Lectins in oncology and virology: Mechanisms of anticancer activity and SARS-CoV-2 inhibition.

Lectins are proteins or glycoproteins of non-immune origin with carbohydrate-binding properties. They are found both prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms. The most abundant source of the lectins are plants.

Cognitive dysfunctions in the course of SARS‑CoV‑2 virus infection, including NeuroCOVID, frontal syndrome and cytokine storm (Review).

During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, cognitive impairment of varying degrees of severity began to be observed in a significant percentage of patients. The present study discussed the impact of immunological processes on structural and functional changes in the central nervous system and the related cognitive disorders. The purpose of the present review was to analyse and discuss available information from the scientific literature considering the possible relationship between severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) viral infection and cognitive impairment, including NeuroCOVID, frontal syndrome and cytokine storm.

The effects of cadmium on selected oxidative stress parameters and the content of photosynthetic pigments in cucumber Cucumis sativus L.

Background: Environmental pollution by cadmium (Cd) is currently a common problem in many countries, especially in highly industrialised areas. Cd present in the soil can be absorbed by plants through the root system.

Aim: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of cadmium on the metabolic activity of cucumber plants (Cucumis sativus L.

Characterization of four peptides from milk fermented with kombucha cultures and their metal complexes-in search of new biotherapeutics.

The most common skin diseases include eczema, psoriasis, acne, and fungal infections. There is often no effective cure for them. Increasing antimicrobial drug resistance prompts us to search for new, safe, and effective therapeutics.

SARS-CoV-2 and its impact on the cardiovascular and digestive systems - The interplay between new virus variants and human cells.

Since infection with the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 first emerged in Wuhan, China, in December 2019, the world has been battling the pandemic COVID-19. Patients of all ages and genders are now becoming infected with the new coronavirus variant (Omicron) worldwide, and its subvariants continue to pose a threat to health and life. This article provides a literature review of cardiovascular and gastrointestinal complications resulting from SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Thermodynamic analysis of the interactions between human ACE2 and spike RBD of Betacoronaviruses (SARS-CoV-1 and SARS-CoV-2).

There are many scientific reports on the interaction of the SARS-CoV-2 virus S protein (and its RBD) with the human ACE2 receptor protein. However, there are no reliable data on how this interaction differs from the interaction of the receptor binding domain of SARS-CoV-1 with ACE2, in terms of binding strength and changes in reaction enthalpy and entropy. Our studies have revealed these differences and the impact of zinc ions on this interaction.

The role of heat shock proteins in neoplastic processes and the research on their importance in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.

Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are chaperones with highly conservative primary structure, necessary in the processes of protein folding to the most energetically advantageous conformation and maintaining their stability. HSPs perform a number of important functions in various cellular processes and are capable of modulating pathophysiological conditions at the cellular and systemic levels. An example is the high level of HSP expression in neoplastic tissues, which disrupts the apoptosis of transformed cells and promotes the processes of proliferation, invasion, and metastasis.