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Nowadays, there is an increasing emphasis on the need to alleviate the chronic inflammatory response to effectively treat hypertension. However, there are still gaps in our understanding on how to achieve this. Therefore, research on interaction of antihypertensive drugs with the immune system is extremely interesting, since their therapeutic effect could partly result from amelioration of hypertension-related inflammation, in which macrophages seem to play a pivotal role. Thus, current comprehensive studies have investigated the impact of repeatedly administered hypotensive drugs (captopril, olmesartan, propranolol, carvedilol, amlodipine, verapamil) on macrophage functions in the innate and adaptive immunity, as well as if drug-induced effects are affected by a high-sodium diet (HSD), one of the key environmental risk factors of hypertension. Although the assayed medications increased the generation of reactive oxygen and nitrogen intermediates by macrophages from standard fed donors, they reversed HSD-induced enhancing effects on macrophage oxidative burst and secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines. On the other hand, some drugs increased macrophage phagocytic activity and the expression of surface markers involved in antigen presentation, which translated into enhanced macrophage ability to activate B cells for antibody production. Moreover, the assayed medications augmented macrophage function and the effector phase of contact hypersensitivity reaction, but suppressed the sensitization phase of cell-mediated hypersensitivity under HSD conditions. Our current findings contribute to the recognition of mechanisms, by which excessive sodium intake affects macrophage immune activity in hypertensive individuals, and provide evidence that the assayed medications mitigate most of the HSD-induced adverse effects, suggesting their additional protective therapeutic activity.

Objectives: The optimal treatment strategy for ischemic stroke in patients presenting with tandem occlusions of the internal carotid artery remains controversial. Several studies have demonstrated better clinical outcomes after eptifibatide, which is a short half-life antiplatelet agent. This retrospective analysis focused on the safety and efficacy of low-dose eptifibatide administration in stroke patients with tandem lesions. Methods: We evaluated the results of endovascular treatment in 148 stroke patients with tandem lesions. Patients in whom balloon angioplasty alone resulted in satisfactory cerebral flow did not receive eptifibatide (33 patients); others received this drug together with stent implantation (115 patients). Eptifibatide was given as an intravenous bolus of 180 μg/kg and then in a modified low dose of 1 μg/kg/min for 24 hours. Results: There were no statistically significant differences between both groups regarding 30-day mortality, frequency of thrombotic events, or hemorrhagic complications. An analysis of clinical status at 30-day follow-up revealed that the administration of eptifibatide was associated with a statistically significant better outcome: a higher rate of either no neurological symptoms or only mild symptoms (4 NIHSS points maximally). Conclusions: The administration of eptifibatide in stroke patients presenting with tandem lesions is relatively safe. Moreover, treatment with this drug can improve clinical outcomes in these challenging patients.

Abstract A susceptible-infectious-susceptible (SIS) model for simulating healthcare-acquired infection spread within a hospital and associated community is proposed. The model accounts for the stratification of in-patients into two susceptibility-based risk groups. The model is formulated as a system of first-order ordinary differential equations (ODEs) with appropriate initial conditions. The mathematical analysis of this system is demonstrated. It is shown that the system has unique global solutions, which are bounded and non-negative. The basic reproduction number ( $$\mathscr {R}_0$$ R 0 ) for the considered model is derived. The existence and the stability of the stationary solutions are analysed. The disease-free stationary solution is always present and is globally asymptotically stable for $$\mathscr {R}_01$$ R 0 > 1 it is unstable. The presence of an endemic stationary solution depends on the model parameters and when it exists, it is globally asymptotically stable. The endemic state encompasses both risk groups. The endemic state within only one group only is not possible. In addition, for $$\mathscr {R}_0=1$$ R 0 = 1 a forward bifurcation takes place. Numerical simulations, based on the anonymised insurance data, are also presented to illustrate theoretical results.

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) plays a crucial role in reproductive health, but its function in postpartum dairy cows remains poorly understood. This study investigated the expression patterns of ECS-related genes in the endometrium of postpartum dairy cows and their associations with endometrial health and the presence of fatty liver. Endometrial biopsies were collected from 22 Holstein Friesian cows at 4 and 7 weeks postpartum. Gene expression was analyzed using RT-qPCR, focusing on key ECS components including CNR2, MGLL, FAAH1, NAAA, NAPEPLD, PADI4 and PTGDS. The results reveal dynamic changes in ECS gene expression associated with endometritis and fatty liver. MGLL expression was significantly upregulated in cows with endometritis at 7 weeks postpartum, while NAAA expression was consistently downregulated in cows with fatty liver. CNR2 showed a time-dependent pattern in endometritis, and PTGDS expression was elevated in clinical endometritis at 4 weeks postpartum. The presence of fatty liver was associated with altered expression patterns of several ECS genes, suggesting a link between metabolic stress and endometrial ECS function. These findings indicate a potential role for the ECS in postpartum uterine health and recovery, offering new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying reproductive disorders in dairy cows and paving the way for novel therapeutic approaches.

Abstract Using a mutant screen, we identified trehalose 6-phosphate phosphatase 1 (TSPP1) as a functional enzyme dephosphorylating trehalose 6-phosphate (Tre6P) to trehalose in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. The tspp1 knock-out results in reprogramming of the cell metabolism via altered transcriptome. As a secondary effect, tspp1 also shows impairment in 1O2-induced chloroplast retrograde signalling. From transcriptomic analysis and metabolite profiling, we conclude that accumulation or deficiency of certain metabolites directly affect 1O2-signalling. 1O2-inducible GLUTATHIONE PEROXIDASE 5 (GPX5) gene expression is suppressed by increased content of fumarate and 2-oxoglutarate, intermediates in the tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA cycle) in mitochondria and dicarboxylate metabolism in the cytosol, but also myo-inositol, involved in inositol phosphate metabolism and phosphatidylinositol signalling system. Application of another TCA cycle intermediate, aconitate, recovers 1O2-signalling and GPX5 expression in otherwise aconitate-deficient tspp1. Genes encoding known essential components of chloroplast-to-nucleus 1O2-signalling, PSBP2, MBS, and SAK1, show decreased transcript levels in tspp1, which also can be rescued by exogenous application of aconitate. We demonstrate that chloroplast retrograde signalling involving 1O2 depends on mitochondrial and cytosolic processes and that the metabolic status of the cell determines the response to 1O2.

ObjectivesPossible correlations between wisdom and wellbeing among older people have been extensively debated in psychology. At the same time, researchers emphasize that the effect of older adults' wisdom on their wellbeing depends on numerous mediators. A review of the literature suggests that forgiveness might be one such variable. Thus, this study aimed to investigate whether forgiveness mediated the relationship between wisdom and wellbeing in late adulthood.MethodIn total, 481 participants aged from 60 to 92 years (M = 68.84; SD = 6.31) were involved in the study. All older people participating in the study lived independently in their households. Four psychological instruments were used: (1) the Self-Assessed Wisdom Scale; (2) the Heartland Forgiveness Scale; (3) the Psychological Wellbeing Scale; and (4) the Satisfaction with Life Scale. Therefore, the measurement of the analyzed variables was self-reported.ResultsThe results showed that forgiveness mediated the relationships between wisdom and wellbeing in the older population. The indirect effects demonstrated that forgiveness mediated the relationships between wisdom and wellbeing. Wisdom related to higher forgiveness (β = 0.21; p < 0.01), which, in turn, was related to a higher level of psychological (β = 0.48; p < 0.01) and subjective (β = 0.36; p < 0.01) wellbeing.ConclusionThese findings suggest that forgiveness is an important element of wisdom and wellbeing. The greater the wisdom the participants showed, the stronger the tendency to forgive and the better wellbeing they reported.

Objectives Since the end of 2019 the COVID-19 pandemic has been determining the ways in which nations, institutions, and individuals function. As of now, despite a growing body of research, little is known about the effects of the pandemic in the area of psychosocial functioning of an individual. An analysis of the results of the studies conducted so far implies that the feeling of loneliness, caused or exacerbated by pandemic regimes, may increase fear of COVID-19. To provide effective psychological support to persons suffering from fear of the coronavirus relationships between the feeling of loneliness and fear of the COVID-19 must be understood. Both clinical experience and research results show that generalized mood may be a mediator in the postulated relationships. The present work studies the relationship between loneliness and fear of COVID-19, and the generalized mood as a mediator in this relationship in adults. Material and methods The studies were performed on a sample of 298 adults from Poland, aged 20 to 90. The mediation analysis with bias-corrected bootstrapping method confirmed that the relation between loneliness and fear of COVID-19 is mediated by generalized mood. Results The results show an indirect effect of loneliness via generalized mood on fear of COVID-19. Conclusions The feeling of loneliness and depressed generalized mood are risk factors for fear of COVID-19. Health care and welfare workers should be aware of health threats to socially isolated adults and those with a depressed mood. It is important to develop, as soon as possible, a simple, universal counseling package aimed at improving the clients’ generalized mood, a package that would be conducive to the development of social relations and would include education in adapting to the COVID-19 situation.

Celem artykułu jest ocena wielkości możliwego wpływu pandemii COVID‑19 na działalność przemysłową w latach 2019–2022 i określenie jej konsekwencji w strukturze przestrzennej przemysłu Polski w układzie województw. W artykule zaprezentowano analizy dotyczące m.in.: kwartalnych wartości produkcji przemysłowej, liczby podmiotów zarejestrowanych w działalności przemysłowej oraz miesięcznych wartości wskaźnika ogólnego klimatu koniunktury w przetwórstwie przemysłowym. Dopełnieniem analiz struktury regionalnej przemysłu były badania procesu przeżywalności podmiotów, mierzonego liczbą podmiotów podejmujących działalność w przemyśle oraz liczbą podmiotów wyrejestrowanych w kwartałach badanego okresu. Wykorzystując taksonomiczną metodę porządkowania liniowego, na podstawie skonstruowanego wskaźnika syntetycznego, dokonano analizy i oceny poziomu wpływu okresu pandemii na działalność przemysłową w po‑ szczególnych województwach Polski. W dalszej części opracowania określono zmiany w strukturze przestrzennej przemysłu w Polsce na podstawie miernika syntetycznego dzięki zastosowaniu rachunku wektorowego. Wyniki przeprowadzonych badań wskazują, iż w okresie trwania pandemii w strukturze przestrzennej polskiego przemysłu nie nastąpiły istotne i trwałe przekształcenia. Dowodzi to, że struktura ta odznaczała się dużą stabilnością.

The transition period in high-yielding dairy cows is a critical phase marked by an elevated risk of oxidative stress. This study evaluated the effect of oral selenitetriglyceride supplementation on oxidative stress management in periparturient cows. A controlled experiment was conducted on 12 cows, divided into two groups: the experimental group (STG) received selenitetriglycerides (0.5 mg Se/kg BW), while the control group (CON) was given a placebo, starting 12 days before calving until the calving day. Blood and liver tissue samples were collected at predetermined intervals around the time of parturition. The study observed a significant increase in serum selenium levels and NEFA stabilization in the STG group compared with the control. Antioxidant parameters indicated elevated GSH-Px and CAT concentrations in the STG group. Liver gene expression analysis revealed a significant increase in SOD2 mRNA levels in the STG group (FC = 4.68, p < 0.01). Conversely, GSH-Px3 expression significantly decreased (FC = 0.10, p < 0.05) on the 7th day postpartum in the CON group. However, SOD1, SOD3, and CAT expressions remained stable in both groups. These findings highlight the beneficial role of selenitetriglycerides in enhancing antioxidant capacity and influencing specific gene expressions associated with oxidative stress management in dairy cows during the peripartum period.

Targeted therapies represent major advancements in the treatment of chronic skin conditions such as psoriasis. While previous studies have shown an increased risk of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) in patients receiving TNF-α inhibitors, the risks associated with newer biologics (IL-12/23 inhibitors, IL-23 inhibitors, IL-17 inhibitors) and Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors remain less known. Using a systematic and meta-analytical approach, we aimed to summarize the currently available literature concerning skin cancer risk in patients treated with targeted therapies. The MEDLINE/PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases were searched to find studies reporting the incidence rates (IR) of melanoma and NMSC in patients with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis treated with biologics or JAK inhibitors. Nineteen studies were included in the analysis with a total of 13,739 patients. The overall IR of melanoma was 0.08 (95% CI, 0.05–0.15) events per 100 PYs and the overall IR of NMSC was 0.45 (95% CI, 0.33–0.61) events per 100 PYs. The IRs of melanoma were comparable across patients treated with IL-17 inhibitors, IL-23 inhibitors, and JAK inhibitors, while the IRs of NMSC were higher in patients treated with JAK inhibitors than in those treated with biologics. Prospective, long-term cohort studies are required to reliably assess the risks associated with novel targeted therapies.

Współczesny rozwój gospodarki opartej na wiedzy i technologii sprawia, iż niezwykle ważne stają się analizy i oceny struktur gospodarki pod względem stopnia jej nowoczesności. W okresach dekoniunktury gospodarczej, badania odnoszące się do innowacyjności podmiotów gospodarczych nabierają szczególnego znaczenia w perspektywie uwarunkowań procesu rozwoju gospodarczego. Celem przeprowadzonych badań była analiza i ocena zmian przestrzennych w rozmieszczeniu podmiotów przemysłu przetwórczego ze względu na poziom jego innowacyjności w dwóch polskich aglomeracjach (krakowskiej i wrocławskiej) w latach 2018-2021, tj. obejmujących głównie okres kryzysu pandemicznego Covid-19. Zmiany w strukturze przestrzennej przemysłu zostały zaprezentowane z wykorzystaniem klasyfikacji przetwórstwa przemysłowego według intensywności R&D w układzie techniki wysokiej, średnio-wysokiej, średnio-niskiej i niskiej zarówno w ujęciu statycznym jak i dynamicznym. Do analizy i identyfikacji stopnia koncentracji i specjalizacji przestrzennej przemysłu wykorzystano metody ilościowe. Przeprowadzone badania wykazały, że dekoniunktura gospodarcza wynikająca ze wspominanego kryzysu, miała niewielki wpływ na badane zjawisko. Zanotowane zmiany były analogiczne do zmian z lat wcześniejszych. Jedynym wyjątkiem, były odmienne trendy w rozmieszczeniu podmiotów przemysłowych niskiej techniki. Być może konsekwencje zaistniałych uwarunkowań gospodarczych będących następstwem okresu pandemicznego uwidocznią się dopiero w dłuższym horyzoncie czasowym.

Introduction Spinal artery aneurysms associated with previously undiagnosed coarctation of the aorta in adults are exceptionally rare. Aortic coarctation often results in aberrant collateral circulation with hyperdynamic flow. Abundant and fragile collaterals provide favourable conditions for spinal artery aneurysm formation, growth and rupture. There are very few reports of spinal artery aneurysms associated with coarctation of the aorta in the literature, with even less describing current endovascular methods of their treatment. Management of such lesions is especially challenging due to aberrant anatomy and the presence of collaterals. We describe a case of a 67‐year old woman with a previously unrecognized coarctation of the aorta who presented a ruptured radicular artery aneurysm. The patient was treated with endovascular embolization using microcoils. Methods Case report. Results A 67‐year old female presented to the emergency room with severe bilateral lower extremity paresis. Patient’s history was significant of hypertension, ischemic heart disease, atrial fibrillation and a previous subarachnoid hemorrhage of an unknown cause. An initial computed tomography scan done at an outside hospital showed a spinal canal hemorrhage at the cervical level and was suspicious for vascular malformation of cervical spine. Diagnostic angiogram via radial approach revealed a previously undiagnosed coarctation of the aorta. The examination showed an extensive network of collaterals between both subclavian arteries and thoracic aorta. A spinal artery aneurysm was identified as the source of the hemorrhage. At the C7/Th1 level on the left side a dilated radicular artery providing collateral blood flow to the left subclavian artery was detected, with an irregularly shaped lobulated aneurysm (11×7 mm) on its course. The following day endovascular embolization of the aneurysm was performed. Both radial arteries were punctured. On the left side, a pigtail catheter was placed in the left subclavian artery, and on the right side, a 5F guiding catheter was placed in the left vertebral artery. A balloon catheter was introduced to the left vertebral artery and advanced to the branching point of the radicular artery with the aneurysm on its course. Functional test was performed and upon balloon inflation no neurological deterioration was observed. The radicular artery feeding the aneurysm was accessed with a microcatheter. Embolisation was performed and microcoils were deployed in the radicular artery proximal to the aneurysm site. A control angiogram via left subclavian showed retrograde inflow into radicular artery from which the anterior spinal artery branched off. Conclusions As our case demonstrates, spinal and radicular artery aneurysms induced by aortic coarctation are complex entities and pose a unique surgical and medical challenge. Treating the aneurysm should be prioritized in cases of subarachnoid hemorrhage. Transradial approach for interventional procedures can avoid anatomic restrictions posed by coarctation.

Abstract Background Many birds species range over vast geographic regions and migrate seasonally between their breeding and overwintering sites. Deciding when to depart for migration is one of the most consequential life-history decisions an individual may make. However, it is still not fully understood which environmental cues are used to time the onset of migration and to what extent their relative importance differs across a range of migratory strategies. We focus on departure decisions of a songbird, the Eurasian blackbird Turdus merula, in which selected Russian and Polish populations are full migrants which travel relatively long-distances, whereas Finnish and German populations exhibit partial migration with shorter migration distances. Methods We used telemetry data from the four populations (610 individuals) to determine which environmental cues individuals from each population use to initiate their autumn migration. Results When departing, individuals in all populations selected nights with high atmospheric pressure and minimal cloud cover. Fully migratory populations departed earlier in autumn, at longer day length, at higher ambient temperatures, and during nights with higher relative atmospheric pressure and more supportive winds than partial migrants; however, they did not depart in higher synchrony. Thus, while all studied populations used the same environmental cues, they used population-specific and locally tuned thresholds to determine the day of departure. Conclusions Our data support the idea that migratory timing is controlled by general, species-wide mechanisms, but fine-tuned thresholds in response to local conditions.

Artykuł podejmuje problematykę oceny działalności przemysłowej w czasie trwania pandemii SARS­‑CoV-2 w Polsce w układzie województw. Celem opracowania jest identyfikacja wpływu pandemii SARS­‑CoV-2 w latach 2020–2021 na działalność przemysłową oraz określenie jej konsekwencji w strukturze przestrzennej przemysłu w poszczególnych województwach. Zakres omawianych zagadnień był uzależniony od dostępności danych, zwłaszcza na poziome regionalnym. W opracowaniu zaprezentowano analizy dotyczące podstawowych cech charakteryzujących działalność przemysłową, takich jak wartość produkcji sprzedanej przemysłu, liczba pracujących, wartość wskaźnika ogólnego klimatu koniunktury w przetwórstwie przemysłowym. Dopełnieniem analiz struktury regionalnej przemysłu były badania przeżywalności podmiotów, mierzone liczbą podmiotów podejmujących działalność w przemyśle i liczbą podmiotów wyrejestrowanych. Wyniki przeprowadzonych badań wskazują na wyraźny wpływ pierwszej fali koronawirusa (II kwartał 2020 r.) na podstawowe parametry działalności przemysłowej. W okresie pandemicznym (między IV kwartałem 2019 r. a II kwartałem 2021 r.) struktura przestrzenna przemysłu w Polsce odznaczała się dużą stabilnością – zmieniła się jedynie w niespełna 3%. Pomimo dużej stabilności struktura ta podlegała jednak pewnym wahaniom. Największe zmiany dokonały się pomiędzy II kwartałem 2020 r. a II kwartałem 2019 r. Zasadniczą cechą zachodzących zmian strukturalnych jest relatywne zmniejszanie się dysproporcji pomiędzy rozdziałem produkcji przemysłowej na poszczególne województwa Polski.

A Chlamydomonas reinhardtii RuBisCO-less mutant, ΔrbcL, was used to study carbohydrate metabolism without fixation of atmospheric carbon. The regulatory mechanism(s) that control linear electron flow, known as “photosynthetic control,” are amplified in ΔrbcL at the onset of illumination. With the aim to understand the metabolites that control this regulatory response, we have correlated the kinetics of primary carbon metabolites to chlorophyll fluorescence induction curves. We identify that ΔrbcL in the absence of acetate generates adenosine triphosphate (ATP) via photosynthetic electron transfer reactions. Also, metabolites of the Calvin Benson Bassham (CBB) cycle are responsive to the light. Indeed, ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate (RuBP), the last intermediate before carboxylation by Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase-oxygenase, accumulates significantly with time, and CBB cycle intermediates for RuBP regeneration, dihydroxyacetone phosphate (DHAP), pentose phosphates and ribose-5-phosphate (R5P) are rapidly accumulated in the first seconds of illumination, then consumed, showing that although the CBB is blocked, these enzymes are still transiently active. In opposition, in the presence of acetate, consumption of CBB cycle intermediates is strongly diminished, suggesting that the link between light and primary carbon metabolism is almost lost. Phosphorylated hexoses and starch accumulate significantly. We show that acetate uptake results in heterotrophic metabolism dominating phototrophic metabolism, with glyoxylate and tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle intermediates being the most highly represented metabolites, specifically succinate and malate. These findings allow us to hypothesize which metabolites and metabolic pathways are relevant to the upregulation of processes like cyclic electron flow that are implicated in photosynthetic control mechanisms.

This study was conducted to determine if a low monotonic dose of zearalenone (ZEN) affects the immunohistochemical expression (IE) of oestrogen receptor alpha (ERα) and oestrogen receptor beta (ERβ) in the intestines of sexually immature gilts. Group C (control group; n = 18) gilts were given a placebo. Group E (experimental group; n = 18) gilts were dosed orally with 40 μg ZEN /kg body weight (BW), each day before morning feeding. Samples of intestinal tissue were collected post-mortem six times. The samples were stained to analyse the IE of ERα and Erβ in the scanned slides. The strongest response was observed in ERα in the duodenum (90.387—average % of cells with ERα expression) and in ERβ in the descending colon (84.329—average % of cells with ERβ expression); the opposite response was recorded in the caecum (2.484—average % of cells with ERα expression) and the ascending colon (2.448—average % of cells with ERα expression); on the first two dates of exposure, the digestive tract had to adapt to ZEN in feed. The results of this study, supported by a mechanistic interpretation of previous research findings, suggest that ZEN performs numerous functions in the digestive tract.

Electric vehicle (EV) disposition may challenge serious environmental issues such as excessive dependence on oil, especially in the transport sector. Despite this understanding, the adoption intention has been disappointing to date. This review tries to present a comprehensive overview of the methodologies, theories, and variables used in 57 peer-reviewed articles published between 2015 and 2022 covering the main forms of consumer adoption of EVs, consisting of purchase as well as behavioral and usage intentions. Governments may stimulate consumer adoption of EVs with exemptions on roadway tolls, convenient access to charging infrastructures, and tax and economic incentives considering energy trading and vehicle sharing. Second, it is important to create intensive awareness revolving around the EV segment. Furthermore, respecting and understanding consumer preferences would also pave the way for the success of EV acceptance. Finally, consumers’ risk–benefit belief while adopting new technology will play a significant role in choosing an EV in the future, while the biggest barriers to adopting EV will be consumers’ lack of confidence in EV performance, safety standard measures, and range per charge.

Introduction: This study aimed to determine what anatomical variants of the Circle of Willis (CoW) and the middle cerebral artery(MCA) are observed in patients with acute M1 occlusion and whether their prevalence differs from that described as “normal” in anatomy textbooks. Methods: We have performed a retrospective assessment of radiological examinations of patients with stroke due to middle cerebral artery M1 segment occlusion. All patients underwent mechanical thrombectomy from January 2015 until March 2021. The anatomy of the CoW was assessed on initial CT‐angiography and DSA. Branches of the MCA were observed on control DSA after recanalization. Results: A total of 100 patients were included in the analysis (58 females and 42 males, mean age: 71.6 +/‐ 13.9). Fully complete CoW was observed in 19% of patients. A total of 10% of patients had an incomplete anterior portion of CoW. In the incomplete anterior portion subgroup, the most common variation was the absence of anterior communicating artery (6% of total hemispheres), followed by the absence of one A1 (3% of total hemispheres). An incomplete posterior portion of CoW was identified in 79% of the patients. The absence of posterior communicating artery (PCoA) was observed in 59 patients. Sixteen patients had adult‐type PCoA, 3 patients had transitional‐type PCoA and 21 patients had fetal‐type posterior cerebral artery (PCA). In the subgroup of patients with fetal‐type posterior circle, 5 patients had no P1 segment of PCA. Anterior temporal branch of MCA was observed in 45% of the patients. Middle cerebral artery bifurcation was found in 80% of hemispheres, and trifurcation in 20%. In the bifurcation subgroup, 26% of MCAs had a dominating upper branch and 18% had a dominating lower branch. A duplicate MCA was observed in one hemisphere. Conclusions: In comparison to normal anatomy described in anatomy textbooks, the population of patients suffering from ischemic stroke due to M1 occlusion had a lower proportion of complete and closed CoW. A foetal type PCoA was observed to be prevalent (21%) in patients suffering from acute M1 occlusion. Detailed anatomical knowledge of anatomical variants of CoW in patients undergoing mechanical thrombectomy is essential for clinicians performing intravascular interventions and may aid procedure planning.

Introduction: In acute ischemic stroke, collateral circulation determines tissue fate and treatment results. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of anatomical variations of the Circle of Willis (CoW) in formation of cerebral collateral blood flow in patients with acute M1 occlusion. Methods: This study was a retrospective assessment of radiological examinations of patients with stroke due to middle cerebral artery M1 segment occlusion. All patients underwent mechanical thrombectomy from January 2015 until March 2021. The anatomy of the CoW was assessed on initial CT‐angiography and DSA. CTA was utilized to grade cranial collateral vasculature status and cortical vein opacification score (COVES). Non‐contrast CT scans and ASPECTS scores (using RAPID software) were used to determine the ischemic area. Results: A total of 100 patients were included in the analysis (58 females and 42 males, mean age: 71.6 +/‐ 13.9). We classified the anatomy of the CoW according to its continuity as a full circle. Patients with fully continuous CoW (n = 19) had worse COVES scores than those with CoW incomplete at both anterior and posterior portion (n = 9) (89% vs 68% with COVES 0–2, p = 0.179). No statistically significant results were found when comparing the enhancement of collaterals between these two groups (p = 0.390). The COVES scores were similar for patients with complete and incomplete anterior portions of CoW (77% vs 80% with COVES 0–2, p = 0.812). Patients with incomplete posterior portions of CoW had lower COVES scores than those with complete (80% vs 67% with COVES 0–2, p = 0.206). No statistically significant differences were discovered when comparing different types of the posterior communicating artery (adult, transitional and fetal). Analysis of ischemic areas determined as ASPECTS scores pre‐ and post‐thrombectomy yielded no significant differences between any of the groups. Conclusions: Although certain variants of the CoW have been reported to increase the risk of ischemic stroke, our results show that the anatomy of CoW has no large effect on collateral blood flow during acute M1 occlusion. We presume that the greater role is played by pial arterioles than anatomical variants of major cerebral arteries in cerebral collateral circulation formation. Detailed knowledge about the factors that influence collateral blood flow is crucial as it may aid in identification of patients prone to worse outcomes of ischemic stroke. Anatomical variants of CoW do not play a major role in formation of cerebral collaterals.

The Chinese energy transition, as a shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources, involves the dynamic growth of wind power’s importance in a national energy mix. The development of the wind power industry in this country is intertwined with the implemented policies that translated to the significant increase in energy generation from this power source and the growth of trade volumes of wind power products. This research aims to review and analyse the China's policy that impacted wind power development in 2000-2019. The author aims to evaluate the efficiency of implemented policies and strategies from the perspective of the new structural economics assumptions and the revealed comparative advantage of the Chinese wind energy products. In addition to the review of scientific literature and policy documents, as well as analysis of the relevant trade and energy indicators, the method applied in this research is a calculation of the Revealed Comparative Advantage (RCA) index. The results provide pieces of evidence that despite the substantial development of the Chinese wind power industry on a national scale, this country still has not revealed a comparative advantage globally. However, the results also suggest that the Chinese wind power industry is on the right track to achieve export specialisation soon. Furthermore, the China's policy for wind power development matches the new structural economics assumptions. The presented insight into studied industry blazes the trail for other countries, which consider following the Chinese development path by shaping the growth of leading-edge industries and the energy transition process throughout various state interventions.

Deoxynivalenol (DON) is a mycotoxin that contaminates various plant materials. Exposure to DON can disrupt hormonal homeostasis, decrease body weight gains and modulate the immune system in pigs. It can also cause diarrhea, vomiting, leukocytosis, hemorrhaging or even death. Prolonged exposure to low doses of DON can have serious health implications in mammals. This is the first in vivo study to show that per os administration of low DON doses probably contributes to specific dysfunctions in steroidogenesis processes by inducing the immunohistochemical expression of estrogen receptors alpha (ERα) in the entire gastrointestinal tract in strongly stained cells (3 points) and estrogen receptors beta (ERβ), but only in both investigated segments of the duodenum in pre-pubertal gilts. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine whether a NOAEL dose of DON (12 μg DON/kg BW) administered per os over a period of 42 days induces changes in the immunohistochemical expression of ER in different intestinal segments and the transcriptional activation of CYP1A1 and GSTP1 genes in the large intestine of pre-pubertal gilts. This is the first report to demonstrate the expression of ER, in particular ERβ, with the associated consequences. The expression of ER was accompanied by considerable variations in the activation of CYP1A1 and GSTP1 genes, but it supported the maintenance of a stable consensus between the degree of mycotoxin exposure and the detoxifying effect in pre-pubertal gilts.

The subject of the paper is curatives, a special type of causative verbs in Lithuanian, in the Bible translations by Johannes Bretke (1579–1590), Samuel Boguslaw Chylinski (1660), Samuel Bythner (1701), Philipp Ruhig (1727) and Juozapas Arnulfas Giedraitis (1816). Curatives are a special type of causation implementing the causee-suppressing valency (CSP) pattern. In the analyzed texts, one can notice several morphological, semantic or syntactic features coinciding with contemporary curative constructions. However, in addition to the morphology and semantics of curatives, the article discusses also some rare and interesting cases that can be interpreted as expressing the causee and includes remarks on the lexicalization processes.

This article aims to identify changes in the industry’s patterns in innovativeness and show its spatial diversity based on the example of the largest urban centres in Dolnośląskie Voivodeship. An assessment of the level of concentration of industrial activity was used as the basis for identifying these processes. The range of issues used for analysis depended on data availability, especially at the local level. The analysis of industrial activities’ location was carried out based on entities registered in Section C (Manufacturing) of the Polish Classification of Economic Activities. The spatial patterns of industrial innovativeness were presented using the classification of manufacturing according to R&D levels. The research results indicate significant changes between 2009 and 2019 in the spatial patterns for both the voivodeship and its urban areas regarding the industry’s concentration and specialisation. At the same time, this was accompanied by a decrease in industrial production. Dolnośląskie Voivodeship shows a significant spatial diversification in such concentration and specialisation. The patterns identified indicate the growing role of the area surrounding Wrocław as one of intensive infiltration of industrial activities from the main centre. These processes are also found in smaller urban centres of the voivodeship; however, this infiltration is selective.

Intracranial atherosclerotic disease (ICAD) is a well-known cause of stroke and is responsible for approximately 5–10% of all strokes [1]. The annual risk of recurrent stroke in symptomatic ICAD is around 9–12% despite optimal medical treatment [2]. Patients presenting with symptomatic ICAD have been managed endovascularly (ET) for over two decades. Still, although initial results of such treatment were encouraging, the rates of periprocedural complications and restenoses were high, 15% and 34%, respectively [2].

The paper addresses the issue of spatial differentiation in the level of industrial innovativeness in new EU member states from 2008 to 2017, with a particular focus on Poland. The purpose of the study is to attempt to describe changes in the spatial patterns of innovativeness in new EU member states (so-called EU13) and to indicate the position of Poland against the EU13 by using simple vector calculus. The period of analysis resulted from the availability of data. The paper presents matters related to the innovative activities of industrial enterprises and research and development (R&D) in Poland and other new EU member states. Selected features of innovativeness are shown as a relationship between expenditure and effect. The research confirms that the spatial pattern of industrial innovativeness in the EU13 significantly varies spatially between states. It is noteworthy that in the analysed period, the level of innovativeness in the Polish economy was relatively low compared to all EU countries as well as among the EU13. Moreover, the high growth figures obtained by Poland in most of the analysed features related to industrial innovativeness deserve to be emphasised. In 2008–2017 spatial differences in expenditure on R&D in the sector of industrial enterprises as well as their effects were highly stable.

The objective of this study was to evaluate whether low doses of zearalenone (ZEN) affect the carry-over of ZEN and its metabolites to intestinal tissues and the expression of CYP1A1 and GSTπ1 in the large intestine. Prepubertal gilts (with a BW of up to 14.5 kg) were exposed in group ZEN to daily ZEN5 doses of 5 μg/kg BW (n = 15); in group ZEN10, 10 μg/kg BW (n = 15); in group ZEN15, 15 μg/kg BW (n = 15); or were administered a placebo (group C, n = 15) throughout the experiment. After euthanasia, tissues were sampled on exposure days 7, 21, and 42 (D1, D2, and D3, respectively). The results confirmed that the administered ZEN doses (LOAEL, NOAEL, and MABEL) were appropriate to reliably assess the carry-over of ZEN. Based on the observations made during 42 days of exposure to pure ZEN, it can be hypothesized that all mycotoxins (ZEN, α-zearalenol, and β-zearalenol) contribute to a balance between intestinal cells and the expression of selected genes encoding enzymes that participate in biotransformation processes in the large intestine; modulate feminization processes in prepubertal gilts; and elicit flexible, adaptive responses of the macroorganism to mycotoxin exposure at the analyzed doses.

This review article is focused on antihypertensive drugs, namely angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) and angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARB), and their immunomodulatory properties reported in hypertensive patients as well as in experimental settings involving studies on animal models and cell lines. The immune regulatory action of ACEI and ARB is mainly connected with the inhibition of proinflammatory cytokine secretion, diminished expression of adhesion molecules, and normalization of CRP concentration in the blood plasma. The topic has significant importance in future medical practice in the therapy of patients with comorbidities with underlying chronic inflammatory responses. Thus, this additional effect of immune regulatory action of ACEI and ARB may also benefit the treatment of patients with metabolic syndrome, allergies, or autoimmune disorders.

Aeruginosamides (AEGs) are classified as cyanobactins, ribosomally synthesized peptides with post-translational modifications. They have been identified in cyanobacteria of genera Microcystis, Oscillatoria, and Limnoraphis. In this work, the new data on the in vitro activities of three AEG variants, AEG A, AEG625 and AEG657, and their interactions with metabolic enzymes are reported. Two aeruginosamides, AEG625 and AEG657, decreased the viability of human breast cancer cell line T47D, but neither of the peptides was active against human liver cancer cell line Huh7. AEGs also did not change the expression of MIR92b-3p, but for AEG625, the induction of oxidative stress was observed. In the presence of a liver S9 fraction containing microsomal and cytosolic enzymes, AEG625 and AEG657 showed high stability. In the same assays, quick removal of AEG A was recorded. The peptides had mild activity against three cytochrome P450 enzymes, CYP2C9, CYP2D6 and CYP3A4, but only at the highest concentration used in the study (60 µM). The properties of AEGs, i.e., cytotoxic activity and in vitro interactions with important metabolic enzymes, form a good basis for further studies on their pharmacological potential.

Researches of agricultural droughts require long–term of atmospheric, hydrological and meteorological data. On the other hand, today, the possibilities of using spectral data in environmental researches are indicated. The development of remote sensing techniques, increasing the spectral and spatial resolution of data allows to use remote sensing data in the study of water content in the environment. The paper presents the results of the analysis of moisture content of soil–plant environment in the lowland areas of river valley using spectral data from Sentinel–2. The analyzes were conducted between February to November 2016. The spectral data were used to calculate the Normalize Differential Vegetation Index (NDVI) which provided information about moisture content of the soil–plant environment. The analyzes were provided only on grasslands in the terms on 22 objects, located on the research area in the Oder river valley between Malczyce and Brzeg–Dolny, Poland. NDVI values were correlated with hydrological and meteorological parameters. The analyzes showed spatial and temporal variability of the moisture conditions in the soil–plant environment showed by the NDVI variability and existence some relationships between climatic and spectral indices characterizing the moisture content in the environment.

Artykuł poświęcony jest problematyce przestrzennego wymiaru i zróżnicowania procesu koncentracji przemysłu oraz towarzyszącej mu specjalizacji w województwie dolnośląskim w latach 2005–2016. Celem opracowania jest dokonanie oceny stopnia rozwoju wspominanych procesów. Zakres przyjętych do analiz zagadnień uzależniony był od dostępności danych, szczególnie na poziome lokalnym. W artykule zaprezentowano analizy dotyczące m.in. wartości produkcji sprzedanej przemysłu, pracujących w działalności przemysłowej czy struktury przestrzennej podmiotów przetwórstwa przemysłowego według intensywności prac badawczo-rozwojowych. W opracowaniu zaprezentowano także dynamikę przyjętych do analizy zmiennych. Wyniki przeprowadzonych badań wskazują na istotne zmiany, jakie nastąpiły w latach 2005–2016 w strukturze przestrzennej regionu w zakresie koncentracji i specjalizacji przemysłu. Towarzyszyło im jednocześnie obniżenie poziomu koncentracji produkcji przemysłowej. Województwo dolnośląskie cechuje się znacznym zróżnicowaniem przestrzennym procesów koncentracji i specjalizacji działalności przemysłowej. Największy przyrost produkcji przemysłowej był charakterystyczny dla powiatów bezpośrednio zlokalizowanych w sąsiedztwie głównych ośrodków miejskich regionu. Zidentyfikowane prawidłowości wskazują na rosnącą rolę całego obszaru strefy podmiejskiej, szczególnie Wrocławia, jako terenu intensywnego przenikania działalności przemysłowej z ośrodka centralnego. Przenikanie to ma jednak charakter selektywny.

In this review, diuretics and their immunomodulatory functions are described. The effects on the immune response of this group of drugs are reported in patients suffering from hypertension and under experimental conditions involving animal models and cell line studies. The pathogenesis of hypertension is strongly connected to chronic inflammation. The vast majority of diuretics modulate the immune response, changing it in favor of the anti-inflammatory response, but depending on the drug, these effects may differ. This topic is significantly important in medical practice regarding the treatment of patients who have coexisting diseases with chronic inflammatory pathogenesis, including hypertension or chronic heart failure. In patients with metabolic syndrome, allergies, or autoimmune disorders, the anti-inflammatory effect is favorable, because of the overstimulation of their immune system. Otherwise, in the geriatric population, it is important to find the proper anti- and pro-inflammatory balance to avoid an enhancement of immune response suppression, which can result in reducing the risk of serious infections that can occur due to the age-diminished function of the immune system. This article is intended to facilitate the selection of an antihypertensive drug that depends on the patient’s immune situation.

Hypertension is a chronic disease associated with chronic inflammation involving activated macrophages. Antihypertensive drugs (for example, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors—ACEIs) used in the treatment of hypertension have immunomodulatory properties. On the other hand, the immunological effect of diuretics and combined drugs (diuretics + ACEI) is unclear. Therefore, we examined the influence of diuretics and combination drugs (ACEI + diuretic) on cellular response (contact hypersensitivity), production of reactive oxygen intermediates (ROIs), and nitric oxide (NO), and the secretion of interleukin-12 (IL-12). CBA mice were administered i.p. captopril (5 mg/kg) with or without hydrochlorothiazide (10 mg/kg) or furosemide (5 mg/kg) for 8 days. On the third day, the mice were administered i.p. mineral oil, and macrophages were collected 5 days later. In the presented results, we show that diuretics administered alone or with captopril increase the generation of ROIs and reduce the formation of NO by macrophages. Moreover, tested drugs inhibit the secretion of IL-12. Diuretics and combined drugs reduce the activity of contact hypersensitivity (both activation and induction phases). Our research shows that the tested drugs modulate the cellular response by influencing the function of macrophages, which is important in assessing the safety of antihypertensive therapy.

W artykule przeanalizowano zmiany liczby ludności ogółem oraz w wieku produkcyjnym w województwie dolnośląskim na tle zmian liczby pracujących i skali bezrobocia. Zmiany struktur demograficznych oraz poziomu zatrudnienia i bezrobocia zostały rozpatrzone także w kontekście przestrzennym, w układzie gmin województwa. Ponadto podjęto próbę określenia współzależności pomiędzy zmianami demograficznymi, będącymi konsekwencją procesu depopulacji a przemianami w zakresie liczby pracujących i bezrobotnych na lokalnych rynkach pracy województwa dolnośląskiego.

Wettablity is one of the important characteristics defining a given surface. Here we show that the effective interface potential method of determining the wetting temperature, originally proposed by MacDowell and Müller for the surfaces exhibiting the first order wetting transition, can also be used to estimate the wetting temperature of the second order (continuous) wetting transition. Some selected other methods of determination of the wetting temperature are also discussed.

This paper aims to identify predictors of consumer ethnocentrism in the food market. An online survey was conducted in a sample of 1000 Polish consumers, which was representative by sex, age, education level, urban–rural divide, and region. The 10-item CETSCALE was applied. In a retrograde stepwise regression model, consumer ethnocentrism in the food market was positively related to tradition and conformity Schwartz values, to the pride of being Polish, and to such product characteristics as the country of origin, distance from the producer, and natural content. It was negatively related to the universalism value and to being a student. To gain further insights into the predictors of consumer ethnocentrism in the food market for either gender, separate regressions were conducted among men and women. Three predictors affected positively and significantly consumer ethnocentrism in the food market both among men and among women, namely the tradition Schwartz value, pride of being Polish, and importance attached to distance covered by the food product from the producer to the shop, which is related to the preference for local food. Moreover, consumer ethnocentrism among men was dependent on their food choice motive–environmental friendliness, whereas consumer ethnocentrism among women was affected by the importance attached to the product’s country of origin, and it was negatively related to women’s younger age.

Hypertension is accompanied by the over-activation of macrophages. Diuretics administered alone or in combination with hypotensive drugs may have immunomodulatory effects. Thus, the influence of tested drugs on mouse macrophage-mediated humoral immunity was investigated. Mice were treated intraperitoneally with captopril (5 mg/kg) with or without hydrochlorothiazide (10 mg/kg) or furosemide (5 mg/kg) by 8 days. Mineral oil-induced peritoneal macrophages were harvested to assess the generation of cytokines in ELISA, and the expression of surface markers was analyzed cytometrically. Macrophages were also pulsed with sheep red blood cells (SRBC) and transferred to naive mice for evaluation of their ability to induce a humoral immune response. Tested drugs increase the expression of surface markers important for the antigen phagocytosis and presentation. SRBC-pulsed macrophages from mice treated with captopril combined with diuretics increased the secretion of antigen-specific antibodies by recipient B cells, while macrophages of mice treated with hydrochlorothiazide or furosemide with captopril increased the number of antigen-specific B cells. Tested drugs alter the macrophage secretory profile in favor of anti-inflammatory cytokines. Our results showed that diuretics with or without captopril modulate the humoral response by affecting the function of macrophages, which has significant translational potential in assessing the safety of antihypertensive therapy.

This paper explores the issues of contemporary spatial differentiation in the process of industry concentration and the accompanying specialization according to the intensity of research and development in urban agglomerations, as exemplified by Wrocław and its suburbs. The aim of the study was to assess the degree and directions of advancement of these processes and to identify spatial patterns in the location and relocation of industry operators in the analyzed area. The industrial location was analyzed on the basis of industry operators registered in section C (industrial processing) according to the Polish Classification of Activities (PKA) in city districts in 2008 and 2016. The industry’s spatial structures were presented using the classification of industrial processing according to R&D intensity broken down into high-, medium-high-, medium-low-, and low-tech industry sectors. Quantitative methods were used to analyze and identify the degree of spatial concentration and specialization of the industry. The underlying analytical statistics included relative indicators, such as the location quotient (LQ), Florence’s location quotient, or the Krugman Specialization Index, as well as analyses of market structures (Herfindahl–Hirschman index or discrete index). The findings of this research revealed quite significant changes taking place in the internal spatial structure of Wrocław and its immediate vicinity in terms of the industry concentration and specialization. This phenomenon was much more dynamic and turbulent in the post-socialist countries than in the cities of Western Europe. Likewise, Wrocław and its suburban zone are characterized by a significant diversification and intensity of the processes subject to this analysis. These processes proved to be complex and selective.

This study aimed to identify selected predictors of country-of-origin (COO) information placed on food packaging. The dependent variable was operationalized in two ways: (1) as a Likert-style question about COO importance in general, and (2) as an indication of COO as the most important food attribute at first purchase, which I called top-of-mind COO importance. The survey was conducted with the use of the internet panel of a research agency in a representative sample of 1051 Polish consumers. In bivariate analyses, I identified the characteristics of consumer segments attaching high importance to each type of COO information. In a multivariate log-normal regression, general COO importance was affected to the largest extent by the product originating from Poland, which confirmed the strong relation between COO importance and consumer ethnocentrism. In multivariate logit regressions, top-of-mind COO importance depended also on the Polish origin of the product to the largest extent. The remaining predictors were sex (men were over 1.5 times more likely to indicate COO as the most important attribute) and age (each year of life contributing to a 2% increase in the likelihood of indicating top-of-mind COO). A theoretical implication is to differentiate between general and top-of-mind COO measures, as different results were obtained depending on whether the COO effect was measured as a response to questions such as “How important is the product COO for you?” or “What is the most important product attribute for you?—COO” Not only were the answer patterns different, but their determinants also varied.

Vascular toxicity induced by xenobiotics is associated with dysfunctions or damage to endothelial cells, changes in vascular permeability or dysregulation of the vascular redox state. The aim of this study was to determine whether per os administration of zearalenone (ZEN) influences selected hemostatic parameters in prepubertal gilts. This study was performed on female gilts divided into a control group which received placebo and an experimental group which received ZEN at a dose of 5.0 µg·kg−1 b.w. × day−1. On days 14, 28 and 42, blood samples were collected from the animals for analyses of hematological, coagulation and fibrinolysis parameters, nitric oxide, von Willebrand factor antigen content and catalase activity. The results demonstrated that the treatment of gilts with ZEN at a dose below no observable adverse effect level did not affect the primary hemostasis and the blood coagulation cascade. However, ZEN could have temporarily affected the selected indicators of endothelial cell function (increase of von Willebrand factor, decrease of nitric oxide levels) and the oxidative status plasma (decrease of catalase activity) of the exposed gilts. In summary, these results suggest that the adaptive response to ZEN-exposure can induce a transient imbalance in the vascular system by acting on vascular endothelial cells.

This paper aims to identify which Schwartz values and regulatory focus orientations influence consumer behavior on the food market in the domain of preference for domestic products, which is closely related to consumer ethnocentrism. The CAWI (Computer-Assisted Web Interviews) method was applied. The sample consisting of 1000 respondents was representative for the Polish adult population in terms of sex, age, education, place of living (rural vs. urban), and region. The willingness to pay (WTP) a higher price for domestic products was affected by the tradition and universalism values. Consumer value orientations and regulatory focus were more powerful in explaining the WTP than demographic or socio-economic variables. The theories of value orientations and regulatory focus were found to be more relevant for men than for women, as reflected in adjusted regression determination coefficients. Finally, the promotion regulatory focus was a significant predictor of the WTP among men, but not among women. Based on my findings, it is recommended (1) to emphasize the following elements in marketing communications in order to stimulate the purchases of domestic food products: appeals to tradition, customs, ecology, being natural; (2) to take into account the Schwartz values in consumer segmentation on the food market; (3) to differentiate marketing communications for domestic food products on the basis of gender segmentation: in messages addressed to male consumers, arguments appealing to the promotion orientation should be used more frequently.