Edyta Fatyga

Specific metabolic biomarkers as risk and prognostic factors in colorectal cancer.

Advances in genomics, molecular pathology and metabolism have generated many candidate biomarkers of colorectal cancer with potential clinical value. Epidemiological and biological studies suggest a role for adiposity, dyslipidaemia, hyperinsulinemia, altered glucose homeostasis, and elevated expression of insulin-like growth factor (IGF) axis members in the risk and prognosis of cancer. This review discusses some recent past and current approaches being taken by researches in obesity and metabolic disorders. The authors describe three main systems as the most studied metabolic candidates of carcinogenesis: dyslipidemias, adipokines and insulin/IGF axis. However, each of these components is unsuccessful in defining the diseases risk and progression, while their co-occurrence increases cancer incidence and mortality in both men and women.

Analysis of Expression Profile of Gene Encoding Proteins of Signal Cascades Activated by Insulin-like Growth Factors in Colorectal Cancer

The aim of the study is to analyse gene typing with the use of the microarray technique (HG-U133A, Affymetrix), differentiating colorectal cancer tissues from tissues assessed histopathologically as healthy ones among a panel of 93 mRNA of gene encoding proteins involved in the activation of cellular signal transduction pathways by insulin-like growth factors. The study was conducted on a group of 8 colorectal cancer patients. Frozen tumor and healthy specimens from the patients were used in molecular tests. Transcript IGF2 differentiated cancer from healthy tissue. Among the genes participating in the cascade of signal transfer in cells activated by IGF, GRB10, PIK3R3, PIK3R1, and IRSI were qualified as differentiating transcripts. IRSI indicated over-expression in tumour. Transcript SMAD2 showed a significant changed in tumour samples (increased expression).

Cellular Signal Transduction Pathways by Leptin in Colorectal Cancer Tissue: Preliminary Results

The aim of the study was to analyse genes typing with the use of the oligonucleotide microarray technique (HG-U133A, Affymetrix) differentiating colorectal cancer tissues from tissues assessed histopathologically as healthy ones among a panel of 91 mRNA of genes encoding proteins involved in activation of cellular signal transduction pathways by leptin. Frozen tumor specimens from 11 colon cancer patients in various stages of clinical progression of the disease in an I–IV stage scale according to the TNM staging were used in molecular tests. Among the genes participating in the cascade of signal transfer in cell activated by leptin, the following ones: AKT1, STAT3, MCL1 were qualified as differentiating stage I and II and VEGFC, CCNDI the encoding genes respectively as differentiating III and IV stage neoplasm. It is necessary to extend studies of analysis of cellular signal transduction pathways by leptin in colorectal cancer initiation and transformation processes.

Expression of ADAM28 and IGFBP-3 genes in patients with colorectal cancer - a preliminary report.

Adamalisynes (ADAMs) play an important role in inter-membrane interactions, cell adhesion and fusion processes and protein shedding from the cell surface. Many reports indicate that members of the ADAMs family are overexpressed in human cancer. The aim of the present study was to evaluate ADAM28 and Insulin Like Growth Factor Binding Protein-3 (IGFBP-3)) gene expression in colorectal carcinoma tissues with regard to the overweight or obese status of the patients using an oligonucleotide microarray technique. Fresh tissue specimens were obtained from colorectal cancer patients during surgical treatment. Eighteen specimens from tumour and 18 normal tissue specimens from colorectal cancer patients at clinical stages III and IV were analysed. The examined patients were divided into two groups; those with BMI≥25 and those with normal BMI. The control group consisted of 18 specimens of non-neoplastic colon tissues, which were divided between overweight/obese and normal body weight patients. The gene transcriptional activity from the specimens was analysed using an oligonucleotide microarray technique. Microarrays and rinsing and marking solutions were prepared according to the procedure in the Gene Expression Analysis Technical Manual. The following conclusions were made: i) change of ADAM28 and IGFBP-3 genes expression are present in the normal tissue in overweight/obese patients with colorectal cancer only; ii) the observed molecular variability of ADAM28 and IGFBP-3 expression may be an initial process of cancer proliferation; iii) the histopathologically normal surgical margin in this group of patients was not equal to the molecular margin.

Profile of gene expression of TLR-signaling pathways in colorectal cancer tissues:

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are involved in transduction of molecular signals in immune process such as induction and regulation of immunity, production of cytokines, and recognition of specific molecular patterns on the surface of microorganisms, but also in cancer development—which was partially proven in previous studies. There is a lack of detailed research on differentiating levels of TLR expression in colorectal cancer at different stages of its advancement, so in our study we want to determine whether there is such a difference of TLRs and TLR-connected protein expression. In this study, 83 samples of colorectal adenocarcinoma (varying clinical degrees) and 40 slices of healthy colon tissue have been analyzed. The delivered material was subjected to homogenization and extraction of total RNA. The isolated RNA was subsequently purified and valued quantitatively and qualitatively. Quantification was performed using a spectrophotometer GeneQuant II. The RNA concentration in the tested samples was determined spectrophotometrically. A qualitative assessment was performed by performing electrophoresis on a 1% agarose gel stained with ethidium bromide. The expression profile of the genes encoding the TLRs was determined using oligonucleotide microarray HG-U133A. To determine the mRNA (messenger RNA), differentiate cancerous tissue from normal colon using PL-Grid Infrastructure. The results were analyzed statistically, taking a significance level P < 0.05. In the study were found three proteins, DUSP2, IFNγ, EIF4A1, associated with TLR system, that differentiate early stages of colorectal cancer of healthy tissue, moreover eleven, inter alia: vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which differentiate high stage of cancer of healthy tissues. The results emphasize the role of pathways associated with TLR activation in the pathogenesis of colorectal cancer. In summary, molecular studies on the development of colorectal cancer will enable the introduction of minimally invasive genetic diagnosis of early forms of cancer. In addition, identification of new signaling pathways can provide the basis for developing new therapeutic methods.

A child with EEC syndrome — a 10 years follow-up

Ectrodactyly-ectodermal dysplasia-cleft (EEC) syndrome is a rare congenital disease, occurring in 7 per 10,000 live newborns. It runs in families as an inherited autosomal dominant; it can also occur spontaneously as a point missense mutation in the DNA-binding domain of the p63 transcription factor (TP63) gene. Clinical diagnosis of a complete EEC syndrome involves a patient who presents with ectrodactyly, ectodermal dysplasia, and cleft lip and/or palate. This paper presents outcome of 10 years of interdisciplinary therapy for an EEC child with special consideration of the facial presentation of the disease. The management of cases of EEC syndrome requires multidisciplinary action because of the great variability in clinical expression. In an individual patient, treatment should be based on clinical findings and symptoms. Early interdisciplinary therapy will allow a patient with EEC syndrome to reinstate oral functions, satisfactory appearance, and social integration.

Study of top ballet school students revealed large deficiencies in their body weight and body fat

This study assessed the nutritional status and physical activity levels of 150 female students aged 10–18 from three top Polish ballet schools, where the most promising dancers go on to pursue professional ballet careers.

Assessment of Nutritional Status in the Elderly

Abstract Assessing the nutritional status of elderly patients is an integral component of a comprehensive geriatric assessment. Anthropometric measurements, body composition estimation, and questionnaires such as the MNA, MST, NRI, and PINI are useful methods for assessing nutritional status in seniors. The aim of this paper is to provide methods of nutritional status assessment. Although there are many methods for assessing seniors’ nutritional status, so far we have failed to develop a “gold standard” for such nutritional assessments.

Response to "Oral health in the elderly patient and its impact on general well-being: a nonsystematic review" paper.

Dear editor Gil-Montoya et al has recently published an interesting article in Clinical Interventions in Aging entitled: “Oral health in the elderly patient and its impact on general well-being: a nonsystematic review”.1 Authors presented a non-systematic review of the published data regarding the oral health status of the elderly and its main repercussions, including its impact on general health and nutrition. As the authors underline, the risk of cavities, root caries, and more commonly observed tooth sensitivity or dry mouth increases with age. Acute and chronic comorbidities, as well as pharmacologic agents used in the treatment of these diseases show a significant impact on oral health.1,2 Poor oral health can affect a person’s quality of life. Among those aspects for keeping up good oral health; daily oral hygiene practices, health education, diet type, and proper oral health policy formulation are very important.3 Actually, epidemiological research of dental problems indicates that most of the elderly neglect hygiene and oral care – brushing their teeth only once a day or not al all, not flossing daily, not cleaning their tongues, not replacing missing teeth with dentures, and avoiding regular dental checkups.4,5 Teeth loss and edentulism may be a possible outcome of such actions particularly in elderly. Some authors propose that edentulism could be a good mortality predictor and others associate it with a substantive quality of life impairment.1 While the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research reported that the prevalence of both partial and total tooth loss in seniors has decreased from the early 1970s, seniors over 65 have lost an average of 13 teeth (including wisdom teeth), and 26% of seniors over 65 have no remaining teeth.6 Poor oral hygiene is prevalent among older people all over the world and it is highly associated with oral self-care, behavior, habits, and socio-economic status.2,7 Good daily dental hygiene is necessary to maintain good oral health and quality of life in older people. To provide appropriate dental care to the elderly it is also important to promote and provide health education for the elderly, as well as for oral health professionals, public health specialists, and legislators. In the current demographic and economic perspectives, this is one of the major public health problems of the 21st century.

Response to vitamin D and depression in geriatric primary care patients

Dear editor Lapid et al recently published an interesting article in Clinical Interventions in Aging entitled: “Vitamin D and depression in geriatric primary care patients”.1 Their conclusion that “lower vitamin D levels were associated with depression” was based on a study that analyzed the patients in primary care internal medicine “who had at least one total serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] level from 2004–2008. For those with multiple serum 25(OH)D measurements, authors used the index of first measurements”.1 25-hydroxyvitamin D is the major circulating form of vitamin D that has a half-life of approximately 2–3 weeks.2 Adams et al showed that the rate at which 25(OH)D declined among people who have taken high amounts of vitamin D supplements and subsequently abstained from supplements, is approximately 10.7 ± 3.0 nmol/L per month.3 Therefore, diverse transitory disorders, occurring about once a month before the time of the first serum 25(OH)D measurement, can modify total vitamin D concentration. For example: Patients on medications affecting vitamin D metabolism, eg, antibiotics – erythromycin, clotrimazole, rifampicin; antiretroviral drugs – ritononavir, saquinavir, histamine H2-receptor antagonist – cimetidine, aldosterone receptor antagonists – spironolactone, or current steroid therapy.4 Acute diseases of different etiology (eg, infectious, gastrointestinal upset, hepatic impairment, or serious allergic reactions), and surgical treatment.5 A sudden change in lifestyle such as limitation of daily physical activity, a change in diet and nutrition (including the number of meals per day), alcohol or medicinal product abuse.6 Although the authors point out that this was a retrospective cross-sectional study among “geriatric patients seen in the primary care setting”,1 in our opinion, it would be necessary to complete the data of patients (such as medical history, physical examination). This data should be used for choosing the proper study group.