Beneficial Impact of Inhaled 25(OH)-Vitamin D3 and 1,25(OH)2-Vitamin D3 on Pulmonary Response in the Murine Model of Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis.

Despite numerous scientific reports on the negative impact of vitamin D3 deficiency on many respiratory diseases, little is known about the influence of this phenomenon on the development and progression of hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP). The presented study is an attempt to shed light on this occurrence. The research was performed on mouse strain C57BL/6J exposed to the antigen of (etiological factor of HP).

L. Root Extract as a Multi-Target Chemopreventive Agent against Colon Cancer Causing Apoptosis in Human Colon Adenocarcinoma Cell Lines.

L. () is a shrub that has been widely used in European folk medicine as an anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial agent. The purpose of our study was to elucidate the mechanisms of the chemopreventive action of the plant's methanolic root extract (BVR) against colon cancer cells.

Synergism of antiproliferative effects of young green barley and chlorella water extracts against human breast cancer cells.

Introduction And Objective: Breast cancer is the most common type of tumour in terms of incidence and mortality among women. In the light of recent data that has revealed the beneficial impact of increasing plant-based food consumption on the risk of breast cancer, the use of young green barley and chlorella, the chemopreventive properties of which have been previously reported, seems to be a reasonable therapeutic strategy in this type of cancer. Nevertheless, there are only a few scientific reports focused on the influence of the mentioned products on breast cancer development; thus, the aim of the study was to enrich knowledge resources in this area.

(1→3)-α-d-Glucooligosaccharides Increase the Killing Capacity of NK Cells against Selected Human Colon Cancer Cells.

Despite the progress of medicine, colorectal cancer has occupied one of the highest positions in the rankings of cancer morbidity and mortality for many years. Thus, alternative methods of its treatment are sought. One of the newer therapeutic strategies is immunotherapy based on NK cells (natural killers), which are the body's first line of defense against cancer.

Role of vitamin D3 in selected pulmonary diseases with particular emphasis on lung fibrosis.

Introduction And Objective: For many years vitamin D3 was known only as a regulator of the calcium-phosphate and water-electrolyte balances. Recent studies have paid special attention to other biological effects of calcitriol (the bioactive form of vitamin D3) with particular emphasis on its influence on immune function. Thus, any alterations, especially deficiencies, in the physiological level of calcitriol have serious health consequences.

Phytochemical Profiling of Extracts from Rare Species and Evaluation of Their Anticancer Potential.

Despite the common use of L. species (Rosaceae) as herbal medicines, a number of species still remain unexplored. Thus, the present study is a continuation of a study evaluating the phytochemical and biological profiles of aqueous acetone extracts from selected species.

Cathelicidin Treatment Silences Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition Involved in Pulmonary Fibrosis in a Murine Model of Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis.

Pulmonary fibrosis is becoming an increasingly common pathology worldwide. Unfortunately, this disorder is characterized by a bad prognosis: no treatment is known, and the survival rate is dramatically low. One of the most frequent reasons for pulmonary fibrosis is hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP).

Anticancer potential of acetone extracts from selected species against human colorectal cancer cells.

Cinquefoils have been widely used in local folk medicine in Europe and Asia to manage various gastrointestinal inflammations and/or infections, certain forms of cancer, thyroid gland disorders, and wound healing. In the present paper, acetone extracts from aerial parts of selected species, namely (PAL7), (PAR7), (PGR7), (PN7), (PRE7) and the closely related (syn. ) (PRU7), were analysed for their cytotoxicity and antiproliferative activities against human colon adenocarcinoma cell line LS180 and human colon epithelial cell line CCD841 CoN.

Binge-like mephedrone treatment induces memory impairment concomitant with brain kynurenic acid reduction in mice.

While mephedrone (4-methylmethcathinone), a synthetic cathinone derivative, is widely abused by adolescents and young adults, the knowledge about its long-term effects on memory processes is limited. Kynurenic acid (KYNA) is a neuroactive metabolite of the kynurenine pathway of tryptophan degradation. KYNA is considered an important endogenous modulator influencing physiological and pathological processes, including learning and memory processes.

A Scoping Analysis of Cathelicidin in Response to Organic Dust Exposure and Related Chronic Lung Illnesses.

Over two billion people worldwide are exposed to organic dust, which can cause respiratory disorders. The discovery of the cathelicidin peptide provides novel insights into the lung's response to organic dust; however, its role in the lung's response to organic dust exposure and chronic lung diseases remains limited. We conducted a scoping review to map the current evidence on the role of cathelicidin LL-37/CRAMP in response to organic dust exposure and related chronic lung diseases: hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma.

Influence of Umbelliferone on the Anticonvulsant and Neuroprotective Activity of Selected Antiepileptic Drugs: An In Vivo and In Vitro Study.

Umbelliferone (7-hydroxycoumarin; UMB) is a coumarin with many biological properties, including antiepileptic activity. This study evaluated the effect of UMB on the ability of classical and novel antiepileptic drugs (e.g.

Immunomodulatory Properties of Polysaccharide-Rich Young Green Barley () Extract and Its Structural Characterization.

Young green barley (YGB) water extract has revealed a beneficial impact on natural killer (NK) cells' ability to recognize and eliminate human colon cancer cells, without any side effects for normal colon epithelial cells. The direct anticancer effect of the tested compounds has been also shown. The mixture of oligosaccharides found in this extract was characterized by chemical analyses and via FT-IR spectroscopy and MALDI-TOF MS techniques.

Impact of phytochemicals and plant extracts on viability and proliferation of NK cell line NK-92 - a closer look at immunomodulatory properties of goji berries extract in human colon cancer cells.

Introduction: Due to the fact that lymphocytes NK (natural killer cells) are the first line of defence of the body against cancer, one of the goals of modern immunotherapy is the enhancement of their natural activities for the effective recognition, detection, and elimination of cancer cells.

Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of selected phytochemicals (curcumin and resveratrol) and plant extracts (chlorella and goji berries) on NK cells viability and proliferation, as well as cytotoxic activity against colon cancer - one of the most common cancer worldwide.

Material And Methods: The impact of phytochemicals, viability and proliferation of plant extracts on NK cells was examined in NK-92 cells using both LDH and MTT assays.

Lensoside Aβ as an Adjuvant to the Anti-Glioma Potential of Sorafenib.

Aim: The anti-glioma effect of lensoside Aβ alone and in combination with sorafenib (pro-survival Raf kinase inhibitor) was evaluated for the first time in terms of programmed cell death induction in anaplastic astrocytoma and glioblastoma multiforme cell lines as an experimental model. Apoptosis, autophagy, and necrosis were identified microscopically (fluorescence and scanning microscopes) and confirmed by flow cytometry (mitochondrial membrane potential MMP and cell death). The expression of apoptotic (caspase 3) and autophagic markers (beclin 1) as well as Raf kinase were estimated by immunoblotting.

Beneficial impact of cathelicidin on hypersensitivity pneumonitis treatment-In vivo studies.

Cathelicidin (CRAMP) is a defence peptide with a wide range of biological responses including antimicrobial, immunomodulatory and wound healing. Due to its original properties the usefulness of CRAMP in the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis was assessed in a murine model of hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP). The studies were conducted on mouse strain C57BL/6J exposed to a saline extract of Pantoea agglomerans cells (HP inducer).

Preclinical Assessment of a New Hybrid Compound C11 Efficacy on Neurogenesis and Cognitive Functions after Pilocarpine Induced Status Epilepticus in Mice.

Status epilepticus (SE) is a frequent medical emergency that can lead to a variety of neurological disorders, including cognitive impairment and abnormal neurogenesis. The aim of the presented study was the evaluation of potential neuroprotective properties of a new pyrrolidine-2,5-dione derivatives compound C11, as well as the assessment of the impact on the neurogenesis and cognitive functions of C11 and levetiracetam (LEV) after pilocarpine (PILO)-induced SE in mice. The results indicated a protective effect of C11 (500, 1000, and 2500 ng/mL) on astrocytes under trophic stress conditions in the MTT (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazole-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) test.

COVID 19 - Possible interrelations with respiratory comorbidities caused by occupational exposure to various hazardous bioaerosols. Part II. Clinical course, diagnostics, treatment and prevention.

Introduction And Objective: The course of COVID-19 caused by the SARS-CoV-2 may be aggravated by bioaerosols containing other viruses, bacteria, and fungi, occurring mainly in the occupational environment. Hence, the diagnostics and treatment of COVID-19 should address such a possibility in the anamnesis, treatment and final recommendations for avoiding of adverse exposure.

Abbreviated Description Of The State Of Knowledge: As SARS-CoV-2 attacks primarily the respiratory system and the severe manifestation of COVID-19 is interstitial pneumonia, diagnostics should include the following clinical and laboratory examinations: chest X-ray; high resolution computed tomography (HRCT); pulmonary function tests; arterial-blood gas test; genetic tests for the presence of SARS-CoV-2, in the future with the use of highly specific and sensitive nano-based biosensors; tests for the presence of specific immunity against the antigens of microorganisms causing other infectious or allergic pulmonary diseases (in the case of anamnestic indications).

Promising Potential of Crude Polysaccharides from against Colon Cancer: An In Vitro Study.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate in vitro the beneficial potential of crude polysaccharides from (CPS) in one of the most common cancer types-colon cancer. The determination of the chemical composition of CPS has revealed that it contains mostly carbohydrates, while proteins or phenolics are present only in trace amounts. H NMR and GC-MS methods were used for the structural analysis of CPS.

Enhancement of chemopreventive properties of young green barley and chlorella extracts used together against colon cancer cells.

Introduction And Objective: Young green barley and chlorella are listed as a panacea for a whole range of disorders, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, infections, and hypercholesterolaemia. The first reports have appeared presenting the anticancer properties of these products. The present study is an attempt to extend this knowledge with particular emphasis on the possibility of using young green barley, chlorella, and their combination in colon cancer chemoprevention.

COVID 19 - Possible interrelations with respiratory comorbidities caused by occupational exposure to various hazardous bioaerosols. Part I. Occurrence, epidemiology and presumed origin of the pandemic.

The occupational bioaerosols containing viruses, bacteria, fungi, microbial toxins and plant or animal particles, may evoke infectious, allergic or immunotoxic diseases which may co-exist as comorbidities with COVID-19 and exacerbate the course of disease. They include hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) caused mostly by bacteria, fungi, and particles containing animal proteins, and immunotoxic diseases such as organic dust toxic syndrome (ODTS) and byssinosis, caused mostly by bacterial and fungal toxins. The two most probable scenarios of possible interrelations between these three comorbidities (CM) and COVID-19 are: 1) 'Triggering' - when infection with SARS-CoV-2 triggers severe CM after bioaerosol exposure; 2) 'Reverse triggering' when exposure to bioaerosol exacerbates a symptomless or mild course of COVID-19, and evokes a severe disease.

Pantoea agglomerans chronic exposure induces epithelial-mesenchymal transition in human lung epithelial cells and mice lungs.

Pantoea agglomerans is gram-negative bacteria widely distributed in nature. It predominates in inhalable dust from grain, herbs, and flax, and was identified as the most important cause of hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) in eastern Poland. To better understand the molecular mechanism of HP development studies focused on the interactions between P.

Branched mannans from the mushroom Cantharellus cibarius enhance the anticancer activity of natural killer cells against human cancers of lung and colon.

Several studies have shown that mushroom polysaccharides enhance the ability of natural killer (NK) cells to recognize cancer cells as foreign and thereby enhance the effectiveness of host immune defence mechanisms. Nevertheless, the use of NK cells in cancer treatment requires finding selective stimulators of their cytotoxicity without disturbing organism homeostasis. Our studies revealed that Cantharellus cibarius polysaccharides present in the CC2a fraction, mainly composed of an O-2 and O-3 branched (1→6)-linked mannan, not only beneficially influenced the viability and proliferation of the human natural killer cells NK92 but also enhanced their anticancer properties against the human lung and colon cancer cells A549 and LS180, and at the same time did not affect the human lung and colon epithelial cells NL20 and CCD841 CoN.

Lycopene, sulforaphane, quercetin, and curcumin applied together show improved antiproliferative potential in colon cancer cells in vitro.

Lycopene, sulforaphane, quercetin, and curcumin, ingredients of daily diet, show significant anticancer and chemopreventive potential; however, no data are available showing thorough evaluation of jointly used phytochemicals on cancer cell proliferation. Here, we compare anticancer potential of mentioned substances applied separately or in combination (as MIX) by measuring mitochondrial activity (MTT test), DNA synthesis (BrdU test) and lactate dehydrogenase release (LDH test) in colon epithelial (CCD841 CoTr), and colon cancer (HT-29, LS174T) cells. Additive inhibitory effect of simultaneously used phytochemicals on cancer cells proliferation has been shown.

Cantharellus cibarius branched mannans inhibits colon cancer cells growth by interfering with signals transduction in NF-ĸB pathway.

In order to evaluate the therapeutic potential of polysaccharides obtained from the widely consumed Cantharellus cibarius mushroom on NF-ĸB pathway involved in cancer cells proliferation, survival, and metastasis, their antiproliferative and cytotoxic properties in human colon cancer cells LS180 and human colon epithelial cells CCD841 CoN were studied. BrdU and LDH assays results show that a branched mannan isolated from C. cibarius (CC2a) was selective against colon cancer cells, suppressing their proliferation and destroying membrane integrity but at the same time not adversely affecting colon epithelial cells.

Mushroom small RNAs as potential anticancer agents: a closer look at Cantharellus cibarius proapoptotic and antiproliferative effects in colon cancer cells.

Screening aimed at the evaluation of the presence of small RNAs with anticancer properties in three mushrooms species, besides Boletus edulis, namely Boletus spretus (current name Baorangia emilei), Boletus pinophilus and Cantharellus cibarius, was conducted. All mushrooms yielded an ethanol insoluble and water soluble small RNA fraction purified from co-extracted polysaccharides by anion-exchange chromatography. Small RNAs from B.