In the late 18th and early 19th c., a drastic reduction in the area of forests due to their excessive exploitation occurred in Europe, which gave rise to the birth of afforestation efforts. The chemical composition of plants, including trees, depends on the many biotic and abiotic environmental factors. The aim of this study was to determine the content of some nutrients in needles and bark of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.), leaves and bark of silver birch (Betula pendula) and Norway maple (Acer platanoides L.), depending on their location. The content of phosphorus, potassium, sodium, calcium and magnesium depended on a plant species, plant organ and the location of sample collection. The leaves of silver birch, compared to its bark, contained ten-fold more potassium and six-fold more phosphorus and magnesium. The content of phosphorus was the highest in silver birch leaves in the center of Olsztyn. The highest potassium content was observed in silver birch leaves and Norway maple bark in the center of Olsztyn. The calcium content was the highest in the leaves and bark of maple trees growing near State Road 51 and in the leaves of this species in the city center. The highest sodium content was detected in the leaves and bark of most tree species growing along State Road 51 and in the center of Olsztyn.
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia characterized by a progressive deterioration of cognitive functions and by overproduction of toxic form of β-amyloid (Aβ) and intracellular accumulation of the microtubule-associated protein tau into neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs). In the past few years, our research team has investigated the genetic variability of PSEN1, PSEN2 and APP genes in AD patients, especially familial early-onset AD (fEOAD). We have identified mutations in PSEN1 and PSEN2, including novel ones located in exons coding for the large cytosolic loop of presenilin 1. To test functional nature of the aforementioned mutations we have performed analysis of the whole transcriptome using RNA sequencing method and total RNA isolated from primary fibroblasts cultures derived from fEOAD patients. Using RNA-Seq data we have performed differential gene expression (DGE) analysis, which was estimated by three independent bioinformatic tools (i.e. Cuffdiff, EgdeR and Deseq2). Further DGE enrichment analysis revealed a number of signaling pathways significantly altered in the samples from fEOAD patients, which varied depending on identified mutations in PSEN1 or PSEN2 genes. Next to cell cycle, pro-apoptotic, TNF, adherent junction, p53, or Wnt signaling pathways, we have found several changes in the pathways that have not been previously linked to AD. Among the aforementioned pathways we have focused on HIF-1 signaling, Hippo signaling as well as DNA mismatch repair, base excision repair, and transcriptional misregulation mechanisms. Interestingly, two novel PSEN1 mutations changing the amino acid sequence of the large cytoplasmic loop have been linked to TNF and HIF-1 signaling pathways, suggesting induction of proinflammatory response and opening future directions of the research on fEOAD pathomechanism. Supported by NCN G1119-2013/09/D/NZ3/01348.