Anna Jasińska - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Anna Jasińska

Rozwój -jest wynikiem pozytywnych zmian wzrostu ilościowego i postępu jakościowego w systemach go... more Rozwój -jest wynikiem pozytywnych zmian wzrostu ilościowego i postępu jakościowego w systemach gospodarczych, społecznych i przyrodniczych -we współczesnym paradygmacie rozwoju lokalnego i regionalnego system przyrodniczy traktowany jest jako integralny składnik We współczesnym parodygnacie rozwoju lokalnego i regionalnego system przyrodniczy jest traktowany jako jego integralny składnik. Rozwój gospodarczy -jest długofalowym procesem przemian dokonujących się w gospodarce Obejmuje zmiany ilościowe: -dotyczące wzrostu produkcji, zatrudnienia, inwestycji, dochodów, spożycia i inne wielkości ekonomiczne charakteryzujące gospodarkę od strony ilościowej (wzrost gospodarczy) -towarzyszące im zmiany o charakterze jakościowym Do zmian jakościowych należą: -postęp techniczny i technologiczny -doskonalenie systemu powiązań wewnątrz-gospodarczych i powiązań z gospodarką światową -wzrost poziomu kwalifikacji siły roboczej -zmian struktury gospodarczej zmierzającej do jej unowocześnienia -wzrost poziomu efektywności w skali mikro i makroekonomicznej -pojawienie się nowych produktów i doskonalenie jakości już produkowanych Rozwój lokalny -proces zmian zachodzących w mieście i gminie, wiejskiej lub miejsko-wiejskiej. Rozwój lokalny jest pojęciem złożonym. Stopień tej złożoności jest pochodna nielorakosci celów, którym rozwój ma służyć oraz różnorodności działań, które go kształtują. Efektem rozwoju lokalnego jest proces tworzenia na szczeblu gminy rocznych wartości.

Neurologia i Neurochirurgia Polska, 2012

Data suggest that adipocytokines and natural regulatory T (nTreg) cells play a pivotal role in th... more Data suggest that adipocytokines and natural regulatory T (nTreg) cells play a pivotal role in the immunopathogenesis of multiple sclerosis and the associated inflammation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate selected adipocytokines and nTreg cells and to assess their relationship with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). The study was conducted among 25 patients with RRMS and 25 healthy individuals. Blood samples were collected within two weeks after the beginning of acute relapse of RRMS. The body mass index (BMI) of each patient was calculated. Serum adipocytokine concentrations were determined by ELISA and nTreg cells were evaluated using multicolour flow cytometry. Patients and controls had similar BMI, regardless of gender. Significantly higher leptin and resistin levels and significantly lower adiponectin levels were found in patients with RRMS in comparison to the control group (p < 0.0001). The percentage of nTreg cells (p < 0.01) and the mean fluorescence channel (MFC) of FoxP3 were significantly reduced in patients with RRMS (p < 0.001). There was an inverse correlation be-tween leptin concentration and MFC of the transcription factor Foxp3 nTreg in patients with RRMS (r = -0.7, p < 0.05). Proinflammatory adipocytokine profile and decreased percentage of nTreg cells suggest their implication in the inflammatory response in RRMS regardless of corticosteroid therapy. The correlation between leptin and the MFC of the transcription factor Foxp3 in nTreg cells in patients with RRMS suggests its inhibitory effect on FoxP3 expression.

Plant Systematics and Evolution, 2012

The main aim of the present study was testing the value of the morphological and anatomical chara... more The main aim of the present study was testing the value of the morphological and anatomical characteristics of the needles in distinguishing Cedrus atlantica, C. libani and C. brevifolia. Nine populations were sampled in their natural habit and 25 characters were used to describe the variation of the brachyblast needles and to analyze the differences between species. The results indicated that morphological and anatomical needle characters provide valuable tools in discrimination of the taxa. The scored differences were statistically significant, as revealed in the Tukey's t test, discrimination analysis and hierarchical analysis of variation. The results support treating C. libani, C. atlantica and C. brevifolia as independent species.

Dendrobiology, 2014

Divergence in genetic as well as phenotypic structures can be expected in species with disjunctiv... more Divergence in genetic as well as phenotypic structures can be expected in species with disjunctive geographic ranges and restricted gene flow among isolated populations. Dwarf mountain pine has such a disjunctive geographic range in the mountains of Central Europe. We hypothesised that populations of Pinus mugo from the Giant Mts. differ from Alpine and Carpathian populations to a greater extent than differentiation within these regions; furthermore, these differences would be detectable at both the genetic and phenotypic levels. To verify this hypothesis, the diversity and differentiation within and among eleven populations from the Giant Mts., Carpathians and Alps were analysed using 19 isozyme isozyme loci, 17 needle and 15 cone morphological characters. Moreover, the data on 10 chloroplast microsatellites used in the previous study, were reanalysed. The differences between the three regions were greater than among populations within them. The microsatellites and isozymes clearly differentiated between regions, while in the multivariate analyses of cone and needle characters the Alpine and Carpathian populations were intermingled but distinct from those sampled in the Giant Mts. The significant genetic structuring among regions may result from an ancient fragmentation and long lasting geographic isolation between the Giant Mts., Alps and Tatras. The populations from the Giant Mts., the northernmost within the geographic range of P. mugo, presented lower level of genetic variation then those from the Alps and Carpathians. The pattern of genetic structure observed in dwarf mountain pine may be characteristic of wind-pollinated trees with a disjunctive geographic distribution

Plant Systematics and Evolution, 2014

The phenotypic differentiation of relic P. sylvestris in southern Europe and southwestern Asia wa... more The phenotypic differentiation of relic P. sylvestris in southern Europe and southwestern Asia was verified using thirty-two populations sampled from the Iberian Peninsula, Massif Central, Balkan Peninsula, Crimea and Anatolia. Twenty-one morphological and anatomical needle traits and 18 cone morphological characteristics were examined to describe the population diversity and differentiation. The needle characters were not correlated to those of cone. The differences between regions were significant based on 12 needle and 9 cone characteristics, suggesting spatial isolation. The differentiation between the Iberian and Anatolian populations was the highest, which indicates the isolation by distance. The high level of morphological differentiation was also found among Iberian populations, supporting the already known complex history of the species in that region. Populations within other regions were differentiated at lower levels; however, the West Anatolian populations differed morphologically from the eastern ones. The described pattern of morphological differentiation supports the idea of the long-lasting existence of P. sylvestris in the south-European and Anatolian mountain regions. To conserve this variation, seed transfer between regions in the forest economy should be restricted.

PLoS Pathogens, 2013

Pathogenesis studies of SIV infection have not been performed to date in wild monkeys due to diff... more Pathogenesis studies of SIV infection have not been performed to date in wild monkeys due to difficulty in collecting and storing samples on site and the lack of analytical reagents covering the extensive SIV diversity. We performed a large scale study of molecular epidemiology and natural history of SIVagm infection in 225 free-ranging AGMs from multiple locations in South Africa. SIV prevalence (established by sequencing pol, env, and gag) varied dramatically between infant/juvenile (7%) and adult animals (68%) (p,0.0001), and between adult females (78%) and males (57%). Phylogenetic analyses revealed an extensive genetic diversity, including frequent recombination events. Some AGMs harbored epidemiologically linked viruses. Viruses infecting AGMs in the Free State, which are separated from those on the coastal side by the Drakensberg Mountains, formed a separate cluster in the phylogenetic trees; this observation supports a long standing presence of SIV in AGMs, at least from the time of their speciation to their Plio-Pleistocene migration. Specific primers/ probes were synthesized based on the pol sequence data and viral loads (VLs) were quantified. VLs were of 10 4 -10 6 RNA copies/ml, in the range of those observed in experimentally-infected monkeys, validating the experimental approaches in natural hosts. VLs were significantly higher (10 7 -10 8 RNA copies/ml) in 10 AGMs diagnosed as acutely infected based on SIV seronegativity (Fiebig II), which suggests a very active transmission of SIVagm in the wild. Neither cytokine levels (as biomarkers of immune activation) nor sCD14 levels (a biomarker of microbial translocation) were different between SIVinfected and SIV-uninfected monkeys. This complex algorithm combining sequencing and phylogeny, VL quantification, serology, and testing of surrogate markers of microbial translocation and immune activation permits a systematic investigation of the epidemiology, viral diversity and natural history of SIV infection in wild African natural hosts.

Tree Genetics & Genomes, 2013

Mediterranean junipers are of special ecological importance as key components of resource islands... more Mediterranean junipers are of special ecological importance as key components of resource islands in semiarid mountain ecosystems of the Mediterranean basin. The fragmentation of their habitat, which was primarily natural and driven by climatic drought conditions, is currently being aggravated by anthropogenic pressure. In the framework of this concern, the present work aims to contribute establishing a genomic profile of Juniperus in its western Mediterranean range, with a special emphasis placed on J. thurifera. DNA contents were assessed by flow cytometry in 43 populations of nine taxa within their Mediterranean range (first reports for J. navicularis, J. thurifera subsp. africana and J. thurifera subsp. thurifera). Chromosome numbers were determined by orcein staining in eight taxa (first counts for J. oxycedrus subsp. badia, J. phoenicea subsp. phoenicea, J. phoenicea subsp. turbinata, of 2n0 2x022, and for J. thurifera subsp. thurifera, of 2n04x0 44). Tetraploid cytotypes have been the only ones found in the 19 populations of J. thurifera studied, this being the first report of a Juniperus species exclusively polyploid. In J. thurifera, C-value does not respond to habitat fragmentation, in the same way that genetic diversity within populations was previously shown to be unaltered, suggesting that this factor has not had, at least to date, a significant impact on populations at genomic and genetic levels. Habitat fragmentation leads to deeply age-biased populations with a male-biased imbalanced sex ratio (lack of females), indicating an urgent need to improve regeneration within the populations of this species.

Plant Systematics and Evolution, 2013

Juniperus thurifera is an important component of woodland communities of dry sites within the Wes... more Juniperus thurifera is an important component of woodland communities of dry sites within the West Mediterranean region and is characterised by a strongly disjunctive geographic range. Two subspecies were recognised, subsp. thurifera in Europe and subsp. africana in Africa. The aim of the study was the comparison of phenetic diversity to the pattern of AFLP geographic differentiation of the species described in the literature. The examination of phenetic diversity was based on the biometrical analysis of 17 populations using 12 morphological characters of cone and seed. The differences among populations were analysed using Student's t test, analysis of discrimination, UPGMA agglomeration and hierarchical analysis of variance. The majority of morphological characters differentiated at a statistically significant level between populations and between J. thurifera subsp. thurifera and subsp. africana. Three groups of populations were detected using multivariate statistical analyses. The first, well separated, is subsp. africana, while the following two concern subsp. thurifera.

Pancreatology, 2010

Resistin and visfatin, hormones produced by adipose tissue, have pro-inflammatory potential; howe... more Resistin and visfatin, hormones produced by adipose tissue, have pro-inflammatory potential; however, their role in acute pancreatitis (AP) has been investigated only rarely. The study group comprised 32 patients with alcoholic AP and 30 controls. In all cases AP was classified as C according to Balthazar's CT score and as severe according to Ranson's criteria. The serum level of visfatin, resistin, and interleukin(IL)-8 immunoassays were measured by ELISA on admission and on the third and fifth day of hospitalization. On the admission day serum resistin and IL-8 concentrations in AP patients were significantly higher than in controls and they further increased on the third and fifth day of hospitalization. On the admission day serum visfatin levels in AP patients were significantly higher than in controls and further increased on the third day of hospitalization. On the fifth day the levels decreased; however, they were still higher than on admission. The correlation between visfatin and resistin as well as between C-reactive protein and visfatin, resistin and IL-8 levels has been found. In the course of AP, visfatin and resistin levels increase in parallel with C-reactive protein. We speculate that those parameters may provide an additional tool for the prognosis and monitoring of AP. and IAP.

International Biodeterioration & Biodegradation, 2012

ABSTRACT Fourteen of non-basidiomycete fungi isolated from biota contaminated with xenobiotics we... more ABSTRACT Fourteen of non-basidiomycete fungi isolated from biota contaminated with xenobiotics were investigated for their ability to decolorize a synthetic dye Malachite green (MG) during the growth on solid as well as in liquid Czapek-Dox (CzD) medium. Two strains of the highest efficiency of MG removal were identified by molecular techniques as Penicillium pinophilum and Myrothecium roridum and chosen for the more detailed study. Decolorization experiments accompanied by enzymes (laccase and MG reductase) assay and mycelium microscopic observations allow to propose patterns of MG removal by P. pinophilum and M. roridum. Strain of P. pinophilum decolorized MG by simultaneous biosorption with intracellular dye biotransformation accompanied by the 3-times increase activity of MG reductase. Removal of MG by M. roridum seemed to be mostly resulted from extracellular laccase activity (which was over 6 times higher in cells exposed to dye as compared to control mycelium). LC/MS/MS analyses of the intermediate compounds produced during decolorization of MG suggested that in both fungi biodegradation of MG involved reduction to leucomalachite green and conversion to N-demethylated metabolites.

Human Mutation, 2000

One of the unclassified variants of the BRCA1 gene which has drawn considerable attention in rece... more One of the unclassified variants of the BRCA1 gene which has drawn considerable attention in recent years is the 12-bp insertion/duplication in intron 20. In this report, we show that a contribution from one chromosome cannot be detected in the BRCA1 transcript of the 12 bp insertion carrier. We also demonstrate here that the single transcript variant we observe by cDNA analysis originates from the same BRCA1 allele that harbours the 12-bp insertion.

Human Mutation, 2001

The frequency of three BRCA1 founder mutations was examined in a group of Polish breast/ovarian c... more The frequency of three BRCA1 founder mutations was examined in a group of Polish breast/ovarian cancer patients and women at increased risk of these cancers based on family history. Among the 15 mutations found (5385-5386insC, 187-188delAG, and 4154delA), eight were detected in women with a low or moderate family history. The frequency of the IVS20+48ins12 variant was also analyzed and its distribution within risk groups argues against its involvement in cancer predisposition. KEY WORDS: BRCA1; founder mutations; breast/ovarian cancer; Poland Campbell IG, Schroff R, Englefield P, Eccles DM. 1997. BRCA1 polymorphisms. Br J Cancer 75:1854-5. Csokay B, Tihomirova L, Stengrevics A, Sinicka O, Olah E. 1999. Strong founder effects in BRCA1 mutation carrier breast cancer patients from Latvia. Hum Mutat: 14:92, Mutation in Brief no. 258 (Online). Dork T, Skawran B, Stuhrmann M, Bremer M, Karstens JH. 1999. BRCA1 expression is not affected by the intronic 12 bp duplication. J Med Genet 36:262-3. Easton DF, Narod SA, Ford D, Steel M. 1994. The genetic epidemiology of BRCA1. Breast Cancer Linkage Consortium. Lancet 344:761.

Human Mutation, 2000

Germ-line mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes result in a significantly increased risk of breast a... more Germ-line mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes result in a significantly increased risk of breast and ovarian cancer. Other genes involved in an increased predisposition to breast cancer include the TP53 gene, mutated in Li-Fraumeni syndrome. To estimate the frequency of germ-line mutations in these three genes in Upper Silesia, we have analyzed 47 breast/ovarian cancer families from that region. We found five different disease predisposing mutations in 17 (36%) families. Twelve families (25.5%) carried known BRCA1 mutations (5382insC and C61G), four families (8.5%) carried novel BRCA2 mutations (9631delC and 6886delGAAAA), and one family (2%) harbored novel mutation 1095del8 in the TP53 gene, which is the largest germline deletion in coding sequence of this gene identified thus far. The 5382insC mutation in BRCA1 was found in 11 families and the 9631delC mutation in BRCA2 occurred in three families. These two mutations taken together contribute to 82% of all mutations found in this study, and 30% of the families investigated harbor one of these mutations. The very high frequency of common mutations observed in these families can only be compared to that reported for Ashkenazi Jewish, Icelandic, and Russian high-risk families. This frequency, however, may not be representative for the entire Polish population. The observed distribution of mutations will favor routine pre-screening of predisposed families using a simple and cost-effective test.

Human Mutation, 2007

Although the trinucleotide repeats are present in the exons of numerous human genes, the allele d... more Although the trinucleotide repeats are present in the exons of numerous human genes, the allele distribution is not well known, and the factors responsible for their intergenic and intragenic variability are not well understood. We have analyzed the length and sequence variation within the most commonly occurring CAG and CTG repeats in a large number of human genes selected to contain the longest reported repeat tracts. Our study revealed that in genes other than those implicated in the Triplet Repeat Expansion Diseases (TREDs), the very long and highly polymorphic repeats are rather infrequent. The length of pure repeat tract in the most frequent allele was found to correlate well with the rate of the repeat length polymorphism, and CAA triplets were shown to be the most frequent CAG repeat interruptions. As both the CAG and CAA triplets code for glutamine, our results may suggest that the selective pressure disfavors the long uninterrupted CAG repeats in genes and transcripts but not the long normal polyglutamine tracts in proteins. This may indicate that hairpin structures formed in ssDNA and RNA by long pure CAG repeats would be selected against as they may impede normal cellular processes. Hum Mutat 28 , 451-458, 2007. r r 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Hepatogastroenterology, 2012

Central obesity is a risk factor for GERD, Barrett&am... more Central obesity is a risk factor for GERD, Barrett's esophagus and esophageal adeno-carcinoma. Recent studies have suggested that adipocytokines are the possible link between adiposity and Barrett's carcinogenesis. To determine the adiponectin, resistin and leptin concentration as well as the central adiposity parameters in BE patients with and without intestinal metaplasia (IM) in comparison to GERD and healthy controls. Total of 77 patients (30 patients with GERD, 26 BE with IM and 21 BE without IM) and 30 healthy controls were investigated for the central obesity parameters. Serum levels of adipocytokines were measured with ELISA. The serum concentration of adiponectin was significantly lower in BE compared to those in GERD and to controls (p<0.001). Levels of leptin was slightly higher in BE than in GERD and controls (NS). Level of resistin was significantly higher in GERD compared to both control and BE patients (p<0.001). Waist circumference, WHR and WTR were significantly higher in BE patients compared to GERD (p<0.001) and to control group (p<0.001). Features of central obesity rather than BMI are associated with BE development. Adipokines may be important at the early step of BE development, before the IM occurrence.

Flora - Morphology, Distribution, Functional Ecology of Plants, 2008

Differences in morphological and anatomical characters of needles between seedlings, saplings and... more Differences in morphological and anatomical characters of needles between seedlings, saplings and adult trees of the endangered Pinus uliginosa from the Węgliniec Nature Reserve in SW Poland were examined biometrically and statistically assessed using the Student's t-test, Tukey-Kramer test, step-wise discrimination and agglomeration on Euclidean distances according to Ward's method. Pinus sylvestris adults and seedlings were used as comparative material. The results show that needles of all three P. uliginosa generations differ significantly from each other. In seedling needles, several anatomical characters were similar to those of P. sylvestris growing in the vicinity of the reserve. However, P. uliginosa had a lower number of resin canals, lower frequency of fibre-like sclerenchyma cells and higher frequency of thin-walled sclerenchyma cells with large lumens in the spaces between vascular bundles. Needle characters of saplings and adult trees of both species were distinctly more different than it was the case in the seedling stage.

Digestive Diseases and Sciences, 2010

Objectives Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a severe inflammatory disease with high mortality and morbi... more Objectives Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a severe inflammatory disease with high mortality and morbidity rates. We have previously demonstrated that resistin may represent an early marker of inflammation in AP. It was also revealed that ghrelin may have anti-inflammatory potential. However, the role of adipohormones in AP-resistin and ghrelin as well as the proinflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-18-has not yet been fully elucidated. Methods The study group comprised 32 patients with alcoholic AP and 30 controls matched for age, sex, and body mass index (BMI). In all cases AP was classified as grade C according to Balthazar's computed tomography (CT) score and as severe (3 points) according to Ranson's criteria. Serum levels of resistin, ghrelin, and IL-18 were measured on first, third, and fifth day of hospitalization by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results On first day of hospitalization the mean serum resistin concentration in AP patients was significantly higher than in controls (P \ 0.05) and further increased on third and fifth day of hospitalization (17.4 ± 4.23 ng/ml and 25.8 ± 8.14 ng/ml, respectively). On first day of hospitalization the mean serum IL-18 concentration in AP patients was significantly higher than in controls (P \ 0.05), on third day its level further increased, and on fifth day it decreased to a level similar to that observed on admission. The serum ghrelin concentrations on first, third, and fifth day of hospitalization were comparable, and significantly higher than in controls (P \ 0.01). Significant correlation between C-reactive protein (CRP) and resistin levels (r = 0.43; P \ 0.05) and between CRP and IL-18 (r = 0.58; P \ 0.05) on day of admission was found. Conclusions Serum concentration of IL-18 and resistin may contribute to inflammatory response and may be useful as an early marker of inflammation in AP. We also suspect that ghrelin affects the course of AP and plays an important role in inflammatory response.

Rozwój -jest wynikiem pozytywnych zmian wzrostu ilościowego i postępu jakościowego w systemach go... more Rozwój -jest wynikiem pozytywnych zmian wzrostu ilościowego i postępu jakościowego w systemach gospodarczych, społecznych i przyrodniczych -we współczesnym paradygmacie rozwoju lokalnego i regionalnego system przyrodniczy traktowany jest jako integralny składnik We współczesnym parodygnacie rozwoju lokalnego i regionalnego system przyrodniczy jest traktowany jako jego integralny składnik. Rozwój gospodarczy -jest długofalowym procesem przemian dokonujących się w gospodarce Obejmuje zmiany ilościowe: -dotyczące wzrostu produkcji, zatrudnienia, inwestycji, dochodów, spożycia i inne wielkości ekonomiczne charakteryzujące gospodarkę od strony ilościowej (wzrost gospodarczy) -towarzyszące im zmiany o charakterze jakościowym Do zmian jakościowych należą: -postęp techniczny i technologiczny -doskonalenie systemu powiązań wewnątrz-gospodarczych i powiązań z gospodarką światową -wzrost poziomu kwalifikacji siły roboczej -zmian struktury gospodarczej zmierzającej do jej unowocześnienia -wzrost poziomu efektywności w skali mikro i makroekonomicznej -pojawienie się nowych produktów i doskonalenie jakości już produkowanych Rozwój lokalny -proces zmian zachodzących w mieście i gminie, wiejskiej lub miejsko-wiejskiej. Rozwój lokalny jest pojęciem złożonym. Stopień tej złożoności jest pochodna nielorakosci celów, którym rozwój ma służyć oraz różnorodności działań, które go kształtują. Efektem rozwoju lokalnego jest proces tworzenia na szczeblu gminy rocznych wartości.

Neurologia i Neurochirurgia Polska, 2012

Data suggest that adipocytokines and natural regulatory T (nTreg) cells play a pivotal role in th... more Data suggest that adipocytokines and natural regulatory T (nTreg) cells play a pivotal role in the immunopathogenesis of multiple sclerosis and the associated inflammation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate selected adipocytokines and nTreg cells and to assess their relationship with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). The study was conducted among 25 patients with RRMS and 25 healthy individuals. Blood samples were collected within two weeks after the beginning of acute relapse of RRMS. The body mass index (BMI) of each patient was calculated. Serum adipocytokine concentrations were determined by ELISA and nTreg cells were evaluated using multicolour flow cytometry. Patients and controls had similar BMI, regardless of gender. Significantly higher leptin and resistin levels and significantly lower adiponectin levels were found in patients with RRMS in comparison to the control group (p < 0.0001). The percentage of nTreg cells (p < 0.01) and the mean fluorescence channel (MFC) of FoxP3 were significantly reduced in patients with RRMS (p < 0.001). There was an inverse correlation be-tween leptin concentration and MFC of the transcription factor Foxp3 nTreg in patients with RRMS (r = -0.7, p < 0.05). Proinflammatory adipocytokine profile and decreased percentage of nTreg cells suggest their implication in the inflammatory response in RRMS regardless of corticosteroid therapy. The correlation between leptin and the MFC of the transcription factor Foxp3 in nTreg cells in patients with RRMS suggests its inhibitory effect on FoxP3 expression.

Plant Systematics and Evolution, 2012

The main aim of the present study was testing the value of the morphological and anatomical chara... more The main aim of the present study was testing the value of the morphological and anatomical characteristics of the needles in distinguishing Cedrus atlantica, C. libani and C. brevifolia. Nine populations were sampled in their natural habit and 25 characters were used to describe the variation of the brachyblast needles and to analyze the differences between species. The results indicated that morphological and anatomical needle characters provide valuable tools in discrimination of the taxa. The scored differences were statistically significant, as revealed in the Tukey's t test, discrimination analysis and hierarchical analysis of variation. The results support treating C. libani, C. atlantica and C. brevifolia as independent species.

Dendrobiology, 2014

Divergence in genetic as well as phenotypic structures can be expected in species with disjunctiv... more Divergence in genetic as well as phenotypic structures can be expected in species with disjunctive geographic ranges and restricted gene flow among isolated populations. Dwarf mountain pine has such a disjunctive geographic range in the mountains of Central Europe. We hypothesised that populations of Pinus mugo from the Giant Mts. differ from Alpine and Carpathian populations to a greater extent than differentiation within these regions; furthermore, these differences would be detectable at both the genetic and phenotypic levels. To verify this hypothesis, the diversity and differentiation within and among eleven populations from the Giant Mts., Carpathians and Alps were analysed using 19 isozyme isozyme loci, 17 needle and 15 cone morphological characters. Moreover, the data on 10 chloroplast microsatellites used in the previous study, were reanalysed. The differences between the three regions were greater than among populations within them. The microsatellites and isozymes clearly differentiated between regions, while in the multivariate analyses of cone and needle characters the Alpine and Carpathian populations were intermingled but distinct from those sampled in the Giant Mts. The significant genetic structuring among regions may result from an ancient fragmentation and long lasting geographic isolation between the Giant Mts., Alps and Tatras. The populations from the Giant Mts., the northernmost within the geographic range of P. mugo, presented lower level of genetic variation then those from the Alps and Carpathians. The pattern of genetic structure observed in dwarf mountain pine may be characteristic of wind-pollinated trees with a disjunctive geographic distribution

Plant Systematics and Evolution, 2014

The phenotypic differentiation of relic P. sylvestris in southern Europe and southwestern Asia wa... more The phenotypic differentiation of relic P. sylvestris in southern Europe and southwestern Asia was verified using thirty-two populations sampled from the Iberian Peninsula, Massif Central, Balkan Peninsula, Crimea and Anatolia. Twenty-one morphological and anatomical needle traits and 18 cone morphological characteristics were examined to describe the population diversity and differentiation. The needle characters were not correlated to those of cone. The differences between regions were significant based on 12 needle and 9 cone characteristics, suggesting spatial isolation. The differentiation between the Iberian and Anatolian populations was the highest, which indicates the isolation by distance. The high level of morphological differentiation was also found among Iberian populations, supporting the already known complex history of the species in that region. Populations within other regions were differentiated at lower levels; however, the West Anatolian populations differed morphologically from the eastern ones. The described pattern of morphological differentiation supports the idea of the long-lasting existence of P. sylvestris in the south-European and Anatolian mountain regions. To conserve this variation, seed transfer between regions in the forest economy should be restricted.

PLoS Pathogens, 2013

Pathogenesis studies of SIV infection have not been performed to date in wild monkeys due to diff... more Pathogenesis studies of SIV infection have not been performed to date in wild monkeys due to difficulty in collecting and storing samples on site and the lack of analytical reagents covering the extensive SIV diversity. We performed a large scale study of molecular epidemiology and natural history of SIVagm infection in 225 free-ranging AGMs from multiple locations in South Africa. SIV prevalence (established by sequencing pol, env, and gag) varied dramatically between infant/juvenile (7%) and adult animals (68%) (p,0.0001), and between adult females (78%) and males (57%). Phylogenetic analyses revealed an extensive genetic diversity, including frequent recombination events. Some AGMs harbored epidemiologically linked viruses. Viruses infecting AGMs in the Free State, which are separated from those on the coastal side by the Drakensberg Mountains, formed a separate cluster in the phylogenetic trees; this observation supports a long standing presence of SIV in AGMs, at least from the time of their speciation to their Plio-Pleistocene migration. Specific primers/ probes were synthesized based on the pol sequence data and viral loads (VLs) were quantified. VLs were of 10 4 -10 6 RNA copies/ml, in the range of those observed in experimentally-infected monkeys, validating the experimental approaches in natural hosts. VLs were significantly higher (10 7 -10 8 RNA copies/ml) in 10 AGMs diagnosed as acutely infected based on SIV seronegativity (Fiebig II), which suggests a very active transmission of SIVagm in the wild. Neither cytokine levels (as biomarkers of immune activation) nor sCD14 levels (a biomarker of microbial translocation) were different between SIVinfected and SIV-uninfected monkeys. This complex algorithm combining sequencing and phylogeny, VL quantification, serology, and testing of surrogate markers of microbial translocation and immune activation permits a systematic investigation of the epidemiology, viral diversity and natural history of SIV infection in wild African natural hosts.

Tree Genetics & Genomes, 2013

Mediterranean junipers are of special ecological importance as key components of resource islands... more Mediterranean junipers are of special ecological importance as key components of resource islands in semiarid mountain ecosystems of the Mediterranean basin. The fragmentation of their habitat, which was primarily natural and driven by climatic drought conditions, is currently being aggravated by anthropogenic pressure. In the framework of this concern, the present work aims to contribute establishing a genomic profile of Juniperus in its western Mediterranean range, with a special emphasis placed on J. thurifera. DNA contents were assessed by flow cytometry in 43 populations of nine taxa within their Mediterranean range (first reports for J. navicularis, J. thurifera subsp. africana and J. thurifera subsp. thurifera). Chromosome numbers were determined by orcein staining in eight taxa (first counts for J. oxycedrus subsp. badia, J. phoenicea subsp. phoenicea, J. phoenicea subsp. turbinata, of 2n0 2x022, and for J. thurifera subsp. thurifera, of 2n04x0 44). Tetraploid cytotypes have been the only ones found in the 19 populations of J. thurifera studied, this being the first report of a Juniperus species exclusively polyploid. In J. thurifera, C-value does not respond to habitat fragmentation, in the same way that genetic diversity within populations was previously shown to be unaltered, suggesting that this factor has not had, at least to date, a significant impact on populations at genomic and genetic levels. Habitat fragmentation leads to deeply age-biased populations with a male-biased imbalanced sex ratio (lack of females), indicating an urgent need to improve regeneration within the populations of this species.

Plant Systematics and Evolution, 2013

Juniperus thurifera is an important component of woodland communities of dry sites within the Wes... more Juniperus thurifera is an important component of woodland communities of dry sites within the West Mediterranean region and is characterised by a strongly disjunctive geographic range. Two subspecies were recognised, subsp. thurifera in Europe and subsp. africana in Africa. The aim of the study was the comparison of phenetic diversity to the pattern of AFLP geographic differentiation of the species described in the literature. The examination of phenetic diversity was based on the biometrical analysis of 17 populations using 12 morphological characters of cone and seed. The differences among populations were analysed using Student's t test, analysis of discrimination, UPGMA agglomeration and hierarchical analysis of variance. The majority of morphological characters differentiated at a statistically significant level between populations and between J. thurifera subsp. thurifera and subsp. africana. Three groups of populations were detected using multivariate statistical analyses. The first, well separated, is subsp. africana, while the following two concern subsp. thurifera.

Pancreatology, 2010

Resistin and visfatin, hormones produced by adipose tissue, have pro-inflammatory potential; howe... more Resistin and visfatin, hormones produced by adipose tissue, have pro-inflammatory potential; however, their role in acute pancreatitis (AP) has been investigated only rarely. The study group comprised 32 patients with alcoholic AP and 30 controls. In all cases AP was classified as C according to Balthazar's CT score and as severe according to Ranson's criteria. The serum level of visfatin, resistin, and interleukin(IL)-8 immunoassays were measured by ELISA on admission and on the third and fifth day of hospitalization. On the admission day serum resistin and IL-8 concentrations in AP patients were significantly higher than in controls and they further increased on the third and fifth day of hospitalization. On the admission day serum visfatin levels in AP patients were significantly higher than in controls and further increased on the third day of hospitalization. On the fifth day the levels decreased; however, they were still higher than on admission. The correlation between visfatin and resistin as well as between C-reactive protein and visfatin, resistin and IL-8 levels has been found. In the course of AP, visfatin and resistin levels increase in parallel with C-reactive protein. We speculate that those parameters may provide an additional tool for the prognosis and monitoring of AP. and IAP.

International Biodeterioration & Biodegradation, 2012

ABSTRACT Fourteen of non-basidiomycete fungi isolated from biota contaminated with xenobiotics we... more ABSTRACT Fourteen of non-basidiomycete fungi isolated from biota contaminated with xenobiotics were investigated for their ability to decolorize a synthetic dye Malachite green (MG) during the growth on solid as well as in liquid Czapek-Dox (CzD) medium. Two strains of the highest efficiency of MG removal were identified by molecular techniques as Penicillium pinophilum and Myrothecium roridum and chosen for the more detailed study. Decolorization experiments accompanied by enzymes (laccase and MG reductase) assay and mycelium microscopic observations allow to propose patterns of MG removal by P. pinophilum and M. roridum. Strain of P. pinophilum decolorized MG by simultaneous biosorption with intracellular dye biotransformation accompanied by the 3-times increase activity of MG reductase. Removal of MG by M. roridum seemed to be mostly resulted from extracellular laccase activity (which was over 6 times higher in cells exposed to dye as compared to control mycelium). LC/MS/MS analyses of the intermediate compounds produced during decolorization of MG suggested that in both fungi biodegradation of MG involved reduction to leucomalachite green and conversion to N-demethylated metabolites.

Human Mutation, 2000

One of the unclassified variants of the BRCA1 gene which has drawn considerable attention in rece... more One of the unclassified variants of the BRCA1 gene which has drawn considerable attention in recent years is the 12-bp insertion/duplication in intron 20. In this report, we show that a contribution from one chromosome cannot be detected in the BRCA1 transcript of the 12 bp insertion carrier. We also demonstrate here that the single transcript variant we observe by cDNA analysis originates from the same BRCA1 allele that harbours the 12-bp insertion.

Human Mutation, 2001

The frequency of three BRCA1 founder mutations was examined in a group of Polish breast/ovarian c... more The frequency of three BRCA1 founder mutations was examined in a group of Polish breast/ovarian cancer patients and women at increased risk of these cancers based on family history. Among the 15 mutations found (5385-5386insC, 187-188delAG, and 4154delA), eight were detected in women with a low or moderate family history. The frequency of the IVS20+48ins12 variant was also analyzed and its distribution within risk groups argues against its involvement in cancer predisposition. KEY WORDS: BRCA1; founder mutations; breast/ovarian cancer; Poland Campbell IG, Schroff R, Englefield P, Eccles DM. 1997. BRCA1 polymorphisms. Br J Cancer 75:1854-5. Csokay B, Tihomirova L, Stengrevics A, Sinicka O, Olah E. 1999. Strong founder effects in BRCA1 mutation carrier breast cancer patients from Latvia. Hum Mutat: 14:92, Mutation in Brief no. 258 (Online). Dork T, Skawran B, Stuhrmann M, Bremer M, Karstens JH. 1999. BRCA1 expression is not affected by the intronic 12 bp duplication. J Med Genet 36:262-3. Easton DF, Narod SA, Ford D, Steel M. 1994. The genetic epidemiology of BRCA1. Breast Cancer Linkage Consortium. Lancet 344:761.

Human Mutation, 2000

Germ-line mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes result in a significantly increased risk of breast a... more Germ-line mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes result in a significantly increased risk of breast and ovarian cancer. Other genes involved in an increased predisposition to breast cancer include the TP53 gene, mutated in Li-Fraumeni syndrome. To estimate the frequency of germ-line mutations in these three genes in Upper Silesia, we have analyzed 47 breast/ovarian cancer families from that region. We found five different disease predisposing mutations in 17 (36%) families. Twelve families (25.5%) carried known BRCA1 mutations (5382insC and C61G), four families (8.5%) carried novel BRCA2 mutations (9631delC and 6886delGAAAA), and one family (2%) harbored novel mutation 1095del8 in the TP53 gene, which is the largest germline deletion in coding sequence of this gene identified thus far. The 5382insC mutation in BRCA1 was found in 11 families and the 9631delC mutation in BRCA2 occurred in three families. These two mutations taken together contribute to 82% of all mutations found in this study, and 30% of the families investigated harbor one of these mutations. The very high frequency of common mutations observed in these families can only be compared to that reported for Ashkenazi Jewish, Icelandic, and Russian high-risk families. This frequency, however, may not be representative for the entire Polish population. The observed distribution of mutations will favor routine pre-screening of predisposed families using a simple and cost-effective test.

Human Mutation, 2007

Although the trinucleotide repeats are present in the exons of numerous human genes, the allele d... more Although the trinucleotide repeats are present in the exons of numerous human genes, the allele distribution is not well known, and the factors responsible for their intergenic and intragenic variability are not well understood. We have analyzed the length and sequence variation within the most commonly occurring CAG and CTG repeats in a large number of human genes selected to contain the longest reported repeat tracts. Our study revealed that in genes other than those implicated in the Triplet Repeat Expansion Diseases (TREDs), the very long and highly polymorphic repeats are rather infrequent. The length of pure repeat tract in the most frequent allele was found to correlate well with the rate of the repeat length polymorphism, and CAA triplets were shown to be the most frequent CAG repeat interruptions. As both the CAG and CAA triplets code for glutamine, our results may suggest that the selective pressure disfavors the long uninterrupted CAG repeats in genes and transcripts but not the long normal polyglutamine tracts in proteins. This may indicate that hairpin structures formed in ssDNA and RNA by long pure CAG repeats would be selected against as they may impede normal cellular processes. Hum Mutat 28 , 451-458, 2007. r r 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Hepatogastroenterology, 2012

Central obesity is a risk factor for GERD, Barrett&am... more Central obesity is a risk factor for GERD, Barrett's esophagus and esophageal adeno-carcinoma. Recent studies have suggested that adipocytokines are the possible link between adiposity and Barrett's carcinogenesis. To determine the adiponectin, resistin and leptin concentration as well as the central adiposity parameters in BE patients with and without intestinal metaplasia (IM) in comparison to GERD and healthy controls. Total of 77 patients (30 patients with GERD, 26 BE with IM and 21 BE without IM) and 30 healthy controls were investigated for the central obesity parameters. Serum levels of adipocytokines were measured with ELISA. The serum concentration of adiponectin was significantly lower in BE compared to those in GERD and to controls (p<0.001). Levels of leptin was slightly higher in BE than in GERD and controls (NS). Level of resistin was significantly higher in GERD compared to both control and BE patients (p<0.001). Waist circumference, WHR and WTR were significantly higher in BE patients compared to GERD (p<0.001) and to control group (p<0.001). Features of central obesity rather than BMI are associated with BE development. Adipokines may be important at the early step of BE development, before the IM occurrence.

Flora - Morphology, Distribution, Functional Ecology of Plants, 2008

Differences in morphological and anatomical characters of needles between seedlings, saplings and... more Differences in morphological and anatomical characters of needles between seedlings, saplings and adult trees of the endangered Pinus uliginosa from the Węgliniec Nature Reserve in SW Poland were examined biometrically and statistically assessed using the Student's t-test, Tukey-Kramer test, step-wise discrimination and agglomeration on Euclidean distances according to Ward's method. Pinus sylvestris adults and seedlings were used as comparative material. The results show that needles of all three P. uliginosa generations differ significantly from each other. In seedling needles, several anatomical characters were similar to those of P. sylvestris growing in the vicinity of the reserve. However, P. uliginosa had a lower number of resin canals, lower frequency of fibre-like sclerenchyma cells and higher frequency of thin-walled sclerenchyma cells with large lumens in the spaces between vascular bundles. Needle characters of saplings and adult trees of both species were distinctly more different than it was the case in the seedling stage.

Digestive Diseases and Sciences, 2010

Objectives Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a severe inflammatory disease with high mortality and morbi... more Objectives Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a severe inflammatory disease with high mortality and morbidity rates. We have previously demonstrated that resistin may represent an early marker of inflammation in AP. It was also revealed that ghrelin may have anti-inflammatory potential. However, the role of adipohormones in AP-resistin and ghrelin as well as the proinflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-18-has not yet been fully elucidated. Methods The study group comprised 32 patients with alcoholic AP and 30 controls matched for age, sex, and body mass index (BMI). In all cases AP was classified as grade C according to Balthazar's computed tomography (CT) score and as severe (3 points) according to Ranson's criteria. Serum levels of resistin, ghrelin, and IL-18 were measured on first, third, and fifth day of hospitalization by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results On first day of hospitalization the mean serum resistin concentration in AP patients was significantly higher than in controls (P \ 0.05) and further increased on third and fifth day of hospitalization (17.4 ± 4.23 ng/ml and 25.8 ± 8.14 ng/ml, respectively). On first day of hospitalization the mean serum IL-18 concentration in AP patients was significantly higher than in controls (P \ 0.05), on third day its level further increased, and on fifth day it decreased to a level similar to that observed on admission. The serum ghrelin concentrations on first, third, and fifth day of hospitalization were comparable, and significantly higher than in controls (P \ 0.01). Significant correlation between C-reactive protein (CRP) and resistin levels (r = 0.43; P \ 0.05) and between CRP and IL-18 (r = 0.58; P \ 0.05) on day of admission was found. Conclusions Serum concentration of IL-18 and resistin may contribute to inflammatory response and may be useful as an early marker of inflammation in AP. We also suspect that ghrelin affects the course of AP and plays an important role in inflammatory response.