The funeral live : political ritual and media event

The article presents short but multi-faced of events surrounding the funeral of President Lech Kaczyński. Based on this example, the author considers issues concerning the political ritual and the media event. Also, the funeral is described as a performance following a specific scenario. The analysis was based on the material available in the media and the author’s personal observations

Stress conditions affect the immunomodulatory potential of Candida albicans extracellular vesicles and their impact on cytokine release by THP-1 human macrophages

Human immune cells possess the ability to react complexly and effectively after contact with microbial virulence factors, including those transported in cell-derived structures of nanometer sizes termed extracellular vesicles (EVs). EVs are produced by organisms of all kingdoms, including fungi pathogenic to humans. In this work, the immunomodulatory properties of EVs produced under oxidative stress conditions or at host concentrations of $CO_{2}$ by the fungal pathogen Candida albicans were investigated. The interaction of EVs with human pro-monocytes of the U-937 cell line was established, and the most notable effect was attributed to oxidative stress-related EVs. The immunomodulatory potential of tested EVs against human THP-1 macrophages was verified using cytotoxicity assay, ROS-production assay, and the measurement of cytokine production. All fungal EVs tested did not show a significant cytotoxic effect on THP-1 cells, although a slight pro-oxidative impact was indicated for EVs released by C. albicans cells grown under oxidative stress. Furthermore, for all tested types of EVs, the pro-inflammatory properties related to increased IL-8 and TNF-$\alpha$ production and decreased IL-10 secretion were demonstrated, with the most significant effect observed for EVs released under oxidative stress conditions

Funeral of president Lech Kaczyński: ritual, media, myth.

Praca jest wieloaspektowym spojrzeniem na wydarzenia związane z pogrzebem prezydenta Lecha Kaczyńskiego. Na przykładzie tego pogrzebu rozpatrywane są kwestie dotyczące rytuału, rytuału politycznego, wydarzenia medialnego i mitu. Autorka opisuje pogrzeb również jako swoiste widowisko podporządkowane scenariuszowi. Praca jest próbą pokazania, jak mocno wpisane w znane już wzorce, są zdarzenia przedstawiane w mediach jako niezwykłe i niepowtarzalne. Analiza pogrzebu została oparta na materiałach dostępnych w mediach oraz osobistej obserwacji autorkiThe thesis presents a multi-faceted analysis of events surrounding the funeral of President Lech Kaczynski. Based on this example, the author considers issues concerning the ritual, the political ritual, the media event and the myth. Also, the funeral is described as a performance following a specific scenario. The thesis also attempts to illustrate how events depicted by the media as unusual or unique are deeply rooted in previously known patterns. The analysis was based on the material available in the media and the author's personal observations

Direct Interaction of Zirconia Nanoparticles with Human Immune Cells

Nanomaterials play a crucial role in various aspects of modern life. Zirconia nanoparticles, extensively employed in medicine for fortifying and stabilizing implants in reconstructive medicine, exhibit unique electrical, thermal, catalytic, sensory, optical, and mechanical properties. While these nanoparticles have shown antibacterial activity, they also exhibit cytotoxic effects on human cells. Our research focuses on understanding how the cells of the human immune system (both the innate response, namely HL-60 and U-937, and the acquired response, namely HUT-78 and COLO-720L) respond to the presence of zirconium (IV) oxide nanoparticles (ZrO2-NPs). Viability tests indicate that ZrO2-NPs exert the highest cytotoxicity on HL-60 > U-937 > HUT-78 > COLO 720L cell lines. Notably, concentrations exceeding 100 μg mL−1 of ZrO2-NPs result in significant cytotoxicity. These nanoparticles readily penetrate the cell membrane, causing mitochondrial damage, and their cytotoxicity is associated with heightened oxidative stress in cells. The use of ZrO2-NP-based materials may pose a risk to immune system cells, the first responders to foreign entities in the body. Biofunctionalizing the surface of ZrO2-NPs could serve as an effective strategy to mitigate cytotoxicity and introduce new properties for biomedical applications

Relationships between polyamines, ethylene, osmoprotectants and antioxidant enzymes activities in wheat seedlings after short-term PEG- and NaCl-induced stresses

Peer reviewe

Curcumin’s membrane localization and disruptive effects on cellular processes - insights from neuroblastoma, leukemic cells, and Langmuir monolayers

Abstract In therapies, curcumin is now commonly formulated in liposomal form, administered through injections or creams. This enhances its concentration at the cellular level compared to its natural form ingestion. Due to its hydrophobic nature, curcumin is situated in the lipid part of the membrane, thereby modifying its properties and influencing processes The aim of the research was to investigate whether the toxicity of specific concentrations of curcumin, assessed through biochemical tests for the SK-N-SH and H-60 cell lines, is related to structural changes in the membranes of these cells, caused by the localization of curcumin in their hydrophobic regions. Biochemical tests were performed using spectrophotometric methods. Langmuir technique were used to evaluate the interaction of the curcumin with the studied lipids. Direct introduction of curcumin into the membranes alters their physicochemical parameters. The extent of these changes depends on the initial properties of the membrane. In the conducted research, it has been demonstrated that curcumin may exhibit toxicity to human cells. The mechanism of this toxicity is related to its localization in cell membranes, leading to their dysfunction. The sensitivity of cells to curcumin presence depends on the saturation level of their membranes; the more rigid the membrane, the lower the concentration of curcumin causes its disruption