Melatonin as a powerful antioxidant

Melatonin is a hormone that has many body functions and, for several decades, its antioxidant potential has been increasingly talked about. There is a relationship between failure in melatonin production in the pineal gland, an insufficient supply of this hormone to the body, and the occurrence of free radical etiology diseases such as neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer and others. Despite the development of molecular biology, numerous in vitro and in vivo studies, the exact mechanism of melatonin antioxidant activity is still unknown. Nowadays, the use of melatonin supplementation is more and more common, not only to prevent insomnia, but also to slow down the aging process and provide protection against diseases. The aim of this study is to get acquainted with current reports on melatonin, antioxidative mechanisms and their importance in diseases of free radical etiology

The effect of oxidative modifications of amino acid residues in the active center of tyrosinase on the process of graying = Wpływ oksydacyjnych modyfikacji reszt aminokwasowych w centrum aktywnym tyrozynazy na proces siwienia

Cwynar Anna, Olszewska-Słonina Dorota, Pukownik Ewelina. The effect of oxidative modifications of amino acid residues in the active center of tyrosinase on the process of graying = Wpływ oksydacyjnych modyfikacji reszt aminokwasowych w centrum aktywnym tyrozynazy na proces siwienia. Journal of Education, Health and Sport. 2015;5(9):102-108. ISSN 2391-8306. DOI10.5281/zenodo.30027http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.30027http://ojs.ukw.edu.pl/index.php/johs/article/view/2015%3B5%289%29%3A102-108https://pbn.nauka.gov.pl/works/616347Formerly Journal of Health Sciences. ISSN 1429-9623 / 2300-665X. Archives 2011–2014http://journal.rsw.edu.pl/index.php/JHS/issue/archive Deklaracja.Specyfika i zawartość merytoryczna czasopisma nie ulega zmianie.Zgodnie z informacją MNiSW z dnia 2 czerwca 2014 r., że w roku 2014 nie będzie przeprowadzana ocena czasopism naukowych; czasopismo o zmienionym tytule otrzymuje tyle samo punktów co na wykazie czasopism naukowych z dnia 31 grudnia 2014 r.The journal has had 5 points in Ministry of Science and Higher Education of Poland parametric evaluation. Part B item 1089. (31.12.2014).© The Author (s) 2015;This article is published with open access at Licensee Open Journal Systems of Kazimierz Wielki University in Bydgoszcz, Poland and Radom University in Radom, PolandOpen Access. This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial License which permits any noncommercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium,provided the original author(s) and source are credited. This is an open access article licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial License(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/) which permits unrestricted, non commercial use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the work is properly cited.This is an open access article licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/) which permits unrestricted, non commercialuse, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the work is properly cited.The authors declare that there is no conflict of interests regarding the publication of this paper.Received: 25.07.2015. Revised 24.08.2015. Accepted: 24.08.2015. THE EFFECT OF OXIDATIVE MODIFICATIONS OF AMINO ACID RESIDUES IN THE ACTIVE CENTER OF TYROSINASE ON THE PROCESS OF GRAYING WPŁYW OKSYDACYJNYCH MODYFIKACJI RESZT AMINOKWASOWYCH W CENTRUM AKTYWNYM TYROZYNAZY NA PROCES SIWIENIA Anna Cwynar1, Dorota Olszewska-Słonina1, Ewelina Pukownik2 1 Katedra i Zakład Patobiochemii i Chemii Klinicznej, Collegium Medicum w Bydgoszczy2 Katedra Pediatrii, Hematologii i Onkologii, Collegium Medicum w Bydgoszczy SummaryReactive oxygen species (ROS) are molecules that form during  physiological processes of cellular metabolism. Production of ROS in the organism is strictly controlled by the system of numerous anti-oxidative mechanisms. Insufficiency of defense systems and an increase in the level of free radicals leads to disturbances of the oxidative-antioxidative balance, and consequently, to generation of oxidative stress.Many observations indicate that the process which underlies graying is oxidative stress induced by hydrogen peroxide. Milimole concentrations of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) are accumulated within gray hairs. Its presence inhibits transformation of tyrosine to melanin through the inactivation of the enzyme tyrosinase. The cause of an increase in H2O2 level is most probably a decrease in activity of catalase (CAT) responsible for its detoxication. This is a significant step forward, since the studies have indicated that another enzyme, called pseudocatalase, may prevent generation of gray hair. Scientists are working on obtaining effective inhibitors of the process of graying that could in the future serve as medicines preventing premature graying. Finding the mechanisms responsible for this process creates possibilities for developing new objectives for pharmacological therapy.The aim of this work is to present current reports concerning the problem of graying and a potential participation of oxidative stress in the course of this process. StreszczenieReaktywne formy tlenu (RFT) są molekułami powstającymi podczas fizjologicznych procesów metabolizmu komórkowego. Produkcja RFT w organizmie podlega ścisłej kontroli przez system licznych mechanizmów antyoksydacyjnych. Niewydolność systemów obrony oraz wzrost poziomu wolnych rodników prowadzi do zaburzeń równowagi oksydacyjno-antyoksydacyjnej, a w konsekwencji do generacji stresu oksydacyjnego.Wiele obserwacji wykazuje, że procesem leżącym u podłoża siwienia jest stres oksydacyjny indukowany przez nadtlenek wodoru. W obrębie siwych włosów gromadzone są milimolowe stężenia nadtlenku wodoru (H2O2). Jego obecność hamuje przemianę tyrozyny w melaninę poprzez inaktywację enzymu tyrozynazy. Przyczyną wzrostu poziomu H2O2 jest najprawdopodobniej spadek aktywności katalazy (CAT) odpowiedzialnej za jego detoksykację. Jest to znaczący krok naprzód, ponieważ badania wykazały, że inny enzym, zwany pseudokatalazą, może zapobiec tworzeniu się siwych włosów. Naukowcy pracują nad uzyskaniem skutecznych inhibitorów procesu siwienia, mogących w przyszłości służyć jako leki zapobiegające przedwczesnemu siwieniu. Poznanie mechanizmów odpowiedzialnych za ten proces stwarza możliwości na opracowanie nowych celów dla terapii farmakologicznej.Celem prezentowanej pracy jest przedstawienie aktualnych doniesień na temat problemu siwienia i potencjalnego udziału stresu oksydacyjnego w przebiegu tego procesu. Keywords: catalase, hydrogen peroxide, melanogenesis, oxidative stress, tyrosinase.Słowa kluczowe: katalaza, nadtlenek wodoru, melanogeneza, stres oksydacyjny, tyrozynaza

Testosterone replacement therapy in obese males

Controversy surrounds testosterone replacement therapy in obese ageing due to no generally accepted lower limits of normal testosterone level and high prevalence of hypogonadal symptoms in the ageing male population and the non-specific nature of these symptoms. Late onset hypogonadism is a clinical and biochemical syndrome associated with advancing age, often coexisting with obesity and metabolic syndrome. High fat and carbohydrates (fructose) consumption is responsible for development of obesity and metabolic syndrome which is one of risk factors for hypogonadism in older men. High fructose intake has been shown to cause dyslipidemia and to impair hepatic insulin sensitivity. Obesity and lack of physical activity negatively influence testosterone level. Low testosterone level should be regarded as an effect of obesity, but reverse relationship has not been proved yet. The management of late-onset hypogonadism symptoms has to be treated by a change of a life style and prevented with healthy nutrition and physical activity. The question related to rational indications for testosterone replacement therapy in obese males seems to be still actual

Biometrical characteristics of R2 generation of anther-derived pepper (Capsicum spp.) plants

Eight anther-derived DH lines of pepper hybrids: two red-fruited (AP14, AP15) and two yellow lines (AP25 and AP32) of C. annuum (ATZ1 × PO)F2, two lines of (C. frutescens × C. annuum)F1 (FA1, FA2), and two of (C. frutescens × C. chinense)F1 (FCH2, FCH3), were studied regarding important morphological plant and fruit characters. C. annuum breeding line 'ATZ1' was used as a standard. The following traits were evaluated: total fruit yield, fruit weight, weight of placenta with seeds, technological matter, pericarp thickness, extract content, dry matter content, weight and number of seeds per fruit. The level of homogeneity within the DH lines was analysed with a one-way analysis of variance, additionally the values of coefficient of variation (CV) were determined for the tested plant characters. The highest phenotypic uniformity was noted for the red-fruited lines obtained from anthers of (ATZ1 × PO)F2 and for the DH lines of (C. frutescens × C. annuum) F1, while the least uniform were FCH2 and FCH3 lines of (C. frutescens × C. chinense)F1. The DH lines AP14 and AP15, as well as FA1 and FA2 were phenotype homogeneous in respect of weight of fruit, technological matter, pericarp thickness and extract content. For these parameters, also the values of CV were the lowest. Statistically significant interline polymorphism between the androgenic lines of the same origin was detected among the lines of C. annuum (ATZ1 × PO)F2

SHEER “smart” database: technical note

The SHEER database brings together a large amount of data of various types: interdisciplinary site data from seven independent episodes, research data and those for the project results dissemination process. This concerns mainly shale gas exploitation test sites, processing procedures, results of data interpretation and recommendations. The smart SHEER database harmonizes data from different fields (geophysical, geochemical, geological, technological, etc.), creates and provides access to an advanced database of case studies of environmental impact indicators associated with shale gas exploitation and exploration, which previously did not exist. A unique component of the SHEER database comes from the monitoring activity performed during the project in one active shale gas exploration and exploitation site at Wysin, Poland, which started from the pre-operational phase. The SHEER database is capable of the adoption of new data such as results of other Work Packages and has developed an over-arching structure for higher-level integration

National EPOS initiatives and participation to the EPOS integration plan

European Plate Observing System (EPOS) is designed on a three-level architecture. The national research infrastructures (NRIs) constitute the backbone of the EPOS delivery framework, where data are generated, processed, analyzed and archived. These data are then integrated by thematic core services (TCS) and distributed through the centralized integrated core services (ICS). In this architecture, data provision from the NRIs is an essential element for the sustainable operation of the EPOS research infrastructure (RI). National EPOS initiatives in various countries in Europe are developed thanks to the increased awareness of the importance of FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Reusable) data management in science. As such, out of the 14 countries (13 members and one observer) that constitute the EPOS European Research Infrastructure Consortium (EPOS-ERIC), 11 have dedicated EPOS consortia established and included in the national roadmaps for research infrastructures. Moreover, there are in total 24 countries involved in the EPOS delivery framework where 10 are not yet members of EPOS-ERIC. However, the diversity of regulations and procedures adopted in different countries, hampers the development of dedicated EPOS consortia contributing to sustainability. In this paper, the national EPOS initiatives are discussed in order to emphasize synergies achieved and the shared efforts to build the EPOS RI during its life-cycle (the design, preparation, implementation, and pilot operational phases), tackling the challenge of sustainable operation.publishedVersio

The analysis of activity of cathepsin D and α1-antitrypsin with obese people and the evaluation of the influence of body mass changes to the above-mentioned parameters

WSTĘP. Otyłość jest chorobą przewlekłą charakteryzującą się zwiększeniem ilości tkanki tłuszczowej powyżej 25% u mężczyzn i powyżej 30% u kobiet oraz wskaźnikiem masy ciała (BMI, body mass index) ≥ 30 kg/m2. Otyłość upośledza liczne funkcje metaboliczne i mechaniczne organizmu człowieka, prowadząc do pogorszenia jakości życia i zwiększenia ryzyka przedwczesnego zgonu. Celem niniejszej pracy była ocena wpływu zmiany masy ciała na aktywność katepsyny D i α1-antytrypsyny w surowicy krwi u osób z otyłością. Określono także BMI, masę ciała i obwód talii. Oznaczenie aktywności i stężenia wymienionych parametrów biochemicznych oraz antropometrycznych wykonano przed i po leczeniu niefarmakologicznym z zastosowaniem diety i wysiłku fizycznego. MATERIAŁ I METODY. Badaną grupę stanowiło 67 pacjentów, 40 kobiet i 27 mężczyzn, w wieku 25-70 lat, z BMI 30-45,9 kg/m2 i obwodem talii 81-125 cm u kobiet oraz 96-154 cm u mężczyzn. Otyli pacjenci stosowali dietę o obniżonej kaloryczności opartą na modelu diety śródziemnomorskiej oraz poddani byli co najmniej 3 razy w tygodniu wysiłkowi fizycznemu (nordic walking, pływanie, spacer, jazda na rowerze). Grupę kontrolną stanowiło 56 zdrowych ochotników, 28 kobiet i 28 mężczyzn w wieku 32-89 lat, z normowagą i prawidłowym obwodem talii. WYNIKI. Po 3-miesięcznym leczeniu z zastosowaniem diety i wysiłku fizycznego uzyskano istotne statystycznie zmniejszenie parametrów antropometrycznych. Średnia redukcja masy ciała wynosiła 6,6 kg, obwód talii zmniejszył się średnio o 6,1 cm, a BMI o 2,6 kg/m2. Oceniana w niniejszej pracy aktywność katepsyny D w grupie kontrolnej oraz u osób otyłych była podobna. Wzrastała ona w sposób istotny statystycznie po zmniejszeniu masy ciała za pomocą ruchu i diety. Aktywność α1-antytrypsyny nie zmieniła się zarówno przed, jak i po leczeniu. Wykazano natomiast, że u osób z otyłością jest ona istotnie statystycznie wyższa niż u osób z prawidłową masą ciała. Stężenie białka całkowitego w surowicy krwi osób otyłych było istotnie statystycznie wyższe w porównaniu z grupą kontrolną, natomiast po 3-miesięcznym leczeniu niefarmakologicznym uległo istotnie statystycznej redukcji. WNIOSKI. 1. Po 3-miesięcznym leczeniu niefarmakologicznym za pomocą diety i wysiłku fizycznego wykazano zmniejszenie masy ciała, obwodu talii i BMI. 2. Trzymiesięczne leczenie niefarmakologiczne, obejmujące dietę i wysiłek fizyczny, spowodowało wzrost aktywności katepsyny D i obniżenie stężenia białka całkowitego. 3. Aktywność fizyczna i dieta są istotnymi czynnikami w redukcji tkanki tłuszczowej i masy ciała oraz w przywróceniu równowagi proteolityczno-antyproteolitycznej organizmu, która u osób z otyłością była zaburzona. Endokrynologia, Otyłość i Zaburzenia Przemiany Materii 2010, tom 6, nr 4, 155-166INTRODUCTION. Obesity is a chronic disease which characterizes in the increase of adipose tissue by over 25% in men and by over 30% in women, and the body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30 kg/m2. Obesity disables numerous metabolic and motor human function leading to deterioration of standard of living and increasing the risk of premature death. The goal of the presented work is to evaluate the influence of body mass changes to the activity of cathepsin D and α1-antitrypsin in blood serum of obese people. BMI of obese people, body weight and waist size were determined. Marking of the activity and concentration of above-mentioned biochemical and anthropometric parameters were made before and after non-pharmacological treatment with physical exercise and diet. MATERIAL AND METHODS. The examined group consisted of 67 patients (40 women and 27 men) aged 25-70 with BMI 30-45,9 kg/m2, waist size 81-125 cm with women and 96-154 cm with men. The obese patients were on a diet with lowered caloric value based on the model of Mediterranean diet and were submitted at least three times a week to a physical effort (nordic walking, swimming, walks, cycling). The control group consisted of 56 healthy volunteers (28 women and 28 men) aged 32-89, with normal weight and waist size. RESULTS. After a three-months treatment with physical exercise and diet the statistically relevant decrease of anthropometric parameters was achieved. The average loss of body weight amounted to 6.6 kg, waist size decreased by average of 6.1 cm and the BMI factor dropped by 2.6 kg/m2. The activity of cathepsin D was similar in the control group and the obese people. It has grown in a statistically relevant way after decreasing the body weight with exercise and diet. The α1-antitrypsin activity did not change before, as well as after the treatment. It was, however, pointed out that it is statistically higher in the obese people than in people with normal weight. The concentration of the total protein in blood serum of obese people was statistically higher in comparison with the control group, whereas after three months of non-pharmacological treatment it dropped statistically. CONCLUSIONS. 1. After three months of non-pharmacological treatment with exercise and diet the decrease in body weight, waist size and BMI was pointed out. 2. Three months of non-pharmacological treatment with physical exercise and diet caused an increase in the activity of cathepsin D and a decrease in concentration of the total protein. 3. Exercise and diet are significant factors in adipose tissue and body mass reduction as well as in restoring of proteolytic-antiproteolytic balance in the organism which people with obesity were upset with. Endocrinology, Obesity and Metabolic Disorders 2010, vol. 6, No 4, 155-16

Risk factors for in-hospital mortality after coronary artery bypass grafting in patients 80 years old or older : a retrospective case-series study

Background Age remains a significant and unmodifiable risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, and an increasing number of patients older than 80 years of age undergo Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG). Old age is also an independent risk factor for postoperative complications. The aim of this study is to describe the population of patients 80 years of age or older who underwent CABG procedure and to assess the mortality rate and risk factors for in-hospital mortality. Methods A retrospective case-series study analyzing 388 consecutive patients aged 80 years of age or older who underwent isolated CABG procedure between 2010 and 2014 in the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery and Transplantology, John Paul II Hospital, Krakow. Results In-hospital mortality stood at 7%, compared to 3.4% for all isolated CABG procedures at our Institution. In an univariate logistic regression analysis, risk factors for in-hospital mortality were as follows: NYHA class (p = 0.005, OR 1.95, 95% CI [1.23–3.1]), prolonged mechanical ventilation (p < 0.001, OR 7.08, 95% CI [2.47–20.3]), rethoracotomy (p = 0.04, OR 3.31, 95% CI [1.04–10.6]), duration of the procedure and ECC (for every 10 min p = 0.01, OR 1.01, 95% CI [1.0–1.01]; p = 0.03, OR 1.01, 95% CI [1.0–1.02], respectively), PRBC, FFP, and PLT transfusion (for every unit transfused p = 0.004, OR 1.42, 95% CI [1.12–1.8]; p = 0.002, OR 1.55, 95% CI [1.18–2.04]; p = 0.009, OR 1.93, 95% CI [1.18–3.14], respectively). Higher LVEF (p = 0.02, OR 0.97, 95% CI [0.94–0.99]) and LIMA graft implantation (p = 0.04, OR 0.36, 95% CI [0.13–0.98) decreased the in-hospital mortality. Death before discharge was more often observed in patients with multiple risk factors for cardiovascular diseases (0–2 –5.7%; 3–7.4%, 4–26.6%; p = 0.03). Conclusions Older age is associated with higher in-hospital mortality after isolated CABG at our Institution. Risk stratification scores and individualized risk evaluation, centered on comorbidities, NYHA class and left ventricular function, should be assessed in all cases. Whenever suitable, LIMA grafts should be used. Prolonged procedure and ECC time worsen the short-term outcome. Elderly individuals should be closely monitored postoperatively and the care should be focused on excessive blood loss and respiratory failure