Advances in Medical Sciences

Mesothelin as a Diagnostic Biomarker in Endometriosis: A Cross-Sectional Study
Kiecka K, Zygula A, Sankiewicz A, Kuzmicki M, Lawicki S, Ciebiera M, Issat T, Blaszczyk J, Cendrowski K, Gorodkiewicz E and Laudanski P
Endometriosis is a prevalent gynecological condition often requiring invasive procedures for diagnosis. This study aimed to assess mesothelin (MSLN) as a potential non-invasive biomarker by analyzing its levels in peritoneal fluid (PF) and plasma.
Usefulness of the CHEST score in predicting the clinical outcomes of COVID-19 in obese and non-obese cohorts - subanalysis of the COLOS Study
Rola P, Dróżdż O, Doroszko A, Trocha M, Kujawa K, Bronowicka-Szydełko A, Matera-Witkiewicz A, Bednarska-Chabowska D, Rabczyński M, Kuźnik E, Madziarski M, Machowiak J, Małecki R, Tkaczyszyn M, Adamiec-Mroczek J, Sokołowski J, Nowak J, Jankowska EA and Madziarska K
Cardiovascular risk factors, particularly obesity, are strong predictors of poor COVID-19 outcomes, though prognosis remains uncertain for overweight individuals. Identifying new tools to assess obesity's impact on COVID-19 severity is vital for early risk stratification. We evaluated the CHEST-score system's ability to predict unfavorable outcomes in hospitalized COVID-19 patients.
Comprehensive assessment of triclosan-induced toxicity: impacts on zebrafish development, mammalian cell viability and microbial activity
Stachurski P, Kurach Ł, Khalavka M, Ptasiewicz M, Świątkowski W, Żelazowska R and Magryś A
The aim of the study was to evaluate the toxicity of triclosan in the Danio rerio model and mammalian cells, as well as to assess its antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity against selected bacterial pathogens.
Ropivacaine and lidocaine at clinically relevant concentrations suppress proliferation and migration of ovarian cancer cells and induce morphological alterations
Hayden JM, Tinnert A, Alm K, Oras J, Block L, Gupta A, Thörn SE and Oredsson S
Ovarian cancer ranks as a gynecological malignancy with poor prognosis, specifically if detected late. Primary treatment includes cytoreductive surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy with curative intent. Local anesthetics (LA) administered in the perioperative period may potentially impact patient outcome by several mechanisms. The beneficial impact of LA has been attributed, among other factors, to the drug's inhibitory effect on cancer cells. The primary aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of clinically relevant concentrations of ropivacaine and lidocaine on ovarian cancer cell lines.
Atherosclerosis in the context of hemostasis and neovascularization - Current state of knowledge
Jakobsche-Policht U, Bronowicka-Szydełko A, Adamiec R, Bednarska-Chabowska D, Królewicz E, Lewandowski Ł, Gostomska-Pampuch K, Derkacz A, Budrewicz K, Grzebyk E, Nowak M, Dolińska D, Matlak P, Sobczyńska J, Ziomek M, Tota M, Stach W, Fidorowicz D and Madziarska K
Atherosclerosis is a progressive process resulting from endothelial dysfunction, primarily caused by damage to the integrity of the glycocalyx. Its pathogenesis is complex and involves numerous biomechanical and biochemical factors, such as blood pressure, shear forces, lipid metabolism disorders, monocyte migration and their transformation into macrophages, immune response, lipid accumulation, neovascularization, and activation of coagulation. Recently, the possibility of atherosclerosis regression has been confirmed, although the mechanisms behind the reversal of changes remain unknown. This review presents current knowledge on the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, with particular emphasis on pro-atherogenic processes in the glycocalyx and endothelium, especially those related to hemostasis, neovascularization, and epigenetic changes.
Response to Letter to the Editor on "Structured team response and sex-based mortality gaps in acute pulmonary embolism: Conflicting evidence and future directions"
Procyk G and Pietrasik A
Impact of anti-HLA antibodies on the immunological status of patients with cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) after heart transplantation
Kowalik K, Was J, Kozar-Kaminska K, Minota I, Komuda K, Rekawek A and Zielinski T
Heart transplantation (HTx) is an established method of treating patients with end-stage heart failure. Properly selected immunosuppression effectively reduces the risk of acute transplant rejection; however, it may also lead to various side effects including cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV), which is one of the most common causes of death in patients during the first year after HTx. There is an urgent need to develop new strategies for monitoring a patient's immune system to modify the immunosuppressive therapy, if needed. The purpose of this study is to compare the immune status of patients with diagnosed CAV ​+ ​to that of patients without CAV-.
QT variability and myocardial repolarization in sleep apnea: implications for cardiac risk
Jarecka-Dobroń A, Braksator W and Chrom P
Due to the increased risk of sudden cardiac death, we decided to assess ECG parameters related to the stability of the myocardial repolarization period, i.e. the corrected QT interval (QTc) and derivatives describing its variability (QTV and QTVi).
Intensification of diuretic therapy in pulmonary hypertension - a retrospective evaluation of hemodynamic and functional changes
Rafałowicz A, Mierzejewski J, Czuba Ł, Lisowska A, Knapp M, Kamiński K and Ptaszyńska K
Diuretics are first-line medication in the management of volume overload in pulmonary hypertension (PH). Their impact on the hemodynamic and functional parameters has not been studied. This study analyzes the impact of intensified diuretic therapy on patients deterioration.
The transition from intravenous to subcutaneous infliximab in a cohort of patients with inflammatory bowel disease: results of the INESTIMABLE retrospective observational study
Todeschini A, Geccherle A, Signoretto P, Colaci N, Mellone F, De Santis N, Guerriero M, Barugola G and Variola A
This study aimed to present real-world data regarding the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) with the subcutaneous (SC) formulation of the tumor necrosis factor inhibitor, infliximab.
The role of sclerostin in the development and progression of cardiovascular diseases- a potential biomarker?
Stelmaszek S, Tarasiuk E, Knapp M, Kazimierczyk R and Lisowska A
Sclerostin, a glycoprotein primarily synthesized by osteocytes, is a key regulator of bone remodeling through its inhibition of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Beyond its established role in bone metabolism, sclerostin has been identified in vascular tissues, including smooth muscle cells of blood vessels, suggesting a potential role in cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Research on sclerostin's role in CVD has yielded conflicting results, highlighting its complex involvement in vascular calcification and atherosclerosis. Some studies associate elevated sclerostin levels with a reduced risk of cardiovascular events, potentially due to its inhibition of pathways driving vascular calcification and osteogenic transformation of vascular cells. Conversely, other research links higher sclerostin levels with increased cardiovascular risk, including atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, and stroke, possibly reflecting a compensatory response to vascular damage or inflammation. Discrepancies in findings may stem from differences in study populations, methodologies, and confounding factors such as age, renal function, and medication use. Furthermore, sclerostin's dual effects may depend on specific pathological contexts, complicating its interpretation as a biomarker. This review examines the evidence for sclerostin's role in CVD and its potential utility as a biomarker for cardiovascular risk stratification. While emerging data suggest diagnostic and therapeutic relevance, particularly in populations with chronic kidney disease or metabolic disorders, further research is necessary to elucidate its mechanisms, identify modulating factors, and assess its clinical value. A clearer understanding of sclerostin's vascular effects could pave the way for novel approaches to cardiovascular disease prevention and management.
SGLT2 inhibitors attenuate cholesterol accumulation in Human Aortic Smooth Muscle Cells
Pawlos A, Woźniak E, Broncel M, Piechota-Polańczyk A and Gorzelak-Pabiś P
The influence of SGLT2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) on cholesterol accumulation in Human Aortic Smooth Muscle Cells (HAoSMCs) has not yet been evaluated. This study aimed to assess the effect of SGLT2 inhibitors on cholesterol accumulation in HAoSMCs.
Letter to the editor: "Structured team response and sex-based mortality gaps in acute pulmonary embolism: Conflicting evidence and future directions"
Dziewierz A, Zdzierak B and Wojdyła RM
In vitro effects of transient receptor potential channel modulators on human tuba smooth muscle
Ozturk O, Acar-Sahan S, Karadas B, Sengul M, Yilmaz H, Bahceci S and Kaya-Temiz T
There is relatively little data on the presence of Transient Receptor Potential (TRP) channels in human tubal tissue. Our study aimed to evaluate the contraction-relaxation responses of TRPV1 channel modulators in human tuba uterina tissue. We also aimed to investigate the presence of TRPV1 channel proteins by immunohistochemical staining with TRPV1 antibodies in tuba tissue.
Experimental evaluation of selected mechanical properties of anterior cruciate ligament and posterior cruciate ligament complex
Prochor P, Jagodyńska J and Gryko A
Ligaments are fibrous connective tissues that transmit force from bone to bone. One of the most important ligaments in the human body is the knee-joint ligament, which is exposed to large and dynamic forces during daily activities. Owing to their frequent injuries, cruciate ligaments are among the most studied in the current literature. Thus far, research has focused mainly on the study of individual ligament structures and less frequently on analysing entire bone-ligament systems. Therefore, this study examines the mechanical properties of the entire cruciate ligament system.
Investigation of the effects of umbilical cord and adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells on endoplasmic reticulum stress in cadmium-induced rat kidney
Kartal B, Saçik U and Erbil G
The hazardous heavy metal cadmium (Cd) has the potential to cause long-term kidney damage, mostly dependent on autophagy. Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress has been recognized as a primary source of Cd-induced toxicity. The ER chaperone GRP78 binds ER stress sensors, keeping them dormant. Exposure to Cd increases ER stress, a well-known inducer of autophagy. Adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AD-MSC) are potentially useful tissue engineering and cellular treatment tools. Various disorders are treated with human umbilical cord MSCs (HUC-MSCs). They possess several unique qualities that are necessary for their therapeutic uses. The study aimed to investigate the effects of AD-MSCs and HUC-MSCs on Cd-induced nephrotoxicity.
Prevalence and clinical associations of antinuclear antibodies (ANA) in spondyloarthropathies
Błahuszewska-Omyła A, Frąckiel E, Bielecki M, Gińdzieńska-Sieśkiewicz E, Szymańska N and Kowal-Bielecka O
Spondyloarthropathies (SpA) are a broad and diverse group of diseases with highly variable clinical manifestations. Due to this wide range of symptoms and their frequent overlap with other disease entities, SpA present numerous diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. Moreover, the pathogenesis of SpA remains unexplained. While the currently prevailing hypothesis suggests an autoinflammatory mechanism, the involvement of autoimmune processes has not been ruled out. To explore this possibility, the present study aimed to assess the presence of antinuclear antibodies (ANA) and their clinical associations in patients with SpA.
Prevalence of hepatitis D virus in chronic hepatitis B patients: findings from Poland
Zarębska-Michaluk D, Brzdęk M, Dobrowolska K, Martonik D, Parfieniuk-Kowerda A, Janczura J, Brzdęk K, Pleśniak R, Piszcz A and Flisiak R
This study aimed to determine the prevalence of hepatitis B/hepatitis D virus (HBV/HDV) co-infections in eastern Poland.
Sex-based differences in patients with acute pulmonary embolism managed by a pulmonary embolism response team: a multicenter, retrospective cohort study
Procyk G, Kurzyna P, Jasińska-Gniadzik K, Smyk JM, Wasilewski M, Wolański R, Szwed P, Rymaszewska D, Zajkowska D, Wrona K, Darocha S, Banaszkiewicz M, Florczyk M, Zieliński D, Wróbel K, Grabowski M, Opolski G, Torbicki A, Kurzyna M, Gąsecka A and Pietrasik A
Pulmonary embolism (PE) is the third most frequent acute cardiovascular condition worldwide. PE response teams (PERTs) were proposed recently to facilitate treatment implementation in PE patients. There is limited data regarding the characteristics of patients consulted by PERTs. We aimed to analyze sex-related differences in baseline characteristics, applied treatment, and prognosis of acute PE patients consulted by a local PERT. We did not seek to assess the influence of PERT on potential differences.
Restoring impaired osteogenic differentiation of diabetic rat stromal cells using epigenetic inhibitors
Hodjat M, Khan F, Mohammadpour H and Asadi N
Epigenetic regulation plays a crucial role in gene expression and is recognized as a key contributor to diabetes-related complications. This study explores the osteogenic differentiation potential of stem cells isolated from the periodontal ligament (PDL) and bone marrow (BM) of diabetic rats. It investigates the effects of DNA methyltransferase and histone deacetylase inhibitors on the differentiation capacity of diabetic stem cells, searching for underlying mechanisms.
Association of FKBP5 gene polymorphism with insomnia symptoms in the depressive episodes of stress-related bipolar disorder
Ejiohuo O, Bilska K, Gattner K, Mech Ł, Spalek D, Skibińska M, Dmitrzak-Węglarz M, Kapelski P, Narożna B, Budziński B, Szczepankiewicz A and Pawlak J
Stress-related bipolar disorder (BP) arises from complex genetic, environmental, and clinical interactions. While FKBP5(key stress response regulator) is linked to mood disorders, its role in insomnia during depressive episodes remains unclear. This study explores the association between FKBP5 polymorphisms and insomnia symptoms occurring during the depressive episodes of BP.