The association between socioeconomic status and health-related quality of life among Polish postmenopausal women from urban and rural communities

In recent years, more scholarly attention has been paid to a growing range of geographic characteristics as antecedents of inequalities in women's health and well-being. The purpose of this study was to evaluate differences in health-related quality of life between rural and urban Polish postmenopausal women. Using a data set from a reproductive health preventive screening of 660 postmenopausal women aged 48-60 years, inhabitants of Wielkopolska and Lublin provinces, the association of place of residence, socioeconomic status and lifestyle factors with health-related quality of life (the SF-36 instrument) was evaluated using ANCOVA models and multiple logistic regression analysis with backward elimination steps. A consistent rural-to-urban gradient was found in all indices of physical health functioning and well-being but not in vitality, social functioning, emotional role and mental health scales with women in large cities being likely to enjoy the highest and those in villages the lowest quality of life. The rural-urban disparities in health-related quality of life were mediated by women's socioeconomic status. The likelihood of worse physical and mental functioning and well-being was 2-3 times greater for the low socioeconomic status rural women than their counterparts from more affluent urban areas. The educational attainment and employment status were the most powerful independent risk factors for health-related quality of life in both rural and urban women. Better understanding of the role of socioeconomic status that acts as a mediator in the association between area of residence and health-related quality of life may be useful in developing public health policies on health inequalities among women at midlife.

Human Eb peptide: not just a by-product of pre-pro-IGF1b processing?

Several physiological activities have been assigned to E-peptides derived from pre-pro-insulin-like growth factor (IGF1) processing; however, the whole range of the E-peptides' functions is still unknown. The objective of this study was to investigate human Eb peptide (hEb) in terms of its bioactivity, cellular localization, and intracellular trafficking using human cancer cells. Human Eb fused with red fluorescence protein (RFP) or green fluorescence protein (GFP) localizes strongly to nucleoli and to a lesser extent to nuclei of HeLa and U2-OS cells. Mutagenesis of hEb nucleolus localization sequence (NoLS) leads to its partial delocalization from nuclei and nucleoli to cytoplasm of transfected cells. Thus, NoLS is not sufficient for the hEb to be localized in nucleoli of the cells and a different mechanism may be involved in hEb targeting. A BrdU ELISA showed that the proliferation index of cells expressing hEb hybrid proteins increased up to 28%. For comparison, the same assay was performed using HeLa cells treated extracellularly with synthetic hEb. A significant increase in the proliferation index was observed (41-58% for concentrations ranging from 10-100 nM, respectively). Additionally, a cell migration assay was performed using stable U2-OS cell lines expressing hEb fused with RFP or RFP alone as a negative control. The migration index of hEb expressing cells was 38.3% greater. The increase in cell proliferation index and in motile properties of hEb expressing cells demonstrate that hEb is more than a pre-pro-IGF1b processing product, and has intrinsic activity of biological significance.

Association of the IGF-I promoter P1 polymorphism with risk of cervical cancer

Human papillomaviruses (HPV16, HPV18, HPV31, HPV33) are etiological agents in the development of cervical cancer. HPVs infect epithelial cells and depend on epithelial differentiation for the completion of their life cycle. Insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) is a potent mitogen involved in the regulation of cell proliferation and apoptosis of many cell types including normal and transformed epithelial cells. Deregulation of IGF-I expression and action is linked to diverse pathologies including cancer. A polymorphism in the P1 promoter region of the IGF-I gene may directly influence its expression. Using the PCR-SSCP method and sequencing of DNA, we identified a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) at -383(C>T) position of promoter P1 of the IGF-I in 16% of the study HPV-positive women with precancerous and cancerous lesions. In vitro, we observed that the SNP at-383(C>T) site significantly increased the reporter gene expresion in the HepG2 cell line, but not in the HeLa cell line relative to the wild type promoter. It suggests that the studied SNP can change expression of the IGF-I gene in distinct ways in different types of tissues. Deregulation of expression of the IGF-I gene can affect normal epithelium development and in case of HPV infection can potentially disrupt the virus life cycle and stimulate its passage into the oncogenic life cycle or persistent viral infections. Therefore, we propose that SNP C>T at the -383 position of P1 promoter may be one of the helpful prognostic markers in the diagnosis of cervical cancer development of women with persistent infection in the ectocervical epithelium. We have not found any association between the polymorphism CA repeats in the promoter P1 region of the IGF-I gene and suceptibility to HPV infection and cervical cancer development. The (CA)19 allele was the most common in the study of this group of women.

The prevalence of leptotrichia amnionii in cervical swabs of HPV positive and negative women

The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of Leptotrichia amnionii in cervical swabs of women and its possible correlation with HPV infection and the stage of cervical cancer.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A total of 139 cervical swabs from healthy women with normal cytology, with dysplastic changes and with cervical cancer were tested for the presence of L.amnionii and high-risk HPV DNA by PCR methods.

RESULTS

L. amnionii was found in normal vaginal flora and in women with bacterial vaginosis (BV), which suggests that it may be oportunistic pathogen. L. amnionii infection was diagnosed in 13.7% (19/139). Statistical analysis showed that there was positive association (p < 0.01) between the presence of L.amnionii in women with cervical cancer (38.5%) and its presence in women without cancer (11.1%). On the other hand, there was no statistically significant association between L.amnionii and HPV infections.

CONCLUSION

The data presented in this study show for the first time the prevalence of L. amnionii infection in cervical specimens collected from 2004-2006 in Poznan and Lublin, Poland, and its association with HPV infection and the stage of carcinogenesis of the cervix.

Prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis and herpes simplex virus 2 in cervical carcinoma associated with human papillomavirus detected in paraffin-sectioned samples

PURPOSE

The aim of the study was to evaluate the frequency of occurrence of HPV and co-infection: Chlamydia (C.) trachomatis and HSV-2 in cervical cancer.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study group consisted of 570 paraffin-sectioned samples of patients with cervical cancer. In order to identify viral and bacterial DNA in DNA isolated from archival, postoperative material, PCR analysis was performed using starters complementary to various types of HPV, HSV-2 and C. trachomatis.

RESULTS

In patients with squamous cell cervical cancer the presence of 33 types of HPV was found in 90% (468/520). HPV 16 infections occurred in 69.4% (325/468), while HPV 18 infections were present in 30.5% (143/468) of cases. In the control group C. trachomatis and HSV-2 were observed in four cases (4/50), which constitute 8.0%. In the tissue sections from patients with squamous cell cervical carcinoma, C. trachomatis was identified in 26% (135/520) and HSV-2 in 28% (145/520). In the group of patients with adenocarcinoma C. trachomatis infections were found in 24% (12/50) and herpes virus was identified in 30% (15/50). Statistically significantly higher frequency of occurrence of HSV-2 and C. trachomatis was observed in paraffin-sectioned samples for patients with invasive cervical cancer compared to the control group, without neoplastic lesions (p < 0.05). No correlation was found between frequency of occurrence of HPV and C. trachomatis and of HPV and HSV-2 detected in paraffin-sectioned samples for cervical carcinoma.

Genetic variants in the promoter region of the IGF-I gene as a reason for short stature

DNA obtained from the blood cells of 88 adolescent patients with short stature, with low blood serum IGF-I concentrations, normal growth hormone (GH) secretion and normal GH receptor (GHR) structure, was analyzed in the promoter region for the IGF-I gene. A total of 24 genetic variants was detected in the DNA of 13 patients. An attempt was also made to analyze the impact of identified mutations on DNA-protein interactions using EMSA.

The level of antibody against E6 HPV 16 oncoprotein in blood sera of women with chronic HPV 16 infection and cervical cancer

The aim of this study was to estimate of the role of chronic HPV 16 infection and the presence of anti E6 HPV 16 in the initiation of the cancerogenesis process of cervical cancer.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study included two groups of patients. The first group comprised 323 women observed for three consecutive years (1998-2000), in whom the presence of HPV 16 viruses was estimated by PCR, and the level of anti E6 HPV 16 antibodies was estimated in the plasma with ELISA. A similar test was performed in a group of 46 patients with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), 91 patients with invasive cervical cancer and 22 women after hysterectomy and RTG-therapy.

RESULTS

In 32 patients, chronic HPV 16 infection showed a steady rise in the mean absorbance level of anti E6 HPV 16 antibodies from 0.04 in 1998 to 0.06 in 2000, while in HPV-negative women the mean absorbance value was 0.03-0.04. Mean absorbance value in patients with CIN III and invasive cancer rose with advancing stage of the cancer process and lowered after completion of oncological treatment. The values were 0.14, 0.33 and 0.13, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The persistence of chronic HPV 16 infection and accompanying steady rise in absorbance index caused by an increase in the level of antiviral antibodies are a clear warning signal preceding in time the histological process of cancerogenesis.

Chlamydia trachomatis and herpes simplex virus 2 infection in vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia associated with human papillomavirus

BACKGROUND

The role of viral and bacterial co-infection is stressed in VIN. A view that VIN is a sexually transmitted disease made the area of research larger and stimulated scientists to seek other sexually transmitted factors, among which Chlamydia trachomatis and Herpes simplex are frequently examined.

PURPOSE

The aim of the study was to evaluate the frequency of occurrence of HPV DNA and the frequency of co-infection with Herpes virus type 2 and Chlamydia trachomatis in VIN.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We identified archival diagnostic phase tissue specimens from 41 cases of vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia III. From the same paraffin blocks containing material from the margins of surgical sections during vulvectomy, normal epithelial tissue fragments were collected. They constituted the control group. Lesion characteristics were examined in comparison with the presence of HPV DNA, HSV-2 and Chlamydia trachomatsis. Identification was performed using PCR.

RESULTS

In the study group HPV infection was found in 75.6% of cases. In 73% of cases it was HPV 16. In the control group we found HPV 16 DNA in only one case (2.43%). In the HPV positive study group HPV 16 was found in 30 (30/31) cases. In only one case (1/31) it was HPV 18 type. In the study group of 41 cases with VIN, HSV-2 infection was found in six cases (14.63%). In comparison with the control group (9.75%) the difference was not statistically significant. The frequency of occurrence of Chlamydia trachomatis in the analyzed study material was 14.63% (6/41) and in the control group it was 9.75% (4/41). The difference was not statistically significant. Statistical analyses of correlations between the occurrence of DNA HPV and HSV-2 as well as of HPV and Chlamydia trachomatis showed no correlation in either case.

CONCLUSION

No correlation was found between the frequency of occurrence of HPV and HSV-2 and HPV and Chlamydia trachomatis in either group.

DNA adducts in squamous cell cervical carcinomas associated with HPV infection

The aim of the study was qualitative and quantitative evaluation of DNA adducts in squamous cell cervical carcinomas associated with oncogenic HPV infection.

MATERIAL

The study material consisted of oncogenic tissue collected during the surgeries of seven women aged 37 to 52 who were undergoing surgical treatment due to squamous cell cervical carcinoma. The control group consisted of 3 tissue fragments from morphologically normal cervix collected from patients undergoing surgery due to uterine myomas.

METHODS

DNA from the tissues was isolated using Genomic Prep Plus kit from A&A Biotechnology, Austria. Amplification reactions detecting HPV DNA presence in the tissue fragments were performed using specific starters allowing for amplification of conservative genome fragments within L1, E6 and E7 Papilloma viruses. After extraction, the DNA specimens underwent enzymatic digestion to nucleotides and marked on the 5' end using gamma32P-post labeling technique. Division and quantitative evaluation of DNA adducts was performed using thin-layer chromatography (TLC) on PEI-cellulose plates. Qualitative radioactivity measurements were performed using Bio-Imaging analyzer in quantitative mode.

RESULTS

In all fragments, including the control, HPV 16 and/or 18 DNA was found. Mean adduct content in cervical carcinoma tissues was 289 adducts per 10(9) nucleotides and was higher than mean adduct content in control tissues (57 adducts per 10(9) nucleotides).

CONCLUSIONS

The study results suggest that the content of DNA adducts in squamous cell cervical cancer associated with HPV infection may serve as a molecular marker of oncogenesis in this organ.

Content of folic acid and free homocysteine in blood serum of human papillomavirus-infected women with cervical dysplasia

The authors estimated the concentrations of folic acid and free homocysteine in the blood serum of women with CIN III (cervical intraepithelial neoplasia-Burghard's classification) infected with DNA HPV (human papillomaviruses) of type 16 and/or 18. The control group consisted of 49 patients with normal cytological smears without HPV infection. Types 16 and/or 18 DNA HPV were found in 50 patients. This women qualified for the studied group. The sequence of DNA HPV type 16 and/or 18 was identified with the PCR method (polymerase chain reaction). The high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method was employed to evaluate the levels of folic acid and free homocysteine in the blood serum of the examined patients. Significantly lower levels of folic acid and higher levels of free homocysteine were observed in the blood serum of HPV-positive patients with CIN III. The correlation was found between serum concentrations of folic acid and free homocysteine in both groups.

Growth hormone treatment in pituitary insufficiency: selected cases of children with craniopharyngioma and medulloblastoma

PURPOSE

The work concerns the substitution treatment with growth hormone (GH) in hypopituitary children, including cases that occurred in the course of tumor disease, craniopharyngioma (CP) and medulloblastoma (MB).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The studied population concerned 117 children who presented either somatotropic or polyhormonal pituitary insufficiency (the average age was 12.6 years for girls and 13.6 years for boys). The diagnosis of somatotropic pituitary insufficiency (SPI) was based on insulin and clonidin stimulation tests evaluating GH reserve of hypophysis. The computer tomography (CT) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) examinations were carried out before GH substitution in all children. The tumors (four CP cases and one case of MB) were all found in boys and they were treated with surgery and/or radiotherapy. All studied children, including CP and MB operated patients were treated with human GH (hGH)--Genotropin 16 IU, administered in subcutaneous injections. The daily dose was calculated as 0.5 IU/kg/week.

RESULTS

The annual increase of children height before GH therapy was about 3.2 cm. In the first year of GH therapy the difference in children growth between the CP/MB group as compared with the rest of patients was less than 1.0 cm: 9.4 and 10.2 cm/year, resp. During the second year of hormone substitution the growth became slower: average values were 8.2 cm and 7.4 cm/year, resp. In CP and MB patients the height increase calculated as SDS values was significant (2.7 and 1.0 resp.). Control NMR examination performed in CP/MB patients treated with surgery with subsequent hGH therapy did not demonstrate any recurrence of tumor.

CONCLUSIONS

After two years of hGH therapy the final height of hypopituitary children, including CP patients, nearly reached the values observed in healthy children. GH therapy did not induce a recurrence of neoplasm in CP and MB patients.

Evaluation of DNA mismatch repair system in cervical dysplasias and invasive carcinomas related to HPV infection

The aim of this study was to answer the question whether the products of hMSH2 and hMLH1 genes take part in the mutation track of cervical carcinoma.

METHODS

IgG1 monoclonal antibodies (Pharmingen) detecting epitopes characteristic of hMLH1 and hMSH2 were used in the present study. The value of the half-quantitative H-score coefficient was calculated. Its threshold value was 0.4. Identification of 16 and 18 HPV types was performed by PCR.

RESULTS

An intensified hMLH1 protein expression was observed both in the squamous epithelial carcinomas and cervical adenocarcinomas (H-score of 1.44 and 0.98, respectively) as compared to the control (H-score of 0.9). However, a decreased expression of hMSH2 protein was observed in the analysed cases of carcinoma (0.9 and 0.7) as compared to the control group (1.2). An intensified expression in G3 for hMLH1 and higher hMLH1 in comparison to hMSH2 was observed.

CONCLUSIONS

1. A considerable expression of hMLH1 and hMLH1 proteins was observed in the tissues with invasive cervical carcinoma not only within epithelial but also in stromal cells. 2. More intense expression of hMLH1 and hMSH2 was observed in invasive carcinomas and CIN than in the non-neoplastic cervical tissue lesions (erosion). 3. A stronger expression was observed for the hMLH1 than for the hMSH2 proteins--contrary to the cases of carcinomas of the uterine corpus and endometrial carcinoma.

[PCR and Digene Hybride Capture System I in identification of human papillomavirus]

We have analyzed and compared two different systems used in identification of DNA HPV. 100 samples obtained from patients with I degree and II degree Papanicolaou smears and 200 from patients with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia were analyzed. The obtained data indicate higher sensitivity of the PCR method compared to Digene Hybride Capture System.

Intratype HPV16 sequence variation within LCR of isolates from asymptomatic carriers and cervical cancers

BACKGROUND

HPV16 is a predominant type of virus identified in genital lesions and strongly associated with the development of genital cancers. Infection with the virus is considered to be the main risk factor in the development of cervical cancer. Based on HPV16 DNA isolated from invasive cancers, a classification of intratype genetic variants was established and the strains were designated according to geographical regions. The HPV16 variants classification was based on isolates derived from cancers.

OBJECTIVES

Analysis of HPV16 LCR variants isolated from asymptomatic carriers for comparison with cervical cancer isolates to examine whether a correlation can be found between cervical epithelium state and variant of HPV16 it carries.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The HPV16 LCR fragments were amplified by PCR using DNA isolated from cervical swabs and tissue sections then screened for nucleotide changes by SSCP. Polymorphic sites were analysed for regulatory protein binding properties by EMSA.

RESULTS

Comparison of the two groups revealed that isolates from cervical cancers predominantly carry changes in sequences of YY1 binding sites (especially at nucleotide 7519), while variants from asymptomatic carriers contained nucleotide changes within or close to transcription binding sites for AP-1, Oct-1, NF1, Tef-1, Tef-2, Sp1, YY1 and viral E2. EMSA study showed that sequence changes in the segment alter binding and formation of transcriptional complexes in quantitative and/or qualitative manner and so they may inflict viral activity.

CONCLUSION

The results of our study show that there might be HPV16 variants of decreased oncogenic potential therefore infection with such variants can recede.

Comparative biochemical analysis of lectin and nuclease from Chelidonium majus L

It has been recently recognized that lectins exhibit other activities besides hemagglutination. Previously we have found that purified lectin from Chelidonium majus showed DNase activity (Fik, Goździcka-Józefiak & Kedzia, 1995, Herba Polon. 41, 84-95). Comparison of lectin and DNase from the sap from leaves and roots of Chelidonium majus proved that both these compounds are composed of 24 kDa monomer subunits which have an identical N-terminal sequence but differ in amino-acid composition and degree of glycosylation. Possible interrelationship between lectin and DNase is discussed.

Effect of lectin from Chelidonium majus L. on normal and cancer cells in culture

Lectin from Chelidonium majus L. (CML) significantly stimulates the proliferation of human lymphocytes and has hemagglutination activity towards group B human erythrocytes and potent antimicrobial properties against multiresistant enterococci and staphylococci. In the present work we describe the effect of lectin from Chelidonium majus L on normal and cancercells in culture in vitro. The studies were performed on three types of cells: CHO, R2C and on normal mouse fibroblasts. Effects on the cultures were examined 24 h after addition of CML. Exposure to CML resulted in growth inhibition of CHO and R2C cells but not of fibroblasts. Moreover, evident apoptotic lesions were observed in CHO cells and less well marked apoptotic lesions in R2C cells. In contrast, only insignificant numbers of fibroblasts reacted to the applied lectin.

Relationship between HPV infection of the cervix and blood serum levels of steroid hormones among pre- and postmenopausal women

Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are frequently present in anogenital lesions but little is known about their role in carcinogenesis. There are steroid hormone response elements in virus genomes that influence expression patterns of viral genes. Activity of the elements may contribute to development of neoplasia in case of hormone level anomalies. Our study was to determine whether the presence of HPV DNA in cervical smears correlates with abnormal levels, of steroid hormones in blood serum. One hundred women aged 40-62 participated in the tests and were divided into two groups: premenopausal and postmenopausal (45 and 55 individuals, respectively). Presence of HPV DNA in cervical smears was detected by PCR and Southern blot hybridisation. Progesterone and estradiol levels in blood serum were measured by radioimmunoassay. Our study showed a higher prevalence of HPV DNA in women with higher levels of progesterone in blood serum. A relationship between hormone level and HPV DNA prevalence should alert clinicians about using hormone contraceptives and hormone replacement therapy.

Comparative biochemical analysis of lectin and nuclease from Chelidonium majus L

It has been recently recognized that lectins exhibit other activities besides hemagglutination. Previously we have found that purified lectin from Chelidonium majus showed DNase activity (Fik, Goździcka-Józefiak & Kedzia, 1995, Herba Polon. 41, 84-95). Comparison of lectin and DNase from the sap from leaves and roots of Chelidonium majus proved that both these compounds are composed of 24 kDa monomer subunits which have an identical N-terminal sequence but differ in amino-acid composition and degree of glycosylation. Possible interrelationship between lectin and DNase is discussed.

[Immunohistochemical examination oncogenic c-erb-b2, egf-r proteins and antioncogenic p53 protein in vulvar cancers HPV-16 positive and negative]

In vulvar cancers HPV 16 positive, HPV 16 negative, and vulvar and vaginal precancerous status (VIN, VAIN) immunohistochemical technik onko- and antioncogenic proteins were evaluated. The contrary correlation between HPV 16 presence and overexpression p53 were detected. It suggest the heterogenic etiology of these cancers. There was payed attention to high activity of virus replication and intensive virion production in VAIN. Nontreated vaginal lesion may make difficult to obtain a positive cervical HPV infection treatment.

[Can the DNA-HPV study in vulvar squamous cell carcinoma have a diagnostic value?]

The authors studied 27 vulvar cancer looking for relationship between presents of DNA HPV morphological structure and clinical follow-up. There is suggestion that HPV status may play a profitable role.

New plant glycoprotein against methicillin resistant staphylococci and enterococci

New glycoprotein (CML) isolated from Chelidonium maius exhibits good antibacterial activity against methicillin resistant staphylococci and enterococci. It may constitute new antimicrobial agent against methicillin and vancomycin-resistant staphylococci as well as multiresistant enterococci.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) in upper genital tract carcinomas of women

Using nucleic acid hybridization and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) HPV-DNA sequence was detected in endometrial and ovarian carcinomas. This sequence was amplified with primer specific for E1 region of DNA-HPV 18 and hybridized with DNA-HPV 18. The presence of HPV-DNA in cancer studies suggests that human papillomavirus can also be involved in carcinogenesis of the upper genital tract of women.

[HPV 16 in lymph nodes of the lesser pelvis in women with cervical cancer]

HPV 16 was detected in cancer tissue, blood and pelvic lymph node of cervical cancer patients. The role of these discovery is discusses.