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Two-dimensional correlation Raman spectroscopic study of the bioactivity of polycaprolactone-hydroxyapatite composites
No full textBiomaterial scaffolds that can be implanted at the site of a bone fracture are one of the strategies proposed by bone tissue engineering. In the presented study, membranes composed of poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) and various concentrations of micro-hydroxyapatite (µHAp) were produced. Optical microscopic analysis showed that increasing the amount of µHAp caused a decrease in the size of PCL spherulites. X-ray diffraction studies confirmed that no new phase was formed and the total amorphousness of the composites decreased with increasing µHAp content. Studies on the proliferation of U-2 OS osteoblast-like cells on the prepared composites indicate that the optimal µHAp concentration for cells growth is from 5 to 15 %wt. Raman spectra showed the PCL and µHAp bands as well as Amide I band of U-2 OS cell when the cell culture on the nanocomposite surface was measured. Spectra of nanocomposite membranes with cell culture measured on the subsequent days of the proliferation test were subjected to two-dimensional correlation spectroscopy (2D-COS). The different patterns of the 2D composite maps and the reference PCL 2D map indicate that the polymer itself undergoes structural changes in response to cell proliferation, likely also dependent on the addition of µHAp
Early career psychiatrists’ ability to evaluate and manage negative symptoms of schizophrenia - results from a European survey
No full textThe influence of sarcopenia on health-related quality of life among older patients with gastrointestinal cancer : an assessment using the SarQoL® questionnaire
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No full textThe hedonic treadmill is a metaphor for a psychological phenomenon where individuals attempt to create various positive experiences to increase their happiness. However, these efforts are typically successful only for a short period, as individuals eventually return to their baseline level of subjective well-being. This return to equilibrium is due to hedonic adaptation, a process in which people become accustomed to positive (and negative) stimuli, leading to a diminished emotional impact over time. Hedonic adaptation to positive circumstances is significant at the individual level, presenting a substantial obstacle to enhancing and sustaining long-term happiness
Decomposing the sum-of-digits correlation measure
No full textLet s(n) denote the number of ones in the binary expansion of
the nonnegative integer n. How does s behave under addition
of a constant t? In order to study the differences
s(n + t) − s(n),
for all n ≥ 0, we consider the associated characteristic
function γt. Our main theorem is a structural result on
the decomposition of γt into a sum of components. We also
study in detail the case that t contains at most two blocks
of consecutive 1s. The results in this paper are motivated
by Cusick’s conjecture on the sum-of-digits function. This
conjecture is concerned with the central tendency of the
corresponding probability distributions, and is still unsolved
Shaping the area product of sustainable business tourism in cities as a tool for healing the tourism economy after the pandemic
No full textDespite the undeniable benefits of tourism in the various areas of our lives, its adverse effects are also able to be felt. To minimize them, the principles of sustainable development and sustainable tourism have been introduced, derived from its general concept. From this perspective, it can also be considered business tourism, possessing a sustainable character. This article describes the product areas of sustainable business tourism, its determinants, and the guidelines for its development. An in-depth search of the literature, Internet sources, and interviews with industry representatives were used. An analysis of the activities undertaken by global actors worldwide and interviews with the Polish tourism industry were both conducted. The point of view of the Polish tourism industry provides valuable implications for developing a framework for sustainable business tourism in a tourist destination, which has not been the subject of more exhaustive research to date. This study has shown that the business tourism industry does a lot to promote sustainability. Still, it is necessary to look at the issue from the point of view of strategic city management. The business tourism industry is taking many actions to promote sustainable development. The central assumption indicating the shaping of sustainable business tourism is the need to rebuild the MICE industry after the COVID-19 pandemic. This article presents a framework for shaping sustainable business tourism in a tourist destination, which is a novelty in science
Differentiation of digital economy development in European Union countries and its impact on labour productivity and unemployment
No full textThyroid function and autoimmunity in pregnancy: contributing factors and a real-life performance of reference ranges recommended by the national guidelines : results of the longitudinal study
No full textHydrogen sulfide inhibits H. pylori-induced gastric fibroblast activation : implications for cancer prevention
No full textEarly prevention of pathological changes underlying gastric cancer (GC) development is a critical strategy, offering the most effective opportunity to limit malignant progression and improve patient outcomes. We have previously demonstrated that Helicobacter pylori (Hp) () contributes to GC development by activating gastric fibroblasts toward CAF-like phenotype, eliciting aggressive, cancer stem cells (CSCs)-related malignant transformation of normal epithelial cells. A key mediator of these processes appears to be the NF-κB/STAT3 axis. Therefore, our aim was to investigate the protective role of hydrogen sulfide () as a potential novel strategy for counteracting Hp-induced fibroblast reprogramming. Human fibroblasts were infected with Hp () for 120 h. The fast-releasing donor NaHS (50, 100, 200 and 400 µM) was added every 24 h. Activation markers, corresponding signaling pathways, H2S release and activities of -metabolizing enzymes were determined. NaHS reduced Hp-induced fibroblast activation and their pro-inflammatory, pro-tumorigenic markers, which was associated with the inhibition of NF-κB/STAT3 axis and Twist expression. Additionally, it modulated sulfur metabolism while preserving sulfur-enzyme homeostasis. NaHS limited Hp adhesion (high doses), reduced reinfection-induced activation and increased sensitivity of Hp to metronidazole. These findings suggest that signaling may represent a modulatory factor of NF-κB/STAT3-driven inflammatory responses during Hp infection and warrant further investigation
Contrasting effects of clozapine and risperidone on cholesterol metabolism, synaptic proteins, and transcriptional regulation in human LUHMES neurons
No full textAntipsychotic drugs elicit complex cellular responses in neurons, yet the molecular mechanisms underlying their actions remain incompletely understood. Here, we employed deep proteomic profiling (DDA/DIA-MS) in LUHMES-derived dopaminergic neurons to explore the distinct proteomic profile induced by clozapine and risperidone. Pathway analysis revealed that clozapine robustly upregulated lipid metabolic pathways, particularly those involved in cholesterol and fatty acid biosynthesis. Conversely, risperidone primarily enhanced oxidative phosphorylation and modulated synaptic architecture and protein metabolic-pathways. Functional enrichment further indicated that clozapine promotes sterol metabolism, neuronal viability, and neurite outgrowth - hallmarks of neurotrophic activity - while simultaneously suppressing neurotransmission. Importantly, quantitative analysis of the nuclear subproteome enabled us to map these opposing regulatory hubs with high precision. Mechanistically, clozapine induced a transcriptionally repressive state, marked by downregulation of chromatin-opening factors CHD5 and DPF3 (BAF complex components) and HMGN1. In parallel, upregulation of the transcriptional repressor CIC reinforced this repressive signature, suggesting diminished chromatin accessibility. Furthermore, downregulation of activity-dependent regulators CRTC3 and JUNB pointed to an attenuation of excitability-driven gene expression. In contrast, risperidone upregulated TCF4, TCF7L1, FOS, HMGN1, and coactivators RREB1 and NCOA3, promoting Wnt signaling, chromatin accessibility and synaptic plasticity. Taken together, our data unveil distinct proteomic, transcriptional and epigenetic programs orchestrated by clozapine and risperidone, providing novel molecular insights into their divergent clinical actions