Diethyl ether anaesthesia does not block local touch response in Arabidopsis thaliana.

Plants can sense and respond to non-damaging mechanical stimulation such as touch, rain, or wind. Mechanical stimulation induces an increase of cytosolic calcium ([Ca]), accumulation of phytohormones from the group of jasmonates (JAs) and activation of gene expression, which can be JAs-dependent or JAs-independent. Response to touch shares similar properties with reactions to stresses such as wounding or pathogen attack, and regular mechanical stimulation leads to changes in growth and development called thigmomorphogenesis.

Synthesis and Regulation of miRNA, Its Role in Oncogenesis, and Its Association with Colorectal Cancer Progression, Diagnosis, and Prognosis.

The dysfunction of several types of regulators, including miRNAs, has recently attracted scientific attention for their role in cancer-associated changes in gene expression. MiRNAs are small RNAs of ~22 nt in length that do not encode protein information but play an important role in post-transcriptional mRNA regulation. Studies have shown that miRNAs are involved in tumour progression, including cell proliferation, cell cycle, apoptosis, and tumour angiogenesis and invasion, and play a complex and important role in the regulation of tumourigenesis.

Effect of the General Anaesthetic Ketamine on Electrical and Ca Signal Propagation in .

The systemic electrical signal propagation in plants (i.e., from leaf to leaf) is dependent on GLUTAMATE RECEPTOR-LIKE proteins (GLRs).

An Evaluation of Plasma TNF, VEGF-A, and IL-6 Determination as a Risk Marker of Atherosclerotic Vascular Damage in Early-Onset CAD Patients.

: The pathogenesis of atherosclerosis is multifactorial and diverse. Pro-inflammatory cytokines are involved in these processes. It is suggested that inflammation may represent a novel and modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease.

Could Tumor Necrosis Factor Serve as a Marker for Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Left Ventricular Hypertrophy in Patients with Early-Onset Coronary Artery Disease?

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF), a pro-inflammatory cytokine, can be produced by cardiomyocytes, leading to metabolic disorders in the myocardium. The objective of this study was to assess the relationship between plasma levels of the TNF cytokine and the presence of known biochemical and clinical risk factors for cardiovascular disease, along with the parameters of cardiac morphology in patients diagnosed with coronary artery disease (CAD) at a young age. The study group included 75 men aged up to 50 years and 25 women aged up to 55 years.

Level of Disability after Total Hip Replacement in Patients with Some Gene Polymorphism.

Background: The gene encodes the enzyme catechol-O-methyltransferase, which is a key modulator of dopaminergic and adrenergic neurotransmission. Hip osteoarthritis is accompanied by reduced mobility and some level of disability. In our study, we analyzed the association between some gene polymorphisms and reduced mobility in patients after total hip replacement (THR).

Is Slovakia Almost a Hepatitis D Free Country?

Background: It is assumed that the prevalence of hepatitis D in HBsAg-positive individuals reaches 4.5-13% in the world and on average about 3% in Europe. Data from several European countries, including Slovakia, are missing or are from an older period.

Prognostic Value of the Selected Polymorphisms in the Gene in the Domain-Encoding Lipid-Binding Region at a 10-Year Follow-Up for Early-Onset CAD Patients.

The polymorphism of the gene may have a decisive impact on the formation and progression of atherosclerotic changes. The aim of the study was to confirm the prognostic values of the previously studied polymorphisms in the gene within a 10-year follow-up period. This is the first published report confirming the long-term observation of patients with CAD.

Alcoholic Liver Disease-Related Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Characteristics and Comparison to General Slovak Hepatocellular Cancer Population.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has multiple molecular classes that are associated with distinct etiologies and, besides particular molecular characteristics, that also differ in clinical aspects. We aim to characterize the clinical aspects of alcoholic liver disease-related HCC by a retrospective observational study that included all consequent patients diagnosed with MRI or histologically verified HCC in participating centers from 2010 to 2016. A total of 429 patients were included in the analysis, of which 412 patients (96%) had cirrhosis at the time of diagnosis.

Lack of Association between (AAT)n Polymorphism of the Gene Encoding the Cannabinoid Receptor (CB1) and Patient's Quality of Life.

Genetic factors may predispose persons to decreased pain excitability. One of the interesting modulators affecting pain perception may be polymorphisms of the cannabinoid receptor type 1 () gene. In this study, we examined the association between three-nucleotide repeats (AAT) polymorphism located in the 3'UTR non-translational region of and the patient's quality of life after total hip arthroplasty.

Diethyl ether anesthesia induces transient cytosolic [Ca] increase, heat shock proteins, and heat stress tolerance of photosystem II in .

General volatile anesthetic diethyl ether blocks sensation and responsive behavior not only in animals but also in plants. Here, using a combination of RNA-seq and proteomic LC-MS/MS analyses, we investigated the effect of anesthetic diethyl ether on gene expression and downstream consequences in plant . Differential expression analyses revealed reprogramming of gene expression under anesthesia: 6,168 genes were upregulated, 6,310 genes were downregulated, while 9,914 genes were not affected in comparison with control plants.

Spruce versus Arabidopsis: different strategies of photosynthetic acclimation to light intensity change.

The acclimation of higher plants to different light intensities is associated with a reorganization of the photosynthetic apparatus. These modifications, namely, changes in the amount of peripheral antenna (LHCII) of photosystem (PS) II and changes in PSII/PSI stoichiometry, typically lead to an altered chlorophyll (Chl) a/b ratio. However, our previous studies show that in spruce, this ratio is not affected by changes in growth light intensity.

Syphilis in pregnancy: an ongoing public health threat.

Syphilis is a treponemal infection that can be acquired sexually, hematogenously, or via vertical transmission from mother to infant. Despite evidence-based curative treatment options with penicillin, it remains a public health threat with increasing prevalence over recent years. Congenital syphilis, a condition where a fetus acquires the infection during pregnancy, can lead to stillbirth, miscarriage, preterm birth, birth defects, and lifelong physical or neurologic changes.

Questionnaire for risk factors of alcoholic and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

Objectives: Non-communicable diseases are estimated to account for 90 % of total deaths and 19 % of premature deaths in Slovakia. Major preventable risk factors of premature mortality are overweight, obesity and alcohol consumption.

Background: Screening of risk factors related to alcoholic and nonalcoholic fatty liver diseases (AFLD and NAFLD, respectively) in Slovak outpatients with liver disease.

Anaesthetic diethyl ether impairs long-distance electrical and jasmonate signaling in Arabidopsis thaliana.

General volatile anaesthetics (GVA) inhibit electrical signal propagation in animal neurons. Although plants do not have neurons, they generate and propagate electrical signals systemically from a local damaged leaf to neighbouring leaves. This systemic electrical signal propagation is mediated by ligand-gated glutamate receptor-like (GLR) channels.

Association of Adiponectin, Leptin and Resistin Plasma Concentrations with Echocardiographic Parameters in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease.

The imbalanced network of adipokines may contribute to the development of systemic low-grade inflammation, metabolic diseases and coronary artery disease (CAD). In the last decade, three classic adipokines-adiponectin, leptin and resistin-have been of particular interest in studies of patients with CAD due to their numerous properties in relation to the cardiovascular system. This has directed our attention to the association of adipokines with cardiac structure and function and the development of heart failure (HF), a common end effect of CAD.

Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease-Related Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Clinical Patterns, Outcomes, and Prognostic Factors for Overall Survival-A Retrospective Analysis of a Slovak Cohort.

Objective: To compare NAFLD-related HCC and other etiology-related HCC and to describe predictive factors for survival in patients with NAFLD-related HCC independent of the BCLC staging system.

Methods: We performed a multicenter longitudinal retrospective observational study of patients diagnosed with HCC during the period from 2010 through 2016.

Results: 12.

Omphalocele-What should we tell the prospective parents?

An omphalocele is a congenital defect in the abdominal wall characterized by absent abdominal muscles, fascia, and skin. The characteristic ultrasound appearance includes a midline defect with herniation of abdominal contents into the base of the umbilical cord. Other anatomic abnormalities are seen in approximately 50% of cases, most notably cardiac defects (19%-32%).

Luminescence imaging of leaf damage induced by lipid peroxidation products and its modulation by β-cyclocitral.

Lipid peroxidation is a primary event associated with oxidative stress in plants. This phenomenon secondarily generates bioactive and/or toxic compounds such as reactive carbonyl species (RCS), phytoprostanes, and phytofurans, as confirmed here in Arabidopsis plants exposed to photo-oxidative stress conditions. We analyzed the effects of exogenous applications of secondary lipid oxidation products on Arabidopsis plants by luminescence techniques.

Reactive Oxygen Species Imaging in U937 Cells.

The U937 cell culture is a pro-monocytic, human histiocytic lymphoma cell line. These monocytes can differentiate into either macrophages or dendritic cells (antigen-presenting cells) depending on the initiators. The U937 cells activated in the presence of phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) change their morphology into macrophage-like cells creating pseudopodia and adhering generously.

The Anti-Senescence Activity of Cytokinin Arabinosides in Wheat and Arabidopsis Is Negatively Correlated with Ethylene Production.

Leaf senescence, accompanied by chlorophyll breakdown, chloroplast degradation and inhibition of photosynthesis, can be suppressed by an exogenous application of cytokinins. Two aromatic cytokinin arabinosides (6-benzylamino-9-β-d-arabinofuranosylpurines; BAPAs), 3-hydroxy- (3OHBAPA) and 3-methoxy- (3MeOBAPA) derivatives, have recently been found to possess high anti-senescence activity. Interestingly, their effect on the maintenance of chlorophyll content and maximal quantum yield of photosystem II (PSII) in detached dark-adapted leaves differed quantitatively in wheat ( L.

Polymorphisms in , , , , , and Genes in Patients with Unstable Angina.

Introduction: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a significant public health problem because it is one of the major causes of death worldwide. Several studies have investigated the associations between CAD and polymorphisms in genes connected with platelet aggregation and the risk of venous thromboembolism.

Aim: In this study, we examined the associations between polymorphisms in (rs1671152), (rs12566888), (rs7940646), (rs342286), (rs10761741), (rs2363910), and CAD in the form of unstable angina as well as selected clinical and biochemical parameters.

Predicting Placenta Accreta Spectrum: Validation of the Placenta Accreta Index.

Objectives: The placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) incidence has risen substantially over the past century, paralleling a rise in cesarean delivery (CD) rates. Prenatal diagnosis of PAS improves maternal outcomes. The Placenta Accreta Index (PAI) is a standardized approach to prenatal diagnosis of PAS incorporating clinical risk and ultrasound (US) findings suggestive of placental invasion.