Justyna Bazan

Phage display—A powerful technique for immunotherapy 1. Introduction and potential of therapeutic applications

One of the most effective molecular diversity techniques is phage display. This technology is based on a direct linkage between phage phenotype and its encapsulated genotype, which leads to presentation of molecule libraries on the phage surface. Phage display is utilized in studying protein-ligand interactions, receptor binding sites and in improving or modifying the affinity of proteins for their binding partners. Generating monoclonal antibodies and improving their affinity, cloning antibodies from unstable hybridoma cells and identifying epitopes, mimotopes and functional or accessible sites from antigens are also important advantages of this technology. Techniques originating from phage display have been applied to transfusion medicine, neurological disorders, mapping vascular addresses and tissue homing of peptides. Phages have been applicable to immunization therapies, which may lead to development of new tools used for treating autoimmune and cancer diseases. This review describes the phage display technology and presents the recent advancements in therapeutic applications of phage display.

Phage display—A powerful technique for immunotherapy: 2. Vaccine delivery

Phage display is a powerful technique in medical and health biotechnology. This technology has led to formation of antibody libraries and has provided techniques for fast and efficient search of these libraries. The phage display technique has been used in studying the protein-protein or protein-ligand interactions, constructing of the antibody and antibody fragments and improving the affinity of proteins to receptors. Recently phage display has been widely used to study immunization process, develop novel vaccines and investigate allergen-antibody interactions. This technology can provide new tools for protection against viral, fungal and bacterial infections. It may become a valuable tool in cancer therapies, abuse and allergies treatment. This review presents the recent advancements in diagnostic and therapeutic applications of phage display. In particular the applicability of this technology to study the immunization process, construction of new vaccines and development of safer and more efficient delivery strategies has been described.

Effect of tocopherol on biochemical blood parameters in pleuritis-induced rats treated with 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of tocopherol on pleuritis-induced rats exposed to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). Rats were treated with a single TCDD dose of 5 μg/kg body weight (b.w.) and then for 3 weeks they were daily supplemented with tocopherol at a dose of 30 mg/kg b.w. The inflammation was initiated by intrapleural injection of a single dose of 1% carrageenin solution in a volume of 0.15 ml. Changes in biochemical blood parameters were measured three times at the 24th, 72nd and 120th hour of pleuritis and the blood was collected from 20 animals of each group of rats (group with the control inflammation; group treated with TCDD and with control inflammation; group treated with TCDD, supplemented with tocopherol and with the inflammation). The following biochemical parameters were measured: tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin-1 (IL-1), IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, procollagen, telopeptide, fibrinogen, cholesterol, urea, creatinine, aspartate aminotransferase (AspAT) and alanine aminotransferase (AlAT). Daily supplementation of tocopherol caused significant changes in the level of TNF, IL-1, IL-4, IL-6, urea, creatinine, AspAT and AlAT. According to the results of these studies, we suggest that tocopherol supplementation in high doses could act as a protective treatment to improve liver metabolism.

Influence of dioxin intoxication on the human system and possibilities of limiting its negative effects on the environment and living organisms

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE Despite the restrictive legal regulations related to the reduction of dioxins emission, their concentration in the environment is still too high. Mainly, this is related to the illegal utilisation of electronic equipment and combustion of wastes, and also to intensified activity and maintenance of ships, especially in developing countries. The most important remaining source in Europe is the metal industry. Studies on the mechanism of impact of dioxins are still being carried out. This review points at new possibilities for limiting the molecular mechanisms of dioxins activity, inter alia, through the application of high doses of tocopherol and acetylsalicylic acid while treating dioxins intoxication. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE STATE OF KNOWLEDGE: Apart from the knowledge of dioxins affinity to the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), the multi-stage radical-form actions and the pro-inflammatory mechanism associated with cyclooxygenase-II enzyme (COX-2) are under intense investigation at the moment. Due to the high affinity of dioxins to animals adipose tissue and their ability to accumulate in it, they can enter the food chain. Furthermore, high dioxin doses can cause poisoning manifested as advanced clinical symptoms, whereas in smaller doses, when cumulated, can cause metabolic changes which are often difficult to associate with their presence. Recently, some serious food contaminations by dioxins have been demonstrated. Sea fish and products from contaminated aqueducts still constitute potential sources of dioxins pollution. CONCLUSION According to recent studies, dioxins are present in different concentrations in the environment and cause specific and long-time effects. These effects could be limited by the use of tocopherol and acetylsalicylic acid.

Occurrence of Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation in 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-Dioxin-Induced Pneumonia in the Rat

Intensity of inflammatory reaction in tissue or organ structures depends on the efficiency of homeostatic mechanisms of the organism which limit the extent of this reaction. In studies on the dynamics of inflammatory reaction in induced pneumonia after exposure to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), the occurrence of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) has been observed. In this article we evaluated the DIC syndrome in regard to histopathological assessment and laboratory diagnostics of blood. The evaluation indicates that some hematologic indicators (RBC, HCT, and HGB) decreased in the experimental inflammatory reaction, which might be associated with erythrocyte hemolysis in the inflammatory focus and erythrocyte elimination from circulation as a result of DIC. There also were shifts in the number of various leukocyte forms due likely to the accumulation of particular cells in the inflammatory focus. Histopathological assessment of the inflammatory focus revealed the process of hepatization and the occurrence of DIC.

Mechlorethamine (NTG) effects on the erythrocytic and leukocytic blood parameters during experimentally induced pleuritis in rats

BACKGROUND According to cytotoxic and mutagenic properties, nitrogranulogen (NTG) changes the character of inflammatory reactions. Our previous studies have shown that NTG can enhance immunological defense reactions, because of its high affinity to DNA, and causes disorders in the synthesis of acute phase proteins (e.g., haptoglobin, transferrin, fibrinogen and complement protein C3) [15]. The aim of the current studies was to determine the influence of three different NTG doses: 5 μg/kg b.w. (body weight), 50 μg/kg b.w. and 600 μg/kg b.w. (cytotoxic dose) on the values of hematological blood parameters: RBC, HGB, HCT, RDW, MCV, MCH, MCHC, PLT, MPV, PCT, PDW, WBC, NEUT, LYMPH, MONO, EOS and BASO in pleuritis-induced rats. METHODS The animals were randomized into five groups: Group I - control group; Group II - IP (induced pleuritis) group; Group III - NTG5 group; Group IV - NTG50 group; Group V - NTG600 group. The blood was collected from all the groups at the 24(th) h, 48(th) h, and 72(nd) h after the initiation of the carrageenin-induced inflammatory reaction. RESULTS These investigations have revealed that NTG administered at the dose of 5 μg/kg b.w. caused the drop of the leukocyte and lymphocyte numbers and the rise of the neutrophil number at the 72(nd) h of the experimental-induced inflammatory reaction. Moreover, the dose of: 5 μg/kg b.w. was an immunomodulatory property and it also increased the erythrocytic parameters. On the contrary, NTG applied at the doses of 50 μg/kg and 600 μg/kg b.w. contributed to the drop of both: the erythrocytic and leukocytic parameters during the whole time of the inflammatory reaction. CONCLUSIONS The results suggest that nitrogranulogen affects the erythropoiesis.

Funkcje białek bakteriofagowych

Bacteriophages (phages) are viruses specific towards bacterial strains and are natural regulators of bacterial populations in nature. Interest in the therapeutic use of phages is growing due to the emergence of antibiotic resistant pathogens. Bacteriophage proteins are responsible for phage specificity and virulence. These proteins are i) adhesins, capable of recognizing specific receptors on the bacterial surface, ii) enzymes responsible for destroying bacterial cell wall components or bacterial slime, and iii) structural proteins making up the phage capsid. Bacteriophage enzymes destroy the bacterial cell wall from both outside and inside by hydrolyzing carbohydrate and protein components. All these proteins protect phage genetic material, secure injection of the phage nucleic acid into the bacterial cell, and promote phage propagation. Our better understanding of how bacterial viruses function may help to combat antibiotic resistant human pathogens and expand the use of bacteriophages to animal and plant care. Other applications may include food processing and environmental protection.

Epidemiological assessment of maxillofacial fractures in inhibitants of Lower Silesia, Poland, in 2002–2006 – Treatment of maxillofacial fracture

Introduction and objective. Epidemiological assessment of maxillofacial fractures carried out by a given specialized centre may constitute valuable material for comparison with other regions of Poland and the European Union. This material could help standardize the present methods of treating craniofacial skeleton dislocations, and plan appropriate financial resources both for specialized treatment of such fractures and fractures that require multidisciplinary care. Moreover, the frequency of complicated maxillofacial fractures leading to residual disability and circumstances in which fracture occurred may be useful for the Social Security authorities. Materials and methods. This study is a continuation of research on maxillofacial traumatology carried by the Maxillofacial Department of the Medical University in Wrocław, Lower Silesia. Since 1956, a statistical review of maxillofacial fractures has been kept in 5 or 10-year periods. Statistical analysis of this kind is useful in indentifying the frequency of the phenomenon, taking suitable treatment precautions, verifying treatment methods, and analyzing costs and losses incurred as a result of absence at work. Sociological aspect of such studies includes indicating sources of socially adverse phenomena, i.e. violence or alcohol abuse. The studies were based on clinical documentation of 937 patients, where dependencies between chosen parameters were identified. As a basic statistical analysis of variable interdependence the χ2 test of independence was applied. Conclusions. Lately, there have been more maxillofacial fractures resulting from civilization changes. Simultaneously, there are new treatment methods and significant progress has been made regarding materials that are used in these treatments.