TLR2 Expression in Relation to IL-6 and IL-1β and their Natural Regulators Production by PMN and PBMC in Patients with Lyme Disease

Recently, it has been reported that TLR2 on macrophages plays a unique role in the inflammatory response and host defense to infection with Borrelia burgdorferi (Bb) which is an etiologic agent of Lyme disease. Experimental studies show that PMNs also play an essential role in infection control by Bb. However, there is no available data about TLR2 expression on PMN in the course of Lyme disease. In the present study, TLR2 expression and production of IL-1β and IL-6 as well as their natural regulators (sIL-1RII, IL-1Ra and sIL-6Rα, sgp130, resp) by PMN of peripheral blood in patients with Lyme disease were examined. For the purpose of comparison, the same activity of autologous peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was estimated. An effect of rhIL-15 on TLR2 and cytokine secretion was also studied. Increased TLR2 expression in unstimulated neutrophils suggests an important role of these cells in mechanism recognition of B burgdorferi in patients with Lyme disease. The relationship between IL-1β and IL-6 as well as their regulators by unstimulated PMN and PBMC, observed in the present study, may lead to enhanced IL-6- and to inhibition of IL-1β-mediated reactions in this patient group. Changes in the TLR2 expression after rhIL-15 stimulation appear to have a favorable effect on mechanism recognition of Bb. The relations between IL-6 and its regulators (sIL-6Rα and sgp130) as well as between IL-1β and its regulators (IL-1Ra and sIL-1RII) after rhIL-15 stimulation may lead to enhanced IL-1β- and IL-6-mediated inflammatory reactions in the course of Lyme disease

A Comparative Mini-Review on Transition Metal Oxides Applied for the Selective Catalytic Ammonia Oxidation (NH3-SCO)

The selective catalytic oxidation of NH3 (NH3 -SCO) into N2 and H2O is an efficient technology for NH3 abatement in diesel vehicles. However, the catalysts dedicated to NH3 -SCO are still under development. One of the groups of such catalysts constituted transition metal-based catalysts, including hydrotalcite-derived mixed metal oxides. This class of materials is characterized by tailored composition, homogenously dispersed mixed metal oxides, exhibiting high specific surface area and thermal stability. Thus, firstly, we give a short introduction to the structure and composition of hydrotalcite-like materials and their applications in NH3 -SCO. Secondly, an overview of other transition metal-based catalysts reported in the literature is given, following a comparison of both groups. The challenges in NH3 -SCO applications are provided, while the reaction mechanisms are discussed for particular system

The release of soluble forms of TRAIL and DR5 by neutrophils of oral cavity cancer patients.

In the present study we examined the release of the soluble form of TRAIL by neutrophils (PMN) derived from patients with oral cavity cancer. Simultaneously, we estimated the ability of PMNs of these patients to release the soluble form of DR5 receptor, a natural regulatory protein of TRAIL. The obtained results were confronted with the serum levels of sTRAIL and sDR5. The cells were isolated from 21 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of oral cavity at diagnosis and three weeks after surgery treatment. For comparative purposes we performed similar examinations in autologous peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). Cytoplasmic protein fractions of the cells were analyzed for the presence of TRAIL and DR5 by western blotting. Soluble TRAIL and soluble DR5 concentrations in the culture supernatants of cells were confronted with their serum levels using ELISA kit. PMN and PBMC of the whole cancer patient group expressed decreased TRAIL protein and unchanged expression of DR5 receptor in comparison with the control group. Unchanged release of sTRAIL by PMNs of patients in Stage II was accompanying the decrease of the ability of PBMC to secrete this protein. In patients in Stage IV the secretion of sTRAIL by PMNs and PBMC was impaired. In contrast to changes in sTRAIL secretion by PMN and PBMC of oral cavity cancer patients, the secretion of sDR5 by these cells was unchanged. The serum levels of sTRAIL were increased in patients in Stage II before treatment and decreased in the same patients after treatment. The altered ability of PMN of PBMC to secrete sTRAIL may have different implications for the immune response of patients with oral cavity cancer cells at different stages of disease

A short review about NOx storage/reduction catalysts based on metal oxides and hydrotalcite-type anionic clays

[EN] The increasing problem of atmospheric pollution by NOx has resulted in stricter regulations on their emissions. NOx storage/reduction (NSR) is considered as efficient catalytic technology to abate lean-burn NOx. A wide variety of catalysts have been extensively examined for this purpose. The use of metal oxides, hydrotalcites and their derivatives as NOx storage/reduction catalysts has been reviewed. Suitable combination particularly the catalytic redox component and the storage component can lead to improved activity in NOx decomposition and capturing under the lean-rich conditionsJablonska, M.; Palomares Gimeno, AE.; Wegrzyn, A.; Chmielarz, L. (2014). A short review about NOx storage/reduction catalysts based on metal oxides and hydrotalcite-type anionic clays. Acta Geodynamica et Geomaterialia. 11(2):175-186. doi:10.13168/AGG.2013.0063S17518611

Is good more alike than bad? Positive-negative asymmetry in the differentiation between options. A study on the evaluation of fictitious political profiles

Our research focuses on the perception of difference in the evaluations of positive and negative options. The literature provides evidence for two opposite effects: on the one hand, negative objects are said to be more differentiated (e.g., density hypothesis), on the other, people are shown to see greater differences between positive options (e.g., liking-breeds-differentiation principle). In our study, we investigated the perception of difference between fictitious political candidates, hypothesizing greater differences among the evaluations of favorable candidates. Additionally, we analyzed how positive and negative information affect candidate evaluation, predicting further asymmetries. In three experiments, participants evaluated various candidate profiles presented in a numeric and narrative manner. The evaluation tasks were designed as individual or joint assessments. In all three studies, we found more differentiation between positive than negative options. Our research suggests that after exceeding a certain, relatively small level of negativity, people do not see any further increase in negativity. The increase in positivity, on the other hand, is more gradual, with greater differentiation among positive options. Our findings are discussed in light of cognitive-experiential self-theory and density hypothesis

Lipid peroxidation and glutathione peroxidase activity relationship in breast cancer depends on functional polymorphism of GPX1

Functional SNPs selected for the study. Table S2. Restriction fragment analysis for BRCA1 mutations. Table S3. Oxidative stress parameters in breast cancer cases according to treatment. (DOCX 31 kb

Contributions to the knowledge of the lichen biota of Bolivia 5

Peer reviewe

SYK inhibition targets acute myeloid leukemia stem cells by blocking their oxidative metabolism

Spleen tyrosine kinase (SYK) is an important oncogene and signaling mediator activated by cell surface receptors crucial for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) maintenance and progression. Genetic or pharmacologic inhibition of SYK in AML cells leads to increased differentiation, reduced proliferation, and cellular apoptosis. Herein, we addressed the consequences of SYK inhibition to leukemia stem-cell (LSC) function and assessed SYK-associated pathways in AML cell biology. Using gain-of-function MEK kinase mutant and constitutively active STAT5A, we demonstrate that R406, the active metabolite of a small-molecule SYK inhibitor fostamatinib, induces differentiation and blocks clonogenic potential of AML cells through the MEK/ERK1/2 pathway and STAT5A transcription factor, respectively. Pharmacological inhibition of SYK with R406 reduced LSC compartment defined as CD34+CD38-CD123+ and CD34+CD38-CD25+ in vitro, and decreased viability of LSCs identified by a low abundance of reactive oxygen species. Primary leukemic blasts treated ex vivo with R406 exhibited lower engraftment potential when xenotransplanted to immunodeficient NSG/J mice. Mechanistically, these effects are mediated by disturbed mitochondrial biogenesis and suppression of oxidative metabolism (OXPHOS) in LSCs. These mechanisms appear to be partially dependent on inhibition of STAT5 and its target gene MYC, a well-defined inducer of mitochondrial biogenesis. In addition, inhibition of SYK increases the sensitivity of LSCs to cytarabine (AraC), a standard of AML induction therapy. Taken together, our findings indicate that SYK fosters OXPHOS and participates in metabolic reprogramming of AML LSCs in a mechanism that at least partially involves STAT5, and that SYK inhibition targets LSCs in AML. Since active SYK is expressed in a majority of AML patients and confers inferior prognosis, the combination of SYK inhibitors with standard chemotherapeutics such as AraC constitutes a new therapeutic modality that should be evaluated in future clinical trials

Effect of the Preparation Method on the Catalytic Properties of Copper-containing Zeolite Y Applied for NH3-SCR-DeNOx

Two series of zeolite Y were prepared with varying particle size (estimated 100 or 400 nm) by applying different synthesis gel composition ratios as well as different ageing and hydrothermal steps. Copper-containing zeolites Y were obtained through ion exchange, thoroughly characterized and tested for the selective catalytic reduction with NH3 (NH3-SCR-DeNOx). The catalytic activity of the prepared materials varied significantly due to the different nature of copper species. Results show that catalysts CuY 0h-A and CuY-24h-A (approx. particles size 2676 and 475 nm, respectively) facilitate a higher NO conversion both in the presence and absence of water vapor, exhibiting however stronger N2O formation above 250 °C. On the other hand, nearly X-ray amorphous Y-0h-B and Y-24h-B after ion- exchange led to decreased activity of CuY-0h-B and CuY-24h-B (approx. particles size 345 and 128 nm, respectively). Additional insight into the activity of both catalyst were obtained through in situ DR UV-Vis spectroscopy