Mindfulness sessions delivered via smartphone applications and their potential benefits

Mindfulness, as a practice of focusing one’s attention on the present moment without evaluating, is used in mindfulness based interventions (MBI) therapy. Traditionally, these sessions are conducted in person. At this moment, we are witnessing a global trend in which patients are turning to technology and are looking for alternative, more convenient solutions. There are studies assessing the effectiveness of mindfulness training conducted in a new unconventional way, which is using an application installed on patient's smartphone. This paper discusses possible benefits of online conducted mindfulness sessions.&nbsp

Medium-chain-length polyprenol (C45–C55) formation in chloroplasts of Arabidopsis is brassinosteroid-dependent

Brassinosteroids are important plant hormones influencing, among other processes, chloroplast development, the electron transport chain during light reactions of photosynthesis, and the Calvin-Benson cycle. Medium-chainlength polyprenols built of 9–11 isoprenoid units (C45–C55 carbons) are a class of isoprenoid compounds present in abundance in thylakoid membranes. They are synthetized in chloroplast by CPT7 gene from Calvin cycle derived precursors on MEP methylerythritol 4-phosphate) isoprenoid biosynthesis pathway. C45–C55 polyprenols affect thylakoid membrane ultra-structure and hence influence photosynthetic apparatus performance in plants such as Arabidopsis and tomato. So far nothing is known about the hormonal or environmental regulation of CPT7 gene expression. The aim of our study was to find out if medium-chain-length polyprenol biosynthesis in plants may be regulated by hormonal cues.We found that the CPT7 gene in Arabidopsis has a BZR1 binding element (brassinosteroid dependent) in its promoter. Brassinosteroid signaling mutants in Arabidopsis accumulate a lower amount of medium-chain-length C45–C55 polyprenols than control plants. At the same time carotenoid and chlorophyll content is increased, and the amount of PsbD1A protein coming from photosystem II does not undergo a significant change. On contrary, treatment of WT plants with epi-brassinolide increases C45–C55 polyprenols content. We also report decreased transcription of MEP enzymes (besides C45–C55 polyprenols, precursors of numerous isoprenoids, e.g. phytol, carotenoids are derived from this pathway) and genes encoding biosynthesis of medium-chain-length polyprenol enzymes in brassinosteroid perception mutant bri1-116. Taken together, we document that brassinosteroids affect biosynthetic pathway of C45–C55 polyprenols

Rab-dependent vesicular traffic affects female gametophyte development in Arabidopsis

Eukaryotic cells rely on the accuracy and efficiency of vesicular traffic. In plants, disturbances in vesicular trafficking are well studied in quickly dividing root meristem cells or polar growing root hairs and pollen tubes. The development of the female gametophyte, a unique haploid reproductive structure located in the ovule, has received far less attention in studies of vesicular transport. Key molecules providing the specificity of vesicle formation and its subsequent recognition and fusion with the acceptor membrane are Rab proteins. Rabs are anchored to membranes by covalently linked geranylgeranyl group(s) that are added by the Rab geranylgeranyl transferase (RGT) enzyme. Here we show that Arabidopsis plants carrying mutations in the gene encoding the β-subunit of RGT (rgtb1) exhibit severely disrupted female gametogenesis and this effect is of sporophytic origin. Mutations in rgtb1 lead to internalization of the PIN1 and PIN3 proteins from the basal membranes to vesicles in provascular cells of the funiculus. Decreased transport of auxin out of the ovule is accompanied by auxin accumulation in tissue surrounding the growing gametophyte. In addition, female gametophyte development arrests at the uni- or binuclear stage in a significant portion of the rgtb1 ovules. These observations suggest that communication between the sporophyte and the developing female gametophyte relies on Rab-dependent vesicular traffic of the PIN1 and PIN3 transporters and auxin efflux out of the ovule

Distribution of large lungworms (Nematoda: Dictyocaulidae) in free-roaming populations of red deer Cervus elaphus (L.) with the description of Dictyocaulus skrjabini n. sp.

Lungworms of the genus Dictyocaulus are causative agents of parasitic bronchitis in domestic and wild ungulates. This study investigates the distribution, morphology and genetic diversity of D. cervi and a new lungworm species, Dictyocaulus skrjabini n. sp. infecting red deer Cervus elaphus, fallow deer Dama dama and moose Alces alces in Poland and Sweden. The study was conducted on 167 red deer from Poland and on the DNA of lungworms derived from 7 fallow deer, 4 red deer and 2 moose collected in Sweden. The prevalence of D. cervi and D. skrjabini n. sp. in dissected red deer in Poland was 31.1% and 7.2%, respectively. Moreover, D. skrjabini n. sp. was confirmed molecularly in 7 isolates of fallow deer lungworms and 1 isolate of red deer lungworms from Sweden. Dictyocaulus skrjabini n. sp. was established based on combination of their distinct molecular and morphological features; these included the length of cephalic vesicle, buccal capsule (BC), buccal capsule wall (BCW), distance from anterior extremity to the nerve ring, the width of head, oesophagus, cephalic vesicle, BC and BCW, as well as the dimensions of reproductive organs of male and female. Additionally, molecular analyses revealed 0.9% nucleotide sequence divergence for 1,605 bp SSU rDNA, and 16.5–17.3% nucleotide sequence divergence for 642 bp mitochondrial cytB between D. skrjabini n. sp. and D. cervi, respectively, and 18.7–19% between D. skrjabini n. sp. and D. eckerti, which translates into 18.2–18.7% amino acid sequence divergence between D. skrjabini n. sp. and both lungworms

Tannic Acid Modified Silver Nanoparticles Show Antiviral Activity in Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 Infection

The interaction between silver nanoparticles and herpesviruses is attracting great interest due to their antiviral activity and possibility to use as microbicides for oral and anogenital herpes. In this work, we demonstrate that tannic acid modified silver nanoparticles sized 13 nm, 33 nm and 46 nm are capable of reducing HSV-2 infectivity both in vitro and in vivo. The antiviral activity of tannic acid modified silver nanoparticles was size-related, required direct interaction and blocked virus attachment, penetration and further spread. All tested tannic acid modified silver nanoparticles reduced both infection and inflammatory reaction in the mouse model of HSV-2 infection when used at infection or for a post-infection treatment. Smaller-sized nanoparticles induced production of cytokines and chemokines important for anti-viral response. The corresponding control buffers with tannic acid showed inferior antiviral effects in vitro and were ineffective in blocking in vivo infection. Our results show that tannic acid modified silver nanoparticles are good candidates for microbicides used in treatment of herpesvirus infections.This work was supported by the Polish National Science Centre grant No. 2011/03/B/NZ6/04878 (for MK) and Centre for Preclinical Research and Technology (CePT) Project No. POIG.02.02.00-14-024/08-0 (for MG and MD). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscrip

The effect of Uncaria tomentosa bark extract on plant and animal cells

Leczenie chorób nowotworowych stanowi od dawna największe wyzwanie medycyny. Lekarze i naukowcy starają się znaleźć takie lekarstwo, które efektywnie zwalczałoby chore komórki a jednocześnie nie powodowało uszkadzania zdrowych komórek organizmu. Jedną z roślin o dużym potencjale leczniczym jest Uncaria tomentosa, zdrewniałe pnącze rosnące w tropikalnych lasach Amazonii. Zgodnie z przekazami ludności tubylczej napary z różnych części tej rośliny stosowane były leczniczo w tamtych rejonach od ponad 2000 lat. W trakcie badań okazało się, że najlepiej działają pełne ekstrakty gdyż wzajemne oddziaływanie na siebie poszczególnych składników uzupełnia się i wytwarza nową, lepszą jakość. W związku z ogólnie przyjętą tendencją powrotu do naturalnych form leczenia surowcami pochodzenia roślinnego, w niniejszej rozprawie doktorskiej przebadano wpływ pełnego, wodnego ekstraktu z kory U. tomentosa na komórki roślinne, zwierzęce i ludzkie oraz jego wpływ na odpowiedź immunologiczną i rozwój nowotworów u myszy. Posłużono się różnorodnymi metodami badawczymi w celu wyjaśnienia złożonego mechanizmu działania oraz potwierdzenia wybiórczości i dwoistości działania w stosunku do zdrowych i zmienionych nowotworowo komórek. W pierwszej kolejności skupiono się na przebadaniu wpływu ekstraktu na proliferację komórek, biorąc pod uwagę morfologię chromosomów, indeks mitotyczny i fazowy, poziom jądrowego DNA oraz zmiany cytoszkieletu tubulinowego czy wpływ na poziom oddychania komórkowego i ultrastrukturę. Wyniki otrzymane w tej części pracy prezentują szerokie spektrum działania ekstraktu, począwszy od jego właściwości stymulujących po antymitotyczne i wyjaśniają po części mechanizm tego działania. Wykazano, że do zahamowania podziałów komórkowych dochodzi w początkowych fazach mitozy, najprawdopodobniej w wyniku uszkodzenia cytoszkieletu komórki a indukcja śmierci komórkowej odbywa się na drodze uruchomienia wewnętrznych szlaków apoptozy związanych udziałem mitochondriów. W drugiej części badań wzięto pod uwagę porównanie wpływu ekstraktu na komórki zdrowe (limfocyty mysie) i nowotworowe (komórki L1210) w badaniach in vitro. Zbadano wpływ na zmiany przeżywalności i liczebności komórek oraz rodzaj wywoływanej śmierci komórkowej w odniesieniu do obu typów komórek. Uzyskane wyniki wskazują jednoznacznie na wysoką efektywność działania niskich stężeń ekstraktu i wskazują na wybiórczość działania, zależnie od rodzaju komórek: ochronne i stymulujące w stosunku do zdrowych komórek a cytostatyczne i inhibicyjne w stosunku do komórek nowotworowych. Ostatnią część badań stanowiły testy na zwierzętach eksperymentalnych będące ostatecznym potwierdzeniem skuteczności działania ekstraktu na organizm. Podczas testów in vivo wykazano bardzo silne właściwości stymulujące badanego ekstraktu zarówno na komórkową jak i humoralną odpowiedź immunologiczną oraz jego przeciwnowotworowe właściwości w stosunku do ostrej, mysiej białaczki limfoblastycznej. Podsumowując, w pracy zawarty został aktualny stan wiedzy na temat właściwości wodnego ekstraktu z kory U. tomentosa dodatkowo wzbogacony o szereg nowych wniosków uzyskanych na podstawie analizy wyników przeprowadzonych badań

Mechanical Properties, Cytotoxicity, and Fluoride Ion Release Capacity of Bioactive Glass-Modified Methacrylate Resin Used in Three-Dimensional Printing Technology

Background: Clinically, three-dimensional (3D) printing technology is becoming a popular and efficient dental processing technology. Recently, there has been an increasing demand for dental materials that exhibit bioactive properties. The present study aimed to evaluate the mechanical properties, cytotoxicity, and fluoride ion release capacity of 3D-printed dental resins modified with bioactive glass. Materials and methods: The resin FotoDent splint used in the production of removable orthodontic splints, was modified by the addition of two types of bioactive glasses that are capable of releasing fluoride ions. The novel materials used for the production of dental splints were examined for their mechanical, physical, and biological properties (fracture resistance, sorption, solubility, elution of nonpolymeric substances, and release of fluoride ions over time) and cytotoxic effects on cell cultures. Results: Initially, the fracture toughness of the 3D-printed resin was found to be 55 MPa, but after modification with glass, the resistance was reduced to about 50 MPa. Sorption and solubility values of the materials (19.01 ÷ 21.23 µg/mm3 and 0.42 ÷ 1.12 µg/mm3, respectively) complied with the safety limits imposed by ISO standard. Modified resins were capable of releasing fluoride ions, and the maximum releasing effect was observed after 14 days of incubation. Both the modified resins, after four days of contact with human gingival fibroblasts, exhibited moderate cytotoxic properties. Conclusions: The experimental results showed that modification of methacrylate resin, used in 3D printing technology, with bioactive glasses produces novel dental materials that possess desirable bioactive properties. The findings of this study indicate the potential ability of modified polymethacrylate resins to release fluoride ions in the oral cavity environment. The modified materials are characterized with a moderate decrease in physical properties and mild cytotoxicity on direct contact with human fibroblasts

Rab geranylgeranyl transferase β subunit is essential for male fertility and tip growth in Arabidopsis

Rab proteins, key players in vesicular transport in all eukaryotic cells, are post-translationally modified by lipid moieties. Two geranylgeranyl groups are attached to the Rab protein by the heterodimeric enzyme Rab geranylgeranyl transferase (RGT) αβ. Partial impairment in this enzyme activity in Arabidopsis, by disruption of the AtRGTB1 gene, is known to influence plant stature and disturb gravitropic and light responses. Here it is shown that mutations in each of the RGTB genes cause a tip growth defect, visible as root hair and pollen tube deformations. Moreover, FM 1–43 styryl dye endocytosis and recycling are affected in the mutant root hairs. Finally, it is demonstrated that the double mutant, with both AtRGTB genes disrupted, is non-viable due to absolute male sterility. Doubly mutated pollen is shrunken, has an abnormal exine structure, and shows strong disorganization of internal membranes, particularly of the endoplasmic reticulum system

POLYPRENOL REDUCTASE2 Deficiency Is Lethal in Arabidopsis Due to Male Sterility

Dolichol is a required cofactor for protein glycosylation, the most common posttranslational modification modulating the stability and biological activity of proteins in all eukaryotic cells. We have identified and characterized two genes, PPRD1 and -2, which are orthologous to human SRD5A3 (steroid 5α reductase type 3) and encode polyprenol reductases responsible for conversion of polyprenol to dolichol in Arabidopsis thaliana. PPRD1 and -2 play dedicated roles in plant metabolism. PPRD2 is essential for plant viability; its deficiency results in aberrant development of the male gametophyte and sporophyte. Impaired protein glycosylation seems to be the major factor underlying these defects although disturbances in other cellular dolichol-dependent processes could also contribute. Shortage of dolichol in PPRD2-deficient cells is partially rescued by PPRD1 overexpression or by supplementation with dolichol. The latter has been discussed as a method to compensate for deficiency in protein glycosylation. Supplementation of the human diet with dolichol-enriched plant tissues could allow new therapeutic interventions in glycosylation disorders. This identification of PPRD1 and -2 elucidates the factors mediating the key step of the dolichol cycle in plant cells which makes manipulation of dolichol content in plant tissues feasible