Clinical and Functional Effects of Rehabilitation of Patients after COVID-19 Infection.

Background/Objectives: The most common post-acute consequences of SARS-CoV-2 include lung dysfunction, the impairment of cognitive functions and mental health, as well as the impairment of the musculoskeletal system in the form of fatigue and muscle weakness. Post-COVID-19 patients often experience impaired balance and reduced physical capacity. It is important to implement a rehabilitation program that eliminates the side effects of COVID-19 and allows for significant improvement in the patient's functionality. The aim of our study was to assess patient functionality after a 6-week rehabilitation program on balance, foot pressure distribution, and physical capacity in post-COVID-19 patients. Methods: The clinical study group consisted of 53 people 3 months after COVID-19 infection, confirmed by a positive PCR test. Exclusion from the study included people with comorbidities that impaired balance and gait. The patients underwent a posturographic assessment-Romberg test, a baropodometric assessment-static and dynamic, and a performance assessment-a 6 min walk test determining shortness of breath on the mMRC scale, blood pressure, heart rate, and saturation. Patients participated in rehabilitation until the sixth week, after which they were assessed again. Comparisons were made using IBM SPSS Statistics 27.0 software using the Wilcoxon pairwise order test, at a significance level of p < 0.05. Results: The result of the postural control assessment showed an improvement in the ability to maintain the centre of gravity in terms of the foot support area-statistical decreases were observed in the ellipse area, from 745.28 mm2 to 453.52 mm2 (p = 0.009), as well as maximum (from 3133.5 gr/cm2 to 2994.2 gr/cm2; p = 0.065) and average load on the left foot (from 1010.1 gr/cm2 to 969.38 gr/cm2; p = 0.028). In the 6 min walk test before and after exercise, the heart rate decreased after the therapy (shortness of breath on the mMRC scale also decreased from 79.12 to 74.95). This means that patients achieved better physical fitness and efficiency. Conclusions: Rehabilitation significantly improved balance, as measured by a decrease in ellipse area during the Romberg test.

Enhancing Angioinvasion Assessment in Papillary Thyroid Cancer Via a Biomarker Panel Involving TAC, 8-OHdG, and Sortilin.

CONTEXT: Papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) aggressiveness and metastatic potential are closely associated with angioinvasion. Identifying angioinvasion accurately is imperative for treatment planning and prognosis. OBJECTIVE: This study explores serum biomarkers, including 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and oxidative status markers (total oxidative capacity, total antioxidant capacity [TAC], and sortilin), as potential indicators of angioinvasion in PTC. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study involving 50 angioinvasive patients with PTC (study group) and 30 patients with PTC with low-risk features (reference group). Serum levels of biomarkers were analyzed to determine their association with angioinvasion. SETTING: Patients were recruited from Department of Endocrinology, Diabetology, and Internal Diseases, Medical University of Bialystok, Poland, ensuring representation from a diverse clinical context. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS: Participants included patients with PTC, with 50 in the study group and 30 in the reference group. Selection criteria, matching characteristics, and participant completion rates were duly recorded. INTERVENTION(S): Serum biomarkers were measured to evaluate their association with PTC angioinvasion. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Primary outcome measures included serum levels of 8-OHdG, total oxidative capacity, TAC, and sortilin. RESULTS: Serum levels of 8-OHdG and sortilin were significantly elevated in angioinvasive PTC, whereas TAC showed a notable decrease (all P < .01). A regression panel combining TAC, 8-OHdG, and sortilin demonstrated a high area under the curve value (0.963) for angioinvasion discernment. CONCLUSION: Measuring TAC, 8-OHdG, and sortilin levels may serve as potential biomarkers for identifying angioinvasion in PTC. The combined assessment of these biomarkers enhances angioinvasion discernment, aiding risk stratification and personalized treatment decisions. Further validation studies are required before integrating these biomarkers into routine clinical practice. The study adheres to the provided structure, providing concise and supported conclusions based on the results.

Foot static disturbances and clinical features in overweight patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Introduction: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, inflammatory, connective tissue disease, leading to foot deformities, impairment of locomotive functions, and reducing patients' quality of life. Obesity prevalence is rising in early RA and is associated with worse disease activity, function and health-related quality of life, with a significant negative impact on achieving a low Disease Activity Score in 28 joints (DAS28). The aim of the study was to evaluate foot deformities in overweight RA patients according to the severity of the disease. Material and methods: The study was performed on 50 overweight women with RA. The control group consisted of 50 overweight women free of any disorders. Plantography examination was carried out by means of a CQ ST 2K podoscope. Rheumatoid arthritis disease activity was assessed by DAS28. Activity limitation was assessed using the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) and foot posture by the Foot Posture Index (FPI-6). Body composition analysis was performed using In Body 220. Results: Hallux valgus was the most frequent deformation in RA patients with overweight. Longitudinal flat foot was much more frequent in RA patients than transverse flat foot. A relationship between fat tissue mass and presence of transverse flat foot in RA patients with overweight was found. In this group DAS28, VAS, and Clarke's angle were correlated with increased value of HAQ. Conclusions: Plantar contourography showed a trend of an increase of α angle values and the Sztriter-Godunow index (KY) in overweight RA patients with increasing severity of radiological changes and DAS28, requiring use of proper prevention and therapeutic strategies of destructive changes.

Clinical significance of oxidative stress markers as angioinvasion and metastasis indicators in papillary thyroid cancer.

Angioinvasion remains the important prognostic feature in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) patients. Literature data indicates several markers that may be associated with oxidative stress and/or angioinvasion. Therefore, we assessed the utility of selected parameters in angioinvasion and metastasis screening in serum of PTC patients. Serum antioxidant capacity (TAC) and sirtuin 3 (SIRT3) levels were decreased (all p < 0.05) and both DNA/RNA oxidative stress damage products (DNA/RNA OSDP) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were increased in PTC patients with angioinvasion and metastasis (study group) when compared with PTC patients without these features (all p < 0.01). The highest screening utility in differentiation between angioinvasion and metastasis presence and absence in PTC patients was presented for DNA/RNA OSDP (AUC = 0.71), SIRT3 (AUC = 0.70), and TAC (AUC = 0.67) (all p < 0.05). Our study suggests that peripheral concentration of oxidative stress markers could be useful as angioinvasion and metastasis indicator in PTC patients.

Balance Disorders in People with History of COVID-19 in Light of Posturographic Tests.

Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19), resulting from infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus, causes not only flu-like symptoms, such as fever, aches, or a dry cough, but also affects the sensory system, leading to a loss of smell and taste or to neurological deficits in the shape of balance disorders and dizziness. PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: Our research aimed to assess the prevalence of balance disorders in patients who had suffered COVID-19. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study group consisted of 73 subjects with a history of SARS-CoV-2 infection. The control group consisted of 50 healthy people with similar demographics. A balance analysis was performed on a tensometric platform, using the Romberg test. RESULTS: Statistically significant differences between the results of the study group and the control group were obtained in the evaluation of the length of body sways and the area of gravity center, both with open and closed eyes, and in the case of maximum body sways with open eyes. CONCLUSIONS: Patients who have suffered COVID-19 may suffer from balance disorders detectable by posturographic tests.

The Relationship between Oxidative Status and Radioiodine Treatment Qualification among Papillary Thyroid Cancer Patients.

Total oxidative status (TOS), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), tumor protein 53 (p53), nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), forkhead box protein O1 (FOXO), and sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) play crucial roles in oxidative homeostasis and the progression of papillary thyroid cancer (PTC), as previously demonstrated in the literature. Therefore, profiling these markers among PTC patients may be useful in determining their eligibility for radioiodine (RAI) treatment. Since treatment indications are based on multiple and dynamic recommendations, additional criteria for adjuvant RAI therapy are still needed. In our study, we evaluated the TOS, TAC, and serum concentrations of p53, NF-κB, FOXO, and SIRT1 to analyze the relationship between oxidative status and qualification for RAI treatment. For the purpose of this study, we enrolled 60 patients with PTC allocated for RAI treatment as the study group and 25 very low-risk PTC patients not allocated for RAI treatment as a reference group. The serum TOS and SIRT1 concentrations were significantly higher in the study group compared to the reference group (both p < 0.001), whereas the TAC and p53, NK-κB, and FOXO concentrations were significantly lower (all p < 0.05). We also demonstrated the diagnostic utility of TAC (AUC = 0.987), FOXO (AUC = 0.648), TOS (AUC = 0.664), SIRT1 (AUC = 0.709), p53 (AUC = 0.664), and NF-κB (AUC = 0.651) measurements as indications for RAI treatment based on American Thyroid Association recommendations. Our study revealed that oxidative status-related markers may become additional criteria for RAI treatment in PTC patients.

Cannabidiol improves muscular lipid profile by affecting the expression of fatty acid transporters and inhibiting de novo lipogenesis.

Obesity is one of the principal public health concerns leading to disturbances in glucose and lipid metabolism, which is a risk factor for several chronic diseases, including insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and cardiovascular diseases. In recent years, it turned out that cannabidiol (CBD) is a potential therapeutic agent in the treatment of obesity and its complications. Therefore, in the present study, we used CBD therapy (intraperitoneal injections in a dose of 10 mg/kg of body mass for 14 days) in a rat model of obesity induced by a high-fat diet (HFD). Gas-liquid chromatography and Western blotting were applied in order to determine the intramuscular lipid content and total expression of selected proteins in the white and red gastrocnemius muscle, respectively. Based on fatty acid composition, we calculated de novo lipogenesis ratio (16:0/18:2n-6), desaturation ratio (18:1n-9/18:0), and elongation ratios (18:0/16:0, 20:0/18:0, 22:0/20:0 and 24:0/22:0), in the selected lipid fractions. Two-week CBD administration significantly reduced the intramuscular fatty acids (FAs) accumulation and inhibited de novo lipogenesis in different lipid pools (in the free fatty acid, diacylglycerol, and triacylglycerol fractions) in both muscle types, which coincided with a decrease in the expression of membrane fatty acid transporters (fatty acid translocase, membrane-associated fatty acid binding protein, and fatty acid transport proteins 1 and 4). Moreover, CBD application profoundly improved the elongation and desaturation ratios, which was in line with downregulated expression of enzymes from the family of elongases and desaturases regardless of the metabolism presented by the muscle type. To our knowledge, this study is the first that outlines the novel effects of CBD action on skeletal muscle with different types of metabolism (oxidative vs. glycolytic).

What Influences Proprioceptive Impairments in Patients with Rheumatic Diseases? Analysis of Different Factors.

Rheumatic diseases lead to postural problems, which increase the risk of falls and lead to greater disability. The aim of the present work is to evaluate posture disorders in patients with osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), as well as to evaluate the influence of other factors. A total of 71 subjects were enrolled in this study. Joint position sense (JPS) and the functional assessment of proprioception on a balance platform for both lower limbs were examined. The Average Trace Error (ATE), test time (t), and Average Platform Force Variation (AFV) were calculated. Additionally, an equilibrium test was carried out in the one-legged standing position (Single Leg Stance-SLS). The results were compared in several ways and revealed the following: (1) A JPS of 10° plantar flexion in RA obtained significantly worse results when repeating the movement than OA; the ATEs were significantly lower in RA; and RA needed more support during SLS assessment. (2) RA patients with higher DAS28 had statistically significantly higher values in JPS, with 5° plantar flexion and 10° dorsal flexion, SLS assessment, and stabilometric rates. A statistically significant correlation between DAS28 and RA was found in a JPS of 10° plantar flexion. The VAS ruler demonstrated a significant moderate correlation with t. (3) Patients who experienced at least one fall demonstrated higher JPS and t. Our study shows that proprioception is the most influenced by the nature of the disease and the level of disease activity. We can see that the stability and balance functions are also greatly influenced by the patient's falling experience and the level of pain. These findings may be useful in designing an optimal proprioception-enhancing movement training plan.

N-acetylcysteine acts as a potent anti-inflammatory agent altering the eicosanoid profile in the development of simple steatosis and its progression to hepatitis.

Aim of the study: We aimed to examine the influence of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on the development of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) in rats with a specific focus on the eicosanoid pathway. Material and methods: The experiment was conducted on male Wistar rats fed a standard diet or a high-fat diet (HFD) for eight weeks. In the entire experiment, half of rats from both groups received intragastrically NAC solution prepared in normal saline. H + E staining was used for the histological assessment of liver tissue. The gas-liquid chromatography (GLC) technique was used for the assessment of the activity of n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) pathways and arachidonic acid concentration. ELISA and multiplex immunoassay kits were applied for the measurement of eicosanoid, cytokine, and chemokine levels. The Western blot technique was applied to determine the expression of proteins involved in the inflammation pathway. Results: NAC decreased hepatic n-6 PUFA activity in all examined lipid pools and decreased the hepatic content of arachidonic acid as a pro-inflammatory precursor in each lipid pool, especially in the phospholipid fraction in rats with fatty lipid disease. NAC administration abolished 5-LOX expression, leading to a decrease in the content of pro-inflammatory leukotriene B4 and leukotriene C4. In rats with steatosis, NAC weakened NF-κB expression and raised Nrf-2 expression, inhibiting the synthesis of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. Conclusions: NAC treatment significantly rate-limited the progression of simple hepatic steatosis to hepatitis in a rat model of MASLD.

Elastographic Evaluation of Thyroid Nodules in Children and Adolescents with Hashimoto's Thyroiditis and Nodular Goiter with Reference to Cytological and/or Histopathological Diagnosis.

There are data indicating the coexistence of papillary thyroid carcinoma and autoimmune thyroiditis (AIT) in children. The aim of the study was elastographic evaluation of thyroid nodules in children and adolescents with AIT and nodular goiter in relation to cytological and/or histopathological diagnosis. We examined 215 children (57 boys and 158 girls) with 261 thyroid nodules (143 non-AIT and 118 AIT). All study participants underwent a conventional ultrasound examination with elastography followed by fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB). Abnormal Strain Ratio (SR ≥ 5) was observed in 36 non-AIT nodules and 15 AIT nodules. Papillary thyroid carcinoma was diagnosed in 5 patients (2% of all investigated nodules). SR of malignant thyroid nodules was statistically higher in comparison to SR of benign nodules both in the group of non-AIT (6 ± 4 vs. 3.67 ± 2.62, p = 0.024) and AIT nodules (6.3 ± 0.01 vs. 2.92 ± 1.89, p = 0.047). Comparison of non-AIT and AIT benign nodules revealed that SR was higher in non-AIT nodules (3.67 ± 2.62 vs. 2.92 ± 1.89, p = 0.01). We observed a strong positive correlation (R = 1) between TSH concentration and SR ratio in the group of all malignant thyroid nodules. Autoimmune inflammatory process of the thyroid gland does not limit the use of elastography in the diagnosis of thyroid nodules in children.

Effects of the peripheral CB1 receptor antagonist JD5037 in mono- and polytherapy with the AMPK activator metformin in a monocrotaline-induced rat model of pulmonary hypertension.

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a disease leading to increased pressure in the pulmonary artery and right heart failure. The adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activator, metformin, has a protective effect against PH. CB1 receptor blockade reduces the number of pathological alterations in experimental lung fibrosis. The current study evaluates the effect of the peripheral cannabinoid CB1 receptor antagonist JD5037 in mono- and polytherapy with metformin in rat monocrotaline-induced mild PH. Animals received metformin (100 mg/kg), JD5037 (3 mg/kg), or a combination of both once daily for 21 days. Monocrotaline (60 mg/kg) increased right ventricular (RV) systolic pressure (RVSP), led to RV and lung hypertrophy and remodeling, and decreased oxygen saturation. Metformin partially restored the monocrotaline-induced effects, i.e., decreased RVSP, increased oxygen saturation, and counteracted cardiac fibrotic, hypertrophic, and inflammatory changes. JD5037 modified parameters related to inflammation and/or fibrosis. Only polytherapy with metformin and JD5037 improved Fulton's index and coronary artery hypertrophy and tended to be more effective than monotherapy against alterations in RVSP, oxygen saturation and coronary artery tunica media vacuolization. In conclusion, monotherapy with JD5037 does not markedly influence the PH-related changes. However, polytherapy with metformin tends to be more efficient than any of these compounds alone.

Aldosterone Increases Vascular Permeability in Rat Skin.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of acute aldosterone (ALDO) administration on the vascular permeability of skin. ALDO was injected intradermally into rats, and vascular permeability was measured. Eplerenone (EPL), a selective mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) antagonist, was used. Skin biopsies were carried out for immunohistochemical (IHC) staining, and polymerase chain reactions were performed to analyze the expression of MR, 11ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2, von Willebrand factor (vWF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and zonula occludens 1. Our study showed the presence of MR in the rat skin vasculature for the first time. It was found that ALDO injection resulted in a more than 30% increase in vascular permeability and enhanced the endothelial exocytosis of vWF. The effect of ALDO diminished after EPL administration. An accumulation of vWF and a reduction in VEGF IHC staining were observed following chronic EPL administration. No effect of ALDO or EPL on the mRNA expression of the studied genes or skin structure was observed. The results suggest that ALDO increases vascular permeability in the skin via an MR-dependent mechanism. This effect of ALDO on skin microcirculation may have important therapeutic implications for diseases characterized by increased levels of ALDO and coexisting skin microangiopathy.

Expression Profile and Diagnostic Significance of MicroRNAs in Papillary Thyroid Cancer.

The incidence of papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) has increased in recent years. To improve the diagnostic management of PTC, we propose the use of microRNAs (miRNAs) as a biomarker. Our aim in this study was to evaluate the miRNA expression pattern in PTC using NanoString technology. We identified ten miRNAs deregulated in PTC compared with reference tissue: miR-146b-5p, miR-221-3p, miR-221-5p, miR-34-5p, miR-551b-3p, miR-152-3p, miR-15a-5p, miR-31-5p, and miR-7-5p (FDR < 0.05; |fold change (FC)| ≥ 1.5). The gene ontology (GO) analysis of differentially expressed miRNA (DEM) target genes identified the predominant involvement of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), tyrosine kinase inhibitor resistance, and pathways in cancer in PTC. The highest area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) for DEMs was found for miR-146-5p (AUC = 0.770) expression, indicating possible clinical applicability in PTC diagnosis. The combination of four miRNAs (miR-152-3p, miR-221-3p, miR-551b-3p, and miR-7-5p) showed an AUC of 0.841. Validation by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reactions (qRT-PCRs) confirmed our findings. The introduction of an miRNA diagnostic panel based on the results of our study may help to improve therapeutic decision making for questionable cases. The use of miRNAs as biomarkers of PTC may become an aspect of personalized medicine.

Diagnosis and treatment of thyroid cancer in adult patients - Recommendations of Polish Scientific Societies and the National Oncological Strategy. 2022 Update [Diagnostyka i leczenie raka tarczycy u chorych doroslych - Rekomendacje Polskich Towarzystw Naukowych oraz Narodowej Strategii Onkologicznej. Aktualizacja na rok 2022].

The guidelines Thyroid Cancer 2022 are prepared based on previous Polish recommendations updated in 2018. They consider international guidelines - American Thyroid Association (ATA) 2015 and National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN); however, they are adapted according to the ADAPTE process. The strength of the recommendations and the quality of the scientific evidence are assessed according to the GRADE system and the ATA 2015 and NCCN recommendations. The core of the changes made in the Polish recommendations is the inclusion of international guidelines and the results of those scientific studies that have already proven themselves prospectively. These extensions allow de-escalation of the therapeutic management in low-risk thyroid carcinoma, i.e., enabling active surveillance in papillary microcarcinoma to be chosen alternatively to minimally invasive techniques after agreeing on such management with the patient. Further extensions allow the use of thyroid lobectomy with the isthmus (hemithyroidectomy) in low-risk cancer up to 2 cm in diameter, modification of the indications for postoperative radioiodine treatment toward personalized approach, and clarification of the criteria used during postoperative L-thyroxine treatment. At the same time, the criteria for the preoperative differential diagnosis of nodular goiter in terms of ultrasonography and fine-needle aspiration biopsy have been clarified, and the rules for the histopathological examination of postoperative thyroid material have been updated. New, updated rules for monitoring patients after treatment are also presented. The updated recommendations focus on ensuring the best possible quality of life after thyroid cancer treatment while maintaining the good efficacy of this treatment.

Suspected Malignant Thyroid Nodules in Children and Adolescents According to Ultrasound Elastography and Ultrasound-Based Risk Stratification Systems-Experience from One Center.

The risk of malignancy in thyroid nodules correlates with the presence of ultrasonographic features. In adults, ultrasound risk-classification systems have been proposed to indicate the need for further invasive diagnosis. Furthermore, elastography has been shown to support differential diagnosis of thyroid nodules. The purpose of our study was to assess the application of the American Thyroid Association (ATA), British Thyroid Association (BTA) ultrasound risk-classification systems and strain elastography in the management of thyroid nodules in children and adolescents from one center. Seventeen nodules with Bethesda III, IV, V and VI were selected from 165 focal lesions in children. All patients underwent ultrasonography and elastography followed by fine needle aspiration biopsy. Ultrasonographic features according to the ATA and BTA stratification systems were assessed retrospectively. The strain ratio in the group of thyroid nodules diagnosed as malignant was significantly higher than in benign nodules (6.07 vs. 3.09, p = 0.036). According to the ATA guidelines, 100% of malignant nodules were classified as high suspicion and 73% of benign nodules were assessed as low suspicion. Using the BTA U-score classification, 80% of malignant nodules were classified as cancerous (U5) and 20% as suspicious for malignancy (U4). Among benign nodules, 82% were classified as indeterminate or equivocal (U3) and 9% as benign (U2). Our results suggest that application of the ATA or BTA stratification system and elastography may be a suitable method for assessing the level of suspected malignancy in thyroid nodules in children and help make a clinical decision about the need for further invasive diagnosis of thyroid nodules in children.

Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) and Bariatric/Metabolic Surgery as Its Treatment Option: A Review.

The prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) has considerably increased over the last years. NAFLD is currently the most common cause of chronic liver disease in the developing world. The diagnosis of NAFLD/NASH is often incidental, as the early-stage of disease is frequently free of symptoms. Most patients recognized with NAFLD have severe obesity and other obesity-related disease such as type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), insulin-resistance, dyslipidemia and hypertension. The only proven method for NAFLD improvement and resolution is weight loss. Bariatric surgery leads to significant and long-term weight loss as well as improvement of coexisting diseases. There is a lot of evidence suggesting that metabolic/bariatric surgery is an effective method of NAFLD treatment that leads to reduction in steatosis, hepatic inflammation and fibrosis. However, there is still a need to perform long-term studies in order to determine the role of bariatric surgery as a treatment option for NAFLD and NASH. This review discusses current evidence about epidemiology, pathogenesis and treatment options for NAFLD including bariatric/metabolic surgery and its effect on improvement and resolution of NAFLD.

Oxidative stress and radioiodine treatment of differentiated thyroid cancer.

It is hypothesized that the oxidative stress level in thyroid cancer patients is additionally upregulated by radioactive iodine (RAI) treatment, that may exert an important impact on future health concerns. In our study, we evaluated the oxidative stress level changes using the measurement of malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) undergoing RAI treatment. Considering the results obtained in the study group, the serum levels of MDA in DTC patients were significantly higher compared to the healthy subjects (p < 0.05). The MDA concentration was significantly higher on the third day after RAI (p < 0.001) and significantly lower one year after RAI (p < 0.05) in DTC patients compared to the baseline concentration. Moreover, the redox stabilization after RAI treatment in patients with DTC during a year-long observation was demonstrated. Accordingly, an increased oxidative stress impact on the related biochemical parameters reflecting the health conditions of the DTC patients was determined. Our study showed that increased oxidative stress reflected by MDA measurements in DTC patients is further enhanced by RAI, but this effect is no longer observed one year after the therapy.

The effects of BAFF and APRIL signaling on non-small cell lung cancer cell proliferation and invasiveness.

Lung cancer represents the most common type of human malignancy and is the main cause of cancer-associated mortality worldwide. To improve the effectiveness of treatment strategies, a better understanding of the mechanisms of cancer progression and invasiveness is required. Recently, B-cell activating factor (BAFF) and a proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL), two relatively newly described cytokines belonging to the tumor necrosis factor superfamily, have been shown to play a role in cancer progression. However, at present, the effects of both cytokines on lung cancer cells remain unclear. The present study aimed therefore to understand the direct effects of BAFF and APRIL on non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) progression. To do so, reverse transcription quantitative PCR and western blotting were used to evaluate whether A549 and H2030 NSCLC cells express receptors for both BAFF and APRIL. The results demonstrated that both investigated cell lines expressed BAFF-R (receptor specific to BAFF only) and transmembrane activator and CAML interactor (TACI; shared receptor for both cytokines). In addition, functional experiments were performed to determine the effects of BAFF and APRIL stimulation on cancer cell viability. The results demonstrated no direct effects of BAFF and APRIL on NSCLC cell proliferation and invasiveness. In summary, the present study demonstrated that NSCLC cells possess the ability to respond directly to both BAFF and APRIL. However, activation of BAFF-R and TACI signaling in cancer cells did not increase the proliferative capacity and invasiveness. Further investigation is thus required to better understand the role of BAFF and APRIL on the progression of NSCLC.

The first SARS-CoV-2 genetic variants of concern (VOC) in Poland: The concept of a comprehensive approach to monitoring and surveillance of emerging variants.

PURPOSE: We analyzed the SARS-CoV-2 genome using our integrated genome analysis system and present the concept of a comprehensive approach to monitoring and surveillance of emerging variants. MATERIAL/METHODS: A total of 69 SARS-CoV-2 positive samples (with Ct value â€‹≤ â€‹28) were tested. Samples included in this study were selected from 7 areas of eastern Poland. All samples were sequenced on an Illumina MiSeq platform using a 300-cycle MiSeq Reagent Kit v2. BWA was used for reads mapping on the reference SARS-CoV-2 sequence. SAMTools were used for post-processing of reads to genome assembly. Pango lineage and Nexstrain were used to identify variants and amino acid mutations. Statistical analysis was performed with R 4.0.2. RESULTS: This study shows the first confirmed case of SARS-CoV-2 in Poland with the lineage B.1.351 (known as 501Y.V2 South African variant), as well as another 18 cases with epidemiologically relevant lineage B.1.1.7, known as British variant. Supplementary analysis of SARS-CoV-2 sequences deposited in GISAID shows that the share of a new variant can change rapidly within one month. In addition, we show a complete, integrated concept of a networked system for analyzing the variability of the SARS-CoV-2 genome, which, used in the present study, generated data and a variant report within 6 days. CONCLUSION: The analyzed viral genomes showed considerable variability with simultaneous clear distinction of local clusters of genomes showing high similarity. Implementing real-time monitoring of new SARS-CoV-2 variants in Poland is urgently needed, and our developed system is available to be implemented on a large scale.