Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)-Derived Extracellular Vesicles Educate Endothelial Cells to Become IL-6-Producing, CLL-Supportive Cells.

We hypothesized that via extracellular vesicles (EVs), chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cells turn endothelial cells into CLL-supportive cells. To test this, we treated vein-derived (HUVECs) and artery-derived (HAOECs) endothelial cells with EVs isolated from the peripheral blood of 45 treatment-naïve patients. Endothelial cells took up CLL-EVs in a dose- and time-dependent manner.

Is serum-derived exosomal hTERT transcript a marker of oncogenic activity in primary brain tumors? An exploratory study.

Background: In order to proliferate indefinitely, all tumors require a telomere maintenance mechanism. The expression of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) enables telomere maintenance and provides cancer cells with limitless replicative potential. As such, it may serve as an attractive biomarker for oncogenic activity.

Electro-Freezing of Supercooled Water Is Induced by Hydrated Al and Mg Ions: Experimental and Theoretical Studies.

This work reports that the octahedral hydrated Al and Mg ions operate within electrolytic cells as kosmotropic (long-range order-making) "ice makers" of supercooled water (SCW). 10 M solutions of hydrated Al and Mg ions each trigger, near the cathode (-20 ± 5 V), electro-freezing of SCW at -4 °C. The hydrated Al ions do so with 100% efficiency, whereas the Mg ions induce icing with 40% efficiency.

Blood-Derived Exosomal hTERT mRNA in Patients with Lung Cancer: Characterization and Correlation with Response to Therapy.

Telomerase (human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) is considered a hallmark of cancer, being active in cancer cells but repressed in human somatic cells. As such, it has the potential to serve as a valid cancer biomarker. Exosomal hTERT mRNA can be detected in the serum of patients with solid malignancies but not in healthy individuals.

Identification of Cancer Cells in the Human Body by Anti-Telomerase Peptide Antibody: Towards the Isolation of Circulating Tumor Cells.

Early detection of tumor cells by identifying universal Tumor Associated Antigens (TAA) can drastically change our diagnostic, theranostic and therapeutic possibilities to cure cancer. Human Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase (hTERT), a hallmark of cancer, could act as an optimal TAA candidate. Here we report about the development of a monoclonal antibody against hTERT peptide (α-hTERT mAb) presented on the surface of cancer cells and its possible applications as a pan-cancer marker.

Engineering of Pyroelectric Crystals Decoupled from Piezoelectricity as Illustrated by Doped α-Glycine.

Design of pyroelectric crystals decoupled from piezoelectricity is not only a topic of scientific curiosity but also demonstrates effects in principle that have the potential to be technologically advantageous. Here we report a new method for the design of such materials. Thus, the co-doping of centrosymmetric crystals with tailor-made guest molecules, as illustrated by the doping of α-glycine with different amino acids (Threonine, Alanine and Serine).

Exosomal telomerase transcripts reprogram the microRNA transcriptome profile of fibroblasts and partially contribute to CAF formation.

It is now well accepted that cancer cells change their microenvironment from normal to tumor-supportive state to provide sustained tumor growth, metastasis and drug resistance. These processes are partially carried out by exosomes, nano-sized vesicles secreted from cells, shuttled from donor to recipient cells containing a cargo of nucleic acids, proteins and lipids. By transferring biologically active molecules, cancer-derived exosomes may transform microenvironmental cells to become tumor supportive.

Chemical Nature of Heterogeneous Electrofreezing of Supercooled Water Revealed on Polar (Pyroelectric) Surfaces.

ConspectusThe ability to control the icing temperature of supercooled water (SCW) is of supreme importance in subfields of pure and applied sciences. The ice freezing of SCW can be influenced heterogeneously by electric effects, a process known as electrofreezing. This effect was first discovered during the 19th century; however, its mechanism is still under debate.

Shorter Telomeres Among Individuals With Physical Disability: The Moderating Role of Perceived Stress.

Objectives: Evidence suggests that individuals with physical disability may suffer from psychological distress and accelerated cellular aging, manifested by shortened telomere length (TL), compared with healthy individuals. Studies indicate that high levels of perceived stress and depression may increase the physiological susceptibility and, thus, may contribute to a short TL. However, the moderating role of perceived stress and depression within the relationship between physical disability and TL remains unknown.

Surface Piezoelectricity and Pyroelectricity in Centrosymmetric Materials: A Case of α-Glycine.

Surface pyroelectricity and piezoelectricity induced by water incorporation during growth in α-glycine were investigated. Using the periodic temperature change technique, we have determined the thickness (~280 µm) of the near surface layer (NSL) and its pyroelectric coefficient (160 pC/(K × cm) at 23 °C) independently. The thickness of NSL remains nearly constant till 60 °C and the pyroelectric effect vanishes abruptly by 70 °C.

Leukemic Phase of Histiocytic Sarcoma of the Digestive System: A Rare Manifestation of a Rare Disease.

Histiocytic sarcoma (HS) is a rare, malignant, and aggressive subtype of histiocytosis. We present an unusual case of aggressive HS presenting in the gastrointestinal tract and gallbladder that progressed after several lines of chemotherapy with a leukemic phase. We review the clinical, pathological, and molecular characteristics of HS in this case and review the literature on HS involving the digestive system as well as on overt leukemic phase of this disease.

Chronic Pain and Premature Aging - The Moderating Role of Physical Exercise.

Chronic pain induces a multitude of harmful effects; recently it has been suggested that chronic pain is also associated with premature aging, manifested in shortened telomere length (TL). However, evidence for this hypothesis is scarce and inconsistent. The aim was twofold: 1) Investigate whether chronic pain is associated with premature aging, and 2) Determine whether physical exercise (PE) moderates this association if it exists.

Heterogeneous Electrofreezing of Super-Cooled Water on Surfaces of Pyroelectric Crystals is Triggered by Trigonal Planar Ions.

Electrofreezing experiments of super-cooled water (SCW) with different ions, performed directly on the charged hemihedral faces of pyroelectric LiTaO and AgI crystals, in the presence and in the absence of pyroelectric charge are reported. It is demonstrated that bicarbonate (HCO ) ions elevate the icing temperature near the positively charged faces. In contrast, the hydronium (H O ) slightly reduces the icing temperature.

Heterogeneous Electrofreezing Triggered by CO on Pyroelectric Crystals: Qualitatively Different Icing on Hydrophilic and Hydrophobic Surfaces.

By performing icing experiments on hydrophilic and hydrophobic surfaces of pyroelectric amino acids and on the x-cut faces of LiTaO , we discovered that the effect of electrofreezing of super cooled water is triggered by ions of carbonic acid. During the cooling of the hydrophilic pyroelectric crystals, a continuous water layer is created between the charged hemihedral faces, as confirmed by impedance measurements. As a result, a current of carbonic acid ions, produced by dissolved environmental CO , flows through the wetted layer towards the hemihedral faces and elevates the icing temperature.

Premature ageing following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Survivors of hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) have been shown to exhibit both clinical and biological features of accelerated ageing. Most studies used frailty measures, comorbidities for clinical assessment and several biological assessment of premature ageing. However, these tests are less suitable for age determination of individual patients.

Telomere Length Changes during Critical Illness: A Prospective, Observational Study.

Objective: evaluation of telomere length change in acutely ill adult patients.

Design: Blood samples were drawn on the first and seventh day of intensive care unit (ICU) stay to assess telomere length using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based technique. Demographic data collected included age, weight, admission diagnosis, baseline laboratory values (pH, C- reactive protein (CRP), serum albumin level, white blood cell count (WBC) count, platelet count), and baseline SOFA and APACHE II scores.

Surface Pyroelectricity in Cubic SrTiO.

Symmetry-imposed restrictions on the number of available pyroelectric and piezoelectric materials remain a major limitation as 22 out of 32 crystallographic material classes exhibit neither pyroelectricity nor piezoelectricity. Yet, by breaking the lattice symmetry it is possible to circumvent this limitation. Here, using a unique technique for measuring transient currents upon rapid heating, direct experimental evidence is provided that despite the fact that bulk SrTiO is not pyroelectric, the (100) surface of TiO -terminated SrTiO is intrinsically pyroelectric at room temperature.

Enantioseparation by crystallization using magnetic substrates.

Enantiospecific crystallization of the three amino acids asparagine (Asn), glutamic acid hydrochloride (Glu·HCl) and threonine (Thr), induced by ferromagnetic (FM) substrates, is reported. The FM substrates were prepared by evaporating nickel capped with a thin gold layer on standard silicon wafers. Magnets were positioned underneath the substrate with either their North (N) or South (S) poles pointing up.

The Effects of Proteasome Inhibitors on Telomerase Activity and Regulation in Multiple Myeloma Cells.

The importance of telomerase, the enzyme that maintains telomere length, has been reported in many malignancies in general and in multiple myeloma (MM) in particular. Proteasome inhibitors are clinically used to combat effectively MM. Since the mechanism of action of proteasome inhibitors has not been fully described we sought to clarify its potential effect on telomerase activity (TA) in MM cells.

Achiral amino acid glycine acts as an origin of homochirality in asymmetric autocatalysis.

Chiral crystals of the only achiral proteinogenic α-amino acid, glycine induced the asymmetric autocatalysis with amplification of enantiomeric excess (ee). The P31 crystals of γ-glycine, which display positive Cotton effect (CD) at around 215 nm, mediate the asymmetric autocatalysis to yield (R)-pyrimidyl alkanol with high ee. In contrast, the enantiomorphic P32 crystals, which display negative Cotton effect, afford (S)-alkanol after the significant amplification of ee by asymmetric autocatalysis.

[THE EFFECT OF INFECTIOUS AND AUTOIMMUNE DISEASES ON PROCOAGULANT ACTIVITY OF FIBRINOGEN-LIKE PROTEIN 2 IN THE PERIPHERAL BLOOD].

Aims: In this article we address the effect of bacterial or viral infections as well as autoimmune diseases on FGL2 activity in the blood.

Background: Fibrinogen-like protein 2 (FGL2) is a novel prothrombinase capable of initiating thrombin generation independent of the classical coagulation pathway. FGL2 is involved in immune-coagulation response.