BODY POSTURES AND ASYMMETRIES IN FRONTAL AND TRANSVERSE PLANES IN THE TRUNK AREA IN TABLE TENNIS PLAYERS

The aim of this research was to assess the body posture within the trunk area in table tennis players and to estimate the correlations between the specific body posture types, their asymmetries and table tennis practice (training experience). To evaluate body posture the photogrammetric method based on the Moiré phenomenon with equipment by CQ Electronic was applied. Tests of significance of difference and correlation were used to estimate the correlation of the observed asymmetries with the training experience. 40 table tennis players and 43 subjects not practising sports participated in the research. The analysis of the results revealed that table tennis players, unlike non-players, are characterized by kyphotic body posture. It probably results from a specific trunk, head and limb position during table tennis matches. Thus, many asymmetries in frontal and transverse planes were observed in the examined table tennis players. Perhaps table tennis, which is characterized by intensive and one-sided trunk muscle work during its performance, is in favour of creating asymmetries. The majority of subjects did not reveal any statistically significant correlations between the observed body posture types, their asymmetries and training experience. However, it was observed that training experience is significantly related to the considerable asymmetry of the inclination angle of shoulder line (KLB). It may result from the negative influence of very intensive, one-sided work and constant work of the shoulder girdle muscles of the playing limb with negligence of exercises of the second limb

Biophysical characterization of S100A8 and S100A9 in the absence and presence of bivalent cations

AbstractS100A8 and S100A9 are two proinflammatory molecules belonging to the S100 family of calcium-binding proteins. Common to all S100 proteins S100A8 and S100A9 form non-covalently associated complexes which have been shown to exhibit different functional properties. Besides dimerization, recent research is focused on the importance of higher oligomeric structures of S100 proteins induced by bivalent cations. While S100A8/S100A9-heterodimers are formed in the absence of calcium, tetramerization is strictly calcium-dependent. Heterodimer formation is not a simple process and our biophysical analyses (FRET, ESI-MS) demonstrate that simply mixing both subunits is not sufficient to induce complex formation. Steps of denaturation/renaturation are necessary for the recombinant complex to show identical biophysical properties as S100A8/S100A9 obtained from granulocytes. In addition to calcium both proteins are able to bind zinc with high affinity. Here we demonstrate for the first time by different biophysical methods (MALDI-MS, ESI-MS, fluorescence spectroscopy) that zinc-binding, like calcium, induces (S100A8/S100A9)2-tetramers. Using mass spectrometric investigations we demonstrate that zinc triggers the formation of (S100A8/S100A9)2-tetramers by zinc-specific binding sites rather than by interactions with calcium-specific EF-hands. The zinc-induced tetramer is structurally very similar to the calcium-induced tetramer. Thus, like calcium, zinc acts as a regulatory factor in S100A8/S100A9-dependent signaling pathways

Assessment of expression of selected Bcl-2 family proteins in lymphoid infiltration in patients with B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukaemia treated with nucleoside analogues.

B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (B-CLL) is characterized by clonal growth and accumulation of mature lymphoid cells due to disturbance in genetically regulated form of cell death called apoptosis. The intrinsic mechanism of apoptosis is controlled by Bcl-2 family proteins. Purine nucleoside analogues induce the apoptosis in cells in a state of quiescence. The aim of the study was to assess expression of selected Bcl-2 family proteins in neoplastic infiltration in bone marrow in patients with B-CLL treated with nucleoside analogues. The study comprised examination of bone marrow obtained routinely by trephine biopsy from 18 patients with B-CLL diagnosed before administration of purine nucleoside analogues treatment and after its completion. Expression of Bcl-2, Bcl-x and Bax proteins was examined. Lymphoid cells in bone marrow were present in all patients before administration of treatment. After treatment in two patients bone marrow was infiltrated in diffuse pattern, whereas other patients presented nodular pattern of infiltration. The difference between stage of infiltration before and after treatment was statistically significant (

Pierwotne guzy neuroendokrynne piersi, opis czterech przypadków

Breast neuroendocrine tumours are rare, accounting for up to 5% of all breasts tumours and approximately 1% of all neuroendocrine tumours. In most cases, breast neuroendocrine tumours are histologically and moderately well differentiated. Neuroendocrine breast tumours lack characteristic imaging patterns. The histopathological assessment of these tumours is difficult, and in most cases the correct diagnosis is made after proper examination of the postsurgical specimen.Guzy neuroendokrynne piersi są rzadkimi nowotworami, stanowią do 5 % guzów piersi i około 1% wszystkich guzów neuroendokrynnych. Większość zmian jest dobrze i umiarkowanie zróżnicowana, jednak  w badaniach obrazowych trudno wskazać cechy morfologiczne, które byłyby charakterystyczne dla tej grupy nowotworów. Ocena histopatologiczna również jest trudna i najczęściej właściwe rozpoznanie stawiane jest dopiero na podstawie materiału pooperacyjnego.

Anti-inflammatory, Anti-fibrotic and pro-cardiomyogenic effects of genetically engineered extracellular vesicles enriched in miR-1 and miR-199a on human cardiac fibroblasts

Rationale Emerging evidence indicates that stem cell (SC)- derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) carrying bioactive miRNAs are able to repair damaged or infarcted myocardium and ameliorate adverse remodeling. Fibroblasts represent a major cell population responsible for scar formation in the damaged heart. However, the effects of EVs on cardiac fibroblast (CFs) biology and function has not been investigated. Objective To analyze the biological impact of stem cell-derived EVs (SC-EVs) enriched in miR-1 and miR-199a on CFs and to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms. Methods and Results Genetically engineered human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPS) and umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (UC-MSCs) expressing miR-1 or miR-199a were used to produce miR-EVs. Cells and EVs were thoughtfully analyzed for miRNA expression using RT-qPCR method. Both hiPS-miRs-EVs and UC-MSC-miRs-EVs effectively transferred miRNAs to recipient CFs, however, hiPS-miRs-EVs triggered cardiomyogenic gene expression in CFs more efficiently than UC-MSC-miRs-EVs. Importantly, hiPS-miR-1-EVs exhibited cytoprotective effects on CFs by reducing apoptosis, decreasing levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (CCL2, IL-$1\beta$, IL-8) and downregulating the expression of a pro-fibrotic gene – $\alpha$-smooth muscle actin ($\alpha$-SMA). Notably, we identified a novel role of miR-199a-3p delivered by hiPS-EVs to CFs, in triggering the expression of cardiomyogenic genes (NKX2.5, TNTC, MEF2C) and ion channels involved in cardiomyocyte contractility (HCN2, SCN5A, KCNJ2, KCND3). By targeting SERPINE2, miR-199a-3p may reduce pro-fibrotic properties of CFs, whereas miR-199a-5p targeted BCAM and TSPAN6, which may be implicated in downregulation of inflammation. Conclusions hiPS-EVs carrying miR-1 and miR-199a attenuate apoptosis and pro-fibrotic and pro-inflammatory activities of CFs, and increase cardiomyogenic gene expression. These finding serve as rationale for targeting fibroblasts with novel EV-based miRNA therapies to improve heart repair after myocardial injury

Cerebral Arterial Stenoses and Stroke: Novel Features of Aicardi-Goutières Syndrome Caused by the Arg164X Mutation in SAMHD1 Are Associated with Altered Cytokine Expression

Aicardi-Goutières syndrome (AGS) is a rare inborn multisystemic disease, resembling intrauterine viral infection and resulting in psychomotor retardation, spasticity and chilblain-like skin lesions. Diagnostic criteria include intracerebral calcifications and elevated interferon-alpha and pterin levels in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). We report on four adult siblings with unknown neurodegenerative disease presenting with cerebrovascular stenoses, stroke and glaucoma in childhood, two of whom died at the age of 40 and 29 years. Genome-wide homozygosity mapping identified 170 candidate genes embedded in a common haplotype of 8Mb on chromosome 20q11-13. Next generation sequencing of the entire region identified the c.490C>T (p.Arg164X) mutation in SAMHD1, a gene most recently described in AGS, on both alleles in all affected siblings. Clinical diagnosis of AGS was then confirmed by demonstrating intracerebral calcifications on cranial computed tomography in all siblings and elevated pterin levels in CSF in three of them. In patient fibroblasts, lack of SAMHD1 protein expression was associated with increased basal expression of IL8, while stimulated expression of IFNB1 was reduced. We conclude that cerebrovascular stenoses and stroke associated with the Arg164X mutation in SAMHD1 extend the phenotypic spectrum of AGS. The observed vascular changes most likely reflect a vasculitis caused by dysregulated inflammatory stress response. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc

Stress conditions affect the immunomodulatory potential of Candida albicans extracellular vesicles and their impact on cytokine release by THP-1 human macrophages

Human immune cells possess the ability to react complexly and effectively after contact with microbial virulence factors, including those transported in cell-derived structures of nanometer sizes termed extracellular vesicles (EVs). EVs are produced by organisms of all kingdoms, including fungi pathogenic to humans. In this work, the immunomodulatory properties of EVs produced under oxidative stress conditions or at host concentrations of $CO_{2}$ by the fungal pathogen Candida albicans were investigated. The interaction of EVs with human pro-monocytes of the U-937 cell line was established, and the most notable effect was attributed to oxidative stress-related EVs. The immunomodulatory potential of tested EVs against human THP-1 macrophages was verified using cytotoxicity assay, ROS-production assay, and the measurement of cytokine production. All fungal EVs tested did not show a significant cytotoxic effect on THP-1 cells, although a slight pro-oxidative impact was indicated for EVs released by C. albicans cells grown under oxidative stress. Furthermore, for all tested types of EVs, the pro-inflammatory properties related to increased IL-8 and TNF-$\alpha$ production and decreased IL-10 secretion were demonstrated, with the most significant effect observed for EVs released under oxidative stress conditions

Prevalence of hypoparathyroidism after thyroid surgery depending on diagnosis, the extent of the procedure, and the presence of parathyroid glands in the postoperative examination.

Introduction Postoperative hypoparathyroidism can be one of the complications associated with total thyroid removal due to cancer or benign goitre. Purpose The paper aimed to evaluate the prevalence of hypoparathyroidism in patients operated on due to thyroid cancer and nodular goitre, including procedures performed between January 2015 and March 2019 at the Department of Oncological Surgery of the Medical University of Silesia in Katowice. Material and methods The studied group consisted of 595 patients operated on due to cancer and benign nodular goitres. Calcium and phosphate metabolism was assessed using PTH and ionised calcium tests four hours after the surgery. Ionised calcium was checked 30 days after the procedure. Patients who had borderline or below-normal PTH levels in the postoperative period were also subjected to PTH testing after 30 days. In patients with low PTH levels, supplementation with calcium and vitamin D3 was introduced after the surgery. Results Compared to patients operated on for benign goitres, persons diagnosed with cancer were significantly more likely to have PTH levels below 15 pg/ml and serum ionised calcium levels below 4 mg/dl after 30 days following the surgery. The recovery rate was 65.05% vs 82.6% (p < 0.003) and 64.2% vs 84.25% (p < 0.001). The results were similar among patients who underwent lateral and central lymphadenectomy – 33.3% vs 67.3% (p < 0.021) and 25.6% vs 67.6% (p < 0.018). In patients with mild goitres, no significant differences in the recovery rate were observed – 82.6% vs 92.8% (p < 0.327) and 84.25% vs 92.3% (p < 0.437). Patients in whom parathyroid glands were found in the postoperative material were significantly more likely to have decreased PTH and calcium levels after 30 days following the procedure. The recovery rate was 64.1% vs 78.9% (p < 0.027) and 58.06% vs 80.8% (p < 0.004). Conclusions Hypoparathyroidism is not an uncommon occurrence after thyroidectomy, even in facilities with extensive experience in this matter. Compared to total thyroid removal due to benign goitre, surgery for cancer with associated central and lateral lymphadenectomy significantly increases the risk of postoperative hypoparathyroidism. In surgical practice, it is reasonable to conduct routine Ca and PTH level checks after the procedure and 30 days following thyroidectomy

Alarmins MRP8 and MRP14 Induce Stress Tolerance in Phagocytes under Sterile Inflammatory Conditions

Hyporesponsiveness by phagocytes is a well-known phenomenon in sepsis that is frequently induced by low-dose endotoxin stimulation of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) but can also be found under sterile inflammatory conditions. We now demonstrate that the endogenous alarmins MRP8 and MRP14 induce phagocyte hyporesponsiveness via chromatin modifications in a TLR4-dependent manner that results in enhanced survival to septic shock in mice. During sterile inflammation, polytrauma and burn trauma patients initially present with high serum concentrations of myeloid-related proteins (MRPs). Human neonatal phagocytes are primed for hyporesponsiveness by increased peripartal MRP concentrations, which was confirmed in murine neonatal endotoxinemia in wild-type and MRP14(-/-) mice. Our data therefore indicate that alarmin-triggered phagocyte tolerance represents a regulatory mechanism for the susceptibility of neonates during systemic infections and sterile inflammation