Detection and Genotyping of Human Papillomavirus (HPV16/18), Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV), and Human Cytomegalovirus (HCMV) in Endometrial Endometroid and Ovarian Cancers.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between human papillomavirus (HPV16/18), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), and human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infections and the occurrence of ovarian cancer in 48 women, of whom 36 underwent surgery and chemotherapy (group A), 12 in whom surgery was sufficient (group B), and 60 with endometroid endometrial cancer stage G1-G3 (group C), compared to patients in whom the uterus and its appendages were removed for nononcological reasons (control group). The detection of HPV, EBV, and HCMV in tumor tissue and normal tissue was performed using the real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) technique. A statistically significantly higher risk of endometrial cancer was noted in patients infected only with HCMV (OR > 1; p < 0.05). In contrast, a significantly higher risk of ovarian cancer in group A was associated with HPV16, HPV18, and EBV (OR > 1; p < 0.05); a significantly higher risk of ovarian cancer in group B was associated with HPV18 and HMCV (OR > 1; p < 0.05). The obtained results suggest that HCMV infection is associated with the development of a stage of ovarian cancer when treatment can be completed with surgery alone. Meanwhile, EBV appears to be responsible for the development of ovarian cancer in more advanced stages.

Changes in Elements and Relationships among Elements in Intervertebral Disc Degeneration.

Intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) is a complex and progressive process of disc aging. One of the most important causes of changes in the internal environment, leading to IVDD, can be changes in the concentration of individual metal elements. This study aimed to analyze the concentrations of copper, iron, manganese, lead, zinc, sodium, potassium, phosphorus, and calcium in the degenerated intervertebral discs of the lumbosacral spine, compared to healthy intervertebral discs. The study group (S) consisted of 113 Caucasian patients, qualified by a specialist surgeon for IVDD of the lumbosacral spine. The control group (C) consisted of 81 individuals. The biological material was obtained from Caucasian human cadavers during post-mortem examination. The concentrations of individual elements were assessed using inductively coupled plasma−optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). Statistically significant differences in the concentrations of microelements, depending on the degree of pain intensity, were noted for only potassium (p < 0.05). Statistically significant differences in the concentrations of the assessed microelements, depending on the degree of radiological advancement of the lesions, were noted for copper and iron (p < 0.05). In the degenerated intervertebral discs, the strongest relationships were noted between the concentrations of zinc and lead (r = 0.67; p < 0.05), zinc and phosphorus (r = 0.74; p < 0.05), and zinc and calcium (r = 0.77; p < 0.05). It has been indicated that, above all, the concentrations of copper and iron depend on the advancement of radiological changes, according to the Pfirrmann scale; however, no influence on the pain intensity, depending on the concentration of the assessed elements, was found.

Endocrine disorders and fertility and pregnancy: An update.

It is estimated that more and more couples suffer from fertility and pregnancy maintenance disorders. It is associated with impaired androgen secretion, which is influenced by many factors, ranging from genetic to environmental. It is also important to remember that fertility disorders can also result from abnormal anatomy of the reproductive male and female organ (congenital uterine anomalies - septate, unicornuate, bicornuate uterus; acquired defects of the uterus structure - fibroids, polyps, hypertrophy), disturbed hormonal cycle and obstruction of the fallopian tubes resulting from the presence of adhesions due to inflammation, endometriosis, and surgery, abnormal rhythm of menstrual bleeding, the abnormal concentration of hormones. There are many relationships between the endocrine organs, leading to a chain reaction when one of them fails to function properly. Conditions in which the immune system is involved, including infections and autoimmune diseases, also affect fertility. The form of treatment depends on infertility duration and the patient's age. It includes ovulation stimulation with clomiphene citrate or gonadotropins, metformin use, and weight loss interventions. Since so many different factors affect fertility, it is important to correctly diagnose what is causing the problem and to modify the treatment regimen if necessary. This review describes disturbances in the hormone secretion of individual endocrine organs in the context of fertility and the maintenance of pregnancy.

Emergency Medical Teams Interventions due to Cardiovascular Diseases in 2018: Polish Regional Observational Study.

Background and objectives: The goal of this work was to assess the interventions for cardiovascular causes (ICD-10: I) and analyze the time between the request for intervention and the arrival of the Medical Emergency Team realized by the Voivodeship Rescue Service in Katowice in the period between 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2018. Materials and Methods: Analysis of the characteristics of the interventions was completed based on the information contained on the dispatch order cards and medical emergency services. Statistical analysis was done using the Chi-square test (p < 0.05). Results: Out of 211,548 cases, 26,672 were associated with cardiovascular diseases. It can be observed that the large majority of interventions took place in urban areas (89.98%; 23,998 cases), whereas only 11.02% took place in rural areas (2674 cases). The most common cause for medical interventions being made by the Medical Emergency Team was primary hypertension-11,649 cases. The average arrival time to urban areas was 9 min and 12 s ± 3 min and 54 s, whereas for rural areas it was 11 min and 57 s ± 4 min and 32 s (p < 0.05). Conclusions: It can be observed that the Medical Emergency System in Katowice operates accordingly with the intentions of the legislator. The obtained data also indicates that there is a high societal awareness of the residents about the purpose of the Medical Emergency Team.

Expression Profile of EMT-related Genes and miRNAs Involved in Signal Transduction via the Wnt Pathway and Cadherins in Endometrial Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) is a molecular reprogramming that leads to an increased ability to migrate, which can promote invasion and metastasis. EMT can be initiated in response to the activity of signaling pathways such as Wnt as well as miRNAs. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to determine the expression profile of EMT-related genes involved in signal transduction via the Wnt pathway and cadherins and to assess which miRNAs can participate in the regulation of their expression. METHODS: The study material consisted of 50 endometrial samples: 40 with diagnosed endometrial cancer and 10 without neoplastic changes. The expression profile of EMT-related genes was assessed with microarrays and validated by RT-qPCR. MicroRNA expression profiling was performed using microarrays. It was also determined which miRNAs may participate in the expression regulation of EMT-related genes. RESULTS: CDH1 overexpression was observed in all three endometrial cancer grades using both mRNA microarrays and RT-qPCR. The microarray experiment showed a decrease in CDH2 level regardless of the endometrial cancer grade, however, it was only partially validated with RT-qPCR. Low levels of WNT2, WNT4, WNT5A have also been observed. Decreased expression of WNT2 and WNT5A may be caused by miR-331-3p and miR-200b-5p, respectively. CONCLUSION: The Wnt signaling is disrupted in endometrial cancer, which may be due to miR-331- 3p and miR-200b-5p activity. In addition, a change in WNT5A level in endometrial cancer compared to control may indicate that it acts as a suppressor gene and that its low expression is associated with tumor progression.