Innate Immune System Response to Burn Damage—Focus on Cytokine Alteration

In the literature, burns are understood as traumatic events accompanied by increased morbidity and mortality among affected patients. Their characteristic feature is the formation of swelling and redness at the site of the burn, which indicates the development of inflammation. This reaction is not only important in the healing process of wounds but is also responsible for stimulating the patient’s innate immune system. As a result of the loss of the protective ability of the epidermis, microbes which include bacteria, fungi, and viruses have easier access to the system, which can result in infections. However, the patient is still able to overcome the infections that occur through a cascade of cytokines and growth factors stimulated by inflammation. Long-term inflammation also has negative consequences for the body, which may result in multi-organ failure or lead to fibrosis and scarring of the skin. The innate immune response to burns is not only immediate, but also severe and prolonged, and some people with burn shock may also experience immunosuppression accompanied by an increased susceptibility to fatal infections. This immunosuppression includes apoptosis-induced lymphopenia, decreased interleukin 2 (IL-2) secretion, neutrophil storm, impaired phagocytosis, and decreased monocyte human leukocyte antigen-DR. This is why it is important to understand how the immune system works in people with burns and during infections of wounds by microorganisms. The aim of this study was to characterize the molecular pathways of cell signaling of the immune system of people affected by burns, taking into account the role of microbial infections.     

Caffeic Acid/Eu(III) Complexes: Solution Equilibrium Studies,Structure Characterization and Biological Activity

Caffeic acid (CFA) is one of the various natural antioxidants and chemoprotective agents occurring in the human diet. In addition, its metal complexes play fundamental roles in biological systems. Nevertheless, research on the properties of CFA with lanthanide metals is very scarce, and little to no chemical or biological information is known about these particular systems. Most of their properties, including their biological activity and environmental impact, strictly depend on their structure, stability, and solution behaviour. In this work, a multi-analytical-technique approach was used to study these relationships for the Eu(III)/CFA complex. The synthesized metal complex was studied by FT-IR, FT-Raman, elemental, and thermal (TGA) analysis. In order to examine the chemical speciation of the Eu(III)/CFA system in an aqueous solution, several independent potentiometric and spectrophotometric UV-Vis titrations were performed at different M:L (metal:ligand) and pH ratios. The general molecular formula of the synthesized metal complex in the solid state was [Eu(CFA)₃(H₂O)₃]∙2H₂O (M:L ratio 1:3), while in aqueous solution the 1:1 species were observed at the optimum pH of 6 ≤ pH ≤ 10, ([Eu(CFA)] and [Eu(CFA)(OH)]⁻). These results were confirmed by ¹H-NMR experiments and electrospray-ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). To evaluate the interaction of Eu(III)/CFA and CFA alone with cell membranes, electrophoretic mobility assays were used. Various antioxidant tests have shown that Eu(III)/CFA exhibits lower antioxidant activity than the free CFA ligand. In addition, the antimicrobial properties of Eu(III)/CFA and CFA against Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis and Candida albicans were investigated by evaluation of the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). Eu(III)/CFA shows higher antibacterial activity against bacteria compared to CFA, which can be explained by the highly probable increased lipophilicity of the Eu(III) complex.     

Global DNA Methylation Profiling Reveals Differentially Methylated CpGs between Salivary Gland Pleomorphic Adenomas with Distinct Clinical Course

Pleomorphic adenomas (PAs) are the most frequently diagnosed benign salivary gland tumors. Although the majority of PAs are characterized by slow growth, some develop very fast and are more prone to recur. The reason for such differences remains unidentified. In this study, we performed global DNA methylation profiling using the Infinium Human Methylation EPIC 850k BeadChip Array (Illumina) to search for epigenetic biomarkers that could distinguish both groups of tumors. The analysis was performed in four fast-growing tumors (FGTs) and four slow-growing tumors (SGTs). In all, 85 CpG dinucleotides differentiating both groups were identified. Six CpG tags (cg06748470, cg18413218, cg10121788, cg08249296, cg18455472, and cg19930657) were selected for bisulfite pyrosequencing in the extended group of samples. We confirmed differences in DNA methylation between both groups of samples. To evaluate the potential diagnostic accuracy of the selected markers, ROC curves were constructed. We indicated that CpGs included in two assays showed an area under the curve with an acceptable prognostic value (AUC > 0.7). However, logistic regression analysis allowed us to indicate a more optimal model consisting of five CpGs ((1) cg06748470, (2) cg00600454, (3) CpG located in chr14: 77,371,501–77,371,502 (not annotated in GRCh37/hg19), (4) CpG2 located in chr16: 77,469,589–77,469,590 (not annotated GRCh37/hg19), and (5) cg19930657) with AUC > 0.8. This set of epigenetic biomarkers may be considered as differentiating factors between FGT and SGT during salivary gland tumor diagnosis. However, this data should be confirmed in a larger cohort of samples.     

Can Forest Trees Cope with Climate Change?—Effects of DNA Methylation on Gene Expression and Adaptation to Environmental Change

Epigenetic modifications, including chromatin modifications and DNA methylation, play key roles in regulating gene expression in both plants and animals. Transmission of epigenetic markers is important for some genes to maintain specific expression patterns and preserve the status quo of the cell. This article provides a review of existing research and the current state of knowledge about DNA methylation in trees in the context of global climate change, along with references to the potential of epigenome editing tools and the possibility of their use for forest tree research. Epigenetic modifications, including DNA methylation, are involved in evolutionary processes, developmental processes, and environmental interactions. Thus, the implications of epigenetics are important for adaptation and phenotypic plasticity because they provide the potential for tree conservation in forest ecosystems exposed to adverse conditions resulting from global warming and regional climate fluctuations.     

Cytoskeleton Reorganization in EndMT—The Role in Cancer and Fibrotic Diseases

Chronic inflammation promotes endothelial plasticity, leading to the development of several diseases, including fibrosis and cancer in numerous organs. The basis of those processes is a phenomenon called the endothelial–mesenchymal transition (EndMT), which results in the delamination of tightly connected endothelial cells that acquire a mesenchymal phenotype. EndMT-derived cells, known as the myofibroblasts or cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), are characterized by the loss of cell–cell junctions, loss of endothelial markers, and gain in mesenchymal ones. As a result, the endothelium ceases its primary ability to maintain patent and functional capillaries and induce new blood vessels. At the same time, it acquires the migration and invasion potential typical of mesenchymal cells. The observed modulation of cell shape, increasedcell movement, and invasion abilities are connected with cytoskeleton reorganization. This paper focuses on the review of current knowledge about the molecular pathways involved in the modulation of each cytoskeleton element (microfilaments, microtubule, and intermediate filaments) during EndMT and their role as the potential targets for cancer and fibrosis treatment.     

Alteration of the Early Development Environment by Maternal Diet and the Occurrence of Autistic-like Phenotypes in Rat Offspring

Epidemiological and preclinical studies suggest that maternal obesity increases the risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in offspring. Here, we assessed the effects of exposure to modified maternal diets limited to pregnancy and lactation on brain development and behavior in rat offspring of both sexes. Among the studied diets, a maternal high-fat diet (HFD) disturbed the expression of ASD-related genes (Cacna1d, Nlgn3, and Shank1) and proteins (SHANK1 and TAOK2) in the prefrontal cortex of male offspring during adolescence. In addition, a maternal high-fat diet induced epigenetic changes by increasing cortical global DNA methylation and the expression of miR-423 and miR-494. As well as the molecular changes, behavioral studies have shown male-specific disturbances in social interaction and an increase in repetitive behavior during adolescence. Most of the observed changes disappeared in adulthood. In conclusion, we demonstrated the contribution of a maternal HFD to the predisposition to an ASD-like phenotype in male adolescent offspring, while a protective effect occurred in females.     

Group II Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors Reduce Apoptosis and Regulate BDNF and GDNF Levels in Hypoxic-Ischemic Injury in Neonatal Rats

Birth asphyxia causes brain injury in neonates, but a fully successful treatment has yet to be developed. This study aimed to investigate the effect of group II mGlu receptors activation after experimental birth asphyxia (hypoxia-ischemia) on the expression of factors involved in apoptosis and neuroprotective neurotrophins. Hypoxia-ischemia (HI) on 7-day-old rats was used as an experimental model. The effects of intraperitoneal application of mGluR2 agonist {"type":"entrez-nucleotide","attrs":{"text":"LY379268","term_id":"1257807854","term_text":"LY379268"}}LY379268 (5 mg/kg) and the specific mGluR3 agonist NAAG (5 mg/kg) (1 h or 6 h after HI) on apoptotic processes and initiation of the neuroprotective mechanism were investigated. {"type":"entrez-nucleotide","attrs":{"text":"LY379268","term_id":"1257807854","term_text":"LY379268"}}LY379268 and NAAG applied shortly after HI prevented brain damage and significantly decreased pro-apoptotic Bax and HtrA2/Omi expression, increasing expression of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2. NAAG or {"type":"entrez-nucleotide","attrs":{"text":"LY379268","term_id":"1257807854","term_text":"LY379268"}}LY379268 applied at both times also decreased HIF-1α formation. HI caused a significant decrease in BDNF concentration, which was restored after {"type":"entrez-nucleotide","attrs":{"text":"LY379268","term_id":"1257807854","term_text":"LY379268"}}LY379268 or NAAG administration. HI-induced increase in GDNF concentration was decreased after administration of {"type":"entrez-nucleotide","attrs":{"text":"LY379268","term_id":"1257807854","term_text":"LY379268"}}LY379268 or NAAG. Our results show that activation of mGluR2/3 receptors shortly after HI prevents brain damage by the inhibition of excessive glutamate release and apoptotic damage decrease. mGluR2 and mGluR3 agonists produced comparable results, indicating that both receptors may be a potential target for early treatment in neonatal HI.     

Perovskite-type Sr(Mn1−xNix)O3 materials and their chemical-looping oxygen transfer properties

This paper contains the results of research on chemical-looping combustion (CLC). CLC is one of the most promising combustion technologies and has the main advantage of producing a concentrated CO₂ stream, which is obtained after water condensation and without any energy penalty for CO₂ separation. The objective of this work was to study the chemical-looping reaction performance of novel perovskite-type oxygen carriers. The Sr(Mn_1−xNi_x)O₃ family was tested for its suitability as an oxygen carrier in hydrogen (syngas component) combustion for power generation. Sr(Mn_1−xNi_x)O₃ perovskite-type oxides with x = 0, 0.2, 0.5, 0.8, and 1.0 were prepared. Thermogravimetric measurements were performed to investigate the oxidation/reduction of the obtained materials. Reactivity tests were performed under isothermal conditions during multiple redox cycles using a thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA). For the reduction reaction, 3% H₂ in Ar was used, and air was used for the oxidation cycle. The effect of reaction temperature (600–800 °C) and the number of reducing/oxidizing cycles (up to 5 cycles) on the performance of the oxygen-carrier samples developed in this study were evaluated. The stability, oxygen transport capacity, and reaction rates were analyzed on the basis of thermogravimetric TG results. The Sr(Mn_1−xNi_x)O₃ oxides showed stable chemical-looping performance with rapid changes in their oxygen content (2–3 min) while maintaining their chemical properties. The cyclic redox reaction revealed that Sr(Mn_1−xNi_x)O₃ exhibits excellent structural stability and provides a continuous oxygen supply during redox reactions. Good oxygen capacity was maintained during the cycling hydrogen combustion tests. These new perovskite-type materials were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements and by surface area (BET), particle size distribution (PSD) and melting behavior analyses. The Sr(Mn_1−xNi_x)O₃ oxides exhibited high melting temperatures and small surface areas. The promising results obtained from chemical-looping combustion experiments indicate that the Sr(Mn_1−xNi_x)O₃ oxides are potentially useful oxygen carriers for chemical-looping combustion processes where hydrogen is one of the fuel components.     

Determination of Total Concentrations and Chemical and Physical Fractionation Forms of Manganese in Infusions of Ground Coffees

A simple and fast method of the determination of total Mn in infusions of ground coffees was proposed and included the acidification of infusions with HNO₃ followed by the analysis by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The method provided the precision and the accuracy better than 3 %. In addition, chemical and physical fractionation patterns of Mn in coffee infusions were assessed using solid phase extraction and ultrafiltration-based procedures, respectively. It was found that Mn in infusions of ground coffees is predominantly present in the form of cationic (64–81 % of the total content) low molecular weight (61–68 % of the total content) species. This points out that this metal is highly bioaccessible from the coffee brew.