Kyselina hyaluronová: známá již téměř století, ale stále aktuální

Hyaluronic acid (HA) has a special position among glycosaminoglycans. As a major component of the extracellular matrix (ECM). This simple, unbranched polysaccharide is involved in the regulation of various biological cell processes, whether under physiological conditions or in cases of cell damage. This review summarizes the history of this molecule's study, its distinctive metabolic pathway in the body, its unique properties, and current information regarding its interaction partners. Our main goal, however, is to intensively investigate whether this relatively simple polymer may find applications in protecting against ionizing radiation (IR) or for therapy in cases of radiation-induced damage. After exposure to IR, acute and belated damage develops in each tissue depending upon the dose received and the cellular composition of a given organ. A common feature of all organ damage is a distinct change in composition and structure of the ECM. In particular, the important role of HA was shown in lung tissue and the variability of this flexible molecule in the complex mechanism of radiation-induced lung injuries. Moreover, HA is also involved in intermediating cell behavior during morphogenesis and in tissue repair during inflammation, injury, and would healing. The possibility of using the HA polymer to affect or treat radiation tissue damage may point to the missing gaps in the responsible mechanisms in the onset of this disease. Therefore, in this article, we will also focus on obtaining answers from current knowledge and the results of studies as to whether hyaluronic acid can also find application in radiation science.Kyselina hyaluronová (HA) má mezi glykosaminoglykany zvláštní postavení. Jako hlavní složka extracelulární matrix (ECM). Tento jednoduchý, nerozvětvený polysacharid se podílí na regulaci různých buněčných procesů, ať už za fyziologických podmínek nebo v případech poškození buněk. Toto review shrnuje historii studia této molekuly, její charakteristickou metabolickou dráhu v těle, její jedinečné vlastnosti a aktuální informace týkající se jejích interakčních partnerů. Naším hlavním cílem je však ověřit, zda tento relativně jednoduchý polymer nachází uplatnění v ochraně před ionizujícím zářením (IR) nebo jako terapeutikum v případech poškození způsobeného zářením. Po expozici IR se v každé tkáni vyvine akutní a post-akutní poškození v závislosti na přijaté dávce a buněčném složení daného orgánu. Společným rysem všech orgánových poškození je zřetelná změna ve složení a struktuře ECM. Zejména byla prokázána důležitá role HA v plicní tkáni a variabilita této flexibilní molekuly v komplexním mechanismu radiačně indukovaných poškození plic. Kromě toho se HA také podílí na zprostředkování interakce buněk během morfogeneze a při reparaci tkáně během zánětu, poranění a hojení. Možnost použití vysokomolekulární HA pro ovlivnění nebo léčbu tkáně poškozené zářením může poukazovat na chybějící mezery v odpovědných mechanismech při nástupu tohoto onemocnění. V tomto článku se proto zaměříme i na získání odpovědí ze současných poznatků a výsledků studií, zda může kyselina hyaluronová najít uplatnění i v radiační vědě

Platinum, palladium, rhodium, molybdenum and strontium in blood of urban women in nine countries

Background: There is little reliable information on human exposure to the metals platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd) and rhodium (Rh), despite their use in enormous quantities in catalytic converters for automobile exhaust systems. Objectives: To evaluate blood concentrations of Pt (B-Pt), Pd (B-Pd) and Rh (B-Rh) in women from six European and three non-European countries, and to identify potentially influential factors. In addition, molybdenum (Mo) and strontium (Sr) were analysed. Methods: Blood from 248 women aged 47-61 was analysed by high resolution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry under strict quality control. Results: The medians were: B-Pt 0.8 (range <0.6-5.2), B-Pd <5 (<5-9.3), B-Rh <0.4 (<0.4-3.6). ng/L and B-Mo 2.0 (0.2-16) and B-Sr 16.6 (3.5-49) μg/L. Two women with highly elevated B-Pt (242 and 60. ng/L), previously cancer treated with cis-platinum, were not included in the data analysis. All elements varied geographically (2-3 times) (B-Pd P = 0.05; all other elements P. <. 0.001); variations within each area were generally 5-10 times. Traffic was not associated with increased concentrations. Conclusions: General population blood concentrations of Pt, Pd and Rh are within or below the single digit ng/L range, much lower than in most previous reports. This is probably due to improved analytical performance, allowing for more reliable information at ultra-trace levels. In general, Mo and Sr agreed with previously reported concentrations. All elements showed geographical and inter-individual variations, but no convincing relationships with self-reported traffic intensity were found. Pt from the antineoplastic drug cis-platinum is retained in the body for years

The European COPHES/DEMOCOPHES project: Towards transnational comparability and reliability of human biomonitoring results

COPHES/DEMOCOPHES has its origins in the European Environment and Health Action Plan of 2004 to "develop a coherent approach on human biomonitoring (HBM) in Europe". Within this twin-project it was targeted to collect specimens from 120 mother-child-pairs in each of the 17 participating European countries. These specimens were investigated for six biomarkers (mercury in hair; creatinine, cotinine, cadmium, phthalate metabolites and bisphenol A in urine). The results for mercury in hair are described in a separate paper. Each participating member state was requested to contract laboratories, for capacity building reasons ideally within its borders, carrying out the chemical analyses. To ensure comparability of analytical data a Quality Assurance Unit (QAU) was established which provided the participating laboratories with standard operating procedures (SOP) and with control material. This material was specially prepared from native, non-spiked, pooled urine samples and was tested for homogeneity and stability. Four external quality assessment exercises were carried out. Highly esteemed laboratories from all over the world served as reference laboratories. Web conferences after each external quality assessment exercise functioned as a new and effective tool to improve analytical performance, to build capacity and to educate less experienced laboratories. Of the 38 laboratories participating in the quality assurance exercises 14 laboratories qualified for cadmium, 14 for creatinine, 9 for cotinine, 7 for phthalate metabolites and 5 for bisphenol A in urine. In the last of the four external quality assessment exercises the laboratories that qualified for DEMOCOPHES performed the determinations in urine with relative standard deviations (low/high concentration) of 18.0/2.1% for cotinine, 14.8/5.1% for cadmium, 4.7/3.4% for creatinine. Relative standard deviations for the newly emerging biomarkers were higher, with values between 13.5 and 20.5% for bisphenol A and between 18.9 and 45.3% for the phthalate metabolites. Plausibility control of the HBM results of all participating countries disclosed analytical shortcomings in the determination of Cd when using certain ICP/MS methods. Results were corrected by reanalyzes. The COPHES/DEMOCOPHES project for the first time succeeded in performing a harmonized pan-European HBM project. All data raised have to be regarded as utmost reliable according to the highest international state of the art, since highly renowned laboratories functioned as reference laboratories. The procedure described here, that has shown its success, can be used as a blueprint for future transnational, multicentre HBM projects.publisher: Elsevier articletitle: The European COPHES/DEMOCOPHES project: Towards transnational comparability and reliability of human biomonitoring results journaltitle: International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health articlelink: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijheh.2013.12.002 content_type: article copyright: Copyright © 2013 Elsevier GmbH. Published by Elsevier GmbH All rights reserved.status: publishe

The European COPHES/DEMOCOPHES project : towards transnational comparability and reliability of human biomonitoring results

© 2013 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.COPHES/DEMOCOPHES has its origins in the European Environment and Health Action Plan of 2004 to “develop a coherent approach on human biomonitoring (HBM) in Europe”. Within this twin-project it was targeted to collect specimens from 120 mother–child-pairs in each of the 17 participating Europeancountries. These specimens were investigated for six biomarkers (mercury in hair; creatinine, cotinine,cadmium, phthalate metabolites and bisphenol A in urine). The results for mercury in hair are described in a separate paper. Each participating member state was requested to contract laboratories, for capacity building reasons ideally within its borders, carrying out the chemical analyses. To ensure comparability of analytical data a Quality Assurance Unit (QAU) was established which provided the participating laboratories with standard operating procedures (SOP) and with control material. This material was specially prepared from native, non-spiked, pooled urine samples and was tested for homogeneity and stability.Four external quality assessment exercises were carried out. Highly esteemed laboratories from all over the world served as reference laboratories. Web conferences after each external quality assessment exercise functioned as a new and effective tool to improve analytical performance, to build capacity and to educate less experienced laboratories. Of the 38 laboratories participating in the quality assurance exercises 14 laboratories qualified for cadmium, 14 for creatinine, 9 for cotinine, 7 for phthalate metabolitesand 5 for bisphenol A in urine. In the last of the four external quality assessment exercises the laboratories that qualified for DEMOCOPHES performed the determinations in urine with relative standard deviations(low/high concentration) of 18.0/2.1% for cotinine, 14.8/5.1% for cadmium, 4.7/3.4% for creatinine. Relative standard deviations for the newly emerging biomarkers were higher, with values between 13.5 and 20.5% for bisphenol A and between 18.9 and 45.3% for the phthalate metabolites. Plausibility control of the HBM results of all participating countries disclosed analytical shortcomings in the determination of Cd when using certain ICP/MS methods. Results were corrected by reanalyzes. The COPHES/DEMOCOPHESproject for the first time succeeded in performing a harmonized pan-European HBM project. All data raised have to be regarded as utmost reliable according to the highest international state of the art, since highly renowned laboratories functioned as reference laboratories. The procedure described here, that has shown its success, can be used as a blueprint for future transnational, multicentre HBM projects.COPHES is funded under the 7th frameworkprogram of the EU (DG Research – No. 244237). DEMO-COPHES is funded 50% by Life+ 2009 (DG Environment – Life09ENV/BE000410) and the corresponding authorities in the participating countries