Microstructure analysis of titanium oxynitride films deposited by reactive magnetron sputtering

This paper presents the structure analysis results of TiOxNy films, deposited using reactive magnetron sputtering with different O2/N2 flow ratio. The impact of increase of N2 flow upon the films structure has been studied. The analysis was carried out by X-ray diffraction method. The lattice parameters and phase composition were calculated using PowderCell 2.4

Hallstatt miners consumed blue cheese and beer during the Iron Age and retained a non-Westernized gut microbiome until the Baroque period

21openInternationalInternational coauthor/editorWe subjected human paleofeces dating from the Bronze Age to the Baroque period (18th century AD) to in-depth microscopic, metagenomic, and proteomic analyses. The paleofeces were preserved in the underground salt mines of the UNESCO World Heritage site of Hallstatt in Austria. This allowed us to reconstruct the diet of the former population and gain insights into their ancient gut microbiome composition. Our dietary survey identified bran and glumes of different cereals as some of the most prevalent plant fragments. This highly fibrous, carbohydrate-rich diet was supplemented with proteins from broad beans and occasionally with fruits, nuts, or animal food products. Due to these traditional dietary habits, all ancient miners up to the Baroque period have gut microbiome structures akin to modern non-Westernized individuals whose diets are also mainly composed of unprocessed foods and fresh fruits and vegetables. This may indicate a shift in the gut community composition of modern Westernized populations due to quite recent dietary and lifestyle changes. When we extended our microbial survey to fungi present in the paleofeces, in one of the Iron Age samples, we observed a high abundance of Penicillium roqueforti and Saccharomyces cerevisiae DNA. Genome-wide analysis indicates that both fungi were involved in food fermentation and provides the first molecular evidence for blue cheese and beer consumption in Iron Age Europe.openMaixner, Frank; Sarhan, Mohamed S; Huang, Kun D; Tett, Adrian; Schoenafinger, Alexander; Zingale, Stefania; Blanco-Míguez, Aitor; Manghi, Paolo; Cemper-Kiesslich, Jan; Rosendahl, Wilfried; Kusebauch, Ulrike; Morrone, Seamus R; Hoopmann, Michael R; Rota-Stabelli, Omar; Rattei, Thomas; Moritz, Robert L; Oeggl, Klaus; Segata, Nicola; Zink, Albert; Reschreiter, Hans; Kowarik, KerstinMaixner, F.; Sarhan, M.S.; Huang, K.D.; Tett, A.; Schoenafinger, A.; Zingale, S.; Blanco-Míguez, A.; Manghi, P.; Cemper-Kiesslich, J.; Rosendahl, W.; Kusebauch, U.; Morrone, S.R.; Hoopmann, M.R.; Rota-Stabelli, O.; Rattei, T.; Moritz, R.L.; Oeggl, K.; Segata, N.; Zink, A.; Reschreiter, H.; Kowarik, K

Cellular and molecular effects of the liposomal mTHPC derivative Foslipos in prostate carcinoma cells in-vitro

BACKGROUND: Meso-tetra-hydroxyphenyl-chlorine (mTHPC) is among the most powerful photosensitizers available for photodynamic therapy (PDT). However, the mechanisms leading to cell death are poorly understood. We here focused on changes at DNA and RNA levels after treatment with the liposomal mTHPC derivative Foslipos in vitro. METHODS: After determination of darktoxicity, laser conditions and uptake kinetics, PC-3 prostate carcinoma cells were subjected to PDT with Foslipos, followed by assessment of cell numbers directly (TP0) or 1h (TP1), 2h (TP2), 5h (TP5) and 24h (TP24) after illumination. Nucleic acids had been extracted for evaluation of RNA amounts and integrity as well as for estimation of abasic sites as a measure for DNA damage. Furthermore, expression changes of 84 genes related to oxidative stress were investigated by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Already at TP0, the number of dead cells was significantly higher after PDT versus controls and at TP24 more than 90% of cells had been destroyed. PDT resulted in a severe damage of both RNA and DNA. Gene expression analyses revealed an impact of PDT on pathways for oxidative and metabolic stress, heat shock, proliferation and carcinogenesis, growth arrest, inflammation, DNA repair and apoptosis signaling. CONCLUSIONS: Mechanisms of Foslipos-mediated PDT comprise a combination of acute and delayed lethal effects in PC-3 cells. The latter may include death processes initiated by nucleic acid damage, activation of stress and growth arrest genes in combination with a reduced capability to adequately cope with oxidative toxicity. Our results will help to better understand molecular photodynamic effects