The Spectral Compositions of Light Changes Physiological Response of Chinese Cabbage to Elevated Ozone Concentration

The effects of ozone combined with other environmental factors remain an important topic of the research, both in connection with climate change and the possibility of using modern solutions in horticulture. In our experiment, we compared the influence of ozone (100 ppb) on photosynthesis and changes in the pigment composition of Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa subsp. pekinensis) leaves depending on the spectral composition of light. We used white LED light (WL), a combination of red + green + blue (RGBL) with a dominant red component and white +blue (WBL) with a dominant blue component in comparison with the classic sodium lamp lighting (yellow light—YL). The values of the parameters describing the light-dependent phase of photosynthesis and the parameters of the gas exchange, as well as non-photosynthesis pigment contents, show that the spectral composition strongly differentiates the response of Chinese cabbage leaves to ozone. In general, the efficiency of photochemical reactions was the highest in YL, but after O₃ fumigation, it decreased. In plants growing in WL and WBL, the increase of O₃ concentration stimulated light photosynthesis reactions and led to the enhancement of transpiration, stomatal conductance and intracellular CO₂ concentration. Changes in photosynthetic activity were accompanied by an increase in the content of anthocyanins and flavonols.     

GABAergic and Glutamatergic Phenotypes of Neurons Expressing Calcium-Binding Proteins in the Preoptic Area of the Guinea Pig

The mammalian preoptic area (POA) has large populations of calbindin (CB), calretinin (CR) and parvalbumin (PV) neurons, but phenotypes of these cells are unknown. Therefore, the question is whether neurons expressing CB, CR, and/or PV are GABAergic or glutamatergic. Double-immunofluorescence staining followed by epifluorescence and confocal microscopy was used to determine the coexpression patterns of CB, CR and PV expressing neurons with vesicular GABA transporters (VGAT) as specific markers of GABAergic neurons and vesicular glutamate transporters (VGLUT 2) as specific markers of glutamatergic neurons. The guinea pig was adopted as, like humans, it has a reproductive cycle with a true luteal phase and a long gestation period. The results demonstrated that in the guinea pig POA of both sexes, ~80% of CB+ and ~90% of CR+ neurons coexpress VGAT; however, one-fifth of CB+ neurons and one-third of CR+ cells coexpress VGLUT. About two-thirds of PV+ neurons express VGAT, and similar proportion of them coexpress VGLUT. Thus, many CB+, CR+ and PV+ neurons may be exclusively GABAergic (VGAT-expressing cells) or glutamatergic (VGLUT-expressing cells); however, at least a small fraction of CR+ cells and at least one-third of PV+ cells are likely neurons with a dual GABA/glutamate phenotype that may coexpress both transporters.     

Global 5mC and 5hmC DNA Levels in Human Sperm Subpopulations with Differentially Protaminated Chromatin in Normo- and Oligoasthenozoospermic Males

Epigenetic modifications play a special role in the male infertility aetiology. Published data indicate the link between sperm quality and sperm chromatin protamination. This study aimed to determine the relationship between methylation (5mC) and hydroxymethylation (5hmC) in sperm DNA, with respect to sperm chromatin protamination in three subpopulations of fertile normozoospermic controls and infertile patients with oligo-/oligoasthenozoospermia. For the first time, a sequential staining protocol was applied, which allowed researchers to analyse 5mC/5hmC levels by immunofluorescence staining, with a previously determined chromatin protamination status (aniline blue staining), using the same spermatozoa. TUNEL assay determined the sperm DNA fragmentation level. The 5mC/5hmC levels were diversified with respect to chromatin protamination status in both studied groups of males, with the highest values observed in protaminated spermatozoa. The linkage between chromatin protamination and 5mC/5hmC levels in control males disappeared in patients with deteriorated semen parameters. A relationship between 5mC/5hmC and sperm motility/morphology was identified in the patient group. Measuring the 5mC/5hmC status of sperm DNA according to sperm chromatin integrity provides evidence of correct spermatogenesis, and its disruption may represent a prognostic marker for reproductive failure.     

Influence of Cr Ion Implantation on Physical Properties of CuO Thin Films

Cupric oxide is a semiconductor with applications in sensors, solar cells, and solar thermal absorbers. To improve its properties, the oxide was doped with a metallic element. No studies were previously performed on Cr-doping using the ion implantation technique. The research goal of these studies is to investigate how Cr ion implantation impacts the properties of the oxide thin films. CuO thin films were deposited using magnetron sputtering, and then chromium ions with different energies and doses were implanted. Structural, optical, and vibrational properties of the samples were studied using X-ray diffraction, X-ray reflectivity, infra-red spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and spectrophotometry. The surface morphology and topography were studied with ellipsometry, atomic force microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. A simulation of the range of ions in the materials was performed. Ion implantation had an impact on the properties of thin films that could be used to tailor the optical properties of the cupric oxide and possibly also its electrical properties. A study considering the influence of ion implantation on electrical properties is proposed as further research on ion-implanted CuO thin films.     

Restraint Stress in Mice Alters Set of 25 miRNAs Which Regulate Stress- and Depression-Related mRNAs

In the present study, we aim to identify the effect of restrain stress (RS) on the expression of miRNAs in mouse serum. We used three genotypes of animals (mice with knock-out of the gene-encoding norepinephrine transporter, NET-KO; C57BL/6J, and SWR/J) which had previously been shown to display different sensitivity to RS, and focused on miRNAs which were altered by RS in the serum of all three genotypes. An analysis of miRNAs expression allowed for the identification of a set of 25 differentially expressed miRNAs; 10 were down-regulated compared to an appropriate control group of animals, while 15 were up-regulated. The application of DIANA-miRPath v. 3.0 allowed for the identification of selected pathways (KEGG) and Gene Ontology (GO) categories that were significantly controlled by these miRNAs, while miRWalk v. 3.0—the platform that used the machine learning based algorithm, TaRPmiR—was used to find their targets. The results indicate that 25 miRNAs, identified as altered upon RS in three genotypes of mice, are responsible for regulation of mRNA-encoding proteins that are key for the main hypotheses of depression; therefore, they may help to understand the link between stress and depression at the molecular level.     

Identification of a Steric Zipper Motif in the Amyloidogenic Core of Human Cystatin C and Its Use for the Design of Self-Assembling Peptides

Amyloid fibrils have been known for many years. Unfortunately, their fame stems from negative aspects related to amyloid diseases. Nevertheless, due to their properties, they can be used as interesting nanomaterials. Apart from their remarkable stability, amyloid fibrils may be regarded as a kind of a storage medium and as a source of active peptides. In many cases, their structure may guarantee a controlled and slow release of peptides in their active form; therefore, they can be used as a potential nanomaterial in drug delivery systems. In addition, amyloid fibrils display controllable stiffness, flexibility, and satisfactory mechanical strength. In addition, they can be modified and functionalized very easily. Understanding the structure and genesis of amyloid assemblies derived from a broad range of amyloidogenic proteins could help to better understand and use this unique material. One of the factors responsible for amyloid aggregation is the steric zipper. Here, we report the discovery of steric zipper-forming peptides in the sequence of the amyloidogenic protein, human cystatin C (HCC). The ability of short peptides derived from this fragment of HCC to form fibrillar structures with defined self-association characteristics and the factors influencing this aggregation are also presented in this paper.     

The Anti-Atherosclerotic Action of FFAR4 Agonist TUG-891 in ApoE–Knockout Mice Is Associated with Increased Macrophage Polarization towards M2 Phenotype

Background: Over the past few years, a better understanding of the biology of G-protein coupled receptors (GPRs) has led to the identification of several receptors as novel targets for free fatty acids (FFAs). FFAR4 has received special attention in the context of chronic inflammatory diseases, including atherosclerosis, obesity and NAFLD, through to its anti-inflammatory effect. Methods: The present study investigates the influence of prolonged treatment with TUG-891-FFAR4 agonist on the development of atherosclerosis plaque in apoE-knockout mice, using morphometric and molecular methods. Results: TUG-891 administration has led to the reduction of atherosclerotic plaque size and necrotic cores in an apoE-knockout mice model. TUG-891-treated mice were administered subcutaneously at a dose of 20 mg/kg three times a week for 4 months. The FFAR4 agonist reduced the content of pro-inflammatory M1-like macrophages content in atherosclerotic plaques, as evidenced by immunohistochemical phenotyping and molecular methods. In atherosclerotic plaque, the population of smooth muscle cells increased as evidenced by α-SMA staining. We observed changes in G-CSF and eotaxin markers in the plasma of mice; changes in the levels of these markers in the blood may be related to macrophage differentiation. Importantly, we observed a significant increase in M2-like macrophage cells in atherosclerotic plaque and peritoneum. Conclusions: Prolonged administration of TUG-891 resulted in significant amelioration of atherogenesis, providing evidence that the strategy based on macrophage phenotype switching toward an M2-like activation state via stimulation of FFAR4 receptor holds promise for a new approach in the prevention or treatment of atherosclerosis.