Plant Secondary Metabolites as Modulators of Mitochondrial Health: An Overview of Their Anti-Oxidant, Anti-Apoptotic, and Mitophagic Mechanisms.

Plant secondary metabolites (PSMs) are a diverse group of bioactive compounds, including flavonoids, polyphenols, saponins, and terpenoids, which have been recognised for their critical role in modulating cellular functions. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the effects of PSMs on mitochondrial health, with particular emphasis on their therapeutic potential. Emerging evidence shows that these metabolites improve mitochondrial function by reducing oxidative stress, promoting mitochondrial biogenesis, and regulating key processes such as apoptosis and mitophagy.

LEAP2 in Physiology-A Narrative Review.

Liver Enriched Antimicrobial Peptide 2 (LEAP2) is a fascinating peptide that has gained significant attention since its discovery in 2003. Initially identified as an antimicrobial peptide, LEAP2 has more recently been found to play a key role in the regulation of energy metabolism. One of the most notable functions of LEAP2 is its interaction with the ghrelin hormone, which is known for stimulating hunger.

The Effect of Ionising Radiation on the Properties of Tumour-Derived Exosomes and Their Ability to Modify the Biology of Non-Irradiated Breast Cancer Cells-An In Vitro Study.

The vast majority of breast cancer patients require radiotherapy but some of them will develop local recurrences and potentially metastases in the future. Recent data show that exosomal cargo is essential in these processes. Thus, we investigated the influence of ionising radiation on exosome properties and their ability to modify the sensitivity and biology of non-irradiated cells.

Houtt. Transformed Hairy Root Cultures as an Effective Platform for Producing Phenolic Compounds with Strong Bactericidal Properties.

Houtt. is the source of various phenolic compounds: phenolic acids, flawan-3-ols, and stilbenes, with a broad range of biological activity. The rhizome (underground organ of these plants) is abundant in secondary metabolites but, in natural conditions, may accumulate various toxic substances (such as heavy metals) from the soil.

Maximal Intensity Exercise Induces Adipokine Secretion and Disrupts Prooxidant-Antioxidant Balance in Young Men with Different Body Composition.

Maximal physical effort induces a disturbance in the body's energy homeostasis and causes oxidative stress. The aim of the study was to determine whether prooxidant-antioxidant balance disturbances and the secretion of adipokines regulating metabolism, induced by maximal intensity exercise, are dependent on body composition in young, healthy, non-obese individuals. We determined changes in the concentration of advanced protein oxidation products (AOPP), markers of oxidative damage to nucleic acids (DNA/RNA/ox), and lipid peroxidation (LPO); catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity, as well as concentrations of visfatin, leptin, resistin, adiponectin, asprosin, and irisin in the blood before and after maximal intensity exercise in men with above-average muscle mass (NFAT-HLBM), above-average fat mass (HFAT-NLBM), and with average body composition (NFAT-NLBM).

Insight into the Structure of Antifungal Cyrmenins: Conformational Studies of Unique Dehydroamino Acid, O-Methyldehydroserine.

O-Methyldehydroserine, ΔSer(Me), is a non-standard α,β-dehydroamino acid, which occurs naturally in Cyrmenins with potential pharmaceutical application. The C-terminal part and the side chain of the ΔSer(Me) residue constitute the β-methoxyacrylate unit, responsible for antifungal activity of Cyrmenins. The short model, Ac-ΔSer(Me)-OMe, was analyzed considering the geometrical isomer Z () and E ().

Leukocyte Telomere Length as a Marker of Chronic Complications in Type 2 Diabetes Patients: A Risk Assessment Study.

Telomere shortening has been linked to type 2 diabetes (T2D) and its complications. This study aims to determine whether leukocyte telomere length (LTL) could be a useful marker in predicting the onset of complications in patients suffering from T2D. Enrolled study subjects were 147 T2D patients.

microRNA Profile of High-Grade B-Cell Lymphoma with 11q Aberration.

High-grade B-cell lymphoma with 11q aberration (HGBCL-11q) is a rare germi-nal centre lymphoma characterised by a typical gain/loss pattern on chromo-some 11q but without MYC translocation. It shares some features with Burkitt lymphoma (BL), HGBCLs and germinal centre-derived diffuse large B-cell lym-phoma, not otherwise specified (GCB-DLBCL-NOS). Since microRNA expression in HGBCL-11q remains unknown, we aimed to identify and compare the mi-croRNA expression profiles in HGBCL-11q, BL and in GCB-DLBCL-NOS.

Biomarkers for the Molecular Diagnosis of IgE-Mediated Hymenoptera Venom Allergy in Clinical Practice.

Hymenoptera venom allergy (HVA) is a potentially life-threatening condition, making accurate diagnosis crucial for identifying significant IgE sensitizations and enabling effective venom immunotherapy. In this review, we provide a detailed overview of biomarkers for the molecular diagnosis of IgE-mediated hypersensitivity to Hymenoptera insect venoms in clinical practice, and we present, in a structured manner, their importance in differentiating genuine sensitizations versus cross-sensitizations using different diagnostic procedures. Updated algorithms are provided, along with the advantages and limitations of molecular diagnosis approaches.

Design and Characterization of Novel Polymeric Hydrogels with Protein Carriers for Biomedical Use.

Hydrogels are three-dimensional polymeric matrices capable of absorbing significant amounts of water or biological fluids, making them promising candidates for biomedical applications such as drug delivery and wound healing. In this study, novel hydrogels were synthesized using a photopolymerization method and modified with cisplatin-loaded protein carriers, as well as natural extracts of nettle () and chamomile ( L.).

The Regulatory Role of Pancreatic Enzymes in the Maintenance of Small Intestinal Structure and Enterocyte Turnover with Special Reference to Alpha Amylase.

The aim of this study was to elucidate the impact of porcine pancreatic enzymes (Creon pancrelipase) in comparison to microbial-derived alpha amylase (MD amylase) on the small intestine wall structure, mucosal glycogen accumulation, and enterocyte turnover. The impact of enzyme supplementation on the small intestine was explored in 18 pigs with surgically induced exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI). Four healthy pigs served as the control group.

The Use of a Novel Container for Secured Transport and Storage of Biological Material for Quantitative Human RNA Analysis.

The transport of biological materials must protect samples from degradation and ensure courier safety. The main goal of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of a new type of container designed for the secured transport of biological material for storing samples for quantitative RNA analyses. This was achieved by analyzing changes in the expression of selected human leucocyte housekeeping genes (, , and ) using reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) and digital PCR (RT-dPCR) techniques.

Surface Molecular Markers for the Isolation of Viable Fibroblast Subpopulations in the Female Reproductive Tract: A Comprehensive Review.

Advancements in single-cell analyzis technologies, particularly single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and Fluorescence-Activated Cell Sorting (FACS), have enabled the analyzis of cellular diversity by providing resolutions that were not available previously. These methods enable the simultaneous analyzis of thousands of individual transcriptomes, facilitating the classification of cells into distinct subpopulations, based on transcriptomic differences, adding a new level of complexity to biomolecular and medical research. Fibroblasts, despite being one of the most abundant cell types in the human body and forming the structural backbone of tissues and organs, remained poorly characterized for a long time.

Exploring the Role of Carbon Monoxide in Seed Physiology: Implications for Stress Tolerance and Practical Uses.

Carbon monoxide (CO) is recognized as a signaling molecule in plants, inducing various physiological responses. This article briefly examines the physiological functions of CO in seed biology and seedlings' responses to environmental stresses. The activity of heme oxygenase (HO), the main enzyme responsible for CO synthesis, is a key factor controlling CO levels in plant cells.

Differences in Salivary Cytokinome and Pathogen Load Between Rheumatoid Arthritis and Other Rheumatic Disease Patients.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), an autoimmune disease with complex pathogenesis, is characterized by an immune imbalance reflected, e.g., in the disturbed cytokines' profile.

Harnessing Mesenchymal Stromal Cells for Advanced Wound Healing: A Comprehensive Review of Mechanisms and Applications.

Chronic wounds and injuries remain a substantial healthcare challenge, with significant burdens on patient quality of life and healthcare resources. Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) present an innovative approach to enhance tissue repair and regeneration in the context of wound healing. The intrinsic presence of MSCs in skin tissue, combined with their roles in wound repair, ease of isolation, broad secretory profile, and low immunogenicity, makes them especially promising for treating chronic wounds.

Enhanced Dissipation of Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) in Soil by the Bioaugmentation with Newly Isolated Strain MC5.

The presented study investigated the possibility of using the MC5 strain, isolated from raw sewage by the enrichment culture method, in the bioremediation of soil contaminated with selected NSAIDs, i.e., ibuprofen (IBF), diclofenac (DCF), and naproxen (NPX), using the bioaugmentation technique.

Amphetamine Injection into the Nucleus Accumbens and Electrical Stimulation of the Ventral Tegmental Area in Rats After Novelty Test-Behavioral and Neurochemical Correlates.

Amphetamine abuse is a global health epidemic that is difficult to treat due to individual differences in response to environmental factors, including stress reactivity and anxiety levels, as well as individual neuronal differences, which may result in increased/decreased vulnerability to addiction. In the present study, we investigated whether the Wistar rats behavioral traits of high (HR) and low (LR) locomotor activity to novelty influence motivational behavior (induced feeding model; iFR by electrical stimulation of the ventral tegmental area; Es-VTA) supported by amphetamine injection into the nucleus accumbens shell (AcbSh) (HR, n = 5; LR, n = 5). A correlation was found between the novelty test's locomotor activity score and the frequency threshold percentage change ( < 0.

Combination of sST2/LVMI Ratio and Modified MELD Scores Predicts Mortality in End-Stage Heart Failure.

Biomarkers are critical for heart failure (HF) management by facilitating risk stratification, therapeutic decision-making, and monitoring treatment response. This prospective, single-center study aimed to assess predictors of death during one-year follow-up in patients with end-stage HF, with particular emphasis on the soluble suppression of tumorigenicity 2/left ventricular mass index (sST2/LVMI) ratio, modified Model for End-stage Liver Disease (modMELD), and Model for End-stage Liver Disease excluding INR (MELD-XI). This study comprised 429 consecutive patients with end-stage HF hospitalized between 2018 and 2023.

Recent Advances in the Search for Effective Anti-Alzheimer's Drugs.

Alzheimer's disease, the most common form of dementia, is characterized by the deposition of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in the brain, leading to the loss of neurons and a decline in a person's memory and cognitive function. As a multifactorial disease, Alzheimer's involves multiple pathogenic mechanisms, making its treatment particularly challenging. Current drugs approved for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease only alleviate symptoms but cannot stop the progression.

Key Interleukins in Inflammatory Bowel Disease-A Review of Recent Studies.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is an immune disorder of the gastrointestinal tract with a complex aetiopathogenesis, whose development is influenced by many factors. The prevalence of IBD is increasing worldwide, in both industrialized and developing countries, making IBD a global health problem that seriously affects quality of life. In 2019, there were approximately 4.

The Molecular Basis of Asthma Exacerbations Triggered by Viral Infections: The Role of Specific miRNAs.

Viral respiratory infections are a significant clinical problem among the pediatric population and are one of the leading causes of hospitalization. Most often, upper respiratory tract infections are self-limiting. Still, those that involve the lower respiratory tract are usually associated with asthma exacerbations, leading to worsening or even the initiation of the disease.

The SOS Response Activation and the Risk of Antibiotic Resistance Enhancement in spp. Strains Exposed to Subinhibitory Concentrations of Ciprofloxacin.

The widespread and inappropriate use of antibiotics, for therapeutic and prophylactic purposes, has contributed to a global crisis of rapidly increasing antimicrobial resistance of microorganisms. This resistance is often associated with elevated mutagenesis induced by the presence of antibiotics. Additionally, subinhibitory concentrations of antibiotics can trigger stress responses in bacteria, further exacerbating this problem.