Bioactivation of Konjac Glucomannan Films by Tannic Acid and Gluconolactone Addition.

Wound healing is a dynamic process that requires an optimal extracellular environment, as well as an accurate synchronization between various cell types. Over the past few years, great efforts have been devoted to developing novel approaches for treating and managing burn injuries, sepsis, and chronic or accidental skin injuries. Multifunctional smart-polymer-based dressings represent a promising approach to support natural healing and address several problems plaguing partially healed injuries, including severe inflammation, scarring, and wound infection.

PVA-Based Films with Strontium Titanate Nanoparticles Dedicated to Wound Dressing Application.

Bioactive materials may be applied in tissue regeneration, and an example of such materials are wound dressings, which are used to accelerate skin healing, especially after trauma. Here, we proposed a novel dressing enriched by a bioactive component. The aim of our study was to prepare and characterize poly(vinyl alcohol) films modified with strontium titanate nanoparticles.

Cold plasma treatment of tannic acid as a green technology for the fabrication of advanced cross-linkers for bioactive collagen/gelatin hydrogels.

Tannic acid (TA) is a natural compound studied as the cross-linker for biopolymers due to its ability to form hydrogen bonds. There are different methods to improve its reactivity and effectiveness to be used as a modifier for biopolymeric materials. This work employed plasma to modify tannic acid TA, which was then used as a cross-linker for fabricating collagen/gelatin scaffolds.

Evaluating Gelatin-Based Films with Graphene Nanoparticles for Wound Healing Applications.

In this study, gelatin-based films containing graphene nanoparticles were obtained. Nanoparticles were taken from four chosen commercial graphene nanoplatelets with different surface areas, such as 150 m/g, 300 m/g, 500 m/g, and 750 m/g, obtained in different conditions. Their morphology was observed using SEM with STEM mode; porosity, Raman spectra and elemental analysis were checked; and biological properties, such as hemolysis and cytotoxicity, were evaluated.

Hyaluronic acid/tannic acid films for wound healing application.

In this study, thin films based on hyaluronic acid (HA) with tannic acid (TA) were investigated in three different weight ratios (80HA/20TA, 50HA/50TA, 20HA/80TA) for their application as materials for wound healing. Surface free energy, as well as their roughness, mechanical properties, water vapor permeability rate, and antioxidant activity were determined. Moreover, their compatibility with blood and osteoblast cells was investigated.

Gelatin and gelatin/starch-based films modified with sorbitol for wound healing.

Gelatin-based films modified with sorbitol were produced from gelatin solution or gelatin/starch blends using a simple and low-cost solvent casting method, and subsequently, their physicochemical, mechanical, and biocompatibility properties were characterized. This work focused on developing and optimizing a biopolymeric blend to improve the pure biopolymers' properties for potential biomedical applications such as wound dressing. The films were characterized in terms of morphology and transparency, mechanical, moisture and swelling properties, thermal stability, and degradation potential.

The characterization of collagen-based scaffolds modified with phenolic acids for tissue engineering application.

The aim of the experiment was to study the morphology of collagen-based scaffolds modified by caffeic acid, ferulic acid, and gallic acid, their swelling, and degradation rate, as well as the biological properties of scaffolds, such as antioxidant activity, hemo- and cytocompatibility, histological observation, and antibacterial properties. Scaffolds based on collagen with phenolic acid showed higher swelling rate and enzymatic stability compared to scaffolds based on pure collagen, and the radical scavenging activity was in the range 85-91%. All scaffolds were non-hemolytic and compatible with surrounding tissues.

Effects of Marginal Zn Excess and Thiamine Deficiency on Microglial N9 Cell Metabolism and Their Interactions with Septal SN56 Cholinergic Cells.

Mild thiamine deficiency aggravates Zn accumulation in cholinergic neurons. It leads to the augmentation of Zn toxicity by its interaction with the enzymes of energy metabolism. Within this study, we tested the effect of Zn on microglial cells cultivated in a thiamine-deficient medium, containing 0.

Resveratrol Inhibits Metabolism and Affects Blood Platelet Function in Type 2 Diabetes.

Chronic hyperglycemia contributes to vascular complications in diabetes. Resveratrol exerts anti-diabetic and anti-platelet action. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of resveratrol on metabolism and the function of blood platelets under static and in in vitro flow conditions in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Chronology and dynamics of fluvial style changes in the Younger Dryas and Early Holocene in Central Europe (lower San River, SE Poland).

Reconstruction of fluvial style changes in the San River in the Subcarpathian Basins is based on geomorphological and sedimentological analyses. The time control of alluvial fills and temporal changes in the river channel are derived from radiocarbon and optically stimulated luminescence dating combined with independent pollen-based biochronostratigraphy. The results showed that the alluvial plain of the braided (BR) or braided-meandering (BR-M?) river was abandoned before 12,800 cal BP.

Protection of Cholinergic Neurons against Zinc Toxicity by Glial Cells in Thiamine-Deficient Media.

Brain pathologies evoked by thiamine deficiency can be aggravated by mild zinc excess. Cholinergic neurons are the most susceptible to such cytotoxic signals. Sub-toxic zinc excess aggravates the injury of neuronal SN56 cholinergic cells under mild thiamine deficiency.

The Impact of Acetyl-CoA and Aspartate Shortages on the N-Acetylaspartate Level in Different Models of Cholinergic Neurons.

N-acetylaspartate is produced by neuronal aspartate N-acetyltransferase (NAT8L) from acetyl-CoA and aspartate. In cholinergic neurons, acetyl-CoA is also utilized in the mitochondrial tricarboxylic acid cycle and in acetylcholine production pathways. While aspartate has to be shared with the malate-aspartate shuttle, another mitochondrial machinery together with the tricarboxylic acid cycle supports the electron transport chain turnover.

Pulsed Radiofrequency Neuromodulation Contributes to Activation of Platelet-Rich Plasma in In Vitro Conditions.

Objectives: Recent years have brought new developments in interventional chronic pain management, namely regenerative orthopedics utilizing platelet-rich plasma (PRP) as well as further evolution of pulsed radiofrequency neuromodulation (PRF). Both methods have been used separately. Here, we investigated whether PRF may potentiate the activation of platelets in PRP samples when both these techniques are combined together in in vitro conditions.

Inhibition of pyruvate dehydrogenase complex activity by 3-bromopyruvate affects blood platelets responses in type 2 diabetes.

Background: Hyperactivation of blood platelets is an essential factor in the pathomechanism of diabetes-evoked angiopathies. The aim of this work was to investigate whether blood platelets hyperactivation resulting from type 2 diabetic hyperglycaemia-increased pyruvate dehydrogenase complex activity and excessive acetyl-CoA accumulation may be brought to the normal range by the enzyme inhibitors.

Methods: Platelets were isolated from the blood of 9 type 2 diabetic patients and 10 healthy donors.

Antibacterial Activity and Cytocompatibility of Bone Cement Enriched with Antibiotic, Nanosilver, and Nanocopper for Bone Regeneration.

Bacterial infections due to bone replacement surgeries require modifications of bone cement with antibacterial components. This study aimed to investigate whether the incorporation of gentamicin or nanometals into bone cement may reduce and to what extent bacterial growth without the loss of overall cytocompatibility and adverse effects in vitro. The bone cement Cemex was used as the base material, modified either with gentamicin sulfate or nanometals: Silver or copper.

Aggravated effects of coexisting marginal thiamine deficits and zinc excess on SN56 neuronal cells.

Zinc excitotoxicity and thiamine pyrophosphate deficiency (TD) are known pathogenic signals contributing to mechanism of different encephalopathies through inhibition of enzymes responsible for energy metabolism such as pyruvate dehydrogenase, aconitase or ketoglutarate dehydrogenase. The aim of this work was to investigate whether subclinical Zn excess and TD, frequent in aging brain, may combine yielding overt neuronal impairment. Clonal SN56 cholinergic neuronal cells of septal origin were used as the model of brain cholinergic neurons, which are particularly susceptible to neurodegeneration in the course of Alzheimer's disease, hypoxia and other dementia-linked brain pathologies.

Increased prevalence of tumour infiltrating immune cells in oropharyngeal tumours in comparison to other subsites: relationship to peripheral immunity.

Background: The nature of the tumour microenvironment immune response in head and neck cancer patients has an important role in tumour development and metastasis, but it is unknown if this differs between cancer subsites or whether it is related to the peripheral immune response.

Methods: Immune cells (CD4, CD8, Foxp3) in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma tissue (HNSCC; n = 66), detected by immunohistochemistry, have been correlated with tumour subsite and immune cells in the peripheral circulation (CD4(+)CD25(High)Foxp3(+) Treg and CD4(+) T cells), identified using flow cytometry.

Results: Oropharyngeal tumours had a greater number of infiltrating immune cells in both tumour and stroma compared with other subsites, but no difference was observed in the circulating levels.

Effect of treatment on systemic cytokines in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients.

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of HNSCC tumour treatment on systemic Th1 and Th2 cytokine levels and investigate correlations with clinicopathological parameters. IL2, IL4, IL5, IL6, IL8, IL10, IL13, GMCSF, IFNγ and TNFα were measured in the serum of 101 newly-presenting HNSCC patients (9 oral cavity, 27 oropharynx, 57 laryngopharynx, 1 sinonasal, 1 parotid and 6 unknown), prior to and following treatment, using a Quantibody(®) array based multiplex sandwich ELISA (Raybiotech). Data were analysed with respect to T stage, nodal status, age and sex of the patient as well as time between collection of pre- and post-treatment serum.

Alterations of adenine nucleotide metabolism and function of blood platelets in patients with diabetes.

Increased activity of blood platelets contributes to vascular complications in patients with diabetes. The aim of this work was to investigate whether persisting hyperglycemia in diabetic patients generates excessive accumulation of ATP/ADP, which may underlie platelet hyperactivity. Platelet ATP and ADP levels, thiobarbituric acid-reactive species synthesis, and aggregation of platelets from patients with diabetes were 18-82% higher than in platelets from healthy participants.

Effect of L-carnitine on acetyl-CoA content and activity of blood platelets in healthy and diabetic persons.

Background: Excessive blood platelet activity contributes to vascular complications in diabetic persons. Increased acetyl-CoA in platelets from diabetic persons has been suggested to be a cause of this hyperactivity. We therefore investigated whether L-carnitine, which up-regulates metabolism of acetyl-CoA in muscles and brain, may affect platelet function in healthy and diabetic individuals.

The role of adenosine triphosphate citrate lyase in the metabolism of acetyl coenzyme a and function of blood platelets in diabetes mellitus.

Diabetes is known to increase blood platelet activity. Activities of pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH), adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-citrate lyase (ATPCL), acetyl-coenzyme A (acetyl-CoA) content, malonyl dialdehyde (MDA), synthesis, and platelet aggregation in resting conditions and after activation with thrombin were measured in diabetic subjects and in age- and sex-matched healthy subjects. Activities of ATPCL and PDH, acetyl-CoA content, and thrombin-evoked MDA synthesis as well as platelet aggregation in diabetes were 31%, 51%, 62%, 35%, and 21%, respectively, higher than in healthy subjects.

Differential toxicity of nitric oxide, aluminum, and amyloid beta-peptide in SN56 cholinergic cells from mouse septum.

A characteristic feature of several encephalopathies is preferential impairment of cholinergic neurons. Their particular susceptibility to cytotoxic insults may result from the fact that they utilise acetyl-CoA both for energy production and acetylcholine synthesis. In addition, phenotypic modifications of cholinergic neurons are likely to influence their susceptibility to specific harmful conditions.