In Search of Candidate Protein Biomarkers Related to COVID-19 in Solid Tissues and Non-Blood Fluids: An Update.

Purpose: During COVID-19, significant changes in protein abundance can be linked with disease-related processes. The mass spectrometry-based proteomics of COVID-19-related biomarkers can help with the prognosis and diagnosis of this severe disease.

Design: Here, we surveyed scientific works in terms of proteomic analysis of solid tissues and non-blood fluids from COVID-19 patients.

High stability of the radical at the catalytic center of cytochrome c oxidase.

In aerobic organisms, cellular respiration is associated with electron transfer through a respiratory system of membrane-bound complexes. This electron flow is terminated by the reduction of dioxygen to water by respiratory oxidases. Cytochrome c oxidase (CcO) is a widely distributed heme-copper-oxygen reductase (HCO) found in all mitochondria and some bacteria.

Insights into Medication-Induced Osteonecrosis of the Jaw Through the Application of Salivary Proteomics and Bioinformatics.

Long-term treatment with bisphosphonates is accompanied by an increased risk of medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ). Currently, no clinically useful biomarkers for the predictive diagnosis of MRONJ are available. To investigate the potential key proteins involved in the pathogenesis of MRONJ, a proteomic LC-MS/MS analysis of saliva was performed.

Development of MHz X-ray phase contrast imaging at the European XFEL.

We report on recent developments that enable megahertz hard X-ray phase contrast imaging (MHz XPCI) experiments at the Single Particles, Clusters, and Biomolecules and Serial Femtosecond Crystallography (SPB/SFX) instrument of the European XFEL facility (EuXFEL). We describe the technical implementation of the key components, including an MHz fast camera and a modular indirect X-ray microscope system based on fast scintillators coupled through a high-resolution optical microscope, which enable full-field X-ray microscopy with phase contrast of fast and irreversible phenomena. The image quality for MHz XPCI data showed significant improvement compared with a pilot demonstration of the technique using parallel beam illumination, which also allows access to up to 24 keV photon energies at the SPB/SFX instrument of the EuXFEL.

Development of crystal optics for X-ray multi-projection imaging for synchrotron and XFEL sources.

X-ray multi-projection imaging (XMPI) is an emerging experimental technique for the acquisition of rotation-free, time-resolved, volumetric information on stochastic processes. The technique is developed for high-brilliance light-source facilities, aiming to address known limitations of state-of-the-art imaging methods in the acquisition of 4D sample information, linked to their need for sample rotation. XMPI relies on a beam-splitting scheme, that illuminates a sample from multiple, angularly spaced viewpoints, and employs fast, indirect, X-ray imaging detectors for the collection of the data.

Blood proteomics of COVID-19 infection: An update.

Despite significant progress in understanding SARS-CoV-2 and its impact, a deeper comprehension of the molecular changes in the host following infection is still lacking. Proteomic analysis of COVID-19 infected patients can provide valuable data about the events and mechanisms related to the initial, progression, and terminal stages of the disease. Such information can lead to better prevention, treatment, and convalescence strategies.

Virulence determinants and antibiotic resistance in staphylococci isolated from the skin of captive bred reptiles.

Knowledge of the composition and properties of skin microbiota in healthy reptiles is essential for preservation strategies and thus the prevention of skin dysbiosis leading to dermatological diseases. Despite the greatly increasing popularity of reptiles as pets, only a few studies have dealt with this topic. Therefore, the aim of this work was to analyse species composition of bacteria isolated from skin swabs of 40 reptiles (17 species) using MALDI-TOF spectrometry and to characterise the virulence properties of identified staphylococci (n = 51).

Medication-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaw: A Systematic Review and a Bioinformatic Analysis.

The objective was to evaluate the current evidence regarding the etiology of medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ). This study systematically reviewed the literature by searching PubMed, Web of Science, and ProQuest databases for genes, proteins, and microRNAs associated with MRONJ from the earliest records through April 2023. Conference abstracts, letters, review articles, non-human studies, and non-English publications were excluded.

Examination of 'high-energy' metastable state of the oxidized (O) bovine cytochrome c oxidase: Proton uptake and reaction with HO.

Reoxidized cytochrome c oxidase appears to be in a 'high-energy' metastable state (O) in which part of the energy released in the redox reactions is stored. The O is supposed to relax to the resting 'as purified' oxidized state (O) in a time exceeding 200 ms. The catalytic heme a-Cu center of these two forms should differ in a protonation and ligation state and the transition of O-to-O is suggested to be associated with a proton transfer into this center.

Idiopathic hypersomnia years after the diagnosis.

Little attention has been paid to the long-term development of idiopathic hypersomnia symptoms and idiopathic hypersomnia comorbidities. The aim of this study was to describe the general health of patients with idiopathic hypersomnia years after the initial diagnosis, focusing on current subjective hypersomnolence and the presence of its other possible causes. Adult patients diagnosed with idiopathic hypersomnia ≥ 3 years ago at sleep centres in Prague and Kosice were invited to participate in this study.

The role of redox active copper(II) on antioxidant properties of the flavonoid baicalein: DNA protection under Cu(II)-Fenton reaction and Cu(II)-ascorbate system conditions.

The antioxidant properties of flavonoids are mediated by their functional hydroxyl groups, which are capable of both chelating redox active metals such as iron, copper and scavenging free radicals. In this paper, the antioxidant vs. prooxidant and DNA protecting properties of baicalein and Cu(II)-baicalein complexes were studied under the conditions of the Copper-Fenton reaction and of the Copper-Ascorbate system.

Mitochondrial Dysfunction, Altered Mitochondrial Oxygen, and Energy Metabolism Associated with the Pathogenesis of Schizophrenia.

The significant complexity of the brain can lead to the development of serious neuropsychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia. A number of mechanisms are involved in the etiopathogenesis of schizophrenia, pointing to its complexity and opening a new perspective on studying this disorder. In this review of currently published studies, we focused on the contribution of mitochondria to the process, with an emphasis on oxidative damage, ROS, and energy metabolism.

Importance of Retesting for the Final Diagnosis of Post-Stroke Cognitive Impairment.

Post-stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI) has been defined as all problems in cognitive function that occur following a stroke. Studies published thus far on the prevalence of PSCI and post-stroke dementia (PSD) have shown conflicting estimates. The aim of this study was screening for cognitive impairment (CogI) in patients with an ischaemic stroke and finding the relationship between CogI (and its changes) and cardiovascular risk factors and imaging procedures-CT/MRI.

MALDI-TOF/MS Profiling of Whole Saliva and Gingival Crevicular Fluid in Patients with the Invisalign System and Fixed Orthodontic Appliances.

The movement of teeth by orthodontic treatment with the Invisalign (IN) system and fixed orthodontic appliances (FOA) is characterized by the reconstruction of periodontal ligaments, alveolar bone, and gingiva. A reflection of these phenomena can be found in the composition of gingival crevicular fluid (GCF). A total of 90 samples from 45 participants (45 whole saliva and 45 GCF), including 15 patients with FOA, 15 patients with IN, and 15 patients with oral health, were subjected to matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF/MS) analysis.

Psychotic Episode and Schizophrenia in Slovakian Narcolepsy Database.

Narcolepsy type 1 (NT1), a central disorder of hypersomnolence, is associated with mood, anxiety or hyperactivity mental disorders. Association with psychotic episode or schizophrenia is rare and could be the source of diagnostic and therapeutic difficulties. Their frequency in the national narcolepsy database has not been systematically studied.

Microbiota of female genital tract - functional overview of microbial flora from vagina to uterine tubes and placenta.

Microorganisms and eukaryotic human cells coexist in synergistic relationships in nearly every niche of the human body. The female genital tract consisting of the vagina, uterus with its cervix and endometrium, uterine tubes and ovaries - harbors its own typical microbiota, which accounts for 9 % of the total bacterial population in females. To this organ system, we also assigned the microbiome of the placenta, which has not been studied much until now.

Radical in the Peroxide-Produced F-Type Ferryl Form of Bovine Cytochrome Oxidase.

The reduction of O in respiratory cytochrome oxidases (CcO) is associated with the generation of the transmembrane proton gradient by two mechanisms. In one of them, the proton pumping, two different types of the ferryl intermediates of the catalytic heme -Cu center and forms, participate. Equivalent ferryl states can be also formed by the reaction of the oxidized CcO () with HO.

Different Approaches for the Profiling of Cancer Pathway-Related Genes in Glioblastoma Cells.

Deregulation of signalling pathways that regulate cell growth, survival, metabolism, and migration can frequently lead to the progression of cancer. Brain tumours are a large group of malignancies characterised by inter- and intratumoral heterogeneity, with glioblastoma (GBM) being the most aggressive and fatal. The present study aimed to characterise the expression of cancer pathway-related genes ( = 84) in glial tumour cell lines (A172, SW1088, and T98G).

Colloidal lithography as a novel approach for the development of Ni-nanocavity insulin sensor.

In this study, a highly sensitive, fast, and selective enzyme-free electrochemical sensor based on the deposition of Ni cavities on conductive glass was proposed for insulin detection. Considering the growing prevalence of diabetes mellitus, an electrochemical sensor for the determination of insulin was proposed for the effective diagnosis of the disease. Colloidal lithography enabled deposition of nanostructured layer (substrate) with homogeneous distribution of Ni cavities on the electrode surface with a large active surface area.

Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells: A review of recent proteomic applications.

Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) represent a sentinel blood sample which reacts to different pathophysiological stimuli in the form of immunological responses/immunophenotypic changes. The study of molecular content of PBMCs can provide better understanding of immune processes giving the possibility of monitoring the health conditions of the host organism. Proteomic analysis of PBMCs can achieve mentioned goal as important immune-related biomarkers are easily accessible for analysis.

Assessment and Treatment of Negative Symptoms in Schizophrenia-A Regional Perspective.

Clinicians and researchers consider that there are a variety of symptoms that constitute negative symptoms in schizophrenia, and they may use different definitions for the same symptoms. These differences are also reflected in a variety of negative symptom rating scales. Both research and clinical work are negatively affected by the lack of consensus regarding the symptoms that constitute negative symptoms in schizophrenia.

Liquid-Phase Microextraction Approaches for Preconcentration and Analysis of Chiral Compounds: A Review on Current Advances.

Chirality is a critical issue in pharmaceutics, forensic chemistry, therapeutic drug monitoring, doping control, toxicology, or environmental investigations as enantiomers of a chiral compound can exhibit different activities, i.e., one enantiomer can have the desired effect while the other one can be inactive or even toxic.

Association of polymorphisms in endothelin-1 and endothelin receptor a genes with vasovagal syncope.

The endothelin system may play a role in the pathogenesis of vasovagal syncope (VVS) because it is implicated in blood pressure regulation. We hypothesized that endothelin-related genetic polymorphisms might modulate susceptibility to VVS. This study aimed to evaluate the possible influence of endothelin-1 (EDN1) and endothelin receptor A (EDNRA) gene variants on the occurrence of tilt-induced VVS and autonomic nervous system activity during the head-up tilt test (HUT).

Diagnostic Test Accuracy of First-Void Urine Human Papillomaviruses for Presence Cervical HPV in Women: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

First-void urine usually contains exfoliated cells of the debris and mucus from the female genital organs and cervix, i.e., high concentration of human papillomavirus deoxyribonucleic acid (HPV DNA).

Vibrational characterization of the pesticide molecule Tebuconazole.

Pesticide use worldwide exhibits a positive effect on agricultural production while it may negatively affect organisms living in soil, water or the air. Importantly, numerous negative health effects also occur in humans exposed to (accumulated) pesticides or their metabolites over a long period of time. To prevent both environmental catastrophes and adverse human health impacts, initial studies of the selected pesticides need to be performed together with the constant post-approval control; risk assessment analysis and on site monitoring have to be continuously carried out.