Oxidative Stress in Urolithiasis

Oxygen is absolutely essential for the survival of our life. However, metabolic consumption of oxygen inevitably yields reactive oxygen species (ROS). Imbalance of ROS production and antioxidant capacity causes oxidative stress that potentially damages biomolecules leading to cell injury and death. In fact, ROS have two-faceted functions. Under physiologic condition, ROS function as signaling molecules and participate in maintaining redox balance. In pathology, ROS induce oxidative stress that critically involves in the development of several diseases including urolithiasis (UL). UL or urinary stone disease is a common urologic condition in all countries with progressively increasing prevalence. Most of UL are multifactorial with polygenic susceptibility and highly recurrent nature. Formation of urinary stones is driven by supersaturation of urinary lithogenic ions, and calcium oxalate (CaOx) is the most prevalent stone type. Oxidative stress clearly plays an active role in UL development. In vitro lithogenic crystals induce ROS generation in renal tubular cells leading to oxidative stress, cell injury and release of inflammatory mediators. In nephrolithic rats, oxidative stress and CaOx deposit are gradually increased in the rats’ kidneys. Intervention with antioxidants efficiently reduces oxidative damage and crystal deposits. Human studies show that patients with UL have increased oxidative stress and renal tubular injury relative to the non–stone-forming individuals. Increased oxidative lesions and inflammation are observed in the stone-containing kidneys of the patients. Furthermore, renal fibrosis mediated through tubular epithelial-mesenchymal transition is observed in kidneys of stone patients. Increased renal fibrosis is significantly associated with decreased kidney function. From therapeutic point of view, nutraceutical regimens that are able to reduce oxidative stress may be clinically useful alternatives for preventing stone formation and recurrence. This chapter has an intention to provide a basic knowledge of ROS generation and oxidative stress and up-to-date research findings of oxidative stress in UL based on the published articles as well as the author’s studies

Detection of CD33 expression on monocyte surface is influenced by phagocytosis and temperature

CD33 is a myeloid-associated marker and belongs to the sialic acid-binding immunoglobulin (Ig)-like lectin (Siglec) family. Such types of receptors are highly expressed in acute myeloid leukemia, which could be used in its treatment. CD33 shows high variability in its expression levels with still unknown reasons. Here, we investigated the CD33 expression of monocytes in human blood samples processed at different temperatures and in dependence on their phagocytic activity against opsonized Escherichia coli. The samples were stained by fluorescently labelled anti-human CD14 to specify the monocyte population, anti-human CD33 antibodies to evaluate CD33 expression and analyzed by flow cytometry and confocal laser scanning microscopy. In blood samples kept at 37°C or first pre-chilled at 0°C with subsequent warming up to 37°C, the percentage of CD33-positive monocytes as well as their relative fluorescence intensity was up-regulated compared to samples kept constantly at 0°C. After exposure to E. coli the CD33 relative fluorescence intensity of the monocytes activated at 37°C was 3 to 4 times higher than that of those cells kept inactive at 0°C. Microscopic analysis showed internalisation of CD33 due to its enhanced expression on the surface followed by engulfment of E. coli

MUC4 and MUC5AC are highly specific tumour-associated mucins in biliary tract cancer

Alterations in epithelial mucin expression are associated with carcinogenesis, but there are few data in biliary tract cancer (BTC). In pancreatic malignancy, MUC4 is a diagnostic and prognostic tumour marker, whereas MUC5AC has been proposed as a sensitive serological marker for BTC. We assessed MUC4 and MUC5AC expression in (i) prospectively collected bile and serum specimens from 72 patients with biliary obstruction (39 BTC) by real-time reverse transcriptase–PCR (qPCR) and western blot analysis, and (ii) 79 archived biliary tissues (69 BTC) by immunohistochemistry. In bile, MUC4 protein was detected in 27% of BTC and 29% of primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) cases, but not in other benign and malignant biliary diseases (P<0.01 and P=0.06). qPCR revealed a 1.9-fold increased MUC4 mRNA expression in BTC patients' bile compared with benign disease. In archived tissues, MUC4 protein was detected in 37% of BTC but in none of the benign samples (P=0.03). In serum, MUC5AC was found exclusively in BTC and PSC sera (44% and 13%, respectively; P<0.001 for BTC vs non-BTC) and correlated negatively with BTC survival. Biliary MUC4 and serum MUC5AC are highly specific tumour-associated mucins that may be useful in the diagnosis and formulation of therapeutic strategies in BTC

Plasma treatment in textile industry

Plasma technology applied to textiles is a dry, environmentally- and worker-friendly method to achieve surface alteration without modifying the bulk properties of different materials. In particular, atmospheric non-thermal plasmas are suited because most textile materials are heat sensitive polymers and applicable in a continuous processes. In the last years plasma technology has become a very active, high growth research field, assuming a great importance among all available material surface modifications in textile industry. The main objective of this review is to provide a critical update on the current state of art relating plasma technologies applied to textile industryFernando Oliveira (SFRH/BD/65254/2009) acknowledges Fundacao para a Cioncia e Tecnologia, Portugal, for its doctoral grant financial support. Andrea Zille (C2011-UMINHO-2C2T-01) acknowledges funding from Programa Compromisso para a Cioncia 2008, Portugal