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Background: Social enterprise is a potential driver of sustainability at the community level in energy sector decarbonization. Research objectives: We ask how sustainable entrepreneurs’ embeddedness in the territorial and institutional contexts of a coal region in transition shapes their ability to exploit sustainable business opportunities, and how they can influence energy transition pathways. Research design and methods: We introduce the notion of system-building sustainable entrepreneurs, who develop breakthrough niche innovations. Our analytical framework employs a multilevel perspective and multiscalar analysis of institutional work is applied to the case study of an energy cluster. Results: We identified multiscalar institutional work of SBSEs operating in the niche, presenting the inhibiting and enabling factors at the regime and landscape levels. Although enabling factors created opportunities, they could only be exploited through institutional work. Conclusions: We identified three key factors shaping the ability of system-building sustainable entrepreneurs to exploit opportunities and shape transition pathways.

BackgroundThis study aimed to evaluate oxidative stress parameters in individuals with depression and schizophrenia, considering gender differences, and manifesting suicidal behavior, encompassing thoughts without a tendency to be realized, thoughts with a tendency to be realized, and suicide attempts.MethodsFrom among the patients from Department of Psychiatry 120 individuals were selected who met the inclusion criteria and did not meet the exclusion criteria for the study. In the initial phase of the project, patients eligible for the study underwent the M.I.N.I 7.0.2 questionnaire (Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview). Subsequently, in the second phase of the research, venous blood samples were collected from the patients for the purpose of conducting biochemical assessments, focusing on oxidative stress parameters.ResultsThe obtained results suggest that redox biomarkers, namely TOS (total oxidation state) and OSI (TOS/TAC ratio), in the blood plasma of women increase in tandem with the severity of suicidal behavior. No notable alterations in SOD (Cu-Zn-superoxide dismutase), GPx (glutathione peroxidase), and GSH (reduced glutathione) concentrations and activity were noted between groups exhibiting suicidal behavior. The observed variations in the concentrations and activity of antioxidant parameters were significant solely in comparison to the control group.ConclusionsRedox biomarkers TOS and OSI could prove valuable in diagnosing women at a genuine risk of committing suicide. On the other hand, antioxidant parameters – SOD, GPx, and GSH may be instrumental in identifying patients with suicidal behaviors, without specifying their intensity.

Introduction: Glycoxidative stress is essential for linking glucose disturbances and cardiovascular diseases. Unfortunately, contemporary antidiabetic drugs do not have an antiglycative effect but only lower blood glucose levels. Therefore, there is an intense search for substances that could inhibit protein glycation and prevent diabetic complications. A potential antioxidant activity has been demonstrated with verapamil, a phenylalkylamine derivative belonging to selective calcium channel blockers. Verapamil has a well-established position in cardiology due to its wide range of indications and good safety profile. Nevertheless, the antidiabetic activity of verapamil is still unclear. We are the first to comprehensively evaluate the verapamil’s effect on protein glycoxidation using various in vitro and in silico models.Methods: Bovine serum albumin (BSA) was used to assess the rate of glycoxidation inhibition by verapamil. As glycating factors, sugars (glucose, fructose, and ribose) and aldehyde (glyoxal) were used. Chloramine T was used as an oxidizing agent. Aminoguanidine (protein glycation inhibitor) and Trolox (antioxidant) were used as control substances. The biomarkers of oxidation (total thiols, protein carbonyls, advanced oxidation protein products), glycation (Amadori products, β-amyloid, advanced glycation end products [AGEs]), and glycoxidation (tryptophan, kynurenine, N-formylkynurenine, dityrosine) were evaluated using colorimetric and fluorimetric methods. The mechanism of antiglycative activity of verapamil was assessed using in silico docking to study its interaction with BSA, glycosidases, and seventeen AGE pathway proteins.Results: In all in vitro models, biomarkers of protein glycation, oxidation, and glycoxidation were significantly ameliorated under the influence of verapamil. The glycoxidation inhibition rate by verapamil is comparable to that of potent antiglycating agents and antioxidants. The molecular docking simulations showed that verapamil bound preferentially to amino acids prone to glycoxidative damage out of an α-glucosidase’s active center. Among all AGE pathway proteins, verapamil was best docked with the Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB).Discussion: The results of our study confirm the antiglycoxidant properties of verapamil. The drug’s action is comparable to recognized substances protecting against oxidative and glycation modifications. Verapamil may be particularly helpful in patients with cardiovascular disease and concomitant diabetes. Studies in animal models and humans are needed to confirm verapamil’s antiglycative/antidiabetic activity.

Background and aims: Lower Extremity Artery Disease (LEAD) is a predictor of atherosclerotic plaques in other locations and significantly increases the risk of death from cardiovascular events. This study aimed to identify cardiology patient subpopulations that should undergo Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI) measurement. Methods: A total of 800 patients hospitalized in the Department of Cardiology were included. Inclusion criteria were age over 40 years for men and over 45 years for women, with the ability to measure ABI. Results: The study group was divided into two subgroups based on ABI values, with LEAD (ABI ≤ 0.9) detected in 61 patients (7.6%). Among these, 45% exhibited symptoms of intermittent claudication. LEAD was significantly more common in patients with a lower ejection fraction, a history of myocardial infarction, coronary artery disease, coronary atherosclerosis, heart failure, hypercholesterolemia, diabetes, and in those with a past diagnosis of atherosclerosis. There was no statistical association with the incidence of ischemic stroke, renal failure, hypertension or a family history of cardiovascular disease. Average living conditions and financial status increased LEAD likelihood (p = 0.029; p = 0.018), while physical activity reduced it (p < 0.001). LEAD occurred more often in both current and former smokers. Patients with LEAD were more likely to be on statin therapy (p = 0.002). Higher hemoglobin A1c levels significantly increased the risk of LEAD. Conclusions: Identifying patients with risk factors for LEAD suggests that ABI measurement should be performed to detect LEAD early and implement appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Social enterprise is a potential driver of sustainability at the community level in energy sector decarbonization. Research objectives: We ask how sustainable entrepreneurs' embeddedness in the territorial and institutional contexts of a coal region in transition shapes their ability to exploit sustainable business opportunities, and how they can influence energy transition pathways. Research design and methods: We introduce the notion of system-building sustainable entrepreneurs, who develop breakthrough niche innovations. Our analytical framework employs a multilevel perspective and multiscalar analysis of institutional work is applied to the case study of an energy cluster. Results: We identified multiscalar institutional work of SBSEs operating in the niche, presenting the inhibiting and enabling factors at the regime and landscape levels. Although enabling factors created opportunities, they could only be exploited through institutional work. Conclusions: We identified three key factors shaping the ability of system-building sustainable entrepreneurs to exploit opportunities and shape transition pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Glycoxidative stress is essential for linking glucose disturbances and cardiovascular diseases. Unfortunately, contemporary antidiabetic drugs do not have an antiglycative effect but only lower blood glucose levels. Therefore, there is an intense search for substances that could inhibit protein glycation and prevent diabetic complications. A potential antioxidant activity has been demonstrated with verapamil, a phenylalkylamine derivative belonging to selective calcium channel blockers. Verapamil has a well-established position in cardiology due to its wide range of indications and good safety profile. Nevertheless, the antidiabetic activity of verapamil is still unclear. We are the first to comprehensively evaluate the verapamil’s effect on protein glycoxidation using various in vitro and in silico models. Methods: Bovine serum albumin (BSA) was used to assess the rate of glycoxidation inhibition by verapamil. As glycating factors, sugars (glucose, fructose, and ribose) and aldehyde (glyoxal) were used. Chloramine T was used as an oxidizing agent. Aminoguanidine (protein glycation inhibitor) and Trolox (antioxidant) were used as control substances. The biomarkers of oxidation (total thiols, protein carbonyls, advanced oxidation protein products), glycation (Amadori products, β-amyloid, advanced glycation end products [AGEs]), and glycoxidation (tryptophan, kynurenine, N-formylkynurenine, dityrosine) were evaluated using colorimetric and fluorimetric methods. The mechanism of antiglycative activity of verapamil was assessed using in silico docking to study its interaction with BSA, glycosidases, and seventeen AGE pathway proteins. Results: In all in vitro models, biomarkers of protein glycation, oxidation, and glycoxidation were significantly ameliorated under the influence of verapamil. The glycoxidation inhibition rate by verapamil is comparable to that of potent antiglycating agents and antioxidants. The molecular docking simulations showed that verapamil bound preferentially to amino acids prone to glycoxidative damage out of an α-glucosidase’s active center. Among all AGE pathway proteins, verapamil was best docked with the Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB). Discussion: The results of our study confirm the antiglycoxidant properties of verapamil. The drug’s action is comparable to recognized substances protecting against oxidative and glycation modifications. Verapamil may be particularly helpful in patients with cardiovascular disease and concomitant diabetes. Studies in animal models and humans are needed to confirm verapamil’s antiglycative/antidiabetic activity [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article attempts to capture Christology of Isaiah 53,1–5 (IV Songs of the Suffering Servant). Semiotics that the Pontifical Biblical Commission acknowledges as a tool of synchronic analysis was used in the study. The exegesis conducted shows the need to change human perception of reality in order to accept improbability of God’s epiphany. It shows the act of the Servant who accepts the drama of human sin and infirmity, thus exalts Him through God and presents to people the gift of healing.

This article addresses the concept of Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI), which concerns extensive collaboration between different actors at all stages of the R&D process and emphasises the prevention of the potential negative impact of innovations. RRI has been incorporated as a key concept of Horizon 2020, the European Commission's framework programme for 2014-2020. The purpose of this article is twofold. First, it serves to present and explain the concept of RRI. Secondly, it aims to describe the degree of familiarity and practical implementation of the RRI concept in the Polish innovation system among scientific and business institutions and formulate training needs in this area. Research questions have been answered based on in-depth interviews conducted with representatives of various institutions of the Polish innovation system. The study results show that despite the lack of familiarity with the definition of RRI, similar concepts are known, and practices concerning particular aspects of RRI, including ethics, public engagement and gender equality, are implemented to some extent. Finally, the most critical barriers to the implementation of the RRI concept have been identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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