Search

Abstract The etiology of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C), frequently observed following COVID-19 infection, remains elusive. This study unveils insights derived from cytokine analysis in the sera of MIS-C patients, both before and after the administration of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and glucocorticosteroids (GCS). In this study, we employed a comprehensive 45-cytokine profile encompassing a spectrum of widely recognized proinflammatory and antiinflammatory cytokines, as well as growth factors, along with other soluble mediators. The analysis delineates three principal cytokine-concentration patterns evident in the patients’ sera. Pattern no.1 predominantly features proinflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-15, IL-1ra, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα), C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 10 (CXCL10/ IP-10), and IL-10) exhibiting elevated concentrations upon admission, swiftly normalizing post-hospital treatment. Pattern no. 2 includes cytokines (IL-17 A, IL-33, IFNγ, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and programmed death ligand (PD-L1)) with moderately elevated levels at admission, persisting over 7–10 days of hospitalization despite the treatment. Pattern no. 3 comprises cytokines which concentrations escalated after 7–10 days of hospitalization and therapy, including IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-13, platelet-derived growth factor AA/BB (PDGF AA/BB). The observed in cytokine profile of MIS-C patients showed a transition from acute inflammation to sustaining inflammation which turned into induction of humoral memory mechanisms and various defense mechanisms, contributing to recovery.

Objectives The aim of the article is to present the evolution of the relationship between the concepts of law and society from the post-war period to the present day and its consequences for contemporary political and legal culture, due to the pre-election period, influence of ideology, politics and the contemporary method of (making and) interpreting of law on the weakening of democracy. Material and methods It builds on historical-descriptive studies of legal theory, supplemented by the considerations of political and social science- to explain how the political assumptions determined the legal theoretical framework of law (and its interpretation), society. Results Considerations explain the relationship between law and society in the post-war history of Poland. The assertion made as a starting point that the conception of law is always linked to the conception of society and is strongly influenced by it in practice is reflected in the historical and political experience, as a result of which political lawmaking occurs in Poland today, with negative consequences for social and economic development. Conclusions The post-war 'partyisation' of the law contributed to the view of society as a concept expressing the political interests of parties, and, after the political transition period, to the creation of civil society as an opposition against the totalitarian socialist state, built on a political and ideological identity. In this way, modern society has become an instrument of ideological struggle, used to achieve political goals and subordinate law and society to them. This is vividly expressed in the period around elections, when political polarisation replaces rational thinking with electoral emotions, with the aim of winning the elections.

Abstract Background Bovine mastitis is a widespread disease affecting dairy cattle worldwide and it generates substantial losses for dairy farmers. Mastitis may be caused by bacteria, fungi or algae. The most common species isolated from infected milk are, among others, Streptococcus spp., Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and non-aureus staphylococci and mammaliicocci. The aim of this paper is to determine the frequency of occurrence of bacterial species in milk samples from cows with mastitis from three regions of Poland: the north-east, the south-west and the south. To this end 203 milk samples taken from cows with a clinical form (CM) of mastitis (n = 100) and healthy animals (n = 103) were examined, which included culture on an appropriate medium followed by molecular detection of E. coli, S. aureus, Streptococcus agalactiae and Streptococcus uberis, as one of the most common species isolated from mastitis milk. Results The results obtained indicated that S. uberis was the most commonly cultivated CM species (38%, n = 38), followed by S. aureus (22%, n = 22), E. coli (21%, n = 21) and S. agalactiae (18%, n = 18). Similar frequencies in molecular methods were obtained for S. uberis (35.1%) and S. aureus (28.0%). The variation of sensitivity of both methods may be responsible for the differences in the E. coli (41.0%, p = 0.002) and S. agalactiae (5.0%, p = 0.004) detection rates. Significant differences in composition of species between three regions of Poland were noted for E. coli incidence (p

Abstract Background Bovine mastitis is one of the most widespread diseases affecting cattle, leading to significant losses for the dairy industry. Currently, the so-called gold standard in mastitis diagnosis involves determining the somatic cell count (SCC). Apart from a number of advantages, this method has one serious flaw: It does not identify the etiological factor causing a particular infection, making it impossible to introduce targeted antimicrobial therapy. This can contribute to multidrug-resistance in bacterial species. The diagnostic market lacks a test that has the advantages of SCC and also recognizes the species of pathogen causing the inflammation. Therefore, the aim of our study was to develop a lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA) based on elongation factor Tu for identifying most prevalent Gram-positive cocci responsible for causing mastitis including Streptococcus uberis, Streptococcus agalactiae and Staphylococcus aureus. Results As a result, we showed that the assay for S. uberis detection demonstrated a specificity of 89.02%, a sensitivity of 43.59%, and an accuracy of 80.3%. In turn, the second variant - assay for Gram-positive cocci reached a specificity of 95.59%, a sensitivity of 43.28%, and an accuracy of 78.33%. Conclusions Our study shows that EF-Tu is a promising target for LFIA and we have delivered evidence that further evaluation could improve test parameters and fill the gap in the mastitis diagnostics market.

Stevia (Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni) is an essential herbal plant used as a sweetener. The demand for stevia is growing due to its low caloric and medicinal value, hence the need for a more thorough investigation of its nutritional and biological properties. Nanoparticles of metal oxides have been found to have broad applications in agriculture for the stimulation of plant growth and development. The study aimed to assess the effect of various zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) concentrations on stevia plants’ quantitative and qualitative traits obtained in in vitro cultures. Micropropagation of two stevia varieties, Candy and Morita, was carried out using explants of shoot tips placed on MS medium supplemented with 1.0 mg dm–3 BA and 0.1 mg dm–3 IBA and with ZnONPs at concentrations of 0 (control), 10, 20, 30 and 40 mg dm–3. The obtained results indicated that high concentrations of ZnONPs stimulated the propagation of shoots. On the other hand, they negatively influenced shoot length, root number and length, and the fresh weight of the plantlets. The presence of zinc oxide nanoparticles in the medium increased the potassium, calcium, magnesium, and zinc content while decreasing the sodium and iron content in the regenerated stevia plantlets. The total phenolic content in the Candy variety was higher in the treatments with ZnONPs than in the control plants, while it was varied in the Morita variety. In both varieties, total antioxidant content measured by the ABTS method showed significantly higher in the treatments with 20–30 mg dm–3 ZnONPs than in the control. The content of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and chlorophyll a + b in the Morita variety was higher in the treatments with 10 and 20 mg dm–3 ZnONPs than in the control. On the other hand, high concentrations of ZnONPs negatively affected the content of carotenoids in both varieties. The study showed that stevia plants obtained in in vitro cultures on control media and media containing ZnONPs had a high content of valuable minerals, phytocompounds with antioxidant properties, and photosynthetic pigments.

The efficiency and method of regeneration in in vitro culture conditions depend primarily on the plant growth regulators (PGRs) used. Even growth regulators belonging to one group may have different effects, stimulating the process of direct or indirect organogenesis, thus possibly disturbing the genetic stability among regenerants. The main aim of this study was to identify the genetic stability of Scutellaria baicalensis regenerates obtained by in vitro culture method using start codon targeted (ScoT) markers. S. baicalensis nodal explants were regenerated on MS medium supplemented with kinetin (KIN) at concentrations of 0.25, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 mg × dm−3 or benzylaminopurine (BAP)—0.25, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 mg × dm−3. The effects of the number of propagated shoots, length, number of nodes, and fresh mass of regenerants were assessed. Moreover, the genetic stability of the regenerants was analyzed using start codon targeted (SCoT) markers. Direct shoot organogenesis was observed on an MS medium containing kinetin, while indirect shoot induction occurred on an MS medium supplemented with BAP. The highest average number of shoots (3.6) was achieved for the MS + KIN medium at a concentration of 0.25 and 5.8 for the MS + BAP 1.0 medium. The average length and average number of nodes were the highest on the MS + BAP 0.25 medium (50.0 and 6.0, respectively), while the lowest values of these features were observed on the MS + KIN 2.0 medium (40.3 and 4.9, respectively). A total of 111 amplified bands were exhibited by SCoT primers. Three of the analyzed primers revealed four unique genotype-specific markers. The average percentage of polymorphism obtained was 36.7%. The analysis of genetic similarity revealed a high level of genetic similarity between the donor plant and regenerants obtained on MS “0” (medium without the addition of phytohormones). A slightly lower value of genetic similarity was observed for regenerants obtained by direct organogenesis (MS + KIN medium at all concentrations). Indirect shoot organogenesis observed on the MS + BAP medium (all concentrations) resulted in the highest differentiation, both in relation to the donor plant and MS “0” regenerants. The results of our work indicate that, in the case of S. baicalensis, the maintenance of genetic stability depends primarily on the presence of the cytokinin type in the medium.

In response to the challenges posed by modern plant micropropagation techniques, a promising technology for growing shoots temporary immersed in nutrient solution (temporary immersion system, TIS) using SETIS™ bioreactors has been developed. In this experiment, the suitability of this technology for the propagation of Chlorophytum comosum (Thunb.) Jacques was assessed. In vitro culture was carried out using a conventional technique on solid media and liquid media using the SETIS™ bioreactor. In addition, two culture media differing in macro- and micronutrient content (Murashige & Skoog and Rugini OM), while having the same set of phytohormones were evaluated in both systems. Explants obtained from the flower stalk of the plants were used to establish the culture. The effectiveness of the cultures after the first and second subculture was assessed. The study has demonstrated that the efficiency of liquid culture carried out using the SETIS™ bioreactor is higher compared to the conventional culture. The highest multiplication coefficient, fresh weight of regenerants and RGR index value in bioreactor cultures was recorded on Rugini OM medium. No statistically significant differences were found between MS medium and Rugini OM medium in terms of shoot length and vigour with this method of culture. When using the conventional method, better results can be achieved with MS medium. This research can be considered as a first step towards the production of Chlorophytum comosum (Thunb.) Jacques on a larger scale.

ABSTRACTAims Hemophore-like proteins sequester heme from host hemoproteins. We aimed to determine whether the host immune system can recognize not only Porphyromonas gingivalis HmuY but also its homologs expressed by other periodontopathogens, and how periodontitis influences the production of respective antibodies.Methods The reactivity of total bacterial antigens and purified proteins with serum IgG antibodies of 18 individuals with periodontitis and 17 individuals without periodontitis was examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). To compare IgG reactivity between groups with and without periodontitis and within the various dilutions of sera, statistical analysis was performed using the Mann-Whitney U-test and two-way ANOVA test with the post-hoc Bonferroni test.Results Individuals with periodontitis produced IgG antibodies reacting more strongly not only with total P. gingivalis antigens (P = 0.0002; 1:400) and P. gingivalis HmuY (P = 0.0016; 1:100) but also with Prevotella intermedia PinA (P = 0.0059; 1:100), and with low efficiency with P. intermedia PinO (P = 0.0021; 1:100). No increase in the reactivity of IgG antibodies with Tannerella forsythia Tfo and P. gingivalis HusA was found in individuals with periodontitis.Conclusions Although hemophore-like proteins are structurally related, they are differentially recognized by the host immune system. Our findings point to specific antigens, mainly P. gingivalis HmuY and P. intermedia PinA, whose immunoreactivity could be further investigated to develop markers of periodontitis.

The combination of policy concerns over climate and demographic change, energy shortages, resource efficiency and the natural environment, has led municipalities to be expected to reflect sustainability in different actions, including the decision-making on a considerable amount of their real property assets. As more and more municipalities, use the highest and best use analysis for reviewing the configuration of real property asset portfolio to achieve public goals, this provokes an examination of the reflection of sustainability (environmental, economic and social dimensions) in this kind of elaboration. Thus, this paper aims to investigate how Polish municipalities deal with the incorporation of sustainability into the highest and best use analysis and its operationalization in four tests (legally permissible, physically possible, financially feasible, and maximally productive). The research goal was pursued based on quantitative research using surveys conducted between April and May 2022 among eleven municipalities (creating the largest metropolitan areas in Poland) and qualitative research by the content analysis of HBU analyses prepared for them in previous years.

Phloroglucinol (PHG), an analgesic and spasmolytic drug, shows promise in preventing high-fat-diet (HFD)-induced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and insulin resistance. In Wistar rats, 10 weeks of PHG treatment did not prevent HFD-induced weight gain but significantly mitigated fasting hyperglycemia, impaired insulin responses, and liver steatosis. This protective effect was not linked to hepatic lipogenesis or AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activation. Instead, PHG improved mitochondrial function by reducing oxidative stress, enhancing ATP production, and increasing anti-oxidant enzyme activity. PHG also relaxed gastric smooth muscles via potassium channel activation and nitric oxide (NO) signaling, potentially delaying gastric emptying. A pilot intervention in pre-diabetic men confirmed PHG's efficacy in improving postprandial glycemic control and altering lipid metabolism. These findings suggest PHG as a potential therapeutic for NAFLD and insulin resistance, acting through mechanisms involving mitochondrial protection, anti-oxidant activity, and gastric motility modulation. Further clinical evaluation is warranted to explore PHG's full therapeutic potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Modern Science is the property of Alcide De Gasperi University of Euroregional Economy and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Simple Summary: Globally, colorectal cancer is the third and second most common cancer in men and women, respectively. Due to its late diagnosis, morbidity and mortality are on the rise, which legitimizes the search for new markers for early and precise detection of cancer development. The knowledge about the short, non-coding RNA molecule (microRNA) expression profile in tumor cancer cell lines and extracellular vesicles derived from them may help to establish microRNA as useful markers for monitoring tumor signatures in body fluids (i.e., blood). Here, we present a comprehensive analysis of microRNA profiles of four colorectal cancer cell lines, one normal colon epithelium cell line and extracellular vesicles derived from them. Data are supplemented with preliminary results acquired from a group of colorectal cancer patients. Globally, an increasing prevalence of colorectal cancer (CRC) prompts a need for the development of new methods for early tumor detection. MicroRNAs (also referred to as miRNAs) are short non-coding RNA molecules that play a pivotal role in the regulation of gene expression. MiRNAs are effectively transferred to extracellular vesicle (EVs) membrane sacs commonly released by cells. Our study aimed to examine the expression of miRNAs in four CRC cell lines and EVs derived from them (tumor EVs) in comparison to the normal colon epithelium cell line and its EVs. EVs were isolated by ultracentrifugation from the culture supernatant of SW480, SW620, SW1116, HCT116 and normal CCD841CoN cell lines and characterized according to the MISEV2023 guidelines. MiRNAs were analyzed by small RNA sequencing and validated by quantitative PCR. The performed analysis revealed 22 common miRNAs highly expressed in CRC cell lines and effectively transferred to tumor EVs, including miR-9-5p, miR-182-5p, miR-196b-5p, miR-200b-5p, miR-200c-3p, miR-425-5p and miR-429, which are associated with development, proliferation, invasion and migration of colorectal cancer cells, as well as in vesicle maturation and transport-associated pathways. In parallel, normal cells expressed miRNAs, such as miR-369 and miR-143, which play a role in proinflammatory response and tumor suppression. The analysis of selected miRNAs in plasma-derived EVs and tumor samples from CRC patients showed the similarity of miRNA expression profile between the patients' samples and CRC cell lines. Moreover, miR-182-5p, miR-196-5p, miR-425-5p and miR-429 were detected in several EV samples isolated from patients' plasma. Our results suggest that miR-182-5p, miR-196b-5p and miR-429 are differentially expressed between EVs from CRC patients and healthy donors, which might have clinical implications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The strawberry fruit market increasingly demands new cultivars producing berries with enhanced bioactive attributes. In this research the suitability of twelve strawberry cultivars for effective breeding aimed at the enhancement of bioactive fruit attributes was studied. The group of genotypes with different pedigree was examined in respect of variation, breeding parameters, correlation between the content of bioactive compounds and the antioxidant capacity of fruit. Pre-breeding research showed the highly significant differences between genotypes regarding all traits analysed. Relationship between the bioactive phytochemicals content and antioxidant capacity of fruit were mostly positive and significant. Only correlation between vitamin C and flavonoids was negative (−0.482). Path analysis exhibited the highest positive direct effect of total phenolic content on antioxidant capacity (0.609). Heritability of traits was very high, reaching values above 0.90. The highest genetic advance was observed for flavonoids. Results suggested that the genotype plays the main role in shaping of fruit antioxidant potential. This study indicated that the efficient strawberry breeding focused on obtaining the forms with enhanced bioactive berry properties could be highly possible.

Plant regeneration through indirect organogenesis allows obtaining genetic variability that can be used in the creation of new cultivars. The study presents a fast and effective protocol of one-step preparation of stevia (Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni) regenerants. To obtain callus tissue and shoot regeneration, leaves and nodal segments were used as primary explants, which were placed on MS (Murashige and Skoog) medium supplemented with plant growth regulators (PGRs): NAA (1-naphthaleneacetic acid – 2.0 mg·dm–3, BA (6-benzylaminopurine – 4.0 mg·dm–3), 2,4‑D (2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic – 2.0 mg·dm–3). Callus tissue was formed on both types of explants, however, only those derived from nodal segments were proliferating. An average of 3.92 shoots per explant were obtained from leaf explants on the applied medium after 6 weeks of culture. The analysis of the morphogenetic capacity of the obtained regenerants was carried out on MS medium supplemented with PGRs – kinetin (0.25 mg·dm–3), BA (0.5 mg·dm–3). The evaluation of the mean number of shoots, mean shoot length (cm), and the mean number of nodes per shoot indicated phenotypic variability of regenerants. The use of RAPD (randomly amplified polymorphic DNA) markers confirmed the differences also at the DNA level. The proposed one-step indirect organogenesis regeneration protocol induced somaclonal variation of Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni and the obtained regenerants, after selection, could be used in the breeding of this species.

The efficiency and method of regeneration in in vitro culture conditions depend primarily on the plant growth regulators (PGRs) used. Even growth regulators belonging to one group may have different effects, stimulating the process of direct or indirect organogenesis, thus possibly disturbing the genetic stability among regenerants. The main aim of this study was to identify the genetic stability of Scutellaria baicalensis regenerates obtained by in vitro culture method using start codon targeted (ScoT) markers. S. baicalensis nodal explants were regenerated on MS medium supplemented with kinetin (KIN) at concentrations of 0.25, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 mg × dm−3 or benzylaminopurine (BAP)—0.25, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 mg × dm−3. The effects of the number of propagated shoots, length, number of nodes, and fresh mass of regenerants were assessed. Moreover, the genetic stability of the regenerants was analyzed using start codon targeted (SCoT) markers. Direct shoot organogenesis was observed on an MS medium containing kinetin, while indirect shoot induction occurred on an MS medium supplemented with BAP. The highest average number of shoots (3.6) was achieved for the MS + KIN medium at a concentration of 0.25 and 5.8 for the MS + BAP 1.0 medium. The average length and average number of nodes were the highest on the MS + BAP 0.25 medium (50.0 and 6.0, respectively), while the lowest values of these features were observed on the MS + KIN 2.0 medium (40.3 and 4.9, respectively). A total of 111 amplified bands were exhibited by SCoT primers. Three of the analyzed primers revealed four unique genotype-specific markers. The average percentage of polymorphism obtained was 36.7%. The analysis of genetic similarity revealed a high level of genetic similarity between the donor plant and regenerants obtained on MS "0" (medium without the addition of phytohormones). A slightly lower value of genetic similarity was observed for regenerants obtained by direct organogenesis (MS + KIN medium at all concentrations). Indirect shoot organogenesis observed on the MS + BAP medium (all concentrations) resulted in the highest differentiation, both in relation to the donor plant and MS "0" regenerants. The results of our work indicate that, in the case of S. baicalensis, the maintenance of genetic stability depends primarily on the presence of the cytokinin type in the medium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stevia (Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni) is an essential herbal plant used as a sweetener. The demand for stevia is growing due to its low caloric and medicinal value, hence the need for a more thorough investigation of its nutritional and biological properties. Nanoparticles of metal oxides have been found to have broad applications in agriculture for the stimulation of plant growth and development. The study aimed to assess the effect of various zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) concentrations on stevia plants' quantitative and qualitative traits obtained in in vitro cultures. Micropropagation of two stevia varieties, Candy and Morita, was carried out using explants of shoot tips placed on MS medium supplemented with 1.0 mg dm-3 BA and 0.1 mg dm-3 IBA and with ZnONPs at concentrations of 0 (control), 10, 20, 30 and 40 mg dm-3. The obtained results indicated that high concentrations of ZnONPs stimulated the propagation of shoots. On the other hand, they negatively influenced shoot length, root number and length, and the fresh weight of the plantlets. The presence of zinc oxide nanoparticles in the medium increased the potassium, calcium, magnesium, and zinc content while decreasing the sodium and iron content in the regenerated stevia plantlets. The total phenolic content in the Candy variety was higher in the treatments with ZnONPs than in the control plants, while it was varied in the Morita variety. In both varieties, total antioxidant content measured by the ABTS method showed significantly higher in the treatments with 20-30 mg dm-3 ZnONPs than in the control. The content of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and chlorophyll a + b in the Morita variety was higher in the treatments with 10 and 20 mg dm-3 ZnONPs than in the control. On the other hand, high concentrations of ZnONPs negatively affected the content of carotenoids in both varieties. The study showed that stevia plants obtained in in vitro cultures on control media and media containing ZnONPs had a high content of valuable minerals, phytocompounds with antioxidant properties, and photosynthetic pigments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]