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Adam J Białas,1 Paweł P Liberski,2 Anna Zielińska,2 Anna Kumor-Kisielewska,1,3 Karolina Szewczyk,1,3 Joanna Miłkowska-Dymanowska,1 Przemysław Sitarek,4 Wojciech J Piotrowski,1 Paweł Górski1 1Department of Pneumology and Allergy, Medical University of Łódź, Łódź, Poland; 2Department of Molecular Pathology and Neuropathology, Medical University of Łódź, Łódź, Poland; 3Laboratory of Respiratory Immunopathology, Department of Pneumology and Allergy, Medical University of Łódź, Łódź, Poland; 4Department of Biology and Pharmaceutical Botany, Medical University of Łódź, Łódź, Poland Introduction: Exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (ECOPD) are important events in the course of the disease, negatively influencing health status and disease progression. Therefore, there is a strong need for deeper understanding of the pathology of ECOPD to elaborate new therapeutic approaches and ameliorate prognoses. Contributions of mitochondria to pathobiology of COPD are still under investigation, although growing evidence suggests their important role in this disease. The aim of our study was to assess the morphometric parameters of mitochondria in lymphocytes of patients with ECOPD. Patients and methods: Lymphocytes were isolated from the peripheral blood of patients with COPD. Transmission electron microscopy was used to assess absolute number of mitochondria per cell, mitochondrial content, and morphometric parameters of individual mitochondria. We also counted indexes for elongation and interconnectivity. Results: Eighteen patients (9 with ECOPD and 9 in the stable period of the disease) were analyzed. We observed significantly lower length of mitochondrion (P=0.03) and significant decrease both in elongation (P=0.03) and interconnectivity indexes (P=0.04) in ECOPD patients. Conclusions: The morphometric parameters of mitochondria in lymphocytes derived from patients during the early period of ECOPD requiring hospitalization are altered in comparison to patients in the stable period of the disease. This suggests their contribution to pathobiology of ECOPD. These preliminary outcomes should be further validated in larger size samples. Keywords: mitochondria, exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, ECOPD, T lymphocytes, apoptosis

The problem of poor quality of traffic accident data assembled in national databases has been addressed in European project InDeV. Vulnerable road users (pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists and moped riders) are especially affected by underreporting of accidents and misreporting of injury severity. Analyses of data from the European CARE database shows differences between countries in accident number trends as well as in fatality and injury rates which are difficult to explain. A survey of InDeV project partners from 7 EU countries helped to identify differences in their countries in accident and injury definitions as well as in reporting and data checking procedures. Measures to improve the quality of accident data are proposed such as including pedestrian falls in accident statistics, precisely defining minimum injury and combining police accident records with hospital data.

Today, innovative learning spaces represent much more than just removable furniture and open spaces for workers. The digital revolution in business and education fostered by the rapid development of Internet-based tools and solutions and Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) brought about profound changes to this sector. The aim of this research is to carry out large-scale, cross-site studies to measure the current impact of ICT on working practices. Our research develops and presents the new models of learning in open spaces as well as tests how ICT can be used to support innovation and work practices. In this paper, we also single our and describe the necessary prerequisites and skills that are associated with the specific ICT functionalities that are presently needed for the entire open innovation process. Our results can be of a special use for educators, innovators, entrepreneurs as well as relevant stakeholders operating in business or education (or, perhaps, both). This research outlines the most useful recommendations and described the patterns for innovations in learning in novel open spaces.

Abstract Background DNA methylation profiling may provide a more accurate measure of the smoking status than self-report and may be useful in guiding clinical interventions and forensic investigations. In the current study, blood DNA methylation profiles of nearly 800 Polish individuals were assayed using Illuminia EPIC and the inference of smoking from epigenetic data was explored. In addition, we focused on the role of the AHRR gene as a top marker for smoking and investigated its responsiveness to other lifestyle behaviors. Results We found > 450 significant CpGs associated with cigarette consumption, and overrepresented in various biological functions including cell communication, response to stress, blood vessel development, cell death, and atherosclerosis. The model consisting of cg05575921 in AHRR (p = 4.5 × 10–32) and three additional CpGs (cg09594361, cg21322436 in CNTNAP2 and cg09842685) was able to predict smoking status with a high accuracy of AUC = 0.8 in the test set. Importantly, a gradual increase in the probability of smoking was observed, starting from occasional smokers to regular heavy smokers. Furthermore, former smokers displayed the intermediate DNA methylation profiles compared to current and never smokers, and thus our results indicate the potential reversibility of DNA methylation after smoking cessation. The AHRR played a key role in a predictive analysis, explaining 21.5% of the variation in smoking. In addition, the AHRR methylation was analyzed for association with other modifiable lifestyle factors, and showed significance for sleep and physical activity. We also showed that the epigenetic score for smoking was significantly correlated with most of the epigenetic clocks tested, except for two first-generation clocks. Conclusions Our study suggests that a more rapid return to never-smoker methylation levels after smoking cessation may be achievable in people who change their lifestyle in terms of physical activity and sleep duration. As cigarette smoking has been implicated in the literature as a leading cause of epigenetic aging and AHRR appears to be modifiable by multiple exogenous factors, it emerges as a promising target for intervention and investment.

Blockchain is a block chain technology that makes it possible to send and store information in a distributed way, creating a decentralized data register. The article presents the applications of blockchain technology in the field of power engineering, among others for use in the area of settlements on the electricity market. The work shows the possibilities of using and using block chains to describe the purchase and sale, generation and management of electricity. The work describes aspects of technology that allow partial or complete decentralization of the process. The article also shows how such transactions could be carried out automatically and without supervision - giving certainty of pre-established rules, rules and assumptions.

Abstract Introduction In ORAL Surveillance, incidence rates (IRs) of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and malignancies (excluding non-melanoma skin cancer [NMSC]) in cardiovascular (CV)-risk-enriched patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were numerically greater with tofacitinib in North America versus the rest of the world, due to underlying risk factors. Here, we evaluated the safety and efficacy of tofacitinib versus tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi) among patients with RA across geographical regions. Methods Patients with RA in ORAL Surveillance (NCT02092467), who were aged ≥ 50 years with ≥ 1 additional CV risk factor, received tofacitinib 5 or 10 mg twice daily or TNFi; 45.9% were from either Poland or North America. This post hoc analysis stratified patients by region (Poland, North America, Other countries). Efficacy endpoints included Clinical Disease Activity Index, Disease Activity Score in 28 joints, with C-reactive protein (DAS28-4[CRP]), and Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index (HAQ-DI). IRs and hazard ratios for adverse events were reported. Results Of 4362 patients (Poland, N = 759; North America, N = 1243; Other countries, N = 2360), more patients from North America versus Poland/Other countries had CV risk factors such as body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m2 and history of diabetes/hypertension; however, more patients from Poland versus other regions were ever smokers and more patients from Poland/North America versus Other countries had history of coronary artery disease. MACE IRs were similar in North America and Poland, and numerically higher versus Other countries. IRs for malignancies (excluding NMSC) were numerically higher in North America versus Poland/Other countries with tofacitinib. Serious infections IRs were numerically higher in North America versus Poland across treatments. Venous thromboembolism/all-cause mortality IRs were generally comparable across regions. DAS28-4(CRP)/HAQ-DI improvements were generally lowest in North America. Conclusions Differences in safety outcomes were driven by the presence of baseline risk factors; North America and Poland demonstrated a higher proportion of patients with some baseline CV risk factors/comorbidities versus Other countries. Trial Registration NCT02092467 (ClinicalTrials.gov).

Abstract Background Development of sequential changes of mucous leading to gastric cancer and familial cases of gastric cancer of intestinal type is widely connected with Helicobacter pylori infections. In this study we analysed variants of genes involved in cancerogenesis and inflammatory processes of intestines in patients infected with H.pylori. Our goal was to test whether mutations in these genes predestinate to development of gastric cancer, and whether there is a genetic factor that makes it more likely for infections with H.pylori to cause gastric cancer. As infections with H. pylori are relatively common, discovering such genetic predispositions could be used for establishing risk-groups and for planning treatments. Methods Our studies cover analysis of variants in genes involved in cancerogenesis: TP53 (rs11540652, rs587782329, COSM10771), MSH2 (rs193922376), MLH1 (rs63750217), and inflammatory processes of intestine: NOD2 (rs2066847, rs2066842), IL1A (rs1800587) and IL1B (rs1143634) from H.pylori-infected patients. Results Mutations were more common in the group of patients with gastric cancer of intestinal type and familial cases of gastric cancer in comparison with patients with chronic gastritis, chronic atrophic gastritis, intestinal metaplasia, dysplasia or gastric cancer (p-value = 0.00824), with the prevalence of p53 mutations in patients with familial gastric cancer vs. patients with other changes of mucosa (p-value = 0.000049). Additionally, gastric cancer patients have mainly genotype TT or CT of the rs2066842 variant of the NOD2 gene. Conclusions The lack of statistically significant changes of other interleukin genes involved in inflammatory processes may suggest the presence of H.pylori infection as a potential trigger for the development of the inflammatory process of the mucosa, leading through microbiota dysbiosis to the development of enteric gastric cancer. Mutations in analysed genes correlated with more severe mucosal changes, with a much more frequent presence of TP53 gene mutations, with a limited presence of other mutations in the familial history of gastric cancer.

The unstable N=42 nucleus 72Zn has been studied using multiple safe Coulomb excitation in inverse kinematics. The experiment was performed at the REX-ISOLDE facility at CERN making first use of the silicon detector array C-REX in combination with the γ-ray spectrometer Miniball. The high angular coverage of C-REX allowed to determine the reduced transition strengths for the decay of the yrast 01+, 21+ and 41+ as well as of the 02+ and 22+ states in 72Zn. The quadrupole moments of the 21+, 41+ and 22+ states were extracted. Using model independent quadrupole invariants, the ground state of 72Zn was found to have an average deformation in the γ degree of freedom close to maximum triaxiality. In comparison to experimental data in zinc isotopes with N

Given the limited and scattered data on nursing students’ behavioral intentions regarding interprofessional collaboration and the factors influencing them, there is a need for comprehensive, theory-driven research on the topic from nursing students’ perspectives. Using a theoretical framework provided by the theory of planned behavior, this study aimed to evaluate the behavioral intentions of Polish nursing students regarding interprofessional collaboration, including their attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control. Sixteen nursing students participated in semi-structured interviews. Data were collected on the MS Teams application between February and May 2022 using a thematic guide created following manuals dedicated to the theory. They were thematically analyzed by two researchers using Atlas.ti Software. The results showed that students’ attitudes were mostly positive. The benefits of interprofessional collaboration included positive patient outcomes, exchange of mutual knowledge and expertise, comfort, and improved work atmosphere. The risks originating from human-dependent factors were viewed as a negative aspect. The relevant groups of people influencing their subjective norms comprised nursing community representatives, other medical professionals, patients, and members of society. Perceived behavioral control aspects covered the work organization, lack of incentives for collaboration, atmosphere and habits prevailing in the workplace, and insufficient practical experience and knowledge regarding collaboration. To conclude, although positive attitudes expressed by nursing students seem to constitute a positive predictor of their involvement in interprofessional collaboration, relevant decision-makers should address negative feelings and aspects identified during this study.

Effective UV protection is a key aspect of substrates directly exposed to UV radiation. Therefore, in the present study, fibrous substrates of core–shell morphology (PCL-core, PVP-shell) containing peptides based on tryptophan, tyrosine and cysteine (W6, YYC2 and YYC3) were prepared. Spectrophotometric studies showed UV absorption by peptides containing tyrosine and tryptophan in the UVB (up to 80%) and UVA (up to 40%) ranges. Cysteine, in turn, contributed to high antioxidant properties, confirmed by DPPH assay. The presence of peptides contributed to a nonwoven fabric characterized by the ability to absorb UV radiation and prevent the occurrence of oxidative stress (caused by the presence of free radicals). In turn, the increase in the surface zeta potential of the nonwoven after UV irradiation and higher thermal stability (demonstrated by DSC studies) indicated the crosslinking of the PVP layer under UVR, which further contributes to the increased protection of the nonwoven against its effects. In summary, obtained nonwoven exhibited functional similarity to the native cornea, providing a potential solution for enhancing corneal tissue engineering and regenerative medicine applications.

Two-photon absorption in indirect gap semiconductors is a frequently encountered, but not well-understood phenomenon. To address this, the real-density matrix approach is applied to describe two-photon absorption in silicon through the excitonic response to the interacting fields. This approach produces an analytical expression for the dispersion of the two-photon absorption coefficient for indirect-gap materials and can be used to explain trends in reported experimental data for bulk silicon both old and new with minimal fitting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The excited states of N=44 ^{74}Zn were investigated via γ-ray spectroscopy following ^{74}Cu β decay. By exploiting γ-γ angular correlation analysis, the 2_{2}^{+}, 3_{1}^{+}, 0_{2}^{+}, and 2_{3}^{+} states in ^{74}Zn were firmly established. The γ-ray branching and E2/M1 mixing ratios for transitions deexciting the 2_{2}^{+}, 3_{1}^{+}, and 2_{3}^{+} states were measured, allowing for the extraction of relative B(E2) values. In particular, the 2_{3}^{+}→0_{2}^{+} and 2_{3}^{+}→4_{1}^{+} transitions were observed for the first time. The results show excellent agreement with new microscopic large-scale shell-model calculations, and are discussed in terms of underlying shapes, as well as the role of neutron excitations across the N=40 gap. Enhanced axial shape asymmetry (triaxiality) is suggested to characterize ^{74}Zn in its ground state. Furthermore, an excited K=0 band with a significantly larger softness in its shape is identified. A shore of the N=40 "island of inversion" appears to manifest above Z=26, previously thought as its northern limit in the chart of the nuclides.