Effects of Daidzein, Tempeh, and a Probiotic Digested in an Artificial Gastrointestinal Tract on Calcium Deposition in Human Osteoblast-like Saos-2 Cells.

Adequate calcium intake is crucial for the prevention and treatment of bone-related issues. Developing a nutritional source of readily bioavailable calcium is particularly significant for individuals deficient in this essential element and at risk of developing osteoporosis. This research aimed to evaluate the impact of tempeh (T), daidzein (D), and Lactobacillus acidophilus (LA) within a simulated intestinal environment consisting of Caco-2 epithelial and Saos-2 cells, focusing on their implications for bone mineralization mechanisms. In the initial phase, calcium bioaccessibility from calcium citrate (CaCt), LA, D, the daidzein combination D-CaCt-LA (D1:1:1), and the tempeh combination T-CaCt-LA (T1:1:1) was assessed through digestion simulation. The calcium content of both untreated and digested samples was determined using atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). In the subsequent stage, the digested samples were used to induce intestinal absorption in differentiated enterocyte-like Caco-2 cells. The permeable fractions were then evaluated in a culture of osteoblast-like Saos-2 cells. Preliminary cellular experiments employed the MTT assay to assess cytotoxicity. The results indicated that the analyzed products did not influence the deposition of extracellular calcium in Saos-2 cells cultured without mineralization stimulators. The combined formulations of permeable fractions of digested CaCt, LA, D, and T demonstrated the capacity to enhance the proliferation of Saos-2 cells. In Saos-2 cells, D, D1:1:1, and LA showed no discernible impact on intracellular calcium accumulation, whereas T and T1:1:1 reduced the calcium deposits. Additionally, mRNA transcripts and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity levels in Saos-2 cells cultured without mineralization induction were unaffected by the analyzed products. An examination of the products revealed no discernible effect on ALP activity or mRNA expression during Saos-2 cell differentiation. Our findings suggest that tempeh, daidzein, and L. acidophilus did not positively impact cellular calcium deposition in Saos-2 cells. However, tempeh, daidzein and its combination, and L. acidophilus might enhance the process of osteogenic differentiation in Saos-2 cells. Nevertheless, this study did not identify any synergistic impact on calcium deposition and the process of osteogenic differentiation in Saos-2 cells of isoflavones and probiotics.

Transient cognitive impairment in the acute phase of stroke - prevalence, risk factors and influence on long-term prognosis in population of patients with stroke (research study - part of the PROPOLIS study).

BACKGROUND: Cognitive impairment is a common complication of the acute phase of stroke, which can be transient and resolve while still in the hospital. This study evaluated the prevalence and risk factors for transient cognitive impairment and their impact on long-term prognosis in a population of acute-phase stroke patients. METHODS: Consecutive patients admitted to a stroke unit with acute stroke or transient ischemic attack were screened twice for cognitive impairment using the parallel version of Montreal Cognitive Assessment: the first time between the first and third day and the second time between the fourth and seventh day of hospitalization. If the second test score increased by two or more points, transient cognitive impairment was diagnosed. Patients were scheduled for follow-up visits three and 12 months after stroke. Outcome assessment included place of discharge, current functional status, dementia, or death. RESULTS: Four hundred forty-seven patients were included in the study, 234 (52.35%) were diagnosed with transient cognitive impairment. Delirium was the only independent risk factor for transient cognitive impairment (OR 2.417, 95%CI 1.096-5.333, p = 0.029). In the analysis of effects on three- and twelve-month prognosis, patients with transient cognitive impairment had a lower risk of hospital or institution stay 3 months after stroke compared with patients with permanent cognitive impairment (OR 0.396, 95%CI 0.217-0.723, p = 0.003). There was no significant effect on mortality, disability or risk of dementia. CONCLUSIONS: Transient cognitive impairment, which often occurs in the acute phase of stroke, does not increase the risk of long-term complications.

Emotional control in selected somatic and psychiatric diseases.

THE AIM: was to assess the level of subjective control of emotional states among patients treated for dermatological and gastrointestinal somatic diseases compared to those with depressive and anxiety disorders. The results were related to the analyzed dimensions of emotion regulation in healthy subjects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The reports of the conducted studies were compiled for a total of 310 people, including 120 patients diagnosed with a somatic disease (psoriasis, rosacea, irritable bowel syndrome, and gastroesophageal reflux), as well as 96 patients diagnosed with depressive disorders and 30 patients with anxiety disorders. The control group consisted of healthy subjects (64 individuals). To assess the psychological variables analyzed, the subjects completed the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire developed by J. Brzezinski. RESULTS: The study showed that the patients suffering from a chronic somatic symptom disorder, similarly to those treated for depression and anxiety disorders, differed from the healthy individuals in most aspects of emotional control. The patients with dermatological and gastrointestinal diseases differed statistically significantly from the patients with depression and the patients with anxiety disorders in relation to three dimensions of emotional control. Patients with a somatic disease are characterized by higher emotional and rational motivation, lower emotional resilience and lower emotional arousal. CONCLUSIONS: A chronic disease co-occurs with the emotional sphere of a person's daily functioning. Regardless of the diagnosis in terms of somatic disorders and mental illnesses, the way in which emotional states are controlled can be an important factor in the onset of the disease, coping with it as well as the treatment process.

CASP3 gene expression and the role of caspase 3 in the pathogenesis of depressive disorders.

BACKGROUND: The aim of our study was to evaluate the expression of the CASP3 gene at both mRNA and protein levels in patients with depressive disorders and to determine the impact of caspase 3 in the pathogenesis of depression; METHODS: A total of 290 subjects, including 190 depressed patients and 100 healthy controls, participated in the study. Socio-demographic and clinical data were collected, and the severity of depressive symptoms was assessed using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale. Venous blood was collected and gene expression was evaluated using RT-PCR and ELISA at the mRNA and protein levels, respectively; RESULTS: The expression of the CASP3 gene was significantly lower in depressed patients compared to healthy controls at both the mRNA and protein levels. Additionally, a positive correlation was observed between CASP3 gene expression and disease duration as well as the number of depressive episodes; CONCLUSIONS: Further studies are needed to investigate the role of caspase 3 in depressive disorders.

In Vitro and In Vivo Studies of Antibacterial Coatings on Titanium Alloy Implants for Veterinary Application.

The aim of this work was the evaluation of biological properties of hybrid coatings modified with Ag, Cu, and Zn nanoparticles (NPs) applied on TPLO medical implants by the sol-gel process. The implant coatings enriched with various concentrations of metallic NPs were investigated in the in vitro bactericidal efficacy tests against Gram+ and Gram- bacteria and pathogenic yeast. Next, the designed materials were tested on human osteosarcoma cell lines. The cells adhesion, proliferation, viability, and differentiation were investigated. The cell growth wasevaluated using SEM, and the metallic ion release was measured. The results revealed that the NPs concentration in the hybrid layers decreased with the incubation time. In the last stage, the implants were tested in vivo on six canine patients. Three months after the operation, the radiological evaluation of the performed anastomosis was carried out as well as the histopathological evaluation of tissue regeneration. The strongest bactericidal efficacy was observed for the layers containing AgNPs. Along with an increased concentration of metallic additives, a growing toxic effect was clearly observed. The most pronounced toxic effect was especially evident with the AgNPs concentration exceeding 1 mol %. In all the operated patients, no deviations were found during the follow-up examinations in the postoperative period. The low dose of AgNPs in the hybrid layer facilitated the tissue healing process. It was proven that silver nanoparticles may accelerate the bone healing process. The correct tissue reparation was observed.

Single-Nucleotide Polymorphisms in Genes Maintaining the Stability of Mitochondrial DNA Affect the Occurrence, Onset, Severity and Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder.

One of the key features of major depressive disorder (MDD, depression) is increased oxidative stress manifested by elevated levels of mtROS, a hallmark of mitochondrial dysfunction, which can arise from mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) damage. Thus, the current study explores possibility that the single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of genes encoding the three enzymes that are thought to be implicated in the replication, repair or degradation of mtDNA, i.e., POLG, ENDOG and EXOG, have an impact on the occurrence, onset, severity and treatment of MDD. Five SNPs were selected: EXOG c.-188T > G (rs9838614), EXOG c.*627G > A (rs1065800), POLG c.-1370T > A (rs1054875), ENDOG c.-394T > C (rs2977998) and ENDOG c.-220C > T (rs2997922), while genotyping was performed on 538 DNA samples (277 cases and 261 controls) using TaqMan probes. All SNPs of EXOG and ENDOG modulated the risk of depression, but the strongest effect was observed for rs1065800, while rs9838614 and rs2977998 indicate that they might influence the severity of symptoms, and, to a lesser extent, treatment effectiveness. Although the SNP located in POLG did not affect occurrence of the disease, the result suggests that it may influence the onset and treatment outcome. These findings further support the hypothesis that mtDNA damage and impairment in its metabolism play a crucial role not only in the development, but also in the treatment of depression.

Serum IL-5, POSTN and IL-33 levels in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis correlate with clinical severity.

BACKGROUND: Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a group of heterogeneous diseases characterized by epithelial inflammation and tissue eosinophilic infiltration. IL-5, POSTN, and IL-33 are important factors that act as chemoattractants for eosinophils, and a tissue-remodeling protein positively correlated with eosinophils in blood and mediators of eosinophilic infiltration. The aim of the study was to determine the expression of IL-5, POSTN and IL-33, at the gene and protein levels, in eosinophilic CRS with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) and without nasal polyps (CRSsNP), and to correlate this expression with clinical severity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 40 CRSwNP patients and 53 CRSsNP patients and 40 control subjects. The expression of IL-5, POSTN and IL-33 mRNA was determined in sinonasal mucosal samples and in nasal polyp tissue by real-time PCR. Protein levels in the serum of CRSwNP patients were measured by ELISA. Computed tomography was evaluated according to Lund-Mackay scores, and visual analog scale scores were assessed. RESULTS: NP tissue demonstrated significantly higher IL-5 and POSTN mRNA expression than the sinonasal tissue in the CRSsNP and CRSwNP groups. CRS groups demonstrated elevated IL-33 mRNA expression in comparison to controls irrespective of the presence of NP. No correlation was found between IL-5, POSTN and IL-33 mRNA expression and disease severity. CRSwNP group demonstrated significantly higher serum IL-5, POSTN and IL-33 protein levels than controls, and this corresponds to disease severity. CONCLUSION: Serum IL-5, POSTN and IL-33 levels may be important markers for classification of eosinophilic CRSwNP patients, along with disease severity.

Structural Abnormalities of the Optic Nerve and Retina in Huntington's Disease Pre-Clinical and Clinical Settings.

Huntington's disease (HD) is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder caused by a polyglutamine expansion in the huntingtin protein. HD-related pathological remodelling has been reported in HD mouse models and HD carriers. In this study, we studied structural abnormalities in the optic nerve by employing Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomography (SD-OCT) in pre-symptomatic HD carriers of Caucasian origin. Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) was used to investigate ultrastructural changes in the optic nerve of the well-established R6/2 mouse model at the symptomatic stage of the disease. We found that pre-symptomatic HD carriers displayed a significant reduction in the retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) thickness, including specific quadrants: superior, inferior and temporal, but not nasal. There were no other significant irregularities in the GCC layer, at the macula level and in the optic disc morphology. The ultrastructural analysis of the optic nerve in R6/2 mice revealed a significant thinning of the myelin sheaths, with a lamellar separation of the myelin, and a presence of myelonoid bodies. We also found a significant reduction in the thickness of myelin sheaths in peripheral nerves within the choroids area. Those ultrastructural abnormalities were also observed in HD photoreceptor cells that contained severely damaged membrane disks, with evident vacuolisation and swelling. Moreover, the outer segment of retinal layers showed a progressive disintegration. Our study explored structural changes of the optic nerve in pre- and clinical settings and opens new avenues for the potential development of biomarkers that would be of great interest in HD gene therapies.

Polyphenol-Enriched Composite Bone Regeneration Materials: A Systematic Review of In Vitro Studies.

One of the possible alternatives for creating materials for the regeneration of bone tissue supporting comprehensive reconstruction is the incorporation of active substances whose controlled release will improve this process. This systematic review aimed to identify and synthesize in vitro studies that assess the suitability of polyphenolics as additives to polymer-ceramic composite bone regeneration materials. Data on experimental studies in terms of the difference in mechanical, wettability, cytocompatibility, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of materials were synthesized. The obtained numerical data were compiled and analyzed in search of percentage changes of these parameters. The results of the systematic review were based on data from forty-six studies presented in nineteen articles. The addition of polyphenolic compounds to composite materials for bone regeneration improved the cytocompatibility and increased the activity of early markers of osteoblast differentiation, indicating a high osteoinductive potential of the materials. Polyphenolic compounds incorporated into the materials presumably give them high antioxidant properties and reduce the production of reactive oxygen species in macrophage cells, implying anti-inflammatory activity. The evidence was limited by the number of missing data and the heterogeneity of the data.

Modification of TiAlV Alloys with Hybrid Layers Containing Metallic Nanoparticles Obtained by the Sol-Gel Method: Surface and Structural Properties.

The aim of the work was to obtain hybrid coatings containing silver, copper, and zinc nanoparticles on the TiAlV medical alloy via a sol-gel process. The developed layers were designed to bring about a bactericidal and fungicidal effect, as well as for protection against surgical scratches during the implantation of implants used in veterinary medicine. In this work, the authors focused on evaluating the microstructure (SEM + EDS); the structure (XRD, FTIR); and the surface properties, such as wettability, free surface energy, and roughness of layers with various concentrations of metallic nanoparticles (2 and 5 mol %). Our results confirmed that the sol-gel method enables the easy manufacturing of hybrid layers endowed with different porosity values as well as various shapes and sizes of metallic nanoparticles. A higher concentration of nanoparticles was observed on the surface containing 5 mol % of metallic salts. The highest degree of homogeneity was obtained for the layers containing silver nanoparticles. In addition, the silver nanoparticles were round and had the smallest dimensions, even below 20 nm. The FTIR and XRD structural studies confirmed the presence of an organosilicon matrix containing all three types of the metallic particles. We conclude that the higher concentration of nanoparticles influenced the alloy surface parameters.

Chemical Compounds Released from Specific Osteoinductive Bioactive Materials Stimulate Human Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cell Migration.

In this work, a poly(L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA)-based composite was enriched with one of the following sol-gel bioactive glasses (SBG) at 50 wt.%: A1-40 mol% SiO2, 60 mol% CaO, CaO/SiO2 ratio of 1.50; S1-80 mol% SiO2, 20 mol% CaO, CaO/SiO2 ratio of 0.25; A2-40 mol% SiO2, 54 mol% CaO, 6 mol% P2O5, CaO/SiO2 ratio of 1.35; S2-80 mol% SiO2,16 mol% CaO, 4 mol% P2O5, CaO/SiO2 ratio of 0.20. The composites and PLGA control sheets were then soaked for 24 h in culture media, and the obtained condition media (CM) were used to treat human bone marrow stromal cells (hBMSCs) for 72 h. All CMs from the composites increased ERK 1/2 activity vs. the control PLGA CM. However, expressions of cell migration-related c-Fos, osteopontin, matrix metalloproteinase-2, C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4, vascular endothelial growth factor, and bone morphogenetic protein 2 were significantly increased only in cells treated with the CM from the A1/PLGA composite. This CM also significantly increased the rate of human BMSC migration but did not affect cell metabolic activity. These results indicate important biological markers that are upregulated by products released from the bioactive composites of a specific chemical composition, which may eventually prompt osteoprogenitor cells to colonize the bioactive material and accelerate the process of tissue regeneration.

The Changes in Bioactive Compounds and Antioxidant Activity of Chia (Salvia hispanica L.) Herb under Storage and Different Drying Conditions: A Comparison with Other Species of Sage.

Studies on herb chia (Salvia hispanica L.) are very limited. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess how different drying methods and periods of storage affect the bioactive properties of the herb Salvia hispanica and to compare it with other species of sage (Salvia officinalis L. and Salvia sclarea L.). In fresh herbs, directly after drying (freeze-drying, natural drying, and drying at 30, 40, and 50 °C), and after storage (3, 6, and 12 months), the following analyses were performed: content of total carotenoids and total polyphenols, polyphenol profile (including 25 compounds), and antioxidant activity. Additionally, the basic chemical compositions of the herbs were analyzed. To the best of our knowledge, the content of total carotenoids and the quantitative polyphenol profile in Salvia hispanica and Salvia sclarea were evaluated for the first time. The obtained results showed that the barely investigated herb Salvia hispanica is rich in polyphenolic compounds and shows high antioxidant activity. In all the tested species, rosmarinic acid was the most abundant polyphenolic compound. The use of different drying methods allowed us to determine that freeze-drying was the most effective for preserving polyphenols and carotenoids. Long-term storage up to 12 months resulted in a gradual reduction in antioxidant activity and in the content of polyphenols and carotenoids.

Magnetisation transfer imaging revealed microstructural changes related to apathy symptoms after ischaemic stroke.

OBJECTIVES: Apathy after stroke is common and has a negative impact on functional recovery. Neuroimaging correlates of poststroke apathy remain unclear. We aimed to investigate microstructural changes associated with the severity of poststroke apathy symptoms. METHODS: We assessed 67 patients with cerebral ischaemia who underwent magnetisation transfer brain imaging 12-15 months after stroke. We used magnetisation transfer ratio (MTR) to represent microstructural integrity. We performed whole-brain voxel-based analysis and subsequent region of interest analysis to investigate the association between MTR and symptoms of poststroke apathy. To assess apathy symptoms, we used clinician-reported version of the Apathy Evaluation Scale. RESULTS: Voxel-based analysis showed the association between symptoms of apathy and decreased MTR in areas overlapping with structures located in both hemispheres: left thalamus, bilateral hippocampus, bilateral fornix/stria terminalis, right amygdala, splenium of the corpus callosum, the retrolenticular part of left internal capsule and left sagittal stratum. In the region of interest analysis, only lower MTR in right fornix/stria terminalis was associated with greater poststroke apathy symptoms in a multivariate logistic model (odds ratio: 1.25, 95% CI: 1.09-1.46, p = 0.003). These associations were independent of depressive symptoms. CONCLUSION: Magnetisation transfer brain imaging 12-15 months after stroke revealed changes in microstructural integrity associated with apathy symptoms in brain areas related to processing emotional information and reward valuation.

A Review of the Global Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Public Mental Health, with a Comparison Between the USA, Australia, and Poland with Taiwan and Thailand.

Coronavirus may have a negative impact not only on physical, but also on mental wellbeing. Despite the different approaches of countries to stop the spread of the virus and different infection rates, the dynamically developing pandemic has already affected the entire world. The consequences of the coronavirus for our mental health can be divided into those related to strategies for the prevention of infection, like isolation, quarantine, limitation of social contacts, and remote work, and those related to the direct impact of infection on our nervous system. This review aims to highlight the global effects of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on public mental health following social restrictions, to identify how infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) may have direct neurophysiological effects and to compare the impact on public mental health between the USA, Australia, and Poland with Taiwan and Thailand.

Lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea L.) Fruit as a Source of Bioactive Compounds with Health-Promoting Effects-A Review.

Berries, especially members of the Ericaceae family, are among the best dietary sources of bioactive compounds with beneficial health effects. The most popular berries are in the genus Vaccinium, such as bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus), cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon, V. oxycoccos), and blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum). Lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea) is less prevalent in the daily human diet because they are collected from the wild, and plant breeding of lingonberry is still on a small scale. Lingonberries are classed as "superfruits" with the highest content of antioxidants among berries and a broad range of health-promoting effects. Many studies showed various beneficial effects of lingonberries, such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer activities. Lingonberries have been shown to prevent low-grade inflammation and diet-induced obesity in diabetic animals. Moreover, lingonberry intake has been associated with a beneficial effect on preventing and treating brain aging and neurodegenerative disorders. The consumption of berries and their health-promoting activity is a subject receiving a great deal of attention. Many studies investigated the natural compounds found in berries to combat diseases and promote healthy aging. This article's scope is to indicate the potential beneficial effect of lingonberry consumption on health, to promote well-being and longevity.

Distigmasterol-Modified Acylglycerols as New Structured Lipids-Synthesis, Identification and Cytotoxicity.

Plant sterols, also referred as phytosterols, have been known as bioactive compounds which have cholesterol-lowering properties in human blood. It has been established that a diet rich in plant sterols or their esters alleviates cardiovascular diseases (CVD), and also may inhibit breast, colon and lung carcinogenesis. Phytosterols, in their free and esterified forms, are prone to thermo-oxidative degradation, where time and temperature affect the level of degradation. Looking for new derivatives of phytosterols with high thermo-oxidative stability for application in foods, our idea was to obtain novel structured acylglycerols in which two fatty acid parts are replaced by stigmasterol residues. In this work, asymmetric (1,2- and 2,3-) distigmasterol-modified acylglycerols (dStigMAs) were synthesized by the covalent attachment of stigmasterol residues to sn-1 and sn-2 or sn-2 and sn-3 positions of 3-palmitoyl-sn-glycerol or 1-oleoyl-sn-glycerol, respectively, using a succinate or carbonate linker. The chemical structures of the synthesized compounds were identified by NMR, HR-MS, and IR data. Moreover, the cytotoxicity of the obtained compounds was determined. The dStigMAs possessing a carbonate linker showed potent cytotoxicity to cells isolated from the small intestine and colon epithelium and liver, whereas the opposite results were obtained for compounds containing a succinate linker.

Dermal microvessel density and maturity is closely associated with atherogenic dyslipidemia and accumulation of advanced glycation end products in adult patients with type 1 diabetes.

In patients with diabetes, functional changes in microcirculation and subclinical vascular pathology precede clinical manifestation of microangiopathic complications. The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between established vascular risk factors and density, maturity, and reactivity of dermal blood vessels in adults with type 1 diabetes (DM1). We included 148 DM1 patients (87 men) with a median (IQR) age of 40.5 (30.5-49) years and a median diabetes duration of 21 (17-29.5) years. The control group consisted of 13 healthy volunteers (6 men) with a median (IQR) age of 36 (31-43). Accumulation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) was assessed using the AGE-Reader device. In the immunohistochemical (IHC) analyses, anti-CD133, anti-CD34, anti-CD31, and anti-vWF autoantibodies were used. Microvessel density (MVD) in the skin was calculated using the "hot spots technique". Microvascular function was examined by single-point laser-Doppler flowmetry (LDF). Median MVD, calculated for both papillary and reticular dermis, for CD31 antigen expression was 38 (19-56) per 1 mm2. The median CD34+ blood vessel density was 121 (100-155) per 1 mm2, CD133+ was 79 (63-92) per 1 mm2, and vWF+ was 50 (40-69) per 1 mm2. The average CD34/CD31 index was 2.78, the vWF/CD31 ratio was 1.32 and the CD133/CD31 ratio was 1.75. The CD34/CD31 index was positively associated with serum triglyceride concentration (Beta: 0.26, p = 0.012) and negatively associated with serum HDL cholesterol concentration (Beta: -0.22, p = 0.027), both independently from age, sex, diabetes duration, BMI, HbA1c value, presence of hypertension, and eGFR. We found a negative correlation between MVD assessed by CD31 and skin AF (r = -0.21, p = 0.016). In LDF, the area under the blood flow/time curve (AUC) correlated positively with CD31+ MVD (r = 0.21, p = 0.011) and negatively with CD34+ MVD (r = -0.20, p = 0.017). The MVD did not differ between participants with diabetes and healthy controls, and it did not differ according to the presence of retinopathy among the participants with diabetes. Atherogenic dyslipidemia is associated with increased formation of new blood vessels, characterized by high expression of CD34 and low reactivity in LDF. Conversely, chronic hyperglycemia and excessive formation of AGEs may result in decreased vascularity.

Poststroke Delirium Clinical Motor Subtypes: The PRospective Observational POLIsh Study (PROPOLIS).

OBJECTIVE: Although delirium is the most common neurobehavioral complication after stroke, its motor subtypes-hypoactive, hyperactive, mixed, and none-as well as their risk factors are not well characterized. Motor subtypes influence recognition and prognosis of delirium in hospitalized patients. METHODS: The aim of this prospective study was to assess the frequency of poststroke delirium subtypes and to describe their predictive models. Consecutive patients with stroke were screened for delirium with the Confusion Assessment Method for the Intensive Care Unit. Delirium was diagnosed according to DSM-5 criteria, and subtypes were classified with the Delirium Motor Subtype Scale-4. Baseline demographic characteristics, biochemistry, stroke-related data, medications, neurological deficits, and premorbid cognitive and functional impairments were assessed. RESULTS: Out of 750 patients (mean age, 71.75 years [SD=13.13]), 203 (27.07%) had delirium: 85 (11.34%) were hypoactive, 77 (10.27%) were mixed hypoactive-hyperactive, 31 (4.13%) were hyperactive, and 10 (1.33%) had an unspecified type. Cognitive impairment at the time of hospital admission and spatial neglect, among other factors, were identified as the best predictors for all motor delirium subtypes. CONCLUSIONS: Screening for poststroke delirium is important because the hypoactive subtype bears the worst prognosis and is misdiagnosed the most compared with other subtypes. All identified factors for the predictive models of delirium subtypes are routinely assessed during hospital admission. Their occurrence in patients with stroke should alert the treating physician to the high risk for a particular delirium subtype.

A short splicing isoform of HBS1L links the cytoplasmic exosome and SKI complexes in humans.

The exosome complex is a major eukaryotic exoribonuclease that requires the SKI complex for its activity in the cytoplasm. In yeast, the Ski7 protein links both complexes, whereas a functional equivalent of the Ski7 has remained unknown in the human genome. Proteomic analysis revealed that a previously uncharacterized short splicing isoform of HBS1L (HBS1LV3) is the long-sought factor linking the exosome and SKI complexes in humans. In contrast, the canonical HBS1L variant, HBS1LV1, which acts as a ribosome dissociation factor, does not associate with the exosome and instead interacts with the mRNA surveillance factor PELOTA. Interestingly, both HBS1LV1 and HBS1LV3 interact with the SKI complex and HBS1LV1 seems to antagonize SKI/exosome supercomplex formation. HBS1LV3 contains a unique C-terminal region of unknown structure, with a conserved RxxxFxxxL motif responsible for exosome binding and may interact with the exosome core subunit RRP43 in a way that resembles the association between Rrp6 RNase and Rrp43 in yeast. HBS1LV3 or the SKI complex helicase (SKI2W) depletion similarly affected the transcriptome, deregulating multiple genes. Furthermore, half-lives of representative upregulated mRNAs were increased, supporting the involvement of HBS1LV3 and SKI2W in the same mRNA degradation pathway, essential for transcriptome homeostasis in the cytoplasm.

Electrospun polycaprolactone membranes with Zn-doped bioglass for nasal tissues treatment.

In this work, composite membranes were investigated as future components of a layered implant for the reconstruction of nasal septum. Incorporation of zinc ions into nasal implants could potentially provide antibacterial properties to decrease or eliminate bacterial infections and subsequent surgical complications. Two types of membranes were prepared using an electrospinning method: PCL with bioglass and PCL with bioglass doped with Zn. The aim of this work was to investigate the influence of bioglass addition on the morphology, fiber diameter and composition of the membranes. The apatite-forming ability was examined in Simulated Body Fluid (SBF). The cytotoxicity of the membranes, ALP activity and in vitro mineralization were evaluated in cell culture. The mineralization and ALP activity was higher for polycaprolactone membranes modified with Zn doped bioglass than compared to pure PCL membranes or control material. The results proved that the presence of Zn2+ in the electrospun membranes = influence the osteogenic differentiation of cells.