Case Report: Gait Deterioration in a Patient with EAST (Epilepsy, Ataxia, Sensorineural Deafness, Tubulopathy) Syndrome

Epilepsy, Ataxia, Sensorineural deafness, Tubulopathy (EAST) syndrome or seizures, sensorineural deafness, ataxia, mental retardation (SeSAME) is a very rare, autosomal recessive disorder resulting from homozygous or compound heterozygous loss-of-function variations in the KCNJ10 gene, affecting <1:1.000.000 individuals. Ambulation problems, such as ambulation delays and ataxia, are common in this syndrome. The disorder can remain undiagnosed in adults due to its rarity. Here, we describe the case of a patient with genetically proven EAST syndrome at the age of 18. The patient experienced a dramatic deterioration in his walking ability 7 years after the diagnosis when he was 25 years old. However, the main reason for gait deterioration was cervical spinal cord compression by cervical disc prolapse which was determined through magnetic resonance imaging during further examinations. Cervical myelopathy caused increased spasticity and gait deterioration in this patient. He underwent single-level anterior cervical decompression and fusion without any complication and improved postoperatively. Although worsening neurological findings in patients with EAST syndrome have been reported, in-depth clinical, radiological, and laboratory examinations can clarify the increasing deterioration in motor functions. Concomitant pathologies can occur, which should be kept in mind for better diagnosis and treatment, especially for patients with EAST syndrome

Potentiality, Limitations, and Consequences of Different Experimental Models to Improve Photodynamic Therapy for Cancer Treatment in Relation to Antiangiogenic Mechanism

The relevance of experimentally gained information represents a long-term debating issue in the field of molecular biology research. The loss of original conditions in the in vitro environment affects various biological mechanisms and cellular interactions. Consequently, some biochemical mechanisms are lost or critically altered. Analyses in these modified conditions could, therefore, distort the relevancy of experimentally gained information. In some cases, the similarities with original conditions are so small that utilization of simpler in vitro models seems impossible, or could occur in a very limited way. To conclude, the study of more complex phenomena places higher demands on the complexity of the experimental model. The latest information highlights the fact that the tumor angiogenesis mechanism has very complex features. This complexity can be associated with a wide range of angiogenic factors expressed by a variety of malignant and non-malignant cells. Our article summarizes the results from various experimental models that were utilized to analyze a photodynamic therapy effect on tumor angiogenic mechanisms. Additionally, based on the latest information, we present the most important attributes and limitations of utilized experimental models. We also evaluate the essential problems associated with angiogenic mechanism induction after photodynamic therapy application

QUALITY IN ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AT THE FACULTY OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY OF KOSICE

Authors recall recent development of environmental education at the faculty of mechanical engineering for implementing the first environmentally oriented subject to the establishment of independent department. They characterize contemporary state of environmentally education and they outline the perspectives the way of its further development. At the same time they specify also the profile of graduates and the educational plans for particular types, forms and branches of study and personal and laboratory equipment including scientific research support of pedagogical process

Multifunctional Nanoplatforms as a Novel Effective Approach in Photodynamic Therapy and Chemotherapy, to Overcome Multidrug Resistance in Cancer

It is more than sixty years since the era of modern photodynamic therapy (PDT) for cancer began. Enhanced selectivity for malignant cells with a reduced selectivity for non-malignant cells and good biocompatibility along with the limited occurrence of side effects are considered to be the most significant advantages of PDT in comparison with conventional therapeutic approaches, e.g., chemotherapy. The phenomenon of multidrug resistance, which is associated with drug efflux transporters, was originally identified in relation to the application of chemotherapy. Unfortunately, over the last thirty years, numerous papers have shown that many photosensitizers are the substrates of efflux transporters, significantly restricting the effectiveness of PDT. The concept of a dynamic nanoplatform offers a possible solution to minimize the multidrug resistance effect in cells affected by PDT. Indeed, recent findings have shown that the utilization of nanoparticles could significantly enhance the therapeutic efficacy of PDT. Additionally, multifunctional nanoplatforms could induce the synergistic effect of combined treatment regimens, such as PDT with chemotherapy. Moreover, the surface modifications that are associated with nanoparticle functionalization significantly improve the target potential of PDT or chemo-PDT in multidrug resistant and cancer stem cells

Novel Insights into the Effect of Hyperforin and Photodynamic Therapy with Hypericin on Chosen Angiogenic Factors in Colorectal Micro-Tumors Created on Chorioallantoic Membrane

Photodynamic therapy with hypericin (HY-PDT) and hyperforin (HP) could be treatment modalities for colorectal cancer (CRC), but evidence of their effect on angiogenic factors in CRC is missing. Convenient experimental model utilization is essential for angiogenesis research. Therefore, not only 2D cell models, but also 3D cell models and micro-tumors were used and compared. The micro-tumor extent and interconnection with the chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) was determined by histological analyses. The presence of proliferating cells and HY penetration into the tumor mass were detected by fluorescence microscopy. The metabolic activity status was assessed by an colorimetric assay for assessing cell metabolic activity (MTT assay) and HY accumulation was determined by flow cytometry. Pro-angiogenic factor expression was determined by Western blot and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). We confirmed the cytotoxic effect of HY-PDT and HP and showed that their effect is influenced by structural characteristics of the experimental model. We have pioneered a method for analyzing the effect of HP and cellular targeted HY-PDT on pro-angiogenic factor expression in CRC micro-tumors. Despite the inhibitory effect of HY-PDT and HP on CRC, the increased expression of some pro-angiogenic factors was observed. We also showed that CRC experimental micro-tumors created on quail CAM could be utilized for analyses of gene and protein expression