Characterization of Hemoglobin Variants by Capillary Electrophoresis, UV-Vis, and FTIR Spectroscopy.

Hemoglobinopathies, hereditary disorders affecting the structure or production of hemoglobin, were detected by routine HbA measurements by capillary electrophoresis (CE) at the University Hospital Motol, Prague. The potential of ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy for the detection and characterization of hemoglobinopathies was investigated. FTIR spectra were recorded with a very high resolution (0.

Short-term impact of vitamin K2 supplementation on biochemical parameters and lipoprotein fractions.

This study explored the short-term effects of vitamin K2 (VK2) supplementation on biochemical parameters (vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin A, alkaline phosphatase, calcium, phosphorus (P), magnesium, metallothionein, triglycerides, cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and lipoprotein fractions (albumin, HDL, very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), LDL, and chylomicrons). A short-term experiment (24 h, six probands) was performed to track changes in VK2 levels after a single-dose intake (360 µg/day). Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry was used to monitor vitamin K levels (menaquinone-4 (MK-4), menaquinone-7 (MK-7), and vitamin K1 [VK1]) with a limit of detection of 1.

Spectrophotometric and chromatographic analysis of creatine:creatinine crystals in urine.

Creatinine is the end product of the catabolism of creatine and creatine phosphate. Creatine phosphate serves as a reservoir of high-energy phosphate, especially in skeletal and cardiac muscle. Besides typical known changes in serum and urinary creatinine concentrations, rare cases associated with changes in serum and urinary creatine levels have been described in the literature in humans.

Synovial fluid alpha-defensins in Lyme arthritis-a useful marker.

Lyme arthritis, one of the possible late manifestations of Lyme borreliosis, predominantly affects the supporting joints and in adults most often occurs in the form of monoarthritis of the knee. Early diagnosis is based on clinical findings and serology. PCR detection of Borrelia in synovial fluid has become an integral part of the laboratory testing algorithm.

Electrochemical Sensors and Biosensors for Identification of Viruses: A Critical Review.

Due to their life cycle, viruses can disrupt the metabolism of their hosts, causing diseases. If we want to disrupt their life cycle, it is necessary to identify their presence. For this purpose, it is possible to use several molecular-biological and bioanalytical methods.

Effect of Biosynthesized Silver Nanoparticles on Bacterial Biofilm Changes in and .

One approach for solving the problem of antibiotic resistance and bacterial persistence in biofilms is treatment with metals, including silver in the form of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). Green synthesis is an environmentally friendly method to synthesize nanoparticles with a broad spectrum of unique properties that depend on the plant extracts used. AgNPs with antibacterial and antibiofilm effects were obtained using green synthesis from plant extracts of (AgNPs_LI), (AgNPs_AS), and (AgNPs_AM).

Structural changes in selected human proteins induced by exposure to quantum dots, their biological relevance and possible biomedical applications.

Quantum dots (QDs) are semi-conductor luminescent nanocrystals usually of 2-10 nm diameter, attracting the significant attention in biomedical studies since emerged. Due to their unique optical and electronic properties, i.e.

The Impact of Fullerenes as Doxorubicin Nano-Transporters on Metallothionein and Superoxide Dismutase Status in MCF-10A Cells.

This study aimed to synthesise C-DOX complexes followed by the analysis of their effect on the concentration of metallothionein (MT) as a non-enzymatic antioxidant and on the concentration and activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) as an antioxidant enzyme in healthy human mammary MCF-10A cells. Dynamic light scattering and electrophoretic light scattering were used to establish the size and zeta potential of the complexes. The MT and SOD concentrations were determined using the ELISA method; SOD activity was determined by tetrazolium salt reduction inhibition.

Activity of CdTe Quantum-Dot-Tagged Superoxide Dismutase and Its Analysis in Capillary Electrophoresis.

Quantum dots (QDs) have a broad range of applications in cell biolabeling, cancer treatment, metastasis imaging, and therapeutic drug monitoring. Despite their wide use, relatively little is known about their influence on other molecules. Interactions between QDs and proteins can influence the properties of both nanoparticles and proteins.

Theranostic Approach for the Protein Corona of Polysaccharide Nanoparticles.

Polysaccharide nanoparticles are promising materials in the wide range of disciplines such as medicine, nutrition, food production, agriculture, material science and others. They excel not only in their non-toxicity and biodegradability but also in their easy preparation. As well as inorganic particles, a protein corona (PC) around polysaccharide nanoparticles is formed in biofluids.

Silver Nanomaterials for Wound Dressing Applications.

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have recently become very attractive for the scientific community due to their broad spectrum of applications in the biomedical field. The main advantages of AgNPs include a simple method of synthesis, a simple way to change their morphology and high surface area to volume ratio. Much research has been carried out over the years to evaluate their possible effectivity against microbial organisms.

The role of glutathione redox imbalance in autism spectrum disorder: A review.

The role of glutathione in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is emerging as a major topic, due to its role in the maintenance of the intracellular redox balance. Several studies have implicated glutathione redox imbalance as a leading factor in ASD, and both ASD and many other neurodevelopmental disorders involve low levels of reduced glutathione (GSH), high levels of oxidized glutathione (GSSG), and abnormalities in the expressions of glutathione-related enzymes in the blood or brain. Glutathione metabolism, through its impact on redox environment or redox-independent mechanisms, interferes with multiple mechanisms involved in ASD pathogenesis.

Associations between and Genes Polymorphisms and Growth Performance of Broiler Chicken Lines.

Marker-assisted selection based on fast and accurate molecular analysis of individual genes is considered an acceptable tool in the speed-up of the genetic improvement of production performance in chickens. The objective of this study was to detect the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the and genes, and to investigate their associations with growth performance (body weight (BW) and average daily gain (ADG) at 14, 21, 28, 35 and 42 days of age) and carcass traits in broilers. Performance (carcass) data (weight before slaughter; weights of the trunk, giblets, abdominal fat, breast muscle and thigh muscle; slaughter value and slaughter percentage), as well as blood samples for DNA extraction and SNP analysis, were obtained from 97 chickens belonging to two different lines (Hubbard F15 and Cobb E) equally divided between the two sexes.

Study of Physico-Chemical Changes of CdTe QDs after Their Exposure to Environmental Conditions.

The irradiance of ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a physical parameter that significantly influences biological molecules by affecting their molecular structure. The influence of UV radiation on nanoparticles has not been investigated much. In this work, the ability of cadmium telluride quantum dots (CdTe QDs) to respond to natural UV radiation was examined.

Oxidative Stress in Autism Spectrum Disorder.

According to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as of July 11, 2016, the reported average incidence of children diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) was 1 in 68 (1.46%) among 8-year-old children born in 2004 and living within the 11 monitoring sites' surveillance areas in the United States of America (USA) in 2012. ASD is a multifaceted neurodevelopmental disorder that is also considered a hidden disability, as, for the most part; there are no apparent morphological differences between children with ASD and typically developing children.

Application of nanotechnology based-biosensors in analysis of wine compounds and control of wine quality and safety: A critical review.

Nanotechnology is one of the most promising future technologies for the food industry. Some of its applications have already been introduced in analytical techniques and food packaging technologies. This review summarizes existing knowledge about the implementation of nanotechnology in wine laboratory procedures.

An Assessment of the Effect of Green Synthesized Silver Nanoparticles Using Sage Leaves ( L.) on Germinated Plants of Maize ( L.).

AgNPs have attracted considerable attention in many applications including industrial use, and their antibacterial properties have been widely investigated. Due to the green synthesis process employed, the nanoparticle surface can be coated with molecules with biologically important characteristics. It has been reported that increased use of nanoparticles elevates the risk of their release into the environment.

Copper Concentrations in Breast Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Breast cancer is the most common neoplasm, comprising 16% of all women's cancers worldwide. Research of Copper (Cu) concentrations in various body specimens have suggested an association between Cu levels and breast cancer risks. This systematic review and meta-analysis summarize the results of published studies and examine this association.

Nuclear transport of nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase is cell cycle-dependent in mammalian cells, and its inhibition slows cell growth.

Nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT) is located in both the nucleus and cytoplasm and has multiple biological functions including catalyzing the rate-limiting step in NAD synthesis. Moreover, up-regulated NAMPT expression has been observed in many cancers. However, the determinants and regulation of NAMPT's nuclear transport are not known.

Development of New Silver Nanoparticles Suitable for Materials with Antimicrobial Properties.

Silver nanoparticles are the most important nanoparticles in connection with the antimicrobial effect. Nowadays, the green synthesis of various types of nanoparticles is rapid, effective and produce less toxic nanoparticles often with specific properties. In our experiment we have developed and described in details various types of silver nanoparticles synthesized chemically or by the green synthesis.

Zinc Modified Nanotransporter of Anticancer Drugs for Targeted Therapy: Biophysical Analysis.

Modern anticancer therapy aims to increase the effectiveness of tumor treatment. The aim of this work was to propose a new nanotransporter for targeted delivery of anthracycline antibiotics, which is characterized by its bioavailability, increased uptake of the drug from the bloodstream at the site of the tumor tissue as well as low toxicity to non-target tissue. Chitosan nanoparticles have attracted great attention in the field of drug delivery due to their stability, low toxicity and easy preparation.

A Rapid Method for the Detection of Sarcosine Using SPIONs/Au/CS/SOX/NPs for Prostate Cancer Sensing.

Sarcosine is an amino acid that is formed by methylation of glycine and is present in trace amounts in the body. Increased sarcosine concentrations in blood plasma and urine are manifested in sarcosinemia and in some other diseases such as prostate cancer. For this purpose, sarcosine detection using the nanomedicine approach was proposed.

Metallothionein and Superoxide Dismutase-Antioxidative Protein Status in Fullerene-Doxorubicin Delivery to MCF-7 Human Breast Cancer Cells.

Doxorubicin (DOX) is one of the most frequently used anticancer drugs in breast cancer treatment. However, clinical applications of DOX are restricted, largely due to the fact that its action disturbs the pro/antioxidant balance in both cancerous and non-cancerous cells. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of fullerene (C) in cell treatment by DOX on the proliferation of human breast cancer cells (MCF-7), concentration of metallothionein (MT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), and SOD activity in these cells.

Carbon Nanomaterials for Targeted Cancer Therapy Drugs: A Critical Review.

Cancer represents one of the main causes of human death in developed countries. Most current therapies, unfortunately, carry a number of side effects, such as toxicity and damage to healthy cells, as well as the risk of resistance and recurrence. Therefore, cancer research is trying to develop therapeutic procedures with minimal negative consequences.

Contribution of Red Wine Consumption to Human Health Protection.

Wine consumption has been popular worldwide for many centuries. Based on in vitro and in vivo studies, a certain amount of everyday wine consumption may prevent various chronic diseases. This is due, in part, to the presence and amount of important antioxidants in red wine, and, therefore, research has focused on them.