The co-occurrence of SAT, hypophysitis, and Schnitzler syndrome after COVID-19 vaccination: the first described case.

Subacute thyroiditis (also known as granulomatous thyroiditis, giant cell thyroiditis, de Quervain's disease, or SAT) is an inflammatory disease of the thyroid gland, usually spontaneously remitting, that lasts for weeks to months. However, recurrent forms sometimes occur which may have a genetic basis. In our paper, we have focused on the pathogenetics, symptoms, and treatment of SAT. We have described the 17-month disease course of a woman with persistent recurrent steroid-resistant SAT. SAT was well established and the patient's symptoms were not only recurrent neck pain with fever, but also recurrent chronic urticaria, which are symptoms that fulfil the criteria for the diagnosis of Schnitzler syndrome. Schnitzler syndrome occurred after vaccination with COVID-19 in the mechanism of ASIA syndrome. In our patient, Schnitzler syndrome involved the thyroid gland, causing persistent subacute thyroiditis, and the pituitary gland, causing transient swelling of the pituitary, which, to our knowledge, is the first reported case in the literature. Also unprecedented, as far as we know, is the fact that we performed thyroidectomy in the above patient, which reduced systemic inflammation and caused SAT to resolve, although only the inclusion of anakinra treatment resulted in resolution of the underlying condition.

DNA methylation analysis of floral parts revealed dynamic changes during the development of homostylous Fagopyrum tataricum and heterostylous F. esculentum flowers.

BACKGROUND: Proper flower development is essential for plant reproduction, a crucial aspect of the plant life cycle. This process involves precisely coordinating transcription factors, enzymes, and epigenetic modifications. DNA methylation, a ubiquitous and heritable epigenetic mechanism, is pivotal in regulating gene expression and shaping chromatin structure. Fagopyrum esculentum demonstrates anti-hypertensive, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, cardio-protective, hepato-protective, and neuroprotective properties. However, the heteromorphic heterostyly observed in F. esculentum poses a significant challenge in breeding efforts. F. tataricum has better resistance to high altitudes and harsh weather conditions such as drought, frost, UV-B radiation damage, and pests. Moreover, F. tataricum contains significantly higher levels of rutin and other phenolics, more flavonoids, and a balanced amino acid profile compared to common buckwheat, being recognised as functional food, rendering it an excellent candidate for functional food applications. RESULTS: This study aimed to compare the DNA methylation profiles between the Pin and Thrum flower components of F. esculentum, with those of self-fertile species of F. tataricum, to understand the potential role of this epigenetic mechanism in Fagopyrum floral development. Notably, F. tataricum flowers are smaller than those of F. esculentum (Pin and Thrum morphs). The decline in DNA methylation levels in the developed open flower components, such as petals, stigmas and ovules, was consistent across both species, except for the ovule in the Thrum morph. Conversely, Pin and Tartary ovules exhibited a minor decrease in DNA methylation levels. The highest DNA methylation level was observed in Pin stigma from closed flowers, and the most significant decrease was in Pin stigma from open flowers. In opposition, the nectaries of open flowers exhibited higher levels of DNA methylation than those of closed flowers. The decrease in DNA methylation might correspond with the downregulation of genes encoding methyltransferases. CONCLUSIONS: Reduced overall DNA methylation and the expression of genes associated with these epigenetic markers in fully opened flowers of both species may indicate that demethylation is necessary to activate the expression of genes involved in floral development.

Vitamin D status of pregnant women with obesity in the UK and its association with pregnancy outcomes: a secondary analysis of the UK Pregnancies Better Eating and Activity Trial (UPBEAT) study.

Prenatal vitamin D deficiency is widely reported and may affect perinatal outcomes. In this secondary analysis of the UK Pregnancies Better Eating and Activity Trial, we examined vitamin D status and its relationship with selected pregnancy outcomes in women with obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2) from multi-ethnic inner-city settings in the UK. Determinants of vitamin D status at a mean of 17 ± 1 weeks' gestation were assessed using multivariable linear regression and reported as percent differences in serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D). Associations between 25(OH)D and clinical outcomes were examined using logistic regression. Among 1089 participants, 67 % had 25(OH)D < 50 nmol/l and 26 % had concentrations < 25 nmol/l. In fully adjusted models accounting for socio-demographic and anthropometric characteristics, 25(OH)D was lower among women of Black (% difference = -33; 95 % CI: -39, -27), Asian (% difference = -43; 95 % CI: -51, -35) and other non-White (% difference = -26; 95 % CI: -35, -14) ethnicity compared with women of White ethnicity (n 1086; P < 0·001 for all). In unadjusted analysis, risk of gestational diabetes was greater in women with 25(OH)D < 25 nmol/l compared with ≥ 50 nmol/l (OR = 1·58; 95 % CI: 1·09, 2·31), but the magnitude of effect estimates was attenuated in the multivariable model (OR = 1·33; 95 % CI: 0·88, 2·00). There were no associations between 25(OH)D and risk of preeclampsia, preterm birth or small for gestational age or large-for-gestational-age delivery. These findings demonstrate low 25(OH)D among pregnant women with obesity and highlight ethnic disparities in vitamin D status in the UK. However, evidence for a greater risk of adverse perinatal outcomes among women with vitamin D deficiency was limited.

The RdRp genotyping of SARS-CoV-2 isolated from patients with different clinical spectrum of COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: The evolution of SARS-CoV-2 has been observed from the very beginning of the fight against COVID-19, some mutations are indicators of potentially dangerous variants of the virus. However, there is no clear association between the genetic variants of SARS-CoV-2 and the severity of COVID-19. We aimed to analyze the genetic variability of RdRp in correlation with different courses of COVID-19. RESULTS: The prospective study included 77 samples of SARS-CoV-2 isolated from outpatients (1st degree of severity) and hospitalized patients (2nd, 3rd and 4th degree of severity). The retrospective analyses included 15,898,266 cases of SARS-CoV-2 genome sequences deposited in the GISAID repository. Single-nucleotide variants were identified based on the four sequenced amplified fragments of SARS-CoV-2. The analysis of the results was performed using appropriate statistical methods, with p < 0.05, considered statistically significant. Additionally, logistic regression analysis was performed to predict the strongest determinants of the observed relationships. The number of mutations was positively correlated with the severity of the COVID-19, and older male patients. We detected four mutations that significantly increased the risk of hospitalization of COVID-19 patients (14676C > T, 14697C > T, 15096 T > C, and 15279C > T), while the 15240C > T mutation was common among strains isolated from outpatients. The selected mutations were searched worldwide in the GISAID database, their presence was correlated with the severity of COVID-19. CONCLUSION: Identified mutations have the potential to be used to assess the increased risk of hospitalization in COVID-19 positive patients. Experimental studies and extensive epidemiological data are needed to investigate the association between individual mutations and the severity of COVID-19.

A Longitudinal Study of the Influence of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Anxiety and Stress among Medical University Students.

(1) Background: The COVID-19 pandemic was declared an international health emergency by the World Health Organization. The dramatic, widespread transmission of the virus, high mortality, and lack of specific drugs caused the development of panic attacks and anxiety. Healthcare professionals, including medical students, were challenged to provide medical care to patients in need, often exposing themselves to the virus. (2) Methods: This study aimed to assess anxiety and stress levels in medical students, both at the beginning and after the end of the COVID-19 pandemic. The STAI and PSS-10 questionnaires were used. (3) Results: This study showed a decrease in anxiety levels among medical students after the end of the COVID-19 pandemic. In both 2020 and 2022, female students were found to experience higher stress levels than male students. Anxiety levels were similar among students of different medical-related faculties. (4) Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic caused stress and anxiety among medical students, which decreased throughout the duration of the pandemic.

Interventions in preconception and pregnant women at risk of gestational diabetes; a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: Women at risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) need preventative interventions. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate targeted interventions before and during pregnancy for women identified as being at risk of developing GDM. METHODS: Systematic review and meta-analysis conducted following PRISMA guidelines. MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library in addition to reference and citation lists were searched to identify eligible randomised controlled trials (RCTs) utilising risk stratification during the preconception period or in the first/early second trimester. Screening and data extraction were carried out by the authors independently. Quality assessment was conducted based on the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool. Random effects meta-analysis and narrative synthesis were performed. RESULTS: Eighty-four RCTs were included: two during preconception and 82 in pregnancy, with a pooled sample of 22,568 women. Interventions were behavioural (n = 54), dietary supplementation (n = 19) and pharmacological (n = 11). Predictive factors for risk assessment varied; only one study utilised a validated prediction model. Gestational diabetes was reduced in diet and physical activity interventions (risk difference - 0.03, 95% CI 0.06, - 0.01; I2 58.69%), inositol (risk difference - 0.19, 95% CI 0.33, - 0.06; I2 92.19%), and vitamin D supplements (risk difference - 0.16, 95% CI 0.25, - 0.06; I2 32.27%). Subgroup analysis showed that diet and physical activity interventions were beneficial in women with ≥ 2 GDM risk factors (risk difference - 0.16, 95% CI 0.25, - 0.07; I2 11.23%) while inositol supplementation was effective in women with overweight or obesity (risk difference - 0.17, 95% CI 0.22, - 0.11; I2 0.01%). Effectiveness of all other interventions were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: This review provides evidence that interventions targeted at women at risk of GDM may be an effective strategy for prevention. Further studies using validated prediction tools or multiple risk factors to target high-risk women for intervention before and during pregnancy are warranted.

The improvement of the in vitro plant regeneration in barley with the epigenetic modifier of histone acetylation, trichostatin A.

Genotype-limited plant regeneration is one of the main obstacles to the broader use of genetic transformation in barley breeding. Thus, developing new approaches that might improve responses of in vitro recalcitrant genotypes remains at the center of barley biotechnology. Here, we analyzed different barley genotypes, including "Golden Promise," a genotype commonly used in the genetic transformation, and four malting barley cultivars of poor regenerative potential. The expression of hormone-related transcription factor (TF) genes with documented roles in plant regeneration was analyzed in genotypes with various plant-regenerating capacities. The results indicated differential expression of auxin-related TF genes between the barley genotypes in both the explants and the derived cultures. In support of the role of auxin in barley regeneration, distinct differences in the accumulation of free and oxidized auxin were observed in explants and explant-derived callus cultures of barley genotypes. Following the assumption that modifying gene expression might improve plant regeneration in barley, we treated the barley explants with trichostatin A (TSA), which affects histone acetylation. The effects of TSA were genotype-dependent as TSA treatment improved plant regeneration in two barley cultivars. TSA-induced changes in plant regeneration were associated with the increased expression of auxin biosynthesis-involved TFs. The study demonstrated that explant treatment with chromatin modifiers such as TSA might provide a new and effective epigenetic approach to improving plant regeneration in recalcitrant barley genotypes.

Threats to conservation from national security interests.

There is a growing trend of nation states invoking national security and emergency declarations to build state-sponsored infrastructure projects for border defense, energy production, and transportation. Established laws, regulations, and agreements for the protection of nature and cultural heritage within and between countries are becoming secondary to national security, compromising the function of protected areas, such as national parks, wilderness areas, and biosphere reserves that safeguard biodiversity, climate, and human health. We considered cases where decades-long multinational cross-border endangered species recovery programs have been jeopardized by waivers of environmental protection laws to facilitate rapid construction of border barriers that impede the movement and migration of animals, such as at the US-Mexico and Poland-Belarus borders. Renewable energy megaprojects, such as the Pinacate solar plant in Mexico, coupled with power transmission lines and road networks likewise cast a large footprint on the land and are being carried out with minimal to no environmental compliance under the guise of national security. National sovereignty likewise has been used as justification for bypassing laws to proceed with similar projects, such as Mexico's Dos Bocas refinery and Poland's Vistula Spit canal. Emphasis on security is also apparent in increasing military expenditure by the world's largest economies, which has created a mismatch with improvement in environmental policy stringency. Decisions to prioritize security can undermine democratic principles and environmental review protocols, trivialize humanity's dependence on functioning ecosystems, and contradict the United Nation's resolution on the human right to a healthy environment. Framing infrastructure projects as matters of national security also foments civil and political unrest by the labeling and casting of dissenters, including conservation scientists and environmental defenders, as antinational. World leaders must refrain from misusing extraordinary powers, adhere to laws and international agreements, and consult experts and local people before taking unilateral action on projects that affect ecological and human communities.

Amenazas para la conservación a partir de los intereses nacionales de seguridad Resumen En los países existe una tendencia creciente por invocar la seguridad nacional y las declaraciones de emergencia para construir infraestructuras financiadas por el estado para la defensa de las fronteras, producción de energía y transporte. Las leyes, regulaciones y acuerdos establecidos para la protección de la naturaleza y el patrimonio cultural dentro y entre los países se están relegando por la seguridad nacional, lo que compromete la función de las áreas protegidas (parques nacionales, áreas silvestres y reservas de la biósfera) que resguardan la biodiversidad, el clima y la salud humana. Consideramos los casos en donde se han puesto en peligro los programas longevos y multinacionales de recuperación de especies en peligro por las exenciones a las leyes de protección ambiental para facilitar la construcción rápida de barreras fronterizas que impiden el movimiento y la migración de animales, como es el caso de las fronteras entre EU y México y Polonia y Bielorrusia. Los megaproyectos de energía renovable, como la planta solar del Pinacate en México, en conjunto con las líneas de transmisión eléctrica y las redes de carreteras también dejan una gran huella sobre la tierra y se realizan con el mínimo o ningún cumplimiento bajo el aspecto de la seguridad nacional. La soberanía nacional también se ha usado para justificar la omisión de las leyes para proceder con proyectos similares, como la refinería de Dos Bocas en México y el canal Vistula Spit en Polonia. El énfasis sobre la seguridad también es evidente con el incremento del gasto militar de las mayores economías mundiales, lo que ha creado una desigualdad con las mejoras en la exigencia de la política ambiental. Las decisiones para priorizar la seguridad pueden debilitar los principios democráticos y los protocolos de revisión ambiental, banalizar la dependencia de la humanidad por los ecosistemas funcionales y contradecir la resolución de las Naciones Unidas sobre el derecho humano a un ambiente saludable. Cuando se denominan los proyectos de infraestructura como asuntos de seguridad nacional, también se fomenta el malestar civil y político al etiquetar como antinacionales a los disidentes, incluidos los defensores ambientales y los científicos de la conservación. Los líderes mundiales deben abstenerse de usar indebidamente los poderes extraordinarios, adherirse a las leyes y acuerdos internacionales y consultar con expertos y personas locales antes de actuar de forma unilateral en cuanto a proyectos que afectan las comunidades humanas y ecológicas.

A Rare Case of Acute Myocardial Infarction in Pregnancy: Successful Treatment Strategies.

BACKGROUND Acute myocardial infarction during pregnancy is rare, but is associated with a high mortality rate, particularly during labor and delivery. This article concerns a 23-year-old woman with a history of insulin-treated gestational diabetes and hypothyroidism treated with levothyroxine presenting at 32 weeks of pregnancy with acute chest pain and coronary artery occlusion requiring angioplasty followed by cesarean delivery. The aim of this report is to outline the diagnostic difficulties of acute coronary syndromes during pregnancy and to present their treatment. CASE REPORT A 23-year-old female patient at 32 weeks' gestation treated for insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and hypothyroidism was admitted to the hospital due to acute chest pain. The ECG showed ST-segment elevation in leads I, aVL, and V4-V6 and elevated troponin T. Based on this, the patient was diagnosed with myocardial infarction and given low-molecular heparin, followed by primary coronary angioplasty with revascularization. After the procedure, she received dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) with acetylsalicylic acid and clopidogrel. The pregnancy was terminated at 38 weeks by cesarean section, delivering a healthy baby. CONCLUSIONS This report shows the importance of rapid and accurate diagnosis and management of acute myocardial infarction during pregnancy, and delivery by cesarean section, to ensure survival of the mother and the child.

Steady-State and Time-Resolved Fluorescence Study of Selected Tryptophan-Containing Peptides in an AOT Reverse Micelle Environment.

The aim of this study was to demonstrate the utility of time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy in the detection of subtle changes in the local microenvironment of a tryptophan chromophore in a confined and crowded medium of AOT reverse micelles, which mimic biological membranes and cell compartmentalization. For this purpose, fluorescence properties of L-tryptophan and several newly synthesized tryptophan-containing peptides in buffer and in an AOT reverse micelle medium were determined. It was shown that insertion of tryptophan and its short di- and tripeptides inside micelles led to evident changes in both the steady-state emission spectra and in fluorescence decay kinetics. The observed differences in spectral characteristics, such as a blue shift in the emission maxima, changes in the average fluorescence lifetime, and the appearance of environmental-dependent fluorescent species, showed the utility of time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy as a sensitive tool for detecting subtle conformational modifications in tryptophan and its peptides induced by changes in polarity, viscosity, and specific interactions between chromophores and water molecules/polar groups/ions that occur inside reverse micelles.

A Brief Look at Hashimoto's Disease, Adrenal Incidentalomas, Obesity and Insulin Resistance-Could Endocrine Disruptors Be the Other Side of the Same Coin?

Hashimoto's disease (HD) is the most common cause of hypothyroidism in developed countries. The exact pathomechanism behind it has not been clearly established; however, an interplay of genetic susceptibility, environmental triggers (including diet) and epigenetic factors seems to be involved. Among the latter, increasingly more attention has been paid to some hormonally active substances, known as endocrine disruptors, which are commonly used worldwide. HD has become a condition widely reported in the media, acting as a culprit for inexplicable weight gain, chronic fatigue or weakness. Nevertheless, the recognition of HD is undeniably increasing and represents a major public health burden. At the same time, improving access to imaging tests has increased the number of incidentally diagnosed adrenal tumors. Above all, the widespread use of chest computed tomography (CT) due to the COVID-19 pandemic has contributed to frequent incidental detection of adrenal lesions. Fortunately, a vast majority of these findings are asymptomatic benign tumors with no excessive hormonal activity, and therefore, they are defined as adrenal incidentalomas (AIs). Interestingly, recent studies have indicated that patients with AIs are more prone to obesity and insulin resistance. Although mutual relationships between the thyroid and the adrenal glands have been studied widely, still, little is known about the possible pathophysiological associations between thyroid autoimmunity and the occurrence of adrenal incidentalomas. This article presents a brief review of the common endocrine disorders with a special focus on the frequently coexisting insulin resistance and/or obesity. Furthermore, in response to the recent growing interest in endocrine disruptors, with their transgenerational epigenetic effects that influence hormonal system function, a concise overview of the topic has also been included.

Do Non-Functional Adrenal Adenomas Affect Metabolic Profile and Carotid Intima-Media Thickness? A Single Centre Study from Poland.

Background: Compared to the general population, among people with adrenal incidentalomas (AIs) the diagnosis of obesity, hypertension, impaired carbohydrate and lipid metabolism is more common. The aformentioned disorders represent typical cardiovascular remodeling risk factors. The study was designed to assess the association between NFAIs, metabolic profile and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) as the predictive factor of atherosclerosis. Material: The study included 48 patients with NFAI (16 men, 32 women, mean age 58.6 +/- 9 years) and 44 control participants (15 men, 29 women, mean age 57 +/- 7 years). Both groups were matched for age, gender and BMI. Subjects with history of myocardial infarction, stroke or diabetes mellitus (DM) were excluded. Participants underwent adrenal imaging, biochemical evaluation, and measurement of CIMT. Hormonal evaluation was conducted in AI patients. Results: The NFAI group had significantly higher waist circumference (p < 0.01), higher systolic (p < 0.01) and diastolic blood pressure (p < 0.01), fasting insulin (p = 0.03) and glucose in the 2 h OGTT (p = 0.04) as well as higher CIMT (p < 0.01). Hypertension (p < 0.01) and IGT (p = 0.026) were more common in this group as well. There was a positive correlation between CIMT and cortisol levels in 1 mg dexamethasone suppression test (r = 0.33, p = 0.02). Conclusions: Patients diagnosed with NFAIs, despite normal cortisol inhibition in the 1 mg dexamethasone test, still presented a number of metabolic abnormalities. The assessment of IMT may proove valuable in indicate the presence of early vascular remodelling in asymptomatic patients. The underlying mechanisms of these findings are still unknown, hence further studies are required.

An Unusual Case of Vulvar Involvement in the Course of Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis.

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis is a rare autoimmune disease with the presence of c-ANCA in most cases. It involves necrotizing inflammation in small and medium-sized vessels with multiple granulomas. The disease can affect many systems, but the typical triad of attacked systems are the upper and lower respiratory tracts and kidneys, with varying degrees of severity. Involvement of the respiratory tract may manifest, among other symptoms, as nasal crusting, nosebleeds, and dyspnea. Among patients with granulomatosis with polyangiitis, only less than 1% develop genitourinary system involvement. We present a case study of a 36-year-old woman with an 8-year-long GPA history and a lesion, which, due to its appearance and accompanying symptoms, aroused the suspicion of a neoplasm but was proven to be a granuloma with a nontypical location. The systemic disease was treated with glucocorticosteroids and cyclophosphamide. The lesion on the labium minus was surgically removed. We concluded that the macroscopic picture of GPA of the vulva and vulvar cancer is similar. The patient's medical history may help differentiate GPA and vulvar cancer. Although vulvar GPA is extremely rare, it should be considered in the differential diagnosis of vulvar lesions, especially those suspected to be oncological.

Iron: Not Just a Passive Bystander in AITD.

Autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD) is the most prevalent autoimmune disease all over the world and the most frequent cause of hypothyroidism in areas of iodine sufficiency. The pathogenesis of AITD is multifactorial and depends on complex interactions between genetic and environmental factors, with epigenetics being the crucial link. Iron deficiency (ID) can reduce the activities of thyroid peroxidase and 5'-deiodinase, inhibit binding of triiodothyronine to its nuclear receptor, and cause slower utilization of T3 from the serum pool. Moreover, ID can disturb the functioning of the immune system, increasing the risk of autoimmune disorders. ID can be responsible for residual symptoms that may persist in patients with AITD, even if their thyrometabolic status has been controlled. The human lifestyle in the 21st century is inevitably associated with exposure to chemical compounds, pathogens, and stress, which implies an increased risk of autoimmune disorders and thyroid dysfunction. To summarize, in our paper we discuss how iron deficiency can impair the functions of the immune system, cause epigenetic changes in human DNA, and potentiate tissue damage by chemicals acting as thyroid disruptors.

"Ferrocrinology"-Iron Is an Important Factor Involved in Gluco- and Lipocrinology.

"Ferrocrinology" is the term used to describe the study of iron effects on the functioning of adipose tissue, which together with muscle tissue makes the largest endocrine organ in the human body. By impairing exercise capacity, reducing AMP-activated kinase activity, and enhancing insulin resistance, iron deficiency can lead to the development of obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Due to impaired browning of white adipose tissue and reduced mitochondrial iron content in adipocytes, iron deficiency (ID) can cause dysfunction of brown adipose tissue. By reducing ketogenesis, aconitase activity, and total mitochondrial capacity, ID impairs muscle performance. Another important aspect is the effect of ID on the impairment of thermogenesis due to reduced binding of thyroid hormones to their nuclear receptors, with subsequently impaired utilization of norepinephrine in tissues, and impaired synthesis and distribution of cortisol, which all make the body's reactivity to stress in ID more pronounced. Iron deficiency can lead to the development of the most common endocrinopathy, autoimmune thyroid disease. In this paper, we have discussed the role of iron in the cross-talk between glucocrinology, lipocrinology and myocrinology, with thyroid hormones acting as an active bystander.

The benefits of contributing to the citizen science platform iNaturalist as an identifier.

As the number of observations submitted to the citizen science platform iNaturalist continues to grow, it is increasingly important that these observations can be identified to the finest taxonomic level, maximizing their value for biodiversity research. Here, we explore the benefits of acting as an identifier on iNaturalist.

Can Iron Play a Crucial Role in Maintaining Cardiovascular Health in the 21st Century?

In the 21st century the heart is facing more and more challenges so it should be brave and iron to meet these challenges. We are living in the era of the COVID-19 pandemic, population aging, prevalent obesity, diabetes and autoimmune diseases, environmental pollution, mass migrations and new potential pandemic threats. In our article we showed sophisticated and complex regulations of iron metabolism. We discussed the impact of iron metabolism on heart diseases, treatment of heart failure, diabetes and obesity. We faced the problems of constant stress, climate change, environmental pollution, migrations and epidemics and showed that iron is really essential for heart metabolism in the 21st century.

Evaluation of Paraoxonase-1 and Pentraxin-3 in the Diagnosis and Prognosis of Endometrial Cancer.

It is relevant to find new prognostic and diagnostic biomarkers for endometrial cancer. The study group consisted of 94 cases of endometrial cancer, the control group of 65 cases of normal endometrium. We evaluated PON1 and PTX3 serum levels. The ROC curve was plotted. The area under the curve was calculated to characterize the sensitivity and specificity of the studied parameters. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed simultaneously using the Cox regression model. The Kaplan-Meier curve was used to assess survival. The cut-off level of PON1 was 142.6 ng/mL, with a sensitivity and specificity of 79 and 84% (p = 0.0321). The cut-off level of PTX3 was 4.2 ng/mL, with a sensitivity and specificity of 63 and 57% (p = 0.028). The favorable prognostic factor determined in serum was PON1 (for PFS: HR 0.93, 95% CI 0.86-1.03, p = 0.046; for OS: HR 0.96, 95% CI 0.89-1.08, p = 0.009). PON1 may be considered a potential biomarker in the diagnosis of endometrial cancer. Considering multivariate analysis, the PON1 serum level above the median is an independent favourable prognostic factor affecting PFS and OS. Considering Kaplan-Meier curves, longer recurrence-free survival and overall survival were found in patients with PON1 levels below the median. In view of the inconclusive results, we suggest that further studies should be conducted.

Evaluation of Tissue Expression of Vaspin and Serum Vaspin Concentration as a Prognostic and Risk Factor in Endometrial Cancer.

Adipose tissue is a multifunctional endocrine organ. One of the biologically active substances is vaspin, which is part of the serpin family. The purpose of the following study is to determine the possibility of using vaspin as a prognostic and risk factor in endometrial cancer. The study included 127 patients with abnormal uterine bleeding. To determine the value of adipokine, the study used Kaplan-Meier curves to estimate patients survival. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed simultaneously using the Cox regression model. Tissue expression of vaspin was assessed in patients from the study group (endometrial cancer) and the control group (non-cancerous). We found that higher levels of vaspin are found in obese people, with lower staging (FIGO I and II), lower grading (G1), no LVSI metastases and no lymph node metastases. Higher serum vaspin levels are an independent protective factor for endometrial cancer. We concluded that endometrial cancer patients with serum vaspin concentrations above the median have longer DFS compared to patients with concentrations below the median. Considering multivariate analysis, vaspin concentrations above the median are independent favourable prognostic factors for endometrial cancer. Tissue expression of vaspin cannot be a histological marker to distinguish between cancer and non-cancerous lesions and between different grading levels.

Anxiety Assessment in Polish Students during the Russian-Ukrainian War.

Anxiety is described as a feeling of fear that appears in stressful or threatening situations. A terrorist attack is one such situation. The aim of this study was to assess anxiety levels among students using the STAI questionnaire. The study group consisted of 510 participants. Statistical analysis was performed using Statistica software. Anxiety levels, correlations between STAI scores, and individual variables were assessed. Logit models were performed for the study variables. Higher levels of anxiety were found in females compared to males (p = 0.0000). The highest level of anxiety overall was found in year 1 students, the lowest in year 5 students (p = 0.0005). The highest level of anxiety overall was found in pharmacy students, the lowest in midwifery students. We concluded that there was a relatively strong relationship between anxiety and gender. Gender and fear of an armed attack on Poland had a significant impact on anxiety.