Phytochemical Molecules from the Decarboxylation of Gomphrenins in Violet Gomphrena globosa L.—Floral Infusions from Functional Food

Herein, the generation of decarboxylated derivatives of gomphrenin pigments exhibiting potential health-promoting properties and the kinetics of their extraction during tea brewing from the purple flowers of Gomphrena globosa L. in aqueous and aqueous citric acid solutions were investigated. Time-dependent concentration monitoring of natural gomphrenins and their tentative identification was carried out by LC-DAD-ESI-MS/MS. The high content of acylated gomphrenins and their principal decarboxylation products, 2-, 15-, 17-decarboxy-gomphrenins, along with minor levels of their bidecarboxylated derivatives, were reported in the infusions. The identification was supported by the determination of molecular formulas of the extracted pigments by liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry (LCMS-IT-TOF). The influence of plant matrix on gomphrenins’ stability and generation of their derivatives, including the extraction kinetics, was determined by studying the concentration profiles in the primary and diluted infusions. Isolated and purified acylated gomphrenins from the same plant material were used for the preliminary determination of their decarboxylated derivatives. The acylated gomphrenins were found to be more stable than nonacylated ones. Citric acid addition had a degradative influence on natural gomphrenins mainly during the longer tea brewing process (above 15 min); however, the presence of plant matrix significantly increased the stability for betacyanins’ identification.     

The façade decorations of the tenement houses in Olsztyn's Old Town before and after the Second World War

The article discusses the façade decorations of the tenement houses in Olsztyn's Old Town before and after the Second World War. This research comprises the original colour scheme of the tenement houses preserved from the destruction of war as well as the unique works of art in Olsztyn executed by local artists in the Polish People's Republic period. They include sgraffito, mosaics, and sculpted and colourful decorations of the tenement houses reconstructed after the Second World War. This article presents their history, authors, themes, techniques, and technologies. The documentation of this artwork sheds light on the art of that period and its artists, and shows a changing attitude toward historical monuments and the colour schemes during the postwar reconstruction in Polish towns at the time of the Polish People's Republic.     

Tedizolid-Cyclodextrin System as Delayed-Release Drug Delivery with Antibacterial Activity

Progressive increase in bacterial resistance has caused an urgent need to introduce new antibiotics, one of them being oxazolidinones with their representative tedizolid. Despite the broad spectrum of activity of the parent tedizolid, it is characterized by low water solubility, which limits its use. The combination of the active molecule with a multifunctional excipient, which is cyclodextrins, allows preservation of its pharmacological activity and modification of its physicochemical properties. Therefore, the aim of the study was to change the dissolution rate and permeability through the model membrane of tedizolid by formation of solid dispersions with a cyclodextrin. The research included identification of tedizolid-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (tedizolid/HP-β-CD) inclusion complex by thermal method (Differential Scanning Colorimetry), spectroscopic methods (powder X-ray diffraction, Fourier-Transform Infrared spectroscopy), and molecular docking. The second part of the research concerned the physicochemical properties (dissolution and permeability) and the biological properties of the system in terms of its microbiological activity. An increase in the dissolution rate was observed in the presence of cyclodextrin, while maintaining a high permeation coefficient and high microbiological activity. The proposed approach is an opportunity to develop drug delivery systems used in the treatment of resistant bacterial infections, in which, in addition to modifying the physicochemical properties caused by cyclodextrin, we observe a favorable change in the pharmacological potential of the bioactives.     

Asymptotic properties of the space–time adaptive numerical solution of a nonlinear heat equation

We consider the fully adaptive space–time discretization of a class of nonlinear heat equations by Rothe’s method. Space discretization is based on adaptive polynomial collocation which relies on equidistribution of the defect of the numerical solution, and the time propagation is realized by an adaptive backward Euler scheme. From the known scaling laws, we infer theoretically the optimal grids implying error equidistribution, and verify that our adaptive procedure closely approaches these optimal grids.     

Autoimmune Diseases in Patients with Premature Ovarian Insufficiency—Our Current State of Knowledge

Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI), previously known as premature ovarian failure or premature menopause, is defined as loss of ovarian function before the age of 40 years. The risk of POI before the age of 40 is 1%. Clinical symptoms develop as a result of estrogen deficiency and may include amenorrhea, oligomenorrhea, vasomotor instability (hot flushes, night sweats), sleep disturbances, vulvovaginal atrophy, altered urinary frequency, dyspareunia, low libido, and lack of energy. Most causes of POI remain undefined, however, it is estimated that anywhere from 4–30% of cases are autoimmune in origin. As the ovaries are a common target for autoimmune attacks, an autoimmune etiology of POI should always be considered, especially in the presence of anti-oocyte antibodies (AOAs), autoimmune diseases, or lymphocytic oophoritis in biopsy. POI can occur in isolation, but is often associated with other autoimmune conditions. Concordant thyroid disorders such as hypothyroidism, Hashimoto thyroiditis, and Grave’s disease are most commonly seen. Adrenal autoimmune disorders are the second most common disorders associated with POI. Among women with diabetes mellitus, POI develops in roughly 2.5%. Additionally, autoimmune-related POI can also present as part of autoimmune polyglandular syndrome (APS), a condition in which autoimmune activity causes specific endocrine organ damage. In its most common presentation (type-3), APS is associated with Hashomoto’s type thyroid antibodies and has a prevalence of 10–40%. 21OH-Antibodies in Addison’s disease (AD) can develop in association to APS-2.     

Effect of ceramic-based coatings deposited on low-alloyed steel T/P22 10H2M exposed at high temperature

The study was carried out in order to evaluate oxidation resistance of the ceramic coatings based on SiO₂-B₂O₃-TiO₂-Na₂O composition deposited on the low-alloyed steel T/P22 (10H2M) surface exposed for 1000 h at 540°C in oxidation atmosphere. Kinetic data were recorded periodically every 250 h; macro- and microanalyses as well as chemical composition were carried out using macrolenses, SEM, EDS, EDS X-ray mappings. The results indicated a high degree of protection by ceramic coatings; much lower mass gain was observed for the coated materials than for the uncoated T/P22 (10H2M) steel. No detachment, delamination, chipping of a coating were found from the steel surface; some of the coatings showed perpendicular tiny cracks to the bulk metal surface.     

Intensification of biogas production using various technologies: A review

Anaerobic digestion (AD) is an organic matter conversion technology which offers a wide range of options for production of biogas from organic biomass, providing an excellent opportunity to convert abundant bioresources into safe, eco-friendly, renewable energy. Important factors in the process of AD are the biodiversity of microorganisms, chemical load of oxygen demand, and content of water and total solids. A challenge for the future is to find technologies that will maximally enhance biogas production and to find pathways for biogas to supersede well-established technologies and practices in the contemporary heavily fossil fuel-based energy system. Current studies on technologies of biogas production indicate a number of possibilities of using appropriate biological and physicochemical additives, like added enzymes or fruit pomace, as well as immobilizing microorganisms on biofilters. Anaerobic biorefinery is an emerging concept that generates not only bioenergy but also high-value biochemical products from the same feedstock. This study is a review of articles describing the intensification of biogas production by using various technologies.     

Chronic Low Grade Inflammation in Pathogenesis of PCOS

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a one of the most common endocrine disorders, with a prevalence rate of 5–10% in reproductive aged women. It’s characterized by (1) chronic anovulation, (2) biochemical and/or clinical hyperandrogenism, and (3) polycystic ovarian morphology. PCOS has significant clinical implications and can lead to health problems related to the accumulation of adipose tissue, such as obesity, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, and type 2 diabetes. There is also evidence that PCOS patients are at higher risk of cardiovascular diseases, atherosclerosis, and high blood pressure. Several studies have reported the association between polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and low-grade chronic inflammation. According to known data, inflammatory markers or their gene markers are higher in PCOS patients. Correlations have been found between increased levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin 18 (IL-18), tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), interleukin 6 (IL-6), white blood cell count (WBC), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and macrophage inflammatory protein-1α (MIP-1α) in the PCOS women compared with age- and BMI-matched controls. Women with PCOS present also elevated levels of AGEs and increased RAGE (receptor for advanced glycation end products) expression. This chronic inflammatory state is aggravating by obesity and hyperinsulinemia. There are studies describing mutual impact of hyperinsulinemia and obesity, hyperandrogenism, and inflammatory state. Endothelial cell dysfunction may be also triggered by inflammatory cytokines. Many factors involved in oxidative stress, inflammation, and thrombosis were proposed as cardiovascular risk markers showing the endothelial cell damage in PCOS. Those markers include asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), C-reactive protein (CRP), homocysteine, plasminogen activator inhibitor-I (PAI-I), PAI-I activity, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) etc. It was also proposed that the uterine hyperinflammatory state in polycystic ovary syndrome may be responsible for significant pregnancy complications ranging from miscarriage to placental insufficiency. In this review, we discuss the most importance evidence concerning the role of the process of chronic inflammation in pathogenesis of PCOS.