In Vitro Antineoplastic and Antiviral Activity and In Vivo Toxicity of Geum urbanum L. Extracts.

This study evaluated the in vitro antineoplastic and antiviral potential and in vivo toxicity of twelve extracts with different polarity obtained from the herbaceous perennial plant Geum urbanum L. (Rosaceae). In vitro cytotoxicity was determined by ISO 10993-5/2009 on bladder cancer, (T-24 and BC-3C), liver carcinoma (HEP-G2) and normal embryonic kidney (HEK-293) cell lines. The antineoplastic activity was elucidated through assays of cell clonogenicity, apoptosis induction, nuclear factor kappa B p65 (NFκB p65) activation and total glutathione levels. Neutral red uptake study was applied for antiviral activity. The most promising G. urbanum extract was analyzed by UHPLC-HRMS. The acute in vivo toxicity analysis was carried out following OEDC 423. The ethyl acetate extract of aerial parts (EtOAc-AP) exhibited the strongest antineoplastic activity on bladder cancer cell lines (IC50 = 21.33-25.28 µg/mL) by inducing apoptosis and inhibiting NFκB p65 and cell clonogenicity. EtOAc and n-butanol extracts showed moderate antiviral activity against human adenovirus type 5 and human simplex virus type I. Seventy four secondary metabolites (gallic and ellagic acid derivatives, phenolic acids, flavonoids, etc.) were identified in EtOAc-AP by UHPLC-HRMS. This extract induced no signs of acute toxicity in liver and kidney specimens of H-albino mice in doses up to 210 mg/kg. In conclusion, our study contributes substantially to the detailed pharmacological characterization of G. urbanum, thus helping the development of health-promoting phytopreparations.

Rapid development of a ventilator for use during the COVID-19 pandemic: Clinical, human factor & engineering considerations.

The arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020 threatened to overwhelm the NH ability to provide sufficient critical care support to patients in the UK. In response to a rapid rise in cases in March 2020, the UK Government issued a call to industry to rapidly design and develop additional ventilators to expand the UK's capacity for mechanical ventilation. Three NHS consultants working in conjunction with TTP Plc (The Technology Partnership), were at the forefront, evolving the Government brief and developing a safe and effective ventilator, the CoVent™, in less than 5 weeks. The project demonstrates the ability of physicians to guide industry and pool knowledge and resources to rapidly develop and evolve technology in the face of a national emergency. This article discusses key aspects of the design process, highlights the unique human factors and engineering aspects of undertaking this amidst the coronavirus pandemic. Overall we demonstrated that when industry, healthcare and regulatory bodies collaborate and communicate efficiently, huge progress can be made in a fraction of the usual timescales.

Micellar Curcumin Substantially Increases the Antineoplastic Activity of the Alkylphosphocholine Erufosine against TWIST1 Positive Cutaneous T Cell Lymphoma Cell Lines.

Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) is a rare form of cancer with local as well as systemic manifestations. Concomitant bacterial infections increase morbidity and mortality rates due to impaired skin barrier and immune deficiency. In the current study, we demonstrated that the in vitro anti-lymphoma potential of erufosine is diminished by TWIST1 expression and micellar curcumin substantially increases its antineoplastic activity. Pharmacokinetic analysis showed that the micellar curcumin (MCRM) used in our study was characterized by low zeta potential, slow release of curcumin, and fast cell membrane penetration. The combination ratio 1:4 [erufosine:MCRM] achieved strong synergism by inhibiting cell proliferation and clonogenicity. The combined antiproliferative effects were calculated using the symbolic mathematical software MAPLE 15. The synergistic combination strongly decreased the expression of TWIST1 and protein kinase B/Akt as proven by western blotting. Significant reductions in NF-κB activation, induction of apoptosis, and altered glutathione levels were demonstrated by corresponding assays. In addition, the synergistic combination enhanced the anti-staphylococcal activity and prevented biofilm formation, as shown by crystal violet staining. Taken together, the above results show that the development of nanotechnological treatment modalities for CTCL, based on rational drug combinations exhibiting parallel antineoplastic and antibacterial effects, may prove efficacious.

Antineoplastic effect of a novel nanosized curcumin on cutaneous T cell lymphoma.

Cutaneous T cell lymphomas (CTCLs) are a group of heterogeneous, life-threatening, extra-nodal and lymphoproliferative T cell neoplasms. Since chronic inflammation serves a key role in CTCL progression, curcumin, a natural pigment with proven anti-inflammatory and antineoplastic properties, as well as minimal toxicity, may be used as a therapeutic agent. In the present study, two formulations of curcumin (standard ethanolic and a Pluronic®P-123/F-127 micellar solution) were compared regarding their cytotoxic efficacy and speed of internalization in three CTCL cell lines, namely HuT-78, HH and MJ. In addition, the modulating effect of curcumin on selected proteins involved in the proliferation and progression of the disease was determined. The results indicated the superiority of the Pluronic®P-123/F-127 micellar curcumin over the standard ethanol solution in terms of cellular internalization efficiency as determined by spectrophotometric analysis. Notably, the presence of commonly used media components, such as phenol red, may interfere when interpreting the cytotoxicity of curcumin, due to their overlapping absorbance peaks. Therefore, it was concluded that phenol red-free media are superior over media with phenol red in order to correctly measure the cytotoxic efficacy and cell penetration of curcumin. Depending on the cell line, the IC50 values of micellar curcumin varied from 29.76 to 1.24 µΜ, with HH cells demonstrating the highest sensitivity. This cell line had the lowest expression levels of the Wilms' tumor-1 transcription factor. Performing western blot analyses of treated and untreated CTCL cells, selective signal transduction changes were recorded for the first time, thus making curcumin nano-formulation an attractive and prospective option with therapeutic relevance for CTCL as a rare orphan disease.

Alkylphospholipids are Signal Transduction Modulators with Potential for Anticancer Therapy.

BACKGROUND: Alkylphospholipids (APLs) are synthetically derived from cell membrane components, which they target and thus modify cellular signalling and cause diverse effects. This study reviews the mechanism of action of anticancer, antiprotozoal, antibacterial and antiviral activities of ALPs, as well as their clinical use. METHODS: A literature search was used as the basis of this review. RESULTS: ALPs target lipid rafts and alter phospholipase D and C signalling cascades, which in turn will modulate the PI3K/Akt/mTOR and RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK pathways. By feedback coupling, the SAPK/JNK signalling chain is also affected. These changes lead to a G2/M phase cell cycle arrest and subsequently induce programmed cell death. The available knowledge on inhibition of AKT phosphorylation, mTOR phosphorylation and Raf down-regulation renders ALPs as attractive candidates for modern medical treatment, which is based on individualized diagnosis and therapy. Corresponding to their unusual profile of activities, their side effects result from cholinomimetic activity mainly and focus on the gastrointestinal tract. These aspects together with their bone marrow sparing features render APCs well suited for modern combination therapy. Although the clinical success has been limited in cancer diseases so far, the use of miltefosine against leishmaniosis is leading the way to better understanding their optimized use. CONCLUSION: Recent synthetic programs generate congeners with the increased therapeutic ratio, liposomal formulations, as well as diapeutic (or theranostic) derivatives with optimized properties. It is anticipated that these innovative modifications will pave the way for the further successful development of ALPs.

Synthesis, Spectroscopic Properties, Crystal Structure And Biological Evaluation of New Platinum Complexes with 5-methyl-5-(2-thiomethyl)ethyl Hydantoin.

BACKGROUND: The accidental discovery of Cisplatin's growth-inhibiting properties a few decades ago led to the resurgence of interest in metal-based chemotherapeutics. A number of well-discussed factors such as severe systemic toxicity and unfavourable physicochemical properties further limit the clinical application of the platinating agents. Great efforts have been undertaken in the development of alternative platinum derivatives with an extended antitumor spectrum and amended toxicity profile as compared to the reference drug cisplatin. The rational design of conventional platinum analogues and the re-evaluation of the empirically derived "structure- activity" relationships allowed for the synthesis of platinum complexes with great diversity in structural characteristics, biochemical stability and antitumor properties. METHODS: The new compounds have been studied by elemental analyses, IR, NMR and mass spectral analyses. The structures of the organic compound and one of the new mixed/ammine Pt(II) complexes were studied by X-ray diffraction analysis. The cytotoxic effects of the compounds were studied vs. the referent antineoplastic agent cisplatin against four human tumour cell lines using the standard MTT-dye reduction assay for cell viability. The most promising complex 3 was investigated for acute toxicity in male and female H-albino-mice models. RESULTS: A new organic compound (5-methyl-5-(2-thiomethyl)ethyl hydantoin) L bearing both S- and Ncoordinating sites and three novel platinum complexes, 1, 2 and 3 were synthesized and studied. Spectral and structural characterization concluded monodentate S-driven coordination of the ligand L to the metal center in complexes 1 and 2, whereas the same was acted as a bidentate N,S-chelator in complex 3. Ligand L crystallizes in the tetragonal space group I41/a (No 88) with one molecule per asymmetric unit. While complex 3 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P21/c (No 14) with one molecule per asymmetric unit. In the same complex 3, the platinum ion coordinates an L ligand, a chloride ion and an ammonia molecule. In the in vitro experiments, the tested L and complexes 1 and 2 exhibited negligible cytotoxic activity in all tumor models. Accordingly, complex 3 is twice as potent as cisplatin in the HT-29 cells and is at least as active as cisplatin on the MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell line. In the in vivo toxicity estimation of complex 3 no signs of common toxicity were observed. CONCLUSION: The Pt(II)-bidentate complex 3 exhibited significant cytotoxic potential equaling or surpassing that of the reference drug cisplatin in all the tested tumor models. Negligible anticancer activity on the screened tumor types has been shown by the ligand L and its Pt(II) and Pt(IV) complexes 1 and 2, respectively. Our study on the acute toxicity of the most active complex 3 proved it to be non-toxic in mice models.

Novel N-(phosphonomethyl) glycine derivatives: Design, characterization and biological activity.

A series of Calpha,alpha-disubstituted cyclic derivatives of N-(phosphonomethyl) glycine have been synthesized and characterized. They exhibited moderate clastogenicity, low antiproliferative activity on mice bone marrow cells and well expressed cytotoxicity against human tumor cell lines. The 8- and 12-membered cyclic analogs proved superior to the remaining compounds and were found to trigger apoptotic cell death in DOHH-2 cells. The latter compound caused 50% inhibition of the viability of hemobastose-derived cell lines at concentrations ranging from 20 to 67 microM.

Antineoplastic and anticlastogenic properties of curcumin.

Curcumin is the pigment of turmeric and has been reported as a signal transduction modulator and inhibitor of transcription factors, for example, NF-kappaB. In our article we found a concentration-dependent cytotoxic activity of curcumin in a panel of eight leukemic cell lines (SKW-3, CEM, U-937, HL-60, HL-60/Dox, K-562, LAMA-84, and AR-230). Additive to synergistic interactions was recorded for combinations with bendamustine and idarubicine in SKW-3 and LAMA-84 cells. Noteworthy, in multiple myeloma cells (RPMI-8226 and U-266) a potentiation of the efficacy of bendamustine by curcumin application was found. Moreover, curcumin increased the bendamustine cytotoxicity in cultures of cells isolated from the bone marrow of a patient with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). The increased bendamustine efficacy could be explained by NF-kappaB inhibition, because this factor is activated in many cancers, especially leukemia and multiple myeloma. Curcumin is characterized by low toxicity and was described to have a chemoprotective activity. Therefore, the level of reduced glutathione (GSH) was measured and a concentration-dependent increase of GSH levels was recorded in AR-230 and SKW-3 cells (concentration range 5-25 muM). Experiments with mice showed significant protection against cisplatin-induced chromosomal aberrations (clastogenic effect) and inhibition of mitoses in bone marrow cells. Curcumin alone caused reduction of the mitotic index. In combination with cisplatin, however, this parameter was increased when compared to cisplatin alone. Our data indicate that curcumin has pleiotropic effects on signal transduction by inhibiting transcription thus exerting antitumor activity. In addition, curcumin has protective and anticlastogenic activity by enhancing the scavenging of free radicals.

Golgi apparatus immunolocalization of endomannosidase suggests post-endoplasmic reticulum glucose trimming: implications for quality control.

Trimming of N-linked oligosaccharides by endoplasmic reticulum (ER) glucosidase II is implicated in quality control of protein folding. An alternate glucosidase II-independent deglucosylation pathway exists, in which endo-alpha-mannosidase cleaves internally the glucose-substituted mannose residue of oligosaccharides. By immunogold labeling, we detected most endomannosidase in cis/medial Golgi cisternae (83.8% of immunogold labeling) and less in the intermediate compartment (15.1%), but none in the trans-Golgi apparatus and ER, including its transitional elements. This dual localization became more pronounced under 15 degrees C conditions indicative of two endomannosidase locations. Under experimental conditions when the intermediate compartment marker p58 was retained in peripheral sites, endomannosidase was redistributed to the Golgi apparatus. Double immunogold labeling established a mutually exclusive distribution of endomannosidase and glucosidase II, whereas calreticulin was observed in endomannosidase-reactive sites (17.3% in intermediate compartment, 5.7% in Golgi apparatus) in addition to the ER (77%). Our results demonstrate that glucose trimming of N-linked oligosaccharides is not limited to the ER and that protein deglucosylation by endomannosidase in the Golgi apparatus and intermediate compartment additionally ensures that processing to mature oligosaccharides can continue. Thus, endomannosidase localization suggests that a quality control of N-glycosylation exists in the Golgi apparatus.

Synthesis of type VI collagen by cultured glomerular cells and comparison of its regulation by glucose and other factors with that of type IV collagen.

Homogeneous cultures of calf glomerular mesangial and endothelial cells were found to be active in the synthesis of type VI as well as type IV collagen in contrast to the epithelial cells that were devoted primarily to the production of the latter collagen. Studies with rat mesangial cells indicated that they responded to high glucose (20 mM) in the medium by a significant (P < 0.001) increase in type VI collagen synthesis as measured by the production of the protein and its mRNA level, both of which were closely correlated to each other and to glucose consumption. Similar observations were made with type IV collagen, but the enhanced formation of this protein was not as rapidly apparent as that of type VI and, moreover, could not be as readily reversed on restoration of the glucose to a physiological level (5 mM). Evaluation of a number of other agents indicated that although mannitol had no effect, L-glucose and NaCl significantly stimulated synthesis of both type VI and IV collagens and glucose consumption. Insulin-like growth factor I and aldosterone, on the other hand, also increased glucose consumption but brought about an enhancement of only type IV collagen production, suggesting that the two collagens are independently regulated. This possibility was supported by our observation that pyruvate, which was actively taken up by the cells, selectively stimulated type IV collagen production.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effect of high glucose on type IV collagen production by cultured glomerular epithelial, endothelial, and mesangial cells.

Immunochemical and metabolic radiolabeling procedures revealed that homogeneous cultures of calf glomerular epithelial, endothelial, and mesangial cells actively synthesize type IV collagen (primarily as alpha 1 (IV)3) which is secreted into the medium and incorporated into the extracellular matrix. Exposure of confluent cultures of the three cell types to a high glucose concentration (30 mM) for 60 h resulted in a pronounced increase (two- to threefold) in type IV collagen production over that observed at a physiological level (5 mM) of this sugar, as determined by either immunoblotting or fluorography of electrophoretically separated media or cell-matrix components. The elevated glucose did not bring about a change in the rate of cell proliferation or fibronectin production. Moreover, studies with mannitol indicated that the stimulation of type IV collagen synthesis was not a function of hyperosmolarity. In contrast to the glomerular cells, glucose-induced enhancement of formation of this collagen was not observed in 3T3 cells despite a substantial acceleration in the consumption of this sugar. Time studies indicated that the response of the glomerular cells to high glucose occurs over an extended period (maximal at approximately 78 h) and, furthermore, that the stimulatory effect on type IV collagen production is only slowly reversed after restoration of the glucose to a normal level. We believe that these findings are relevant to an understanding of the sequence of events that lead to the development of diabetic glomerular lesions.

Combination with an antisense oligonucleotide synergistically improves the antileukemic efficacy of erucylphospho-N,N,N-trimethylpropylammonium in chronic myeloid leukemia cell lines.

The aim of this study was to enhance the antileukemic efficacy of the alkylphosphocholine erucylphospho-N,N,N-trimethylpropylammonium (ErPC3) in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML)-derived cell lines by a bcr-directed antisense oligonucleotide (ASO-bcr). The mechanism was substantiated by Western blotting of the BCR-ABL expression level of CML cells, and the efficacy was substantiated by inhibition of colony formation compared with normal hematopoietic cells. The clonogenicity of K-562 cells expressing high levels of p210(BCR-ABL) was inhibited significantly by the ASO-bcr (T/C%, 30; P < 0.05) but not by ErPC3 (T/C%, 70). Combined sequential exposure to ErPC3 and the ASO-bcr, however, inhibited synergistically colony growth (T/C%, 3; P < 0.01). The colony growth of BV-173 cells expressing lower levels of p210(BCR-ABL) than K562 cells was inhibited to a greater extent by the ASO-bcr (T/C%, 15; P < 0.01). AR-230 cells that express high levels of p230(BCR-ABL) showed an intermediate decrease in colony formation in response to the ASO-bcr (T/C%, 20; P < 0.05). BCR-ABL levels of BV-173, CML-T1, and LAMA-84 cells were reduced in response to the ASO-bcr, as evidenced by Western blot. However, K-562 and AR-230 cells showed reduced BCR-ABL expression only after repeated treatment. ErPC3 and the ASO-bcr did not reduce colony formation (CFU-GM) of normal mouse bone marrow cells from long-term bone marrow cell cultures; instead, ErPC3 stimulated colony formation (P < 0.05) and did not induce chromosomal aberrations in mouse bone marrow. In conclusion, the combination of ErPC3 with a suitable antisense oligonucleotide inhibited synergistically colony formation of CML cell lines without damaging normal cells and thus might have a bearing on the purging of autologous hematopoietic transplants in CML patients.

Biosynthesis of sulfated asparagine-linked complex carbohydrate units of calf thyroglobulin.

Thyroglobulin from colloid as well as from membrane fractions became radiolabeled upon incubation of calf thyroid slices with [35S]sulfate. The identity of the sulfate-labeled molecule was established by immunoprecipitation, polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, Bio-Gel A-5m filtration, and DEAE-cellulose chromatography. Size analysis by gel filtration of [35S]glycopeptides and hydrazine-released oligosaccharides indicated that the sulfate was primarily located in the complex (unit B) carbohydrate units of thyroglobulin. Moreover, although [35S]sulfate-labeled oligosaccharides were cleaved by N-glycanase to the same extent as those labeled with [3H]mannose, they were not released by endo-beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase under conditions that led to the complete removal of polymannose carbohydrate (unit A). The failure of 35S-labeled glycopeptides and oligosaccharides to bind to immobilized Concanavalin-A indicated that the sulfate residues in calf thyroglobulin are located in carbohydrate units with three or more branches. No evidence for the occurrence of tyrosine sulfate was found upon examination of Pronase digests of radiolabeled thyroglobulin, and chemical analyses excluded the presence of this amino acid down to a level of 0.5 residues/polypeptide subunit. Studies with density gradient-separated membrane fractions as well as with puromycin indicated that sulfate addition is a late event in thyroglobulin biosynthesis which occurs in the Golgi compartment. Furthermore, it was observed that the nondimerized thyroglobulin subunit was much less sulfate labeled than the mature molecule. The location of the sulfated carbohydrate in a terminal portion of the calf thyroglobulin peptide chain was suggested by the observation that the subunit [mol wt (Mr) = 330,000] can undergo a transformation, presumably mediated by an endogenous protease, to a sulfate-free component (Mr = approximately 270,000) with the appearance of a 35S-labeled 60,000 Mr fragment; the release of a single sulfate-labeled peptide (Mr = 60,000) by mild trypsin treatment was consistent with a sequestration of sulfate groups in the thyroglobulin molecule.

Studies on the posttranslational migration and processing of thyroglobulin: use of inhibitors and evaluation of the role of phosphorylation.

A study of the synthesis and migration of thyroglobulin has been carried out by the incubation of calf thyroid slices in the presence of [14C]leucine followed by the separation of intracellular compartments from the colloid by differential and density gradient centrifugation. The effect of inhibitors on these processes has been examined and, moreover, the importance of phosphorylation as an additional posttranslational modification of thyroglobulin has been explored through the characterization of the radiolabeled constituents formed after slice incubation with [32P]phosphate. Movement of newly synthesized thyroglobulin through the cellular compartments was found to be rapid; after a 15-min incubation with [14C]leucine a substantial portion (30%) of the immunoprecipitable radiolabeled thyroglobulin was already present in the colloid (soluble) fraction. Incubations performed after brief pretreatment with colchicine resulted in the accumulation of radiolabeled thyroglobulin in the colloid, suggesting that in the uninhibited state a large proportion of the newly synthesized thyroglobulin is reabsorbed and degraded. Vinblastine and cytochalasin B had similar but smaller effects. More prolonged preincubation with colchicine led to a substantial decrease in thyroglobulin formation, suggesting that the synthetic and reabsorptive steps have different degrees of sensitivity to agents affecting the microtubule-microfilament apparatus. Uptake of radiolabeled thyroglobulin from the colloid was also inhibited by chloroquine, which caused a block in the lysosomal degradation of this protein but did not affect its synthesis. The sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoretic pattern of immunoprecipitated thyroglobulin prepared after incubation of slices with radiolabeled substrates was that of a doublet. When, however, the incubation of either calf or rat thyroid segments was terminated by boiling in sodium dodecyl sulfate-2-mercaptoethanol, one band predominated, corresponding to the slowest of the immunoprecipitated components; it is suggested that the thyroglobulin molecule contains regions of great protease sensitivity which are responsible for the heterogeneous high mol wt pattern usually seen, but that physiologically this peptide trimming does not occur before secretion from the cell. Incubation of thyroid slices with [32P]phosphate led to incorporation of label into immunoprecipitable thyroglobulin associated with both the intracellular and colloid compartments.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Combination effects of alkylphosphocholines and gemcitabine in malignant and normal hematopoietic cells.

Cytosine arabinoside (ara-C) and 2',2'-difluorodeoxycytidine (Gem) were compared in leukemia cells, with Gem being more potent than ara-C. Gem was combined with hexadecylphosphocholine (HPC) or erucylphospho-N,N,N-trimethylpropanolamine (ErPC(3)) in resistant CML cells. Supra-additive effects were seen in K-562 cells after concomitant and sequential exposure of Gem followed by HPC. The reverse sequence resulted in antagonism. Both effects were more significant when HPC was exchanged for ErPC(3). Gem or HPC failed to induce DNA laddering in K-562 cells, but apoptotic signals were transferred by the Gem-exposed SKW-3 cytosolic fraction to K-562 nuclei. HPC did not increase the clastogenicity of Gem and counteracted its mitotic inhibition in murine bone marrow. Thus, the combination of Gem and an alkylphosphocholine is advantageous in terms of their complementary mode of action, resulting in increased cytotoxicity and lowered myelotoxicity.

Induction of apoptosis by erucylphospho-N,N,N-trimethylammonium is associated with changes in signal molecule expressionand location.

At concentrations effecting apoptosis, the alkylphosphocholine ErPC3 induced increased expression of the Rb protein in breast cancer (MCF-7) and leukemia (SKW-3, AR-230) cell lines as well as hypophosphorylation (K-562, CMLT-1, DOHH-2) and fragmentation of Rb (BV-173, SKW-3) in leukemia cell lines. ErPC3 exerts at least part of its antineoplastic activity by apoptosis, and this chain of events comprises early changes in the lipid raft fraction of the cellular membrane as well as modulation of different signal molecules, such as Abl, Bcr-Abl (fusion protein), and Rb.

Three-dimensional bioreactor cultures: a useful dynamic model for the study of cellular interactions.

The ex vivo expansion of hematopoietic cells is a developing area with emphasis on bioreactor systems for amelioration of culture conditions. A rational design of bioreactors, especially those allowing microgravity, could permit the production of stem cells and will offer new approaches for studying the mechanisms of proliferation, differentiation, and signal transduction of cultured cells. The efficacy of two commercially available bioreactors (rotating-vessel miniPERM and static INTEGRA CL 350) to support long-term bone marrow cell cultures (LTBMCC) and three-dimensional growth of Hodgkin's lymphoma HD-MY-Z cells was investigated. In the miniPERM system, the growth of LTBMCC spheroids (containing 30-40 cells) was obtained. An essentially higher content of hematopoietic precursor cells (colony-forming units-granulocyte macrophage) was registered in the rotating-vessel system. In this bioreactor, a growth of large HD-MY-Z spheroids (containing 100-200 cells) was achieved. The composed mathematical models of the physicomechanical behavior of spheroids enabled the evaluation of the revolution frequency increase schedule. The differential equations took into account all inertial effects caused by the production module rotation movement as well as those caused by the relative movement of the spheroid in the fluid. The models aimed at the optimization of the rotation frequency increase schedule for different types of cells to reduce shear stress, augment productivity, and tolerate the growth of large spheroids. The models were numerically tested using MATLAB-SIMULINK software, and the trajectories of prestained HD-MY-Z spheroids were filmed. The coincidence of the theoretical and experimental trajectories was sufficient.

Synthesis and characterization of tyramine-derivatized (1-->4)-linked alpha-D-oligogalacturonides.

The reducing end C-1 of (1-->4)-linked alpha-D-oligogalacturonides (oligogalacturonides), with degrees of polymerization (dp) 3 and 13, was coupled to tyramine via reductive amination in the presence of sodium cyanoborohydride. These derivatives were purified in milligram quantities and structurally characterized. Tyramination of trigalacturonic acid proceeded to completion. The yield of apparently homogeneous tyraminated trigalacturonic acid after desalting was 35%. Derivatization of tridecagalacturonide with tyramine was incomplete. The tyraminated tridecagalacturonide was purified to apparent homogeneity using semipreparative high-performance anion-exchange chromatography (HPAEC) with a yield of 30%. The structures of the derivatized oligogalacturonides were established by 1H NMR spectroscopy and electrospray mass spectrometry.

Fungicidal properties of meso-arylglycosylporphyrins: influence of sugar substituents on photoinduced damage in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

A series of neutral meso-arylglycosylporphyrins has been tested in order to evaluate their potency as antifungal agents against the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Photodynamic activity of these molecules results in intracellular damage as evidenced by the loss of clonogenicity and DNA fragmentation. The ability of these photosensitizers to permeate yeast cells is determined by microspectrofluorimetry and is correlated with their antifungal potency. Amphiphilic porphyrin derivatives are shown to exhibit the more pronounced photoactivity.

Effects of the plant alkaloid thaliblastine on non-cross-resistant and sensitive human leukemia cells in relation with reversal of acquired anthracycline resistance.

Thaliblastine exhibits dose dependent cytotoxic effect on HL-60, HL-60/DOX, RHE and HD-MY-2 leukemia cells. Additionally, typical for apoptosis oligonucleosomal DNA fragmentation could be detected in leukemia cells treated with thaliblastine. Moreover, an MDR-phenotype reversing effect of thaliblastine was also identified.