Potential Predictor of Epigenetic Age Acceleration in Men: 2D:4D Finger Pattern.

OBJECTIVES: Second to fourth digit ratio is widely known indicator of prenatal sex hormones proportion. Higher prenatal androgenization results in longer fourth finger and lower 2D:4D index. The aim of this study was to determine whether the 2D:4D digit ratio is associated with DNA methylation (DNAm) age dependently on sex. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 182 adults (106 females and 76 males) with a mean age of 51.5 ± 13 years. The investigation consisted of three main parts: a survey, anthropometric dimensions measurements (fingers length) and methylome analysis using collected blood samples. Genome-wide methylation was analyzed using EPIC microarray technology. Epigenetic age and epigenetic age acceleration were calculated using several widely applied algorithms. RESULTS: Males with the female left hand pattern had more accelerated epigenetic age than those with the male pattern as calculated with PhenoAge and DNAmTL clocks. CONCLUSIONS: Finger female pattern 2D:4D above or equal to 1 in males is associated with epigenetic age acceleration, indicating that prenatal exposure to estrogens in males may be related to aging process in the later ontogenesis.

Analysis of epigenetic clocks links yoga, sleep, education, reduced meat intake, coffee, and a SOCS2 gene variant to slower epigenetic aging.

DNA methylation (DNAm) clocks hold promise for measuring biological age, useful for guiding clinical interventions and forensic identification. This study compared the commonly used DNAm clocks, using DNA methylation and SNP data generated from nearly 1000 human blood or buccal swab samples. We evaluated different preprocessing methods for age estimation, investigated the association of epigenetic age acceleration (EAA) with various lifestyle and sociodemographic factors, and undertook a series of novel genome-wide association analyses for different EAA measures to find associated genetic variants. Our results highlighted the Skin&Blood clock with ssNoob normalization as the most accurate predictor of chronological age. We provided novel evidence for an association between the practice of yoga and a reduction in the pace of aging (DunedinPACE). Increased sleep and physical activity were associated with lower mortality risk score (MRS) in our dataset. University degree, vegetable consumption, and coffee intake were associated with reduced levels of epigenetic aging, whereas smoking, higher BMI, meat consumption, and manual occupation correlated well with faster epigenetic aging, with FitAge, GrimAge, and DunedinPACE clocks showing the most robust associations. In addition, we found a novel association signal for SOCS2 rs73218878 (p = 2.87 × 10-8) and accelerated GrimAge. Our study emphasizes the importance of an optimized DNAm analysis workflow for accurate estimation of epigenetic age, which may influence downstream analyses. The results support the influence of genetic background on EAA. The associated SOCS2 is a member of the suppressor of cytokine signaling family known for its role in human longevity. The reported association between various risk factors and EAA has practical implications for the development of health programs to improve quality of life and reduce premature mortality associated with age-related diseases.

Long-run real-time PCR analysis of repetitive nuclear elements as a novel tool for DNA damage quantification in single cells: an approach validated on mouse oocytes and fibroblasts.

Since DNA damage is of great importance in various biological processes, its rate is frequently assessed both in research studies and in medical diagnostics. The most precise methods of quantifying DNA damage are based on real-time PCR. However, in the conventional version, they require a large amount of genetic material and therefore their usefulness is limited to multicellular samples. Here, we present a novel approach to long-run real-time PCR-based DNA-damage quantification (L1-LORD-Q), which consists in amplification of long interspersed nuclear elements (L1) and allows for analysis of single-cell genomes. The L1-LORD-Q was compared with alternative methods of measuring DNA breaks (Bioanalyzer system, γ-H2AX foci staining), which confirmed its accuracy. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that the L1-LORD-Q is sensitive enough to distinguish between different levels of UV-induced DNA damage. The method was validated on mouse oocytes and fibroblasts, but the general idea is universal and can be applied to various types of cells and species.

Introduction of a multiplex amplicon sequencing assay to quantify DNA methylation in target cytosine markers underlying four selected epigenetic clocks.

BACKGROUND: DNA methylation analysis has proven to be a powerful tool for age assessment. However, the implementation of epigenetic age prediction in diagnostics or routine forensic casework requires appropriate laboratory methods. In this study, we aimed to compare the performance of large-scale DNA methylation analysis protocols that show promise in terms of accuracy, throughput, multiplexing capacity, and high sensitivity. RESULTS: The protocols were designed to target a predefined panel of 161 genomic CG/CA sites from four known estimators of epigenetic age-related parameters, optimized and validated using artificially methylated controls or blood samples. We successfully targeted 96% of these loci using two enrichment protocols: Ion AmpliSeq™, an amplicon-based method integrated with Ion Torrent S5, and SureSelectXT Methyl-Seq, a hybridization-based method followed by MiSeq FGx sequencing. Both protocols demonstrated high accuracy and robustness. Although hybridization assays have greater multiplexing capabilities, the best overall performance was observed for the amplicon-based protocol with the lowest variability in DNA methylation at 25 ng of starting DNA, mean observed marker coverage of ~ 6.7 k reads, and accuracy of methylation quantification with a mean absolute difference between observed and expected methylation beta value of 0.054. The Ion AmpliSeq method correlated strongly with genome-scale EPIC microarray data (R = 0.91) and showed superiority in terms of methylation measurement accuracy. Method-to-method bias was accounted for by the use of linear transformation, which provided a highly accurate prediction of calendar age with a mean absolute error of less than 5 years for the VISAGE and Hannum age clocks used. The pace of aging (PoAm) and the mortality risk score (MRS) estimators included in our panel represent next-generation clocks, were found to have low to moderate correlations with the VISAGE and Hannum models (R < 0.75), and thus may capture different aspects of epigenetic aging. CONCLUSIONS: We propose a laboratory tool that allows the quantification of DNA methylation in cytosines underlying four different clocks, thus providing broad information on epigenetic aging while maintaining a reasonable number of CpG markers, opening the way to a wide range of applications in forensics, medicine, and healthcare.

Oral changes in patients with psoriasis.

Psoriasis is one of the most frequent skin diseases. The cause of psoriasis is not fully expained as there are many factors (infectious, traumatic, hormonal, and chemical) that may play a role in the manifestation of its symptoms. One of the factors that may contribute to the appearance of psoriatic lesions may be the lesions in the oral cavity. The occurrence of lesions in the oral cavity is defined as rare, what can be explained by their nonspecific clinical image, and also by the possibility of being overlooked. Most characteristic symptoms of psoriasis occurring in the oral cavity are the geographic tongue and fissured tongue. It is also believed that there is a correlation between psoriasis and oral health- the periodontal and teeth condition as well as changes in saliva secretion. The psoriasis arthritis changes can also affect temporomandibular joint and impair the function of stomatognathic system. Because of these reports, cooperation of dermatologists and dentists in psoriasis care seems to be necessary.

Isolation and Identification of Lactococcus lactis and Weissella cibaria Strains from Fermented Beetroot and an Investigation of Their Properties as Potential Starter Cultures and Probiotics.

The presence of certain microorganisms in dairy products or silage is highly desirable. Among them are probiotic strains of lactic acid bacteria (LAB), which show many beneficial features, including antimicrobial properties that support the development of beneficial microflora; in addition, owing to their biochemical activity, they influence the nutritional, dietary, and organoleptic properties of food products. Before being placed on the market, each strain requires separate testing to determine its probiotic properties and effectiveness. The aim of this study was to isolate LAB strains from a pickled beetroot sample that could be used in the dairy industry and with the potential to be considered as a probiotic in the future. Two strains identified using the MALDI technique were selected-Lactococcus lactis and Weissella cibaria. The optimal growth conditions of the strains were determined, and their proteolytic properties were assessed with the use of the o-PA reagent and spectrophotometry. The lipid profile was analyzed using the SALDI (surface-assisted laser desorption/ionization) technique and silver nanoparticles. High-performance liquid chromatography was used to assess the ability of the strains to synthesize beneficial metabolites, such as B vitamins (B2, B3, and B9) or lactic acid, and gas chromatography was used to analyze the substances responsible for organoleptic properties. Moreover, the ability to inhibit the growth of pathogenic strains was also tested in the selected strains. Both tested strains demonstrated the desired properties of starter cultures for future use in functional food production, showing that fermented plant products can serve as valuable potential probiotic sources.

Synthesis and physicochemical characterization of zinc-lactoferrin complexes.

One trend of the modern world is the search for new biologically active substances based on renewable resources. Milk proteins can be a solution for such purposes as they have been known for a long time as compounds that can be used for the manufacturing of multiple food and non-food products. Thus, the goal of the work was to investigate the parameters of Zn-bovine lactoferrin (bLTF) interactions, which enables the synthesis of Zn-rich protein complexes. Zinc-bLTF complexes can be used as food additives or wound-healing agents. Methodology of the study included bLTF characterization by sodium dodecyl sulfate-PAGE, MALDI-TOF, and MALDI-TOF/TOF mass spectrometry as well Zn-bLTF interactions by attenuated total reflection-Fourier-transform infrared, Raman spectroscopy, scanning and transmission microscopy, and zeta potential measurements. The obtained results revealed that the factors that affect Zn-bLTF interactions most significantly were found to be pH and ionic strength of the solution and, in particular, the concentration of Zn2+. These findings imply that these factors should be considered when aiming at the synthesis of Zn-bLTF metallocomplexes.

DNA methylation-based age clocks: From age prediction to age reversion.

Aging as an irretrievable occurrence throughout the entire life is characterized by a progressive decline in physiological functionality and enhanced disease vulnerability. Numerous studies have demonstrated that epigenetic modifications, particularly DNA methylation (DNAm), correlate with aging and age-related diseases. Several investigations have attempted to predict chronological age using the age-related alterations in the DNAm of certain CpG sites. Here we categorize different studies that tracked the aging process in the DNAm landscape to show how epigenetic age clocks evolved from a chronological age estimator to an indicator of lifespan and healthspan. We also describe the health and disease predictive potential of estimated epigenetic age acceleration regarding different clinical conditions and lifestyle factors. Considering the revealed age-related epigenetic changes, the recent age-reprogramming strategies are discussed which are promising methods for resetting the aging clocks.

Lipid droplets in mammalian eggs are utilized during embryonic diapause.

Embryonic diapause (ED) is a temporary arrest of an embryo at the blastocyst stage when it waits for the uterine receptivity signal to implant. ED used by over 100 species may also occur in normally "nondiapausing" mammals when the uterine receptivity signal is blocked or delayed. A large number of lipid droplets (LDs) are stored throughout the preimplantation embryo development, but the amount of lipids varies greatly across different mammalian species. Yet, the role of LDs in the mammalian egg and embryo remains unknown. Here, using a mouse model, we provide evidence that LDs play a crucial role in maintaining ED. By mechanical removal of LDs from zygotes, we demonstrated that delipidated embryos are unable to survive during ED. LDs are not essential for normal prompt implantation, without ED. We further demonstrated that with the progression of ED, the amount of intracellular lipid reduces, and composition changes. This decrease in lipid is caused by a switch from carbohydrate metabolism to lipid catabolism in diapausing blastocysts, which also exhibit increased release of exosomes reflecting elevated embryonic signaling to the mother. We have also shown that presence of LDs in the oocytes of various mammals positively corelates with their species-specific length of diapause. Our results reveal the functional role of LDs in embryonic development. These results can help to develop diagnostic techniques and treatment of recurrent implantation failure and will likely ignite further studies in developmental biology and reproductive medicine fields.

Use of Lactobacillus paracasei strain for zearalenone binding and metabolization.

The study investigated the zearalenone (ZEA) neutralization process as a consequence of metabolization and binding process by the probiotic bacterial strain Lactobacillus paracasei using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). In order to determine the nature of the binding process the kinetic and spectroscopic approach were used. Moreover, the influence of ZEA on L. paracasei metabolism was examined by the determination of the proteome profile of cells and the profile of volatile compounds (VOCs) produced by bacteria cells. For this purpose the Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization-Time of Flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) and headspace solid-phase microextraction coupled to gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (HS-SPME/GC-MS) techniques were used. The obtained results indicate that in the mechanism of ZEA neutralization both - metabolization/biotransformation and binding/biosorption processes are involved. Furthermore, the biotransformation of ZEA to both α- and ß-ZOL with a predominance of ß-ZOL by lactic acid bacteria strain was recorded. The results suggest that the tested microorganism can be used as a potential detoxification agent for grain and feed.

Investigation of Zearalenone Adsorption and Biotransformation by Microorganisms Cultured under Cellular Stress Conditions.

The zearalenone binding and metabolization ability of probiotic microorganisms, such as lactic acid bacteria, Lactobacillusparacasei, Lactococcus lactis, and yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, isolated from food products, were examined. Moreover, the influence of cellular stress (induced by silver nanoparticles) and lyophilization on the effectiveness of tested microorganisms was also investigated. The concentration of zearalenone after a certain time of incubation with microorganisms was determined using high-performance liquid chromatography. The maximum sorption effectiveness for L.paracasei, L. lactis, and S. cerevisiae cultured in non-stress conditions was 53.3, 41.0, and 36.5%, respectively. At the same time for the same microorganisms cultured at cellular stress conditions, the maximum sorption effectiveness was improved to 55.3, 47.4, and 57.0%, respectively. Also, the effect of culture conditions on the morphology of the cells and its metabolism was examined using microscopic technique and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry, respectively.

Searching for selected VOCs in human breath samples as potential markers of lung cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluation of the potential of combined multivariate chemometric methods for seeking markers of lung cancer. METHODS: Statistical methods such as Mann-Whitney U test, discriminant function analysis (DFA), factor analysis (FA) and artificial neural network (ANN) were applied to evaluate the obtained data from GC/MS analysis of exhaled breath. RESULTS: The total number of compounds identified by GC/MS in human breath was equal to 88. The statistical analysis indicates seven analytes which have the highest discriminatory power. Cross validation of the obtained model shows that the sensitivity was 80% and the specificity was 91.23%, while for the test group the sensitivity and specificity were both 86.36%. CONCLUSION: The application of combined statistical methods allowed to reduce the number of compounds to significant ones and indicates them as markers of lung cancer.

Effect of solvent and extraction technique on composition and biological activity of Lepidium sativum extracts.

The aim of this study was to evaluate chemical and biological potential of garden cress (Lepidium sativum L.) to receive valuable plant extracts with potential application in pharmacy or food industry. Four techniques of extraction and three environmentally friendly solvents such as water, supercritical CO2 and ethanol have been tested. Biological activity and chemical profile were evaluated in obtained extracts. GC/MS analysis showed that SFE extract from dried sprouts of L. sativum was especially rich in such glucosinolate derivatives as benzyl cyanide and benzyl thiocyanate. However, the extract obtained from freeze-dried sprouts by SFE with addition of 96% ethanol as co-solvent was especially rich in flavonoids and simultaneously exhibited the best antimicrobial activity. Comparison of MALDI-TOF-MS spectra of all obtained extracts clearly indicates that both SFE and maceration with water are the most selective techniques of extraction due to the lowest level of interfering substances with high molecular masses.

Mutational analysis of the Aspergillus ambient pH receptor PalH underscores its potential as a target for antifungal compounds.

The pal/RIM ambient pH signalling pathway is crucial for the ability of pathogenic fungi to infect hosts. The Aspergillus nidulans 7-TMD receptor PalH senses alkaline pH, subsequently facilitating ubiquitination of the arrestin PalF. Ubiquitinated PalF triggers downstream signalling events. The mechanism(s) by which PalH transduces the alkaline pH signal to PalF is poorly understood. We show that PalH is phosphorylated in a signal dependent manner, resembling mammalian GPCRs, although PalH phosphorylation, in contrast to mammalian GPCRs, is arrestin dependent. A genetic screen revealed that an ambient-exposed region comprising the extracellular loop connecting TM4-TM5 and ambient-proximal residues within TM5 is required for signalling. In contrast, substitution by alanines of four aromatic residues within TM6 and TM7 results in a weak 'constitutive' activation of the pathway. Our data support the hypothesis that PalH mechanistically resembles mammalian GPCRs that signal via arrestins, such that the relative positions of individual helices within the heptahelical bundle determines the Pro316-dependent transition between inactive and active PalH conformations, governed by an ambient-exposed region including critical Tyr259 that potentially represents an agonist binding site. These findings open the possibility of screening for agonist compounds stabilizing the inactive conformation of PalH, which might act as antifungal drugs against ascomycetes.

Refining the pH response in Aspergillus nidulans: a modulatory triad involving PacX, a novel zinc binuclear cluster protein.

The Aspergillus nidulans PacC transcription factor mediates gene regulation in response to alkaline ambient pH which, signalled by the Pal pathway, results in the processing of PacC(72) to PacC(27) via PacC(53). Here we investigate two levels at which the pH regulatory system is transcriptionally moderated by pH and identify and characterise a new component of the pH regulatory machinery, PacX. Transcript level analysis and overexpression studies demonstrate that repression of acid-expressed palF, specifying the Pal pathway arrestin, probably by PacC(27) and/or PacC(53), prevents an escalating alkaline pH response. Transcript analyses using a reporter and constitutively expressed pacC trans-alleles show that pacC preferential alkaline-expression results from derepression by depletion of the acid-prevalent PacC(72) form. We additionally show that pacC repression requires PacX. pacX mutations suppress PacC processing recalcitrant mutations, in part, through derepressed PacC levels resulting in traces of PacC(27) formed by pH-independent proteolysis. pacX was cloned by impala transposon mutagenesis. PacX, with homologues within the Leotiomyceta, has an unusual structure with an amino-terminal coiled-coil and a carboxy-terminal zinc binuclear cluster. pacX mutations indicate the importance of these regions. One mutation, an unprecedented finding in A. nidulans genetics, resulted from an insertion of an endogenous Fot1-like transposon.

Study of the art: canine olfaction used for cancer detection on the basis of breath odour. Perspectives and limitations.

Experimental studies using trained dogs to identify breath odour markers of human cancer, published in the recent decade, have been analyzed and compared with the authors' own results. Particular published studies differ as regards the experimental setup, kind of odour samples (breath, urine, tumor tissue, serum), sample collection methods, dogs' characteristics and dog training methods as well as in results presented in terms of detection sensitivity and specificity. Generally it can be stated that trained dogs are able to distinguish breath odour samples typical for patients with lung cancer and other cancers from samples typical for healthy humans at a 'better than by chance' rate. Dogs' indications were positively correlated with content of 2-pentanone and ethyl acetate (r = 0.97 and r = 0.85 respectively) and negatively correlated with 1-propanol and propanal in breath samples (r = -0.98 and -0.87 respectively). The canine method has some advantages as a potential cancer-screening method, due to its non-invasiveness, simplicity of odour sampling and storage, ease of testing and interpretation of results and relatively low costs. Disadvantages and limitations of this method are related to the fact that it is still not known exactly to which chemical compounds and/or their combinations the dogs react. So far it could not be confirmed that dogs are able to sniff out early preclinical cancer stages with approximately the same accuracy as already diagnosed cases. The detection accuracy may vary due to failure in conditioning of dogs, decreasing motivation or confounding factors. The dogs' performance should be systematically checked in rigorous double-blind procedures. Recommendations for methodological standardization have been proposed.

Near real-time VOCs analysis using an aspiration ion mobility spectrometer.

The ChemPro 100i chemical detector (aspiration-type ion mobility spectrometer) was used for the detection of selected volatile organic compounds known to be potential indicators of human presence. The targeted group of compounds mainly comprised ketones (acetone, 2-butanone, 2-pentanone, 3-methyl-2-butanone, 4-heptanone), aldehydes (propanal, pentanal, hexanal, octanal), dimethyl disulfide (DMDS), isoprene and ethanol. Gaseous standards of these compounds were produced from pure substances and analysed using the aspiration ion mobility spectrometry (AIMS) chemical detector. The chemical fingerprints obtained (patterns) were compared to evaluate possible differences in responses. The limits of detection ranged from 5 ppbv for 4-heptanone to 87 ppbv for DMDS, whereas relative standard deviations varied from 1.5% to 5%. Additionally, quantitative AIMS measurements of acetone levels in human breath samples were carried out. The breath acetone levels measured with AIMS ranged from 290 to 540 ppbv and correlated quite well with the SPME-GC-MS results, showing limited potential of AIMS for the detection of breath acetone; however, deviations were observed for concentrations above 500 ppbv. The further success of AIMS in breath analysis depends on improvements of the analytical power (e.g. selectivity, sensitivity, resolution) and the implementation of multivariate data analysis techniques.

Identification of volatile lung cancer markers by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry: comparison with discrimination by canines.

In this work, a chromatographic method for identification of volatile organic compounds was compared with canine recognition. Gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC-TOF MS) were used for determination of concentrations of trace gases present in human breath. The technique enables rapid determination of compounds in human breath, at the parts per billion level. Linear correlations were from 0.83-234.05 ppb, the limit of detection was the range 0.31-0.75 ppb, and precision, expressed as relative standard deviation (RSD), was less than 10.00 %. Moreover, trained dogs are able to discriminate breath samples of patients with diagnosed cancer. We found a positive correlation between dog indications and the ethyl acetate and 2-pentanone content of breath (r = 0.85 and r = 0.97, respectively). The methods presented for detection of lung cancer markers in exhaled air could be used as a potential non-invasive tool for screening. In addition, the canine method is relatively simple and inexpensive in comparison with chromatography.

Determination of volatile organic compounds as biomarkers of lung cancer by SPME-GC-TOF/MS and chemometrics.

A method for qualitative and quantitative the determination of concentrations volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in human breath samples using solid phase microextraction (SPME) and gas chromatography-time of flight-mass spectrometry (GC-TOF/MS) has been carried out. They are employed for the preconcentration, separation and analysis of biological samples. The technique to rapid determination compounds present in human air, at the level of parts per billion (ppb) is applied. This method was optimized and evaluated. It showed linear correlations ranging from 0.83 to 234.05 ppb, limit of detection in the range of 0.31 to 0.75 ppb and precision, expressed as the RSD, was less then 10.00%. The unique combination of statistical methods allowed reduce the number of compounds to significant ones only and indicate the potential way to find the biomarkers of the lung cancer. Presented an analytical and statistical methods for detection composition of exhaled air could be applied as a potential non-intrusive tool for screening of lung cancer.

Application of ion mobility spectrometry for the detection of human urine.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the suitability of ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) for the detection of human urine as an indication of human presence during urban search and rescue operations in collapsed buildings. To this end, IMS with a radioactive ionization source and a multicapillary column was used to detect volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted from human urine. A study involving a group of 30 healthy volunteers resulted in the selection of seven volatile species, namely acetone, propanal, 3-methyl-2-butanone, 2-methylpropanal, 4-heptanone, 2-heptanone and octanal, which were detected in all samples. Additionally, a preliminary study on the permeation of urine volatiles through the materials surrounding the voids of collapsed buildings was performed. In this study, quartz sand was used as a representative imitating material. Four compounds, namely 3-methyl-2-butanone, octanal, acetone and 2-heptanone, were found to permeate through the sand layers during all experiments. Moreover, their permeation times were the shortest. Although IMS can be considered as a potential technique suitable for the detection, localization and monitoring of VOCs evolved from human urine, further investigation is necessary prior to selecting field chemical methods for the early location of trapped victims.