Characterization of Trametes versicolor: Medicinal Mushroom with Important Health Benefits

Trametes species represents a rich source of nutritive compounds with important pharmacological properties like antioxidant, antiinflammatory and anti-cancer properties. However, factors like genetic background, harvesting period, geographic location, climatic conditions and others are influencing the biosynthesis of bioactive compounds, their fingerprint and their concentration. The aim of this study was to determine the antioxidant capacity, total phenolic compounds and total flavonoids content of two mushroom species, namely Tramestes versicolor (TV) and Trametes gibbosa (TG), mushrooms with potential health benefits, harvested from north-west part of Romania. In order to determine the phenolic compounds profile, water, methanol, and acetone mushroom extracts were analyzed using UV-Vis spectroscopy, FTIR spectroscopy and LC-MS analysis. In total 28 compounds were tentatively identified as phenolic acids (11 compounds), flavonols (6 compounds), flavones (6 compounds), coumarins (2 compounds), flavanols, isoflavonoids and biflavonoids (1 compound). The highest antioxidant activity was determined for the methanolic extract while the highest total polyphenols content and total flavonoids content were determined for the water extract. The results obtained suggested that Trametes species can be considered important sources of bioactive compounds, their phenolics composition and content being influenced by a series of factors like geographic area origin and genetic background

A review of macrophage microRNAs' role in human asthma

There is an imbalance in asthma between classically activated macrophages (M1 cells) and alternatively activated macrophages (M2 cells) in favor of the latter. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play a critical role in regulating macrophage proliferation and differentiation and control the balance of M1 and M2 macrophage polarization, thereby controlling immune responses. Here we review the current published data concerning miRNAs with known correlation to a specific human macrophage phenotype and polarization, and their association with adult asthma. MiRNA-targeted therapy is still in the initial stages, but clinical trials are under recruitment or currently running for some miRNAs in other diseases. Regulating miRNA expression via their upregulation or downregulation could show potential as a novel therapy for improving treatment efficacy in asthma

Immune checkpoint blockade: the role of PD-1-PD-L axis in lymphoid malignancies

Cristina Ilcus,1 Cristina Bagacean,1,2 Adrian Tempescul,3 Cristian Popescu,1 Andrada Parvu,1,4 Mihai Cenariu,5 Corina Bocsan,6,* Mihnea Zdrenghea1,4,* 1Department of Hematology, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania; 2Laboratory of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Brest University Medical School, CHRU Morvan, 3Department of Clinical Hematology, Institute of Cancerology and Hematology, Brest, France; 4Department of Hematology, Ion Chiricuta Oncology Institute, 5Biotechnology Research Center, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, 6Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania *These authors contributed equally to this work Abstract: The co-inhibitory receptor programmed cell death (PD)-1, expressed by immune effector cells, is credited with a protective role for normal tissue during immune responses, by limiting the extent of effector activation. Its presently known ligands, programmed death ligands (PD-Ls) 1 and 2, are expressed by a variety of cells including cancer cells, suggesting a role for these molecules as an immune evasion mechanism. Blocking of the PD-1-PD-L signaling axis has recently been shown to be effective and was clinically approved in relapsed/refractory tumors such as malignant melanoma and lung cancer, but also classical Hodgkin’s lymphoma. A plethora of trials exploring PD-1 blockade in cancer are ongoing. Here, we review the role of PD-1 signaling in lymphoid malignancies, and the latest results of trials investigating PD-1 or PD-L1 blocking agents in this group of diseases. Early phase studies proved very promising, leading to the clinical approval of a PD-1 blocking agent in Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and Phase III clinical studies are either planned or ongoing in most lymphoid malignancies. Keywords: immune checkpoint blockade, programmed cell death 1, b7 antigens, hematological cancer, lymphoma, chronic lymphocytic leukemia&nbsp

Pot Aloe vera gel – a natural source of antioxidants

Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis Miller) is widely spread around the world and it is used in the food and cosmetic industry and traditional medicine due to its high content in bioactive compounds. Thus, this article investigated the phenolic compounds of Romanian Aloe vera gel and its antioxidant capacity.  The gel was extracted using 4 different solvents: methanol, ethanol, water, and acetone. Total phenolics were measured by the Folin-Ciocalteu method, total flavonoids by aluminium chloride reaction, and the antioxidant capacity by DPPH radical-scavenging activity. The profile of the phenolic compound was determined using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and Liquid Chromatography-Diode Array Detection–Electro-Spray Ionization Mass Spectrometry. The methanolic extract had a significantly higher antioxidant activity, followed by ethanolic, water, and acetone extracts. The methanolic extract had also the highest total polyphenol content, while ethanolic extract had the highest total flavonoid content. The extracts contained 14 compounds identified as 7 chromones (Aloesin, Neoaloesin, Aloinoside A, Aloinoside E, Aloe-emodin-glucoside, Isoaloeresin D, Methoxycoumaroyl-aloresin) 2 flavones (Luteolin-glucoside, Apigenin-glucoside), one hydroxycinnamic acid (Caffeic acid) and 4 to anthrones (Aloin A, Aloin B, Emodin, Aloe-emodin). The LC-MS results showed important quantities of Aloesin, Neoaloesin, Aloeresin E, and Aloe-emodin-glucoside while FTIR analysis showed the presence of polysaccharides, pectins, anthraquinones, and saponins

Safefoodnet : A specific support action of the EU for chemical food safety network for the enlarging Europe

The primary goal of SAFEFOODNET, a Specific Support Action of the Framework Programme 6, is to promote Associated Candidate Countries (ACC) and New Member States (NMS) capabilities of addressing all aspects relating to chemical food safety. SAFEFOODNET consortium, that started in January 2005, has 20 partners from 17 countries which include 4 Member States (Italy, Denmark, Germany and Belgium), 10 NMS (Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Slovenia, Malta, Cyprus), and 3 ACC (Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey). The first step was to have a picture of the systems of chemical food safety in the participating countries. These have been achieved by the activities planned in two project working groups: one aimed at gathering knowledge regarding sources of dietary data (WP2) in individual countries, and another focusing on strategies/approaches and capabilities of monitoring food chemical contamination (WP3). Each partner filled in on line the questionnaires both for WP2 and WP3. The questionnaires was divided in two parts: the first one consisted of the profile of the institutions; the second part was more specific and aimed at collecting details about each relevant dietary survey undertaken (WP2) and about the analysis the institute conducted (WP3). A web site (www.safefoodnet.net) has been developed which also includes the projects activities and participants and information about Directives on food contaminants. The dissemination of project\u2019s results at local and international level include the organization of workshops in Slovak Republic, Latvia, Bulgaria, Malta, Poland and the final one in Brussels where all relevant stakeholders will be invited. These activities aim at developing a set of long-term activities, to be continued after the end of the project and hopefully be expanded to other countries

Safefoodnet : A specific support action of the EU for chemical food safety network for the enlarging Europe

The primary goal of SAFEFOODNET, a Specific Support Action of the Framework Programme 6, is to promote Associated Candidate Countries (ACC) and New Member States (NMS) capabilities of addressing all aspects relating to chemical food safety. SAFEFOODNET consortium, that started in January 2005, has 20 partners from 17 countries which include 4 Member States (Italy, Denmark, Germany and Belgium), 10 NMS (Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Slovenia, Malta, Cyprus), and 3 ACC (Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey). The first step was to have a picture of the systems of chemical food safety in the participating countries. These have been achieved by the activities planned in two project working groups: one aimed at gathering knowledge regarding sources of dietary data (WP2) in individual countries, and another focusing on strategies/approaches and capabilities of monitoring food chemical contamination (WP3). Each partner filled in on line the questionnaires both for WP2 and WP3. The questionnaires was divided in two parts: the first one consisted of the profile of the institutions; the second part was more specific and aimed at collecting details about each relevant dietary survey undertaken (WP2) and about the analysis the institute conducted (WP3). A web site (www.safefoodnet.net) has been developed which also includes the projects activities and participants and information about Directives on food contaminants. The dissemination of project\u2019s results at local and international level include the organization of workshops in Slovak Republic, Latvia, Bulgaria, Malta, Poland and the final one in Brussels where all relevant stakeholders will be invited. These activities aim at developing a set of long-term activities, to be continued after the end of the project and hopefully be expanded to other countries