Cryptic SARS-CoV-2 lineage identified on two mink farms as a possible result of long-term undetected circulation in an unknown animal reservoir, Poland, November 2022 to January 2023

In late 2022 and early 2023, SARS-CoV-2 infections were detected on three mink farms in Poland situated within a few km from each other. Whole-genome sequencing of the viruses on two of the farms showed that they were related to a virus identified in humans in the same region 2 years before (B.1.1.307 lineage). Many mutations were found, including in the S protein typical of adaptations to the mink host. The origin of the virus remains to be determined.</p

Levels of renalase and advanced oxidation protein products with regard to catecholamines in haemodialysed patients

Introduction The main mediators of the sympathetic nervous system in the effectors part are catecholamines (CA). An increased sympathetic nerve activity observed in chronic kidney disease (CKD), is due to a raised level of CA in plasma. Renalase is a protein secreted by the kidneys, composed of 342 amino acids, which is able to metabolize the circulating CA and possibly play an important role in the regulation of sympathetic tone and blood pressure. Also, oxidative stress, defined as a disruption of the equilibrium between the generation of oxidants, is a crucial factor in the development of the inflammatory syndrome associated with CKD. The advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP) represent exquisite markers of phagocyte-derived oxidative stress. Objective The aim of the study was to investigate the concentration of renalase and explore the associations between AOPP with regards to CA in haemodialysis (HD) patients. Material and Methods The study was conducted among 50 residents of the municipality and neighbouring villages in the province of Lublin, central-eastern Poland. Results In the studied patients, it was found that an average concentration of renalase was 44.8 ± 6.5 μg/mL, whereas of AOPP plasma levels – 57.5 ± 21.5 μmol/L. The results demonstrated the correlation between levels of renalase and AOPP in the HD patients. Indeed, elevated levels of renalase and AOPP in HD may be due to the presence of uremic toxins in blood. The concentration of urea affects the plasma concentrations of AOPP and renalase causing a direct relationship between renalase and AOPP. However, there is no clear relationship between renalase and circulating catecholamines in HD patient

Levels of renalase and advanced oxidation protein products with regard to catecholamines in haemodialysed patients

Introduction The main mediators of the sympathetic nervous system in the effectors part are catecholamines (CA). An increased sympathetic nerve activity observed in chronic kidney disease (CKD), is due to a raised level of CA in plasma. Renalase is a protein secreted by the kidneys, composed of 342 amino acids, which is able to metabolize the circulating CA and possibly play an important role in the regulation of sympathetic tone and blood pressure. Also, oxidative stress, defined as a disruption of the equilibrium between the generation of oxidants, is a crucial factor in the development of the inflammatory syndrome associated with CKD. The advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP) represent exquisite markers of phagocyte-derived oxidative stress. Objective The aim of the study was to investigate the concentration of renalase and explore the associations between AOPP with regards to CA in haemodialysis (HD) patients. Material and Methods The study was conducted among 50 residents of the municipality and neighbouring villages in the province of Lublin, central-eastern Poland. Results In the studied patients, it was found that an average concentration of renalase was 44.8 ± 6.5 μg/mL, whereas of AOPP plasma levels – 57.5 ± 21.5 μmol/L. The results demonstrated the correlation between levels of renalase and AOPP in the HD patients. Indeed, elevated levels of renalase and AOPP in HD may be due to the presence of uremic toxins in blood. The concentration of urea affects the plasma concentrations of AOPP and renalase causing a direct relationship between renalase and AOPP. However, there is no clear relationship between renalase and circulating catecholamines in HD patient

Microcantilever-based current balance for precise measurement of the photon force

Abstract We present a method for the quantitative determination of the photon force (PF)—the force generated by the radiation pressure of photons reflected from the surface. We propose an experimental setup integrating innovative microelectromechanical system (MEMS) optimized for the detection of photon force (pfMEMS). An active microcantilever was used as the force detector, while the measurement was conducted in a closed-loop setup with electromagnetic force compensation. In opposition to our previous works, this measurement method provides quantitative not qualitative assessment of PF interaction. Final current-balance setup is suitable for light sources from tens of microwatts to few watts. In our article, we present the results of the performed experiments, in which we measured the PF interactions in the range up to 67.5 pN with resolution of 30 fN in the static measurement

Relationship between microRNA-146a expression and plasma renalase levels in hemodialyzed patients.

microRNA (miRNA) belongs to the non-coding RNAs family responsible for the regulation of gene expression. Renalase is a protein composed of 342 amino acids, secreted by the kidneys and possibly plays an important role in the regulation of sympathetic tone and blood pressure. The aim of the present study was to investigate plasma renalase concentration, and explore the relationship between miRNA-146a-5p expression and plasma renalase levels in hemodialyzed patients.The study population comprised 55 subjects who succumbed to various cardiac events, 27 women and 28 men, aged 65-70 years. The total RNA including miRNA fraction was isolated using QiagenmiRNEasy Serum/Plasma kit according to the manufacturer's protocol. The isolated miRNAs were analyzed using a quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) technique. The plasma renalase levels were measured using a commercial ELISA kit.In the group of patients with high levels of renalase, higher miRNA-146a expression was found, compared with those with low concentration of renalase. Patients with simultaneous low miRNA-146a expression and high level of renalase were confirmed to deliver a significantly longer survival time compared with other patients.miRNA-146a and plasma renalase levels were estimated as independent prognostic factors of hemodialyzed patients' survival time. Patients with low miRNA-146a expression demonstrated a significantly longer survival time in contrast to the patients with a high expression level of miRNA-146a. Moreover, a significantly longer survival time was found in patients with high renalase activity compared with patients with low activity of the enzyme

Mink SARS-CoV-2 infection in Poland – short communication

Since April 2020, when the first SARS-CoV-2 infection was reported in mink and subsequently in mink farm workers in the Netherlands, it has been confirmed that human-to-mink and mink-to-human transmission can occur. Later, SARS-CoV-2 infections in mink were reported in many European and North American countries