mRNA Subtype of Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts Significantly Affects Key Characteristics of Head and Neck Cancer Cells

Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) belong among severe and highly complex malignant diseases showing a high level of heterogeneity and consequently also a variance in therapeutic response, regardless of clinical stage. Our study implies that the progression of HNSCC may be supported by cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in the tumour microenvironment (TME) and the heterogeneity of this disease may lie in the level of cooperation between CAFs and epithelial cancer cells, as communication between CAFs and epithelial cancer cells seems to be a key factor for the sustained growth of the tumour mass. In this study, we investigated how CAFs derived from tumours of different mRNA subtypes influence the proliferation of cancer cells and their metabolic and biomechanical reprogramming. We also investigated the clinicopathological significance of the expression of these metabolism-related genes in tissue samples of HNSCC patients to identify a possible gene signature typical for HNSCC progression. We found that the right kind of cooperation between cancer cells and CAFs is needed for tumour growth and progression, and only specific mRNA subtypes can support the growth of primary cancer cells or metastases. Specifically, during coculture, cancer cell colony supporting effect and effect of CAFs on cell stiffness of cancer cells are driven by the mRNA subtype of the tumour from which the CAFs are derived. The degree of colony-forming support is reflected in cancer cell glycolysis levels and lactate shuttle-related transporters

Dolní Věstonice II: a complex of sites with different chrono-cultural occupations. Preliminary results of the study of lithic assemblages

The scope of our study is directed to evaluation of each lithic assemblage from Dolní Věstonice II site and to characterize the technical systems of their production in order to understand the fine chrono-cultural seriation. The complex of sites at Dolní Věstonice II, dated to 30-23 ky uncal BP, includes the assemblages represented by clearly defined samples and another assemblages where the cultural attribution is still questionable. If some occupations certainly belong to the Pavlovian, others may be attributed as Gravettian, or even Upper Gravettian. Changes are visible in the procurement of raw material, and in technical systems of production and typological features

ZIRCONIA CERAMICS: PROPERTIES AND CLASSIFICATION

Introduction and aim: Zirconia is currently the most commonly used representative of polycrystalline dental ceramics. It is highly valued for its mechanical properties: hardness, strength and toughness. On the contrary, its aesthetics is percieved as a disadvantage. Its insufficient transparency makes it impossible to mimic the optical properties of enamel, and therefore its indication in monolithic form is often limited to distal sections only. This article discusses the properties of zirconia ceramics and its evolution. Particular emphasis is placed on the chemical-physical nature of the phenomena involved in determining the properties of dental zirconia. Conclusion: The economic potential of zirconia ceramics is proving to be a strong stimulant of its development. The aesthetic disadvantages of the material were the biggest limiting factor for its wider use. The simplest and earliest solution to this problem was the veneering of zirconia using high glass content ceramics. This combination of materials, however, was found to have relatively frequent complications associated with chipping of the surface layers of the veneer. The use of zirconia ceramics in monolithic form proved to be the most advantageous from a mechanical point of view. Therefore, the development of zirconia ceramics in the last ten years has gone in the direction of increasing the transparency of the zirconia ceramic itself. The result of these efforts has been the latest generation of zirconia ceramics, which have significantly improved aesthetics and can be used even in relatively aesthetically exposed areas. These new materials retain only a fraction of the mechanical durability of their predecessors, and therefore their indications are limited to three-unit bridges. However, they still significantly expand the portfolio of applications for monolithic zirconia ceramics and are becoming a suitable alternative to older materials used for crown and bridge fabrication

Cultural evolution and environmental change in Central Europe between 40 and 15 ka

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