HLA-A, -B, -C, -DRB1 and -DQB1 allele and haplotype frequencies in the Serbian population

This study provides the first published detailed analysis of five loci polymorphisms as well as reports of two, three and five loci haplotype frequencies in the Serbian population in a sample of 1992 volunteer bone marrow donors recruited from different part of the country. Typing was performed by PCR SSO method combined with PCR SSP techniques to resolve ambiguities. In total, 16 HLA-A, 28 HLA-B, 14 HLA-C, 13 HLA-DRB1 and 5 HLA-DQB1 allelic groups were identified. The most frequent in allele groups are HLA-A^∗02 (29.5%), HLA-A^∗01 (14.2%), HLA-B^∗35 (13.1%), HLA-B^∗51 (12.8%), HLA-C^∗07 (24.8%), HLA-DRB1^∗11 (16.9%), HLA-DRB1^∗13 (13.2%), HLA-DQB1^∗03 (33.3%) and DQB1^∗05 (33.0%). The most frequent three- and five-loci haplotypes were A^∗01-B^∗08-DRB1^∗03 (5.9%) and A^∗02-B^∗18-DRB1^∗11 (1.9%), A^∗01-B^∗08-C^∗07-DRB1^∗03-DQB1^∗02 (6.6%) followed by A^∗02-B^∗18-C^∗07-DRB1^∗11-DQB1^∗03 (2.5%), then A^∗33-B^∗14-C^∗08-DRB1^∗01-DQB1^∗05 and A^∗02-B^∗35-C^∗04-DRB1^∗16-DQB1^∗05 (2.2% both), respectively. The results of cluster analysis showed that the Serbian population is closely related to the populations living in central Balkan and neighboring European regions. The level of allelic diversity found in this study are relevant to facilitate searching for unrelated matched donor and provide a healthy control population from our region that should be useful in the future disease association study.     

The influence of the sacrificial agent nature on transformations of the Zn(OH)2/Cd0.3Zn0.7S photocatalyst during hydrogen production under visible light

Photocatalysts based on zinc hydroxide and a solid solution of CdS and ZnS were prepared via the precipitation method and used for photocatalytic hydrogen production from aqueous solutions of inorganic (Na₂S/Na₂SO₃) and organic (ethanol) sacrificial agents. The photocatalysts were tested in cyclic experiments for hydrogen evolution and studied using X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) techniques. Different transformations of the β-Zn(OH)₂ co-catalyst were observed in the presence of inorganic and organic sacrificial agents; namely, ZnS was formed in Na₂S/Na₂SO₃ solution, whereas the formation of ε-Zn(OH)₂ was detected in solution with ethanol. The composite Zn(OH)₂/Cd_1−xZn_xS photocatalysts have great potential in various photocatalysis processes (e.g., hydrogen production, CO₂ reduction, and the oxidation of organic contaminants) under visible light.

The nature of the sacrificial agent affects the transformations of a Zn(OH)₂ co-catalyst during photocatalytic hydrogen production.     

In vivo toxicity evaluation of two polyoxotungstates with potential antidiabetic activity using Wistar rats as a model system

In this study, the in vivo hypoglycemic effect of a donut-shaped polyanion salt (NH₄)₁₄[Na@P₅W₃₀O₁₁₀]·31H₂O {NaP₅W₃₀} and its Ag-containing derivative K₁₄[Ag@P₅W₃₀O₁₁₀]·22H₂O·6KCl {AgP₅W₃₀}, as well as their hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity, was evaluated. In the screening hypoglycemic study, Wistar albino rats with streptozotocin induced diabetes were treated intraperitoneally with three single doses (5, 10, and 20 mg per kg per b.w.) of both investigated polyoxotungstates. The blood glucose levels, measured before and after 2, 4 and 6 h polyoxotungstate application, showed that both studied compounds induced the most pronounced and time dependent glucose lowering effects at the doses of 20 mg kg⁻¹. Thus, daily doses of 20 mg kg⁻¹ were administered to Wistar albino rats orally for 14 days in further toxicity examinations. The serum glucose concentration and biochemical parameters of kidney and liver function, as well as a histopathological analysis of kidney and liver tissues were evaluated 14 days after the polyoxotungstate administration. Both investigated compounds did not induce statistically significant alterations of the serum glucose and uric acid concentrations, as well as some of the liver function markers (serum alanine and aspartate aminotransferases, and alkaline phosphatase activities). However, the significant decrease in serum total protein and albumin concentrations and the increase in biochemical parameters of renal function – serum urea (up to 63.1%) and creatinine concentrations (up to 23.3%) were observed for both polyoxotungstates. In addition, the detected biochemical changes were in accordance with kidney and liver histhopathological analysis. Accordingly, the hepatotoxic and nephrotoxic effects of these potential antidiabetic polyoxotungstates could be considered as mild.

Study of the in vivo hypoglycemic effect, hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity of a donut-shaped polyanion salt (NH₄)₁₄[Na@P₅W₃₀O₁₁₀]·31H₂O {NaP₅W₃₀} and its Ag-containing derivative K₁₄[Ag@P₅W₃₀O₁₁₀]·22H₂O·6KCl {AgP₅W₃₀}.     

Photodynamic therapy of tumours with hexadecafluoro zinc phthalocyanine formulated in PEG-coated poly(lactic acid) nanoparticles

Hexadecafluoro zinc phthalocyanine (ZnPcF₁₆), a second-generation sensitizer for the photodynamic therapy (PDT) of cancer, was formulated in polyethylene-glycol-coated poly(lactic acid) nanoparticles (PEG-coated PLA-NP) and tested in EMT-6 tumour-bearing mice for its photodynamic activity. The tumour response was compared to that induced by the same dye formulated as a Cremophor EL (CRM) emulsion. Formulation in the biodegradable NP improved PDT response of the tumour while providing prolonged tumour sensitivity towards PDT. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Combining an Intensive Green Roof with Seismic Retrofitting of Typical Reinforced Concrete Buildings in Israel

This study suggests an intensive green roof as part of a sustainable and hazard-resistant conceptual design for the retrofitting of old buildings in Israel. The roof is suggested to be built with waste-based materials. A five-story reinforced concrete residential building was retrofitted with: Case 1: concrete wall strengthening (CWS)-conventional concrete + conventional green roof; Case 2: CWS-waste-included concrete + waste-based green roof; Case 3: seismic isolation columns (SIC)-conventional concrete + conventional green roof; and Case 4: SIC-waste-included concrete + waste-based green roof. Palekastro, Nuweiba, Tabas, and Erzincan ground motions were used for a structural dynamic time-history analysis of the retrofitted buildings. Life cycle assessments of cases 1–4 were performed using ReCiPe 2016 midpoint and endpoint evaluations. A two-stage analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to analyze the ReCiPe endpoint results. According to the seismic results, Case 3 and Case 4 were much more preferable to Case 1 and Case 2, whereas according to the environmental evaluations, Case 4 was the most preferable to the other cases.     

Poikilodermatous mycosis fungoides with CD30‐positive large cell transformation successfully treated by brentuximab vedotin

We present a patient with a 33‐year history of poikilodermatous mycosis fungoides (MF) who subsequently developed CD30‐positive large cell transformation. After 6 years of conventional MF treatment, side effects of therapy and/or concomitant diseases prevented the previously applied treatment modalities. The CD30‐directed antibody‐cytotoxic drug conjugate (brentuximab vedotin) was introduced and followed by quick and excellent therapeutic response.     

Biperiden and mepazine effectively inhibit MALT1 activity and tumor growth in pancreatic cancer

MALT1 is a key mediator of NF-κB signaling and a main driver of B-cell lymphomas. Remarkably, MALT1 is expressed in the majority of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas (PDACs) as well, but absent from normal exocrine pancreatic tissue. Following, MALT1 shows off to be a specific target in cancer cells of PDAC without affecting regular pancreatic cells. Therefore, we studied the impact of pharmacological MALT1 inhibition in pancreatic cancer and showed promising effects on tumor progression. Mepazine (Mep), a phenothiazine derivative, is a known potent MALT1 inhibitor. Newly, we described that biperiden (Bip) is a potent MALT1 inhibitor with even less pharmacological side effects. Thus, Bip is a promising drug leading to reduced proliferation and increased apoptosis in PDAC cells in vitro and in vivo. By compromising MALT1 activity, nuclear translocation of c-Rel is prevented. c-Rel is critical for NF-κB-dependent inhibition of apoptosis. Hence, off-label use of Bip or Mep represents a promising new therapeutic approach to PDAC treatment. Regularly, the Anticholinergicum Bip is used to treat neurological side effects of Phenothiazines, like extrapyramidal symptoms.