Alpha-, Beta-, and Gamma-Secretase, Amyloid Precursor Protein, and Tau Protein Genes in the Hippocampal CA3 Subfield in an Ischemic Model of Alzheimer's Disease with Survival up to 2 Years.

Background: Understanding the phenomena underlying the non-selective susceptibility to ischemia of pyramidal neurons in the CA3 is important from the point of view of elucidating the mechanisms of memory loss and the development of dementia. Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate changes in genes expression of amyloid precursor protein, its cleaving enzymes and tau protein in CA3 post-ischemia with survival of 12-24 months. Methods: We used an ischemic model of Alzheimer's disease to study the above genes using an RT-PCR protocol. Results: The expression of the amyloid precursor protein gene was above the control values at all times post-ischemia. The expression of the α-secretase gene also exceeded the control values post-ischemia. The expression of the ß-secretase gene increased 12 and 24 months post-ischemia, and 18 months was below control values. Presenilin 1 and 2 genes expression was significantly elevated at all times post-ischemia. Also, tau protein gene expression was significantly elevated throughout the observation period, and peak gene expression was present 12 months post-ischemia. Conclusions: The study suggests that the genes studied are involved in the non-amyloidogenic processing of amyloid precursor protein. Additionally data indicate that brain ischemia with long-term survival causes damage and death of pyramidal neurons in the CA3 area of the hippocampus in a modified tau protein-dependent manner. Thus defining a new and important mechanism of pyramidal neuronal death in the CA3 area post-ischemia. In addition expression of tau protein gene modification after brain ischemia is useful in identifying ischemic mechanisms occurring in Alzheimer's disease.

Association between Resistant Arterial Hypertension, Type 2 Diabetes, and Selected microRNAs.

INTRODUCTION: In recent years, a very close relationship between miRNA and cardiovascular diseases has been found. RAH and T2DM are accompanied by a change in the microRNA expression spectrum. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the clinical characteristics and expression of selected microRNAs in patients with idiopathic RAH and T2DM. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 115 patients with RAH were included in this study. Among them were 53 patients (46.09%) with T2DM. miRNA levels were determined using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. The expression of the examined genes was calculated from the formula RQ = 2-ΔΔCT. RESULTS: Analysis using the Mann-Whitney U test showed a statistically significant (p < 0.05) difference in the expression of MIR1-1 (p = 0.031) and MIR195 (p = 0.042) associated with the occurrence of T2DM in the subjects. The value of MIR1-1 gene expression was statistically significantly higher in patients with T2DM (median: 0.352; mean: 0.386; standard deviation: 0.923) compared to patients without T2DM (median: 0.147; mean: -0.02; standard deviation: 0.824). The value of MIR195 gene expression was statistically significantly higher in patients with T2DM (median: 0.389, mean: 0.442; standard deviation: 0.819) compared to patients without T2DM (median: -0.027; mean: 0.08; standard deviation: 0.942). CONCLUSIONS: The values of MIR1-1 and MIR195 gene expression were statistically significantly higher in patients with RAH and T2DM compared to patients with RAH and without T2DM. Further studies are necessary to precisely clarify the roles of miRNAs in patients with RAH and T2DM. They should demonstrate the utility of these genetic markers in clinical practice.

Chronic intestinal schistosomiasis caused by co-infection with Schistosoma intercalatum and Schistosoma mansoni.

The Grand Round concerns a 24-year-old man from Zimbabwe who was studying and living in Poland. The patient had been complaining of abdominal pain, fatigue, alternating diarrhoea and constipation, and presence of blood in his stool for 3 years. The patient had the following diagnostic tests: colonoscopy, CT scan, histopathology, and parasitological and molecular tests. Results of the examinations showed that the cause of the patient's complaints was chronic intestinal schistosomiasis due to the co-infection with Schistosoma intercalatum and Schistosoma mansoni. The patient had two cycles of praziquantel therapy (Biltricide) and responded well to the treatment. In the Grand Round, we describe full diagnostics as well as clinical and therapeutic management in the patient with S intercalatum and S mansoni co-infection. This case allows us to draw attention to cases of forgotten chronic tropical diseases (including rare ones) in patients from regions with a high endemic index staying in non-endemic regions of the world for a long time. Co-infection with S intercalatum and S mansoni should be considered as a very rare clinical case.

LRP1 and RAGE Genes Transporting Amyloid and Tau Protein in the Hippocampal CA3 Area in an Ischemic Model of Alzheimer's Disease with 2-Year Survival.

Explaining changes at the gene level that occur during neurodegeneration in the CA3 area is crucial from the point of view of memory impairment and the development of post-ischemic dementia. An ischemic model of Alzheimer's disease was used to evaluate changes in the expression of genes related to amyloid transport in the CA3 region of the hippocampus after 10 min of brain ischemia with survival of 2, 7 and 30 days and 12, 18 and 24 months. The quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR assay revealed that the expression of the LRP1 and RAGE genes involved in amyloid transport was dysregulated from 2 days to 24 months post-ischemia in the CA3 area of the hippocampus. LRP1 gene expression 2 and 7 days after ischemia was below control values. However, its expression from day 30 to 24 months, survival after an ischemic episode was above control values. RAGE gene expression 2 days after ischemia was below control values, reaching a maximum increase 7 and 30 days post-ischemia. Then, after 12, 18 and 24 months, it was again below the control values. The data indicate that in the CA3 area of the hippocampus, an episode of brain ischemia causes the increased expression of the RAGE gene for 7-30 days during the acute phase and that of LRP1 from 1 to 24 months after ischemia during the chronic stage. In other words, in the early post-ischemic stage, the expression of the gene that transport amyloid to the brain increases (7-30 days). Conversely, in the late post-ischemic stage, amyloid scavenging/cleaning gene activity increases, reducing and/or preventing further neuronal damage or facilitating the healing of damaged sites. This is how the new phenomenon of pyramidal neuronal damage in the CA3 area after ischemia is defined. In summary, post-ischemic modification of the LRP1 and RAGE genes is useful in the study of the ischemic pathways and molecular factors involved in the development of Alzheimer's disease.

Surgical resection of lung cancer inhibits mRNA expression of GOT2 gene encoding kynurenine aminotransferase in leukocytes.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Lung cancer is the most common malignant tumour. More than 80% of all diagnosed cases are non-small cell carcinoma which can be effectively treated by radical resection. Despite significant progress in the field of diagnostic and therapeutic methods, the results of lung cancer treatment are still unsatisfactory. Lung cancer is detected relatively late, which leads to an unfavourable prognosis. Kynurenine aminotransferases are an important element of the kynurenine pathway of tryptophan metabolism, which has recently aroused great interest from the aspect of possible use as a target point of personalized therapies in malignant tumours.The aim of the study was to analyze the expression of the selected gene of kynurenine aminotransferases GOT 2 at the mRNA level in peripheral blood leukocytes of patients with lung cancer. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The mRNA expression of the GOT 2 gene was tested on blood samples from 50 patients treated surgically for non-small cell lung cancer.The control group consisted of 15 healthy individuals.The determination of mRNA expression of the GOT 2 gene was performed using the real-time PCR method.The GAPDH gene was used as the endogenous reference level. RESULTS: The mRNA expression of the GOT2 gene on the 6th day after surgery was statistically significantly lower than before surgery (p = 0,05). In the study group, the average LogRQ mRNA expression of the GOT2 gene before the procedure was 0.192082±0.292174 in woman. This was statistically significantly higher than in men whose average LogRQ mRNA expression of the GOT2 gene before the procedure was 0.004210±0.235065 (p=0.0183). CONCLUSIONS: Surgical resection of lung cancer results in inhibition of GOT2 mRNA expression in leukocytes. Further studies are expected to show whether it may be used as a target point for personalized therapies in lung cancer.

Influence of Clinical Factors on miR-3613-3p Expression in Colorectal Cancer.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most common cause of cancer-related death globally. Because of a tendency to be an asymptomatic primary tumor and therefore resulting in late detection, most CRC patients are diagnosed in the advanced stage. Several miRNAs have the potential to become novel noninvasive biomarkers measured as diagnostic and prognostic indicators of CRC to guide surgical therapies and promote the understanding of the carcinogenesis of CRC. Since the change of miR-3613-3p was associated with several types of cancer other than colorectal cancer, there is a lack of functional evidence and the results are inconsistent. We conducted a pilot microarray study in which we noted a decreased expression of miR-3613-3p in colorectal cancer cells, then we confirmed the expression of miR-3613-3p by qPCR on a group of 83 patients, including 65 patients with colorectal cancer, 5 with a benign tumor and 13 from the control group. We noted that in both malignant and benign tumors, miR-3613-3p is downgraded relative to the surrounding tissue. As a result of the study, we also observed colorectal tumor tissue and surrounding tissue in patients with colorectal cancer who received radiotherapy before surgery, which showed a significantly higher expression of miR-3613-3p compared to patients who did not receive radiotherapy. In addition, we noted that the tissue surrounding the tumor in patients with distant metastases showed a significantly higher expression of miR-3613-3p compared to patients without distant metastases. The increased expression of miR-3613-3p in patients after radiotherapy suggests the possibility of using this miR as a therapeutic target for CRC, but this requires confirmation in further studies.

Preservation of Biomarkers Associated with Alzheimer's Disease (Amyloid Peptides 1-38, 1-40, 1-42, Tau Protein, Beclin 1) in the Blood of Neonates after Perinatal Asphyxia.

Perinatal asphyxia is a complex disease involving massive death of brain cells in full-term newborns. The most impressive consequence of perinatal asphyxia is a neurodegenerative brain injury called hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. Management of newborns after perinatal asphyxia is very difficult due to the lack of measurable biomarkers that would be able to assess the severity of the brain injury in the future, help in the selection of therapy, assess the results of treatment and determine the prognosis for the future. Thus, these limitations make long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes unpredictable during life. Quantifying biomarkers that can detect subclinical changes at a stage where routine brain monitoring or imaging is still mute would be a major advance in the care of neonates with brain neurodegeneration after asphyxia. Understanding the effect of perinatal asphyxia on changes in blood neurodegenerative biomarkers over time, which would be commonly used to assess the severity of postpartum encephalopathy, would be an important step in developing precision in predicting the consequences of brain injuries. We urgently need more accurate early predictive markers to guide clinicians when to use neuroprotective therapy. The needed neurodegenerative biomarkers may represent neuronal pathological changes that can be recognized by new technologies such as genomic and proteomic. Nevertheless, the simultaneous blood tau protein and various amyloid changes with the addition of an autophagy marker beclin 1 after perinatal asphyxia have not been studied. We decided to evaluate serum biomarkers of neuronal injury characteristic for Alzheimer's disease such as amyloid peptides (1-38, 1-40 and 1-42), tau protein and beclin 1, which can predict the progression of brain neurodegeneration in future. In this paper, we report for the first time the significant changes in the above molecules in the blood after asphyxia compared to healthy controls during the 1-7, 8-14 and 15+ days ELISA test.

Expression of microRNA (miR126*, miR155, miR21, miR29a) in breast milk cell fraction in women with hypertension: a comparative analysis with women without hypertension.

OBJECTIVES: The ideal option of food for a newborn's nourishment has traditionally been human breast milk (HBM). Previous studies have demonstrated a connection between the length of exclusively breastfeeding and its preventive effects on several conditions in neonates. Considering the significance of HBM, the study aimed at detecting the expression of microRNA (miR126*, miR155, miR21, and miR29a) in the breast milk cell fraction of women with hypertension. This was a cohort study of 35 postpartum women. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Five ml of milk was collected into a sterile container from patients in the morning on the second and third days after the labor. The collected milk has been centrifuged, total cellular RNA has been isolated from cell fraction from the collected milk, isolated RNA has been subject to qualitative and quantitative analysis, next reverse transcription has been conducted, followed by that, evaluation of the expression of the selected microRNA has been conducted using the synthesized cDNA. Finally, the tested microRNA's relative expression level has been calculated. RESULTS: Among patients with hypertension, the analysis of cell fraction of breast milk reported lower mean expression of miR126*, miR155, miR21, and miR29a as compared to patients without hypertension. Strong and very strong positive correlation between the expression of miR126* and miR155, miR126* and miR21, miR155 and miR21, miR 155 and miR29a, and miR 21 and miR29a have been noted. CONCLUSIONS: Comparing patients with and without hypertension, it has been noted that patients with hypertension had lower mean expression of miR126*, miR155, miR21, and miR29a.

Dysregulations of Key Regulators of Angiogenesis and Inflammation in Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a chronic vascular disease caused by localized weakening and broadening of the abdominal aorta. AAA is a clearly underdiagnosed disease and is burdened with a high mortality rate (65-85%) from AAA rupture. Studies indicate that abnormal regulation of angiogenesis and inflammation contributes to progression and onset of this disease; however, dysregulations in the molecular pathways associated with this disease are not yet fully explained. Therefore, in our study, we aimed to identify dysregulations in the key regulators of angiogenesis and inflammation in patients with AAA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (using qPCR) and plasma samples (using ELISA). Expression levels of ANGPT1, CXCL8, PDGFA, TGFB1, VEGFB, and VEGFC and plasma levels of TGF-alpha, TGF-beta 1, VEGF-A, and VEGF-C were found to be significantly altered in the AAA group compared to the control subjects without AAA. Associations between analyzed factors and risk factors or biochemical parameters were also explored. Any of the analyzed factors was associated with the size of the aneurysm. The presented study identified dysregulations in key angiogenesis- and inflammation-related factors potentially involved in AAA formation, giving new insight into the molecular pathways involved in the development of this disease and providing candidates for biomarkers that could serve as diagnostic or therapeutic targets.

Synthesis and anthelmintic activity of novel thiosemicarbazide and 1,2,4-triazole derivatives: In vitro, in vivo, and in silico study.

INTRODUCTION: Intestinal parasitic infections are neglected diseases and, due to the increasing resistance of parasites to available drugs, they pose an increasing therapeutic challenge. Therefore, there is a great need for finding new compounds with antiparasitic activity. OBJECTIVES: In this work, new thiosemicarbazide and 1,2,4-triazole derivatives were synthesized and tested for their anthelmintic activity. METHODS: The synthesis was carried out by classical methods of organic chemistry. Anthelmintic activity tests were carried out in vitro (Rhabditis sp., Haemonchus contortus, Strongylidae sp.) in vitro (Heligmosomoides polygyrus/bakeri), and in silico analysis was performed. RESULTS: Quinoline-6-carboxylic acid derivative compounds were designed and synthesized. The highest activity in the screening tests in the Rhabditis model was demonstrated by compound II-1 with a methoxyphenyl substituent LC50 = 0.3 mg/mL. In the next stage of the research, compound II-1 was analyzed in the H. contortus model. The results showed that compound II-1 was active and had ovicidal (percentage of dead eggs > 45 %) and larvicidal (percentage of dead larvae > 75 %) properties. Studies in the Strongylidae sp. model confirmed the ovicidal activity of compound II-1 (percentage of dead eggs ≥ 55 %). In vivo studies conducted in the H. polygyrus/bakeri nematode model showed that the number of nematodes decreased by an average of 30 % under the influence of compound II-1. In silico studies have shown two possible modes of action of compound II-1, i.e. inhibition of tubulin polymerization and SDH. The test compound did not show any systemic toxic effects. Its influence on drug metabolism related to the activity of cytochrome CYP450 enzymes was also investigated. CONCLUSION: The results obtained in the in vitro, in vivo, and in silico studies indicate that the test compound can be described as a HIT, which in the future may be used in the treatment of parasitic diseases in humans and animals.

Influence of Umbilical Cord Blood Biochemical Parameters and Disease Condition on the Expression of the TSG-6 Gene in Umbilical Mesenchymal Stem Cells.

BACKGROUND Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are capable of secreting different substances, including the anti-inflammatory protein TSG-6, which can be useful in the treatment of diseases with inflammatory reactions. The main aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of the TSG-6 gene in MSCs derived from the umbilical cord. For better understanding of the anti-inflammatory properties of MSCs, we additionally assessed the expression of some interleukins (ILs). MATERIAL AND METHODS The study group included 45 patients after delivery, aged from 21 to 46 years; the average patient age was 33 years. MSCs were isolated enzymatically from umbilical cord Wharton's jelly, in vitro cultured, and characterized using flow cytometry; qPCR was performed to assess expression of the studied genes. The expression of genes of a number of pro-inflammatory ILs in MSCs was investigated in relation to the health of patients (coexistence of hypertension), the level of leukocytes, pCO2, and hemoglobin in the blood. RESULTS Our research showed that the expression of the TSG-6 gene in MSCs depends on coexisting diseases in the patient and the biochemical parameters of umbilical cord blood, including the important role of cord blood pH. We found that the levels of IL2 and IL6 expression were correlated with pCO2, and IL6 expression were correlated with pO2. CONCLUSIONS Our study suggests that maternal health status and cord blood biochemical parame-ters could affect the anti-inflammatory properties of MSCs; however, this needs to be confirmed in a future study.

VEGF Expression in Umbilical Cord MSC Depends on the Patient's Health, the Week of Pregnancy in Which the Delivery Took Place, and the Body Weight of the Newborn - Preliminary Report.

Introduction: Cells collected from Wharton's jelly are a rich source of mesenchymal stem cells. They can be easily obtained and grown using the adhesive method. They produce many types of proteins, including VEGF. Their role is to participate in angiogenesis, vasodilation, stimulation of cells to migrate, and chemotactic activity. The aim of this study was to evaluate expression of genes from the vascular endothelial growth factor family: VEGFA, VEGFB and VEGFC in MSC and the analysis of dependence of the expression of the studied genes on clinical factors related to the course of pregnancy and childbirth, and health of mother and child. Material and Methods: The research material was an umbilical cord obtained from 40 patients hospitalized in the Department of Obstetrics and Pathology of Pregnancy of the Independent Public Clinical Hospital No.1 in Lublin. The age of the women was 21-46, all gave birth by cesarean section. Some of the patients suffered from hypertension and hypothyroidism. Material collected from patients immediately after delivery was subjected to enzymatic digestion with type I collagenase. The isolated cells were then cultured in adherent conditions, and then gene expression was assessed using qPCR and the immunophenotype of the cells was assessed cytometrically. Results: Conducted studies have shown significant differences in expression of VEGF family genes depending on clinical condition of mother and child. Significant differences in VEGF-family gene expression level in umbilical cord MSC collected from women with hypothyroidism, hypertension, time of labor and birth weight of the baby were shown. Conclusion: Probably due to hypoxia (caused, for example, by hypothyroidism or hypertension), the MSCs found in the umbilical cord may react with an increased expression of VEGF and a compensatory increase in the amount of secreted factor, the aim of which is, i.a., vasodilation and increase of blood supply to the fetus through the umbilical vessels.

Twenty Novel MicroRNAs in the Aqueous Humor of Pseudoexfoliation Glaucoma Patients.

The microRNAs (miRNAs) are short non-coding RNAs (19-25 nt) that regulate the level of gene expression at the post-transcriptional stage. Altered miRNAs expression can lead to the development of various diseases, e.g., pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (PEXG). In this study, we assessed the levels of miRNA expression in the aqueous humor of PEXG patients using the expression microarray method. Twenty new miRNA molecules have been selected as having the potential to be associated with the development or progression of PEXG. Ten miRNAs were downregulated in PEXG (hsa-miR-95-5p, hsa-miR-515-3p, hsa-mir-802, hsa-miR-1205, hsa-miR-3660, hsa-mir-3683, hsa -mir-3936, hsa-miR-4774-5p, hsa-miR-6509-3p, hsa-miR-7843-3p) and ten miRNAs were upregulated in PEXG (hsa-miR-202 -3p, hsa-miR-3622a-3p, hsa-mir-4329, hsa-miR-4524a-3p, hsa-miR-4655-5p, hsa-mir-6071, hsa-mir-6723-5p, hsa-miR-6847-5p, hsa-miR-8074, and hsa-miR-8083). Functional analysis and enrichment analysis showed that the mechanisms that can be regulated by these miRNAs are: extracellular matrix (ECM) imbalance, cell apoptosis (possibly retinal ganglion cells (RGCs)), autophagy, and elevated calcium cation levels. Nevertheless, the exact molecular basis of PEXG is unknown and further research is required on this topic.

Occurrence, Role, and Challenges of MicroRNA in Human Breast Milk: A Scoping Review.

MicroRNAs are non-coding segments of RNA involved in the epigenetic modulation of various biological processes. Their occurrence in biological fluids, such as blood, saliva, tears, and breast milk, has drawn attention to their potential influence on health and disease development. Hundreds of microRNAs have been isolated from breast milk, yet the evidence on their function remains inconsistent and inconclusive. The rationale for the current scoping review is to map the evidence on the occurrence, characterization techniques, and functional roles of microRNAs in breast milk. The review of the sources of this evidence highlights the need to address methodological challenges to achieve future advances in understanding microRNAs in breast milk, particularly their role in conditions such as neoplasms. Nonetheless, remarkable progress has been made in characterizing the microRNA profiles of human breast milk.

Influence of Perinatal Factors on Gene Expression of IAPs Family and Main Factors of Pluripotency: OCT4 and SOX2 in Human Breast Milk Stem Cells-A Preliminary Report.

Due to their therapeutic potential, mesenchymal stem cells are the subject of intensive research on the use of their potential in the treatment of, among others, neurodegenerative diseases or immunological diseases. They are among the newest in the field of medicine. The presented study aimed to evaluate the expression of eight genes from the IAP family and the gene regulating IAP-XAF1-in stem cells derived from human milk, using the qPCR method. The relationships between the expression of genes under study and clinical data, such as maternal age, maternal BMI, week of pregnancy in which the delivery took place, bodyweight of the newborn, the number of pregnancies and deliveries, and the time elapsed since delivery, were also analyzed. The research was carried out on samples of human milk collected from 42 patients hospitalized in The Clinic of Obstetrics and Perinatology of the Independent Public Clinical Hospital No. 4, in Lublin. The conducted research confirmed the expression of the following genes in the tested material: NAIP, BIRC2, BIRC3, BIRC5, BIRC6, BIRC8, XIAP, XAF1, OCT4 and SOX2. Moreover, several dependencies of the expression of individual genes on the maternal BMI (BIRC5, XAF1 and NAIP), the time since childbirth (BIRC5, BIRC6, XAF1 and NAIP), the number of pregnancies and deliveries (BIRC2, BIRC5, BIRC6 and XAF1), the manner of delivery (XAF1 and OCT4), preterm labor (BIRC6 and NAIP) were demonstrated. Additionally, we found positive relationships between gene expression of BIRC7, BIRC8 and XAF1 and the main factors of pluripotency: SOX2 and OCT4. This work is the first to investigate the expression of genes from the IAPs family in mother's milk stem cells.

Comparison of SOX2 and POU5F1 Gene Expression in Leukapheresis-Derived CD34+ Cells before and during Cell Culture.

Bone marrow is an abundant source of both hematopoietic as well as non-hematopoietic stem cells. Embryonic, fetal and stem cells located in tissues (adipose tissue, skin, myocardium and dental pulp) express core transcription factors, including the SOX2, POU5F1 and NANOG gene responsible for regeneration, proliferation and differentiation into daughter cells. The aim of the study was to examine the expression of SOX2 and POU5F1 genes in CD34-positive peripheral blood stem cells (CD34+ PBSCs) and to analyze the influence of cell culture on the expression of SOX2 and POU5F1 genes. The study material consisted of bone marrow-derived stem cells isolated by using leukapheresis from 40 hematooncology patients. Cells obtained in this process were subject to cytometric analysis to determine the content of CD34+ cells. CD34-positive cell separation was conducted using MACS separation. Cell cultures were set, and RNA was isolated. Real-time PCR was conducted in order to evaluate the expression of SOX2 and POU5F1 genes and the obtained data were subject to statistical analysis. We identified the expression of SOX2 and POU5F1 genes in the examined cells and demonstrated a statistically significant (p < 0.05) change in their expression in cell cultures. Short-term cell cultures (<6 days) were associated with an increase in the expression of SOX2 and POU5F1 genes. Thus, short-term cultivation of transplanted stem cells could be used to induce pluripotency, leading to better therapeutic effects.

Analysis of Changes in the Expression of Selected Genes from the ABC Family in Patients with Triple-Negative Breast Cancer.

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is characterized by a lack of expression of hormone receptors (estrogen and progesterone), as cancer cells also do not overexpress the HER2 receptor. Due to their molecular profile, treatments for this type of breast cancer are limited. In some cases, the pharmacotherapy of patients with TNBC is hindered by the occurrence of multidrug resistance, which is largely conditioned by proteins encoded by genes from the ABC family. The aim of our study was to determine the expression profile of 14 selected genes from the ABC family using real-time PCR in 68 patients with TNBC by comparing the obtained results with clinical data and additionally using bioinformatics tools (Ualcan and The Breast Cancer Gene Expression Miner v4.8 (bc -GenExMiner v4.8)), as well as by comparing experimental data with data in the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Based on the conducted studies, we found different levels of gene expression depending on the age of patients, tumor sizes, metastases to lymph nodes, cell infiltration into adipose tissue, tumor stages, or lymphovascularinvasion. The results of the presented studies demonstrate the effect of the expression level of the studied genes on the clinical course and prognosis of patients with TNBC, and suggest how profiling the expression level of genes from the ABC family may be a useful tool in determining personalized TNBC treatment.

Experiencing illness as a crisis by the caregivers of individuals with Prader-Willi Syndrome.

BACKGROUND: The behavioural phenotype of Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) implies a specific emotional and social-interactive burden for the caregivers of the individuals with PWS. The aim of the study was to perform an in-depth exploratory analysis of experiences of the familial caregivers of individuals with PWS. METHOD: The study was carried out using a sociological methodology of the grounded theory (qualitative research). A purposively selected sample of 20 familial caregivers of children/adults with PWS was invited to take part in individual, semi-structured in-depth interviews which included questions pertaining to coping with problems arising from the condition, including its impact on social interactions, as well as to the meanings of PWS. RESULTS: The core category emerging from our analysis emphasized "experiencing PWS as a crisis". The phases in the process of experiencing PWS were specified, each of which is characterised by specific cognitive, emotional and social problems, implying relevant requirements in the care of individuals with PWS. I. Crisis in response to the diagnosis; II. Crisis in response to lack of control over the hunger of individuals with PWS; III. Crisis in response to the social milieu's failure to understand the nature of the condition; IV. Crisis in response to attempts to plan the future of individuals with PWS. The specificity of the PWS caregiver's experience is primarily determined by the need to reconstruct the entire family's lifestyle. The experiences of caregivers of PWS persons, at the time when they were available for study, had the characteristics of crisis. Moreover the psychosocial consequences of PWS were not subject to normalization and attempts to attribute any meaningful existential sense to the PWS were ineffective in the time period under scrutiny. CONCLUSIONS: Identifying phases of the PWS experience process from the perspective of the caregivers of individuals with PWS may be used to profile interventions supporting PWS individuals' families in a manner corresponding to the flow of the illness experience.

Small Nucleolar RNAs in Pseudoexfoliation Glaucoma.

Small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) are small non-coding regulatory RNAs that have been investigated extensively in recent years. However, the relationship between snoRNA and glaucoma is still unknown. This study aims to analyze the levels of snoRNA expression in the aqueous humor (AH) of patients with pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (PEXG) compared to a control group and identify hypothetical snoRNA-dependent mechanisms contributing to PEXG. The AH was obtained from eighteen Caucasian patients, comprising nine PEXG and nine age-matched control patients. RNA was isolated, and a microarray system was used to determine the snoRNA expression profiles. Functional and enrichment analyses were performed. We identified seven snoRNAs, SNORD73B, SNORD58A, SNORD56, SNORA77, SNORA72, SNORA64, and SNORA32, in the AH of the PEXG and control group patients. Five snoRNAs showed statistically significantly lower expression in the PEXG group, and two snoRNAs had statistically significantly higher expression in the PEXG group compared to the control group. In addition, we identified two factors-CACNB3 for SNORA64 and TMEM63C for SNORA32, similar to PEX-related genes (CACNA1A and TMEM136). The enrichment analysis for four genes targeted by snoRNAs revealed possible mechanisms associated with glaucoma and/or PEX, but the direct role of snoRNAs in these biological processes was not proven.

Evaluation of the Impact of Pregnancy-Associated Factors on the Quality of Wharton's Jelly-Derived Stem Cells Using SOX2 Gene Expression as a Marker.

SOX2 is a recognized pluripotent transcription factor involved in stem cell homeostasis, self-renewal and reprogramming. It belongs to, one of the SRY-related HMG-box (SOX) family of transcription factors, taking part in the regulation of embryonic development and determination of cell fate. Among other functions, SOX2 promotes proliferation, survival, invasion, metastasis, cancer stemness, and drug resistance. SOX2 interacts with other transcription factors in multiple signaling pathways to control growth and survival. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of a parturient's age, umbilical cord blood pH and length of pregnancy on the quality of stem cells derived from Wharton's jelly (WJSC) by looking at birth weight and using SOX2 gene expression as a marker. Using qPCR the authors, evaluated the expression of SOX2 in WJSC acquired from the umbilical cords of 30 women right after the delivery. The results showed a significant correlation between the birth weight and the expression of SOX2 in WJSC in relation to maternal age, umbilical cord blood pH, and the length of pregnancy. The authors observed that the younger the woman and the lower the umbilical cord blood pH, the earlier the delivery occurs, the lower the birth weight and the higher SOX2 gene expression in WJSC. In research studies and clinical applications of regenerative medicine utilizing mesenchymal stem cells derived from Wharton's Jelly of the umbilical cord, assessment of maternal and embryonic factors influencing the quality of cells is critical.