miR-125b-5p, miR-155-3p, and miR-214-5p and target E2F2 gene in oral squamous cell carcinoma

It is known that E2F2 (E2F transcription factor 2) plays an important role as controller in the cell cycle. This study aimed to analyse the expression of the E2F2 gene and E2F2 protein and demonstrate E2F2 target microRNAs (miRNAs) candidates (miR-125b-5p, miR-155-3p, and miR-214-5p) in oral squamous cell carcinoma tumour and margin samples. The study group consisted 50 patients. The E2F2 gene and miRNAs expression levels were assessed by qPCR, while the E2F2 protein was assessed by ELISA. When analysing the effect of miRNAs expression on E2F2 gene expression and E2F2 protein level, we observed no statistically significant correlations. miR-125b-5p was downregulated, while miR-155-3p, and miR-214-5p were upregulated in tumour samples compared to margin. We observed a difference between the miR-125b-5p expression level in smokers and non-smokers in margin samples. Furthermore, HPV-positive individuals had a significantly higher miR-125b-5p and miR-214-5p expression level compared to HPV-negative patients in tumour samples. The study result showed that the E2F2 gene is not the target for analysed miRNAs in OSCC. Moreover, miR-155-3p and miR-125b-5p could play roles in the pathogenesis of OSCC. A differential expression of the analysed miRNAs was observed in response to tobacco smoke and HPV status

miR-125b-5p, miR-155-3p, and miR-214-5p and target E2F2 gene in oral squamous cell carcinoma

It is known that E2F2 (E2F transcription factor 2) plays an important role as controller in the cell cycle. This study aimed to analyse the expression of the E2F2 gene and E2F2 protein and demonstrate E2F2 target microRNAs (miRNAs) candidates (miR-125b-5p, miR-155-3p, and miR-214-5p) in oral squamous cell carcinoma tumour and margin samples. The study group consisted 50 patients. The E2F2 gene and miRNAs expression levels were assessed by qPCR, while the E2F2 protein was assessed by ELISA. When analysing the effect of miRNAs expression on E2F2 gene expression and E2F2 protein level, we observed no statistically significant correlations. miR-125b-5p was downregulated, while miR-155-3p, and miR-214-5p were upregulated in tumour samples compared to margin. We observed a difference between the miR-125b-5p expression level in smokers and non-smokers in margin samples. Furthermore, HPV-positive individuals had a significantly higher miR-125b-5p and miR-214-5p expression level compared to HPV-negative patients in tumour samples. The study result showed that the E2F2 gene is not the target for analysed miRNAs in OSCC. Moreover, miR-155-3p and miR-125b-5p could play roles in the pathogenesis of OSCC. A differential expression of the analysed miRNAs was observed in response to tobacco smoke and HPV status

RT-PCR Detection of SARS-CoV-2 among Individuals from the Upper Silesian Region—Analysis of 108,516 Tests

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic triggered by the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has left a huge mark on everyday lives, introducing restrictions and plunging the global economy. This study aimed to analyze the available epidemiological data from the register of one of the largest laboratories testing for SARS-CoV-2 in the Silesian voivodship of Poland. Methods: This analysis is based upon the epidemiological records collected between 30 March 2020, and 30 April 2021, by the Silesian Park of Medical Technology Kardio-Med Silesia (Zabrze, Poland). In addition, we performed SARS-CoV-2 variant detection in samples from patients reinfected with SARS-CoV-2. Results: Our results confirm that SARS-CoV-2 infections are more common in urban areas. Laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases represent 13.21% of all RT-PCR test results during the 13 months of our laboratory diagnostics for SARS-CoV-2 infections. Detection of SARS-CoV-2 variants in samples of potentially reinfected patients showed discrepancies in the results. Conclusions: Due to the higher risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection among the Upper Silesian population, the region is at greater risk of deteriorating economic situation and healthcare as compared to other areas of Poland. RT-PCR methods are inexpensive and suitable for large-scale screening, but they can be untrustworthy so detection of SARS-CoV-2 variants in samples should be confirmed by sequencing

The relationship between chemerin, bone metabolism, the RANKL/RANK/OPG system, and bone mineral density in girls with anorexia nervosa

Introduction: Based on recent studies in humans, chemerin has been classified as an adipokine that might be associated with osteoporosis and BMD. Bone loss is common in adolescents with anorexia nervosa (AN). Moreover, dysfunction in the production of chemerin has also been shown. Therefore, we carried out a comparative analysis between chemerin, bone metabolism, the RANKL/RANK/OPG system, and BMD in girls with AN. Material and methods: Plasma chemerin, OC, CTx, OPG, and sRANKL were determined by ELISA in 75 girls with AN aged 12.6-17.8 years. BMD was assessed by DXA and expressed as Z-score according to the lumbar spine (s) and total body (TB) sites. According to the s-BMD- and TB-BMD Z-score, girls with AN were divided into two subgroups with parallel analyses used: normal (Z-score > –2.0) and low (Z-score ≤ –2.0) s-BMD, and normal (Z-score > –2.0) and low (Z-score ≤ –2.0) TB-BMD. Results: Mean OC and the OPG/sRANKL ratio were markedly lower in the low s-BMD subgroup compared to the normal s-BMD subgroup. The s-Z-score values (both low and normal) correlated significantly and positively with the OPG/sRANKL ratio. Only in the low s-BMD subgroup did chemerin correlate significantly and positively with all nutritional indices and the OPG/sRANKL ratio. In the low TB-BMD subgroup the mean OC and the OPG/sRANKL ratio were lower than in the normal TB-BMD subgroup. The TB-Z-score values (both normal and low) correlated significantly and positively with all nutritional indices and the OPG/sRANKL ratio. The low TB-Z-score values correlated significantly and positively also with chemerin. In the low TB-BMD subgroup chemerin correlated significantly and positively with weight and BMI (expressed as absolute values), Cole index, the duration of the disease, and OPG/sRANKL ratio while its correlation with age was negative. Conclusions: Undernutrition and associated deficit of adipose tissue may result in inadequate chemerin production and skeletal disorders in girls with AN. Chemerin acts as a coordinator of the dynamic balance between bone metabolism and the OPG/RANK/RANKL system and, in turn, may contribute to the loss of bone mass in girls with AN. The cortical bone site seems to be more severely responsive to chemerin actions than the trabecular bone site

Concentration of Secreted Frizzled-Related Proteins (SFRPs) in Non-Small Cell Lung Carcinoma Subtypes—A Preliminary Study

Non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) is the most common lung cancer worldwide. Secreted frizzled-related proteins (SFRPs) are important tumour suppressors and antagonists of the Wnt signalling pathway, which is linked with cancer development. The aim of this study was to evaluate the concentrations of SFRP1, SFRP2, and SFRP5 proteins in tumour and non-tumour (NT) samples obtained from 65 patients with primary NSCLC. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure the concentrations of SFRPs in the tissue homogenates. A significantly lower SFRP2 protein concentration was found in the total NSCLC tumour samples and the following NSCLC subtypes: squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and adenocarcinoma (AC) (p > 0.05, p = 0.028 and p = 0.001, respectively). AC tumour samples had a higher SFRP1 level than NT samples (p = 0.022), while the highest SFRP1 concentration was found in NSCLC samples from patients with clinical stage T4 cancer. Increased concentrations of SFRP1 and SFRP5 were present in stage III NSCLC samples, while the tumour samples with high pleural invasion (PL2) had an increased level of SFRP2. The results from this study suggest that the tumour suppressor or oncogenic roles of SFRPs could be connected with the NSCLC subtype. The levels of SFRPs varied according to the clinicopathological parameters of NSCLC

The Prevalence of High- and Low-Risk Types of HPV in Patients with Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck, Patients with Chronic Tonsillitis, and Healthy Individuals Living in Poland

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a virus with the potential to infect human epithelial cells and an etiological agent of many types of cancer, including head and neck cancer. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of HPV infection in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), patients with chronic tonsillitis, and healthy individuals, and to establish high- and low-risk HPV genotypes in these groups. The objectives also comprised the delineation of the relationship between the infection with high- or low-risk HPV subtypes and clinicopathological and demographic characteristics of the study groups. This study was composed of 76 patients diagnosed with HNSCC, 71 patients with chronic tonsillitis, and 168 cases without either of these conditions (the control group). HPV detection and identification of subtypes were performed on isolated DNA using a test which allowed detection of 33 common high-risk and low-risk HPV subtypes. The prevalence of HPV infection was 42.1%, 25.4%, and 37.5% in HNSCC, chronic tonsillitis, and control groups, respectively. HPV 16 was the most prevalent genotype in all groups and the non-oncogenic HPV 43/44 was frequent in HNSCC patients. This analysis provides insight into the prevalence of oral oncogenic and non-oncogenic HPVs in patients with head and neck cancer, patients with chronic tonsillitis and healthy individuals, and leads to the conclusion that further investigations are warranted to examine a larger cohort of patients focusing on high- and low-risk HPV genotypes. Efforts should be focused on screening and prevention strategies, and therefore, it is important to introduce tools for effective detection of HPV genotypes. Furthermore, given the role of vaccines against oral HPV infection, our observations lead to the suggestion that HPV vaccination should be of considerable importance in public health strategies

Selected SNPs of <i>FCN2</i> Associated with Chronic Tonsillitis in the Polish Adult Population

Chronic tonsillitis is a problem related to bacterial and viral infections. Ficolins play a key role in the defence against various pathogens. In the present study, we investigated the associations between the selected single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the FCN2 gene and chronic tonsillitis in the Polish population. The study included 101 patients with chronic tonsillitis and 101 healthy individuals. The selected SNPs of FCN2 (rs3124953, rs17514136 and rs3124954) were genotyped using TaqMan SNP Genotyping Assays (Applied Biosystem, Foster City, CA, USA). The analysis of rs17514136 and rs3124953 showed no significant differences in genotype frequencies between the chronic tonsillitis patients and controls (p > 0.01). The CT genotype of rs3124954 was significantly more frequent, while the CC genotype was less frequent in chronic tonsillitis patients (p = 0.003 and p = 0.001, respectively). The frequency of the A/G/T haplotype (rs17514136/rs3124953/rs3124954) was significantly more common in chronic tonsillitis patients (p = 0.0011). Moreover, the FCN2 CT genotype of rs3124954 was associated with a higher risk of chronic tonsillitis, while the CC genotype of rs3124954 decreased this risk. Our findings demonstrate that FCN2 rs3124954 may be associated with chronic tonsillitis in the Polish adult population

Single Nucleotide Polymorphism and mRNA Expression of LTF in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is one of the most prevalent types of cancers worldwide. LTF arrests the G1 to S phase transition of the cell cycle. This study is the first that has aimed to determine the possible association between the LTF polymorphisms (rs2073495, rs1126478, rs34827868, rs1042073, rs4637321, rs2239692 and rs10865941), the mRNA LTF expression, the risk of OSCC and the influence on the TNM staging and histological grading. This study was composed of 176 Polish patients, including 88 subjects diagnosed with OSCC and 88 healthy individuals. QuantStudio Design and Analysis Software v1.5.1 was used for the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis and mRNA LTF expression. The G/G genotype of rs2073495 and the G/G genotype of rs4637321 were linked, with an increased risk of OSCC. There were no significant influences between the TNM staging and the histological grading and the LTF genotype. We found no statistically significant dissimilarities in the expression level of LTF genes in the tumour and margin specimens. No association was found between the gene expression levels, the other parameters or LTF polymorphisms in the tumour and margin samples. In conclusion, rs2073495 and rs4637321 polymorphisms may affect the risk of OSCC. These results should be validated on larger and different cohorts to better comprehend the role of the LTF gene in OSCC

Selected SNPs of FCN2 Associated with Chronic Tonsillitis in the Polish Adult Population

Chronic tonsillitis is a problem related to bacterial and viral infections. Ficolins play a key role in the defence against various pathogens. In the present study, we investigated the associations between the selected single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the FCN2 gene and chronic tonsillitis in the Polish population. The study included 101 patients with chronic tonsillitis and 101 healthy individuals. The selected SNPs of FCN2 (rs3124953, rs17514136 and rs3124954) were genotyped using TaqMan SNP Genotyping Assays (Applied Biosystem, Foster City, CA, USA). The analysis of rs17514136 and rs3124953 showed no significant differences in genotype frequencies between the chronic tonsillitis patients and controls (p &gt; 0.01). The CT genotype of rs3124954 was significantly more frequent, while the CC genotype was less frequent in chronic tonsillitis patients (p = 0.003 and p = 0.001, respectively). The frequency of the A/G/T haplotype (rs17514136/rs3124953/rs3124954) was significantly more common in chronic tonsillitis patients (p = 0.0011). Moreover, the FCN2 CT genotype of rs3124954 was associated with a higher risk of chronic tonsillitis, while the CC genotype of rs3124954 decreased this risk. Our findings demonstrate that FCN2 rs3124954 may be associated with chronic tonsillitis in the Polish adult population

Selected E2F2 Polymorphisms in Oral and Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) are subgroups of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. E2F Transcription Factor 2 (E2F2) could contribute to cancer development, because it plays a critical role in many cellular processes, including the cell cycle, proliferation, differentiation, DNA damage response, and cell death. In the current study, we assessed the associations of five E2F2 polymorphisms (rs6667575, rs3218121, rs3218211, rs3218148, and rs3218203) with OSCC and OPSCC and influence on the TNM staging and grading. This is the first such survey to concern the European population. The study included 94 primary tumour samples following surgical resection from patients, whereas the control group consisted of 99 healthy individuals. We tried a matching of cases and controls for age and sample size. DNA samples were genotyped by employing the 5′ nuclease assay for allelic discrimination. Our results suggested that the most significant difference between the control group and the cancer group was the A/G heterozygote for rs3218121. Samples containing this genotype were mostly found in the control group. In our samples, rs6667575, rs3218121, rs3218211, and rs3218148 polymorphisms may affect the course of OSCC and OPSCC, while rs3218203 was not associated with OSCC and OPSCC. However, further studies are warranted to confirm our findings