The Variability of Tryptophan Metabolism in Patients with Mixed Type of Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

Patients with a mixed type of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-M) experience constipation and diarrhea, which alternate between weeks or months. The pathogenesis of this syndrome is still little understood. The aim of the study was mainly to evaluate the urinary excretion of selected tryptophan (TRP) metabolites during the constipation and diarrhea periods of this syndrome. In 36 patients with IBS-M and 36 healthy people, serum serotonin level was measured by ELISA and urinary levels of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), kynurenine (KYN) and indican (3-IS) were determined using the LC-MS/MS method. The levels of all above metabolites were higher in the patient group, and increased significantly during the diarrheal period of IBS-M. In particular, the changes concerned 5-HIAA (3.67 ± 0.86 vs. 4.59 ± 0.95 mg/gCr, p < 0.001) and 3-IS (80.2 ± 17.4 vs. 93.7 ± 25.1 mg/g/Cr, p < 0.001). These changes coexisted with gut microbiome changes, assessed using hydrogen-methane and ammonia breath tests. In conclusion, the variability of TRP metabolism and the gut microbiome may cause the alternation of IBS-M symptoms.

Prognostic Value of Metastatic Lymph Node Ratio and Identification of Factors Influencing the Lymph Node Yield in Patients Undergoing Curative Colon Cancer Resection.

Due to the impact of nodal metastasis on colon cancer prognosis, adequate regional lymph node resection and accurate pathological evaluation are required. The ratio of metastatic to examined nodes may bring an additional prognostic value to the actual staging system. This study analyzes the identification of factors influencing a high lymph node yield and its impact on survival. The lymph node ratio was determined in patients with fewer than 12 or at least 12 evaluated nodes. The study included patients after radical colon cancer resection in UICC stages II and III. For the lymph node ratio (LNR) analysis, node-positive patients were divided into four categories: i.e., LNR 1 (<0.05), LNR 2 (≥0.05; <0.2), LNR 3 (≥0.2; <0.4), and LNR 4 (≥0.4), and classified into two groups: i.e., those with <12 and ≥12 evaluated nodes. The study was conducted on 7012 patients who met the set criteria and were included in the data analysis. The mean number of examined lymph nodes was 22.08 (SD 10.64, median 20). Among the study subjects, 94.5% had 12 or more nodes evaluated. These patients were more likely to be younger, women, with a lower ASA classification, pT3 and pN2 categories. Also, they had no risk factors and frequently had a right-sided tumor. In the multivariate analysis, a younger age, ASA classification of II and III, high pT and pN categories, absence of risk factors, and right-sided location remained independent predictors for a lymph node yield ≥12. The univariate survival analysis of the entire cohort demonstrated a better five-year overall survival (OS) in patients with at least 12 lymph nodes examined (68% vs. 63%, p = 0.027). The LNR groups showed a significant association with OS, reaching from 75.5% for LNR 1 to 33.1% for LNR 4 (p < 0.001) in the ≥12 cohort, and from 74.8% for LNR2 to 49.3% for LNR4 (p = 0.007) in the <12 cohort. This influence remained significant and independent in multivariate analyses. The hazard ratios ranged from 1.016 to 2.698 for patients with less than 12 nodes, and from 1.248 to 3.615 for those with at least 12 nodes. The LNR allowed for a more precise estimation of the OS compared with the pN classification system. The metastatic lymph node ratio is an independent predictor for survival and should be included in current staging and therapeutic decision-making processes.

Bisphenol A analogues and metabolic syndrome in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Bisphenols (BPs) have become a chemical group of special interest due to their ability to interfere with the endocrine system and their ubiquitous presence in the environment. As some of them possess mild estrogenic and anti-androgenic effects, they might be associated with the diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Acting on multiple tissues, BPs exposure may lead to metabolic derangements characteristic for metabolic syndrome (MetS). Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the potential relationship between exposure to some BPA analogues and features of the MetS in women with PCOS. Serum BPE, BPC, BPG, BPM, BPP, BPZ, BPFL, and BPBP concentrations did not differ significantly between the PCOS (n = 135) and the control subjects (n = 104). However, women whose serum BPM and BPP concentrations were in the highest tertile were more likely to be diagnosed with PCOS (adjusted OR; [95%CI] 0.43; [0.20; 0.89], P < 0.001 and 0.56; [0.27; 0.96], P = 0.049, consequently). Serum concentrations of BPs were not associated with the MetS diagnosis in the PCOS group. There was a negative correlation between the concentrations of serum BPBP and total serum cholesterol (r = - 0.153; P = 0.019), BPE and serum testosterone (r = - 0.160; P = 0.014) as well as BPC and HDL-cholesterol (r = - 0.138; P = 0.036). There was a positive correlation between the concentrations of BPP and serum triglycerides (r = 0.138; P = 0.036). Our results point to the potential association between exposure to BPM, BPP, and the diagnosis of PCOS, along with the impact of BPBP, BPE, BPC, and BPP on the metabolic features of the MetS.

Shift work, body mass index and associated breast cancer risks in postmenopausal women.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Shift work increases the risk of breast cancer, but the mechanisms is still under discussion. This study evaluates the relationship between breast cancer and shift work on the basis of overweight and obesity among postmenopausal women. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We examined this association using data from a case-control study carried between 2015 and 2019. The study involved 111 postmenopausal women with breast cancer and the same number of control participants. A self-reporting questionnaire was used for data collection. Multivariate logistic regression was conducted to find correlations between variables and determine the strength of relationships. RESULTS: A 2.65-fold risk of breast cancer (OR=2.65; 95% CI: 1.34-5.22) was found among shift work women, compared with postmenopausal women not performing shift work. The association was modified by body mass index, showing a risk rate 9.84 times higher (OR=9.84; 95% CI: 2.14-45.19) among shift work and overweight women, compared to non-overweight women who had never been shift workers. CONCLUSIONS: About 49% of controls and 72% of cases had ever worked in a job that required shift work. The risk of breast cancer in postmenopausal women is associated with shift work, especially among overweight women. Some preventive measures to reduce the risk of breast cancer, in particular regarding a healthy lifestyle and weight control in this group of working women, should be implemented.

Enhanced Natural Strength: Lamiaceae Essential Oils and Nanotechnology in In Vitro and In Vivo Medical Research.

The Lamiaceae is one of the most important families in the production of essential oils known to have a wide spectrum of biological activity. Recent research has highlighted the dermatological capabilities of various Lamiaceae essential oils, which appear to offer potential in free radical scavenging and anti-inflammatory activity. Some have also been extensively studied for their tissue remodeling and wound-healing, anti-aging, anti-melanogenic, and anti-cancer properties. Certain Lamiaceae essential oils are promising as novel therapeutic alternatives for skin disorders. This potential has seen substantial efforts dedicated to the development of modern formulations based on nanotechnology, enabling the topical application of various Lamiaceae essential oils. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the utilization of various essential oils from the Lamiaceae family over the past decade. It offers an overview of the current state of knowledge concerning the use of these oils as antioxidants, anti-inflammatory agents, wound-healers, anti-aging agents, anti-melanogenic agents, and anticancer agents, both alone and in combination with nanoparticles. Additionally, the review explores their potential applicability in patents regarding skin diseases.

In Vitro Evaluation and In Silico Calculations of the Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Secondary Metabolites from Leonurus sibiricus L. Root Extracts.

Leonurus sibiricus L. has great ethnobotanical and ethnomedicinal significance. This study aimed to assess the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of Leonurus sibiricus L. transgenic roots extracts transformed by Rhizobium rhizogenes, with and without the AtPAP1 transcriptional factor. The study determined the total phenolic and flavonoid contents, as well as in vitro antioxidant assays, including hydrogen peroxide and nitric oxide scavenging activity. In addition, in silico computational studies and molecular docking were conducted to evaluate the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential of the identified compounds. The ligands were docked to NADPH oxidase, cyclooxygenase 2,5-lipoxygenase, inducible nitric synthase and xanthine oxidase: enzymes involved in the inflammatory process. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents ranged from 85.3 ± 0.35 to 57.4 ± 0.15 mg/g GAE/g and 25.6 ± 0.42 to 18.2 ± 0.44 mg/g QUE/g in hairy root extracts with and without AtPAP1, respectively. H2O2 scavenging activity (IC50) was found to be 29.3 µg/mL (with AtPAP1) and 37.5 µg/mL (without AtPAP1 transcriptional factor), and NO scavenging activity (IC50) was 48.0 µg/mL (with AtPAP1) and 68.8 µg/mL (without AtPAP1 transcriptional factor). Leonurus sibiricus L. transformed root extracts, both with and without AtPAP1, are a source of phytochemicals belonging to different classes of molecules, such as flavonoids (catechin and rutin), phenolic compounds (caffeic acid, coumaric acid, chlorogenic acid, ferulic acid) and phenylpropanoid (verbascoside). Among the radicals formed after H removal from the different -OH positions, the lowest bond dissociation enthalpy was observed for rutin (4'-OH). Rutin was found to bind with cyclooxygenase 2, inducible nitric synthases and xanthine oxidase, whereas chlorogenic acid demonstrated optimal binding with 5-lipoxygenase. Therefore, it appears that the Leonurus sibiricus L. transformed root extract, both with and without the AtPAP1 transcriptional factor, may serve as a potential source of active components with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential; however, the extract containing AtPAP1 demonstrates superior activities. These properties could be beneficial for human health.

Food Anthocyanins: Malvidin and Its Glycosides as Promising Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Agents with Potential Health Benefits.

Anthocyanins are flavonoid compounds that are abundantly present in fruits and vegetables. These compounds contribute to the color of these foods and offer various health benefits to consumers due to their biological properties. There are more than 1000 types of anthocyanins in nature, all derived from 27 anthocyanidin aglycones that have different glycosylations and acylations. Malvidin is one of the most well-known anthocyanidins. Several studies, including those conducted on cell lines, animals, and humans, have suggested that malvidin and its glycosides possess anti-carcinogenic, diabetes-control, cardiovascular-disease-prevention, and brain-function-improvement properties. These health benefits are primarily attributed to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, which are influenced by the molecular mechanisms related to the expression and modulation of critical genes. In this article, we review the available information on the biological activity of malvidin and its glycosides concerning their health-promoting effects.

Rectal Cancer: Are 12 Lymph Nodes the Limit?

Lymph node dissection is a crucial element of oncologic rectal surgery. Many guidelines regard the removal of at least 12 lymph nodes as the quality criterion in rectal cancer. However, this recommendation remains controversial. This study examines the factors influencing the lymph node yield and the validity of the 12-lymph node limit. Patients with rectal cancer who underwent low anterior resection or abdominoperineal amputation between 2000 and 2010 were analyzed. In total, 20,966 patients from 381 hospitals were included. Less than 12 lymph nodes were found in 20.53% of men and 19.31% of women (p = 0.03). The number of lymph nodes yielded increased significantly from 2000, 2005 and 2010 within the quality assurance program for all procedures. The univariate analysis indicated a significant (p < 0.001) correlation between lymph node yield and gender, age, pre-therapeutic T-stage, risk factors and neoadjuvant therapy. The multivariate analyses found T3 stage, female sex, the presence of at least one risk factor and neoadjuvant therapy to have a significant influence on yield. The probability of finding a positive lymph node was proportional to the number of examined nodes with no plateau. There is a proportional relationship between the number of examined lymph nodes and the probability of finding an infiltrated node. Optimal surgical technique and pathological evaluation of the specimen cannot be replaced by a numeric cut-off value.

Plants as Modulators of Melanogenesis: Role of Extracts, Pure Compounds and Patented Compositions in Therapy of Pigmentation Disorders.

The kingdom of plants as a "green biofabric" of valuable bioactive molecules has long been used in many ailments. Currently, extracts and pure compounds of plant origin are used to aid in pigmentation skin problems by influencing the process of melanogenesis. Melanin is a very important pigment that protects human skin against ultraviolet radiation and oxidative stress. It is produced by a complex process called melanogenesis. However, disturbances in the melanogenesis mechanism may increase or decrease the level of melanin and generate essential skin problems, such as hyperpigmentation and hypopigmentation. Accordingly, inhibitors or activators of pigment formation are desirable for medical and cosmetic industry. Such properties may be exhibited by molecules of plant origin. Therefore, that literature review presents reports on plant extracts, pure compounds and compositions that may modulate melanin production in living organisms. The potential of plants in the therapy of pigmentation disorders has been highlighted.

A Reduced Tryptophan Diet in Patients with Diarrhoea-Predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome Improves Their Abdominal Symptoms and Their Quality of Life through Reduction of Serotonin Levels and Its Urinary Metabolites.

(1). An essential component of any treatment for patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is an adequate diet. Currently, a low FODMAP diet is recommended as a first-line therapy, but it does not relieve abdominal discomfort in all patients, and alternative nutritional treatment is required. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of a tryptophan-lowering diet (TRP) on abdominal and mental symptoms in patients with irritable bowel syndrome with predominant diarrhea (IBS-D). (2). The study included 40 patients with IBS-D, and 40 healthy subjects served as a baseline for IBS-D patients, after excluding comorbidities. The TRP intake was calculated using the nutritional calculator. The severity of abdominal symptoms was assessed using the gastrointestinal symptom rating scale (GSRS-IBS). Mental state was assessed using the Hamilton anxiety rating scale (HAM-A), the Hamilton depression rating scale (HAM-D), and the insomnia severity index (ISI). The serum levels of serotonin and melatonin and the urinary excretion of their metabolites 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) and 6-sulfatoxymelatonin (aMT6) were determined by the ELISA method. The severity of symptoms and laboratory data were analyzed before and after a 12 week diet with tryptophan restricted to a daily dose 10 mg per kilogram body weight. (3). Compared to the control group, patients with IBS-D had a higher serum level of serotonin (198.2 ± 38.1 vs. 142.3 ± 36.4 ng/mL; p < 0.001) but a similar level of melatonin (8.6 ± 1.1 vs. 9.4 ± 3.0 pg/mL; p > 0.05). The urinary excretion of 5-HIAA was also higher in patients with IBS-D patients (7.7 ± 1.5 vs. 6.0 ± 1.7 mg/24 h; p < 0.001). After nutritional treatment, both the serum serotonin level and the urinary 5-HIAA excretion significantly decreased (p < 0.001). The severity of the abdominal symptoms and anxiety also decreased, while the HAM-D score and the ISI score remained unchanged (4). Lowering the dietary intake of tryptophan may reduce abdominal complaints and does not alter the mental state of IBS-D patients.

Do Young People Perceive E-Cigarettes and Heated Tobacco as Less Harmful Than Traditional Cigarettes? A Survey from Poland.

New tobacco and nicotine-containing products are gaining more popularity among young people. The aim of this study is to assess the prevalence in the perception of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco among young people in Poland and to assess the factors that are positively correlated with this perception. A cross-sectional study covering almost 12,000 adolescents aged 13-18 was carried out in January and February 2020. Data were collected through a detailed questionnaire recommended for monitoring tobacco use by adolescents. The results of the study showed that 52.2% and 61.9% of young people perceive e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products as less harmful compared to traditional cigarettes, respectively. The risk of perceiving these products as less harmful than smoking was higher among older adolescents, males, those who used these products, had a family member who used e-cigarettes/heated tobacco products and those who were exposed to tobacco advertising. Our study indicates the need to consider the coexistence of traditional smoking, e-cigarettes and heated tobacco and its impact on the assessment of the harmfulness of these products. More research is needed to better understand how perceptions of the harmfulness of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco affect their subsequent use.

Determinants of E-Cigarette and Cigarette Use among Youth and Young Adults in Poland-PolNicoYouth Study.

Teen use of tobacco-related products is a significant public health concern. This study evaluated the predictors of e-cigarette use among secondary school students who were never cigarette smokers and ever cigarette smokers in Poland. METHODS: This study examined a sample of Polish youths aged 13-19 (n = 19,241) attending 200 schools, 12 on average in each county. The study was a part of the National Health Program in Poland for 2016-2020. Logistic regression and multivariable logistic regression models were used to calculate crude and adjusted odds ratios. RESULTS: Of all participants, 32.5% were ever cigarette users. Among the never cigarette users, 13.6% were deemed susceptible to e-cigarette use. Among the ever cigarette users, 60.6% were deemed susceptible to e-cigarette use. Of those susceptible to e-cigarette use, 68.2% were among the 32.5% ever cigarette users. The profile of e-cigarette use among never e-cigarette users also included: pocket money available per month (more than 150 PLN) (OR = 1.7; p = 0.001), 16-17 years old (OR = 1.9; p = 0.001), parental tobacco smoking and e-cigarette usage (OR = 2.0; p = 0.01 and OR = 1.7; p = 0.001 respectively), maternal secondary education (OR = 1.1; p = 0.04), and living in big cities >500,000 inhabitants (OR = 1.4; p = 0.04). E-cigarette users among ever cigarette users were similar to never cigarette users in their opinion that e-cigarette use is less harmful than traditional smoking (OR = 1.6; p = 0.0012) and living with both parents smoking cigarettes (OR = 1.3; p = 0.02). Additionally, the determinants were: female gender (OR = 1.5; p = 0.009) in the age group less than 15 years of age (OR = 1.3; p = 0.007). CONCLUSIONS: The major determinant of e-cigarette use in this population was prior smoking. Additionally, the results revealed that fairly obvious predictors such as parental smoking and a belief in the less harmfulness of e-cigarette use are important determinants for smoking among never or ever e-cigarette users.

The Modulation of Melanogenesis in B16 Cells Upon Treatment with Plant Extracts and Isolated Plant Compounds.

Plants are a rich source of secondary metabolites that exhibit numerous desired properties. The compounds may influence the biology of melanocytes, pigment cells that produce melanin, by modulating numerous signaling pathways, including cAMP/PKA, MAPKs and PI3K/AKT. Its downstream target is microphthalmia-associated transcription factor, responsible for the expression of the tyrosinase enzyme, which plays a major role in melanogenesis. Therefore, this literature review aims to provide insights related to melanogenesis modulation mechanisms of plant extracts and isolated plant compounds in B16 cells. Database searches were conducted using online-based library search instruments from 2012 to 2022, such as NCBI-PubMed and Google Scholar. Upregulation or downregulation of signaling pathways by phytochemicals can influence skin hypo- and hyperpigmentation by changing the level of melanin production, which may pose a significant cosmetic issue. Therefore, plant extracts or isolated plant compounds may be used in the therapy of pigmentation disorders.

Consulting Obese and Overweight Patients for Nutrition and Physical Activity in Primary Healthcare in Poland.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the dietary and physical activity counseling provided to adults by family doctors. Predictors of counseling in primary healthcare were identified. A cross-sectional study was conducted from January 2020 to December 2021 among 896 adult primary care patients in the city of Lódz [Lodz], Poland. Almost 36% of the respondents were advised to change their eating habits, and 39.6% were advised to increase their physical activity. In a multivariate logistic regression analysis, people in poor health with chronic diseases related to overweight and obesity and with two, three or more chronic diseases, respectively, received advice on eating habits from their GP twice and three times more often than people in good health with no chronic conditions (OR = 1.81; p < 0.05 and OR = 1.63; p < 0.05; OR = 3.03; p < 0.001). People in the age groups 30−39 years and 40−49 years (OR = 1.71; p < 0.05 and OR = 1.58; p < 0.05), widowed (OR = 2.94; p < 0.05), with two, three or more chronic diseases (OR = 1.92; p < 0.01 and OR = 3.89; p < 0.001), and subjectively assessing overweight and obesity (OR = 1.61; p < 0.01) had a better chance of receiving advice on physical activity. The study found a higher proportion of advice on diet and physical activity provided to overweight and obese patients by primary care physicians than in other studies; however, still not all receive the necessary counseling. GPs should advise all patients not to become overweight and obese, not only those already affected by the problem.

Serum IL-5, POSTN and IL-33 levels in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis correlate with clinical severity.

BACKGROUND: Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a group of heterogeneous diseases characterized by epithelial inflammation and tissue eosinophilic infiltration. IL-5, POSTN, and IL-33 are important factors that act as chemoattractants for eosinophils, and a tissue-remodeling protein positively correlated with eosinophils in blood and mediators of eosinophilic infiltration. The aim of the study was to determine the expression of IL-5, POSTN and IL-33, at the gene and protein levels, in eosinophilic CRS with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) and without nasal polyps (CRSsNP), and to correlate this expression with clinical severity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 40 CRSwNP patients and 53 CRSsNP patients and 40 control subjects. The expression of IL-5, POSTN and IL-33 mRNA was determined in sinonasal mucosal samples and in nasal polyp tissue by real-time PCR. Protein levels in the serum of CRSwNP patients were measured by ELISA. Computed tomography was evaluated according to Lund-Mackay scores, and visual analog scale scores were assessed. RESULTS: NP tissue demonstrated significantly higher IL-5 and POSTN mRNA expression than the sinonasal tissue in the CRSsNP and CRSwNP groups. CRS groups demonstrated elevated IL-33 mRNA expression in comparison to controls irrespective of the presence of NP. No correlation was found between IL-5, POSTN and IL-33 mRNA expression and disease severity. CRSwNP group demonstrated significantly higher serum IL-5, POSTN and IL-33 protein levels than controls, and this corresponds to disease severity. CONCLUSION: Serum IL-5, POSTN and IL-33 levels may be important markers for classification of eosinophilic CRSwNP patients, along with disease severity.

In vitro and In silico Studies on Leonotis nepetifolia (L.) R. Br. Root Extract against Cancer Cells.

BACKGROUND: Leonotis nepetifolia (L.) R. Br. (Lamiaceae) is a shrub traditionally used to alleviate inflammatory conditions. OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed at investigating the biological activity of methanolic nontransformed and transformed Rhizobium rhizogenes root extracts from L. nepetifolia against human melanoma cells. METHODS: Cytotoxicity and genotoxicity properties, the impact on topoisomerase I activity, and proapoptotic activity were evaluated by the MTT test, comet assay, topoisomerase I assay, and fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis. Moreover, the expressions of p53 were examined by qPCR and Western blot analysis. Docking studies were conducted to assess the potential interactions of the identified phytochemicals with the p53 binding protein Mdm-2, and computational analyses exhibited their antioxidant potential. RESULTS: Both extracts showed cytotoxic potential against human melanoma cells, but generally the activity was more potent for transformed roots than untransformed (IC50 760 µg/mL and 980 µg/mL, respectively). A similar effect was revealed during the evaluation of genotoxic and proapoptotic properties. Moreover, the expression of p53 was also found to be increased after extract treatment. The most dominant identified compounds in both extracts were as follows: (+)- catechin, p-coumaric acid, m-coumaric acid, and (+)-rosmarinic acid. Docking studies and computational analysis showed that (+)-rosmarinic acid possesses the highest binding affinity to the p53 binding protein, Mdm-2, and exhibits the best antioxidant property from the most commonly identified phytochemicals. CONCLUSION: Our findings revealed the potential of L. nepetifolia transformed root extract as a source of bioactive compounds with cytotoxic, genotoxic, and proapoptotic activity against human melanoma cells as well as antioxidant properties.

Could Self-Reported Body Sizes Be an Alternative Tool for Assessing Breast Cancer Risk in Postmenopausal Women?

BACKGROUND: The use of self-reported body size as an alternative tool to estimate body weight for health risk assessment is not widely reported, especially in relation to breast cancer. Therefore, we examined the association between breast cancer and body-mass index (BMI) and the usefulness of pictograms. METHODS: The case-control study was conducted among postmenopausal women from 2015 to 2019. The study involved 151 women with breast cancer and 67 control subjects. Data were collected by a self-reported detailed questionnaire. RESULTS: An increased, 4.13-fold risk of breast cancer (OR = 4.13; 95% CI [1.69, 10.28]) was observed for women with BMI 25.0-29.9 kg/m2 compared to women with normal BMI (18.5-24.9 kg/m2), whereas the association in the case of obese women was not statistically significant. An increased risk of breast cancer was observed for pictogram scores 3-4 (OR = 8.95; 95% CI [3.22, 24.88]) and for the highest level of self-reported body size, pictograms ≥ 5 (OR = 3.20; 95% CI [1.13, 9.09]). CONCLUSIONS: The risk of breast cancer is associated with an increased BMI and visual overweigh and obesity. The results suggest that a self-reporting alternative tool can be used to assess the prevalence of overweight/obesity, particularly in situations where no other tools are available.

Expression of the Selected Proteins of JAK/STAT Signaling Pathway in Diseases with Oral Mucosa Involvement.

The JAK/STAT signal pathway is a system of intracellular proteins used by many cytokines and growth factors to express genes responsible for the process of cell activation, proliferation and differentiation. There has been numerous inflammatory and autoimmune diseases identified where the JAK/STAT signaling is disrupted; however, there are only a few papers concerning autoimmune bullous diseases published. The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of proteins: JAK3, STAT2, STAT4 and STAT6 in epithelium lesions in patients with pemphigus vulgaris (PV), bullous pemphigoid (BP), oral lichen planus (LP) and chronic ulcerative stomatitis (CUS), as well as in the control group. Immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting were used to evaluate expression of selected proteins. We found significantly higher expression of selected JAK/STAT proteins in oral mucosa lesions in study groups in comparison to the control group, which indicates participation of JAK/STAT pathway in pathogenesis of these diseases. In BP and PV there were no increased STAT2 expression, whereas in CUS and LP no increased STAT4 expression occurred. The differences in expression of JAK/STAT proteins in selected disorders have been observed. These results create new potential therapeutic targets for the treatment.