imagine (Institute of molecular genetics and genetic engineering)
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Novel Hydrogel Scaffolds Based on Alginate, Gelatin, 2-Hydroxyethyl Methacrylate, and Hydroxyapatite
Get PDFHydrogel scaffolding biomaterials are one of the most attractive polymeric biomaterials for regenerative engineering and can be engineered into tissue mimetic scaffolds to support cell growth due to their similarity to the native extracellular matrix. The novel, versatile hydrogel scaffolds based on alginate, gelatin, 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, and inorganic agent hydroxyapatite were prepared by modified cryogelation. The chemical composition, morphology, porosity, mechanical properties, effects on cell viability, in vitro degradation, in vitro and in vivo biocompatibility were tested to correlate the material's composition with the corresponding properties. Scaffolds showed an interconnected porous microstructure, satisfactory mechanical strength, favorable hydrophilicity, degradation, and suitable in vitro and in vivo biocompatible behavior. Materials showed good biocompatibility with healthy human fibroblast in cell culture, as well as in vivo with zebrafish assay, suggesting newly synthesized hydrogel scaffolds as a potential new generation of hydrogel scaffolding biomaterials with tunable properties for versatile biomedical applications and tissue regeneration
Fecal microbiota composition associates with the capacity of human peripheral blood monocytes to differentiate into immunogenic dendritic cells in vitro
Get PDFAlthough promising for active immunization in cancer patients, dendritic cells (DCs) vaccines generated in vitro display high inter-individual variability in their immunogenicity, which mostly limits their therapeutic efficacy. Gut microbiota composition is a key emerging factor affecting individuals' immune responses, but it is unknown how it affects the variability of donors' precursor cells to differentiate into immunogenic DCs in vitro. By analyzing gut microbiota composition in 14 healthy donors, along with the phenotype and cytokines production by monocyte-derived DCs, we found significant correlations between immunogenic properties of DC and microbiota composition. Namely, donors who had higher alpha-diversity of gut microbiota and higher abundance of short-chain fatty acid (SCFAs) and SCFA-producing bacteria in feces, displayed lower expression of CD1a on immature (im)DC and higher expression of ILT-3, costimulatory molecules (CD86, CD40) proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-alpha, IL-6, IL-8) and IL-12p70/IL-10 ratio, all of which correlated with their lower maturation potential and immunogenicity upon stimulation with LPS/IFN gamma, a well-known Th1 polarizing cocktail. In contrast, imDCs generated from donors with lower alpha-diversity and higher abundance of Bifidobacterium and Collinsella in feces displayed higher CD1a expression and higher potential to up-regulate CD86 and CD40, increase TNF-alpha, IL-6, IL-8 production, and IL-12p70/IL-10 ratio upon stimulation. These results emphasize the important role of gut microbiota on the capacity of donor precursor cells to differentiate into immunogenic DCs suitable for cancer therapy, which could be harnessed for improving the actual and future DC-based cancer therapies
Combatting AMR: A molecular approach to the discovery of potent and non-toxic rhenium complexes active against C. albicans-MRSA co-infection
No full textAntimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major emerging threat to public health, causing serious issues in the successful prevention and treatment of persistent diseases. While the problem escalates, lack of financial incentive has lead major pharmaceutical companies to interrupt their antibiotic drug discovery programs. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has called for novel solutions outside the traditional development pathway, with emphasis on new classes of active compounds with non-classical mechanisms of action. Metal complexes are an untapped source of antibiotic potential owing to unique modes of action and a wider range of three-dimensional geometries as compared to purely organic compounds. In this study, we present the antimicrobial and antifungal efficacy of a family of rhenium tricarbonyl diimine complexes with varying ligands, charge and lipophilicity. Our study allowed the identification of potent and non-toxic complexes active in vivo against S. aureus infections at MIC doses as low as 300 ng/mL, as well as against C. albicans-MRSA mixed co-infection. The compounds are capable of suppressing the C. albicans morphogenetic yeast-to-hyphal transition, eradicating fungal-S. aureus co-infection, while showing no sign of cardio-, hepato-, hematotoxiciy or teratogenicity
Polyhydroxyoctanoate films reinforced with titanium dioxide microfibers for biomedical application
No full textNew polyhydroxyoctanoate based composites with incorporated TiO2 microfibers were produced. The presence of the inorganic constituent influenced morphology, physical properties and functionality of the obtained biomaterials. The degree of PHO crystallinity decreased in the composites in a TiO2 concentration dependent manner. The composites were stiffer than the neat PHO, however they preserved their flexibility. Biocompatibility and cellular migration studies showed that composites support cell viability and migration. The obtained results suggest that PHO/TiO2 composites could be used as novel biomaterials with tunable properties for biomedical applications
Bee pollen powder as a functional ingredient in frankfurters
No full textThe objective of this study was to determine whether the addition of different pollen powder concentrations (0.0, 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 g/100 g) to frankfurters had an influence on antioxidant potential and oxidative changes during storage, without detrimental effect on the quality of sausages. After cold storage of frankfurters, significant (P lt 0.05) reductions of psychrotrophic bacteria populations were achieved with higher amounts of pollen (1.0 and 1.5 g/100 g). Good antioxidant properties and maintained TBARS values were accomplished by incorporating pollen into the frankfurters. In terms of quality parameters, statistically significant changes were obtained regarding the color, but sensory characteristics of the products were not disturbed. Also, the incorporation of pollen did not cause changes in terms of texture profile analyses of frankfurters. It can be concluded that the natural component, bee pollen powder, can be used as an antioxidant in frankfurter formulations, but further research is needed to estimate whether it can be an adequate replacement for synthetic antioxidants
Extract of Herba Anthrisci cerefolii: Chemical Profiling and Insights into Its Anti-Glioblastoma and Antimicrobial Mechanism of Actions
Get PDFAnthriscus cerefolium (L.) Hoffm. is a plant traditionally used around the globe since antiquity. Although widely used in many traditional medicines in different cultures, from the scientific point of view it is poorly investigated. Glioblastoma, a tumor type with poor prognosis, is the most common and lethal brain tumor in adults. Current therapeutic strategies for glioblastoma include surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. On the other hand, it has been revealed that patients with cancers are highly susceptible to microbial infections due to the invasive nature of cancer treatment approaches. This study was designed to investigate the chemical profile of herba Anthriscii cerefoli methanolic extract by applying UHPLC-LTQ OrbiTrap MS4 analysis and to analyze its anti-glioblastoma and antimicrobial activities. This study revealed that methanolic extract of herba Anthrisc cerefolii contained phenolic acids and flavonoids, with 32 compounds being identified. Anti-glioblastoma activity was investigated in vitro using A172 glioblastoma cell line. The cytotoxic effects of the extract on A172 cells were compared to the same effect on primary human gingival fibroblast (HGF-1) cells. Decreased rate of proliferation and changes in cell morphology were detected upon treatment of A172 cells with the extract. The antimicrobial activity of extract was tested against Staphylococcus aureus and Candida species. The extract was active against the tested bacterium and yeasts, inhibiting free floating cells and microbial biofilms. This study is the first one to provide a detailed description of the chemical profile of A. cerefolium extract dealing with scientific insights into its anti-glioblastoma and antimicrobial activities
Functional Modification of Cellulose Acetate Microfiltration Membranes by Supercritical Solvent Impregnation
Get PDFThis study investigates the modification of commercial cellulose acetate microfiltration membranes by supercritical solvent impregnation with thymol to provide them with antibacterial properties. The impregnation process was conducted in a batch mode, and the effect of pressure and processing time on thymol loading was followed. The impact of the modification on the membrane's microstructure was analyzed using scanning electron and ion-beam microscopy, and membranes' functionality was tested in a cross-flow filtration system. The antibiofilm properties of the obtained materials were studied against Staphyloccocus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, while membranes' blocking in contact with bacteria was examined for S. aureus and Escherichia coli. The results revealed a fast impregnation process with high thymol loadings achievable after just 0.5 h at 15 MPa and 20 MPa. The presence of 20% of thymol provided strong antibiofilm properties against the tested strains without affecting the membrane's functionality. The study showed that these strong antibacterial properties could be implemented to the commercial membranes' defined polymeric structure in a short and environmentally friendly process
Enrichment of Larval Fish Feed with Free Amino Acids and Proteins by Coating with Lactobacillus paracasei subsp. paracasei BGHN14 Homogenate
Get PDFThis research aimed to test whether coating with Lactobacillus paracasei subsp. paracasei BGHN14 homogenate may increase soluble protein and amino acid amount on larval fish feed surface. Total amino acid and protein, as well as taste stimulating and growth promoting amino acid amounts were analyzed in coated feed samples. Results indicated that coating with BGHN14 homogenate increased the amount of soluble proteins and free Glycine on feed surface, as well as the availability of protein-bound (hydroxy-)Proline. This lab-scale research provides the basis for use of lactobacilli as resource efficient source of soluble nutrients for animal feedstuffs
Prognostic significance of combined BAALC and MN1 gene expression level in acute myeloid leukemia with normal karyotype
No full textIntroduction Acute myeloid leukemia with normal karyotype (AML-NK) is the largest group of AML patients with very heterogeneous disease outcome. In order to ensure more precise risk stratification new molecular markers have been introduced, like expression level for BAALC (Brain and Acute Leukemia, Cytoplasmic) and MN1 (Meningioma 1) genes. Methods In this study, we investigated expression level of both genes in 111 adult AML-NK at diagnosis and examined their prognostic potential. Results BAALC and MN1 expression were detected in about one third of the patients, and positive correlation between these two genes was found. The BAALC(+)/or MN1(+) status was not associated with the presence of FLT3-ITD mutations, but exhibited strong correlation with NPM1(wt) status (P lt .001). Therefore, among BAALC(+)/or MN1(+) patients the most frequent ones were FLT3-ITD-/NPM1(-) double negative patients with intermediate prognosis. When BAALC(+)/or MN1(+) patients were divided into BAALC(high)/BAALC(low) (21/21) and MN1(high)/MN1(low) (21/22) groups, we detected that BAALC(high)/or MN1(high) patients had a tendency toward lower complete remission rate. Also, survival analysis showed that BAALC(high)/or MN1(high) patients had shorter disease-free survival and overall survival (OS). The most pronounced influence on prognosis was detected in FLT3-ITD-/NPM1(-) group of patients that are lacking reliable prognostic markers, where OS in BAALC(high)/or MN1(high) was only 5 months vs 25 months in BAALC(low)/or MN1(low). Conclusion These findings indicate that BAALC and MN1 expression level could be used for more precise risk stratification of AML-NK patients and especially FLT3-ITD-/NPM1(-) patients, transforming this intermediate-risk group, into a group with an adverse prognosis
Resolving the hierarchy of class 1 integron integrase gene expression regulation in Pseudomonas spp
No full textThe 4th International Caparica Conference in Antibiotic Resistance, will be held in the Caparica, Portugal on the 14th – 17th June 2021