MicroRNA-181a binds to the 3' untranslated region of messenger RNA (mRNA) for renin, a rate-limiting enzyme of the renin-angiotensin system. Our objective was to determine whether this molecular interaction translates into a clinically meaningful effect on blood pressure and whether circulating miR-181a is a measurable proxy of blood pressure. In 200 human kidneys from the TRANScriptome of renaL humAn TissuE (TRANSLATE) study, renal miR-181a was the sole negative predictor of renin mRNA and a strong correlate of circulating miR-181a. Elevated miR-181a levels correlated positively with systolic and diastolic blood pressure in TRANSLATE, and this association was independent of circulating renin. The association between serum miR-181a and systolic blood pressure was replicated in 199 subjects from the Genetic Regulation of Arterial Pressure of Humans In the Community (GRAPHIC) study. Renal immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization showed that colocalization of miR-181a and renin was most prominent in collecting ducts where renin is not released into the systemic circulation. Analysis of 69 human kidneys characterized by RNA sequencing revealed that miR-181a was associated with downregulation of four mitochondrial pathways and upregulation of 41 signaling cascades of adaptive immunity and inflammation. We conclude that renal miR-181a has pleiotropic effects on pathways relevant to blood pressure regulation and that circulating levels of miR-181a are both a measurable proxy of renal miR-181a expression and a novel biochemical correlate of blood pressure. Online address: http://www.molmed.org doi: 10.2119/molmed.2015.00096 Address correspondence to Maciej Tomaszewski, Institute of CardiovascularSciences, AV Hill Building, Dover Street, Manchester, M13 9PT, United Kingdom. Phone: +44-(0)116-275-0232; E-mail: maciej.tomaszewski@manchester.ac.uk. Submitted April 29, 2015; Accepted for publication August 17, 2015; Published Online (www.molmed.org ) August 24, 2015 m i R -1 8 1 a , T H E K I D N E Y A N D B L O O D P R E S S U R E7 4 0 | M a r q u E s E T a L . | M O L M E D 2 1 : 7 3 9 -7 4 8 , 2 0 1 5

It has been postulated that fatty acids found in edible oils may exert beneficial health effects by the modulation of signaling pathways regulating cell differentiation and proliferation, especially in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. In the present study, the biological effects of selected edible oils-linseed (LO) and rapeseed (RO) oils-were tested in vitro on fibroblast cells. The fatty acid profile of the oils was determined using gas chromatography and FTIR spectroscopy. LO was found to be rich in α-linolenic acid (ALA), whereas oleic acid was the most abundant species in RO. Fatty acids were taken up by the cells and promoted cell proliferation. No oxidative stress-mediated cytotoxic or genotoxic effects were observed after oil stimulation. Oils ameliorated the process of wound healing as judged by improved migration of fibroblasts to the wounding area. As ALA-rich LO exhibited the most potent wound healing activity, ALA may be considered a candidate for promoting the observed effect.

The Lemon Frost is a new colour morph of the leopard gecko, which emerged in ca. 2015 as a result of selective breeding and spontaneous mutation. According to multiple breeders observation of Lemon frost inbreeding with wild-type leopard geckos, Lemon frost seems to be a codominant trait. Additionally breeders observed another, presumably associated trait-tumour-like skin lesions. three private-owned Lemon frost morph leopard geckos with tumour-like skin lesions were admitted to our clinic for examination, which included histopathology, X-ray and ultrasonography. the histopathological investigation of the biopsies indicated malignant iridophoroma; however, no changes were observed in diagnostic imaging. This research is the first report of clinical and histopathological findings of iridophoroma in leopard geckos.

Oak acorns used to be an important human food, up until recent times. The major factor inhibiting their use in modern nutrition is their high tannin content. Polish oak trees were screened in order to find out whether there are any major geographical or interspecific differences in tannin and total phenolic contents in acorns, which might help us to establish further directions in the search for low-tannin individuals. We studied the level of phenolic compounds using the standard Polish and European Pharmacopoeia method, with Folin-Ciocalteu reagent and hide powder. Altogether 49 acorn samples of Quercus robur, 13 of Q. petraea, 1 of Q. pubescens (all native) and 12 of Q. rubra (introduced) were collected in different regions of Poland. The amount of investigated phenolics in Q. robur and Q. petraea acorns was similar, and tannins constituted the main component. The Q. pubescens sample was distinguished by the lowest tannin and total phenolic content and a relatively high amount of non-tannin phenolics. Q. rubra had a slightly lower tannin content than Q. robur and Q. petraea acorns, but the level of other phenolics was much higher. The results for Q. robur suggest geographical variability of phenolic content as well as a relationship between the phytochemical and biometric parameters of oak acorns.

Microalgae are freshwater and marine unicellular photosynthetic organisms that utilize sunlight to produce biomass. Due to fast microalgal growth rate and their unique biochemical profiles and potential applications in food and renewable energy industries, the interest in microalgal research is rapidly increasing. Biochemical and genetic engineering have been considered to improve microalgal biomass production but these manipulations also limited microalgal growth. The aim of the study was the biochemical characterization of recently identified microalgal strain Planktochlorella nurekis with elevated cell size and DNA levels compared to wild type strain that was achieved by a safe non-vector approach, namely co-treatment with colchicine and cytochalasin B (CC). A slight increase in growth rate was observed in twelve clones of CC-treated cells. For biochemical profiling, several parameters were considered, namely the content of proteins, amino acids, lipids, fatty acids, β-glucans, chlorophylls, carotenoids, B vitamins and ash. CC-treated cells were characterized by elevated levels of lipids compared to unmodified cells. Moreover, the ratio of carotenoids to chlorophyll a and total antioxidant capacity were slightly increased in CC-treated cells. We suggest that Planktochlorella nurekis with modified DNA levels and improved lipid content can be considered to be used as a dietary supplement and biofuel feedstock.

Isoindoline-1,3-dione derivatives constitute an important group of medicinal substances. In this study, nine new 1H-isoindole-1,3(2H)-dione derivatives and five potential pharmacophores were obtained in good yield (47.24–92.91%). The structure of the new imides was confirmed by the methods of elemental and spectral analysis: FT–IR, H NMR, and MS. Based on the obtained results of ESI–MS the probable path of the molecules decay and the hypothetical structure of the resulting pseudo-molecular ions have been proposed. The physicochemical properties of the new phthalimides were determined on the basis of Lipiński’s rule. The biological properties were determined in terms of their cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitory activity. Three compounds showed greater inhibition of COX-2, three compounds inhibited COX-1 more strongly than the reference compound meloxicam. From the obtained results, the affinity ratio COX-2/COX-1 was calculated. Two compounds had a value greater than that of meloxicam. All tested compounds showed oxidative or nitrosan stress (ROS and RNS) scavenging activity. The degree of chromatin relaxation outside the cell nucleus was lower than the control after incubation with all test compounds. The newly synthesized phthalimide derivatives showed no cytotoxic activity in the concentration range studied (10–90 µM). A molecular docking study was used to determined interactions inside the active site of cyclooxygenases.

As microalgae are producers of proteins, lipids, polysaccharides, pigments, vitamins and unique secondary metabolites, microalgal biotechnology has gained attention in recent decades. Microalgae can be used for biomass production and to obtain biotechnologically important products. Here, we present the application of a method of producing a natural, biologically active composite obtained from unicellular microalgae of the genus Planktochlorella sp. as a modulator of the growth of microorganisms that can be used in the cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries by exploiting the phenomenon of photo-reprogramming of metabolism. The combination of red and blue light allows the collection of biomass with unique biochemical profiles, especially fatty acid composition (Patent Application P.429620). The ethanolic and water extracts of algae biomass inhibited the growth of a number of pathogenic bacteria, namely Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus PCM 458, Streptococcus pyogenes PCM 2318, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli PCM 2209 and Candida albicans ATCC 14053. The algal biocomposite obtained according to our procedure can be used also as a prebiotic supplement. The presented technology may allow the limitation of the use of antibiotics and environmentally harmful chemicals commonly used in preparations against Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli or Candida spp.

This paper describes selected biochemical and analytical composition of Helix aspersa maxima eggs. Analyses determined the percentages of proteins, lipids, sugars, the composition of water and mineral elements, also antioxidant capacity. H. aspersa maxima eggs contain the high percentage of protein and are low in lipids (cholesterol content average 0.69 mg%), and are also found rich in Ca. The results showed that the eggs possess antioxidant activity and do not lose the antioxidants during short term storage in salt solution. The results make it possible to evaluate nutritional quality of eggs land snails as a good food source.