The Role of Tumor Parenchymal and Stromal Ratios in Colorectal Cancer.

Objective: To evaluate the implications and significant role of parenchymal and stromal ratio in colorectal cancer (CRC). Materials and methods: In our review, we involved English studies from common databases such as Web of Science, Scopus, Google Scholar, PubMed, and the Cochrane Library using the following keywords "colorectal cancer", "tumor stromal ratio", "tumor parenchymal ratio", and "prognostic marker" till December 2023. Results: The majority of CRC patients are usually diagnosed at late stages, which may lead to missing out on the chance to get radical therapy. Patients with unfavorable prognosis have epithelial malignant tumors with a high amount of stroma, more than 50% stroma, while tumors with a low amount of stroma, less than 50%, and abundant carcinoma tissue have a better prognosis. Conclusion: Tumor-stromal ratio is a valuable, cheap, and fast modality that provides valuable prognostic data of colorectal carcinoma and other cancers.

Content of Essential Trace Elements in the Hair of Residents of the Caspian Region of the Republic of Kazakhstan Who Recovered from COVID-19.

This study aimed to investigate the content of essential elements in the hair of unvaccinated residents of the Caspian region who recovered from COVID-19. This cross-sectional study involved 260 unvaccinated permanent residents of Mangistau oblast aged 18−60. The diagnosis and severity of COVID-19 were based on clinical signs and symptoms, laboratory data, R-graph results, and oxygen saturation by the Clinical Protocol of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry determined the content of trace elements cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), iodine (I), manganese (Mn), selenium (Se), and zinc (Zn). The content of Cr (p < 0.05), Cu (p < 0.05), Fe (p < 0.001), I (p < 0.05), Mn (p < 0.001), and Zn (p < 0.05) in the hair of individuals who had a coronavirus infection was lower than those who did not have this infection. There were significantly higher levels of Cu (p < 0.05) in the hair of participants who had moderate or severe COVID-19 compared to those with mild forms. The results of multiple regression analysis showed that in the presence of a COVID-19 infection in a subject's history, the content of Cr (0.871 (95% CI: 0.811; 0.936)), Cu (0.875 (95% CI: 0.803; 0.955)), Fe (0.745 (95% CI: 0.636; 0.873)), and Mn (0.642 (95%CI: 00.518; 0.795)) decreased in the hair. The data obtained indicate that past COVID-19 infections affect the trace element status of the inhabitants of the Caspian region of Kazakhstan.

Effects of metformin on lymphocyte DNA damage in obese individuals among Kazakh population.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The global obesity epidemic is growing worldwide and its further growth is expected in the future. In obesity, the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and cytokines is normally observed, which damage the genetic material. The purpose of this study was to assess lymphocyte DNA damage before and after metformin use in obese individuals. NOVELTY: The novelty of the article is that for the first time DNA damage in lymphocytes before and after the use of metformin in obese individuals among Kazakh population was studied. METHODS: Indirect immunofluorescence analysis using the AKLIDES apparatus was used for the quantitative determination of phosphorylated γ-H2AX (Ser 139) and 53BP1 in order to analyze DNA breaks in the lymphocytes. RESULTS: The data indicating premature cell aging in the visceral adipose tissue in obese individuals were obtained. An increased hypoxia was observed in combination with an increase in γ-H2AX foci. DNA damage monitoring may become an important part of clinical studies of obesity. Advanced methods to diagnose obesity with early detection of precancerous changes imply a personalized approach, which is ineffective without data from genomic studies. CONCLUSION: This study showed that metformin at a dose of 850 mg/day for 3 months for the treatment of obesity (BMI more than 30 kg/m2) resulted in a decrease in DNA breaks in the lymphocytes.

Human Papillomavirus Selected Properties and Related Cervical Cancer Prevention Issues.

High-risk human papillomavirus strains are widely known to be the causative agents responsible for cervical cancer development. Aggregated damage caused by papillomaviruses solely is estimated in at least 5% of all malignancies of the human body and 16% in cancers that affect the female genital area. Enhanced understanding of the complex issue on how the high extent of carcinogenicity is eventually formed due to the infection by the Papoviridae family would contribute to enhancing current prevention strategies not only towards cervical cancer, but also other HPV associated cancers. This review article is aimed at presenting the key points in two directions: the current cervical cancer prevention and related aspects of HPV behavior. Virtually all applied technologies related to HPV diagnostics and screening programs, such as HPV tests, colposcopy-based tests (VIA/VILI), conventional and liquid-based cytology, currently available are presented. Issues of availability, advantages, and drawbacks of the screening programs, as well as vaccination strategies, are also reviewed in the article based on the analyzed sources. The current point of view regarding HPV is discussed with emphasis on the most problematic aspect of the HPV family concerning the observed increasing number of highly carcinogenic types. Present trends in HPV infection diagnostics throughout the human fluids and tissues are also reported, including the latest novelties in this field, such as HPV assay/self-sample device combinations. Besides, a brief outline of the related prevention issues in Kazakhstan, the leading country of Central Asia, is presented. Kazakhstan, as one of the post-soviet middle-income countries, may serve as an example of the current situation in those terrains, concerning the implementation of globally accepted cervical cancer prevention strategies. Along with positive achievements, such as the development of a nationwide screening program, a range of drawbacks is also analyzed and discussed.