Polymorphisms of glutathione-S-transferase M1, T1, P1 and the risk of prostate cancer: a case-control study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>It has been suggested that polymorphisms in glutathione-<it>S</it>-transferases (GST) could predispose to prostate cancer through a heritable deficiency in detoxification pathways for environmental carcinogens. Yet, studies linking <it>GST </it>polymorphism and prostate cancer have so far failed to unambiguously establish this relation in patients. A retrospective study on healthy, unrelated subjects was conducted in order to estimate the population <it>GST </it>genotype frequencies in the Slovak population of men and compare our results with already published data (GSEC project-Genetic Susceptibility to Environmental Carcinogens). A further aim of the study was to evaluate polymorphisms in <it>GST </it>also in patients with prostate cancer in order to compare the evaluated proportions with those found in the control subjects.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We determined the <it>GST </it>genotypes in 228 healthy, unrelated subjects who attended regular prostate cancer screening between May 2005 and June 2007 and in 129 histologically verified prostate cancer patients. Analysis for the <it>GST </it>gene polymorphisms was performed by PCR and PCR-RFLP.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We found that the <it>GST </it>frequencies are not significantly different from those estimated in a European multicentre study or from the results published by another group in Slovakia. Our results suggest that <it>Val/Val </it>genotype of <it>GSTP1 </it>gene could modulate the risk of prostate cancer, even if this association did not reach statistical significance. We did not observe significantly different crude rates of the <it>GSTM1 </it>and <it>GSTT1 </it>null genotypes in the men diagnosed with prostate cancer and those in the control group.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Understanding the contribution of <it>GST </it>gene polymorphisms and their interactions with other relevant factors may improve screening diagnostic assays for prostate cancer. We therefore discuss issues of study feasibility, study design, and statistical power, which should be taken into account in planning further trials.</p

Popravek opisa imena Prenantho purpurei-Coryletum avellanae (Hacquetia 10/2: 149–170, 2011)

To the validation of the name Prenantho purpurei-Coryletum avellanaePopravek opisa imena Prenantho purpurei-Coryletum avellanae (Hacquetia 10/2: 149–170, 2011

Improving quality of life in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer: the role of androgen receptor axis-targeted agents

Androgen receptor axis-targeted agents (ARTAs), specifically enzalutamide and abiraterone acetate, have significantly extended the survival of men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC), making them the standard of care for mCRPC. In addition, the impact of both drugs on the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) represents an important therapeutic objective of mCRPC patients. This article aimed to review clinical evidence of HRQoL in mCRPC men treated with abiraterone acetate and enzalutamide and identify their potential benefits and correlation with overall survival or disease progression based on a literature search of randomized clinical trials, studies from real clinical practice and professional guidelines up to October 2022. The synthesized evidence showed that HRQoL of both novel hormonal therapies (NHTs) was evaluated as a secondary endpoint in pivotal trials. The results revealed that these novel agents might improve the HRQoL of mCRPC patients. However, it was difficult to compare the results between trials due to inconsistencies in trial designs and instruments. Correlation tests showed a positive correlation with HRQoL and clinical efficacy outcomes. Patient perspective was assessed only in a few comparative trials. In conclusion, both abiraterone acetate and enzalutamide improved the HRQoL of mCRPC patients. Nevertheless, further research is warranted as there was a limited number of head-to-head trials directly comparing the overall effects of ARTAs for mCRPC

Request (4) and Proposal (28): to conserve the name Molinio arundinaceae-Quercetum roboris Neuhäusl et Neuhäuslová-Novotná 1967

We propose (i) to select Quercus robur as the name-giving taxon of the associations Molinio arundinaceae-Quercetum Samek 1962 and Molinio arundinaceae-Quercetum Neuhäusl et Neuhäuslová-Novotná 1967 and (ii) to conserve the younger name Molinio arundinaceae-Quercetum roboris Neuhäusl et Neuhäuslová-Novotná 1967, representing hygrophytic Central European acidophilous oak forests (Quercion roboris alliance). (28) Molinio arundinaceae-Quercetum Neuhäusl et Neuhäuslová-Novotná 1967: 17–23, table 2. Typus: Neuhäusl and Neuhäuslová-Novotná (1967), table 2, rel. 11 (lectotypus; Pallas 1996: 51). (H) Molinio arundinaceae-Quercetum Samek 1962: 134–135, table V on p. 156–160. Typus: Samek (1962), Table V, rel. 28 (lectotypus; Moravec 1998: 33). Taxonomic reference: Marhold et al. (1998). Abbreviations: ICPN = International Code of Phytosociological Nomenclature

Sintaksonomija in nomenklatura alpinskih resav (razred Loiseleurio-Vaccinietea) v Zahodnih Karpatih

The article refers to the syntaxonomical revision of plant communities of the class Loiseleurio-Vaccinietea from the territory of the Western Carpathians. This class relates to alpine and subalpine heathlands of Eurasia mountain systems dominated by ericaceous species. All available relevés were analysed using the numerical approach. The floristic and ecological characteristics of the associations are given, and the relationships with allied syntaxa are discussed. Analysed communities are divided into two alliances, the Loiseleurio-Vaccinion, and the Vaccinion myrtilli. Within these alliances, a new association (Sphagno capillifolii-Empetretum nigri), and subassociations (Cetrario islandicae-Vaccinietum vitis-idaeae typicum and empetretosum nigri, Cetrario nivalis-Vaccinietum gaultherioidis typicum and empetretosum nigri, Hylocomio splendentis-Vaccinietum vitis-idaeae vaccinietosum gaultherioidis and dianthetosum nitidi, Sphagno capillifolii-Empetretum nigri typicum and luzuletosum alpinopilosae) are described. The authors also highlight far less known valid names of the associations Cetrario islandicae-Vaccinietum vitis-idaeae and Avenastro versicoloris-Vaccinietum myrtilli (incl. Vaccinietum myrtilli), validate the names of the associations Cetrario nivalis- Vaccinietum gaultherioidis and Junco trifidi-Callunetum, and propose a new name for the association Vaccinio-Empetretum nigri on calcareous bedrocks (Hylocomio splendentis-Vaccinietum vitis-idaeae).V članku je predstavljena sintaksonomska revizija rastlinskih združb razreda Loiseleurio-Vaccinietea z območja Zahodnih Karpatov. Razred združuje alpinske in subalpinske resave evroazijskega gorskega sistema, v katerih dominirajo erikoidne vrste. Za analizo popisnega gradiva so avtorji uporabili numeričen pristop. Podali so floristične in ekološke značilnosti asociacij in obravnavali razmerje s sorodnimi sintaksoni. Obravnavane združbe so razdelili v dve zvezi Loiseleurio-Vaccinion in Vaccinion myrtilli. Opisali so novo asociacijo (Sphagno capillifolii-Empetretum nigri) in subasociacije (Cetrario islandicae-Vaccinietum vitis-idaeae typicum and empetretosum nigri, Cetrario nivalis-Vaccinietum gaultherioidis typicum in empetretosum nigri, Hylocomio splendentis-Vaccinietum vitis-idaeae vaccinietosum gaultherioidis in dianthetosum nitidi, Sphagno capillifolii- Empetretum nigri typicum in luzuletosum alpinopilosae. Avtorji so opozorili na manj znana veljavna imena asociacij Cetrario islandicae-Vaccinietum vitis-idaeae in Avenastro versicoloris-Vaccinietum myrtilli (incl. Vaccinietum myrtilli), potrdili so veljavnost imen asociacij Cetrario nivalis-Vaccinietum gaultherioidis in Junco trifidi-Callunetum in predlagali novo ime za asociacijo Vaccinio-Empetretum nigri na apnenčastih skalah (Hylocomio splendentis-Vaccinietum vitis-idaeae)

Popravki opisov nekaterih sintaksonov razreda Loiseleurio-Vaccinietea iz zahodnih Karpatov objavljenih v reviji Hacquetia 2006, 5/1: 37–71

In this note, we would like to correct some nomenclatural inexactitudes published in the article by ŠIBÍK et al. (2006).Popravki opisov nekaterih sintaksonov razreda Loiseleurio-Vaccinietea iz zahodnih Karpatov objavljenih v reviji Hacquetia 2006, 5/1: 37–7

Case Study: Testing the Overall Efficiency of Equipment in the Production Process in TX Plant Simulation Software

The article deals with a widely used method of measuring the overall efficiency of equipment (OEE), which in combination with technologies and software tools is gaining in importance. The overall efficiency of OEE equipment is a key performance metric for machines and equipment to identify hidden capacities and increase production productivity. The intensification of Industry 4.0 in traditional manufacturing companies supports and creates the conditions for their transformation into a smart factory. The integration of intelligent machines and devices with complex human-machine communication network systems requires a new direction in measuring and increasing OEE. Mass customization, resp. personalization of production raises a high need to monitor, improve and further maintain productivity. The aim of the article is to create a simulation model of the production process and test the energy consumption of selected equipment using TX Plant Simulation software with a proposal of measures to increase the OEE of the company