Anna Czarny

The paper presents results of the studies on porous composites obtained using lyophilization method based on the solutions of the following polymers: chitosan, sodium alginate and polylactide, as well as ZnO‐doped CaO–SiO₂–P₂O₅ bioglass. The researchers took the advantage of zinc ions demonstrating the bactericidal, immune‐stimulating, and tissue‐regenerating functions in the organism. The cytotoxicity of the composites was tested on L929 cells by means of the direct and the indirect contact method. The antibacterial properties were determined against the gram‐negative bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa and the gram‐positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus at 24, 48 hours, and 7 days. The study demonstrated that changes due to cytotoxicity effect of the composites depend on the type of polymer and on the duration of contact with cells. The composite with polylactide was found to be the least toxic for L929 cells. ZnO added to the chemical composition of bioglass ensured bactericidal effects. The antibacterial properties of the composites depended on the ZnO content, bioglass grain size, polymer type, and composite microstructure. The composites presented in this paper are innovative as biomaterials for filling bone cavities because they can be a matrix for cells and have an antibacterial effect while supporting the regeneration of damaged tissue.

In response to the demand for new implant materials characterized by high biocompatibility and bioresorption, two prototypes of fibrous nanocomposite implants for osseous tissue regeneration made of a newly developed blend of poly(l-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) and syntheticpoly([R,S]-3-hydroxybutyrate), PLGA/PHB, have been developed and fabricated. Afibre-forming copolymer of glycolide and l-lactide (PLGA) was obtained by a unique method of synthesis carried out in blocksusing Zr(AcAc)₄ as an initiator. The prototypes of the implants are composed of three layers of PLGA or PLGA/PHB, nonwoven fabrics with a pore structure designed to provide the best conditions for the cell proliferation. The bioactivity of the proposed implants has been imparted by introducing a hydroxyapatite material and IGF1, a growth factor. The developed prototypes of implants have been subjected to a set of in vitro and in vivobiocompatibility tests: in vitro cytotoxic effect, in vitro genotoxicity and systemic toxicity. Rabbitsshowed no signs of negative reactionafter implantation of the experimental implant prototypes.

In the ambient is more than 2,000 chemical substances, some of them are absorbed on the surface of the particulate matter and may causes many health problems. Air pollution is responsible for more than 3.2 million premature deaths which classifies it as a second place environmental risk factor. Especially dangerous for health are polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and their nitro- and amino derivatives which shows mutagenic and carcinogenic properties. Air pollutions were also classified by International Agency for Research on Cancer to group which carcinogenic properties on human were proved by available knowledge. Air pollutions, including particulate matter are one of the biggest problem in Polish cities. World Health Organization in report published in May 2016 set many of Polish cities on the top of the list most polluted in European Union. The article presents results of mutagenicity, genotoxicity and cytotoxicity researches conducted on a particulate matter fraction 2.5 μm collected during all year long in Wroclaw agglomeration. The material were collected on filters using high-flow air aspirator and extracted using dichloromethane. Additionally it was fractionated into 2 parts containing: all pollutants and only polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Dry residue of this fractions were dissolving in DMSO and tested using biological methods. Biological methods include mutagenicity properties which are investigated by Salmonella assay (Ames assay). Other biological method was comet assay and 4 parameter cytotoxicity test PAN-I assay. Results of the conducted experiments shows differences in mutagenic, genotoxic and cytotoxic properties between seasons of collection and between volume of dust pollutions fractions. The worst properties shows particles collected in autumn and winter season and this containing only polycyclic aromatics hydrocarbons. Results showed also some correlations in results obtained during different methods and properties.

Research is still being conducted in order to determine the mechanisms responsible for the initiation of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) as well as for its persistence and progression. The aim of this work was to establish the expression of the signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) transcription factors and the nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NFκB) transcription factor in peripheral blood leukocytes and synovial fluid cells. The correlations between the activation level of the transcription factors and the activity of the disease were also analyzed. In total, the study included 34 RA patients and 19 healthy individuals as controls. The expression of NFκB, STAT1, STAT3, STAT4, STAT5 and STAT6 in peripheral blood leukocytes and synovial fluid cells was established. The immunocytochemistry method was used to determine the degree of activation of STAT and NF-κB transcription factors. For the location of the factors, primary polyclonal anti-STATs and monoclonal anti-NF-κB antibodies were used. The expression of STAT1, STAT3, STAT4, STAT5, STAT6 and NFκB was significantly higher in the group of RA patients than in the controls. No statistically significant differences were found between the expression of STATs in peripheral blood leukocytes and synovial fluid cells. In comparison with the control group, the expression of the STAT and NFκB transcription factors in RA patients was higher, which may be helpful in better understanding the etiopathogenesis of the disease in the future, and may potentially have important therapeutic implications.

A series of esters of 4-acetyl, 4-trifluoroacetyl- and 4-(3-chloropropionyl)aminobenzenethiosulfoacids (twenty-four compounds) were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, ¹H NMR and IR spectroscopy. The antibacterial activity of the novel candidates has been screened using the agar diffusion or serial dilution methods against representative Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus mesentericus, Mycobacterium sp., Mycobacterium luteum), Gram-negative (Aeromonas sp., Burkholderia cepacia, Alcaligenes faecalis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Proteus vulgaris) bacteria and fungi (Candida albicans, Candida tenuis, Candida glabrata, Verticillium dahliae, Trichophyton gypseum, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus fumigatus, Penicillium chrysogenum). Particular potency has been discovered against all tested pathogenic bacteria and fungi by compounds 1l and 3l at nanomolar concentrations. Some appropriate effect of thiosulfoesters structure upon their antimicrobial activity was determined.

The etiology of axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) is not fully elucidated. Research continues in determining the mechanisms responsible for initiation of the disease process, its maintenance and development. The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of transcription factors STAT (signal transducer and activator of transcription) and NF-κB (nuclear factor kappa B) as well as Janus kinase3 (JAK3) in the peripheral blood leukocytes. We also analyzed the connection between the degree of activation of transcription factors and the disease activity. The study involved 46 patients with axSpA and 19 healthy individuals who comprised the control group. The expression of NF-κB, STAT1, STAT3, STAT4, STAT5, STAT6, and JAK3 in peripheral blood leukocytes was assessed. To determine the degree of activation of transcription factors STAT-s and NF-κB and JAK3 kinase, the immunocytochemistry method was used. For location of the factors, the primary monoclonal anti-NF-κB, anti-JAK3 and polyclonal anti-STAT-s antibodies were used (Chemicon International, USA, Abcam, Cambridge, UK), and the set of antibodies Novocastain Super ABC Kit (Novocastra, UK). Expression of STAT1, STAT3, STAT4, STAT5, STAT6, NF-κB and JAK3 was statistically higher in the group of patients with axSpA than in the control group. There was a positive correlation with ESR values and expression of STAT4. There was no correlation between STAT, NF-κB, and JAK3 expression and ASDAS, BASDAI, and BASFI. Nine patients were treated with TNF-α inhibitors. The expression of NF-κB and STAT6 was higher in the group treated with TNF-α inhibitors, even though disease activity in these patients was shown to be lower than in those not receiving such treatment (ASDAS = 1.34±0.51 vs. 3.52±0.90, BASDAI = 2.34±1.92 vs. 5.51±2.41). In the group of patients with axSpA compared with the control group, higher expression of the transcription factors STAT and NF-κB as well as JAK3 was observed. Due to its crucial roles in inflammation and autoimmunity, STAT4 may have promise as an effective therapeutic target for axSpA.