Somato-dendritic vasopressin and oxytocin secretion in endocrine and autonomic regulation

Somato‐dendritic secretion was first demonstrated over 30 years ago. However, although its existence has become widely accepted, the function of somato‐dendritic secretion is still not completely understood. Hypothalamic magnocellular neurosecretory cells were among the first neuronal phenotypes in which somato‐dendritic secretion was demonstrated and are among the neurones for which the functions of somato‐dendritic secretion are best characterised. These neurones secrete the neuropeptides, vasopressin and oxytocin, in an orthograde manner from their axons in the posterior pituitary gland into the blood circulation to regulate body fluid balance and reproductive physiology. Retrograde somato‐dendritic secretion of vasopressin and oxytocin modulates the activity of the neurones from which they are secreted, as well as the activity of neighbouring populations of neurones, to provide intra‐ and inter‐population signals that coordinate the endocrine and autonomic responses for the control of peripheral physiology. Somato‐dendritic vasopressin and oxytocin have also been proposed to act as hormone‐like signals in the brain. There is some evidence that somato‐dendritic secretion from magnocellular neurosecretory cells modulates the activity of neurones beyond their local environment where there are no vasopressin‐ or oxytocin‐containing axons but, to date, there is no conclusive evidence for, or against, hormone‐like signalling throughout the brain, although it is difficult to imagine that the levels of vasopressin found throughout the brain could be underpinned by release from relatively sparse axon terminal fields. The generation of data to resolve this issue remains a priority for the field.http://wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/jne2021-04-17hj2020Immunolog

Understanding biological responses to degraded hydromorphology and multiple stresses. Deliverable 3.2 of REFORM (REstoring rivers FOR effective catchment Management), a Collaborative project (large-scale integrating project) funded by the European Commission within the 7th Framework Programme under Grant Agreement 282656

The aim of this deliverable is to conceptually model and empirically test the response of biota to the effects of both hydromorphological pressures acting in concert with one another or with other types of pressures. Best use is made of existing large national monitoring datasets (Denmark, UK, Finland, France, Germany, Austria & WISER datasets), case studies and modeling to provide evidence of multiple stressors interacting to alter river biota (Biological Quality Elements: BQE)

Anthocyanidins and anthocyanins: colored pigments as food, pharmaceutical ingredients, and the potential health benefits

Anthocyanins are colored water-soluble pigments belonging to the phenolic group. The pigments are in glycosylated forms. Anthocyanins responsible for the colors, red, purple, and blue, are in fruits and vegetables. Berries, currants, grapes, and some tropical fruits have high anthocyanins content. Red to purplish blue-colored leafy vegetables, grains, roots, and tubers are the edible vegetables that contain a high level of anthocyanins. Among the anthocyanin pigments, cyanidin-3-glucoside is the major anthocyanin found in most of the plants. The colored anthocyanin pigments have been traditionally used as a natural food colorant. The color and stability of these pigments are influenced by pH, light, temperature, and structure. In acidic condition, anthocyanins appear as red but turn blue when the pH increases. Chromatography has been largely applied in extraction, separation, and quantification of anthocyanins. Besides the use of anthocyanidins and anthocyanins as natural dyes, these colored pigments are potential pharmaceutical ingredients that give various beneficial health effects. Scientific studies, such as cell culture studies, animal models, and human clinical trials, show that anthocyanidins and anthocyanins possess antioxidative and antimicrobial activities, improve visual and neurological health, and protect against various non-communicable diseases. These studies confer the health effects of anthocyanidins and anthocyanins, which are due to their potent antioxidant properties. Different mechanisms and pathways are involved in the protective effects, including free-radical scavenging pathway, cyclooxygenase pathway, mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway, and inflammatory cytokines signaling. Therefore, this review focuses on the role of anthocyanidins and anthocyanins as natural food colorants and their nutraceutical properties for health. Abbreviations: CVD: Cardiovascular disease VEGF: Vascular endothelial growth factor

Plasmids R577 and R785 decrease the resistance of Escherichia coli K12 strain W1485 to bactericidal action of normal serum

The role of plasmids of drug resistance R577 and R785 in the development of susceptibility of Escherichia coli K12 strain W1485 to the bactericidal action of serum was studied. Plasmids R577 and R785 were transfered to cells of strain W1485 by means of conjugation. The susceptibility of cells containing the plasmid to serum was compared to that of cells lacking the plasmid. It was found that plasmids R577 and R758 sensitize bacteria to the action of serum

Optimizing process of extracting phenolic compounds having antiradical activity from white mulberry leaves by means of response surface methodology (RSM)

Liście morwy zawierają polifenole, alkaloidy, terpenoidy oraz steroidy. Ich ekstrakty mogą być cennym składnikiem żywności prozdrowotnej. Celem pracy była optymalizacja procesu ekstrakcji związków fenolowych z liści morwy oraz ocena aktywności przeciwrodnikowej uzyskanych ekstraktów testem DPPH, z wykorzystaniem metody powierzchni odpowiedzi (Response Surface Methodology). Na podstawie RSM, w wybranych zakresach stężenia etanolu w wodzie i w wybranej temperaturze procesu ekstrakcji, uzyskano największe zawartości polifenoli i najwyższą aktywność przeciwrodnikową. Wartości przewidywane nie różniły się istotnie od wartości oznaczonych eksperymentalnie (p ≤ 0,001). Stężenie etanolu w wybranym ekstrakcie wyniosło 65 %, a temperatura procesu ekstrakcji: 63°C.Mulberry leaves contain polyphenols, alkaloids, terpenoids, and steroids. Their extracts can be a valuable component of the pro health food. The objective of the research study was to optimize the process of extracting phenolic compounds from mulberry leaves and to assess the antiradical activity of derived extracts by a DPPH test, with the use of a response surface methodology (RSM). Based on RSM, the highest contents of polyphenols and the highest antioxidant activity were obtained within the selected ranges of the ethanol concentration in water and at a selected temperature of the extraction process. The predicted values did not differ significantly from the experimentally determined values (p ≤ 0.001). The rate of ethanol concentration in the selected extract was 65 %, and the temperature of extraction process was 63°C