Note on log-periodic description of 2008 financial crash

We analyze the financial crash in 2008 for different financial markets from the point of view of log-periodic function model. In particular, we consider Dow Jones index, DAX index and Hang Seng index. We shortly discuss the possible relation of the theory of critical phenomena in physics to financial markets.Comment: 13 pages, 7 figures; references and few comments added

LAM cells biology and lymphangioleiomyomatosis

Progressive lung tissue destruction in lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) occurs as a result of excessive proliferation of LAM cells caused by a mutation in one of the tuberous sclerosis complex suppressor genes, TSC1 or TSC2. These cells show constitutive activation of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway and many of the mTOR-related kinases such as Akt, Erk, S6K1 and S6. Phenotype of LAM cells differs considerably depending on their microenvironment. LAM cells show differences in morphology, size and expression of various factors depending on their location in the tumor or body fluids. The presence of LAM cells in blood, urine, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), and chyle proves their ability to metastasis. Antigens of smooth muscle cells are expressed in most LAM cells. Some of these cells are immunoreactive with HMB-45 antibody, which is used for the immunohistochemical diagnosis of LAM. Receptors for estrogen and progesterone may also be expressed in these cells, which probably is associated with the fact that LAM occurs almost exclusively in women of childbearing age. LAM cells via increased production of metalloproteinases are involved in the destruction of the extracellular matrix, as well as the remodeling and damage of lung tissue. Sporadic LAM occurs extremely rarely. Therefore a good experimental model of this disease is necessary. To date, several animal and human cell lines, which both genetically and phenotypically resemble LAM cells, have been obtained. These cell lines, derived from LAM nodule or an angiomyolipoma, are usually characterized by a mutation of the TSC2 gene, expression of smooth muscle cell antigens such as a-smooth muscle actin (aSMA) or S6K1 and S6 protein hyperphosphorylation. Presently, there is no commercially available cell line representing a good model of LAM. A better understanding of LAM cell biology is necessary for creating a useful model in vitro for further exploration of both LAM pathomechanisms and more general mechanisms of carcinogenesis. (Folia Histochemica et Cytobiologica 2013, Vol. 51, No. 1, 1–10

Differentiated expression of estrogen receptors (ER) and progesterone receptors (PgR) in ductal breast cancers.

Contents of estrogen receptors (ER) and progesterone receptors (PgR) in cells of breast cancers represent strong predictive factors. The higher is the contents of ER and PgR in breast cancer, the higher is a probability of obtaining a response to hormonal therapy and prognosis for the patient is better. In a routine manner, all tumours of mammary gland are subjected to evaluation of ER and PgR expression using immunohistochemistry. Forty ductal breast cancers (pT2N0) were subjected to an immunohistochemical evaluation (IHC) aimed at detection of ER and PgR expression. From every tumour three samples were taken for immunohistochemical studies: the lateral one from the side of axilla (ER-1; PgR-1); the median one (ER-2; PgR-2) and the medial one from the side of sternum (ER-3; PgR-3). The levels of both ER and PgR expression proved to be highly differentiated between the medial zone of the tumour and its periphery. The distinct expression of ER and PgR in ductal breast cancers, dependent on evaluated zone of the tumour, confirms its heterogeneous character and exerts an effect on the type of applied treatment

Adventitial lymphatics of internal carotid artery in healthy and atherosclerotic vessels.

OBJECTIVESPresence of lymphatics in adventitia of major arteries remains controversial. Presence of lymphatics in adventitia of internal carotid artery was not documented and its relation to atherosclerosis was not studied. The aim of our study was to evaluate presence of lymphatic vessels in adventitia of internal carotid artery in healthy and atherosclerotic arteries.METHODSFragments of arterial wall of internal carotid artery were obtained during the surgical eversion endarterectomy in 15 patients with internal carotid artery stenosis and 2 healthy organ donors. 21 arteries were studied. Patients age ranged from 56 to 77 years. Fragments of arterial wall were embeded in paraffin. Lymphatics of arterial adventitia were visualized with immunohistochemistry using LYVE-1 and anty-podoplanin antibodies.RESULTSThe lymphatic vessels were visualized in adventitia of 20 carotid arteries. The serial sections have revealed that both LYVE-1 and podoplanin have identical specificity for lymphatic endothelium Number of lymphatics in adventitia significantly correlated with thickness of intima (

Fat, Sugar or Gut Microbiota in Reducing Cardiometabolic Risk: Does Diet Type Really Matter?

The incidence of cardiometabolic diseases, such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases, is constantly rising. Successful lifestyle changes may limit their incidence, which is why researchers focus on the role of nutrition in this context. The outcomes of studies carried out in past decades have influenced dietary guidelines, which primarily recommend reducing saturated fat as a therapeutic approach for cardiovascular disease prevention, while limiting the role of sugar due to its harmful effects. On the other hand, a low-carbohydrate diet (LCD) as a method of treatment remains controversial. A number of studies on the effect of LCDs on patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus proved that it is a safe and effective method of dietary management. As for the risk of cardiovascular diseases, the source of carbohydrates and fats corresponds with the mortality rate and protective effect of plant-derived components. Additionally, some recent studies have focused on the gut microbiota in relation to cardiometabolic diseases and diet as one of the leading factors affecting microbiota composition. Unfortunately, there is still no precise answer to the question of which a single nutrient plays the most important role in reducing cardiometabolic risk, and this review article presents the current state of the knowledge in this field

Metabolic-Associated Fatty Liver Disease (MAFLD), Diabetes, and Cardiovascular Disease: Associations with Fructose Metabolism and Gut Microbiota

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is an increasingly common condition associated with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Since systemic metabolic dysfunction underlies NAFLD, the current nomenclature has been revised, and the term metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) has been proposed. The new definition emphasizes the bidirectional relationships and increases awareness in looking for fatty liver disease among patients with T2DM and CVD or its risk factors, as well as looking for these diseases among patients with NAFLD. The most recommended treatment method of NAFLD is lifestyle changes, including dietary fructose limitation, although other treatment methods of NAFLD have recently emerged and are being studied. Given the focus on the liver–gut axis targeting, bacteria may also be a future aim of NAFLD treatment given the microbiome signatures discriminating healthy individuals from those with NAFLD. In this review article, we will provide an overview of the associations of fructose consumption, gut microbiota, diabetes, and CVD in patients with NAFLD

Bisphenol A-glycidyl methacrylate induces a broad spectrum of DNA damage in human lymphocytes

Bisphenol A-glycidyl methacrylate (BisGMA) is monomer of dental filling composites, which can be released from these materials and cause adverse biologic effects in human cells. In the present work, we investigated genotoxic effect of BisGMA on human lymphocytes and human acute lymphoblastic leukemia cell line (CCRF-CEM) cells. Our results indicate that BisGMA is genotoxic for human lymphocytes. The compound induced DNA damage evaluated by the alkaline, neutral, and pH 12.1 version of the comet assay. This damage included oxidative modifications of the DNA bases, as checked by DNA repair enzymes EndoIII and Fpg, alkali-labile sites and DNA double-strand breaks. BisGMA induced DNA-strand breaks in the isolated plasmid. Lymphocytes incubated with BisGMA at 1 mM were able to remove about 50% of DNA damage during 120-min repair incubation. The monomer at 1 mM evoked a delay of the cell cycle in the S phase in CCRF-CEM cells. The experiment with spin trap—DMPO demonstrated that BisGMA induced reactive oxygen species, which were able to damage DNA. BisGMA is able to induce a broad spectrum of DNA damage including severe DNA double-strand breaks, which can be responsible for a delay of the cell cycle in the S phase

Kompleksowa terapia przeciwobrzękowa w leczeniu masywnego pierwotnego obrzęku limfatycznego kończyny dolnej.

The decongestive lymphatic therapy is recommended by the International Society of Lymphology, the International Union of Phlebology and the International Lymphoedema Framework as the conservative treatment of choice in the lymphedema patients. This method enables effective treatment even in patients with difficult and complicated lymphedema. We present a case of a young man with a massive, primary right lower limb lymphedema, effectively treated with the DLT.Kompleksowa terapia przeciwobrzękowa jest zalecana jako leczenie z wyboru u pacjentów z obrzękiem limfatycznym przez Międzynarodowe Towarzystwo Lymphologiczne (ISL), Mędzynarodową Unię Flebologii (UIP) oraz Międzynarodową Grupę do spraw leczenia Obrzęku Limfatycznego (ILF). Kompleksowe leczenie przeciwobrzękowe jest skuteczne w leczeniu pacjentów z trudnym i powikłanym obrzękiem limfatycznym. Przedstawiamy przypadek młodego mężczyzny, z pierwotnym obrzękiem limfatycznym kończyny dolnej prawej, skutecznie leczonego kompleksową terapią przeciwobrzękową