Lateral Force Calibration Method Used for Calibration of Atomic Force Microscope, Journal of Telecommunications and Information Technology, 2009, nr 4

Modern heterogeneous micro- and nanostructures usually integrate modules fabricated using various materials and technologies. Moreover, it has to be emphasized that the macro and micro nanoscale material parameters are not the same. For this reason it has become crucial to identify the nanomechanical properties of the materials commonly used in micro- and nanostructure technology. One of such tests is a nanowear test performed using the atomic force microscope (AFM). However, to obtain quantitative measurement results a precision calibration step is necessary. In this paper a novel approach to calibration of lateral force acting on the tip of an AFM cantilever is discussed. Presented method is based on application of known lateral force directly on the tip using a special test structure. Such an approach allows for measurements of nanowear parameters (force, displacement) with the uncertainty better than ±3%. The calibration structure designed specifically for this calibration method is also presented

Preliminary analysis of the expression of selected proangiogenic and antioxidant genes and MicroRNAs in patients with non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer

Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) is an enzyme contributing to the development and progression of different cancer types. HO-1 plays a role in pathological angiogenesis in bladder cancer and contributes to the resistance of this cancer to therapy. It also regulates the expression of microRNAs in rhabdomyosarcoma and non-small cell lung cancer. The expression of HO-1 may be regulated by hypoxia inducible factors (HIFs) and Nrf2 transcription factor. The expression of HO-1 has not so far been examined in relation to Nrf2, HIF-1α, and potential mediators of angiogenesis in human bladder cancer. We measured the concentration of proinflammatory and proangiogenic cytokines and the expression of cytoprotective and proangiogenic mRNAs and miRNAs in healthy subjects and patients with bladder cancer. HO-1 expression was upregulated together with HIF-1α, HIF-2α, and Nrf2 in bladder cancer in comparison to healthy tissue. VEGF was elevated both at mRNA and protein level in the tumor and in sera, respectively. Additionally, IL-6 and IL-8 were increased in sera of patients affected with urothelial bladder cancer. Moreover, miR-155 was downregulated whereas miR-200c was elevated in cancer biopsies in comparison to healthy tissue. The results indicate that the increased expression of HO-1 in bladder cancer is paralleled by changes in the expression of other potentially interacting genes, like Nrf2, HIF-1α, HIF-2α, IL-6, IL-8, and VEGF. Further studies are necessary to also elucidate the potential links with miR-155 and miR-200c

The Gestational diabetes mellitus - pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is one of the most common complications of pregnancy. It is characterized by hyperglycemia resulting from impaired tissue sensitivity to insulin secreted by pancreatic beta cells. This is due to the action of hormones secreted by the placenta that oppose insulin. The incidence of gestational diabetes continues to increase, posing many potential risks to both mother and fetus. Importantly, these complications also have a long-term dimension. It has been proven that in adulthood, in children born from pregnancies complicated by gestational diabetes, the risk of developing obesity, type II diabetes and cardiovascular diseases increases. Their mothers are also at a similar risk. The main goal of treatment of gestational diabetes is to achieve normoglycaemia. Appropriate dietary management is recommended, and if this is not sufficient, insulin therapy should be initiated

The effect of NaCl on the level of reduced sulfur compounds in rat liver : implications for blood pressure increase

Background: It is commonly known that excessive salt intake is a risk factor of hypertension. Currently, there is an increasing interest in reduced reactive sulfur species (RSS), mainly H2S and sulfane sulfur (SS) as new gasotransmitters showing vasorelaxant properties. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of repeated administration of low sodium chloride dose included in physiological saline on blood pressure, on the level of RSS and activity of enzymes involved in their biosynthesis in the rat.Methods: Two separate experiments were carried out on male Wistar rats: one with intravenous injections of saline and the second one with intraperitoneal saline injections. Blood pressure was measured during the experiment. The level of RSS and other biochemical assays were conducted in the rat liver, because of an intense cysteine metabolism to RSS in this organ.Results: Intravenous administration of saline induced a significant increase in systolic blood pressure while intraperitoneal injections showed only a tendency towards increasing blood pressure. The RSS (H2S and SS) level as well as the activity of the main enzyme responsible for their production in the liver of animals after iv saline injections were decreased. Animals injected with physiological saline by ip route did not reveal any statistically significant differences in SS, H2S, and activities of sulfurtransferases, although a tendency to decrease in the RSS was observed.Conclusions: The repeated iv saline injection induced a slight hypertension accompanied by disturbances in anaerobic cysteine metabolism in the rat liver

Anti-inflammatory activity of lipoic acid in mice peritonitis model

This work aimed to investigate the effect of lipoic acid (LA) on sulfane sulfur (S*) level, infiltration of neutrophils and vascular permeability in a model of zymosan-induced peritonitis. The study showed that lipoic acid increased the sulfane sulfur level. Also, it decreased count of neutrophils and inhibition of intensity of early vascular permeability compared to the control group. These studies indicated that LA exhibits antiinflammatory activity. LA serves as a sulfane sulfur acceptor and releases sulfane sulfur in the form of hydrogen sulfide (H2S), which is probably responsible for its anti-inflammatory activity

The Modern methods of obesity treatment - review of the literature

Introduction and aim of the study: Obesity is not only increases the risk of developing other diseases, but is itself a chronic disease. It is characterized by a lack of tendency to spontaneous resolution and a tendency to relapse. The growing number of patients facing obesity and its consequences prompts the search for newer and newer methods of its treatment. The aim of this paper is to discuss modern methods of obesity therapy, aimed at reducing the risk of its consequences, both health, psychological, social and economic. Methods and materials: This literature review is based on articles published in the PubMed database from 2016 to 2023, using the following phrases: "obesity risk factors", "obesity treatment", "diagnosis of obesity", "GLP -1 obesity". State of knowledg: We now know that obesity is a disease that needs to be treated. The goal of therapy is not only to achieve the target body weight, but also to reduce the risk of disease and improve the control of coexisting diseases. Conclusion: Obesity is a disease that requires interdisciplinary treatment based on behavioral therapy including changing the lifestyle to a healthier one, psychological support and pharmacological, and in some cases, surgical treatment.