Fusion of the 1H NMR data of serum, urine and exhaled breath condensate in order to discriminate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, COPD, affects the condition of the entire human organism and causes multiple comorbidities. Pathological lung changes lead to quantitative changes in the composition of the metabolites in different body fluids. The obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, OSAS, occurs in conjunction with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in about 10–20 % of individuals who have COPD. Both conditions share the same comorbidities and this makes differentiating them difficult. The aim of this study was to investigate whether it is possible to diagnose a patient with either COPD or the OSA syndrome using a set of selected metabolites and to determine whether the metabolites that are present in one type of biofluid (serum, exhaled breath condensate or urine) or whether a combination of metabolites that are present in two biofluids or whether a set of metabolites that are present in all three biofluids are necessary to correctly diagnose a patient. A quantitative analysis of the metabolites in all three biofluid samples was performed using 1H NMR spectroscopy. A multivariate bootstrap approach that combines partial least squares regression with the variable importance in projection score (VIP-score) and selectivity ratio (SR) was adopted in order to construct discriminant diagnostic models for the groups of individuals with COPD and OSAS. A comparison study of all of the discriminant models that were constructed and validated showed that the discriminant partial least squares model using only ten urine metabolites (selected with the SR approach) has a specificity of 100 % and a sensitivity of 86.67 %. This model (AUCtest = 0.95) presented the best prediction performance. The main conclusion of this study is that urine metabolites, among the others, present the highest probability for correctly identifying patents with COPD and the lowest probability for an incorrect identification of the OSA syndrome as developed COPD. Another important conclusion is that the changes in the metabolite levels of exhaled breath condensates do not appear to be specific enough to differentiate between patients with COPD and OSA

Efficient isolation, biophysical characterisation and molecular composition of extracellular vesicles secreted by primary and immortalised cells of reproductive origin

Effective communication between the maternal reproductive tract, gametes and the pre-implantation embryo is essential for the successful establishment of pregnancy. Recent studies have recognised extracellular vesicles (EVs) as potent vehicles for intercellular communication, potentially via their transport of microRNAs (miRNAs). The aim of the current investigation was to determine the size, concentration and electrical surface properties (zeta potential) of EVs secreted by; (1) primary cultures of porcine oviductal epithelial cells (POECs) from the isthmus and ampullary regions of the female reproductive tract; (2) Ishikawa and RL95-2 human endometrial epithelial cell line cultures; and (3) the non-reproductive epithelial cell line HEK293T. In addition, this study investigated whether EVs secreted by POECs contained miRNAs. All cell types were cultured in EV-depleted medium for 24 or 48 h. EVs were successfully isolated from conditioned culture media using size exclusion chromatography. Nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA) was performed to evaluate EV size, concentration and zeta potential. QRT-PCR was performed to quantify the expression of candidate miRNAs (miR-103, let-7a, miR-19a, miR-203, miR-126, miR-19b, RNU44, miR-92, miR-196a, miR-326 and miR-23a). NTA confirmed the presence of EVs with diameters of 50–150 nm in all cell types. EV size distribution was significantly different between cell types after 24 and 48 h of cell culture and the concentration of EVs secreted by POECs and Ishikawa cells was also time dependent. The distribution of EVs with specific electrokinetic potential measurements varied between cell types, indicating that EVs of differing cellular origin have varied membrane components. In addition, EVs secreted by POECs exhibited significantly different time dependant changes in zeta potential. QRT-PCR confirmed the presence of miR-103, let-7a, miR-19a, miR-203, miR-126, and miR-19b in EVs secreted by POECs (CT ≥ 29). Bioinformatics analysis suggests that these miRNAs are involved in cell proliferation, innate immune responses, apoptosis and cellular migration. In conclusion, reproductive epithelial cells secrete distinct populations of EVs containing miRNAs, which potentially act in intercellular communication in order to modulate the periconception events leading to successful establishment of pregnancy

The use of TikTok in image building and career management of artists in the music industry

Aplikacja TikTok, pojawiała się na rynku w 2016 roku, zyskując znaczące zainteresowanie użytkowników. W 2022 roku plasuje się na szóstym miejscu pod względem najbardziej popularnych mediów społecznościowych na świecie z wynikiem 1 miliarda aktywnych użytkowników. Aplikacja początkowo używana w celach rozrywkowych, obecnie jest wykorzystywana jako narzędzie marketingowe. TikTok stosowany jest również przez wielu artystów oraz ich managerów do budowania wizerunku i promowania twórczości, a także kontaktowania się z fanami. W swojej pracy autorka stara się udzielić odpowiedzi na pytanie, czy TikTok stanowi skuteczne narzędzie w zarządzaniu karierą artysty. W pracy wykorzystano jakościowe metody badawcze, wykorzystując narzędzia i techniki badawcze takie jak: ob-serwacja profili na TikToku i analiza danych zastanych. Badania wykazały, że aplikacja może być pomocnym narzędziem promocyjnym, przede wszystkim dzięki swoim założeniom funkcjonalnym, co jest szczególnie istotne w przypadku twórców sztuk audiowizualnych.The TikTok app has gained significant user interest in the six years since the initial release in 2016 and today ranks sixth in the most popular social media in the world with 1 billion active users. The application was originally used for entertainment purposes, but is now used as a marketing tool. TikTok is also used by many artists and their managers, which allows not only to facilitate contact with fans, but also anable using it for image building and crea-tivity promotion. The aim of the study was to answer the question whether TikTok is an ef-fective tool for managing an artist's career. Research has shown that the application can be a helpful promotional tool, mainly due to its functional assumptions, which is especially im-portant in the case of audiovisual artists

Przypadek chorej z długotrwałą odpowiedzią na immunoterapię pembrolizumabem w pierwszej linii poddanej zabiegowi kardiochirurgicznemu powikłanemu COVID-19

Chora w wieku 60 lat została skierowana do ośrodka autorów w celu diagnostyki i leczenia guza płuca prawego. Rozpoznano raka gruczołowego płuca w IV stadium zaawansowania, z wysoką ekspresją PD-L1. Pacjentka została zakwalifikowana do monoterapii pembrolizumabem w 2019 roku. W czasie leczenia przebyła pomyślnie zabieg kardiochirurgiczny wymiany zastawki aorty z powodu ciężkiej stenozy oraz zapalenie płuc w przebiegu COVID. Odpowiedź na leczenie przeciwnowotworowe była bardzo dobra (PR — częściowa odpowiedź wg RECIST 1.1) i utrzymuje się nadal. Dotąd chora otrzymała 63 cykle podania pembrolizumabu z dobrą tolerancją leczenia

Galectin-3 and cyclin D1 expression in non-small cell lung cancer

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Lung cancer is a major cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Galectin-3 is multifunctional protein, which is involved in regulation of cell growth, cell adhesion, cell proliferation, angiogenesis and apoptosis. Cyclin D1 together with other cyclin plays an important role in cell cycle control. Cyclin D1 regulates the G1-to-S phase transition. The aim of this study was the evaluation of correlations between clinicopathological findings and cyclin D1 and galectin-3 expression in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We wanted also to analyze the prognostic value of cyclin D1 and galectin-3 expression. Moreover we tried to evaluate the correlations between galectin-3 and cyclin D1 expression in tumor tissue.</p> <p>Materials and methods</p> <p>We used the immunochemistry method to investigate the expression of galectin-3 and cyclin D1 in the paraffin-embedded tumor tissue of 47 patients (32 men and 15 women; mean age 59.34 ± 8.90). years. We used monoclonal antibodies to cyclin D1 (NCL-L-cyclin D1-GM clone P2D11F11 NOVO CASTRA) and to galectin-3 (mouse monoclonal antibody NCL-GAL3 NOVO CASTRA).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Galectin-3 expression was positive in 18 cases (38.29%) and cyclin D1 in 39 (82.97%). We showed only weak trend, that galectin-3 expression was lower in patients without lymph node involvement (p = 0.07) and cyclin D1 expression was higher in this group (p = 0.080). We didn't reveal differences in cyclin D1 and galectin-3 expression in SCC and adenocarcinoma patients. We didn't demonstrated also differences in galectin-3 and cyclin D1 expression depending on disease stage. Moreover we analyzed the prognostic value of cyclin D1 expression and galectin-3 in all examinated patients and separately in SCC and in adenocarcinoma and in all stages, but we didn't find any statistical differences. We demonstrated that in galectin-3 positive tumors cyclin D1 expression was higher (96.55% vs 61.11%, Chi²Yatesa 7.53, p = 0.0061) and we revealed negative correlation between cyclin D1 and galectin-3 expression (R Spearman -0.458, p = 0.0011). In squamous cell lung cancer we didn't observed correlations between these both examinated markers (R = -0.158, p = 0.460), and in adenocarcinoma the negative correlation was very strong (R = -0.829 p = 0.000132).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>We didn't reveal any important correlations between clinicopathological findings and galectin-3 and cyclin D1 expression and in non small cell lung cancer. We didn't observed also prognostic value of cyclin D1 or galectin-3 expression. But we showed higher cyclin D1 expression in galectin-3 negative tumor tissues. We revealed also differences in correlations between galectin-3 and cyclin D1 expression in two main histopathological types of NSCLC.</p

Risk factors and the incidence of overweight and obesity in pre-school children from the southern part of Poland

Introduction. In recent years there has been a significant increase in the prevalence of overweight and obesity in humans. It turns out that the problem is not limited to adults; excessive body weight is occurring in children more often. Aim. The main purpose of this work was to determine the prevalence of overweight and obesity in preschool children from the Rzeszów district, and to determine risk factors for occurrence. Materials and survey method. The study was conducted among 200 preschool children (3 - 6 years of age) from the Rzeszów poviat area. Measurements of height, weight, and determination of BMI were performed and these values are standardized according to the WHO centile grids appropriate for each age group. Survey results. Normal weight was observed in 58% of the respondents, 11% were overweight, and 10.5% were obese, whereas 20.5% of children had undernourishment. Obese children were the largest group among 6-year-olds. Among 4 year old children, abnormal body weight were more frequent in boys. On the other hand, in children aged 5 years, undernourishment or overweight was found more frequently in girls. Conclusions. The study did not confirm a significant relationship between gender, place of residence and socio-economic situation of respondents, and the prevalence of overweight or obesity. The results of this study indicate that the problem of excessive body weight refers to the increasing number of children

Risk factors and the incidence of overweight and obesity in pre-school children from the southern part of Poland

Introduction. In recent years there has been a significant increase in the prevalence of overweight and obesity in humans. It turns out that the problem is not limited to adults; excessive body weight is occurring in children more often. Aim. The main purpose of this work was to determine the prevalence of overweight and obesity in preschool children from the Rzeszów district, and to determine risk factors for occurrence. Materials and survey method. The study was conducted among 200 preschool children (3 - 6 years of age) from the Rzeszów poviat area. Measurements of height, weight, and determination of BMI were performed and these values are standardized according to the WHO centile grids appropriate for each age group. Survey results. Normal weight was observed in 58% of the respondents, 11% were overweight, and 10.5% were obese, whereas 20.5% of children had undernourishment. Obese children were the largest group among 6-year-olds. Among 4 year old children, abnormal body weight were more frequent in boys. On the other hand, in children aged 5 years, undernourishment or overweight was found more frequently in girls. Conclusions. The study did not confirm a significant relationship between gender, place of residence and socio-economic situation of respondents, and the prevalence of overweight or obesity. The results of this study indicate that the problem of excessive body weight refers to the increasing number of children

A Preliminary Study of FTIR Spectroscopy as a Potential Non-Invasive Screening Tool for Pediatric Precursor B Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Early detection of the most common pediatric neoplasm, B-cell precursor lymphoblastic leukemia (BCP-ALL), is challenging and requires invasive bone marrow biopsies. The purpose of this study was to establish new biomarkers for early screening to detect pediatric leukemia. In this small cohort study, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra were obtained from blood sera of 10 patients with BCP-ALL and were compared with the control samples from 10 children with some conditions other than neoplasm. Using various analytical approaches, including a new physical model, some significant differences were observable. The most important include: the different peak area ratio 2965/1645 cm−1 (p = 0.002); the lower average percentage of both β-sheet and β-turn protein structures in the sera of BCP-ALL patients (p = 0.03); an AdaBoost-based predictive model for classifying healthy vs. BCP-ALL patients with 85% accuracy; and the phase shift of the first derivative in the spectral range 1050–1042 cm−1 correlating with white blood cell (WBC) and blast cell count in BCP-ALL patients contrary to the samples obtained from healthy controls. Although verification in larger groups of patients will be necessary, these promising results suggest that FTIR spectroscopy may have future potential for the early screening of BCP-ALL