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In this work, HKUST-1 and Cu-BDC nanoparticles were used as delivery systems for the early anti-COVID-19 drug, hydroxychloroquine. The antiviral MOF/drug combinations significantly reduced the infectivity of SARS-CoV-2, which can be attributed to the nanometric size of the carriers, the presence of copper in the MOF nodes, and the semi-controlled release of the drug. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Yellow-orange latex of Chelidonium majus L. has been used in folk medicine as a therapeutic agent against warts and other visible symptoms of human papillomavirus (HPV) infections for centuries. The observed antiviral and antitumor properties of C. majus latex are often attributed to alkaloids contained therein, but recent studies indicate that latex proteins may also play an important role in its pharmacological activities. Therefore, the aim of the study was to investigate the effect of the crude C. majus latex and its protein and alkaloid-rich fractions on different stages of the HPV replication cycle. The results showed that the latex components, such as alkaloids and proteins, decrease HPV infectivity and inhibit the expression of viral oncogenes (E6, E7) on mRNA and protein levels. However, the crude latex and its fractions do not affect the stability of structural proteins in HPV pseudovirions and they do not inhibit the virus from attaching to the cell surface. In addition, the protein fraction causes increased TNFα secretion, which may indicate the induction of an inflammatory response. These findings indicate that the antiviral properties of C. majus latex arise both from alkaloids and proteins contained therein, acting on different stages of the viral replication cycle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are considered to be key etiological agents responsible for the induction and development of cervical cancer. However, it has been suggested that HPV infection alone may not be sufficient to promote cervical carcinogenesis, and other unknown factors might be required to establish the disease. One of the suggested proteins whose deregulation has been linked with oncogenesis is transcription factor Yin Yang 1 (YY1). YY1 is a multifunctional protein that is involved not only in the regulation of gene transcription and protein modification, but can also control important cell signaling pathways, such as cell growth, development, differentiation, and apoptosis. Vital functions of YY1 also indicate that the protein could be involved in tumorigenesis. The overexpression of this protein has been observed in different tumors, and its level has been correlated with poor prognoses of many types of cancers. YY1 can also regulate the transcription of viral genes. It has been documented that YY1 can bind to the HPV long control region and regulate the expression of viral oncogenes E6 and E7; however, its role in the HPV life cycle and cervical cancer development is different. In this review, we explore the role of YY1 in regulating the expression of cellular and viral genes and subsequently investigate how these changes inadvertently contribute toward the development of cervical malignancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plants are a rich source of new antiviral, pharmacologically active agents. The naturally occurring plant alkaloid berberine (BBR) is one of the phytochemicals with a broad range of biological activity, including anticancer, anti-inflammatory and antiviral activity. BBR targets different steps in the viral life cycle and is thus a good candidate for use in novel antiviral drugs and therapies. It has been shown that BBR reduces virus replication and targets specific interactions between the virus and its host. BBR intercalates into DNA and inhibits DNA synthesis and reverse transcriptase activity. It inhibits replication of herpes simplex virus (HSV), human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), human papillomavirus (HPV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). This isoquinoline alkaloid has the ability to regulate the MEK-ERK, AMPK/mTOR, and NF-κB signaling pathways, which are necessary for viral replication. Furthermore, it has been reported that BBR supports the host immune response, thus leading to viral clearance. In this short review, we focus on the most recent studies on the antiviral properties of berberine and its derivatives, which might be promising agents to be considered in future studies in the fight against the current pandemic SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant latex is a milky-like fluid (sap) that is stored in plant specialized cells - laticifers. It contains a mixture of phytochemicals, proteins and enzymes, such as alkaloids, phenolics, terpenoids, defense proteins, proteases and chitinases. Most of these latex ingredients possess pharmacologic activity. Due to its curing effects, Chelidonium majus latex has been used in traditional folk medicine to treat skin warts and tubercles. Nowadays, natural plant latex derived molecules and their synthetic analogs are used in medicine as antimicrobial agents, analgesics, antiproliferative and anticancer drugs. Moreover, it has been reported that alkaloids and phenolics from the plant latex exhibit potential therapeutic effects against neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Most of natural plant latex derived products are present in low amounts, difficult to isolate, possess poor bioavailability and stability. Recent advancements in nanotechnology offer advanced nanomaterials as nanocarriers of pharmacologically active latex natural agents. Conjugation of small natural latex compounds with nanoparticles, liposomes, micelles, nanodiamonds and carbon nanotubes allows to improve bioavailability and stability of these natural pharmacologically active latex compounds. Furthermore, nanoscience approach provides time-controlled and site-specific delivery of potential therapeutics from latex, what gives new promising perspectives for their future use in medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study we examine multiwall carbon nanotube (MWCNT) based nanosystems i.e. aligned MWCNT matrices, as potential scaffolds for cell growth and tissue engineering. We present the effect of samples purification and surface modification on the viability, adhesiveness and morphology of human normal gingival fibroblasts (HGF-1) and human osteosarcoma (U2OS) cell lines. We employ spectroscopic and analytical techniques (Scanning Electron Microscopy, Thermal Gravimetric Analysis, Atomic Force Microscopy, Raman and Fourier Transform Infrared Absorption Spectroscopy and Confocal Microscopy) in order to characterize the obtained structures. Furthermore, we analyze the expression level of selected cell adhesion-related genes by the quantitative real-time (qRT-PCR) method and the cell viability for MWCNT powders. We show that the surface structure of MWCNTs carpets contributes to the adhesion of cells. Additionally, we report the increased expression level of integrin, talin and fibronectin, proteins which are involved in cell attachment. We speculate that carbon nanotube based materials can be consider as potential candidates for biomedical purposes and as a biocompatible scaffold for cell growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, functionalized Multiwall Carbon Nanotubes of specified length and containing well-defined iron particles (O-MWCNT/Fe) were prepared. A significant enhancement in contrast in Magnetic Resonance Imaging was found for the investigated composites. The magnetic characterization revealed the ferromagnetic nature of iron particles embedded within O-MWCNTs. The enhancement of the 1 H spin–spin relaxation time of MRI scans using hydrophilic O-MWCNT/Fe as potential contrast agents was estimated for selected dispersive media. Moreover, the cytotoxicity of the hybrids was studied in two cell lines, i.e. cancer cells (HeLa) and fibroblasts (GM07492). The intracellular impact of O-MWCNT/Fes in HeLa cells was observed after staining of selected organelles (nuclei and mitochondria). Significant changes in cell morphology were found for water soluble MWCNT/Fes with diameters above 30 nm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our previous study demonstrated a decreased expression of tumor susceptibility gene 101 (TSG101) in cervical cancer cells. To identify the mechanism responsible for TSG101 downregulation during cervical cancer development, we analyzed the TSG101 promoter using cis-element cluster finder software. One of the transcription factors whose binding site was detected in the TSG101 promoter was late SV40 factor (LSF). The aim of this study was to analyze the TSG101 protein and LSF expression levels during cervical cancer development. Immunohistochemical analysis confirmed a previously observed decreased expression of TSG101, whereas quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and immunohistochemistry analysis revealed high expression of LSF in cervical, precancer and cancer cells compared with human papillomavirus (HPV)-negative non-cancer samples. High expression of LSF in cervical cancer HPV-positive cells suggests that this protein may be important in the regulation of TSG101 expression, as well as in cervical carcinogenesis. The role of LSF as a mediator in cervical cancer development must be confirmed in future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objective: High-risk human papillomaviruses are the causative agent of cervical carcinogenesis. Additionally, a number of other unknown factors are also instrumental in the development of cancer. The aim of this present study was the analysis of the mutations in the D-loop region of mitochondrial DNA, and 4.997bp deletion during cervical cancer development. Our research also extended to the relationship between mtDNA copy number, ROS (reactive oxygen species) production and the MnSOD (manganese superoxide dismutase) expression level. Methods: The study group consisted of postoperative tissues from patients diagnosed with L-SIL, H-SIL and squamous cell cervical carcinomas. A quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to determine the copy number of the mitochondrial DNA, and MnSOD mRNA expression levels. A PCR amplification and a sequencing of DNA were used for the identification of HPV DNA and mtDNA mutations. Results: A total of 62 point mutations in the D-loop region of mtDNA were found in study patients. The mitochondrial DNA copy number increased during cervical cancer development when compared to the corresponding tissues in the control samples. About 70% of the mtDNA copy number have a 4.997bp deletion in L-SIL. We also observed an increase in ROS generation during cervical cancer development. Conclusion: Alterations in mtDNA both qualitatively (by mutations) and quantitatively (by mtDNA copy number) are associated with cervical cancer developments. High levels of mtDNA copy with a 4.997bp deletion in L-SIL cells can be associated with the susceptibility of cells to HPV persistent infection and cervical cancer development. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The goal of the presented studies was to investigate speciation and bioavailability of iodine from chicken eggs versus iodized kitchen salt with an in vitro method. Determination of iodine total content in chicken eggs and iodized kitchen salt was carried out by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP MS). The majority of iodine was accumulated in the yolk-the concentration was even 37 times higher than in white. Chicken eggs were treated with buffer (Tris HCl pH = 7.5) and enzymatic extraction media and analyzed by size exclusion chromatography hyphenated with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (SEC ICP MS). The enzymatic extraction being an in vitro bioavailability assessment method was based on two-stage digestion model simulating gastric (pepsin digestion) and intestinal (pancreatin digestion) juices. Speciation analyses along with bioavailability studies presented iodide as the major form in chicken eggs. The bioavailability was established as 33% from white and 10% from yolk and decreased with longer time of boiling. It allows to suggest that the majority of iodine remains in forms bound to non-digestible coagulated and water-insoluble proteins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chelidonium majus L. is a latex-bearing plant used in traditional folk medicine to treat human papillomavirus (HPV)-caused warts, papillae, and condylomas. Its latex and extracts are rich in many low-molecular compounds and proteins, but there is little or no information on their potential interaction. We describe the isolation and identification of a novel major latex protein (CmMLP1) composed of 147 amino acids and present a model of its structure containing a conserved hydrophobic cavity with high affinity to berberine, 8-hydroxycheleritrine, and dihydroberberine. CmMLP1 and the accompanying three alkaloids were present in the eluted chromatographic fractions of latex. They decreased in vitro viability of human cervical cancer cells (HPV-negative and HPV-positive). We combined, for the first time, research on macromolecular and low-molecular-weight compounds of latex-bearing plants in contrast to other studies that investigated proteins and alkaloids separately. The observed interaction between latex protein and alkaloids may influence our knowledge on plant defense. The proposed toolbox may help in further understanding of plant disease resistance and in pharmacological research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endometriosis is a gynecological disease defined by the presence of endometrial tissue outside the uterus. To date, the effective treatment of this disease is still based on invasive surgery or laparoscopy. Chelidonium majus L. (Papaveraceae) belongs to medicinal, latex-bearing plants. Extracts from the plant are a rich source of pharmacologically active agents. Protoberberine compounds derived from C. majus possess anticancer and antiproliferative activities. In the present study of a rat model of endometriosis, we investigated the influence of the plant protoberberine-rich fraction (BBR) obtained from the medicinal plant C. majus on the development of endometriosis. To understand of BBR therapeutic potential for endometriosis, metabolomics has been applied to study. BBR was prepared from an ethanolic extract of dry plants C. majus. Rats (n = 16) with confirmed endometriosis were treated with BBR administered orally (1 g/kg) for 14 days. Blood serum samples were collected from all of the animals and metabolites were studied using the NMR method. The metabolomic pattern was compared before and after the protoberberine treatment. The performed analysis showed significant changes in the concentrations of metabolites that are involved in energy homeostasis, including glucose, glutamine, and lactate. Histopathological studies showed no recurrence of endometriosis loci after treatment with BBR. The results of the study found that BBR treatment prevents the recurrence of endometriosis in rats. Moreover, metabolomics profiling can be applied to better understand the mechanisms of action of these protoberberine secondary plant metabolites. Our findings provide new insights into the pharmaceutical activity of natural protoberberine plant compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is well known that mitochondrial dysfunctions are involved in tumorigenesis. A special interest of scientists is mitochondrial ND1 gene (mt ND1). Recently detected mutations in the mt ND1 can disrupt the normal activity of complex I and affect oxidative phosphorylation, thus leading to increase reactive oxygen species production. This study was undertaken to determine the alternations in the mt ND1 and evaluate their association with development of precancerous lesions and cervical cancer. In the study 29 cervical cancer, 28 low grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (L-SIL) and 30 high grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (H-SIL) HPV positive fragments tissue were screened for the presence of mt ND1 mutations. Our study showed that mutations in the mt ND1 gene were detected in patients with precancerous stage, as well as cervical cancer. We have identified 12 point mutations in 116 analyzed precancerous and cancer samples HPV positive. Most detected missense mutations were previously described, except one (p. M156K) with Grantham value 95. The lower expression of mRNA ND1 was detected in cervical cancer cases and in all samples in which mt ND1 mutations were identified. Our analyses revealed that level of ROS production was higher in cervical cancer tissues and all cases characterized by mt ND1 mutations. We hypothesize that mutations in MT-ND1 observed in H-SIL and cancer could activate cervical carcinogenesis by increased ROS production. Unlabelled Image • A novel synonymous variant M156K in mtDNA ND1 subunit detected in H-SIL and cervical cancer stages. • Mutations in the mt ND1 can disrupt the normal activity of complex I and affect oxidative phosphorylation. • Mutations in themt ND1 could activate cervical carcinogenesis by increased ROS production. • Alternations in mtDNA might be associated with pathogenesis of cervical cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous research indicates that carcinogenesis involves disrupting the functions of numerous genes, including factors involved in the regulation of transcription and cell proliferation. For these reasons, in endometrial carcinogenesis, we decided to investigate the expression of TSG101 (a suppressor of tumor transformation) and LSF (a transcription factor involved in numerous cellular processes, such as cell cycle regulation, cell growth, development, and apoptosis). LSF may be involved in the regulation of TSG101 expression. The research material consisted of endometrial cancer samples from 60 patients. The control group consisted of normal endometrium samples donated by 60 women undergoing surgery for benign diseases of the female reproductive organs. The samples were subjected to immunohistochemical staining with antibodies specific to TSG101 and LSF. Specific antibodies were used to identify TSG101 and LSF in the examined histopathological preparations. An approximately 14-fold lower risk of endometrial cancer development was observed in patients with TSG expression in more than 75% of the assessed cells (4% vs. 36%; OR = 0.07; p = 0.0182). There was a four-fold lower risk of endometrial cancer development in patients with LSF expression in more than 50% of the assessed cells (32% vs. 64%; OR = 0.26; p = 0.0262). A more than three-fold lower risk of endometrial cancer development was observed in patients with LSF expression in more than 75% of the assessed cells (24% vs. 52%; OR = 0.29; p = 0.0454). Endometrial cancer was diagnosed in those with a lower level of TSG101 expression than in those with a cancer-free endometrium. Decreased expression of TSG101 may be a marker of endometrial cancer, and increased expression of LSF when diagnosed with endometrial cancer may indicate greater advancement of the disease. These markers might be used as diagnostic and prognostic markers—however, there is a lack of a correlation between them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study is focused on the development of liposomes bearing gadolinium chelate (GdLip) providing two functionalities for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and photodynamic therapy of cancer. A lipid derivative of gadolinium(III) diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid salt (GdDTPA1) was inserted in the liposomal membrane and served as MRI contrast agent whereas a zinc phthalocyanine (ZnPc) was used as a model photosensitizer. In addition to conventional liposomes, pegylated lipids were used for the preparation of “stealth” liposomes. The characterization of different GdLip formulations involved evaluation of the liposomes size by nanoparticle tracking analysis, thermal phase behavior by differential scanning calorimetry and ZnPc-mediated singlet oxygen production. Furthermore, relaxivity measurements were performed as well as cytotoxicity and photodynamic activity against cancerous and normal cell lines was studied. Size and thermal behavior were only slightly influenced by GdLip composition, however it distinctly affected singlet oxygen production of ZnPc-loaded GdLip. The quantum yields of singlet oxygen generation by zinc phthalocyanine incorporated in GdLip containing cationic or/and pegylated lipids were smaller than those obtained for non-pegylated carriers with l -α-phosphatidylglycerol. In general, all formulations of GdLip, irrespectively of composition, were characterized by relaxivities higher than those of commercially used contrast agents ( e.g. Magnevist®). NMR study has shown that the incorporation of ZnPc into the formulations of GdLip increases the relaxation parameters r 1 and r 2 , compared to the values for the non-loaded vesicles. GdDTPA1 did not influence the photodynamic activity of ZnPc against HeLa cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Latexes of different plants contain a mixture of molecules which exhibit diverse activities against invaders. Among many other functions, they protect plants against herbivores, insects, fungi, parasites, bacteria and viruses. Due to the presence of pharmacologically active substances, mankind for centuries have applied latices and their preparations for their beneficial effect on human health. Most of these substances exert analgesic, wound healing, anti-pathogenic (antiviral and antimicrobial), anti-parasitic, anti-diabetic and other activities, which have been broadly exploited in traditional medicine. Following volume 93, this review presents popular latex applications and discusses perspectives for their use in medicine, agriculture and industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many bacteria become progressively more resistant to antibiotics and it remains a challenging task to control their overall levels. Polymers combined with active biomolecules come to the forefront for the design of antibacterial materials that can address this encounter. In this work, we investigated the photo-crosslinking approach of UV-sensitive benzophenone molecule (BP) with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) polymer within electrospun fibres. The BP and PVP solutions allowed fabricating polymer mats that were subsequently functionalised with antibacterial lysozyme. The physical properties of the crosslinked electrospun fibres were investigated by scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. The average diameter of the obtained fibres decreased from 290 ± 50 nm to 270 ± 70 nm upon the addition of the crosslinking molecules and then to 240 ± 80 nm and 180 ± 90 nm after subsequent crosslinking reaction at an increasing time: 3 and 5 h, respectively. The peak force quantitative nanomechanical mapping (PF-QNM) indicated the increase of DMT modulus of obtained cross-linked fibres from 4.1 ± 0.8 GPa to 7.2 ± 0.5 GPa. Furthermore, the successful crosslinking reaction of PVP and BP solution into hydrogels was investigated in terms of examining photo-crosslinking mechanism and was confirmed by rheology, Raman, Fourier transform infrared and nuclear magnetic resonance. Finally, lysozyme was successfully encapsulated within cross-linked PVP-BP hydrogels and these were successfully electrospun into mats which were found to be as effective antibacterial agents as pure lysozyme molecules. The dissolution rate of photo cross-linked PVP mats was observed to increase in comparison to pure PVP electrospun mats which opened a potential route for their use as antibacterial, on-demand, dissolvable coatings for various biomedical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article is devoted to preparation and characterization of magnetite/silver/antibiotic nanocomposites for targeted antimicrobial therapy. Magnetite nanopowder was produced by thermochemical technique; silver was deposited on the magnetite nanoparticles in the form of silver clusters. Magnetite/silver nanocomposite was investigated by XRD, SEM, TEM, AFM, XPS, EDX techniques. Adsorptivity of magnetite/silver nanocomposite towards seven antibiotics from five different groups was investigated. It was shown that rifampicin, doxycycline, ceftriaxone, cefotaxime and doxycycline may be attached by physical adsorption to magnetite/silver nanocomposite. Electrostatic surfaces of antibiotics were modeled and possible mechanism of antibiotic attachment is considered in this article. Raman spectra of magnetite, magnetite/silver and magnetite/silver/antibiotic were collected. It was found that it is difficult to detect the bands related to antibiotics in the magnetite/silver/antibiotic nanocomposite spectra due to their overlap by the broad carbon bands of magnetite nanopowder. Magnetic measurements revealed that magnetic saturation of the magnetite/silver/antibiotic nanocomposites decreased on 6–19 % in comparison with initial magnetite nanopowder. Pilot study of antimicrobial properties of the magnetite/silver/antibiotic nanocomposites were performed towards Bacillus pumilus . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Gastroschisis represents a congenital malformation of the anterior abdominal wall. It is a defect characterized by protrusion of the abdominal viscera through the fullthickness abdominal defect (peritoneum, muscle, fascia and skin). Diagnosis of gastroschisis can be made as early as the first trimester and routinely in the second trimester by fetal ultrasound. Prenatal diagnosis of gastroschisis is important because it enables rapid and appropriate management both during pregnancy and after delivery. Aim: The aim of this work is a retrospective analysis of fetal gastroschisis diagnosed in the Maternal-Fetal Medicine Centre in the years 1998-2011. Material and methods: The analysis included 35 cases of fetal gastroschisis diagnosed in the Maternal-Fetal Medicine Centre in the years 1998-2011. Results and discussion: The most numerous group of pregnant women, whose fetuses were diagnosed with gastroschisis, were young women below 35 years of age, more frequently residents of rural than urban areas, in most cases primiparas. Herniated contents most often contained small and large intestine. In 60% of fetal gastroschisis no complications were observed during pregnancy. Conclusions: Early diagnosis seems to be of particular importance, as it allows monitoring for potential complications of gastroschisis, which may affect prompt decisions of elective preterm delivery, delivery at a referral center, and hence the possibility of preparing neonatal and pediatric surgical team. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Congenital malformations are morphological abnormalities acquired in intrauterine life and identifiable at birth. Aim The aim of the analysis of outcomes of the Maternal-Fetal Medicine Centre (MFMC) practice in Olsztyn in the years 1998–2012 was to assess the efficacy of regional reference system of prenatal diagnosis. Material and methods MFMC in Olsztyn performs reference non-invasive prenatal diagnosis for Warmia-Masuria Province. Patients are referred to MFCM by general gynecologists in the case of a suspected malformation or difficulty in the assessment of fetal morphology, and compulsory in the case of women above 35 years of age (NHF program). The analysis included total number of identified malformations, types of abnormalities, maternal age and gestational age at the time of diagnosis, geographic distribution in the province, number of identified malformations that were reported in national records of Polish National Registry of Fetal Cardiac Pathology. Results and discussion In the material of MFMC urinary tract defects were predominant. There was a significant amount of defects in children of mothers below 35 years of age. Most defects were diagnosed in the first pregnancy. Mothers of infants with malformations more often lived in urban areas. Most defects were diagnosed in pregnant women living in Olsztyn and geographically closest counties, and the least defects were diagnosed in patients living on the eastern edge of the province. Conclusions Results of the analysis confirm the significance of the presence of a facility with a profile similar to MFMC in our region. Factors that improve detection of fetal abnormalities in our region may include: extension of the NHF program to the entire population of pregnant women, improvement of first trimester diagnosis, increase of the availability of reference fetal echocardiography in pregnant women over the age of 35. Infrastructure improvement in the province may also positively affect the detection of anomalies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Materna-Kiryluk A, Więckowska B, Wiśniewska K, Borszewska-Kornacka MK, Godula-Stuglik U, Limon J, et al. Maternal reproductive history and the risk of isolated congenital malformations. Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology 2011. We examined the relationship between maternal reproductive history and the newborn's risk of isolated congenital malformations in a large case-control cohort from the Polish Registry of Congenital Malformations. Congenital malformations were classified into four categories: isolated congenital heart defects ( n = 1673), isolated cleft palate ( n = 255), cleft lip with or without cleft palate ( n = 448) and renal agenesis ( n = 103). The case groups were compared with a shared group of 2068 controls recruited in the same time period and geographic area. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess the risk associated with maternal gravidity and of previous miscarriages after accounting for maternal age and other potential risk factors. In unadjusted analyses, maternal gravidity was significantly associated with increased risk of all four classes of congenital malformations. After adjustment, a significant association persisted for congenital heart defects [odds ratio (OR) = 1.22, [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.09, 1.36], P = 0.0007] and cleft lip with or without cleft palate (OR = 1.21, [95% CI 1.09, 1.36], P = 0.0005). A similar trend existed for isolated cleft palate (OR = 1.18, [95% CI 1.02, 1.37], P = 0.03). There was no appreciable increase in the risk of congenital malformations associated with a maternal history of miscarriages, but a trend for a protective effect on the occurrence of cleft lip with or without cleft palate was observed (OR = 0.72, [95% CI 0.52, 0.99], P = 0.045). Based on our data, maternal gravidity represents a significant risk factor for congenital heart defects and cleft lip with or without cleft palate in the newborn infant. Our data do not support an increase in risk because of past history of miscarriages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently available data on the relationship between the prevalence of isolated congenital malformations and parental age are inconsistent and frequently divergent. We utilised the data from the Polish Registry of Congenital Malformations (PRCM) to accurately assess the interplay between maternal and paternal age in the risk of isolated non-syndromic congenital malformations. Out of 902 452 livebirths we studied 8683 children aged 0–2 years registered in the PRCM. Logistic regression was used to simultaneously adjust the risk estimates for maternal and paternal age. Our data indicated that paternal and maternal age were independently associated with several congenital malformations. Based on our data, young maternal and paternal ages were independently associated with gastroschisis. In addition, young maternal age, but not young paternal age, carried a higher risk of neural tube defects. Advanced maternal and paternal ages were both independently associated with congenital heart defects. Moreover, there was a positive association between advanced paternal age and hypospadias, cleft palate, and cleft lip (with or without cleft palate). No significant relationships between parental age and the following congenital malformations were detected: microcephaly, hydrocephaly, oesophageal atresia, atresia or stenosis of small and/or large intestine, ano-rectal atresia or stenosis, renal agenesis or hypoplasia, cystic kidney disease, congenital hydronephrosis, diaphragmatic hernia and omphalocele. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Composite coatings provide a promising way of in vitro cell behavior screening. Previous efforts included fabrication of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs)-polymer materials, however in this work, for the first time we combined two polymers of different hydrophobic character: poly(maleic- alt -1-octadecene) and polyvinylpyrrolidone with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) to produce composite coatings with varied hydrophobicity. Prior to their incorporation, MWCNTs were characterized using Raman spectroscopy during ball-milling procedure at different times to establish ideal fabrication conditions for their best quality. Electrostatic force microscopy was then used to look at the distribution and MWCNTs networks formation in the composite coatings. Atomic force and scanning electron microscopies were used to establish the topographical features and thicknesses of produced coatings, which varied with the content of MWCNTs. All composites as well as control pure polymer coatings proved to be biocompatible and exhibited a viability of >80% on two human cell lines: cancerous osteosarcoma (U2OS) and fibroblast (MSU-1.1) that varied by their tumorigenicity, irrespectively of the hydrophobicity of the coating. Both cell lines were further shown by scanning electron microscopy to remain in the typical morphological state with high proliferation and attachment to all formed composites. These results show the potential of formation of MWCNTs-polymer composites by facile preparation way (spin-coating) and their potential as coatings for 2D in vitro cell culture platforms. Unlabelled Image • Multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs)-polymer composite coatings are fabricated using facile spin-coating approach. • Ball-milling process strongly affects quality of MWCNTs. • The varied hydrophobicity of the MWCNTs-polymer does not affect cell viability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Magnetite nanoparticles (NPs) decorated with silver (magnetite/Ag) are intensively investigated due to their application in the biomedical field. We demonstrate that the increase of silver content on the surface of nanoparticles improves the adsorptivity of antibiotic rifampicin as well as antibacterial properties. The use of ginger extract allowed to improve the silver nucleation on the magnetite surface that resulted in an increase of silver content. Physicochemical and functional characterization of magnetite/Ag NPs was performed. Our results show that 5%–10% of silver content in magnetite/Ag NPs is already sufficient for antimicrobial properties against Streptococcus salivarius and Staphylococcus aureus. The rifampicin molecules on the magnetite/Ag NPs surface made the spectrum of antimicrobial activity wider. Cytotoxicity evaluation of the magnetite/Ag/rifampicin NPs showed no harmful action towards normal human fibroblasts, whereas the effect on human embryonic kidney cell viability was time and dose dependent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study on the association of paternally inherited proinsulin mutations with early onset of monogenic diabetes mutation identity effect in monogenic diabetes. For the study, researchers examined pairs of an affected child and parent with the same heterozygous proinsulin gene (INS) mutation. They found that 55 percent of the participants had inherited a mutated allele from their mother. They also found that 56 percent of the children were diagnosed with neonatal diabetes.