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Partially defatted poppy seeds, a by-product of poppyseed oil cold pressing, are a source of health-promoting dietary components, indicates a scientist from the Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Olsztyn. Consuming them in the form of a dietary supplement (approximately 5.5 tablespoons per day) can beneficially alter lipid metabolism and support the treatment of obesity and its complications.

– In our research, we wanted to check to what extent this by-product of poppyseed oil pressing can still be useful for consumption and act as a valuable dietary component in the context of diet-related diseases. Such a form of poppy seeds is less calorific and may even be richer in some health-promoting compounds than native seeds – says dr. Adam Jurgoński, professor of IAR&FR PAS in Olsztyn.

A paper addressing this topic has been published in the prestigious journal Scientific Reports.

LIKE TWO PEAS IN A POD

Poppy seeds are a popular ingredient in Polish cuisine, especially added to bread, cakes and festive dishes. They are rich in nutrients – almost half of them consist of fatty acids present in the oil fraction (including polyunsaturated fatty acids, which are important components of our diet). They also contain dietary fibre, protein and various antioxidant compounds. 

Poppyseed oil is usually cold-pressed. This process involves mechanically separating the oil from the seeds at a low temperature, allowing for additional protection of the nutritionally valuable components. Poppyseed oil is high in linoleic acid (omega-6 acid), which is essential for the proper functioning of our body, although its intake is usually excessive in relation to other essential fatty acids present in our diet (i.e. omega-3 acids).

A by-product of the cold-pressed oil is partially defatted poppy seeds, also known as oilcakes. – It turns out that reducing this dominant oil fraction increases the proportion of dietary fibre, protein and some biologically active compounds. Thus, these seeds remain a product that is still valuable from a nutritional point of view – points out Adam Jurgoński.

POPPY VERSUS BODY LIPIDS

Researchers investigated the effect of dietary supplementation with partially defatted poppy seeds on the development of obesity.

The study was conducted on a laboratory animal model characterised by increased body weight. Overweight and obesity cause disturbances in the metabolism of lipids and glucose, and this in turn can lead to diet-related diseases such as certain cardiovascular diseases, steatohepatitis or type 2 diabetes.

– We have shown that relatively small dietary supplementation with defatted poppy seeds (for humans, this is about 5.5 tablespoons of these seeds per day) improves lipid metabolism in the body by reducing triglycerides in the blood and liver, and preventing increased visceral fat accumulation. We have also tentatively identified the molecular mechanism underlying these beneficial changes – reports Adam Jurgoński.

Elevated triglyceride levels and excess visceral fat are associated with an increased risk of the previously mentioned diet-related diseases.

According to the researcher, the new knowledge may be useful to nutritionists as well as food and supplement manufacturers, as it points to new possibilities for the use of the by-product in question, e.g. in the form of a pro-health 'filling’ to poppy seed cake (the seeds are already ground and do not require additional milling, like the regular ones).

– Therefore, poppy seeds in their partially defatted form can be an interesting ingredient in our diet, which turns out to be beneficial for the functioning of the body affected by metabolic disorders related to obesity – concludes Adam Jurgoński.

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Cross-breeding, cryopreservation (freezing) of semen and creating a bank of reproductive cells and coral larvae are all examples of scientific strategies to enhance the resilience of coral reefs and protect these invaluable ecosystems from the negative effects of climate change.

– Due to climate change and other anthropological factors, we have already lost more than half of all coral reefs. Although corals have remarkable mechanisms of resilience, the rate of climate change (increasing water temperature and decreasing pH level) exceeds their natural ability to adapt – emphasises dr. Radosław Kowalski from the Department of Gamete and Embryo Biology of the Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Olsztyn.

The scientist investigates reefs near the Japanese island of Okinawa. He has been studying coral reproduction for more than a decade. – Back then, the topic of coral reef conservation was niche. Today, after a growing number of publications and projects, it is becoming clear that the problem is severe, and the need to find a strategy to protect these invaluable ecosystems supporting the diversity of marine life is indeed urgent – he adds.

The researcher points out that besides an increase in water temperature, a significant negative impact on coral reefs is also caused by a decrease in the ocean’s pH, i.e. its acidification. This is linked to an increase in carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere, which then dissolves in the oceans. – This is why, in recent decades, the natural pH level of the oceans has dropped from 8.2 to 8.1. However, this inconspicuous one-tenth means a one-third increase in ocean acidification! Corals build their skeletons from calcium carbonate, which is 'taken up’ from the water, but this mechanism stops at a pH of 7.9. In addition, water acidification reduces the reproductive capacity of corals – says Radosław Kowalski.

And although corals look more like plants, they are animals (invertebrates). They are found in equatorial regions.

INTERSPECIES BREEDING

Modern coral reefs, including the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, formed about 8-10,000 years ago. As the reefs are mainly found around the equator, where the annual temperature changes were not very pronounced, their biological cycle synchronised with the phases of the moon – depending on the species, they approach spawning on a specific full or new moon counting from the beginning of the year.

– This synchronisation allows these non-migratory animals to ensure contact with gametes (reproductive cells) of the same species by releasing them en masse into the ocean, usually during a single night. However, climate warming has resulted in temperatures during the coral spawning season that their physiology has not previously encountered. And while thermals did not previously play a major regulatory role in coral reproduction, we are now seeing a significant modulating effect. For this reason, unsynchronised coral spawning is now occurring annually on the reef – the researcher points out.

This is resulting in a noticeable increase in interspecies hybrids. An example is the crossing of species from deeper parts of the ocean, where there is cooler water, with those from shallower parts with warmer water. The result is a hybrid with mediated characteristics that is able to inhabit larger spaces. – This fascinating mechanism shows how corals try to adapt to change –  explains Radosław Kowalski.

Interspecies breeding also has considerable potential as a tool for scientifically assisted evolution, as combining the gametes of different coral species offers the possibility of obtaining a hybrid, e.g. with increased thermal tolerance (to changes in water temperature) or with specific desirable adaptive traits to changing environmental conditions.

Dr. Radoslaw Kowalski is conducting such research with a team of Japanese scientists from the University of the Ryukyus in Okinawa.

Recently, the researcher has been focusing on the cross-breeding possibilities of aquarium-reared species.
– From my observations, I have noticed that corals bred in aquaria are subject to enormous environmental pressure, so that there is a lot of natural selection, and only the strongest individuals survive. We want to cross naturally occurring species with those bred in aquaria and see if their hybrid will be more adaptable – he says.

GENETIC INSURANCE POLICY

Another strategy to protect coral reefs is the cryopreservation of coral sperm, i.e. their storage at ultra-low temperatures. This method enables the preservation of genetic material, acting as a genetic insurance policy that can be used in the future to restore and rebuild coral reefs.

– Creating a bank of gametes and coral larvae is one of the biggest challenges for scientists working on this topic. We are already able to cryopreserve sperm, but after thawing, the eggs are still needed for fertilisation. With larvae, there would not be such a problem, but here we still need to improve the method of freezing them – Radosław Kowalski points out.

The semen cryopreservation method can also be helpful in the process of crossbreeding between species, for example, by allowing semen taken from resistant individuals to be transported from aquaria to coral reefs, where it can be used to create more resistant individuals of a particular species.

ACTION NEEDED

– The state of coral reefs around the world is critical; these ecosystems are on the brink of collapse. Research into strategies to protect reefs is therefore needed as never before. However, I always stress that even the most cutting-edge scientific solutions are no substitute for our everyday actions, such as saving energy or water, which can make a real difference in protecting our planet – Radosław Kowalski concludes.

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The composition and structure of scars vary depending on gender, scientists from the Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Olsztyn have shown. Tissues in men are characterised by a higher content of type 1 collagen and elastin. Women, on the other hand, showed a higher accumulation of type 3 collagen, characteristic of scarless wound healing.

– Our work is the first publication to demonstrate differences between men and women over 50 in the structure of cutaneous scars. The obtained results may contribute to the development of research on new pharmaceuticals taking into account gender differences in patients – emphasises Professor Barbara Gawrońska-Kozak, leader of the Regenerative Biology Team at the Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Olsztyn.

Her team’s research focuses on understanding the molecular basis of the repair mechanisms controlling the healing process of skin wounds with scar formation (reparative healing), but also in terms of regenerative (scarless), healing.

SCARS ARE NECESSARY

Scars are 'mementos’ left on the skin after various types of injury, such as cuts (e.g. post-operative wounds), lacerations, or burns. The rate of wound healing can be affected by many factors including age, gender, body area, and wound size.

– Scar healing is beneficial for the organism, as it restores, relatively quickly, the protective function of the skin, preventing the penetration of pathogenic microorganisms into the injured area. Unfortunately, disorders in the healing process may result in numerous complications, such as non-healing wounds or hypertrophic scars, explains Prof. Barbara Gawrońska-Kozak.

In the animal world, there is also scarless wound healing, called regenerative or ideal wound healing. – This is the process of regaining the appearance and functionality of uninjured skin. This type of wound healing rarely occurs in mammals. One example of regeneration observed in humans is the healing of skin wounds during the first two trimesters of fetal life. When an injury occurs during this time (e.g. during surgery in the womb), the skin heals scarlessly, with no trace of the injury. Interestingly, research by scientists from the UK has shown that in elderly people, healing of skin injuries lasts longer, but with the formation of a smaller, more delicate scar, with a macroscopic and microscopic appearance resembling uninjured skin – says Dr. Marta Kopcewicz of the Regenerative Biology Team at the IAR&FR PAS.

COLLAGEN TYPE MAKES A DIFFERENCE

To better understand the molecular basis of scar formation and to see what is the role of gender in this process, researchers from Prof. Barbara Gawrońska-Kozak’s team decided to analyse samples of uninjured and scarred skin, collected from men and women over 50. The tissues were taken from the patient’s abdominal areas (with their written consent and under the supervision of the local ethics committee). Doctors from the Voivodal Specialistic Hospital in Olsztyn were involved in the research.

– It has long been known that intact skin varies by gender: in men, among other things, it is thicker, with higher amounts of type 1 collagen, and with more sebaceous glands secreting  sebum. Our research indicates that there are also gender-dependent differences in scars – points out Prof. Barbara Gawrońska-Kozak.

Thus: men have more type 1 collagen and elastin in abdominal skin scars than women, which is in line with what is known about differences in uninjured skin. Women, on the other hand, showed higher expression levels of genes specific to the adipose tissue present in the skin.

Interestingly, we observed a higher accumulation of type 3 collagen in women’s scars – a type of collagen that is associated with regenerative wound healing. – These are only the first indications which require further research, but we have presented for the first time that women may have a greater potential for regenerative healing than men – says Dr. Marta Kopcewicz.

The researchers also histologically assessed the structure of scars. Their analyses showed that the arrangement of collagen fibres and their thickness also depended on gender: they are finer in women.

CHANCE FOR NEW MEDICINES

Earlier studies by Dr. Marta Kopcewicz, conducted on animals, showed that age and gender have the greatest impact on the wound healing process. – Our latest research, already conducted on human tissues, has confirmed this – emphasizes the researcher.

According to Prof. Barbara Gawrońska-Kozak, the results may contribute to further research into potential pharmacological products that take gender differences into account. – In addition, our study contributes to important knowledge about scarring in people over 50, when the skin is different from that of young people, who are usually the research group in studies in this area – concludes the scientist.

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An article presenting the results of the described study was published in the journal Biomedicines and is available here.

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Linking the body’s individual response to vitamin D with immunocompetence, or generally speaking: potent immunity, may be the key to explaining the mechanism of how vitamin D protects against the most common diseases and at the same time promotes healthy aging.

– The results of our research suggest that immunocompetence describes not only an individual’s ability to resist pathogens and parasites, but also to fight non-communicable diseases and the aging process itself – emphasizes Prof. Carsten Carlberg from the Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Olsztyn, a world-famous biochemist specializing in research on vitamin D.

The publication with the research results was published in the journal „Nutrients” . The co-author of the article is Dr. Eunike Velleuer from the University of Düsseldorf (Germany).

AN IMPORTANT REGULATOR

Vitamin D affects the functioning of the entire body via its modulatory actions on the immune system. In contrast, vitamin D deficiency causes malfunctions of the immune system, leading to, among others increased susceptibility to infectious diseases or autoimmune diseases.

Based on the results of his previous research, prof. Carlberg proposed dividing the population into three groups according to the level of the body’s response to vitamin D: high, mid and low responders. A high level of responsiveness means that the body is able to make a maximum use of the effects of vitamin D (it has a high molecular response to vitamin D), and that in such group of people the need for supplementation is lower than in people from the low responder group.

This division is a starting point for understanding the scientist’s subsequent research. This time he looked at the relationship between the above-mentioned grouping and the processes occurring at the molecular level in cells sensitive to changes in vitamin D – in the context of the aging process.

VITAMIN D IN THE AGING PROCESS

Aging is a natural and inevitable process of accumulation of molecular and cellular damage, which leads to defective functions of cells, tissues and organs that weaken the entire human body. Some profound changes in the immune system at the molecular level contribute to a decline in immunocompetence, i.e. the ability of the human body to respond appropriately to an exposure to an antigen.

As overall immunocompetence declines during aging, the relative number of immune cells decreases.

– However, there are differences between people in this population group, i.e. some people have a higher percentage of immune cells than average, and some have a lower percentage. Therefore, in the same age group there are people with higher immunological resistance and others with lower ones. Therefore, it can be assumed that in the first group the rate of aging is slower and the incidence of diseases is lower, while in the second group accelerated aging and a higher rate of disease should be observed – explains Prof. Carlberg.

On this basis, it can be assumed that the relationship between the level of the body’s individual response to vitamin D and its immunocompetence plays a significant role in the aging process.

Prof. Carlberg and his team use this relationship to develop a mechanism explaining how vitamin D affects the epigenetic programming of immune cells, in particular monocytes and their derived cells. Details can be found in the source publication.

– Our study results suggest that vitamin D is an important element of healthy aging, not only for maintaining bones and skeletal muscles in good condition, but also for the homeostasis of the immune system. We also believe that a sufficient amount of vitamin D, adapted to the individual needs of the body, should stabilize immune resistance, protect against many diseases and maintain a low rate of aging – concludes the scientist.

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Prof. Carlberg is the leader of the scientific group dealing with nutrigenomics at the Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Olsztyn.

More information about the Nutrigenomics Laboratory of IARFR PAS in Olsztyn and the latest research of the ERA Chair WELCOME2 team can be found here.

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Inside the eggs there is encoded information that the mother wants to pass on to her offspring, which may relate, for example, to her past illnesses. This mechanism – called non-genetic inheritance – is known to scientists, but not yet fully understood. Dr. Taina Rocha de Almeida from the Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Olsztyn explores it.

Dr. Taina Rocha de Almeida is a grantee of the PASIFIC – Marie Skłodowska-Curie COFUND programme. This is a scholarship competition managed by the Polish Academy of Sciences and co-funded by the H2020 Programme „Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Co-funding of regional, national and international programmes” and the Polish Ministry of Education and Science.

Her research work focuses on determining to what extent non-genetic inheritance factors affect the adaptability of offspring (from embryo to juvenile stages) to breeding conditions. The researcher’s scientific supervisor is dr. Daniel Żarski from the Department of Gamete and Embryo Biology, IAR&FR PAS.

– This knowledge can be useful for improving fish farming, but also for gaining a deeper understanding of fish immunity, emphasises dr. Taina Rocha de Almeida.

The aim of her ongoing research is to investigate how the eggs transcriptome is linked to progeny performance – by examining embryos and juveniles of two varieties of rainbow trout bred in Poland.

Rainbow trout is one of the most popular farmed species in the world; the second most produced in Europe. As dr. Taina Rocha de Almeida points out, despite advances in knowledge, production is still not as efficient as it could be. – There are many issues hindering the growth of rainbow trout production, but in this research I have focused specifically on two: the productivity of the offspring and resistance to enteric redmouth disease (ERM) or yersiniosis, caused by the bacterium Yersinia ruckeri, which is one of the most serious diseases of salmonids, mainly affecting rainbow trout – she explains.

The transcriptome is a set of RNA molecules in cells that changes according to different factors, e.g. disease. To study the eggs transcriptome (i.e. the information encoded there – in this case for the mRNA-based disease yersiniosis) and its link to offspring performance, the scientist carried out the whole process – from incubation, through the hatching period and the growth of the fish. The fish were then divided into two groups – one was the control group and the other was infected with the aforementioned Yersinia ruckeri bacterium.

The disease causes changes in organs such as the liver, spleen and gills, among others. The scientists therefore took samples of these organs from the infected fish to study the expression of the genes responsible for the immune response there.

In a molecular study of the eggs, the scientist selected 10 genes that play a key role in the immune response of the immune system. She will now compare these with genes from the collected tissues. Dr. Taina Rocha de Almeida also plans to analyse microRNA molecules, the proteome (i.e. the set of proteins present in the cell at any given time) and to study a third variety of rainbow trout, which has also already undergone the entire research process.

The results will show to what extent the information in the eggs influences the performance of the offspring, should they contract a disease popular among rainbow trout. The new knowledge will not only contribute to the advancement of science on the topic of rainbow trout reproduction, but may also find real applications in breeding in the future.

The research was conducted in cooperation with the Dąbie Fish Hatchery and the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn.

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The results of the grantee’s research to date were presented at the Leadership Seminar held on 2 February this year.

More about her research can be found here. More about the PASIFIC programme can be found on the PAS website.

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The biological clock helps regulate the timing of various processes in the body. Diurnal variation is shown, among others, by genes regulating insulin sensitivity. Researchers at the Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Olsztyn have shown that the expression of biological clock genes in subcutaneous adipose tissue is linked to insulin action, and is lower in obese people than in those of normal body weight.

Two genes in particular are involved in insulin action: NR1D2 and DBP. – The higher the expression of these genes in adipose tissue, the higher the body’s sensitivity to insulin. And the higher the body’s sensitivity to insulin, the better the regulation of blood glucose levels – explains Professor Marek Strączkowski, head of the Department of Prophylaxis of Metabolic Diseases at the Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research (IAR&FR) of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Olsztyn.

The findings of the team led by him were published in the journal Nutrition.

INSULIN AND CIRCADIAN RHYTHM

Insulin is a hormone that increases the transport of glucose into cells, which in turn lowers blood glucose levels. Insulin resistance is a reduced sensitivity of tissues to the action of insulin.

– Insulin resistance in itself is not a disease, but it is a condition that can lead to the development of many diseases: first and foremost type 2 diabetes, but also cardiovascular disease, certain cancers or neurodegenerative diseases – recalls the scientist who is researching the pathogenesis of insulin resistance in people at risk of type 2 diabetes.

The biological clock, on the other hand, is a circadian complex of biochemical processes occurring in the body. The circadian rhythm is controlled centrally and by peripheral clocks in tissues such as subcutaneous adipose tissue. It is an oscillator that stimulates the expression of successive genes encoding proteins responsible for specific biological processes, depending on the time of day or night. Also among the genes regulating insulin sensitivity are those showing diurnal variation, so that the insulin sensitivity of adipose tissue is highest around midday and lowest around midnight.

IMPROVED RESULTS FOLLOWING WEIGHT REDUCTION

Researchers from the IAR&FR PAS decided to combine these issues. To do so, they analysed the expression of subcutaneous adipose tissue clock genes in relation to obesity and insulin sensitivity.

The study group consisted of 38 overweight or obese people. They were examined before and after a 12-week programme of weight reduction through diet. The control group consisted of 16 normal-weight subjects examined only at baseline. Tissue insulin sensitivity was tested using the so-called metabolic clamp method, which is nowadays considered the best method for assessing insulin action in the body.

– Initially, obese subjects had lower expression of biological clock genes in subcutaneous adipose tissue than controls. After weight reduction in the subjects, this expression increased – the researcher reports.

Two genes related to insulin sensitivity in particular are involved: NR1D2 and DBP.

– We have shown that the aforementioned subcutaneous adipose tissue clock genes can be a starting point for further studies to better understand the pathogenesis of insulin resistance. We will explore the problem in further studies, already in cell cultures. This is a developmental topic – concludes Professor Marek Strączkowski.

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On the topic of insulin resistance, a previous publication by researchers from the Department of Prophylaxis of Metabolic Diseases at the Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research of the Polish Academy of Sciences, we wrote here.

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One in ten turkeys may be affected by yellow semen syndrome that causes reduced fertilising ability. The molecular mechanisms of how this condition arises are not yet understood. The key might be a certain protein. Researchers at the Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Olsztyn are investigating it as part of a project funded by the National Science Centre.

The protein in question is a soluble cysteine-rich scavenger receptor protein found in the semen of turkey.
– In mammals, this protein is a very interesting player in the immune system, among other things, it plays an important role in the recognition of microorganisms. Our hypothesis is that the scavenger receptor present in turkey semen is involved in the protection of semen against bacteria – emphasises the project leader Dr. Mariola Słowińska from the Department of Gamete and Embryo Biology of the IAR&FR PAS.

The researchers are also investigating whether this protein could be linked to the mechanism of yellow semen syndrome. – If the results are positive, knowledge of this could be used by breeders in the future to increase the efficiency of chick production by increasing the fertilisation efficiency of turkeys – the researcher adds.

LEARNING ABOUT A NEW PLAYER…

Little is known about the occurrence and role of the protein in focus (soluble cysteine-rich scavenger receptor) in birds.

– A few years ago, our research group was the first in the world to identify this protein in turkey semen. So far, all we know is that it is very similar to proteins of the scavenger receptor family found in mammals, which have the ability to bind to microorganisms and remove microorganisms or their own cells that have been damaged. They are found on the surface of cells of the immune system, e.g. on the surface of macrophages, which, after recognising bacteria or other microorganisms, absorb them (the process of phagocytosis) – explains the scientist, who studies bird reproduction, particularly in turkeys.

Based on this knowledge, scientists want to now study the aforementioned functions in birds. – First of all, we want to know the structure and biological functions of this protein. We have already succeeded in isolating the protein, i.e. obtaining its pure form. We will use this to analyse the physico-chemical properties and modifications of the protein. On this basis, we will create the first structural model of this protein for birds – explains Mariola Słowińska.

The next step will be to produce specific antibodies against the protein, which will allow the researchers, among other things, to localise the protein under study on cells of the immune system, sperm and in organs of the reproductive system. The researchers will examine whether the protein can be a potential marker, i.e. a factor confirming the presence of a particular disease, in this case, yellow semen syndrome. They also plan to learn more about the microbiome of turkey semen to see if the substrate for the development of yellow semen syndrome is a bacterial condition.

As the researcher points out, the project focuses, therefore, not only on learning more about the protein itself, but also provides a broader view on the reproductive and immune systems in birds.

… IN ORDER TO RAPIDLY DIAGNOSE THE DISEASE

Yellow semen syndrome in turkeys leads to disorders in the fertilising capacity of the semen. – Yellow semen contains more abnormal and immature spermatozoa and, in addition, their motility is impaired. On top of this, there is an increased activity of antioxidant enzymes, which indicates imbalance in the oxidative stress (the process in which free radicals attack body cells and cause damage to them) – explains Mariola Słowińska.

The only symptom of yellow semen syndrome in turkeys that is visible at a first glance is the slightly yellowish colour of the semen. However, as the scientist explains, in poultry production semen is collected from many males simultaneously, mixed, and only then is the artificial insemination (an assisted reproduction technique) carried out. – If there is some yellow semen in this pool, the sample will have a reduced fertilisation efficiency – clarifies Mariola Słowińska.

According to the scientific literature, approximately 10 percent of turkeys are affected by yellow semen syndrome.

– With our basic research, we want to deepen our knowledge of the immunology of bird semen, especially in the context of understanding the structure of the soluble cysteine-rich scavenger receptor and its role in the mechanism of yellow semen syndrome. We would also like to detect potential markers of this condition, which would allow rapid diagnosis of sick birds – concludes Mariola Słowińska.

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The project entitled “Soluble scavenger receptor cysteine-rich domain-containing protein – SSc5D, a new player of innate immunity in turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) semen involved in yellow semen syndrome” is financed by the National Science Centre (NCN). The research is being conducted within a consortium formed by the Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Olsztyn and the University of Agriculture in Kraków.

The research team includes: the staff of the Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Olsztyn: Dr. Mariola Słowińska (Principal Investigator), Dr. Ewa Drzewiecka, Ewa Liszewska, MSc, Dr. Anna Szóstek-Mioduchowska, Halina Karol, Eng., Prof. Andrzej Ciereszko, and the staff of the University of Agriculture in Kraków: Dr. Laura Pardyak (coordinator on behalf of the URK), Dr. Zbigniew Arent, Dr. Artur Gurgul, Dr. Ewa Ocłoń, Dr. Tomasz Szmatoła, Dr. Igor Jasielczuk.

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Onion peels, carrot leaves, beet pulp – these are examples of vegetable processing side streams that can be successfully reused, not only in the food industry. However, as food or as a food additive, they can be a source of valuable substances that support our bodies, and this in turn has the potential to respond to the needs of consumers, who are increasingly paying attention to the health-promoting effects of the food they choose.

– Some side streams of vegetable processing can be used in the chemical, cosmetic or pharmaceutical industries. They can also become food or food additives – rich in health-promoting ingredients affecting, among other things, our intestinal microbiome, i.e. the bacteria living in our intestines, which, in turn, can have a positive impact on our immune system, explains Dr Joanna Fotschki of the Department of Immunology and Food Microbiology at the Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Olsztyn.

There is a wealth of scientific evidence to suggest that side streams of vegetable processing can be a source of compounds with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and cytoprotective properties (protecting the body’s healthy cells from damage), and that they have bioactive compounds that can modulate our gut bacteria.

– For example, tomato pomace extract may exhibit anti-inflammatory and cytoprotective effects, and beetroot pomace may exhibit antioxidant properties. Bioactive compounds, called polyphenols, from red onion husk may have antifungal and antimicrobial properties. Pumpkin seed oil, on the other hand, may prevent obesity caused by a high-fat diet by altering parameters important for lipid metabolism, according to the scientist, who is researching the suitability of plant processing side streams as a source of bioactive substances.

REDUCE WASTE

The vegetable industry generates large amounts of side streams that have the potential to be managed and utilised. – According to estimates, approximately 400,000 tonnes of waste is produced annually in fruit and vegetable processing in Poland. These can include, among others, onion plant husks, pomace, peelings from root vegetables, leafy threads and seeds – says Joanna Fotschki.

These products are most often used to produce compost or biogas. One trend in the use of 'waste’ from seasonal vegetables is also to extract natural food colourings from them for use in the production of beverages, confectionery and bakery products, dairy products and ready meals.

Sometimes, however, improper management of this plant biomass results in it being wasted. Indeed, as the scientist explains, the biggest problem of using post-production waste is the proper protection of this material from microbiological contamination, which consequently prevents its reuse. In addition, the costs of processing such by-products play a big role: drying, technological treatment, storage, transport.

– The side products of processing vegetables such as peppers, tomatoes, lettuce, aubergines and cucumbers, if not processed in a sufficiently short period of time, spoil very quickly, so managing them is a challenge for the food industry, often generating high disposal costs, says the researcher.

On the other hand, she adds, if the tested end product shows health-promoting properties for the consumer, then it will be more profitable for companies to use this 'waste’ than to dispose of it.

LACTIC ACID BACTERIA – GO FOR IT!

In her next research, Dr Joanna Fotschki wants to test whether the lactic fermentation process can be applied to the by-products of carrot processing.

Why such an idea? – Poland is one of the leading producers of carrots in Europe, and lactic fermentation is a well-known way of preserving food and giving it additional health-promoting qualities – the researcher answers.

– Even after technological processes (mainly thermal processes during pomace preservation), pomace is still a valuable raw material and contains biologically active compounds in its composition, which may suggest its potential use as a health-promoting food additive, she points out.

Carrot processing pomace contains many valuable compounds, e.g. fibre, proteins, lipids, essential oils, carbohydrates and phytochemicals (polyphenols and carotenoids). Many of these compounds have bioactive properties and are attributed to health-promoting functions, e.g. immune-enhancing, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.

The use of lactic acid bacteria, on the other hand, can be a method of improving the safety, quality, sensory and nutritional value of fermented food, adds Dr Anna Ogrodowczyk, who works with Dr Joanna Fotschki at the Department of Immunology and Food Microbiology of the IAR&FR PAS in Olsztyn.

– The need for deeper research into plant side products – in order to find a common solution to the problem of waste management, the depletion of natural resources and the growing demand for food, including health-promoting food – seems necessary. At the moment, I am focusing on basic research on a laboratory scale, but in the next stages I would like to see this translated and applied in industry – concludes Joanna Fotschki.

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Fanconi anemia is a very rare genetic disease characterized by i.a. high risk of cancer, especially squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity. Due to the small number of patients, it is difficult to conduct clinical trials on it. Scientists from an international team propose to use advanced mathematics, or more precisely, the method of multi-level dynamic modeling, i.e. collecting large amounts and various types of genetic and health data from a limited number of patients.

– Multi-level dynamic modeling is an advanced mathematical and computational approach used in various fields of science and engineering, which allows for analyzing and explaining complex patterns – says Prof. Carsten Carlberg from the Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Olsztyn, one of the corresponding authors of the publication on this topic, which has just been published in the journal „Frontiers in Genetics” .

WHAT KIND OF ILLNESS IS THAT

Fanconi anemia (FA) is a very rare disease with a genetic basis (it occurs once in 300,000 people). It is primarily caused by mutations in 22 different genes involved in repairing damaged DNA.

People with Fanconi anemia often have congenital defects and a high risk of cancer, especially squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity. Due to gene mutations and a defect in the DNA repair process, traditional cancer treatment methods such as chemotherapy cannot be used for this disease.

A BROAD LOOK AT THE DATA

The problem in better understanding Fanconi anemia is the small number of patients and, as a result, difficulties in conducting clinical trials with their participation. Advanced mathematics comes to the rescue.

As explained by prof. Carsten Carlberg, mechanistic molecular modeling is a computational approach that is well suited to analyzing longitudinal studies of groups of people with a limited number of participants (longitudinal studies are a way of conducting research that allows you to observe the same people repeatedly and over many years). These limitations may have various reasons: logistical, financial, or because the disease being studied, such as Fanconi anemia, is rare.

In contrast, multi-level dynamic modeling is a special case of mechanistic modeling in which a large amount of data is collected for one person and then used to create models of that person’s cells and tissues. These models are sometimes referred to as „digital twins”.

– To create and „train” the model, we use data from healthy and diseased tissue samples from a unique cohort of 750 patients with FA, which was built over 15 years by Prof. Eunike Velleuer. On this basis, we develop the characteristic features of squamous cell carcinoma in patients with Fanconi anemia, which in turn allows us to develop forecasts regarding the probability of developing this cancer – explains Prof. Carsten Carlberg.

– This approach may revolutionize the way of clinical treatment of people with Fanconi anemia – says the leader of the research team, Prof. Eunike Velleuer from the University of Düsseldorf (Germany), who is one of the world’s leading experts in the field of this disease and the first author of the mentioned publication.

The German-Polish team is completed by international collaborators from Mexico and the US, who are experts in mechanistic modelling and/or Fanconi anemia.. The consortium’s ultimate goal is to create „digital twins” of FA patient which can be used to develop personalized treatment routes.

– Using mechanistic modelling and building medical digital twins is by far not restricted to Fanconi anemia, but can be applied for many investigations such as longitudinal effects of vitamin D supplementation – says Prof. Carlberg.

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Prof. Carsten Carlberg is a world-famous biochemist specializing in vitamin D research. He is the leader of the scientific group dealing with nutrigenomics at the Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Olsztyn.

More about the team’s activities at: https://welcome2.pan.olsztyn.pl/.

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