3% vs 9 2 ± 1 7%, P = 001; Figure 3B) The average number of cel

3% vs 9.2 ± 1.7%, P = .001; Figure 3B). The average number of cells with caspase-3 expression in the treatment group increased significantly compared to that of the control one [(82.6 ± 3.5) × 103 and (21.4 ± 2.3) × 103, respectively; Figure 3A]. All mice were alive during the whole experiment. In the preparatory PD 332991 study, we observed the tumor slices under the TEM and calculated the mean sizes of gaps between vascular endothelial cells (865 ± 5.2 nm; range, 630-1325 nm) for 20 xenograft tumors. This result indicated that average gap sizes between tumor vascular endothelial cells were larger than our NB mean sizes (586 ± 6.0 nm) in our mouse model.

As the time line in Figure 2 showed, we processed the following experiment and observed that there were no statistical differences in the average weights of mice within four groups on day 0 (P = .76) and day 7 (P = .79). As for tumor sizes, the data indicated no differences among four groups

from day 0 to day 7 during the whole treatment process (P = .98; Figure 4A). Histologic analysis showed that there were no significant differences in the percentage of necrotic areas of samples between treatment (TI and T2) and control groups (C1 and C2; P = .21). At the end of treatment, anti–Her-2 therapy response was investigated by IHC analyses of Her-2 and caspase-3 expression in excised tumors. The data showed that the percentages of Her-2–positive expression in mouse tumors in the two treatment groups

(TI and T2; 54.5% check details and 66.7%) were lower than the control ones (91.2% and 80%, respectively; Dolutegravir order Figure 6B). This indicated that there was effective treatment in mouse xenograft models (T1 and T2 groups) and the trastuzumab treatment also induced apoptosis cells in these tumors. Thus, the percentages of caspase-3–positive expression in mouse samples in the two treatment groups (TI and T2) were higher than those of the control groups (C1 and C2; 90.0% and 83.3% vs 66.7% and 70%, respectively; Figure 6A). The ultrasound contrast imaging detected NB signals in in vivo models after 60 minutes from the injection of NB through the mouse tail vein, and this process was carried out under different time points (days 0, 3, 5, and 8; Figure 5A). Then, ultrasound imaging software analyses indicated that the average mean intensities of targeted bubbles in ROIs ( Figure 5B) in the T1 group were significantly higher than those in the other three groups (T2, C1, and C2; P = .001; Figure 4C). However, there were no differences within the three groups (T2, C1, and C2 groups), when one group was compared to other three groups (T2 vs T1 + C1 + C2, P = .74; C1 vs T1 + T2 + C2, P = .51, and C2 vs T1 + T2 + C1, P = .33, respectively). As for peak intensities of intratumor microbubble perfusion, they were also higher in the T1 group than those in the other groups (T2, C1, and C2; P = .00), but there were no differences within T2, C1, and C2 groups (P = .43, .96, and .42, respectively; Figure 4B).

A total of 12 replicates were performed for each treatment The r

A total of 12 replicates were performed for each treatment. The results

were expressed as mean and standard error (SEM). Data were checked for normality by the Shapiro–Wilk test, and for homoscedasticity by Levene’s test using the Statview 5.0 (SAS Institute Inc. Cary, NY, United States). The values expressed in percentages were Arcsine transformed. The effect of each step of the procedure (fresh, dilution, glycerol addition at 5 °C or post-thawing) on subjective sperm motility was evaluated by variance analysis—ANOVA—for repeated measures. Comparisons among different treatments (freezing curves, straw sizes, and thawing rates) on the semen parameters were made selleck screening library by ANOVA, followed by the SD-208 manufacturer Student Newman Keul’s t test. The same effects on sperm kinetic rating were evaluated by the nonparametric Mann–Whitney test. Differences were considered significant when P < 0.05. A total of 15 attempts for semen collection were conducted in 8 animals. From those ejaculates, only 12 samples were used in the experiment due to adequate sperm motility, concentration and volume. Regarding ejaculates used, two were collected from each of four males, and the other four males ejaculated only once. The 12 ejaculates used were white and watery, with an average volume of 6.8 ± 1.3 mL. The other semen characteristics are expressed in Table 1. The evaluation

of semen at each step of the freezing–thawing procedure is reported in Table 2. The addition of the extenders induced no decline (P > 0.05) in sperm motility or kinetic rating in any group. However, the addition of glycerol at 5 °C

and also the freezing–thawing process significantly (P < 0.05) reduced the values for sperm motility and kinetic rating for all samples, but no difference was evidenced among treatments (P > 0.05). After thawing, no differences (P > 0.05) for sperm characteristics were verified between freezing curves when similar variables (straw size and thawing rate) were considered ( Table 2 and Table 3). In general, values for sperm characteristics found after thawing at 37 °C were better preserved than at 70 °C (P < 0.05), selleck compound both in the use of 0.25 mL or 0.50 mL straws ( Table 2 and Table 3). The evaluation of the kinematic parameters of sperm motility generated by CASA (Table 4) confirmed that no differences were verified either between the different freezing curves (P > 0.05) or between the straw sizes (P > 0.05). Similarly, sperm quality was better preserved in the use of thawing at 37 °C (P < 0.05). Semen cryopreservation is an instrument indispensable to the establishment of animal sperm banks [23]. Using the current methods for freezing boar semen, a substantial sperm number—usually more than 50%—do not survive the freezing–thawing procedure [13].

The biological triplicates from three independent experiments are

The biological triplicates from three independent experiments are presented as means ± SD for rat 2D hepatocytes. The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest. We gratefully acknowledge Dr. Jean-Christophe Hoflack and Nicholas Flint for the performance of DNA microarray, Michael Erhart for the help with FACS analysis, Sebastian Krasniqi for the measurements of the secretion

of inflammatory cytokines, Dr. Agnès Poirier and Renée Portmann for the help on the uptake transport activity assay, Susanne Brenner, Claudine Sarron-Petit and Maria Cristina De Vera Mudry for the measurements of toxicity markers. All the above mentioned people are employees at F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG, Basel, Switzerland. “
“Topoisomerases are enzymes that regulate the overwinding or underwinding of DNA. They relax DNA supercoiling and perform catalytic functions during replication and Dabrafenib research buy transcription. There are two types of topoisomerases: type I enzymes that cleave one strand of DNA; and type II enzymes that cleave both strands. Both types of topoisomerases are essential for mammalian cell survival. Therefore, DNA topoisomerases are Ribociclib datasheet important targets for the development of cytotoxic agents (Miao et al., 2007, Moukharskaya and Verschraegen, 2012, Pommier et al., 2010 and Vos et

al., 2011). Topoisomerases I and II are important anticancer targets, and topoisomerase inhibitors such as camptothecin derivatives (e.g., topotecan ADAMTS5 and irinotecan), which are used clinically to inhibit the enzymatic activity of topoisomerase I (type I enzyme), and podophyllotoxin derivatives (e.g., etoposide and teniposide), which inhibit the enzymatic activity of topoisomerase II (type II enzyme) (Hartmann and Lipp, 2006) are used to block cancer growth. Amsacrine (m-AMSA), an acridine derivative, was the first synthetic topoisomerase inhibitor approved for clinical treatment. Although m-AMSA is an intercalator and topoisomerase II inhibitor, its metabolism has been associated with the production of free radicals, which

may cause serious harm to normal tissues ( Belmont et al., 2007, Blasiak et al., 2003, Ketron et al., 2012 and Sebestik et al., 2007). A number of clinical and experimental studies have demonstrated that acridine and thiazolidine derivatives are promising cytotoxic agents. Recently, we described the synthesis of a novel class of cytotoxic agents, thiazacridine derivatives (ATZD), that couple the acridine and thiazolidine nucleus: (5Z)-5-acridin-9-ylmethylene-3-(4-methylbenzyl)-thiazolidine-2,4-dione (AC-4); (5ZE)-5-acridin-9-ylmethylene-3-(4-bromo-benzyl)-thiazolidine-2,4-dione (AC-7); (5Z)-5-(acridin-9-ylmethylene)-3-(4-chloro-benzyl)-1,3-thiazolidine-2,4-dione (AC-10); and (5ZE)-5-(acridin-9-ylmethylene)-3-(4-fluoro-benzyl)-1,3-thiazolidine-2,4-dione (AC-23). The chemical structures of these ATZD are illustrated in Fig. 1; their ability to interact with DNA was demonstrated using an electrochemical technique.

Compared to the control, the dispersive component was significant

Compared to the control, the dispersive component was significantly increased in the S35 group (presence of saliva) and decreased in the T35 group (absence of saliva). The total surface free energy was also higher in all the experimental

groups compared to the control; the differences were statistically significant for the S25 and S35 groups (smooth surface; absence of saliva), check details S30, S35 groups (rough surface; absence of saliva) and HP25, HP30, HP35, HE25, T25 groups (rough surface; presence of saliva). For the control group, Table 2 also shows that there were no significant differences in polar and dispersive components, as well as the surface free energy, between uncoated and saliva-coated specimens. For the experimental groups, saliva significantly decreased the polar component for S25 group (smooth surface), S25, S30 and S35 groups (rough surfaces), and significantly increased for the HP25, HP30 and HE25 groups (rough surfaces). The dispersive component significantly increased after incubation with saliva for S35 group, regardless of the surface roughness. The total surface free energy of

rough surfaces was significantly decreased in the presence of saliva for the S30 group, while for HP25, HE25 and T25 groups, a significant increase was noted. For specimens fabricated between glass plates (smooth surfaces), there were no statistically significant differences (p > 0.05) in absorbance values among the groups ( Table 3). This indicates similar C. albicans initial buy Nutlin-3a biofilm formation. For specimens fabricated in contact with the stone (rough surfaces), S30, S35 and HP30 groups had significantly lower (p < 0.05) absorbance values than the control group. When controls were compared, a higher mean absorbance value was observed for rough surfaces (p < 0.05). All negative controls exhibited

no metabolic activity (data not shown). Surface compositions evaluated by XPS analysis are shown in Table 4. Spectra of the unmodified surfaces showed peaks for carbon (75.3 at.%), oxygen (23.0 at.%), and silicon (0.3 at.%). After the coatings application, Monoiodotyrosine the percentage of the elements changed, particularly for HP and S coatings. HP resulted in a decrease of C 1s and an increase of O 1s and Si 2p; a new peak attributed to phosphor appeared. The S coating which contains sulfobetaine resulted in an increased C 1s peak and Si 2p and a decreased peak for O 1s. An additional peak for the presence of sulphur (0.5 at.%) was also observed. In this study, two methods of specimen preparation were used (between glass plates or in contact with stone), and smooth and rough surfaces were obtained. The adhesion of C. albicans to the denture base acrylic resin, as determined by the XTT assay, showed that, in control group, there was greater adhesion of C. albicans to rough surfaces than to smooth surfaces.

It attempts to minimize the Sum of Squares of the Euclidean dista

It attempts to minimize the Sum of Squares of the Euclidean distances of any two (hypothetical) clusters that can be formed at each step of the hierarchical agglomerative clustering process which minimizes the total within-cluster variance and maximizes

the between-cluster variance (Ward, 1963). The hierarchical cluster analysis generates selleckchem a matrix containing the number of subjects grouped, and the shorter the distance between the subjects, the greater their similarity and relationship. All the data were standardized and analyzed by Multidimensional Scaling (MDS) using mean substitution as the deletion method. MDS is a multivariate technique that defines the optimum Euclidean representation of the subjects in a bidimensional space, enabling visualization of the relationship between the physicochemical and sensory data by way of a number of dimensions which represent the perceptions of each panelist concerning the attributes and physicochemical properties. The Cluster Analysis helps interpret the dimensions, because the clusters show the split between the sensory attributes and the physicochemical properties based on their Euclidean distance, which represents the similarity or dissimilarity between them

(Hair, Black, Babin, Anderson, & Tatham, 2006). All the statistical tests were applied with a significance level of 0.05 using the software Statistica version 7 (Statistica, 2004). Table 1 shows the results obtained for the physicochemical properties. The PDB, TB and PDI wines presented higher values for total acidity (TAC), of above 9.75 g L−1. In this case, it was assumed that the pre-drying process, with evaporation of the Selleck Sirolimus water, contributed to the high acidity of these samples. For all the samples the volatile acidity (VAC) was within the maximum limit stipulated by the Brazilian legislation (Brasil, 1999). The Bordô wines showed higher values for density (DENS) than the Isabel wines, regardless of the winemaking process. The samples PDI and SPI showed higher alcohol contents (ALC). Both the chaptalization and pre-drying processes resulted in alcohol

contents of between 8.6°GL and 14°GL, as required PJ34 HCl by law. The pre-drying process increased the total dry extract (EXT). Wines with a total dry extract between 20 and 30 g L−1 are light-bodied (thin or watery) to the taste, while wines with a total dry extract above 30 g L−1 can be considered full-bodied (Zoecklein, Fugelsang, Gump, & Nury, 1994). In the present case, the samples TB, PDB, SPB and PDI were considered full-bodied. This was considered to be an interesting result of the study, since the pre-drying winemaking process enhanced the body of the Isabel wine, which is considered as a light-bodied wine in its traditional form, as shown by the dry extract results for TI and SPI. All the wines presented an alcohol content/residual dry extract (ALC/REXT) ratio below 4.8, a fact suggesting that none of the wines were tainted by chaptalization (Brasil, 1999).

, 1997) Tagged termini might influence binding and postbinding p

, 1997). Tagged termini might influence binding and postbinding processes of TDH and could be an explanation for the weaker hemolytic activity of tagged proteins. One disulfide bridge is formed in the subunits (Tsunasawa et al., 1987 and Nishibuchi et al., 1989), however, the disulfide bond is possibly not important for hemolytic activity of TDH (Baba et al., 1992 and Yanagihara et al., 2010). It has been shown that forming of disulfide bonds is generally possible in a simple batch reaction of the E. coli based cell-free protein synthesis system ( Kim and Swartz, 2004). The addition SGI-1776 chemical structure of tags offers a great advantage for the

purification of the toxin and its further application, therefore we decided to analyze the toxin variant synthesized with an additional

C-terminal His-tag more intensively. His-tagged toxins were purified using His-tag Dynabeads®. Enzalutamide datasheet Aliquots of CRMs and purified toxin derivatives were loaded on SDS-PAGE and transferred to nitrocellulose membrane after electrophoresis (Fig. 7). The Western Blot revealed again that only one protein was synthesized when the DNA construct encoding preTDH-His (protein band I, Fig. 7B lane 1) was used as a template, whereas from the PCR product encoding mTDH-His two His-tagged proteins were produced (bands II and III in lane 2). This result was also visible after purification with His-tag Dynabeads® (lanes 3 and 4). The purified His-tagged mTDH displayed hemolytic activity as did the unpurified TDH from the supernatant fraction (data not shown). To confirm the identities of the cell free expressed TDH proteins, three protein bands were excised from SDS-PAGE gels and subjected to tryptic in-gel digestion followed by tandem MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry (MS/MS) protein identification. Protein database searches for band I retrieved thermostable direct hemolysin A (TDH2) of O3:K6 reference strain V. parahaemolyticus RIMD 2210633. MALDI-TOF MS/MS spectrometry analysis revealed two diagnostic peaks corresponding to peptides DTTFNTNAPVNVEVSDFWTNR (m/z 2427.1) and SDQVQLQHSYDSVANFVGEDEDSIPSK

(m/z 2994.4) (see Suppl. Fig. S2). The same peaks were found in band II. Interestingly, Sclareol the peak at m/z 2994.4 was missing in the MS analysis of band III, but instead a peak at m/z 2877.6 was observed, which is diagnostic for thermostable direct hemolysin S (TDH1) of V. parahaemolyticus from RIMD 2210633 and corresponds to peptide SGQVQLQHSYNSVANFVGEDEGSIPSK. This peptide contains three amino acid exchanges compared to the corresponding sequence in TDH2, which could be confirmed by MALDI-TOF MS/MS analyses. Thus we concluded that protein I corresponded to the preprotein of TDH2 containing the signal peptide, while proteins II and III were derived from the chromosomal genes tdh1 and tdh2 lacking the sequence encoding the signal peptide. As shown above, two proteins were synthesized when primers containing gene specific sequences for the mature toxins were used.

Both drugs allow refilling of excavated trenches upon trabeculari

Both drugs allow refilling of excavated trenches upon trabecularized cortex and trabeculae with similar reductions in

new remodeling sites. To explain these observations, we speculate that the 50 to 60% reduction in Fulvestrant in vivo serum CTX with alendronate represents the net result of a near complete reduction in remodeling of trabecular bone but much less of an effect upon the deeper cortical surfaces. This would explain the lesser effect of alendronate on cortical porosity but similar benefits of alendronate and denosumab in trabecular bone (Fig. 3, upper panels). It also explains the lack of improvement in cortical vBMD at the distal radius using alendronate [9], [10] and [11], but the increase in distal radius BMD consistently observed with denosumab [35], [36] and [37]. Preclinical studies support these observations. C59 wnt supplier In a mouse model with high cortical remodeling, OPG, the endogenous inhibitor of RANKL, reduced porosity and improved bone strength whereas larger doses of alendronate and zoledronic acid than used

clinically had lesser effects on porosity and strength. This cannot be explained by differences in drug dosages as the benefits of OPG and the bisphosphonates were similar at trabecular sites [14]. Similarly, OPG reduced cortical porosity more greatly than zoledronic acid in a rat model of adjuvant arthritis, and denosumab reduced cortical porosity more than alendronate in nonhuman primates [13] and [38]. Further distinctions between the treatments may be relevant. The earlier and more complete inhibition of remodeling by denosumab is also likely to be the result of rapid and full inhibition of the activity and life span of osteoclasts in remodeling sites existing at the time of treatment [39]. This would produce a more shallow resorption cavity PJ34 HCl which may then be more completely refilled by the ensuing bone formation, reducing structural decay [34]. Bisphosphonates do not prevent osteoclastogenesis. To inhibit remodeling, bisphosphonates must first be adsorbed

upon the endosteal surface and bind to matrix which is then engulfed by osteoclasts, following which, resorptive activity is inhibited. Thus, some erosion must occur before bisphosphonates can stop resorption. If these observations are correct, they are of potential clinical significance. While vertebral fractures and trabecular bone loss are hallmarks of osteoporosis [1], [40] and [41], non-vertebral fractures account for 80% of all fractures [15]. Cortical bone is remodeled more slowly than trabecular bone, but across life, cortical bone loss is 2 to 3 times greater than trabecular bone loss in absolute terms because the skeleton is 80% cortical; only 20% is trabecular [3]. About 70% of all appendicular bone loss is cortical and occurs by intracortical remodeling which increases porosity, an important cause of susceptibility to non-vertebral fractures.

Repeated abdomen ultrasound examination revealed oval, heteroecho

Repeated abdomen ultrasound examination revealed oval, heteroechogenic structure, with dimensions of 125 mm × 100 mm × 100 mm, localized on the right abdominal flank, between the lower surface of the liver and right kidney. The presence of perirenal hematoma in retroperitoneal space has been suspected. In CT scan the collection of fluid with 11–58 Hounsfield units density under the right renal capsule has been described (Fig. 2). In the arterial phase of contrast-enhanced CT examination there was no extravasation of contrast, and

in delayed imaging the leakage of contrasted urine to the space limited by the right kidney capsula isocitrate dehydrogenase inhibitor was noticed. On the next day the small calcium oxalate-monohydrate stone was found in the urine container. Ultrasound examinations performed on consecutive days suggested progressive increase in diameter of the fluid structure up to 162 mm × 71 mm. Due to high risk click here of urinoma rupture, the decision of the surgical evacuation of the undercapsular fluid was made, despite the patient’s stable condition and lack of any complaints. The percutaneous catheter was inserted on the 39th day, resulting in drainage of 700 ml of bloody fluid. During the following days the volume

of the evacuated fluid was gradually reduced. Finally, at the 48th day of hospitalization the catheter was removed with no recurrence of urinoma and the patient was discharged from hospital. The urinary collecting system disruptions are usually caused by renal injury, pelvic mass, posterior urethral valves, or different bladder outlet obstruction, pregnancy, retroperitoneal

fibrosis and transmitted back pressure due to obstruction of the urinary system by a ureteral stone [5], [6] and [7]. It is also the result of iatrogenic injury, most often during extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) [4]. According to Friedenberg et al. urinoma occurs if four risk factors coexist: preserved renal function, chronic partial distal obstruction which primarily interferes with high volume flow, renal calyces or fornices capable of extravasation during increased pelvic pressure and renal hilus that allows urine to extravasate outside of the kidney [8]. In our patient severe bilateral nephrolithiasis was present with staghorn stones in pelvises and multiple fine concrements (Fig. 3). The intravenous Phospholipase D1 fluid therapy and diuretics used in the treatment of prerenal AKI, in the presence of the stone partially closing the outlet from the right kidney pelvis, could lead to increased pressure in the pelvico–calyceal system. However, the stone casts might have weakend the place of least resistance – the calyceal fornix, leading to its rupture and urinoma formation. Several additional risk factors of urine stone formation due to secondary hypercalciuria could be found in our patient. The calcium excretion with urine examined during hospitalization remained within the normal range. However we cannot exclude former hypercalciuria.

Only in 2012, the net return from treatment from Magnolia was sta

Only in 2012, the net return from treatment from Magnolia was statistically different from the net returns from treatments from Coker 9553 and 17-AAG mw Pioneer 25R47. However, during the same year Magnolia net return from treatment was not statistically different from Terral LA841. Overall, net returns from investing in tebuconazole in 2011 were estimated at −$3.53/ha (Table 6 and Table 8). The negative net return in 2011 is likely the result of the statistical insignificance in yields from the treated and untreated plots. On the contrary, in 2012, net returns from investing in tebuconazole were $107.70/ha (Table 6 and Table 8); and as discussed earlier, yields from

the treated plots were statistically different from the untreated plots. More importantly, our conservative 9.41%

overall wheat yield increase of the treated over the untreated plot in 2012 results in a positive return from investing in tebuconazole. In fact, the positive net return in 2012 offset the relatively small negative net return in 2011, and it results in an overall (two-year average) positive net return of $52.09/ha (Table 6 and Table 8). Table 8 cannot be used to analyze which variety is most likely to produce a positive net return on the tebuconazole investment. As explained by Munkvold et al. (2001, p. 482), mean separation results only indicate whether there is statistical Selisistat mouse evidence that a treatment mean is different from another; they do not indicate whether the probability that the yield increase is sufficient to offset the cost of the fungicide treatment (i.e., the probability of a profitable fungicide application). Consequently, a probability analysis based on Bayesian inference was also conducted to further assess whether a preventive application

of a relatively inexpensive foliar fungicide to winter wheat in Northeast Texas is likely to result in a yield gain necessary to cover or exceed fungicide application costs. Table 9 and Table 10 report the probabilities that net returns from treatment GBA3 (per location and per cultivar respectively) will break even, be at least 25% greater than the tebuconazole investment, and be at least 50% greater than the tebuconazole investment. Table 10 shows that most of the cultivars have the potential to produce a yield gain that would break even on the tebuconazole spraying decision. Overall, the probability analysis indicates positive overall net returns are likely. In fact, the probability of a positive net return on a single application exceeded 0.50 in 12 out of 12 scenarios over the two years analyzed (i.e., overall). Unlike Table 6 and Table 8, Table 9 and Table 10 incorporate the uncertainty that is associated with treatment means. One shortcoming of looking simply at differences in mean returns is that “[m]ean separation results do not quantitatively describe the uncertainty associated with treatment means and can lead to misinterpretations” (Munkvold et al., 2001, p. 482).

Although the main purpose of the

draft directive [10] is

Although the main purpose of the

draft directive [10] is to promote the sustainable growth of maritime and coastal activities and the sustainable use of coastal and marine resources by establishing, among others, a framework for MSP in EU waters, there is also the underlying goal of ensuring effective trans-boundary cooperation between member states on MSP, and facilitating the development of sea basin perspectives and mutually-coordinated approaches to sea space within a sea basin. The report on minimum requirements [29] focuses on the issue of the minimum transnational co-operation needed to successfully initiate and implement MSP in the BSR. The comparison of the two documents highlights significant similarities, as follows (Table 3): (a) agreement on objectives and main MSP principles (minimum agreement CHIR-99021 on these matters); Since these elements form the core MK-2206 purchase of the system of mutually coordinated sea basin MSP, verifying whether or not they are included in the Polish MSP permits assessing the ability of Poland to participate in wider Baltic Sea cooperation and to assess the extent to which Polish MSP converges with the European and Baltic Sea

approaches. Since information about MSP in Poland is available in the literature [30], [31] and [32], only the most important characteristics are presented in this paper. The total area of the internal Polish marine waters is about 1991 km2. The area of the 12-nm zone is 8682 km2, while that of the EEZ is 22634 km2. A disputed area with unresolved claims from Denmark and Poland is located south of Bornholm (Fig. 4). Sea areas are managed for the Polish state by the minister responsible for matters

of maritime economy, which, at present, is the PRKD3 Minister of Infrastructure and Development, and the regional administration of the directors of three Maritime Offices. The Maritime Institute in Gdańsk, which is subordinate to the ministry, is a think tank for MSP and new, innovative sea uses [33] and [34]. MSP is promoted under the recently developed Maritime Policy of Poland, which is the policy of the entire government. Sea space is also included in the Spatial Development Concept of Poland, which is a part of the Long-Term Development Strategy. In effect, Poland is one of a few countries worldwide that has achieved a high level of strategic integrity between marine and terrestrial spaces. Regulations concerning spatial planning of sea areas are contained in the Act on Sea Areas of Poland and Maritime Administration of March 21, 1991. They regulate planning of sea space and of the terrestrial strip immediately adjacent to these areas known as the “coastal belt” (in Polish pas nadbrzeżny). The maritime spatial plans set forth rules for: • the use of sea areas; The legislation does not, however, stipulate that the development of maritime spatial plans is compulsory.