Identification and subsequent validation of transcriptomic signature associated with metabolic status in endometrial cancer.

Aberrant metabolism has been identified as a main driver of cancer. Profiling of metabolism-related pathways in cancer furthers the understanding of tumor plasticity and identification of potential metabolic vulnerabilities. In this prospective controlled study, we established transcriptomic profiles of metabolism-related pathways in endometrial cancer (EC) using a novel method, NanoString nCounter Technology. Fifty-seven ECs and 30 normal endometrial specimens were studied using the NanoString Metabolic Panel, further validated by qRT-PCR with a very high similarity. Statistical analyses were by GraphPad PRISM and Weka software. The analysis identified 11 deregulated genes (FDR ≤ 0.05; |FC|≥ 1.5) in EC: SLC7A11; SLC7A5; RUNX1; LAMA4; COL6A3; PDK1; CCNA1; ENO1; PKM; NR2F1; and NAALAD2. Gene ontology showed direct association of these genes with 'central carbon metabolism (CCM) in cancer'. Thus, 'CCM in cancer' appears to create one of the main metabolic axes in EC. Further, transcriptomic data were functionally validated with drug repurposing on three EC cell lines, with several drug candidates suggested. These results lay the foundation for personalized therapeutic strategies in this cancer. Metabolic plasticity represents a promising diagnostic and therapeutic option in EC.

Personalized Healthcare: The Importance of Patients' Rights in Clinical Practice from the Perspective of Nursing Students in Poland, Spain and Slovakia-A Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to define the role and importance of patients' rights in personalized healthcare from the perspective of nursing students in Poland, Spain and Slovakia. METHODS: The research was carried out by means of a diagnostic survey, using the survey technique, with the participation of 1002 nursing students attending a full-time undergraduate study program at three European countries. The "Patients' rights" questionnaire was used as a research tool. The average age of students was 21.6 years (±3.4). The empirical material collected was subjected to a statistical analysis. RESULTS: The study demonstrated that 72.1% of nursing students from Spain, 51.2% from Poland and 38.5% from Slovakia believe that patients' rights are respected at a good level in their country. Significant intergroup differences (F = 67.43; p < 0.0001) were observed in the self-assessment of students' knowledge of patients' rights. The highest average values were obtained by students from Spain (3.54 ± 0.92), while 35.9% of students from Slovakia and 25.5% from Poland were quite critical and pointed to their low level of knowledge of patients' rights in their self-assessment. When ranking patients' rights related to respecting dignity, students from Spain obtained much higher average values (4.37 ± 0.92) than students from the other two countries. CONCLUSIONS: The level of students' knowledge of patients' rights and the respect for patients' rights by medical personnel is, in the opinion of the respondents, quite diverse and requires in-depth educational activities among nursing students at the university level in respective countries.

Myometrial Responses to Beta-Adrenoceptor Antagonists in Gynecological Malignancies.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to determine the influence of beta-adrenoceptor (ADRB) antagonists on contractile activity of the nonpregnant human uterus in patients affected by gynecological malignancies. DESIGN: This was a controlled and prospective ex vivo study. SETTING: The work was conducted as a collaboration between 4 academic departments. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Myometrial specimens were obtained from women undergoing hysterectomy for benign gynecological disorders (reference group; N = 15), and ovarian (N = 15), endometrial (N = 15), synchronous ovarian-endometrial (N = 3), and cervical cancer (N = 10). Contractions of myometrial strips in an organ bath before and after applications of ADRB antagonists (propranolol, bupranolol, SR 59230A, and butoxamine) were studied under isometric conditions. RESULTS: Propranolol and bupranolol attenuated contractions in the endometrial and cervical cancer groups similar to that in the reference group (all p < 0.05), whereas opposite effects were observed in the ovarian and synchronous ovarian-endometrial cancer groups. SR 59230A and butoxamine significantly increased contractions in the ovarian cancer group (both p < 0.001). LIMITATIONS: These results require now to be placed into a firm clinical context. CONCLUSIONS: Our study indicates that ovarian cancer considerably alters contractile activity of the nonpregnant human uterus in response to ADRB antagonists. This suggests a pathogenetic role of beta-adrenergic pathways in this malignancy. Furthermore, propranolol and bupranolol substantially influence spontaneous uterine contractility.

Relationship Between Frequency and Intensity of Menopausal Symptoms and Quality of Life Among Polish Nurses.

PURPOSE: The study aims to compare the quality of life of nurses in the somatic, mental, social and environmental dimensions in the full reproductive and perimenopausal period and to determine the relationship between the frequency and intensity of menopausal symptoms and the quality of life of nurses aged 45-55. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study involved 334 nurses, of which: 158 (47.31%) were aged 25-35 and 176 (52.69%) aged 45-55, included in the perimenopausal group. A diagnostic survey was used as the research method and the WHOQoL-Bref Questionnaire and the Menopause Symptom List were used to collect data. RESULTS: Nurses aged 25-35 achieved a significantly (p < 0.02) higher level of satisfaction with overall health quality (M = 3.9; SD = ±0.7) than nurses in the 45-55 age group (M = 3.7; SD = ±0.7). A variation in the frequency (F = 62.64; p < 0.0001) and intensity (F = 130.18; p < 0.0001) of menopausal symptoms was identified. It was found that the frequency and intensity of psychological symptoms were significantly higher than vasomotor (p < 0.0001) and somatic (p < 0.0001) symptoms. Additionally, negative relations between the frequency and intensity of menopausal symptoms and the quality of life of nurses in the 45-55 age group in the somatic, mental, social and environmental domains were demonstrated, with their value ranging from r = -0.19 to r = -0.48. CONCLUSION: The quality of life of the examined nurses varies. In the perimenopausal period, the frequency and intensity of psychological, vasomotor and somatic symptoms have a significant negative impact on the quality of life of nurses.

Elastography of Endometrium in Women Taking Tamoxifen: A New Approach to an Old Diagnostic Problem.

Tamoxifen is a commonly used selective estrogen receptor modulator applied in the treatment for breast cancer. However, in the endometrium, Tamoxifen stimulates tissue growth, cellular transformation, the migration of the cells, and metastatic potential in endometrial cancer. Considering that uterine cancer is the most common neoplasm of the reproductive tract and the third most common neoplastic disease in women, the aim of this study was to investigate if applying elastography in examining the endometrium was beneficial for uterine cancer screening protocols in women on selective estrogen receptor modulator therapy. This study was based on the execution of a classic assessment of the endometrium that included the evaluation of the following: echogenicity, central endometrial stripe, presence of fluid in the uterine lumen, myometrium-endometrium interface, intensity of vascularization and vascular pattern. An ultrasound presentation was then processed and analyzed with elastography. The values of the elastography parameters demonstrated good consistency for the measurement of the softest endometrial layer thickness in elastography. A strong positive correlation (R = 0.56) was demonstrated between the endometrial thickness, as determined by ultrasound examination, and the softest endometrial layer in elastography (p < 0.001). The research showed that the elastography measurements of the width of the softest endometrium layer, based on a population of women taking Tamoxifen, appeared to be a promising option for endometrial cancer screening.

Cancer Prevention by Natural Products Introduced into the Diet-Selected Cyclitols.

Cancer is now the second leading cause of death worldwide. It is estimated that every year, approximately 9.6 million people die of oncologic diseases. The most common origins of malignancy are the lungs, breasts, and colorectum. Even though in recent years, many new drugs and therapeutic options have been introduced, there are still no safe, effective chemopreventive agents. Cyclitols seem poised to improve this situation. There is a body of evidence that suggests that their supplementation can decrease the incidence of colorectal cancer, lower the risk of metastasis occurrence, lower the proliferation index, induce apoptosis in malignant cells, enhance natural killer (NK) cell activity, protect cells from free radical damage, and induce positive molecular changes, as well as reduce the side effects of anticancer treatments such as chemotherapy or surgery. Cyclitol supplementation appears to be both safe and well-tolerated. This review focuses on presenting, in a comprehensive way, the currently available knowledge regarding the use of cyclitols in the treatment of different malignancies, particularly in lung, breast, colorectal, and prostate cancers.

Anti-Müllerian Hormone Type II Receptor Expression in Endometrial Cancer Tissue.

Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) is responsible for the Müllerian ducts' regression in male fetuses. In cells of cancers with AMH receptors (AMHRII), AMH induces cell cycle arrest or apoptosis. As AMH occurs naturally and does not exhibit significant side effects while reducing neoplastic cell colonies, it can be considered as a potential therapeutic agent for cancer treatment. The purpose of this study was to assess the AMHRII expression in endometrial cancer (EC) in correlation to various demographic data and clinical conditions. Immunohistochemical analysis was used to assess AMHRII expression in EC tissue samples retrieved from 230 women with pre-cancerous state of endometrium (PCS) and EC. AMHRII was detected in 100% of samples. No statistical difference was observed for AMHRII expression depending on the histopathological type of EC, cancer staging, body mass index, and age, as well as the number of years of menstruation, births and miscarriages, and average and total breastfeeding time. Diabetes mellitus type 2 is the only factor that has an impact on AMHRII expression in EC tissue. Thus, this study supports the idea of theoretical use of AMH in EC treatment because all histopathological types of EC at all stages of advancement present receptors for AMH.

Role of Global Self-Esteem in Predicting Life Satisfaction of Nursing Students in Poland, Spain and Slovakia.

Background: This study analyzed the role of global self-esteem and selected sociodemographic variables in predicting life satisfaction of nursing students in Poland, Spain and Slovakia. Methods: The study subjects were full-time nursing students from three European countries. A diagnostic survey was used as a research method, while the Rosenberg self-esteem scale (SES) and the satisfaction with life scale (SWLS) were used to collect data. Results: The research was performed on a group of 1002 students. The mean age of those surveyed was 21.6 (±3.4). The results showed significant differences both in the level of the global self-esteem index (F = 40.74; p < 0.0001) and in the level of general satisfaction with life (F = 12.71; p < 0.0001). A comparison of the structure of results demonstrated that there were significantly fewer students with high self-esteem in Spain (11.06%) than in Poland (48.27%) and in Slovakia (42.05%), while more students with a high sense of life satisfaction were recorded in Spain (64.90%) than in Poland (37.87%) or in Slovakia (47.44%). A positive, statistically significant correlation was found between global self-esteem and satisfaction with life in the group of Slovak students (r = 0.37; p < 0.0001), Polish students (r = 0.31; p < 0.0001) and Spanish students (r = 0.26; p < 0.0001). Furthermore, a regression analysis proved that three variables explaining a total of 12% output variation were the predictors of life satisfaction in Polish students. The regression factor was positive (ßeta = 0.31; R2 = 0.12), which indicates a positive correlation and the largest share was attributed to global self-esteem (9%). In the group of Spanish students, global self-esteem explained 7% (ßeta = 0.27; R2 = 0.07) of the output variation and 14% in the group of Slovak students (ßeta = 0.38; R2 = 0.14). Conclusions: The global self-esteem demonstrates the predictive power of life satisfaction of nursing students, most clearly marked in the group of Slovak students. The measurement of the variables under consideration may facilitate the planning and implementation of programs aimed at increasing self-esteem among young people and promoting the well-being of nursing students.

Analysis of the Relationship between Stress Intensity and Coping Strategy and the Quality of Life of Nursing Students in Poland, Spain and Slovakia.

Background: This study aimed to determine the relationship between stress intensity and coping strategies and the quality of life and health among nursing students in Poland, Spain and Slovakia. Methods: The study was performed on a group of 1002 nursing students from three European countries. A diagnostic survey was used as a research method and the data collection was based on the Perceived Stress Scale PSS-10, Mini-COPE Coping Inventory-and the WHOQoL-Bref questionnaire. Results: The average age of all the respondents was 21.6 years (±3.4). Most of the surveyed students rated their stress intensity over the last month as moderate or high. Comparison of the results of the stress levels in relation to the country of residence did not reveal statistically significant differences. In the group of Polish students, the most positive relationship between active coping strategies and the quality of life in the psychological (r = 0.43; p < 0.001) and physical health domain (r = 0.42; p < 0.001) were most strongly marked. Among Slovak students, significant correlations of low intensity were found between active coping strategies and the quality of life in the physical health (r = 0.15; p < 0.01), psychological (r = 0.21; p < 0.001), social relationships (r = 0.12; p < 0.05) and environment (r = 0.19; p < 0.001) domain. In overcoming stressful situations, Spanish students used the Sense of Humour strategy, which is considered less effective, although very useful in some cases. In this group, the strongest positive correlation was found for the psychological domain (r = 0.40; p < 0.001). Conclusions: There is a need to implement prevention and stress coping programmes at every stage of studies to ensure effective protection against the negative effects of stress and to improve the quality of life of nursing students.

Role of Global Self-Esteem, Professional Burnout and Selected Socio-Demographic Variables in the Prediction of Polish Nurses' Quality of Life - A Cross-Sectional Study.

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to analyze the role of global self-esteem and professional burnout in predicting Polish nurses' quality of life. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The research involved 1806 nurses who were employed in 23 hospitals in north-eastern Poland. Forty-seven percent of nurses, aged ≤44 years, were qualified to Group 1, while 53% of nurses, aged ≥45 years, were included in Group 2. A diagnostic survey was applied as a research method. For the collection of data, the WHOQoL-Bref questionnaire, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale and the Copenhagen Professional Burnout Inventory were used. For the statistical analysis, the significance level of P < 0.05 was adopted. RESULTS: Global self-esteem had a positive orientation towards the prediction of the quality of life among the younger nurse group in the psychological and social domains by explaining 20% (ßeta = 0.33; R2 = 0.20) and 15% (ßeta = 0.28; R2 = 0.15) of the result variation, respectively. In the older nurse group, personal burnout, which took a negative orientation in the somatic (ßeta = -0.33 R2 = 0.19), social (ßeta = -0.37; R2 = 0.17) and environmental domains (ßeta = -0.28; R2 = 0.32), had the greatest share in predicting the quality of life. CONCLUSION: There is a need for the implementation of professional burnout prevention programs, as professional burnout adversely affects the quality of life in the somatic, social and environmental domain, particularly in the older nurse group.

Association of burnout syndrome and global self-esteem among Polish nurses.

INTRODUCTION: The development of burnout syndrome is conditioned by demographic variables, personality-related variables, ways of coping with difficulties and organizational/professional factors. Burnout is a psychological syndrome of emotional exhaustion and fatigue that may occur in people working with other people in certain ways. Understanding the role of global self-esteem and sociodemographic and work environment-related variables in the development of burnout syndrome in Polish nurses was the aim of this study. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 1,806 nurses working in 23 hospitals in north-eastern Poland. The average age was 44.7 ±7.96 years. The questionnaire was of a proprietary design. The Copenhagen Burnout Inventory Scale and the Rosenberg SES scale were used. RESULTS: With regard to contact with patients, symptoms of burnout were present in 28.2% of respondents. Furthermore, 27% of respondents showed work-related burnout and personal burnout was indicated in 21% of them. Almost half of the respondents (46.6%) evaluated their self-esteem at an average level. The obtained results of the regression analysis indicated that global self-esteem was a predictor of professional burnout in nurses. Global self-esteem has important consequences in many aspects of the mental condition. It was found that global self-esteem is a key factor influencing personal burnout symptoms, and its modification may be used as a preventive measure. CONCLUSIONS: Developing personal resources and deriving benefits from them may be important in the prevention of burnout syndrome. This study indicated the need to carry out preventive measures in the workplace to protect nurses from burnout.

The impact of birth anesthesia on the parameters of oxygenation and acid-base balance in umbilical cord blood.

Background: There is a great number of studies dealing with the impact of birth anesthesia on the course of labor and condition of the newborn. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of birth anesthesia on the parameters of oxygenation and acid-base balance in umbilical cord blood.Methods: Subjects were divided into four groups: vaginal delivery without anesthesia, vaginal delivery with epidural anesthesia, delivery by cesarean section under a subarachnoid block, and delivery by cesarean section under general anesthesia. The study included mothers aged 18-45 and their newborns born from a singleton normal pregnancy lasting 37-42 weeks, calculating the date of birth according to Naegele's Rule, which was confirmed by ultrasound assessment. The inclusion criteria were a birth weight between 2800 and 4100 gResults: Hematocrit, total hemoglobin, blood oxygen capacity and carboxyhemoglobin content (umbilical artery and vein mean values respectively in all study groups: 41.9 and 42.6%, 14.3 and 14.5 g/dl, 19.3 and 19.6 ml/dl) were similar in all groups and did not correlate with pH in either group. The mean pH value of umbilical cord arterial blood in the "vaginal delivery with epidural anesthesia" group was 7.27 and was significantly the lowest (p < .05) of all the examined groups, in the remaining groups, the mean values ranged between 7.29 and 7.30. Hemoglobin oxygen saturation, oxygenated hemoglobin content, and total oxygen content in umbilical cord blood were statistically significant (p < .001), almost twice as high in cesarean sections under general anesthesia than in cases of regional anesthesia regardless of the method of delivery. Vaginal deliveries had intermediate values of oxygenation parameters.Conclusion: Blood oxygenation of the fetus is a very good parameter to evaluate the clinical state of the baby. Due to most common hypotension of the mother by the regional anesthesia (subarachnoid or epidural), which is compensated by the application of the vasoconstrictors or only by the fluids, it comes to decrease in the oxygen supply of the fetus. We consider in this study that the general anesthesia can be, in some cases, more indicated than the regional anesthesia. The decision of which kind of anesthesia should be used needs to be made by the anesthetists and also by the obstetrician because it can affect the neonatal state after the delivery. It also needs to be mentioned that the time between the start of the anesthesia and the extraction of the fetus by the cesarean section should be as short as possible.

Inositols' Importance in the Improvement of the Endocrine-Metabolic Profile in PCOS.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common causes of infertility and metabolic problems among women of reproductive age. The mechanism of PCOS is associated with concurrent alterations at the hormonal level. The diagnosis assumes the occurrence of three interrelated symptoms of varying severity, namely ovulation disorders, androgen excess, or polycystic ovarian morphology (PCOM), which all require a proper therapeutic approach. The main symptom seems to be an increased androgen concentration, which in turn may contribute to different metabolic disorders. A number of papers have demonstrated the significant role of inositol therapy in PCOS. However, there is a lack of detailed discussion about the importance of myo-inositol (MI) and d-chiro-inositol (DCI) in reference to particular symptoms. Thus, the aim of this review is to present the effectiveness of MI and DCI treatment for PCOS symptoms. Moreover, the review is focused on analyzing the use of inositols, taking into account their physiological properties, together with the mechanism of individual PCOS symptom formation.

Positive Orientation and Strategies for Coping with Stress as Predictors of Professional Burnout among Polish Nurses.

Background: A psychological resource, positive orientation, may moderate stress and protect nurses from burnout. The purpose of this study was to determine the role of positive orientation and stress-coping strategies in predicting professional burnout among Polish nurses. Methods: A total of 1806 nurses employed in 23 hospitals in northeastern Poland participated in the study. The study used a standardized Positive Orientation Scale, Mini-COPE, and the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory. Results: On the stenographic scale, 21.8% of nurses had high levels of positive orientation, 46.8% were average, and 31.9% had low positive orientation. A total of 21.1% of respondents reported personal burnout. Most nurses reported work-related burnout (27%) and burnout in contacts with patients (28.4%) With increasing levels of positive orientation, nurses more often used adaptive strategies that focus on a problem and emotions. Personal burnout accounted for 16% of the variance of the dependent variable (ß = -0.32; R2 = 0.16), which was slightly lower than work-related burnout (10% (ß = -0.23; R2 = 0.10)), and burnout in contacts with patients (9% (ß = -0.22; R2 = 0.09)). Conclusion: The reduced level of positive orientation proved to be the main determinant of the professional burnout of Polish nurses. Burnout-prophylactic programs should be geared towards developing individual psychological resources, including positive orientation and the acquisition of effective stress-coping skills.

The effects of extended nitric oxide release on responses of the human non-pregnant myometrium to endothelin-1 or vasopressin.

BACKGROUND: Uterotonic mediators: endothelin-1 (ET-1), arginine vasopressin (AVP), and nitric oxide (NO) play important roles in the regulation of uterine contractility. We hypothesize that NO affects both ET-1 or AVP. Therefore, this study investigated the involvement of extended exogenous NO release in the regulation of responses of the human non-pregnant myometrium to ET-1 and AVP. METHODS: Specimens were obtained from 10 premenopausal women, undergoing hysterectomy for benign gynecological disorders. Responses of the myometrial strips to ET-1 or AVP in the absence and presence of an exogenous NO donor (diethylenetriamine; DETA/NO; 10-4 mol/L) were recorded under isometric conditions. To inhibit endogenous NO, a competitive inhibitor of NO synthase, L-NG-nitroarginine (L-NNA) was added to the organ bath. RESULTS: ET-1 enhanced the spontaneous contractile activity of the myometrium more powerfully (p < 0.01) than AVP. Preincubation with exogenous NO weakened ET-1- or AVP-induced increases in this contractile activity (p < 0.05). However, unexpected results were obtained after preincubation with L-NNA and with DETA/NO then added. Both ET-1 and AVP induced augmented contractile effects in almost all concentrations compared with the responses to these peptides alone or after NOS synthase inhibition (both p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated for the first time that extended incubation with a NO donor influences the uterine muscle response evoked by ET-1 and AVP. Both endogenous and exogenous NO is involved in the control of the uterine responses to ET-1 or AVP of non-pregnant myometrium. Furthermore, both peptides stimulate increased uterine contractility when the local imbalance between the constrictive and relaxing mediators takes place.

Recent progress in human placental transcriptomics.

The placenta serves as a metabolic, respiratory, excretory, and endocrine organ that provides appropriate conditions required for adequate fetal development during pregnancy. The development of particular structures and proper functioning of the placenta are under the influence of sophisticated pathways controlled by the expression of substantial genes that are additionally regulated by long non-coding ribonucleic acids (RNAs). Disruptions to adaptive changes in the placental transcriptome as a response to alterations in the feto-maternal environment may be associated with pregnancy complications and compromised fetal outcomes. The aim of the current paper was to present recent findings in transcriptomics of the human placenta. Different approaches in bioinformatic analyses of the RNA-sequencing results were presented. Novel knowledge about the genes and mechanisms that are crucial for the proper development of the placenta is essential for the understanding what stands behind both the normal and complicated pregnancy.

Anti-Müllerian Hormone Expression in Endometrial Cancer Tissue.

Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) is a commonly known factor secreted by Sertoli cells, responsible for regression of the Müllerian ducts in male fetuses. AMH has also other functions in humans. In vivo and in vitro studies have shown that AMH inhibits cell cycle and induces apoptosis in cancers with AMH receptors. The aim of the study was to assess whether the tissue of pre-cancerous states of endometrium (PCS) and various histopathologic types of endometrial cancer (EC) exhibit the presence of AMH. We aimed to investigate whether the potential presence of the protein concerns menopausal women or those regularly menstruating, and whether is related to cancers with a good or a bad prognosis, as well as what other factors may influence AMH expression. The undertaken analysis was carried out on tissues retrieved from 232 women who underwent surgical treatment for PCS and EC. Tissues were prepared for immunohistochemical assessment with the use of a tissue microarrays method. AMH expression was confirmed in 23 patients with well differentiated endometrioid adenocarcinoma (G1), moderately differentiated endometrioid adenocarcinoma (G2), clear cell carcinoma (CCA) and nonatypical hyperplasia. AMH was not found in EC tissues in regularly menstruating women. An appropriately long mean period of breastfeeding in line with a prolonged period of hormonal activity had a positive effect on AMH expression. Our results may suggest that AMH is a factor which protects the organism against cancer, and should be further investigated as a potential prognosis marker and a therapeutic agent.

Placenta Transcriptome Profiling in Intrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR).

Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is a serious pathological complication associated with compromised fetal development during pregnancy. The aim of the study was to broaden knowledge about the transcriptomic complexity of the human placenta by identifying genes potentially involved in IUGR pathophysiology. RNA-Seq data were used to profile protein-coding genes, detect alternative splicing events (AS), single nucleotide variant (SNV) calling, and RNA editing sites prediction in IUGR-affected placental transcriptome. The applied methodology enabled detection of 37,501 transcriptionally active regions and the selection of 28 differentially-expressed genes (DEGs), among them 10 were upregulated and 18 downregulated in IUGR-affected placentas. Functional enrichment annotation indicated that most of the DEGs were implicated in the processes of inflammation and immune disorders related to IUGR and preeclampsia. Additionally, we revealed that some genes (S100A13, GPR126, CTRP1, and TFPI) involved in the alternation of splicing events were mainly implicated in angiogenic-related processes. Significant SNVs were overlapped with 6533 transcripts and assigned to 2386 coding sequence (CDS), 1528 introns, 345 5' untranslated region (UTR), 1260 3'UTR, 918 non-coding RNA (ncRNA), and 10 intergenic regions. Within CDS regions, 543 missense substitutions with functional effects were recognized. Two known mutations (rs4575, synonymous; rs3817, on the downstream region) were detected within the range of AS and DEG candidates: PA28ß and PINLYP, respectively. Novel genes that are dysregulated in IUGR were detected in the current research. Investigating genes underlying the IUGR is crucial for identification of mechanisms regulating placental development during a complicated pregnancy.

Laparoscopic approach to pelvic organ prolapse - the way to go or a blind alley?

Pelvic organ prolapse represents a relatively frequent diagnosis that requires attention due to its detrimental effect on quality of life. Not surprisingly, it is one of the commonest indications for surgery in premenopausal and postmenopausal women, often requiring a complex multidisciplinary approach. Traditional vaginal procedures are being gradually replaced by laparoscopic techniques, offering anticipated benefits in reduced recurrence and complication rates, while respecting the trend towards uterus sparing if desirable. Recently, questions about the safety of alloplastic materials used in pelvic organ prolapse surgery were raised, leading to official restrictions in their use, particularly for transvaginal application. As a result, laparoscopic procedures might appear slightly favored but caution must be taken to assure proper technique of mesh placement while maintaining high awareness of possible long-term mesh-related complications that require close surveillance. Therefore, adequate education and training becomes even more important to achieve optimal results and to avoid possible serious medico-legal charges.

Studies on selected molecular factors in endometrial cancers.

BACKGROUND: Endometrial carcinomas (EC) differ in etiology, clinical course and prognosis. OBJECTIVES: This multi-center study aimed at a closer recognition of molecular factors linked to heterogeneity of EC by evaluating estrogen and progesterone receptors, proteins dependent on MMR genes, proteins linked to poor prognosis and metastases, and mutations in BRCA1. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Using sections of paraffin-embedded preparations, in 115 patients with EC type I and 31 with EC type II, expression of ERα, ERß1, PR, MLH1, and MSH2 proteins, as well as ARID1A, c-MET and BRCA1, was estimated by immunohistochemistry using specific antibodies. RESULTS: Expression of ERß1 was augmented in EC type II, in poorly differentiated cancers and with growing clinical advancement. An augmented expression of ERα was noted in well-differentiated EC and at lower clinical stage. An increased expression of PR and decreased of MLH1 were detected in type I EC. The expression of ARID1A and c-MET proteins showed no differences between the types of EC, stages of clinical advancement or grading. In 51.6% patients with type II EC, a loss of BRCA1 expression was disclosed; in this group of cancers a decreased expression of ERα was noted. CONCLUSIONS: An augmented expression of ERß1 was linked to type II EC. A higher expression of ERα in EC cancers was associated with a lower histopathological grade. A decreased expression of MLH1 protein was estimated in EC type I. Type II EC may be connected to BRCA1 mutation.