No Relation Between Cognitive Impairment, Physical Disability and Serum Biomarkers in a Cohort of Progressive Multiple Sclerosis Patients.

Despite significant efforts, there is still an existing need to identify diagnostic tools that would enable fast and reliable detection of the progressive stage of multiple sclerosis (MS) and help in monitoring the disease course and/or treatment effects. The aim of this prospective study in a group of people with progressive MS was to determine whether changes in the levels of selected serum biomarkers and in cognitive function may predict disease progression, and therefore refine the decision-making process in the evaluation of MS patients. Forty two (42) patients with progressive MS completed all the study procedures; the mean duration of follow-up was 12.

Hole Transfer and the Resulting DNA Damage.

In this review, we focus on the one-electron oxidation of DNA, which is a multipart event controlled by several competing factors. We will discuss the oxidation free energies of the four nucleobases and the electron detachment from DNA, influenced by specific interactions like hydrogen bonding and stacking interactions with neighboring sites in the double strand. The formation of a radical cation (hole) which can migrate through DNA (hole transport), depending on the sequence-specific effects and the allocation of the final oxidative damage, is also addressed.

Evaluation of Plasma E-Selectin Concentration as a Risk Marker for Atherosclerotic Vascular Damage in Patients with Early CAD.

Background: Inflammation markers in the blood may indicate a higher risk of unstable atherosclerosis. Selectins, a group of transmembrane glycoproteins, contribute to inflammation by helping certain blood cells bind to the endothelium.

Methods: The study included 100 patients with stable early-onset coronary artery disease (CAD), 75 men (aged 50-54) and 25 women (aged 55-64).

A VersaTile Approach to Reprogram the Specificity of the R2-Type Tailocin Towards Different Serotypes of and .

Phage tail-like bacteriocins, or tailocins, provide a competitive advantage to producer cells by killing closely related bacteria. Morphologically similar to headless phages, their narrow target specificity is determined by receptor-binding proteins (RBPs). While RBP engineering has been used to alter the target range of a selected R2 tailocin from , the process is labor-intensive, limiting broader application.

The Appearance of Antiphage Antibodies in Sera of Patients Treated with Phages.

: Bacteriophages are neutralized by the sera of patients undergoing phage therapy (PT), particularly during local or concomitant local and oral phage administration in bone infections, soft tissue infections, or upper respiratory tract infections. The antiphage activity of the sera (AAS) level of 27 patients with bacterial infections such as bone infections, soft tissue infections, or upper respiratory tract infections undergoing PT was performed using the plate phage neutralization test. Our preliminary results suggest that high levels of antiphage antibodies appear late in the treatment period, at the earliest in the 3rd-8th week of PT.

Silent Carriers: The Hidden Threat of Antibiotic-Resistant in Retail Seafood Across Poland's Tri-City Area.

: Antibiotic-resistant poses a significant risk to food safety and public health, particularly through the consumption of contaminated seafood. This study aimed to assess the presence and antibiotic resistance of in seafood sold in the Tri-City area of Poland, addressing a knowledge gap regarding the region. : Seafood samples ( = 89) were categorized according to their origin: domestic-Poland (PL), European countries (ECs), and Asian countries (ACs).

Chemometric Methods-A Valuable Tool for Investigating the Interactions Between Antifungal Drugs (Including Antifungal Antibiotics) and Food.

Background/objectives: Developing antifungal drugs with lower potential for interactions with food may help to optimize treatment and reduce the risk of antimicrobial resistance. Chemometrics uses statistical and mathematical methods to analyze multivariate chemical data, enabling the identification of key correlations and simplifying data interpretation. We used the partial least squares (PLS) approach to explore the correlations between various characteristics of oral antifungal drugs (including antifungal antibiotics) and dietary interventions, aiming to identify patterns that could inform the optimization of antifungal therapy.

Emerging Challenges in Methicillin Resistance of Coagulase-Negative Staphylococci.

In the present study, we used phenotypic and molecular methods to determine susceptibility to oxacillin in coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) and estimate the prevalence of strains with low-level resistance to oxacillin, A-positive oxacillin-susceptible methicillin-resistant (OS-MRCoNS), and borderline oxacillin-resistant (BORCoNS). One hundred one CoNS strains were screened for oxacillin and cefoxitin susceptibility using phenotypic (disk diffusion, agar dilution, latex agglutination, and chromagar) and molecular (detection of A, B, and C) methods. Staphylococcal cassette chromosome (SCC) typing was performed.

Genetic Determinants and Biofilm Properties Useful in Estimation of UTI Pathogenicity of the Strains Isolated from Free-Living Birds.

: According to the One Health concept, wild birds can be indicators of ecosystem pollution and disease incidence. strains are widespread worldwide, but there are still few reports on the association of human infections with a potential reservoir of highly pathogenic human strains in wild birds. Fecal with uropathogenic potential (UPEC) can be transmitted between birds and humans and may be a risk factor for urinary tract infections (UTIs).

Activity of Antiseptics Against and Its Adaptation Potential.

Background/objectives: rapidly acquires antibiotic resistance and demonstrates increasing tolerance to antiseptics. This study evaluated the activity of eight antiseptics against , assessed its ability to develop adaptation to these antiseptics, and, for the first time, determined the Karpinski Adaptation Index (KAI) for this bacterium.

Methods: The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC), susceptibility to antibiotics, bactericidal time according to EN 1040:2005, adaptation potential, and KAI of strains were evaluated.

Challenges and Current Trends in Preventing Antimicrobial Resistance in EU Water Law Context.

The increasing consumption of pharmaceuticals, including antibiotics, and their improper disposal have resulted in both pharmaceuticals and their metabolites being released into the environment, where they pose a risk to both ecosystems and human health. One of the most serious threats to public health associated with the presence of antibiotics in the environment is antimicrobial resistance (AMR). In order to combat AMR, the legal aspect of water protection becomes a critical area of action.

Influence of spp. and Infection on Growth Performance and Toltrazuril Residues in Chickens.

Coccidiosis and necrotic enteritis are among the most common diseases affecting poultry, with economic impact due to reduced production and the costs of treatment and prevention. Eimeria invasion contributes to gut damage that promotes the growth of other harmful pathogens, such as . Coccidiostats, with toltrazuril as an example, are widely used to control these infections.

Effects of Standardized Natural Citrus Extract on Growth, Gut Health, Carcass Quality, and Welfare of Broiler Chickens.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of a Standardized Natural Citrus Extract (SNCE) on broiler chickens' growth performance, gut health, carcass quality, and welfare. A total of 756 one-day-old Ross 308 males were randomly assigned to two groups: a control group (CTL) fed with a standard diet, and a citrus group (SNCE) fed with the same standard diet supplemented with 250 g/ton of feed of SNCE. Growth performance was recorded weekly until d 35, while mortality was recorded daily.

Urogenital Cancer Epidemiology in Poland (1980-2020): A Narrative Review.

Despite advances in prophylaxis, early diagnosis, and treatment, urogenital cancers represent a significant challenge to public health in Poland due to their relatively high prevalence and mortality rates. This narrative review aims to explore contemporary evidence on the epidemiology of urogenital cancers in Poland, such as prostate cancer, bladder cancer, kidney cancer, testicular cancer, and penile cancer, focusing on current and historical status and trends in the broader context of healthcare delivery. The literature consistently indicates that urogenital cancer continues to be a significant contributor to cancer incidence and mortality rates in Poland.

High Frequency of Alterations in Ovarian Cancers: Clinicopathological and Molecular Associations.

Background: The phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway is activated in multiple cancers. However, the significance of encoding the PI3K regulatory subunit, an inhibitor of the PI3K catalytic subunit encoded by , in ovarian cancer development is largely unknown.

Methods: Here, we investigated genomic alterations and gene expression by direct sequencing and qPCR methods in 197 ovarian cancers.

Neoadjuvant Accelerated Methotrexate, Vinblastine, Doxorubicin, and Cisplatin Chemotherapy for Muscle-Invasive Urothelial Cancer: Large, Single-Center Analysis of Consecutive Patients' Data.

: Bladder cancer is a significant clinical problem with approximately 500,000 new cases worldwide annually. In approximately 25% of cases, disease is diagnosed at a stage of invasion of the muscle layer of the bladder. The current standard approach in this disease is preoperative chemotherapy followed by radical cystectomy.

γδ T Are Significantly Impacted by CLL Burden but Only Mildly Influenced by M-MDSCs.

Background/objectives: The current study explores the impact of CLL on γδ T cells and, in an attempt to better understand the sources of immunosuppression, assesses the impact of M-MDSCs on γδ T cells in vitro.

Methods: The study included 163 CLL patients and 34 healthy volunteers. γδ T cells were screened with flow cytometry, including NKG2D, Fas, FasL, and TRAIL staining.

Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Progression and Drug Resistance in the Context of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition.

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is one of the most difficult subtypes of breast cancer to treat due to its distinct clinical and molecular characteristics. Patients with TNBC face a high recurrence rate, an increased risk of metastasis, and lower overall survival compared to other breast cancer subtypes. Despite advancements in targeted therapies, traditional chemotherapy (primarily using platinum compounds and taxanes) continues to be the standard treatment for TNBC, often with limited long-term efficacy.

Analysis of Differences in the Classification of Endometrial Cancer Patients in Poland.

Endometrial cancer (EC) incidence and mortality have been steadily rising globally over recent decades. The introduction of advanced molecular technologies, such as next-generation sequencing (NGS) alongside the FIGO 2023 classification, presents opportunities for refined diagnostics and risk stratification. This study aimed to analyze differences in EC classification among oncology centers in southeastern Poland.

An Updated Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis of First-Line Triplet vs. Doublet Therapies for Metastatic Hormone-Sensitive Prostate Cancer.

: The addition of androgen receptor pathway inhibitors (ARPIs) to androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), with or without docetaxel (Doc), is currently recommended for metastatic, hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC). Recently, the ARANOTE trial evaluated the efficacy and safety of Darolutamide + ADT in this setting. We aimed to update a network meta-analysis (NMA) of these combination therapies.

Dermoscopy of Basal Cell Carcinoma Part 2: Dermoscopic Findings by Lesion Subtype, Location, Age of Onset, Size and Patient Phototype.

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most prevalent type of skin cancer worldwide. Despite its low metastatic potential, certain subtypes present an aggressive clinical course. Part II focuses on the different dermoscopic patterns observed in BCC, depending on the lesion subtype, its location on the body, the patient's age, the size of the tumor, and skin phototype.

Differential Response to Local Stimulator of Interferon Genes Agonist Administration in Tumors with Various Stimulator of Interferon Genes Statuses.

: The stimulator of interferon genes (STING) is currently accepted as a relevant target for anti-cancer therapies. Besides encouraging results showing STING agonist-induced tumor growth inhibition, in some types of tumors the effect is less prominent. We hypothesized that higher STING levels in cancer cells and the possibility of its activation determine a greater anti-cancer response.

Anxiety and Depression and Sleep Problems Among Patients with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders.

: Sleep disturbances are common among children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) and are often accompanied by emotional and behavioral challenges. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between sleep problems, anxiety, and depressive symptoms in children with FASD. : The study included 90 children aged 7 to 16 years diagnosed with FASD, who were primarily in foster or adoptive care.

miRNAs and Hematological Markers in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease-A New Diagnostic Path?

Asymptomatic liver steatosis constitutes an emerging issue worldwide. Therefore, we decided to explore relationships between selected types of microRNAs (miRNAs), serological markers of liver fibrosis and hematological parameters in the course of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Two hundred and seven persons were included in the survey: 97 with NAFLD and 110 healthy controls.

Detection of Deaths Caused by Hyperkalemia.

Under normal conditions, potassium is predominantly found within cells. The concentration gradient of sodium and potassium ions between intracellular and extracellular spaces enables signal transmission through membrane depolarization. The disruption of this transcellular process leads to elevated potassium ion levels in the extracellular space, and thus in the blood, a condition known as hyperkalemia.