Evaluation of telomere length and telomerase activity on predicting in vitro fertilization treatment outcomes.

The current article is a literature review aiming to provide an overview of the existing knowledge on the association between telomere length and telomerase activity and in vitro fertilization. Recently, telomeres have been used as an effective biomarker to determine biological age, which may differ from chronological age due to genetic, lifestyle, and environmental factors. Cellular senescence, along with other exogenous and mainly environmental factors, can enhance telomere wear, further shortening their ends and may also affect reproductive aging. IVF is a common fertility treatment caused by female reasons (age, ovulation disorders, damaged or blocked fallopian tubes, endometriosis), male reasons (low sperm quantity or quality), or unexplained infertility. A growing number of studies have proposed a relationship between telomere length and telomerase activity and IVF success and have suggested their use as candidate biomarkers for IVF outcome. Nevertheless, additional studies are necessary to be conducted, in order to clarify the possible implication of telomeres in IVF and to evaluate their possible role as valuable predictors of IVF result.

DNA Damage Estimation after Chronic and Combined Exposure to Endocrine Disruptors: An In Vivo Real-Life Risk Simulation Approach.

Exposure to chemical substances has always been a matter of concern for the scientific community. During the last few years, researchers have been focusing on studying the effects resulting from combined exposure to different substances. In this study, we aimed to determine the DNA damage caused after chronic and combined exposure to substances characterized as endocrine disruptors using comet and micronuclei assays, specifically glyphosate (pure and commercial form), bisphenol A, parabens (methyl-, propyl- and butylparaben), triclosan and bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate. The highest mean tail intensity was observed in the group exposed to a high-dose (10 × ADI) mixture of substances (Group 3), with a mean value of 11.97 (11.26-13.90), while statistically significant differences were noticed between the groups exposed to low-dose (1 × ADI) (Group 2) and high-dose (10 × ADI) (Group 3) mixtures of substances (p = 0.003), and between Group 3 and both groups exposed to high doses (10 × ADI) of the pure and commercial forms of glyphosate (Groups 4 (p = 0.014) and 5 (p = 0.007)). The micronuclei assay results were moderately correlated with the exposure period. Group 5 was the most impacted exposure group at all sampling times, with mean MN counts ranging between 28.75 ± 1.71 and 60.75 ± 1.71, followed by Group 3 (18.25 ± 1.50-45.75 ± 1.71), showing that commercial forms of glyphosate additives as well as mixtures of endocrine disruptors can enhance MN formation. All exposure groups showed statistically significant differences in micronuclei counts with an increasing time trend.

Impact of organochlorine pollutants on semen parameters of infertile men in Pakistan.

Male infertility is a major problem with important socioeconomic consequences. It is associated with several pathological factors, including but not limited to endocrine disruption as a result of environmental pollution and the alarming decline in sperm count over the decades is indicative of involvement of many environmental and lifestyle changes around the globe. Organochlorine pollutants such as dichlorodiphenyltrichlorethanes (DDTs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and hexachlorobenzene (HCB) disrupt male reproductive system but the exact effect of environmental exposure on semen parameters in human is still not clear. This study was designed to monitor PCBs, DDTs and HCB in hair, urine and serum samples of infertile and healthy fertile men. Solid-phase microextraction gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (SPME/GC-MS) was used to monitor analytes. All tested compounds were detected, indicating recent use/persistent accumulation. Hair samples revealed no significant association with serum/urine concentrations of the analytes, while serum/urine concentrations were significantly correlated positively. Concentrations were higher in serum compared to other samples. The levels of organochlorine pollutants were higher in infertile men compared to controls with few exceptions. Among PCBs, and DDTs, PCB-153 and pp'-DDT were detected in highest concentrations, respectively. op'-DDT and pp'-DDT levels were significantly higher in infertile men compared to controls. HCB was significantly correlated negatively with sperm motility in all samples. Serum concentrations of all compounds were higher in men with defective semen parameters compared to normospermics. Serum was the best biological sample for assessing health outcomes in relation to exposure levels.

Investigating exposure to endocrine disruptors via hair analysis of pregnant women.

The aim of this study was the monitoring of the levels of parabens (PBs) and triclosan (TCS) in head hair samples of women collected during the first months of their pregnancy. Personal details concerning somatometric and demographic characteristics, dietary habits, use of personal care products and the medical and obstetrical history of the pregnant women as well as infants' somatometric characteristics and health condition were recorded through relevant questionnaires. Ninety five hair samples were collected, extracted by solid-liquid extraction and analysed using a liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry system (LC-MS). Analysis revealed high percentage of positive samples for all tested compounds (90-100% except from BePB (15.8%)). The mean concentration levels were 4501.2 pg/mg (17.6-27,437.0 pg/mg) for MePB; 510.1 pg/mg (11.0-4224.5 pg/mg) for EtPB; 22.9 pg/mg (2.1-66.6 pg/mg) for BePB; 237.1 pg/mg (1.8-2513.7 pg/mg) for BuPB and 245.0 pg/mg (8.8-8070.2 pg/mg) for TCS. Statistical analysis of both analytical results and questionnaires' data showed that the frequent use of personal care and hygiene products, such as makeup, hairspray and sunscreens, is correlated with higher levels of PBs in hair of the pregnant women. Additionally, positive correlation was observed between the BePB levels in hair and the infants' height. Finally, no other correlation was observed between endocrine disruptors' levels in maternal hair and infants' somatometric characteristics or health condition. Our study is the first one that determined PBs and TCS levels in hair samples, simultaneously. At the same time, correlation of the detected levels with the use of personal care products was accomplished, leading to significant association of BePB levels in hair of pregnant women with infants' height.

Biomonitoring of bisphenol A, triclosan and perfluorooctanoic acid in hair samples of children and adults.

Bisphenol A (BPA), triclosan (TCS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) are endocrine disruptors linked with negative health effects such as developmental, reproductive and cardiovascular toxicity. The aim of this study was to determine simultaneously the concentration of BPA, TCS and PFOA in hair from children and adults and examine possible associations between biomonitoring data and age, gender, dietary habits and body mass index. Methanolic extraction was applied and the compounds were determined by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Low levels of exposure to PFOA were detected for children and adults at concentrations below limit of quantification. The mean concentration of BPA in children and adults was 20.6 and 16.6 pg mg-1 , while for TCS 275.2 and 687.0 pg mg-1 , respectively. Children were highly exposed to BPA relative to adults (P = .011) although adults had greater exposure to TCS (P = .003). Hair from girls had a greater burden of BPA (P = .06) compared to boys. Moreover, higher TCS levels were depicted for females in both examined groups (children P = .200 and adults P = .213) compared to males, but no statistical differences were observed. Significant differences were also observed between age groups (P = .0007) for TCS. No correlations were found between BPA or TCS levels and body mass index or dietary habits for both children and adults. Children have a greater exposure to BPA compared to adults, whereas exposure of adults to TCS seems to be higher than that in children and elderly people. Exposure to BPA occurs mainly via ingestion whereas exposure to TCS mainly via dermal absorption.

Long lasting effects of chronic heavy cannabis abuse.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the extent of short-term memory impairment and schizophrenia-like symptoms in heavy and systematic cannabis users and the association between the severity of abuse and the longevity of its persistent symptoms after refraining from such use. METHODS: A complete psychiatric examination and a psychometric evaluation were performed in 48 solely cannabis users. Additionally, head hair samples were analyzed and the detected cannabinoids levels were correlated with the psychometric findings. RESULTS: A total of 33.3% (n = 16) of the total examined cannabis users were currently imprisoned. The years of abuse ranged from 1 to 35 years and the median daily dose was 5.84.4 gr and 4.84.0 gr for prisoners (n = 16) and non prisoners (n = 32), respectively. A total of 39.6% of the users experienced hallucinations (mostly auditory), 54.2% experienced delusions (mostly ideas of reference and persecution), 85.4% had organic brain dysfunction in a test addressing visual-motor functioning and visual perception skills, and all users (100%) were found to have organic brain dysfunction in a test of visual memory immediate recall. The cannabinoid metabolite levels in the hair samples were consistent with the reported history of substance abuse and total grams of consumption for the participants below 35 years old (p < .001). Statistically elevated cannabinoids levels were observed in users with auditory hallucinations compared to users without any hallucinations (p = .019). CONCLUSIONS: The existence of hallucinations, delusions, and organic brain dysfunction in heavy cannabis users seems to be associated with cannabinoid levels in hair. The continuation of persistent symptoms 3 months after the discontinuation of cannabis abuse, was a remarkable finding. SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE: We provide evidence that chronic and heavy cannabis abuse results in long-lasting brain dysfunction in all users and in long-lasting schizophrenia-like psychotic symptoms in more than half of all users. These findings suggest a reevaluation of the current classification of cannabis as a "soft narcotic" which erroneously, therefore, is typically considered harmless. (Am J Addict 2017;26:335-342).

Detection and genotype analysis of human papillomavirus in non-small cell lung cancer patients.

Although the role of human papillomavirus (HPV) in the development of uterine cervical cancer is well established, the role of HPV in lung carcinogenesis remains controversial. The detection rates of HPV DNA are subject to a wide variation from 0 to 100%. This is partly influenced by the detection techniques employed. To elucidate the impact of HPV infection on lung parenchyma, we analyzed 100 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) specimens (39 squamous cell carcinomas, 50 adenocarcinomas, 5 samples with characteristics of both squamous cell and adenocarcinoma, 5 undifferentiated and 1 large cell carcinoma) from the region of Crete, Greece. Sixteen non-cancerous samples served as the negative controls. DNA was extracted from 100 paraffin-embedded tissue sections obtained from NSCLC patients. The specimens were examined for the detection of HPV DNA by Real-Time PCR using GP5+/GP6+ primers. Furthermore, the HPV-positive samples were subjected to genotyping. In contrast to the absence of viral genomes in the control samples, HPV DNA was detected in 19 NSCLC specimens (19%). In particular, 4 squamous cell carcinomas, 12 adenocarcinomas, 1 sample with characteristics of both squamous cell and adenocarcinoma, and 2 undifferentiated samples were HPV-positive. The distribution of HPV genotypes was as follows: HPV 16: eight cases (42.1%); HPV 11: three cases (15.8%); HPV 6: one case (5.2%); HPV 59: one case (5.2%); HPV 33: two cases (10.5%); HPV 31: two cases (10.5%) and HPV 18: two cases (10.5%). The presence of HPV in the tumor samples provides evidence of the potential role of HPV in NSCLC and strongly argues for additional research on this issue.

Biomonitoring of organophosphate exposure of pesticide sprayers and comparison of exposure levels with other population groups in Thessaly (Greece).

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the exposure of different population groups in Thessaly (Greece) to organophosphate pesticides (OPs) and investigate the dependence of exposure levels on pesticide application practices, personal protective and hygienic measures taken. METHODS: For the exposure assessment, four dialkyl phosphate (DAP) metabolites of organophosphate pesticides were quantified in spot urine samples of 77 pesticide sprayers, 75 residents of the studied agricultural area non-involved in agricultural activities and 112 urban residents who served as a control group. Structured questionnaires were used to record demographic characteristics, pesticide application parameters and protective measures taken. Univariate and multivariate analysis of the obtained cross-sectional data was performed to identify potential risk factors associated with biomarker levels. RESULTS: It was found that total DAP median level in the sprayers' group was 24.9 µg/g creatinine (IQR: 13.0-42.1), while the rural and urban residents had significantly lower (p<0.001) levels of 11.3 µg/g creatinine (IQR: 5.3-18.7) and 11.9 µg/g creatinine (IQR: 6.3-20.3), respectively. In sprayers who had recently applied an OP pesticide (n=28), the median levels of DAP metabolites were 31.8 µg/g creatinine (IQR: 22.3-117.2). Logistic regression analysis showed that the use of full body coveralls while handling and spraying pesticides was significantly associated with lower DAP levels (OR 4.05, 95% CI 1.22 to 13.46). Also, changing clothes immediately after accidental contamination of clothing with pesticide amounts was found to be significantly associated with lower exposure levels (OR 4.04, CI 1.05 to 15.57). CONCLUSIONS: Our study findings confirm the increased exposure to OPs in pesticide sprayers and underline the importance of protective measures especially those that focus on dermal exposure mitigation.

Exposure assessment of dairy cows to parabens using hair samples analysis.

Parabens (PBs) are used as preservatives in various products. They pollute the environment and penetrate living organisms, showing endocrine disrupting activity. Till now studies on long-term exposure of farm animals to PBs have not been performed. Among matrices using in PBs biomonitoring hair samples are becoming more and more important. During this study concentration levels of methyl paraben (MeP), ethyl paraben (EtP), propyl paraben (PrP) butyl paraben (BuP) and benzyl paraben (BeP) were evaluated using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) in hair samples collected from dairy cows bred in the Kyrgyz Republic. MeP was noted in 93.8% of samples (with mean concentration levels 62.2 ± 61.8 pg/mg), PrP in 16.7% of samples (12.4 ± 6.5 pg/mg) and EtP in 8.3% of samples (21.4 ± 11.9 pg/mg). BuP was found only in one sample (2.1%) and BeP was not detected in any sample included in the study. Some differences in MeP concentration levels in the hair samples depending on district, where cows were bred were noted. This study has shown that among PBs, dairy cows are exposed mainly to MeP, and hair samples may be a suitable matrix for research on PBs levels in farm animals.

Concentration levels of phthalate metabolites in wild boar hair samples.

Phthalates used in the industry penetrate the environment and negatively affect humans and animals. Hair samples seem to be the best matrix for studies on long-term exposure to phthalates, but till now they were used only in investigations on humans. Moreover, the knowledge of the wild terrestrial animal exposure to phthalates is extremely limited. This study aimed to establish of concentration levels of selected phthalate metabolites (i.e. monomethyl phthalate-MMP, monoethyl phthalate-MEP, mono-isobutyl phthalate-MiBP, monobutyl phthalate-MBP, monobenzyl phthalate-MBzP, mono-cyclohexyl phthalate-MCHP, mono(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate-MEHP and mono-n-octyl phthalate-MOP) in wild boar hair samples using liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis. MEHP was noted in 90.7% of samples with mean 66.17 ± 58.69 pg/mg (median 49.35 pg/mg), MMP in 59.3% with mean 145.1 ± 310.6 pg/mg (median 64.45 pg/mg), MiBP in 37.0% with mean 56.96 ± 119.4 pg/mg (median < limit of detection-LOD), MBP in 35.2% with mean 19.97 ± 34.38 pg/mg (median < LOD) and MBzP in 1.9% with concentration below limit of quantification. MEP, MCHP, and MOP have not been found in wild boar hair samples during this study. The results have shown that wild boars are exposed to phthalates and hair samples may be used as a matrix during studies on levels of phthalate metabolites in wild animals.

Biomonitoring of parabens in wild boars through hair samples analysis.

Parabens are compounds widely utilized in the industry as preservative additives to personal care products, cosmetics and food. They pollute the environment and penetrate to the living organisms through the digestive tract, respiratory system and skin. Till now the knowledge about exposure of terrestrial wild mammals to parabens is extremely scarce. Therefore, this study for the first time assessed the concentration levels of five parabens commonly used in industry (methylparaben-MeP, ethylparaben-EtP propylparaben-PrP, benzylparaben -BeP and butylparaben-BuP). Substances have been analyzed in hair samples collected from wild boars using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) method. The hair is a matrix, which allows to study long-term exposure of organisms to parabens. During this study MeP was noted in 96.3% of samples with mean 88.3±72.9 pg/mg, PrP in 87.0% of samples with mean 8.5±3.3 pg/mg, BeP in 44.4% of samples with mean 17.2±12.3 pg/mg and EtP in 11.1% of samples with mean 17.2±4.8 pg/mg. In turn BuP was noted only in 3.7% of samples with concentration levels below limit of quantification (2.6 pg/mg). Statistically significant intragender differences in parabens levels have not been noted. Only BeP concentration levels depended on industrialization and density of human population of area, where the animals lived. This study indicates that wild boars are exposed to parabens, especially to MeP and PrP, and analysis of the hair seems to be a useful tool of biomonitoring of parabens in wild mammals.

Quercetin Intake and Absolute Telomere Length in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Novel Findings from a Randomized Controlled Before-and-After Study.

Telomeres, the protective chromosomal ends, progressively shorten and potentially are implicated in the pathogenesis of age-related diseases. In type 2 diabetes (T2DM), telomere shortening may play an important role, but the whole 'picture' remains limited. From a therapeutic perspective, the phytonutrient quercetin appears to be clinically effective and safe for patients with T2DM. Considering the above, we aimed to examine whether quercetin could interfere with telomere length (TL) dynamics. One hundred patients with T2DM on non-insulin medications registered within a primary healthcare facility were stratified by age and sex and randomly assigned to either standard care or standard care plus quercetin (500 mg/day) for 12 weeks, succeeded by an 8-week washout period and another 12 weeks of supplementation. Of the 88 patients completing the trial, 82 consented to blood sampling for TL measurements. Health assessments and whole blood absolute TL measurements using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) were conducted at baseline and study end, and the findings of this subcohort are presented. Quercetin supplementation was associated with a significant increase in mean TL (odds ratio ≥ 2.44; p < 0.05) with a strengthened association after full adjustment for potential confounders through multiple logistic regression analysis (odds ratio = 3.48; p = 0.026), suggesting it as a potentially promising supplementation option. Further studies are needed to confirm this finding, elucidating the underlying molecular mechanisms of quercetin.

The Impact of the Mediterranean Diet on Telomere Biology: Implications for Disease Management-A Narrative Review.

INTRODUCTION: Telomeres are nucleoprotein complexes at the ends of chromosomes that are under the control of genetic and environmental triggers. Accelerated telomere shortening is causally implicated in the increasing incidence of diseases. The Mediterranean diet has recently been identified as one that confers protection against diseases. This review aimed to identify the effect of each component of the Mediterranean diet on telomere length dynamics, highlighting the underlying molecular mechanisms. METHODS: PubMed was searched to identify relevant studies to extract data for conducting a narrative review. RESULTS: The Mediterranean diet alleviates clinical manifestations in many diseases. Focusing on autoimmune diseases, the Mediterranean diet can be protective by preventing inflammation, mitochondrial malfunction, and abnormal telomerase activity. Also, each Mediterranean diet constituent seems to attenuate aging through the sustenance or elongation of telomere length, providing insights into the underlying molecular mechanisms. Polyphenols, vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids seem to be essential in telomere homeostasis, since they inhibit inflammatory responses, DNA damage, oxidative stress, mitochondrial malfunction, and cell death and induce telomerase activation. CONCLUSIONS: The Mediterranean diet is beneficial for maintaining telomere dynamics and alleviating age-related illnesses. This review provides a comprehensive overview of cross-sectional, observational, and randomized controlled trials regarding the beneficial impact of every constituent in the Mediterranean diet on telomere length and chronic disease management.

Benefits of Quercetin on Glycated Hemoglobin, Blood Pressure, PiKo-6 Readings, Night-Time Sleep, Anxiety, and Quality of Life in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Diabetes is a rapidly growing global morbidity issue with high prevalence, and the associated dysglycemia leads to complications. Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) often experience elevated anxiety levels, affecting their quality of life and diabetes management. This study investigated quercetin, a nutraceutical and potential senolytic with antioxidant activity, to detect its possible positive effect on the bio-clinical measurements and routine health of patients with T2DM. Methods: This prospective randomized controlled trial (RCT) investigated the clinical usefulness of quercetin in patients with T2DM receiving non-insulin medications. One hundred participants were stratified by age and sex (1:1) and randomized to control (n = 50) or intervention (n = 50) groups. The control received standard care only, while the intervention received 500 mg quercetin daily for 12 weeks, followed by an 8-week washout and a final consecutive 12-week supplementation period (total: 32 weeks), as adjunct to their usual care. Comprehensive health assessments, including blood analyses, were conducted at baseline and study termination. Quality of life and anxiety were assessed using the 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) and Short Anxiety Screening Test (SAST-10). Results: Eighty-eight patients with T2DM concluded the trial. Compared with the control, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels showed a significant decrease (Δ%-change: -4.0% vs. 0.1%, p = 0.011). Quercetin also significantly improved PiKo-6 readings (FEV1: 5.6% vs. -1.5%, p = 0.002), systolic blood pressure (-5.0% vs. -0.2%, p = 0.029), night-time sleep (11.6% vs. -7.3%, p < 0.001), anxiety levels (SAST-10) (-26.2% vs. 3.3%, p < 0.001), and quality of life (SF-36) (both physical and mental components, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Based on the current open-label study, quercetin appears to be a promising supplement for T2DM, providing lifestyle and care support. Further research is warranted to shift this potential from clinical usefulness and feasibility to multidisciplinary evidence.

Exposure assessment to bisphenol A (BPA) and its analogues bisphenol S (BPS) and bisphenol F (BPF) in wild boars by hair analysis.

Bisphenols are widely used in various branches of industry for the production of plastics. They penetrate to the natural environment and thus living organisms. As endocrine disruptors, bisphenols have adverse effects on various internal organs and systems. Contrary to humans, the knowledge of the exposure of wild terrestrial mammals to bisphenols is extremely limited. Therefore, this study for the first time assessed the exposure level of wild boars to three bisphenols commonly used in industry (i.e. bisphenol A - BPA, bisphenol S - BPS and bisphenol F - BPF) using hair sample analysis in liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). The presence of BPA and/or BPS has been noted in the samples collected from >80 % of animals included in the study (n = 54), while the presence of BPF was not found in any sample. At least one of the bisphenols was present in every sample tested. Mean concentrations of BPA and BPS in the hair of wild boars were 151.40 ± 135.10 pg/mg dry weight (dw.) and 29.40 ± 36.97 pg./mg dw, respectively. Concentrations of BPA and BPS in females were statistically higher than in males (p < 0.05). Moreover, statistically significantly higher concentration levels of BPA (and not BPS) in the areas with higher degree of industrialization and higher human population density were also found. This is the first study concerning the use of hair samples to assess the exposure of wild terrestrial mammals to bisphenols. The obtained results show that an analysis of the hair may be a useful tool of biomonitoring bisphenols in wild animals. The presence of BPA and BPS in wild boar hair in relatively high concentration also suggests that these substances may have an influence on the health status not only in humans and aquatic animals, but also in wild terrestrial mammals. However, many aspects connected with this issue are not clear and require further study.

Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals and Persistent Organic Pollutants in Infant Formulas and Baby Food: Legislation and Risk Assessments.

Human milk is the healthiest option for newborns, although, under specific circumstances, infant formula is a precious alternative for feeding the baby. Except for the nutritional content, infant formulas and baby food must be pollutant-free. Thus, their composition is controlled by continuous monitoring and regulated by establishing upper limits and guideline values for safe exposure. Legislation differs worldwide, although there are standard policies and strategies for protecting vulnerable infants. This work presents current regulations and directives for restricting endocrine-disrupting chemicals and persistent organic pollutants in infant formulas. Risk assessment studies, which are limited, are necessary to depict exposure variations and assess the health risks for infants from dietary exposure to pollutants.

Evaluation of Febrile Neutropenia in Hospitalized Patients with Neoplasia Undergoing Chemotherapy.

Febrile neutropenia (FN) is a common but serious complication encountered in patients with cancer and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. In this prospective study, 63 patients with solid tumors under chemotherapy or immunotherapy were admitted to the hospital due to febrile neutropenia, confirmed through clinical or microbiological documentation. The aim of this study was to provide a comprehensive overview of the epidemiological and microbiological characteristics of hospitalized neutropenic patients with solid tumors undergoing treatment. Additionally, we aimed to assess the duration of neutropenia and identify factors influencing patient outcomes. The median age of patients was 71 ± 10.2 years, most of which were males (66.7%), and the primitive tumor location was the lung (38.1%), with most patients (82.5%) being at disease stage IV. The median duration of neutropenia was three days (range 1-10), and, notably, mucositis was significantly associated with neutropenia lasting ≥3 days (p = 0.012). Patients with lung cancer (38.1%) and patients with stage IV disease (82.5%) presented a higher risk of FN, although these differences did not reach statistical significance. The site of infection was identifiable in 55.6% of patients, with positive cultures detected in 34.9% and positive blood cultures (BC) drawn in 17.5% of cases. Gram-positive bacteria were the predominant causative agents in BC (63.6%), with Staphylococci being the most prevalent among them (66.7%). The median duration of hospitalization was nine days (range, 3-43 days), and most patients showed improvement or cure of infection (16.9% and 74.6%, respectively). Among recorded risk factors, the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status (PS) appears to be statistically significant. Patients with an impaired PS score (2-4) experienced worse outcomes and higher likelihood of mortality (p = 0.004). Regarding the outcome, a longer duration of neutropenia was also statistically significant (p = 0.050). Of the patients, 12.7% ultimately succumbed to their conditions, with 37.5% attributed to infections. FN is a common yet serious complication in solid tumor patients. Adequate knowledge of the predictors of mortality and the microbiological causes are of utmost importance to allow accurate diagnosis and prompt treatment as they significantly influence patient outcomes.

A novel nutraceutical formulation increases telomere length and activates telomerase activity in middle­aged rats.

Telomeres are major contributors to cell fate and aging through their involvement in cell cycle arrest and senescence. The accelerated attrition of telomeres is associated with aging­related diseases, and agents able to maintain telomere length (TL) through telomerase activation may serve as potential treatment strategies. The aim of the present study was to assess the potency of a novel telomerase activator on TL and telomerase activity in vivo. The administration of a nutraceutical formulation containing Centella asiatica extract, vitamin C, zinc and vitamin D3 in 18­month­old rats for a period of 3 months reduced the telomere shortening rate at the lower supplement dose and increased mean the TL at the higher dose, compared to pre­treatment levels. TL was determined using the Q­FISH method in peripheral blood mononuclear cells collected from the tail vein of the rats and cultured with RPMI­1640 medium. In both cases, TLs were significantly longer compared to the untreated controls (P≤0.001). In addition, telomerase activity was increased in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells of both treatment groups. On the whole, the present study demonstrates that the nutraceutical formulation can maintain or even increase TL and telomerase activity in middle­aged rats, indicating a potential role of this formula in the prevention and treatment of aging­related diseases.

Telomere length as a predictive biomarker in osteoporosis (Review).

Telomeres are the ends of chromosomes that protect them from DNA damage. There is evidence to suggest that telomere shortening appears with advanced age. Since aging is a significant risk factor for developing age-related complications, it is plausible that telomere shortening may be involved in the development of osteoporosis. The present review summarizes the potential of telomere shortening as a biomarker for detecting the onset of osteoporosis. For the purposes of the present review, the following scientific databases were searched for relevant articles: PubMed/NCBI, Cochrane Library of Systematic Reviews, Scopus, Embase and Google Scholar. The present review includes randomized and non-randomized controlled studies and case series involving humans, irrespective of the time of their publication. In six out of the 11 included studies providing data on humans, there was at least a weak association between telomere length and osteoporosis, with the remaining studies exhibiting no such association. As a result, telomere shortening may be used as a biomarker or as part of a panel of biomarkers for tracking the onset and progression of osteoporosis.

Role of telomere length in human carcinogenesis (Review).

Cancer is considered the most important clinical, social and economic issue regarding cause­specific disability­adjusted life years among all human pathologies. Exogenous, endogenous and individual factors, including genetic predisposition, participate in cancer triggering. Telomeres are specific DNA structures positioned at the end of chromosomes and consist of repetitive nucleotide sequences, which, together with shelterin proteins, facilitate the maintenance of chromosome stability, while protecting them from genomic erosion. Even though the connection between telomere status and carcinogenesis has been identified, the absence of a universal or even a cancer­specific trend renders consent even more complex. It is indicative that both short and long telomere lengths have been associated with a high risk of cancer incidence. When evaluating risk associations between cancer and telomere length, a disparity appears to emerge. Even though shorter telomeres have been adopted as a marker of poorer health status and an older biological age, longer telomeres due to increased cell growth potential are associated with the acquirement of cancer­initiating somatic mutations. Therefore, the present review aimed to comprehensively present the multifaceted pattern of telomere length and cancer incidence association.