paper presents the results of a study conducted within a cement plant in Ożarów (south-eastern Poland). The chemical properties (selected elements) in the needles of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) were determined. The needle surface was scanned using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and was characterised in terms of chemical composition through energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The concentrations of selected analytes in the biennial needles formed the following descending sequence: Fe > Al > Mn > Zn > Cu > Pb > Cr > Ni. SEM/EDS microphotographs showed the presence of particles of varying shape, size and chemical composition indicative of anthropogenic origin

Insights into the Chemical Characteristics of Atmospheric Aerosols from Urban-Industrial and Rural Sites in South-East of Poland During Winter

This study focusses on a short-term characterisation of atmospheric aerosols from three locations in southeast of Poland with different land use characteristics, population density and sources of pollution (Katowice: urban-industrial; Strzyżowice near Lublin: rural; Kielce: urban). Twenty-four hour PM2.5 and PM10 samples were collected on the quartz filter and their chemical compositions were monitored and measured using OCEC thermo-optical analysis and scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (SEM-EDS). The highest concentrations of PM2.5 and PM10 were measured at the urban-industrial area in Katowice (29.6 µg ∙ m−3 and 31.0 µg ∙ m−3, respectively), whereas the highest organic carbon (OC) and elemental carbon (EC) levels were observed at the Kielce urban site (23.3 ± 4.2 µg and 3.6 ± 0.3 µg, respectively). The lowest values were obtained at the rural site for PM2.5 (10.4 ± 2.7 µg ∙ m−3) and PM10 (11.8 ± 2.7 µg ∙ m−3) and for OC (17.8 ± 1.6 µg) and EC (1.0 ± 0.1 µg). SEM-EDS analysis of samples from Kielce allows identification of internal chemical mixtures of carbon, silicon, calcium, chlorine, sodium and aluminium

Risk of climate-induced damage in historic textiles

Eleven wool and silk historic textiles and two modern artist's canvases were examined to determine their water vapour adsorption, moisture dimensional response and tensile behaviour. All the textiles showed a similar general pattern of moisture response. A rise in ambient relative humidity (RH) from dry conditions produced expansion of a textile until a certain critical RH level after which a contraction occurred to a greater or lesser degree depending on the yarn crimp and the weave geometry. The largest expansion recorded between the dry state and 80% RH was 1.2 and 0.9% for wool and silk textiles, respectively. The largest shrinkage of 0.8% at high RH range was experienced by a modern linen canvas. Two potential damage mechanisms related to the moisture response of the textiles-stress building as a result of shrinkage of the textile restrained in its dimensional response and the fretting fatigue when yarns move with friction one against another-were found insignificant in typical textile display environments unless the textiles are severely degraded or excessively strained in their mounting