Comparison of Selected Non-Coding RNAs and Gene Expression Profiles between Common Osteosarcoma Cell Lines.

Osteosarcoma (OS) is a bone tumour affecting adolescents and elderly people. Unfortunately, basic treatment methods are still underdeveloped, which has a high impact on the poor survivability of the patients. Studies designed to understand the underlying mechanisms of osteosarcoma development, as well as preclinical investigations aimed at establishing novel therapeutic strategies, rely significantly upon in vitro models, which apply well-established cell lines such as U-2 OS, Saos-2 and MG-63. In this study, the expression of chosen markers associated with tumour progression, metastasis and survival were identified using RT-qPCR. Levels of several onco-miRs (miR-21-5p, miR-124-3p, miR-223-3p and miR-320a-3p) and long non-coding RNA MEG3 were established. The mRNA expression of bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), including BMP-2, BMP-3, BMP-4, BMP-6, BMP-7, as well as their receptors: BMPR-IA, BMPR-IB and BMPR-II was also determined. Other tested markers included metalloproteinases, i.e., MMP-7 and MMP-14 and survivin (BIRC5), C-MYC, as well as CYCLIN D (CCND1). The analysis included comparing obtained profiles with transcript levels established for the osteogenic HeLa cell line and human adipose-derived stromal cells (hASCs). The tested OS cell lines were characterised by a cancer-related phenotype, such as increased expression of mRNA for BMP-7, as well as MMP-7 and MMP-14. Osteosarcoma cells differ considerably in miR-21-5p and miR-124-3p levels, which can be related to uncontrolled tumour growth. The comprehensive examination of osteosarcoma transcriptome profiles may facilitate the selection of appropriate cell models for preclinical investigations aimed at the development of new strategies for OS treatment.

Comparison of thyroid-stimulating hormone levels in adolescents with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, unipolar depression, conduct disorders, and hyperkinetic disorders.

ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to retrospectively compare values of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) in adolescent patients diagnosed with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, unipolar depression (UNI-DEP), conduct disorders (CD), and hyperkinetic disorders.The research involved 1122 patients (718 women, 64%); aged 12 to 18 hospitalized in the Department of Adolescent Psychiatry, Medical University of Lodz. We analyzed TSH levels in the whole study population and compared it between the above-mentioned subgroups of diagnoses.Mean serum TSH concentration in the studied population (n = 1122) was 2.06 µIU/mL. The values of percentiles were as follows: 2.5th - 0.53 µIU/mL, 10th - 0.89 µIU/mL, 25th - 1.31 µIU/mL, 50th - 1.9 µIU/mL, 75th - 2.6 µIU/mL, 90th - 3.43 µIU/mL, 97.5th - 4.72 µIU/mL. TSH values were negatively correlated with patients' age (P = .00001). Patients with bipolar depression had higher TSH levels than patients with CD (P = .002). Also, when male and female groups were examined separately we found that female patients with UNI-DEP and bipolar disorder had higher TSH levels than female patients with CD (P = .001; P = .001).Our results confirm that there may be a higher prevalence of thyroid dysfunctions in bipolar and UNI-DEP subgroups among adolescents and that it is worthy to consider some kind of interventions regarding thyroid function in depressed individuals.

In-Depth Experimental Analysis of Influence of Electroplated Gold Thickness on Thermal and Electro-Optical Properties of mid-IR AlInAs/InGaAs/InP Quantum Cascade Lasers.

In this paper, we have examined the influence of electroplated gold thickness on the thermal and electro-optical properties of mid-IR AlInAs/InGaAs, InP QCLs. The experimental results show a significant reduction of the temperature of QCL active region (AR) with increasing gold layer thickness. For QCLs with 5.0 µm gold thickness, we observed a 50% reduction of the active region temperature. An improvement of key electro-optical parameters, that is, threshold current density and maximum emitted power for structures with thick gold, was observed. The results of micro-Raman characterization show that the electroplated gold layer introduces only moderate compressive strain in top InP cladding, which is well below the critical value for the creation of misfit dislocations.

Dietary carnosic acid and seleno-compounds change concentrations of fatty acids, cholesterol, tocopherols and malondialdehyde in fat and heart of lambs.

The aim of the current study was to evaluate the impact of carnosic acid (CA), selenised yeast (YSe) and selenate (VISe) supplemented to diets, including fish oil (FO) and rapeseed oil (RO), on the content of fatty acids, total cholesterol (TCh), tocopherols and malondialdehyde in the fat located between the thigh muscles and the heart in lambs. Twenty-four male Corriedale lambs were divided into 4 groups of 6 animals. Animals were fed a diet with FO and RO (the control diet) or experimental diets containing RO, FO and CA with/without Se (as YSe or VISe). The experimental diets without/with YSe or VISe changed concentrations of fatty acids in the fat and heart compared to the control. All experimental diets increased the levels of c11c14C20:2, c5c8c11c14C20:4, c5c8c11c14c17C20:5 and the sums of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LPUFA) and conjugated linoleic acid isomers in the fat compared to the control. The experimental diet containing YSe or VISe increased the content of Se, TCh, c11c14C20:2, c8c11c14C20:3, c5c8c11c14C20:4, c5c8c11c14c17C20:5, c7c10c13c16c19C22:5, c4c7c10c13c16c19C22:6 and the concentration sum of n-3LPUFA, n-6LPUFA and tocopherols in the heart in comparison with the control diet and the diet containing only CA. Experimental diets reduced the concentration of malondialdehyde in the fat and heart in comparison with the control diet. Our dietary intervention has great potential for future practical and commercial implementations.

Seleno-compounds and Carnosic Acid Added to Diets with Rapeseed and Fish Oils Affect Concentrations of Selected Elements and Chemical Composition in the Liver, Heart and Muscles of Lambs.

The objective of our studies was to investigate effects of carnosic acid (CA), selenized yeast (SeY) and selenate (SeVI) added to the diet including rapeseed oil (RO) and fish oil (FO) on concentrations of elements, fatty acids (FAs), tocopherols, cholesterol, and malondialdehyde in the liver, heart, musculus longissimus dorsi (MLD), and musculus biceps femoris (MBF) of lambs. Lambs were fed diets: group I-the basal diet (BD) with RO; group II-BD with RO and FO; group III-BD with RO, FO, and CA; group IV-BD with RO, FO, CA, and SeY; group V-BD with RO, FO, CA, and SeVI. The diets with Se compounds increased Se concentrations in all tissues compared with other diets. The diet with SeVI increased Cd, Sb, and Pb concentrations in the liver compared to groups I, II, and IV. The diets containing Se compounds increased Sb and Pb concentrations in MBF compared to groups I and II. All diets with CA reduced As, Sb, and Pb concentrations in MLD compared to groups I and II. All diets with FO increased concentrations of FAs and malondialdehyde in the liver compared to group I. All diets with FO decreased FAs concentrations in MBF compared to group I. The diets containing CA with/without Se compounds increased malondialdehyde concentrations in MBF compared to groups I and II. The diet with Se compounds reduced malondialdehyde concentrations in MLD compared to group II. All diets with FO changed concentrations of tocopherols and cholesterol in all tissues compared to group I. Our study showed that the addition of SeY or SeVI to the experimental diet increased the concentration of Se in all assayed tissues of lambs without adversely influencing performance or causing physiological disorders in internal organs. Both, SeY or SeVI added to the experimental diet decreased the oxidative stress and the concentrations of As, Sb, and Pb in MLD compared with the diets containing RO, irrespective of the presence of FO (groups I and II). Our study provides useful knowledge for nutritionists carrying out further investigations aimed at improving farm animal health, performance, and the nutritional quality of animal products for humans.

[The relation of selected psychiatric disorders to occurrence of suicide attempts among teenage psychiatrically hospitalized patients]. / Zwiazek wybranych zaburzen psychicznych z wystepowaniem prób samobójczych wsród nastoletnich pacjentów hospitalizowanych psychiatrycznie.

UNLABELLED: Suicide is the third cause of death globally in the age group 10-19. Multiple risk factors (genetic, psychiatric, psychological, familial, social) increased number of suicide attempts. AIM: The aim of this study was to explore whether mental disorders are associated with the number of suicide attempts among psychiatric hospitalized adolescents. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective, chart-based analysis of 119 patients, aged 13-18, treated in 2013-2014 in the Department of Adolescent Psychiatry in Lódz. Inclusion criteria was diagnosis of schizophrenia, schizotypal and delusional disorders, mood disorders, neurotic, stress-related and somatoform disorders, behavioral and emotional disorders according to ICD 10. Exclusion criteria were other psychiatric diagnosis, incomplete information about intention of self-harm behaviors. For statistical analysis used Statistica 9.1. RESULTS: Among psychiatricaly hospitalized patients, 51.2% of people attempted suicide. No relationship was found (p > 0.05) between psychiatric diagnosis and frequency of suicide attempts in adolescents, but the most common suicide attempts related to people with a diagnosis of mood disorders (59.3%) and neurotic disorders (54.6%), and least frequently in patients with a diagnosis of schizophrenia , schizotypal and delusional disorders (40%) and behavioral and emotional disorders (44.4%). CONCLUSIONS: There is no relation between the occurrence of suicide attempts and the type of mental disorders among psychiatrically hospitalized adolescents.

[Quality of life and depressive symptoms in patients diagnosed with uterus cancer]. / Jakosc zycia i depresyjnosc u pacjentek z rozpoznaniem raka trzonu macicy.

UNLABELLED: In the present study quality of life and depressive symptoms as well as the influence of illness on emotional state in patients with diagnosis of uterus cancer was evaluated. The aim of the study was to evaluate quality of life and depressive symptoms in women diagnosed with uterus cancer who underwent surgical treatment and complementary therapy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study has been conducted on randomly chosen group of 100 patients diagnosed with uterus cancer who underwent surgical treatment and adjunctive therapy. Surveys has been conducted 6 months after completed therapy when no recurrence of carcinomatous disease was confirmed. Quality of life was evaluated using quality of life questionnaire EORTC QLQ-C30 and depressive symptoms were measured by means of Beck's depression self-rating scale. RESULTS: In the conducted study in most cases patients with diagnosis of uterus cancer didn't show symptoms of depression and in 40% of patients there were mild symptoms of depressive disorder. The results show that patients without depressive symptoms had better quality of life compared to those with concomitant depressive symptoms and it was statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with diagnosed uterus cancer in whom no symptoms of depression were detected presented with better quality of life compared to patients with depressive symptoms. Emotional state of patients with uterus cancer can be an important factor influencing their quality of life.

N-acetyl-ß-hexosaminidase in chronic tonsillitis and tonsillar hypertrophy.

BACKGROUND: The concentration and specific activity of N-acetyl-ß-hexosaminidase (HEX) in palatine tonsils with chronic tonsillitis and tonsillar hypertrophy give insight in tonsillar tissue remodeling and constitute a potential marker for diagnosis and treatment of chronic tonsillitis and tonsillar hypertrophy. AIM: Determining the concentration and specific activity of N-acetyl-ß-hexosaminidase in palatine tonsils with hypertrophy and chronic tonsillitis. METHODS: HEX activity was analyzed by the method of Marciniak et al. with p-nitrophenyl N-acetyl-ß-glucosaminepyranoside as a substrate. RESULTS: The concentration and specific activity of HEX in palatine tonsils in patients with tonsillar hypertrophy and chronic tonsillitis both in childhood and adulthood significantly increase in comparison to healthy individuals. CONCLUSIONS: Our data demonstrate the presence of HEX in palatine tonsils and indicate on significant increase of its concentration and specific activity. Based on content and specific HEX activity we suggest that tonsils with hypertrophy and chronic tonsillitis should be treated as identical unit irrespectively of age.

Fatty acid profile of hind leg muscle in female and male nutria (Myocastor coypus Mol.), fed green forage diet.

The study describes the profile of fatty acids in hind leg muscle of 18 female and 12 male nutria reared on an extensive system farm in eastern Poland with a diet based on fresh forage. When compared to results from nutrias from an intensive production system from the literature, the forage-fed animals had lower proportions of saturated fatty acids, and higher proportions of n3-fatty acids in their muscle tissue; in particular, n6:n3-fatty acid ratios were lower (2.6-3.0) in forage-fed animals compared to intensively reared animals (16.8-28.9). These findings underline that using forage-based diets is feasible in nutrias, and an economic way to improve the fatty acid composition of their meat.

[Exposure of medical rescuers to aggression at the workplace]. / Ocena stopnia narazenia ratowników medycznych na agresje w miejscu pracy.

SUMMARY: Members of the medical rescue team are exposed to several dangerous and harmful factors, including emotional and physical stress, during their activities at the site of an accident. Basing on the literature it can be concluded that anxiety and low mood are present in each patient in a state of endangered life or health. The aim of study was to assess the incidence, sources, and types of aggression against medical rescuers depending on the place of work. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study was done in 126 medical rescuers working in the province of Podlaskie. Questionnaires assessing the degree and types of aggression against medical rescuers and the GHQ28 General Heath Questionnaire were used. RESULTS: Rescuers working in emergency rooms and ambulances reported that aggression most often was in the form of raised voice (95%), threats (85%), attempted assault and dangerous situation (91%). According to respondents working at hospital emergency departments, raised voice is most often encountered (95% of respondents). Threats were made against 72%, dangerous situations were noted by 59%, and attempted assault was experienced by 44% of respondents. CONCLUSIONS: Rescuers working in ambulances and emergency rooms were more often exposed to aggression than rescuers working at hospital emergency departments. The exception was raised voice by patients which was noted with the same frequency irrespective of the place of work. Aggression from superiors and coworkers was evidently more often experienced in ambulances and emergency rooms.

[Occurrence of fungal pathogens in the delivery rooms of a hospital obstetrics department]. / Analiza wystepowania patogenów grzybiczych w powietrzu sal oddzialu polozniczego.

OBJECTIVES: Assessment of the incidence of fungal pathogens in air of the operating rooms from one of the hospitals in Bialystok. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Investigations were conducted in selected rooms of obstetrics department. Material for mycological studies was air sampled at the entrance of hospital building, the entrance to operating room, hall and selected rooms of the department. Fungi were identified using the standard microbial procedures: The monitoring of airborne fungi pollution was done using SAS SUPER 100 (pbi international). Classification of the isolated fungi was done with an accordance to the current procedures. RESULTS: In the air of 16 rooms of obstetrics department different numbers of fungal colonies from 0 to 560 CFU/1000L of air were isolated. Fungi were not isolated from the air samples of preparing, septic, operating and family deliveries rooms. The highest number of fungi colonies were isolated at the entrance the hospital. The following fungal pathogens isolated from the air were: Candida albicans. non-Candida albicans, Penicillium species, Cladosporium species and Aspergillus species. CONCLUSIONS: 1. The different number of fungal colonies was found depending on type of the hospital room. 2. The highest number of fungal colonies was isolated from the air samples of patients rooms 3. No fungal colonies were isolated from the septic, operating and family deliveries rooms 4. The main fungal pathogen isolated from the air samples was Candida albicans.

[Nurses opinion on the necessity of educating psychiatric patients and their families]. / Potrzeba edukacji chorego psychicznie i jego rodziny w opinii pielegniarek.

AIM: To gather information on the need for educating psychiatric patients and their families by the nursing staff. METHOD: An anonymous questionnaire was especially constructed for this study. 628 nurses who worked in different health institutions (except for psychiatric departments) were asked to answer the questionnaire. RESULTS: Getting the patient ready for functioning in the normal world and showing him ways to cope with the illness were considered as the most important educational themes. It is disturbing to note that 14.01% of the responders did not answer this question at all. According to the nurses, the families should be educated well on how they should deal with their ill member. Most of those questioned declared a readiness to educate the ill, but only 31.8% of them felt only minimally prepared for the task. The best form of learning to be an educator were (according to 79.7% responders) training seminars in the preferable form of talks, lectures or lessons. The medical doctor should be the one who would help in the educational role. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of the nurses believe that they are not prepared well enough for this educational function. Only 4.5% of those studied did not show any need for educating patients and their families. Training seminars for nurses should be organized, so that the nurses feel competent to educate patients and their families. Interdisciplinary teams dealing with the issue of educating patients and their families should be formed.

[Women's knowledge of health behaviors in the puerperium]. / Wiedza kobiet na temat zachowan prozdrowotnych w pologu.

UNLABELLED: The study was conducted on one hundred women hospitalized in obstetrical departments of hospitals in Bialystok. Material was collected using anonymous inquiry in the accordance with methodology of questionnaire creation. Over half responders (55%) correctly defined puerperium, however 19% of them couldn't explain what it means. Near 1/3 women answered that bloody puerperal excrements may be present to the end of puerperal period, 41% of women answered that during puerperium they are allowed to bath and only 22% of them considered physical exercises to be profitable. 52% of responders knew that newborn child should be breastfed for six months and that breastfeeding prevents breast from incidents of occlusion. 20% of mothers considered breastfeeding to be preventive from defects of bite and dental caries. CONCLUSIONS: 1. Definition of puerperium caused problems for most of women. 2. The period of puerperium affected the mode of lifestyle and hygiene of women but most of them did not consider physical exercises to be profitable. 4. The most of women knew that breastfeeding is necessary for appropriate growth of their children.

[The knowledge of preventive measures and early detection of breast cancer among students of the Medical University in Lublin]. / Wiedza studentek Wydzialu Lekarskiego Akademii Medycznej w Lublinie w zakresie profilaktyki i wczesnego wykrywania raka piersi.

A breast cancer is the most common neoplasm among women. It occurs in nearly 40 out of 100000 cases. A number of breast cancer cases have doubled for 30 years in Poland. According to long-term statistical data, it can be assumed that that number will be increasing. Approximately 7% of women are cured owing to preventive care in western countries. The diagnose at the early stage gives a chance to treat it effectively. Therefore, it is essential to increase the public awareness about the danger of the cancer and possible ways of its early detection. It should be an important task of doctors, midwives and nurses, especially young doctors to be thoroughly prepared in the field of risk factors, preventive care and early detection of breast cancer.

Interaction of maize (Zea mays) protein phosphatase 2A with tubulin.

Immunological and biochemical evidence has been obtained for an interaction of maize protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) holoenzyme with tubulin. Tubulin co-purifies with maize seedling PP2A. Affinity chromatography of the maize PP2A preparation on immobilized tubulin revealed two peaks of phosphorylase alpha phosphatase activity. In one of the peaks, the catalytic (C) and constant regulatory (A) subunits of PP2A were identified by Western blotting. The subunits (C and A) of PP2A were co-immunoprecipitated from maize seedlings homogenate by an anti-alpha-tubulin antibody. The interaction of plant PP2A with tubulin indicates a possible role of reversible protein phosphorylation in the dynamic structure of plant cytoskeleton.