Six-month randomized, placebo controlled trial of synbiotic supplementation in women with polycystic ovary syndrome undergoing lifestyle modifications.

Purpose: To determine whether long-term administration of synbiotics affects clinical, endocrine and metabolic aspects of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in overweight and obese subjects undergoing intensive lifestyle modifications.

Methods: During six-month trial, all subjects underwent intensive lifestyle modifications (diet and exercise). The subjects were randomized (1:1) to receive synbiotic supplementation (Synbiotic Group) or placebo (Placebo Group).

Additional primary malignancies in a Polish cohort of uveal melanoma patients: a review of 644 patients with long-term follow-up.

Aim: To investigate the frequency and location of additional primary malignancies in a Polish cohort of uveal melanoma (UM) patients registered in a single centre database.

Material And Method: Retrospective data analysis of patients treated for uveal melanoma at the Department of Ophthalmology, Poznań University of Medical Sciences, Poland between 1991 and 2017. Data on the diagnosis of the additional malignancies were obtained during the follow-up visits in our Department and/or from the Greater Poland Cancer Registry.

Asphericity derived from [F]FDG PET as a new prognostic parameter in cervical cancer patients.

The objective of this study was to assess the prognostic value of asphericity (ASP) and standardized uptake ratio (SUR) in cervical cancer patients. Retrospective analysis was performed on a group of 508 (aged 55 ± 12 years) previously untreated cervical cancer patients. All patients underwent a pretreatment [F]FDG PET/CT study to assess the severity of the disease.

Influence of Semiquantitative [F]FDG PET and Hematological Parameters on Survival in HNSCC Patients Using Neural Network Analysis.

The aim of this study is to assess the influence of semiquantitative PET-derived parameters as well as hematological parameters in overall survival in HNSCC patients using neural network analysis. Retrospective analysis was performed on 106 previously untreated HNSCC patients. Several PET-derived parameters (SUV, SUV, TotalSUV, MTV, TLG, TLR, TLR, TLR, and HI) for primary tumor and lymph node with highest activity were assessed.

Detection of a second primary cancer in a 18F-fluorocholine PET/CT - multicentre retrospective analysis on a group of 1345 prostate cancer patients.

Background: Aim of this study was to evaluate the rate of incidental detection of second primary cancer (SPC) at 18F-fluorocholine ([18F]FCH) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) performed in prostate cancer patients.

Material And Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on a group of 1345 prostate cancer patients, who underwent [18F]FCH PET/CT study because of suspicion of recurrence (n = 937) or for initial staging (n = 408). Images were acquired after intravenous injection [18F]FCH with a mean activity of 200 ± 75 MBq (5.

Effects of Synbiotic Supplementation and Lifestyle Modifications on Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

Context: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrinopathy affecting women of reproductive age.

Objective: This study was designed to evaluate effects of lifestyle modifications and synbiotic supplementation on PCOS.

Design: A randomized (1:1) double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Pretreatment [F]FDG PET/CT Prognostic Factors in Patients with Squamous Cell Cervical Carcinoma FIGO IIIC1.

Purpose: This study aims to determine whether semiquantitative parameters obtained from both the primary tumor and metastatic pelvic lymph nodes (PLN) diagnosed in fluoro-18-deoxy-glucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET-CT) are associated with disease-free survival (DFS), local control (LC), distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) and overall survival (OS) in patients with locally advanced squamous cervical cancer (LACC) and metastatic pelvic lymph nodes.

Materials: Retrospective analysis was performed on 93 female patients with FIGO IIIC1. The median age was 53 years (27-75).

Solid phase-extraction procedure for the determination of amitraz degradation products in honey.

Solid-phase extraction (SPE) was carefully optimised for preconcentration of 2-4-dimethylaniline (2,4-DMA) and 2,4-dimethylformanilide (DMF) from honey samples. Liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was used for the separation and quantification of these analytes. By applying the SPE procedure with 200 mg of OASIS HLB sorbent, the limits of detection achieved in honey samples can be lowered to 0.

Peyronie Disease as an Example of Nononcological, Inflammatory Uptake of 18F-Fluorocholine in Patient With Prostate Cancer.

F-fluorocholine PET/CT is commonly used for staging and assessing treatment response in prostate cancer patients. Growing clinical experience has shown that F-fluorocholine can actually accumulate in sites of inflammation. We report a rare case of a prostate cancer patient with incidentally detected Peyronie disease.

Comparison of semiquantitative metabolic parameters of the primary tumor obtained in PET/CT with 18F-FDG and 18F-FLT in patients with cervical cancer.

Aim:  The aim of the study was to compare semiquantitative metabolic parameters of primary tumor assessed in vivo in F-FDG- and F-FLT in cervical cancer patients.

Material & Methods:  39 patients with histologically confirmed cervical cancer underwent PET/CT scans acquired on separate days 60 min after i. v.

Influence of Biological Parameters Assessed in [18F]FDG PET/CT on Overall Survival in Cervical Cancer Patients.

Aim: The aim of this study was to estimate the influence of biological parameters assessed in [F]FDG PET/CT on overall survival (OS) in cervical cancer patients.

Methods: Retrospective analysis was performed on a group of 371 patients with newly diagnosed and histologically confirmed cervical cancer. PET biological parameters in primary tumor including SUVmax, SUVmean, total lesion glycolysis (TLG), metabolic tumor volume (MTV), heterogeneity, and parameters referring both to primary tumor and metastatic lesions: SUVtotal, TLGtotal, and MTVtotal, were analyzed.

Application of Molecularly Imprinted Polymers for Bisphenols Extraction from Food Samples - A Review.

Bisphenols are the most-known endocrine disrupting compounds. Due to the possible migration of these compounds from plastics used as food packaging, the food may become contaminated. During past years, molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) were excessively being used as sorbents for bisphenols preconcentration from food samples.

MicroRNA Analysis Using Next-Generation Sequencing.

Next-generation sequencing (NGS) enables the analysis of both microRNA expression and sequence, allowing for elucidation of a comprehensive landscape of miRNAs in a given tissue and sample type. NGS analysis requires high-quality RNA extraction and preparation of microRNA libraries. In this chapter, we describe the methods used for RNA extraction from tissue specimens, serum, cytological slides, and formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded samples.

MicroRNA Analysis Using the Quantitative Real-Time PCR Reaction.

The analysis of microRNA expression patterns provides new insights into numerous cellular processes and their aberrances in diseases. Despite its potential pitfalls, the quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) is the most commonly used tool for microRNA profiling. The method requires extraction and quality analysis of RNA, which is further reverse transcribed using specific primers and used as a template in a qPCR reaction.

The rs2910164 Genetic Variant of miR-146a-3p Is Associated with Increased Overall Mortality in Patients with Follicular Variant Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma.

Aberrant expression of the sodium-iodide symporter (NIS) and the resistance to post-operative radioactive iodide treatment is a crucial cause of higher mortality of some thyroid cancer patients. In this study, we analyzed the impact of miR-146a on the expression and function of NIS and on the overall survival of thyroid cancer patients. The study included 2441 patients (2163 women; 278 men); including 359 cases with follicular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma (fvPTC).

Adenomas - Genetic factors in colorectal cancer prevention.

Colorectal cancer is the second most common type of cancer both in Europe and Poland. During the last 30 years more than a 3-fold increase has been observed in Poland due to environmental and genetic factors. Almost all colorectal malignancies are related to the formation and malignant transformation of colorectal dysplasia and adenoma.

Impact of selected environmental factors on attendance in the Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Programme in the Wielkopolska Province of Poland during 2007-2012.

Breast and cervical cancer represent a significant health and economic issue for Polish society, although if detected early, both can be cured successfully. For this reason, since 2006, according to the National Cancer Combat Programme, population-based screening programmes have been implemented, aimed at reducing the mortality and morbidity for breast and cervical cancer. The aim of this study is to determine which of the selected four environmental factors affect attendance for screening mammography and cytology.

Functional analysis of a novel, thyroglobulin-embedded microRNA gene deregulated in papillary thyroid carcinoma.

MicroRNAs, non-coding regulators of gene expression, are known culprits of thyroid cancer. Using next-generation sequencing, we identified a novel microRNA gene, encoded within an important thyroid regulator - thyroglobulin, and analyzed its functionality in the thyroid gland. In vitro and in silico analyses proved that the novel miR-TG is processed from the precursor, and co-expressed with thyroglobulin.

Next-generation sequencing reveals microRNA markers of adrenocortical tumors malignancy.

Background: Adrenocortical carcinoma is a rare finding among common adrenocortical tumors, but it is highly aggressive and requires early detection and treatment. Still, the differential diagnosis between benign and malignant lesions is difficult even for experienced pathologists and there is a significant need for novel diagnostic methods. In this study we aimed to reveal a complete set of microRNAs expressed in the adrenal gland and to identify easily detectable, stable and objective biomarkers of adrenocortical malignancy.

Application of solid phase extraction procedures for rare earth elements determination in environmental samples.

Determination of rare earth elements in environmental samples requires often pre-concentration and separation step due to a low metal content and high concentration of the interfering matrix components. A solid phase extraction technique with different kind of solid sorbents offers a high enrichment factor, rapid phase separation and the possibility of its combination with various detection techniques used either in on-line or off-line mode. The recent developments in this area published over the last five years are presented and discussed in this paper.

Repetetive self-Injury and the body self.

Objectives: The assessment of differences in body self and pain thresholds between people inflicting self-injuries in a repetitive manner and those, who do not engage in such behavior.

Methods: The participants were selected through screening and purposive sampling (the study group consisted of 34 people: 29 women, 5 men; and the control group of 32 people: 28 women, 4 men). The Tension Situations Questionnaire and the Inventory of Questions Concerning Self-injury were used in the study.

Analysis of uropathogenic Escherichia coli biofilm formation under different growth conditions.

The ability to form different types of biofilm enables bacteria to survive in a harsh or toxic environment. Different structures of biofilms are related to different surfaces and environment of bacterial growth. The aim of this study was analysis of the biofilm formation of 115 clinical uropathogenic Escherichia coli strains under different growth conditions: surface for biofilm formation, medium composition and time of incubation.