Comparison of two methods of cervical spine pain manual therapy using clinical and biochemical pain markers

Background. Sedentary lifestyle, often associated with faulty posture is a widespread facilitating factor forcervical spine dysfunction (CSD).Objective. The purpose of our study was to compare two methods of physical therapy for CSD: theMcKenzie method and suboccipital relaxation. We investigated the effect of these methods on pain levelperceived by patients and their physical fitness. The levels of biochemical stress indicators were assessed.Materials and methods. Eighty-six adult patients divided into two groups: A and B. Group A included 42patients treated with the McKenzie method. Group B consisted of 44 patients, who underwent suboccipitalrelaxation. The treatment in both groups comprised 3 treatment sessions over a 6-week period. To assesssalivary sIgA concentration, the ELISA technique was used. The alpha-amylase activity was determinedusing static method. Pain assessment was performed using the VAS scale. Disability level was evaluatedwith the NDI scale.Results. Significant decrease of VAS and NDI scores were observed in both groups. An increase of sIgAconcentration was observed in both groups. No difference in amylase activity between the groups was observed,however, time and group effects the interaction was found to be significant. A significant correlationbetween both biochemical markers and VAS score was observed in group B and in the general population.Conclusions. Both therapies improve patient outcomes, however, at present we cannot indicate theadvantage any method

Assessing the merits of existing pancreatic cancer biomarkers

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) suffers from a very poor prognosis because early stages of the disease are asymptomatic and thus diagnosis is delayed until late. Discovering a suitable PDAC biomarker could thereby improve PDAC treatment by having an early diagnosis. The carbohydrate antigen, CA 19-9, currently used for diagnostics, may help in assessing the disease stage, however it is unsuitable for screening purposes. PDAC specific nucleotides can be detected in plasma but not at the early stages of the cancer. Furthermore, measuring circulating tumour cells (CTCs) in patient blood entails high costs and is only useful for advanced stage disease. Other potential PDAC marker candidates are Laminin γ2A, Cyclophilin B and blood circulating adipokines, which seem to hold particular promise. At present, making early PDAC diagnosis is limited. The potential markers described herein might in the future be introduced into clinical practice however further studies are still required. Using combinations of several biomarkers also merit consideration, which may increase the overall sensitivity and specificity of PDAC detection

Assessing the merits of existing pancreatic cancer biomarkers

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) suffers from a very poor prognosis because early stages of the disease are asymptomatic and thus diagnosis is delayed until late. Discovering a suitable PDAC biomarker could thereby improve PDAC treatment by having an early diagnosis. The carbohydrate antigen, CA 19-9, currently used for diagnostics, may help in assessing the disease stage, however it is unsuitable for screening purposes. PDAC specific nucleotides can be detected in plasma but not at the early stages of the cancer. Furthermore, measuring circulating tumour cells (CTCs) in patient blood entails high costs and is only useful for advanced stage disease. Other potential PDAC marker candidates are Laminin g2A, Cyclophilin B and blood circulating adipokines, which seem to hold particular promise. At present, making early PDAC diagnosis is limited. The potential markers described herein might in the future be introduced into clinical practice however further studies are still required. Using combinations of several biomarkers also merit consideration, which may increase the overall sensitivity and specificity of PDAC detection

Ocena stężeń kotyniny oraz wybranych wskaźników odpowiedzi zapalnej u pacjentów poddawanych zabiegom endarterektomii tętnic szyjnych

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading mortality cause in western society. The main role in CVD development is played by atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a long and complex process, in which are involved both lipid and immune system components, as well as environmental factors such as tobacco smoking. The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of tobacco smoke exposure on parameters (lipoproteins, TGF-β1, MPO) associated with pathogenesis of atherosclerosis in patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy as a result of carotid artery stenosis. The study included 92 patients at the age of 47-82. Tobacco exposure was assessed according to cotinine blood level. No differences in the level of stenosis and concentration in serum of LDL, HDL, triglicerydes, Lp(a) and total cholesterol were observed between the smokers and non-smokers. TGF-β1 concentration was higher in non-smoking patients. Among smokers, cotinine level was correlated with MPO concentration (p &lt; 0,05). To conclude, tobacco smoking stimulates the inflammatory process and smooth muscle proliferation in the wall of carotid artery leading to atherogenesis.Choroby krążenia są główną przyczyną zgonów w krajach zachodnich. Zaburzenia te są najczęściej wywołane przez zmiany miażdżycowe. Miażdżyca jest długotrwałym i złożonym procesem, w którym biorą zarówno udział składniki gospodarki lipidowej, odpowiedzi immunologicznej, jak i środowiskowe, takie jak palenie tytoniu. Celem pracy była ocena wpływu ekspozycji na dym tytoniowy na wybrane parametry (lipoproteiny, TGF-β1, MPO) związane z patogenezą miażdżycy u pacjentów poddanych zabiegowi endarterektomii, z powodu zmniejszonej drożności tętnic szyjnych. Przebadano 92 osoby w wieku 47-82 lat. Ekspozycję na dym tytoniowy oceniono przy pomocy oznaczenia we krwi kotyniny. Nie zaobserwowano różnic w stopniu zwężenia tętnic, jak i stężeniach w surowicy krwi LDL, HDL, triglicerydów, Lp(a) oraz cholesterolu całkowitego między palaczami a osobami niepalącymi. Stężenie TGF-β1 było wyższe u osób niepalących Wśród osób palących stężenie kotyniny korelowało w stopniu istotnym ze stężeniem MPO (p < 0,05). Podsumowując, palenie papierosów nasila proces zapalny oraz proliferację mięśniówki gładkiej tętnic szyjnych przyczyniając się do rozwoju miażdżycy

The role of MGMT polymorphisms rs12917 and rs11016879 in head and neck cancer risk and prognosis

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is one of the leading cancers by incidence worldwide. The risk of these cancers is strictly associated with alkylation factors present in tobacco smoke. The crucial role in preventing DNA alkylation is played by O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT). Dysfunction or lack of MGMT is associated with an increased risk of cancer. The aim of the study was to assess the influence of MGMT polymorphisms: rs12917 and rs11016879 on HNSCC risk and course. The study consisted of 69 HNSCC patients and 242 healthy individuals. Case samples were taken from resected tumour tissue. The control group comprised samples of epithelial cells collected from mucous membranes using swabs. DNA samples were genotyped by employing the 5' nuclease assay for allelic discrimination using TaqMan SNP Genotyping Assays. The significance between distributions of genotypes and alleles was tested using Pearson's χ2 test analysis. Our results indicated that the MGMT rs12917 TT genotype increases the risk of HNSCC. The MGMT rs11016879 AG genotype and A allele were associated with increased HNSCC risk. We noted higher risk of nodal metastasis in rs11016879 AA homozygotes. Mechanisms leading to MGMT enzymatic defect are unknown and hence further studies need to be carried out. Our data suggest that the examined polymorphisms may be considered as potential prognostic factors for HNSCC risk and outcome. Further studies are necessary to verify our results