Macrophages as Potential Therapeutic Targets in Acute Myeloid Leukemia.

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a heterogenous malignant hemopathy, and although new drugs have emerged recently, current treatment options still show limited efficacy. Therapy resistance remains a major concern due to its contribution to treatment failure, disease relapse, and increased mortality among patients. The underlying mechanisms of resistance to therapy are not fully understood, and it is crucial to address this challenge to improve therapy.

Dysregulated MicroRNAs in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia.

MiRNAs are a class of non-coding RNAs acting as gene expression regulators by modulating the lifespan of messenger RNA. Commonly referred to as the most frequent leukemia in the Western world, chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a lymphoproliferative malignancy characterized by clonal expansion of CD19, CD23, and CD5-positive mature B-cells. While this pathology is regarded as less aggressive and has a variety of treatment options, the cause of its clinical heterogeneity is not yet understood.

Cell death and DNA damage via ROS mechanisms after applied antibiotics and antioxidants doses in prostate hyperplasia primary cell cultures.

Tumor heterogeneity results in aggressive cancer phenotypes with acquired resistance. However, combining chemical treatment with adjuvant therapies that cause cellular structure and function perturbations may diminish the ability of cancer cells to resist at chemical treatment and lead to a less aggressive cancer phenotype. Applied treatments on prostate hyperplasia primary cell cultures exerted their antitumor activities through mechanisms including cell cycle blockage, oxidative stress, and cell death induction by flow cytometry methods.

Apoptosis-Cell Cycle-Autophagy Molecular Mechanisms Network in Heterogeneous Aggressive Phenotype Prostate Hyperplasia Primary Cell Cultures Have a Prognostic Role.

Our study highlights the apoptosis, cell cycle, DNA ploidy, and autophagy molecular mechanisms network to identify prostate pathogenesis and its prognostic role. Caspase 3/7 expressions, cell cycle, adhesion glycoproteins, autophagy, nuclear shrinkage, and oxidative stress by flow-cytometry analysis are used to study the BPH microenvironment's heterogeneity. A high late apoptosis expression by caspases 3/7 activity represents an unfavorable prognostic biomarker, a dependent predictor factor for cell adhesion, growth inhibition by arrest in the G2/M phase, and oxidative stress processes network.

Customized flexible platform - starting point for the development of wearable sensor for the direct electrochemical detection of kynurenic acid in biological samples.

Kynurenic acid (KA) is an active metabolite of tryptophan with notable biological effects, such as antioxidant, neuroprotective, and anti-inflammatory properties. It often undergoes changes of the concentration in biological fluids in chronic diseases. Thus, detecting KA is of great importance for diagnosing inflammatory and neurodegenerative conditions, monitoring disease progression, and assessing responses to pharmacological treatment.

Donkey Gelatin and Keratin Nanofibers Loaded with Antioxidant Agents for Wound Healing Dressings.

Acute and chronic wounds present a significant healthcare challenge, requiring innovative solutions for effective treatment. The exploitation of natural by-products with advanced cell regeneration potential and plant-based materials, which possess bioactive properties, is an innovative topic in wound management. This study investigates the potential of donkey gelatin and keratin for blending with natural bioactive extracts such as sumac, curcumin, and oak acorn to fabricate antioxidant and antimicrobial nanofibers with accelerated wound healing processes.

Combined inhibition of IL-1, IL-33 and IL-36 signalling by targeting IL1RAP ameliorates skin and lung fibrosis in preclinical models of systemic sclerosis.

Background: The interleukin (IL)-1 receptor accessory protein (IL1RAP) is an essential coreceptor required for signalling through the IL-1, IL-33 and IL-36 receptors. Here, we investigate the antifibrotic potential of the combined inhibition of these cytokines by an anti-IL1RAP antibody to provide a scientific background for clinical development in systemic sclerosis (SSc).

Methods: The expression of IL1RAP-associated signalling molecules was determined by data mining of publicly available RNA sequencing (RNAseq) data as well as by imaging mass cytometry.

Endotoxin Inflammatory Action on Cells by Dysregulated-Immunological-Barrier-Linked ROS-Apoptosis Mechanisms in Gut-Liver Axis.

Our study highlighted the immune changes by pro-inflammatory biomarkers in the gut-liver-axis-linked ROS-cell death mechanisms in chronic and acute inflammations when gut cells are exposed to endotoxins in patients with hepatic cirrhosis or steatosis. In duodenal tissue samples, gut immune barrier dysfunction was analyzed by pro-inflammatory biomarker expressions, oxidative stress, and cell death by flow cytometry methods. A significant innate and adaptative immune system reaction was observed as result of persistent endotoxin action in gut cells in chronic inflammation tissue samples recovered from hepatic cirrhosis with the A-B child stage.

CMV and HIV Coinfection in Women from a Region in Eastern Europe.

(1) Background: Human cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is one of the most frequent opportunistic infections in immunosuppressed patients. Romania has one of the highest incidences of patients living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) which determines an immunosuppressive state. The aim of this study was to establish the prevalence of CMV infection among women living with HIV in Southeastern Romania and also to evaluate and correlate antiretroviral therapy (ART) with CD4 level and CMV disease evolution.

ZnO nanostructured matrix as nexus catalysts for the removal of emerging pollutants.

Water pollution stands as a pressing global environmental concern, elevating the significance of innovative, dependable, and sustainable solutions. This study represents an extensive review of the use of photocatalytic zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) for the removal of emerging pollutants from water and wastewater. The study examines ZnO NPs' different preparation methods, including physical, chemical, and green synthesis, and emphasizes on advantages, disadvantages, preparation factors, and investigation methods for the structural and morphological properties.

Alternative Solid Activators from Waste Glass for One-Part Alkali-Activated Fly Ash/Red Mud Cements.

Solid activators based on waste glass for the manufacture of one-part alkali-activated fly ash/red mud materials were synthesized, characterized, and tested in this work. The synthesis was carried out via alkaline fusion with sodium hydroxide at different reaction temperatures and at different sodium hydroxide/waste glass mass ratios. The results showed that the reaction temperature decisively influences the properties of the obtained solid activators.

Insights into Anthropogenic Micro- and Nanoplastic Accumulation in Drinking Water Sources and Their Potential Effects on Human Health.

Anthropogenic microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) are ubiquitous pollutants found in aquatic, food, soil and air environments. Recently, drinking water for human consumption has been considered a significant pathway for ingestion of such plastic pollutants. Most of the analytical methods developed for detection and identification of MPs have been established for particles with sizes > 10 μm, but new analytical approaches are required to identify NPs below 1 μm.

Photocatalytic Activity of the Blends Based on TiO Nanoparticles and Reduced Graphene Oxide for Degradation of Acetaminophen.

The aim of this work is to highlight the influence of blends based on TiO nanoparticles and reduced graphene oxide (RGO) on the photodegradation of acetaminophen (AC). To this end, the catalysts of TiO/RGO blends with RGO sheet concentrations equal 5, 10, and 20 wt. % were prepared by the solid-state interaction of the two constituents.

Hydroxyapatite Thin Films of Marine Origin as Sustainable Candidates for Dental Implants.

Novel biomaterials with promising bone regeneration potential, derived from rich, renewable, and cheap sources, are reported. Thus, thin films were synthesized from marine-derived (i.e.

Tissue and Circulating MicroRNA-31, MicroRNA-200b, and MicroRNA-200c Reflects Disease Activity in Crohn's Disease Patients: Results from the BIOMIR Study.

Background And Aims: MicroRNAs (miR) have altered expression in multiple autoimmune disorders including inflammatory bowel disease. The aim of the study was to assess the tissue and circulating miR-31, miR-200b, and miR-200c expression levels as potential biomarkers for intestinal disease activity in patients with Crohn's disease (CD).

Methods: The study included 45 patients with histopathological confirmed CD and active disease (defined as fecal calprotectin >50 μg/g and Simple Endoscopic Score (SES) of CD >3), and 21 subjects as controls for the validation cohort.

In vitro analysis of the cytotoxic effect of two different sizes ITER-like tungsten nanoparticles on human dermal fibroblasts.

Background: Based on the current configuration of the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor, tungsten (W) was chosen as the armour material. Nevertheless, during operation, the expected power and temperature of plasma can trigger the formation of W dust in the plasma chamber. According to the scenario for a Loss Of Vacuum Accident (LOVA), in the case of confinement failure dust is released, which can lead to occupational or accidental exposure.

Laboratory Findings in Children with Excess Body Weight in Romania.

Childhood obesity has been increasing at a worrisome pace and emerging as a non-infectious pandemic in the pediatric population in recent years. Raising awareness on this problem is of utmost importance, in order to take action to control body weight from an early age. We performed a retrospective study among overweight or obese children evaluated on an outpatient basis in the Department of Pediatric Endocrinology of a tertiary care hospital in Bucharest Romania in 2021 in order to identify laboratory changes occurring according to age and sex.

Optical and Structural Properties of Composites Based on Poly(urethane) and TiO Nanowires.

This article's objective is the synthesis of new composites based on thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) and TiO nanowires (NWs) as free-standing films, highlighting their structural and optical properties. The free-standing TPU-TiO NW films were prepared by a wet chemical method accompanied by a thermal treatment at 100 °C for 1 h, followed by air-drying for 2 h. X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies indicated that the starting commercial TiO NW sample contains TiO tetragonal anatase (A), cubic TiO (C), and orthorhombic TiO (OR), as well as monoclinic HTiO (M).

PD-L1, CD4+, and CD8+ Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes (TILs) Expression Profiles in Melanoma Tumor Microenvironment Cells.

(1) Background: Because melanoma is an aggressive tumor with an unfavorable prognosis, we aimed to characterize the PD-L1 expression in melanomas in association with T cell infiltrates because PD-1/PD-L1 blockade represents the target in treating melanoma strategy. (2) Methods: The immunohistochemical manual quantitative methods of PD-L1, CD4, and CD8 TILs were performed in melanoma tumor microenvironment cells. (3) Results: Most of the PD-L1 positive, expressing tumors, have a moderate score of CD4+ TILs and CD8+TILs (5-50% of tumor area) in tumoral melanoma environment cells.

An improved balanced replicated sampling design for preliminary screening of the tailings ponds aiming at zero-waste valorization. A Romanian case study.

The scope of this study consists of setting up of an integrated cost-effective sampling & laboratory analyses procedure which delineates sampling, sub-sampling and analytical uncertainties in case of fine-grained extractive waste deposits. This procedure is designed to support the decision makers towards fine-grained waste deposits upcycling and land reclamation. This procedure consists of a balanced replicated sampling design (BRSD) coupled with a three split levels ANOVA data processing.

Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate--3-hydroxyvalerate) (P(3HB--3HV))/Bacterial Cellulose (BC) Biocomposites for Potential Use in Biomedical Applications.

The aim of this study was to obtain biocomposites consisting of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate--3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV), bacterial cellulose (BC) and α-tocopherol by a melt processing technique for potential use in biomedical applications. The melt processing and roughness of biocomposites were evaluated and compared to sample without BC. The degradation rate of PHBV/BC biocomposites was measured in phosphate buffer saline (PBS) by determining the mass variation and evidencing of thermal and structural changes by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transformed infrared spectrometry (ATR-FTIR).

ROS-Induced DNA-Damage and Autophagy in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma by Oil Extract-An In Vitro Study.

Oxidative stress is associated with aging, cancers, and numerous metabolic and chronic disorders, and phenolic compounds are well known for their health-promoting role due to their free-radical scavenging activity. These phytochemicals could also exhibit pro-oxidant effects. Due to its bioactive phenolic secondary metabolites, (L.

The Influence of the Technological Process on Improving the Acceptability of Bread Enriched with Pea Protein, Hemp and Sea Buckthorn Press Cake.

The current consumption trends of plant based functional products have encouraged researchers and industry to study the production of protein enriched bakery products as a source of protein. In the context of the circular economy, the press cakes remaining after extraction of juices/oil from plants such as sea buckthorn or hemp can be valorized as they are rich in proteins, fibers and many bioactive compounds. Their use in bread making is a good solution to enrich the nutritional value of bread.

Synthesis of Cobalt-Nickel Aluminate Spinels Using the Laser-Induced Thermionic Vacuum Arc Method and Thermal Annealing Processes.

To obtain highly homogeneous cobalt-nickel aluminate spinels with small crystallite sizes, CoNiAl alloy thin films were primarily deposited using Laser-induced Thermionic Vacuum Arc (LTVA) as a versatile method for performing processing of multiple materials, such as alloy/composite thin films, at a nanometric scale. Following thermal annealing in air, the CoNiAl metallic thin films were transformed into ceramic oxidic (Co,Ni)AlO with controlled composition and crystallinity suitable for thermal stability and chemical resistance devices. Structural analysis revealed the formation of (Co,Ni)AlO from the amorphous CoNiAl alloys.

Ferrous Industrial Wastes-Valuable Resources for Water and Wastewater Decontamination.

Ferrous waste by-products from the metallurgical industry have a high potential for valorization in the context of the circular economy, and can be converted to value-added products used in environmental remediation. This research reviews the latest data available in the literature with a focus on: (i) sources from which these types of iron-based wastes originate; (ii) the types of ferrous compounds that result from different industries; (iii) the different methods (with respect to the circular economy) used to convert them into products applied in water and wastewater decontamination; (iv) the harmful effects ferrous wastes can have on the environment and human health; and (v) the future perspectives for these types of waste.