Histone deacetylases affect transcriptional regulation of CCL2 and CXCL8 expression by pulmonary fibroblasts in vitro

Introduction: Chemokines have been shown to play an important role in tissue remodeling and fibrosis in the respiratory system. In this study we wanted to evaluate the mechanisms, which regulate the expression of selected chemokines by pulmonary fibroblasts in vitro. Material and methods: Pulmonary fibroblasts were cultured with and without bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for 6 hours. In addition some of the cultures were pre-treated with histone deacetylase inhibitor Trichostatin A (TSA). Real-time PCR reaction was performed to estimate the expression of chemokines CCL2, CCL3 and CXCL8. Results: In unstimulated cultures detectable expression of CCL2 and CXCL8 was observed, while CCL3 expression could not be detected. After stimulation with LPS, TSA and both agents together CCL2 expression rose by 1.52, 1.62 and 1.8 times in comparison to control cultures respectively. CXCL8 mRNA expression levels after stimulation with LPS, TSA and LPSTSA increased by 1.53, 1.91 and 2.4 times accordingly. Conclusion: Epigenetic mechanisms related to histone acetylation affects transcriptional regulation of CCL2 and CXCL8 expression by pulmonary fibroblasts. Those mechanisms may play a role in tissue repair and pathologic remodeling

Zasada działania i zastosowanie akcelerometrii w ocenie układu ruchu : przegląd narracyjny

Akcelerometria jest stosunkowo młodą, ale obiecującą metodą w dziedzinie badań nad chodem. Bazuje ona na zastosowaniu czujników mierzących przyspieszenie liniowe występujące w danym punkcie materialnym. Celem tego artykułu jest przegląd literatury pod kątem zastosowania tej techniki w ocenie lokomocji człowieka, zalet i wad oraz rzetelności pomiaru. Przeglądnięto prace różnych autorów i porównano ich wyniki. Badania dotyczyły wykrywania faz chodu, obliczania parametrów takich jak prędkość czy długość kroków, oceny równowagi oraz monitorowania aktywności fizycznej. W celu sprawdzenia poprawności zarejestrowanych danych, porównywano je z odczytami systemu VICON, platform dynamometrycznych oraz specjalnych elektronicznych ścieżek. Analiza literatury dostarczyła następujących wniosków. Zaletami akcelerometrii jest niski koszt urządzeń, ich niewielkie rozmiary oraz masa, a także brak ograniczenia pomiaru do wnętrza laboratorium. Wady to przede wszystkim konieczność stosowania kabli, co utrudnia długotrwały monitoring aktywności fizycznej. Metoda jest rzetelna, o ile eksperyment jest prawidłowo zaplanowany i przeprowadzony. Najważniejsze warunki to właściwe umiejscowienie czujników, zapewniające dobre przyleganie do ciała mocowanie, jak najdokładniejsze skoordynowanie osi anatomicznej z osią pomiaru oraz użycie właściwego algorytmu przetwarzania danych. Autorzy większości prac uznają akcelerometrię jako wiarygodną i przydatną metodę do oceny parametrów chodu. Obecnie akcelerometry znajdują zastosowanie głównie przy badaniu wzorca chodu i oceny dysfunkcji, jako czujniki FES u pacjentów z opadającą stopą oraz podczas oceny równowagi oraz monitorowania aktywności fizycznej.Accelerometry is a relatively new but promising method of gait examination. It is based on the usage of sensors which measure linear acceleration at a certain material point. The purpose of this article is to review the literature on the subject from the point of view of applying this technique in assessing human gait, its advantages and shortcomings and the reliability of measurement. Papers by various authors have been reviewed and their results compared. Research concerned detection of the phases and events of gait, calculation of gait parameters such as speed and step length, balance evaluation and the monitoring of physical activity. In order to verify the correctness of the collected data, it was compared with the readings of the VICON system, force platforms and special electronic walkways. An analysis of the literature resulted in the following conclusions: the advantages of accelerometry is the low cost of devices, their small size and mass and measurement which is not limited to the laboratory. The disadvantage is first of all the necessity to use cables, which makes it harder to conduct the long-term monitoring of physical activity. The method is reliable if the experiment is properly planned and carried out. The most important conditions are the proper location of sensors, tight binding to the body, the most accurate alignment of the anatomical axis with the measurement axis and the usage of a proper algorithm for data processing. The authors of the majority of papers consider accelerometry to be a reliable and useful method of analyzing the parameters of gait. At present, accelerometers are used mainly for examining the model of gait and assessing dysfunctions, as sensors in FES assisted walking in patients with dropped foot and during physical activity monitoring

Ocena wzorca oddechowego u osób zdrowych i osób z depresją

Background: Breathing is a complex process. Many factors, both external and internal and also including psychological factors, influence the course of respiration. Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze the chest respiratory movements of people diagnosed with depression and those without depression. Material and methods: The research material consisted of 33 persons diagnosed with depression, being in a state of partial remission and 23 healthy subjects. The average age of the person with depression examined was 53.1 years (±8.4) and without depression 55 years (±12.6). In the group of those examined obesity or postural defects, which might affect the outcome of the study, were not found. None of the evaluated subjects were treated for respiratory diseases. To examine the respiratory movements of the chest, Respiratory Belts were used. The assessment of chest movements included: the range of the respiratory motion of the upper and lower part of the chest, the number of breathes, the number of holded breathes during inspiration, the average time of the holded breathe during inspiration, the number of holded breathes during expiration, the average time of the holded breathe during expiration. An examination of chest mobility in a standing and sitting position was carried out. The recording time was 3 minutes. Results: In patients with depression the amplitudes of chest respiratory movements were smaller. The breathe frequency was higher. Conclusions: Depression affects the breathing patternZałożenia: Oddychanie jest procesem złożonym. Wiele czynników zarówno zewnętrznych jak i wewnętrznych ma wpływ na jego przebieg. Są to również czynniki psychiczne. Cel: Celem prezentowanych badań była analiza ruchów oddechowych klatki piersiowej osób ze stwierdzoną depresją oraz osób bez depresji. Materiał i metoda: Badano 33 osoby (22 kobiety, 11 mężczyzn) ze zdiagnozowaną depresją w okresie częściowej remisji (śr. wiek 53,1 ±8,4 lat) oraz 23 zdrowe osoby bez depresji (15 kobiet, 8 mężczyzn) (śr. wiek 55 ±12,6 lat). U badanych osób nie stwierdzono otyłości ani wad postawy mogących mieć wpływ na wynik badań. Żadna z badanych osób nie była leczona z powodu chorób układu oddechowego. Do badań ruchów oddechowych klatki piersiowej użyto urządzenie Respiratory Belts. W ocenie ruchów klatki piersiowej uwzględniono: zakres ruchów oddechowych górnej i dolnej części klatki piersiowej, ilość oddechów, ilość wstrzymywań oddechów na wdechu, średni czas wstrzymania oddechu na wdechu, ilość wstrzymań oddechu na wydechu, średni czas wstrzymania oddechu na wydechu. Badania ruchomości klatki piersiowej przeprowadzono w pozycji stojącej i siedzącej. Czas rejestracji wynosił 3 minuty. Wyniki: U osób z depresją amplitudy ruchów oddechowych klatki piersiowej były mniejsze. Większa była też częstotliwość oddechów. Wnioski: Depresja ma wpływ na wzorzec oddechowy

Plutonium, 90Sr and 241Am in human bones from southern and northeastern parts of Poland

The paper presents the results of our study on 238Pu, 239Pu, 240Pu, 241Am and 90Sr concentration in human bones carried out on a set of 88 individual samples of central Europe origin. Bone tissue samples were retrieved under surgery while introducing hip joint implants. The conducted surgeries tend to cover either southern or northeastern parts of Poland. While for the southern samples only global fallout was expected to be seen, a mixed global and Chernobyl fallout were to be reflected in the others. Alpha spectrometry was applied to obtain activity concentration for 238Pu, 239?240Pu, 241Am, while liquid scintillation spectrometry for 90Sr and mass spectrometry to receive 240Pu/239Pu mass ratio. Surprisingly enough, and to the contrary to our expectations we could not see any significant differences in either Pu activity or Pu mass ratio between the studied populations. In both populations Chernobyl fraction proved marginal. The results on 90Sr and 241Am confirm similarities between the two examined groups

Melatonin Supplementation Lowers Oxidative Stress and Regulates Adipokines in Obese Patients on a Calorie-Restricted Diet

Obesity is one of the major global health problems. Melatonin deficiency has been demonstrated to correlate with obesity. The aim of the study was to estimate the effect of melatonin on oxidative stress and adipokine levels in obese patients on a calorie-restricted diet. Thirty obese patients were supplemented with a daily dose of 10 mg of melatonin (n=15) or placebo (n=15) for 30 days with a calorie-restricted diet. Serum levels of melatonin, 4-hydroxynonenal (HNE), adiponectin, omentin-1, leptin, and resistin, as well as erythrocytic malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration and Zn/Cu-superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities, were measured at baseline and after supplementation. Significant body weight reduction was observed only in the melatonin group. After melatonin supplementation, the adiponectin and omentin-1 levels and GPx activities statistically increased, whereas the MDA concentrations were reduced. In the placebo group, a significant rise in the HNE and a drop in the melatonin concentrations were found. The results show evidence of increased oxidative stress accompanying calorie restriction. Melatonin supplementation facilitated body weight reduction, improved the antioxidant defense, and regulated adipokine secretion. The findings strongly suggest that melatonin should be considered in obesity management. This trial is registered with CTRI/2017/07/009093

High-throughput sequencing data revealed genotype-specific changes evoked by heat stress in crown tissue of barley sdw1 near-isogenic lines

Background: High temperature shock is becoming increasingly common in our climate, affecting plant growth and productivity. The ability of a plant to survive stress is a complex phenomenon. One of the essential tissues for plant performance under various environmental stimuli is the crown. However, the molecular characterization of this region remains poorly investigated. Gibberellins play a fundamental role in whole-plant stature formation. This study identified plant stature modifications and crown-specific transcriptome re-modeling in gibberellin-deficient barley sdw1.a (BW827) and sdw1.d (BW828) mutants exposed to increased temperature. Results: The deletion around the sdw1 gene in BW827 was found to encompass at least 13 genes with primarily regulatory functions. A bigger genetic polymorphism of BW828 than of BW827 in relation to wild type was revealed. Transcriptome-wide sequencing (RNA-seq) revealed several differentially expressed genes involved in gibberellin metabolism and heat response located outside of introgression regions. It was found that HvGA20ox4, a paralogue of the HvGA20ox2 gene, was upregulated in BW828 relative to other genotypes, which manifested as basal internode elongation. The transcriptome response to elevated temperature differed in the crown of sdw1.a and sdw1.d mutants; it was most contrasting for HvHsf genes upregulated under elevated temperature in BW828, whereas those specific to BW827 were downregulated. In-depth examination of sdw1 mutants revealed also some differences in their phenotypes and physiology. Conclusions: We concluded that despite the studied sdw1 mutants being genetically related, their heat response seemed to be genotype-specific and observed differences resulted from genetic background diversity rather than single gene mutation, multiple gene deletion, or allele-specific expression of the HvGA20ox2 gene. Differences in the expressional reaction of genes to heat in different sdw1 mutants, found to be independent of the polymorphism, could be further explained by in-depth studies of the regulatory factors acting in the studied system. Our findings are particularly important in genetic research area since molecular response of crown tissue has been marginally investigated, and can be useful for wide genetic research of crops since barley has become a model plant for them

HorTILLUS - a rich and renewable source of induced mutations for forward/reverse genetics and pre-breeding programs in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)

TILLING (Targeting Induced Local Lesions IN Genomes) is a strategy used for functional analysis of genes that combines the classical mutagenesis and a rapid, high-throughput identification of mutations within a gene of interest. TILLING has been initially developed as a discovery platform for functional genomics, but soon it has become a valuable tool in development of desired alleles for crop breeding, alternative to transgenic approach. Here we present the HorTILLUS (Hordeum—TILLING—University of Silesia) population created for spring barley cultivar “Sebastian” after double-treatment of seeds with two chemical mutagens: sodium azide (NaN3) and N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU). The population comprises more than 9,600 M2 plants from which DNA was isolated, seeds harvested, vacuum-packed, and deposited in seed bank. M3 progeny of 3,481 M2 individuals was grown in the field and phenotyped. The screening for mutations was performed for 32 genes related to different aspects of plant growth and development. For each gene fragment, 3,072–6,912 M2 plants were used for mutation identification using LI-COR sequencer. In total, 382 mutations were found in 182.2Mb screened. The average mutation density in the HorTILLUS, estimated as 1 mutation per 477 kb, is among the highest mutation densities reported for barley. The majority of mutations were G/C to A/T transitions, however about 8% transversions were also detected. Sixty-one percent of mutations found in coding regions were missense, 37.5% silent and 1.1% nonsense. In each gene, the missense mutations with a potential effect on protein function were identified. The HorTILLUS platformis the largest of the TILLING populations reported for barley and best characterized. The population proved to be a useful tool, both in functional genomic studies and in forward selection of barley mutants with required phenotypic changes. We are constantly renewing the HorTILLUS population, which makes it a permanent source of new mutations.We offer the usage of this valuable resource to the interested barley researchers on cooperative basis

Interpellations and other means of individual parliamentary control

Praca zawiera przedstawienie i porównanie indywidualnych funkcji kontrolnych sprawowanych przez posłów na Sejm Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej. W publikacji tej skupiono się na rozwiązaniach dostępnych w Polsce jak i przykładowych państwach europejskich. Praca napisana została na podstawie aktów prawnych jak i materiałów opracowanych przez samą doktrynę prawa.This thesis is a presentation and comparision of individual control functions which are accesible for parliamentarian