Spectroscopic properties of halite from Kłodawa salt mine, central Poland

The dynamics of colour centre transformation was investigated in blue halite single crystals from Kłodawa Salt Mine, Central Poland, using UV-vis spectroscopy. The following colour centres were considered: F, R_{1}, R_{2}, as well as plasmons and M centres. The R_{2} centres predominated in navy blue (A) and pale blue (B) halites. Other relatively large populations were plasmons found in all examined samples. In purple (C) halite samples the plasmon population is the highest one among others and R_{1} centres appeared to be equally significant, whereas M centres were almost absent. For A and C samples unidentified bands were observed at 26,500 to 26,200 cm^{-1}, respectively. The bleaching process of the blue halites was investigated using temperature dependent UV-vis and micro-Raman spectroscopies. In micro-Raman 300-100 cm^{-1} region three very intense sharp bands were attributed to the colour centres and colloidal Na precipitation in A and B halites. The one broad band in the range 3,500 to 500 cm^{-1}, which was characteristic even for the colourless sample D but absent in the spectra of colourless NaCl obtained after recrystallization of sample A, requires further study

Lymphocytes Studied by Raman Microspectroscopy

The Raman spectroscopy detects the interaction of the incident light with the electrons in the illuminated molecule. The use of Raman spectroscopy to investigate biological molecular structures and the recognition of their particular functional groups have been growing rapidly, and nowadays the use of Raman spectroscopy has expanded toward the cellular level. The activation of lymphocytes occurs when they are exposed to viruses or other foreign antigens. We have observed that Raman spectroscopy can be used to screen the activation of lymphocytes during viral infection. We have indicated the bands that reveal differences between activated and intact cells. The most important marker of the lymphocyte activation process is the prominent 521 cm−1 disulfide band which marks the immunoglobulin formation. The blood from the patients with viral infections, e.g., mononucleosis, and from healthy volunteers was obtained by venipuncture during hospitalization in the University Hospital in Kraków

Does nitrogen fertilization affect the secondary structures of gliadin proteins in hypoallergenic wheat?

One of the macronutrients indispensable for plant growth and development is nitrogen (N). It is responsible for starch and storage protein (gliadins and glutenins) biosynthesis and, in consequence, influences kernels’ quality and yields. However, applying N-fertilizers increases gluten content in wheat, and it may intensify the risk of developing allergy symptoms in gluten-sensitive individuals. The purpose of our research was to analyse whether and how the elimination of N-fertilizers during the cultivation of wasko.gl− wheat (modified genotype lacking ω-gliadins) changes the secondary structures of gliadin proteins. To this aim, using the FT-Raman technique, we examined flour and gliadin protein extracts obtained from kernels of two winter wheat lines: wasko.gl+ (with a full set of gliadin proteins) and wasko.gl− (without ω-gliadin fraction) cultivated on two different N-fertilization levels—0 and 120 kg N·ha(−1). On the basis of the obtained results, we proved that nitrogen fertilization does not have a major impact on the stability of the secondary structures of gliadin proteins for wasko.gl− wheat line with reduced allergenic properties. Furthermore, the results presented herein suggest the possibility of increasing the stability of glutenin structures as a result of the N-fertilization of wasko.gl− wheat line, which gives hope for its use in the production of wheat articles devoted to people suffering from diseases related to gluten sensitivity

Air pollution in the places of Betula pendula growth and development changes the physicochemical properties and the main allergen content of its pollen

Pollen allergy becomes an increasing problem for humans, especially in the regions, where the air pollution level increases due to the traffic and urbanization. These factors may also affect the physiological activity of plants, causing changes in pollen allergenicity. The aim of the study was to estimate the influence of air pollutants on the chemical composition of birch pollen and the secondary structures of the Bet v1 protein. The research was conducted in seven locations in Malopolska region, South of Poland of a different pollution level. We have found slight fluctuations in the values of parameters describing the photosynthetic light reactions, similar spectra of leaf reflectance and the negligible differences in the discrimination values of the δ13C carbon isotope were found. The obtained results show a minor effect of a degree of pollution on the physiological condition B. pendula specimen. On the other hand, mean Bet v1 concentration measured in pollen samples collected in Kraków was significantly higher than in less polluted places (p = .03886), while FT-Raman spectra showed the most distinct variations in the wavenumbers characteristic of proteins. Pollen collected at sites of the increased NOx and PM concentration, show the highest percentage values of potential aggregated forms and antiparallel β-sheets in the expense of α-helix, presenting a substantial impact on chemical compounds of pollen, Bet v1 concentration and on formation of the secondary structure of proteins, what can influence their functions

2D-Raman correlation spectroscopy as a method to recognize of the interaction at the interface of carbon layer and albumin

In modern nanomaterial production, including those for medical purposes, carbon based materials are important, due to their inert nature and interesting properties. The essential attribute for biomaterials is their biocompatibility, which indicates way of interactions with host cells and body fluids. The aim of our work was to analyze two types of model carbon layers differing primarily in topography, and developing their interactions with blood plasma proteins. The first layer was formed of pyrolytic carbon C (CVD) and the second was constructed of multi-walled carbon nanotubes obtained by electrophoretic deposition (EPD), both set on a Ti support. The performed complex studies of carbon layers demonstrate significant dissimilarities regarding their interaction with chosen blood proteins, and points to the differences related to the origin of a protein: whether it is animal or human. However the basic examinations, such as: wettability test and nano sctatch tests were not sufficient to explain the material properties. In contrast, Raman microspectroscopy thoroughly decodes the phenomena occurring at the carbon structures in contact with the selected blood proteins. The 2D correlation method selects the most intense interaction and points out the different mechanism of interactions of proteins with the nanocarbon surfaces and differentiation due to the nature of the protein and its source: animal or human. The 2D correlation of the Raman spectra of the MWCNT layer+HSA interphase proves an increase in albumin β-conformation. The presented results explain the unique properties of the Clayers (CVD) in contact with human albumin

Delay in diagnosis and treatment of patients with cases of imported malaria in Poland : one center’s experience

Background . Increasingly, Polish citizens are traveling to malaria endemic regions; thus, physicians, especially primary care physicians, should be educated to recognize and treat malaria. Diagnosis and treatment of malaria encounters many difficulties in Poland. Objectives . The aim of the study was to analyze malaria chemoprophylaxis, the time from first symptoms to hospitalization and the process of diagnosis and treatment of patients with malaria. Material and methods . The medical records of patients diagnosed with malaria, hospitalized between 2012 and 2016 in the Department of Infectious Diseases of the University Hospital, Cracow, Poland, were analyzed. Results . 37 subjects with a median age of 32 years (interquartile range IQR: 28–40), mostly returning from Africa (78%, n = 29), were studied. Proper chemoprophylaxis was used in 6 cases (16%). The median length of stay in malaria endemic countries was one month. Plasmodium falciparum was the most frequent species (74%). The mean time to treatment after symptom onset was 5 days (range: 1–27 days). Conclusions . The clinical presentation of malaria in the study group was usually typical. Diagnostic delay resulted from not taking malaria into consideration during the initial differential diagnosis of fever. Few travelers use chemoprophylaxis, hence the awareness of malaria in individuals who have traveled to endemic zones should be enhanced. In a patient presenting with fever, malaria should always be considered in a differential diagnosis if there is a history of travel to a malaria-endemic zone

Raman microspectroscopy as a unique method of the investigation of acid proof steel foil oxidation

In this paper, the results of the investigation of the morphology and phase composition of the oxide layers formed on the surface of the 1H18N9T acid proof steel foil by confocal Raman micro-spectroscopy with optical microscopy, SEM, XRD and TEM-EDS-SADP are presented. The foil oxidation was performed by thermo-programmed heating up to 823, 1023 or 1113 K and next annealing at the final temperatures in the air flow for 48 h, 4 h and 4 h, respectively. The great advantages of the use of the Raman spectroscopy for the phase determining in the oxide layers on the acid proof steel foil are shown. Moreover the possibility of applying the optical microscopy for investigation of the surface morphology of both the initial steel foil and the oxide layers is pointed out