•Polish Arabian horse population's genetic diversity and structure were analyzed.•Study involved 12 254 horses and evaluated population structure and founder effects.•High pedigree completeness as ...well as loss of genetic diversity were found over time.•Average inbreeding at 5.8% with 99.6% of horses inbred; founder contributions varied.•There is a need for strategic breeding to preserve diversity and breed's legacy.
With a history tracing back to at least the 18th century and a substantial global influence on various breeds, Polish Arabian horse population is of paramount importance for both breeders and conservationists. However, its genetic makeup and the population dynamics are still not well understood. This study presents an analysis of the modern Polish Arabian horse population using pedigree data, focusing on the breed's genetic diversity and population structure. Our analysis encompassed 1 498 individuals defined as the reference population (RP) and their 11 065 ancestors, which resulted in the dataset of 12 254 individuals (total population). We traced their genealogy to assess inbreeding coefficients (F), founder effects, and genetic variability measures such as the effective number of founders (fe), ancestors (fa), or founder genome equivalents (fge). The results indicated a good pedigree quality with an average of 28.1 maximum traced generations, revealing high pedigree completeness for initial generations with a decline beyond the seventh generation. The genetic diversity parameters showed a considerable bottleneck effect, with an effective number of founders at 73, which reflects a substantial loss of genetic diversity over time. Despite the vast total number of founders (852), only a few have had a lasting impact on the current population, signaling the need for revised breeding strategies to maintain diversity. The study identified a slight but consistent rise in inbreeding over the last century, with a marginal recent decline, and a significant difference in the contribution of various founders. The average F was 5.8%, with 99.6% of the reference population being inbred. The analysis of effective population size (Ne) highlighted potential risks for genetic diversity, urging for revision of breeding goals to consider a wider array of founder lineages. The study indicated that stallions belonging to RP can be attributed to 15 distinct sirelines, whereas mares to 45 unique damlines, more than considered in the current breeding program (8 and 15, respectively). Conclusively, the study underlines the need for ongoing monitoring and strategic breeding to maintain and enhance the genetic diversity of Polish Arabians, considering the breed's historical significance and contemporary genetic challenges.
In this paper, we present the results of the study on the influence of electrolysis conditions including external magnetic field on the properties of Ni–TiO2 composite materials synthesized from a ...citrate bath. The influence of electrode potential, TiO2 concentration in the electrolyte, as well as the value of magnetic field induction vector on the deposition rate, composition, current efficiency, structure, surface states and morphology of the synthesized coatings is reported. The obtained results indicate possibilities of synthesis of composites containing up to 1.39 wt % of TiO2. Dependent on the applied electrolysis condition current efficiency amounts to from 38.1 to 45.5% for B = 0 T and from 46.3 to 53.1 for B = 1 T. The results of electrochemical studies as well as further characterization of synthesized materials indicate that the presence of the magnetic field strongly influenced the kinetics of the processes responsible for materials formation. Voltammetric, XRD and XPS analyses indicate simultaneous formation of hydrides and hydroxides during electrolysis.
•Electrodeposition of Ni–TiO2 composites from citrate baths was described.•An influence of MHD effect on coating properties was discussed.•Coatings contained up to 1.39 wt % of TiO2.•Synthesized materials generated cathodic photocurrents under UV–Vis radiation.
Histone deacetylases (HDACs) are important regulators of gene expression that are aberrantly regulated in several inflammatory and infectious diseases. HDAC inhibitors (HDACi) suppress inflammatory ...activation of various cell types through epigenetic and non-epigenetic mechanisms, and ameliorate pathology in a mouse model of periodontitis. Activation of gingival fibroblasts (GFs) significantly contributes to the development of periodontitis and the anaerobic bacterium Porphyromonas gingivalis plays a key role in driving chronic inflammation. Here, we analyzed the role of HDACs in inflammatory responses of GFs. Pan-HDACi suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA) and/or ITF2357 (givinostat) significantly reduced TNFα- and P. gingivalis–inducible expression and/or production of a cluster of inflammatory mediators in healthy donor GFs (IL1B, CCL2, CCL5, CXCL10, COX2, and MMP3) without affecting cell viability. Selective inhibition of HDAC3/6, but not specific HDAC1, HDAC6, or HDAC8 inhibition, reproduced the suppressive effects of pan-HDACi on the inflammatory gene expression profile induced by TNFα and P. gingivalis, suggesting a critical role for HDAC3 in GF inflammatory activation. Consistently, silencing of HDAC3 expression with siRNA largely recapitulated the effects of HDAC3/6i on mRNA levels of inflammatory mediators in P. gingivalis–infected GFs. In contrast, P. gingivalis internalization and intracellular survival in GFs remained unaffected by HDACi. Activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases and NFκB signaling was unaffected by global or HDAC3/6-selective HDACi, and new protein synthesis was not required for gene suppression by HDACi. Finally, pan-HDACi and HDAC3/6i suppressed P. gingivalis–induced expression of IL1B, CCL2, CCL5, CXCL10, MMP1, and MMP3 in GFs from patients with periodontitis. Our results identify HDAC3 as an important regulator of inflammatory gene expression in GFs and suggest that therapeutic targeting of HDAC activity, in particular HDAC3, may be clinically beneficial in suppressing inflammation in periodontal disease.
In this study, we perform quantitative characterization of precipitates and oxide inclusions in Inconel 625 additively manufactured by the laser powder-bed fusion (L-PBF) process. The application of ...different microscopy techniques allowed us to characterize the microstructure at micro- and nano-scale in the as-built and stress-relieved condition and correlate the features of grains and cellular substructure with parameters of particles along the planes parallel and perpendicular to the build direction. The optimized imaging conditions and image analysis procedure allowed easily distinguishing precipitates and oxide inclusions and performing their quantitative analysis. The results showed that intercellular areas are the preferential sites of precipitation of the Laves phase and NbC carbides with diameters in the range of 10 to 440 nm. Moreover, aluminum oxide inclusions with diameters in the range of 30 to 300 nm are randomly distributed. Regardless of the processing conditions of the examined samples, the influence of the stress-relief annealing on the secondary phases was not observed. In both the as-built and stress-relieved samples, the size of precipitates is in submicrometer scale. The analysis provided detailed information about the parameters of particles depending on the orientation versus the build direction. It was demonstrated that despite the tendency for columnar grain morphology and the anisotropy of the cellular substructure, the particle distribution is almost uniform throughout the volume of the additively manufactured L-PBF Inconel 625.
Graphical Abstract
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•Single-phase nanoparticles of CoxCe1-xO2-y exist only for x < 0.2 and their reducibility and catalytic activity increase with x.•Nanoparticles of Co3O4 are similarly active to the ...most active SPhSS: Co0.15Ce0.85O2-y.•Catalytic activity of Co3O4 increases with small additives of CoxCe1-xO2-y phase.•This synergy can be explained by specific activity of the interfacial areas.•Coexistence of both types nanoparticles seems to provide the highest activity.
Two different nanoparticle oxide systems are obtained depended on Co:Ce atomic ratio (R) using the same reverse nanoemulsion method. The single-phase solid solutions (SPhSS) are formed up to the ratio 1:4 < R < 1:5. The higher Co concentration results in segregation of Co3O4 phase forming nanocomposite of 2 types of nanoparticles (SPhSS and Co3O4). These nanomaterials were characterized using X-ray and electron diffraction, transmission electron microscopy together with linescan EDX analysis of individual nanoparticles, high-resolution XPS, TPR of preoxidized or pre-reduced samples, and testing activity in methanol total oxidation. The catalytic activity increases with increase of Co concentration in SPhSS and is preserved after deposition on alumina support. The catalytic activity of pure Co3O4 nanoparticles is comparable with the Co0.15Ce0.8O2-y solution and is increasing with Ce doping in the Co-rich 2-phase nanoparticle systems. Such a coexistence seems to be responsible for the highest catalytic activity in methanol oxidation.
Agriculture is the major contributor of waterborne nutrient fluxes into the Baltic Sea, one of the world's most eutrophication-sensitive areas. Poland, as a large, densely populated state ohf the ...Baltic Region, with dominating agricultural land use, largely contributes to riverborne loads of N and P. The aim of our study was to examine the input of nutrients from three small first-order agricultural watersheds (Bladzikowski Stream, Gizdepka river and Mrzezino canal) in the Pomerania region, into the Bay of Puck, inner part of the Gulf of Gdansk. This study attempts to give a partial answer as to the question if inputs of nutrients from the 3 analysed watersheds comply with the targets of the Baltic Sea Action Plan (BSAP) and Country Allocated Reduction Targets (CART). The impact of agricultural practices was assessed on the basis of farm questionnaires and calculations of nutrient balances for the examined farms. The nutrient concentrations in the soil and drainage ditches were examined, followed by an assessment of nutrient concentrations in the watercourses at the sampling points located close to the estuaries. The average mineral N fertiliser consumption (109 kg N/ha) in the analysed watersheds was higher than Poland's average. The average N and P surpluses for surveyed farms (96.4 kg/ha and 4.4 kg/ha, respectively) were higher than the EU mean in case of N and markedly lower in case of P. We used Principal Component Analysis which confirmed that there were correlations between nutrient surpluses and nutrient concentrations in streams and/or drainage ditches. The N–NO3 and Pmin concentrations were also correlated to precipitation. The average N concentrations in the analysed watercourses were equal to 1.53 mg/L for Gizdepka, 1.88 mg/L for Mrzezino canal and 3.52 mg/L for Bładzikowski Stream. The mean P concentrations observed in the investigated watercourses were markedly higher than 0.1 mg/L. With regard to BSAP objectives, as well as CART set for Poland, the average nutrient concentrations in rivers should be approximately at the level of 2.5 mg N/L and 0.07 mg P/L.
•Nutrient losses from agriculture markedly contribute to the Baltic Sea eutrophication.•Nutrient surpluses and precipitation are linked to N and P riverine concentrations.•Agricultural practices in general complied with Code of Good Agricultural Practice.•N concentrations in rivers were on EU average while P concentration were higher.•Country Allocated Reduction Targets of P loads for Poland are unrealistic.
Objectives
To establish whether two families from Malopolska and Mazovia provinces in Poland are affected by hereditary gingival fibromatosis type 1, caused by a single‐cytosine insertion in exon 21 ...of the Son‐of‐Sevenless‐1 gene.
Material and Methods
Six subjects with hereditary gingival fibromatosis and five healthy subjects were enrolled in the study. Gingival biopsies were collected during gingivectomy or tooth extraction and used for histopathological evaluation. Total RNA and genomic DNA were purified from cultured gingival fibroblasts followed by cDNA and genomic DNA sequencing and analysis.
Results
Hereditary gingival fibromatosis was confirmed by periodontal examination, X‐ray, and laboratory tests. Histopathological evaluation showed hyperplastic epithelium, numerous collagen bundles, and abundant‐to‐moderate fibroblasts in subepithelial and connective tissue. Sequencing of exons 19‐22 of the Son‐of‐Sevenless‐1 gene did not reveal a single‐cytosine insertion nor other mutations.
Conclusions
Patients from two Polish families under study had not been affected by hereditary gingival fibromatosis type 1, caused by a single‐cytosine insertion in exon 21 of the Son‐of‐Sevenless‐1 gene. Further studies of the remaining regions of this gene as well as of other genes are needed to identify disease‐related mutations in these patients. This will help to unravel the pathogenic mechanism of gingival overgrowth.
Summary
Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) expres‐ses the enzyme peptidylarginine deiminase (PPAD), which has a strong preference for C‐terminal arginines. Due to the combined activity of PPAD ...and Arg‐specific gingipains, P. gingivalis on the cell surface is highly citrullinated. To investigate the contribution of PPAD to the interaction of P. gingivalis with primary human gingival fibroblasts (PHGF) and P. gingivalis‐induced synthesis of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), PHGF were infected with wild‐type P. gingivalis ATCC 33277, an isogenic PPAD‐knockout strain (∆ppad) or a mutated strain (C351A) expressing an inactive enzyme in which the catalytic cysteine has been mutated to alanine (PPADC351A). Cells were infected in medium containing the mutants alone or in medium supplemented with purified, active PPAD. PHGF infection was assessed by colony‐forming assay, microscopic analysis and flow cytometry. Expression of cyclo‐oxygenase 2 (COX‐2) and microsomal PGE synthase‐1 (mPGES‐1), key factors in the prostaglandin synthesis pathway, was examined by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR), while PGE2 synthesis was evaluated by enzyme immunoassay. PHGF were infected more efficiently by wild‐type P. gingivalis than by the ∆ppad strain, which correlated with strong induction of COX‐2 and mPGES‐1 expression by wild‐type P. gingivalis, but not by the PPAD activity‐null mutant strains (Δppad and C351A). The impaired ability of the Δppad strain to adhere to and/or invade PHGF and both Δppad and C351A to stimulate the PGE2‐synthesis pathway was fully restored by the addition of purified PPAD. The latter effect was strongly inhibited by aspirin. Collectively, our results implicate PPAD activity, but not PPAD itself, as an important factor for gingival fibroblast infection and activation of PGE2 synthesis, the latter of which may strongly contribute to bone resorption and eventual tooth loss.
Abstract
The Baltic Region countries are obliged to meet the stringent limits of N and P discharge set by HELCOM for 2021. Area sources of pollution, including agriculture, are considered the main ...contributors of biogenic compounds. The Bay of Puck as an inner part of the Baltic Sea is particularly sensitive to eutrophication caused by nutrient inflow from agricultural lands. Rivers and streams inflowing to the Bay of Puck transport nitrogen and phosphorus compounds washed out from fields. The article discusses concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus compounds measured during annual research (VII.2017 – VI.2018) at three watercourses: Płutnica, Reda and Błądzikowski Stream inflowing to the Bay of Puck. The concentrations ranged from 0.01 to 0.13 mg/L N-NO2, from 0.39 to 7.55 mg/L N-NO3, from 0.03 to 0.58 mg/L N-NH4, from 0.44 to 9.51 mg/L TN, from 0.05 to 0.45 mg/L P-PO4 and from 0.03 to 1.89 mg/L TP. Seasonal changes of nutrient concentrations were observed, with maximum concentrations of nitrates in August and September after application of fertilizers to arable land.
The paper presents the influence of sewage composition on treatment in pilot-scale facility for reject waters (RW) from sewage sludge centrifugation. The facility consisted of mechanical (two tanks ...with 10 d retention each) and biological parts composed of three subsurface flow reed beds working in batch. Two years of monitoring of the facility proved high efficiency removal of predominant pollutants: chemical oxygen demand (COD) 75-80%, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) 82.2-95.5% and total nitrogen 78.7-93.9% for low ratio of BOD5/COD in discharged RW. The differences in efficiency removal were correlated with the composition of organics and nitrogen compounds rather than with concentrations. It was assumed that high concentration of colloidal fraction of Org-N and COD in discharged RW led to a decrease in efficiency removal.
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