Moisture content (MC) and multinuclear magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study of water absorption effect on wood treated with aminofunctional silane

The aim of this study was to determine susceptibility of aminoethyl aminopropyl trimethoxysilane (AEAPTMOS)-treated wood to absorption of liquid water. Absorbability was analysed by measuring absolute moisture content of wood and by MRI. These analyses were based on the results of previous studies on resistance against decay fungi in case of wood treated with the same chemical compound. In their previous studies the authors found that AEAPTMOS exhibits enhanced hydrophobic properties and thus increased resistance to the action of specific abiotic and biotic factors. The advantageous fungicidal properties of wood treatment systems indicate that AEAPTMOS may be considered as an environmentally friendly solution, being an alternative to conventional biocidal agents. Results indicate that this method may be used in laboratory analyses assessing the relative amount of water uptake through the wood surface.     

Kinetic model of NOx ozonation and its experimental verification

The most of new technologies of reduction of NO_x emission, as literature survey (Skalska et al., 2010b) suggests is focused on NO_x emission control from power plants and mobile vehicles. Fewer investigations are conducted on the NO_x emission abatement from chemical industry. Recently, Chacuk et al. (2007) proposed the model for the nitrous acid oxidation with the use of ozone in gas–liquid contactor. It is well known that not all of NO_x can be totally absorbed in water or nitrous/nitric acid solution, as well as ozone is not totally consumed in the acidic liquid. The reaction between ozone and NO_x can take place also in the gas phase. The ozone injection into exhaust gas stream followed by absorption was proposed as the NO_x emission abatement. The objective of these studies was to propose kinetic model of the process and to determine the rate constants of NO_x ozonation in the laboratory scale batch reactor. The process was carried out in the 0.5 dm³ volume batch reactor for different concentrations of NO, and NO₂ and varying molar ratios of O₃/NO at temperature 25 °C. Gaseous reagents were analyzed using a Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer Jasco FTIR-4200. The kinetic model of NO_x ozonation process was proposed and rate constants were estimated based on experimental data.     

Studies on obtaining of aluminium ammonium calcium phosphates

Aluminium ammonium calcium phosphates were prepared with the use of AlCl₃, CaCO₃, H₃PO₄. The influence of the process parameters (pH 5 ± 3, the molar ratios of Ca²⁺:Al⁺³:PO₄^?3 in the substrates, respectively 0.31:0.62:1; 0.5:0.5:1; 0.72:0.36:1, temperature 40 ± 20 °C) on the phase composition and the product properties was determined. The process parameters that enable to obtain the material with expected physicochemical properties were determined based on the statistical evaluation of the experiments (fractional factorial design at three levels 3^(k?p)27). The phase composition of the obtained samples was studied with the use of XRD analysis. The specific surface area was calculated with the use of S_BET method and the particle size was determined by the laser scanning microscopy. The materials with the molar ratio of Al³⁺/NH₄⁺ and Al³⁺/Ca²⁺ in the range of 0.70–27.93 and 0.47–24.48, respectively, with an absorption oil number of 95–157 g/100 g paraffin oil, the S_BET within 25–118 m²/g, the pore volume within 0.14–0.74 cm³/g and the particle size in the range of 168–285 nm were obtained.     

Targeted Therapy in the Treatment of Pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia—Therapy and Toxicity Mechanisms

Targeted therapy has revolutionized the treatment of poor-prognosis pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) with specific genetic abnormalities. It is still being described as a new landmark therapeutic approach. The main purpose of the use of molecularly targeted drugs and immunotherapy in the treatment of ALL is to improve the treatment outcomes and reduce the doses of conventional chemotherapy, while maintaining the effectiveness of the therapy. Despite promising treatment results, there is limited clinical research on the effect of target cell therapy on the potential toxic events in children and adolescents. The recent development of highly specific molecular methods has led to an improvement in the identification of numerous unique expression profiles of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The detection of specific genetic mutations determines patients’ risk groups, which allows for patient stratification and for an adjustment of the directed and personalized target therapies that are focused on particular molecular alteration. This review summarizes the knowledge concerning the toxicity of molecular-targeted drugs and immunotherapies applied in childhood ALL.     

Sorption of phosphorous to Filtralite-P--the effect of different scales

Sorption of P to the filter material Filtralite-P was examined at a small, medium and large scale. In the small- and meso-scale laboratory models, the sorbed amount of total phosphorus (P) was heterogeneously distributed with more P sorbed in the inlet zone and the bottom layers. The full-scale system had, on the other hand, the highest sorbed concentration in the outlet region. The overall P sorption capacity of the material was 8030, 4990 and 521 mg P kg(-1) Filtralite-P for Box 1, Box 2 and meso scale, respectively. This equals 4.4, 2.8 and 0.29 kg P m(-3) material, respectively. However, the maximum sorption capacities found were 2500, 3887 and 4500 mg P kg(-1) Filtralite-P for the two small-scale box systems and the meso-scale container, respectively. In the full-scale system the overall P sorption capacity of the material was 52 mg P kg(-1) Filtralite-P (0.029 kg P m(-3) Filtralite-P with a maximum sorbed amount of P of 249 mg P kg(-1). Results from both the small- and meso-scale system show that when a constructed wetland (CW) is saturated, i.e. when the outlet concentration has reached its maximum allowed concentration of 1.0 mg P l(-1), only parts of the filter material will have reached the sorption capacity. Sequential extractions of Filtralite-P showed that the loosely bound P, Ca-P and Al-P were the primary P sorption pools both in the small-scale models and in the full-scale CW. However, the proportion of these three fractions varied with time and change in pH. A white product precipitated in the outlet zone of both the small-scale box models as well as the onsite CW. The surface of these precipitation particles was identified by X-ray diffraction and SEM method as CaCO3 and precipitated Ca- and Mg-phosphates.     

Astroglia in Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is an umbrella term encompassing several neurodevelopmental disorders such as Asperger syndrome or autism. It is characterised by the occurrence of distinct deficits in social behaviour and communication and repetitive patterns of behaviour. The symptoms may be of different intensity and may vary in types. Risk factors for ASD include disturbed brain homeostasis, genetic predispositions, or inflammation during the prenatal period caused by viruses or bacteria. The number of diagnosed cases is growing, but the main cause and mechanism leading to ASD is still uncertain. Recent findings from animal models and human cases highlight the contribution of glia to the ASD pathophysiology. It is known that glia cells are not only “gluing” neurons together but are key players participating in different processes crucial for proper brain functioning, including neurogenesis, synaptogenesis, inflammation, myelination, proper glutamate processing and many others. Despite the prerequisites for the involvement of glia in the processes related to the onset of autism, there are far too little data regarding the engagement of these cells in the development of ASD.     

Influence of Umbelliferone on the Anticonvulsant and Neuroprotective Activity of Selected Antiepileptic Drugs: An In Vivo and In Vitro Study

Umbelliferone (7-hydroxycoumarin; UMB) is a coumarin with many biological properties, including antiepileptic activity. This study evaluated the effect of UMB on the ability of classical and novel antiepileptic drugs (e.g., lacosamide (LCM), levetiracetam (LEV), phenobarbital (PB) and valproate (VPA)) to prevent seizures evoked by the 6-Hz corneal-stimulation-induced seizure model. The study also evaluated the influence of this coumarin on the neuroprotective properties of these drugs in two in vitro models of neurodegeneration, including trophic stress and excitotoxicity. The results indicate that UMB (100 mg/kg, i.p.) significantly enhanced the anticonvulsant action of PB (p < 0.01) and VPA (p < 0.05), but not that of LCM orLEV, in the 6-Hz test. Whether alone or in combination with other anticonvulsant drugs (at their ED₅₀ values from the 6-Hz test), UMB (100 mg/kg) did not affect motor coordination; skeletal muscular strength and long-term memory, as determined in the chimney; grip strength; or passive avoidance tests, respectively. Pharmacokinetic characterization revealed that UMB had no impact on total brain concentrations of PB or VPA in mice. The in vitro study indicated that UMB has neuroprotective properties. Administration of UMB (1 µg/mL), together with antiepileptic drugs, mitigated their negative impact on neuronal viability. Under trophic stress (serum deprivation) conditions, UMB enhanced the neurotrophic abilities of all the drugs used. Moreover, this coumarin statistically enhanced the neuroprotective effects of PB (p < 0.05) and VPA (p < 0.001) in the excitotoxicity model of neurodegeneration. The obtained results clearly indicate a positive effect of UMB on the anticonvulsant and neuroprotective properties of the selected drugs.     

Cathelicidin Treatment Silences Epithelial–Mesenchymal Transition Involved in Pulmonary Fibrosis in a Murine Model of Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis

Pulmonary fibrosis is becoming an increasingly common pathology worldwide. Unfortunately, this disorder is characterized by a bad prognosis: no treatment is known, and the survival rate is dramatically low. One of the most frequent reasons for pulmonary fibrosis is hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP). As the main mechanism of pulmonary fibrosis is a pathology of the repair of wounded pulmonary epithelium with a pivotal role in epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), we assumed that EMT silencing could prevent disease development. Because of several biological features including wound healing promotion, an ideal candidate for use in the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis seems to be cathelicidin. The aim of the studies was to understand the influence of cathelicidin on the EMT process occurring during lung fibrosis development in the course of HP. Cathelicidin’s impact on EMT was examined in a murine model of HP, wherein lung fibrosis was induced by chronic exposure to extract of Pantoea agglomerans (SE-PA) by real-time PCR and Western blotting. Studies revealed that mouse exposure to cathelicidin did not cause any side changes in the expression of investigated genes/proteins. Simultaneously, cathelicidin administered together or after SE-PA decreased the elevated level of myofibroblast markers (Acta2/α-smooth muscle actin, Cdh2/N-cadherin, Fn1/Fibronectin, Vim/vimentin) and increased the lowered level of epithelial markers (Cdh1/E-cadherin, Ocln/occludin). Cathelicidin provided with SE-PA or after cessation of SE-PA inhalations reduced the expression of EMT-associated factors (Ctnnd1/β-catenin, Nfkb1/NFκB, Snail1/Snail, Tgfb1/TGFβ1 Zeb1/ZEB1, Zeb2/ZEB2) elevated by P. agglomerans. Cathelicidin’s beneficial impact on the expression of genes/proteins involved in EMT was observed during and after the HP development; however, cathelicidin was not able to completely neutralize the negative changes. Nevertheless, significant EMT silencing in response to cathelicidin suggested the possibility of its use in the prevention/treatment of pulmonary fibrosis.     

Comparison of Enzyme Activity in Order to Describe the Metabolic Profile of Dairy Cows during Early Lactation

Enzymatic diagnostics have practical applications in diseases of the liver, heart, pancreas, muscles, blood, and neoplastic diseases. This study aimed to compare enzyme activity to describe dairy cows’ metabolism during early lactation. Based on their general health symptoms, the cows were assigned to one of three groups: acidotic, healthy and ketotic. Samples of milk, blood and rumen fluid were collected at 12 ± 5 days postpartum. Ketotic cows were characterized by the highest malondialdehyde (MDA, 76.098 nM/mL), glutathione reductase (GluRed, 109.852 U/L), superoxide dismutase (SOD, 294.22 U/L) and gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase (GGTP, 71.175 U/L) activity. In comparing ketotic and acidotic cows, MDA, GluRed, SOD and GGTP activity were higher by a factor of almost: 1.85, 1.89, 0.79 and 2.50, respectively. Acidotic cows were characterized by the highest aspartate aminotransferase activity (AspAT, 125.914 U/L). In comparing acidotic and ketotic cows, AspAT activity was higher by a factor of almost 1.90. The use of enzymatic markers could limit the frequency of sampling for laboratory analyses and may result in a faster diagnosis of metabolic disorders. AspAT activity in blood serum seems to be a good indicator of acidosis; GGTP may participate in the pathogenesis of ketosis.