Screening and ranking framework for underground hydrogen storage site selection in Poland

This paper proposes the use of the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) in order to select the potential underground hydrogen storage sites. The preliminary selection and evaluation of hydrogen storage sites may be considered as a multi-criteria decision-making process. The use of a decision model based on 5 (for aquifers) or 6 geological criteria (in the case of salt and hydrocarbon deposits) has been proposed. A ranking of salt structures, aquifers, and crude oil and natural gas reservoirs, previously identified as the potential hydrogen storage sites in Poland, has been presented. The obtained results have confirmed that the AHP-based approach can be useful for preliminary selection of potential underground hydrogen storage sites. The proposed method enables one to objectively choose the most satisfactory decision, from the point of view of the adopted decision-making criteria, regarding the choice of the best structure.     

Synthesis and physicochemical characterization of Zn-doped brushite

Dicalcium phosphate dihydrate (DCPD) enriched by different amounts of Zn²⁺ ions was synthesised in aqueous solution via standard precipitation method. The obtained powders were characterised by powder X-ray diffractometry (PXRD), infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (ssNMR), inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). These tests confirmed that all the powders were highly microcrystalline brushite. As the concentration of zinc increased, an additional crystalline phase of α-hopeite appeared, and, simultaneously, the crystallinity of brushite slightly decreased. Moreover, according to the shifts of PXRD, FTIR and ³¹P ssNMR line positions, it was proved that zinc ions were successfully introduced into the crystal of DCPD. The (Ca + Zn)/P molar ratio calculated from ICP-OES results was ca. 1.0, which is typical for DCPD; only the (Ca + Zn)/P molar ratio of the sample with the highest concentration of Zn slightly differs, which was caused by the presence of α-hopeite. SEM images have shown a high tendency of Zn-containing brushite to agglomerate into the spherical, compact clusters. The preliminary biological tests have shown that the powders are non-toxic, which makes them promising materials for potential use in mineralised tissue engineering.     

Treatment-Induced Neuropathy in Diabetes (TIND)—Developing a Disease Model in Type 1 Diabetic Rats

Treatment-induced neuropathy in diabetes (TIND) is defined by the occurrence of an acute neuropathy within 8 weeks of an abrupt decrease in glycated hemoglobin-A1c (HbA1c). The underlying pathogenic mechanisms are still incompletely understood with only one mouse model being explored to date. The aim of this study was to further explore the hypothesis that an abrupt insulin-induced fall in HbA1c may be the prime causal factor of developing TIND. BB/OKL (bio breeding/OKL, Ottawa Karlsburg Leipzig) diabetic rats were randomized in three groups, receiving insulin treatment by implanted subcutaneous osmotic insulin pumps for 3 months, as follows: Group one received 2 units per day; group two 1 unit per day: and group three 1 unit per day in the first month, followed by 2 units per day in the last two months. We serially examined blood glucose and HbA1c levels, motor- and sensory/mixed afferent conduction velocities (mNCV and csNCV) and peripheral nerve morphology, including intraepidermal nerve fiber density and numbers of Iba-1 (ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule 1) positive macrophages in the sciatic nerve. Only in BB/OKL rats of group three, with a rapid decrease in HbA1c of more than 2%, did we find a significant decrease in mNCV in sciatic nerves (81% of initial values) after three months of treatment as compared to those group three rats with a less marked decrease in HbA1c <2% (mNCV 106% of initial values, p ≤ 0.01). A similar trend was observed for sensory/mixed afferent nerve conduction velocities: csNCV were reduced in BB/OKL rats with a rapid decrease in HbA1c >2% (csNCV 90% of initial values), compared to those rats with a mild decrease <2% (csNCV 112% of initial values, p ≤ 0.01). Moreover, BB/OKL rats of group three with a decrease in HbA1c >2% showed significantly greater infiltration of macrophages by about 50% (p ≤ 0.01) and a decreased amount of calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP) positive nerve fibers as compared to the animals with a milder decrease in HbA1c. We conclude that a mild acute neuropathy with inflammatory components was induced in BB/OKL rats as a consequence of an abrupt decrease in HbA1c caused by high-dose insulin treatment. This experimentally induced neuropathy shares some features with TIND in humans and may be further explored in studies into the pathogenesis and treatment of TIND.     

Mutations in GDAP1 Influence Structure and Function of the Trans-Golgi Network

Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) is a heritable neurodegenerative disease that displays great genetic heterogeneity. The genes and mutations that underlie this heterogeneity have been extensively characterized by molecular genetics. However, the molecular pathogenesis of the vast majority of CMT subtypes remains terra incognita. Any attempts to perform experimental therapy for CMT disease are limited by a lack of understanding of the pathogenesis at a molecular level. In this study, we aim to identify the molecular pathways that are disturbed by mutations in the gene encoding GDAP1 using both yeast and human cell, based models of CMT-GDAP1 disease. We found that some mutations in GDAP1 led to a reduced expression of the GDAP1 protein and resulted in a selective disruption of the Golgi apparatus. These structural alterations are accompanied by functional disturbances within the Golgi. We screened over 1500 drugs that are available on the market using our yeast-based CMT-GDAP1 model. Drugs were identified that had both positive and negative effects on cell phenotypes. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first report of the Golgi apparatus playing a role in the pathology of CMT disorders. The drugs we identified, using our yeast-based CMT-GDAP1 model, may be further used in translational research.     

Selective Cytotoxicity of Complexes with N,N,N-Donor Dipodal Ligand in Tumor Cells

The present article demonstrates selective cytotoxicity against cancer cells of the complexes [Co(L^D)₂]I₂∙CH₃OH (1), [CoL^D(NCS)₂] (2) and [VOL^D(NCS)₂]∙C₆H₅CH₃ (3) containing the dipodal tridentate ligand LD = N,N-bis(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-ylmethyl)amine), formed in situ. All tested complexes expressed greater anticancer activities and were less toxic towards noncancerous cells than cisplatin. Cobalt complexes (1 and 2) combined high cytotoxicity with selectivity towards cancer cells and caused massive tumour cell death. The vanadium complex (3) induced apoptosis specifically in cancer cells and targeted proteins, controlling their invasive and metastatic properties. The presented experimental data and computational prediction of drug ability of coordination compounds may be helpful for designing novel and less toxic metal-based anticancer species with high specificities towards tumour cells.     

Mechanisms of the Procognitive Effects of Xanthotoxin and Umbelliferone on LPS-Induced Amnesia in Mice

Neuroinflammation plays an essential role in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease. Although coumarins have been shown to improve cognitive function in animal models and exert anti-inflammatory effects in cell cultures, the exact mechanism of their neuroprotective effects has not yet been fully elucidated. The present study aimed to investigate the neuroprotective effects of xanthotoxin (furanocoumarin) and umbelliferone (simple coumarin) in lipopolysaccharide-induced cognitive dysfunction in mice. For evaluation memory and learning processes, a passive avoidance test was used. Furthermore, acetylcholinesterase level and impact on the tumor necrosis factor α, interleukin 10 levels in the whole brain, and cyclooxygenase-II in hippocampus was established. Subchronic administration of both coumarins (15 mg/kg) enhanced the learning and memory function, but only the xanthotoxin improved cognitive processes impaired by lipopolysaccharide (0.8 mg/kg) administration. Behavioral results stay in line with acetylcholinesterase level in the brain. A statistically significant decrease in the level of tumor necrosis factor α and cyclooxygenase-II in lipopolysaccharide-treated rodents after coumarins’ administration was observed. Together, our findings demonstrate that both coumarins improved cognitive functions, but only xanthotoxin significantly enhanced the learning and memory function and reduced the level of acetylcholinesterase in lipopolysaccharide-treated mice. This effect may suggest that only furanocoumarin—xanthotoxin attenuates neuroinflammation and enhances cholinergic neurotransmission, thus it can be a potential remedy with procognitive potential effective in treatment of neuroinflammatory disease.     

Arabidopsis Phototropins Participate in the Regulation of Dark-Induced Leaf Senescence

Senescence is the final stage of plant development, affecting individual organs or the whole organism, and it can be induced by several environmental factors, including shading or darkness. Although inevitable, senescence is a complex and tightly regulated process, ensuring optimal remobilization of nutrients and cellular components from senescing organs. Photoreceptors such as phytochromes and cryptochromes are known to participate in the process of senescence, but the involvement of phototropins has not been studied to date. We investigated the role of these blue light photoreceptors in the senescence of individually darkened Arabidopsis thaliana leaves. We compared several physiological and molecular senescence markers in darkened leaves of wild-type plants and phototropin mutants (phot1, phot2, and phot1phot2). In general, all the symptoms of senescence (lower photochemical activity of photosystem II, photosynthetic pigment degradation, down-regulation of photosynthetic genes, and up-regulation of senescence-associated genes) were less pronounced in phot1phot2, as compared to the wild type, and some also in one of the single mutants, indicating delayed senescence. This points to different mechanisms of phototropin operation in the regulation of senescence-associated processes, either with both photoreceptors acting redundantly, or only one of them, phot1, playing a dominant role.     

Biologically Active Compounds in Stizolophus balsamita Inflorescences: Isolation,Phytochemical Characterization and Effects on the Skin Biophysical Parameters

Three germacranolides, as well as five flavonoids, natural steroid and simple phenolic compounds, were isolated from the inflorescence of Stizolophus balsamita growing in Iran. The paper presents active compounds found for the first time in the inflorescence of this species. The flavonoids, simple phenolic compounds and natural steroids have been isolated for the first time in the genus Stizolophus. The MTT assay was employed to study in vitro cytotoxic effects of the taxifolin against human fibroblasts. We also evaluate the possible biological properties/cosmetic effects of Stizolophus balsamita extract and taxifolin on the human skin. Sixty healthy Caucasian adult females with no dermatological diseases were investigated. We evaluate the effects of S. balsamita extract and taxifolin on skin hydration and transepidermal water loss (TEWL). It was revealed that S. balsamita extract might decrease TEWL level and fixed the barrier function of the epidermis. The presence of bioactive phytochemical constituents in S. balsamita inflorescences makes them a valuable and safe source for creating new cosmetics and medicines.