The association between maternal stress and human milk concentrations of cortisol and prolactin.

Psychosocial stress affects the relationship between prolactin (PRL) and cortisol (CORT). The dynamics of PRL and CORT changes under stress in human milk (HM) are largely unknown. We investigated how maternal stress related to recent life changes affects milk CORT and PRL concentrations.

The elasticity of silicone-stabilized liposomes has no impact on their in vivo behavior.

Background: The elastomechanical properties of nanocarriers have recently been discussed as important for the efficient delivery of various therapeutics. Some data indicate that optimal nanocarriers' elasticity can modulate in vivo nanocarrier stability, interaction with phagocytes, and uptake by target cells. Here, we presented a study to extensively analyze the in vivo behavior of LIP-SS liposomes that were modified by forming the silicone network within the lipid bilayers to improve their elastomechanical properties.

The involvement of RIPK4 in TNF-α-stimulated IL-6 and IL-8 production by melanoma cells.

Purpose: The receptor-interacting protein kinase (RIPK4) has an oncogenic function in melanoma, regulates NF-κB and Wnt/β-catenin pathways, and is sensitive to the BRAF inhibitors: vemurafenib and dabrafenib which lead to its decreased level. As its role in melanoma remains not fully understood, we examined the effects of its downregulation on the transcriptomic profile of melanoma.

Methods: Applying RNA-seq, we revealed global alterations in the transcriptome of WM266.

ICTP concentration in cervical-vaginal fluid as a potential marker of membrane collagen degradation before labor.

Objectives: Numerous physical and chemical processes lead to rupture of membranes. Within the fetal membranes there are numerous types of metalloproteinases, which cause collagen type I degradation. The C-terminal telopeptide of colagen type I (ICTP) is the breakdown product of type I collagen.

Psychosocial stress and cortisol stress reactivity predict breast milk composition.

We studied a sample of 146 Polish, exclusively breastfeeding mothers and their healthy born on time infants to explore the effect of perinatal psychosocial stress on breast milk composition. Maternal perinatal stress was assessed using Recent Life Changes Questionnaire summarizing stressful events from the previous six months. Stress reactivity was determined by administering the cold pressor test and measuring cortisol in saliva samples taken during the test.

Fermented Vinegars from Apple Peels, Raspberries, Rosehips, Lavender, Mint, and Rose Petals: The Composition, Antioxidant Power, and Genoprotective Abilities in Comparison to Acetic Macerates, Decoctions, and Tinctures.

Acetic fermentation is a method for processing plant material which has been known since antiquity. Balsamic and apple cider vinegars are investigated as antibacterial, anti-obesity, and anti-diabetic remedies. However, there is little information about vinegars fermented from aromatic herbs and edible plants.

Towards plant-mediated chemistry - Au nanoparticles obtained using aqueous extract of Rosa damascena and their biological activity in vitro.

An eco-friendly, efficient, and controlled synthesis of gold nanoparticles with application of the aqueous extract of Rosa damascena (Au@RD NPs) without using any other reducing agents was studied. Au@RD NPs of narrow size distribution were characterized by UV-vis and FT-IR spectroscopies, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, particle size analysis, and zeta potential measurements. In vitro stability experiments revealed that the Au@RD NPs were stable for over a year (pH ~ 3.

Resveratrol enhances apoptosis induced by the heterocyclic aromatic amines in p53-wt LoVo cells, but not in p53-deficient HaCaT cells.

In the present study, we investigated the influence of resveratrol on PhIP treated human colon cancer cells and compared the effect to HaCaT cells considered as normal, human keratinocytes. Our results show that resveratrol decreases DNA damage in both cell types, it increases the sensitivity of LoVo cells to apoptosis and has no effect on PhIP-treated HaCaT cells. We confirm that PhIP-induced apoptosis is p53 and caspase 3/7 dependent.

Cellular Turnover: A Potential Metabolic Rate-Driven Mechanism to Mitigate Accumulation of DNA Damage.

Oxidative stress, the imbalance of reactive oxygen species and antioxidant capacity, may cause damage to biomolecules pivotal for cellular processes (e.g., DNA).

In vivo Studies on Pharmacokinetics, Toxicity and Immunogenicity of Polyelectrolyte Nanocapsules Functionalized with Two Different Polymers: Poly-L-Glutamic Acid or PEG.

Background: The functionalization of a nanoparticle surface with PEG (polyethylene glycol) is an approach most often used for extending nanomaterial circulation time, enhancing its delivery and retention in the target tissues, and decreasing systemic toxicity of nanocarriers and their cargos. However, because PEGylated nanomedicines were reported to induce immune response including production of anti-PEG antibodies, activation of the complement system as well as hypersensitivity reactions, hydrophilic polymers other than PEG are gaining interest as its replacement in nanomaterial functionalization. Here, we present the results of in vivo evaluation of polyelectrolyte nanocapsules with biodegradable, polyelectrolyte multilayer shells consisting of poly-l-lysine (PLL) and poly-l-glutamic (PGA) acid as a potential drug delivery system.

Analysis of toxicity and anticancer activity of micelles of sodium alginate-curcumin.

Background: Curcumin is a natural polyphenol with anti-inflammatory, chemopreventive and anticancer activity. However, its high hydrophobicity and poor bioavailability limit its medical application. The development of nanocarriers for curcumin delivery is an attractive approach to overcome its low bioavailability and fast metabolism in the liver.

In vitro toxicity studies of biodegradable, polyelectrolyte nanocapsules.

Background: Toxicity of nanomaterials is one of the most important factors limiting their medical application. Evaluation of in vitro nanotoxicity allows for the identification and elimination of most of the toxic materials prior to animal testing. The current knowledge of the possible side effects of biodegradable nanomaterials, such as liposomes and polymeric organic nanoparticles, is limited.

Polymeric micelle-mediated delivery of half-sandwich ruthenium(II) complexes with phosphanes derived from fluoroloquinolones for lung adenocarcinoma treatment.

Novel half-sandwich ruthenium(II) complexes with aminomethyl(diphenyl)phosphine derived from fluoroloquinolones (RuPCp, RuPSf, RuPLm, RuPNr) were being investigated as alternatives to well-established metal-based chemotherapeutics. All compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, selected spectroscopic methods (i.e.

p38 but not p53 is responsible for UVA-induced MCPIP1 expression.

MCPIP1 (Monocyte Chemotactic Protein-1 Induced Protein) is an important regulator of inflammation and cell apoptosis, but its role in UVA-induced stress response in the epidermis has never been studied. We have found that moderate apoptosis-inducing dose of UVA (27J/cm) increases the level of MCPIP1 expression in HaCaT cells and normal human keratinocytes (NHEK) within 6-9h after the treatment. MCPIP1 upregulation was dependent on the induction of p38, but not p53, as demonstrated by using p38 inhibitor SB203580 and p53 inducer RG7388, respectively.

Combination of ABT-737 and resveratrol enhances DNA damage and apoptosis in human T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia MOLT-4 cells.

ABT-737 belongs to a new class of anticancer agents named BH3 mimetics. ABT-737 competitively binds to surface hydrophobic grooves of anti-apoptotic proteins of Bcl-2 family, counteracting their protective effect. Resveratrol is a natural polyphenol that has been shown to inhibit the proliferation and/or induce apoptosis in a number of different types of cancer cells.

Modulatory Effects of Curcumin and Tyrphostins (AG494 and AG1478) on Growth Regulation and Viability of LN229 Human Brain Cancer Cells.

In this study we employed curcumin as a potent adjuvant agent in the treatment of human brain cancer involving selective EGFR kinase inhibitors: tyrphostins AG494 and AG1478. Aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of tested compounds on autocrine growth, cell cycle, and viability of LN229 cells, as well as to assess their proapoptotic and genotoxic properties. Our results showed that all tested compounds significantly inhibited autocrine growth of the investigated cell line in a dose dependent manner.

Pregabalin for the treatment of social anxiety disorder.

Introduction: Social anxiety disorder (SAD) is one of the most common psychiatric disorders, causing a reduction of in the quality of life by impairing functioning in social situations. The lifetime prevalence of SAD is estimated to be 12%. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are considered first-line drugs for SAD.

Proteomic analysis of proton beam irradiated human melanoma cells.

Proton beam irradiation is a form of advanced radiotherapy providing superior distributions of a low LET radiation dose relative to that of photon therapy for the treatment of cancer. Even though this clinical treatment has been developing for several decades, the proton radiobiology critical to the optimization of proton radiotherapy is far from being understood. Proteomic changes were analyzed in human melanoma cells treated with a sublethal dose (3 Gy) of proton beam irradiation.

Effects triggered by platinum nanoparticles on primary keratinocytes.

The platinum (Pt)-group elements (PGEs) represent a new kind of environmental pollutant and a new hazard for human health. Since their introduction as vehicle-exhaust catalysts, their emissions into the environment have grown considerably compared with their low natural concentration in the earth crust. PGE emissions from vehicle catalysts can be also in the form of nanometer-sized particles (Pt nanoparticles [PtNPs]).

Effect of silver nanoparticles on human primary keratinocytes.

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have many biological applications in biomedicine, biotechnology and other life sciences. Depending on the size, shape and the type of carrier, AgNPs demonstrate different physical and chemical properties. AgNPs have strong antimicrobial, antiviral and antifungal activity, thus they are used extensively in a range of medical settings, particularly in wound dressings but also in cosmetics.

Oxidative DNA Damage in Blood of CVD Patients Taking Detralex.

The main goal of the work reported here was to determine the degree of oxidative/alkali-labile DNA damages in peripheral blood as well as in the blood stasis from varicose vein of (chronic venous disorder) CVD patients. Moreover, determination of the impact of Detralex usage on the level of (oxidative) DNA damages in CVD patients was evaluated as well.The degree of oxidative DNA damages was studied in a group consisted of thirty patients with diagnosed chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) in the 2nd and 3rd degree, according to clinical state, etiology, anatomy and pathophysiology (CEAP), and qualified to surgical procedure.

Lifespan of etoposide-treated human neutrophils is affected by antioxidant ability of quercetin.

Neutropenia is the primary dose-limiting effect of etoposide toxicity resulting in a decreased efficiency of cancer treatment. Hence, the protection of neutrophils has important clinical implications. We investigated whether quercetin, due to its antioxidant properties, is able to modulate the damaging activity of etoposide.

Prolonged quercetin administration diminishes the etoposide-induced DNA damage in bone marrow cells of rats.

The DNA damage in bone marrow cells induced by etoposide (E) injected intraperitoneally to rats (100 mg/kg b.w.) decreased to the control level when quercetin (Q) was administered subcutaneously for 10 consecutive days (40 mg/kg b.