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The mechanisms of the enzymatic polymerization of flavonoids, including quercetin, rutin and catechins, have been fairly well researched, but the properties of polymeric forms of flavonoids still require in-depth analysis. The products of enzymatic polymerization are oligomeric flavonoids. The antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of many oligomeric flavonoids have been described in the literature. However, data on the thermal properties of oligomeric flavonoids are lacking and the supplementing of these deficiencies is a scientific novelty of this work. The aim of this study is to determine the effect of enzymatic polymerization on thermal stability of oligomeric flavonoids. As part of the work, oligomeric quercetin, rutin and catechin were prepared by the enzymatic polymerization reaction with laccase and horseradish peroxidase enzymes. The oligomeric structure of the flavonoids was confirmed by spectroscopic (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and UV–visible spectroscopy (UV–Vis)) as well as chromatographic (ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) and gel permeation chromatography (GPC)) methods. Thermal properties of oligomeric flavonoids were investigated using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetry (TG). Moreover, the antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of oligomeric forms of selected polyphenols were investigated. Based on DSC analysis, it was found that the common feature of all oligomeric flavonoids was a higher final oxidation temperature and a higher oxidation enthalpy than the reference flavonoids. Thermogravimetric analysis showed that oligomeric poly(flavonoids)-laccase had better thermal stability, which correlated with higher molar mass.

Measurement of adolescent life satisfaction across cultures has not received much attention in previous empirical research. The present study evaluated measurement invariance of the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) among adolescents in 24 countries and regions (N = 22,710; age range = 13–19 years; 53% female). A single-factor model with residual covariance between a pair of items tapping past life satisfaction fitted well in 19 countries and regions and showed a partial metric invariance. In a subset of nine countries and regions, partial scalar invariance was supported. Partial metric invariance across all 24 countries and regions was achieved when custom model modifications in five countries and regions were included. Three SWLS items showed evidence of noninvariance across cultures. The measurement model was found to operate similarly across gender and age. Our findings suggest that caution is needed when using the SWLS for measuring life satisfaction among adolescents from different cultures. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11482-021-10024-w.

Female somatic X-chromosome inactivation (XCI) balances the X-linked transcriptional dosages between the sexes, randomly silencing the maternal or paternal X chromosome in each cell of 46,XX females. Skewed XCI toward one parental X has been observed in association with ageing and in some female carriers of X-linked diseases. To address the problem of non-random XCI, we quantified the XCI skew in different biological samples of naturally conceived females of different age groups and girls conceived after in vitro fertilization (IVF). Generally, XCI skew differed between saliva, blood, and buccal swabs, while saliva and blood had the most similar XCI patterns in individual females. XCI skew increased with age in saliva, but not in other tissues. We showed no significant differences in the XCI patterns in tissues of naturally conceived and IVF females. The gene expression profile of the placenta and umbilical cord blood was determined depending on the XCI pattern. The increased XCI skewing in the placental tissue was associated with the differential expression of several genes out of 40 considered herein. Notably, skewed XCI patterns (> 80:20) were identified with significantly increased expression levels of four genes: CD44, KDM6A, PHLDA2, and ZRSR2. The differences in gene expression patterns between samples with random and non-random XCI may shed new light on factors contributing to the XCI pattern outcome and indicate new paths in future research on the phenomenon of XCI skewing.

This study aims to provide insights into plant-insect interaction during the formation and development of open gall structure on the leaves of Robinia pseudoacacia during gall formation by Obolodiplosis robiniae. This was the first time such far-reaching studies were performed at a biochemical and anatomical level. The gall wall is created from a few thick cells covered with epidermis. This parenchymatous nutritive tissue is rich in starch. Sclerenchyma only occurs around the vascular bundles as a result of the lignification of the parenchyma of the bundle sheaths. The level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the new structure was reduced and catalase activity was inhibited, which suggests another pathway of ROS decomposition – e.g. by ascorbate or glutathione peroxidase. The gall structure was combined with an increasing level of protein and non-protein thiols. Phenols seems to be a good protective factor; whose level was lower in infected leaflets. Levels of MUFA (monosaturated fatty acids) and SFA (saturated fatty acids) rose, probably as source of food for insects. The amount of fatty acid is positively correlated with the plant response. We detected that non infected leaflets produced C6:0 (hexanoic acid) and C8:0 (octanoic acid) fatty acids connected with odor. Changes in gall color as they develop are connected with photosynthetic pigments degradation (mainly chlorophylls) where the pathway of astaxanthin transformation to fatty acid is considered to be the most important process during gall maturation. Nutritive tissue is composed mainly of octadecanoic acid (C18:0) – a main source of food for O. robiniae.

In many democratic systems, there is a tradition of interactions between political parties and interest organizations. However, for the CEE region, the factors driving such contacts remain partially undiscovered. Therefore, taking the organized interests’ perspective, we examine what factors influence the frequency of contacts with political parties, what types of parties are most attractive to groups and what kind of interest groups’ resources facilitates such contacts. The study relies on data from a large-scale survey of organized interests, bringing in a comparative perspective of the four selected countries: Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovenia. The results show that nearly half of interest groups in the region do not form any lobby routines with political parties, which is similar to the results of recent research in long-established democracies. However, regarding the other half, we see different patterns of contact depending on the country. The article finds strong support for the importance of the dominant party status for interest groups, but not necessarily for the number of seats that party holds in the parliament. Against the background of a fairly balanced picture of the Czech Republic and Slovenia, our results indicate extremely different attitudes of interest groups toward political parties in Hungary and Poland, countries willingly juxtaposed with each other in recent years. The results for Poland clearly show that the stronger the party's position and the greater the number of its seats in parliament, the greater the interest of the groups in contact. On the contrary, in Hungary groups rather declare contacts with opposition parties and those with a small and medium number of seats in parliament. Regarding the importance of resources, we found that among the three types of analyzed resources—financial horizon, different types of expertise and participation in umbrella organizations—only the last two are relevant.

Coupling the photo-oxidation of biomass derived substrates with water splitting in a photoelectrochemical (PEC) cell is a broadly discussed approach intended to enhance efficiency of hydrogen generation at the cathode. Here, we report a PEC device employing a nanostructured semitransparent WO3 photoanode that, irradiated with simulated solar light achieves large photocurrents of 6.5 mA cm−2 through oxidation of glucose, a common carbohydrate available in nature that can be obtained by processing waste biomass. The attained photocurrents are in a large part due to the occurrence of the photocurrent doubling, where oxidation of glucose by the photogenerated positive hole is followed by injection by the formed intermediate of an electron into the conduction band of WO3. Selection of an appropriate supporting electrolyte enabled effective reforming of glucose into valuable products: gluconic and glucaric acids, erythrose and arabinose with up to 64% total Faradaic yield attained at ca 15% glucose conversion.

Salvia viridis is a rich source of pharmacologically-important polyphenolic compounds with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anticancer activities. The aim of the present study was to optimise the large-scale cultivation of sage shoots in the Plantform bioreactor. It evaluated the effect of culture duration (two or three weeks), the use of a semi-continuous system and the immersion frequency in a liquid medium (every 80 or 170 min) on the growth and accumulation of secondary metabolites. The content of bioactive phenolic acids and phenylethanoids in the obtained material was determined using HPLC. The most efficient growth parameters, expressed as fresh (26.99 g) and dry weight (3.51 g) as well as proliferation ratio (18.6), were observed for shoots grown in a fed-batch system, immersed every 80 min; this approach yielded a 33-fold biomass increase within four weeks. However, the most efficient production of bioactive compounds was achieved for shoots grown for three weeks in a batch system, immersed every 80 min: total phenolic acid, total phenylethanoid and total phenol contents of 18.3, 11.4 and 29.7 mg/g DW. In these conditions, within three weeks, total phenolic acid level was almost 10 times higher than that found in the aerial parts of four-month-old soil-grown plants with a similar phenylethanoid level. Hence, the described S. viridis shoot culture cultivated in the Plantform bioreactor may be an alternative efficient source of plant material rich in valuable compounds. Optimization of culture conditions (culture duration, the use of fed-batch mode, frequency of the medium application) for growth and productivity of bioactive compounds in Salvia viridis shoots cultivated in the Plantform bioreactor.

The paper explores the possibility of reducing the effect of perceived overqualification on employee retention (i.e., turnover intentions and job search behaviors) through non-salary (nonwage benefits, elasticity of work hours, and procedural justice) and salary (pay satisfaction) attributes of work. The problem of overqualification arises when the skills and experience or the knowledge and education of an employee are higher than those required for the job that the employee performs. This situation may induce an employee to leave the organization. This research uses the concept of perceived overqualification and addresses three unresolved issues regarding salary and non-salary job attributes which can modify the effects of perceived overqualification. These issues include the mechanism through which the aforementioned effects are transferred onto retention, interpersonal justice as a moderator, and the importance of negative affectivity, which may be responsible for the relationship between perceived overqualification and employee retention. The study uses conditional analysis of the process developed by Hayes and data from a survey conducted among 100 overqualified employees, who were identified among 826 randomly selected people in Poland. The findings show that non-salary job attributes can be a better instrument than salary in increasing the organizational commitment perceived by overqualified employees. A stronger organizational commitment prevents the overqualified from leaving the organization. As regards the relationship between perceived overqualification and turnover intention, the moderation impact of interpersonal justice (respect from supervisors) is stronger than that of pay satisfaction. Negative affectivity does not create the common tendency in perceived overqualification and retention. Based on the findings, I propose several practical recommendations.

The combination of trimeric form of the light-harvesting complex II (LHCII3), a porous graphite electrode (GE), and the application of phenyl-p-benzoquinone (PPBQ), the quinone derivative, allow the construction of a new type of biohybrid photoactive system. The Chl fluorescence decay and voltammetric analyzes revealed that PPBQ impacts LHCII3 proportionally to accessible quenching sites and that PPBQ forms redox complexes with Chl in both ground and excited states. As a result, photocurrent generation is directly dependent on PPBQ-induced quenching of Chl fluorescence. Since PPBQ also undergoes photoactivation, the action of GE-LHCII3-PPBQ depends on the mutual coupling of LHCII3 and PPBQ photocycles. The GE-LHCII3-PPBQ generates a photocurrent of up to 4.5 µA and exhibits considerable stability during operation. The three-dimensional arrangement of graphite scraps in GE builds an active electrode surface and stabilizes LHCII3 in its native form in low-density multilayers. The results indicate the future usability of such designed photoactive device.

The article discusses the image of the family and the family home in a series of novels for young people by the popular Polish writer Małgorzata Musierowicz in the context of literary conventions and stereotypes about the family in contemporary Polish society. The novels, which cover a period of over 40 years, generally fit contemporary Polish realities; however, the didactic function of the novels results in the author creating an idealized image of the Polish intellectual family, filling the readers with optimism. The picture created by the writer, on the one hand, fits perfectly into the stereotype of the family, which is one of the values highly esteemed by Poles. On the other hand, it adapts to the conventions of novels for girls. In this article, the stereotype of the family is reconstructed on the basis of language data and surveys. We present the meanings and contexts of family as a noun and family as an adjective. We also present the results of our survey, the aim of which was to determine an essence of a stereotypical family and how the traditional family model is comprehended by respondents coming from various groups. We also present the respondents’ attitude to the patriarchal family model and the division of roles into male and female. In our opinion, the correspondence between the family picture created in the novels and the image of the family operating in social consciousness is the reason for the popularity of the series.

In this paper, we focused on the poorly understood and rarely researched relationship between resilience and narcissism, adopting the adjective-based measures of narcissism. We examine how levels of resilience are related to grandiose and vulnerable narcissism, based on a three-dimensional model of resilience (i.e., ecological resilience, engineering resilience, and adaptive capacity). Using self-report, cross-sectional data from a general Polish sample (N = 657), we found that grandiose narcissism was positively related to all three dimensions of resilience, while vulnerable narcissism was negatively related to them. Grandiose narcissism was most strongly associated with adaptive capacity where vulnerable narcissism was mostly strongly associated with engineering resilience. We discuss our findings in relation to the function of two forms of narcissism may yield different capacities for stress management and recovery after experiencing stressful events. Therefore, this research is focused on self-report and we look forward to expand our research by behavioral indices in the future.

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a frequent hospitalization cause of patients suffering from gastrointestinal disorders. Gelsolin has an ability to bind bioactive lipids including different sphingolipids engaged in inflammatory response. Importantly, hypogelsolinemia was observed in patients with different states of acute and chronic inflammation. The aim of the present study was to assess the interplay of blood plasma gelsolin and blood plasma sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) concentration in patients diagnosed with acute pancreatitis. To assess the concentration of gelsolin and S1P, immunoblotting and HPLC technique were employed, respectively. Additionally, the concentrations of amylase, lipase, C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT) and the number of white blood cells (WBC) and platelet (PLT) were recorded. We found that both pGSN and S1P concentrations in the plasma of the AP patients were significantly lower (pGSN ~ 15–165 mg/L; S1P ~ 100–360 pmol/mL) when compared to the levels of pGSN and S1P in a control group (pGSN ~ 130–240 mg/L; S1P ~ 260–400 pmol/mL). Additionally, higher concentrations of CRP, WBC, amylase and lipase were associated with low level of gelsolin in the blood of AP patients. No correlations between the level of PCT and PLT with gelsolin concentration were noticed. Plasma gelsolin and S1P levels decrease during severe acute pancreatitis. Simultaneous assessment of pGSN and S1P can be useful in development of more accurate diagnostic strategies for patients with severe acute pancreatitis.

Phase equilibria in the ErPO4–KPO3–Er(PO3)3 partial system were established, and the primary crystallization fields of the phosphates occurring in the composition range of ErPO4, KErP2O7, KPO3, Er(PO3)3, KEr(PO3)4 were defined. Two polythermal binary cross-sections, KErP2O7–Er(PO3)3 and KErP2O7–KEr(PO3)4, which are quasi-binary only in the subsolidus region (i.e. below 855 °C and 640 °C, respectively), were determined, and their phase diagrams were elaborated. Three invariant points, two ternary peritectics P1 (855 °C) and P2 (640 °C) as well as one ternary eutectic E (530 °C) were found in the ErPO4–KPO3–Er(PO3)3 system. Alloy crystallization ends with the solidification of the ternary eutectic (KErP2O7 + KEr(PO3)4 + KPO3). The studies were carried out by thermoanalytical methods (DSC/TG) and powder X-ray diffraction analysis (PXRD).

This paper systematically investigates the humidity robustness and solderability of five alkanolamines used as activators in flux systems, and their effect was assessed along with the influence of soldering temperature. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and chronoamperometry techniques were used to obtain a better understanding of water adsorption, absorption, and protonation tendencies of alkanolamine candidates. Potentiodynamic polarization, hot plate spreading test, and wetting balance test were adapted for the etching ability and solderability evaluation. Thermal degradation of alkanolamine compounds was analyzed using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The combined results indicate a strong water absorption and protonation of diethanolamine (DEA), triethanolamine (TEA), and triisopropanolamine (TIPA), rendering them not reliable and not feasible as activators. Poor solderability of alkanolamine-based fluxes was inferred based on their thermal degradation behavior and poor oxide removal ability under the soldering conditions.

Background Adipokines such as leptin, visfatin and chemerin play a pivotal role not only in the pathogenesis of excessive weight gain but also impact on hepatic metabolism. However, alterations in the production of these peptides in the liver of overweight individuals have not been fully elucidated yet. The aim of the study was to evaluate changes in leptin, visfatin and chemerin biosynthesis in the liver of men with different BMI. Methods Fourteen adult men without symptoms from the digestive system were recruited. Research material consisted of liver samples. Study participants were divided into two groups: lean (BMI ≤ 25 kg/m2) and overweight subjects (BMI > 25 kg/m2). Paraffin liver sections were processed by immunohistochemistry for detection of leptin, visfatin and chemerin. Hepatic expression of leptin, visfatin and chemerin genes was determined by qRT-PCR method. Results Increased immunoreactivity for leptin and chemerin, and decreased immunoreaction for visfatin were observed in the liver of overweight men in comparison to lean subjects. Overweight subjects with hepatic steatosis displayed increased immunoreactivity for leptin and weaker immunoreaction against visfatin and chemerin in the liver, compared to individuals with normal organ structure. Expression of leptin and chemerin was enhanced in the liver of overweight individuals, with the highest expression observed in subjects with hepatic steatosis. Conversely, expression of visfatin in the male liver was decreased in overweight subjects and those with and liver steatosis. Conclusions The present study proves that the expression of leptin, visfatin and chemerin in the male liver is altered in overweight individuals. Our report also indicates the potential importance of these peptides in hepatic steatosis associated with overweight.

Repeated bolus injections are associated with higher costs and poor compliance and can hinder the implementation of global immunization campaigns. Here, we report the development and preclinical testing of patches of transdermal core-shell microneedles-which were fabricated by the micromoulding and alignment of vaccine cores and shells made from poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) with varying degradability kinetics-for the preprogrammed burst release of vaccine payloads over a period of a few days to more than a month from a single administration. In rats, microneedles loaded with a clinically available vaccine (Prevnar-13) against the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae induced immune responses that were similar to immune responses observed after multiple subcutaneous bolus injections, and led to immune protection against a lethal bacterial dose. Microneedle patches delivering preprogrammed doses may offer an alternative strategy to prophylactic and therapeutic protocols that require multiple injections.

Recent studies indicated that apart from lysosomal storage of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), secondary and tertiary changes in cellular processes may significantly contribute to development of disorders and symptoms occurring in mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS), a group of lysosomal storage diseases in which neurodegeneration is specific for most types and subtypes. In this report, using transcriptomic data, we demonstrate that regulation of hundreds of genes coding for proteins involved in regulations of various cellular processes is changed in cells derived from patients suffering from all types and subtypes of MPS. Among such genes there are 10 which expression is significantly changed in 9 or more (out of 11) MPS types/subtypes; they include IER3IP1, SAR1A, TMEM38B, PLCB4, SIN3B, ABHD5, SH3BP5, CAPG, PCOLCE2, and MN1. Moreover, there are several genes whose expression is changed over log2 > 4 times in some MPS types relative to control cells. The above analysis indicates that significant changes in expression of genes coding for various regulators of cellular processes may considerably contribute to development of cellular dysfunctions, and further appearance of specific symptoms of MPS, including neurodegeneration.

The current study examines the temperamental basis of three forms of grandiose narcissism (i.e., agentic, communal, and antagonistic), employing the Behavioral Inhibition System model and three aspects of Behavioral Activation System (i.e., drive, pleasure-seeking, and sensitivity to reward). Using a self-report study conducted on a general Polish sample (N = 657), we found that all forms of narcissism were positively associated with all three aspects of BAS, while BIS was negatively associated with agentic and antagonistic forms. Communal and antagonistic narcissism did not differ in comparison of their correlations with drive and sensitivity to reward, while agentic narcissism indicated the strongest relations to temperament. A multiple regression indicated that each of the three forms of narcissism has its own specific relationship with BIS and of the aspects of BAS. We discuss our findings as useful in explaining how the three forms of narcissism are related to BIS and BAS with the distinction of the latter into its three aspects, indicating substantial differences between agentic and communal narcissism, and specificity of antagonistic narcissism.

Phytohormones play key roles in many aspects of plant growth and development, as well as in resistance to abiotic stresses. The presence of heavy metal limits phytohormone endogenous level; however, the application of brassinosteroids (BRs) restores phytohormone homeostasis and reduces unfavorable consequences of heavy metal on plant growth. Therefore, the aim of this study was to (1) broaden previously published analyses/findings to study the effect of 24-epibrassinolide (EBL) and/or lead (Pb) on Acutodesmus obliquus phytohormone level after 5 days of cultivation using LC-QToF-MS quantification technique and (2) extend the total amount of quantified phytohormones in A. obliquus. The study confirmed that exogenous EBL increased the contents of gibberellin A3 (GA3), auxins (AXs) (indole-3-acetic acid, phenylacetic acid), BRs brassinolide, 24-epibrassinolide (EBL), 28-homobrassinolide, castasterone, 24-epicastasterone, typhasterol, cathasterone, 6-deoxotyphasterol, as well as different types of cytokinins (CKs): free bases, ribosides, and conjugates (N- and O-glucosides). On the other hand, treatment with Pb had an opposite effect on BRs, GA3, AXs, and free bases, as well as ribosides of CKs. The abscisic acid (ABA) level decreased under EBL treatment but increased in response to Pb stress. The level of N-glucosides, as well as O-glucosides of CKs, also significantly increased in response to Pb alone. Interestingly, the co-application of EBL and Pb led to an increase in BRs, GA3, AXs, and CKs content in the algae. Principal component analysis revealed that based on treatments, increase of GA3, BRs, and AXs was found to be in the following order: 1 μM EBL > 0.01 μM Pb + 1 μM EBL > 500 μM Pb + 1 μM EBL > control > 0.01 μM Pb > 500 μM Pb. Moreover, very strong significant linear relations between almost all studied AXs and BRs were noted. Summarizing, this research did not only allow to detect the occurrence of ABA, GA3, AXs, BRs, and CKs in A. obliquus for the first time but also to study the combined action of EBL and Pb, as well as compare it with treatment alone.

In this study, we investigated the ability of THP-1 monocytes and macrophages to accumulate lead (Pb) in vitro, relative to Pb concentration and length of exposure. Moreover, we also evaluated the effect of Pb accumulation on cell viability and apoptosis. THP-1 monocytes and macrophages were cultured in the presence of Pb at 1.25 μg/dL, 2.5 μg/dL, 5 μg/dL, and 10 μg/dL. Pb accumulation was examined by inductively coupled plasma and confocal microscopy. The influence of Pb on cell viability, apoptosis, and necrosis was assessed using flow cytometry. The results showed that Pb was toxic to THP-1 monocytes/macrophages even at very low environmental concentrations. Despite the use of low concentrations, both monocytes and macrophages showed dose-dependent and time-dependent decreases in viability, with a simultaneous increase in the percentage of early and late apoptotic cells. Macrophages reacted more strongly to Pb than monocytes. When exposed to the same Pb concentrations, they showed lower viability and a higher percentage of necrotic cells. The incubation time positively correlated with Pb accumulation in a dose-dependent manner. The obtained results indicate that environmental exposure to low Pb concentrations may significantly impair the function of macrophages, with the increased number of apoptotic cells potentially contributing to the development of many pathologies in the brain and whole body.