Micro-RNA and Proteomic Profiles of Plasma-Derived Exosomes from Irradiated Mice Reveal Molecular Changes Preventing Apoptosis in Neonatal Cerebellum

Cell communication via exosomes is capable of influencing cell fate in stress situations such as exposure to ionizing radiation. In vitro and in vivo studies have shown that exosomes might play a role in out-of-target radiation effects by carrying molecular signaling mediators of radiation damage, as well as opposite protective functions resulting in resistance to radiotherapy. However, a global understanding of exosomes and their radiation-induced regulation, especially within the context of an intact mammalian organism, has been lacking. In this in vivo study, we demonstrate that, compared to sham-irradiated (SI) mice, a distinct pattern of proteins and miRNAs is found packaged into circulating plasma exosomes after whole-body and partial-body irradiation (WBI and PBI) with 2 Gy X-rays. A high number of deregulated proteins (59% of WBI and 67% of PBI) was found in the exosomes of irradiated mice. In total, 57 and 13 miRNAs were deregulated in WBI and PBI groups, respectively, suggesting that the miRNA cargo is influenced by the tissue volume exposed to radiation. In addition, five miRNAs (miR-99b-3p, miR-200a-3p, miR-200a, miR-182-5p, miR-182) were commonly overexpressed in the exosomes from the WBI and PBI groups. In this study, particular emphasis was also given to the determination of the in vivo effect of exosome transfer by intracranial injection in the highly radiosensitive neonatal cerebellum at postnatal day 3. In accordance with a major overall anti-apoptotic function of the commonly deregulated miRNAs, here, we report that exosomes from the plasma of irradiated mice, especially in the case of WBI, prevent radiation-induced apoptosis, thus holding promise for exosome-based future therapeutic applications against radiation injury.     

Microgravity Modifies the Phenotype of Fibroblast and Promotes Remodeling of the Fibroblast–Keratinocyte Interaction in a 3D Co-Culture Model

Microgravity impairs tissue organization and critical pathways involved in the cell–microenvironment interplay, where fibroblasts have a critical role. We exposed dermal fibroblasts to simulated microgravity by means of a Random Positioning Machine (RPM), a device that reproduces conditions of weightlessness. Molecular and structural changes were analyzed and compared to control samples growing in a normal gravity field. Simulated microgravity impairs fibroblast conversion into myofibroblast and inhibits their migratory properties. Consequently, the normal interplay between fibroblasts and keratinocytes were remarkably altered in 3D co-culture experiments, giving rise to several ultra-structural abnormalities. Such phenotypic changes are associated with down-regulation of α-SMA that translocate in the nucleoplasm, altogether with the concomitant modification of the actin-vinculin apparatus. Noticeably, the stress associated with weightlessness induced oxidative damage, which seemed to concur with such modifications. These findings disclose new opportunities to establish antioxidant strategies that counteract the microgravity-induced disruptive effects on fibroblasts and tissue organization.     

Influence of catalyst pretreatments on volatile organic compounds oxidation over gold/iron oxide

This paper reports a study on the influence of calcination pretreatments on the catalytic behaviour of the Au/iron oxide system towards the combustion of some representative volatile organic compounds (2-propanol, ethanol, methanol, acetone and toluene). The catalytic activity of Au/Fe₂O₃ samples towards the total oxidation to CO₂ has been found to be strongly dependent on the catalyst pretreatment, decreasing on increasing the calcination temperature. On the basis of characterisation data (XPS, FT-IR, XRD, BET surface area) it has been proposed that the catalytic behaviour is related to the gold state and/or the iron oxide phase. It appears plausible to suggest that the gold oxidation state and/or the particle size play a key role in the catalytic combustion of volatile organic compounds.     

Apoferritin Modified Magnetic Particles as Doxorubicin Carriers for Anticancer Drug Delivery

Magnetic particle mediated transport in combination with nanomaterial based drug carrier has a great potential for targeted cancer therapy. In this study, doxorubicin encapsulation into the apoferritin and its conjugation with magnetic particles was investigated by capillary electrophoresis with laser-induced fluorescence detection (CE-LIF). The quantification of encapsulated doxorubicin was performed by fluorescence spectroscopy and compared to CE-LIF. Moreover, the significant enhancement of the doxorubicin signal was observed by addition of methanol into the sample solution.     

SYBRGreenER™ Real-Time PCR to detect almond in traces in processed food

Because food ingredients are sometimes considered as causative factors in IgE mediated food allergies, DNA-based tests may prove to be very useful to establish whether allergenic species have been used in foodstuffs production. The development of two SYBR^®GreenER™ Real-Time PCR assays, targeting Pru 1 and rbcL genes, based on melting curve analysis, to detect allergen species in food has been presented. Applicability of these methods was assessed with several commercial products containing processed almond.     

Expanded Polystyrene Foam Formed from Polystyrene Beads Coated with a Nanocrystalline SiO2 Film and the Analysis of Its Moisture Adsorption and Resistance to Mechanical Stress

Conventional expanded polystyrene can absorb moisture, which significantly degrades its properties. In the present study, it was demonstrated that SiO₂ can be deposited on polystyrene beads before pre-expansion and molding steps. Under the applied test conditions, expanded polystyrene with nanocrystalline SiO₂ additives had approximately 10% lower moisture adsorption and an 8.4% better resistance to deformation. Expanded polystyrene analysis suggested that the observed improvements were caused by the hydrophobic nature of nanocrystalline SiO₂ and, even more importantly, because SiO₂ acted as an amalgamation catalyst and significantly increased adhesion between the expanded polystyrene beads during the expanded polystyrene molding process.     

Characterization of melanoidins from a glucose-glycine model system

The properties of melanoidins prepared from glucose and glycine (GG) were investigated by a three step purification protocol consisting of dialysis, gel filtration at high ionic strength and ion metal affinity chromatography. The high molecular weight fraction obtained in the GG system is responsible for 80% of the total brown colour and its antioxidative ability was about 1/4 of that of Trolox measured by the inhibition of linoleic acid oxidation. GG melanoidins have good affinity towards Cu (II) (32% bound to the resin) while it is much lower towards Pb (II) (10%) and Fe (II) (5%). Capillary zone electrophoresis analysis suggests that GG melanoidins are positively charged, although no signal was observed analysing melanoidins by matrix-assisted laser desorption-ionisation time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF/MS).