Multifunctional protein APPL2 contributes to survival of human glioma cells

Some endocytic proteins have recently been shown to play a role in tumorigenesis. In this study, we demonstrate that APPL2, an adapter protein with known endocytic functions, is upregulated in 40% cases of glioblastoma multiforme, the most common and aggressive cancer of the central nervous system. The silencing of APPL2 expression by small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) in glioma cells markedly reduces cell survival under conditions of low growth factor availability and enhances apoptosis (measured by executor caspase activity). Long‐term depletion of APPL2 by short hairpin RNAs (shRNAs), under regular growth factor availability, suppresses the cell transformation abilities, assessed by inhibited colony formation in soft agar and by reduced xenograft tumor growth in vivo. At the molecular level, the negative effect of APPL2 knockdown on cell survival is not due to the alterations in AKT or GSK3β activities which were reported to be modulated by APPL proteins. Instead, we attribute the reduced cell survival upon APPL2 depletion to the changes in gene expression, in particular to the upregulation of apoptosis‐related genes, such as UNC5B (a proapoptotic dependence receptor) and HRK (harakiri, an activator of apoptosis, which antagonizes anti‐apoptotic function of Bcl2). In support of this notion, the loss of glioma cell survival upon APPL2 knockdown can be rescued either by an excess of netrin‐1, the prosurvival ligand of UNC5B or by simultaneous silencing of HRK. Consistently, APPL2 overexpression reduces expression of HRK and caspase activation in cells treated with apoptosis inducers, resulting in the enhancement of cell viability. This prosurvival activity of APPL2 is independent of its endosomal localization. Cumulatively, our data indicate that a high level of APPL2 protein might enhance glioblastoma growth by maintaining low expression level of genes responsible for cell death induction

STUDY OF HYDRATION PRODUCTS IN THE MODEL SYSTEMS METAKAOLIN-LIME AND METAKAOLIN-LIME-GYPSUM

Possible preferential formation of ettringite instead of required calcium silicate hydrate (CSH) and calcium aluminosilicate hydrate (CASH) phases when aluminosilicates were added to the blended cements was investigated on the model systems comprising of metakaolin, lime and gypsum. Compressive strength, microstructure and phase composition of the samples were evaluated after 7 days of curing at 50oC, using thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction techniques and scanning electronic microscopy. Samples prepared from equal amounts of metakaolin, lime and with more than 8 wt. % of gypsum, displayed the highest compressive strength values. Development of compressive strength was correlated with the formation of ettringite. Further rising of gypsum content resulted in the decrease of compressive strength, which is notable in the samples with a different metakaolin/lime ratio. Lower content of gypsum led to the preferential formation of portlandite, CSH and CASH. Calcite was detected in all the samples and its content declined with increasing amount of ettringite. In addition to calcite, carboaluminates were detected in complementary binary metakaolin - lime system. Tendency to carbonation declined with increasing content of metakaolin and eventuated in the highest compressive strength value for the samples with equal initial content of metakaolin and lime

Genomic Diversity of Pigeon Pea (Cajanus cajan L. Millsp.) Endosymbionts in India and Selection of Potential Strains for Use as Agricultural Inoculants

Pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan L. Millsp. ) is a legume crop resilient to climate change due to its tolerance to drought. It is grown by millions of resource-poor farmers in semiarid and tropical subregions of Asia and Africa and is a major contributor to their nutritional food security. Pigeon pea is the sixth most important legume in the world, with India contributing more than 70% of the total production and harbouring a wide variety of cultivars. Nevertheless, the low yield of pigeon pea grown under dry land conditions and its yield instability need to be improved. This may be done by enhancing crop nodulation and, hence, biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) by supplying effective symbiotic rhizobia through the application of “elite” inoculants. Therefore, the main aim in this study was the isolation and genomic analysis of effective rhizobial strains potentially adapted to drought conditions. Accordingly, pigeon pea endosymbionts were isolated from different soil types in Southern, Central, and Northern India. After functional characterisation of the isolated strains in terms of their ability to nodulate and promote the growth of pigeon pea, 19 were selected for full genome sequencing, along with eight commercial inoculant strains obtained from the ICRISAT culture collection. The phylogenomic analysis [Average nucleotide identity MUMmer (ANIm)] revealed that the pigeon pea endosymbionts were members of the genera Bradyrhizobium and Ensifer. Based on nodC phylogeny and nod cluster synteny, Bradyrhizobium yuanmingense was revealed as the most common endosymbiont, harbouring nod genes similar to those of Bradyrhizobium cajani and Bradyrhizobium zhanjiangense. This symbiont type (e.g., strain BRP05 from Madhya Pradesh) also outperformed all other strains tested on pigeon pea, with the notable exception of an Ensifer alkalisoli strain from North India (NBAIM29). The results provide the basis for the development of pigeon pea inoculants to increase the yield of this legume through the use of effective nitrogen-fixing rhizobia, tailored for the different agroclimatic regions of India

Diagnostyka psychopedagogiczna problemów przystosowawczych i(e)migrantów o charakterze transkulturowym

The article presents a proposal of the psycho-pedagogical transcultural diagnosis model of migrant’s problems. A ground to this type of models and procedures, based on the main assumptions of contemporary theories of transculturalism, creates a consequence of the fact, that it is one of the most significant characteristics of our times, as well as the fact that the transculturation process among this social group is currently a very dynamic one. In the model presented hereby (due to the practical and innovative nature of pedagogy and in response to the need of diagnostic models and procedures modification postulated by migration experts) the specificity of progress and blockades symptoms of immigrants’ adaptation were also taken into account - with regard to phases of adaptation and integration processes in the social, psychological, didactic, care and educational spheres.Artykuł prezentuje propozycję modelu diagnostyki psychopedagogicznej problemów i(e)migranckich o charakterze transkulturowym. Oparcie tego typu modeli i procedur na głównych założeniach współczesnych teorii transkulturowości wynika z tego, iż jest to jedna z najbardziej znamiennych charakterystyk współczesności, jak również z faktu, iż proces transkulturacji wśród tejże grupy społecznej jest obecnie szczególnie dynamiczny. W prezentowanym modelu (z uwagi na praktyczny i innowacyjny charakter pedagogiki oraz w odpowiedzi na postulowane przez ekspertów ds. migracji potrzeby modyfikacji modeli i procedur diagnostycznych) uwzględniono również specyfikę symptomów postępu i blokad procesów przystosowawczych i(e)migranta, w odniesieniu do poszczególnych faz procesów jego adaptacji i integracji, w odniesieniu do sfer: społecznej, psychicznej, dydaktycznej i opiekuńczo-wychowawczej

Multiculturalism - interculturalism - transculturalismin the educational context

Artykuł jest próbą ukazania zakresu znaczeniowego pojęć: wielokulturowość, międzykulturowość, transkulturowość. Więcej uwagi i miejsca poświęcono transkulturowości jako kategorii mniej prezentowanej w analizach i prowadzonych badaniach. Wskazano na wartość kształtujących się subdyscyplin - pedagogiki międzykulturowej i transkulturowej. Przedstawione analizy i formułowane pytania mają na celu spowodowanie dyskusji dotyczącej zakresu i istoty wymienionych pojęć, wymianę poglądów w postrzeganiu i interpretowaniu subdyscyplin, określaniu, co jest w nich wspólne, a co odrębne, czy i jak je kształtować i rozwijać w kontekście złożonej i dynamicznej teraźniejszości oraz zauważanych licznych problemów przyszłości.The article presents the essence, meaning and the appropriate context of using the terms: multiculturalism, interculturalism and transculturalism. More attention has been paid to the term transculturalism as a category, which is less presented, less analyzed and researched. The value of developing subdisciplines - intercultural and transcultural pedagogy - has been indicated by the authors. The presented analysis and formulated questions have a thought-provoking dimension for the future discussion on the scope and essence of the above-mentioned concepts, the exchange of views on the perception and interpretation of subdisciplines, determining what is common and separate in them, whether and how to shape and develop them in the context of the complex and dynamic present time and the numerous problems of the future

Short-Term Functional Outcomes of Short Femoral Neck Stems Are the Same as Those of Conventional Stems in Primary Total Hip Arthroplasty

(1) Background: In this study, two types of implants were compared—a conventional hip stem and a femoral neck prosthesis. (2) Methods: The femoral neck prosthesis study group included 21 patients, while the conventional hip stem control group was 40 patients. The first examination was the pre-op check, while the next ones were performed 6 weeks, 1 year, and 3 years after surgery. The Harris Hip Score (HHS), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), Oxford Hip Score (OHS), University of California at Los Angeles Activity Score (UCLA), and Visual Analog Scale EQ (VAS EQ) forms were completed at each clinical study visit. (3) Results: The HHS in the femoral neck prosthesis group and the conventional hip stem group 6 weeks after surgery was 68.8 ± 16.47 and 67.6 ± 8.92, respectively, and 1 year after surgery, this was 93 ± 5.58 vs. 90.6 ± 5.17, respectively. The OHS of the femoral neck prosthesis group was 34.8 points after 6 weeks, 45.5 points after 1 year, and 43.9 points after 3 years. The respective values in the conventional hip stem group were 35.5, 41.55, and 42.13 points. The WOMAC values for the femoral neck prosthesis group were 70.6, 92.7, and 86 points, respectively, while for the conventional hip stem group, they were 74, 88.1, and 86.1 points. The UCLA scores recorded in the conventional hip stem group ranged from 3.15 to 5.05 points, but a higher mean value of 5.33 points was obtained in the femoral neck prosthesis group. VAS EQ was equal to 84 points three years after the operation. (4) Conclusions: The study showed no significant differences in the functional scores of both groups, and the new type of cervical femoral stem could be the first choice in younger patients

Responses of Endothelial Progenitor Cells to Chronic and Acute Physical Activity in Healthy Individuals

Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are circulating cells of various origins that possess the capacity for renewing and regenerating the endothelial lining of blood vessels. During physical activity, in response to factors such as hypoxia, changes in osmotic pressure, and mechanical forces, endothelial cells undergo intense physiological stress that results in endothelial damage. Circulating EPCs participate in blood vessel repair and vascular healing mainly through paracrine signalling. Furthermore, physical activity may play an important role in mobilising this important cell population. In this narrative review, we summarise the current knowledge on the biology of EPCs, including their characteristics, assessment, and mobilisation in response to both chronic and acute physical activity in healthy individuals

Physical Activity as a Modern Intervention in the Fight against Obesity-Related Inflammation in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Gestational Diabetes

Diabetes is one of the greatest healthcare problems; it requires an appropriate approach to the patient, especially when it concerns pregnant women. Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a common metabolic condition in pregnancy that shares many features with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). T2DM and GDM induce oxidative stress, which activates cellular stress signalling. In addition, the risk of diabetes during pregnancy can lead to various complications for the mother and foetus. It has been shown that physical activity is an important tool to not only treat the negative effects of diabetes but also to prevent its progression or even reverse the changes already made by limiting the inflammatory process. Physical activity has a huge impact on the immune status of an individual. Various studies have shown that regular training sessions cause changes in circulating immune cell levels, cytokine activation, production and secretion and changes in microRNA, all of which have a positive effect on the well-being of the diabetic patient, mother and foetus

A Role for Advanced Glycation End Products in Molecular Ageing

Ageing is a composite process that involves numerous changes at the cellular, tissue, organ and whole-body levels. These changes result in decreased functioning of the organism and the development of certain conditions, which ultimately lead to an increased risk of death. Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are a family of compounds with a diverse chemical nature. They are the products of non-enzymatic reactions between reducing sugars and proteins, lipids or nucleic acids and are synthesised in high amounts in both physiological and pathological conditions. Accumulation of these molecules increases the level of damage to tissue/organs structures (immune elements, connective tissue, brain, pancreatic beta cells, nephrons, and muscles), which consequently triggers the development of age-related diseases, such as diabetes mellitus, neurodegeneration, and cardiovascular and kidney disorders. Irrespective of the role of AGEs in the initiation or progression of chronic disorders, a reduction in their levels would certainly provide health benefits. In this review, we provide an overview of the role of AGEs in these areas. Moreover, we provide examples of lifestyle interventions, such as caloric restriction or physical activities, that may modulate AGE formation and accumulation and help to promote healthy ageing