Prevention of epilepsy in humans – truth or myth? The experience from Sturge-Weber syndrome and Tuberous Sclerosis Complex

Introduction. Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disease, usually decreasing the quality of life and often resulting in other comorbidities e.g. cognitive impairment in children. Despite the recent discovery of new antiepileptic drugs, roughly one in three patients suffers from drug-resistant seizures. Therefore, the prevention of epilepsy is becoming one of the most important challenges in medicine. Is it, however, in fact possible to prevent epilepsy? Clinical reflections and implications. We present the results of preventive antiepileptic treatment in children with Sturge-Weber syndrome and Tuberous Sclerosis Complex as examples of the possible prevention of epilepsy and epilepsy-associated cognitive impairment in children

Low-frequency, low-magnitude vibrations (LFLM) enhances chondrogenic differentiation potential of human adipose derived mesenchymal stromal stem cells (hASCs)

The aim of this study was to evaluate if low-frequency, low-magnitude vibrations (LFLM) could enhance chondrogenic differentiation potential of human adipose derived mesenchymal stem cells (hASCs) with simultaneous inhibition of their adipogenic properties for biomedical purposes. We developed a prototype device that induces low-magnitude (0.3 g) low-frequency vibrations with the following frequencies: 25, 35 and 45 Hz. Afterwards, we used human adipose derived mesenchymal stem cell (hASCS), to investigate their cellular response to the mechanical signals. We have also evaluated hASCs morphological and proliferative activity changes in response to each frequency. Induction of chondrogenesis in hASCs, under the influence of a 35 Hz signal leads to most effective and stable cartilaginous tissue formation through highest secretion of Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2 (BMP-2), and Collagen type II, with low concentration of Collagen type I. These results correlated well with appropriate gene expression level. Simultaneously, we observed significant up-regulation of α3, α4, β1 and β3 integrins in chondroblast progenitor cells treated with 35 Hz vibrations, as well as Sox-9. Interestingly, we noticed that application of 35 Hz frequencies significantly inhibited adipogenesis of hASCs. The obtained results suggest that application of LFLM vibrations together with stem cell therapy might be a promising tool in cartilage regeneration

Methyl Jasmonate Affects Photosynthesis Efficiency, Expression of HvTIP Genes and Nitrogen Homeostasis in Barley

Jasmonates modulate many growth and developmental processes and act as stress hormones that play an important role in plant tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses. Therefore, there is a need to identify the genes that are regulated through the jasmonate signalling pathway. Aquaporins, and among them the Tonoplast Intrinsic Proteins (TIPs), form the channels in cell membranes that are responsible for the precise regulation of the movement of water and other substrates between cell compartments. We identified the cis-regulatory motifs for the methyl jasmonate (MeJA)-induced genes in the promoter regions of all the HvTIP genes, which are active in barley seedlings, and thus we hypothesised that the HvTIP expression could be a response to jasmonate signalling. In the presented study, we determined the e ect of methyl jasmonate on the growth parameters and photosynthesis e ciency of barley seedlings that had been exposed to di erent doses of MeJA (15–1000 M 120 h) in a hydroponic solution. All of the applied MeJA concentrations caused a significant reduction of barley seedling growth, which was most evident in the length of the first leaf sheath and dry leaf weight. The observed decrease of the PSII parameters after the exposure to high doses of MeJA (500 M or higher) was associated with the downregulation of HvPsbR gene encoding one of the extrinsic proteins of the Oxygen Evolving Complex. The reduced expression of HvPsbR might lead to the impairment of the OEC action, manifested by the occurrence of the K-band in an analysis of fluorescence kinetics after MeJA treatment as well as reduced photosynthesis e ciency. Furthermore, methyl jasmonate treatment caused a decrease in the nitrogen content in barley leaves, which was associated with an increased expression the four tonoplast aquaporin genes (HvTIP1;2, HvTIP2;2, HvTIP4;1 and HvTIP4;2) predicted to transport the nitrogen compounds from the vacuole to the cytosol. The upregulation of the nitrogen-transporting HvTIPs might suggest their involvement in the vacuolar unloading of ammonia and urea, which both could be remobilised when the nitrogen content in the leaves decreases. Our research provides tips on physiological role of the individual TIP subfamily members of aquaporins under methyl jasmonate action

Mutation in HvCBP20 (Cap binding protein 20) adapts barley to drought stress at phenotypic and transcriptomic levels

This work was supported by the European Regional Development Fund through the Innovative Economy for Poland 2007–2013, project WND-POIG.01.03.01-00-101/08 POLAPGEN-BD “Biotechnological tools for breeding cereals with increased resistance to drought,” task 22; National Science Centre, Poland, project SONATA 2015/19/D/NZ9/03573 “Translational genomics approach to identify the mechanisms of CBP20 signalosome in Arabidopsis and barley under drought stress.”CBP20 (Cap-Binding Protein 20) encodes a small subunit of the cap-binding complex (CBC), which is involved in the conserved cell processes related to RNA metabolism in plants and, simultaneously, engaged in the signaling network of drought response, which is dependent on ABA. Here, we report the enhanced tolerance to drought stress of barley mutant in the HvCBP20 gene manifested at the morphological, physiological, and transcriptomic levels. Physiological analyses revealed differences between the hvcbp20.ab mutant and its WT in response to a water deficiency. The mutant exhibited a higher relative water content (RWC), a lower stomatal conductance and changed epidermal pattern compared to the WT after drought stress. Transcriptome analysis using the Agilent Barley Microarray integrated with observed phenotypic traits allowed to conclude that the hvcbp20.ab mutant exhibited better fitness to stress conditions by its much more efficient and earlier activation of stress-preventing mechanisms. The network hubs involved in the adjustment of hvcbp20.ab mutant to the drought conditions were proposed. These results enabled to make a significant progress in understanding the role of CBP20 in the drought stress response.European Regional Development Fund; National Science Centre, Polan

HorTILLUS - a rich and renewable source of induced mutations for forward/reverse genetics and pre-breeding programs in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)

TILLING (Targeting Induced Local Lesions IN Genomes) is a strategy used for functional analysis of genes that combines the classical mutagenesis and a rapid, high-throughput identification of mutations within a gene of interest. TILLING has been initially developed as a discovery platform for functional genomics, but soon it has become a valuable tool in development of desired alleles for crop breeding, alternative to transgenic approach. Here we present the HorTILLUS (Hordeum—TILLING—University of Silesia) population created for spring barley cultivar “Sebastian” after double-treatment of seeds with two chemical mutagens: sodium azide (NaN3) and N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU). The population comprises more than 9,600 M2 plants from which DNA was isolated, seeds harvested, vacuum-packed, and deposited in seed bank. M3 progeny of 3,481 M2 individuals was grown in the field and phenotyped. The screening for mutations was performed for 32 genes related to different aspects of plant growth and development. For each gene fragment, 3,072–6,912 M2 plants were used for mutation identification using LI-COR sequencer. In total, 382 mutations were found in 182.2Mb screened. The average mutation density in the HorTILLUS, estimated as 1 mutation per 477 kb, is among the highest mutation densities reported for barley. The majority of mutations were G/C to A/T transitions, however about 8% transversions were also detected. Sixty-one percent of mutations found in coding regions were missense, 37.5% silent and 1.1% nonsense. In each gene, the missense mutations with a potential effect on protein function were identified. The HorTILLUS platformis the largest of the TILLING populations reported for barley and best characterized. The population proved to be a useful tool, both in functional genomic studies and in forward selection of barley mutants with required phenotypic changes. We are constantly renewing the HorTILLUS population, which makes it a permanent source of new mutations.We offer the usage of this valuable resource to the interested barley researchers on cooperative basis

Współczesne kierunki w medycynie prewencyjnej

Praca recenzowana / Peer-reviewed paperTreści artykułów w niniejszej monografii odnoszą czytelnika nie tylko do bardzo różnych kierunków prozdrowotnych, ale także do leczenia schorzeń już występujących. Zamierzeniem autorów było przedstawienie wybranych zagadnień z zakresu profilaktyki prozdrowotnej cukrzycy, otyłości, zaburzeń lipidowych i zmian skórnych, pielęgnacji w tych schorzeniach, a także problemów kosmetologicznych skóry, towarzyszącym tymże zaburzeniom. Autorzy poszczególnych rozdziałów starali się przedstawić poruszane problemy w oparciu o aktualną dokumentację medyczną z nadzieją, że pozwoliło to kompleksowo wyjaśnić poruszane w monografii problemy

Inhibition of development of Shiga toxin-converting bacteriophages by either treatment with citrate or amino acid starvation

Objectives: Shiga toxin–producing Escherichia coli (STEC) are pathogenic strains, whose virulence depends on induction of Shiga toxin–converting prophages and their subsequent lytic development. We explored which factors or conditions could inhibit development of these phages, potentially decreasing virulence of STEC. Materials and Methods: Lytic development of Shiga toxin–converting bacteriophages was monitored after mitomycin C-provoked prophage induction under various conditions. Phage DNA replication efficiency was assessed by measurement of DNA amount in cells using quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Results: We demonstrated that the use of citrate delayed Shiga toxin–converting phage development after prophage induction. This effect was independent on efficiency of prophage induction and phage DNA replication. However, an excess of glucose reversed the effect of citrate. Amino acid starvation prevented the phage development in bacteria both able and unable to induce the stringent response. Conclusions: Lytic development of Shiga toxin–converting bacteriophages can be inhibited by either the presence of citrate or amino acid starvation. We suggest that the inhibition caused by the latter condition may be due to a block in prophage induction or phage DNA replication or both. Applications: Our findings may facilitate development of procedures for treatment of STEC-infected patients

Two elements? About research strategies and relationships between music and literature

The author proposes in the article the problems of showing works from border regions. The main point of reflection were kinship between literature and music. Literature and music are two autonomous fields that require analytical caution when compiling. Different relationships between these arts often encounter a lot of ineffectiveness. It should be noted, however, that music and literature have been closely related to each other for many years. The main purpose of the chapter is to present research strategies and mutual affinities between these domains and. The problem of overlapping of two areas was addressed in the work. The methodologi-cal outline and current positions of researchers in relation to comparative studies are pre-sented. Music in literature is one of the most diverse categories, which is often cited in many works in this field. This is because it covers the thematizing of music, introduces to the world many musical motifs often created in the imagination of the author. Music is often an element of literary fiction and includes the interpenetration of motifs, content elements that shape mu-tual dependencies. Often this is evident in the creation of the world depicted in the hero's experiences during the heard work, elements of narration associated with the composer him-self-musician or even reflections resulting from the impact of music on the lives of individual characters. The subject of considerations was above the presentation of literary and musical constructions, the presentation of intertextual and intermedia dependencies. The article points to selected examples of musical-literary relations in 19th and 20th century literature. Although the presented analyzes are only indicated, the discussed problems constitute a sig-nificant problem of Polish literature. They are also an important example of various phenome-na directly related to music in a literary work

Miraculous phenomena and signs of prophecy and their interpretation in the "History of the Franks" by Gregory of Tours

Głównym celem pracy jest analiza Galii Merowingów w okresie wczesnego średniowiecza pod kątem obecności zjawisk cudownych oraz znaków wieszczych w świetle „Historii Franków” Grzegorza z Tours. Narracja „Historii Franków” przypada na lata 397-591, gdy obszar ten ulegał stałym i intensywnym zmianom, które w głównej mierze przyczyniły się do powstania swoistego systemu wierzeń i przekonań wśród ludności. W toku dokonanej analizy kroniki oraz zasobów literaturowych stwierdzono, że zjawiska nadprzyrodzone miały wówczas duży wpływ na świadomość, wiarę oraz twórczość społeczności. W związku z powyższym w pracy podjęto próbę interpretacji nadnaturalności mającą na celu przedstawienie podejścia Grzegorza z Tours do zjawisk cudownych oraz znaków wieszczych.The main aim of the thesis is to study Merovingian Gaul in the early medieval period in terms of the presence of miraculous phenomena and signs of prophecy in the light of 'History of the Franks' by Gregory of Tours. The narrative of the "History of the Franks" falls between 397 and 591, when the area was undergoing constant and intense changes, which mainly contributed to the emergence of a peculiar system of beliefs and convictions among the population. In order to do so, an analysis of the chronicle and the literature resources, it was concluded that supernatural phenomena had a strong influence on the consciousness, belief and creativity of the community at that time. In connection with that conclusions the thesis includes interpretation the supernatural with the aim of presenting Gregory of Tours' approach to miraculous phenomena and signs of prophecy

Limitation periods and their effects after the amendment of the Polish Civil Code by the Act of 13 April 2018

Celem niniejszej pracy jest analiza nowelizacji Kodeksu cywilnego z dnia 13 kwietnia 2018 roku, w zakresie w którym zmieniono przepisy części ogólnej dotyczące przedawnienia roszczeń. W pracy wskazano, że zmiana jedynie przepisów części ogólnej poprzez skrócenie ogólnego terminu przedawnienia i zmiana sposobu jego obliczania nie jest wystarczająca, aby instytucja ta stała się bardziej transparentna. Po nowelizacji wciąż obowiązuje wiele przepisów szczególnych ustanawiających odrębne terminy przedawnienia, które wyłączają zastosowanie przepisów ogólnych, a które dodatkowo przysparzają problemy z wykładnią licznych nieostrych pojęć. Oprócz skrócenia terminów przedawnienia istotnie zmieniła się regulacja uwzględniania przedawnienia w stosunku do konsumenta, wobec którego uwzględnienie upływu terminu przedawnienia następuje z urzędu. Skutkuje to dwutorowością postępowań, a także potrzebą interpretacji pojęcia konsument. W pracy porównano również przepisy regulujące przedawnienie roszczeń w prawie niemieckim z przepisami zaproponowanymi przez projektodawcę w Projekcie kodeksu cywilnego, z powodu licznych podobieństw, które te regulacje wykazują.The purpose of this work is to analyze the amendment to the Civil Code of 13 April 2018, to the extent to which the provisions of the general part concerning the statute of limitations for claims have been changed. The work indicates that changing only the provisions of the general part by shortening the general limitation period and changing the method of its calculation is not sufficient for this institution to become more transparent. After the amendment, there are still many specific provisions establishing separate limitation periods, which exclude the application of general provisions, and which additionally cause problems with the interpretation of numerous vague terms. Apart from shortening the limitation periods, the regulation on taking account of the limitation period significantly changed in relation to the consumer, for which the expiry of the limitation period is now ex officio. This results in a double-track procedures, and the need to interpret the concept of consumer. The work also compares the provisions governing the limitation period for claims under German law with the provisions proposed by the Polish project provider in the Civil Code Draft, due to the many similarities that these regulations show