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Assessment of eggplant germplasm genetic diversity using RAPD markers
No full textEvaluation of genetic resources of eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) from different geographical areas using molecular markers (RAPD) is of great importance in the breeding process. A total of 90 polymorphic amplified products were obtained from 10 decametric RAPD primers, used to analyse the genetic diversity of 20 genotypes of eggplant (16 local and 4 genotypes of foreign origin). The highest polymorphism was determined using the OPAF-16 primer (70.83%). The number of detected bands ranged from 13 (OPF-04) to 24 (OPAF-16), while the average number of bands per primer was 17.2. The lengths of the amplified fragments ranged from 400 to 9 000 bp. The value of the Jaccard’s genetic distance coefficient ranged from 0.095 to 0.35, and the dendrogram constructed using the UPGMA method showed that 16 local and 4 foreign genotypes were grouped into nine groups (clusters). Populations K1, K8/1, K19, K22, K25 and K38 represent genotypes that separated from the others and formed single clusters. The lowest value of the calculated genetic distance was 0.095 between domestic genotypes K13 and K12, which also showed morphological similarity in terms of shape and colour. On the other hand, the highest value of genetic distance was calculated between foreign genotypes K19 and K25 (0.35), K19 and K34 (0.34) and K19 and K38 (0.34). Genetically distinct genotypes identified using RAPD markers could be potential starting genetic material for crossing with other genotypes to obtain new and improved eggplant varieties
Young minds, deeper insights: a recap of the BMAS Summer School 2023, ranging from basic research to clinical implications of bone marrow adipose tissue
Get PDFBone marrow adiposity (BMA) is a rapidly growing yet very young research field that is receiving worldwide attention based on its intimate relationship with skeletal and metabolic diseases, as well as hematology and cancer. Moreover, increasing numbers of young scientists and students are currently and actively working on BMA within their research projects. These developments led to the foundation of the International Bone Marrow Adiposity Society (BMAS), with the goal to promote BMA knowledge worldwide, and to train new generations of researchers interested in studying this field. Among the many initiatives supported by BMAS, there is the BMAS Summer School, inaugurated in 2021 and now at its second edition. The aim of the BMAS Summer School 2023 was to educate and train students by disseminating the latest advancement on BMA. Moreover, Summer School 2023 provided suggestions on how to write grants, deal with negative results in science, and start a laboratory, along with illustrations of alternative paths to academia. The event was animated by constructive and interactive discussions between early-career researchers and more senior scientists. In this report, we highlight key moments and lessons learned from the event
The consequences of the new European reclassification of non-invasive brain stimulation devices and the medical device regulations pose an existential threat to research and treatment: An invited opinion paper
No full textA significant amount of European basic and clinical neuroscience research includes the use of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and low intensity transcranial electrical stimulation (tES), mainly transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). Two recent changes in the EU regulations, the introduction of the Medical Device Regulation (MDR) (2017/745) and the Annex XVI have caused significant problems and confusions in the brain stimulation field. The negative consequences of the MDR for non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) have been largely overlooked and until today, have not been consequently addressed by National Competent Authorities, local ethical committees, politicians and by the scientific communities. In addition, a rushed bureaucratic decision led to seemingly wrong classification of NIBS products without an intended medical purpose into the same risk group III as invasive stimulators. Overregulation is detrimental for any research and for future developments, therefore researchers, clinicians, industry, patient representatives and an ethicist were invited to contribute to this document with the aim of starting a constructive dialogue and enacting positive changes in the regulatory environment
Current Insights into the Effects of Dietary α-Linolenic Acid Focusing on Alterations of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Profiles in Metabolic Syndrome
Get PDFThe plant-derived α-linolenic acid (ALA) is an essential n-3 acid highly susceptible to oxidation, present in oils of flaxseeds, walnuts, canola, perilla, soy, and chia. After ingestion, it can be incorporated in to body lipid pools (particularly triglycerides and phospholipid membranes), and then endogenously metabolized through desaturation, elongation, and peroxisome oxidation to eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), with a very limited efficiency (particularly for DHA), beta-oxidized as an energy source, or directly metabolized to C18-oxilipins. At this moment, data in the literature about the effects of ALA supplementation on metabolic syndrome (MetS) in humans are inconsistent, indicating no effects or some positive effects on all MetS components (abdominal obesity, dyslipidemia, impaired insulin sensitivity and glucoregulation, blood pressure, and liver steatosis). The major effects of ALA on MetS seem to be through its conversion to more potent EPA and DHA, the impact on the n-3/n-6 ratio, and the consecutive effects on the formation of oxylipins and endocannabinoids, inflammation, insulin sensitivity, and insulin secretion, as well as adipocyte and hepatocytes function. It is important to distinguish the direct effects of ALA from the effects of EPA and DHA metabolites. This review summarizes the most recent findings on this topic and discusses the possible mechanisms
Multifocality in Testicular Cancer: Clinicopathological Correlations and Prognostic Implications
No full textThere are limited data regarding the significance of multifocality in testicular cancer patients. This study evaluated the relationship between multifocality and clinicopathological features determined at the time of radical orchiectomy. The study involved 280 consecutive patients who underwent radical orchiectomy between 2018 and 2023. Multifocality was defined as a distinct tumor focus characterized by a group of malignant cells > 1 mm, clearly differentiated from the primary tumor mass. Uni- and multivariate logistic regression analyses were employed to investigate the association between multifocality and histopathological parameters along with potential risk factors for clinical stages II + III. Multifocality was identified in 44 (15.7%) patients. Significantly smaller primary tumors were observed in subjects with multifocality (20.0 mm vs. 30.0 mm, p = 0.0001), while those exhibiting monofocality presented a markedly elevated rate of tumors exceeding 4 cm (40.3% vs. 18.2%, p = 0.005). Furthermore, multifocality was associated with a significantly higher rate of primary tumors 4 cm (OR = 0.38, p = 0.017). Meanwhile, in multivariate logistic regression, multifocality did not emerge as a significant risk factor for clinical stages II + III in either seminoma (p = 0.381) or non-seminoma (p = 0.672) cases. Our study suggests that multifocality holds no substantial prognostic relevance for clinically advanced disease in testicular cancer patients. The findings indicate that multifocality is associated with smaller primary tumors, particularly those measuring less than 2 cm
Quantification of oxidative stress markers in the blood sera following subacute administration of different oximes in rats
No full textOxidative stress status, as a disruption of redox homeostasis, in the blood sera of Wistar rats caused by repeated application of selected acetylcholinesterase reactivators - asoxime, obidoxime, K027, K048, K074, and K075 were evaluated. Throughout this study, each oxime in a dose of 0.1 of LD50/kg im was given 2x/week for 4 weeks. Then, seven days after the last oximes' application, markers of lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde, MDA), and protein oxidation (advanced oxidation protein products, AOPP), as well as the activity of antioxidant enzymes (catalase, CAT, superoxide dismutase, SOD, reduced glutathione, GSH, and oxidized glutathione, GSSG), were determined. Oxidative stress parameters, MDA and AOPP were significantly highest in the K048-, K074- and K075-treated groups (p < 0.001). The activity of CAT was significantly elevated in the obidoxime-treated group (p < 0.05), while treatment with K027, K048, and K074 induced high elevation in SOD levels (p < 0.01, p < 0.001). Interestingly, the activity of GSH in each oxime-treated group was significantly elevated. Unlike, treatment with obidoxime caused elevation in GSSG levels (p < 0.01). As a continuation of our previously published data, these results assure that applied oximes following subacute treatment ameliorated the oxidative status and further adverse systemic toxic effects in rats
Maternal fish-oil supplementation reduces presenilin 1 level and the amyloid-beta burden in adult 5xFAD offspring without major changes in brain fatty acids
No full textOmega-3 fatty acid interventions show potential benefits in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) when initiated during its early stages. This study investigated whether maternal diet supplemented with omega-3-rich fish oil (FO) could delay or reduce amyloid beta (Aβ) formation, a key feature of AD, in 5xFAD transgenic offspring. Dams received FO during mating, pregnancy, and lactation. Brain tissues from female offspring were collected at 2 and 6 months of age. The findings indicated a shift in amyloid precursor protein processing, evidenced by increased soluble amyloid precursor protein α (sAPPα) levels, suggesting a transition from amyloidogenic to non-amyloidogenic pathway. FO influenced the expression of presenilin 1 and 2 but did not impact Aβ levels in 2-month-old mice. However, FO reduced the Aβ burden in the brains of 6-month-old animals. Lipidomic analysis revealed that 5xFAD mice have unimpaired omega-3 acquisition during gestation and lactation in comparison to non-transgenic littermates. However, a response to FO supplementation was found in non-transgenic offspring only, indicating that alterations in brain lipids are not the primary mechanism of FO-induced Aβ decline in 5xFAD. In conclusion, FO did not prevent or delay amyloid pathology in genetically predisposed animals but did mitigate its progression, suggesting mechanisms that warrant further investigation
Inflammation mediated angiogenesis in chronic lymphocytic leukemia
No full textChronic inflammation has been identified in leukemias as an essential regulator of angiogenesis. B-chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cells secrete high levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and hypoxia inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF1α). The aim was to assess the role of inflammation in activation of angiogenic factors: endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), HIF1α and VEGF via proliferation related signaling pathways and VEGF autocrine control. We isolated mononuclear cells (MNC) and CD19+ cells from peripheral blood of 60 patients with CLL. MNC were treated with pro-inflammatory interleukin-6 (IL-6) and VEGF, in combination with inhibitors of JAK1/2 (Ruxolitinib), mTOR (Rapamycin), NF-κB (JSH23), SMAD (LDN-193189) and PI3K/AKT (Ly294002) signaling pathways, to evaluate eNOS, VEGF and HIF1α expression by immunoblotting, immunocytochemistry and RT-qPCR. Also, we investigated IL-6 dependent neovascularization in human microvascular endothelial cells (HMEC-1) in co-culture with MNC of CLL. The angiogenic factors eNOS, VEGF and HIF1α had significantly higher frequencies in MNC of CLL in comparison to healthy controls (p < 0.001) and CD19+ cells of CLL. IL-6 increased the quantity of HIF1α (p < 0.05) and VEGF positive cells in the presence of JSH23 (p < 0.01). VEGF increased HIF1α (p < 0.05), and decreased eNOS gene expression (p < 0.01) in MNC of CLL. VEGF significantly (p < 0.001) increased the number of HIF1α positive MNC of CLL, prevented by inhibitors of JAK1/2, PI3K and mTOR signaling pathways. VEGF stimulation of SMAD (p < 0.05) and STAT5 (p < 0.01) signaling has been prevented by inhibitors of JAK1/2, mTOR, PI3K and SMAD signaling, individually (p < 0.01) or mutually (p < 0.001). Also, we showed that MNC of CLL and IL-6 individually stimulate neovascularization in co-culture with HMEC-1, without a cumulative effect. We demonstrated elevated angiogenic factors in CLL, while VEGF and IL-6 independently stimulated HIF1α. VEGF stimulation of HIF1α was mostly mTOR dependent, while IL-6 stimulation was NF-κB dependent
Multifaceted exploration of acylthiourea compounds: In vitro cytotoxicity, DFT calculations, molecular docking and dynamics simulation studies
No full textThis study reports the synthesis and analysis of biologically active acylthiourea compounds (1 and 2) with a cyclohexyl moiety. The compounds were characterized using UV–Visible, FT-IR, 1H/13C NMR, and elemental analysis. The crystal structure of 2 was solved, revealing intra- and inter-molecular hydrogen bonds. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations provided insights into chemical reactivity and non-covalent interactions. Cytotoxicity assays showed the cyclohexyl group enhanced the activity of compound 2 compared to compound 1. Epoxide hydrolase 1 was predicted as the enzyme target for both compounds. We modeled the structure of epoxide hydrolase 1 and performed molecular dynamics simulation and docking studies. Additionally, in silico docking with SARS-CoV-2 main protease, human ACE2, and avian influenza H5N1 hemagglutinin indicated strong binding potential of the compounds. This integrated approach improves our understanding of the biological potential of acylthiourea derivatives
The Potential Benefits of Acute Aronia Juice Supplementation on Physical Activity Induced Alterations of the Serum Protein Profiles in Recreational Runners: A Pilot Study
No full textIntensive physical activity (PA) can lead to proteinuria and, consequently, serum protein profiles in athletes. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of acute aronia juice consumption before a simulated half-marathon race on serum protein profiles in recreational runners. The pilot study was designed as a single-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study, with 10 male participants who consumed aronia juice (containing 1.3 g polyphenols) or placebo before the race. The blood levels of total proteins, albumin, the non-albumin fractions gamma, beta, alpha2 and alpha1, as well as renal function parameters, were determined before and 15 min, 1 h and 24 h after the race. The significant changes in urea, creatinine and uric acid levels were noticed at selected time points in both groups. In the placebo group, a significant decrease in total proteins (p < 0.05) was observed 24 h after the race, along with an increase in gamma fraction abundance (p < 0.05). In addition, urea and uric acid levels returned to baseline only in the aronia group 24 h after the race. Thus, according to the results obtained, acute aronia juice supplementation before intensive PA could influence the transient change in renal function and PA-induced protein loss in recreational runners