Thoughts on Self-Harm in Polish Pregnant and Postpartum Women During the Pandemic Period.

: The risk of depression during pregnancy and postpartum is high and has intensified during the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this study was to estimate the risk of depressive disorders and self-harm thoughts in the third trimester of pregnancy and the first week postpartum in the pandemic period. : This study involved a total of 317 pregnant and postpartum women.

Assessing the Risk of Depression Tendency in Pregnancy and Puerperium during COVID-19 Pandemic in Poland.

The aim of the study was to assess the risk and severity of depression tendency in pregnant and postpartum women and to determine the relative risk for selected psychosocial and obstetric variables. The study included 317 women in the perinatal period. The severity of depressive disorders was assessed using standard self-report scales: EPDS (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale), BDI-II (Depression Inventory-Second Edition), and HADS (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale).

Perforin-2 is a pore-forming effector of endocytic escape in cross-presenting dendritic cells.

During initiation of antiviral and antitumor T cell-mediated immune responses, dendritic cells (DCs) cross-present exogenous antigens on major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules. Cross-presentation relies on the unusual "leakiness" of endocytic compartments in DCs, whereby internalized proteins escape into the cytosol for proteasome-mediated generation of MHC I-binding peptides. Given that type 1 conventional DCs excel at cross-presentation, we searched for cell type-specific effectors of endocytic escape.

A histone deacetylase 3 and mitochondrial complex I axis regulates toxic formaldehyde production.

Cells produce considerable genotoxic formaldehyde from an unknown source. We carry out a genome-wide CRISPR-Cas9 genetic screen in metabolically engineered HAP1 cells that are auxotrophic for formaldehyde to find this cellular source. We identify histone deacetylase 3 (HDAC3) as a regulator of cellular formaldehyde production.

Inorganic Nanomaterials Used in Anti-Cancer Therapies:Further Developments.

In this article, we provide an overview of the progress of scientists working to improve the quality of life of cancer patients. Among the known methods, cancer treatment methods focusing on the synergistic action of nanoparticles and nanocomposites have been proposed and described. The application of composite systems will allow precise delivery of therapeutic agents to cancer cells without systemic toxicity.

Implications of Oxidative Stress in Glioblastoma Multiforme Following Treatment with Purine Derivatives.

Recently, small compound-based therapies have provided new insights into the treatment of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) by inducing oxidative impairment. Kinetin riboside (KR) and newly designed derivatives (8-azaKR, 7-deazaKR) selectively affect the molecular pathways crucial for cell growth by interfering with the redox status of cancer cells. Thus, these compounds might serve as potential alternatives in the oxidative therapy of GBM.

Nutrition quality of pregnant women based on body mass index and the content of selected nutrients and energy in the daily diet.

Objectives: BMI of pregnant women is influenced by the percentage of energy and the content of individual nutrients in the daily diet. The aim of the study was to evaluate nutrition quality based on BMI values of women with physiological course of pregnancy and to determine correlations between BMI and the content of selected nutrients and energy in the daily diet.

Material And Methods: The study was carried out among healthy women between the first and fourth day after childbirth.

To Kill But Not Be Killed: Controlling the Activity of Mammalian Pore-Forming Proteins.

Pore-forming proteins (PFPs) are present in all domains of life, and play an important role in host-pathogen warfare and in the elimination of cancers. They can be employed to deliver specific effectors across membranes, to disrupt membrane integrity interfering with cell homeostasis, and to lyse membranes either destroying intracellular organelles or entire cells. Considering the destructive potential of PFPs, it is perhaps not surprising that mechanisms controlling their activity are remarkably complex, especially in multicellular organisms.

Dihydroxyacetone phosphate signals glucose availability to mTORC1.

The mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) kinase regulates cell growth by setting the balance between anabolic and catabolic processes. To be active, mTORC1 requires the environmental presence of amino acids and glucose. While a mechanistic understanding of amino acid sensing by mTORC1 is emerging, how glucose activates mTORC1 remains mysterious.

Small Molecule Enhancers of Endosome-to-Cytosol Import Augment Anti-tumor Immunity.

Cross-presentation of antigens by dendritic cells (DCs) is critical for initiation of anti-tumor immune responses. Yet, key steps involved in trafficking of antigens taken up by DCs remain incompletely understood. Here, we screen 700 US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drugs and identify 37 enhancers of antigen import from endolysosomes into the cytosol.

SAMTOR is an -adenosylmethionine sensor for the mTORC1 pathway.

mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1) regulates cell growth and metabolism in response to multiple environmental cues. Nutrients signal via the Rag guanosine triphosphatases (GTPases) to promote the localization of mTORC1 to the lysosomal surface, its site of activation. We identified SAMTOR, a previously uncharacterized protein, which inhibits mTORC1 signaling by interacting with GATOR1, the GTPase activating protein (GAP) for RagA/B.

The preferences of parturient women and the participation of the child's father during birth.

Background: The participation of the father in the birth manifests itself in action, that depends on the attitude towards family-assisted birth and the preferences of the parturient woman.

Aim: Evaluation of expectations of parturient women in the aspect of the active participation of the father, that would enable the use of the most commonly reported preferences in the clinical praxis and the establishment of factors influencing the presented preferences.

Methods: 250 married couples who participated in natural childbirth were subjected to prospective survey.

[Pregnancy and delivery course in overweight and obese women].

Introduction: Pregnancy and delivery in case of overweight women require special care. The main means of preventing obstetrical complications is promoting healthy lifestyle and pregnancy weight gain control among females planning the pregnancy as well as prenatal diagnosis and pregnancy/delivery course monitoring.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate the pregnancy and delivery course in overweight and obese pregnant women.

IL-18 levels in nasal lavage after inhalatory challenge test with flour in bakers diagnosed with occupational asthma.

Objectives: The authors discuss the outcomes of a study on IL-18 concentration in nasal washings after the inhalatory challenge test with flour allergens (ICHT-F) in bakers with flour-induced occupational airway allergy (OAA).

Methods: We measured IL-18 concentration using ELISA kit and assessed morphological changes in nasal lavage fluid (NLF) before, and 4 h and 24 h after ICHT-F in three groups of subjects: Group A - 9 patients with diagnosed OAA (occupational asthma and rhinitis), Group B - 10 patients with atopic asthma and rhinitis, and Group C - 9 healthy volunteers.

Results: In Group A, significant differences in the basophil proportion in NLF were noted only 24 h after ICHT-F.

Outbreak of lead poisoning in high voltage tower conservators.

Objectives: A changing character of lead exposure has been observed over many years. However, construction workers involved in the renovation of painted steel structures are still severely exposed to lead and its compounds. In 2004, we observed an outbreak of lead poisoning in high voltage tower conservators working abroad.

Prevalence and host determinants of occupational bronchial asthma in animal shelter workers.

Objective: We examined the risk factors for the development of airway allergy in animal shelter workers.

Methods: The study population comprised 88 animal shelter workers occupationally exposed to cats and dogs. They responded to a questionnaire concerning the history of exposure to animal allergens and job characteristics and were subjected to skin prick test (SPT) to common and occupational allergens (cat and dog), and determination of total serum IgE level and specific IgE.

Risk factors associated with airway allergic diseases from exposure to laboratory animal allergens among veterinarians.

Objectives: Investigate the risk factors for the development of occupational airway allergy (OAA) from exposure to laboratory animal allergens (LAA) among Polish veterinarians.

Methods: Two hundred veterinarians responded to the questionnaire and were subjected to skin prick test (SPT) to common allergens and LAA (rat, mouse, hamster, guinea pig, rabbit). Evaluation of total serum IgE level and specific IgE against occupational allergens was performed.