A fungal spore calendar for the atmosphere of Szczecin, Poland

A calendar of fungal spore seasons for Szczecin during 2013 was established using a 7-day volumetric Lanzoni trap. Thirty-five spore taxa were identified. The dominant spore types detected were Cladosporium (66%), Didymella (29%), Alternaria (1.67%), and Leptosphaeria type (1.21%). The spores were present throughout the study year. However, there was a wide daily fluctuation in the concentration values with a tendency towards an increase during the summer months. Seasonally, the spore levels of Cladosporium, Alternaria, and Leptosphaeria type peaked in summer (June–September), while those of Didymella mainly in July. Most of the other spore types had the highest concentrations in summer but occurred in the air from spring to late fall

Mice Overexpressing Both Non-Mutated Human SOD1 and Mutated SOD1G93A Genes: A Competent Experimental Model for Studying Iron Metabolism in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized by degeneration and loss of motor neurons in the spinal cord, brainstem and motor cortex. Up to 10% of ALS cases are inherited (familial, fALS) and associated with mutations, frequently in the superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) gene. Rodent transgenic models of ALS are often used to elucidate a complex pathogenesis of this disease. Of importance, both ALS patients and animals carrying mutated human SOD1 gene show symptoms of oxidative stress and iron metabolism misregulation. The aim of our study was to characterize changes in iron metabolism in one of the most commonly used models of ALS – transgenic mice overexpressing human mutated SOD1G93A gene. We analyzed the expression of iron-related genes in asymptomatic, 2-month old and symptomatic, 4-month old SOD1G93A mice. In parallel, respective age-matched mice overexpressing human non-mutated SOD1 transgene and control mice were analyzed. We demonstrate that the overexpression of both SOD1 and SOD1G93A genes account for a substantial increase in SOD1 protein levels and activity in selected tissues and that not all the changes in iron metabolism genes expression are specific for the overexpression of the mutated form of SOD1

Cladosporium spores in the air of selected Polish cities in 2015

The aim of the study was to compare the concentration of Cladosporium spores in the cities of Katowice, Cracow, Olsztyn, Piotrkow Trybunalski, Szczecin, Warsaw, and Zielona Gora in 2015. Measurements were performed by the volumetric method (Burkard and Lanzoni pollen and spores sampler). Cladosporium season was defined as the period in which 90% of the annual total catch occurred. The Cladosporium season started first in Zielona Gora on the 27th April and in the other cities it started during the next days. The latest the fungal season started in Szczecin. The number of days with spores count above 2800 spores in 1 m3 ranged from 15 to 63

Reduced expression of innate immunity-related genes in lymph node metastases of luminal breast cancer patients

Immune system plays a dual role in cancer by either targeting or supporting neoplastic cells at various stages of disease, including metastasis. Yet, the exact immune-related transcriptome profiles of primary tumours (PT) and lymph node metastases (LNM) and their evolution during luminal breast cancer (BCa) dissemination remain undiscovered. In order to identify the immune-related transcriptome changes that accompany lymphatic spread, we analysed PT-LNM pairs of luminal BCa using NanoString technology. Decrease in complement C3—one of the top-downregulated genes, in LNM was validated at the protein level using immunohistochemistry. Thirty-three of 360 analysed genes were downregulated (9%), whereas only 3 (0.8%) upregulated in LNM when compared to the corresponding PT. In LNM, reduced expression was observed in genes related to innate immunity, particularly to the complement system (C1QB, C1S, C1R, C4B, CFB, C3, SERPING1 and C3AR1). In validation cohort, complement C3 protein was less frequently expressed in LNM than in PT and it was associated with worse prognosis. To conclude, local expression of the complement system components declines during lymphatic spread of non-metastatic luminal BCa, whilst further reduction of tumoral complement C3 in LNM is indicative for poor survival. This points to context-dependent role of complement C3 in BCa dissemination.publishedVersio

The potential of naproxen and its derivatives in inhibiting the processes of initiation, promotion and progression of cancerogenesis

Introduction: Naproxen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug mainly used to treatinflammation, pain, and fever of various etiology. Scientific studies conducted over the lastfive years have shown, that its introduction significantly influenced neoplastic processes inthe in vitro and in vivo studies carried out within cell cultures and animal models.Aim of the study: Our aim was to review the theses, extract and present the influence ofnaproxen and its derivatives in signaling pathways involved in the initiation, promotion andprogression of cancer as well as to indicate potential directions for further research.Methods and materials: We have reviewed the theses in the bibliographic PubMed database,using the keywords: „naproxen”; „naproxen derivatives”; „cancer”; „cancer treatment”„cancer prevention”.Results: In addition to the well-known mechanism of inhibiting COX, there are scientificproofs of the activity of naproxen against other molecules, such as PI3-K(phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase), GSK-3β (glycogen synthase kinase-3β), NFκB (nucleartranscription factor κB), MMP ( metalloproteinases), NO (nitric oxide) involved in neoplasticprocesses.Conclusion: Conclusions drawn from the analysis of specific molecular activities of naproxenand its derivatives against neoplastic processes are promising. However, more preclinicalresearch is needed to confirm the effectiveness, practical applicability and to assess the sideeffects of the therapy, before starting the clinical trials in humans

Palliative cancer patients pain reduction methods during opioid epidemic era

Introduction: Opioids are the most commonly used medication in palliative cancer pain treatment due to their proven effectiveness. However, modern anti-pain treatment concentrates not only on analgesics, but simultaneously on the detection of conditions affecting and intensifying pain sensation. Many studies have shown potential of other, non-opioidal palliative cancer pain treatment with additional positive effect on patient’s general quality of life. Aim of the study: The purpose of our review is to introduce the issue of the use of opioids and draw attention to other non-opioidal pain reduction methods as well as to indicate directions for further potential researches. Methods and materials:  We have reviewed the literature available in the PubMed, Google Scholar, Science Direct database using the keywords: „cancer patients and opioids”; „pain and cancer”; „chronic pain”; „palliative cancer”. We excluded abstracts, comments, and non–English language articles. Results: The methods outlined in this review will not affect pain reduction to the same extent as opioids, but they offer a chance to reduce it to a level that allows patients to maintain a normal life. In the light of opioid epidemic era literature shows new approaches to treating pain such as analgesics, including antidepressants, anticonvulsants, Vitamins, cannabis and nonpharmacological methods and showing their potential for wider use in palliative cancer patients treatment. Conclusion: Besides opioids, there are many factors that affect pain reduction, however, their analgesic potential require additional studies on larger groups of patients

Effect of fasting mimicking diet on cardiovascular risk factors

Introduction: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remain major problem in modern medicine. According to World Health Organization they are the leading cause of death. Despite increased awareness about impact of healthy lifestyle,  mortality still remains on high level. Cardiovascular diseases requires multidisciplinary treatment. One of those aspects is determinate an appropriate diet.   Purpose: The aim of this systemic review is to collect, evaluate and summarize the information on fasting mimicking diets and it is effect on therapy and prevention in cardiovascular diseases. Material and methods: Analysis and review of available literature. The search of articles in popular scientific databases such as PubMed, Google Schoolar WHO database State of knowledge: Risky behavior include unhealthy diet, tobacco use, physical inactivity, alcohol abuse. Those behaves lead obesity, raised blood pressure, hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia. Those factors have significant impact on the increase of cardiovascular diseases in the population. Fasting and calorie restriction are becoming more and more popular. Results: Many studies indicate that fasting mimicking diet can prevent from excessive fat accumulation, obesity, diabetes, dyslipidemia, hypertension As a result it decreases probability of cardiovascular diseases. Those diets not only support weight loss, but also can help maintain good health  and extend lifespan

DAA - directly acting antivirals - as a new, more efficient solution of the chronic hepatitis C treatment and theirs various application.

Introduction Cirrhosis is a condition in which the liver becomes fibrotic following damage to the liver and transforms the architecture of the organ into regenerative nodules. The disease is caused 30% by HCV infection, resulting in a risk of severe complications and death. Since the use of direct-acting antivirals ( DAAs) for the treatment of chronic HCV, sustained virological response (SVR) rates have begun to increase, even in treatment-resistant cases. Studies have also shown that DAAs may have applications in other viral diseases and even In the treatment of breast cancer.   Aim of the study The purpouse of our study was to review scientific articles to show the efficiency and potential use of DAAs in the treatment of chronic HCV, and to identify possible directions for further research.   Methods and materials We reviewed the English literature in the PubMed, using the key words: "simeprevir" ; "sofosbuvir" ; "velpatasvir" ; "telaprevir" ; "chronic hepatitis C".   Results Studies have shown that the therapeutic regimens currently being designed with (DAAs) offer the possibility of treating almost the entire population with hepatitis C, while reducing side effects of interferon therapy such as increased AST, ALT activities, diarrhoea, vomiting, nausea and  depression. They remain effective and tolerable, regardless of the stage of cirrhosis and associated serious co-morbidities. Analysis of studiem shows, that DAAs also show efficacy against other disease such as breast cancer, MRSA infections, SARS-CoV-2 or flavivirus infection.   Conclusion All (DAAs) are effective in the treatment of patients with HCV, including cirrhosis. They result in significant improvements in prognosis and clinical outcomes. Promising results have been obtained in published data on the effect of DAAs against disease entities other than HCV, suggesting the rationale for future clinical trials to further the hypothesis of the increased potential of these drugs