Exploring CAR-PBMCs: A Novel Strategy Against EGFR-Positive Tumor Cells.

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy has shown significant promise in treating hematological malignancies, yet its application in solid tumors, particularly those expressing the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), remains limited. This study investigates the potential of CAR-engineered peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) as a novel adoptive cell therapy against EGFR-positive cancers. Lentiviral transduction at an MOI of 50 was performed to generate specific anti-EGFR second generation CAR-effector cells.

Quercetin and Mesenchymal Stem Cell Metabolism: A Comparative Analysis of Young and Senescent States.

Quercetin is a natural flavonoid renowned for its potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, and antibacterial properties, making it a highly promising candidate for the treatment of various medical conditions. Our current study investigates the influence of quercetin on energy metabolism, fatty acid composition, oxidative stress gene expression, and sirtuin expression in early- and late-stage passages of stem cells derived from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHEDs). Mitochondrial respiration was analyzed by measuring oxygen consumption following a 24 h quercetin treatment, while fatty acid profiles were examined using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS).

Rosuvastatin Attenuates Vascular Dysfunction Induced by High-Fructose Diets and Allergic Asthma in Rats.

Background: A growing body of evidence links a high-fructose diet (HFrD) to metabolic disturbances, including inflammation, dyslipidemia, insulin resistance and also endothelial dysfunction, yet its role in allergic asthma remains underexplored. Considering that obesity and hypercholesterolemia exacerbate asthma by promoting systemic inflammation, investigating interventions with dual metabolic and anti-inflammatory effects is essential. This study aimed to evaluate the potential modulatory effects of rosuvastatin in ameliorating the effects of HFrD-induced metabolic and vascular dysfunction in the context of allergic asthma.

L. Ethanolic Extracts: In Vitro Evaluation of Antioxidant Activity and Cytotoxicity on Caco-2 Cell Line.

sp. plants are used in traditional medicine because of their immunostimulatory and anticarcinogenic properties, despite their content of aristolochic acids (AAs), carcinogenic and nephrotoxic agents. Therefore, ethanolic extracts of leaves, a specie growing in Western Romania, were obtained to study antioxidant and cytotoxic effects.

The Impact of High-Fructose Diet and Co-Sensitization to House Dust Mites and Ragweed Pollen on the Modulation of Airway Reactivity and Serum Biomarkers in Rats.

The topic of ragweed pollen (RW) versus house dust mites (HDMs) has often been deliberated, but the increasing incidence of co-sensitization between them has been scarcely addressed. Utilizing rats, we explored the effects of co-sensitization with the combination of HDMs and RW pollen extracts in correlation with high-fructose diet (HFrD) by in vitro tracheal reactivity analysis in isolated organ bath and biological explorations. Our findings unveiled interrelated connections between allergic asthma, dyslipidemia, and HFrD-induced obesity, shedding light on their compounding role through inflammation.

Heterogenous Induction of Blocking Antibodies against Ragweed Allergen Molecules by Allergen Extract-Based Immunotherapy Vaccines.

Currently, allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT) for ragweed allergy is still based on natural allergen extracts. This study aimed to analyse the ability of four commercially available AIT vaccines (CLUSTOID, TYRO-SIT, POLLINEX Quattro Plus and Diater Depot) regarding their ability to induce IgG antibodies against ragweed pollen allergens in rabbits. Accordingly, the IgG reactivity of AIT-induced rabbit sera was tested for ten different ragweed pollen allergens (Amb a 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12) by an ELISA.

Non-Specific Lipid Transfer Protein Amb a 6 Is a Source-Specific Important Allergenic Molecule in Ragweed Pollen.

Pollen from common ragweed is an important allergen source worldwide and especially in western and southern Romania. More than 100 million patients suffer from symptoms of respiratory allergy (e.g.

Prenatal Factors in the Development of Allergic Diseases.

Allergic diseases are showing increasing prevalence in Western societies. They are characterized by a heightened reactivity towards otherwise harmless environmental stimuli. Allergic diseases showing a wide range of severity of symptoms have a significant impact on the quality of life of affected individuals.

Cross-Reactivity of Ragweed Pollen Calcium-Binding Proteins and IgE Sensitization in a Ragweed-Allergic Population from Western Romania.

Ragweed pollen allergy is the most common seasonal allergy in western Romania. Prolonged exposure to ragweed pollen may induce sensitization to pan-allergens such as calcium-binding proteins (polcalcins) and progression to more severe symptoms. We aimed to detect IgE sensitization to recombinant Amb a 9 and Amb a 10 in a Romanian population, to assess their potential clinical relevance and cross-reactivity, as well as to investigate the relation with clinical symptoms.

Insect Cell-Expressed Major Ragweed Allergen Amb a 1.01 Exhibits Similar Allergenic Properties to Its Natural Counterpart from Common Ragweed Pollen.

Common ragweed pollen allergy has become a health burden worldwide. One of the major allergens in ragweed allergy is Amb a 1, which is responsible for over 90% of the IgE response in ragweed-allergic patients. The major allergen isoform Amb a 1.

Hydrogel Extrusion Speed Measurements for the Optimization of Bioprinting Parameters.

Three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting is the use of computer-controlled transfer processes for assembling bioinks (cell clusters or materials loaded with cells) into structures of prescribed 3D organization. The correct bioprinting parameters ensure a fast and accurate bioink deposition without exposing the cells to harsh conditions. This study seeks to optimize pneumatic extrusion-based bioprinting based on hydrogel flow rate and extrusion speed measurements.

Stem Cells Derived from Human Exfoliated Deciduous Teeth Functional Assessment: Exploring the Changes of Free Fatty Acids Composition during Cultivation.

The metabolic regulation of stemness is widely recognized as a crucial factor in determining the fate of stem cells. When transferred to a stimulating and nutrient-rich environment, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) undergo rapid proliferation, accompanied by a change in protein expression and a significant reconfiguration of central energy metabolism. This metabolic shift, from quiescence to metabolically active cells, can lead to an increase in the proportion of senescent cells and limit their regenerative potential.

In Vitro Study of the Multimodal Effect of Na/K ATPase Blocker Ouabain on the Tumor Microenvironment and Malignant Cells.

Na/K ATPase is a protein involved in the active transport of ions across the cellular membrane. Ouabain is a cardiotonic glycoside that, by inhibiting the Na/K pump, interferes with cell processes mediated directly by the pump, but also indirectly influences other cellular processes such as cell cycle and proliferation, growth, cell differentiation, angiogenesis, migration, adhesion, and invasion. We used the SK-BR-3 breast cancer cell line, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), and tumor-associated fibroblasts (TAFs) in vitro to determine the effects of ouabain exposure on these cellular types.

Design of a Synthetic Long Peptide Vaccine Targeting HPV-16 and -18 Using Immunoinformatic Methods.

Human papillomavirus types 16 and 18 cause the majority of cervical cancers worldwide. Despite the availability of three prophylactic vaccines based on virus-like particles (VLP) of the major capsid protein (L1), these vaccines are unable to clear an existing infection. Such infected persons experience an increased risk of neoplastic transformation.

Non-Destructive Measurements for 3D Modeling and Monitoring of Large Buildings Using Terrestrial Laser Scanning and Unmanned Aerial Systems.

Along with the development and improvement of measuring technologies and techniques in recent times, new methods have appeared to model and monitor the behavior of land and constructions over time. The main purpose of this research was to develop a new methodology to model and monitor large buildings in a non-invasive way. The methods proposed in this research are non-destructive and can be used to monitor the behavior of buildings over time.

Urine Metabolomic Signature of People Diagnosed with Balkan Endemic Nephropathy and Other Types of Chronic Kidney Disease Compared with Healthy Subjects in Romania.

Metabolomic analysis methods were employed to determine biomarkers for various chronic kidney diseases (CKDs). Modern analytical methods were developed and applied successfully to find a specific metabolomic profile in urine samples from CKD and Balkan endemic nephropathy (BEN) patients. The aim was to explore a specific metabolomic profile defined by feasible/easy-to-identify molecular markers.

Physicochemical and immunological characterization of Amb a 12, a novel ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia) pollen allergen.

Background: Ragweed is an invasive plant in Europe, causing hay fever and asthma in allergic patients. Climate change is predicted to increase expansion and allergenicity. Elevated NO induced upregulation of a new allergen in ragweed pollen, an enolase, Amb a 12.

Relationship between IgE Levels Specific for Ragweed Pollen Extract, Amb a 1 and Cross-Reactive Allergen Molecules.

Ragweed () pollen is a major endemic allergen source responsible for severe allergic manifestations in IgE-sensitized allergic patients. It contains the major allergen Amb a 1 and cross-reactive allergen molecules, such as the cytoskeletal protein profilin, Amb a 8 and calcium-binding allergens Amb a 9 and Amb a 10. To assess the importance of Amb a 1, profilin and calcium-binding allergen, the IgE reactivity profiles of clinically well-characterized 150 ragweed pollen-allergic patients were analysed regarding specific IgE levels for Amb a 1 and cross-reactive allergen molecules by quantitative ImmunoCAP measurements, IgE ELISA and by basophil activation experiments.

Ragweed Major Allergen Amb a 11 Recombinant Production and Clinical Implications.

Ragweed pollen is highly allergenic and elicits type I hypersensitivity reactions in the exposed populations. Amb a 11 is a recently discovered component of this pollen, and its biological role in allergy is still being researched. In our study, ragweed allergy patients were recruited prospectively over a three-year period; a comprehensive questionnaire was administered, and sera were collected and stored.

Decellularized Extracellular Matrix Scaffolds for Cardiovascular Tissue Engineering: Current Techniques and Challenges.

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of global mortality. Over the past two decades, researchers have tried to provide novel solutions for end-stage heart failure to address cardiac transplantation hurdles such as donor organ shortage, chronic rejection, and life-long immunosuppression. Cardiac decellularized extracellular matrix (dECM) has been widely explored as a promising approach in tissue-regenerative medicine because of its remarkable similarity to the original tissue.

Stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles reduce the expression of molecules involved in cardiac hypertrophy-In a model of human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes.

Cardiac pathological hypertrophy is the major risk factor that usually progresses to heart failure. We hypothesized that extracellular vesicles (EVs), known to act as important mediators in regulating physiological and pathological functions, could have the potential to reduce the cardiac hypertrophy and the ensuing cardiovascular diseases. Herein, the effects of mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles (EV-MSCs) on cardiac hypertrophy were investigated.

Complex IgE sensitization patterns in ragweed allergic patients: Implications for diagnosis and specific immunotherapy.

Background: Ragweed () is one of the most important allergen sources, worldwide, causing severe respiratory allergic reactions in late summer and fall, in sensitized patients. Amb a 1 has been considered as the most important allergen in ragweed but 12 ragweed pollen allergens are known. The aim of our study was to investigate IgE reactivity profiles of ragweed allergic patients and to associate them with clinical symptoms.

Aristolochic acid I as an emerging biogenic contaminant involved in chronic kidney diseases: A comprehensive review on exposure pathways, environmental health issues and future challenges.

Described in the 1950s, Balkan Endemic Nephropathy (BEN) has been recognized as a chronic kidney disease (CKD) with clinical peculiarities and multiple etiological factors. Environmental contaminants - aromatic compounds, mycotoxins and phytotoxins like aristolochic acids (AAs) - polluting food and drinking water sources, were incriminated in BEN, due to their nephrotoxic and carcinogenic properties. The implication of AAs in BEN etiology is currently a highly debated topic due to the fact that they are found within the Aristolochiaceae plants family, used around the globe as traditional medicine and they were also incriminated in Aristolochic Acid Nephropathy (AAN).

Cytotoxic T-Cell-Based Vaccine against SARS-CoV-2: A Hybrid Immunoinformatic Approach.

This paper presents an alternative vaccination platform that provides long-term cellular immune protection mediated by cytotoxic T-cells. The immune response via cellular immunity creates superior resistance to viral mutations, which are currently the greatest threat to the global vaccination campaign. Furthermore, we also propose a safer, more facile, and physiologically appropriate immunization method using either intranasal or oral administration.