Magdalena Malinowska

Stress granules (SG) and processing bodies (PB) in viral infections.

During reaction to stress caused by viral infection, RNA granules are formed in order to protect mRNA. Stress granules (SG) and processing bodies (PB) provide cell homeostasis and mRNA stability. They are formed, for example, during polio virus and MRV (mammalian orthoreovirus) infections. Some viruses, such as influenza virus and HTLV-1 (Human T-lymphotropic virus 1), block the formation of granules. In addition, there are viruses like West Nile Virus, Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) or human Herpes viruses, which influence the functioning of the granules.

Coronins and their role in immunological phenomena

Coronins are a large family of proteins occurring in many eukaryotes. In mammals, seven coronin genes have been identified, evidencing that coronins 1 to 6 present classic coronin structure, while coronin 7 is a tandem coronin particle, without a spiral domain, although the best characterised coronin, in terms of both structure and function, is the mammalian coronin 1. It has been proven that they are related to regulation of actin dynamics, e.g. as a result of interaction with the complex of proteins Arp2/3. These proteins also modulate the activity of immune system cells, including lymphocyte T and B cells, neutrophils and macrophages. They are involved in bacterial infections with Mycobacterium tuberculosis, M. leprae and Helicobacter pylori and participate in the response to viral infections, e.g. infections of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) and vesicular stomatitis Indiana virus (VSV). Also their involvement in autoimmune diseases such as lupus erythematosus has been recorded.

Modeling the Competence Acquiring Process in Higher Education Institution

Abstract Changes in human capital management, new requirements regarding knowledge and skills of employees compel higher education institutions to redefine their learning programmes. This requires evaluation of the didactic process realization, which should be oriented on competences. In the article authors presents an approach to competence modeling. New tools and collaboration mechanisms are proposed, which allow defining the structure of competence, analyzing the level of competence development, and assessing the competence process realization in relation “expected benefit-required expense”.

Motivation and social aspects of competence-based learning process

Abstract Motivation and social aspects as interaction among teachers and students are essential for a competence-based learning process in an Open Distance Learning environment, and the goal in this article is to develop an interactive model to manage motivation between process’ participants. The article contains the concept of developing a motivation model aimed at supporting activity and cooperation of both the students and the teacher. The structure of the motivation model and formal assumptions are presented. The proposed model constitutes the theoretical formalization of the new situation, when a teacher and the students are obligated to elaborate on a didactic material repository content in accordance with the competence requirements. The mathematical method, based on game theory and simulation is suggested. Conditions for using simulation in the model are analysed in two simulated cases.

Butyrophilins: an important new element of resistance

Butyrophilins belonging to the immunoglobulin superfamily are new immune system regulators because they are present on lymphocytes, dendritic cells, monocytes, macrophages, neutrophils and eosinophils, and they exert a stimulatory and (or) inhibitory effect on them. The role of butyrophilins is associated and results from their similarity to the regulatory B7 protein family involved in the modulation of immune phenomena. Butyrophilins are glycoproteins built of two extracellular immunoglobulin domains, stabilized with disulfide bonds: constant IgC, and variable IgV and a transmembrane region. Most of these proteins contain a conserved domain encoded by a single exon – B30.2, also referred to as PRYSPRY. In humans, the family of butyrophilins includes 7 butyrophilin proteins, 5 butyrophilin-like proteins and the SKINT-like factor. Butyrophilins have been also demonstrated to play a role in various infections, e.g. tuberculosis or diseases that include sarcoidosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, genetic metabolic diseases, ulcerative colitis, cancer and kidney disease.

Qualitative analysis of the main polyphenols contained in apple pomace extract

The paper describes chosen methods for the extraction and qualitative analysis of the main polyphenolic compounds contained in apple pomace. Apple pomace is a by-product generated during apple juice production. The extracts were obtained with the Ultrasound Assisted Micelle Mediated Extraction (UAMME) method using a 1% Rocanol B2 water solution, as well as the Ultrasound Assisted Extraction (UAE) method in water. Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) and UV/VIS spectroscopy were applied as analytical methods in order to identify the main polyphenolic substances in the obtained extracts. The obtained results showed that both UAMME as well as UAE are effective methods for obtaining quercetin, catechin and rutin.