Recent publications
Taxus baccata, commonly known as English yew, is an evergreen tree native to regions ranging from Ireland and Sweden to Morocco, Algeria, and northern Iran. This species is of special concern due to habitat loss from human activities, including forest management, leading to declining populations. A 4‐year monitoring study was conducted to investigate the factors behind the poor seed regeneration of yew. We examined seed germination, dormancy, desiccation tolerance, and seed predation as potential contributors to this issue. Our study proposed potential seed predation by frugivores and granivores, along with morphophysiological dormancy, as primary reasons for poor regeneration. Despite high seed production and seed availability in certain years, germination did not improve, likely due to the small size of the yew seed embryos, which prolongs dormancy. Yew seeds are desiccation‐tolerant, water‐permeable, and lack physical germination barriers, making seed predation a significant limiting factor. In conclusion, the natural regeneration of yew is hampered by potential seed predation, morphophysiological dormancy, and environmental factors such as altered temperature and rainfall patterns, which change the dormancy‐breaking process. Further research is needed to quantify seed predation and explore its impact on seedling survival.
Vitamin D levels have been related to the severity and progression of various autoimmune disorders. In this study, we aimed to investigate the impact of genetic variability in the vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene on disease susceptibility and progression in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treated with tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors. The study comprises 121 RA patients subjected to anti-TNF therapy genotyped for four VDR polymorphic variants: rs1544410 ( Bsm I), rs2228570 ( Fok I), rs731236 ( Taq I), and rs7975232 ( Apa I). There was no significant association between RA susceptibility and VDR genetic variants. The study results revealed that patients with the rs2228570 CC genotype were characterized by lower vitamin D3 levels ( p = 0.028) than those with the T allele. Also, the vitamin D3 levels ( p = 0.029) and age at diagnosis ( p = 0.017) were significantly lower in rs7975232 A allele carriers compared to CC homozygotes. However, after 6 months of therapy, the A allele seemed to be related to lower disease activity score 28 (DAS28) values ( p = 0.030) and more common in patients who achieved remission ( p = 0.004) compared to the CC genotype. Concerning other investigated polymorphisms, patients carrying rs1544410 AA and rs731236 CC homozygosity had lower C-reactive protein (CRP) levels before therapy ( p = 0.009). In conclusion, VDR rs2228570 and rs7975232 polymorphic variants were found to be related to vitamin D3 levels. Moreover, the genotyping of rs7975232 was also useful in evaluating disease onset and disease activity after 6 months of therapy with TNF inhibitors in RA patients.
The study aims to examine whether regional disparities within a country affect national economic growth. To achieve this, the study employs spatial panel data models that consider the role of geography in economic development. The analysis covers 17 EU countries with five or more regions at the NUTS 2 level, spanning from 2000 to 2020. Regional disparities are calculated using polarization measures. The findings indicate that an increase in regional disparities, in the form of a shrinking range of regions with GDP per capita close to the national average, has a negative impact on economic growth. However, the division of a country's regions into two groups (bipolarization), poor and rich, does not affect national economic performance. Furthermore, the results of robustness tests reveal that regional disparities have a detrimental effect on growth in the EU's new member countries, which joined in 2004 and later, whereas the relationship is insignificant in the case of old member states' economies.
Purpose
To present the surgical outcomes and one-year audiological and quality of life results of implantation of the Osia® 2 active piezoelectric bone conduction implant.
Methods
Twenty adults with mixed and conductive hearing loss were implanted with the Osia® 2 system and followed up for at least one year. The surgical course, healing, and soft tissue condition were assessed. Audiometric tests included pure tone audiometry, speech audiometry and direct bone conduction measurements. Participants completed the APHAB and SSQ questionnaires.
Results
All surgeries were successful. No soft tissue problems were observed. Pure tone audiometry showed a mean functional gain of 47.4 ± 5.6 dB HL (p = 0.000089). The Polish Monosyllabic Word Test showed mean improvements for silent, medium and loud speech of 59.5 ± 1.8%, 46.5 ± 32.3% and 13.3 ± 20.9% in quiet and 38.5 ± 24.4%, 62.0 ± 9.1%, and 36.5 ± 34.4% in noise (all p < 0.05). The Polish Matrix Test indicated a mean SNR improvement of 8.78 ± 2.31 dB SPL (p = 0.000155). BC in situ measurements were significantly better post-implantation compared to preoperative levels with Baha® 6 Max on the Softband. APHAB scores showed significant improvements in global, ease of communication, background noise and reverberation scores (all p < 0.001). SSQ scores improved significantly in speech, spatial and quality subscales (all p < 0.000001).
Conclusion
The Osia® 2 implantation is an effective treatment for patients with mixed and conductive hearing loss. The surgery is relatively easy and safe, with no significant postoperative or magnet pressure-related complications. Osia® 2 significantly improves speech understanding in noise and reduces communication problems.
The six phenoxyalkanoic acid herbicides currently used in the European Union have similar molecular structures. Therefore, we assumed the soil components involved in the adsorption mechanisms of these herbicides to be identical. The values of the adsorption distribution coefficient Kd, obtained via batch experiments involving typical Polish Arenosol, Luvisol, and Chernozem profiles with a native pH of 4.2–7.7, were examined using Lasso regression, as well as adsorption on isolated fractions of humic substances, Al2O3, and goethite. The neutral forms of the herbicides were adsorbed on the surface of fulvic acids available to them, covering soil mesopores with a size of > 2.5 nm. The models revealed that fulvic acids had a lognormal-like distribution in soil pores. Herbicide anions were adsorbed on the pH-dependent sites of Al oxyhydroxides and on the sites created by the Al⁺³ species adsorbed on the surface of fulvic acids (both sites were active up to pH 7.5), the sites of humic acids associated with the adsorbed Al³⁺ species, sites of Fe oxyhydroxides (active at pH < 5), and, to a limited extent, sites of humins. Two models describing the adsorption of phenoxyalkanoic acid herbicides in soils were created. A simpler model was based on humic substance fractions and the variables related to the potential acidity of soils. In the more extensive model, humic substance fractions and Al and Fe oxyhydroxide contents were used as predictors, and, where necessary, the predictors were combined with the modified Henderson–Hasselbalch formula to estimate the activity ranges of pH-dependent sorption sites. The study findings revealed that fulvic and humic acids were the main adsorbents of phenoxyalkanoic herbicides in soils, indicating that transporting of the herbicides with dissolved organic matter is an important mechanism of groundwater and surface water contamination with these chemicals.
The rapid decrease of light intensity is a potent stimulus of rats’ activity. The nature of this activity, including the character of social behavior and the composition of concomitant ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs), is unknown. Using deep learning algorithms, this study aimed to examine the social life of rat pairs kept in semi-natural conditions and observed during the transitions between light and dark, as well as between dark and light periods. Over six days, animals were video- and audio-recorded during the transition sessions, each starting 10 minutes before and ending 10 minutes after light change. The videos were used to train and apply the DeepLabCut neural network examining animals’ movement in space and time. DeepLabCut data were subjected to the Simple Behavioral Analysis (SimBA) toolkit to build models of 11 distinct social and non-social behaviors. DeepSqueak toolkit was used to examine USVs. Deep learning algorithms revealed lights-off-induced increases in fighting, mounting, crawling, and rearing behaviors, as well as 22-kHz alarm calls and 50-kHz flat and short, but not frequency-modulated calls. In contrast, the lights-on stimulus increased general activity, adjacent lying (huddling), anogenital sniffing, and rearing behaviors. The animals adapted to the housing conditions by showing decreased ultrasonic calls as well as grooming and rearing behaviors, but not fighting. The present study shows a lights-off-induced increase in aggressive behavior but fails to demonstrate an increase in a positive affect defined by hedonic USVs. We further confirm and extend the utility of deep learning algorithms in analyzing rat social behavior and ultrasonic vocalizations.
Rational design of heterogeneous acid catalysts possessing uniform dispersion of active sites plays a significant role in the catalytic performance. In the present work, a coordination polymer, [Zn(4,4'‐bpy)(μ‐Hbtc)(H2O)] ⋅ 2H2O (Zn‐CP), was solvothermally synthesized using 4,4'‐bpy (=4,4'‐bipyridine) and H3btc (=1,3,5‐benzenetricarboxylic acid) mixed linkers. Single crystal X‐ray analysis of the polymer displayed that Zn‐CP chains were decorated with 4,4'‐bpy having unidentate coordination fashion. Then, the free N atom of the linker in Zn‐CP was functionalized by ‐SO3H groups to afford Zn‐CP‐SO3H with enhanced acidity. The structures were characterized by FT‐IR, thermogravimetric analysis, powder X‐ray diffraction (XRD), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), temperature programmed desorption of NH3 (NH3‐TPD), and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE‐SEM) analyses. The coordination polymer was employed as a heterogeneous catalyst for the alcoholysis of epoxides under room conditions. Zn‐CP‐SO3H exhibited excellent catalytic activity and regioselectivity in the methanolysis of styrene oxide within short reaction time.
Transformations of solid samples under solvent‐free or minimal solvent conditions set the future trend and define a modern strategy for the production of new materials. Of the various technologies tested in recent years, the mechanochemical approach seems to be the most promising for economic and ecological reasons. The aim of this review article is to present the current state of art in solid state research on binary systems, which have found numerous applications in the pharmaceutical and materials science industries. This article is divided into three sections. In the first part, we describe the new equipment improvements, which include the innovative application of thermo‐mechanochemistry, sono‐mechanochemistry, photo‐mechanochemistry, electro‐mechanochemistry, as well as resonant acoustic mixing (RAM), and transformation under high‐speed sample spinning (“SpeedMixing”). A brief description of techniques dedicated to ex‐situ and in‐situ studies of progress and the mechanism of solid matter transformation (PXRD, FTIR, Raman and NMR spectroscopy) is presented. In the second section, we discuss the problem of cocrystal polymorphism highlighting the issue related with correlation between mechanochemical parameters (time, temperature, energy, molar ratio, solvent used as a liquid assistant, surface energy, crystal size, crystal shape) and preference for the formation of requested polymorph. The last part is devoted to the description of the processes of coformer exchange in binary systems forced by mechanical and/or thermal stimuli. The influence of the thermodynamic factor on the selection of the best‐suited partner for the formation of a two‐component stable structure is presented.
Natural killer (NK) cells recognize and may kill malignant cells via their cell surface receptors. Killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) genotypes of donors have been reported to adjust the risk of relapse after allogeneic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), particularly in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. To test whether non-KIR NK cell receptors have a similar effect, we screened 1,638 genetic polymorphisms in 21 non-KIR NK cell receptor genes for their associations with relapse and graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) after HSCT in 1,491 HSCT donors (from Finland, the UK, Spain, and Poland), divided into a discovery and replication cohort. Eleven polymorphisms regulating or located in CD226, CD244, FCGR3A, KLRD1, NCR3, and PVRIG were associated with the risks for relapse and GVHD. These associations could not be confirmed in the replication cohort. Blood donor NK cells carrying alleles showing genetic protection for relapse had a higher in vitro NK cell killing activity than non-carriers whereas those with alleles genetically protective for GVHD had lower cytotoxicity, potentially indicating functional effects. Taken together, these results show no robust effects of genetic variation in the tested non-KIR NK cell receptors on the outcome of HSCT.
Spinocerebellar ataxia type 7 (SCA7) is a genetic neurodegenerative disorder caused by a CAG-polyglutamine repeat expansion. Purkinje cells (PCs) are central to the pathology of ataxias, but their low abundance in the cerebellum underrepresents their transcriptomes in sequencing assays. To address this issue, we developed a PC enrichment protocol and sequenced individual nuclei from mice and patients with SCA7. Single-nucleus RNA sequencing in SCA7-266Q mice revealed dysregulation of cell identity genes affecting glia and PCs. Specifically, genes marking zebrin-II PC subtypes accounted for the highest proportion of DEGs in symptomatic SCA7-266Q mice. These transcriptomic changes in SCA7-266Q mice were associated with increased numbers of inhibitory synapses as quantified by immunohistochemistry and reduced spiking of PCs in acute brain slices. Dysregulation of zebrin-II cell subtypes was the predominant signal in PCs of SCA7-266Q mice and was associated with the loss of zebrin-II striping in the cerebellum at motor symptom onset. We furthermore demonstrated zebrin-II stripe degradation in additional mouse models of polyglutamine ataxia and observed decreased zebrin-II expression in the cerebella of patients with SCA7. Our results suggest that a breakdown of zebrin subtype regulation is a shared pathological feature of polyglutamine ataxias.
α-Imino ketones are traditionally synthesized through condensing simple and readily available α-keto aldehydes or 1,2-diketones with primary or secondary amines. They are structurally similar to many naturally occurring biological substances due to the presence of the imino group (–N=C–). Chemically, C -acylimines exhibit ambiphilic reactivity, making their synthetic chemistry particularly attractive and viable for the creation of various aza-cyclic and heterocyclic compounds, including their asymmetric counterparts. Consequently, numerous synthetic strategies have been developed starting from these building blocks. Herein, we provide a graphical review of state-of-the-art synthetic efforts over the past 20 years, focusing on the use of α-imino ketones (both cyclic and acyclic) for the synthesis of small molecules and complex systems.
Rare earth‐doped transparent glass, boasting high transmittance and excellent luminescent properties, holds great potential in the field of all‐inorganic solid‐state white illumination. Currently reported single‐structure solid‐state white lighting usually has the problems of low color rendering index (CRI) and high correlated color temperature (CCT) due to the lacking of red light emission. In this work, a novel single‐structure MgO–Al2O3–SiO2–Eu2O3 (MAS: Eu) glass with color tuning was prepared by the simple glass melting process. Interestingly, the prepared Eu³⁺‐doped aluminosilicate glass possessed a unique capability to achieve color emission under different excitation wavelengths. The reason for this was attributed to the good self‐reduction capability of the MAS glass, which effectively reduced Eu³⁺ to Eu²⁺ under an air atmosphere. Meanwhile, only by regulating the Eu³⁺ doping concentration, the MAS glass also achieved a tunable emission from blue to white to red light under 380 nm excitation. The acquisition of white light was realized through the multispectral emission of blue–green light emitted by Eu²⁺ and orange–red light emitted by Eu³⁺. Remarkably, the single‐structure MAS glass doped with 8 wt.% Eu³⁺ successfully achieved high‐quality white light and high thermal stability, exhibiting a high CRI of 86, a low CCT of 2761 K, good chromaticity parameters of (0.407 and 0.3192), and the emission intensity at 423 K remains above 86.35% that of room temperature. Meanwhile, the doped Eu³⁺ exceeded 12 wt.%, without any observable concentration quenching. Moreover, the MAS: Eu glass showed a high transmittance of 90 and a moderate thermal conductivity of 1.45 W/mK (epoxy resin ∼0.17 W/mK). These results would dramatically inspire the development of high‐quality solid‐state white lighting applications.
Currently, there is intense interest in light-driven chemical reactions, including photocatalytic processes, photopolymerization and photodimerization. The need for regiocontrol in such reactions is obvious, especially in cases where many products...
Background and Aims
The transformation of sieve elements (SEs) from meristematic cells, equipped with a full complement of organelles, to specialized transport tubes devoid of a nucleus, has long been enigmatic. We hypothesized a strong involvement of various degradation pathways, particularly macroautophagy in this context, emphasizing the importance of autophagic selectivity in the remaining viability of these cells.
Methods
Experiments were performed on pioneer roots of Populus trichocarpa cultivated in rhizotrons under field conditions. Through anatomical, ultrastructural and molecular analyses, we delineate the stages of phloemogenesis and the concurrent alterations in the cytoplasmic composition of SEs.
Key Results
Notably, we observed not only macroautophagic structures, but also the formation of autophagic plastids, the selective degradation of specific organelles, vacuole disruption and the release of vacuolar contents. These events initially lead to localized reductions in cytoplasm density, but organelle-rich cytoplasmic phase is safeguarded from the extensive damage by a membrane system derived from the endoplasmic reticulum. SE ultimately develops into a conduit containing electron-translucent cytoplasm. Eventually, mature SE is a tube filled only by the translucent cytoplasm, with sparse organelles tethered to the cell wall.
Conclusions
Although the activation of programmed cell death pathways was postulated, the persistence of SEs indicates that protoplast depletion is meticulously regulated by hitherto unidentified mechanisms. This research elucidates the sequential processes occurring in these cells during phloemogenesis and unveils novel insights into the mechanisms of selective autophagy.
The phylogeography of many forest-dwelling species in Europe is well understood. However, our knowledge regarding the genetics of saproxylic beetles remains insufficient. This knowledge gap extends to understanding the influence of both quaternary history and contemporary forest dynamics on population genetics. To fill this gap, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of recent literature concerning saproxylic beetle taxa with available genetic data. We include both threatened and common species in our study, which enabled us to generalize our findings to the whole saproxylic community. Results suggest a latitudinal decrease in diversity in most species, likely influenced by Pleistocene glaciation and subsequent population expansions from southern refugia. Additionally, we observed an east–west gradient in diversity, with threatened species exhibiting higher diversity towards the east. This may reflect historical forest dynamics and anthropogenic pressures, such as heavy wood logging in Western Europe. Similarly, we found a pattern along altitude, with populations in higher elevation forests, which are often more natural, exhibiting higher diversity. Furthermore, we identified distinct phylogenetic units or genetic clusters in southern Europe reflecting the distribution of glacial refugia. For some taxa, distinct units were also reported in eastern Europe where populations spread from Asian refugia. Central Europe showed a high number of phylogenetic units, although unique (private) clades or clusters were absent. Most likely it is an effect of the presence of beetles that originated from various refugia belonging to different phylogenetic units.
This study brings insights into general phylogeographic patterns, which have previously been examined only for single representatives of saproxylic beetles. It should also help in the proper planning of conservation and management efforts for wood-dwelling beetles.
There are different classes of pulsating stars in the H-R diagram. While many of those classes are undisputed, some remain a mystery such as the objects historically called ‘Maia variables’. Whereas the presence of such a class was suggested seven decades ago, no pulsational driving mechanism is known that could excite short-period oscillations in these late B to early A-type stars. Alternative hypotheses that would render the reports of variability of those stars erroneous have been proposed such as incorrect effective temperatures, binarity or rapid rotation, but no certain conclusions have been reached yet. Therefore, the existence of these variables as a homogeneous class of pulsating star is still under discussion. Meanwhile, many new candidates of these variables have been claimed especially by using photometric observations of space telescopes. In this study, we examined 31 objects that are alleged members of this hypothetical group and carried out detailed spectroscopic and photometric analyses to test the proposed hypotheses for their cause of variability. The , , , and chemical abundances of the targets were determined and the TESS photometric data were examined. As a result, we found that most of these targets are located inside the Scuti, Cephei, or SPB star instability strips, a few show evidence for binarity and others for rapid rotation. We give arguments that none of the apparently rapid pulsations in our targets is caused by a star outside any known instability strip. By extrapolation, we argue that most stars proposed as pulsators outside well-established instability domains are misclassified. Hence there is no sufficient evidence justifying the existence of a class of pulsating stars formerly known as the ‘Maia variables’.
In this work, we analyze the local certification of unitary quantum channels, which is a natural extension of quantum hypothesis testing. A particular case of a quantum channel operating on two systems corresponding to product states at the input, is considered. The goal is to minimize the probability of the type II error, given a specified maximum probability of the type I error, considering assistance through entanglement with auxiliary systems. Our result indicates connection of the local certification problem with a product numerical range of unitary matrices. We show that the optimal local strategy does not need usage of auxiliary systems and requires only single round of one-way classical communication. Moreover, we compare local and global certification strategies and show that typically local strategies are optimal, yet in some extremal cases, where global strategies make no errors, local ones may fail miserably. Finally, some application for local certification of von Neumann measurements are discussed as well.
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