University of Gdańsk

Loss-of-function mutations in the CLPB gene lead to congenital neutropenia due to impaired neutrophil differentiation. CLPB, a member of the AAA+ family of proteins, resides in the intermembrane space of mitochondria. The mechanism by which a loss of CLPB elicits defects in the differentiation program of neutrophil precursor cells is not understood. Here, we used 32D clone 3 (32Dcl3) cells, an interleukin-3 (IL-3)-dependent mouse myeloblastic cell line model, to investigate the effects of CLPB knockout on myeloblast-to-neutrophil differentiation in vitro. We found that CLPB-deficient 32Dcl3 cells showed a decreased mitochondrial membrane potential and increased levels of insoluble HAX1 aggregates in mitochondria, as compared to control cells. Despite those abnormalities, CLPB loss did not affect cell proliferation rates in the presence of IL-3 but it increased apoptosis after IL-3 withdrawal and simultaneous induction of cell differentiation with granulocytic colony stimulating factor (G-CSF). CLPB-deficient cells that survived the stress associated with IL-3 withdrawal/G-CSF treatment expressed the same levels of differentiation markers as control cells. Moreover, we found that increased apoptosis of CLPB-deficient cells is linked to production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). N-acetylcysteine, exogenous free fatty acids, or exogenous citrate protected CLPB-deficient 32Dcl3 cells from apoptosis at the onset of differentiation. The protective effect of citrate was abolished by inhibition of ATP-citrate lyase (ACLY), an enzyme that converts cytosolic citrate into acetyl-CoA, a substrate for protein acetylation. We propose that citrate supplementation may help mitigate the effects of CLPB loss by facilitating ACLY-dependent ROS detoxification in granulocytic precursor cells.

Background Wars, in addition to causing death and destruction, have a negative impact on mental health, especially on perinatal women. The literature has identified psychological trauma as one of the most prevalent mental health issues associated with wars, but few studies have summarized how to assess, prevent, or treat this problem in perinatal women. To address this gap, the purpose of this study is to provide a narrative review of the current state of assessment, prevention, and treatment interventions of trauma among perinatal women living in war conditions or displaced as a result of a war. Method A literature search was performed in different research databases (e.g., Medline, PsycInfo). The search terms include a combination of trauma and stressor-related disorders and focused on diagnosis, prevention, and treatment. Results Most of the results were related to post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) more than acute stress disorder, although there are not many assessments, and interventions (prevention or treatment) dedicated specifically to perinatal women affected by war conditions. Conclusion Research in this area is still scarce. Recommendations for evidence-based practices in assessment and prevention and treatment interventions and future directions in research and clinical practice are provided. Highlights • The literature on trauma in perinatal women is sparse, and especially among perinatal women living in conditions of war. • This paper presents a narrative review of evidence-based assessment and treatment for perinatal women victims of war who experience trauma.

Wave-particle duality is one of the most notable and counterintuitive features of quantum mechanics, illustrating that two incompatible observables cannot be measured simultaneously with arbitrary precision. In this work, we experimentally demonstrate the equivalence of wave-particle duality and entropic uncertainty relations using orbital angular momentum (OAM) states of light. Our experiment uses an innovative and reconfigurable platform composed of few-mode optical fibers and photonic lanterns, showcasing the versatility of this technology for quantum information processing. Our results provide fundamental insights into the complementarity principle from an informational perspective, with implications for the broader field of quantum technologies.

Aim. The aim of this study was to identify what are the features of ‘difficult labor’ in the perspective of women giving birth and midwives providing care. Material and methods. Cross-section, preliminary study based on the analysis of the labor observation form and level of labor difficulty assessment form designed for the purpose of this study and fi lled in by the midwives participating in the study. The participants were 31 midwives working on the labor unit in one of the hospitals in Warsaw, Poland and 152 women who gave birth. Results. Women who had epidural, larger babies and a negative attitude towards birth and a prolonged fi rst stage of labor, were more likely to assess their labor as difficult. Among midwives labors with a longer second stage, abnormal uterine contraction patterns, and prolonged latent phase and fi rst stage of labor were assessed as more difficult. Conclusions. Some labors, despite being classified as physiological, require more effort on the part of both the midwife and woman giving birth and end with a higher level of fatigue for both. Predictors of difficult labor should be used by healthcare personnel as a guidance to help identify women at risk of negative labor experiences.

The main aim of this study was to investigate whether environmental or biological factors predominantly influence bryozoan biomineralization along the South African coast (spanning from 29.263°S; 16.87°E to 27.540°S; 32.677°E), a region known for its diverse oceanographic conditions. New data into the mineralogical (calcite vs. aragonite) and geochemical (Mg content in calcite) composition of bryozoans are provided, enhancing the global database and understanding of biomineralization patterns. To date, there has been a notable scarcity of data on bryozoan skeletal composition in tropical and subtropical regions, representing a significant gap in our knowledge and understanding of the impacts of climate change on marine, calcifying organisms. Our research reveals a diverse array of carbonate skeletons across nearly half of the known bryozoan species in the region, with calcitic forms dominating, followed by bimineralic and aragonite-based forms. The prevalence of aragonite-containing skeletons, particularly within the Cheilostomatida, mirrors global patterns, indicating a correlation with sea temperature gradients. Significant mineralogy and magnesium calcite variability exists within the Flustrina and Membraniporina suborders (Cheilostomatida). Despite exploring various environmental parameters such as temperature, salinity, or impact of currents (Agulhas, Benguela, or mixed), no clear correlation with mineralogical patterns emerged. Instead, the study underscores the substantial influence of biological control on bryozoan skeletal carbonate mineralogy and geochemistry. These findings highlight the importance of comprehensive, multi-parametric analyses to unravel environmental signals in bryozoan biomineralization, contributing to a deeper understanding of the impacts of climate and local conditions on marine calcifiers.

Achieving resolution in the sub-Rayleigh regime (superresolution) is one of the rapidly developing topics in quantum optics and metrology. Recently, it was shown that perfect measurement based on spatial mode demultiplexing (SPADE) in Hermite–Gauss modes allows one to reach the quantum limit of precision for estimation of separation between two weak incoherent stationary sources. Since then, different imperfections such as misalignment or crosstalk between modes have been studied to check how this result translates into more realistic experimental setups. In this paper, we consider another deviation from the perfect setup by discarding the assumption about the stationarity of the sources. This is relevant for example for astrophysical applications where planets necessarily orbit around the star. We analyze two examples of dynamics: rotations and oscillations, showing the robustness of the SPADE-based measurement against them. The analysis is based on Fisher information, which allows one to obtain the precision limit through Cramér–Rao bound. Furthermore, we formulate a measurement algorithm that allows for the reduction of one parameter for estimation (system orientation angle) in the stationary sources scenario, maintaining the measurement precision despite the lack of knowledge about this parameter.

Strains from the picocyanobacteria genus Synechococcus are currently found across a wide range of photoperiods and photosynthetically active radiation. Future scenarios now forecast range expansions of marine Synechococcus into new photic regimes. We found that strains of temperate, coastal phycocyanin‐rich and phycoerythrin‐rich Synechococcus grew fastest under moderate photosynthetically active radiation, and a 24‐h photoperiod, despite a cumulative diel photon dose equivalent to conditions where growth was slower, under higher light and shorter photoperiods. Under optimal conditions, a phycoerythrin‐rich Synechococcus strain achieved a highest recorded cyanobacterial chlorophyll‐specific exponential growth rate (μ) of 4.5 d⁻¹. Two phycoerythrin‐rich strains demonstrated wider ability to modulate light capture capacity, whereas two phycocyanin‐rich strains showed less change in light capture across increasing cumulative diel photon dose. All four coastal strains showed a decrease of effective absorption cross‐section for photosystem II photochemistry, vs. increasing cumulative diel photosynthetically active radiation doses. Within each strain, μ showed consistent, saturating responses to increasing cumulative diel photosystem II electron flux, with more variations in responses of μ to cumulative photosynthetically usable radiation. As photoperiod opportunists, coastal picocyanobacteria show potential to expand into longer photic regimes as higher latitudes warm.

Liposomes, nanoscale spherical structures composed of amphiphilic lipids, hold great promise for various pharmaceutical applications, especially as nanocarriers in targeted drug delivery, due to their biocompatibility, biodegradability, and low immunogenicity. Understanding the factors influencing their physicochemical properties is crucial for designing and optimizing liposomes. In this study, we have presented the kernel-weighted local polynomial regression (KwLPR) nano-quantitative structure-property relationships (nano-QSPR) model to predict the zeta potential (ZP) based on the structure of 12 liposome formulations, including 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine (DOPE), 3ß-[N-(N′,N′-dimethylaminoethane)-carbamoyl]cholesterol (DC-Chol), 1,2-dioleoyl-3-trimethylammonium-propane (DOTAP), and L-α-phosphatidylcholine (EPC). The developed model is well-fitted (R2 = 0.96, RMSEC = 5.76), flexible (QCVloo2 = 0.83, RMSECVloo = 10.77), and reliable (QExt2= 0.89 RMSEExt = 5.17). Furthermore, we have established the formula for computing molecular nanodescriptors for liposomes, based on constituent lipids’ molar fractions. Through the correlation matrix and principal component analysis (PCA), we have identified two key structural features affecting liposomes’ zeta potential: hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) and enthalpy of formation. Lower HLB values, indicating a more lipophilic nature, are associated with a higher zeta potential, and thus stability. Higher enthalpy of formation reflects reduced zeta potential and decreased stability of liposomes. We have demonstrated that the nano-QSPR approach allows for a better understanding of how the composition and molecular structure of liposomes affect their zeta potential, filling a gap in ZP nano-QSPR modeling methodologies for nanomaterials (NMs). The proposed proof-of-concept study is the first step in developing a comprehensive and computationally based system for predicting the physicochemical properties of liposomes as one of the most important drug nano-vehicles.

In the history of the “Danubian Neolithic” society, monumental ceremonial centers appeared around 4800 BCE and lost their importance around 300 years later. Among them, one of the most distinctive forms are rondels. However, it is worth remembering the contemporary Rosheim-type circles and Passy-type tombs. The name “rondels” refers to the currently preserved architectural form, dominated by concentric ditches. The article presents an analysis of the biography of a rondel from Nowe Objezierze (north-western Poland). For this purpose, the chaîne opératoire method was used, which is a very effective tool for reconstructing the full sequence of events including the construction, use and abandonment of the examined monument, in its historical and social context. Thanks to this, it was possible to draw attention to previously little-explored details of planning construction works, the skills of ritual leaders and the seasonal availability of some construction materials. As a consequence, the construction and use of rondels can be presented as a complex ceremonial cycle, stretched over time and interrupted by festivals. When the rondel was ready, the cycle began with renovating the surrounding wall and digging the ditch, most likely reaching its culmination on the day of the winter solstice. The celebrations ended with a ceremony of backfilling of the ditch.

The present study describes the data sets produced in Warsaw, Poland with the aim of developing tools and methods for the implementation of human-centred and data-driven solutions to the enhancement of sustainable mobility transition. This study focuses on school commutes and alternatives to private cars for children drop off and pick up from primary schools. The dataset enables the complex analysis of interactions between determinants of transport mode choice, revealed choices, and air quality impact. We draw on four data collection methods, namely, (i) air quality and noise sensors’ measurements, (ii) in-person observations of transport behaviours, (iii) travel diaries, and (iv) social surveys. Moreover, all trip data from travel diaries are complemented with the calculated attributes of alternative travel modes. The data produced in the project can be also combined with publicly available information on air quality, public transport schedules, and traffic flows. The present data sets help to open new venues for interdisciplinary analyses of sustainable mobility transition effectiveness and efficiency.

The mitochondrial genome of Metazoa is predominantly maternally inherited, providing a valuable genetic marker in various fields such as phylogenetics and phylogeography. However, mitochondrial heteroplasmy, where multiple copies of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) coexist within an individual or even cell, presents a challenge to the use of mtDNA markers. This phenomenon may arise from replication errors, mutagenic processes, or paternal leakage. In this study, we investigated mitochondrial heteroplasmy in the freshwater bug Aphelocheirus aestivalis (Fabricius, 1794) using both Sanger and Illumina sequencing approaches. Our analyses confirmed the presence of diverse mtDNA variants within individual specimens collected from various locations across Europe. Signals of mitochondrial heteroplasmy were observed in chromatograms derived from both female and male individuals, indicating a prevalent phenomenon across A. aestivalis populations in general. Further comparative analyses of COI (partial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I) haplotypes indicated their high similarity and complex phylogenetic relationships. In turn, Illumina sequencing of a single male specimen revealed 102 heteroplasmic sites across the protein-coding sequences of mitogenome. Our results suggest the widespread and heritable nature of mitochondrial heteroplasmy in A. aestivalis, highlighting its importance for future phylogenetic and phylogeographic studies.

This article raises the issue of the proper publication of international treaties and their presence in the Polish legal system. The authors analyze this issue based on re¬search conducted on Polish-Russian treaties from 1944–1960. Their research has shown that, during this period, only 11% of treaties were properly published. The research – conducted on a very limited subject: only bilateral agreements between Poland and the USSR – leads to the pessimistic conclusion that in Poland it is customary practice to refrain from publishing an international agreement in the Journal of Laws and that citizens do not have at their disposal a single official or unofficial source to reconstruct Poland’s current obligations, which may indeed directly concern them. Also this finding raises important questions about the accessibility and enforceability of international treaties in the Polish legal system. At the international level, the consequences of failing to publish an act and to ensure official promulgation can be much more serious. In the absence of information about published agreements, it is not possible to sufficiently and completely determine the obligations between states nor to reconstruct the relations binding them. It is also impossible to clearly determine which international agreements are still in force between countries, which are invalid and which have expired.

Developing multifunctional epoxy composites with tailored properties supports energy systems, especially oil and gas industries. We report synthesis of 3D fluorinated‐polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (F‐POSS) nanoparticles (NPs) co‐condensed on the surface of 2D sepiolite (SEP) nanoclays, and dispersed it within an epoxy resin to facilitate curing kinetics of epoxy‐amine system. A catalytic effect was realized, supporting excellent cure index, according to the kinetic models employed. Friedman model suggested double values of activation energy for composites (54.32 KJ/mol for Epoxy/SEP and 50.73 KJ/mol for Epoxy/F‐POSS@SEP) compared to blank (reference) resin (26.12 KJ/mol). Nanostructure of F‐POSS@SEP observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Fourier‐transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, demonstrating co‐condensation of F‐POSS and SEP nanoclays. Nanotribology tests suggested higher surface properties. Hardness of epoxy was 0.373 GPa; when modified with 5 and 10 wt% of F‐POSS@SEP it resulted in 0.41 and 0.38 GPa, respectively. The reduced modulus was 4.53 GPa for epoxy, while 5.1 and 5.0 GPa for 5 and 10 wt% F‐POSS@SEP, respectively. The free surface of composites was studied by SEM and contact angle techniques. F‐POSS/SEP nanostructure populated at air‐free surface, as a consequence of natural migration of fluorine. Contact angle measurements were performed in dynamic tests, showing increased hydrophobicity of thermoset composites, where an outstanding antifouling behavior was correspondingly achieved. Sliding angles diminished from 19.1° for epoxy to 8.1° and 5.0° for 5 and 10 wt.% of F‐POSS@SEP, respectively. Accordingly, fouling of 5 and 10 wt.% F‐POSS@SEP modified composites was 42% lower than that for epoxy. Self‐cleaning resulted 18% and 16% higher for 5 and 10 wt.% F‐POSS@SEP nanocomposites, respectively, compared to epoxy. These results are promising to contribute high‐performance materials for the energy production sector. Highlights Developed fluorinated polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (F‐POSS)/sepiolite. Detected catalytic effect of F‐POSS/sepiolite on epoxy‐amine cross‐linking kinetics. Fouling decreased by 42%, whereas recovery increased 10‐fold by cleaning surface. Self‐cleaning properties demonstrated by up to 74% reduction in water slip angle. Potential use in pipelines to prevent paraffin deposits due to antifouling properties.

The aim of the present chapter is to analyze the populist drift of governments in Poland. The work describes the course of the processes of deviation from democratic rules in Poland, indicating their sources, scale, diversity, and consequences. It discusses the impact of populist leadership on the dismantling of the rules of a democratic state ruled by law. The chapter discusses the use of political processes and institutions of a democratic state by illiberal populists with the intent to dismantle democracy. It is an attempt to answer the question of how the attack on the institutions of a democratic state ruled by law was explained by populists and influenced the policy-making processes. The authors will try to explain whether the attack on the pillars of democracy in Poland results from populism or from ideological political goals. To this end, they will look for an answer to the question of whether, under the rule of Polish illiberal populists, it was possible to institutionally limit their activities. The chapter uses a neo-institutional method. The theory of social constitutionalism was used to explain the lack of public resistance to changes in the judiciary. The basis for the formulation of the section on research findings are the results of the analysis of legal acts, strategic documents, and institutional solutions implemented during the populist rule. The final section contains the conclusions of the considerations presented in the text and specifies the fields for further exploration of the research processes analyzed in this chapter.

One of the reactive forms of oxygen is hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ), which has been investigated as a key component of growth processes and stress responses. Different methods for the determination of H 2 O 2 production by animal and bacterial cells exist; however, its detection in algal cell cultures is more complicated due to the presence of photosynthetic pigments in the cells and the complex structure of cell walls. Considering these issues, a reliable, quick, and simple method for H 2 O 2 detection is needed in phycological research. The aim of this methodological study was to optimize an Amplex UltraRed method for the fluorometric detection of H 2 O 2 produced by microalgae cells, using a wild‐type strain of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii as a model. The results showed that (i) potassium phosphate is the most suitable reaction buffer for this method, (ii) a 560 nm wavelength variant is the most appropriate as the excitation wavelength for fluorescence spectra measurement, (iii) a 50:50 ratio for the reaction mixture to sample was the most suitable, (iv) the fluorescence signal was significantly influenced by the density of the microalgae biomass, and (v) sample fortification with H 2 O 2 allowed for an increase of the method's reliability and repeatability. The proposed protocol of the Amplex UltraRed method for the fluorometric detection of H 2 O 2 produced by microalgae cells can yield a sensitive and accurate determination of the content of the test compound, minimizing measurement errors, eliminating chlorophyll autofluorescence problem, and compensating for the matrix effect. This method can be applied to the study of other microalgae species.

In this work, we report the synthesis of the first phosphinoboryl transition metal complexes, featuring a direct covalent bond between boron and phosphorus atoms. The oxidative addition of bromo(phosphino)boranes to platinum(0) compounds enabled the formation of platinum(II) complexes with unprecedented side-on coordination of the boryl ligand.

Artificial light at night (ALAN) has global impacts on animals, often negative, yet its effects in polar regions remains largely underexplored. These regions experience prolonged darkness during the polar night, while human activity and artificial lighting are rapidly increasing. In this study, we analyzed a decade of citizen science data on light‐sensitive seabird occurrences in Longyearbyen, a High‐Arctic port settlement, to examine the impact of environmental factors including ALAN during polar night. Our investigation incorporated remote sensing data on nighttime lights levels, sea ice presence, and air temperature measurements from local meteorological station. Our findings reveal that artificial light may potentially impact seabird diversity in this region, with overall diversity decreasing alongside light intensity. However, the relationship between artificial light and seabird diversity was not uniformly negative; individual species exhibited varied responses. We also detected a correlation between artificial light and air temperature, emphasizing the complexity of environmental interactions. Notably, the piscivorous Black Guillemot (Cepphus grylle), the dominant species in Longyearbyen during the polar night, showed increased contribution in the local seabird assemblage with higher light levels. In contrast, the zooplanktivorous Little Auk (Alle alle) exhibited reduced contribution with higher light intensity and increased presence with higher air temperatures. We hypothesize that these differing responses are closely tied to the distinct dietary habits, varying sensitivity to artificial light due to individual adaptations, and overall ecological flexibility of these species, underscoring the need for further research. This study, which uniquely combines citizen science with remote sensing data, represents the first effort to systematically assess the effects of artificial lighting on seabirds during the polar night. The findings underscore the potential importance of this issue for seabird conservation in polar regions.