Antidepressant-like Effects of Combined Fluoxetine and Zinc Treatment in Mice Exposed to Chronic Restraint Stress Are Related to Modulation of Histone Deacetylase

Chronic stress is the key factor contributing to the development of depressive symptoms. Chronic restraint stress (CRS) is well validated and is one of the most commonly used models to induce depressive-like behavior in rodents. The present study aimed to evaluate whether fluoxetine (FLU 5 mg/kg) and zinc (Zn 10mg/kg) given simultaneously induce a more pronounced antidepressant-like effect in the CRS model than both those compounds given alone. Behavioral assessment was performed using the tail suspension and splash tests (TST and ST, respectively). Furthermore, the effects of CRS, FLU and Zn given alone and combined treatment with FLU + Zn on the expression of proteins involved in the apoptotic, inflammatory, and epigenetic processes were evaluated in selected brain structures (prefrontal cortex, PFC; and hippocampus, Hp) using Western blot analysis or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). The results obtained indicated that three hours (per day) of immobilization for 4 weeks induced prominent depressive symptoms that manifested as increased immobility time in the TST, as well as decreased number and grooming time in the ST. Behavioral changes induced by CRS were reversed by both FLU (5 and 10 mg/kg) or Zn (10 mg/kg). Zinc supplementation (10 mg/kg) slightly increases the effectiveness of FLU (5 mg/kg) in the TST. However, it significantly increased the activity of FLU in the ST compared to the effect induced by FLU and Zn alone. Biochemical studies revealed that neither CRS nor FLU and Zn given alone or in combined treatment alter the expression of proteins involved in apoptotic or inflammatory processes. CRS induced major alterations in histone deacetylase (HDAC) levels by increasing the level of HADC1 and decreasing the level of HADC4 in the PFC and Hp, decreasing the level of HADC6 in the PFC but increasing it in Hp. Interestingly, FLU + Zn treatment reversed CRS-induced changes in HDAC levels in the Hp, indicating that HDAC modulation is linked to FLU + Zn treatment and this effect is structure-specific.     

Enhancement of local superconductivity in ferromagnetic FeCrB metallic glass by Ar+ ion irradiation

We have reinforced local superconductivity in ferromagnetic Fe(67)Cr(18)B(15) metallic glasses by ion irradiation. Superconductivity in this medium appears due to the presence of large-scale layered clusters of metallic Fe-Cr phase, 150-230 ? in size, with a ferromagnetic (or superparamagnetic) Fe-rich core and nonmagnetic Cr-rich superconducting shell. Here we show that due to the intensification of concentration phase separation in the Fe-Cr clusters under ion (Ar(+)) irradiation, the volume of the superconducting phase increases from the initial 0.4-0.5% up to 7-8%. After irradiation, the resistivity jump Δρ/ρ in the temperature range T=3.1-3.6 K increases ～14 times, reaching 19%, as compared to 1.36% for the initial sample. In the interval of T=3.1-3.6 K, the rate of resistance change reaches 79% K(-1) for the irradiated sample instead of 3.6% K(-1) for the initial sample. In the same temperature interval, the rate of magnetoresistance change increases from 3% K(-1) for the initial sample up to 70% K(-1) after irradiation.     

Magnetostrictive properties of Ni-ferrite

Initial curve, major and minor magnetostriction hysteresis loops of the NiFe₂O₄ ferrite as the functions of static magnetic field were investgated. Magnetostriction hysteresis loops as the functions of static induction are also presented. The experimental phenomenon of “liftoff” value of the magnetostriction loop is detected.     

Hypsizygus marmoreus as a Source of Indole Compounds and Other Bioactive Substances with Health-Promoting Activities

Hypsizygus marmoreus is an edible medicinal mushroom species with a high dietary value. In this study, the fruiting bodies of commercial and self-cultivated crops and mycelium from in vitro H. marmoreus cultures (both white and brown varieties) were evaluated. This study aimed to analyze the presence of indole compounds and other biologically active substances and determine the effect that the addition of zinc and magnesium ions to the culture medium has on the content of the tested compounds in mycelial cultures. The content of indole compounds and other organic compounds was determined using high-performance liquid chromatography, the content of bioelements was determined using flame atomic absorption spectrometry, the glucan content was determined spectrophotometrically, and the antioxidant activity of extracts was estimated using DPPH, FRAP, and ABTS methods. The results showed that H. marmoreus mycelium from in vitro cultures is a good source of indole compounds, bioelements, glucans, and lovastatin. Mycelia from in vitro cultures showed the most diverse composition of indole compounds (L-tryptophan, 5-hydroxy-L-tryptophan, tryptamine, 5-methyltryptamine, and melatonin). Additionally, in vitro cultures of H. marmoreus enriched with Zn and Mg salts increased the contents of Na, Ca, Zn, 5-methyltryptamine, melatonin, protocatechuic acid, sterols, and total glucans. Only in the case of the white variety of mycelial enriched cultures, ergothioneine and Mg levels also increased. To summarize, the content of the active compounds differed depending on the H. marmoreus variety and the tested material.     

Anticancer Effects of Propolis Extracts Obtained with the Cold Separation Method on PC-3 and DU-145 Prostate Cancer Cell Lines

Plant extracts are increasingly tested for their biological activity and interactions with neoplastic cells. One of such sources of biologically active substances is propolis. This product has been known for thousands of years and is widely used in alternative, folk medicine. Articles describing its effects on the metabolism and cell signaling pathways of neoplastic cells derived from different organs are also published more and more frequently. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the biological activity of propolis extract produced with the cold separation method into hormone-dependent and hormone-independent prostate cancer cell lines. In our study, the propolis extracts showed at least an inhibitory effect on the growth of PC-3 and DU-145 neoplastic cells. Our results suggest that propolis extracts obtained with the cold separation method may be considered as promising compounds for the production of health-promoting supplements.     

Antioxidative Properties and Acrylamide Content of Functional Wheat-Flour Cookies Enriched with Wild-Grown Fruits

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of widely grown fruits (wild roses, elderberries, sea buckthorns, rowans, chokeberries, and hawthorns) as a functional ingredient in wheat-flour cookie formulation on antioxidative properties with a simultaneous reduction of the carcinogen-like compound acrylamide. The organoleptic features of the cookies were assessed by a panel of consumers. The following parameters were measured: chemical composition, total polyphenols, polyphenolic profile, antioxidant activity, and acrylamide content. The overall ratings of the tested cookies with the addition of chokeberries, hawthorns, sea buckthorns, and elderberries were more than satisfactory, while wild rose and rowan cookies were the most widely accepted and best rated by the panelists. The antioxidant activity of the tested cookies was 1.1–15.22 μmol trolox·g⁻¹ dm and 2.46–26.12 μmol Fe (II)·g⁻¹ dm as measured by the ABTS and FRAP methods, respectively. All the fruit-enriched cookies had significantly higher antioxidative properties (p < 0.05) in comparison to the control cookies, but among the fruit-enriched cookies, there were differences in the quality and quantity of particular polyphenols. The acrylamide content was significantly decreased by 59% (hawthorn), 71% (rowan), 87% (wild rose), 89% (sea buckthorn), 91% (elderberry), and 94% (chokeberry) compared with the control cookies (p < 0.05). Cookies enriched with wild-grown fruits could constitute a promising novel snack food.     

Variety of LaSrMnO structures induced by growth conditions and laser irradiation

Crystallographic phase transitions in perovskite-like LaSrMnO metallic oxides are studied. The transitions are induced when internal stresses generated during film synthesis (at temperatures between 450 and 730°C) vary (decrease or increase) upon subsequent irradiation by a KrF laser emitting in the UV range. As the synthesis temperature T _s grows, the rhombohedral-to-orthorhombic phase transition occurs at 650–670°C. The resistivity is shown to be either temperature-independent, ρ(T)=const, at T<T _crit, or varies and reaches a maximum, ρ(T)=ρ_max, at the Curie temperature T _c. Optical transmission spectra taken at photon energies ℏω=0.5–2.5 eV exhibit both a high (0.8–0.9) and low (0.1–0.3) transmission coefficient t, depending on the synthesis temperature. As follows from X-ray diffraction data, the laser irradiation causes a phase transition only in LaSrMnO films grown at T _s<650°C. Phases of different size scales appear: the long-range-order orthorhombic matrix and mesoscopic-range-order rhombohedral clusters are observed in the films grown at T _s=450–550°C and the rhombohedral matrix with orthorhombic clusters, in the films grown at T _s=550–650°C.     

Concomitant Polymorphism in an Organic Solid: Molecular and Crystal Structure and Intra- and Intermolecular Potential Contributions to tert-Butyl and Methyl Group Rotation

We investigate the relationship between structure (crystal and molecular) and tert-butyl and methyl group dynamics in 2-(tert-butyl)-9-(4-(tert-butyl)phenyl)anthracene. Powder and single-crystal X-ray diffraction, taken together, show that different polycrystalline samples recrystallized from different solvents have different amounts of at least four polymorphs (crystallites having different crystal structures), of which we have identified three by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The molecules in the asymmetric units of the different crystal structures differ by the dihedral angle the tert-butylphenyl group makes with the anthracene moiety. Ab initio electronic structure calculations on the isolated molecule show that very little intramolecular energy is required to change this angle over a range of about 60° which is probably the origin of the concomitant polymorphism (crystals of more than one polymorph in a polycrystalline sample). Solid state ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spin-lattice relaxation experiments support the powder and single-crystal X-ray results and provide average NMR activation energies (closely related to rotational barriers) for the rotation of the tert-butyl groups and their constituent methyl groups. These barriers have both an intramolecular and an intermolecular component. The latter is sensitive to the crystal structure. The intramolecular components of the rotational barriers of the two tert-butyl groups in the isolated molecule are investigated with ab initio electronic structure calculations.     

The temperature dependence of the magnetoelastic characteristics of cores for force sensors utilizing Fe<Subscript>70</Subscript>Ni<Subscript>8</Subscript>Si<Subscript>10</Subscript>B<Subscript>12</Subscript> amorphous alloy

This paper presents the results of investigation on the influence of temperature on magnetoelastic characteristics of the two ring-shaped cores, made of Fe₇₀Ni₈Si₁₀B₁₂ amorphous alloy. The cores were annealed for 1 h at 350 and 400°C, respectively. The compressive force F was applied perpendicular to the direction of the magnetizing field H in the sample. Special cylindrical backing enables application of the uniform compressive stress σ to the wound ring sample. A resistive furnace heated the experimental set-up. Results presented in the paper indicate a significant influence of the temperature on the magnetoelastic characteristics of Fe₇₀Ni₈Si₁₀B₁₂ amorphous alloy. Information about the magnetoelastic characteristics of this material may be useful in the magnetoelastic sensor development. Also this will create new possibilities in the development of physical model of magnetoelastic effect.