Utilization of lightweight ceramic aggregates based on waste materials in the production of lightweight polymer concrete as a component of sustainable architecture.

In this study, a novel lightweight epoxy polymer concrete (PC) was developed with lightweight ceramic aggregates based on waste materials, which can be applied in construction materials. For the purposes of this study, lightweight ceramic aggregates based on waste materials were produced and used as fillers in the production of epoxy polymer concretes. Two aggregate fractions were used in the study: 4-8 mm and 8-16 mm.

Soluble Urokinase Plasminogen Activator Receptor as a Predictor of All-Cause Death in Patients Undergoing Coronary Angiography at 10-Year Follow-Up.

We aimed to explore the predictive role of soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) in patients undergoing coronary angiography by systematically evaluating its association with adverse cardiovascular events at 10 years follow-up. The KORONEF study was a single-center, observational, prospective study with 492 subjects included. In the multivariable Cox regression model, we checked the impact of suPAR, neutrophil elastase, myeloperoxidase, and DNase 1 on long-term outcomes.

Ten-Year Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Simultaneous Coronary and Renal Angiography-Does Renal Artery Stenosis Matter?

We aimed to characterize the population of consecutive patients undergoing coronary angiography with simultaneous renal artery angiography and assess prognostic factors at a 10 year follow-up. The KORONEF study was a prospective, single-center, observational, and descriptive study with 492 patients included. We analyzed several baseline demographics, clinical and periprocedural characteristics, and laboratory data, and we assessed the results of coronary angiography and renal artery angiography.

Clinical characteristics and predictors of in-hospital mortality of patients hospitalized with myocardial infarction before and during COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted many acute coronary syndrome (ACS) care aspects. The aim was to compare the patient profile, ACS characteristics, and the outcomes in patients referred to the invasive cardiology department before (March 2019 - February 2020) and during the COVID-19 pandemic (March 2020 - February 2021).

Methods: Clinical and demographic features, comorbidities, laboratory parameters at admission, and periprocedural data were recorded.

Novel engineered TRAIL-based chimeric protein strongly inhibits tumor growth and bypasses TRAIL resistance.

Targeting of the TRAIL-DR4/5 pathway was proposed as a promising approach for specific induction of apoptosis in cancer cells. Clinical trials, however, showed inadequate efficiency of TRAIL as a monotherapy. It is a widely held view that the application of multifunctional molecules or combination therapy may lead to substantial improvement.

Improved cytotoxicity of novel TRAIL variants produced as recombinant fusion proteins.

The TNF-Related Apoptosis Inducing Ligand (TRAIL) cytokine triggers apoptosis specifically in cancer cells. Susceptibility of a given cell to TRAIL depends on the activity of regulatory proteins, one of the most important of which is BID. The aim of this study was to increase the cytotoxic potential of TRAIL against cancer cells.

Anti-EGFR Agents: Current Status, Forecasts and Future Directions.

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is one of the most important and attractive targets for specific anticancer therapies. It is a robust regulator of pathways involved in cancer pathogenesis and progression. Thus far, clinical trials have demonstrated the benefits of monoclonal antibodies and synthetic tyrosine kinase inhibitors in targeting this receptor; however, novel strategies are still being developed.

AD-O53.2--a novel recombinant fusion protein combining the activities of TRAIL/Apo2L and Smac/Diablo, overcomes resistance of human cancer cells to TRAIL/Apo2L.

Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) and its receptors became promising molecules for selective targeting of tumor cells without affecting normal tissue. Unfortunately, cancer cells have developed a number of mechanisms that confer resistance to TRAIL\Apo2L-induced apoptosis, which substantiates the need for development of alternative therapeutic strategies. Here we present a recombinant variant of TRAIL\Apo2L peptide, named AD-O53.

Human ATP-dependent RNA/DNA helicase hSuv3p interacts with the cofactor of survivin HBXIP.

The human SUV3gene encodes an NTP-dependent DNA/RNA DExH box helicase predominantly localized in mitochondria. Its orthologue in yeast is a component of the mitochondrial degradosome complex involved in the mtRNA decay pathway. In contrast to this, the physiological function of human SUV3 remains to be elucidated.

[Role of inflammation and infection in the etiopathogenesis of atheromatosis--literature review].

The investigation of etiopathology of arteriosclerosis shows close relationship between inflammatory processes and evolution of sclerotic lesions. In many patients acute coronary syndromes are caused by the rupture of hemodynamically insignificant sclerotic lesion and consequently thrombosis of coronary artery. The reason of instability of sclerotic plaque may be on going inflammation inside it.

[Hypoxia involvement in erythropoiesis regulation--a new insight].

Oxygen, carried mainly by erythrocytes, plays a crucial role in human organisms--as the terminal electron acceptor enables mitochondria functioning and energy production. Oxygen excess may be a cause of the damage of basic structural organism components--proteins, lipids and nucleinic acids. Thus, from the biological point of view, regulation of oxygen supply with its detection mechanisms is a critical process.

A theoretical model of restriction endonuclease NlaIV in complex with DNA, predicted by fold recognition and validated by site-directed mutagenesis and circular dichroism spectroscopy.

Restriction enzymes (REases) are commercial reagents commonly used in DNA manipulations and mapping. They are regarded as very attractive models for studying protein-DNA interactions and valuable targets for protein engineering. Their amino acid sequences usually show no similarities to other proteins, with rare exceptions of other REases that recognize identical or very similar sequences.

Inference of relationships in the 'twilight zone' of homology using a combination of bioinformatics and site-directed mutagenesis: a case study of restriction endonucleases Bsp6I and PvuII.

Thus far, identification of functionally important residues in Type II restriction endonucleases (REases) has been difficult using conventional methods. Even though known REase structures share a fold and marginally recognizable active site, the overall sequence similarities are statistically insignificant, unless compared among proteins that recognize identical or very similar sequences. Bsp6I is a Type II REase, which recognizes the palindromic DNA sequence 5'GCNGC and cleaves between the cytosine and the unspecified nucleotide in both strands, generating a double-strand break with 5'-protruding single nucleotides.

[Acute normovolemic hemodilution together with aprotinin applied as a scheme of blood saving in cardiac surgery].

The risk of blood loss in open heart surgery procedures is related to a high level of homologous blood transfusion. Due to numerous possible complications connected with transfusion, as well as the increase in prices of blood preparations, methods of blood saving are of great interest. The aim of the study was to assess acute normovolemic hemo-dilution (ANH) efficacy and aprotinin administration in homologous blood usage limitations.

Contribution of quinolinic acid in the development of anemia in renal insufficiency.

Quinolinic acid (QA) is a potent endogenous excitotoxin; elevation of its concentration in an organism has been implicated in the pathogenesis of various disorders. The purpose of this study was the assessment of QA impact on the process of erythropoiesis. Marked increase of QA concentration was observed in plasma and peripheral tissues of uremic rats.