Self-assessment of the body and social competences in the group of mothers and their adult daughters

The main research objective of this study was seeking the predictive role of generalself-esteem and the body image in social competences among women and their biological daughters. As it stands, there is a lack of research showing the mothers and their adult daughters at thesame time in the context of measuring the same psychological variables, i.e., general self-esteem,self-assessment of the body and specific social competences in the scope of behaviour in intimatesituations, situations requiring social exposure and assertiveness. The study group comprised102 individuals; 51 pairs of mothers (40-64 years old, M=51.33) and their biological daughters (19-25 years old, M=22.49). The following instruments were used: The Rosenberg Self-esteemScale, the Contour Drawing Rating Scale, the Body Esteem Scale, the Social Competence Scale,categorized interview (to measure BMI and collect data describing the criteria for selection to theresearch group). The significance of the differences and the stepwise regression analysis wereperformed. The results of the study demonstrated the following to be significant predictors of socialcompetences in subjects: General self-esteem B=0.615, discrepancy real-obligatory body imageB=0.275 among daughters, and physical condition B=0.362 in mothers. The general self-esteemof daughters positively influences all verified types of their social competences (competences inintimate situations, in case of social exposure and ability to be assertive). However, it is thesignificant predictor only for mothers’ competences in dealing with situations of social exposure.Discrepancy real-obligatory body image: Seems to be the predictor of daughters’ social competencesconditioning effectiveness in situations requiring assertiveness. The physical condition amongmothers seems to be especially important for their assertiveness and effectiveness in intimatesituations. The conflict between the real and the ideal body image is also an important aspect inpredicting the assertiveness in the group of mothers. The study results can prove to be helpful increating preventive and educational programs focused on self-esteem and social competencies inwomen, including the context of the relation between mothers and their daughters

Proteus sp. – an opportunistic bacterial pathogen – classification, swarming growth, clinical significance and virulence factors

The genus Proteus belongs to the Enterobacteriaceae family, where it is placed in the tribe Proteeae, together with the genera Morganella and Providencia. Currently, the genus Proteus consists of five species: P. mirabilis, P. vulgaris, P. penneri, P. hauseri and P. myxofaciens, as well as three unnamed Proteus genomospecies. The most defining characteristic of Proteus bacteria is a swarming phenomenon, a multicellular differentiation process of short rods to elongated swarmer cells. It allows population of bacteria to migrate on solid surface. Proteus bacteria inhabit the environment and are also present in the intestines of humans and animals. These microorganisms under favorable conditions cause a number of infections including urinary tract infections (UTIs), wound infections, meningitis in neonates or infants and rheumatoid arthritis. Therefore, Proteus is known as a bacterial opportunistic pathogen. It causes complicated UTIs with a higher frequency, compared to other uropathogens. Proteus infections are accompanied by a formation of urinary stones, containing struvite and carbonate apatite. The virulence of Proteus rods has been related to several factors including fimbriae, flagella, enzymes (urease - hydrolyzing urea to CO2 and NH3, proteases degrading antibodies, tissue matrix proteins and proteins of the complement system), iron acqusition systems and toxins: hemolysins, Proteus toxin agglutinin (Pta), as well as an endotoxin - lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Proteus rods form biofilm, particularly on the surface of urinary catheters, which can lead to serious consequences for patients. In this review we present factors involved in the regulation of swarming phenomenon, discuss the role of particular pathogenic features of Proteus spp., and characterize biofilm formation by these bacteria

Aberrant promoter methylation may be responsible for the control of CD146 (MCAM) gene expression during breast cancer progression

The CD146 (also known as MCAM, MUC-18, Mel-CAM) was initially reported on in 1987, as a protein crucial for melanoma invasion. Recently, it has been confirmed that CD146 is involved in progression and poor overall survival of many other cancers, including breast cancer. Importantly, in independent studies, CD146 was reported to be a trigger of epithelial to mesenchymal transition in breast cancer cells. The goal of our current study was to verify possible involvement of an epigenetic mechanism behind regulation of the CD146 expression in breast cancer cells, as it has been previously reported for prostate cancer. First, we analysed the response of breast cancer cells, varying in the initial CD146 mRNA and protein content, to an epigenetic modifier, 5-aza-2-deoxycytidine, and subsequently the methylation status of CD146 gene promoter was investigated, using direct bisulfite sequencing. We observed that treatment with a demethylating agent led to induction of CD146 expression in all analysed breast cancer cell lines, both at the mRNA and protein levels, which was accompanied by an elevated expression of selected mesenchymal markers. Importantly, CD146 gene promoter analysis showed aberrant CpG island methylation in 2 out of 3 studied breast cancer cells lines, indicating epigenetic regulation of the CD146 gene expression. In conclusion, our study revealed for the first time that aberrant methylation may be involved in expression control of CD146, a very potent EMT inducer in breast cancer cells. Altogether, the data obtained may provide basis for novel therapies, as well as diagnostic approaches enabling sensitive and very accurate detection of breast cancer cells.

Bone metabolism, osteoprotegerin, receptor activator of nuclear factor-kB ligand and selected adipose tissue hormones in girls with anorexia nervosa

Wstęp: Celem pracy było wykazanie, czy u dziewcząt z jadłowstrętem psychicznym istnieje związek między LP, ADIPO, RES, VISF, APE-36 i APE-12 a markerami kostnymi, OPG i sRANKL.Materiał i metody: U 86 dziewcząt z AN i 21 zdrowych w wieku 13–18 lat oceniono stężenia wybranych hormonów tkanki tłuszczowej, OC, CTx, OPG i sRANKL w surowicy metodą ELISA.Wyniki: U dziewcząt z AN wykazano istotne zmniejszenie masy ciała i BMI, obniżenie stężeń LP, RES, VISF, APE-36, APE-12 i markerów kostnych (OC i CTx) oraz wzrost stężenia ADIPO. Zmianom tym towarzyszył istotny wzrost stężeń OPG i sRANKL przy obniżonym wskaźniku OPG/sRANKL. Wykazano znamienną dodatnią korelację między BMI a LP, APE-36, CTx i wskaźnikiem OPG/sRANKL; OC a VISF; OPG a ADIPO; wskaźnikiem OPG/sRANKL a LP, APE-36, APE-12. Istotną, ujemną korelację stwierdzono między CTx, sRANKL a RES i APE-36; OPG a APE-36 i APE-12; wskaźnikiem OPG/sRANKL a ADIPO. Wykazano, że niezależnymi predykatorami są: dla OC — VISF, dla CTx i sRANKL — APE-36 i RES, dla OPG — APE-36 i ADIPO, a dla wskaźnika OPG/sRANKL — APE-36, LP i ADIPO.Wnioski: Obserwowanym u dziewcząt z AN zmianom w stężeniach markerów kostnych, OPG, sRANKL i/lub wskaźniku OPG/sRANKL towarzyszą zmiany w stężeniach badanych hormonów tkanki tłuszczowej. Nieprawidłowości w powiązaniach między metabolizmem kostnym a LP, ADIPO, RES, VISF oraz APE u dziewcząt z AN mogą prowadzić do naruszenia równowagi układu OPG/sRANKL, co może skutkować upośledzeniem mechanizmu kompensującego zaburzenia w przebudowie kośćca. (Endokrynol Pol 2014; 65 (1): 33–39)Introduction: The aim of this study was to determine whether girls with anorexia nervosa (AN) exhibited any relationships between serum levels of LP, ADIPO, RES, VISF, APE-36, APE-12, and bone markers, OPG and sRANKL.Material and methods: Serum levels of selected adipose tissue hormones, OC, CTx, OPG and sRANKL were assessed using ELISA in 86 study participants suffering from AN and 21 healthy controls, all aged 13 to 18 years.Results: Girls with AN showed a significant reduction in body mass, BMI, serum concentrations of LP, RES, VISF, APE-36, APE-12, OC, CTx and increased ADIPO concentration. These changes were associated with significant increases in OPG and sRANKL and a decrease in the OPG/sRANKL ratio. Significant positive correlations were revealed between BMI and LP, APE-36, CTx, OPG/sRANKL ratio; OC and VISF; OPG and ADIPO; OPG/sRANKL ratio and LP, APE-36, APE-12. Significant negative correlations were revealed between CTx, sRANKL and RES, APE-36; OPG and APE-36, APE-12; OPG/sRANKL ratio and ADIPO. VISF was shown to be an independent predictor of OC. APE-36 and RES turned out to be independent predictors of CTx, and sRANKL, APE-36 and ADIPO were independent predictors of OPG while APE-36, LP and ADIPO were independent predictors of the OPG/sRANKL ratio.Conclusions: Changes in bone markers, OPG, sRANKL and/or the OPG/sRANKL ratio exhibited by girls with AN have been found to be associated with changes in the levels of the selected adipose tissue hormones. Abnormal relationships between bone metabolism and LP, ADIPO, RES, VISF and APE might adversely affect the balance of the OPG/sRANKL system and thus potentially compromise the mechanism which compensates for bone remodelling disturbances. (Endokrynol Pol 2014; 65 (1): 33–39

Targeting the hypoxia pathway in malignant plasma cells by using 17-allylamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin

Multiple myeloma (MM) is characterized as a clonal expansion of malignant plasma cells in the bone marrow, which is often associated with pancytopenia and osteolytic bone disease. Interestingly, myeloma-infiltrated bone marrow is considered to be hypoxic, providing selection pressure for a developing tumour. Since HSP90 was shown to participate in stabilization of the subunit of the key transcription factor HIF-1, which controls the hypoxic response, the aim of this study was to investigate the influence of a HSP90 inhibitor 17-allylamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin (17-AAG), on MM cells cultured under low oxygenation conditions. We confirmed that 17-AAG inhibits hypoxic induction of the HIF-1 target genes in malignant plasma cells and demonstrate the concentration range of severe hypoxia-specific cytotoxicity. Next, we selected the malignant plasma cells under severe hypoxia/re-oxygenation culture conditions in the presence or absence of 17-AAG and subsequently, the cells which survived were further expanded and analyzed. Interestingly, we have noticed significant changes in the survival and the response to anti-MM drugs between the parental cell lines and those selected in cyclic severe hypoxia in the presence and absence of 17-AAG. Importantly, we also observed that the lack of oxygen itself, irrespectively of HIF-1 inhibition, is the main/pivotal factor driving the selection process in the experiments presented here

Melatonin, the RANKL/RANK/OPG system, and bone metabolism in girls with anorexia nervosa

Wstęp: U młodych kobiet i dziewcząt z jadłowstrętem psychicznym (AN, anorexia nervosa) stwierdza się zaburzenia w wydzielaniu melatoniny (MEL, melatonin), zwłaszcza w fazie nocnej. Jednocześnie obserwuje się znaczny ubytek masy kostnej i zaburzenia w metabolizmie tkanki kostnej. Ponieważ istnieją sugestie, że MEL może mieć pewien udział w indukowaniu osteoporozy, i że efekt ten może być realizowany za pośrednictwem systemu RANKL/RANK/OPG, postanowiono zbadać ewentualne powiązania między MEL a stanem kośćca u dziewcząt z AN. Celem badań była ocena związku między MEL, metabolizmem tkanki kostnej (ocenianym na podstawie oznaczeń w surowicy krwi markerów obrotu kostnego (OC i CTx) a OPG i sRANKL u dziewcząt z AN. Materiał i metody: Badaniami objęto 57 dziewcząt z AN i 13 zdrowych w wieku 13-18 lat, u których oceniono BMI oraz stężenia OC, CTx, OPG i sRANKL na czczo oraz MEL (2-krotnie w ciągu doby: na czczo i o godz. 2.00, odpowiadającej maksimum wydzielania hormonu). Wyniki: U dziewcząt z AN stwierdzono istotne zwiększenie średniego stężenia MEL w surowicy o godzinie 2.00 oraz wzrost amplitudy pomiędzy nocnymi i porannymi wartościami hormonu. Wykazano także znaczną supresję średnich stężeń OC i CTx oraz wzrost OPG i sRANKL w surowicy przy istotnie obniżonej wartości wskaźnika OPG/sRANKL. Zmiany w stężeniach MEL o godzinie 2.00 korelowały ujemnie, znamiennie statystycznie ze stężeniami badanych markerów kostnych, a dodatnio z sRANKL. Zmiany w wartościach amplitudy pomiędzy nocnymi i porannymi stężeniami MEL korelowały ujemnie ze stężeniami CTx i wartościami wskaźnika OPG/sRANKL. Wnioski: Uzyskane wyniki wskazują, że zaburzenia metabolizmu kostnego u dziewcząt z AN są związane ze zmianami stężeń MEL w godzinach nocnych, a istotną rolę w tym mechanizmie wydaje się odgrywać RANKL. Zwiększenie amplitudy pomiędzy nocnymi i porannymi stężeniami MEL może niekorzystnie wpływać na tkankę kostną u dziewcząt z AN; efekt ten jest najprawdopodobniej realizowany poprzez wpływ na równowagę OPG/RANKL. (Endokrynol Pol 2010; 61 (1): 117-123)Introduction: Young women and girls with anorexia nervosa (AN) suffer from abnormalities in melatonin (MEL) secretion, especially in the nocturnal phase. This is paralleled by a considerable bone mass loss and abnormalities of bone metabolism. As melatonin has been implicated in playing a role in inducing osteoporosis and that the effect could be mediated by the RANKL/RANK/OPG system, we decided to investigate the potential associations between MEL and bone status in girls with AN. Aim: To evaluate the relationship between MEL, bone metabolism (as assessed by serum levels of bone turnover markers [OC and CTx]), and OPG and sRANKL in girls with AN. Material and methods: A total of 57 girls with AN and 13 healthy girls, between 13 and 18 years of age, were enrolled in the study, and we evaluated BMI, fasting levels of OC, CTx, OPG and sRANKL, and levels of MEL (fasting levels and the levels at 2 a.m., at which time the secretion of the hormone peaks). Results: We found a significantly increased mean serum level of MEL at 2 a.m. and an increased amplitude between nocturnal and morning levels of the hormone in girls with AN. We also showed a considerable suppression of the mean OC and CTx levels and an increase in serum OPG and RANKL levels paralleled by a significantly reduced OPG/sRANKL ratio. The changes in the MEL levels at 2 a.m. showed a statistically significant negative correlation with levels of the bone markers and a positive correlation with sRANKL. The changes in the amplitude between the nocturnal and morning levels of MEL showed a negative correlation with CTx levels and the OPG/sRANKL ratio. Conclusions: Our results indicate that the abnormalities of bone metabolism in girls with AN are associated with changes in the nocturnal levels of MEL with RANKL appearing to play an important role in this mechanism. The increased amplitude between the nocturnal and morning levels of MEL may adversely affect the bone tissue in girls with AN with the effect most likely resulting from influences on the OPG/RANKL balance. (Pol J Endocrinol 2010; 61 (1): 117-123

Wybrane hormony tkanki tłuszczowej, metabolizm kostny a osteoprotegeryna i ligand receptora aktywatora czynnika jądrowego-kB u otyłych kobiet po menopauzie

Introduction: It has been suggested that changes in the production of adipose tissue hormones in obese postmenopausal women might affect their bone status. The aim of this study was to determine whether obese postmenopausal women exhibited any relationship between serum levels of LP, ADIPO, RES, VISF, APE and bone metabolism markers (OC and CTx), OPG, sRANKL, the OPG/sRANKL ratio as well as BMD.Material and methods: 80 postmenopausal women (60 obese and 20 healthy) underwent BMD measurement using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) at lumbar spine L2–L4. Serum levels of selected adipose tissue hormones, OC, CTx, OPG and its soluble ligand, sRANKL, were assessed by ELISA.Results: Obese postmenopausal women demonstrated a significant increase in body mass, BMI and WHR associated with significant increases in LP and RES levels, a decrease in ADIPO concentration, suppression of OC, CTx, OPG and sRANKL and an increase in the OPG/sRANKL ratio and BMD. BMI correlated positively with BMD, LP, RES, OPG and the OPG/sRANKL ratio, whereas in the case of ADIPO, OC, CTx, sRANKL the relationship was negative. WHR was positively correlated with the OPG/sRANKL ratio, and negatively with ADIPO and APE. A positive correlation was found between BMD and LP, APE and the OPG/sRANKL ratio, while the correlation between BMD and ADIPO, CTx, sRANKL was negative. Significant positive correlations were also revealed between OC, CTx and ADIPO; OPG and ADIPO; sRANKL and ADIPO, RES; the OPG/sRANKL ratio and LP. OC correlated negatively with LP, RES, VISF, APE; CTx with LP, VISF, APE; OPG with LP; sRANKL with LP and APE; the OPG/sRANKL ratio with VISF. ADIPO was an independent predictor of OC, OPG and sRANKL, while LP turned out to be an independent predictor of CTx, OPG, sRANKL and the OPG/sRANKL ratio.Conclusions: Obesity in postmenopausal women can lead to changes in BMD, circulating levels of bone markers, OPG, sRANKL and/or the OPG/sRANKL ratio; these changes are associated with alterations in the concentrations of adipose tissue hormones under investigation. The relationships between bone status indicators and adipose tissue hormones, especially LP and ADIPO, seem to suggest that changes in these hormones observed in obese postmenopausal women might have a protective effect on bone tissue, most probably via a shift in the OPG/sRANKL ratio towards a functional excess of OPG. (Endokrynol Pol 2014; 65 (6): 438–448)Wstęp: Istnieją sugestie, że zmiany w produkcji hormonów tkanki tłuszczowej u otyłych kobiet po menopauzie mogą wpływać na stan kośćca. Celem pracy było wykazanie, czy u otyłych kobiet po menopauzie istnieje związek między stężeniami w surowicy LP, ADIPO, RES, VISF, APE a markerami metabolizmu kostnego (OC i CTx), OPG, sRANKL, wskaźnikiem OPG/sRANKL oraz BMD.Materiał i metody: U 80 kobiet po menopauzie (60 otyłych i 20 zdrowych) wykonano badanie BMD metodą dwuwiązkowej absorpcjometrii rentgenowskiej (DXA) obejmujące część lędźwiową kręgosłupa L2–L4 oraz oznaczono metodą ELISA stężenia wybranych hormonów tkanki tłuszczowej, OC, CTx, OPG i jej rozpuszczalnego ligandu sRANKL.Wyniki: Istotnemu wzrostowi masy ciała oraz wskaźników BMI i WHR u otyłych kobiet po menopauzie towarzyszyło znamienne zwiększenie stężeń LP i RES, obniżenie stężenia ADIPO, supresja stężeń OC, CTx, OPG i sRANKL oraz wzrost wskaźnika OPG/sRANKL i BMD. Wykazano, istotną dodatnią korelację między BMI a BMD, LP, RES, OPG i wskaźnikiem OPG/sRANKL oraz ujemną z ADIPO, OC, CTx i sRANKL. Wartości wskaźnika WHR korelowały dodatnio ze wskaźnikiem OPG/sRANKL a ujemnie ze stężeniami ADIPO i APE. Wykazano ponadto dodatnią korelację między BMD a stężeniami LP, APE i wskaźnikiem OPG/sRANKL oraz ujemną ze stężeniami ADIPO, CTx, sRANKL. Stwierdzono także dodatnią korelację między stężeniami: OC, CTx a ADIPO; OPG a ADIPO; sRANKL a ADIPO i RES; wskaźnikiem OPG/sRANKL a LP. Ujemną korelację wykazano natomiast między OC a LP, RES , VISF i APE; CTx a LP, VISF i APE; OPG a LP; sRANKL a LP i APE; wskaźnikiem OPG/sRANKL a VISF. Stwierdzono, że niezależnym predyktorem dla OC, OPG i sRANKL jest ADIPO, a dla CTx, OPG, sRANKL i wskaźnika OPG/sRANKL — LP.Wnioski: Otyłość u kobiet po menopauzie wywołuje zmiany w BMD, stężeniach markerów kostnych, OPG, sRANKL i/lub wskaźniku OPG/sRANKL, którym towarzyszą zmiany w stężeniach badanych hormonów tkanki tłuszczowej. Wykazane zależności między wykładnikami stanu kośćca a badanymi hormonami tkanki tłuszczowej, zwłaszcza LP i ADIPO, sugerują, że obserwowane u otyłych kobiet po menopauzie zmiany w stężeniach tych hormonów mogą wpływać ochronnie na tkankę kostną, najprawdopodobniej poprzez przesunięcie relacji OPG do sRANKL na korzyść funkcjonalnej przewagi OPG. (Endokrynol Pol 2014; 65 (6): 438–448

Affecting NF-κB cell signaling pathway in chronic lymphocytic leukemia by dendrimers-based nanoparticles

Abstract The complex genetic diversity of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) makes it difficult to determine the effective and durable therapy beneficial to patients. During the several past years' significant insights in the biology of the disease and its treatment have been made, allowing for the identification of promising novel therapeutic agents. The investigation of signaling pathways to understand the biological character of CLL together with the development of molecular profiling is key in personalized approach in therapy for this disease. As it was already proven, maltotriose (M3) modified fourth generation poly(propylene imine) dendrimers(PPI-G4) modulate BCR, TRAIL and WNT signaling pathway gene expression in CLL cells and strongly influence their survival by inducing apoptosis and inhibiting proliferation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of PPI-G4-M3 dendrimers on NFκB pathway gene expression in CLL (MEC-1) cells with 60 K microarray, as it is one of the major factors in the pathogenesis of B-cell neoplasms. The findings were compared with those obtained with Fludarabine (FA) and the results indicate that PPI-G4-M3 dendrimers affect the expression of the examined genes and exert comparable effect on the CLL cells to FA. Dendrimers are one of the most potent groups of nanometer-sized macromoleculesfor closing the gap between the present ineffective treatment and the future effective personalized therapy due to their potential versatile biological propertie