SRY-Related Transcription Factors in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinomas: In Silico Based Analysis.

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the sixth leading cancer and the fifth cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide with a poor 5-year survival. SOX family genes play a role in the processes involved in cancer development such as epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), the maintenance of cancer stem cells (CSCs) and the regulation of drug resistance. We analyzed the expression of SOX2-OT, SOX6, SOX8, SOX21, SOX30 and SRY genes in HNSCC patients using the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets, to assess their biological role and their potential utility as biomarkers. We demonstrated statistically significant differences in expression between normal and primary tumor tissues for SOX6, SOX8, SOX21 and SOX30 genes and pointed to SOX6 as the one that met the independent diagnostic markers criteria. SOX21 or SRY alone, or the panel of six SRY-related genes, could be used to estimate patient survival. SRY-related genes are positively correlated with immunological processes, as well as with keratinization and formation of the cornified envelope, and negatively correlated with DNA repair and response to stress. Moreover, except SRY, all analyzed genes were associated with a different tumor composition and immunological profiles. Based on validation results, the expression of SOX30 is higher in HPV(+) patients and is associated with patients' survival. SRY-related transcription factors have vast importance in HNSCC biology. SOX30 seems to be a potential biomarker of HPV infection and could be used as a prognostic marker, but further research is required to fully understand the role of SOX family genes in HNSCC.

Green Physical Activity Indicator: Health, Physical Activity and Spending Time Outdoors Related to Residents Preference for Greenery.

Spending time in the natural outdoor environment is a part of a healthy lifestyle. This study focused on identifying elements of green infrastructure that have a positive impact on both increasing physical activity, spending time outdoors and improving overall health. The aim of the research was to identify which elements of the settlement units' green and blue infrastructure, related to residents' preferences for greenery, influence more physical activity and spending time in green spaces and improve the healthy feeling of users as perceived by respondents. A total of 721 respondents from Poland took part in the survey. Using multiple regression models, the factors that influence an increase in outdoor physical activity Green Physical Activity Index (GPAI) were: using green spaces for exercise, spending time outdoors, exposure to nature and sufficiently large amounts of green space in the neighborhood and proximity to places to walk the dog. In contrast, physical activity has been shown to improve feeling healthy (health declaration). The main findings show that the increase in physical activity outdoors (GPAI) is positively influenced by factors related to respondents' reasons for being outdoors, rather than the attractiveness and availability of green infrastructure. The research confirmed the necessity of arranging green areas with rich offerings in terms of a variety of activities for leisure visitors, to give them more opportunities for being outdoors.

Phytotoxicity and phytogenotoxicity of soil and air in the vicinity of a petrochemical plant in Plock (Poland).

Petrochemical industries have been widely recognised as important emission sources of airborne contaminants including heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons PAHs, which affect the quality of air, soil and vegetation. In this study, our aim was to examine the phytotoxicity and phytogenotoxicity of soils and air in the vicinity of a petrochemical plant, in order to assess the potential threat of such industrial objects for crops and natural vegetation, in the cases when the allowable concentrations of contaminants are not exceeded and the plants in the vicinity visually do not seem to be affected. For phytotoxicity and phytogenotoxicity assessment, the Phytotoxkit and respectively Vicia RTA and TRAD MCN bioassays were used. According to our results, in spite of relatively low content of heavy metals and PAHs (hardly any exceedance of standards), the phytotoxicity and especially phytogenotoxicity of soil samples collected up to 18 km from the refinery were detected by the bioindicators. The phytogenotoxicity of air was also indicated within the distance of up to 12 km. We concluded that to obtain the complete view of the environmental risks in a surveyed area, a combination of chemical analysis of environmental samples with the bioindication methods should be implemented. In addition, setting the acceptable levels of contaminants should involve a more extensive use of bioindication methods (especially genotoxicity assessment).