A Reagentless Amperometric Formaldehyde-Selective Chemosensor Based on Platinized Gold Electrodes.

Fabrication and characterization of a new amperometric chemosensor for accurate formaldehyde analysis based on platinized gold electrodes is described. The platinization process was performed electrochemically on the surface of 4 mm gold planar electrodes by both electrolysis and cyclic voltamperometry. The produced electrodes were characterized using scanning electron microscopy and X-ray spectral analysis.

Klotho protects human monocytes from LPS-induced immune impairment associated with immunosenescent-like phenotype.

In this study, we provide a new evidence on immunosenescent-like phenotype induction in low density monocytes due to the long-term treatment with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). We show that LPS caused oxidative and nitrosative stress through zinc downregulation and calcium accumulation. In turn, increased amounts of ROS/RNS and pro-inflammatory cytokines TNFα, IL-1β, IL-6 led to the irreversible DNA damage, persistent DDR activation, proliferation inhibition, reduction in cell growth and immune impairment.

Long-term culture with lipopolysaccharide induces dose-dependent cytostatic and cytotoxic effects in THP-1 monocytes.

Monocytes act as a first line of defence against invading pathogens and their dysfunctions seem to be a key factor in many immune disorders. However, the data on mechanisms underlying these dysfunctions remain elusive. In this study, we evaluated the effects of long-term (168h) lipopolysaccharide exposure on monocytes at low density cultures (1×10cells/ml).

Pulsed or continuous electromagnetic field induce p53/p21-mediated apoptotic signaling pathway in mouse spermatogenic cells in vitro and thus may affect male fertility.

The impact of electromagnetic field (EMF) on the human health and surrounding environment is a common topic investigated over the years. A significant increase in the electromagnetic field concentration arouses public concern about the long-term effects of EMF on living organisms associated with many aspects. In the present study, we investigated the effects of pulsed and continuous electromagnetic field (PEMF/CEMF) on mouse spermatogenic cell lines (GC-1 spg and GC-2 spd) in terms of cellular and biochemical features in vitro.

The bear in Eurasian plant names: motivations and models.

Ethnolinguistic studies are important for understanding an ethnic group's ideas on the world, expressed in its language. Comparing corresponding aspects of such knowledge might help clarify problems of origin for certain concepts and words, e.g.

Retinal venous blood carbon monoxide response to bright light in male pigs: A preliminary study.

The physical mechanism by which light is absorbed in the eye and has antidepressant and energizing effects in Seasonal Affective Disorder and other forms of psychiatric major depression is of scientific interest. This study was designed to explore one specific aspect of a proposed humoral phototransduction mechanism, namely that carbon monoxide (CO) levels increase in retinal venous blood in response to bright light. Eleven mature male pigs approximately six months of age were kept for 7days in darkness and fasted for 12h prior to surgery.

The impact of electromagnetic field at a frequency of 50 Hz and a magnetic induction of 2.5 mT on viability of pineal cells in vitro.

The impact of electromagnetic fields (EMF) on the pineal gland has been described in numerous studies, but many questions still remain unanswered. The aim of the experiment described in this study was to evaluate the effect of EMF on the viability of the pineal gland cells of pig in vitro. Primary culture of the pineal gland cells has been exposed to the influence of an EMF at a frequency of 50 Hz with 1, 2 or 3 hours and for 3 hours every 2 or 3 days.

Protective role of klotho protein on epithelial cells upon co-culture with activated or senescent monocytes.

Monocytes ensure proper functioning and maintenance of epithelial cells, while good condition of monocytes is a key factor of these interactions. Although, it was shown that in some circumstances, a population of altered monocytes may appear, there is no data regarding their effect on epithelial cells. In this study, using direct co-culture model with LPS-activated and Dox-induced senescent THP-1 monocytes, we reported for the first time ROS-induced DNA damage, reduced metabolic activity, proliferation inhibition and cell cycle arrest followed by p16-, p21- and p27-mediated DNA damage response pathways activation, premature senescence and apoptosis induction in HeLa cells.

Wild and native plants and mushrooms sold in the open-air markets of south-eastern Poland.

Background: The study of plants and fungi sold in open-air markets is an important part of ethnobotanical enquiry. Only few such studies were carried out in Europe.

Methods: Four of the largest open-air markets of south-eastern Poland were visited regularly, and the plants sold in them were recorded between 2013 and 2015.

Changes in gonadotropin-releasing hormone and gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor gene expression after an increase in carbon monoxide concentration in the cavernous sinus of male wild boar and pig crossbread.

Previous studies indicate that there are at least a few regulatory systems involved in photoperiodic synchronisation of reproductive activity, which starts with the retina and ends at the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) pulse generator. Recently we have shown indicated that the amount of carbon monoxide (CO) released from the eye into the ophthalmic venous blood depends on the intensity of sunlight. The aim of this study was to test whether changes in the concentration of carbon monoxide in the ophthalmic venous blood may modulate reproductive activity, as measured by changes in GnRH and GnRH receptor gene expression.

Wild food plants and fungi used in the mycophilous Tibetan community of Zhagana (Tewo County, Gansu, China).

Background: The aim of the study was to investigate knowledge and use of wild food plants and fungi in a highland valley in the Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Region on the north-eastern edges of the Tibetan Plateau.

Methods: Field research was carried out in four neighbouring villages in a mountain valley of the Diebu (Tewo) county, surrounded by spruce forests. The study consisted of 30 interviews with single informants, or group interviews (altogether 63 informants).

Novel arginine deiminase-based method to assay L-arginine in beverages.

A highly selective and sensitive enzymatic method for the quantitative determination of L-arginine (Arg) has been developed. The method is based on the use of recombinant bacterial arginine deiminase (ADI) isolated from the cells of a recombinant strain Escherichia coli and o-phthalaldehyde (OPA) as a chemical reagent. Ammonia, the product of the enzymatic digestion of Arg by ADI, reacts with OPA and forms in the presence of sulfite a product, which can be detected by spectrophotometry (S) and fluorometry (F).

Fischer's Lexicon of Slavic beliefs and customs: a previously unknown contribution to the ethnobotany of Ukraine and Poland.

Background: Historical ethnobotanical studies are important, even if they are only descriptive, because they help to throw light on the missing chains needed for diachronic analysis. However, the documentation of traditional uses of plants in some countries, e.g.

L-Lactate-selective microbial sensor based on flavocytochrome b2-enriched yeast cells using recombinant and nanotechnology approaches.

In the recent years, nanotechnology is the most developing branch due to a wide variety of potential applications in biomedical, biotechnological and agriculture fields. The binding nanoparticles with various biological molecules makes them attractive candidates for using in sensor technologies. The particularly actual is obtaining the bionanomembranes based on biocatalytic elements with improved sensing characteristics.

Changes in melatonin synthesis parameters after carbon monoxide concentration increase in the cavernous sinus.

Previous studies indicate that the gaseous messenger carbon monoxide (CO) is released from the eye into the ophthalmic venous blood depending on the intensity of sunlight. This study was designed to determine whether the increased concentration of CO in ophthalmic venous blood affects the synthesis of melatonin and therefore, whether CO released from the eye under normal lighting conditions can be a carrier of light intensity information. Thirty six mature male wild boar and pig crossbreeds (n = 36) were studied.

THE INFLUENCE OF CARBON MONOXIDE ON THE SECRETION OF MELATONIN BY PINEALOCYTES MEASURED IN VITRO.

Photoperiod is considered the most important factor entraining the circannual physiological rhythms through changing circadian patterns of melatonin (MEL) secretion from the pineal gland. The pineal gland of mammals does not respond directly to light but is controlled by light via neuronal phototransduction originating in the retina. In accordance with humoral phototransduction hypothesis, the aim of this study was to determine whether an increased concentration of CO, as a carrier of a light signal in pineal cell culture, affects the synthesis of melatonin.

An ethnobotanical perspective on traditional fermented plant foods and beverages in Eastern Europe.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Fermented food and beverages represent an important part of the worldwide foodscape, medicinal food domain and domestic strategies of health care, yet relevant traditional knowledge in Europe is poorly documented.

Methods: Review of primary ethnographic literature, archival sources and a few ad-hoc ethnobotanical field studies in seven selected Eastern European countries (Albania, Belarus, Bulgaria, Estonia, Hungary, Kosovo, and Poland) were conducted.

Results: Current or recently abandoned uses of 116 botanical taxa, belonging to 37 families in fermented food or medicinal food products were recorded.

Of the importance of a leaf: the ethnobotany of sarma in Turkey and the Balkans.

Background: Sarma - cooked leaves rolled around a filling made from rice and/or minced meat, possibly vegetables and seasoning plants - represents one of the most widespread feasting dishes of the Middle Eastern and South-Eastern European cuisines. Although cabbage and grape vine sarma is well-known worldwide, the use of alternative plant leaves remains largely unexplored. The aim of this research was to document all of the botanical taxa whose leaves are used for preparing sarma in the folk cuisines of Turkey and the Balkans.

A hundred years of change in wild vegetable use in southern Herzegovina.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Wild vegetable mixes used in southern Europe are interesting from the pharmacological point of view, as they contain many species which have considerable nutritional and medicinal value, but some are potentially toxic to humans. Although many ethnobotanical studies document the rich tradition of using wild vegetables at the turn of the 20th and 21st century in the Mediterranean region, there is a dearth of older historical studies which could help us to assess the extent of Traditional Knowledge loss.

Material And Methods: The aim of this study was to document the use of wild foods in an area of southern Herzegovina (in Bosnia-Herzegovina) and to compare it with a list of 27 taxa of wild green vegetables used there, compiled in 1913 by Vejsil Ćurčić.

A case study on toxicological aspects of the pest and disease control in the production of the high-quality raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.).

The field studies on the residue levels of the fungicides and insecticides used in commercial raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.) plantation have been performed. Starting on the first day of harvesting (on June 19), 20 laboratory samples of fruit, 10 laboratory samples of leaves and 4 samples of soil were analyzed and the residue levels were compared to the Maximum Residue Limits (MRL) and Acceptable Daily Intakes (ADI).

Methylamine-sensitive amperometric biosensor based on (His)6-tagged Hansenula polymorpha methylamine oxidase immobilized on the gold nanoparticles.

A novel methylamine-selective amperometric bienzyme biosensor based on recombinant primary amine oxidase isolated from the recombinant yeast strain Saccharomyces cerevisiae and commercial horseradish peroxidase is described. Two amine oxidase preparations were used: free enzyme (AMO) and covalently immobilized on the surface of gold nanoparticles (AMO-nAu). Some bioanalytical parameters (sensitivity, selectivity, and storage stability) of the developed biosensors were investigated.

d-lactate-selective amperometric biosensor based on the cell debris of the recombinant yeast Hansenula polymorpha.

A d-lactate-selective biosensor has been developed using cells' debris of recombinant thermotolerant methylotrophic yeast Hansenula polymorpha, overproducing d-lactate: cytochrome c-oxidoreductase (EC 1.1.2.

Bioconversion of airborne methylamine by immobilized recombinant amine oxidase from the thermotolerant yeast Hansenula polymorpha.

Aliphatic amines, including methylamine, are air-pollutants, due to their intensive use in industry and the natural degradation of proteins, amino acids, and other nitrogen-containing compounds in biological samples. It is necessary to develop systems for removal of methylamine from the air, since airborne methylamine has a negative effect on human health. The primary amine oxidase (primary amine : oxygen oxidoreductase (deaminating) or amine oxidase, AMO; EC 1.

Detection of Waterborne and Airborne Formaldehyde: From Amperometric Chemosensing to a Visual Biosensor Based on Alcohol Oxidase.

A laboratory prototype of a microcomputer-based analyzer was developed for quantitative determination of formaldehyde in liquid samples, based on catalytic chemosensing elements. It was shown that selectivity for the target analyte could be increased by modulating the working electrode potential. Analytical parameters of three variants of the amperometric analyzer that differed in the chemical structure/configuration of the working electrode were studied.

Wild food plants used by the Tibetans of Gongba Valley (Zhouqu county, Gansu, China).

Background: The ethnobotany of Tibetans is a seriously under-studied topic. The aim of the study was to investigate knowledge and use of wild food plants in a valley inhabited by Tibetans in the Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Region.

Methods: The field research was carried out in a wooded mountain valley in 9 neighbouring villages the Zhouqu (Brugchu) county, and comprised 17 interviews with single informants and 14 group interviews, involving 122 people altogether.