The role of glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3) in cancer with emphasis on ovarian cancer development and progression: A comprehensive review

Glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3) is a monomeric serine-threonine kinase discovered in 1980 in a rat skeletal muscle. It has been involved in various cellular processes including embryogenesis, immune response, inflammation, apoptosis, autophagy, wound healing, neurodegener-ation, and carcinogenesis. GSK3 exists in two different isoforms, GSK3α and GSK3β, both containing seven antiparallel beta-plates, a short linking part and an alpha helix, but coded by different genes and variously expressed in human tissues. In the current review, we comprehen-sively appraise the current literature on the role of GSK3 in various cancers with emphasis on ovarian carcinoma. Our findings indicate that the role of GSK3 in ovarian cancer development cannot be decisively determined as the currently available data support both prooncogenic and tumor-suppressive effects. Likewise, the clinical impact of GSK3 expression on ovarian cancer patients and its potential therapeutic implications are also limited. Further studies are needed to fully elucidate the pathophysiological and clinical implications of GSK3 activity in ovarian cancer.This publication was co-financed by the European Union through the Europe Regional Development Fund, Operational Programme Competitiveness and Cohesion, under grant agreement No. KK.01.1.1.01.0008, Reproductive and Regenerative Medicine-Exploring New Platforms and Potentials.This publication was co-financed by the European Union through the Europe Regional Development Fund, Operational Programme Competitiveness and Cohesion, under grant agreement No. KK.01.1.1.01.0008, Reproductive and Regenerative Medicine-Exploring New Platforms and Potentials.Scopu

The role of glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3) in cancer with emphasis on ovarian cancer development and progression: A comprehensive review

Glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3) is a monomeric serine-threonine kinase discovered in 1980 in a rat skeletal muscle. It has been involved in various cellular processes including embryogenesis, immune response, inflammation, apoptosis, autophagy, wound healing, neurodegeneration, and carcinogenesis. GSK3 exists in two different isoforms, GSK3α and GSK3β, both containing seven antiparallel beta-plates, a short linking part and an alpha helix, but coded by different genes and variously expressed in human tissues. In the current review, we comprehensively appraise the current literature on the role of GSK3 in various cancers with emphasis on ovarian carcinoma. Our findings indicate that the role of GSK3 in ovarian cancer development cannot be decisively determined as the currently available data support both prooncogenic and tumor-suppressive effects. Likewise, the clinical impact of GSK3 expression on ovarian cancer patients and its potential therapeutic implications are also limited. Further studies are needed to fully elucidate the pathophysiological and clinical implications of GSK3 activity in ovarian cancer

Modification of conservative treatment of heterotopic cervical pregnancy by Foley catheter balloon fixation with cerclage sutures at the level of the external cervical os: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Conservative treatment of a heterotopic cervical pregnancy was performed with a modification of the fixation of a Foley catheter at the level of the external cervical os, followed by the ligature of the descending cervical branches of the uterine arteries and systemic methotrexate application.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>A 34-year-old Caucasian woman was diagnosed with double gestation after 6 weeks of <it>in vitro </it>fertilization treatment. A gynecological examination and color Doppler ultrasound scan revealed intra-uterine and cervical gestational sacs both containing live fetuses. A Foley catheter balloon was inserted into the cervical canal, inflated and fixed by a cerclage suture at the level of the external cervical os, followed by ligation of the descending cervical branches of the uterine arteries. Systemic methotrexate was applied. Three days after removal of the Foley catheter, an evacuation of the intra-uterine gestational sac was performed. Hemorrhage from the implantation site was controlled immediately and a pregnancy termination was successfully performed. The procedure was uneventful and our patient was discharged with a preserved uterus.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Conservative treatment of cervical pregnancy using a Foley catheter balloon is more efficacious if the Foley catheter balloon is attached in the correct position with a cerclage suture at the level of the external os, followed by ligation of the descending cervical branches of the uterine arteries, thereby exerting maximal pressure on the bleeding vessels.</p

When does a fetus become a person?

One of the most controversial questions in modern medicine, bioethics and science is dilemma about the fetus being a person. To discuss that questionone must first define personality. The list of necessary conditions for beinga person includes features like intelligence, self-awareness, self controletc. The infrastructures of those abilities reside in the cortex that is well developedfrom the 30th week of gestation. From that point of view, every neonateor fetus during the third trimester of gestation is a person, in a moral and ethical context. On the other hand, legal capacity is the ability of a natural person to enjoy rights and obligations. The human being becomes a natural person at the moment of birth. If human life is worth being protected by law only after delivery, for what reason does perinatology exist and perinatologists fight for? Lots of medical treatments, interventions and even surgeries during pregnancy are done for the benefit of the unborn, and not due to the mother’s health. From the legal perspective, it is better for a child to be born prematurely than at the right time, since from the moment of birth the child’s life is protected by law. From the medical point of view, this must seem absurd, as the best environment for a child to develop is the mother’s womb during all nine months of the pregnancy. All the known evidence support the human fetus being a true ontological human individual and consequently a human person in fact if not in law

When does a fetus become a person?

One of the most controversial questions in modern medicine, bioethics and science is dilemma about the fetus being a person. To discuss that questionone must first define personality. The list of necessary conditions for beinga person includes features like intelligence, self-awareness, self controletc. The infrastructures of those abilities reside in the cortex that is well developedfrom the 30th week of gestation. From that point of view, every neonateor fetus during the third trimester of gestation is a person, in a moral and ethical context. On the other hand, legal capacity is the ability of a natural person to enjoy rights and obligations. The human being becomes a natural person at the moment of birth. If human life is worth being protected by law only after delivery, for what reason does perinatology exist and perinatologists fight for? Lots of medical treatments, interventions and even surgeries during pregnancy are done for the benefit of the unborn, and not due to the mother’s health. From the legal perspective, it is better for a child to be born prematurely than at the right time, since from the moment of birth the child’s life is protected by law. From the medical point of view, this must seem absurd, as the best environment for a child to develop is the mother’s womb during all nine months of the pregnancy. All the known evidence support the human fetus being a true ontological human individual and consequently a human person in fact if not in law

The potential of 4D sonography in the assessment of fetal neurobehavior – multicentric study in high-risk pregnancies

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