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Brejová B, Hodorová V, Mutalová S, Cillingová A, Tomáška Ľ, Vinař T, Nosek J. Chromosome-level genome assembly of the yeast Lodderomyces beijingensis reveals the genetic nature of metabolic adaptations and identifies subtelomeres as hotspots for amplification of mating type loci. DNA Res 2024; 31:dsae014. [PMID: 38686638 PMCID: PMC11100356 DOI: 10.1093/dnares/dsae014] [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: 03/15/2024] [Revised: 04/22/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Lodderomyces beijingensis is an ascosporic ascomycetous yeast. In contrast to related species Lodderomyces elongisporus, which is a recently emerging human pathogen, L. beijingensis is associated with insects. To provide an insight into its genetic makeup, we investigated the genome of its type strain, CBS 14171. We demonstrate that this yeast is diploid and describe the high contiguity nuclear genome assembly consisting of eight chromosome-sized contigs with a total size of about 15.1 Mbp. We find that the genome sequence contains multiple copies of the mating type loci and codes for essential components of the mating pheromone response pathway, however, the missing orthologs of several genes involved in the meiotic program raise questions about the mode of sexual reproduction. We also show that L. beijingensis genome codes for the 3-oxoadipate pathway enzymes, which allow the assimilation of protocatechuate. In contrast, the GAL gene cluster underwent a decay resulting in an inability of L. beijingensis to utilize galactose. Moreover, we find that the 56.5 kbp long mitochondrial DNA is structurally similar to known linear mitochondrial genomes terminating on both sides with covalently closed single-stranded hairpins. Finally, we discovered a new double-stranded RNA mycovirus from the Totiviridae family and characterized its genome sequence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Broňa Brejová
- Department of Computer Science, Faculty of Mathematics, Physics and Informatics, Comenius University Bratislava, 842 48 Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - Viktória Hodorová
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University Bratislava, 842 15 Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - Sofia Mutalová
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University Bratislava, 842 15 Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - Andrea Cillingová
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University Bratislava, 842 15 Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - Ľubomír Tomáška
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University Bratislava, 842 15 Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - Tomáš Vinař
- Department of Applied Informatics, Faculty of Mathematics, Physics and Informatics, Comenius University Bratislava, 842 48 Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - Jozef Nosek
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University Bratislava, 842 15 Bratislava, Slovak Republic
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Jakic K, Selc M, Razga F, Nemethova V, Mazancova P, Havel F, Sramek M, Zarska M, Proska J, Masanova V, Uhnakova I, Makovicky P, Novotova M, Vykoukal V, Babelova A. Long-Term Accumulation, Biological Effects and Toxicity of BSA-Coated Gold Nanoparticles in the Mouse Liver, Spleen, and Kidneys. Int J Nanomedicine 2024; 19:4103-4120. [PMID: 38736658 PMCID: PMC11088863 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s443168] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Gold nanoparticles are promising candidates as vehicles for drug delivery systems and could be developed into effective anticancer treatments. However, concerns about their safety need to be identified, addressed, and satisfactorily answered. Although gold nanoparticles are considered biocompatible and nontoxic, most of the toxicology evidence originates from in vitro studies, which may not reflect the responses in complex living organisms. Methods We used an animal model to study the long-term effects of 20 nm spherical AuNPs coated with bovine serum albumin. Mice received a 1 mg/kg single intravenous dose of nanoparticles, and the biodistribution and accumulation, as well as the organ changes caused by the nanoparticles, were characterized in the liver, spleen, and kidneys during 120 days. Results The amount of nanoparticles in the organs remained high at 120 days compared with day 1, showing a 39% reduction in the liver, a 53% increase in the spleen, and a 150% increase in the kidneys. The biological effects of chronic nanoparticle exposure were associated with early inflammatory and fibrotic responses in the organs and were more pronounced in the kidneys, despite a negligible amount of nanoparticles found in renal tissues. Conclusion Our data suggest, that although AuNPs belong to the safest nanomaterial platforms nowadays, due to their slow tissue elimination leading to long-term accumulation in the biological systems, they may induce toxic responses in the vital organs, and so understanding of their long-term biological impact is important to consider their potential therapeutic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristina Jakic
- Department of Nanobiology, Cancer Research Institute, Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Michal Selc
- Department of Nanobiology, Cancer Research Institute, Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
- Centre for Advanced Material Application, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | | | | | | | - Filip Havel
- Department of Physical Electronics, Faculty of Nuclear Sciences and Physical Engineering, Czech Technical University in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
- Department of Genome Integrity, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Michal Sramek
- Department of Genome Integrity, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Monika Zarska
- Department of Genome Integrity, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Proska
- Department of Physical Electronics, Faculty of Nuclear Sciences and Physical Engineering, Czech Technical University in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Vlasta Masanova
- Department of Metallomics, Faculty of Medicine, Slovak Medical University, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Iveta Uhnakova
- Department of Metallomics, Faculty of Medicine, Slovak Medical University, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Peter Makovicky
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Cancer Research Institute, Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Marta Novotova
- Department of Cellular Cardiology, Institute of Experimental Endocrinology, Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Vit Vykoukal
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Andrea Babelova
- Department of Nanobiology, Cancer Research Institute, Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
- Centre for Advanced Material Application, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
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Ali J, Mukarram M, Ojo J, Dawam N, Riyazuddin R, Ghramh HA, Khan KA, Chen R, Kurjak D, Bayram A. Harnessing Phytohormones: Advancing Plant Growth and Defence Strategies for Sustainable Agriculture. Physiol Plant 2024; 176:e14307. [PMID: 38705723 DOI: 10.1111/ppl.14307] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2024] [Revised: 04/07/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024]
Abstract
Phytohormones, pivotal regulators of plant growth and development, are increasingly recognized for their multifaceted roles in enhancing crop resilience against environmental stresses. In this review, we provide a comprehensive synthesis of current research on utilizing phytohormones to enhance crop productivity and fortify their defence mechanisms. Initially, we introduce the significance of phytohormones in orchestrating plant growth, followed by their potential utilization in bolstering crop defences against diverse environmental stressors. Our focus then shifts to an in-depth exploration of phytohormones and their pivotal roles in mediating plant defence responses against biotic stressors, particularly insect pests. Furthermore, we highlight the potential impact of phytohormones on agricultural production while underscoring the existing research gaps and limitations hindering their widespread implementation in agricultural practices. Despite the accumulating body of research in this field, the integration of phytohormones into agriculture remains limited. To address this discrepancy, we propose a comprehensive framework for investigating the intricate interplay between phytohormones and sustainable agriculture. This framework advocates for the adoption of novel technologies and methodologies to facilitate the effective deployment of phytohormones in agricultural settings and also emphasizes the need to address existing research limitations through rigorous field studies. By outlining a roadmap for advancing the utilization of phytohormones in agriculture, this review aims to catalyse transformative changes in agricultural practices, fostering sustainability and resilience in agricultural settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamin Ali
- College of Plant Protection, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, PR China
| | - Mohammad Mukarram
- Food and Plant Biology Group, Department of Plant Biology, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - James Ojo
- Department of Crop Production, Kwara State University, Malete, Nigeria
| | - Nancy Dawam
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences, Plateau State University Bokkos, Diram, Nigeria
| | | | - Hamed A Ghramh
- Centre of Bee Research and its Products, Research Centre for Advanced Materials Science, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia
- Biology Department, Faculty of Science, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia
| | - Khalid Ali Khan
- Centre of Bee Research and its Products, Research Centre for Advanced Materials Science, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia
- Applied College, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia
| | - Rizhao Chen
- College of Plant Protection, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, PR China
| | - Daniel Kurjak
- Institute of Forest Ecology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Zvolen, Slovakia
- Faculty of Forestry, Technical University in Zvolen, Zvolen, Slovakia
| | - Ahmet Bayram
- Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Technical University in Zvolen, Zvolen, Slovakia
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Sokol M, Galajda P, Saliga J, Jurik P. Design of AD Converters in 0.35 µm SiGe BiCMOS Technology for Ultra-Wideband M-Sequence Radar Sensors. Sensors (Basel) 2024; 24:2838. [PMID: 38732942 PMCID: PMC11086366 DOI: 10.3390/s24092838] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2024] [Revised: 04/06/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024]
Abstract
The article presents the analysis, design, and low-cost implementation of application-specific AD converters for M-sequence-based UWB applications to minimize and integrate the whole UWB sensor system. Therefore, the main goal of this article is to integrate the AD converter's own design with the UWB analog part into the system-in-package (SiP) or directly into the system-on-a-chip (SoC), which cannot be implemented with commercial AD converters, or which would be disproportionately expensive. Based on the current and used UWB sensor system requirements, to achieve the maximum possible bandwidth in the proposed semiconductor technology, a parallel converter structure is designed and presented in this article. Moreover, 5-bit and 4-bit parallel flash AD converters were initially designed as part of the research and design of UWB M-sequence radar systems for specific applications, and are briefly introduced in this article. The requirements of the newly proposed specific UWB M-sequence systems were established based on the knowledge gained from these initial designs. After thorough testing and evaluation of the concept of the early proposed AD converters for these specific UWB M-sequence systems, the design of a new AD converter was initiated. After confirming sufficient characteristics based on the requirements of UWB M-sequence systems for specific applications, a 7-bit AD converter in low-cost 0.35 µm SiGe BiCMOS technology from AMS was designed, fabricated, and presented in this article. The proposed 7-bit AD converter achieves the following parameters: ENOB = 6.4 bits, SINAD = 38 dB, SFDR = 42 dBc, INL = ±2-bit LSB, and DNL = ±1.5 LSB. The maximum sampling rate reaches 1.4 Gs/s, the power consumption at 20 Ms/s is 1050 mW, and at 1.4 Gs/s is 1290 mW, with a power supply of -3.3 V.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Patrik Jurik
- Department of Electronics and Multimedia Telecommunications, Technical University of Košice, 042 00 Kosice, Slovakia; (M.S.); (P.G.); (J.S.)
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Lohaj O, Paralič J, Pella Z, Pella D, Pavlíček A. Conceptually Funded Usability Evaluation of an Application for Leveraging Descriptive Data Analysis Models for Cardiovascular Research. Diagnostics (Basel) 2024; 14:917. [PMID: 38732332 PMCID: PMC11083919 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics14090917] [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: 04/11/2024] [Revised: 04/25/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
The focus of this study, and the subject of this article, resides in the conceptually funded usability evaluation of an application of descriptive models to a specific dataset obtained from the East Slovak Institute of Heart and Vascular Diseases targeting cardiovascular patients. Delving into the current state-of-the-art practices, we examine the extent of cardiovascular diseases, descriptive data analysis models, and their practical applications. Most importantly, our inquiry focuses on exploration of usability, encompassing its application and evaluation methodologies, including Van Welie's layered model of usability and its inherent advantages and limitations. The primary objective of our research was to conceptualize, develop, and validate the usability of an application tailored to supporting cardiologists' research through descriptive modeling. Using the R programming language, we engineered a Shiny dashboard application named DESSFOCA (Decision Support System For Cardiologists) that is structured around three core functionalities: discovering association rules, applying clustering methods, and identifying association rules within predefined clusters. To assess the usability of DESSFOCA, we employed the System Usability Scale (SUS) and conducted a comprehensive evaluation. Additionally, we proposed an extension to Van Welie's layered model of usability, incorporating several crucial aspects deemed essential. Subsequently, we rigorously evaluated the proposed extension within the DESSFOCA application with respect to the extended usability model, drawing insightful conclusions from our findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliver Lohaj
- Department of Cybernetics and Artificial Intelligence, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Informatics, Technical University of Košice, Letná 9, 040 01 Košice, Slovakia; (J.P.); (A.P.)
| | - Ján Paralič
- Department of Cybernetics and Artificial Intelligence, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Informatics, Technical University of Košice, Letná 9, 040 01 Košice, Slovakia; (J.P.); (A.P.)
| | - Zuzana Pella
- Center of Simulator and Virtual Medicine, Department of Medical Informatics and Simulator Medicine, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice, 040 11 Košice, Slovakia;
| | - Dominik Pella
- 1st Cardiology Clinic, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice, VÚSCH, Ondavská 8, 040 11 Košice, Slovakia;
| | - Adam Pavlíček
- Department of Cybernetics and Artificial Intelligence, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Informatics, Technical University of Košice, Letná 9, 040 01 Košice, Slovakia; (J.P.); (A.P.)
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Grman M, Balis P, Berenyiova A, Svajdlenkova H, Tomasova L, Cacanyiova S, Rostakova Z, Waczulikova I, Chovanec M, Domínguez-Álvarez E, Ondrias K, Misak A. Products of Selenite/Thiols Interaction Have Reducing Properties, Cleave Plasmid DNA and Decrease Rat Blood Pressure and Tension of Rat Mesenteric Artery. Biol Trace Elem Res 2024:10.1007/s12011-024-04196-3. [PMID: 38676879 DOI: 10.1007/s12011-024-04196-3] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024]
Abstract
Selenium compounds exert their antioxidant activity mostly when the selenium atom is incorporated into selenoproteins. In our work, we tested the possibility that selenite itself interacts with thiols to form active species that have reducing properties. Therefore, we studied the reduction of 2-(4-carboxyphenyl)-4,5-dihydro-4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-1H-imidazol-1-yloxy-3-oxide radical (•cPTIO), damage of plasmid DNA (pDNA), modulation of rat hemodynamic parameters and tension of isolated arteries induced by products of interaction of selenite with thiols. We found that the products of selenite interaction with thiols had significant reducing properties that could be attributed mainly to the selenide and that selenite had catalytic properties in the access of thiols. The potency of thiols to reduce •cPTIO in the interaction with selenite was cysteine > homocysteine > glutathione reduced > N-acetylcysteine. Thiol/selenite products cleaved pDNA, with superoxide dismutase enhancing these effects suggesting a positive involvement of superoxide anion in the process. The observed •cPTIO reduction and pDNA cleavage were significantly lower when selenomethionine was used instead of selenite. The products of glutathione/selenite interaction affected several hemodynamic parameters including rat blood pressure decrease. Notably, the products relaxed isolated mesenteric artery, which may explain the observed decrease in rat blood pressure. In conclusion, we found that the thiol/selenite interaction products exhibited significant reducing properties which can be used in further studies of the treatment of pathological conditions caused by oxidative stress. The results of decreased rat blood pressure and the tension of mesenteric artery may be perspective in studies focused on cardiovascular disease and their prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marian Grman
- Institute of Clinical and Translational Research, Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska Cesta 9, 845 05, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - Peter Balis
- Institute of Normal and Pathological Physiology, Centre of Experimental Medicine, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Sienkiewiczova 1, 813 71, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - Andrea Berenyiova
- Institute of Normal and Pathological Physiology, Centre of Experimental Medicine, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Sienkiewiczova 1, 813 71, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - Helena Svajdlenkova
- Polymer Institute, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska Cesta 9, 845 41, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
- Department of Nuclear Chemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University, Ilkovicova 6, 842 15, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - Lenka Tomasova
- Institute of Clinical and Translational Research, Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska Cesta 9, 845 05, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - Sona Cacanyiova
- Institute of Normal and Pathological Physiology, Centre of Experimental Medicine, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Sienkiewiczova 1, 813 71, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - Zuzana Rostakova
- Institute of Measurement Science, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska Cesta 9, 841 04, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - Iveta Waczulikova
- Department of Nuclear Physics and Biophysics, Faculty of Mathematics, Physics and Informatics, Comenius University, Mlynska Dolina F1, 842 48, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - Miroslav Chovanec
- Cancer Research Institute, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska Cesta 9, 845 05, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | | | - Karol Ondrias
- Institute of Clinical and Translational Research, Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska Cesta 9, 845 05, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - Anton Misak
- Institute of Clinical and Translational Research, Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska Cesta 9, 845 05, Bratislava, Slovak Republic.
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Afonin DA, Gerasimov ES, Škodová-Sveráková I, Záhonová K, Gahura O, Albanaz ATS, Myšková E, Bykova A, Paris Z, Lukeš J, Opperdoes FR, Horváth A, Zimmer SL, Yurchenko V. Blastocrithidia nonstop mitochondrial genome and its expression are remarkably insulated from nuclear codon reassignment. Nucleic Acids Res 2024; 52:3870-3885. [PMID: 38452217 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkae168] [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: 06/20/2023] [Revised: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024] Open
Abstract
The canonical stop codons of the nuclear genome of the trypanosomatid Blastocrithidia nonstop are recoded. Here, we investigated the effect of this recoding on the mitochondrial genome and gene expression. Trypanosomatids possess a single mitochondrion and protein-coding transcripts of this genome require RNA editing in order to generate open reading frames of many transcripts encoded as 'cryptogenes'. Small RNAs that can number in the hundreds direct editing and produce a mitochondrial transcriptome of unusual complexity. We find B. nonstop to have a typical trypanosomatid mitochondrial genetic code, which presumably requires the mitochondrion to disable utilization of the two nucleus-encoded suppressor tRNAs, which appear to be imported into the organelle. Alterations of the protein factors responsible for mRNA editing were also documented, but they have likely originated from sources other than B. nonstop nuclear genome recoding. The population of guide RNAs directing editing is minimal, yet virtually all genes for the plethora of known editing factors are still present. Most intriguingly, despite lacking complex I cryptogene guide RNAs, these cryptogene transcripts are stochastically edited to high levels.
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MESH Headings
- Genome, Mitochondrial
- RNA Editing
- Cell Nucleus/genetics
- Cell Nucleus/metabolism
- RNA, Transfer/genetics
- RNA, Transfer/metabolism
- Open Reading Frames/genetics
- RNA, Messenger/genetics
- RNA, Messenger/metabolism
- Trypanosomatina/genetics
- Trypanosomatina/metabolism
- Codon/genetics
- Mitochondria/genetics
- Mitochondria/metabolism
- Codon, Terminator/genetics
- RNA, Guide, Kinetoplastida/genetics
- RNA, Guide, Kinetoplastida/metabolism
- Genetic Code
- Protozoan Proteins/genetics
- Protozoan Proteins/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- Dmitry A Afonin
- Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow 119991, Russia
| | - Evgeny S Gerasimov
- Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow 119991, Russia
- Institute for Information Transmission Problems, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 127051, Russia
| | - Ingrid Škodová-Sveráková
- Life Science Research Centre, Faculty of Science, University of Ostrava, 710 00 Ostrava, Czechia
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University, 842 15 Bratislava, Slovakia
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czechia
| | - Kristína Záhonová
- Life Science Research Centre, Faculty of Science, University of Ostrava, 710 00 Ostrava, Czechia
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czechia
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, BIOCEV 252 50 Vestec, Czechia
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, T6G 2R3 Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Ondřej Gahura
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czechia
| | - Amanda T S Albanaz
- Life Science Research Centre, Faculty of Science, University of Ostrava, 710 00 Ostrava, Czechia
| | - Eva Myšková
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czechia
| | - Anastassia Bykova
- Life Science Research Centre, Faculty of Science, University of Ostrava, 710 00 Ostrava, Czechia
| | - Zdeněk Paris
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czechia
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czechia
| | - Julius Lukeš
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czechia
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czechia
| | - Fred R Opperdoes
- De Duve Institute, Université Catholique de Louvain, 1200 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Anton Horváth
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University, 842 15 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Sara L Zimmer
- University of Minnesota Medical School, Duluth Campus, Duluth, MN 55812, USA
| | - Vyacheslav Yurchenko
- Life Science Research Centre, Faculty of Science, University of Ostrava, 710 00 Ostrava, Czechia
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Kúdela J, Ihracký P, Kačík F. Discoloration and Surface Changes in Spruce Wood after Accelerated Aging. Polymers (Basel) 2024; 16:1191. [PMID: 38732660 PMCID: PMC11085342 DOI: 10.3390/polym16091191] [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: 04/08/2024] [Revised: 04/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Spruce wood is widely used in outdoor applications, but its susceptibility to degradation under exposure to sunlight and moisture is a major concern. This study investigates the impact of accelerated aging on spruce wood's surface chemistry, microstructure, geometry, and discoloration. The study was performed in two outdoor aging modes: dry and wet. The accelerated aging effects were evident in the changes in spruce wood structure, as well as in the other studied properties. During aging, it developed significant discoloration. Under simulated rainless outdoor conditions (dry mode), spruce wood gradually became dark brown. Under conditions involving rain (wet mode), the discoloration was qualitatively different from the dry mode. FTIR spectroscopy showed that during the accelerated aging of wood, lignin was mainly degraded, especially in the early stages of the process. A linear correlation was found between the changes in lignin and the color changes in the wood. There was an increase in carbonyl groups in the dry mode, which contributed to the color change and was also influenced by changes in extractives. The wet mode caused the leaching out of carbonyl groups. The observed decrease in cellulose crystallinity, together with the degradation of hydrophobic lignin, may result in the increased hydrophilicity of photodegraded wood. For both modes, there were different changes in the wood micro- and macrostructure, reflected in the surface morphology. The roughness increased during the aging process in both modes. The slightest changes in the roughness parameters were identified in the grain direction in the dry mode; the most evident was that the roughness parameters increased perpendicular to the grain in the wet mode. The demonstrated mechanism backing up the aging-related changes to the spruce wood structure and the relations unveiled between these changes and the changes in the spruce wood surface properties can provide an issue point for seeking ways how to mitigate the negative effects of the environmental factors the wood is exposed to.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jozef Kúdela
- Department of Wood Science, Faculty of Wood Sciences and Technology, Technical University in Zvolen, T. G. Masaryka 24, 960 01 Zvolen, Slovakia; (J.K.); (P.I.)
| | - Pavel Ihracký
- Department of Wood Science, Faculty of Wood Sciences and Technology, Technical University in Zvolen, T. G. Masaryka 24, 960 01 Zvolen, Slovakia; (J.K.); (P.I.)
| | - František Kačík
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Technologies, Faculty of Wood Sciences and Technology, Technical University in Zvolen, T. G. Masaryka 24, 960 01 Zvolen, Slovakia
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Benko Ľ, Munkova D, Munk M, Benkova L, Hajek P. The use of residual analysis to improve the error rate accuracy of machine translation. Sci Rep 2024; 14:9293. [PMID: 38654050 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-59524-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The aim of the study is to compare two different approaches to machine translation-statistical and neural-using automatic MT metrics of error rate and residuals. We examined four available online MT systems (statistical Google Translate, neural Google Translate, and two European commission's MT tools-statistical mt@ec and neural eTranslation) through their products (MT outputs). We propose using residual analysis to improve the accuracy of machine translation error rate. Residuals represent a new approach to comparing the quality of statistical and neural MT outputs. The study provides new insights into evaluating machine translation quality from English and German into Slovak through automatic error rate metrics. In the category of prediction and syntactic-semantic correlativeness, statistical MT showed a significantly higher error rate than neural MT. Conversely, in the category of lexical semantics, neural MT showed a significantly higher error rate than statistical MT. The results indicate that relying solely on the reference when determining MT quality is insufficient. However, when combined with residuals, it offers a more objective view of MT quality and facilitates the comparison of statistical MT and neural MT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ľubomír Benko
- Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra, Tr. A. Hlinku 1, 949 01, Nitra, Slovakia.
| | - Dasa Munkova
- Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra, Tr. A. Hlinku 1, 949 01, Nitra, Slovakia
| | - Michal Munk
- Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra, Tr. A. Hlinku 1, 949 01, Nitra, Slovakia
- Science and Research Centre, University of Pardubice, Studentská 84, 532 10, Pardubice, Czech Republic
| | - Lucia Benkova
- Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra, Tr. A. Hlinku 1, 949 01, Nitra, Slovakia
| | - Petr Hajek
- Science and Research Centre, University of Pardubice, Studentská 84, 532 10, Pardubice, Czech Republic
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10
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Dusíková A, Baranová T, Krahulec J, Dakošová O, Híveš J, Naumowicz M, Gál M. Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy for the Sensing of the Kinetic Parameters of Engineered Enzymes. Sensors (Basel) 2024; 24:2643. [PMID: 38676260 PMCID: PMC11054234 DOI: 10.3390/s24082643] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2024] [Revised: 04/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
The study presents a promising approach to enzymatic kinetics using Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) to assess fundamental parameters of modified enteropeptidases. Traditional methods for determining these parameters, while effective, often lack versatility and convenience, especially under varying environmental conditions. The use of EIS provides a novel approach that overcomes these limitations. The enteropeptidase underwent genetic modification through the introduction of single amino acid modifications to assess their effect on enzyme kinetics. However, according to the one-sample t-test results, the difference between the engineered enzymes and hEKL was not statistically significant by conventional criteria. The kinetic parameters were analyzed using fluorescence spectroscopy and EIS, which was found to be an effective tool for the real-time measurement of enzyme kinetics. The results obtained through EIS were not significantly different from those obtained through traditional fluorescence spectroscopy methods (p value >> 0.05). The study validates the use of EIS for measuring enzyme kinetics and provides insight into the effects of specific amino acid changes on enteropeptidase function. These findings have potential applications in biotechnology and biochemical research, suggesting a new method for rapidly assessing enzymatic activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriána Dusíková
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Commenius University, Ilkovičova 6, 842 15 Bratislava, Slovakia; (A.D.); (J.K.)
| | - Timea Baranová
- Department of Inorganic Technology, Faculty of Chemical and Food Technology STU in Bratislava, Radlinského 9, 812 37 Bratislava, Slovakia; (T.B.); (O.D.); (J.H.)
| | - Ján Krahulec
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Commenius University, Ilkovičova 6, 842 15 Bratislava, Slovakia; (A.D.); (J.K.)
| | - Olívia Dakošová
- Department of Inorganic Technology, Faculty of Chemical and Food Technology STU in Bratislava, Radlinského 9, 812 37 Bratislava, Slovakia; (T.B.); (O.D.); (J.H.)
| | - Ján Híveš
- Department of Inorganic Technology, Faculty of Chemical and Food Technology STU in Bratislava, Radlinského 9, 812 37 Bratislava, Slovakia; (T.B.); (O.D.); (J.H.)
| | - Monika Naumowicz
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Białystok, ul. K. Ciołkowskiego 1K, 15-245 Białystok, Poland;
| | - Miroslav Gál
- Department of Inorganic Technology, Faculty of Chemical and Food Technology STU in Bratislava, Radlinského 9, 812 37 Bratislava, Slovakia; (T.B.); (O.D.); (J.H.)
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11
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Słota D, Jampilek J, Sobczak-Kupiec A. Targeted Clindamycin Delivery Systems: Promising Options for Preventing and Treating Bacterial Infections Using Biomaterials. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4386. [PMID: 38673971 PMCID: PMC11050486 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25084386] [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: 03/20/2024] [Revised: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Targeted therapy represents a real opportunity to improve the health and lives of patients. Developments in this field are confirmed by the fact that the global market for drug carriers was worth nearly $40 million in 2022. For this reason, materials engineering and the development of new drug carrier compositions for targeted therapy has become a key area of research in pharmaceutical drug delivery in recent years. Ceramics, polymers, and metals, as well as composites, are of great interest, as when they are appropriately processed or combined with each other, it is possible to obtain biomaterials for hard tissues, soft tissues, and skin applications. After appropriate modification, these materials can release the drug directly at the site requiring a therapeutic effect. This brief literature review characterizes routes of drug delivery into the body and discusses biomaterials from different groups, options for their modification with clindamycin, an antibiotic used for infections caused by aerobic and anaerobic Gram-positive bacteria, and different methods for the final processing of carriers. Examples of coating materials for skin wound healing, acne therapy, and bone tissue fillers are given. Furthermore, the reasons why the use of antibiotic therapy is crucial for a smooth and successful recovery and the risks of bacterial infections are explained. It was demonstrated that there is no single proven delivery scheme, and that the drug can be successfully released from different carriers depending on the destination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dagmara Słota
- Department of Materials Science, Faculty of Materials Engineering and Physics, KrakowUniversity of Technology, 37 Jana Pawła II Av., 31-864 Krakow, Poland;
| | - Josef Jampilek
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University, Ilkovicova 6, 842 15 Bratislava, Slovakia
- Department of Chemical Biology, Faculty of Science, Palacky University, Slechtitelu 27, 783 71 Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Agnieszka Sobczak-Kupiec
- Department of Materials Science, Faculty of Materials Engineering and Physics, KrakowUniversity of Technology, 37 Jana Pawła II Av., 31-864 Krakow, Poland;
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Vargová L, Jozefiaková B, Lačný M, Adamkovič M. War-related stress scale. BMC Psychol 2024; 12:208. [PMID: 38622687 PMCID: PMC11020644 DOI: 10.1186/s40359-024-01687-9] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The current war in Ukraine has affected the well-being of people worldwide. In order to understand how difficult the situation is, specific stressors associated with war need to be measured. In response, an inventory of war-related stressors including its short form, has been developed. METHODS A list of potential war-related stressors was created, and the content validity of each item assessed. The list, along with other validated scales, was administered to a representative sample of the Slovak population (effective N = 1851). Exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, convergent validity analysis and network analysis were carried out to determine the optimal scale (long and short form) focused on war-related stressors. RESULTS The full version of the scale consists of 21 items, further divided into three factors: society-related stressors, person-related stressors, and security-related stressors. The short version of the scale comprises nine items loaded onto one factor. These items cover concerns for one's safety and future, access to necessities, potential worsening of the economic situation, and the risk of conflict escalation, including a nuclear threat. The results of the network analysis indicate that concern about escalation and fear of an economic crisis play a central role. CONCLUSIONS The scale attempts to encompass a wide spectrum of areas that are affected by war and its potential consequences on individuals who reside outside the conflict zone. Given the complexity of the issue, researchers are invited to modify the scale, tailoring it to specific cultural, geographical, and temporal contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lenka Vargová
- Faculty of Education, University of Presov, Prešov, Slovakia
- Institute of Social Sciences, Centre of Social and Psychological Sciences, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Košice, Slovakia
| | - Bibiána Jozefiaková
- Olomouc University Social Health Institute, Palacky University, Olomouc, Czechia
| | - Martin Lačný
- Institute of Political Science, Faculty of Arts, University of Presov, Prešov, Slovakia
| | - Matúš Adamkovič
- Institute of Social Sciences, Centre of Social and Psychological Sciences, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Košice, Slovakia.
- Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland.
- Faculty of Education, Charles University, Prague, Czechia.
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Zigová M, Miškufová V, Budovská M, Michalková R, Mojžiš J. Exploring the Antiproliferative and Modulatory Effects of 1-Methoxyisobrassinin on Ovarian Cancer Cells: Insights into Cell Cycle Regulation, Apoptosis, Autophagy, and Its Interactions with NAC. Molecules 2024; 29:1773. [PMID: 38675591 PMCID: PMC11052400 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29081773] [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: 01/31/2024] [Revised: 03/22/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Ovarian cancer, a highly lethal malignancy among reproductive organ cancers, poses a significant challenge with its high mortality rate, particularly in advanced-stage cases resistant to platinum-based chemotherapy. This study explores the potential therapeutic efficacy of 1-methoxyisobrassinin (MB-591), a derivative of indole phytoalexins found in Cruciferae family plants, on both cisplatin-sensitive (A2780) and cisplatin-resistant ovarian cancer cells (A2780 cis). The findings reveal that MB-591 exhibits an antiproliferative effect on both cell lines, with significantly increased potency against cisplatin-sensitive cells. The substance induces alterations in the distribution of the cell cycle, particularly in the S and G2/M phases, accompanied by changes in key regulatory proteins. Moreover, MB-591 triggers apoptosis in both cell lines, involving caspase-9 cleavage, PARP cleavage induction, and DNA damage, accompanied by the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondrial dysfunction. Notably, the substance selectively induces autophagy in cisplatin-resistant cells, suggesting potential targeted therapeutic applications. The study further explores the interplay between MB-591 and antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC), in modulating cellular processes. NAC demonstrates a protective effect against MB-591-induced cytotoxicity, affecting cell cycle distribution and apoptosis-related proteins. Additionally, NAC exhibits inhibitory effects on autophagy initiation in cisplatin-resistant cells, suggesting its potential role in overcoming resistance mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Zigová
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University, 040 01 Košice, Slovakia; (M.Z.); (V.M.)
| | - Viktória Miškufová
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University, 040 01 Košice, Slovakia; (M.Z.); (V.M.)
| | - Marianna Budovská
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University, 040 01 Košice, Slovakia;
| | - Radka Michalková
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University, 040 01 Košice, Slovakia; (M.Z.); (V.M.)
| | - Ján Mojžiš
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University, 040 01 Košice, Slovakia; (M.Z.); (V.M.)
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Cipakova I, Jurcik M, Selicky T, Lalakova LO, Jakubikova J, Cipak L. Dysfunction of Gpl1-Gih35-Wdr83 Complex in S. pombe Affects the Splicing of DNA Damage Repair Factors Resulting in Increased Sensitivity to DNA Damage. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4192. [PMID: 38673778 PMCID: PMC11049892 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25084192] [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: 03/07/2024] [Revised: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Pre-mRNA splicing plays a key role in the regulation of gene expression. Recent discoveries suggest that defects in pre-mRNA splicing, resulting from the dysfunction of certain splicing factors, can impact the expression of genes crucial for genome surveillance mechanisms, including those involved in cellular response to DNA damage. In this study, we analyzed how cells with a non-functional spliceosome-associated Gpl1-Gih35-Wdr83 complex respond to DNA damage. Additionally, we investigated the role of this complex in regulating the splicing of factors involved in DNA damage repair. Our findings reveal that the deletion of any component within the Gpl1-Gih35-Wdr83 complex leads to a significant accumulation of unspliced pre-mRNAs of DNA repair factors. Consequently, mutant cells lacking this complex exhibit increased sensitivity to DNA-damaging agents. These results highlight the importance of the Gpl1-Gih35-Wdr83 complex in regulating the expression of DNA repair factors, thereby protecting the stability of the genome following DNA damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingrid Cipakova
- Department of Genetics, Cancer Research Institute, Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 9, 84505 Bratislava, Slovakia; (M.J.); (T.S.); (L.O.L.)
| | - Matus Jurcik
- Department of Genetics, Cancer Research Institute, Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 9, 84505 Bratislava, Slovakia; (M.J.); (T.S.); (L.O.L.)
| | - Tomas Selicky
- Department of Genetics, Cancer Research Institute, Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 9, 84505 Bratislava, Slovakia; (M.J.); (T.S.); (L.O.L.)
| | - Laura Olivia Lalakova
- Department of Genetics, Cancer Research Institute, Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 9, 84505 Bratislava, Slovakia; (M.J.); (T.S.); (L.O.L.)
| | - Jana Jakubikova
- Department of Tumor Immunology, Cancer Research Institute, Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 9, 84505 Bratislava, Slovakia;
| | - Lubos Cipak
- Department of Genetics, Cancer Research Institute, Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 9, 84505 Bratislava, Slovakia; (M.J.); (T.S.); (L.O.L.)
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Ballová Mikušková E, Teličák P. Unfounded beliefs, distress and powerlessness: A three-wave longitudinal study. Appl Psychol Health Well Being 2024. [PMID: 38600714 DOI: 10.1111/aphw.12542] [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: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
The aim of the study was to examine the relationships between unfounded COVID-19 beliefs and distress and powerlessness, specifically, whether distress and powerlessness are causes or consequences of unfounded COVID-19 beliefs represented by conspiracy beliefs and pseudoscientific beliefs regarding treatment and measures. Unfounded beliefs were assessed using the COVID-19 Unfounded Beliefs Scale; distress was measured with the Symptom Checklist-10, and powerlessness was measured with four items measuring the feeling of losing control. Data collection took place during three phases of the pandemic in Slovakia (October 2021, N = 1838; July 2022, N = 1,420; April 2023, N = 925). Results suggest that individuals with stronger unfounded beliefs about COVID-19 reported greater powerlessness longitudinally, and individuals with stronger COVID-19 unfounded beliefs treatment and measures reported greater distress longitudinally (notably, beliefs about COVID-19 measures in the first wave were associated with distress in the second wave, and beliefs about COVID-19 treatment in the second wave were associated with distress in the third wave). The present findings corroborate an existential threat model of conspiracy theories that says the relationship between unfounded beliefs and indicators of well-being is bidirectional, so interventions should be focused both on eliminating the unfounded beliefs and strengthening well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Ballová Mikušková
- Centre of Social and Psychological Sciences, Institute of Experimental Psychology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská cesta 9, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Peter Teličák
- Centre of Social and Psychological Sciences, Institute of Experimental Psychology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská cesta 9, Bratislava, Slovakia
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Saksl K, Matvija M, Fujda M, Ballóková B, Varcholová D, Kubaško J, Möllmer J, Lange M, Podobová M. Zirconium-Modified Medium-Entropy Alloy (TiVNb) 85Cr 15 for Hydrogen Storage. Materials (Basel) 2024; 17:1732. [PMID: 38673089 PMCID: PMC11051122 DOI: 10.3390/ma17081732] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2024] [Revised: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
In this study, we investigate the effect of small amounts of zirconium alloying the medium-entropy alloy (TiVNb)85Cr15, a promising material for hydrogen storage. Alloys with 1, 4, and 7 at.% of Zr were prepared by arc melting and found to be multiphase, comprising at least three phases, indicating that Zr addition does not stabilize a single-phase solid solution. The dominant BCC phase (HEA1) is the primary hydrogen absorber, while the minor phases HEA2 and HEA3 play a crucial role in hydrogen absorption/desorption. Among the studied alloys, Zr4 (TiVNb)81Cr15Zr4 shows the highest hydrogen storage capacity, ease of activation, and reversibly retrievable hydrogen. This alloy can absorb hydrogen at room temperature without additional processing, with a reversible capacity of up to 0.74 wt.%, corresponding to hydrogen-to-metal ratio H/M = 0.46. The study emphasizes the significant role of minor elemental additions in alloy properties, stressing the importance of tailored compositions for hydrogen storage applications. It suggests a direction for further research in metal hydride alloys for effective and safe hydrogen storage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karel Saksl
- Faculty of Materials, Metallurgy and Recycling, Technical University of Košice, Letna 9, 042 00 Kosice, Slovakia; (M.M.); (M.F.); (D.V.); (J.K.)
- Institute of Materials Research, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Watsonova 47, 040 01 Kosice, Slovakia; (B.B.); (M.P.)
| | - Miloš Matvija
- Faculty of Materials, Metallurgy and Recycling, Technical University of Košice, Letna 9, 042 00 Kosice, Slovakia; (M.M.); (M.F.); (D.V.); (J.K.)
| | - Martin Fujda
- Faculty of Materials, Metallurgy and Recycling, Technical University of Košice, Letna 9, 042 00 Kosice, Slovakia; (M.M.); (M.F.); (D.V.); (J.K.)
| | - Beáta Ballóková
- Institute of Materials Research, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Watsonova 47, 040 01 Kosice, Slovakia; (B.B.); (M.P.)
| | - Dagmara Varcholová
- Faculty of Materials, Metallurgy and Recycling, Technical University of Košice, Letna 9, 042 00 Kosice, Slovakia; (M.M.); (M.F.); (D.V.); (J.K.)
- Institute of Materials Research, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Watsonova 47, 040 01 Kosice, Slovakia; (B.B.); (M.P.)
| | - Jakub Kubaško
- Faculty of Materials, Metallurgy and Recycling, Technical University of Košice, Letna 9, 042 00 Kosice, Slovakia; (M.M.); (M.F.); (D.V.); (J.K.)
| | - Jens Möllmer
- Institut für Nichtklassische Chemie e.V., Permoserstraße 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany; (J.M.); (M.L.)
| | - Marcus Lange
- Institut für Nichtklassische Chemie e.V., Permoserstraße 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany; (J.M.); (M.L.)
| | - Mária Podobová
- Institute of Materials Research, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Watsonova 47, 040 01 Kosice, Slovakia; (B.B.); (M.P.)
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Zavala-Meneses SG, Firrincieli A, Chalova P, Pajer P, Checcucci A, Skultety L, Cappelletti M. Proteogenomic Characterization of Pseudomonas veronii SM-20 Growing on Phenanthrene as Only Carbon and Energy Source. Microorganisms 2024; 12:753. [PMID: 38674697 PMCID: PMC11052242 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12040753] [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: 03/18/2024] [Revised: 04/01/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
In this study, we conducted an extensive investigation of the biodegradation capabilities and stress response of the newly isolated strain Pseudomonas veronii SM-20 in order, to assess its potential for bioremediation of sites contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Initially, phenotype microarray technology demonstrated the strain's proficiency in utilizing various carbon sources and its resistance to certain stressors. Genomic analysis has identified numerous genes involved in aromatic hydrocarbon metabolism. Biodegradation assay analyzed the depletion of phenanthrene (PHE) when it was added as a sole carbon and energy source. We found that P. veronii strain SM-20 degraded approximately 25% of PHE over a 30-day period, starting with an initial concentration of 600 µg/mL, while being utilized for growth. The degradation process involved PHE oxidation to an unstable arene oxide and 9,10-phenanthrenequinone, followed by ring-cleavage. Comparative proteomics provided a comprehensive understanding of how the entire proteome responded to PHE exposure, revealing the strain's adaptation in terms of aromatic metabolism, surface properties, and defense mechanism. In conclusion, our findings shed light on the promising attributes of P. veronii SM-20 and offer valuable insights for the use of P. veronii species in environmental restoration efforts targeting PAH-impacted sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofía G. Zavala-Meneses
- Institute of Microbiology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, 14220 Prague, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Science, Charles University, Vinicna 5, 12844 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Andrea Firrincieli
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy or (A.F.); (M.C.)
| | - Petra Chalova
- Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska c. 9, 845 05 Bratislava, Slovakia;
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Comenius University, Odbojarov 10, 832 32 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Petr Pajer
- Military Health Institute, Military Medical Agency, U Vojenske Nemocnice 1200, 16902 Prague, Czech Republic;
| | - Alice Checcucci
- Department of Agriculture, Food, Environment and Forestry, University of Florence, 50100 Firenze, Italy;
| | - Ludovit Skultety
- Institute of Microbiology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, 14220 Prague, Czech Republic
- Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska c. 9, 845 05 Bratislava, Slovakia;
| | - Martina Cappelletti
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy or (A.F.); (M.C.)
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Cibira G, Glesk I, Dubovan J, Benedikovič D. Impact of Reducing Statistically Small Population Sampling on Threshold Detection in FBG Optical Sensing. Sensors (Basel) 2024; 24:2285. [PMID: 38610496 PMCID: PMC11014113 DOI: 10.3390/s24072285] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2024] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/31/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024]
Abstract
Many techniques have been studied for recovering information from shared media such as optical fiber that carries different types of communication, sensing, and data streaming. This article focuses on a simple method for retrieving the targeted information with the least necessary number of significant samples when using statistical population sampling. Here, the focus is on the statistical denoising and detection of the fiber Bragg grating (FBG) power spectra. The impact of the two-sided and one-sided sliding window technique is investigated. The size of the window is varied up to one-half of the symmetrical FBG power spectra bandwidth. Both, two- and one-sided small population sampling techniques were experimentally investigated. We found that the shorter sliding window delivered less processing latency, which would benefit real-time applications. The calculated detection thresholds were used for in-depth analysis of the data we obtained. It was found that the normality three-sigma rule does not need to be followed when a small population sampling is used. Experimental demonstrations and analyses also showed that novel denoising and statistical threshold detection do not depend on prior knowledge of the probability distribution functions that describe the FBG power spectra peaks and background noise. We have demonstrated that the detection thresholds' adaptability strongly depends on the mean and standard deviation values of the small population sampling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel Cibira
- Institute of Aurel Stodola, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, University of Zilina, Komenskeho 843, 03101 Liptovsky Mikulas, Slovakia
| | - Ivan Glesk
- Department of Multimedia and Information-Communication Technologies, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, University of Zilina, Univerzitna 1, 01026 Zilina, Slovakia; (I.G.); (J.D.); (D.B.)
| | - Jozef Dubovan
- Department of Multimedia and Information-Communication Technologies, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, University of Zilina, Univerzitna 1, 01026 Zilina, Slovakia; (I.G.); (J.D.); (D.B.)
| | - Daniel Benedikovič
- Department of Multimedia and Information-Communication Technologies, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, University of Zilina, Univerzitna 1, 01026 Zilina, Slovakia; (I.G.); (J.D.); (D.B.)
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Bitto Urbanova L, Holubcikova J, Madarasova Geckova A, van Dijk JP, Reijneveld SA. Adolescents with emotional and behavioural problems are at higher risk to become excessive or addicted Internet users: is this association moderated by gender? Eur J Public Health 2024; 34:283-288. [PMID: 38366947 PMCID: PMC10990502 DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckae009] [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] [Indexed: 02/19/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Internet offers many opportunities for adolescents to facilitate their lives. However, its everyday use may lead to excessive behaviour, including addiction. Our aim was to assess the association between emotional and behavioural problems (EBP) and level of internet use, and whether gender moderates this association. METHODS We used data from a representative sample of 5,433 Slovak adolescents (mean age: 13.51, 48.8% boys) from the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children-study conducted in 2018, collected through online self-report questionnaires. EBP was measured by the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire and excessive internet use (EIU) and internet addiction (IA) by the Excessive internet use scale. We analysed using multinomial logistic regression. RESULTS More than 25% of the adolescents reported EIU; almost 4% reported being addicted to Internet. EIU was more prevalent in girls, but IA was more prevalent in boys. Adolescents with borderline or increased levels of EBP were more likely to report EIU (odds ratio, OR/95% confidence interval, CI: 1.85/1.60-2.14; 3.16/2.67-3.75, respectively) and IA (OR/95% CI: 2.23/1.57-3.18; 4.89/3.41-7.03, respectively). Adjustment for gender, age or perceived family wealth hardly changed the findings. Moreover, gender did not modify the associations between EBP with EIU. CONCLUSION Adolescents with higher levels of EBP are more likely to become excessive Internet users or Internet addicts. This shows a need of early identification of adolescents with EBP as they seem to be relatively vulnerable to develop EIU or IA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Bitto Urbanova
- Department of Health Psychology and Research Methodology, Faculty of Medicine, P. J. Safarik University, Kosice, Slovak Republic
- Graduate School Kosice Institute for Society and Health, Faculty of Medicine, P. J. Safarik University, Kosice, Slovak Republic
- Department of Community and Occupational Medicine, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Jana Holubcikova
- Department of Health Psychology and Research Methodology, Faculty of Medicine, P. J. Safarik University, Kosice, Slovak Republic
- Graduate School Kosice Institute for Society and Health, Faculty of Medicine, P. J. Safarik University, Kosice, Slovak Republic
- Department of Community and Occupational Medicine, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Andrea Madarasova Geckova
- Department of Health Psychology and Research Methodology, Faculty of Medicine, P. J. Safarik University, Kosice, Slovak Republic
- Graduate School Kosice Institute for Society and Health, Faculty of Medicine, P. J. Safarik University, Kosice, Slovak Republic
- Department of Community and Occupational Medicine, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
- Institute of Applied Psychology, Faculty of Social and Economic Sciences, Comenius University Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - Jitse P van Dijk
- Graduate School Kosice Institute for Society and Health, Faculty of Medicine, P. J. Safarik University, Kosice, Slovak Republic
- Department of Community and Occupational Medicine, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Sijmen A Reijneveld
- Graduate School Kosice Institute for Society and Health, Faculty of Medicine, P. J. Safarik University, Kosice, Slovak Republic
- Department of Community and Occupational Medicine, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
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Felčíková K, Hovan A, Polák M, Loginov DS, Holotová V, Díaz C, Kožár T, Lee O, Varhač R, Novák P, Bánó G, Sedlák E. Design of AsLOV2 domain as a carrier of light-induced dissociable FMN photosensitizer. Protein Sci 2024; 33:e4921. [PMID: 38501448 PMCID: PMC10949324 DOI: 10.1002/pro.4921] [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: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024]
Abstract
Flavin mononucleotide (FMN) is a highly efficient photosensitizer (PS) yielding singlet oxygen (1 O2 ). However, its 1 O2 production efficiency significantly decreases upon isoalloxazine ring encapsulation into the protein matrix in genetically encoded photosensitizers (GEPS). Reducing isoalloxazine ring interactions with surrounding amino acids by protein engineering may increase 1 O2 production efficiency GEPS, but at the same time weakened native FMN-protein interactions may cause undesirable FMN dissociation. Here, in contrast, we intentionally induce the FMN release by light-triggered sulfur oxidation of strategically placed cysteines (oxidation-prone amino acids) in the isoalloxazine-binding site due to significantly increased volume of the cysteinyl side residue(s). As a proof of concept, in three variants of the LOV2 domain of Avena sativa (AsLOV2), namely V416C, T418C, and V416C/T418C, the effective 1 O2 production strongly correlated with the efficiency of irradiation-induced FMN dissociation (wild type (WT) < V416C < T418C < V416C/T418C). This alternative approach enables us: (i) to overcome the low 1 O2 production efficiency of flavin-based GEPSs without affecting native isoalloxazine ring-protein interactions and (ii) to utilize AsLOV2, due to its inherent binding propensity to FMN, as a PS vehicle, which is released at a target by light irradiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristína Felčíková
- Department of Biophysics, Faculty of ScienceP.J. Šafárik UniversityKošiceSlovakia
| | - Andrej Hovan
- Department of Biophysics, Faculty of ScienceP.J. Šafárik UniversityKošiceSlovakia
| | - Marek Polák
- Institute of Microbiology ‐ BioCeV, Academy of Sciences of the Czech RepublicPragueCzech Republic
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of ScienceCharles UniversityPragueCzech Republic
| | - Dmitry S. Loginov
- Institute of Microbiology ‐ BioCeV, Academy of Sciences of the Czech RepublicPragueCzech Republic
| | - Veronika Holotová
- Center for Interdisciplinary Biosciences, Technology and Innovation ParkP.J. Šafárik UniversityKošiceSlovakia
| | - Carlos Díaz
- Center for Interdisciplinary Biosciences, Technology and Innovation ParkP.J. Šafárik UniversityKošiceSlovakia
| | - Tibor Kožár
- Center for Interdisciplinary Biosciences, Technology and Innovation ParkP.J. Šafárik UniversityKošiceSlovakia
| | - One‐Sun Lee
- Center for Interdisciplinary Biosciences, Technology and Innovation ParkP.J. Šafárik UniversityKošiceSlovakia
| | - Rastislav Varhač
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of ScienceP.J. Šafárik UniversityKošiceSlovakia
| | - Petr Novák
- Institute of Microbiology ‐ BioCeV, Academy of Sciences of the Czech RepublicPragueCzech Republic
| | - Gregor Bánó
- Department of Biophysics, Faculty of ScienceP.J. Šafárik UniversityKošiceSlovakia
| | - Erik Sedlák
- Center for Interdisciplinary Biosciences, Technology and Innovation ParkP.J. Šafárik UniversityKošiceSlovakia
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of ScienceP.J. Šafárik UniversityKošiceSlovakia
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Jablonski D, Mebert K, Masroor R, Simonov E, Kukushkin O, Abduraupov T, Hofmann S. The Silk roads: phylogeography of Central Asian dice snakes (Serpentes: Natricidae) shaped by rivers in deserts and mountain valleys. Curr Zool 2024; 70:150-162. [PMID: 38726254 PMCID: PMC11078056 DOI: 10.1093/cz/zoad008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [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: 10/02/2022] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Influenced by rapid changes in climate and landscape features since the Miocene, widely distributed species provide suitable models to study the environmental impact on their evolution and current genetic diversity. The dice snake Natrix tessellata, widely distributed in the Western Palearctic is one such species. We aimed to resolve a detailed phylogeography of N. tessellata with a focus on the Central Asian clade with 4 and the Anatolia clade with 3 mitochondrial lineages, trace their origin, and correlate the environmental changes that affected their distribution through time. The expected time of divergence of both clades began at 3.7 Mya in the Pliocene, reaching lineage differentiation approximately 1 million years later. The genetic diversity in both clades is rich, suggesting different ancestral areas, glacial refugia, demographic changes, and colonization routes. The Caspian lineage is the most widespread lineage in Central Asia, distributed around the Caspian Sea and reaching the foothills of the Hindu Kush Mountains in Afghanistan, and Eastern European lowlands in the west. Its distribution is limited by deserts, mountains, and cold steppe environments. Similarly, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan lineages followed the Amu Darya and the Syr Darya water systems in Central Asia, with ranges delimited by the large Kyzylkum and Karakum deserts. On the western side, there are several lineages within the Anatolia clade that converged in the central part of the peninsula with 2 being endemic to Western Asia. The distribution of both main clades was affected by expansion from their Pleistocene glacial refugia around the Caspian Sea and in the valleys of Central Asia as well as by environmental changes, mostly through aridification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Jablonski
- Department of Zoology, Comenius University in Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | | | - Rafaqat Masroor
- Pakistan Museum of Natural History, Shakarparian, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Evgeniy Simonov
- Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Oleg Kukushkin
- T. I. Vyazemski Karadag Scientific Station—Nature Reserve—Branch of A.O. Kovalevsky Institute of Biology of the Southern Seas, Theodosia, Crimea
- Zoological Institute of the RAS, Saint Petersbourg, Russia
| | - Timur Abduraupov
- Institute of Zoology, Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Yunusabad, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
| | - Sylvia Hofmann
- Museum Koenig Bonn, LIB—Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity Change, Bonn, Germany
- UFZ – Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Department of Conservation Biology, Permoserstrasse 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
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Kulcsarova K, Skorvanek M. Challenges and Future of the International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society Prodromal Parkinson's Disease Criteria: Are We On the Right Track? Mov Disord 2024; 39:637-643. [PMID: 38310367 DOI: 10.1002/mds.29724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Kristina Kulcsarova
- Department of Neurology, P. J. Safarik University, Kosice, Slovakia
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital of L. Pasteur, Kosice, Slovakia
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University Scientific Park MEDIPARK, P. J. Safarik University, Kosice, Slovakia
| | - Matej Skorvanek
- Department of Neurology, P. J. Safarik University, Kosice, Slovakia
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital of L. Pasteur, Kosice, Slovakia
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Husivargova A, Timkova V, Macejova Z, Kotradyova Z, Aljubouri MAS, Breznoscakova D, Sanderman R, Nagyova I. Social participation of rheumatoid arthritis patients: Does illness perception play a role? Health Psychol 2024; 43:269-279. [PMID: 38300569 DOI: 10.1037/hea0001362] [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] [Indexed: 02/02/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Social participation is an important aspect associated with health-related outcomes in chronic diseases. However, little is known about the factors that may affect participation in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We aimed to examine whether pain, fatigue, anxiety, depression, and illness perception are associated with social participation in patients with RA when controlled for clinical and sociodemographic variables. We also analysed the mediating role of illness perception in the association between physical and psychological variables on social participation. METHOD We included 157 RA patients (84.7% females; mean age 56.4 ± 13.9 years) who completed the Participation Scale, Brief Illness Perception Questionaire, Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale, Patient Health Questionnaire, 36-item Short Form Health Survey, and the Visual Analogue Scale. Multiple linear regressions and mediation analyses were used to analyze the data. RESULTS In the final regression models, illness perception (β = .42; p ≤ .001) and functional disability (β = .21; p ≤ .05) were associated with social participation. Income (β = -.18; p ≤ .05) lost its significance when physical variables were added to the model, and pain (β = .24; p ≤ .05) and fatigue (β = -.24; p ≤ .05) when psychological distress was added. No significant role of anxiety, depression, disease activity, or age was identified using regression analyses. Illness perception mediated the association of pain, fatigue, anxiety, and depression with social participation, and the indirect effect varied from 65% to 98%. CONCLUSIONS Illness perceptions may significantly diminish the impacts of pain, fatigue, anxiety, and depression on social participation in individual RA patients. Therefore, RA patients could benefit from psychological interventions aimed at tackling negative illness perceptions. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Husivargova
- Department of Social and Behavioural Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Pavol Jozef Safarik University
| | - Vladimira Timkova
- Department of Social and Behavioural Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Pavol Jozef Safarik University
| | - Zelmira Macejova
- 1st Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Pavol Jozef Safarik University
| | - Zuzana Kotradyova
- 1st Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Pavol Jozef Safarik University
| | | | - Dagmar Breznoscakova
- Department of Social and Behavioural Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Pavol Jozef Safarik University
| | - Robbert Sanderman
- Department of Health Psychology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen
| | - Iveta Nagyova
- Department of Social and Behavioural Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Pavol Jozef Safarik University
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Timková I, Maliničová L, Nosáľová L, Kolesárová M, Lorková Z, Petrová N, Pristaš P, Kisková J. Genomic insights into the adaptation of Acinetobacter johnsonii RB2-047 to the heavy metal-contaminated subsurface mine environment. Biometals 2024; 37:371-387. [PMID: 37973678 PMCID: PMC11006771 DOI: 10.1007/s10534-023-00555-0] [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: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/21/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
The subsurface mine environments characterized by high levels of toxic metals and low nutrient availability represent an extreme threat to bacterial persistence. In recent study, the genomic analysis of the Acinetobacter johnsonii strain RB2-047 isolated from the Rozália Gold Mine in Slovakia was performed. As expected, the studied isolate showed a high level of heavy metal tolerance (minimum inhibitory concentrations were 500 mg/L for copper and nickel, 1,500 mg/L for lead, and 250 mg/L for zinc). The RB2-047 strain also showed noticeable resistance to several antibiotics (ampicillin, kanamycin, chloramphenicol, tetracycline and ciprofloxacin). The genomic composition analysis demonstrated a low number of antibiotic and metal resistance coding genes, but a high occurrence of efflux transporter genes located on the bacterial chromosome. The experimental inhibition of efflux pumps resulted in decreased tolerance to Zn and Ni (but not to Cu and Pb) and to all antibiotics tested. In addition, the H33342 dye-accumulation assay confirmed the high efflux activity in the RB2-047 isolate. These findings showed the important role of efflux pumps in the adaptation of Acinetobacter johsonii strain RB2-047 to metal polluted mine environment as well as in development of multi-antibiotic resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivana Timková
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Science, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice, Šrobárova 2, 04154, Košice, Slovakia
| | - Lenka Maliničová
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Science, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice, Šrobárova 2, 04154, Košice, Slovakia
| | - Lea Nosáľová
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Science, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice, Šrobárova 2, 04154, Košice, Slovakia
| | - Mariana Kolesárová
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Science, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice, Šrobárova 2, 04154, Košice, Slovakia
| | - Zuzana Lorková
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Science, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice, Šrobárova 2, 04154, Košice, Slovakia
| | - Nikola Petrová
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Science, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice, Šrobárova 2, 04154, Košice, Slovakia
| | - Peter Pristaš
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Science, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice, Šrobárova 2, 04154, Košice, Slovakia
- Centre of Biosciences, Institute of Animal Physiology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Šoltésovej 4-6, 04001, Košice, Slovakia
| | - Jana Kisková
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Science, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice, Šrobárova 2, 04154, Košice, Slovakia.
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Pinkeova A, Kosutova N, Jane E, Lorencova L, Bertokova A, Bertok T, Tkac J. Medical Relevance, State-of-the-Art and Perspectives of "Sweet Metacode" in Liquid Biopsy Approaches. Diagnostics (Basel) 2024; 14:713. [PMID: 38611626 PMCID: PMC11011756 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics14070713] [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: 02/07/2024] [Revised: 03/23/2024] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
This review briefly introduces readers to an area where glycomics meets modern oncodiagnostics with a focus on the analysis of sialic acid (Neu5Ac)-terminated structures. We present the biochemical perspective of aberrant sialylation during tumourigenesis and its significance, as well as an analytical perspective on the detection of these structures using different approaches for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. We also provide a comparison to other established liquid biopsy approaches, and we mathematically define an early-stage cancer based on the overall prognosis and effect of these approaches on the patient's quality of life. Finally, some barriers including regulations and quality of clinical validations data are discussed, and a perspective and major challenges in this area are summarised.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Pinkeova
- Institute of Chemistry, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 9, 845 38 Bratislava, Slovakia; (A.P.); (N.K.); (E.J.); (L.L.)
- Glycanostics, Ltd., Kudlakova 7, 841 08 Bratislava, Slovakia;
| | - Natalia Kosutova
- Institute of Chemistry, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 9, 845 38 Bratislava, Slovakia; (A.P.); (N.K.); (E.J.); (L.L.)
| | - Eduard Jane
- Institute of Chemistry, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 9, 845 38 Bratislava, Slovakia; (A.P.); (N.K.); (E.J.); (L.L.)
| | - Lenka Lorencova
- Institute of Chemistry, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 9, 845 38 Bratislava, Slovakia; (A.P.); (N.K.); (E.J.); (L.L.)
| | - Aniko Bertokova
- Glycanostics, Ltd., Kudlakova 7, 841 08 Bratislava, Slovakia;
| | - Tomas Bertok
- Institute of Chemistry, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 9, 845 38 Bratislava, Slovakia; (A.P.); (N.K.); (E.J.); (L.L.)
| | - Jan Tkac
- Institute of Chemistry, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 9, 845 38 Bratislava, Slovakia; (A.P.); (N.K.); (E.J.); (L.L.)
- Glycanostics, Ltd., Kudlakova 7, 841 08 Bratislava, Slovakia;
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Fraser W, Korček R, Glesk I, Litvik J, Schmid JH, Cheben P, Ye WN, Benedikovic D. High-Efficiency Metamaterial-Engineered Grating Couplers for Silicon Nitride Photonics. Nanomaterials (Basel) 2024; 14:581. [PMID: 38607117 PMCID: PMC11013619 DOI: 10.3390/nano14070581] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2024] [Revised: 03/23/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024]
Abstract
Silicon nitride (Si3N4) is an ideal candidate for the development of low-loss photonic integrated circuits. However, efficient light coupling between standard optical fibers and Si3N4 chips remains a significant challenge. For vertical grating couplers, the lower index contrast yields a weak grating strength, which translates to long diffractive structures, limiting the coupling performance. In response to the rise of hybrid photonic platforms, the adoption of multi-layer grating arrangements has emerged as a promising strategy to enhance the performance of Si3N4 couplers. In this work, we present the design of high-efficiency surface grating couplers for the Si3N4 platform with an amorphous silicon (α-Si) overlay. The surface grating, fully formed in an α-Si waveguide layer, utilizes subwavelength grating (SWG)-engineered metamaterials, enabling simple realization through single-step patterning. This not only provides an extra degree of freedom for controlling the fiber-chip coupling but also facilitates portability to existing foundry fabrication processes. Using rigorous three-dimensional (3D) finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) simulations, a metamaterial-engineered grating coupler is designed with a coupling efficiency of -1.7 dB at an operating wavelength of 1.31 µm, with a 1 dB bandwidth of 31 nm. Our proposed design presents a novel approach to developing high-efficiency fiber-chip interfaces for the silicon nitride integration platform for a wide range of applications, including datacom and quantum photonics.
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Affiliation(s)
- William Fraser
- Silicon Micro/NanoPhotonics Group, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6, Canada; (W.F.); (W.N.Y.)
- National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON K1A 0R6, Canada; (J.H.S.); (P.C.)
| | - Radovan Korček
- Department Multimedia and Information-Communication Technology, University of Zilina, 010 26 Žilina, Slovakia; (R.K.); (J.L.); (D.B.)
| | - Ivan Glesk
- Department Multimedia and Information-Communication Technology, University of Zilina, 010 26 Žilina, Slovakia; (R.K.); (J.L.); (D.B.)
| | - Jan Litvik
- Department Multimedia and Information-Communication Technology, University of Zilina, 010 26 Žilina, Slovakia; (R.K.); (J.L.); (D.B.)
| | - Jens H. Schmid
- National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON K1A 0R6, Canada; (J.H.S.); (P.C.)
| | - Pavel Cheben
- National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON K1A 0R6, Canada; (J.H.S.); (P.C.)
| | - Winnie N. Ye
- Silicon Micro/NanoPhotonics Group, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6, Canada; (W.F.); (W.N.Y.)
| | - Daniel Benedikovic
- Department Multimedia and Information-Communication Technology, University of Zilina, 010 26 Žilina, Slovakia; (R.K.); (J.L.); (D.B.)
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Sokol M, Galajda P, Jurik P. Design and Realization of Ultra-Wideband Differential Amplifiers for M-Sequence Radar Applications. Sensors (Basel) 2024; 24:2143. [PMID: 38610354 PMCID: PMC11014217 DOI: 10.3390/s24072143] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2024] [Revised: 03/17/2024] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024]
Abstract
Amplification of wideband high-frequency and microwave signals is a fundamental element within every high-frequency circuit and device. Ultra-wideband (UWB) sensor applications use circuits designed for their specific application. The article presents the analysis, design, and implementation of ultra-wideband differential amplifiers for M-sequence-based UWB applications. The designed differential amplifiers are based on the Cherry-Hooper structure and are implemented in a low-cost 0.35 µm SiGe BiCMOS semiconductor process. The article presents an analysis and realization of several designs focused on different modifications of the Cherry-Hooper amplifier structure. The proposed amplifier modifications are focused on achieving the best result in one main parameter's performance. Amplifier designs modified by capacitive peaking to achieve the largest bandwidth, amplifiers with the lowest possible noise figure, and designs focused on achieving the highest common mode rejection ratio (CMRR) are described. The layout of the differential amplifiers was created and the chip was manufactured and wire-bonded to the QFN package. For evaluation purposes, a high-frequency PCB board was designed. Schematic simulations, post-layout simulations, and measurements of the individual parameters of the designed amplifiers were performed. The designed and fabricated ultra-wideband differential amplifiers have the following parameters: a supply current of 100-160 mA at -3.3 V or 3.3 V, bandwidth from 6 to 12 GHz, gain (at 1 GHz) from 12 to 16 dB, noise figure from 7 to 13 dB, and a common mode rejection ratio of up to 70 dB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miroslav Sokol
- Department of Electronics and Multimedia Telecommunications, Technical University of Košice, 042 00 Kosice, Slovakia; (P.G.); (P.J.)
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Jarabicová I, Horváth C, Chudý M, Goncalvesová E, Adameová A. Analysis of the serum levels of RIP3 and Drp1 in patients with heart failure. ESC Heart Fail 2024. [PMID: 38509849 DOI: 10.1002/ehf2.14771] [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: 12/05/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024] Open
Abstract
AIMS As necroptosis involving receptor-interacting protein kinase 3 (RIP3) and dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1)-mediated signalling is a crucial mechanism of cell loss in heart failure (HF), we aimed to determine the potential diagnostic use of these molecules. METHODS AND RESULTS The serum samples of the healthy subjects (n = 8) and patients with HF with reduced ejection fraction (n = 31), being subdivided according to the aetiology and New York Heart Association (NYHA) class, were used to measure RIP3 and Drp1 levels by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Although the serum levels of Drp1 in the patients with HF were comparable with those seen in healthy individuals, we found a trend of increase in the levels of RIP3 (P = 0.0697) in the diseased group. These changes were unlikely dependent on the HF aetiology or NYHA class. The circulating RIP3 correlated with neither the main parameters assessing cardiac function (left ventricular ejection fraction, left ventricular end-diastolic diameter, and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide) nor the marker of inflammation (C-reactive protein). CONCLUSIONS In this pilot study, findings on serum RIP3 supported the importance of necroptosis in HF pathomechanisms. The potential diagnostic use of circulating RIP3, unlike Drp1, as an additional biomarker of HF has also been indicated; however, further large studies are needed to prove this concept.
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Affiliation(s)
- Izabela Jarabicová
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - Csaba Horváth
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - Martin Chudý
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Cardiology, Comenius University and National Cardiovascular Institute, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - Eva Goncalvesová
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Cardiology, Comenius University and National Cardiovascular Institute, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - Adriana Adameová
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
- Centre of Experimental Medicine, Institute for Heart Research, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
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Keshavarzi A, Asi Shirazi A, Korfanta R, Královič N, Klacsová M, Martínez JC, Teixeira J, Combet S, Uhríková D. Thermodynamic and Structural Study of Budesonide-Exogenous Lung Surfactant System. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2990. [PMID: 38474237 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25052990] [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: 01/19/2024] [Revised: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
The clinical benefits of using exogenous pulmonary surfactant (EPS) as a carrier of budesonide (BUD), a non-halogenated corticosteroid with a broad anti-inflammatory effect, have been established. Using various experimental techniques (differential scanning calorimetry DSC, small- and wide- angle X-ray scattering SAXS/WAXS, small- angle neutron scattering SANS, fluorescence spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering DLS, and zeta potential), we investigated the effect of BUD on the thermodynamics and structure of the clinically used EPS, Curosurf®. We show that BUD facilitates the Curosurf® phase transition from the gel to the fluid state, resulting in a decrease in the temperature of the main phase transition (Tm) and enthalpy (ΔH). The morphology of the Curosurf® dispersion is maintained for BUD < 10 wt% of the Curosurf® mass; BUD slightly increases the repeat distance d of the fluid lamellar phase in multilamellar vesicles (MLVs) resulting from the thickening of the lipid bilayer. The bilayer thickening (~0.23 nm) was derived from SANS data. The presence of ~2 mmol/L of Ca2+ maintains the effect and structure of the MLVs. The changes in the lateral pressure of the Curosurf® bilayer revealed that the intercalated BUD between the acyl chains of the surfactant's lipid molecules resides deeper in the hydrophobic region when its content exceeds ~6 wt%. Our studies support the concept of a combined therapy utilising budesonide-enriched Curosurf®.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atoosa Keshavarzi
- Department of Physical Chemistry of Drugs, Faculty of Pharmacy, Comenius University Bratislava, Odbojárov 10, 832 32 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Ali Asi Shirazi
- Department of Physical Chemistry of Drugs, Faculty of Pharmacy, Comenius University Bratislava, Odbojárov 10, 832 32 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Rastislav Korfanta
- Department of Physical Chemistry of Drugs, Faculty of Pharmacy, Comenius University Bratislava, Odbojárov 10, 832 32 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Nina Královič
- Department of Physical Chemistry of Drugs, Faculty of Pharmacy, Comenius University Bratislava, Odbojárov 10, 832 32 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Mária Klacsová
- Department of Physical Chemistry of Drugs, Faculty of Pharmacy, Comenius University Bratislava, Odbojárov 10, 832 32 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | | | - José Teixeira
- Laboratoire Léon-Brillouin (LLB), UMR12 CEA, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, F-91191 Gif-sur-Yvette CEDEX, France
| | - Sophie Combet
- Laboratoire Léon-Brillouin (LLB), UMR12 CEA, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, F-91191 Gif-sur-Yvette CEDEX, France
| | - Daniela Uhríková
- Department of Physical Chemistry of Drugs, Faculty of Pharmacy, Comenius University Bratislava, Odbojárov 10, 832 32 Bratislava, Slovakia
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Chmelová Ľ, Záhonová K, Albanaz ATS, Hrebenyk L, Horváth A, Yurchenko V, Škodová-Sveráková I. Distribution and Functional Analysis of Isocitrate Dehydrogenases across Kinetoplastids. Genome Biol Evol 2024; 16:evae042. [PMID: 38447055 PMCID: PMC10946238 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evae042] [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: 11/21/2023] [Revised: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Isocitrate dehydrogenase is an enzyme converting isocitrate to α-ketoglutarate in the canonical tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle. There are three different types of isocitrate dehydrogenase documented in eukaryotes. Our study points out the complex evolutionary history of isocitrate dehydrogenases across kinetoplastids, where the common ancestor of Trypanosomatidae and Bodonidae was equipped with two isoforms of the isocitrate dehydrogenase enzyme: the NADP+-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 with possibly dual localization in the cytosol and mitochondrion and NADP+-dependent mitochondrial isocitrate dehydrogenase 2. In the extant trypanosomatids, isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 is present only in a few species suggesting that it was lost upon separation of Trypanosoma spp. and replaced by the mainly NADP+-dependent cytosolic isocitrate dehydrogenase 3 of bacterial origin in all the derived lineages. In this study, we experimentally demonstrate that the omnipresent isocitrate dehydrogenase 2 has a dual localization in both mitochondrion and cytosol in at least four species that possess only this isoform. The apparent lack of the NAD+-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase activity in trypanosomatid mitochondrion provides further support to the existence of the noncanonical TCA cycle across trypanosomatids and the bidirectional activity of isocitrate dehydrogenase 3 when operating with NADP+ cofactor instead of NAD+. This observation can be extended to all 17 species analyzed in this study, except for Leishmania mexicana, which showed only low isocitrate dehydrogenase activity in the cytosol. The variability in isocitrate oxidation capacity among species may reflect the distinct metabolic strategies and needs for reduced cofactors in particular environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ľubomíra Chmelová
- Life Science Research Centre, Faculty of Science, University of Ostrava, Ostrava, Czechia
| | - Kristína Záhonová
- Life Science Research Centre, Faculty of Science, University of Ostrava, Ostrava, Czechia
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czechia
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, BIOCEV, Vestec, Czechia
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Amanda T S Albanaz
- Life Science Research Centre, Faculty of Science, University of Ostrava, Ostrava, Czechia
| | - Liudmyla Hrebenyk
- Life Science Research Centre, Faculty of Science, University of Ostrava, Ostrava, Czechia
| | - Anton Horváth
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Vyacheslav Yurchenko
- Life Science Research Centre, Faculty of Science, University of Ostrava, Ostrava, Czechia
| | - Ingrid Škodová-Sveráková
- Life Science Research Centre, Faculty of Science, University of Ostrava, Ostrava, Czechia
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czechia
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia
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Nosalova N, Huniadi M, Horňáková Ľ, Valenčáková A, Horňák S, Nagoos K, Vozar J, Cizkova D. Canine Mammary Tumors: Classification, Biomarkers, Traditional and Personalized Therapies. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2891. [PMID: 38474142 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25052891] [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: 01/11/2024] [Revised: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
In recent years, many studies have focused their attention on the dog as a proper animal model for human cancer. In dogs, mammary tumors develop spontaneously, involving a complex interplay between tumor cells and the immune system and revealing several molecular and clinical similarities to human breast cancer. In this review, we summarized the major features of canine mammary tumor, risk factors, and the most important biomarkers used for diagnosis and treatment. Traditional therapy of mammary tumors in dogs includes surgery, which is the first choice, followed by chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or hormonal therapy. However, these therapeutic strategies may not always be sufficient on their own; advancements in understanding cancer mechanisms and the development of innovative treatments offer hope for improved outcomes for oncologic patients. There is still a growing interest in the use of personalized medicine, which should play an irreplaceable role in the research not only in human cancer therapy, but also in veterinary oncology. Moreover, immunotherapy may represent a novel and promising therapeutic option in canine mammary cancers. The study of novel therapeutic approaches is essential for future research in both human and veterinary oncology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Nosalova
- Small Animal Clinic, University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy, Komenskeho 73, 041 81 Kosice, Slovakia
| | - Mykhailo Huniadi
- Small Animal Clinic, University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy, Komenskeho 73, 041 81 Kosice, Slovakia
| | - Ľubica Horňáková
- Small Animal Clinic, University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy, Komenskeho 73, 041 81 Kosice, Slovakia
| | - Alexandra Valenčáková
- Small Animal Clinic, University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy, Komenskeho 73, 041 81 Kosice, Slovakia
| | - Slavomir Horňák
- Small Animal Clinic, University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy, Komenskeho 73, 041 81 Kosice, Slovakia
| | - Kamil Nagoos
- Small Animal Clinic, University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy, Komenskeho 73, 041 81 Kosice, Slovakia
| | - Juraj Vozar
- Small Animal Clinic, University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy, Komenskeho 73, 041 81 Kosice, Slovakia
| | - Dasa Cizkova
- Small Animal Clinic, University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy, Komenskeho 73, 041 81 Kosice, Slovakia
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Dibdiakova K, Majercikova Z, Galanda T, Richterova R, Kolarovszki B, Racay P, Hatok J. Relationship between the Expression of Matrix Metalloproteinases and Their Tissue Inhibitors in Patients with Brain Tumors. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2858. [PMID: 38474106 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25052858] [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: 02/14/2024] [Revised: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their inhibitors (TIMPs) play critical roles in regulating processes associated with malignant behavior. These endopeptidases selectively degrade components of the extracellular matrix (ECM), growth factors, and their receptors, contributing to cancer cell invasiveness and migratory characteristics by disrupting the basal membrane. However, the expression profile and role of various matrix metalloproteinases remain unclear, and only a few studies have focused on differences between diagnoses of brain tumors. Using quantitative real-time PCR analysis, we identified the expression pattern of ECM modulators (n = 10) in biopsies from glioblastoma (GBM; n = 20), astrocytoma (AST; n = 9), and meningioma (MNG; n = 19) patients. We found eight deregulated genes in the glioblastoma group compared to the benign meningioma group, with only MMP9 (FC = 2.55; p = 0.09) and TIMP4 (7.28; p < 0.0001) upregulated in an aggressive form. The most substantial positive change in fold regulation for all tumors was detected in matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MNG = 30.9, AST = 4.28, and GBM = 4.12). Notably, we observed an influence of TIMP1, demonstrating a positive correlation with MMP8, MMP9, and MMP10 in tumor samples. Subsequently, we examined the protein levels of the investigated MMPs (n = 7) and TIMPs (n = 3) via immunodetection. We confirmed elevated levels of MMPs and TIMPs in GBM patients compared to meningiomas and astrocytomas. Even when correlating glioblastomas versus astrocytomas, we showed a significantly increased level of MMP1, MMP3, MMP13, and TIMP1. The identified metalloproteases may play a key role in the process of gliomagenesis and may represent potential targets for personalized therapy. However, as we have not confirmed the relationship between mRNA expression and protein levels in individual samples, it is therefore natural that the regulation of metalloproteases will be subject to several factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarina Dibdiakova
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin, Comenius University in Bratislava, Mala Hora 11161/4D, 03601 Martin, Slovakia
- Department of Pathological Physiology, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin, Comenius University in Bratislava, Mala Hora 11161/4C, 03601 Martin, Slovakia
| | - Zuzana Majercikova
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin, Comenius University in Bratislava, Mala Hora 11161/4D, 03601 Martin, Slovakia
| | - Tomas Galanda
- Department of Neurosurgery, Roosevelt Hospital, Slovak Medical University, Nam. L. Svobodu 1, 97517 Banska Bystrica, Slovakia
| | - Romana Richterova
- Clinic of Neurosurgery, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin, University Hospital in Martin, Comenius University in Bratislava, Kollarova 2, 03601 Martin, Slovakia
| | - Branislav Kolarovszki
- Clinic of Neurosurgery, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin, University Hospital in Martin, Comenius University in Bratislava, Kollarova 2, 03601 Martin, Slovakia
| | - Peter Racay
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin, Comenius University in Bratislava, Mala Hora 11161/4D, 03601 Martin, Slovakia
| | - Jozef Hatok
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin, Comenius University in Bratislava, Mala Hora 11161/4D, 03601 Martin, Slovakia
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Kruželák J, Kvasničáková A, Džuganová M, Dosoudil R, Hudec I, Krump H. The Electrical Conductivity, EMI Absorption Shielding Performance, Curing Process, and Mechanical Properties of Rubber Composites. Polymers (Basel) 2024; 16:566. [PMID: 38475251 DOI: 10.3390/polym16050566] [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: 01/18/2024] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Three types of composites were tested for electromagnetic interference (EMI) absorption shielding effectiveness, the curing process, and their physical-mechanical properties. For the first type of composites, nickel-zinc ferrite, manganese-zinc ferrite, and both fillers in their mutual combinations were incorporated into acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber. The overall content of the filler, or fillers, was kept at 200 phr. Then, carbon black or carbon fibers were incorporated into each rubber formulation at a constant loading of-25 phr, while the content of magnetic fillers was unchanged, at -200 phr. This work focused on the understanding of correlations between the electromagnetic shielding parameters and electrical conductivity of composites in relation to their EMI absorption shielding effectiveness. The absorption shielding abilities of materials were evaluated within a frequency bandwidth from 1 MHz to 6 GHz. This study revealed good correlation among permittivity, conductivity, and EMI absorption effectiveness. Although the absorption shielding efficiency of composites filled only with ferrites seems to be the highest, the absorption maxima of those composites reached over 6 GHz. The application of carbon-based fillers resulted in the higher electrical conductivity and higher permittivity of composites, which was reflected in their lower absorption shielding performance. However, the composites filled with ferrites and carbon-based fillers absorbed electromagnetic radiation within the desired frequency range. The presence of carbon-based fillers caused improvement in the tensile behavior of composites. This study also demonstrated that the higher the ratio of nickel-zinc ferrite in combined magnetic fillers, the better the absorption shielding efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ján Kruželák
- Department of Plastics, Rubber and Fibres, Faculty of Chemical and Food Technology, Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava, Radlinského 9, 812 37 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Andrea Kvasničáková
- Department of Plastics, Rubber and Fibres, Faculty of Chemical and Food Technology, Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava, Radlinského 9, 812 37 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Michaela Džuganová
- Department of Plastics, Rubber and Fibres, Faculty of Chemical and Food Technology, Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava, Radlinského 9, 812 37 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Rastislav Dosoudil
- Department of Electromagnetic Theory, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava, Iľkovičova 3, 812 19 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Ivan Hudec
- Department of Plastics, Rubber and Fibres, Faculty of Chemical and Food Technology, Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava, Radlinského 9, 812 37 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Henrich Krump
- Bizlink Technology, Trenčianska Teplá 1356, 914 01 Trenčianska Teplá, Slovakia
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Gerhardtova I, Jankech T, Majerova P, Piestansky J, Olesova D, Kovac A, Jampilek J. Recent Analytical Methodologies in Lipid Analysis. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2249. [PMID: 38396926 PMCID: PMC10889185 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25042249] [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: 01/19/2024] [Revised: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 02/11/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Lipids represent a large group of biomolecules that are responsible for various functions in organisms. Diseases such as diabetes, chronic inflammation, neurological disorders, or neurodegenerative and cardiovascular diseases can be caused by lipid imbalance. Due to the different stereochemical properties and composition of fatty acyl groups of molecules in most lipid classes, quantification of lipids and development of lipidomic analytical techniques are problematic. Identification of different lipid species from complex matrices is difficult, and therefore individual analytical steps, which include extraction, separation, and detection of lipids, must be chosen properly. This review critically documents recent strategies for lipid analysis from sample pretreatment to instrumental analysis and data interpretation published in the last five years (2019 to 2023). The advantages and disadvantages of various extraction methods are covered. The instrumental analysis step comprises methods for lipid identification and quantification. Mass spectrometry (MS) is the most used technique in lipid analysis, which can be performed by direct infusion MS approach or in combination with suitable separation techniques such as liquid chromatography or gas chromatography. Special attention is also given to the correct evaluation and interpretation of the data obtained from the lipid analyses. Only accurate, precise, robust and reliable analytical strategies are able to bring complex and useful lipidomic information, which may contribute to clarification of some diseases at the molecular level, and may be used as putative biomarkers and/or therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivana Gerhardtova
- Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 9, SK-845 10 Bratislava, Slovakia
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava, Ilkovicova 6, SK-842 15 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Timotej Jankech
- Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 9, SK-845 10 Bratislava, Slovakia
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava, Ilkovicova 6, SK-842 15 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Petra Majerova
- Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 9, SK-845 10 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Juraj Piestansky
- Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 9, SK-845 10 Bratislava, Slovakia
- Toxicological and Antidoping Center, Faculty of Pharmacy, Comenius University in Bratislava, Odbojarov 10, SK-832 32 Bratislava, Slovakia
- Department of Galenic Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Comenius University in Bratislava, Odbojarov 10, SK-832 32 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Dominika Olesova
- Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 9, SK-845 10 Bratislava, Slovakia
- Institute of Experimental Endocrinology, Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 9, SK-845 05 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Andrej Kovac
- Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 9, SK-845 10 Bratislava, Slovakia
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in Kosice, Komenskeho 68/73, SK-041 81 Kosice, Slovakia
| | - Josef Jampilek
- Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 9, SK-845 10 Bratislava, Slovakia
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava, Ilkovicova 6, SK-842 15 Bratislava, Slovakia
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Murck H, Karailiev P, Karailievova L, Puhova A, Jezova D. Treatment with Glycyrrhiza glabra Extract Induces Anxiolytic Effects Associated with Reduced Salt Preference and Changes in Barrier Protein Gene Expression. Nutrients 2024; 16:515. [PMID: 38398838 PMCID: PMC10893552 DOI: 10.3390/nu16040515] [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: 12/15/2023] [Revised: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
We have previously identified that low responsiveness to antidepressive therapy is associated with higher aldosterone/cortisol ratio, lower systolic blood pressure, and higher salt preference. Glycyrrhiza glabra (GG) contains glycyrrhizin, an inhibitor of 11β-hydroxysteroid-dehydrogenase type-2 and antagonist of toll-like receptor 4. The primary hypothesis of this study is that food enrichment with GG extract results in decreased anxiety behavior and reduced salt preference under stress and non-stress conditions. The secondary hypothesis is that the mentioned changes are associated with altered gene expression of barrier proteins in the prefrontal cortex. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to chronic mild stress for five weeks. Both stressed and unstressed rats were fed a diet with or without an extract of GG roots for the last two weeks. GG induced anxiolytic effects in animals independent of stress exposure, as measured in elevated plus maze test. Salt preference and intake were significantly reduced by GG under control, but not stress conditions. The gene expression of the barrier protein claudin-11 in the prefrontal cortex was increased in control rats exposed to GG, whereas stress-induced rise was prevented. Exposure to GG-enriched diet resulted in reduced ZO-1 expression irrespective of stress conditions. In conclusion, the observed effects of GG are in line with a reduction in the activity of central mineralocorticoid receptors. The treatment with GG extract or its active components may, therefore, be a useful adjunct therapy for patients with subtypes of depression and anxiety disorders with heightened renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system and/or inflammatory activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harald Murck
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Philipps-University Marburg, 35039 Marburg, Germany
| | - Peter Karailiev
- Institute of Experimental Endocrinology, Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, 845 05 Bratislava, Slovakia; (P.K.); (L.K.); (A.P.); (D.J.)
| | - Lucia Karailievova
- Institute of Experimental Endocrinology, Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, 845 05 Bratislava, Slovakia; (P.K.); (L.K.); (A.P.); (D.J.)
| | - Agnesa Puhova
- Institute of Experimental Endocrinology, Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, 845 05 Bratislava, Slovakia; (P.K.); (L.K.); (A.P.); (D.J.)
| | - Daniela Jezova
- Institute of Experimental Endocrinology, Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, 845 05 Bratislava, Slovakia; (P.K.); (L.K.); (A.P.); (D.J.)
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Bakhtiar D, Vondraskova K, Pengelly RJ, Chivers M, Kralovicova J, Vorechovsky I. Exonic splicing code and coordination of divalent metals in proteins. Nucleic Acids Res 2024; 52:1090-1106. [PMID: 38055834 PMCID: PMC10853796 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad1161] [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: 06/16/2023] [Revised: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Exonic sequences contain both protein-coding and RNA splicing information but the interplay of the protein and splicing code is complex and poorly understood. Here, we have studied traditional and auxiliary splicing codes of human exons that encode residues coordinating two essential divalent metals at the opposite ends of the Irving-Williams series, a universal order of relative stabilities of metal-organic complexes. We show that exons encoding Zn2+-coordinating amino acids are supported much less by the auxiliary splicing motifs than exons coordinating Ca2+. The handicap of the former is compensated by stronger splice sites and uridine-richer polypyrimidine tracts, except for position -3 relative to 3' splice junctions. However, both Ca2+ and Zn2+ exons exhibit close-to-constitutive splicing in multiple tissues, consistent with their critical importance for metalloprotein function and a relatively small fraction of expendable, alternatively spliced exons. These results indicate that constraints imposed by metal coordination spheres on RNA splicing have been efficiently overcome by the plasticity of exon-intron architecture to ensure adequate metalloprotein expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dara Bakhtiar
- University of Southampton, Faculty of Medicine, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Katarina Vondraskova
- Slovak Academy of Sciences, Centre of Biosciences, 840 05 Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - Reuben J Pengelly
- University of Southampton, Faculty of Medicine, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Martin Chivers
- University of Southampton, Faculty of Medicine, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Jana Kralovicova
- University of Southampton, Faculty of Medicine, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK
- Slovak Academy of Sciences, Centre of Biosciences, 840 05 Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - Igor Vorechovsky
- University of Southampton, Faculty of Medicine, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK
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Kosutova N, Lorencova L, Hires M, Jane E, Orovcik L, Kollar J, Kozics K, Gabelova A, Ukraintsev E, Rezek B, Kasak P, Cernocka H, Ostatna V, Blahutova J, Vikartovska A, Bertok T, Tkac J. Negative Charge-Carrying Glycans Attached to Exosomes as Novel Liquid Biopsy Marker. Sensors (Basel) 2024; 24:1128. [PMID: 38400284 PMCID: PMC10892626 DOI: 10.3390/s24041128] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2024] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second most common cancer. In this paper, the isolation and properties of exosomes as potential novel liquid biopsy markers for early PCa liquid biopsy diagnosis are investigated using two prostate human cell lines, i.e., benign (control) cell line RWPE1 and carcinoma cell line 22Rv1. Exosomes produced by both cell lines are characterised by various methods including nanoparticle-tracking analysis, dynamic light scattering, scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. In addition, surface plasmon resonance (SPR) is used to study three different receptors on the exosomal surface (CD63, CD81 and prostate-specific membrane antigen-PMSA), implementing monoclonal antibodies and identifying the type of glycans present on the surface of exosomes using lectins (glycan-recognising proteins). Electrochemical analysis is used to understand the interfacial properties of exosomes. The results indicate that cancerous exosomes are smaller, are produced at higher concentrations, and exhibit more nega tive zeta potential than the control exosomes. The SPR experiments confirm that negatively charged α-2,3- and α-2,6-sialic acid-containing glycans are found in greater abundance on carcinoma exosomes, whereas bisecting and branched glycans are more abundant in the control exosomes. The SPR results also show that a sandwich antibody/exosomes/lectins configuration could be constructed for effective glycoprofiling of exosomes as a novel liquid biopsy marker.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Kosutova
- Institute of Chemistry, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 5807/9, 845 38 Bratislava, Slovakia (L.L.); (E.J.)
| | - Lenka Lorencova
- Institute of Chemistry, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 5807/9, 845 38 Bratislava, Slovakia (L.L.); (E.J.)
| | - Michal Hires
- Institute of Chemistry, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 5807/9, 845 38 Bratislava, Slovakia (L.L.); (E.J.)
| | - Eduard Jane
- Institute of Chemistry, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 5807/9, 845 38 Bratislava, Slovakia (L.L.); (E.J.)
| | - Lubomir Orovcik
- Institute of Materials and Machine Mechanics, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 9/6319, 845 13 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Jozef Kollar
- Polymer Institute, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 9, 845 41 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Katarina Kozics
- Biomedical Research Centre, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 9, 845 05 Bratislava, Slovakia (A.G.)
| | - Alena Gabelova
- Biomedical Research Centre, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 9, 845 05 Bratislava, Slovakia (A.G.)
| | - Egor Ukraintsev
- Department of Physics, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Czech Technical University in Prague, Technicka 2, 166 27 Prague, Czech Republic; (E.U.); (B.R.)
| | - Bohuslav Rezek
- Department of Physics, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Czech Technical University in Prague, Technicka 2, 166 27 Prague, Czech Republic; (E.U.); (B.R.)
| | - Peter Kasak
- Centre for Advanced Materials, Qatar University, Doha P.O. Box 2713, Qatar;
| | - Hana Cernocka
- Institute of Biophysics, Czech Academy of Sciences, Kralovopolska 135, 61200 Brno, Czech Republic; (H.C.)
| | - Veronika Ostatna
- Institute of Biophysics, Czech Academy of Sciences, Kralovopolska 135, 61200 Brno, Czech Republic; (H.C.)
| | - Jana Blahutova
- Institute of Chemistry, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 5807/9, 845 38 Bratislava, Slovakia (L.L.); (E.J.)
| | - Alica Vikartovska
- Institute of Chemistry, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 5807/9, 845 38 Bratislava, Slovakia (L.L.); (E.J.)
| | - Tomas Bertok
- Institute of Chemistry, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 5807/9, 845 38 Bratislava, Slovakia (L.L.); (E.J.)
| | - Jan Tkac
- Institute of Chemistry, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 5807/9, 845 38 Bratislava, Slovakia (L.L.); (E.J.)
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38
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Lecová M, Babjáková D, Sopková D, Andrejčáková Z, Hertelyová Z, Petrilla V, Polláková M, Vlčková R. Different Lengths of Diet Supplementation with 10% Flaxseed Alter the Hormonal Profile and the Follicular Fluid Fatty Acid Content of Fattening Gilts. Life (Basel) 2024; 14:240. [PMID: 38398749 PMCID: PMC10890391 DOI: 10.3390/life14020240] [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: 12/05/2023] [Revised: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The effect of 10% dietary flaxseed fed for 3 and 6 weeks on serum hormone levels of fattening gilts, the fatty acid (FA) follicular fluid (FF) composition of small and large antral follicles, and the steroidogenesis and IGF-I secretion by isolated small antral follicles and their response to regulatory hormones (LH, FSH, IGF-I) was studied using immunoassay and gas chromatography analyses. Both supplemental periods increased levels of P4 and IGF-I in blood serum. A shorter period inhibited steroidogenesis (P4, T, E2) and IGF-I secretion by small antral follicles, which was associated with decreased levels of monounsaturated FAs (MUFA) and preferred n-6 polyunsaturated FA (PUFA) metabolism. A longer period stimulated hormone secretion at elevated levels of saturated FAs (SFA) at the expense of MUFAs and PUFAs preferring the n-3 PUFA metabolism. Out of ovarian regulators, only LH and IGF-I were able to alter the secretion of steroids and IGF-I by small follicles of fattening pigs fed a basal diet. The effect of flaxseed on the secretion of follicular hormones after both supplemental periods was altered by all regulatory hormones in a dose-dependent manner. The level of SFAs and PUFAs in FF of large follicles increased with the length of flaxseed feeding, suggesting the suppression of ovulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Lecová
- Department of Biology and Physiology, University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in Košice, Komenského 73, 041 81 Košice, Slovakia; (M.L.); (D.B.); (D.S.); (Z.A.); (V.P.); (M.P.)
| | - Diana Babjáková
- Department of Biology and Physiology, University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in Košice, Komenského 73, 041 81 Košice, Slovakia; (M.L.); (D.B.); (D.S.); (Z.A.); (V.P.); (M.P.)
| | - Drahomíra Sopková
- Department of Biology and Physiology, University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in Košice, Komenského 73, 041 81 Košice, Slovakia; (M.L.); (D.B.); (D.S.); (Z.A.); (V.P.); (M.P.)
| | - Zuzana Andrejčáková
- Department of Biology and Physiology, University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in Košice, Komenského 73, 041 81 Košice, Slovakia; (M.L.); (D.B.); (D.S.); (Z.A.); (V.P.); (M.P.)
| | - Zdenka Hertelyová
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice, Šrobárova 2, 041 80 Košice, Slovakia;
| | - Vladimír Petrilla
- Department of Biology and Physiology, University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in Košice, Komenského 73, 041 81 Košice, Slovakia; (M.L.); (D.B.); (D.S.); (Z.A.); (V.P.); (M.P.)
| | - Magdaléna Polláková
- Department of Biology and Physiology, University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in Košice, Komenského 73, 041 81 Košice, Slovakia; (M.L.); (D.B.); (D.S.); (Z.A.); (V.P.); (M.P.)
| | - Radoslava Vlčková
- Department of Biology and Physiology, University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in Košice, Komenského 73, 041 81 Košice, Slovakia; (M.L.); (D.B.); (D.S.); (Z.A.); (V.P.); (M.P.)
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Hegedüsová L, Blaise N, Pašteka LF, Budzák Š, Medveď M, Filo J, Mravec B, Slavov C, Wachtveitl J, Grabarz AM, Cigáň M. Enhancing the Potential of Fused Heterocycle-Based Triarylhydrazone Photoswitches. Chemistry 2024; 30:e202303509. [PMID: 38212244 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202303509] [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: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
Triarylhydrazones represent an attractive class of photochromic compounds offering many interesting features including high molar absorptivity, good addressability, and extraordinary thermal stability. In addition, unlike most other hydrazone-based photoswitches, they effectively absorb light above 365 nm. However, previously prepared triaryhydrazones suffer from low quantum yields of the Z→E photoisomerization. Here, we have designed a new subclass of naphthoyl-benzothiazole hydrazones that balance the most beneficial features of previously reported naphthoyl-quinoline and benzoyl-pyridine triarylhydrazones. These preserve the attractive absorption characteristics, exhibit higher thermal stability of the metastable form than the former and enhance the rate of the Z→E photoisomerization compared to the later, as a result of the weakening of the intramolecular hydrogen bonding between the hydrazone hydrogen and the benzothiazole moiety. Introducing the benzothiazole motif extends the tunability of the photochromic behaviour of hydrazone-based switches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lea Hegedüsová
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University, Bratislava, 84215, Slovakia
| | - Nadine Blaise
- Institute of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry, Faculty of Biochemistry, Chemistry, Pharmacy, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, 60438, Germany
| | - Lukáš F Pašteka
- Van Swinderen Institute for Particle Physics and Gravity, University of Groningen, Groningen, 9747AG, The Netherlands
- Department of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University, Bratislava, 84215, Slovakia
| | - Šimon Budzák
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Matej Bel University, Banská Bystrica, 97400, Slovakia
| | - Miroslav Medveď
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Matej Bel University, Banská Bystrica, 97400, Slovakia
- Regional Centre of Advanced Technologies and Materials, Czech Advanced Technology and Research Institute, Palacký University Olomouc, Olomouc, 77900, Czechia
| | - Juraj Filo
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University, Bratislava, 84215, Slovakia
| | - Bernard Mravec
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University, Bratislava, 84215, Slovakia
| | - Chavdar Slavov
- Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33620, Florida, US
| | - Josef Wachtveitl
- Institute of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry, Faculty of Biochemistry, Chemistry, Pharmacy, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, 60438, Germany
| | - Anna M Grabarz
- Department of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University, Bratislava, 84215, Slovakia
- Institute of Advanced Materials, Faculty of Chemistry, Wrocław University of Science and Technology, Wrocław, 50370, Poland
| | - Marek Cigáň
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University, Bratislava, 84215, Slovakia
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Vitazkova D, Foltan E, Kosnacova H, Micjan M, Donoval M, Kuzma A, Kopani M, Vavrinsky E. Advances in Respiratory Monitoring: A Comprehensive Review of Wearable and Remote Technologies. Biosensors (Basel) 2024; 14:90. [PMID: 38392009 PMCID: PMC10886711 DOI: 10.3390/bios14020090] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2024] [Revised: 01/28/2024] [Accepted: 02/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
This article explores the importance of wearable and remote technologies in healthcare. The focus highlights its potential in continuous monitoring, examines the specificity of the issue, and offers a view of proactive healthcare. Our research describes a wide range of device types and scientific methodologies, starting from traditional chest belts to their modern alternatives and cutting-edge bioamplifiers that distinguish breathing from chest impedance variations. We also investigated innovative technologies such as the monitoring of thorax micromovements based on the principles of seismocardiography, ballistocardiography, remote camera recordings, deployment of integrated optical fibers, or extraction of respiration from cardiovascular variables. Our review is extended to include acoustic methods and breath and blood gas analysis, providing a comprehensive overview of different approaches to respiratory monitoring. The topic of monitoring respiration with wearable and remote electronics is currently the center of attention of researchers, which is also reflected by the growing number of publications. In our manuscript, we offer an overview of the most interesting ones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Vitazkova
- Institute of Electronics and Photonics, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, Slovak University of Technology, Ilkovicova 3, 81219 Bratislava, Slovakia; (E.F.); (H.K.); (M.M.); (M.D.); (A.K.)
| | - Erik Foltan
- Institute of Electronics and Photonics, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, Slovak University of Technology, Ilkovicova 3, 81219 Bratislava, Slovakia; (E.F.); (H.K.); (M.M.); (M.D.); (A.K.)
| | - Helena Kosnacova
- Institute of Electronics and Photonics, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, Slovak University of Technology, Ilkovicova 3, 81219 Bratislava, Slovakia; (E.F.); (H.K.); (M.M.); (M.D.); (A.K.)
- Department of Simulation and Virtual Medical Education, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Sasinkova 4, 81272 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Michal Micjan
- Institute of Electronics and Photonics, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, Slovak University of Technology, Ilkovicova 3, 81219 Bratislava, Slovakia; (E.F.); (H.K.); (M.M.); (M.D.); (A.K.)
| | - Martin Donoval
- Institute of Electronics and Photonics, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, Slovak University of Technology, Ilkovicova 3, 81219 Bratislava, Slovakia; (E.F.); (H.K.); (M.M.); (M.D.); (A.K.)
| | - Anton Kuzma
- Institute of Electronics and Photonics, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, Slovak University of Technology, Ilkovicova 3, 81219 Bratislava, Slovakia; (E.F.); (H.K.); (M.M.); (M.D.); (A.K.)
| | - Martin Kopani
- Institute of Medical Physics, Biophysics, Informatics and Telemedicine, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Sasinkova 2, 81272 Bratislava, Slovakia;
| | - Erik Vavrinsky
- Institute of Electronics and Photonics, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, Slovak University of Technology, Ilkovicova 3, 81219 Bratislava, Slovakia; (E.F.); (H.K.); (M.M.); (M.D.); (A.K.)
- Institute of Medical Physics, Biophysics, Informatics and Telemedicine, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Sasinkova 2, 81272 Bratislava, Slovakia;
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Chmelová D, Ondrejovič M, Miertuš S. Laccases as Effective Tools in the Removal of Pharmaceutical Products from Aquatic Systems. Life (Basel) 2024; 14:230. [PMID: 38398738 PMCID: PMC10890127 DOI: 10.3390/life14020230] [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: 01/18/2024] [Revised: 02/03/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the application of bacterial and fungal laccases for the removal of pharmaceuticals from the environment. Laccases were evaluated for their efficacy in degrading pharmaceutical substances across various categories, including analgesics, antibiotics, antiepileptics, antirheumatic drugs, cytostatics, hormones, anxiolytics, and sympatholytics. The capability of laccases to degrade or biotransform these drugs was found to be dependent on their structural characteristics. The formation of di-, oligo- and polymers of the parent compound has been observed using the laccase mediator system (LMS), which is advantageous in terms of their removal via commonly used processes in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Notably, certain pharmaceuticals such as tetracycline antibiotics or estrogen hormones exhibited degradation or even mineralization when subjected to laccase treatment. Employing enzyme pretreatment mitigated the toxic effects of degradation products compared to the parent drug. However, when utilizing the LMS, careful mediator selection is essential to prevent potential increases in environment toxicity. Laccases demonstrate efficiency in pharmaceutical removal within WWTPs, operating efficiently under WWTP conditions without necessitating isolation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Chmelová
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Ss. Cyril and Methodius, J. Herdu 2, SK-91701 Trnava, Slovakia; (D.C.); (M.O.)
| | - Miroslav Ondrejovič
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Ss. Cyril and Methodius, J. Herdu 2, SK-91701 Trnava, Slovakia; (D.C.); (M.O.)
| | - Stanislav Miertuš
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Ss. Cyril and Methodius, J. Herdu 2, SK-91701 Trnava, Slovakia; (D.C.); (M.O.)
- ICARST n.o., Jamnického 19, SK-84101 Bratislava, Slovakia
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Rey J, Chizallet C, Rocca D, Bučko T, Badawi M. Reference-Quality Free Energy Barriers in Catalysis from Machine Learning Thermodynamic Perturbation Theory. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202312392. [PMID: 38055209 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202312392] [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: 08/23/2023] [Revised: 11/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023]
Abstract
For the first time, we report calculations of the free energies of activation of cracking and isomerization reactions of alkenes that combine several different electronic structure methods with molecular dynamics simulations. We demonstrate that the use of a high level of theory (here Random Phase Approximation-RPA) is necessary to bridge the gap between experimental and computed values. These transformations, catalyzed by zeolites and proceeding via cationic intermediates and transition states, are building blocks of many chemical transformations for valorization of long chain paraffins originating, e.g., from plastic waste, vegetable oils, Fischer-Tropsch waxes or crude oils. Compared with the free energy barriers computed at the PBE+D2 production level of theory via constrained ab initio molecular dynamics, the barriers computed at the RPA level by the application of Machine Learning thermodynamic Perturbation Theory (MLPT) show a significant decrease for isomerization reaction and an increase of a similar magnitude for cracking, yielding an unprecedented agreement with the results obtained by experiments and kinetic modeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jérôme Rey
- Laboratoire de Physique et Chimie Théoriques LPCT UMR 7019-CNRS, Université de Lorraine, Vandœuvre-lés-Nancy, France
| | - Céline Chizallet
- IFP Energies nouvelles, Rond-Point de l'Ēchangeur de Solaize, BP3, 69360, Solaize, France
| | - Dario Rocca
- Laboratoire de Physique et Chimie Théoriques LPCT UMR 7019-CNRS, Université de Lorraine, Vandœuvre-lés-Nancy, France
| | - Tomáš Bučko
- Department of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava, Ilkovičova 6, SK-84215, Bratislava, Slovakia
- Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská cesta 9, SK-84236, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Michael Badawi
- Laboratoire de Physique et Chimie Théoriques LPCT UMR 7019-CNRS, Université de Lorraine, Vandœuvre-lés-Nancy, France
- Laboratoire Lorrain de Chimie Moléculaire L2CM UMR 7053-CNRS, Université de Lorraine, Metz, France
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43
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Jurkaninová L, Dvořáček V, Gregusová V, Havrlentová M. Cereal β-d-Glucans in Food Processing Applications and Nanotechnology Research. Foods 2024; 13:500. [PMID: 38338635 PMCID: PMC10855322 DOI: 10.3390/foods13030500] [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: 12/30/2023] [Revised: 01/21/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Cereal (1,3)(1,4)-β-d-glucans, known as β-d-glucans, are cell wall polysaccharides observed in selected plants of grasses, and oats and barley are their good natural sources. Thanks to their physicochemical properties β-d-glucans have therapeutic and nutritional potential and a specific place for their functional characteristics in diverse food formulations. They can function as thickeners, stabilizers, emulsifiers, and textural and gelation agents in beverages, bakery, meat, and extruded products. The objective of this review is to describe the primary procedures for the production of β-d-glucans from cereal grains, to define the processing factors influencing their properties, and to summarize their current use in the production of novel cereal-based foods. Additionally, the study delves into the utilization of β-d-glucans in the rapidly evolving field of nanotechnology, exploring potential applications within this technological realm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucie Jurkaninová
- Department of Food Science, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences, Kamýcká 129, 165 00 Praha, Czech Republic;
| | - Václav Dvořáček
- Crop Research Institute, Drnovská 507, 161 06 Prague, Czech Republic;
| | - Veronika Gregusová
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Ss. Cyril and Methodius, Námestie J. Herdu 2, 917 01 Trnava, Slovakia;
| | - Michaela Havrlentová
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Ss. Cyril and Methodius, Námestie J. Herdu 2, 917 01 Trnava, Slovakia;
- National Agricultural and Food Center—Research Institute of Plant Production, Bratislavská Cesta 122, 921 68 Piešťany, Slovakia
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44
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Kambach S, Attorre F, Axmanová I, Bergamini A, Biurrun I, Bonari G, Carranza ML, Chiarucci A, Chytrý M, Dengler J, Garbolino E, Golub V, Hickler T, Jandt U, Jansen J, Jiménez-Alfaro B, Karger DN, Lososová Z, Rašomavičius V, Rūsiņa S, Sieber P, Stanisci A, Thuiller W, Welk E, Zimmermann NE, Bruelheide H. Climate regulation processes are linked to the functional composition of plant communities in European forests, shrublands, and grasslands. Glob Chang Biol 2024; 30:e17189. [PMID: 38375686 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.17189] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024]
Abstract
Terrestrial ecosystems affect climate by reflecting solar irradiation, evaporative cooling, and carbon sequestration. Yet very little is known about how plant traits affect climate regulation processes (CRPs) in different habitat types. Here, we used linear and random forest models to relate the community-weighted mean and variance values of 19 plant traits (summarized into eight trait axes) to the climate-adjusted proportion of reflected solar irradiation, evapotranspiration, and net primary productivity across 36,630 grid cells at the European extent, classified into 10 types of forest, shrubland, and grassland habitats. We found that these trait axes were more tightly linked to log evapotranspiration (with an average of 6.2% explained variation) and the proportion of reflected solar irradiation (6.1%) than to net primary productivity (4.9%). The highest variation in CRPs was explained in forest and temperate shrubland habitats. Yet, the strength and direction of these relationships were strongly habitat-dependent. We conclude that any spatial upscaling of the effects of plant communities on CRPs must consider the relative contribution of different habitat types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephan Kambach
- Institute of Biology/Geobotany and Botanical Garden, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Fabio Attorre
- Department of Environmental Biology, Sapienza University of Rome, Roma, Italy
| | - Irena Axmanová
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Ariel Bergamini
- Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL, Birmensdorf, Switzerland
| | - Idoia Biurrun
- Department of Plant Biology and Ecology, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Bilbao, Spain
| | | | - Maria Laura Carranza
- Envixlab, Department of Biosciences and Territory, University of Molise, Pesche, Italy
- National Biodiversity Future Center (NBFC), Palermo, Italy
| | - Alessandro Chiarucci
- BIOME Lab, Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences (BiGeA), Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Milan Chytrý
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jürgen Dengler
- Vegetation Ecology Research Group, Institute of Natural Resource Sciences (IUNR), Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW), Wädenswil, Switzerland
- Bayreuth Center for Ecology and Environmental Research (BayCEER), University of Bayreuth, Bayreuth, Germany
| | | | | | - Thomas Hickler
- Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Department of Physical Geography, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Ute Jandt
- Institute of Biology/Geobotany and Botanical Garden, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Jan Jansen
- Department of Ecology and Physiology, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Borja Jiménez-Alfaro
- IMIB Biodiversity Research Institute (Univ. Oviedo-CSIC-Princ. Asturias), University of Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain
| | | | - Zdeňka Lososová
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | | | - Solvita Rūsiņa
- Faculty of Geography and Earth Sciences, University of Latvia, Riga, Latvia
| | - Petra Sieber
- Institute for Atmospheric and Climate Science, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Angela Stanisci
- Envixlab, Department of Biosciences and Territory, University of Molise, Pesche, Italy
- National Biodiversity Future Center (NBFC), Palermo, Italy
| | - Wilfried Thuiller
- Université Grenoble Alpes, Université Savoie Mont Blanc, CNRS, LECA, Grenoble, France
| | - Erik Welk
- Institute of Biology/Geobotany and Botanical Garden, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | | | - Helge Bruelheide
- Institute of Biology/Geobotany and Botanical Garden, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
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45
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Bhutia KL, Ahmad M, Kisku A, Sudhan RA, Bhutia ND, Sharma VK, Prasad BD, Thudi M, Obročník O, Bárek V, Brestic M, Skalicky M, Gaber A, Hossain A. Shoot transcriptome revealed widespread differential expression and potential molecular mechanisms of chickpea ( Cicer arietinum L.) against Fusarium wilt. Front Microbiol 2024; 14:1265265. [PMID: 38370576 PMCID: PMC10870781 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1265265] [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] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction The yield of chickpea is severely hampered by infection wilt caused by several races of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceris (Foc). Methods To understand the underlying molecular mechanisms of resistance against Foc4 Fusarium wilt, RNA sequencing-based shoot transcriptome data of two contrasting chickpea genotypes, namely KWR 108 (resistant) and GL 13001 (susceptible), were generated and analyzed. Results and Discussion The shoot transcriptome data showed 1,103 and 1,221 significant DEGs in chickpea genotypes KWR 108 and GL 13001, respectively. Among these, 495 and 608 genes were significantly down and up-regulated in genotypes KWR 108, and 427 and 794 genes were significantly down and up-regulated in genotype GL 13001. The gene ontology (GO) analysis of significant DEGs was performed and the GO of the top 50 DEGs in two contrasting chickpea genotypes showed the highest cellular components as membrane and nucleus, and molecular functions including nucleotide binding, metal ion binding, transferase, kinase, and oxidoreductase activity involved in biological processes such as phosphorylation, oxidation-reduction, cell redox homeostasis process, and DNA repair. Compared to the susceptible genotype which showed significant up-regulation of genes involved in processes like DNA repair, the significantly up-regulated DEGs of the resistant genotypes were involved in processes like energy metabolism and environmental adaptation, particularly host-pathogen interaction. This indicates an efficient utilization of environmental adaptation pathways, energy homeostasis, and stable DNA molecules as the strategy to cope with Fusarium wilt infection in chickpea. The findings of the study will be useful in targeting the genes in designing gene-based markers for association mapping with the traits of interest in chickpea under Fusarium wilt which could be efficiently utilized in marker-assisted breeding of chickpea, particularly against Foc4 Fusarium wilt.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karma L. Bhutia
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology and Molecular Biology, CBS&H, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, Bihar, India
| | - Mahtab Ahmad
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology and Molecular Biology, CBS&H, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, Bihar, India
| | - Anima Kisku
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology and Molecular Biology, CBS&H, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, Bihar, India
| | - R. A. Sudhan
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology and Molecular Biology, CBS&H, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, Bihar, India
| | - Nangsol D. Bhutia
- College of Horticulture and Forestry, Central Agricultural University (Imphal), Pasighat, Arunachal Pradesh, India
| | - V. K. Sharma
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology and Molecular Biology, CBS&H, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, Bihar, India
| | - Bishun Deo Prasad
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology and Molecular Biology, CBS&H, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, Bihar, India
| | - Mahendar Thudi
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology and Molecular Biology, CBS&H, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, Bihar, India
| | - Oliver Obročník
- Department of Water Resources and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Horticulture and Landscape Engineering, Slovak University of Agriculture, Nitra, Slovakia
| | - Viliam Bárek
- Department of Water Resources and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Horticulture and Landscape Engineering, Slovak University of Agriculture, Nitra, Slovakia
| | - Marian Brestic
- Institute of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Slovak University of Agriculture, Nitra, Slovakia
- Department of Botany and Plant Physiology, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food, and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czechia
| | - Milan Skalicky
- Department of Botany and Plant Physiology, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food, and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czechia
| | - Ahmed Gaber
- Department of Biology, College of Science, Taif University, Taif, Saudi Arabia
| | - Akbar Hossain
- Division of Soil Science, Bangladesh Wheat and Maize Research Institute, Dinajpur, Bangladesh
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46
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Sloboda T, Hudec L, Halinkovič M, Benesova W. Attention-Enhanced Unpaired xAI-GANs for Transformation of Histological Stain Images. J Imaging 2024; 10:32. [PMID: 38392081 PMCID: PMC10889577 DOI: 10.3390/jimaging10020032] [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: 12/27/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Histological staining is the primary method for confirming cancer diagnoses, but certain types, such as p63 staining, can be expensive and potentially damaging to tissues. In our research, we innovate by generating p63-stained images from H&E-stained slides for metaplastic breast cancer. This is a crucial development, considering the high costs and tissue risks associated with direct p63 staining. Our approach employs an advanced CycleGAN architecture, xAI-CycleGAN, enhanced with context-based loss to maintain structural integrity. The inclusion of convolutional attention in our model distinguishes between structural and color details more effectively, thus significantly enhancing the visual quality of the results. This approach shows a marked improvement over the base xAI-CycleGAN and standard CycleGAN models, offering the benefits of a more compact network and faster training even with the inclusion of attention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tibor Sloboda
- Faculty of Informatics and Information Technology, Slovak Technical University, Ilkovičova 2, 842 16 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Lukáš Hudec
- Faculty of Informatics and Information Technology, Slovak Technical University, Ilkovičova 2, 842 16 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Matej Halinkovič
- Faculty of Informatics and Information Technology, Slovak Technical University, Ilkovičova 2, 842 16 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Wanda Benesova
- Faculty of Informatics and Information Technology, Slovak Technical University, Ilkovičova 2, 842 16 Bratislava, Slovakia
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47
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Adamus M, Ballová Mikušková E, Kačmár P, Guzi M, Adamkovič M, Chayinska M, Adam-Troian J. The mediating effect of institutional trust in the relationship between precarity and conspiracy beliefs: A conceptual replication of Adam-Troian et al. (2023). Br J Soc Psychol 2024. [PMID: 38270221 DOI: 10.1111/bjso.12725] [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: 08/28/2023] [Revised: 01/06/2024] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
The paper reports the results of registered conceptual replications of the indirect effect of institutional trust in the relationship between precarity and the endorsement of conspiracy beliefs (CB). The original study of Adam-Troian et al. (2023; British Journal of Social Psychology, 62(S1), 136-159) indicated that subjective appraisals of economic hardship are associated with lower trust in governments and institutions, which in turn is associated with stronger endorsement of CB. Our Studies 1 to 3 report a series of replications using Slovak panel data. Study 4 reports a replication of the mediation model using data from the European Social Survey Round 10 collected in 17 countries. To provide a quantitative synthesis of these and previous results, we conducted mini meta-analysis (N = 50,340). Although the strength of the observed relationships differed across the studies to some degree, the original patterns of relations remained robust, supporting the original model. The study corroborates the view that to curb the spread of CB, it is necessary to address structural issues, such as growing financial insecurity, socioeconomic inequalities, and the deficit of institutional trust. Finally, we discuss the role of cultural and political settings in conditioning the mechanisms through which precarity enhances the endorsement of CB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Adamus
- Faculty of Economics and Administration, Masaryk University, Brno, Czechia
- Centre of Social and Psychological Sciences, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Eva Ballová Mikušková
- Centre of Social and Psychological Sciences, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Pavol Kačmár
- Faculty of Arts, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University, Košice, Slovakia
| | - Martin Guzi
- Faculty of Economics and Administration, Masaryk University, Brno, Czechia
| | - Matuš Adamkovič
- Centre of Social and Psychological Sciences, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
- Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
| | - Maria Chayinska
- Department of Cognitive, Psychological and Pedagogical Sciences, and Cultural Studies, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
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48
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Bojňanská T, Kolesárová A, Čech M, Tančinová D, Urminská D. Extracts with Nutritional Potential and Their Influence on the Rheological Properties of Dough and Quality Parameters of Bread. Foods 2024; 13:382. [PMID: 38338518 PMCID: PMC10855696 DOI: 10.3390/foods13030382] [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: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Formulating basic food to improve its nutritional profile is one potential method for food innovation. One option in formulating basic food such as bread is to supplement flours with specified amounts of non-bakery raw materials with high nutritional benefits. In the research presented here, we studied the influence of the addition of curcumin and quercetin extracts in amounts of 2.5% and 5% to wheat flour (2.5:97.5; 5:95). The analysis of the rheological properties of dough was carried out using a Mixolab 2. A Rheofermentometer F4 was used to assess the dough's fermentation, and a Volscan was used to evaluate the baking trials. The effect of the extracts on the rheological properties of dough was measured and found to be statistically significant, with curcumin shortening both dough development time and dough stability. Doughs made with greater quantities of extract had a greater tendency to early starch retrogradation, which negatively affects the shelf life of the end products. The addition of extracts did not significantly affect either the ability to form gas during fermentation or its retention, which is important because this gas is prerequisite to forming a final product with the required volume and porosity of crumb. Less favourable results were found on sensory evaluation, wherein the trial bread was significantly worse than the control wheat bread. The panel's decision-making might have been influenced by the atypical colour of the bread made with additives, and in case of a trial bread made with quercetin, by a bitter taste. From the technological point of view, the results confirmed that the composite flours prepared with the addition of extracts of curcumin and quercetin in amounts of 2.5% and 5% can be processed according to standard procedures. The final product will be bread with improved nutritional profile and specific sensory properties, specifically an unconventional and attractive colour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatiana Bojňanská
- Institute of Food Sciences, Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Sciences, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Trieda A. Hlinku 2, 949 76 Nitra, Slovakia; (A.K.); (M.Č.)
| | - Anna Kolesárová
- Institute of Food Sciences, Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Sciences, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Trieda A. Hlinku 2, 949 76 Nitra, Slovakia; (A.K.); (M.Č.)
| | - Matej Čech
- Institute of Food Sciences, Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Sciences, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Trieda A. Hlinku 2, 949 76 Nitra, Slovakia; (A.K.); (M.Č.)
| | - Dana Tančinová
- Institute of Biotechnology, Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Sciences, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Trieda A. Hlinku 2, 949 76 Nitra, Slovakia; (D.T.); (D.U.)
| | - Dana Urminská
- Institute of Biotechnology, Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Sciences, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Trieda A. Hlinku 2, 949 76 Nitra, Slovakia; (D.T.); (D.U.)
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49
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Peidayesh H, Ondriš L, Saparová S, Kovaľaková M, Fričová O, Chodák I. Biodegradable Nanocomposites Based on Blends of Poly(Butylene Adipate-Co-Terephthalate) (PBAT) and Thermoplastic Starch Filled with Montmorillonite (MMT): Physico-Mechanical Properties. Materials (Basel) 2024; 17:540. [PMID: 38591383 PMCID: PMC10856518 DOI: 10.3390/ma17030540] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2023] [Revised: 01/01/2024] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024]
Abstract
Poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) is widely used for production of biodegradable films due to its high elongation, excellent flexibility, and good processability properties. An effective way to develop more accessible PBAT-based bioplastics for wide application in packaging is blending of PBAT with thermoplastic starch (TPS) since PBAT is costly with prices approximately double or even triple the prices of traditional plastics like polyethylene. This study is focused on investigating the influence of TPS/PBAT blend ratio and montmorillonite (MMT) content on the physical and mechanical properties and molecular mobility of TPS-MMT/PBAT nanocomposites. Obtained TPS-MMT/PBAT nanocomposites through the melt blending process were characterized using tensile testing, dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA), and X-ray diffraction (XRD), as well as solid-state 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy. Mechanical properties demonstrated that the addition of TPS to PBAT leads to a substantial decrease in the tensile strength as well as in the elongation at break, while Young's modulus is rising substantially, while the effect of the MMT addition is almost negligible on the tensile stress of the blends. DMTA results confirmed the formation of TPS domains in the PBAT matrix. With increasing TPS content, mobility of starch-rich regions of TPS domains slightly increases. However, molecular mobility in glycerol-rich regions of TPS domains in the blends was slightly restricted. Moreover, the data obtained from 13C CP/MAS NMR spectra indicated that the presence of TPS in the sample decreases the mobility of the PBAT chains, mainly those located at the TPS/PBAT interfaces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamed Peidayesh
- Polymer Institute of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská Cesta 9, 845 41 Bratislava, Slovakia;
| | - Leoš Ondriš
- Department of Physics, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Informatics, Technical University of Košice, Park Komenského 2, 042 00 Košice, Slovakia (S.S.); (M.K.); (O.F.)
| | - Simona Saparová
- Department of Physics, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Informatics, Technical University of Košice, Park Komenského 2, 042 00 Košice, Slovakia (S.S.); (M.K.); (O.F.)
| | - Mária Kovaľaková
- Department of Physics, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Informatics, Technical University of Košice, Park Komenského 2, 042 00 Košice, Slovakia (S.S.); (M.K.); (O.F.)
| | - Oľga Fričová
- Department of Physics, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Informatics, Technical University of Košice, Park Komenského 2, 042 00 Košice, Slovakia (S.S.); (M.K.); (O.F.)
| | - Ivan Chodák
- Polymer Institute of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská Cesta 9, 845 41 Bratislava, Slovakia;
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50
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Lukáč M, Slobodníková L, Mrva M, Dušeková A, Garajová M, Kello M, Šebová D, Pisárčik M, Kojnok M, Vrták A, Kurin E, Bittner Fialová S. Caffeic Acid Phosphanium Derivatives: Potential Selective Antitumor, Antimicrobial and Antiprotozoal Agents. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1200. [PMID: 38256271 PMCID: PMC10817097 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25021200] [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: 11/24/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Caffeic acid (CA) is one of the most abundant natural compounds present in plants and has a broad spectrum of beneficial pharmacological activities. However, in some cases, synthetic derivation of original molecules can expand their scope. This study focuses on the synthesis of caffeic acid phosphanium derivatives with the ambition of increasing their biological activities. Four caffeic acid phosphanium salts (CAPs) were synthesized and tested for their cytotoxic, antibacterial, antifungal, and amoebicidal activity in vitro, with the aim of identifying the best area for their medicinal use. CAPs exhibited significantly stronger cytotoxic activity against tested cell lines (HeLa, HCT116, MDA-MB-231 MCF-7, A2058, PANC-1, Jurkat) in comparison to caffeic acid. Focusing on Jurkat cells (human leukemic T cell lymphoma), the IC50 value of CAPs ranged from 0.9 to 8.5 μM while IC50 of CA was >300 μM. Antimicrobial testing also confirmed significantly higher activity of CAPs against selected microbes in comparison to CA, especially for Gram-positive bacteria (MIC 13-57 μM) and the yeast Candida albicans (MIC 13-57 μM). The anti-Acanthamoeba activity was studied against two pathogenic Acanthamoeba strains. In the case of A. lugdunensis, all CAPs revealed a stronger inhibitory effect (EC50 74-3125 μM) than CA (>105 µM), while in A. quina strain, the higher inhibition was observed for three derivatives (EC50 44-291 μM). The newly synthesized quaternary phosphanium salts of caffeic acid exhibited selective antitumor action and appeared to be promising antimicrobial agents for topical application, as well as potential molecules for further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miloš Lukáč
- Department of Chemical Theory of Drugs, Faculty of Pharmacy, Comenius University Bratislava, Odbojárov 10, 832 32 Bratislava, Slovakia; (M.L.); (M.P.); (M.K.); (A.V.)
| | - Lívia Slobodníková
- Institute of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University Bratislava, University Hospital in Bratislava, Sasinkova 4, 811 08 Bratislava, Slovakia;
| | - Martin Mrva
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University Bratislava, Mlynská Dolina, Ilkovičova 6, 842 15 Bratislava, Slovakia; (M.M.); (A.D.); (M.G.)
| | - Aneta Dušeková
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University Bratislava, Mlynská Dolina, Ilkovičova 6, 842 15 Bratislava, Slovakia; (M.M.); (A.D.); (M.G.)
| | - Mária Garajová
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University Bratislava, Mlynská Dolina, Ilkovičova 6, 842 15 Bratislava, Slovakia; (M.M.); (A.D.); (M.G.)
| | - Martin Kello
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, P.J. Šafárik University, Trieda SNP 1, 040 11 Košice, Slovakia; (M.K.); (D.Š.)
| | - Dominika Šebová
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, P.J. Šafárik University, Trieda SNP 1, 040 11 Košice, Slovakia; (M.K.); (D.Š.)
| | - Martin Pisárčik
- Department of Chemical Theory of Drugs, Faculty of Pharmacy, Comenius University Bratislava, Odbojárov 10, 832 32 Bratislava, Slovakia; (M.L.); (M.P.); (M.K.); (A.V.)
| | - Marián Kojnok
- Department of Chemical Theory of Drugs, Faculty of Pharmacy, Comenius University Bratislava, Odbojárov 10, 832 32 Bratislava, Slovakia; (M.L.); (M.P.); (M.K.); (A.V.)
| | - Andrej Vrták
- Department of Chemical Theory of Drugs, Faculty of Pharmacy, Comenius University Bratislava, Odbojárov 10, 832 32 Bratislava, Slovakia; (M.L.); (M.P.); (M.K.); (A.V.)
| | - Elena Kurin
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Botany, Faculty of Pharmacy, Comenius University Bratislava, Odbojárov 10, 832 32 Bratislava, Slovakia;
| | - Silvia Bittner Fialová
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Botany, Faculty of Pharmacy, Comenius University Bratislava, Odbojárov 10, 832 32 Bratislava, Slovakia;
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