Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal Cells Derived from Human and Animal Perinatal Tissues-Origins, Characteristics, Signaling Pathways, and Clinical Trials.

Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) are currently one of the most extensively researched fields due to their promising opportunity for use in regenerative medicine. There are many sources of MSCs, of which cells of perinatal origin appear to be an invaluable pool. Compared to embryonic stem cells, they are devoid of ethical conflicts because they are derived from tissues surrounding the fetus and can be safely recovered from medical waste after delivery.

Ovarian Cancer and Cancer Stem Cells-Cellular and Molecular Characteristics, Signaling Pathways, and Usefulness as a Diagnostic Tool in Medicine and Oncology.

Despite the increasing development of medicine, ovarian cancer is still a high-risk, metastatic disease that is often diagnosed at a late stage. In addition, difficulties in its treatment are associated with high resistance to chemotherapy and frequent relapse. Cancer stem cells (CSCs), recently attracting significant scientific interest, are considered to be responsible for the malignant features of tumors.

New Gene Markers Expressed in Porcine Oviductal Epithelial Cells Cultured Primary In Vitro Are Involved in Ontological Groups Representing Physiological Processes of Porcine Oocytes.

Changes that occur within oviducts after fertilization are dependent on post-ovulation events, including oocyte-oviduct interactions. Although general processes are well-defined, the molecular basis are poorly understood. Recently, new marker genes involved in 'cell development', 'cell growth', 'cell differentiation' and 'cell maturation' processes have been identified in porcine oocytes.

New Gene Markers Involved in Molecular Processes of Tissue Repair, Response to Wounding and Regeneration Are Differently Expressed in Fibroblasts from Porcine Oral Mucosa during Long-Term Primary Culture.

The mechanisms of wound healing and vascularization are crucial steps of the complex morphological process of tissue reconstruction. In addition to epithelial cells, fibroblasts play an important role in this process. They are characterized by dynamic proliferation and they form the stroma for epithelial cells.

Stemness Potency of Human Gingival Cells-Application in Anticancer Therapies and Clinical Trials.

Gingivae, as the part of periodontium, are involved in tooth support and possess the ability to heal rapidly, without scar formation. Recently, dental tissues have been identified as a potential source of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and several populations of MSCs were isolated from the orofacial region, including gingival mesenchymal stem cells (GMSCs). GMSCs exhibit robust immunomodulatory and differentiation potential and are easily obtainable, which make them promising candidates for cellular therapies.

Myogenic Response to Increasing Concentrations of Ammonia Differs between Mammalian, Avian, and Fish Species: Cell Differentiation and Genetic Study.

Ammonia is very toxic to the body and has detrimental effects on many different organ systems. Using cultured myoblast cells, we examined ammonia's effect on myostatin expression, a negative regulator of skeletal muscle growth, and myotube diameters. The objective of this study was to examine how murine, avian, and fish cells respond to increasing levels of ammonia up to 50 mM.

Cortical Granule Distribution and Expression Pattern of Genes Regulating Cellular Component Size, Morphogenesis, and Potential to Differentiation are Related to Oocyte Developmental Competence and Maturational Capacity In Vivo and In Vitro.

Polyspermia is an adverse phenomenon during mammalian fertilization when more than one sperm fuses with a single oocyte. The egg cell is prepared to prevent polyspermia by, among other ways, producing cortical granules (CGs), which are specialized intracellular structures containing enzymes that aim to harden the zona pellucida and block the fusion of subsequent sperm. This work focused on exploring the expression profile of genes that may be associated with cortical reactions, and evaluated the distribution of CGs in immature oocytes and the peripheral density of CGs in mature oocytes.

Skeletal Muscle and the Effects of Ammonia Toxicity in Fish, Mammalian, and Avian Species: A Comparative Review Based on Molecular Research.

Typically, mammalian and avian models have been used to examine the effects of ammonia on skeletal muscle. Hyperammonemia causes sarcopenia or muscle wasting, in mammals and has been linked to sarcopenia in liver disease patients. Avian models of skeletal muscle have responded positively to hyperammonemia, differing from the mammalian response.

[Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) in Poland in 1996-1999. Phase VII of epidemiologic studies].

In the seventh phase of epidemiological studies of SSPE data were gathered on patients who developed the disease in 1996-1999. In this time period the diagnosis was confirmed in only 10 cases (4 in 1996, 4 in 1997, 0 in 1998 and 2 in 1999). This is a significant reduction of incidence in relation to the preceding stages, in particular to the years 1993-1995 in which 49 new cases were still reported.

[Prospects of measles and subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) elimination in Poland].

Following the introduction of vaccinations against measles in 1975 supplemented in recent years with booster vaccinations at the age of 6 years the epidemiological situation with respect to measles and SSPE has been gradually improving, particularly recently. In the paper discussion is presented on the question in what degree the present epidemiological situation of measles, the epidemiological supervision and vaccinations against measles in Poland meet the operative aim of measles and, consequently, SSPE elimination, as recommended by the WHO Regional Bureau. Attention is called to incomplete reliability of measles diagnosis based on clinical manifestations, economic difficulties in conducting serological investigations (detection of IgM antibodies to measles) necessary for measles confirmation, and shortcomings in vaccination organization.

[Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) in Poland in the years 1993-1995. The sixth stage of epidemiological research].

Data was collected about 49 newly diagnosed cases of SSPE in the years 1993-1995 in Poland. In the analyzed period of time a falling of tendency the incidence of SSPE was maintained. Overall incidence--0.

[Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis in Poland in the years 1990-1993. Stage V of epidemiologic studies].

The authors summarize the results of the fifth stage of epidemiological investigation on SSPE. The first stage covered the years 1971-1976, the next stages covered the periods: 1977-1983; 1984-1986; 1987-1989. In the period 1990-1993 data on 95 patients with SSPE were obtained.

[Evaluation of changes in the epidemiological situation of SSPE in Poland in the years 1977-1991 (in the course of 15 years after the introduction of mandatory antimeasles vaccination)].

The authors present the results of an epidemiological study of SSPE in Poland conducted since 15 years. Since the years covered by the study (1977-1991) included the first period after the introduction of obligatory vaccinations against measles in our country, the most important aim of this analysis was to find out the possible influence of the effect of these vaccinations on SSPE incidence. A comparison of the data obtained in successive stages of the study shows that a slow gradual decrease of the annual incidence of SSPE has been taking place in our country (from at least 1.

[Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) in Poland 1987-1989. Stage IV of the epidemiological studies].

In the years 1987-1989 111 patients of SSPE who react positively to laboratory tests were found in Poland. The incidence rate of the disease was in 1987-1.30; in 1980-0.

[Effect of short-term administration of sunflower oil on the blood serum level of linoleic and arachidonic acids and lipids in multiple sclerosis].

Patients with multiple sclerosis had an oral load of sunflower seed oil in daily doses of 40 g during five days. This daily doses contained 27 g of linoleic acid (LA). Prior and after diet supplementation with sunflower seed oil the levels of linoleic and arachidonic acids were determined in the serum of patients.

[Blood clotting disorders in cases of encephalomalacia].

In a group of 22 patients with foci of brain softening certain blood clotting factor were determined at different stages of the disease. The control group consisted of 16 healthy subjects. Shortening of the prothrombin time was observed after 4 weeks in the group of patients as compared with the control group.

[1st hospital admissions and deaths from cerebrovascular diseases in the Warsaw population].

On the basis of an analysis of documentation from hospital the annual rate of first admissions for cerebrovascular disturbances was assessed in the population of the city district of Warsaw. The total rate was 123/100 000, including 22 for subarachnoid and cerebral haemorrhage. The rate was highest in the age group over 70 years (1162/100 000).

[Incidence of seizures and therapy course in the light of a follow-up study of 2 representative groups of epileptics].

The follow-up study reported covered two representative groups of epileptics: 289 known epileptics (group Z) and 82 cases found in a sample of general population in Warsaw (group T). During 2--3 years of follow-up the frequency of seizures has changed in 40% of cases: the percent of patients improved exceeding significantly that of patients with worsening or relapse. The remaing 60% of cases consisted of two almost equally numerous groups: patients with unchanged frequency of seizures and those free from seizures for years.

Clinical manifestations and genetic aspects of true microcephaly.

Thirty-five cases of true microcephaly were found in a group of 3192 children with severe mental retardation in special institutions. In comparison to the general population the individuals with this congenital anomaly have not only much smaller dimensions of the cerebral cranium but also of the splanchnic cranium, although in a less significant degree. Body height and weight were found to be smaller as well.