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Martiniakova M, Biro R, Kovacova V, Babikova M, Zemanova N, Mondockova V, Omelka R. Current knowledge of bone-derived factor osteocalcin: its role in the management and treatment of diabetes mellitus, osteoporosis, osteopetrosis and inflammatory joint diseases. J Mol Med (Berl) 2024; 102:435-452. [PMID: 38363329 DOI: 10.1007/s00109-024-02418-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
Osteocalcin (OC) is the most abundant non-collagenous and osteoblast-secreted protein in bone. It consists of two forms such as carboxylated OC (cOC) and undercarboxylated OC (ucOC). While cOC promotes bone mineralization and increases bone strength, ucOC is regarded an endocrinologically active form that may have several functions in multiple end organs and tissues. Total OC (tOC) includes both of these forms (cOC and ucOC) and is considered a marker of bone turnover in clinical settings. Most of the data on OC is limited to preclinical studies and therefore may not accurately reflect the situation in clinical conditions. For the stated reason, the aim of this review was not only to summarize current knowledge of all forms of OC and characterize its role in diabetes mellitus, osteoporosis, osteopetrosis, inflammatory joint diseases, but also to provide new interpretations of its involvement in the management and treatment of aforementioned diseases. In this context, special emphasis was placed on available clinical trials. Significantly lower levels of tOC and ucOC could be associated with the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus. On the contrary, tOC level does not seem to be a good indicator of high bone turnover status in postmenopausal osteoporosis, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. The associations between several pharmacological drugs used to treat all disorders mentioned above and OC levels have also been provided. From this perspective, OC may serve as a medium through which certain medications can influence glucose metabolism, body weight, adiponectin secretion, and synovial inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Martiniakova
- Department of Zoology and Anthropology, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Informatics, Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra, Tr. A. Hlinku 1, 949 01, Nitra, Slovakia
| | - Roman Biro
- Department of Zoology and Anthropology, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Informatics, Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra, Tr. A. Hlinku 1, 949 01, Nitra, Slovakia
| | - Veronika Kovacova
- Department of Zoology and Anthropology, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Informatics, Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra, Tr. A. Hlinku 1, 949 01, Nitra, Slovakia
| | - Martina Babikova
- Department of Botany and Genetics, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Informatics, Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra, Tr. A. Hlinku 1, 949 01, Nitra, Slovakia
| | - Nina Zemanova
- Department of Botany and Genetics, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Informatics, Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra, Tr. A. Hlinku 1, 949 01, Nitra, Slovakia
| | - Vladimira Mondockova
- Department of Botany and Genetics, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Informatics, Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra, Tr. A. Hlinku 1, 949 01, Nitra, Slovakia
| | - Radoslav Omelka
- Department of Botany and Genetics, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Informatics, Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra, Tr. A. Hlinku 1, 949 01, Nitra, Slovakia.
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Molcan L, Babarikova K, Cvikova D, Kincelova N, Kubincova L, Mauer Sutovska H. Artificial light at night suppresses the day-night cardiovascular variability: evidence from humans and rats. Pflugers Arch 2024; 476:295-306. [PMID: 38177874 PMCID: PMC10847188 DOI: 10.1007/s00424-023-02901-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
Artificial light at night (ALAN) affects most of the population. Through the retinohypothalamic tract, ALAN modulates the activity of the central circadian oscillator and, consequently, various physiological systems, including the cardiovascular one. We summarised the current knowledge about the effects of ALAN on the cardiovascular system in diurnal and nocturnal animals. Based on published data, ALAN reduces the day-night variability of the blood pressure and heart rate in diurnal and nocturnal animals by increasing the nocturnal values of cardiovascular variables in diurnal animals and decreasing them in nocturnal animals. The effects of ALAN on the cardiovascular system are mainly transmitted through the autonomic nervous system. ALAN is also considered a stress-inducing factor, as glucocorticoid and glucose level changes indicate. Moreover, in nocturnal rats, ALAN increases the pressure response to load. In addition, ALAN induces molecular changes in the heart and blood vessels. Changes in the cardiovascular system significantly depend on the duration of ALAN exposure. To some extent, alterations in physical activity can explain the changes observed in the cardiovascular system after ALAN exposure. Although ALAN acts differently on nocturnal and diurnal animals, we can conclude that both exhibit a weakened circadian coordination among physiological systems, which increases the risk of future cardiovascular complications and reduces the ability to anticipate stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lubos Molcan
- Department of Animal Physiology and Ethology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University, Ilkovicova 6, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Katarina Babarikova
- Department of Animal Physiology and Ethology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University, Ilkovicova 6, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Diana Cvikova
- Department of Animal Physiology and Ethology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University, Ilkovicova 6, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Natalia Kincelova
- Department of Animal Physiology and Ethology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University, Ilkovicova 6, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Lenka Kubincova
- Department of Animal Physiology and Ethology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University, Ilkovicova 6, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Hana Mauer Sutovska
- Department of Animal Physiology and Ethology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University, Ilkovicova 6, Bratislava, Slovakia.
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Timkova V, Minarikova D, Fabryova L, Buckova J, Minarik P, Katreniakova Z, Nagyova I. Facilitators and barriers to behavior change in overweight and obesity management using the COM-B model. Front Psychol 2024; 15:1280071. [PMID: 38455118 PMCID: PMC10919221 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1280071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Increasing overweight and obesity rates represent one of the global public health challenges. COM-B is a theoretical model used to identify areas to target to achieve behavior change. It identifies three factors that are needed for any behavior to occur: capability, opportunity, and motivation. We aimed to assess the potential facilitators and barriers to behavior change in weight management using the COM-B. Methods The study included 139 people with overweight and obesity (mean age 48.81 ± 14.49 years; 64.5% female; body mass index 32.64 ± 6.51 kg/m2; waist-to-height ratio 0.62 ± 0.10) from primary care settings. All participants completed the Brief Measure of Behavior Change (COM-B), the General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSE), the Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale (RSE), and the Overall Evaluation of Health (OEH). Multiple linear regression was performed to analyse the data. Results The associations between sociodemographic and clinical variables and COM-B domains attenuated or were no longer significant when psychological resources were added to the regression models. Self-efficacy was identified as a stronger facilitator of health behavior change (p < 0.001) when compared to self-esteem (p < 0.05). No associations between automatic motivation and psychological resources were identified, however. Automatic motivation was found to be associated with higher age, being in a relationship, and better health. Discussion Behavioral interventions for weight management should specifically target different components of COM-B. Self-efficacy and self-esteem may play a significant role in individual capabilities, opportunities, and reflective motivation and should be included in tailored public health interventions. Health programs targeting younger and single people, and people with chronic conditions may help to promote sustainable behavior change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vladimira Timkova
- Department of Social and Behavioural Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Pavol Jozef (PJ) Safarik University in Kosice, Kosice, Slovakia
| | - Daniela Minarikova
- Department of Organisation and Management of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Comenius University in Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Lubomira Fabryova
- Biomedical Research Centre of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
- Institute for Prevention and Intervention, St. Elisabeth University of Health and Social Work, Bratislava, Slovakia
- Faculty of Nursing and Medical Professional Studies, Slovak Health University, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Jana Buckova
- Department of Social and Behavioural Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Pavol Jozef (PJ) Safarik University in Kosice, Kosice, Slovakia
| | - Peter Minarik
- Biomedical Research Centre of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
- Institute for Prevention and Intervention, St. Elisabeth University of Health and Social Work, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Zuzana Katreniakova
- Department of Social and Behavioural Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Pavol Jozef (PJ) Safarik University in Kosice, Kosice, Slovakia
| | - Iveta Nagyova
- Department of Social and Behavioural Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Pavol Jozef (PJ) Safarik University in Kosice, Kosice, Slovakia
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Megyesiova S, Dul’ová Spišáková E, Gontkovičová B. European Union and its progress towards affordable and clean energy in context of the Agenda 2030. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0291933. [PMID: 38127942 PMCID: PMC10735010 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0291933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The topic related to affordable and clean energy is currently highly actual. It is essential to realize that affordable and clean energy is energy without negative effects on the environment. Its advantage is that a lot of clean energy is renewable. Therefore, this type of energy contributes positively to the development of several spheres in the economy, such as agriculture, trade, communications, education, health and transport. The aim of the study is to analyze changes in the development of sustainable indicators set of affordable and clean energy in relation to Sustainable Development Goal 7 in the European Union, using cluster analysis to identify the differences and compare changes in the grouping of countries into clusters in the two years studied (2010, 2020). In addition to categorizing countries and confirming differences among member states of the European Union, the results allow us to evaluate the contribution of selected indicators to achieving affordable and clean energy. Our findings indicate that primary energy consumption per capita, final energy consumption in households per capita, energy productivity, share of renewable energy in gross final energy consumption and population unable to keep their home adequately warm shows a positive trend and supports the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goal 7.the energy import dependency is a problematic area in several countries. The results of cluster analysis showed that the largest shifts within the clusters were recorded in Italy, Estonia, and Luxembourg. The most positive shift occurred in Italy due to a significant improvement in four indicators. Luxembourg as a solo country cluster showed in 2020 some of the worst results due to the highest primary energy consumption per capita and the lowest share of renewable energy in gross final energy consumption. The dynamics of Estonia within the clusters was marked by the lowest value of the indicator of dependence on energy imports, as well as an increase in the share of renewable energy and insufficient energy productivity. The results of our study also confirm, that Sweden and Finland are leader countries, which despite high energy consumption are applying renewable energy sources to a greater extent by which they make a positive movement toward affordable and clean energy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Megyesiova
- Department of Quantitative Methods, Faculty of Business Economics with seat in Košice, University of Economics in Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Emília Dul’ová Spišáková
- Department of Economics and Management, Faculty of Business Economics with seat in Košice, University of Economics in Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Barbora Gontkovičová
- Department of Economics and Management, Faculty of Business Economics with seat in Košice, University of Economics in Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia
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Tonhajzerova I, Ferencova N, Ondrejka I, Hrtanek I, Farsky I, Kukucka T, Visnovcova Z. Cardiac Autonomic Balance Is Altered during the Acute Stress Response in Adolescent Major Depression-Effect of Sex. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:2230. [PMID: 38004370 PMCID: PMC10672327 DOI: 10.3390/life13112230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Autonomic nervous system (ANS) abnormalities are associated with major depressive disorder (MDD) already at adolescent age. The majority of studies so far evaluated parasympathetic and sympathetic branches of ANS individually, although composite indices including cardiac autonomic balance (CAB) and cardiac autonomic regulation (CAR) seem to measure ANS functioning more comprehensively and thus could provide better psychopathologies' predictors. We aimed to study CAB and CAR derived from high-frequency bands of heart rate variability and left ventricular ejection time during complex stress response (rest-Go/NoGo task-recovery) in MDD adolescents with respect to sex. We examined 85 MDD adolescents (52 girls, age: 15.7 ± 0.14 yrs.) and 80 age- and sex-matched controls. The MDD group showed significantly reduced CAB compared to controls at rest, in response to the Go/NoGo task, and in the recovery phase. Moreover, while depressed boys showed significantly lower CAB at rest and in response to the Go/NoGo task compared to control boys, depressed girls showed no significant differences in evaluated parameters compared to control girls. This study for the first time evaluated CAB and CAR indices in drug-naïve first-episode diagnosed MDD adolescents during complex stress responses, indicating an altered cardiac autonomic pattern (i.e., reciprocal sympathetic dominance associated with parasympathetic underactivity), which was predominant for depressed boys.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingrid Tonhajzerova
- Department of Physiology, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin, Comenius University in Bratislava, 036 01 Martin, Slovakia;
- Psychiatric Clinic, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin, Comenius University in Bratislava, University Hospital Martin, 036 01 Martin, Slovakia; (I.O.); (I.H.); (I.F.); (T.K.)
| | - Nikola Ferencova
- Biomedical Centre Martin, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin, Comenius University in Bratislava, 036 01 Martin, Slovakia
| | - Igor Ondrejka
- Psychiatric Clinic, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin, Comenius University in Bratislava, University Hospital Martin, 036 01 Martin, Slovakia; (I.O.); (I.H.); (I.F.); (T.K.)
| | - Igor Hrtanek
- Psychiatric Clinic, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin, Comenius University in Bratislava, University Hospital Martin, 036 01 Martin, Slovakia; (I.O.); (I.H.); (I.F.); (T.K.)
| | - Ivan Farsky
- Psychiatric Clinic, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin, Comenius University in Bratislava, University Hospital Martin, 036 01 Martin, Slovakia; (I.O.); (I.H.); (I.F.); (T.K.)
- Department of Nursing, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin, Comenius University in Bratislava, 036 01 Martin, Slovakia
| | - Tomas Kukucka
- Psychiatric Clinic, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin, Comenius University in Bratislava, University Hospital Martin, 036 01 Martin, Slovakia; (I.O.); (I.H.); (I.F.); (T.K.)
| | - Zuzana Visnovcova
- Biomedical Centre Martin, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin, Comenius University in Bratislava, 036 01 Martin, Slovakia
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Francisti J, Balogh Z, Reichel J, Benko Ľ, Fodor K, Turčáni M. Identification of heart rate change during the teaching process. Sci Rep 2023; 13:16674. [PMID: 37794176 PMCID: PMC10550993 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-43763-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Internet of Things (IoT) technology can be used in many areas of everyday life. The objective of this paper is to obtain physiological functions in a non-invasive manner using commonly available IoT devices. The aim of the research is to point out the possibility of using physiological functions as an identifier of changes in students' level of arousal during the teaching process. The motivation of the work is to find a correlation between the change in heart rate, the student's level of arousal and the student's partial and final learning results. The research was focused on the collection of physiological data, namely heart rate and the evaluation of these data in the context of identification of arousal during individual teaching activities of the teaching process. The experiment was carried out during the COVID-19 pandemic via distance learning. During the teaching process, individual activities were recorded in time and HR was assigned to them. The benefit of the research is the proposed methodology of the system, which can identify changes in students' arousal in order to increase the efficiency of the teaching process. Based on the results of the designed system, they could also alert teachers who should be able to modify their teaching style in specific situations so that it is suitable for students and provides a basis for better teaching and understanding of educational materials. The presented methodology will be able to guarantee an increase in the success of the teaching process itself in terms of students' understanding of the teaching materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Francisti
- Department of Informatics, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Informatics, Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra, Nitra, Slovakia
| | - Zoltán Balogh
- Department of Informatics, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Informatics, Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra, Nitra, Slovakia
- Kandó Kálmán Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Óbuda University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Jaroslav Reichel
- Department of Informatics, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Informatics, Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra, Nitra, Slovakia
| | - Ľubomír Benko
- Department of Informatics, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Informatics, Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra, Nitra, Slovakia
| | - Kristián Fodor
- Kandó Kálmán Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Óbuda University, Budapest, Hungary.
| | - Milan Turčáni
- Department of Informatics, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Informatics, Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra, Nitra, Slovakia
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Zubrik A, Jáger D, Mačingová E, Matik M, Hredzák S. Spontaneous degradation of methylene blue adsorbed on magnetic biochars. Sci Rep 2023; 13:14773. [PMID: 37679438 PMCID: PMC10484945 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-39976-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Methylene blue (MB) is one of the most widely studied organic molecules in the treatment of wastewater. Sorption, biodegradation, photodegradation, electrochemical oxidation, ozonation, and other advanced oxidative processes are frequently used to remove this dye from water solutions. The unexpected degradation of MB adsorbed on magnetic biochar from aqueous solution was observed. We found that the conditions of handling, such as drying temperature and storage period, substantially influenced the stability of the dye fixed on the (magnetic) carbon adsorbents. Twelve substances were identified by mass spectrometry as products of decomposition, mostly demethylated, oxidated, and hydroxylated substances. The decomposition of MB was further investigated using non-magnetic carbon biochars and aluminosilicate mineral zeolite. Our findings of the spontaneous decomposition of MB and the identification of the species of degradation offer a new approach to evaluate the mechanism of adsorption, the process of regeneration, and the toxicity of treated solutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anton Zubrik
- Institute of Geotechnics of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Watsonova 45, 04001, Kosice, Slovakia.
| | - Dávid Jáger
- Institute of Geotechnics of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Watsonova 45, 04001, Kosice, Slovakia
| | - Eva Mačingová
- Institute of Geotechnics of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Watsonova 45, 04001, Kosice, Slovakia
| | - Marek Matik
- Institute of Geotechnics of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Watsonova 45, 04001, Kosice, Slovakia
| | - Slavomír Hredzák
- Institute of Geotechnics of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Watsonova 45, 04001, Kosice, Slovakia
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Rendošová M, Gyepes R, Sovová S, Sabolová D, Vilková M, Olejníková P, Kello M, Lakatoš B, Vargová Z. Ga(III) pyridinecarboxylate complexes: potential analogues of the second generation of therapeutic Ga(III) complexes? J Biol Inorg Chem 2023; 28:591-611. [PMID: 37498326 PMCID: PMC10415494 DOI: 10.1007/s00775-023-02012-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023]
Abstract
A series of novel Ga(III)-pyridine carboxylates ([Ga(Pic)3]·H2O (GaPic; HPic = picolinic acid), H3O[Ga(Dpic)2]·H2O (GaDpic; H2Dpic = dipicolinic acid), [Ga(Chel)(H2O)(OH)]2·4H2O (GaChel; H2Chel = chelidamic acid) and [Ga(Cldpic)(H2O)(OH)]2 (GaCldpic; H2Cldpic = 4-chlorodipicolinic acid)) have been synthesized by simple one-step procedure. Vibrational spectroscopy (mid-IR), elemental analysis, thermogravimetric analysis and X-ray diffraction confirmed complexes molecular structure, inter and intramolecular interactions and their influence to spectral and thermal properties. Moreover, complex species speciation was described in Ga(III)-HPic and Ga(III)-H2Dpic systems by potentiometry and 1H NMR spectroscopy and mononuclear complex species were determined; [Ga(Pic)2]+ (logβ021 = 16.23(6)), [Ga(Pic)3] (logβ031 = 20.86(2)), [Ga(Dpic)2]- (logβ021 = 15.42(9)) and [Ga(Dpic)2(OH)]2- (logβ-121 = 11.08(4)). To confirm the complexes stability in 1% DMSO (primary solvent for biological testing), timescale 1H NMR spectra were measured (immediately after dissolution up to 96 h). Antimicrobial activity evaluated by IC50 (0.05 mM) is significant for GaDpic and GaCldpic against difficult to treat and multi-resistant P. aeruginosa. On the other hand, the GaPic complex is most effective against Jurkat, MDA-MB-231 and A2058 cancer cell lines and significantly also decreases the HepG2 cancer cells viability at 75 and 100 μM concentrations in a relatively short time (up to 48 h). In addition, fluorescence measurements have been used to elucidate bovine serum albumin binding activity between ligands, Ga(III) complexes and bovine serum albumin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michaela Rendošová
- Department of Inorganic Chemistry, P. J. Šafárik University, Moyzesova 11, 041 54, Kosice, Slovak Republic
| | - Róbert Gyepes
- Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Charles University, Hlavova 2030, 128 00, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Simona Sovová
- Department of Biochemistry, P. J. Šafárik University, Moyzesova 11, 041 54, Kosice, Slovak Republic
| | - Danica Sabolová
- Department of Biochemistry, P. J. Šafárik University, Moyzesova 11, 041 54, Kosice, Slovak Republic
| | - Mária Vilková
- NMR Laboratory, P. J. Šafárik University, Moyzesova 11, 041 54, Kosice, Slovak Republic
| | - Petra Olejníková
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Slovak University of Technology, Radlinského 9, 812 37, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - Martin Kello
- Department of Pharmacology, P. J. Šafárik University, Trieda SNP 1, 040 11, Kosice, Slovak Republic
| | - Boris Lakatoš
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Slovak University of Technology, Radlinského 9, 812 37, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - Zuzana Vargová
- Department of Inorganic Chemistry, P. J. Šafárik University, Moyzesova 11, 041 54, Kosice, Slovak Republic.
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Solarova S, Podroužek J, Mesarčík M, Gavornik A, Bielikova M. Reconsidering the regulation of facial recognition in public spaces. AI Ethics 2022; 3:625-635. [PMID: 35846557 PMCID: PMC9274635 DOI: 10.1007/s43681-022-00194-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
This paper contributes to the discussion on effective regulation of facial recognition technologies (FRT) in public spaces. In response to the growing universalization of FRT in the United States and Europe as merely intrusive technology, we propose to distinguish scenarios in which the ethical and social risks of using FRT are unattainable from other scenarios in which FRT can be adjusted to improve our everyday lives. We suggest that the general ban of FRT technologies in public spaces is not an inevitable solution. Instead, we advocate for a risk-based approach with emphasis on different use-cases that weighs moral risks and identifies appropriate countermeasures. We introduce four use-cases that focus on presence of FRT on entrances to public spaces (1) Checking identities in airports (2) Authorisation to enter office buildings (3) Checking visitors in stadiums (4) Monitoring passers-by on open streets, to illustrate the diverse ethical and social concerns and possible responses to them. Based on the different levels of ethical and societal risks and applicability of respective countermeasures, we call for a distinction of public spaces between semi-open public spaces and open public spaces. We suggest that this distinction of public spaces could not only be helpful in more effective regulation and assessment of FRT in public spaces, but also that the knowledge of different risks and countermeasures will lead to better transparency and public awareness of FRT in diverse scenarios.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Solarova
- Kempelen Institute of Intelligent Technologies, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Juraj Podroužek
- Kempelen Institute of Intelligent Technologies, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Matúš Mesarčík
- Comenius University in Bratislava, Faculty of Law and Kempelen Institute of Intelligent Technologies, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Adrian Gavornik
- Kempelen Institute of Intelligent Technologies, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Maria Bielikova
- Kempelen Institute of Intelligent Technologies, Bratislava, Slovakia
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Gavurova B, Ivankova V, Rigelsky M, Mudarri T. Internet Addiction in Socio-Demographic, Academic, and Psychological Profile of College Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Front Public Health 2022; 10:944085. [PMID: 35812472 PMCID: PMC9260220 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.944085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Internet addiction is a serious problem among young adults that requires increased attention, especially at a time of distance learning during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The aim of the study was to assess the relationships between internet addiction and selected socio-demographic, study-related, and psychological characteristics of college students. Internet addiction was measured using the Internet Addiction Test both overall and in its individual subscales (Salience, Excessive Use, Neglect Work, Anticipation, Lack of Control, and Neglect Social Life). The selected characteristics represented (1) socio-demographic profile (gender, age, residence, family), (2) academic profile (housing during the semester, form of study), and (3) psychological profile (depressive symptoms—the Patient Health Questionnaire, stress—the Perceived Stress Scale, anxiety symptoms—the Generalized Anxiety Disorder). Data collection took place during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 at Czech and Slovak colleges, with 1,422 students from the Czech Republic and 1,677 students from Slovakia participating in the research. The analytical processes were carried out through descriptive analysis, non-parametric difference analysis, and multiple negative binomial regression. Mild internet addiction was found in 387 (27.2%) Czech and 452 (27.0%) Slovak students. Moderate internet addiction was identified in 49 (3.4%) students from the Czech Republic and in 100 (6.0%) students from Slovakia. Two (0.1%) Czech and three (0.2%) Slovak students reported severe internet addiction. Increased likelihood of internet addiction overall, as well as in most individual subscales, was found particularly among male students and students who lived away from home during the semester. Depressive symptoms and stress could also be considered significant predictors in both countries. These results are important for the development of effective strategies and prevention programs, as Internet addiction may be a serious problem in the future, given the current times. When assessing internet addiction among college students, it would also be appropriate to evaluate the individual internet addiction subscales and their specifics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beata Gavurova
- Department of Addictology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, Prague, Czechia
- *Correspondence: Beata Gavurova
| | - Viera Ivankova
- Institute of Earth Resources, Faculty of Mining, Ecology, Process Control and Geotechnologies, Technical University of Košice, Košice, Slovakia
| | - Martin Rigelsky
- Department of Marketing and International Trade, Faculty of Management and Business, University of Prešov, Prešov, Slovakia
| | - Tawfik Mudarri
- Institute of Earth Resources, Faculty of Mining, Ecology, Process Control and Geotechnologies, Technical University of Košice, Košice, Slovakia
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Frnda J, Durica M, Rozhon J, Vojtekova M, Nedoma J, Martinek R. ECMWF short-term prediction accuracy improvement by deep learning. Sci Rep 2022; 12:7898. [PMID: 35551266 PMCID: PMC9098151 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-11936-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
This paper aims to describe and evaluate the proposed calibration model based on a neural network for post-processing of two essential meteorological parameters, namely near-surface air temperature (2 m) and 24 h accumulated precipitation. The main idea behind this work is to improve short-term (up to 3 days) forecasts delivered by a global numerical weather prediction (NWP) model called ECMWF (European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts). In comparison to the existing local weather models that typically provide weather forecasts for limited geographic areas (e.g., within one country but they are more accurate), ECMWF offers a prediction of the weather phenomena across the world. Another significant benefit of this global NWP model includes the fact, that by using it in several well-known online applications, forecasts are freely available while local models outputs are often paid. Our proposed ECMWF-enhancing model uses a combination of raw ECMWF data and additional input parameters we have identified as useful for ECMWF error estimation and its subsequent correction. The ground truth data used for the training phase of our model consists of real observations from weather stations located in 10 cities across two European countries. The results obtained from cross-validation indicate that our parametric model outperforms the accuracy of a standard ECMWF prediction and gets closer to the forecast precision of the local NWP models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaroslav Frnda
- Department of Quantitative Methods and Economic Informatics, Faculty of Operation and Economics of Transport and Communications, University of Zilina, 01026, Zilina, Slovakia.
| | - Marek Durica
- Department of Quantitative Methods and Economic Informatics, Faculty of Operation and Economics of Transport and Communications, University of Zilina, 01026, Zilina, Slovakia
| | - Jan Rozhon
- Department of Telecommunications, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, VSB Technical University of Ostrava, 70833, Ostrava-Poruba, Czech Republic
| | - Maria Vojtekova
- Department of Quantitative Methods and Economic Informatics, Faculty of Operation and Economics of Transport and Communications, University of Zilina, 01026, Zilina, Slovakia
| | - Jan Nedoma
- Department of Telecommunications, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, VSB Technical University of Ostrava, 70833, Ostrava-Poruba, Czech Republic
| | - Radek Martinek
- Department of Cybernetics and Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, VSB Technical University of Ostrava, 708 00, Ostrava-Poruba, Czech Republic
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Cillingová A, Tóth R, Mojáková A, Zeman I, Vrzoňová R, Siváková B, Baráth P, Neboháčová M, Klepcová Z, Brázdovič F, Lichancová H, Hodorová V, Brejová B, Vinař T, Mutalová S, Vozáriková V, Mutti G, Tomáška Ľ, Gácser A, Gabaldón T, Nosek J. Transcriptome and proteome profiling reveals complex adaptations of Candida parapsilosis cells assimilating hydroxyaromatic carbon sources. PLoS Genet 2022; 18:e1009815. [PMID: 35255079 PMCID: PMC8929692 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1009815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2021] [Revised: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Many fungal species utilize hydroxyderivatives of benzene and benzoic acid as carbon sources. The yeast Candida parapsilosis metabolizes these compounds via the 3-oxoadipate and gentisate pathways, whose components are encoded by two metabolic gene clusters. In this study, we determine the chromosome level assembly of the C. parapsilosis strain CLIB214 and use it for transcriptomic and proteomic investigation of cells cultivated on hydroxyaromatic substrates. We demonstrate that the genes coding for enzymes and plasma membrane transporters involved in the 3-oxoadipate and gentisate pathways are highly upregulated and their expression is controlled in a substrate-specific manner. However, regulatory proteins involved in this process are not known. Using the knockout mutants, we show that putative transcriptional factors encoded by the genes OTF1 and GTF1 located within these gene clusters function as transcriptional activators of the 3-oxoadipate and gentisate pathway, respectively. We also show that the activation of both pathways is accompanied by upregulation of genes for the enzymes involved in β-oxidation of fatty acids, glyoxylate cycle, amino acid metabolism, and peroxisome biogenesis. Transcriptome and proteome profiles of the cells grown on 4-hydroxybenzoate and 3-hydroxybenzoate, which are metabolized via the 3-oxoadipate and gentisate pathway, respectively, reflect their different connection to central metabolism. Yet we find that the expression profiles differ also in the cells assimilating 4-hydroxybenzoate and hydroquinone, which are both metabolized in the same pathway. This finding is consistent with the phenotype of the Otf1p-lacking mutant, which exhibits impaired growth on hydroxybenzoates, but still utilizes hydroxybenzenes, thus indicating that additional, yet unidentified transcription factor could be involved in the 3-oxoadipate pathway regulation. Moreover, we propose that bicarbonate ions resulting from decarboxylation of hydroxybenzoates also contribute to differences in the cell responses to hydroxybenzoates and hydroxybenzenes. Finally, our phylogenetic analysis highlights evolutionary paths leading to metabolic adaptations of yeast cells assimilating hydroxyaromatic substrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Cillingová
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Renáta Tóth
- HCEMM-USZ Department of Microbiology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
- MTA-SZTE Lendület Mycobiome Research Group, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Anna Mojáková
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Igor Zeman
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Romana Vrzoňová
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Barbara Siváková
- Institute of Chemistry, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Peter Baráth
- Institute of Chemistry, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Martina Neboháčová
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Zuzana Klepcová
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Filip Brázdovič
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Hana Lichancová
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Viktória Hodorová
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Broňa Brejová
- Department of Computer Science, Faculty of Mathematics, Physics and Informatics, Comenius University in Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Tomáš Vinař
- Department of Applied Informatics, Faculty of Mathematics, Physics and Informatics, Comenius University in Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Sofia Mutalová
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Veronika Vozáriková
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Giacomo Mutti
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
- Barcelona Supercomputing Centre (BSC-CNS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ľubomír Tomáška
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Atilla Gácser
- HCEMM-USZ Department of Microbiology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
- MTA-SZTE Lendület Mycobiome Research Group, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Toni Gabaldón
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
- Barcelona Supercomputing Centre (BSC-CNS), Barcelona, Spain
- Catalan Institution for Research and Advanced Studies (ICREA), Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica En Red de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jozef Nosek
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia
- * E-mail:
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Horňák P, Kottfer D, Kyzioł K, Trebuňová M, Kaňuchová M, Kaczmarek L, Jasenák J, Hašuľ J, Rusinko L. The Effect of Annealing Temperatures on Selected Properties of WC/C Coatings, Deposited Using Hexacarbonyl Wolfram in an N 2-SiH 4 Atmosphere. Materials (Basel) 2021; 14:4658. [PMID: 34443181 PMCID: PMC8401557 DOI: 10.3390/ma14164658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2021] [Revised: 08/13/2021] [Accepted: 08/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
In this paper, we present the results of an experimental study on WC/C coatings, deposited by using plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition in an N2-SiH4 atmosphere, annealed at temperatures of 200, 500 and 800 °C, in which the hexacarbonyl of W was used as a precursor. During the experiments, the topography, chemical composition, morphology, as well as selected mechanical properties, such as hardness, Young's modulus, and coefficient of friction of the WC/C coatings were analyzed. Annealing without the protective atmosphere in the mentioned temperatures caused a decrease in hardness (up to 15 ± 2.7 GPa). In addition, the coefficient of friction value increased only to 0.37 ± 0.03.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Horňák
- Department of Materials Science, Faculty of Industrial Technologies, Alexander Dubček University of Trenčín, I. Krasku 491/30, 020 01 Púchov, Slovakia;
- Slovak Academy of Sciences, Institute of Materials Research, Watsonova 47, 040 01 Košice, Slovakia
| | - Daniel Kottfer
- Department of Mechanical Technologies and Materials, Faculty of Special Technology, Alexander Dubček University of Trenčín, Ku Kyselke 469, 911 06 Trenčín, Slovakia;
| | - Karol Kyzioł
- Faculty of Materials Science and Ceramics, AGH University of Science and Technology, A. Mickiewicza 30 Av., 30-059 Kraków, Poland;
| | - Marianna Trebuňová
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Measurement, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Technical University of Košice, Letná 9, 042 00 Košice, Slovakia;
| | - Mária Kaňuchová
- Process Control and Geotechnology, e Institute of Mountainous Sciences and Environmental Protection, Faculty of Mining, Ecology, Technical University of Košice, Park Komenskeho 19, 043 84 Košice, Slovakia;
| | - Lukasz Kaczmarek
- Institute of Materials Science and Engineering, Lodz University of Technology, 1/15 Stefanowskiego Str., 90-924 Łódź, Poland;
| | - Jozef Jasenák
- Department of Mechanical Technologies and Materials, Faculty of Special Technology, Alexander Dubček University of Trenčín, Ku Kyselke 469, 911 06 Trenčín, Slovakia;
| | - Ján Hašuľ
- Department of Technologies, Materials and Computer Aided Production, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Technical University of Košice, Mäsiarska 74, 040 01 Košice, Slovakia; (J.H.); (L.R.)
| | - Lukáš Rusinko
- Department of Technologies, Materials and Computer Aided Production, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Technical University of Košice, Mäsiarska 74, 040 01 Košice, Slovakia; (J.H.); (L.R.)
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Blahova J, Martiniakova M, Babikova M, Kovacova V, Mondockova V, Omelka R. Pharmaceutical Drugs and Natural Therapeutic Products for the Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:806. [PMID: 34451903 PMCID: PMC8398612 DOI: 10.3390/ph14080806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2021] [Revised: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 08/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is the most widespread form of diabetes, characterized by chronic hyperglycaemia, insulin resistance, and inefficient insulin secretion and action. Primary care in T2DM is pharmacological, using drugs of several groups that include insulin sensitisers (e.g., biguanides, thiazolidinediones), insulin secretagogues (e.g., sulphonylureas, meglinides), alpha-glucosidase inhibitors, and the newest incretin-based therapies and sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors. However, their long-term application can cause many harmful side effects, emphasising the importance of the using natural therapeutic products. Natural health substances including non-flavonoid polyphenols (e.g., resveratrol, curcumin, tannins, and lignans), flavonoids (e.g., anthocyanins, epigallocatechin gallate, quercetin, naringin, rutin, and kaempferol), plant fruits, vegetables and other products (e.g., garlic, green tea, blackcurrant, rowanberry, bilberry, strawberry, cornelian cherry, olive oil, sesame oil, and carrot) may be a safer alternative to primary pharmacological therapy. They are recommended as food supplements to prevent and/or ameliorate T2DM-related complications. In the advanced stage of T2DM, the combination therapy of synthetic agents and natural compounds with synergistic interactions makes the treatment more efficient. In this review, both pharmaceutical drugs and selected natural products, as well as combination therapies, are characterized. Mechanisms of their action and possible negative side effects are also provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Blahova
- Department of Botany and Genetics, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra, 949 74 Nitra, Slovakia; (J.B.); (M.B.); (V.M.)
| | - Monika Martiniakova
- Department of Zoology and Anthropology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra, 949 74 Nitra, Slovakia;
| | - Martina Babikova
- Department of Botany and Genetics, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra, 949 74 Nitra, Slovakia; (J.B.); (M.B.); (V.M.)
| | - Veronika Kovacova
- Department of Zoology and Anthropology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra, 949 74 Nitra, Slovakia;
| | - Vladimira Mondockova
- Department of Botany and Genetics, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra, 949 74 Nitra, Slovakia; (J.B.); (M.B.); (V.M.)
| | - Radoslav Omelka
- Department of Botany and Genetics, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra, 949 74 Nitra, Slovakia; (J.B.); (M.B.); (V.M.)
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Miklášová N, Herich P, Dávila-Becerril JC, Barroso-Flores J, Fischer-Fodor E, Valentová J, Leskovská J, Kožíšek J, Takáč P, Mojžiš J. Evaluation of Antiproliferative Palladium(II) Complexes of Synthetic Bisdemethoxycurcumin towards In Vitro Cytotoxicity and Molecular Docking on DNA Sequence. Molecules 2021; 26:4369. [PMID: 34299644 PMCID: PMC8306502 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26144369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2021] [Revised: 07/12/2021] [Accepted: 07/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Metallodrugs form a large family of therapeutic agents against cancer, among which is cisplatin, a paradigmatic member. Therapeutic resistance and undesired side effects to Pt(II) related drugs, prompts research on different metal-ligand combinations with potentially enhanced biological activity. We present the synthesis and biological tests of novel palladium(II) complexes containing bisdemethoxycurcumin (BDMC) 1 and 2. Complexes were fully characterized and their structures were determined by X-ray diffraction. Their biological activity was assessed for several selected human tumor cell lines: Jurkat (human leukaemic T-cell lymphoma), HCT-116 (human colorectal carcinoma), HeLa (human cervix epitheloid carcinoma), MCF-7 (human breast adenocarcinoma), MDA-MB-231 (human mammary gland adenocarcinoma), A549 (human alveolar adenocarcinoma), Caco-2 (human colorectal carcinoma), and for non-cancerous 3T3 cells (murine fibroblasts). The cytotoxicity of 1 is comparable to that of cisplatin, and superior to that of 2 in all cell lines. It is a correlation between IC50 values of 1 and 2 in the eight studied cell types, promising a potential use as anti-proliferative drugs. Moreover, for Jurkat cell line, complexes 1 and 2, show an enhanced activity. DFT and docking calculations on the NF-κB protein, Human Serum Albumin (HSA), and DNA were performed for 1 and 2 to correlate with their biological activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Miklášová
- Department of Chemical Theory of Drugs, Faculty of Pharmacy, Comenius University in Bratislava, Kalinčiakova 8, 83104 Bratislava, Slovakia; (P.H.); (J.V.); (J.L.)
| | - Peter Herich
- Department of Chemical Theory of Drugs, Faculty of Pharmacy, Comenius University in Bratislava, Kalinčiakova 8, 83104 Bratislava, Slovakia; (P.H.); (J.V.); (J.L.)
- Department of Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemical and Food Technology, Slovak University of Technology, Radlinského 9, 81237 Bratislava, Slovakia;
| | - Juan Carlos Dávila-Becerril
- Instituto de Química Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México Circuito Exterior s/n Ciudad Universitaria, 04510 Ciudad de México, Mexico;
- Centro Conjunto de Investigación en Química Sustentable UAEM-UNAM, Carretera Toluca- Atlacomulco Km 14.5, C.P. 50200 Toluca Estado de México, Mexico
| | - Joaquín Barroso-Flores
- Instituto de Química Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México Circuito Exterior s/n Ciudad Universitaria, 04510 Ciudad de México, Mexico;
- Centro Conjunto de Investigación en Química Sustentable UAEM-UNAM, Carretera Toluca- Atlacomulco Km 14.5, C.P. 50200 Toluca Estado de México, Mexico
| | - Eva Fischer-Fodor
- Tumor Biology Department, Institute of Oncology “Prof. Dr. Ion Chiricuță”, 400015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
| | - Jindra Valentová
- Department of Chemical Theory of Drugs, Faculty of Pharmacy, Comenius University in Bratislava, Kalinčiakova 8, 83104 Bratislava, Slovakia; (P.H.); (J.V.); (J.L.)
| | - Janka Leskovská
- Department of Chemical Theory of Drugs, Faculty of Pharmacy, Comenius University in Bratislava, Kalinčiakova 8, 83104 Bratislava, Slovakia; (P.H.); (J.V.); (J.L.)
| | - Jozef Kožíšek
- Department of Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemical and Food Technology, Slovak University of Technology, Radlinského 9, 81237 Bratislava, Slovakia;
| | - Peter Takáč
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University, Trieda SNP 1, 04011 Košice, Slovakia; (P.T.); (J.M.)
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy, Komenského 73, 04181 Košice, Slovakia
| | - Ján Mojžiš
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University, Trieda SNP 1, 04011 Košice, Slovakia; (P.T.); (J.M.)
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Findrik Balogová A, Trebuňová M, Ižaríková G, Kaščák Ľ, Mitrík L, Klímová J, Feranc J, Modrák M, Hudák R, Živčák J. In Vitro Degradation of Specimens Produced from PLA/PHB by Additive Manufacturing in Simulated Conditions. Polymers (Basel) 2021; 13:1542. [PMID: 34064971 PMCID: PMC8151194 DOI: 10.3390/polym13101542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Revised: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 05/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Biopolymers have been the most frequently studied class of materials due to their biodegradability, renewability, and sustainability. The main aim of the presented study was to evaluate degradability of the polymer material blend which was immersed in different solutions. The present study included the production of three different mixtures of polylactic acid and polyhydroxybutyrate, each with a different content of triacetin, which was used as a plasticiser. Applying 3D printing technology, two types of cylindrical specimen were produced, i.e., a solid and a porous specimen, and subjected to in vitro natural degradation. The biodegradation process ran for 195 days in three different solutions (saline, phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), and Hank's solution) in stable conditions of 37 °C and a pH of 7.4, while the specimens were kept in an orbital motion to simulate the flow of fluids. The goal was to identify the effects of a solution type, specimen shape and material composition on the biodegradation of the materials. The monitored parameters included changes in the solution quantity absorbed by the specimens; morphological changes in the specimen structure; and mechanical properties. They were measured by compressive testing using the Inspekt5 Table Blue testing device. The experiment revealed that specimen porosity affected the absorption of the solutions. The non-triacetin materials exhibited a higher mechanical resistance to compression than the materials containing a plasticiser. The final result of the experiment indicated that the plasticiser-free specimens exhibited higher values of solution absorption, no formation of block cracks or bubbles, and the pH values of the solutions in which these materials were immersed remained neutral for the entire experiment duration; furthermore, these materials did not reduce pH values down to the alkaline range, as was the case with the solutions with the plasticiser-containing materials. Generally, in applications where high mechanical resistance, earlier degradation, and more stable conditions are required, the use of non-plasticiser materials is recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alena Findrik Balogová
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Measurement, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Technical University of Košice, 042 00 Košice, Slovakia; (M.T.); (L.M.); (J.K.); (M.M.); (R.H.); (J.Ž.)
| | - Marianna Trebuňová
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Measurement, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Technical University of Košice, 042 00 Košice, Slovakia; (M.T.); (L.M.); (J.K.); (M.M.); (R.H.); (J.Ž.)
| | - Gabriela Ižaríková
- Department of Applied Mathematics and Informatics, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Technical University of Košice, 042 00 Košice, Slovakia;
| | - Ľuboš Kaščák
- Department of Computer Support of Technology, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Technical University of Košice, 042 00 Košice, Slovakia;
| | - Lukáš Mitrík
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Measurement, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Technical University of Košice, 042 00 Košice, Slovakia; (M.T.); (L.M.); (J.K.); (M.M.); (R.H.); (J.Ž.)
| | - Jana Klímová
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Measurement, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Technical University of Košice, 042 00 Košice, Slovakia; (M.T.); (L.M.); (J.K.); (M.M.); (R.H.); (J.Ž.)
| | - Jozef Feranc
- Department of Plastics, Rubber and Fibres, Faculty of Chemical and Food Technology, Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava, 812 37 Bratislava, Slovakia;
| | - Marcel Modrák
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Measurement, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Technical University of Košice, 042 00 Košice, Slovakia; (M.T.); (L.M.); (J.K.); (M.M.); (R.H.); (J.Ž.)
| | - Radovan Hudák
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Measurement, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Technical University of Košice, 042 00 Košice, Slovakia; (M.T.); (L.M.); (J.K.); (M.M.); (R.H.); (J.Ž.)
| | - Jozef Živčák
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Measurement, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Technical University of Košice, 042 00 Košice, Slovakia; (M.T.); (L.M.); (J.K.); (M.M.); (R.H.); (J.Ž.)
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Martiniakova M, Blahova J, Kovacova V, Babikova M, Mondockova V, Kalafova A, Capcarova M, Omelka R. Bee Bread Can Alleviate Lipid Abnormalities and Impaired Bone Morphology in Obese Zucker Diabetic Rats. Molecules 2021; 26:2616. [PMID: 33947088 PMCID: PMC8124454 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26092616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
This study examined for the first time whether bee bread (BB, consisting of monofloral rape bee pollen) could alleviate lipid derangements and reduced bone quality in Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rats, which are considered an appropriate animal model for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) investigation. Adult ZDF rats were segregated into four groups: lean non-diabetic rats (L group), obese diabetic rats untreated (C group), and those treated with the BB at two doses (500 and 700 mg/kg body weight, respectively, B1 and B2 groups) for 10 weeks. Significantly reduced levels of total cholesterol and triglyceride were recorded in the B2 group versus the C group. In both BB-treated groups, significantly increased relative volume of trabecular bone and trabecular thickness, enhanced density of secondary osteons, accelerated periosteal bone apposition, and improved blood flow were observed. A positive effect of higher dose of BB on femoral weight and cortical bone thickness was also demonstrated. Our results suggest a promising potential of BB to ameliorate T2DM-related complications associated with lipid and bone damages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Martiniakova
- Department of Zoology and Anthropology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra, 949 74 Nitra, Slovakia;
| | - Jana Blahova
- Department of Botany and Genetics, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra, 949 74 Nitra, Slovakia; (J.B.); (M.B.); (V.M.)
| | - Veronika Kovacova
- Department of Zoology and Anthropology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra, 949 74 Nitra, Slovakia;
| | - Martina Babikova
- Department of Botany and Genetics, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra, 949 74 Nitra, Slovakia; (J.B.); (M.B.); (V.M.)
| | - Vladimira Mondockova
- Department of Botany and Genetics, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra, 949 74 Nitra, Slovakia; (J.B.); (M.B.); (V.M.)
| | - Anna Kalafova
- Department of Animal Physiology, Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Sciences, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, 949 76 Nitra, Slovakia; (A.K.); (M.C.)
| | - Marcela Capcarova
- Department of Animal Physiology, Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Sciences, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, 949 76 Nitra, Slovakia; (A.K.); (M.C.)
| | - Radoslav Omelka
- Department of Botany and Genetics, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra, 949 74 Nitra, Slovakia; (J.B.); (M.B.); (V.M.)
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18
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Babinčák M, Jendželovský R, Košuth J, Majerník M, Vargová J, Mikulášek K, Zdráhal Z, Fedoročko P. Death Receptor 5 (TNFRSF10B) Is Upregulated and TRAIL Resistance Is Reversed in Hypoxia and Normoxia in Colorectal Cancer Cell Lines after Treatment with Skyrin, the Active Metabolite of Hypericum spp. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:1646. [PMID: 33916015 PMCID: PMC8036732 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13071646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Revised: 03/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Skyrin (SKR) is a plant bisanthraquinone secondary metabolite from the Hypericum genus with potential use in anticancer therapy. However, its effect and mechanism of action are still unknown. The negative effect of SKR on HCT 116 and HT-29 cancer cell lines in hypoxic and normoxic conditions was observed. HCT 116 cells were more responsive to SKR treatment as demonstrated by decreased metabolic activity, cellularity and accumulation of cells in the G1 phase. Moreover, an increasing number of apoptotic cells was observed after treatment with SKR. Based on the LC-MS comparative proteomic data from hypoxia and normoxia (data are available via ProteomeXchange with the identifier PXD019995), SKR significantly upregulated Death receptor 5 (DR5), which was confirmed by real-time qualitative PCR (RT-qPCR). Furthermore, multiple changes in the Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL)-activated cascade were observed. Moreover, the reversion of TRAIL resistance was observed in HCT 116, HT-29 and SW620 cell lines, even in hypoxia, which was linked to the upregulation of DR5. In conclusion, our results propose the use of SKR as a prospective anticancer drug, particularly as an adjuvant to TRAIL-targeting treatment to reverse TRAIL resistance in hypoxia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marián Babinčák
- Institute of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Science, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice, Šrobárova 2, 041 54 Košice, Slovakia; (M.B.); (R.J.); (J.K.); (M.M.); (J.V.)
| | - Rastislav Jendželovský
- Institute of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Science, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice, Šrobárova 2, 041 54 Košice, Slovakia; (M.B.); (R.J.); (J.K.); (M.M.); (J.V.)
| | - Ján Košuth
- Institute of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Science, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice, Šrobárova 2, 041 54 Košice, Slovakia; (M.B.); (R.J.); (J.K.); (M.M.); (J.V.)
| | - Martin Majerník
- Institute of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Science, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice, Šrobárova 2, 041 54 Košice, Slovakia; (M.B.); (R.J.); (J.K.); (M.M.); (J.V.)
| | - Jana Vargová
- Institute of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Science, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice, Šrobárova 2, 041 54 Košice, Slovakia; (M.B.); (R.J.); (J.K.); (M.M.); (J.V.)
| | - Kamil Mikulášek
- Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic; (K.M.); (Z.Z.)
- National Centre for Biomolecular Research, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Zbyněk Zdráhal
- Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic; (K.M.); (Z.Z.)
- National Centre for Biomolecular Research, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Peter Fedoročko
- Institute of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Science, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice, Šrobárova 2, 041 54 Košice, Slovakia; (M.B.); (R.J.); (J.K.); (M.M.); (J.V.)
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19
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Kolkova Z, Holubekova V, Grendar M, Nachajova M, Zubor P, Pribulova T, Loderer D, Zigo I, Biringer K, Hornakova A. Association of Circulating miRNA Expression with Preeclampsia, Its Onset, and Severity. Diagnostics (Basel) 2021; 11:476. [PMID: 33800458 PMCID: PMC8001188 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics11030476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Revised: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are one of the important regulators of cellular functions fundamental for healthy pregnancy processes, including angiogenesis and differentiation of trophoblast cells, and their deregulation could be implicated in the pathogenesis of pregnancy complications, including preeclampsia (PE). The aim of this study was to assess the association of miRNA expression in plasma samples with PE, its onset, and severity. Our study enrolled 59 pregnant women, 27 in the preeclamptic study group and 32 in the control group with physiological pregnancy. Preeclamptic pregnancies were divided into subgroups based on the severity and onset of disease. Relative expression of miR-21-5p, miR-155-5p, miR-210-5p, miR-16-5p, and miR-650 isolated from plasma samples was analysed by quantitative real-time PCR and normalised to experimentally established reference genes. Our results revealed upregulation of miR-21-5p (1.16-fold change, p = 0.0015), miR-155-5p (1.62-fold change, p = 0.0005) in preeclamptic pregnancies, compared to controls. Overexpression of these two miRNAs was observed, especially in subgroups of severe and late-onset PE compared to healthy pregnancies. Although we hypothesised that the expression level of studied miRNAs could vary between PE subtypes (mild vs. severe, early onset vs. late-onset), no obvious differences were detected. In conclusion, our study could contribute to the large-scale studies for the identification of non-invasive biomarkers for PE detection to improve outcomes for women and their new-borns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zuzana Kolkova
- Biomedical Center Martin, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin, Comenius University in Bratislava, 036 01 Martin, Slovakia; (V.H.); (M.G.); (D.L.); (A.H.)
| | - Veronika Holubekova
- Biomedical Center Martin, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin, Comenius University in Bratislava, 036 01 Martin, Slovakia; (V.H.); (M.G.); (D.L.); (A.H.)
| | - Marian Grendar
- Biomedical Center Martin, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin, Comenius University in Bratislava, 036 01 Martin, Slovakia; (V.H.); (M.G.); (D.L.); (A.H.)
| | - Marcela Nachajova
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin, Comenius University in Bratislava, Martin University Hospital, 036 01 Martin, Slovakia; (M.N.); (T.P.); (I.Z.); (K.B.)
| | - Pavol Zubor
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo University Hospital, 0379 Oslo, Norway;
- OBGY Health & Care, Ltd., 010 01 Zilina, Slovakia
| | - Terezia Pribulova
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin, Comenius University in Bratislava, Martin University Hospital, 036 01 Martin, Slovakia; (M.N.); (T.P.); (I.Z.); (K.B.)
| | - Dusan Loderer
- Biomedical Center Martin, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin, Comenius University in Bratislava, 036 01 Martin, Slovakia; (V.H.); (M.G.); (D.L.); (A.H.)
| | - Imrich Zigo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin, Comenius University in Bratislava, Martin University Hospital, 036 01 Martin, Slovakia; (M.N.); (T.P.); (I.Z.); (K.B.)
| | - Kamil Biringer
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin, Comenius University in Bratislava, Martin University Hospital, 036 01 Martin, Slovakia; (M.N.); (T.P.); (I.Z.); (K.B.)
| | - Andrea Hornakova
- Biomedical Center Martin, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin, Comenius University in Bratislava, 036 01 Martin, Slovakia; (V.H.); (M.G.); (D.L.); (A.H.)
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20
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Liu R, Markley L, Miller PA, Franzblau S, Shetye G, Ma R, Savková K, Mikušová K, Lee BS, Pethe K, Moraski GC, Miller MJ. Hydride-induced Meisenheimer complex formation reflects activity of nitro aromatic anti-tuberculosis compounds. RSC Med Chem 2021; 12:62-72. [PMID: 34046598 PMCID: PMC8130608 DOI: 10.1039/d0md00390e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The formation efficiency of hydride-induced Meisenheimer complexes of nitroaromatic compounds is consistent with their anti-TB activities exemplied by MDL860 and benzothiazol N-oxide (BTO) analogs. Herein we report that nitro cyano phenoxybenzenes (MDL860 and analogs) reacted slowly and incompletely which reflected their moderate anti-TB activity, in contrast to the instantaneous reaction of BTO derivatives to quantitatively generate Meisenheimer complexes which corresponded to their enhanced anti-TB activity. These results were corroborated by mycobacterial and radiolabelling studies that confirmed inhibition of the DprE1 enzyme by BTO derivatives but not MDL860 analogs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Liu
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame Notre Dame IN 46556 USA
| | - Lowell Markley
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame Notre Dame IN 46556 USA
| | - Patricia A Miller
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame Notre Dame IN 46556 USA
| | - Scott Franzblau
- Institute for Tuberculosis Research, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago 833 South Wood Street Chicago Il 60612 USA
| | - Gauri Shetye
- Institute for Tuberculosis Research, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago 833 South Wood Street Chicago Il 60612 USA
| | - Rui Ma
- Institute for Tuberculosis Research, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago 833 South Wood Street Chicago Il 60612 USA
| | - Karin Savková
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava Ilkovičova 6 84215 Bratislava Slovakia
| | - Katarína Mikušová
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava Ilkovičova 6 84215 Bratislava Slovakia
| | - Bei Shi Lee
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University Singapore 637551
| | - Kevin Pethe
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University Singapore 637551
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University Singapore 636921
| | - Garrett C Moraski
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Montana State University Bozeman MT 59717 USA
| | - Marvin J Miller
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame Notre Dame IN 46556 USA
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21
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Demková L, Árvay J, Bobuľská L, Hauptvogl M, Michalko M, Michalková J, Jančo I. Evaluation of Soil and Ambient Air Pollution Around Un-reclaimed Mining Bodies in Nižná Slaná (Slovakia) Post-Mining Area. Toxics 2020; 8:E96. [PMID: 33137994 PMCID: PMC7712757 DOI: 10.3390/toxics8040096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2020] [Revised: 10/21/2020] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Thirty soil samples were taken, and the same number of moss (Dicranum scoparium) and lichen (Pseudevernia furfuracea) bags were exposed to detect environmental pollution in the former mining area Nižná Slaná. Soil and ambient air are influenced by hazardous substances, which leak from old mining bodies due to insufficient or completely missing reclamation. The total content of the risk elements (As, Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Sb, Se, Pb, Zn) was determined in soil, moss, and lichen samples and in the bodies of Leccinum pseudoscabrum. Biological (soil enzymes-urease, acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, fluorescein diacetate (FDA), ß-glucosidase) and chemical properties (pH) were determined in soil samples. Contamination factor (Cf), degree of contamination (Cd), pollution load index (PLI), and enrichment factor (EF) were used for soil and relative accumulation factor (RAF) for air quality evaluation. Contamination factor values show serious pollution by Cd, Fe, Hg, and Mn. Pollution load index confirmed extremely high pollution almost at all evaluated areas. Soil enzymes reacted to soil pollution mostly by decreasing their activity. Mosses and lichens show differences in the accumulation abilities of individual elements. Regular consumption of L. pseudoscabrum would provide the dose of Cd and Hg below the limit of provisional weekly intake. Based on the bioaccumulation index (BAF) values, L. pseudoscabrum can be characterized as an Hg accumulator.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lenka Demková
- Department of Ecology, Faculty of Humanities and Natural Sciences, University of Prešov, 17. Novembra 1, 08001 Prešov, Slovakia;
| | - Július Árvay
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Sciences, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 94976 Nitra, Slovakia; (J.Á.); (I.J.)
| | - Lenka Bobuľská
- Department of Ecology, Faculty of Humanities and Natural Sciences, University of Prešov, 17. Novembra 1, 08001 Prešov, Slovakia;
| | - Martin Hauptvogl
- Department of Sustainable Development, Faculty of European Studies and Regional Development, Slovak Agricultural University in Nitra, 94976 Nitra, Slovakia;
| | - Miloslav Michalko
- Department of Geography and Applied Geoinformatics, University of Prešov, 17. Novembra 1, 08116 Prešov, Slovakia; (M.M.); (J.M.)
| | - Jana Michalková
- Department of Sustainable Development, Faculty of European Studies and Regional Development, Slovak Agricultural University in Nitra, 94976 Nitra, Slovakia;
| | - Ivona Jančo
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Sciences, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 94976 Nitra, Slovakia; (J.Á.); (I.J.)
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22
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Tisovský P, Csicsai K, Donovalová J, Šandrik R, Sokolík R, Gáplovský A. Effect of a =X-NH-Fragment, (X = C, N), on Z/ E Isomerization and ON/OFF Functionality of Isatin Arylhydrazones, ((Arylamino)Methylene)Indolin-2-Ones and Their Anions. Molecules 2020; 25:E3082. [PMID: 32640761 PMCID: PMC7412119 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25133082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2020] [Revised: 07/01/2020] [Accepted: 07/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The subject of this work was the study of thermally and photochemically stimulated Z « E isomerization and hydrazo « azo tautomerism of Z- and E-isomers of isatin arylhydrazones and ((arylamino)methylene)indolin-2-ones and their anions. Using NMR, UV-Vis spectroscopy, kinetic measurements, and HPLC, we studied the relationship of structure, (Z- and E-isomers), of these compounds and hydrazo=azo tautomerism. The ON/OFF functionality of these compounds and their anions using light to stimulate switching between ON and OFF states was investigated. We pointed out the characterization of the effect of =N- and =CH- structural fragments and aryl structure on ON and OFF states of isatin arylhydrazones and ((arylamino)methylene)indolin-2-ones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pavol Tisovský
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Comenius University, Ilkovičova 6, Mlynská dolina CH-2, SK-842 15 Bratislava, Slovakia; (K.C.); (J.D.); (R.Š.); (R.S.); (A.G.)
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23
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Vavrinsky E, Subjak J, Donoval M, Wagner A, Zavodnik T, Svobodova H. Application of Modern Multi-Sensor Holter in Diagnosis and Treatment. Sensors (Basel) 2020; 20:E2663. [PMID: 32392697 PMCID: PMC7273207 DOI: 10.3390/s20092663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2020] [Revised: 05/04/2020] [Accepted: 05/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Modern Holter devices are very trendy tools used in medicine, research, or sport. They monitor a variety of human physiological or pathophysiological signals. Nowadays, Holter devices have been developing very fast. New innovative products come to the market every day. They have become smaller, smarter, cheaper, have ultra-low power consumption, do not limit everyday life, and allow comfortable measurements of humans to be accomplished in a familiar and natural environment, without extreme fear from doctors. People can be informed about their health and 24/7 monitoring can sometimes easily detect specific diseases, which are normally passed during routine ambulance operation. However, there is a problem with the reliability, quality, and quantity of the collected data. In normal life, there may be a loss of signal recording, abnormal growth of artifacts, etc. At this point, there is a need for multiple sensors capturing single variables in parallel by different sensing methods to complement these methods and diminish the level of artifacts. We can also sense multiple different signals that are complementary and give us a coherent picture. In this article, we describe actual interesting multi-sensor principles on the grounds of our own long-year experiences and many experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik Vavrinsky
- Institute of Electronics and Photonics, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, Slovak University of Technology, Ilkovicova 3, 81219 Bratislava, Slovakia; (J.S.); (M.D.); (T.Z.)
- Institute of Medical Physics, Biophysics, Informatics and Telemedicine, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Sasinkova 2, 81272 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Jan Subjak
- Institute of Electronics and Photonics, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, Slovak University of Technology, Ilkovicova 3, 81219 Bratislava, Slovakia; (J.S.); (M.D.); (T.Z.)
| | - Martin Donoval
- Institute of Electronics and Photonics, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, Slovak University of Technology, Ilkovicova 3, 81219 Bratislava, Slovakia; (J.S.); (M.D.); (T.Z.)
| | - Alexandra Wagner
- Department of Simulation and Virtual Medical Education, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Sasinkova 4, 81272 Bratislava, Slovakia; (A.W.); (H.S.)
| | - Tomas Zavodnik
- Institute of Electronics and Photonics, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, Slovak University of Technology, Ilkovicova 3, 81219 Bratislava, Slovakia; (J.S.); (M.D.); (T.Z.)
| | - Helena Svobodova
- Department of Simulation and Virtual Medical Education, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Sasinkova 4, 81272 Bratislava, Slovakia; (A.W.); (H.S.)
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24
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Želonková K, Havadej S, Verebová V, Holečková B, Uličný J, Staničová J. Fungicide Tebuconazole Influences the Structure of Human Serum Albumin Molecule. Molecules 2019; 24:E3190. [PMID: 31480789 PMCID: PMC6749206 DOI: 10.3390/molecules24173190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2019] [Revised: 08/28/2019] [Accepted: 09/01/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Studies of interactions between pesticides and target mammalian proteins are important steps toward understanding the pesticide's toxicity. Using calorimetric and spectroscopic methods, the interaction between triazole fungicide tebuconazole and human serum albumin has been investigated. The spectroscopic techniques showed that fluorescence quenching of human serum albumin by tebuconazole was the result of the formation of tebuconazole/human serum albumin complex with the static type as the dominant mechanism. The association constant was found to be 8.51 × 103 L/mol. The thermodynamic parameters were obtained as ΔH = -56.964 kJ/mol, ΔS = -115.98 J/mol·K. The main active interactions forming the tebuconazole/human serum albumin complex were identified as the interplay between hydrogen bonds and/or van der Waals forces, based on thermodynamic experiments. These binding modes were corroborated well by the predictions of molecular modeling. Hydrogen bonding of tebuconazole with Arg222, Ala215 and Ala291 of human serum albumin played a relevant role in binding. The conformation changes in secondary structure were characterized by circular dichroism and 3D fluorescence spectra.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarína Želonková
- Faculty of Science, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University, Jesenná 5, 041 54 Košice, Slovakia
| | - Samuel Havadej
- Faculty of Science, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University, Jesenná 5, 041 54 Košice, Slovakia.
| | - Valéria Verebová
- Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry & Biophysics, University of Veterinary Medicine & Pharmacy, Komenského 73, 041 81 Košice, Slovakia.
| | - Beáta Holečková
- Department of Biology & Genetics, University of Veterinary Medicine & Pharmacy, Komenského 73, 041 81 Košice, Slovakia.
| | - Jozef Uličný
- Faculty of Science, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University, Jesenná 5, 041 54 Košice, Slovakia.
| | - Jana Staničová
- Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry & Biophysics, University of Veterinary Medicine & Pharmacy, Komenského 73, 041 81 Košice, Slovakia.
- First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Kateřinská 1, 121 08 Prague, Czech Republic.
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25
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Rendošová M, Gyepes R, Almáši M, Bártová I, Vargová Z. Silver(i) pyridylphosphonates - synthesis, structure, stability and light-insensitivity investigation. RSC Adv 2019; 9:1570-1575. [PMID: 35518052 PMCID: PMC9059710 DOI: 10.1039/c8ra10136a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2018] [Accepted: 12/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Two silver(i) complexes, {[Ag7(2-pypo)3(NO3)]} n (1) and [Ag(3-pypoH)(3-pypoH2)] (2) (pypoH2 - pyridylphosphonic acid) were prepared and characterized by relevant methods in the solid state (elemental, spectral, thermal and structural analysis). Typical argentophilic interactions were observed in complex 1. The synthesized Ag(i) complexes were tested toward reduction to silver(0) using short wavelength UV-radiation and they revealed remarkable light-insensitivity in comparison to silver nitrate. SEM experiments were performed to observe the reduction of silver after the UV-light exposure of the samples. Light-insensitivity with the examined thermal stability and insolubility of the new complexes demonstrates their high potential to be used as light-insensitive materials in medical devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michaela Rendošová
- Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Science, P. J. Šafárik University Moyzesova 11 041 54 Košice Slovak Republic
| | - Róbert Gyepes
- Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Charles University Hlavova 2030 128 00 Praha Czech Republic
| | - Miroslav Almáši
- Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Science, P. J. Šafárik University Moyzesova 11 041 54 Košice Slovak Republic
| | - Ingrida Bártová
- Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Science, P. J. Šafárik University Moyzesova 11 041 54 Košice Slovak Republic
| | - Zuzana Vargová
- Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Science, P. J. Šafárik University Moyzesova 11 041 54 Košice Slovak Republic
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Gavurova B, Vagasova T. Potential gains in life expectancy by eliminating deaths from cardiovascular diseases and diabetes mellitus in the working life ages among Slovak population. Health Econ Rev 2018; 8:16. [PMID: 30136004 PMCID: PMC6104529 DOI: 10.1186/s13561-018-0202-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2018] [Accepted: 08/17/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In recent years, high mortality from cardiovascular diseases (chronic ischemic heart disease, acute coronary syndrome, cerebrovascular diseases, atherosclerosis, hypertensive diseases) and diabetes mellitus have burdened economic and health system of the Slovak Republic considerably. By eliminating these deaths, the life expectancy could be prolonged. Since the mortality of population during working period has higher importance in terms of economic consequences of diseases, this article aims to assess the potential gains in life expectancy (PGLEs) of the Slovak population comparing the entire life span and working life-time. METHODS Data are obtained from the National Health Information Center mortality reports by sex during 1996-2014, and the method of constructing abridged life tables is used to compute the corresponding PGLEs. The added years, which would be gained by eliminating causes of deaths, are decomposed by the two sets of working age groups population (25-44 and 45-64 years). RESULTS The highest impact on life expectancy was recorded in chronic ischemic heart disease for both sexes aged 45-64 years (0.078 for males, 0.019 added years for females) over 1996-2014. However, they showed a small declining trend (- 16%) for males and even an increasing trend (2%) for females. At present, the labour force potential of working group (25-44 years) is most threatened by deaths from cerebrovascular diseases, while population of working age (45-64 years) by deaths from chronic ischemic heart disease. Relative importance of acute coronary syndrome for males (45-64 years) increased, when comparing the entire with working time life. CONCLUSIONS The findings pose new and immediate challenges to policy makers and provoke discussion about prevention program strategies leading to increasing the life expectancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beata Gavurova
- Faculty of Economics, Technical University of Kosice, Nemcovej 32, 040 01 Kosice, Slovakia
| | - Tatiana Vagasova
- Faculty of Economics, Technical University of Kosice, Nemcovej 32, 040 01 Kosice, Slovakia
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Abstract
Logistic regression (LR) models are among the most frequently used statistical tools in ecology. With LR one can infer if a species’ habitat use is related to environmental factors and estimate the probability of species occurrence based on the values of these factors. However, studies often use inadequate sampling with regards to the arbitrarily chosen ratio between occupied and unoccupied (or available) locations, and this has a profound effect on the inference and predictive power of LR models. To demonstrate the effect of various sampling strategies/efforts on the quality of LR models, we used a unique census dataset containing all the used roosting cavities of the tree-dwelling bat Nyctalus leisleri and all cavities where the species was absent. We compared models constructed from randomly selected data subsets with varying ratios of occupied and unoccupied cavities (1:1, 1:5, 1:10) with a full dataset model (ratio 1:31). These comparisons revealed that the power of LR models was low when the sampling did not reflect the population ratio of occupied and unoccupied cavities. The use of weights improved the subsampled models. Thus, this study warns against inadequate data sampling and highly encourages a randomized sampling procedure to estimate the true ratio of occupied:unoccupied locations, which can then be used to optimize a manageable sampling effort and apply weights to improve the LR model. Such an approach may provide robust and reliable models suitable for both inference and prediction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ladislav Nad’o
- Institute of Forest Ecology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Zvolen, Slovakia
- * E-mail:
| | - Peter Kaňuch
- Institute of Forest Ecology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Zvolen, Slovakia
- Institute of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Science, P. J. Šafárik University in Košice, Košice, Slovakia
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