The Role of the Gravitational Field in Generating Electric Potentials in a Double-Membrane System for Concentration Polarization Conditions.

Electric potentials referred to as the gravielectric effect (∆ΨS) are generated in a double-membrane system containing identical polymer membranes set in horizontal planes and separating non-homogenous electrolyte solutions. The gravielectric effect depends on the concentration and composition of the solutions and is formed due to the gravitational field breaking the symmetry of membrane complexes/concentration boundary layers formed under concentration polarization conditions. As a part of the Kedem-Katchalsky formalism, a model of ion transport was developed, containing the transport parameters of membranes and solutions and taking into account hydrodynamic (convective) instabilities.

Cytotoxicity and Microbiological Properties of Copolymers Comprising Quaternary Ammonium Urethane-Dimethacrylates with Bisphenol A Glycerolate Dimethacrylate and Triethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate.

Using dental composite restorative materials with a copolymeric matrix chemically modified towards bioactive properties can help fight secondary caries. In this study, copolymers of 40 wt.% bisphenol A glycerolate dimethacrylate, 40 wt.

A method for evaluating the transport and energy conversion properties of polymer biomembranes using the Kedem-Katchalsky-Peusner equations.

Background: A basic parameter in non-equilibrium thermodynamics is the production of entropy (S-entropy), which is a consequence of the irreversible processes of mass, charge, energy, and momentum transport in various systems. The product of S-entropy production and absolute temperature (T) is called the dissipation function and is a measure of energy dissipation in non-equilibrium processes.

Objectives: This study aimed to estimate energy conversion in membrane transport processes of homogeneous non-electrolyte solutions.

Evaluation of Transport Properties and Energy Conversion of Bacterial Cellulose Membrane Using Peusner Network Thermodynamics.

We evaluated the transport properties of a bacterial cellulose (BC) membrane for aqueous ethanol solutions. Using the version of the Kedem-Katchalsky-Peusner formalism (KKP) for the concentration polarization (CP) conditions of solutions, the osmotic and diffusion fluxes as well as the membrane transport parameters were determined, such as the hydraulic permeability (), reflection (σ), and solute permeability (ω). We used these parameters and the Peusner (Rijr) coefficients resulting from the KKP equations to assess the transport properties of the membrane based on the calculated dependence of the concentration coefficients: the resistance, coupling, and energy conversion efficiency for aqueous ethanol solutions.

Energy conversion in Textus Bioactiv Ag membrane dressings using Peusner's network thermodynamic descriptions.

Background: The Textus Bioactiv Ag membrane is an active dressing for the treatment of chronic wounds such as venous stasis ulcers and burns.

Objectives: Determination of the transport and internal energy conversion properties of the Textus Bioactiv Ag membrane using the Kedem-Katchalsky-Peusner model. This model introduces the coefficients Lij necessary to calculate the degree of coupling (lij, QL), energy conversion efficiency (eij), dissipated energy (S-energy), free energy (F-energy), and internal energy (U-energy).

Modelling of the Electrical Membrane Potential for Concentration Polarization Conditions.

Based on Kedem-Katchalsky formalism, the model equation of the membrane potential (Δψs) generated in a membrane system was derived for the conditions of concentration polarization. In this system, a horizontally oriented electro-neutral biomembrane separates solutions of the same electrolytes at different concentrations. The consequence of concentration polarization is the creation, on both sides of the membrane, of concentration boundary layers.

Micro RNAs in Regulation of Cellular Redox Homeostasis.

In living cells Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) participate in intra- and inter-cellular signaling and all cells contain specific systems that guard redox homeostasis. These systems contain both enzymes which may produce ROS such as NADPH-dependent and other oxidases or nitric oxide synthases, and ROS-neutralizing enzymes such as catalase, peroxiredoxins, thioredoxins, thioredoxin reductases, glutathione reductases, and many others. Most of the genes coding for these enzymes contain sequences targeted by micro RNAs (miRNAs), which are components of RNA-induced silencing complexes and play important roles in inhibiting translation of their targeted messenger RNAs (mRNAs).

MiR-378a-3p Is Critical for Burkitt Lymphoma Cell Growth.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small RNA molecules with important gene regulatory roles in normal and pathophysiological cellular processes. Burkitt lymphoma (BL) is an MYC-driven lymphoma of germinal center B (GC-B) cell origin. To gain further knowledge on the role of miRNAs in the pathogenesis of BL, we performed small RNA sequencing in BL cell lines and normal GC-B cells.

Non-Coding RNAs in Cancer Radiosensitivity: MicroRNAs and lncRNAs as Regulators of Radiation-Induced Signaling Pathways.

Radiotherapy is a cancer treatment that applies high doses of ionizing radiation to induce cell death, mainly by triggering DNA double-strand breaks. The outcome of radiotherapy greatly depends on radiosensitivity of cancer cells, which is determined by multiple proteins and cellular processes. In this review, we summarize current knowledge on the role of microRNAs (miRNAs) and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), in determining the response to radiation.

Argonaute 2 immunoprecipitation revealed large tumor suppressor kinase 1 as a novel proapoptotic target of miR-21 in T cells.

MicroRNA (miR)-21 is an important suppressor of T-cell apoptosis that is also overexpressed in many types of cancers. The exact mechanisms underlying the antiapoptotic effects of miR-21 are not well understood. In this study, we used the Jurkat T-cell line as a model to identify apoptosis-associated miR-21 target genes.

Inhibition of the miR-155 target NIAM phenocopies the growth promoting effect of miR-155 in B-cell lymphoma.

Several studies have indicated an important role for miR-155 in the pathogenesis of B-cell lymphoma. Highly elevated levels of miR-155 were indeed observed in most B-cell lymphomas with the exception of Burkitt lymphoma (BL). However, the molecular mechanisms that underlie the oncogenic role of miR-155 in B-cell lymphoma are not well understood.

[Evaluation of the Peusner's coefficients matrix for polymeric membrane and ternary non-electrolyte solutions].

Background: A system of network forms of Kedem-Katchalsky (K-K) equations for ternary non-electrolyte solutions is made of eight matrix equations containing Peusner's coefficients R(ij), L(ij), H(ij), W(ij), K(ij), N(ij), S(ij) or P(ij) (i, j ∈ {1, 2, 3}). The equations are the result of symmetric or hybrid transformation of the classic form of K-K equations by the use of methods of Peusner's network thermodynamics (PNT).

Objectives: Calculating concentration dependences of the determinant of Peusner's coefficients matrixes R(ij), L(ij), H(ij), W(ij), S(ij), N(ij), K(ij) and P(ij) (i, j ∈ {1, 2, 3}).

[Network form of the Kedem-Katchalsky equations for ternary non-electrolyte solutions. 8. evaluation of Pij Peusner's coefficients for polymeric membrane].

Background: Methods of Peusner's network of thermodynamics (PNT) allow to obtain network forms of Kedem-Katchalsky (K-K) equations. The equations are the result of symmetric and/or hybrid transformation of the classic form of the K-K equations. For ternary non-electrolyte solutions, comprising a dissolvent and two solutions dissolved, the following network forms of the K-K equations may be obtained: two symmetric forms (containing Rij or Lij Peusner's coefficients) and six hybrid forms (containing Hij, Wij, Nij, Kij, Sij or Pij Peusner's coefficients).

[Network form of the Kedem-Katchalsky equations for ternary non-electrolyte solutions 7. Evaluation of Sij Peusner's coefficients for polymeric membrane].

Background: Peusner's network thermodynamics (PNT) allows symmetrical and/or hybrid transformation of Kedem-Katchalsky (K-K) equations to network form. For homogenous solutions that consist of solvent and two soluble nonelec-metrolyte substances, there are two symmetrical and six hybrid forms of network K-K equations that contain symmetrical (Rij or Lij) or hybrid (Hij, Wij, Sij, Nij, Kij or Pij) Peusner coefficients.

Objectives: The aim of this study is to introduce the hybrid form of network K-K equations that include tensor Peusner coefficients Sij (i, j ∈ {1, 2, 3}) for homogenous ternary solutions of nonelectrolytes and to calculate dependences of coefficients Sij on mean concentration of one solution component (C1) when the concentration of the other one is constant (C2).

[Network form of the Kedem-Katchalsky equations for ternary non-electrolyte solutions. 6. Evaluation of Kij Peusner's coefficients for polymeric membrane].

Background: Peusner Network Thermodynamics (PNT) enables transformation of Kedem-Katchalsky (K-K) membrane transport equations from classical to network form. For ternary and homogenous nonelectrolyte solutions, transformation results in two symmetrical and six hybrid forms of network K-K equations. Symmetrical forms of these equations contain Peusner's coefficients Rij or Lij, whereas hybrid forms contain Peusner's coefficients Hij, Wij, Nij, Kij, Sij or Pij.

[Network form of the Kedem-Katchalsky equations for ternary non-electrolyte solutions. 5. Evaluation of Nij Peusner's coefficients for polymeric membrane].

Background: Peusner Network Thermodynamics (PNT) enables symmetrical and/or hybrid transformation of classical Kedem-Katchalsky (K-K) equations to network forms. For homogenous nonelectrolyte solutions that consist of solvent and two dissolved substances, two symmetrical and six hybrid forms of network K-K equations can be obtained that contain symmetrical (Rij or Lij) or hybrid (Hij, Wij, Nij, Kij, Sij or Pij) Peusner's coefficients.

Objectives: The aim of this paper is to derive network form of K-K equations for homogenous ternary nonelectrolyte solutions that contains Peusner's coefficients Nij (i, j ∈ {1, 2, 3}).

[Network form of the Kedem-Katchalsky equations for ternary non-electrolyte solutions. 4. Evaluation of Wij Peusner's coefficients for polymeric membrane].

Background: Peusner Network Thermodynamics (PNT) enables symmetrical and/or hybrid transformation of classical Kedem-Katchalsky (K-K) equations to network forms. For homogenous nonelectrolyte solutions, two symmetrical and six hybrid forms of network K-K equations can be obtained that contain symmetrical (Rij or Lij) or hybrid (Hij, Wij, Nij, Kij, Sij or Pij) Peusner's coefficients.

Objectives: The aim of this paper is to present network form of K-K equations for homogenous ternary nonelectrolyte solutions that contains Peusner's coefficients Wij (i, j ∈ {1, 2, 3}).

The relation of rapid changes in obesity measures to lipid profile - insights from a nationwide metabolic health survey in 444 Polish cities.

Objective: The impact of fast changes in obesity indices on other measures of metabolic health is poorly defined in the general population. Using the Polish accession to the European Union as a model of political and social transformation we examined how an expected rapid increase in body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference relates to changes in lipid profile, both at the population and personal level.

Methods: Through primary care centres in 444 Polish cities, two cross-sectional nationwide population-based surveys (LIPIDOGRAM 2004 and LIPIDOGRAM 2006) examined 15,404 and 15,453 adult individuals in 2004 and 2006, respectively.

Dual role of miR-21 in CD4+ T-cells: activation-induced miR-21 supports survival of memory T-cells and regulates CCR7 expression in naive T-cells.

Immune cell-type specific miRNA expression patterns have been described but the detailed role of single miRNAs in the function of T-cells remains largely unknown. We investigated the role of miR-21 in the function of primary human CD4+ T-cells. MiR-21 is substantially expressed in T-cells with a memory phenotype, and is robustly upregulated upon αCD3/CD28 activation of both naive and memory T-cells.

Cellular localization and processing of primary transcripts of exonic microRNAs.

Processing of miRNAs occurs simultaneous with the transcription and splicing of their primary transcripts. For the small subset of exonic miRNAs it is unclear if the unspliced and/or spliced transcripts are used for miRNA biogenesis. We assessed endogenous levels and cellular location of primary transcripts of three exonic miRNAs.

[Network form of the Kedem-Katchalsky equations for ternary non-electrolyte solutions. 3. Evaluation of Hij Peusner's coefficients for polymeric membrane].

Introduction: Using symmetrical or hybrid transformation Kedem-Katchalsky membrane transport equations (K-K) for ternary solutions can be transformed to symmetrical (Rij lub Lij) or hybrid (contain coefficients Hij, Wij, Sij, Nij, Kij or Pij) network form.

Purpose: Derivation of network form of K-K equations for homogeneous ternary non-electrolyte solutions containing Peusner's coefficients Hij (i, j element of {1, 2, 3}) and calculation of these coefficients for solutions consisting of solvent and two dissolved substances. Moreover comparison of these coefficients with coefficients Rij and Lij presented in the first and second part of the paper (Polim.

[Network form of the Kedem-Katchalsky equations for ternary non-electrolyte solutions. 2. Evaluation of Lij Peusner's coefficients for polymeric membrane].

Introduction: Symmetrical or hybrid transformation of Kedem-Katchalsky membrane transport equations (K-K) can be performed using Peusner's network thermodynamics (PNT). For ternary and homogeneous solutions of non-electrolytes it result in two symmetrical and six hybrid network form of K-K equations. The symmetrical form of these equations contain Peusner's coefficients Rij or Lij, and hybrid form--Peusner's coefficients Hij, Nij, Kij, Pij, Sij or Wij.

[Network form of the Kedem-Katchalsky equations for ternary non-electrolyte solutions. 1. Evaluation of Rij Peusner's coefficients for polymeric membrane].

Introduction: Peusner's network thermodynamics (PNT) enables symmetrical or hybrid transformation of membrane transport equations. For Kedem-Katchalsky equations (K-K) these transformations create the network form of these equations that contain new types of coefficients which can be calculated from the experimentally determined transport parameters, such as hydraulic permeability coefficient (Lp), solute permeability (omega) and reflection (sigma). For ternary and homogeneous solutions of non-electrolytes, transformations result in two symmetrical and six hybrid K-K network equations.

Evaluation the reflection coefficient of polymeric membrane in concentration polarization conditions.

Introduction: The reflection coefficient of the membrane (sigma) is one of the basic parameters of the polymer membrane transport. Classical methods used to determine this parameter require intensive mixing of two solutions separated by a membrane to eliminate the effects of concentration polarization. In the real conditions, especially in biological systems, this requirement is challenging.