Cortisol metabolism in carp macrophages : a role for macrophage-derived cortisol in M1/M2 polarization

Macrophages are crucial not only for initiation of inflammation and pathogen eradication (classically polarized M1 macrophages), but also for inflammation inhibition and tissue regeneration (alternatively polarized M2 macrophages). Their polarization toward the M1 population occurs under the influence of interferon-γ + lipopolysaccharide (IFN-γ + LPS), while alternatively polarized M2 macrophages evolve upon, e.g., interlukin 4 (IL-4) or cortisol stimulation. This in vitro study focused on a possible role for macrophage-derived cortisol in M1/M2 polarization in common carp. We studied the expression of molecules involved in cortisol synthesis/conversion from and to cortisone like 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 and 3. (11β-HSD2 and 3) and 11β-hydroxylase (CYP11b), as well as the expression of glucocorticoid receptors (GRs) and proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) in M1 and M2 macrophages. Lastly, we analyzed how inhibition of these molecules affect macrophage polarization. In M1 cells, upregulation of gene expression of GRs and 11β-HSD3 was found, while, in M2 macrophages, expression of 11β-hsd2 was upregulated. Moreover, blocking of cortisol synthesis/conversion and GRs or PPARγ induced changes in expression of anti-inflammatory interleukin 10 (IL-10). Consequently, our data show that carp monocytes/macrophages can convert cortisol. The results strongly suggest that cortisol, via intracrine interaction with GRs, is important for IL-10-dependent control of the activity of macrophages and for the regulation of M1/M2 polarization to finally determine the outcome of an infection

The influence of external factors on bacteriophages—review

The ability of bacteriophages to survive under unfavorable conditions is highly diversified. We summarize the influence of different external physical and chemical factors, such as temperature, acidity, and ions, on phage persistence. The relationships between a phage’s morphology and its survival abilities suggested by some authors are also discussed. A better understanding of the complex problem of phage sensitivity to external factors may be useful not only for those interested in pharmaceutical and agricultural applications of bacteriophages, but also for others working with phages

Anaphylaxis in Poland: the epidemiology and direct costs

Introduction : Epidemiological data on anaphylaxis have been underestimated both in Poland and worldwide. Aim : To evaluate the prevalence of anaphylaxis in Poland, including a classification by gender, age and residential region. Material and methods : The data used in the analysis were derived from two sources, the National Health Fund records of healthcare services for 2008–2015 (official statistics) and a questionnaire-based survey conducted in 2015 on a sample of 305 allergists practicing in different regions of Poland. Results : In 2015, 3144 people received treatment for anaphylactic shock (T78.0, T78.2, T80.5, T88.6) with an estimated prevalence rate of anaphylaxis of 8.2 per 100,000 (8.4 for females and 7.9 for males). The highest prevalence rate was found for women aged 50–54 years (14.5 per 100,000). There was a very large difference in the prevalence of anaphylaxis between rural and urban areas (13.1 vs. 0.8 per 100,000). In 2015, the Polish NHF spent PLN 3.5 million (EUR 835,000) on the management of anaphylaxis. Of the allergists surveyed, 73% had been currently managing patients who had experienced anaphylactic shock. The most common causes of anaphylaxis included insect venom (41.4%), food (29.8%) and drugs (17.4%). Conclusions : A central anaphylaxis registry should be established in Poland. This is the only approach that would allow collecting a wide range of reliable information on the cases, management and consequences of anaphylaxis. Ongoing management of patients who have experienced anaphylactic shock should be improved

The importance of CXC-receptors CXCR1-2 and CXCR4 for adaptive regulation of the stress axis in teleost fish

In an ever-changing environment, an adaptive stress response is the pivotal regulatory mechanism to maintain allostasis. Physiologic responses to stressors enable to overcome potential threat. Glucocorticoid effects can be considered compensatory and adaptive, however prolonged or excessive glucocorticoid secretion can be also maladaptive and detrimental. Therefore, it must be tightly regulated. Apart from the essential hormonal feedback regulation, evidence accrues that cytokines, e.g., proinflammatory interleukin 1β (IL-1β), also play an important regulatory role in the stress axis. Here we focused on the potential role of CXC chemokines (CXCL8 and CXCL12) and their receptors (CXCR1, 2 and 4) in the regulation of the stress response in common carp. We studied changes in gene expression of CXC chemokines and CXCRs in the stress axis organs (hypothalamus-pituitary gland-head kidney) upon 11 h of restraint stress and we established how CXCR blocking affects the activation of the stress axis and the synthesis/conversion of cortisol. During restraint stress, gene expression of the majority of the proinflammatory CXCL8 and homeostatic CXCL12 chemokines and their receptors was upregulated in the stress axis organs. Inhibition of CXCR1-2 and CXCR4 differentially affected the expression of genes encoding stress-related molecules: hormones, binding proteins, receptors as well as expression of genes encoding IL-1β and its receptor. Moreover, we observed that CXC chemokines, via interaction with their respective CXCRs, regulate gene expression of molecules involved in cortisol synthesis and conversion and consistently affect the level of cortisol released into the circulation during the stress response. We revealed that in fish, CXC chemokines and their receptors are important regulators of the stress response at multiple levels of the stress axis, with particularly pronounced effects on steroidogenesis and cortisol conversion in the head kidney

Unique Mixed-Valence Cu(I)/Cu(II) Coordination Polymer with New Topology of Bitubular 1D Chains Driven by 1,3,5-Triaza-7-phosphaadamantane (PTA)

The new one-dimensional (1D) mixed-valence copper­(I/II) coordination polymer [Cu₃(μ-HCOO)₂(HCOO)₃(μ-PTA)₃(PTA)]_<i>n</i>·<i>n</i>H₂O (<b>1</b>) has been obtained from copper­(II) formate, copper(0) powder, and 1,3,5-triaza-7-phosphaadamantane (PTA) in MeCN medium. It has been characterized by IR, ¹H, and ³¹P­{H} NMR and EPR spectroscopy, and elemental, differential thermal, powder, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The latter features the intricate bitubular 1D chains composed of the novel tetracopper­(II) {Cu₄(μ-HCOO)₄(HCOO)₆}^2– blocks that are multiply assembled by copper­(I) {μ₃-Cu­(PTA)₄}⁺ units. The topological analysis of <b>1</b> discloses a binodal 3,3-connected network with the unprecedented topology described by the point symbol of (4·6·8)₂(4²·6). The magnetic susceptibility of <b>1</b> has been studied and described by a model that considers independent contributions of tetracopper­(II) {Cu₄(μ-HCOO)₄(HCOO)₆}^2– blocks, with global antiferromagnetic exchange between the “outer” (<i>J</i> = −23(2) cm^–1) and “inner” (<i>J</i>′ = −112(3) cm^–1) pairs of copper atoms. Compound <b>1</b> widens the still limited family of PTA-driven coordination polymers, also representing the first homometallic mixed-valence derivative bearing this cagelike aminophosphine building block

Unique Mixed-Valence Cu(I)/Cu(II) Coordination Polymer with New Topology of Bitubular 1D Chains Driven by 1,3,5-Triaza-7-phosphaadamantane (PTA)

The new one-dimensional (1D) mixed-valence copper­(I/II) coordination polymer [Cu₃(μ-HCOO)₂(HCOO)₃(μ-PTA)₃(PTA)]_<i>n</i>·<i>n</i>H₂O (<b>1</b>) has been obtained from copper­(II) formate, copper(0) powder, and 1,3,5-triaza-7-phosphaadamantane (PTA) in MeCN medium. It has been characterized by IR, ¹H, and ³¹P­{H} NMR and EPR spectroscopy, and elemental, differential thermal, powder, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The latter features the intricate bitubular 1D chains composed of the novel tetracopper­(II) {Cu₄(μ-HCOO)₄(HCOO)₆}^2– blocks that are multiply assembled by copper­(I) {μ₃-Cu­(PTA)₄}⁺ units. The topological analysis of <b>1</b> discloses a binodal 3,3-connected network with the unprecedented topology described by the point symbol of (4·6·8)₂(4²·6). The magnetic susceptibility of <b>1</b> has been studied and described by a model that considers independent contributions of tetracopper­(II) {Cu₄(μ-HCOO)₄(HCOO)₆}^2– blocks, with global antiferromagnetic exchange between the “outer” (<i>J</i> = −23(2) cm^–1) and “inner” (<i>J</i>′ = −112(3) cm^–1) pairs of copper atoms. Compound <b>1</b> widens the still limited family of PTA-driven coordination polymers, also representing the first homometallic mixed-valence derivative bearing this cagelike aminophosphine building block

New Tetracopper(II) Cubane Cores Driven by a Diamino Alcohol: Self-assembly Synthesis, Structural and Topological Features, and Magnetic and Catalytic Oxidation Properties

Two new coordination compounds with tetracopper­(II) cores, namely, a 1D coordination polymer, [Cu₄(μ₄-H₂edte)­(μ₅-H₂edte)­(sal)₂]_<i>n</i>·10<i>n</i>H₂O (<b>1</b>), and a discrete 0D tetramer, [Cu₄(μ₄-Hedte)₂(Hpmal)₂(H₂O)]·7.5H₂O (<b>2</b>), were easily self-assembled from aqueous solutions of copper­(II) nitrate, <i>N</i>,<i>N</i>,<i>N</i>′,<i>N</i>′-tetrakis­(2-hydroxyethyl)­ethylenediamine (H₄edte), salicylic acid (H₂sal), or phenylmalonic acid (H₂pma). The obtained compounds were characterized by IR and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy, thermogravimetric and elemental analysis, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. In addition to different dimensionalities, their structures reveal distinct single-open [Cu₄(μ₂-O)­(μ₃-O)₃] (in <b>1</b>) or double-open [Cu₄(μ₂-O)₂(μ₃-O)₂] (in <b>2</b>) cubane cores with 3M4-1 topology. In crystal structures, numerous crystallization water molecules are arranged into the intricate infinite 1D {(H₂O)₁₈}_<i>n</i> water tapes (in <b>1</b>) or discrete (H₂O)₉ clusters (in <b>2</b>) that participate in multiple hydrogen-bonding interactions with the metal–organic hosts, thus extending the overall structures into very complex 3D supramolecular networks. After simplification, their topological analysis revealed the binodal 6,10- or 6,8-connected underlying 3D nets with unique or rare 6,8T2 topology in <b>1</b> and <b>2</b>, respectively. The magnetic properties of <b>1</b> and <b>2</b> were investigated in the 1.8–300 K temperature range, indicating overall antiferromagnetic interactions between the adjacent Cu^II ions within the [Cu₄O₄] cores. The obtained compounds also act as bioinspired precatalysts for mild homogeneous oxidation, by aqueous hydrogen peroxide at 50 °C in an acidic MeCN/H₂O medium, of various cyclic and linear C₅–C₈ alkanes to the corresponding alcohols and ketones. Overall product yields of up to 21% (based on alkane) were achieved, and the effects of various reaction parameters were studied

Copper(II) Coordination Polymers Self-Assembled from Aminoalcohols and Pyromellitic Acid: Highly Active Precatalysts for the Mild Water-Promoted Oxidation of Alkanes

Three novel water-soluble 2D copper­(II) coordination polymers[{Cu₂(μ₂-dmea)₂(H₂O)}₂(μ₄-pma)]_<i>n</i>·4<i>n</i>H₂O (<b>1</b>), [{Cu₂(μ₂-Hedea)₂}₂(μ₄-pma)]_<i>n</i>·4<i>n</i>H₂O (<b>2</b>), and [{Cu­(bea)­(Hbea)}₄(μ₄-pma)]_<i>n</i>·2<i>n</i>H₂O (<b>3</b>)were generated by an aqueous medium self-assembly method from copper­(II) nitrate, pyromellitic acid (H₄pma), and different aminoalcohols [<i>N</i>,<i>N</i>-dimethylethanolamine (Hdmea), <i>N</i>-ethyldiethanolamine (H₂edea), and <i>N</i>-benzylethanolamine (Hbea)]. Compounds <b>2</b> and <b>3</b> represent the first coordination polymers derived from H₂edea and Hbea. All the products were characterized by infrared (IR), electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), and ultraviolet–visible light (UV-vis) spectroscopy, electrospray ionization–mass spectroscopy (ESI-MS(±)), thermogravimetric and elemental analysis, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction (XRD), which revealed that their two-dimensional (2D) metal–organic networks are composed of distinct dicopper­(II) or monocopper­(II) aminoalcoholate units and μ₄-pyromellitate spacers. From the topological viewpoint, the underlying 2D nets of <b>1</b>–<b>3</b> can be classified as uninodal 4-connected layers with the <b>sql</b> topology. The structures of <b>1</b> and <b>2</b> are further extended by multiple intermolecular hydrogen bonds, resulting in three-dimensional (3D) hydrogen-bonded networks with rare or unique topologies. The obtained compounds also act as highly efficient precatalysts for the mild homogeneous oxidation, by aqueous H₂O₂ in acidic MeCN/H₂O medium, of various cycloalkanes to the corresponding alcohols and ketones. Overall product yields up to 45% (based on cycloalkane) were attained and the effects of various reaction parameters were investigated, including the type of precatalyst and acid promoter, influence of water, and substrate scope. Although water usually strongly inhibits the alkane oxidations, a very pronounced promoting behavior of H₂O was detected when using the precatalyst <b>1</b>, resulting in a 15-fold growth of an initial reaction rate in the cyclohexane oxidation on increasing the amount of H₂O from ∼4 M to 17 M in the reaction mixture, followed by a 2-fold product yield growth