Jan Mazerski

PCBs in fish from the southern Baltic Sea: levels, bioaccumulation features, and temporal trends during the period from 1997 to 2006.

Levels of seven marker polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) have been determined in five species of Baltic fish collected during 1997-2006. Downward time trends in the concentrations of heavier congeners of PCBs in different Baltic fish, with the exception of cod, have been observed between 1997 and 2001. In case of sprat and herring samples, the statistical significance of the time trends of the PCBs: 101, 118, 153, 138 and 180 concentrations has been proved. Species-specific bioaccumulation of PCBs has been indicated, and the lowest and highest levels of PCBs (expressed on the basis of lipid weight) have been observed in sprat and salmon samples, respectively. PCB profiles have been found to be similar in all the fish species tested. Sampling location has not been a crucial factor for the observed levels of various PCBs. In some fish species, PCB concentrations are negatively correlated with the fat content but have no relation with the fish length.

Application of PCA and time series analysis in studies of precipitation in Tricity (Poland)

The paper presents monitoring results and environmental pollution assessment for Gdansk–Sopot–Gdynia Tricity (Poland). Precipitation samples were collected at ten sites in monthly cycles over a period of 4 years from January 1, 1998 to December 31, 2001. The following analytes were determined in the samples: NO3−, SO42−, F−, Cl−, PO43−, NH4+, Ca2+, K+, Mg2+, Na+. These results were subjected to full statistical evaluation and chemometrical analysis (time series, analysis of variance and principal component analysis). The obtained results allowed us to determine the relations between variance of average concentration levels of analytes in rainfall samples, depending on the season and the amount of rainfall. Chemometrical analysis confirmed that the composition of inorganic pollution present in the precipitation samples taken within the Tricity was—to a large degree—affected by the location of the area and proximity of the Baltic Sea. A characteristic feature of the region is the presence of industrial plants producing granulated phosphatic fertilizers, which contributes to the average level of PO43− and F− ion concentration in rainwater.

Intercalation complex of imidazoacridinone C-1311, a potential anticancer drug, with DNA helix d(CGATCG)2: stereostructural studies by 2D NMR spectroscopy

Imidazoacridinone C-1311 (Symadex®) is a powerful antitumor agent, which successfully made its way through the Phase I clinical trials and has been recommended for Phase II few a years ago. It has been shown experimentally that during the initial stage of its action C-1311 forms a relatively stable intercalation complex with DNA, yet it has shown no base-sequence specificity while binding to DNA. In this paper, the d(CGATCG)2:C-1311 intercalation complex has been studied by means of two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy, yielding a full assignment of the resonance lines observed in 1H NMR spectra. The observation of the intermolecular NOE contacts between C-1311 and DNA allowed locating the ligand between the guanine and adenine moieties. Formation of a symmetric complex was pointed out on the basis of the lack of a second set of the 1H resonances. The resulting stereostructure of the complex was then improved by means of molecular dynamics, using the CHARMM force field and GROMACS software. To this end, distance restraints derived from the NOESY cross-peak volumes were applied to the atomistic model of the d(CGATCG)2:C-1311 complex. Obtained results are in full agreement with biochemical data on the mechanism of action of C-1311, in particular with the previously postulated post-intercalation enzymatic activation of the studied drug.

Biological responses to environmental contamination. How can metal pollution impact signal honesty in avian species

Abstract Environmental pollution, for example with metals, can significantly affect the ecosystem balance leading to severe changes. Biologically active pigments are relevant for the appearance and condition of birds. Melanin and carotenoid particles are the most frequently deposited pigments in avian integument. They are responsible for the majority of colors of bird plumage. The phenotypic expression can be affected by metal contamination. It can be manifested as color bleaching or differences in the size of plumage badges. In this study, we performed a comprehensive review of related studies in order to estimate the underlying population effect of this potential dependency. The study is based on the review of the literature regarding several avian species. It was designed to identify an area where the effect of the exposure is still poorly known. The analysis was specifically conducted to investigate the correlation between trace element concentration and eumelanin deposition. Moreover, we searched for factors that could affect spectral properties of feathers with carotenoid‐based pigmentation. As a result, we found carotenoid‐based pigmentation to be of a good use in terms of visual condition assessment. Changes in melanin‐based pattern should be analyzed separately for eu‐ and pheomelanin as well as for a range of essential and toxic elements. Comprehensive studies on the subject are still scarce. Therefore, the issue requires further investigation.

Integrating Optical Spectroscopy and Chemometric Methods

In this Chapter, we describe the usage of several chemometric and numerical techniques to analyse of UV-Vis sets of spectra. The fundamentals of each technique are briefly presented with examples of its applications. This approach allows obtaining deeper insight in studied system. These methods can be used not only to analyze aggregation process, as it was presented in the Chapter, but also to study the interaction between small ligands and macromolecules, such as DNA. Determination of the number of formed complexes and the binding constant of interaction ligand/macromolecules can be received with this methodology.