Myo-Inositol and D-Chiro-Inositol Reduce DHT-Stimulated Changes in the Steroidogenic Activity of Adult Granulosa Cell Tumors.

Considering the properties of myo-inositol (MI) and D-chiro-inositol (DCI), which are well known in polycystic ovary syndrome therapy, and the limitations of adult granulosa cell tumor (AGCT) treatment, especially for androgen-secreting tumors, we studied the role of MI and DCI in the androgen-rich environment of AGCTs. For this purpose, we analyzed the mRNA expression of steroidogenic genes and the secretion of progesterone (P4) and 17β-estradiol (E2) in an unstimulated and/or dihydrotestosterone (DHT)-stimulated environment under MI and DCI influence. Thus, we used the HGrC1 and KGN cell lines as in vitro models of healthy and cancerous granulosa cells.

Technogenic soil salinisation, vegetation, and management shape microbial abundance, diversity, and activity.

The importance of the microbiome in the functioning of degraded lands in industrialised zones is significant. However, little is known about how environmental parameters affect microbial abundance, structure, diversity, and especially specific guilds involved in the nitrogen cycle in saline soils influenced by the soda industry. To address this knowledge gap, our research focused on assessing the microbiota in relation to soil properties and plant species composition across two transects representing different types of land use: saline wasteland and arable fields.

Physiological properties and genomic insights into the plant growth-promoting rhizobacterium Brevibacillus laterosporus K75 isolated from maize rhizosphere.

Background: When looking for a safer alternative to pesticides that are potentially harmful to living organisms, one of the directions worth looking at are plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria. The purpose of the research was a comprehensive characterization of Brevibacillus laterosporus K75, a strain isolated from maize rhizosphere. Many studies have proved B.

Consortium of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria enhances oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) growth under normal and saline conditions.

A preparation development, which stimulates plant growth under normal and saline conditions, and protects against fungal infections, would increase crop yields and reduce damage in agriculture. This study was conducted using bacterial isolates from rape rhizosphere as a plant growth promoter and an alternative to chemical fertilizers. Three from fifty bacterial isolates: B14 (Pseudomonas sp.

Diversity Patterns of Macrofungi in Xerothermic Grasslands from the Nida Basin (Małopolska Upland, Southern Poland): A Case Study.

Macrofungal communities were investigated in seven plant associations of xerothermic grasslands in the Nida Basin located in the Małopolska Upland of southern Poland. Designation of associations at selected study sites was based on phytosociological relevés using the Braun-Blanquet method. During the years 2010-2013, we studied the diversity and distribution of macrofungi in dry grasslands, where 164 species of basidio- and ascomycetes were recovered.

Effects of Open and Forest Habitats on Distribution and Diversity of Bumblebees () in the Małopolska Upland (Southern Poland): Case Study.

Bumblebees are an important insect group occurring in different land ecosystems, but the number of these species has declined dramatically across Poland as well as in Europe in recent years. The fragmentation of bumblebee habitats influences the abundance and richness in community composition and trophic and competitive interactions. During the years 2003-2006 and 2017-2020, we studied the diversity and distribution of bumblebee species in two natural (boron-mixed and riparian forest ) and two semi-natural (segetal-ruderal ruderal ) habitats in southern Poland.

Influence of Algae Supplementation on the Concentration of Glutathione and the Activity of Glutathione Enzymes in the Mice Liver and Kidney.

Algae are potential and natural source of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids like eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). The diatom accumulates high levels of EPA and may be considered as a source for commercial production of dietary supplements. In this study we asked the question whether diet supplementation with may augment antioxidant defense and ameliorate risk factors for cardiovascular diseases.

X-ray Fluorescence Techniques in Determining the Habitat Preferences of Species- (Ulvales, Chlorophyta) from Montenegro Case Study.

The paper presents four new sites where bright green thalli were found inhabiting freshwater (a river, a ditch, the Milet Canal) and marine (on the rocky shore of the Adriatic Sea) habitats in Montenegro. The aims of this study were to determine, for the first time, whether specimens of collected in Montenegro are phylogenetically and morphologically the same species as the one occurring in Europe. Using total reflection X-ray fluorescence (TXRF) and wavelength dispersive X-ray fluorescence (WDXRF) techniques it assessed the elemental composition of their thalli and its influence to colonise new habitats.

Fluctuations in circulating endothelial progenitor cell levels and acute cardiac graft rejection.

Introduction: Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) in nontransplant settings have reparative properties. However, their role in heart transplantation (HT) is not well defined.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to prospectively evaluate changes in EPC levels in relation to post‑HT rejection.

Inositols' Importance in the Improvement of the Endocrine-Metabolic Profile in PCOS.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common causes of infertility and metabolic problems among women of reproductive age. The mechanism of PCOS is associated with concurrent alterations at the hormonal level. The diagnosis assumes the occurrence of three interrelated symptoms of varying severity, namely ovulation disorders, androgen excess, or polycystic ovarian morphology (PCOM), which all require a proper therapeutic approach.

microRNA expression profile in Smooth Muscle Cells isolated from thoracic aortic aneurysm samples.

Purpose: Thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) is a cardiovascular disease characterized by increased aortic diameter, treated with surgery and endovascular therapy in order to avoid aortic dissection or rupture. The mechanism of TAA formation has not been thoroughly studied and many factors have been proposed to drive its progression; however strong focus is attributed to modification of smooth muscle cells (SMCs). Latest research indicates, that microRNAs (miRNAs) may play a significant role in TAA development - these are multifunctional molecules consisting of 19-24 nucleotides involved in regulation of the gene expression level related to many biological processes, i.

Evaluation of the influence of in vivo exposure to extremely low-frequency magnetic fields on the plasma levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in rats.

Purpose: Epidemiological data suggest that there is a link between exposure to extremely low-frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MFs), immune response, and the occurrence of neurodegenerative diseases. The exact nature of this phenomenon remains speculative and requires detailed laboratory investigation. In the present study, we evaluate changes in plasma concentration of pro-inflammatory and regulatory cytokines as well as alternations of the hematological parameters in rats exposed to an ELF-MF.

MicroRNA in cardiovascular biology and disease.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are members of a non-coding RNA family. They act as negative regulators of protein translation by affecting messenger RNA (mRNA) stability; they modulate numerous signaling pathways and cellular processes, and are involved in cell-to-cell communication. Thus, studies on miRNAs offer an opportunity to improve our understanding of complex biological mechanisms.

Global Transcriptional Regulation of Backbone Genes in Broad-Host-Range Plasmid RA3 from the IncU Group Involves Segregation Protein KorB (ParB Family).

The KorB protein of the broad-host-range conjugative plasmid RA3 from the IncU group belongs to the ParB family of plasmid and chromosomal segregation proteins. As a partitioning DNA-binding factor, KorB specifically recognizes a 16-bp palindrome which is an essential motif in the centromere-like sequence parSRA3, forms a segrosome, and together with its partner IncC (ParA family) participates in active DNA segregation ensuring stable plasmid maintenance. Here we show that by binding to this palindromic sequence, KorB also acts as a repressor for the adjacent mobC promoter driving expression of the mobC-nicoperon, which is involved in DNA processing during conjugation.

Short-term incubation of bovine placentome sections as a tool to study xenobiotic mechanism of action.

Studies on the effects of various factors, including xenobiotics, on the maternal-fetal connections in the placenta are restricted by the lack of a simple and inexpensive research model. We used placentomes collected at a slaughterhouse to in vitro study the bovine sections contained integral maternal-fetal connections. The placentomes from cows (n=4/experiment, 120-150 days post coitum) were cut using a razor blade into 60-80 mg sections and incubated in either DMEM/Ham's F-12 or M-199 supplemented with FCS (2%, 5% or 10%), amniotic fluid (AF or inactive AF, 10% or 20%) or both.

[Mutation voice disorders conditioned by psychic factors].

The case of 17 year old boy with mutational falsetto conditioned by a complex of psychic factors particulary with personality disorders and strong emotional bond with his mother was described. Phonation exercises lowered the average voice pitch. The stable results of phoniatric rehabilitation is dependent on effectiveness of psychological therapy of the whole family.

Purification, crystallization and preliminary crystallographic analysis of WsaF, an essential rhamnosyltransferase from Geobacillus stearothermophilus.

The beta1,2-rhamnosyltransferase WsaF is involved in the biosynthesis of a polyrhamnan chain which is attached to the surface-layer protein from Geobacillus stearothermophilus NRS 2004/3a. The enzyme belongs to the large retaining GT4 family. To date, no structure of a rhamnosyltransferase has been published.

[Social network and quality of life of people suffering from schizophrenia in seven years from first hospitalisation].

Aim: The aim of the research was the analysis of a "social network" of people suffering from schizophrenia in seven years after first admission and analysis of relationships between "social networks" of people suffering from schizophrenia and treatment outcomes, the "quality of life" in particular.

Method: Sixty-four patients have been diagnosed according to DSM-III seven years after first admission. In this group were 34 men (55.

[Correlations between features of social network and outcomes in those suffering from schizophrenia seven years from the first hospitalisation].

Aim: A research had been conducted upon the correlations between selected parameters of social networks of 64 patients ill with schizophrenia who were diagnosed according to DSM-III, and the aims of treatment such as: motivation to receive treatment, insight, compliance in taking medication, satisfaction with treatment, and treatment outcomes in the area of clinical and social functioning as well as family functioning seven years after the first admission.

Method: The indices of social networks were studied with Bizon's questionnaire. It serves storing of data on persons who have supportive functions as well as allows to work out characteristic properties of the support system such as: range of the network, size of the extra-familial network, level and localisation of the support, network and support system age.

Reliability of clinical spasticity measurements in patients with cervical spinal cord injury.

Background: The Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) is the most popular clinical measure of spasticity. Other clinical signs of spasticity include hyperactive tendon reflexes, myoclonus and Babinski sign.

Purpose: To assess reliability of the MAS with myoclonic and tendon reflex examination (MTR) in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI).

Synthesis of oxiran-2-ylmethyl and oxiran-2-ylmethoxy derivatives of some 4-azatricyclo[5.2.1.0(2,6)]dec-8-ene-3,5-diones as potential beta-adrenolytics.

A series of aminoalkanol derivatives of 10-(diphenylmethylene)-4-azatricyclo[5.2.1.

Synthesis of amino derivatives of 10-(diphenylmethylene)-4-azatricyclo[5.2.1.0(2,6)]dec-8-ene-3,5-dione as potential psychotropic and/or anti HIV agents.

A series of amino derivatives of 10-(diphenylmethylene)-4-azatricyclo[5.2.1.

7-Nitroindazole enhances dose-dependently the anticonvulsant activities of conventional antiepileptic drugs in the mouse maximal electroshock-induced seizure model.

7-Nitroindazole (7NI, a nitric oxide synthase [NOS] inhibitor) administered intraperitoneally (ip), 30 min before the test, at doses ranging between 50-200 mg/kg, raised the threshold for electroconvulsions in mice. Linear regression analysis revealed that the doses increasing the threshold by 50% (TID50) and 100% (TID100) over the control value for 7NI were 115.2 and 173.

[The local and sensual conditions of delay of voice breaking in adolescent boys].

Disorders of voice breaking in adolescent boys (mutational dysphonia) could be a result of local, hormonal, neuropsychiatric or sensual factors. The aim of this paper was the voice assessment of three subjects with incomplete mutation with particular additional factors, disturbing hearing, voice and speech: like hearing loss, hyperfunctional childhood dysphonia and speech dysfluency. Diagnostics included complete phoniatric examination with perceptive estimation, videostroboscopy and acoustic voice analysis, done before and after treatment.

[Effect of smoking on phonation].

The aim of this paper was presentation of voice estimation in smokers, who did not complain of voice disorders. The examination was performed in 20 patients with history of chronic tobacco using (at least 20 years). The videolaryngostroboscopy and acoustic voice analysis were performed.