Triple trouble: examining the effect of combining mechanical stress, PBMCs and cisplatin on hepG2 cell death

In an attempt to find better cancer treatments, a new mathematical model proposed by Klika & Marsik (2009) suggests that more cancer cells could possibly be killed by applying several stress factors to tumour cells, however only as a simulation in silico. The proposed stresses include healthy cell anti-tumour effect, the biochemical effect exerted by a cytotoxic drug and a newly introduced mechanical stress. The hypothesis entails that upon applying these three stress factors together simultaneously to tumour cells, the concentration of the tumour cells decreases more than if a stress factor was applied alone. The two main objectives in this study are: (1) to test the aforementioned hypothesis for the first time in vitro on HepG2 cells (human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line) and (2) to determine the mode of cancer cell death after applying the stress factors. In vitro experiments were conducted using HepG2 cells and the following stress factors were employed: (1) mechanical stress, (2) Cisplatin and (3) PBMCS (Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells) co-culture. The effects of the stress factors on HepG2 cells were assessed for cytotoxicity by MTT assay and the mode of cell death was examined by expression of certain apoptosis-related genes (Bax, XIAP and HSP70) on the RNA level and the cleavage of PARP-1 on the protein level. The percentage of cell survival after 24 hours exposure to the various stresses were as follows: mechanical stress alone (~55%), Cisplatin (~70%), PBMCs co-culture (~69%), mechanical stress & Cisplatin (~35%), mechanical stress & PBMCs (~45%), Cisplatin & PBMCs (~35%) and lastly mechanical stress, Cisplatin & PBMCs (~29%). RNA expression analysis of Bax revealed that most of the single stresses, double stresses and triple stresses employed Bax-dependent pathways for HepG2 cell death except PBMCs co-culture alone and PBMCs combined with mechanical stress. Concerning PARP-1, some of the stress factors caused death of HepG2 cells by apoptosis, employing PARP-1, while others did not, proposing that cells used diverse modes of death after exposure to different stress factors. In summary, the mathematical model was validated in vitro as combining two stress factors increased HepG2 cell death and further to a greater extent when combining the three stress factors together, suggesting that future studies on combined stress factors may lead to novel and more effective cancer-targeted therapy

Effects of caloric restriction on anthropometrical and specific performance in highly-trained university judo athletes

Purpose:The purpose of this study was to determine the ultimate body mass, performance, and nutritional characteristics of the Algerian judo junior athletes, and also analysing the impact of nutritional intakes on stabilising Weight loss according to special performance of judo athletes.  Material:Twenty-one male university athletes (aged: 21.45 ± 1.32; height: 1.81 ± 0.45 m; and body mass: 73.9 ± 4.1 kg) participated in this study during a period of stabilising Weight loss before and after 15 days of caloric restriction. Athletes were submitted to anthropometrical measurements and performed the Special Judo Fitness Test. Values for nutrient intakes were obtained from a 15 day food record kept during a training camp period of Weight maintenance and after a 15-day caloric restriction. Results:caloric restriction resulted in significant decreases in body mass (73.73 ± 2.1) and performance. However, Special Judo Fitness Test index increased significantly (14.00 ± 1.75) during caloric restriction in comparison to stabilising Weight loss. Conclusion:Exercise and caloric restriction lead to determine the ultimate Weight and physical performance. The present study provides baseline nutritional data that can be used in the prescription of individual training programs for university  judo Athletes

Extracting protein from microalgae (Tetraselmis chuii) for proteome analysis

Microalgae have high potential as a resource for sustainable and green protein for food or bioactive molecules. Nonetheless, despite the high protein content of microalgae (40 - 70% dry weight) progress in the characterization of their protein composition remains challenging. This is due to the highly variable chemical composition of microalgae strains and factors such as their rigid thick cell wall, polysaccharide content, protein stability, pH. The method described herein was developed to optimize protein extraction for proteome analysis of microalgae (Tetraselmis chuii) biomass. The effects on protein solubility of solvent type (organic, denaturing, and non-denaturing) combined with three customized microalgae disruption methods were investigated. The proteome targeted high quality protein extracts were for hydro-soluble proteins recovered by cell disruption using bead milling coupled to centrifugation (protein yield approximate to 13%). The developed method is inexpensive, efficient (yielding high-quality protein extracts with a low content of interfering compounds) and from an industrial perspective easily scalable and compatible with other applications. To add value to the end product we additionally propose the use of stabilizing agents to maintain protein solubility during refrigerated storage and a method targeting the fractionation of low molecular weight proteins. An inexpensive easy-to-do 5 step protocol for microalgae protein extracts. A protein extraction method free from dangerous or highly polluting chemicals. Production of high yield aqueous protein extracts suitable for proteomics. (C) 2022 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Electrically conducting nanofiltration membranes based on networked cellulose and carbon nanostructures

Electrically enhanced fouling control is increasingly applied to membrane-based separation and requires conducting membranes with controlled properties. In this work, electrically conductive membranes based on networked cellulose (NC) and carbon nanostructures (CNS) were fabricated via vacuum filtration, followed by drying at 40 °C. The morphology, structure, mechanical and electrochemical properties of these NC-CNS membranes were characterized and compared with CNS membranes. The effect of incorporating NC on the electrocatalytic activity has been analyzed. It is found that networked cellulose helps to decrease the contact angle of water from 105° to 73°. It is also found that the improved surface hydrophilicity of CNS-NC membrane assists the regeneration of electrode surface during electrolysis process. Networked cellulose yields a more dense structure with the tensile strength exceeding ten times that of CNS alone. The compaction of pore structure via incorporation of NC translates into promising results with respect to nanofiltration of divalent ions, with a rejection efficiency of 60% for MgSO4 and 47% for CaCl2, while maintaining a high flux ≥ 100 L m− 2 h− 1, making them suitable for pretreatment of RO feeds

Reforestación de árboles nativos como pedagogía ambiental en comunidades vulnerables

This article supposes a contextualization at a global, national and territorial level on the environmental problem as a consequence of deforestation, for which the pedagogy for the care of the environment is presented as a tool for collective work in order to compensate environmental damage. from reforestation of native trees. On the other hand, this research is the joint result of the practical work of the educational institution and the social context in which it is developed, so the results obtained here imply a relationship between the academy and social processes and highlight the role of institutions. in the transformation of the territory. Finally, this article summarizes the scope of the research in terms of qualitative results sectorized according to the territory, contemplating reforestation from the social impact that it seeks from the claim of industries, sustainable development and forms of rural development that start of agriculture and livestock, so ultimately it is a reflective document that tries from the academy to generate alternatives for coexistence between the production models established in the Cauca territory and the protection of the natural territory.El presente articulo supone una contextualización a nivel mundial, nacional y territorial sobre el problema medioambiental como consecuencia de la deforestación, por lo que se presenta la pedagogía para el cuidado del medio ambiente como una herramienta para el trabajo colectivo en aras de resarcir el daño ambiental a partir de reforestación de árboles nativos. Por otro lado, esta investigación es el resultado conjunto del trabajo practico de la institución educativa y el contexto social en que se desarrolla, por lo que los resultados aquí obtenidos suponen un relacionamiento de la academia con los procesos sociales y destaca el papel de las instituciones en la transformación del territorio. Finalmente, este articulo resume los alcances de la investigación en términos de resultados cualitativos sectorizados de acuerdo al territorio, contemplando al reforestación desde el impacto social que pretende a partir de la reivindicación de las industrias, el desarrollo sostenible y las formas de desarrollo rural que parten de la agricultura y la ganadería, por lo que en ultimas se trata de un documento reflexivo que intenta desde la academia generar alternativas de convivencia entre los modelos de producción establecidos en el territorio caucano y la protección del territorio natural

(Carbonato-κ2 O,O′)bis­(di-2-pyridyl­amine-κ2 N,N′)cobalt(III) bromide

In the title compound, [Co(CO3)(C10H9N3)2]Br, a distorted octa­hedral coordination of the CoIII atom is completed by four N atoms of the two chelating di-2-pyridyl­amine ligands and two O atoms of the chelating carbonate anion. The di-2-pyridyl­amine ligands are nonplanar and the dihedral angles between the 2-pyridyl groups are 29.11 (9) and 37.15 (12)°. The coordination cation, which has approximate C 2 symmetry, is connected to the bromide ion via an N—H⋯Br− hydrogen bond. The ionic pair thus formed is further assembled into a dimer via N—H⋯O inter­actions about an inversion centre. A set of weaker C—H⋯O and C—H⋯Br− inter­actions connect the dimers into a three-dimensional network

Bienestar psicológico, autoconcepto y relación de pareja en estudiantes universitarios

For the purpose of responding to one of the objectives in higher education, that is, encourage a quality process of teaching and learning, it is necessary to consider the factors that may facilitate and hinder this process. In this sense, psychological well-being of university students, their self-concept and certain behaviors and attitudes of violence in couple relations are factors to be taken into account. The aim of this paper is to analyze the relationship among these factors. In addition, to determine if differences exist in the factors identified by gender and cultural group (European vs Amazigh). For it, 100 university students in the Faculty of Education and Humanities of the University of Granada in the University Campus of Melilla participated. The Psychological Well-Being Scale (PWBS), the Test of Self-Concept Form 5 (AF-5), and the Dating Violence Questionnaire (DVQ) were the instruments used for the data collection. The main results showed statistically significant differences by gender in the Degree of distress experienced by the presence of violent behaviors and attitudes in couple relations, the Academic/Professional Self-Concept and Emotional Self-Concept. In the first two cases were women who scored higher while men scored higher in the latter case. Regarding cultural group, the Amazigh students expressed a lower score on the Couple Relations Scale of PWBS. In addition, different types of correlations, positive and negative, between the subscales of the three instruments used were found. Finally, the need to address the elements analyzed in the university context is discussed.Para dar respuesta a uno de los objetivos planteados en la educación superior, esto es, favorecer un proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje de calidad, es necesario atender a los factores que pueden facilitar y obstaculizar dicho proceso. En esta dirección, el bienestar psicológico del alumnado universitario, su autoconcepto así como determinadas conductas y actitudes de violencia en las relaciones de pareja son elementos a tener en cuenta. El objetivo principal de este trabajo es analizar la relación entre dichos factores. Además, se pretende determinar si existen diferencias en los factores señalados en función del género y el grupo cultural de pertenencia (europeo vs amazight). Para ello, participaron 100 estudiantes universitarios de la Facultad de Educación y Humanidades de la universidad de Granada en el Campus Universitario de Melilla. Los instrumentos de recogida de información que se emplearon fueron la Escala de Bienestar Psicológico (EBP), el Cuestionario de Autoconcepto Forma 5 (AF-5) y el Cuestionario de Violencia de Novios (CUVINO). Los principales resultados mostraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas en función del género en el Grado de malestar experimentado ante la presencia de conductas y actitudes violentas en las relaciones de pareja, el Autoconcepto Académico/Profesional y el Autoconcepto Emocional. En los dos primeros casos fueron las mujeres las que puntuaron más alto y, en el último, los hombres. Respecto al grupo cultural, los estudiantes amazight manifestaron una menor puntuación en la Escala de Relaciones con la pareja del EBP. Además, se hallaron diferente tipo de correlaciones, positivas y negativas, entre las subescalas de los tres instrumentos empleados. Por último, se discute la necesidad de atender a los elementos analizados en el contexto universitario

Supplementary data for article: Zianna, A.; Sumar Ristovic, M.; Psomas, G.; Hatzidimitriou, A.; Coutouli-Argyropoulou, E.; Lalia-Kantouri, M. Cadmium(II) Complexes of 5-Nitro-Salicylaldehyde and α -Diimines: Synthesis, Structure and Interaction with Calf-Thymus DNA. Journal of Coordination Chemistry 2015, 68 (24), 4444–4463. https://doi.org/10.1080/00958972.2015.1101075

Supplementary material for: [https://doi.org/10.1080/00958972.2015.1101075]Related to published version: [http://cherry.chem.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/2004]Related to accepted version: [http://cherry.chem.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/3350

Supplementary material for the article: Ristovic, M. S.; Zianna, A.; Psomas, G.; Hatzidimitriou, A. G.; Coutouli-Argyropoulou, E.; Lalia-Kantouri, M. Interaction of Dinuclear Cadmium(II) 5-Cl-Salicylaldehyde Complexes with Calf-Thymus DNA. Materials Science and Engineering C 2016, 61, 579–590. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.msec.2015.12.054

Supplementary material: [https://doi.org/10.1016/j.msec.2015.12.054]Related to published version: [http://cherry.chem.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/2052