Concentration of Secreted Frizzled-Related Proteins (SFRPs) in Non-Small Cell Lung Carcinoma Subtypes-A Preliminary Study.

Non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) is the most common lung cancer worldwide. Secreted frizzled-related proteins (SFRPs) are important tumour suppressors and antagonists of the Wnt signalling pathway, which is linked with cancer development. The aim of this study was to evaluate the concentrations of SFRP1, SFRP2, and SFRP5 proteins in tumour and non-tumour (NT) samples obtained from 65 patients with primary NSCLC. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure the concentrations of SFRPs in the tissue homogenates. A significantly lower SFRP2 protein concentration was found in the total NSCLC tumour samples and the following NSCLC subtypes: squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and adenocarcinoma (AC) (p > 0.05, p = 0.028 and p = 0.001, respectively). AC tumour samples had a higher SFRP1 level than NT samples (p = 0.022), while the highest SFRP1 concentration was found in NSCLC samples from patients with clinical stage T4 cancer. Increased concentrations of SFRP1 and SFRP5 were present in stage III NSCLC samples, while the tumour samples with high pleural invasion (PL2) had an increased level of SFRP2. The results from this study suggest that the tumour suppressor or oncogenic roles of SFRPs could be connected with the NSCLC subtype. The levels of SFRPs varied according to the clinicopathological parameters of NSCLC.

miR-125b-5p, miR-155-3p, and miR-214-5p and Target E2F2 Gene in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

It is known that E2F2 (E2F transcription factor 2) plays an important role as controller in the cell cycle. This study aimed to analyse the expression of the E2F2 gene and E2F2 protein and demonstrate E2F2 target microRNAs (miRNAs) candidates (miR-125b-5p, miR-155-3p, and miR-214-5p) in oral squamous cell carcinoma tumour and margin samples. The study group consisted 50 patients. The E2F2 gene and miRNAs expression levels were assessed by qPCR, while the E2F2 protein was assessed by ELISA. When analysing the effect of miRNAs expression on E2F2 gene expression and E2F2 protein level, we observed no statistically significant correlations. miR-125b-5p was downregulated, while miR-155-3p, and miR-214-5p were upregulated in tumour samples compared to margin. We observed a difference between the miR-125b-5p expression level in smokers and non-smokers in margin samples. Furthermore, HPV-positive individuals had a significantly higher miR-125b-5p and miR-214-5p expression level compared to HPV-negative patients in tumour samples. The study result showed that the E2F2 gene is not the target for analysed miRNAs in OSCC. Moreover, miR-155-3p and miR-125b-5p could play roles in the pathogenesis of OSCC. A differential expression of the analysed miRNAs was observed in response to tobacco smoke and HPV status.

Competence in Sports Pharmacy among Pharmacy Students in Norway.

Pharmacists are competent to promote the proper use of medicines. According to the International Pharmaceutical Federation, pharmacists must develop competence in sports pharmacy and the contents of the World Anti-Doping Agency code. This explorative study aimed to identify the status of sports pharmacy in pharmacy education in Norway and competence in sports pharmacy among Norwegian pharmacy students. The study curricula of pharmacy education were examined for the content of sports pharmacy. An online questionnaire was also developed and distributed among pharmacy students. The anonymous survey collected demographic information and data on competence in sports pharmacy. Data from 122 participants were analyzed. Only 22.5% of pharmacy students had acquired a form of training in sports pharmacy and 91.7% wished to gain higher competence. In total, 40.2% of respondents were uncomfortable in advising athletes and trainers on medication use in sports. Study year was found to correlate with competence level with a significant difference between the 3rd year (bachelor) and 5th year (master) students. Age, institution, and number of years engaged in sports were not associated with competence level. The inclusion of sports pharmacy in pharmacy programs holds practical relevance for enhancing competency levels. This implementation can be realized through the integration of sports pharmacy modules and/or the incorporation of research-based activities.

α-Amino-3-Hydroxy-5-Methyl-4-Isoxazolepropionic Acid Receptor Plasticity Sustains Severe, Fatal Status Epilepticus.

OBJECTIVE: Generalized convulsive status epilepticus is associated with high mortality. We tested whether α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptor plasticity plays a role in sustaining seizures, seizure generalization, and mortality observed during focal onset status epilepticus. We also determined whether modified AMPA receptors generated during status epilepticus could be targeted with a drug. METHODS: Electrically induced status epilepticus was characterized by electroencephalogram and behavior in GluA1 knockout mice and in transgenic mice with selective knockdown of the GluA1 subunit in hippocampal principal neurons. Excitatory and inhibitory synaptic transmission in CA1 neurons was studied using patch clamp electrophysiology. The dose response of N,N,H,-trimethyl-5-([tricyclo(3.3.1.13,7)dec-1-ylmethyl]amino)-1-pentanaminiumbromide hydrobromide (IEM-1460), a calcium-permeable AMPA receptor antagonist, was determined. RESULTS: Global removal of the GluA1 subunit did not affect seizure susceptibility; however, it reduced susceptibility to status epilepticus. GluA1 subunit knockout also reduced mortality, severity, and duration of status epilepticus. Absence of the GluA1 subunit prevented enhancement of glutamatergic synaptic transmission associated with status epilepticus; however, γ-aminobutyric acidergic synaptic inhibition was compromised. Selective removal of the GluA1 subunit from hippocampal principal neurons also reduced mortality, severity, and duration of status epilepticus. IEM-1460 rapidly terminated status epilepticus in a dose-dependent manner. INTERPRETATION: AMPA receptor plasticity mediated by the GluA1 subunit plays a critical role in sustaining and amplifying seizure activity and contributes to mortality. Calcium-permeable AMPA receptors modified during status epilepticus can be inhibited to terminate status epilepticus. ANN NEUROL 2020;87:84-96.

Parallel pathways of seizure generalization.

Generalized convulsive status epilepticus is a life-threatening emergency, because recurrent convulsions can cause death or injury. A common form of generalized convulsive status epilepticus is of focal onset. The neuronal circuits activated during seizure spread from the hippocampus, a frequent site of seizure origin, to the bilateral motor cortex, which mediates convulsive seizures, have not been delineated. Status epilepticus was initiated by electrical stimulation of the hippocampus. Neurons transiently activated during seizures were labelled with tdTomato and then imaged following brain slice clearing. Hippocampus was active throughout the episode of status epilepticus. Neuronal activation was observed in hippocampus parahippocampal structures: subiculum, entorhinal cortex and perirhinal cortex, septum, and olfactory system in the initial phase status epilepticus. The tdTomato-labelled neurons occupied larger volumes of the brain as seizures progressed and at the peak of status epilepticus, motor and somatosensory cortex, retrosplenial cortex, and insular cortex also contained tdTomato-labelled neurons. In addition, motor thalamic nuclei such as anterior and ventromedial, midline, reticular, and posterior thalamic nuclei were also activated. Furthermore, circuits proposed to be crucial for systems consolidation of memory: entorhinal cortex, retrosplenial cortex, cingulate gyrus, midline thalamic nuclei and prefrontal cortex were intensely active during periods of generalized tonic-clonic seizures. As the episode of status epilepticus waned, smaller volume of brain was activated. These studies suggested that seizure spread could have occurred via canonical thalamocortical pathway and many cortical structures involved in memory consolidation. These studies may help explain retrograde amnesia following seizures.

Structure-Based Intensity Propagation for 3-D Brain Reconstruction With Multilayer Section Microscopy.

Microscopy is widely used for brain research because of its high resolution and ability to stain for many different biomarkers. Since whole brains are usually sectioned for tissue staining and imaging, reconstruction of 3D brain volumes from these sections is important for visualization and analysis. Recently developed tissue clearing techniques and advanced confocal microscopy enable multilayer sections to be imaged without compromising the resolution. However, noticeable structure inconsistence occurs if surface layers are used to align these sections. In this paper, a structure-based intensity propagation method is designed for the robust representation of multilayer sections. The 3D structures in reconstructed brains are more consistent using the proposed methods. Experiments are conducted on 367 multilayer sections from 20 mouse brains. The average reconstruction quality measured by the structure consistence index increases by 45% with the tissue flattening method and 29% further with the structure-based intensity propagation.

Analytics of oxidative stress markers in the early diagnosis of oxygen DNA damage.

Under homeostatic conditions, an equilibrium state between amounts of free radicals formed and their scavenging is observed. Free radicals are destructive only when present in excess. Pathological changes within cells and tissues can result from a persistent excess of free radicals. Living organisms are increasingly exposed to oxidative stress, resulting in oxidative DNA modifications. One such modification is 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG). It is considered a biomarker of oxidative stress and oxidative DNA damage. It has been found both in physiological fluids and in cells. This paper presents methods found in the literature for determining 8-OHdG expression in various kinds of biological material - blood, urine or liver homogenates. Methods for determining the biomarker expression have been grouped into direct and indirect methods, and the various levels of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine that can be determined by the different techniques are presented. The basic pros and cons of the various techniques are also discussed.

Effects of IFN-ß1a and IFN-ß1b treatment on the expression of cytokines, inducible NOS (NOS type II), and myelin proteins in animal model of multiple sclerosis.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of interferon (IFN)-ß1a and IFN-ß1b treatment on inflammatory factors and myelin protein levels in the brain cortex of the Lewis rat experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), animal model of multiple sclerosis. To induce EAE, rat were immunized with inoculums containing spinal cord guinea pig homogenized in phosphate-buffered saline and emulsified in Freund's complete adjuvant containing 110 µg of the appropriate antigen in 100 µl of an emulsion and additionally 4-mg/ml Mycobacterium tuberculosis (H37Ra). The rats were treated three times per week with subcutaneous applications of 300,000 units IFN-ß1a or IFN-ß1b. The treatments were started 8 days prior to immunization and continued until day 14 after immunization. The rats were killed on the 14th day of the experiment. EAE induced dramatic increase in interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-concentrations and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression in the brain, which closely corresponded to the course of neurological symptoms and the loss of weight. Both IFN-ß1b and IFN-ß1a treatments inhibited the pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-1ß, TNF-α and IFN-γ), decreased the activation of astrocytes, increased the myelin protein level in the brain cortex, and improved the neurological status of EAE rats by different mechanisms; IFN-ß1a reduced iNOS expression, at least in part, by the enhancement of IL-10, while IFN-ß1b diminished IL-10 concentration and did not decrease EAE-induced iNOS expression.

Adipose-Derived Cells (Stromal Vascular Fraction) Transplanted for Orthopedical or Neurological Purposes: Are They Safe Enough?

Although mesenchymal stem cells are used in numerous clinical trials, the safety of their application is still a matter of concern. We have analysed the clinical results of the autologous adipose-derived stem cell treatment (stromal vascular fraction (SVF) containing adipose-derived stem cells, endothelial progenitors, and blood mononuclear cells) for orthopedic (cartilage, bone, tendon, or combined joint injuries) and neurologic (multiple sclerosis) diseases. Methods of adipose tissue collection, cell isolation and purification, and resulting cell numbers, viability, and morphology were considered, and patient's age, sex, disease type, and method of cell administration (cell numbers per single application, treatment numbers and frequency, and methods of cell implantation) were analysed and searched for the unwanted clinical effects. Results of cellular therapy were compared retrospectively to those obtained with conventional medication without SVF application. SVF transplantation was always the accessory treatment of patients receiving "standard routine" therapies of their diseases. Clinical experiments were approved by the Bioethical Medical Committees supervising the centers where patients were hospitalised. The conclusion of the study is that none of the treated patients developed any serious adverse event, and autologous mesenchymal stem (stromal) cell clinical application is a safe procedure resulting in some beneficial clinical effects (not analysed in this study).

Clinical Application of Autologous Adipose Stem Cells in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis: Preliminary Results.

The clinical outcome of autologous adipose stem cell (ASC) treatment of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) was investigated following one year of observation. Methods. The clinical and MRI outcomes of 16 ASC-treated patients with RRMS and SPMS are reported after a one-year follow-up period. Results. At 18 months of follow-up, some patients showed "enticing" improvements on some exploratory efficacy measures, although a significant benefit was not observed for any measure across the entire group. Neither the progression of disability nor relapses were observed in any cases. In four patients, we found new gadolinium+ (Gd+) lesions on MRI. Our results indicate that ASC therapy is safe and does not produce any substantial side effects. Disease progression-free survival (PFS) of 18 months was seen in all patients with RRMS and SPMS. In these patients, EDSS scores did not progress above baseline scores. Gd-enhancing lesions were observed in two cases with RRMS, but these patients did not exhibit changes in EDSS score. Conclusion. Intrathecal treatment with ASCs is an attractive form of therapy for patients with MS but should be reserved for cases with aggressive disease progression, for cases that are still in the inflammatory phase, and for the malignant form.

Antlerogenic stem cells: molecular features and potential in rabbit bone regeneration.

AIM: (i) To assess the expression profiles of stem cell-associated markers including Oct4, Sox2, Klf4, Nanog, C-myc, Stat3 and Cd9, (ii) analyze the nanotopography of the MIC-1 stem cells and (iii) evaluate the efficiency of live stem cell implants and stem cell culture derivatives on the regeneration of bone deficiencies in rabbit mandibles. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The expression profiles of stem cell-associated genes, including Oct4, Sox2, Klf4, Nanog, C-myc, Stat3 and CD9 were assessed using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and flow cytometry. Nanotopography of the antlerogenic MIC-1 cell lineage was analyzed using atomic force microscopy. The effect of MIC-1 stem cells, their homogenate and supernatant on the regeneration of bone deficiencies in rabbit mandibles was evaluated using histological analysis. The effect of MIC-1 stem cells and stem cell-based derivatives on the immune responses of the animals was assessed by analyses of acute phase protein levels (haptoglobin and fibrinogen). RESULTS: We found that the MIC-1 cells isolated from the apical regions of growing antlers exhibited molecular features that were characteristics of pluripotent stem cells. Using atomic force microscopy, we determined the details of the cell surface morphologies with a particular emphasis on the patterns of formation of plasma extensions for interlinking adjacent cells. We also demonstrated that not only implanted stem cells but also cell homogenates and cell post-culture supernatants have potential in the regeneration of bone deficiencies in the rabbit mandible. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that the use of both antlerogenic stem cell implants and the preparations derived from the cells offer alternative approaches to those based on autologous stem cells in the biological stimulation of osteogenesis and in bone regeneration.

The Influence of α-Lipoic Acid and Garlic Administration on Biomarkers of Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in Rabbits Exposed to Oxidized Nutrition Oils.

We hypothesized that addition of substances with antioxidant activity could decrease the concentrations of biomarkers of oxidative stress and inflammatory process, thus inhibiting nonalcoholic steatohepatitis development. We investigated the influence of α-lipoic acid (ALA) and garlic administration on the development of adverse changes in rabbit liver and serum under oxidative stress conditions induced with HFD from oxidized oils. We determined 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8 OHdG) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in liver homogenates, total oxidant status (TOS), lipid peroxides (LOO) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) in blood serum, and TNFα and IL-1α genes expression in liver. The results indicate that the intake of dietary ALA and garlic was significantly associated with decreases of 8 OHdG and MDA levels in rabbits' liver tissue as well as TOS and LOO levels in rabbits' serum. Similarly, TNFα and IL-1α gene expressions were suppressed due to ALA and garlic supplementation. The histopathological analysis confirmed that HFD results in liver disorder leading to steatosis. This adverse effect of HFD was ameliorated by the supplementation of ALA and garlic. The obtained results indicate a beneficial effect of ALA and garlic administration by reducing the oxidative stress intensity and the levels of some proinflammatory cytokines in rabbits fed HFD.

[Current state of research on multiple sclerosis]. / Aktualny stan badan nad stwardnieniem rozsianym.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease of the central nervous system (CNS) autoimmune. It belongs to a group of demyelinating disease, which is an irreversible consequence of disability. Epidemiological data indicate that occurs in nearly 2.5 million people around the world. Despite much research is still little known about the disease pathomechanism. Do not we also have so far fully effective the treatment. Available immunomodulatory drugs offer new opportunities defer progression for years. Both fingolimod and natalizumab are more effective in the treatment of MS than the widely used IFN-beta and glatiramer acetate (GA). However, new drugs pose a greater risk of side effects than first-generation drugs. The rapid development of research offers the prospect of a better understanding of the pathogenesis of the disease and to develop more effective treatments.

Effects of interferon ß-1a and interferon ß-1b monotherapies on selected serum cytokines and nitrite levels in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis: a 3-year longitudinal study.

OBJECTIVE: Interferon (IFN)ß treatment is a mainstay of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) immunotherapy. Its efficacy is supposedly a consequence of impaired trafficking of inflammatory cells into the central nervous system and modification of the proinflammatory/antiinflammatory cytokine balance. However, the effects of long-term monotherapy using various IFNß preparations on cytokine profiles and the relevance of these effects for the therapy outcome have not yet been elucidated. METHODS: Changes were compared in serum levels of TNFα, IFNγ, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10 and nitrite between RRMS patients given 3-year treatment with intramuscular IFNß-1a (30 µg once a week) or subcutaneous IFNß-1b (250 µg every other day). Only the data from patients who completed the 3-year study (n = 20 and n = 18, respectively) were analyzed. RESULTS: Three-year IFNß-1a or IFNß-1b monotherapy reduced serum nitrite levels by 77 and 71%, respectively, lowered multiple sclerosis relapse annual rate by 70 and 71%, respectively, and significantly and similarly lowered Expanded Disability Status Scale scores in both study groups (by 0.9 on average). The two monotherapies showed little if any effect on cytokine levels and cytokine level ratios after the first year, but exerted diverging effects on these indices later on; the only exception was the IFNγ/IL-6 ratio that showed a monotonous rise in both study groups over the entire study period. CONCLUSION: During long-term IFNß monotherapy, the levels of the studied cytokines show no relevance to the course of RRMS and neurological status of patients, whereas there seems to be a link between these clinical indices and the activity of nitric oxide-mediated pathways.