Daily short exposure of cultured mesothelial cells to lactated, high-glucose, low-pH peritoneal dialysis fluid induces a low-profile regenerative steady state

This study was designed to evaluate cytotoxic effects and influenceupon cell growth of cultured mesothelial cells exposed to modified4.25% Dianeal dialysate fluid (M-199 in Dianeal solution, glucose4.25 g, pH 5.2) (Expr. group), 60 min a day for a total periodof follow-up of 13 consecutive days, compared with that observedin a control group (C). Beginning on day 7, the cell counts in group C were significantlyhigher than those observed at zero time (P<0.05). Cell countsin the experimental group showed no significant differencesbetween the first day of culture and each one of the 13 consecutivedays of follow-up. Thymidine incorporation into DNA observed on the first day inC, was significantly higher (P<0.01) beginning on the 10thday. Values observed in the experimental group were low duringthe whole period of follow-up. LDH mean values at each timeinterval, were significantly higher (P<0.01 and <0.001)for cells exposed to the dialysis solution. Repeated exposure of the mesothelium to 40 mMol/l lactate andhigh glucose concentrations induced severe cell injury and death,decreased cell growth and, consequently, a reduced rate of regenerationwhich is extended as long as the repeated exposure is maintained.     

The effect of biologically active substances from the spleen on the content of somatotropic hormone in the rat hypophysis

The influence of splenin, a "splenic protein-free extract", and splenectomy on the somatotropic hormone content in the rat pituitary were investigated. It was established that the concentration of this pituitary hormone was only decreased after "protein-free extract" administration. It was suggested that the detected effect was due to peptides incorporated in the preparation composition.     

SARS-CoV-2 will continue to circulate in the human population: an opinion from the point of view of the virus-host relationship

Inflammation Research - At the population level, the virus-host relationship is not set up to end with the complete elimination of either or both. Pathogen-resistant individuals will always remain...     

Development of Hydrogen Storage Tank Systems Based on Complex Metal Hydrides

This review describes recent research in the development of tank systems based on complex metal hydrides for thermolysis and hydrolysis. Commercial applications using complex metal hydrides are limited, especially for thermolysis-based systems where so far only demonstration projects have been performed. Hydrolysis-based systems find their way in space, naval, military and defense applications due to their compatibility with proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells. Tank design, modeling, and development for thermolysis and hydrolysis systems as well as commercial applications of hydrolysis systems are described in more detail in this review. For thermolysis, mostly sodium aluminum hydride containing tanks were developed, and only a few examples with nitrides, ammonia borane and alane. For hydrolysis, sodium borohydride was the preferred material whereas ammonia borane found less popularity. Recycling of the sodium borohydride spent fuel remains an important part for their commercial viability.     

Heart rate variability is related to disease activity and smoking in rheumatoid arthritis patients

We investigated the heart rate variability (HRV) parameters in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and assessed their relationship with disease characteristics. Twenty-three female patients with RA [age 48+/-7 (mean+/-SD) years] free of cardiovascular diseases and 23 age- and gender-matched healthy controls were evaluated. After careful clinical examination, the following parameters were obtained after 24-h Holter recordings: average of all normal-to normal (NN) intervals over the entire 24-h ECG recording (meanNN, ms); the standard deviation for the time between NN complexes (SDNN, ms); the standard deviation of the average NN intervals for each 5-min period (SDANN, ms) and the square root of the mean-squared differences of successive NN intervals (rMSSD, ms). We also assessed quantitative parameters of the Poincaré plot: the standard deviation of the points perpendicular to the line-of-identity (SD1, ms); the standard deviation along the line-of-identity (SD2, ms) and their ratio (SD12). HRV parameters excluding SD2 were significantly lower in patients with RA, than in control group (p<0.05). Significant correlations of SDNN and SDANN with swollen joints count, Ritchie articular index, disease activity score (DAS) and disease duration were found. SDNN also correlated with leucocyte count and smoking. SD1 significantly correlated only with disease duration. Relationships between SDNN and smoking, swollen joints count and DAS were confirmed using multivariate analysis. Our data indicate that in patients with RA reduced HRV is independently associated with high disease activity and smoking. HRV assessment may be useful as a part of cardiovascular risk stratification in RA patients.     

Hepcidin knockout mice spontaneously develop chronic pancreatitis owing to cytoplasmic iron overload in acinar cells

Iron is both an essential and a potentially toxic element, and its systemic homeostasis is controlled by the iron hormone hepcidin. Hepcidin binds to the cellular iron exporter ferroportin, causes its degradation, and thereby diminishes iron uptake from the intestine and the release of iron from macrophages. Given that hepcidin‐resistant ferroportin mutant mice show exocrine pancreas dysfunction, we analysed pancreata of aging hepcidin knockout (KO) mice. Hepcidin and Hfe KO mice were compared with wild‐type (WT) mice kept on standard or iron‐rich diets. Twelve‐month‐old hepcidin KO mice were subjected to daily minihepcidin PR73 treatment for 1 week. Six‐month‐old hepcidin KO mice showed cytoplasmic acinar iron overload and mild pancreatitis, together with elevated expression of the iron uptake mediators DMT1 and Zip14. Acinar atrophy, massive macrophage infiltration, fatty changes and pancreas fibrosis were noted in 1‐year‐old hepcidin KO mice. As an underlying mechanism, 6‐month‐old hepcidin KO mice showed increased pancreatic oxidative stress, with elevated DNA damage, apoptosis and activated nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB) signalling. Neither iron overload nor pancreatic damage was observed in WT mice fed iron‐rich diet or in Hfe KO mice. Minihepcidin application to hepcidin KO mice led to an improvement in general health status and to iron redistribution from acinar cells to macrophages. It also resulted in decreased NF‐κB activation and reduced DNA damage. In conclusion, loss of hepcidin signalling in mice leads to iron overload‐induced chronic pancreatitis that is not seen in situations with less severe iron accumulation. The observed tissue injury can be reversed by hepcidin supplementation. Copyright © 2016 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Glutathione-S-transferases genes-promising predictors of hepatic dysfunction

One of the most commonly known genes involved in chronic diffuse liver diseases pathogenesis are genes that encodes the synthesis of glutathione-Stransferase(GST), known as the second phase enzyme detoxification system that protects against endogenous oxidative stress and exogenous toxins, through catalisation of glutathione sulfuric groups conjugation and decontamination of lipid and deoxyribonucleic acid oxidation products. The group of GST enzymes consists of cytosolic, mitochondrial and microsomal fractions. Recently, eight classes of soluble cytoplasmic isoforms of GST enzymes are widely known: α-, ζ-, θ-, κ-, μ-, π-, σ-, and ω-. The GSTs gene family in the Human Gene Nomenclature Committee, online database recorded over 20 functional genes. The level of GSTs expression is considered to be a crucial factor in determining the sensitivity of cells to a broad spectrum of toxins. Nevertheless, human GSTs genes have multiple and frequent polymorphisms that include the complete absence of the GSTM1 or the GSTT1 gene. Current review supports the position that genetic polymorphism of GST genes is involved in the pathogenesis of various liver diseases, particularly non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, hepatitis and liver cirrhosis of different etiology and hepatocellular carcinoma. Certain GST allelic variants were proven to be associated with susceptibility to hepatological pathology, andcorrelations with the natural course of the diseases were subsequently postulated.