Ill-Defined Problem Solving Does Not Benefit From Daytime Napping.

The main goal of the present study was to explore the role of sleep in the process of ill-defined problem solving. The results of previous studies indicate that various cognitive processes are largely dependent on the quality and quantity of sleep. However, while sleep-related memory consolidation seems to be well-grounded, with regard to the impact of sleep on problem solving, existing research yields mixed and rather inconclusive results.

Methylation status of human chorionic gonadotropin beta subunit promoter and TFAP2A expression as factors regulating CGB gene expression in placenta.

Objective: To evaluate mechanisms regulating the expression of CGB genes in placental tissues from uncomplicated pregnancies and chorionic samples from spontaneous miscarriages.

Design: Molecular analyses in human samples.

Setting: Laboratory of molecular biology.

CGB activates ERK and AKT kinases in cancer cells via LHCGR-independent mechanism.

Expression of human chorionic gonadotropin free beta subunit (hCGβ) and its hyperglycosylated variant (hCGβ-H) is a phenomenon confirmed for tumors of different origin. Despite numerous studies, the mechanism of hCGβ action in cancer remains unknown especially that not all tumors secreting hCGβ express the receptor for human chorionic gonadotropin (LHCGR). In the presented study, we verified the hypothesis of hCGβ potential to activate signaling pathways involving extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and protein kinase B (AKT) kinases with and without the contribution of LHCGR.

An efficient 3D cell culture method on biomimetic nanostructured grids.

Current techniques of in vitro cell cultures are able to mimic the in vivo environment only to a limited extent, as they enable cells to grow only in two dimensions. Therefore cell culture approaches should rely on scaffolds that provide support comparable to the extracellular matrix. Here we demonstrate the advantages of novel nanostructured three-dimensional grids fabricated using electro-spinning technique, as scaffolds for cultures of neoplastic cells.

[Human chorionic gonadotropin--a well-known hormone with unknown functions].

Human chorionic gonadotropin (CG) belongs to the glycoprotein family consisting of LH, FSH and TSH. All of these hormones are composed of two subunits: common to the whole family alpha subunit and hormone-specific beta subunit CG has paracrine effects on several processes such as placentation, implantation, angiogenesis and delaying the apoptosis of corpus luteum. Serum level of CG is used to monitor pregnancy and pregnancy disorders.