Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) is the leading cause of death in Poland. Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] constitutes an independent, causal risk factor for ASCVD and aortic valve stenosis. Elevated Lp(a) is found i...Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) is the leading cause of death in Poland. Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] constitutes an independent, causal risk factor for ASCVD and aortic valve stenosis. Elevated Lp(a) is found in approximately 20% of the Polish population. Lp(a) measurements have been recommended in all adult patients to improve cardiovascular risk stratification. As the testing rate remains insufficient, there is a need to facilitate the incorporation of Lp(a) into routine patient care. This clinically oriented review outlines (i) up-to-date evidence on the role of Lp(a) in cardiovascular diseases, (ii) recent real-world data on the characteristics of Polish patients with elevated Lp(a), and (iii) strategies for Lp(a) testing and management in light of the current national recommendations and the latest 2025 Focused Update of the 2019 ESC/EAS Guidelines for the management of dyslipidemias.
INTRODUCTION: Single-bundle autologous hamstring tendon reconstruction is a surgical procedure used primarily in orthopedics. The aim of the study was to investigate the impact of using autologous hamstring tendon single...INTRODUCTION: Single-bundle autologous hamstring tendon reconstruction is a surgical procedure used primarily in orthopedics. The aim of the study was to investigate the impact of using autologous hamstring tendon single-bundle restoration in conjunction with braided threads on both joint stability and clinical efficacy in patients suffering from posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) rupture. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In total, 106 patients diagnosed with PCL rupture were randomly assigned to the control group and study group, each group consisting of 53 patients. The control group received autologous hamstring tendon single-bundle reconstruction, whereas the study group received autologous hamstring tendon single-bundle reconstruction together with braided thread treatment. The comparative rates of treatment success and satisfaction, complication occurrence, pre-and post-surgery joint activity indicators, gait parameters, knee joint function, and joint stability were assessed. RESULTS: The study group showed a significantly higher rate of excellent and good treatment outcomes compared to the control group ( < 0.05). Twelve months after surgery, the study group showed significantly higher joint activity index, stride length, stride speed, and Rasmussen score compared to the control group. CONCLUSIONS: The single-bundle reconstruction combined with braided thread has good clinical efficacy in patients with PCL rupture and more effectively improves the patient's joint stability.
INTRODUCTION: Cuproptosis is an emerging form of programmed cell death that has been implicated in tumor progression. Nevertheless, the relationship between cuproptosis and the metastatic process in colorectal cancer (CR...INTRODUCTION: Cuproptosis is an emerging form of programmed cell death that has been implicated in tumor progression. Nevertheless, the relationship between cuproptosis and the metastatic process in colorectal cancer (CRC) remains obscure, as are the underlying molecular mechanisms that drive CRC progression in this process. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Bioinformatics, quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), immunofluorescence (IF), and Western blot (WB) were leveraged to analyze the expression levels of RBM24 in CRC. Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, Transwell, and WB assays were conducted to determine the cell proliferation, migration, and invasive potential, alongside the expression analysis of metastasis-related proteins. Intracellular Cu levels were quantified using a Copper Assay Kit. Additionally, the expression of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway and cuproptosis-related proteins were probed via WB. RESULTS: RBM24 was under-expressed in CRC, and its forced expression inhibited the metastatic abilities of CRC cells, including migration, invasion, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). The use of a MAPK pathway inhibitor could temper the pro-metastatic effects associated with low RBM24 levels. At the molecular level, the combination of copper ionophores with copper ions (Es-Cu) upregulated RBM24, leading to the inhibition of CRC cell spread. The effects of cuproptosis on CRC cells were abolished by knocking down RBM24. CONCLUSIONS: Elevated levels of cuproptosis-induced cell death disrupt the MAPK signaling cascade, thus suppressing the metastasis of CRC. This discovery sheds new light on the potential application of cuproptosis in oncological treatments.
INTRODUCTION: Anaemia remains a major public health issue. This condition adversely impacts women of reproductive age, especially in low-income countries. Although there is an ongoing global effort to reduce anaemia prev...INTRODUCTION: Anaemia remains a major public health issue. This condition adversely impacts women of reproductive age, especially in low-income countries. Although there is an ongoing global effort to reduce anaemia prevalence, progress is slow and uneven. Anaemia exhibits unique patterns in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) due to this region's economic disparities and variations in access to health services. This study examined trends in anaemia prevalence among pregnant and nonpregnant women in the EMR by national income. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This retrospective cross-sectional study examined anaemia prevalence among pregnant and nonpregnant women in 21 EMR countries in the period 2000-2019 at 5-year intervals. The data on anaemia prevalence were compiled by the World Health Organization (WHO), while the World Bank provided the income classifications. Descriptive statistics were used to examine trends in prevalence and their associations with each country's income. RESULTS: Although a general decrease in anaemia prevalence was observed among both pregnant and nonpregnant women, this improvement varied by income group. Pregnant women exhibited a greater reduction than nonpregnant women (-12% vs. -10%). Low-income countries reported higher prevalence rates. The study revealed significant negative associations between national income and anaemia prevalence ( < 0.001). While some countries demonstrated improvements, others exhibited unique or unexpected behaviours or stagnant rates. CONCLUSIONS: Economic differences significantly impact trends in anaemia prevalence among women of reproductive age in the EMR. Urgent, country-targeted interventions, particularly in low-income countries, are necessary to meet the WHO's goal of reducing anaemia among women of reproductive age by 50% before 2030.
INTRODUCTION: Myocardial infarction (MI) is a leading cause of mortality, driven by inflammation and cardiac remodeling. While high-intensity interval training (HIIT) improves MI outcomes, its molecular mechanisms remain...INTRODUCTION: Myocardial infarction (MI) is a leading cause of mortality, driven by inflammation and cardiac remodeling. While high-intensity interval training (HIIT) improves MI outcomes, its molecular mechanisms remain poorly defined, limiting therapeutic optimization. This study aimed to identify molecular targets and signaling pathways modulated by HIIT in MI, uncovering new therapeutic strategies for cardiovascular recovery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Differential gene expression analysis of the GSE66360 dataset, comprising circulating endothelial cells from MI patients ( = 49) and healthy controls ( = 50), identified 481 DEGs. Cross-referencing with 717 HIIT-related genes from GeneCards revealed 39 overlapping genes. PPI and functional enrichment analyses highlighted seven hub genes: TNF, IL1B, MMP9, TLR4, ICAM1, TLR2, and CXCL1. These were validated by RT-qPCR in MI patients and controls ( = 20 each). MI was induced in rats ( = 8 per group), followed by an 8-week HIIT regimen. Infarct size, fibrosis, and protein expression were assessed using TTC staining, histology, and Western blot. RESULTS: We identified 481 DEGs in MI (351 upregulated, 130 downregulated; FDR-adjusted < 0.05, |log2 fold change| > 1), with 39 overlapping HIIT-related genes. Seven hub genes (TNF, IL1B, MMP9, TLR4, ICAM1, TLR2, CXCL1) were upregulated in MI patients ( < 0.001, RT-qPCR). In MI rats, HIIT reduced infarct size by 32% ( < 0.01), decreased fibrosis and inflammatory cell infiltration ( < 0.05), and downregulated all seven hub genes ( < 0.05). Enrichment analyses linked these genes to TNF and TLR pathways, highlighting HIIT's anti-inflammatory effects. CONCLUSIONS: HIIT protects the heart after MI by targeting inflammatory and remodeling pathways, providing a basis for precision cardiovascular therapy.
INTRODUCTION: β-thalassemia is a genetic disorder characterized by a quantitative defect in β-globin synthesis caused by genetic and epigenetic alterations. However, the expression patterns of ) and their relationship wi...INTRODUCTION: β-thalassemia is a genetic disorder characterized by a quantitative defect in β-globin synthesis caused by genetic and epigenetic alterations. However, the expression patterns of ) and their relationship with genes and proteins involved in iron metabolism and erythropoiesis remain largely unknown. We aimed to investigate the expression of and their correlation with iron and erythropoiesis regulatory proteins in patients with transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia (TDβ-T). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Whole blood samples and clinical records were collected from 60 patients with TDβ-T and 20 healthy controls. Expression levels of selected were measured using qRT-PCR. Iron metabolism and erythropoiesis-related proteins were quantified using ELISA. RESULTS: TDβ-T patients exhibited significantly elevated levels of iron and erythropoiesis regulatory proteins, as well as increased expression of , , , and compared to controls. Additionally, , , , , and were markedly upregulated, while was downregulated in patients with TDβ-T. Among these, and showed the strongest diagnostic performance. A significant correlation was observed between the expression of and and , , and . Furthermore, expression correlated positively with and negatively with urea levels, whereas was inversely correlated with expression. CONCLUSIONS: This study is the first to demonstrate altered expression patterns and their associations with iron metabolism, erythropoiesis regulatory proteins, and urea levels in patients with TDβ-T. These findings provide new insights for future research and potential therapeutic targets.
INTRODUCTION: Visual impairment (VI) is associated with frailty in observational studies, but whether this relationship is causal remains uncertain. This study aimed to investigate the genetic correlation and causal asso...INTRODUCTION: Visual impairment (VI) is associated with frailty in observational studies, but whether this relationship is causal remains uncertain. This study aimed to investigate the genetic correlation and causal associations between genetically predicted VI and frailty using Mendelian randomization (MR) and linkage disequilibrium score regression (LDSC). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Genome-wide association studies provided summary data for VI subtypes (glaucoma, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, hypermetropia, myopia) and frailty measures (frailty index (FI) and fried frailty score (FFS)). LDSC was used to estimate genetic correlations, and MR was conducted using inverse-variance weighted (IVW) as the primary method, supplemented by MR-Egger and weighted median. Sensitivity analyses, including radial MR, Cochran's Q test, MR-Egger intercept, and MR-PRESSO, were used to assess pleiotropy and heterogeneity. RESULTS: Significant genetic correlations were found between VI, cataracts, age-related macular degeneration, and frailty. Suggestive correlations were identified between myopia and FI. MR analysis showed increased FI and FFS risks with other cataracts (FI: = 0.0324; FFS: = 0.027) and diabetic retinopathy (FI: < 0.001; FFS: = 0.0119). Visual disturbances were associated with increased FI risk ( = 0.0101), while age-related macular degeneration elevated FFS risk ( = 0.0251). Reverse analysis revealed that frailty also increased susceptibility to VI. No causal relationships were found for other eye diseases, and analyses showed no evidence of pleiotropy or heterogeneity. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights significant genetic associations and bidirectional causal relationships between VI and frailty. Future research should include multiethnic populations and larger datasets to further explore these mechanisms.
INTRODUCTION: Personalized medicine in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) aims to achieve maximum effectiveness through rapid induction and maintenance of remission. To achieve this goal, reliable predictors of disease cou...INTRODUCTION: Personalized medicine in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) aims to achieve maximum effectiveness through rapid induction and maintenance of remission. To achieve this goal, reliable predictors of disease course are needed. The aim of this study was to identify early markers of IBD's poor course understood as the need for anti-tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF-α) treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We analyzed the clinical, laboratory, radiological, and endoscopic data of children with IBD. These parameters were assessed at the time of diagnosis (T0) and 8-12 weeks (T1) after the start of induction therapy. The results of patients who did not require anti-TNF-α treatment were compared to children who needed such treatment during the 2-year observation time. RESULTS: 58.14% of patients with Crohn's disease (CD) and 31.71% of patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) required biological therapy. Patients with CD and UC receiving biological therapy, compared with those without, differed in selected clinical and laboratory parameters both at T0 and T1. In multivariate analysis, the risk of anti-TNF-α therapy in patients with CD was associated with the lack of normalization of mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and Pediatric Crohn's Disease Activity Index (PCDAI). In patients with UC, higher albumin levels reduced this risk. CONCLUSIONS: In children with IBD, disease activity and concentrations of selected biochemical parameters assessed within 3 months after diagnosis may be helpful in predicting a poor outcome of CD and UC.
INTRODUCTION: Medication non-adherence (MNA) is a leading cause of graft loss and mortality in renal transplant recipients. Smartphone addiction (SPA) is associated with cognitive impairment and poor time management, but...INTRODUCTION: Medication non-adherence (MNA) is a leading cause of graft loss and mortality in renal transplant recipients. Smartphone addiction (SPA) is associated with cognitive impairment and poor time management, but its relationship with MNA remains unclear. This is the first study to investigate the association between SPA and MNA in renal transplant recipients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 140 renal transplant recipients. SPA was assessed using the Smartphone Addiction Scale-Short Version (SAS-SV) and weekly screen time. MNA was measured using the Immunosuppressant Therapy Adherence Scale (ITAS), classifying adherence as perfect (12), acceptable (10-11), or poor (≤ 9). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression were performed to identify predictors of MNA. RESULTS: Patients with poor adherence had longer weekly screen time (27 ±10 h) than those with perfect (20 ±10 h) or acceptable adherence (21 ±11 h) ( < 0.001). The poor adherence group had a higher prevalence of SPA (66%) than the perfect (38%) and acceptable adherence groups (36%) ( = 0.020). In univariate analysis, higher SAS-SV scores ( = 0.006) and weekly screen time ( = 0.006) were associated with MNA. In multivariate analysis, only weekly screen time > 22 h remained an independent predictor (OR = 4.106, 95% CI: 1.366-12.336, = 0.012), while SAS-SV scores lost significance. CONCLUSIONS: Excessive smartphone use, particularly prolonged screen time, is independently associated with MNA in renal transplant recipients. Integrating screen time tracking into routine transplant care may help identify at-risk patients. Future studies should determine whether reducing screen exposure improves adherence.
At present, hematological indices and biomarkers of inflammation that may be associated with atherosclerosis and the prediction of acute coronary syndromes (ACS) attract a lot of academic attention. This updated focused...At present, hematological indices and biomarkers of inflammation that may be associated with atherosclerosis and the prediction of acute coronary syndromes (ACS) attract a lot of academic attention. This updated focused review aims to provide an overview of selected ACS biomarkers: white blood cells, neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio, platelet to lymphocyte ratio, systemic inflammatory index (SII), systemic inflammatory response index (SIRI) and lipoprotein(a). Novel inflammatory-lipid biomarkers such as high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) ratio, neutrophil to HDL-C ratio, and monocyte to HDL-C ratio may improve ACS diagnosis, risk stratification, clinical prognosis, and optimal management. These indices are inexpensive and easily obtained in daily clinical practice. Artificial intelligence and genetic analysis may improve their diagnostic performance and guide clinical management. The recent data also emphasize that these indices may be promising clinical tools for assessing ACS patients and monitoring the effectiveness of emerging anti-inflammatory strategies.
INTRODUCTION: Postpartum depression (PPD) is a severe emotional disorder affecting women worldwide, with significant impacts on maternal and infant health. Its genetic contributors and biological mechanisms are poorly un...INTRODUCTION: Postpartum depression (PPD) is a severe emotional disorder affecting women worldwide, with significant impacts on maternal and infant health. Its genetic contributors and biological mechanisms are poorly understood. Identifying druggable genes and clarifying their causal roles may offer insights for developing more effective treatments. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We identified drug-related genes and screened gene expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) from the eQTLGen consortium and genotype tissue expression (GTEx) v8 dataset, focusing on 13 brain tissues, along with Qi .'s meta-study on the cerebral cortex. Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses were used to investigate causal relationships between gene expression and PPD risk. Replication analyses in an independent PPD cohort validated initial findings, and meta-analysis combined MR results. Summary-data-based MR (SMR) and heterogeneity in dependent instruments (HEIDI) tests were also performed, followed by colocalization analyses to assess shared causal variants. Mediation analyses were conducted to explore how genetic effects may influence brain connectivity patterns. RESULTS: From 5,883 druggable genes, 37 showed potential causal links to PPD. Replication analyses confirmed 9 of these genes, with 4 remaining significant in meta-analysis. SMR and HEIDI analyses focused on CLCN7, which showed robust evidence for causal involvement in PPD. Colocalization analyses suggested shared causal variants, and mediation analyses revealed that CLCN7's genetic risk is partially mediated by left- to right-hemisphere visual network white-matter structural connectivity. CONCLUSIONS: Our analysis identified CLCN7 as a potential causal factor in PPD, with its effect mediated through brain connectivity. These findings offer targets for future studies and therapeutic strategies for PPD.
INTRODUCTION: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive subtype of breast cancer characterized by the absence of estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and human epidermal growth factor receptor...INTRODUCTION: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive subtype of breast cancer characterized by the absence of estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). Ferroptosis, a regulated form of cell death driven by lipid peroxidation, has emerged as a potential therapeutic target. This study aimed to evaluate the expression levels of ferroptosis-associated genes GPX4, ACSL4, and BCAT2 in TNBC tissues and to investigate their potential as diagnostic or therapeutic biomarkers. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 100 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) breast tissue samples were analyzed, including 60 TNBC patient samples and 40 healthy controls. Gene expression levels of GPX4, ACSL4, and BCAT2 were determined using RT-qPCR. Statistical comparisons were conducted using the Mann-Whitney U test, and correlation analyses were performed using Spearman's test. RESULTS: The expression levels of GPX4, ACSL4, and BCAT2 were significantly lower in the TNBC group compared to controls ( = 0.0001 for all genes). Strong positive correlations were observed among the three genes, with BCAT2 showing the highest correlation with both GPX4 ( = 0.636) and ACSL4 ( = 0.683). Additionally, BCAT2 expression negatively correlated with tumor diameter and Ki-67 index. CONCLUSIONS: The significant downregulation and strong positive correlation of GPX4, ACSL4, and BCAT2 in TNBC tissues suggest coordinated suppression of ferroptosis. These findings highlight the potential of targeting ferroptosis as a novel therapeutic strategy in TNBC and propose these genes as candidate biomarkers for diagnosis and treatment response.