Adipokines in Neuroendocrine Tumors: An Evaluation of the Serum Levels of Ghrelin and Leptin.

Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are a heterogeneous group of tumors that are characteristically different from other malignancies. The difference is not only in the prognosis, which is usually more favorable in such patients, but also in the high clinical progression of the disease, where NET patients do not experience the cachexia typical of other malignancies. The purposes of this study were to evaluate the ghrelin and leptin levels in a group of patients diagnosed with gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs) and bronchopulmonary neuroendocrine tumors (BP-NETs) and to analyze the relationship between the body mass index (BMI), cachexia and selected NET markers.

Global DNA Methylation Level in Tumour and Margin Samples in Relation to Human Papilloma Virus and Epstein-Barr Virus in Patients with Oropharyngeal and Oral Squamous Cell Carcinomas.

Background: Aberrant DNA methylation is a common epigenetic modification in cancers, including oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Therefore, the analysis of methylation levels appears necessary to improve cancer therapy and prognosis.

Methods: The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to analyse global DNA methylation levels in OPSCC and OSCC tumours and the margin samples after DNA isolation.

Lifestyle and Quality of Life of Women Diagnosed with Hypothyroidism in the Context of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver.

Interconnections between hypothyroidism and metabolic disturbances manifesting in the liver and body composition have not yet been comprehensively analyzed in the context of lifestyle. This study aimed to assess the selected lifestyle factors and quality of life in the context of the development of NAFL (non-alcoholic fatty liver) in women diagnosed with hypothyroidism. This study included 134 women categorized into three groups: with hypothyroidism and NAFL, with only hypothyroidism, and with only NAFL.

Selected Parameters of Bone Turnover in Neuroendocrine Tumors-A Potential Clinical Use?

Background: Currently, there are no effective markers to diagnose and monitor patients with neuroendocrine tumors (NETs). The aim of this study was to assess bone metabolism based on selected markers of bone turnover: OST, OPG, and IGFBP-3, in both the group of patients with NETs and the control group. Associations with selected sociodemographic, biochemical, and clinicopathological characteristics were examined.

Sequencing Analysis of and Gene Fragments in Patients with Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Reveals Novel Mutations: A Preliminary Study.

The growing incidence of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) calls for better understanding of the mutational landscape of such cases. Mucins (MUCs) are multifunctional glycoproteins expressed by the epithelial cells and may be associated with the epithelial tumour invasion and progression. The present study aimed at the analysis of the sequence of selected and gene fragments in the tumour, as well as the margin, samples obtained from 18 OPSCC patients.

The Potential Association between E2F2, MDM2 and p16 Protein Concentration and Selected Sociodemographic and Clinicopathological Characteristics of Patients with Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Background: E2F transcription factor 2 (E2F2), murine double minute 2 (MDM2) and p16 are some of the key proteins associated with the control of the cell cycle. The aim of this study was to evaluate E2F2, MDM2 and p16 concentrations in the tumour and margin samples of oral squamous cell carcinoma and to assess their association with some selected sociodemographic and clinicopathological characteristics of the patients.

Methods: The study group consisted of 73 patients.

Evaluation of Malondialdehyde Level, Total Oxidant/Antioxidant Status and Oxidative Stress Index in Colorectal Cancer Patients.

Oxidative stress may play an important role in colorectal cancer (CRC). The present study included 94 adult patients with CRC (52 men and 42 women) and 26 hospitalized patients (12 men and 14 women) in whom CRC was excluded (control group). During hospitalization, blood serum samples were collected from both groups.

Phenolic Extraction of Leaves in DES: Characterization of the Extracts and Their Application in Methylcellulose Films for Food Packaging.

In this work, a qualitative study of the phenolic content of leaves (MO), extracted with deep eutectic solvents (DES) based on choline chloride (ChCl) with lactic acid (LA) or glycerol (GLY), was performed by high-resolution mass spectrometry (HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS). The two solvents (DES-LA and DES-GLY) extract similar classes of phenolics, and ten compounds were identified. The antioxidant profile was also studied (TPC, TFC, DPPH, FRAP, ORAC, and ABTS).

PCR Detection of Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) DNA in Patients with Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma, in Patients with Chronic Tonsillitis, and in Healthy Individuals.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a common virus worldwide that is an etiologic agent in the development of many diseases, including cancer. Recent reports have shown the association of EBV with tumorigenesis in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Moreover, EBV has been reported to be present in tonsillar tissues, which suggests a close relationship between viral infections and tonsillar diseases, including chronic tonsillitis.

Assessment of the Concentration of Endogenous Factors Regulating Angiogenesis, VASH-1 and VEGF-A, in the Blood Serum of Patients with Neuroendocrine Neoplasms.

Neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) constitute about 2% of all malignant neoplasms, and the angiogenesis process in these tumors is still of a great interest. Vasohibin-1 (VASH-1) is an angiogenesis inhibitor, while vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) is one of the main factors promoting vascular formation. The subject of this study was to assess serum concentration of these factors in patients with diagnosed NEN and in control group.

Involvement of miRNAs in cellular responses to radiation.

Purpose: Exposure of living cells to ionizing radiation has different consequences, depending on the dose and cell type. Changes in gene expression at the level of transcription and translation, including those regulated by microRNAs (miRNAs), play a role in the intrinsic radiosensitivity of different cells and define their fate, survival or death. The aim of our work was to examine how ionizing radiation may influence the expression of genes regulated by different miRNAs and miRNA biogenesis.

New Variants of the Cytochrome P450 2R1 () Gene in Individuals with Severe Vitamin D-Activating Enzyme 25(OH)D Deficiency.

Background: Vitamin D is a fat-soluble cholesterol derivative found in two forms, vitamin D2, and vitamin D3. Cytochrome P450 2R1 (CYP2R1) encoded by the gene is the major hydroxylase that activates vitamin D by catalyzing the formation of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D).

Methods: We collected 89 (100%) subjects, 46 of which (51.

The Prevalence of High- and Low-Risk Types of HPV in Patients with Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck, Patients with Chronic Tonsillitis, and Healthy Individuals Living in Poland.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a virus with the potential to infect human epithelial cells and an etiological agent of many types of cancer, including head and neck cancer. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of HPV infection in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), patients with chronic tonsillitis, and healthy individuals, and to establish high- and low-risk HPV genotypes in these groups. The objectives also comprised the delineation of the relationship between the infection with high- or low-risk HPV subtypes and clinicopathological and demographic characteristics of the study groups.

Complex Interplay of Genes Underlies Invasiveness in Fibrosarcoma Progression Model.

Sarcomas are a heterogeneous group of mesenchymal tumours, with a great variability in their clinical behaviour. While our knowledge of sarcoma initiation has advanced rapidly in recent years, relatively little is known about mechanisms of sarcoma progression. JUN-murine fibrosarcoma progression series consists of four sarcoma cell lines, JUN-1, JUN-2, JUN-2fos-3, and JUN-3.

Selected Polymorphisms in Oral and Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) are subgroups of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. E2F Transcription Factor 2 (E2F2) could contribute to cancer development, because it plays a critical role in many cellular processes, including the cell cycle, proliferation, differentiation, DNA damage response, and cell death. In the current study, we assessed the associations of five E2F2 polymorphisms (rs6667575, rs3218121, rs3218211, rs3218148, and rs3218203) with OSCC and OPSCC and influence on the TNM staging and grading.

Gene Polymorphisms in Healthy Individuals with Family History of Premature Coronary Artery Disease.

Aim: The gene encoding the vitamin D receptor () is considered in many studies to be a good candidate responsible for susceptibility to several diseases such as coronary artery disease (CAD). Epidemiological data show that cardiovascular disease is one of the major health problems in Polish society. Basic studies show that genetic factors play a significant role in the pathogenesis of CAD.

Adamalysines as Biomarkers and a Potential Target of Therapy in Colorectal Cancer Patients: Preliminary Results.

Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world. Due to its still undetermined pathogenesis, we are searching for signaling pathways that are important in the development of colorectal cancer. In this article, we present results of study on the role of ADAM proteins in colorectal cancer.

A mathematical model as a tool to identify microRNAs with highest impact on transcriptome changes.

Background: Rapid changes in the expression of many messenger RNA (mRNA) species follow exposure of cells to ionizing radiation. One of the hypothetical mechanisms of this response may include microRNA (miRNA) regulation, since the amounts of miRNAs in cells also vary upon irradiation. To address this possibility, we designed experiments using cancer-derived cell lines transfected with luciferase reporter gene containing sequences targeted by different miRNA species in its 3'- untranslated region.

The role of MGMT polymorphisms rs12917 and rs11016879 in head and neck cancer risk and prognosis.

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is one of the leading cancers by incidence worldwide. The risk of these cancers is strictly associated with alkylation factors present in tobacco smoke. The crucial role in preventing DNA alkylation is played by O-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT).

Clinical and prognostic value of hTERT mRNA expression in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer.

Telomerase, undetectable in normal somatic cells, plays a critical role in carcinogenesis of the majority of human tumors including lung carcinoma. The aim of our study was to determine human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) mRNA expression in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in order to estimate its usefulness as diagnostic and/or prognostic factor. hTERT expression was analyzed in a group of 12 females and 28 males with NSCLC using Quantitative Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (QRT-PCR method) in cancerous and non-cancerous lung tissues.

Biomimetic one-pot route to acridine epoxides.

The first direct epoxidation of acridine on the edge positions is reported. The reaction proceeds under mild conditions using a biomimetic catalytic system based on a Mn(III) porphyrin. The successive oxyfunctionalization to mono-, di-, and tetraepoxy derivatives is accomplished using hydrogen peroxide as a green oxidant at room temperature.

Novel layer-by-layer interfacial [Ni(salen)]-polyelectrolyte hybrid films.

A novel multilayer film containing a cationic phosphonium-derivatized Ni(salen)-type complex and poly(sodium-4-styrenesulfonate (NaPSS) was assembled onto quartz, mica, and metal surfaces using the layer-by-layer (LbL) technique. Spectroscopic (UV-vis) and gravimetric (QCM) responses for the multilayer films show regular stepwise growth and the signature of strong electrostatic interactions between the component layers. The gravimetric responses indicate the presence of substantial additional (net neutral) material in the PSS layers, which XPS shows is not polyelectrolyte or salt, so charge compensation is intrinsic; we deduce the presence of space-filling solvent.