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The primary function of intracellular heat shock proteins (HSPs) is to protect the cell by suppressing the effects of various stress factors by either refolding misfolded proteins or blocking apoptosis. After neoplastic transformation, cells overexpress HSPs, which act as factors promoting the neoplastic process by stabilizing proteins responsible for carcinogenesis, however, HSPs can be released into the extracellular environment where they act as important modulators of the immune response. In a tumor microenvironment, extracellular HSPs are able to induce a pro- or anti-neoplastic response, using various mechanisms of affecting immune cells, The study of the role of extracellular HSPs in immunomodulation processes is a very important direction in the search for new methods of cancer treatment. This review summarizes reports on the use of HSPs in immunotherapeutic cancer strategies, in particular in cancer vaccine design.

Contamination of water environments with herbicides is a common problem nowadays. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the effects of Roundup on common carp ( Cyprinus carpio) after 1, 3 and 10 days of exposure. The used concentrations corresponded to 1 and 5 mg/l of the active ingredient (glyphosate potassium salt). The haematological analysis performed showed a decrease of the RBC count, as well as an increase of the other erythrocyte indices (Hb, MCV, MCH, MCHC). Most of these changes were dependent on the concentration and time. An increase of the WBC count and the percentage of immature neutrophils occurred, thus indicating the presence of inflammation. In the studied blood biochemical parameters, only minor and temporary changes were observed. The histopathological analysis revealed no alterations in the gills, liver and kidney. Thus, the results of the present study suggest that the haematological parameters are more sensitive and reliable markers of the common carp's exposure to Roundup than the other parameters that were tested.

There are many scientific reports on the interaction of the SARS-CoV-2 virus S protein (and its RBD) with the human ACE2 receptor protein. However, there are no reliable data on how this interaction differs from the interaction of the receptor binding domain of SARS-CoV-1 with ACE2, in terms of binding strength and changes in reaction enthalpy and entropy. Our studies have revealed these differences as well as the impact of zinc ions on this interaction. Intriguingly, the binding affinity of both RBDs (of SARS-CoV-1 and of SARS-CoV-2) to the ACE2 receptor protein is almost identical; however, there are some differences in the entropic and enthalpic contributions to these interactions.

Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are chaperones with highly conservative primary structure, necessary in the processes of protein folding to the most energetically advantageous conformation and maintaining their stability. HSPs perform a number of important functions in various cellular processes and are capable of modulating pathophysiological conditions at the cellular and systemic levels. An example is the high level of HSP expression in neoplastic tissues, which disrupts the apoptosis of transformed cells and promotes the processes of proliferation, invasion, and metastasis. In addition, an increasing amount of information is appearing about the participation of HSPs in the formation of multidrug resistance. This paper provides a review of the current state of research on the fundamental importance as well as the diagnostic and prognostic role of various classes of HSP in cancer treatment. It presents the prospects for using HSPs as biological markers of disease progression and targets in various cancer treatment strategies. However, the need for additional research is quite high. Only numerous joint efforts of research groups will allow the effective use of HSPs as a tool to combat cancer.

There are two barriers in the central nervous system (CNS) responsible for maintaining the homeostatic balance of the human body’s internal environment in relation to external conditions: the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier (BCSFB). The blood-brain barrier is a physical barrier with a fixed location between the blood and the nervous tissue. Its basic structural elements include endothelial cells of the brain capillaries, astrocytes and pericytes. The blood-brain barrier is the barrier between the blood and neurons which isolates the central nervous system from the rest of the body in a unique manner. The blood-brain barrier is formed by astrocytes and pericytes in addition to the endothelium. Endothelial cells are tightly connected to each other by tight junctions. These connections are composed of a protein complex, which includes claudins, occludins and tricellulines. The dominant protein in the blood-brain barrier is Claudin-5. Physiologically, this barrier is a transport centre for many molecules between the central nervous system and blood. Active transport takes place mainly with the help of specific transport mechanisms. Disorders of the blood-brain barrier have an impact on many diseases of the central nervous system, indicating negative effects of the destruction of the blood-brain barrier on the functioning of the brain. At the same time, the barrier is an obstacle for protein-derived chemotherapeutic agents, which prevents the effective treatment of many brain tumours. Currently, there is much research into methods of controlling the permeability of this barrier. The bibliometric on BBB and BCSFB the period 2011-2021 was utilized in the study. A literature review was carried out searching through the PubMed, SCOPUS and Google scholar. The criterion of thematic classification was implemented to carry out an analysis of bibliographic data.

The purpose of this study was to assess the activity of Bacillus subtilis BS-2 and peppermint oil against Botrytis cinerea. In this study parameters such as the age and the density of the bacterial culture and the incubation temperature were taken into consideration. Furthermore, the cellulolytic activity of the bacterium was determined. The effect of peppermint oil was evaluated at a concentration range of 0.5-4.0 %. The research was conducted with a dual culture plate method. The influence of B. subtilis BS-2 and peppermint oil on the growth of B. cinerea was evaluated based on the growth rate index. It was noted that the bacterial culture occurred at an initial density of OD 560 = 1.0, cultivated at 30 °C for 48 hours demonstrated the strongest antagonistic effect (57.07 % inhibition). Furthermore, it was observed that the highest cellulolytic activity occurred on the bacteria incubated for 48 hours at 37 °C. The effect of mint oil, at the lowest concentration of 0.5-1.0 %, was much weaker on bacterial activity (1.1-12.1 % inhibition). The highest concentration (4.0 %) of mint oil caused the maximum inhibition (31.9 %) of the mycelial growth. B. subtilis BS-2 may be environmental-friendly alternatives for protecting plants against B. cinerea

Throughout the lifetime of humans, the amount of stem cells and the rate of cell proliferation continue to decrease. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are one among the many factors that promote stem cell aging. Both a decrease in the level of stem cells and increase in ROS production can lead to the development of different neurodegenerative diseases. This study was conducted to determine how the VGVAPG peptide, liberated from elastin during the aging process and under pathological conditions, affects ROS production and activities of antioxidant enzymes in undifferentiated, proliferating SH-SY5Y cells. SH-SY5Y cells were maintained in Dulbecco’s modified Eagle’s medium/nutrient mixture F-12 supplemented with 10% heat-inactivated fetal bovine serum (FBS). After treating the SH-SY5Y cells with VGVAPG peptide, we measured ROS production; cell metabolism, proliferation, and expression; and activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and catalase (CAT). We demonstrated that the VGVAPG peptide increases GPx expression and activity, whereas it decreases CAT expression in SH-SY5Y cells. Silencing of the GLB1 gene prevents changes in GPx activity. Despite the fact that the VGVAPG peptide increases GPx expression, it increases the ROS level. Moreover, the VGVAPG peptide decreases SH-SY5Y proliferation, which is prevented by the ROS scavenger N-acetyl-L-cysteine. Our data suggest that ROS production and decreased proliferation of SH-SY5Y cells are the results of excitotoxicity meditated through close unrecognized molecular pathways. More research is needed to elucidate the unknown mechanism of action of VGVAPG peptide in the nervous system.

As a heavy metal, cadmium has strongly toxic effects on plants and can induce oxidative stress. It is absorbed by the roots and transported to the stems and leaves. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of various concentrations of cadmium on the metabolic activity of Beta vulgaris and assess the dependence of these processes on the content of metal in the plants. To demonstrate the effect of cadmium on metabolism, protein and photosynthetic pigment content, lipid peroxidation, and the activity of enzymes specific for oxidative stress in roots and shoots were measured. Seeds of B. vulgaris were treated with different concentrations of Cd supplied via a CdCl2 solution: 0 (control), 200, 300 and 400 mg/dm3. Results of the present study revealed increased GPOX activity as cadmium concentration rose, while SOD activity was stimulated by a low Cd concentration (200 mg/dm3) and reduced by high levels of Cd. Based on the present findings, it can be concluded that GPOX in B. vulgaris played a more important role in ROS scavenging than SOD did and was able to reduce the level of lipid peroxidation in plants. Cadmium, in the concentration range used, did not show any significant effect on protein or photosynthetic pigment content.

Normal oxygen metabolism is an endogenous source of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The source of ROS are also many environmental factors including heavy metals. In certain concentration range, the presence of ROS is necessary to maintain proper cell function. Thus, cells have many mechanisms, which role is focused on maintaining a constant concentration of ROS. Imbalance between the formation of ROS and action of a protective antioxidant system leads to oxidative stress. This may results with a damage to the structure of proteins, lipids and nucleic acids, which in turn can lead to disturbances in the functioning of the cell and even to the death. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of copper ions on the metabolic activity of garden cress Lepidium sativum L. The action of copper ions with different concentrations was treated seeds. After four, six and eight days after planting in the leaves of garden cress were determined the specific activity of guaiacol peroxidase (GPOX), lipid peroxidation and protein content. Additionally intake of copper ions was determined using adsorption spectrometry technique. The results revealed that the applied doses of copper ions affected the activity of guaiacol peroxidase. The highest enzyme activity was found in plant material, which was treated with dose of copper ions 1000 mg/dm3 regardless of day. In the same samples the lowest level of lipid peroxidation was found. The highest concentrations of total proteins was found in samples treated with the highest dose of copper ions. The copper content in the tested plant material is correlated with the applied dose of copper ions. Our results indicate reliable correlations between copper content and values of oxidative stress biomarkers in plant tissues.