Electric Cell-Substrate Impedance Sensing (ECIS) as a Convenient Tool to Assess the Potential of Low Molecular Fraction Derived from Medicinal Fungus Cerrena unicolor in Action on L929 and CT-26 Cell Lines.

The increase in the incidence of cancer has contributed to the search for new therapeutic methods. In recent years, the use of preparations of natural origin from medical fungi has increased. One such active substance is the extracellular, low molecular active fraction obtained from the medicinal fungus Cerrena unicolor. This study aimed to monitor the pharmacokinetics of different concentrations of substances isolated from the medicinal fungus Cerrena unicolor (ex-LMS) using the ECIS technique. In the study, mouse L929 fibroblasts and colon cancer CT26 cell lines were treated with different concentrations of the active fractions obtained from Cerrena unicolor: C1 = 2.285 (µg/mL); C2 = 22.85 (µg/mL); and C3 = 228.5 (µg/mL). This study demonstrated that the tested preparation from Cerrena unicolor had no considerable effect on the resistance, capacitance, and impedance of L929 fibroblast cells, which was an indicator of no significant effect on its physiological processes. At the same time, those parameters exhibited a decrease in colon cancer cell viability. Following our previous and current studies on Cerrena unicolor, ex-LMS extracts can be safely used in anticancer therapy or chemoprevention with no significant harmful effects on normal cells.

Impact of depressive disorders on clinical outcomes in patients with chronic heart failure.

Introduction: To date, there are no literature reports of research investigating the relationship between depression and chronic heart failure (CHF) in relation to selected nutritional, cardiac and laboratory parameters. Aim: To compare CHF parameters in relation to nutritional and laboratory parameters between depressed and non-depressed patients. Material and methods: We enrolled 94 CHF individuals from Lubelskie Voivodeship to assess depression prevalence and to compare values of cardiac, laboratory and nutritional parameters between depressed and non-depressed patients. Results: Depression was diagnosed in 66 (70.2%) individuals. We noted significantly lower ejection fraction (EF) (EF%) in the group of depressive patients compared to disease-free individuals (mean EF%: 42 ±12 and 49 ±9; p = 0.030) and worse outcomes in NYHA examination (p < 0.001). Depressed patients had lower body weight (p = 0.023), body mass index (BMI) (p = 0.044), serum albumin concentration (p = 0.015), and hemoglobin concentration (p = 0.042) and an elevated level of C-reactive protein (CRP) (p = 0.025) in comparison to the non-depressed group. The moderate or severely depressed group had a lower level of EF% (p = 0.019) and higher left anterior descending artery (LAD) (p = 0.040) compared with the group suffering from mild depression. We observed greater susceptibility to develop cachexia in patients diagnosed as moderately or severely depressed (p = 0.030). Moreover, in the mentioned group of patients, lower values of body weight (p = 0.037), fat-free mass (FFM) (p = 0.022) and hemoglobin concentration (p = 0.007) were found. Moreover, an inverse correlation between Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) score and EF% (r = -0.371; p = 0.017) was recorded. Conclusions: Depression in CHF patients is associated with worse cardiac, laboratory and nutritional outcomes. Unfavorable clinical characteristics of CHF patients are related to depression severity.

Assessment of the possibility of using biomarkers (CCL11 and TGF-beta 1) in the diagnosis of prostate gland hyperplasia in dogs.

Prostatic hyperplasia (PH) is the most common reproductive disorder in dogs and can lead to discomforting problems such as haematuria, urinary incontinence, constipation, difficulty in defecating and stiffness of the hind limbs. The diagnosis of PH is nowadays based on digital rectal examination (DRE), ultrasonography (US) and radiography (X-ray). However, markers associated with PH are barely used for diagnostic purposes. Recently, there have been reports on the use of certain biomarkers for diagnosing PH in dogs such as canine PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen), microRNA and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Nevertheless, it has been generally accepted that these biomarkers play only an auxiliary role. Accordingly, the aim of our study was to evaluate the usefulness of the CCL11 (eotaxin-1) and TGF-beta 1 markers, which are used in the diagnosis of prostate diseases in humans, in case of dogs with PH. The study was carried out on 40 dogs of different breeds divided into three groups. Group I (n = 9) comprised dogs up to 5 years of age without changes indicative of PH. Group II (n = 17) included dogs aged 5-10 that were examined and diagnosed with (PH) and Group III (n = 14) which consisted of dogs over 10 years of age who were also diagnosed with PH. The study demonstrated that CCL11 levels did not differ significantly between the study groups and the median levels were 7.27 pg/mL, 7.57 pg/mL, 6.81 pg/mL, and IQR ranges 1.55 pg/mL, 1.74 pg/mL, 2.32 pg/mL, respectively. In contrast, TGF-beta 1 levels were detectable only in 6 dogs of group III and averaged the median of 28.86 pg/mL, IQR ranges 10.07 pg/mL. The study proved that CCL11 and TGF-beta 1 markers are of a limited use when diagnosing PH in dogs as no significant correlation related to age, body weight or prostate size was found.

Revealing the toxicity of lopinavir- and ritonavir-containing water and wastewater treated by photo-induced processes to Danio rerio and Allivibrio fischeri.

In coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), among many protocols, lopinavir and ritonavir in individual or combined forms with other drugs have been used, causing an increase in the concentration of antiviral drugs in the wastewater and hospital effluents. In conventional wastewater treatment plants, the removal efficiency of various antiviral drugs is estimated to be low (<20%). The high values of predicted no-effect concentration (PNEC) for lopinavir and ritonavir (in ng∙L-1) reveal their high chronic toxicity to aquatic organisms. This indicates that lopinavir and ritonavir are current priority antiviral drugs that need to be thoroughly monitored and effectively removed from any water and wastewater samples. In this study, we attempt to explore the impacts of two photo-induced processes (photolysis and photocatalysis) on the toxicity of treated water and wastewater samples containing lopinavir and ritonavir to zebrafish (Danio rerio) and marine bacteria (Allivibrio fischeri). The obtained results reveal that traces of lopinavir in water under photo-induced processes may cause severe problems for Danio rerio, including pericardial edema and shortening of the tail, affecting its behavior, and for Allivibrio fischeri as a result of the oxygen-depleted environment, inflammation, and oxidative stress. Hence, lopinavir must be removed from water and wastewater before being in contact with light. In contrast, the photo-induced processes of ritonavir-containing water and wastewater reduce the toxicity significantly. This shows that even if the physicochemical parameters of water and wastewater are within the standard requirements/limits, the presence of traces of antiviral drugs and their intermediates can affect the survival and behavior of Danio rerio and Allivibrio fischeri. Therefore, the photo-induced processes and additional treatment of water and wastewater containing ritonavir can minimize its toxic effect.

High miR-511-3p Expression as a Potential Predictor of a Poor Nutritional Status in Head and Neck Cancer Patients Subjected to Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy.

Nutritional deficiencies, including malnutrition and its irreversible type cachexia, are often observed in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC). Among the various factors contributing to the occurrence of these disorders, inflammation seems to be crucial. The potential regulatory properties of miR-511-3p, e.g., post-translational alteration of expression of genes with protein products that are involved in inflammation, may be related to nutritional deficiencies observed in HNC patients. Therefore, the aim of our study was to assess the correlation between pretreatment miR-511-3p expression and nutritional status in patients undergoing radiotherapy (RT) due to HNC. In our retrospective study, 60 consecutively admitted patients treated with intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) due to advanced HNC were enrolled. The analysis of miR-511-3p expression was performed using real-time PCR. Significantly higher expression of miR-511-3p was observed in well-nourished patients compared to patients with moderate or severe malnutrition (p = 0.0001). Pretreatment expression of miR-511-3p may be a useful biomarker of nutritional deficiencies in patients subjected to IMRT due to HNC.

MicroRNA and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) as new useful markers in the diagnosis of benign prostatic hyperplasia in dogs.

Numerous specific biomarkers with a prognostic and diagnostic value comparable to histopathological findings are now used for non-invasive diagnosis of prostate diseases in humans. Meanwhile, as far as dogs are concerned, the diagnosis of prostate disorders is based solely on clinical examination and ultrasound (USG). Therefore, the aim of the study was to assess the usefulness of two biomarkers, i.e. miRNA-129 and VEGF for the diagnosis of BPH in dogs. The study involved 40 dogs divided into three groups. Group I (n = 9) comprised healthy dogs up to the age of 5 years, Group II (n = 17) comprised dogs between the ages of 5-10 suffering from BPH as confirmed by the examination and Group III (n = 14) comprising dogs over 10 years of age, which also had BPH confirmed. The results demonstrated that dogs in group II and III exhibited a significant decrease in miRNA expression (P < 0.0001) and a significant increase in serum VEGF levels (P = 0.025) when compared to the dogs in group I. There was also a positive correlation between the prostate size and VEGF level. The findings led to the conclusion that the determination of miRNA-129 and VEGF can significantly contribute to the diagnosis of prostate disorders in dogs.

The Level of Prolactin, Serum Amyloid A, and Selected Biochemical Markers in Mares Before and After Parturition and Foal Heat.

The aim of the study was to determine the level of prolactin (PRL), serum amyloid A (SAA), and selected biochemical markers (T-Chol, AST, TP, Mg2+, P+, and Ca2+) in the blood of mares during the perinatal period. The study involved 14 mares of the Polish Coldblood Horse breed, which were in the third trimester of pregnancy. Blood was collected for testing 2 weeks before parturition and then 24 hours after delivery and in the foal heat (9 days) and 9 days after ovulation and breeding. The research revealed significant differences in the level of PRL and SAA before and after delivery. The highest PRL level was found 24 hours after delivery, lowest in foal heat and 9 days after ovulation. Serum amyloid A concentration was within the accepted norms; however, on day 9 after foaling, a significant increase of this protein was observed. All biochemical markers were within physiological limits. However, significant increases in T-Chol, AST, and TP levels was observed 24 hours after the delivery, whereas in foal heat and after ovulation levels of T-Chol and TP significantly decreased and the AST level remained at a similar level. There were no significant changes in electrolyte levels such as Mg2+, P+, and Ca2+. The pregnancy rate in the foal heat was at 43%. Collectively, the results of this study in conjunction with clinical observations demonstrated that when the perinatal period was normal, no disturbances in health related to pregnancy, parturition, lactation, and reproductive status during the postpartum period were found.

[Selected indicators of inflammation in patients hospitalized with various degrees of obesity and metabolic syndrome]. / Wybrane wskazniki stanu zapalnego u chorych hospitalizowanych z róznym stopniem otylosci i zespolem metabolicznym.

In people with metabolic syndrome, obesity and diseases of the cardiovascular system are more often observed. At the basis of the pathogenesis of the metabolic syndrome, chronic inflammation plays a significant role. One of the markers of this process is C-reactive protein (CRP) - one of the indicators of the acute phase of inflammation. The role of other biochemical parameters in obesity has been less well understood. AIM: The aim of the study is to assess the correlation of selected factors of inflammation in obese people and the relevant anthropometric parameters. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 263 patients participated in the study. In all subjects anthropometric measurements (body weight, waist/hip ratio and body mass index) were performed and selected biochemical parameters related to MS were determined. The obtained data were analyzed with the division into three degrees of obesity, taking into account gender and place of residence. RESULTS: The mean C-reactive protein (CRP) concentration was 5,32 ± 14 mg/dl; in women, the highest concentration in 2° of obesity (5mg/dL) and in men in 1-potency (8,41mg/dL). A statistically significant difference in the level of leukocytes between 1° and 3° of obesity in the study group was obtained (p = 0,02). In 3° of obesity in both sexes the highest concentration of monocytes was demonstrated. Positive correlations between leukocyte levels and individual parameters were demonstrated: triglyceride levels (r = 0,134); and the BMI value (r = 0,155); a waist (r = 0,147); and the level of PLT (r = 0,381) and RBC (r = 0,187). CONCLUSIONS: The consequence of obesity is the continuous production of inflammatory factors causing destruction of the body's own tissues. In the present study, CRP values were shown to slightly exceed (p<0,05) above the accepted norm, while the remaining analyzed indicators were within diagnostic standards (in their upper ranges).

[Symbolizm of medical institutions]. / Symboliczny wymiar wizerunku placówki medycznej.

Marketing in health service has become an indispensable tool for creating and maintaining a positive image of medical institutions which to a great extent determines their success on the market. This process entails not only providing professional, reliable and up-to-date patient care but also establishing good reputation among those who already use it and its potential customers. It should be recognizable also for deliverers, investors, competitors, media and particularly for society and local authorities. The key to success is professionalism of personnel and their identification with the mission of the institution and the direction of changes being implemented there. For a complete success and recognition is essential health care facilities, which affects virtually matched the name and symbol, and communication of people responsible for contact with the media.

Low atmospheric pressure and humidity are related with more frequent pulmonary embolism episodes in male patients.

Pulmonary embolism is a frequent condition, related with high mortality. Frequency of pulmonary embolism episodes has been related with several meteorological factors. The aim of the study was to analyze the influence of meteorological factors on the occurrence of pulmonary embolism in male and female patients. Medical data of patients hospitalized at our institution in 2007-2008 was analyzed. Study group included 400 patients with pulmonary embolism, living in the region located at an average level of about 200 m above sea level, with climate of a transitional character between maritime and continental climates. No significant differences in seasonal distribution of pulmonary embolism episodes were observed. A significant inverse correlation of the number of pulmonary embolism cases and atmospheric pressure, as well as air humidity, was identified in male patients. No significant correlations of temperature, wind velocity, precipitation and number of PE cases were observed. The influence of meteorological factors on the occurrence of pulmonary embolism in males is a new finding. A prospective study is warranted to further analyze this result.

[Side effects of caffeine]. / Niepozadane dzialania kofeiny.

Caffeine is one of the most commonly ingested alkaloids worldwide. It is present in coffee, tea, soft and energy drinks, chocolate, etc. Currently published data has been stressed that the metyloxantine consumption increases the risk of coronary heart disease, arterial hypertension, arterial stiffness, and an elevation of cholesterol and homocysteine plasma concentration. The acute high consumption may also modulate insulin sensitivity and glucose blood level. However, the long-term consumption reduces the incidence of the type 2 diabetes mellitus. When administered in high doses the substance may cause various side effects, related to abnormal stimulation of the central nervous system, decrease tonus of the lower esophageal sphincter, as well as increase risk of miscarriage and intrauterine growth retardation. The final manifestation of side reactions is dependent on the genotype, especially polymorphisms of genes associated with caffeine metabolism, i.e., cytochrome P450-CYP1A2 and catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT).

Dimensions of segmental bronchi of pulmonary lower lobes in humans and Cercopithecus aethiops.

The aim of the study was to determine the bronchial segmental tree dimensions of lower lobes in humans and Cercopithecus aethiops and to estimate the possible relations between them. The study was carried out on a group of 62 human cadavers (aged 20 to 60; 28 men, and 34 women) and 30 sexually mature corpses of Cercopithecus aethiops (14 male and 16 female individuals). The trachea and bronchi were swilled out, injected with duracryl and digested in hydrochloric acid. After washing out an exact model of the topographically unchanged bronchial tree was obtained. Those preparations were dried and the diameters of the segmental bronchi in the lower lobes of both lungs were measured. The statistical analysis was performed using the SAS system v. 6.11. Differences between groups were analyzed by ANOVA. If P < 0.05, differences between the mean values were considered statistically significant. In the studied material almost all measured values in Cercopithecus aethiops were higher in female individuals in contrast to the results obtained for humans. In both sexes of Cercopithecus aethiops medial and anterior basal bronchi have the biggest diameter in both sides, but in male and female humans posterior basal bronchus has the biggest diameter. Unlike humans, where the medial segments are small, the medial segments in Cercopithecus aethiops constitute a significant functional part of the lungs.

Morphometric parameters of the human pineal gland in relation to age, body weight and height.

The aim of the study was to compare the size, weight, volume and density of the pineal gland in several groups divided by age, body weight and height. 80 human pineal glands were included in the study. Obtained data were statistically analysed by means of Statistica by Statsoft to check existing differences. Obtained data show some significant differences between pineal gland morphometry in weight- and height-related groups. However, these differences do not influence pineal volume significantly. Differences between the pineal gland volume in the maximal and in the minimal weight groups may suggest some relationship between the gland's structure and body weight. No age-related changes in the morphometry of the pineal gland were observed.