Targeting Death Receptor TRAIL-R2 by Chalcones for TRAIL-Induced Apoptosis in Cancer Cells

Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) induces apoptosis in cancer cells without toxicity to normal cells. TRAIL binds to death receptors, TRAIL-R1 (DR4) and TRAIL-R2 (DR5) expressed on cancer cell surface and activates apoptotic pathways. Endogenous TRAIL plays an important role in immune surveillance and defense against cancer cells. However, as more tumor cells are reported to be resistant to TRAIL mediated death, it is important to search for and develop new strategies to overcome this resistance. Chalcones can sensitize cancer cells to TRAIL-induced apoptosis. We examined the cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of TRAIL in combination with four chalcones: chalcone, isobavachalcone, licochalcone A and xanthohumol on HeLa cancer cells. The cytotoxicity was measured by MTT and LDH assays. The apoptosis was detected using annexin V-FITC staining by flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy. Death receptor expression was analyzed using flow cytometry. The decreased expression of death receptors in cancer cells may be the cause of TRAIL-resistance. Chalcones enhance TRAIL-induced apoptosis in HeLa cells through increased expression of TRAIL-R2. Our study has indicated that chalcones augment the antitumor activity of TRAIL and confirm their cancer chemopreventive properties.     

PIMS-TS,the New Paediatric Systemic Inflammatory Disease Related to Previous Exposure to SARS-CoV-2 Infection—“Rheumatic Fever” of the 21st Century?

Paediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome temporally associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) (PIMS-TS) is a new systemic inflammatory disease that mainly affects children. Its course in many features resembles that of acute rheumatic fever (ARF). Therefore, it is interesting that the experiences with ARF can be used in the management of patients with PIMS-TS. The aim of the article is to analyse the current data on PIMS-TS in relation to ARF. PIMS-TS and ARF are associated with an abnormal immune response to specific pathogens (SARS-CoV-2 and group A streptococcus, respectively). The main symptoms of both diseases are fever and cardiac involvement. Current therapy for PIMS-TS is based on anti-inflammatory treatment: intravenous immunoglobulin (first-line), intravenous glucocorticoids (second-line), or biological therapy (third-line; including interleukin [IL]-1 antagonists, IL-6 receptor blockers, and anti-tumour necrosis factor agents). Vaccination might be good prophylaxis, but the efficacy and safety of the vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 have not yet been established in children. Interesting insights may be gained by considering PIMS-TS in light of what is known of ARF due to their similar courses, but there are still many unanswered questions surrounding this disease and its pathogenesis.     

TiO2 Nanoparticles with High Photocatalytic Activity Under Visible Light

TiO₂ nanoparticles (C-TNT) with high visible light activity were obtained by carbonization of titania nanotubes (TNT) in an ethanol atmosphere under elevated pressure at 180 and 220 °C. New material was characterised by means of UV–Vis/DR, FTIR/DRS, TEM, and XRD. The photocatalytic activity was tested during monoazo dye decomposition under artificial solar light irradiation. Modified photocatalyst (220 °C, 4 h) had higher photocatalytic activity than both the pristine and commercial P25 catalysts.     

Elevated peripheral blood plasma concentrations of tie-2 and angiopoietin 2 in patients with neuroendocrine tumors

Background

Gastro-entero-pancreatic/neuroendocrine (NET) tumors are highly vascularized neoplasms. However, our knowledge concerning circulating levels of the angiogenic factors in NET patients still remains insufficient.

Methods

The aim of this study was to measure plasma concentrations of VEGF, angiopoietin 1 (Ang-1), angiopoietin 2 (Ang-2), soluble Tie-2, endostatin, osteopontin (OPN) and chromogranin A (CgA) in 36 NET patients and 16 controls.

Results

Only the plasma concentrations of Tie-2 and CgA were higher in NET patients as compared to controls. These levels were within the reference range in controls; however one control demonstrated slightly elevated Tie-2 and 4 elevated CgA. Similarly, in the subgroup of patients with carcinoid syndrome, only Tie-2 and CgA concentrations were higher than those in patients with non-functioning NETs. In turn, in the subgroup of metastatic patients, only Ang-2 levels were higher than in those with localized disease. A positive correlation was found between Ang-2 and Tie-2 levels in metastatic patients and between Ang-1 and Tie-2 in localized NETs.

Conclusions

The plasma concentration of Tie-2 is proposed as an additional marker for NET patients and seems to be similarly effective as the currently used CgA level. Moreover, higher plasma levels of Ang-2 together with the positive correlation between Ang-2 and Tie-2 levels in metastatic subjects, implies that cases with a Tie-2 level above the upper limits, together with higher level of Ang-2 seem to be highly predictive of metastases.     

Oligoetherols and polyurethane foams obtained from melamine diborate

The method of synthesis of oligoetherols with 1,3,5-triazine ring and boron was established. The obtained oligoetherol is suitablse to obtaining polyurethane foams (PUFs) of enhanced thermal resistance and diminished flammability. The obtained PUFs can stand long term thermal exposure at 175 °C. The PUFs annealed at 150 and 175 °C showed improved compressive strength in comparison with not exposed to heating.     

Determination of the Elemental Composition of Coffee Using Instrumental Methods

Although the content of elements in coffee is only about 5 % (m/m), it seems to be a good indicator of the coffee authenticity. Apparently, it can bring the useful information about individual elemental patterns that are distinctive to the origin of growing soils for coffee plants in addition to cultivation and environmental conditions used. The elemental analysis of coffee by means of instrumental measurement methods may have other uses. It can be used to prove the high quality and safety of raw coffee beans, various coffee byproducts, and the final coffee product in the market. Commonly, different atomic absorption and emission spectrometry and instrumental neutron activation analysis methods are used to determine concentrations of various elements in green, roasted, and ground or instant coffees and coffee infusions, but these samples have to be suitably prepared prior to the analysis.     

Application of common wheat bran for the industrial production of high‐fibre pasta

The study was conducted on the effect of the addition of common wheat bran on the chemical composition, physical properties, cooking quality and sensory traits of durum wheat pasta. The pasta was produced on an industrial scale, applying an addition of common wheat bran at doses ranging from 20 to 40%. The products obtained were compared to the pasta from whole‐grain durum wheat flour, produced under identical conditions and with commercially available whole‐grain durum wheat pasta. The increase in the content of wheat bran in the pasta caused a significant increase (Duncan test, P ≤ 0.05) of the content of protein, lipids, ash and total dietary fibre (TDF). The application of 25–30% addition of common wheat bran allowed obtaining the products which are as rich in dietary fibre as the pasta prepared at the same technological parameters from whole‐grain durum flour. The pasta containing up to 30% of bran was characterised with lower losses of dry mass and higher resistance to overcooking, in comparison with the pasta made of whole‐grain durum. Simultaneously, the products had very good sensory quality.     

Application of Neural Network Enhanced Ground-Penetrating Radar to Localization of Burial Sites

The problem of searching for burial sites is an important issue for criminology, history, and archeology. The presently employed classical ground-penetrating radar (GPR) methods often yield equivocal results. Here, we report the results of our experimental study on the possible enhancement of the GPR methodology by introduction of the neural network to help localize the places of deposition of cadavers. The experiments, employing pig bodies as a model, yielded very promising results, but also indicated the problems that must be taken into account in further development of the methodology. Such problems include the influence of several circumstances on GPR signal and its computer-aided interpretation. Particularly important are: 1) the progressive decomposition of the body; 2) the dressing on the body—none, summer or winter garment, or wrapped in shroud or plastic foil; and 3) the size of the body. Based on the positive results of the preliminary survey the problems will be investigated using the prepared beforehand area with four burial sites and developed method for neural networks.