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A new bioactive compound, Mn3+-saturated bovine lactoferrin (Mn2-bLf) was obtained. It was stable under physiological conditions (pH ≈ 7.5) although gradually releases Mn2+ ions under the simulated intestinal conditions (pH ≈ 6.5). This feature might be utilized for controlled delivery of Mn2+ ions to biological targets, among others to the probiotic strains of lactic acid bacteria whose growth is manganese-dependent. The Mn3+ modified bLf stimulates the growth of standard Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus rhamnosus, as well as the strains isolated from commercially available probiotic preparations, while the naturally occurring Fe-free and Fe-saturated forms of this protein are inactive. The uptake of manganese by Lactobacilli from Mn2-bLf added to culture supernatant was confirmed. Mn2-bLf was non-cytotoxic for Caco-2, CT-26 and HT-29 intestinal epithelial cells even up to 10 mg/ml concentration. Mn2-bLf due to stimulation of the growth of Lactobacilli and lack of toxicity, can be considered as an innovative ingredient of the prebiotic composition.

This article focuses on the versatile ways in which hydrogen peroxide can be activated by metal ions and metal compounds, in terms of possible biomedical and environmental applications and future incentives in these areas. Mechanistic studies performed in our group are discussed in reference to related studies reported in the literature. It covers various thermal activation pathways, including Fenton and Fenton-like reactions, the application of iron, manganese and other metals complexes, as well as metalloenzymes. Furthermore, light-induced generation, activation and utilization of hydrogen peroxide are presented for the photo-Fenton reactions, the application of macrocyclic photosensitizers and the use of semiconductors such as TiO2 as heterogeneous photosensitizers. Mechanistic aspects of several thermal and photochemical pathways in metal-assisted hydrogen peroxide applications for biomedical or environmental purposes are discussed, and some obstacles to be overcome are highlighted.

Liverpool Care of Dying Pathway (LCP) is a protocol that standardizes the quality of care for dying patients and their families as well as helping to discontinue inappropriate medical interventions, particularly in hospitals and hospices. Developed in the UK, it was originally designed for cancer patients, but was quickly adapted for other groups of patients. LCP is designed to provide high quality medical, psychological and spiritual care to the dying patient. It is one of several such protocols commonly used throughout the world. This article presents a description of the pathway, its origin and use as well as the proposal to include it in the Polish standards.