Low-Coherence Integrated Optical Interferometer for Fibre Optic Sensors.

This paper proposes and implements a novel scheme for recording signals from fibre optic sensors based on tandem low-coherence interferometry with an integrated optical reference interferometer. The circuit allows precision control of the phase shift. Additionally, the paper illustrates the potential for detecting vibration and object deformation using fibre optic Fabry-Perot sensors connected to the registration system.

Planetary Laser Interferometric Seismoacoustic Observatory.

The paper describes a planetary laser interferometric seismoacoustic observatory consisting of six stationary unequal arm laser strainmeters. Based on the triangulation method, the fundamentals of direction finding of various infrasound disturbances at any planetary distance have been developed. The authors show that in addition to determining locations of the occurrence of the recorded disturbance, using data from spatially separated laser strainmeters, it is possible to determine the nature of these signals' divergence and, also, the loss of their energy in the propagation medium.

Algorithmic Generation of Parameterized Geometric Models of the Aortic Valve and Left Ventricle.

Simulating the cardiac valves is one of the most complex tasks in cardiovascular modeling. As fluid-structure interaction simulations are highly computationally demanding, machine-learning techniques can be considered a good alternative. Nevertheless, it is necessary to design many aortic valve geometries to generate a training set.

Association of Proteasome Activity and Pool Heterogeneity with Markers Determining the Molecular Subtypes of Breast Cancer.

Background: Proteasomes degrade intracellular proteins. Different proteasome forms were identified. Proteasome inhibitors are used in cancer therapy, and novel drugs directed to specific proteasome forms are developed.

Current Status of Neoadjuvant Treatment Before Surgery in High-Risk Localized Prostate Cancer.

Localized high-risk (HR) prostate cancer (PCa) is a heterogeneous disease whose likelihood of a biochemical recurrence, metastatic progression and cancer-related mortality after initial treatment is higher when compared with patients with low (LR) or intermediate-risk (IR) disease. In the past, neoadjuvant therapy has shown an improvement in postoperative oncological variables but failed to demonstrate any survival advantages. With the promising results from novel treatments in metastatic and non-metastatic castration resistant PCa settings, new evidence has appeared in the literature in the neoadjuvant setting.

Optimization of the Meat Flavoring Production Process for Plant-Based Products Using the Taguchi Method.

The development of plant-based meat substitutes is imperative for reducing animal fat intake and promoting dietary diversification. However, the flavor profiles of these products frequently fall short of consumer expectations. This study sought to optimize the production process of meat flavorings for plant-based products using the Taguchi method.

Towards a Quantitative Description of Proteolysis: Contribution of Demasking and Hydrolysis Steps to Proteolysis Kinetics of Milk Proteins.

The hydrolysis of proteins by proteases (proteolysis) plays a significant role in biology and food science. Despite the importance of proteolysis, a universal quantitative model of this phenomenon has not yet been created. This review considers approaches to modeling proteolysis in a batch reactor that take into account differences in the hydrolysis of the individual peptide bonds, as well as the limited accessibility (masking) for the enzymes of some hydrolysis sites in the protein substrate.

Development of a Wine Yeast Strain Capable of Malolactic Fermentation and Reducing the Ethyl Carbamate Content in Wine.

In winemaking, malolactic fermentation (MLF), which converts L-malic acid to L-lactic acid, is often applied after the alcoholic fermentation stage to improve the sensory properties of the wine and its microbiological stability. MLF is usually performed by lactic acid bacteria, which, however, are sensitive to the conditions of alcoholic fermentation. Therefore, the development of wine yeast strains capable of both alcoholic fermentation and MLF is an important task.

Highly Sensitive Lateral Flow Immunodetection of the Insecticide Imidacloprid in Fruits and Berries Reached by Indirect Antibody-Label Coupling.

A highly sensitive lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA) for imidacloprid, a widely used neonicotinoid insecticide, has been developed. The LFIA realizes the indirect coupling of anti-imidacloprid antibodies and gold nanoparticle (GNP) labels directly in the course of the assay. For this purpose, the common GNPs conjugate with anti-imidacloprid antibodies and are changed into a combination of non-modified, anti-imidacloprid antibodies, and the GNPs conjugate with anti-species antibodies.

Sea Anemone Kunitz Peptide HCIQ2c1 Reduces Histamine-, Lipopolysaccharide-, and Carrageenan-Induced Inflammation via the Suppression of Pro-Inflammatory Mediators.

Inflammation is a physiological response of the immune system to infectious agents or tissue injury, which involves a cascade of vascular and cellular events and the activation of biochemical pathways depending on the type of harmful agent and the stimulus generated. The Kunitz peptide HCIQ2c1 of sea anemone is a strong protease inhibitor and exhibits neuroprotective and analgesic activities. In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory potential of HCIQ2c1 in histamine- and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated RAW 264.

Role of PI3 Kinases in Cell Signaling and Soleus Muscle Atrophy During Three Days of Unloading.

During skeletal muscle unloading, phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), and especially PI3K gamma (PI3Kγ), can be activated by changes in membrane potential. Activated IP3 can increase the ability of Ca to enter the nucleus through IP3 receptors. This may contribute to the activation of transcription factors that initiate muscle atrophy processes.

Cellular Partners of Tobamoviral Movement Proteins.

The size of viral genomes is limited, thus the majority of encoded proteins possess multiple functions. The main function of tobamoviral movement protein (MP) is to perform plasmodesmata gating and mediate intercellular transport of the viral RNA. MP is a remarkable example of a protein that, in addition to the initially discovered and most obvious function, carries out numerous activities that are important both for the manifestation of its key function and for successful and productive infection in general.

Asymmetry of Motif Conservation Within Their Homotypic Pairs Distinguishes DNA-Binding Domains of Target Transcription Factors in ChIP-Seq Data.

Transcription factors (TFs) are the main regulators of eukaryotic gene expression. The cooperative binding of at least two TFs to genomic DNA is a major mechanism of transcription regulation. Massive analysis of the co-occurrence of overrepresented pairs of motifs for different target TFs studied in ChIP-seq experiments can clarify the mechanisms of TF cooperation.

Anticancer Plant Secondary Metabolites Evicting Linker Histone H1.2 from Chromatin Activate Type I Interferon Signaling.

Previously we discovered that among 15 DNA-binding plant secondary metabolites (PSMs) possessing anticancer activity, 11 compounds cause depletion of the chromatin-bound linker histones H1.2 and/or H1.4.

4-Alkyl-4-thieno[2',3':4,5]pyrrolo[2,3-]quinoxaline Derivatives as New Heterocyclic Analogues of Indolo[2,3-]quinoxalines: Synthesis and Antitubercular Activity.

The synthetic approach based on a sequence of Buchwald-Hartwig cross-coupling and annulation through intramolecular oxidative cyclodehydrogenation has been used for the construction of novel 4-alkyl-4-thieno[2',3':4,5]pyrrolo[2,3-]quinoxaline derivatives. For the first time, these polycyclic compounds were evaluated for antimycobacterial activity, including extensively drug-resistant strains. A reasonable bacteriostatic effect against HRv was demonstrated.

Quantitative Analysis of Pseudogene-Associated Errors During Germline Variant Calling.

A pseudogene is a non-functional copy of a protein-coding gene. Processed pseudogenes, which are created by the reverse transcription of mRNA and subsequent integration of the resulting cDNA into the genome, being a major pseudogene class, represent a significant challenge in genome analysis due to their high sequence similarity to the parent genes and their frequent absence in the reference genome. This homology can lead to errors in variant identification, as sequences derived from processed pseudogenes can be incorrectly assigned to parental genes, complicating correct variant calling.

Nosocomial , , , and : Sensitivity to Chlorhexidine-Based Biocides and Prevalence of Efflux Pump Genes.

The widespread use of disinfectants and antiseptics has led to the emergence of nosocomial pathogens that are less sensitive to these agents, which in combination with multidrug resistance (MDR) can pose a significant epidemiologic risk. We investigated the susceptibility of nosocomial , , , and to a 0.05% chlorhexidine (CHX) solution and a biocidal S7 composite solution based on CHX (0.

Antimicrobial Activity of Cyclic Lipopeptides and Their Role in the Host Adaptive Response to Changes in Environmental Conditions.

cyclic lipopeptides (CLP), part of the three main families-surfactins, iturins, and fengycins-are secondary metabolites with a unique chemical structure that includes both peptide and lipid components. Being amphiphilic compounds, CLPs exhibit antimicrobial activity in vitro, damaging the membranes of microorganisms. However, the concentrations of CLPs used in vitro are difficult to achieve in natural conditions.

Position-Dependent Effects of AP Sites Within an Promoter G-Quadruplex Scaffold on Quadruplex Stability and Repair Activity of the APE1 Enzyme.

Apurinic/apyrimidinic (AP) sites are endogenous DNA lesions widespread in human cells. Having no nucleobases, they are noncoding and promutagenic. AP site repair is generally initiated through strand incision by AP endonuclease 1 (APE1).

Potential Regulation of by miR-129-5p and miR-3613-3p and Their Prognostic Value in Gastric Cancer.

Gastric cancer (GC) remains the most common malignant tumor of the gastrointestinal tract and one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), including microRNAs (miRNAs), are involved in the pathogenesis and progression of GC and, therefore, may be potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers. Our work was aimed at investigating the predicted regulation of by miR-129-5p and miR-3613-3p and the clinical value of their aberrant expression in GC.

Synthesis of New Polyfluoro Oligonucleotides via Staudinger Reaction.

Nowadays, nucleic acid derivatives capable of modulating gene expression at the RNA level have gained widespread recognition as promising therapeutic agents. A suitable degree of biological stability of oligonucleotide therapeutics is required for in vivo application; this can be most expeditiously achieved by the chemical modification of the internucleotidic phosphate group, which may also affect their cellular uptake, tissue distribution and pharmacokinetics. Our group has previously developed a strategy for the chemical modification of the phosphate group via the Staudinger reaction on a solid phase of the intermediate dinucleoside phosphite triester and a range of, preferably, electron deficient organic azides such as sulfonyl azides during automated solid-phase DNA synthesis according to the conventional β-cyanoethyl phosphoramidite scheme.

Cyclic Imines and Their Salts as Universal Precursors in the Synthesis of Nitrogen-Containing Alkaloids.

Alkaloids are predominantly nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compounds that are usually isolated from plants, and sometimes from insects or animals. Alkaloids are one of the most important types of natural products due to their diverse biological activities and potential applications in modern medicine. Cyclic imines were chosen as starting compounds for the synthesis of alkaloids due to their high synthetic potential.

Peptide AEDL and Glutathione Stimulates Root Development .

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are essential molecules involved in intercellular communication, signal transduction, and metabolic processes. Abiotic stresses cause the accumulation of excess ROS in plant cells. The issue of regulating the antioxidant protection of plants using natural and synthetic compounds with antioxidant activity still remains one of the most important and relevant areas of fundamental and applied research.

Innovative Therapies Targeting Drug-Resistant Biomarkers in Metastatic Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma (ccRCC).

A thorough study of Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma (ccRCC) shows that combining tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) shows promising results in addressing the tumor-promoting influences of abnormal immunological and molecular biomarkers in metastatic Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma (ccRCC). These abnormal biomarkers enhance drug resistance, support tumor growth, and trigger cancer-related genes. Ongoing clinical trials are testing new treatment options that appear more effective than earlier ones.

The Role and Mechanisms of the Hypocretin System in Zebrafish ().

Sleep is the most important physiological function of all animals studied to date. Sleep disorders include narcolepsy, which is characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness, disruption of night sleep, and muscle weakness-cataplexy. Narcolepsy is known to be caused by the degeneration of orexin-synthesizing neurons (hypocretin (HCRT) neurons or orexin neurons) in the hypothalamus.