C-terminal fragment of amebin promotes actin filament bundling, inhibits acto-myosin ATPase activity and is essential for amoeba migration.

Amebin [formerly termed as ApABP-FI; Sobczak et al. (2007) Biochem. Cell Biol.

Synthesis and study of controlled release of ofloxacin from polyester conjugates.

New polymeric conjugates were prepared coupling ofloxacin to two-, three-, four and six-arm, star-shaped poly(ɛ-caprolactone) and polylactide. The homopolymers were synthesized via ring-opening polymerization of ɛ-caprolactone, l-lactide and rac-lactide in the presence of glycerol, penthaerythritol, dipentaerythritol and poly(ethylene glycol) as initiators and stannous octoate as a catalyst. The conjugates were characterized by GPC, MALDI-TOF MS, NMR, IR and viscosity methods.

Longer 19-base pair short interfering RNA duplexes rather than shorter duplexes trigger RNA interference.

Short interfering RNAs (siRNAs) are valuable reagents for sequence-specific inhibition of gene expression via the RNA interference (RNAi) pathway. Recently, it was suggested that 16-bp siRNAs are effective RNAi triggers and superior to "classical" 19-bp siRNAs. This contradiction with generally accepted knowledge prompted us to reinvestigate this issue.

Synthesis and characterization of polyester conjugates of ciprofloxacin.

Two-, three-, four and six-arm, star-shaped poly(epsilon-caprolactone) and polylactide homopolymers were synthesized via ring-opening polymerization of cyclic esters in the presence of glycerol, penthaerythritol, dipentaerythritol and poly(ethylene glycol) as initiators and stannous octoate as a catalyst. Thus obtained oligomers were successfully used in the synthesis of novel polyester conjugates of ciprofloxacin. The structures of the polymers and conjugates were determined by means of GPC, MALDI-TOF MS, NMR and IR studies.

Utility for production of massaged products of selected wild boar muscles originating from wetlands and an arable area.

Percentages of muscle fibre types, area of intramuscular fatty tissue (IMF) and changes in hardness, rheological properties as well as mean fibre cross-sectional area (CSA), and endomysium thickness of muscles from wild boars hunted in two different ecosystems (arable area vs. wetlands) were evaluated. Three muscles: Biceps femoris (BF), Semimembranosus (SM), and Longissimus (L) subjected to massaging (or not) for 4h were studied.

The influence of giant fibres on utility for production of massaged products of porcine muscle longissimus dorsi.

Musculus longissimus dorsi (L) originating from 6 genotype groups of pigs was examined. Three among these were parental lines: Pietrain (Pi), Duroc (D), Polish Large White x Polish Landrace (PLW x PL), the other three crossbreeds obtained by crossing the aforementioned parental lines: (PLW x PL) x Pi, (PLW x PL) x (PixD) and (PLW x PL) x (D x Pi). It was found that there exists a variety of numbers and sizes of giant fibres and sizes of muscle fibres in the L muscle of the groups of animals, which results in a diversity of quality and susceptibility to massaging.

Seeking polymeric prodrugs of norfloxacin. Part 2. Synthesis and structural analysis of polyurethane conjugates.

Oligo(epsilon-caprolactone) and oligolactide were synthesized via ring-opening polymerization of cyclic esters in the presence of creatinine as initiators. Thus obtained oligomers were successfully used in the synthesis of novel polyurethane conjugates of norfloxacin. The structures of the polymers and conjugates were elucidated by means of MALDI-TOF MS, NMR and IR studies.

Myosin VI is associated with secretory granules and is present in the nucleus in adrenal medulla chromaffin cells.

Myosin VI (MVI) is the only known myosin walking towards minus end of actin filaments. Here, MVI, but not myosins IB or IIB, was detected in chromaffin granules isolated from bovine medulla and found to be tightly associated with the granule apical surface. MVI also localized to secretory granules within rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cells as well as to the Golgi apparatus, endoplasmic reticulum and clathrin-coated pits.

Profile of peripheral blood neutrophil cytokines in diabetes type 1 pregnant women and its correlation with selected parameters in the newborns.

Problem: Interleukin (IL)-12, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), IL-6 and IL-8 alter as pregnancy progresses, implying continuous immune regulation associated with the maintenance of pregnancy. We aimed to evaluate the peripheral blood neutrophil-derived production of these cytokines in the course of pregnancy complicated by type 1 diabetes.

Method: of study These parameters were measured in samples from healthy non-pregnant (C), diabetic non-pregnant (D), healthy pregnant (P) and pregnant diabetic (PD) women.

[Myosins in nucleus].

Myosins, actin-dependent molecular motors are expressed in almost all eukaryotic cells where are engaged in a panoply of cellular processes such as muscle contraction, cell migration and adhesion, intracellular trafficking, cytokinesis, endocytosis and secretion. In recent years a number of reports has been published revealing nuclear localization of myosins as well as actin and actin-binding proteins. Namely, nuclear form of myosin IC (NMI), myosin VI, myosin XVIB and myosin XVIIIB were found in nucleus.

Expansins are among plant cell wall modifying agents specifically expressed during development of nematode-induced syncytia.

Cyst nematodes are economically important pests. As obligatory biotrophic endoparasites they invade host roots and induce formation of syncytia, structures that serve them as the only source of nutrients. During syncytium development, extensive cell wall modifications take place.

Evaluation of lectin pathway activity and mannan-binding lectin levels in the course of pregnancy complicated by diabetes type 1, based on the genetic background.

Introduction: There are numerous indications that either mannan-binding lectin (MBL) deficiency or its excessive activity are associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. High MBL concentrations and corresponding MBL2 genotypes were shown to be associated with microvascular complications in type 1 diabetes. The aim of this study was to evaluate levels of MBL and MBL-dependent activity of the lectin pathway (LP) of complement in the course of pregnancy in diabetic mothers, based on genetic background.

Kinetics of solid-state NMR cross-polarization from protons to carbon-13 in surgical sutures.

Commercial Dexon surgical sutures, made of polyglycolide (PGA), were examined using (13)C CP/MAS NMR. The study shows that detailed analysis of the cross-polarization (CP) process is useful in the peak assignments and in the assessment of molecular mobility in the polymer domains. Crystallinity of PGA in the sutures was estimated at ca.

Polymerization of cyclic esters initiated by carnitine and tin (II) octoate.

Low-molecular weight poly(epsilon-caprolactone), polylactides and copolymers of epsilon-caprolactone and lactides were obtained by the polymerization of cyclic esters in the presence of a carnitine/SnOct(2) system. Their structures were proven by means of MALDI-TOF, IR and NMR studies. Effects of temperature, reaction time and carnitine dosage on the polymerization process were examined.

A comparison of the stability of doxorubicin and daunorubicin in solid state.

The degradation of doxorubicin and daunorubcin in the solid state was studied using an HPLC method with UV detection (LiChrospher RP-18, 5 microm, 250 mm x 4 mm; mobile phase: acetonitrile-solution A 1:1, v/v (solution A: 2.88 g of laurisulfate sodium and 1.6 ml of phosphoric acid(V) in 1000 ml); flow rate - 1.

Glycation endproducts, soluble receptor for advanced glycation endproducts and cytokines in diabetic and non-diabetic pregnancies.

Problem: Cytokines, advanced glycation end products (AGEs), and their receptor RAGE have been recently suggested to play a role in human pregnancy. In this study, we sought to determine the alterations of plasma AGEs, soluble RAGE (sRAGE), and proinflammatory cytokines in normal pregnancies and those complicated with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Method Of Study: These parameters were measured in samples from healthy non-pregnant (C), diabetic non-pregnant (D), healthy pregnant (HP), and pregnant diabetic (DP) women.

Involvement of myosin VI immunoanalog in pinocytosis and phagocytosis in Amoeba proteus.

Recently, we found a 130-kDa myosin VI immunoanalog in amoeba, which bound to actin in an ATP-sensitive manner and in migrating amoebae colocalized to filamentous actin and dynamin II-containing vesicular structures. To further characterize this protein, we assessed its involvement in amoeba pinocytosis and phagocytosis. Confocal immunofluorescence microscopy and electron microscopy of immunogold-stained cells revealed that, in pinocytotic and phagocytotic amoebae, the myosin VI immunoanalog was visible throughout the cells, including pinocytotic channels and pinocytotic vesicles as well as phagosomes and emerging phagocytic cups.

Phase III multi-institutional trial of adjuvant chemotherapy with paclitaxel, estramustine, and oral etoposide combined with long-term androgen suppression therapy and radiotherapy versus long-term androgen suppression plus radiotherapy alone for high-risk prostate cancer: preliminary toxicity analysis of RTOG 99-02.

Purpose: Long-term androgen suppression plus radiotherapy (AS+RT) is standard treatment of high-risk prostate cancer. A randomized trial, Radiation Therapy Oncology Group trial 9902, was undertaken to determine whether adjuvant chemotherapy with paclitaxel, estramustine, and etoposide (TEE) plus AS+RT would improve disease outcomes with acceptable toxicity.

Methods And Materials: High-risk (prostate-specific antigen 20-100 ng/mL and Gleason score >or=7; or Stage T2 or greater, Gleason score 8, prostate-specific antigen level <100 ng/mL) nonmetastatic prostate cancer patients were randomized to AS+RT (Arm 1) vs.

Gestational diabetes mellitus - an analysis of risk factors.

Introduction: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is associated with an increased frequency of gestational, perinatal and neonatal complications. The aim of the study was to evaluate risk factors for GDM and their predictive value.

Material And Methods: The group studied consisted of 510 pregnant women with GDM diagnosed according to World Health Organization (WHO) criteria (GDM).

Expression of two functionally distinct plant endo-beta-1,4-glucanases is essential for the compatible interaction between potato cyst nematode and its hosts.

For the proliferation of their feeding sites (syncytia), the potato cyst nematode Globodera rostochiensis is thought to recruit plant endo-beta-1,4-glucanases (EGases, EC. 3.2.

Two tomato alpha-expansins show distinct spatial and temporal expression patterns during development of nematode-induced syncytia.

Cyst nematodes induce specific syncytial feeding structures within the root which develop from an initial cell by successive incorporation of neighbouring cells through local cell wall dissolutions followed by hypertrophy of included cells. Expansins are known to induce cell wall relaxation and extension in acidic pH, and they are involved in many processes requiring wall modification from cell expansion to cell wall disassembly. We studied the expression pattern of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.

Synthesis and structural analysis of polyester prodrugs of norfloxacin.

Two-, three- and four-arm, star-shaped poly(epsilon-caprolactone) and poly(D,L-lactide) homopolymers, and copolymers of epsilon-caprolactone with D,L-lactide were synthesized via ring-opening polymerization of cyclic esters in the presence of glycerol, penthaerythritol and poly(ethylene glycol) as initiators and stannous octoate as a catalyst. Thus obtained oligomers were successfully used in the synthesis of novel macromolecular prodrugs of norfloxacin. The structures of the polymers and prodrugs were elucidated by means of MALDI-TOF MS, NMR and IR studies.

Starch serves as carbohydrate storage in nematode-induced syncytia.

The plant parasitic nematode Heterodera schachtii induces specific syncytial feeding sites in the roots of Arabidopsis thaliana from where it withdraws all required nutrients. Therefore, syncytia have to be well supplied with assimilates and generate strong sinks in the host plant's transport system. Import mechanisms and consequent accumulation of sucrose in syncytia were described recently.

[Mineral elements in diet of pregnant and breast-feeding women. Part II. Micro minerals: iron, zinc, copper, selenium, iodine, fluorine, manganese, molybdenium, chromium].

The first article describes in detail problems connected with the role of macro minerals: Ca, Mg, P, Na, K, Cl in the diet of pregnant and breast feeding women. We concentrated on the choice of good natural sources of micro minerals: Fe, Zn, Cu, Se, I, F, Mn, Mo and Cr. The amounts of the elements in some of the food products are listed and factors that decide on their bioavailability are described.