Investigation of the Role of Somatostatiin and PACAP in Models of Inflammation, Pain and Trigeminovascular Activation

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Nicotinic acid suppresses sebaceous lipogenesis of human sebocytes via activating hydroxycarboxylic acid receptor 2 (HCA )

Nicotinic acid (NA) activates hydroxycarboxylic acid receptor 2 (HCA2), and it is widely used in treating dyslipidemias. Since its side effects include skin dryness, whereas its deficiency can be accompanied by dyssebacia, characterized by sebaceous gland enlargement, we asked if HCA2 is expressed on human sebocytes, and if NA influences sebocyte functions. By using human immortalized SZ95 sebocytes, we found that non-cytotoxic (≤100 μM; MTT-assay) concentrations of NA had no effect on the homeostatic sebaceous lipogenesis (SLG; Nile Red), but normalized excessive, acne-mimicking SLG induced by several lipogenic agents (arachidonic acid, anandamide, linoleic acid+testosterone; Nile Red; 48-hr treatments). Moreover, it exerted significant anti-proliferative actions (CyQUANT-assay), and increased [Ca2+]IC (Fluo-4 AM-based Ca2+-measurement). Although NA did not prevent the lipopolysaccharide-induced pro-inflammatory response (up-regulation [Q-PCR] and release [ELISA] of several pro-inflammatory cytokines) of the sebocytes, collectively, these data support the concept that NA may be effective in suppressing sebum production in vivo. While exploring the mechanism of the sebostatic actions, we found that sebocytes express HCA2 (Q-PCR, immunofluorescent labeling), siRNA-mediated silencing of which prevented the NA-induced Ca2+-signal and the lipostatic action. Collectively, our data introduce NA, and HCA2 activators in general, as novel, potent, and most likely safe sebostatic agents, with possible anti-acne potential.K

An epitope-specific DerG-PG70 LEAPS vaccine modulates T cell responses and suppresses arthritis progression in two related murine models of rheumatoid arthritis

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Climate and Energy Issues of Energy-Intensive Sectors

Energy-intensive sectors face significant challenges in meeting the goals of the new European Industrial Strategy and REPowerEU. This study aims to examine how energy consumption and energy mix in four energy-intensive sectors (primary metals; non-metallic minerals; pulp, paper, and printing; chemicals and petrochemicals) in the European Union evolved over the period 2008-2020 and whether there is a real relationship between changes in energy intensity and labour intensity. The results show positive trends in energy mix and intensity between 2008 and 2020 for all the energy-intensive sectors studied. There has been a shift from high to medium and low carbon energy sources, with the extent of this shift being influenced by the technological characteristics and path dependencies of each sector. The most positive change occurred in the paper, pulp and printing energy mix, where low-emitting energy sources increased by 12.2 percentage points. A strong (around 0.9) Pearson correlation exists between energy intensity and labour intensity evolution in the primary metals, non-metallic minerals, chemicals, and petrochemical sectors. The intensity indicators in the chemical and petrochemical sector show the most favourable improvement (a slight decrease in energy use and employment, with a 23.1% significant increase in value added). Typically, 7 to 8 countries account for 80% of the total value added in the examined sectors in the European Union; the energy mix of these countries electricity and heat production can support the clean transition