The objective of the subsequent study was to examine the probability of PFAS (per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances) binding to various NHRs (nuclear hormone receptors) and to identify their structural features that contribute most to the binding score (BS). We evaluated the BS for PFAS in relation to 7 selected NHRs - 4 with additional antagonist forms (Retinoid X receptor alpha - RXRα, Liver X receptor alpha - LXRα, Liver X receptor beta - LXRβ, Estrogen receptor alpha - ERα, Estrogen receptor alpha antagonist - anti-ERα, Estrogen receptor beta - ERβ, Estrogen receptor beta antagonist - anti-ERβ, Glucocorticoid receptor - GR, Glucocorticoid receptor antagonist - anti-GR, Androgen receptor - AR, Androgen receptor antagonist - anti-AR). We based our study on the results of molecular docking, which we used to develop MLR-QSAR (Multiple Linear Regression - Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship) models.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe bioconcentration factor (BCF) is an important parameter that gives information regarding the ability of a contaminant to be taken up by organisms from the water. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are widespread in the environment, causing concern regarding their impact on human health. Due to the lack of available bioaccumulation data for most compounds in the PFAS group, we developed a quantitative structure-property relationship (QSPR) model to predict the log BCF for fish (taxonomic class Teleostei), based on experimental data available for the most studied 33 representatives of this group of compounds.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFDysmenorrhea is the most common pathology women of childbearing age face. It is defined as painful uterine cramping associated with menstruation. Primary dysmenorrhea occurs in the absence of an organic cause, whereas secondary dysmenorrhea is pelvic pain associated with an underlying pelvic pathology.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIonic liquids (ILs) have recently gained significant attention in both the scientific community and industry, but there is a limited understanding of the potential risks they might pose to the environment and human health, including their potential to accumulate in organisms. While membrane and storage lipids have been considered as primary sorption phases driving bioaccumulation, in this study we used an in vitro tool known as solid-supported lipid membranes (SSLMs) to investigate the affinity of ILs to membrane lipid - phosphatidylcholine and compare the results with an existing in silico model. Our findings indicate that ILs may have a strong affinity for the lipids that form cell membranes, with the key factor being the length of the cation's side chain.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFViruses are a group of widespread organisms that are often responsible for very dangerous diseases, as most of them follow a mechanism to multiply and infect their hosts as quickly as possible. Pathogen viruses also mutate regularly, with the result that measures to prevent virus transmission and recover from the disease caused are often limited. The development of new substances is very time-consuming and highly budgeted and requires the sacrifice of many living organisms.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWhile numerous membrane-bound complement inhibitors protect the body's cells from innate immunity's autoaggression, soluble inhibitors like complement factor I (FI) are rarely produced outside the liver. Previously, we reported the expression of FI in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines. Now, we assessed the content of FI in cancer biopsies from lung cancer patients and associated the results with clinicopathological characteristics and clinical outcomes.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFRituximab, a prototypic anti-CD20 mAb, and the third-generation anti-CD20 mAb obinutuzumab differ in their ability to activate the complement system. According to recent studies, this contrast stems from the architecture of the antigen-antibody complex formed by these two mAbs that facilitates (rituximab) or disables (obinutuzumab) further oligomerization, leading to engagement of the initial classical complement pathway component C1q. We examined whether a gain-of-function C2 variant that acts downstream of C1q and enforces the formation of complement convertase resistant to physiological decay can impact complement activation by obinutuzumab.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe interventions aimed at improving the levels of physical activity (PA) in children and adolescents diagnosed with heart disease did not produce the expected outcomes. Safe participation in sport activities proposed based on actual recommendations could be a solution to promote PA in this population. The aims of this study were to discover a causal diagram of sport participation in children and youth with heart disease and establish the factors that affect and are affected thereof through the use of questionnaires.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFA single crystal of the ternary uranium silicide UIr[Formula: see text]Si[Formula: see text] was studied by means of of X-ray diffraction, magnetization, heat capacity and electrical transport measurements. The studied compound orders antiferromagnetically at the Néel temperature of 5.5 K and undergoes a metamagnetic transition at 1.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFHuman serum albumin (HSA) effectively binds different types of low-molecular-weight compounds and thus enables their distribution in living organisms. Recently, it has been reported that the protein-ligand interactions play a crucial role in bioaccumulation processes and provide an important sorption phase, especially for ionogenic compounds. Therefore, the binding interactions of such compounds with proteins are the subject of an ongoing interest in environmental and life sciences.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIn this study, we investigated PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) binding potencies to nuclear hormone receptors (NHRs): peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) α, β, and γ and thyroid hormone receptors (TRs) α and β. We have simulated the docking scores of 43 perfluoroalkyl compounds and based on these data developed QSAR (Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship) models for predicting the binding probability to five receptors. In the next step, we implemented the developed QSAR models for the screening approach of a large group of compounds (4464) from the NORMAN Database.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe synthesis, structural, phonon, optical, and magnetic properties of two hybrid organic-inorganic chlorides with monoprotonated methylhydrazinium cations (CHNHNH, MHy), [CHNHNH]CdCl (MHyCdCl), and [CHNHNH]CuCl (MHyCuCl), are reported. In contrast to previously reported MHyCl ( = Mn, Ni, and Co) analogues, neither compound undergoes phase transitions. The MHyCuCl has a crystal structure familiar to previous crystals composed of edge-shared 1D chains of the [CuClN] octahedra.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe complement system is one of the first defense lines protecting from invading pathogens. However, it may turn offensive to the body's own cells and tissues when deregulated by the presence of rare genetic variants that impair physiological regulation and/or provoke abnormal activity of key enzymatic components. Factor B and complement C2 are examples of paralogs engaged in the alternative and classical/lectin complement pathway, respectively.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe growing perspective of running out of crude oil followed by increasing prices for all crude oil-based materials, e.g., crude oil-based polymers, which have a huge number of practical applications but are usually neither biodegradable nor environmentally friendly, has resulted in searching for their substitutes-namely, bio-based polymers.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe crystals of the tetrapropylammonium perchlorate ([(CHCHCH)N]ClO, TePrAClO) compound undergo two reversible phase transitions: at = 284 K and at = 445 K. The observed phase transitions and distinct dielectric and relaxation effects are due to the dynamic motions of the organic cations and anionic framework. The crystals become ordered at low temperatures, then disordered at room temperature (propyl chains of the organic part as well as perchlorate ions are disordered over the mirror plane at = 1/4 and 3/4) and highly disordered at high temperatures.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNumerous publications have underlined the link between complement C5a and the clinical course of COVID-19. We previously reported that levels of C5a remain high in the group of severely ill patients up to 90 days after hospital discharge. We have now evaluated which complement pathway fuels the elevated levels of C5a during hospitalization and follow-up.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInherent in the use of almost any analytical technique is the need to improve the separation efficiency and extract purity. One possibility for enhancing analytical methods is the application of substances / materials that functionalize components of the separation system. They interact with the material to be modified, either permanently or temporarily.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of rabbit meat burgers with the addition of garlic ( L.) powder (G), ramsons ( L.) powder (R) or their combination (GR).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEvery application of a substance results from the macroscopic property of the substance that is related to the substance's microscopic structure. For example, the forged park gate in your city was produced thanks to the malleability and ductility of metals, which are related to the ability of shifting of layers of metal cations, while fire extinguishing powders use the high boiling point of compounds related to their regular ionic and covalent structures. This also applies to polymers.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFOne of the crucial challenges for science is the development of alternative pollution-free and renewable energy sources. One of the most promising inexhaustible sources of energy is solar energy, and in this field, solar fuel cells employing naturally evolved solar energy converting biocomplexes-photosynthetic reaction centers, such as photosystem I-are of growing interest due to their highly efficient photo-powered operation, resulting in the production of chemical potential, enabling synthesis of simple fuels. However, application of the biomolecules in such a context is strongly limited by the progressing photobleaching thereof during illumination.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe impairment of the alternative complement pathway contributes to rare kidney diseases such as atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) and C3 glomerulopathy (C3G). We recently described an aHUS patient carrying an exceptional gain-of-function (GoF) mutation (S250C) in the classical complement pathway component C2 leading to the formation of hyperactive classical convertases. We now report the identification of the same mutation and another C2 GoF mutation R249C in two other patients with a glomerulopathy of uncertain etiology.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAutism spectrum disorders (ASD) are defined as neurodevelopmental disorders, which are highly variable in nature and do not form a uniform picture, either in terms of symptomatology or depth of the disturbance. Diagnosis of ASD is made for children who show signs of impairment in social interaction, communication and cognitive skills. The exact cause of autism spectrum disorders has not been determined to date.
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