The Deubiquitinase OTUB1 Is a Key Regulator of Energy Metabolism

Dysregulated energy metabolism is a major contributor to a multitude of pathologies, including obesity and diabetes. Understanding the regulation of metabolic homeostasis is of utmost importance for the identification of therapeutic targets for the treatment of metabolically driven diseases. We previously identified the deubiquitinase OTUB1 as substrate for the cellular oxygen sensor factor-inhibiting HIF (FIH) with regulatory effects on cellular energy metabolism, but the physiological relevance of OTUB1 is unclear. Here, we report that the induced global deletion of OTUB1 in adult mice (Otub1 iKO) elevated energy expenditure, reduced age-dependent body weight gain, facilitated blood glucose clearance and lowered basal plasma insulin levels. The respiratory exchange ratio was maintained, indicating an unaltered nutrient oxidation. In addition, Otub1 deletion in cells enhanced AKT activity, leading to a larger cell size, higher ATP levels and reduced AMPK phosphorylation. AKT is an integral part of insulin-mediated signaling and Otub1 iKO mice presented with increased AKT phosphorylation following acute insulin administration combined with insulin hypersensitivity. We conclude that OTUB1 is an important regulator of metabolic homeostasis.     

Effect of Acute Sprint Exercise on Myokines and Food Intake Hormones in Young Healthy Men

Physical exercise is known to influence hormonal mediators of appetite, but the effect of short-term maximal intensity exercise on plasma levels of appetite hormones and cytokines has been little studied. We investigated the effect of a 30 s Wingate Test, followed by a postprandial period, on appetite sensations, food intake, and appetite hormones. Twenty-six physically active young males rated their subjective feelings of hunger, prospective food consumption, and fatigue on visual analogue scales at baseline, after exercise was completed, and during the postprandial period. Blood samples were obtained for the measurement of nesfatin-1, ghrelin, leptin, insulin, pancreatic polypeptide (PP), human growth factor (hGH) and cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6), irisin and plasma lactate concentrations, at 30 min before exercise, immediately (210 s) after exercise, and 30 min following a meal and at corresponding times in control sedentary males without ad libitum meal intake, respectively. Appetite perceptions and food intake were decreased in response to exercise. Plasma levels of irisin, IL-6, lactate, nesfatin-1 and ghrelin was increased after exercise and then it was returned to postprandial/control period in both groups. A significant rise in plasma insulin, hGH and PP levels after exercise was observed while meal intake potentiated this response. In conclusion, an acute short-term fatiguing exercise can transiently suppress hunger sensations and food intake in humans. We postulate that this physiological response involves exercise-induced alterations in plasma hormones and the release of myokines such as irisin and IL-6, and supports the notion of existence of the skeletal muscle–brain–gut axis. Nevertheless, the detailed relationship between acute exercise releasing myokines, appetite sensations and impairment of this axis leading to several diseases should be further examined.     

Synthesis of Novel Phosphonic‐Type Activity‐Based Probes for Neutrophil Serine Proteases and Their Application in Spleen Lysates of Different Organisms

Neutrophils are a type of granulocyte important in the “first line of defense” of the innate immune system. Upon activation, they facilitate the destruction of invading microorganisms by the production of superoxide radicals, as well as the release of the enzymatic contents of their lysozymes. These enzymes include specific serine proteases: cathepsin G, neutrophil elastase, proteinase 3, as well as the recently discovered neutrophil serine protease 4 (NSP4). Under normal conditions, the proteolytic activity of neutrophil proteases is tightly regulated by endogenous serpins; however, this mechanism can be subverted during tissue stress, thereby resulting in the uncontrolled activity of serine proteases, which induce chronic inflammation and subsequent pathology. Herein, we describe the development of low‐molecular‐weight activity‐based probes that specifically target the active sites of neutrophil proteases.     

Effects of SARS-CoV-2 Inflammation on Selected Organ Systems of the Human Body

Introduction and purpose of the study: SARS-CoV-2 virus does not only affect the respiratory system. It may cause damage to many organ systems with long-term effects. The latest scientific reports inform that this virus leaves a long-term trace in the nervous, circulatory, respiratory, urinary and reproductive systems. It manifests itself in disturbances in the functioning of the organs of these systems, causing serious health problems. The aim of the study was to review the latest research into the long-term effects of COVID-19 and determine how common these symptoms are and who is most at risk. Based on a literature review using the electronic scientific databases of PubMed and Web of Science on the long-term effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection, 88 studies were included in the analysis. The information contained in the analyzed literature shows that the SARS-CoV-2 virus can cause multi-organ damage, causing a number of long-term negative health complications. Conclusions: There is evidence that the virus can cause long-term complications lasting more than six months. They mainly concern disturbances in the functioning of the nervous, circulatory and respiratory systems. However, these studies are small or short-lasting, and many are speculative.     

Behaviour of Dietary Fibre Supplements During Bread Dough Development Evaluated Using Novel Farinograph Curve Analysis

A regression model composed of two sigmoid functions with variable asymptotes was developed and used to analyse the dietary fibre supplement behaviour during bread dough mixing. Using eight commercial dietary fibres of different botanical origin and model wheat starch-gluten flour, farinograph curves for fibre-flour blends and for the flour only were performed. After smoothing of the curves with the regression model, difference farinograms as the fibre supplementation effects were determined. The results showed that the difference farinograms had two peaks, whose shape was strongly differentiated by the studied supplements. The presence of both peaks allowed distinguishing two kinds of the rheological activity of each fibre supplement: weakening and strengthening of the consistency of bread dough during its development. The carrot, oat, cranberry, and cacao fibres exhibited dominance of strengthening over weakening action. While chokeberry, carob, apple, and flax fibres were characterised by dominance of weakening over strengthening action. The analysis of both position and height of the peaks in the difference farinogram can be also helpful for determination of hydration kinetics of the fibres used for bread supplementation.     

Application of biosensors in early detection of contamination with lactic acid bacteria during apple juice and concentrate production

The aim of Collective Research Project QUALI-JUICE (COLL-CT-2005, Co Nr 012461) was to introduce the biosensors in control of microbiologically pure apple juice production. Three commercial lactate biosensors were used and compared with enzyme kits assays. Parallel the microbiological analysis of the production process at one juice producing enterprise was done. The results of lactic acid assay with biosensors were in good correlation with those obtained by enzyme kits. The main benefit of biosensor use was shortening of measurement time as compared with assay by enzyme kit and possibility to measure at line. The concentration of l-lactic acid in apple pulp could be correlated with the number of lactic acid bacteria. Pasteurization process was eliminating lactic acid bacteria and the concentration of lactic acid was at this stage not exceeding 0.1 g L⁻¹. The final product (apple concentrate) contained in some cases very high amounts of lactic acid indicating secondary microbiological contamination after pasteurization step. Parallel microbiological analysis of production process and lactate assay indicated that the critical point during production was prolonged vacuum filtration after pasteurization.     

Sprouted wheat grain with ferritin overexpression as a potential source of iron for cereal product fortification

Grains of winter wheat (Korweta variety) were partially germinated in an abiotic stress condition (0–15 mM FeSO₄ solutions) in order to accumulate iron by ferritin overexpression. The physical, chemical, biochemical properties and technological parameters of the obtained material as well as their resistance to an insect storage pest—granary weevil—were analyzed. Sprouted wheat grains with overexpression of ferritin contain 52 times more iron, more than 50 % in form of ferritin. The contents of reducing sugars, crude protein, fiber and ash as well as amylolytic activity increased significantly in sprouted wheat grain, while starch, fat, wet gluten, falling number and inhibition activity against granary weevil α-amylase decreased. Germinated wheat grain enriched with iron strongly affected granary weevil developmental parameters. Despite the fact that technological parameters of the product were deteriorated, it is worth to consider this material application as an iron supplement for cereal products, when the application of soybean is impossible.     

Stripping of copper coatings from steel in Cr(VI)-free commercial bath

In this work the electrochemical characteristics of copper and steel in chromate, cyanide, and phosphate baths as well as in a commercial bath (ENSTRIP S-180), in the absence of chromium and cyanides were determined. Average rates of copper coatings stripping from steel in the above mentioned baths and the baths influence on the morphology of steel surfaces were described. It was found that the commercial bath ENSTRIP S-180 could be successfully used for stripping of copper coatings from steel elements.     

Structural and electrical properties of Cr-doped SrTiO3 porous materials

Series of single-phase materials with assumed formula SrTi_1?xCr_xO₃ (where x = 0, 1, 4, 6 mol.%) were obtained by sol-gel method. The structure and microstructure of materials were characterised by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy methods. Moreover, the study of electrical properties and evaluation of chemical stability in CO₂/H₂O atmosphere was performed by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and thermogravimery methods, respectively. The possibility of participation of Cr-doped strontium titanate in oxidation–reduction processes was analysed by temperature-programed reduction (TPR) and temperature-programed oxidation (TPOx) measurements. The changes of lattice parameters together with XPS analysis, the Seebeck coefficient measurements results and TPR profiles obtained for SrTi_1?xCr_xO₃ materials prove the presence of chromium on +3 and +6 oxidation stages. Thus, chromium can be treated as both acceptor- and donor-type dopant in the SrTiO₃ structure. The Cr³⁺/Cr⁶⁺ ratio strongly affects the electrical properties, as the change of conduction mechanism was observed. The results of performed stability test clearly indicate that incorporation of chromium into SrTiO₃ structure results with decrease of chemical stability in CO₂ atmosphere.     

Development of a surface to increase retinal pigment epithelial cell (ARPE-19) proliferation under reduced serum conditions

Age related macular degeneration of the eye is brought about by damage to the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and is a major cause of adult blindness. One potential treatment method is transplantation of RPE cells grown in vitro. Maintaining RPE cell viability and physiological function in vitro is a challenge, and this must also be achieved using materials that can be subsequently used to deliver an intact cell sheet into the eye. In this paper, plasma polymerisation has been used to develop a chemically modified surface for maintaining RPE cells in vitro. Multiwell plates modified with a plasma copolymer of allylamine and octadiene maintained RPE cell growth at a level similar to that of TCPS. However, the addition of bound glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) to the plasma polymerised surface significantly enhanced RPE proliferation. Simply adding GAG to the culture media had no positive effect. It is shown that a combination of plasma polymer and GAG is a promising method for developing suitable surfaces for cell growth and delivery, that can be applied to any substrate material.