L. fruit peels show anti-cancer effects in preclinical models of breast carcinoma: The perspectives in the chemoprevention and therapy modulation.

Introduction: Within oncology research, there is a high effort for new approaches to prevent and treat cancer as a life-threatening disease. Specific plant species that adapt to harsh conditions may possess unique properties that may be utilized in the management of cancer.

Hypothesis: Chokeberry fruit is rich in secondary metabolites with anti-cancer activities potentially useful in cancer prevention and treatment.

Droplet digital PCR analysis of CDH13 methylation status in Slovak women with invasive ductal breast cancer.

Identifying novel epigenetic biomarkers is a promising way to improve the clinical management of patients with breast cancer. Our study aimed to determine the methylation pattern of 25 tumor suppressor genes (TSG) and select the best methylation biomarker associated with clinicopathological features in the cohort of Slovak patients diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC). Overall, 166 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues obtained from patients with IDC were included in the study.

Host genetic variants associated with COVID-19 reconsidered in a Slovak cohort.

We present the results of an association study involving hospitalized coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients with a clinical background during the 3rd pandemic wave of COVID-19 in Slovakia. Seventeen single nucleotide variants (SNVs) in the eleven most relevant genes, according to the COVID-19 Host Genetics Initiative, were investigated. Our study confirms the validity of the influence of LZTFL1 and 2'-5'-oligoadenylate synthetase (OAS)1/OAS3 genetic variants on the severity of COVID-19.

L. exerts oncostatic effects in rodent and models of breast carcinoma.

Based on extensive data from oncology research, the use of phytochemicals or plant-based nutraceuticals is considered an innovative tool for cancer management. This research aimed to analyze the oncostatic properties of L. using animal and models of breast carcinoma (BC).

Changes in the Urine Metabolomic Profile in Patients Recovering from Severe COVID-19.

Metabolomics is a relatively new research area that focuses mostly on the profiling of selected molecules and metabolites within the organism. A SARS-CoV-2 infection itself can lead to major disturbances in the metabolite profile of the infected individuals. The aim of this study was to analyze metabolomic changes in the urine of patients during the acute phase of COVID-19 and approximately one month after infection in the recovery period.

Sensitive SARS-CoV-2 detection, air travel Covid-19 testing, variant determination and fast direct PCR detection, using ddPCR and RT-qPCR methods.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) monitoring in air traffic is important in the prevention of the virus spreading from abroad. The gold standard for SARS-CoV-2 detection is RT-qPCR; however, for early and low viral load detection, a much more sensitive method, such as droplet digital PCR (ddPCR), is required. Our first step was to developed both, ddPCR and RT-qPCR methods, for sensitive SARS-CoV-2 detection.

Circulating metabolites in the early stage of breast cancer were not related to cancer stage or subtypes but associated with ki67 level. Promising statistical discrimination from controls.

It was documented that the presence of malignancy in an organism causes metabolomic alterations in blood plasma which applies also to breast cancer. Breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease and there are only limited known relations of plasma metabolomic signatures with the tumour characteristics in early BC and knowing them would be of great advantage in noninvasive diagnostics. In this study, we focused on the metabolic alterations in early BC in blood plasma with the aim to identify metabolomic characteristics of BC subtypes.

Persistence of Metabolomic Changes in Patients during Post-COVID Phase: A Prospective, Observational Study.

Several relatively recently published studies have shown changes in plasma metabolites in various viral diseases such as Zika, Dengue, RSV or SARS-CoV-1. The aim of this study was to analyze the metabolome profile of patients during acute COVID-19 approximately one month after the acute infection and to compare these results with healthy (SARS-CoV-2-negative) controls. The metabolome analysis was performed by NMR spectroscopy from the peripheral blood of patients and controls.

Effect of Cold Atmospheric Plasma on Epigenetic Changes, DNA Damage, and Possibilities for Its Use in Synergistic Cancer Therapy.

Cold atmospheric plasma has great potential for use in modern medicine. It has been used in the clinical treatment of skin diseases and chronic wounds, and in laboratory settings it has shown effects on selective decrease in tumour-cell viability, reduced tumour mass in animal models and stem-cell proliferation. Many researchers are currently focusing on its application to internal structures and the use of plasma-activated liquids in tolerated and effective human treatment.

Comparison of SARS-CoV-2 Detection by Rapid Antigen and by Three Commercial RT-qPCR Tests: A Study from Martin University Hospital in Slovakia.

The global pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is having a tremendous impact on the global economy, health care systems and the lives of almost all people in the world. The Central European country of Slovakia reached one of the highest daily mortality rates per 100,000 inhabitants in the first 3 months of 2021, despite implementing strong prophylactic measures, lockdowns and repeated nationwide antigen testing. The present study reports a comparison of the performance of the Standard Q COVID-19 antigen test (SD Biosensor) with three commercial RT-qPCR kits (vDetect COVID-19-MultiplexDX, gb SARS-CoV-2 Multiplex-GENERI BIOTECH Ltd.

Breast Cancer and the Other Non-Coding RNAs.

Breast cancer is very heterogenous and the most common gynaecological cancer, with various factors affecting its development. While its impact on human lives and national health budgets is still rising in almost all global areas, many molecular mechanisms affecting its onset and development remain unclear. Conventional treatments still prove inadequate in some aspects, and appropriate molecular therapeutic targets are required for improved outcomes.

Monosomy 3 Influences Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition Gene Expression in Uveal Melanoma Patients; Consequences for Liquid Biopsy.

Despite outstanding advances in diagnosis and the treatment of primary uveal melanoma (UM), nearly 50% of UM patients develop metastases via hematogenous dissemination, driven by the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Despite the failure in UM to date, a liquid biopsy may offer a feasible non-invasive approach for monitoring metastatic disease progression and addressing protracted dormancy. To detect circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in UM patients, we evaluated the mRNA expression of EMT-associated transcription factors in CD45-depleted blood fraction, using qRT-PCR.

Cold Atmospheric Pressure Plasma (CAP) as a New Tool for the Management of Vulva Cancer and Vulvar Premalignant Lesions in Gynaecological Oncology.

Vulvar cancer (VC) is a specific form of malignancy accounting for 5-6% of all gynaecologic malignancies. Although VC occurs most commonly in women after 60 years of age, disease incidence has risen progressively in premenopausal women in recent decades. VC demonstrates particular features requiring well-adapted therapeutic approaches to avoid potential treatment-related complications.

Cold Atmospheric Plasma: A Powerful Tool for Modern Medicine.

Cold atmospheric plasma use in clinical studies is mainly limited to the treatment of chronic wounds, but its application in a wide range of medical fields is now the goal of many analyses. It is therefore likely that its application spectrum will be expanded in the future. Cold atmospheric plasma has been shown to reduce microbial load without any known significant negative effects on healthy tissues, and this should enhance its possible application to any microbial infection site.

Aberrant Methylation Status of Tumour Suppressor Genes in Ovarian Cancer Tissue and Paired Plasma Samples.

Ovarian cancer is a highly heterogeneous disease and its formation is affected by many epidemiological factors. It has typical lack of early signs and symptoms, and almost 70% of ovarian cancers are diagnosed in advanced stages. Robust, early and non-invasive ovarian cancer diagnosis will certainly be beneficial.

Liquid Biopsy as a Tool for Differentiation of Leiomyomas and Sarcomas of Corpus Uteri.

Utilization of liquid biopsy in the management of cancerous diseases is becoming more attractive. This method can overcome typical limitations of tissue biopsies, especially invasiveness, no repeatability, and the inability to monitor responses to medication during treatment as well as condition during follow-up. Liquid biopsy also provides greater possibility of early prediction of cancer presence.

Different methylation levels in the KLF4, ATF3 and DLEC1 genes in the myometrium and in corpus uteri mesenchymal tumours as assessed by MS-HRM.

Mesenchymal tumours of the corpus uteri comprise common benign lesions - leiomyomas and very rare malignant variants - sarcomas. It can be difficult to distinguish between the particular types of mesenchymal tumours pre-surgically. Primarily, leiomyomas and the very aggressive leiomyosarcomas can be easily misdiagnosed when using only imaging devices.

Predictive accuracy of the breast cancer genetic risk model based on eight common genetic variants: The BACkSIDE study.

Breast cancer (BC) development is caused by the interaction of environmental and genetic factors. At least 90 susceptible genetic variants with different population penetration and incidence have been associated with BC. This paper therefore analysed the individual discrimination power of 8 low penetrant common genetic variants and calculated the predictive accuracy of the genetic risk model.

Methylation status of KLF4 and HS3ST2 genes as predictors of endometrial cancer and hyperplastic endometrial lesions.

Endometrial carcinoma is one of the most common tumours in developed countries. In addition to the active role of genetic factors, epigenetic changes also have an important effect. The present study analysed the methylation status of kruppel like factor 4 (KLF4) and heparan sulfate‑glucosamine 3‑sulfotransferase 2 (HS3ST2) genes in three endometrial tissue types for carcinoma prediction.

Molecular and clinical attributes of uterine leiomyomas.

Uterine leiomyomas, also called uterine fibroids or myomas, represent one of the most common benign tumour types in women of a fertile age. Leiomyomas arise due to transformation of the layer of smooth muscle cells of corpus uteri - the myometrium. Despite frequent occurrence of this disease, the molecular mechanisms behind the origin and development of leiomyomas are still relatively unknown.

Survivin and gynaecological tumours.

Survivin is the smallest member of the inhibitors of apoptosis (IAP) family. However, participation in inhibition of apoptosis is not the only function of this molecule. Survivin can also affect the proper process of mitosis and even promoting of angiogenesis or DNA repair.