Miroslav Pánik

UVA-induced effects of 2,6-disubstituted 4-anilinoquinazolines on cancer cell lines

Five 2,6-substituted 4-anilinoquinazolines were evaluated for their ability to generate superoxide radical anion and singlet oxygen upon UVA irradiation and to induce cytotoxic/phototoxic effects on cancer cell lines L1210, HeLa and HT-29. The formation of radical intermediates, especially reactive oxygen species, upon UVA photoexcitation of the studied derivatives was monitored by indirect techniques of EPR spectroscopy. For all 4-anilinoquinazolines the photoinduced generation of superoxide radical anion was evidenced using spin trapping agent 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide, and the presence of (1)O2 was detected by the oxidation of 4-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine to the paramagnetic species 4-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine N-oxyl. The confirmed photoinduced activation of molecular oxygen via both Type I and Type II photooxidation mechanisms indicates potential phototoxic responses in cells. Biological results showed that derivatives I-V initiated different cytotoxic/phototoxic effects dependent on their concentration, time of treatment and the character of the cell line. UVA irradiation increased the cytotoxic activity of all tested 4-anilinoquinazoline derivatives. The highest cytotoxicity/phototoxicity on all tested cancer cells was induced by N,2-diphenyl-quinazolin-4-amine (derivative III). This most effective derivative emerged as the potent photosensitizer, which possesses a significant antiproliferative activity and DNA damage in L1210 cells increased by UVA irradiation. In addition derivative III induced programmed cell death in leukemia cells through mitochondrial/caspase 9/caspase 3-dependent pathway.

Assessment of Immunomodulatory Activities and in vitro Toxicity of New Quinolone 7-ethyl 9-ethyl-6-oxo-6,9-dihydro[1,2,5]selenadiazolo[3,4-h]quinoline-7-carboxylate

ABSTRACT Our previous studies on leukemia cells L1210 and cervical cancer HeLa cells revealed cytotoxic effects of the 7-ethyl 9-ethyl-6-oxo-6,9-dihydro[1,2,5]selenadiazolo[3,4-h]quinoline-7-carboxylate (E2h), a new synthetically prepared quinolone derivative, toward selected cancer cell lines. The aim of the present study was to examine the cytotoxicity of E2h toward next cell lines and tissues; that is, human cancer HL-60 and A549 cells, human non-cancer fibroblast BHNF-1 cells, and reconstructed human epidermis tissues. Further we investigated the immunomodulatory activity of E2h on murine macrophage RAW 264.7 cells. Selenadiazoloquinolone E2h induced specific antiproliferative/cytotoxic activity against leukemia HL-60 cells and is the potent inducer of apoptotic cell death. Quinolone derivative demonstrated the immunomodulatory activities on RAW 264.7 cell line murine macrophages. The immunobiological studies revealed time- and concentration-dependent effective immunomodulation of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines’ release and antiproliferative/cytotoxic effect following exposure of RAW 264.7 cells to E2h. Abbreviations: DMEM, Dulbecco’s modified eagle medium; DMSO, Dimethylsulfoxide; EtBr, Ethidium bromide; PI, Propidium iodide; E2h, 7-ethyl 9-ethyl-6-oxo-6,9-dihydro[1,2,5]selenadiazolo[3,4-h]quinoline-7-carboxylate.

Pro-apoptotic effect of new quinolone 7- ethyl 9-ethyl-6-oxo-6,9-dihydro[1,2,5]selenadiazolo [3,4-h]quinoline-7-carboxylate on cervical cancer cell line HeLa alone/with UVA irradiation

7- ethyl 9-ethyl-6-oxo-6,9-dihydro[1,2,5]selenadiazolo [3,4-h]quinoline-7-carboxylate (E2h) is a new synthetically prepared quinolone derivative, which in our primary study showed cytotoxic effects towards tumor cells. The aim of the present study was to examine the antiproliferative and apoptosis inducing activities of E2h towards human cervical cancer cell line HeLa with/without the presence of UVA irradiation. Further, the molecular mechanism involved in E2h-induced apoptosis in HeLa cells was investigated. Our results showed that both non-photoactivated and photoactivated E2h caused morphological changes and inhibited the cell growth of HeLa cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Irradiation increased the sensitivity of HeLa cells to E2h. Quinolone induced S and G2/M arrest and apoptosis in HeLa cells, as characterized by DNA fragmentation and flow cytometry. In addition, E2h elevated the level of reactive oxygen species and activated caspases 3. In conclusions, E2h alone/in combination with UVA irradiation induced apoptosis in HeLa cells through the ROS-mitochondrial/caspase 3-dependent pathway.

Immunobiological efficacy and immunotoxicity of novel synthetically prepared fluoroquinolone ethyl 6-fluoro-8-nitro-4-oxo-1,4-dihydroquinoline-3-carboxylate

The present study examined the cytotoxicity, anti-cancer reactivity, and immunomodulatory properties of new synthetically prepared fluoroquinolone derivative 6-fluoro-8-nitro-4-oxo-1,4-dihydroquinoline-3-carboxylate (6FN) in vitro. The cytotoxicity/toxicity studies (concentrations in the range 1-100μM) are focused on the cervical cancer cells HeLa, murine melanoma cancer cells B16, non-cancer fibroblast NIH-3T3 cells and reconstructed human epidermis tissues EpiDerm™. The significant growth inhibition of cancer cells HeLa and B16 was detected. The cytotoxicity was mediated via apoptosis-associated with activation of caspase-9 and -3. After 72h of treatment, the two highest 6FN concentrations (100 and 50μM) induced toxic effect on epidermis tissue EpiDerm™, even the structural changes in tissue were observed with concentration of 100μM. The effective induction of RAW 264.7 macrophages cell-release of pro- and anti-inflammatory TH1, TH2 and TH17 cytokines, with anti-cancer and/or anti-infection activities, respectively, has been revealed even following low-dose exposition.

Bratislava Towards Achieving the Concept of Smart City: Inspirations from Smart City Vienna

The concept of smart cities arose against the background of economic and technological changes caused by processes of integration and globalization, which European cities have been forced to face common challenges in the context of competitiveness and sustainable development. These challenges have an observable impact on issues related to the quality of the urban environment such as housing, complete urban infrastructure, commercial sector and their environmental impact. This concept thus includes the overall quality of urban life through the built and unbuilt urban environment, urban economy, social environment, urban culture, human and social capital and participation of citizens in government and the city. In this paper authors are trying to outline the problematic areas of Bratislava to achieve Smart City concept, whereby they take inspiration from the neighboring city of Vienna, which in turn is considered as one of the top smart cities in Europe.

Energy-Efficient Buildings in Slovakia: Green Atrium

Power management is very necessary, as well as the environment. Construction of low energy and passive houses, however, both of these requirements can be fulfilled. Project Green Atrium is the first passive apartment building in Slovakia that meets the requirements for passive buildings. In many cases also it achieved superior results as desired. Exceptional properties of Green Atrium have been achieved through these parameters: heat consumption for heating, heat transfer coefficient of walls and infiltration through leaks of building.

Original Article. Study of the cytotoxic/toxic potential of the novel anticancer selenodiazoloquinolone on fibroblast cells and 3D skin model

Abstract The new synthetically prepared quinolone derivative 7-ethyl 9-ethyl-6-oxo-6,9-dihydro[1,2,5]selenadiazolo [3,4-h]quinoline-7-carboxylate (E2h) showed in our previous study cytotoxic effects towards tumor cells and immunomodulatory activities on RAW 264.7 cell line murine macrophages. E2h may have a potential use as a novel chemotherapeutic agent with immunomodulatory properties and the ability to induce apoptotic death of cancer cells. The aim of the present study was to examine the antiproliferative/cytotoxic activities of E2h on human non-cancer fibroblast BHNF-1 cells and reconstructed human epidermis EpiDerm™. Further the effects of E2h on tissue structure and morphology were examined. Cytotoxic/toxic studies showed that selenadiazoloquinolone is not toxic on normal human fibroblast cells BHNF-1 and dimensional skin constructs EpiDerm™. Evaluation of morphological changes in EpiDerm™ showed no change in the construction and morphology of skin tissue treated by E2h compared to control.

Smart Infrastructure in Bratislava

After the fall of former political regime in Slovakia in 1989, Bratislava has undergone many dynamic developing changes that were not too positively influenced the appearance and functions of the city. Spontaneous and unsystematic development in this period seems to continue even after 25 years. Conversely, a significant decline is becoming increasingly marked in the urban infrastructure, of which insufficient attention is paid. This is because infrastructure for developers is often only enforced expenditure and the city does not have sufficient financial resources to meet requirements on its renewal. Moreover, the infrastructure requirements from before 30 years are now heavily modified and it is currently inadequate and capacity insufficient. Here we can mention for example a significant parking problems in many parts of Bratislava mainly caused by the substantial increase in the level of motorization to the period when the present transportation infrastructure was planned. Of course, in Bratislava there are also some positive examples, to which the authors of this paper focuses, that are currently considered significant by the fact that towards the Bratislava closer to the concept of Smart City. In these selected examples it is also important the implementation of existing ICT technologies that form an integral part of the modern Smart Cities. The Aim of the paper is also propose improvements to the current solutions.