Antimicrobial Effect of Honey Phenolic Compounds against E. coli-An In Vitro Study

Growing concern over antimicrobial resistance in chronic wound patients necessitates the exploration of alternative treatments from natural sources. This study suggests that honey's phenolic compounds may offer antimicrobial benefits, warranting further investigation for therapeutic development. The main aim of this study was to investigate the antimicrobial activity of phenolic compounds and to determine the effects of their sub-inhibitory concentrations against Escherichia coli (E. coli). 3-phenyllactic acid (PLA), p-coumaric acid (PCA), and phloretin were tested against the bacterial strain of E. coli ATCC 25922. Comparison of the antimicrobial activity of honey constituents in vitro was performed using a broth culture assay. Measurement of the inhibitory properties of constituents in vitro was conducted using disc and well diffusion assays. The effects of sub-inhibitory concentrations of PCA on the susceptibility of E. coli ATCC 25922 to penicillin-streptomycin were tested. The results demonstrated that PLA was the most efficient antimicrobial agent, followed by PCA, whereas phloretin, at lower (2 mg/mL) concentrations, led to an increase in the growth of E. coli. Various modifications of the agar diffusion assay did not reveal the antibacterial properties of the studied phytochemicals. The enhancing effect of a sub-inhibitory concentration of PCA in cooperation with penicillin-streptomycin was shown. These findings might be helpful for the further investigation and development of new antimicrobial agents for the treatment of skin infections and wounds.

The prevalence and risk factors of pressure ulcers among residents of long-term care institutions: a case study of Kazakhstan

Limited information is available regarding the prevalence of pressure ulcers (PUs) in residential homes in Central Asia. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify the prevalence rates and risk factors associated with PUs among residents of long-term care medical institutions in the Republic of Kazakhstan. This cross-sectional study was conducted in four long-term care institutions in Kazakhstan. The study sample consisted of 640 patients who were assessed for the presence of PUs and associated risk factors. The evaluation was performed using the International Prevalence Measurement of Care Quality (Landelijke Prevalentiemeting Zorgkwaliteit, LPZ), the Braden scale, and the Care Dependency Score (CDS). The overall prevalence of PUs, classified as categories I-IV, was found to be 37%. When excluding category I PUs, the prevalence decreased to 35.6%. The odds ratios (ORs) for presenting with PUs were as follows: history of stroke (OR 5.22), diseases of the digestive system (OR 10.01), presence of spinal cord lesions/paraplegia (OR 20.50), recent reported confusion within the last 7 days (OR 184.00), and limited extent dependency according to the CDS (OR 4.44; 95%CI 1.31-16.1). It is imperative to establish specialized training programs aimed at equipping medical personnel, relatives, and patients themselves with the necessary skills to provide optimal care for individuals affected by PUs.

The Molecular Mechanisms in Senescent Cells Induced by Natural Aging and Ionizing Radiation

This review discusses the relationship between cellular senescence and radiation exposure. Given the wide range of ionizing radiation sources encountered by people in professional and medical spheres, as well as the influence of natural background radiation, the question of the effect of radiation on biological processes, particularly on aging processes, remains highly relevant. The parallel relationship between natural and radiation-induced cellular senescence reveals the common aspects underlying these processes. Based on recent scientific data, the key points of the effects of ionizing radiation on cellular processes associated with aging, such as genome instability, mitochondrial dysfunction, altered expression of miRNAs, epigenetic profile, and manifestation of the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), are discussed. Unraveling the molecular mechanisms of cellular senescence can make a valuable contribution to the understanding of the molecular genetic basis of age-associated diseases in the context of environmental exposure.

The Vitamin C Enantiomers Possess a Comparable Potency in the Induction of Oxidative Stress in Cancer Cells but Differ in Their Toxicity

The use of vitamin C (VC) in high doses demonstrates a potent tumor suppressive effect by mediating a glucose-dependent oxidative stress in Kirsten rat sarcoma (KRAS) mutant cancer cells. VC with arsenic trioxide (ATO) is a promising drug combination that might lead to the development of effective cancer therapeutics. Considering that a tumor suppressive effect of VC requires its high-dose administration, it is of interest to examine the toxicity of two enantiomers of VC (enantiomer d-optical isomer D-VC and natural l-optical isomer L-VC) in vitro and in vivo. We show that the combinations of L-VC with ATO and D-VC with ATO induced a similar cytotoxic oxidative stress in KrasG12D-expressing mutant cancer cells as indicated by a substantial increase in reactive oxidative species (ROS) production and depolarization of mitochondria. To examine the L-VC and D-VC toxicity effects, we administered high doses of D-VC and L-VC to CD1 mice and carried out an evaluation of their toxic effects. The daily injections of L-VC at a dose of 9.2 g/kg for 18 days were lethal to mice, while 80% of mice remained alive following the similar high-dose administration of D-VC. Following the drug injection courses and histopathological studies, we determined that a natural form of VC (L-VC) is more harmful and toxic to mice when compared to the effects caused by the similar doses of D-VC. Thus, our study indicates that the two enantiomers of VC have a similar potency in the induction of oxidative stress in cancer cells, but D-VC has a distinctive lower toxicity in mice compared to L-VC. While the mechanism of a distinctive toxicity between D-VC and L-VC is yet to be defined, our finding marks D-VC as a more preferable option compared to its natural enantiomer L-VC in clinical settings.

GIS TECHNOLOGIES IN THE STUDY OF NATURAL RESULTS ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS DISEASES IN KAZAKHSTAN

This study explores the application of GIS technologies in analyzing and visualizing spatial structures of especially dangerous infections (EPI) in Kazakhstan. International collaborations have facilitated projects studying the focal patterns of diseases, improving data analysis and visualization. Extensive electronic databases resulting from field research on EPI foci have elevated the study's depth. The dynamics of natural foci, influenced by intraspecific structures of infection carriers, are impacted by industrial and agricultural developments, urban expansions, and climate change. The study notes changes in the enzootic territory, affecting mammal migration and consequently altering natural focus boundaries. Industrial activities, rotational methods, and habitat changes contribute to the increased epidemic potential in enzootic areas. Despite anthropogenic and climatic influences, the prevalence of plague remains high in Kazakhstan, with a trend towards expanding enzootic territories. Unified electronic databases on plague, tularemia, anthrax, and other zoonoses, developed for GIS analysis, enable mapping and visualization of natural foci. Electronic maps aid in determining enzootic territory boundaries, assessing infectious disease activity, and planning preventive measures based on risk assessment. ESRI's ArcGIS Desktop 10.8 with Arc Toolbox modules facilitated data processing in the geoinformation environment. Data includes epidemiological examination results, species composition of carriers, and laboratory test outcomes, enhancing comprehensive analysis and decision-making for anti-epidemic measures. The study in Kazakhstan identifies and details six natural and twenty autonomous plague foci, categorizing them by main carriers and observing an expansion of natural hotspots. The enzootic territory is classified into four geographic zones, further divided into 105 landscape-epidemiological regions. Laboratory studies inform electronic maps for analyzing plague's dynamic situation. Anthrax prevalence, primarily in chernozem and chestnut soils, is assessed, revealing 1,778 unaffected settlements and spatially clustered points. An epidemiological index aids in zoning for anthrax trouble. Tularemia's landscape occurrence is classified into four types, with spatial analysis revealing clusters and potential epidemic danger in specific regions. Geographic information technologies highlight high-risk areas, justifying preventive measures for dangerous infections. The results obtained serve as a scientific justification for the priority of preventive measures within the boundaries of administrative territories characterized by a high degree of potential epidemic danger and objectively indicate the prospects for the introduction of GIS technologies into the practice of epidemiological surveillance of particularly dangerous infections.

Molecular and Cellular Mechanism of Action of Chrysotile Asbestos in MRC5 Cell Line

Asbestos is a known carcinogen; however, the influence of chrysotile asbestos on the development of tumor-related diseases remains a subject of intense debate within the scientific community. To analyze the effect of asbestos, we conducted a study using the MRC5 cell line. We were able to demonstrate that chrysotile asbestos stimulated the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), leading to cell death and DNA damage in the MRC5 cell line, using various techniques such as ROS measurement, comet assay, MTT assay, and qPCR. In addition, we found that chrysotile asbestos treatment significantly increased extracellular mitochondrial DNA levels in the culture medium and induced significant changes in the expression profile of several miRNAs, which was the first of its kind. Thus, our research highlights the importance of studying the effects of chrysotile asbestos on human health and reveals multiple adverse effects of chrysotile asbestos.

Gene polymorphisms and serum levels of BDNF and CRH in vitiligo patients

Background

Vitiligo is one of the most common hypomelanoses, in which the destruction of functioning melanocytes causes depigmentation of the skin, hair and mucous membranes. The genes encrypting brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) might be the conceivable contributors to the development of vitiligo. This study was aimed at investigation of the serum levels of BDNF and CRH as well as their selected single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in vitiligo patients in comparison with the healthy controls.

Methods

The cross-sectional study was carried out between October 2020 and June 2021 in 93 vitiligo patients (age range from 23 to 48 years) and 132 healthy controls (age range from 24 to 52 years). The psychological status of study participants was evaluated using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) scale. Serum levels of BDNF and CRH were measured with the help of a commercially available sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. Genotyping for the rs11030094 polymorphism of the BDNF gene and for the rs242924 polymorphism of the corticotropin releasing hormone receptor 1 (CRH-R1) gene was performed by a real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Results

There was a significant relationship between the CRH-R1 rs242924 and BDNF rs11030094 polymorphisms and vitiligo. Moreover, serum levels of neurotransmitters differed significantly between vitiligo and control groups and were associated with the CRH-R1 rs242924 and BDNF rs11030094 SNPs.

Conclusions

Our findings demonstrated the association between CRH-R1 rs242924 and BDNF rs11030094 polymorphisms and vitiligo. Further studies need to be carried out in vitiligo patients to confirm the results observed.

The level of free-circulating mtDNA in patients with radon-induced lung cancer

OBJECTIVE

According to the World Health Organization, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking. Cell free circulating mitochondrial DNA (cf mtDNA) have been used not only as a biomarker of carcinogenesis but also as a biomarker of exposure to radiation, but nothing is known about changes in the level of cf mtDNA following radon exposure. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to estimate the cf mtDNA copy number as a biomarker of the response to radon exposure in lung cancer pathogenesis.

METHODS

207 subjects were examined including 41 radon-exposed lung cancer patients, 40 lung cancer patients without radon exposure and 126 healthy controls exposed/not exposed to high level of radon. Total cell free circulating DNA from blood samples was extracted and used to detect cell free circulating mitochondrial DNA copy number by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR).

RESULTS

Our data indicate that the level of cf mtDNA in the radon-induced lung cancer patients was significantly higher than that of the other study participants. There was a significant difference in the level of cf mtDNA in the blood plasma of healthy volunteers exposed and not exposed to high doses of radon. Moreover, in healthy volunteers living in areas with high radon levels, the mtDNA copy number was higher than that in patients with lung cancer who were not exposed to high doses of radon.

CONCLUSION

Our study provides evidence for a possible role of cf mtDNA as a promising biomarker of lung cancer induced by exposure to high dose of radon.

Involvement of Circulating Cell-Free Mitochondrial DNA and Proinflammatory Cytokines in Pathogenesis of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Lung Cancer

Objective:

Circulating cell-free mitochondrial DNA (cf-MtDNA) has been reported in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung cancers. However, inter-relationships among the three biological events have not been well-characterized. Therefore, our investigation was conducted to better understand the role of cf-MtDNA on pathogenesis of the two diseases.

Methods:

Plasma samples were collected from 64 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients (before therapy), 45 patients with COPD and 62 healthy individuals. cf-MtDNA copy numbers were detected using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and cytokines were determined using a human ELISA kit.

Results:

Our data indicate that smoking statuses of the patients and controls were significantly associated with increased cf-MtDNA in plasma samples. Furthermore, NSCLC patients had significantly higher cf-MtDNA copy numbers than COPD patients (p < 0.03) and normal controls (p < 0.02), together with elevated proinflammatory cytokines over the controls (p < 0.05). Our study shows that the copy numbers for the NSCLC patients were positively associated with their subsequent metastasis but inversely associated with their overall survival.

Conclusion:

Our study indicates certain lung injury (e.g., from cigarette smoking) was responsible for the release of cf-MtDNA and proinflammatory cytokines into plasmas among our patients and controls. The increase in cf-MtDNA copy numbers was significantly associated with the development of both COPD and NSCLC, with increase in interleukin 6, and from our 5-year follow-up, with poor prognosis among the NSCLC patients. Therefore, with further validation, cf-MtDNA can be considered for use as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for NSCLC.

The cell cycle regulatory gene polymorphisms TP53 (rs1042522) and MDM2 (rs2279744) in lung cancer: a meta-analysis

Lung cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in the world. Although the mechanism of lung cancer is still unknown, a large number of studies have found a link between gene polymorphisms and the risk of lung cancer. The tumor suppressor p53 plays a crucial role in maintaining genomic stability and tumor prevention. MDM2 is a critical regulator of the p53 protein. Despite the importance of p53 pathway in cancer, data on the contribution of SNPs of TP53 (rs1042522) and MDM2 (rs2279744) to the development of lung cancer are very contradictory. A metaanalysis that collects quantitative data from individual studies and combines their results has the advantage of improving accuracy, providing reliable estimates, and resolving those issues in which studies on individual associations are not effective enough. The aim of this study was to determine whether the TP53 (rs1042522) and MDM2 (rs2279744) polymorphisms confer susceptibility to lung cancer. A meta-analysis was conducted on the associations between the TP53 (rs1042522) and MDM2 (rs2279744) polymorphisms and lung cancer. A total of 51 comparison studies including 25,366 patients and 25,239 controls were considered in this meta-analysis. The meta-analysis showed no association between lung cancer and MDM2 (rs2279744) under any model. A noteworthy association of TP53 (rs1042522) with susceptibility to lung cancer in overall pooled subjects was observed under three different models (allele contrast, homozygote contrast (additive) and dominant). Stratification by ethnicity indicated an association between the TP53 (rs1042522) and lung cancer in Asians and Caucasians. This meta-analysis demonstrates that the TP53 (rs1042522), but not MDM2 (rs2279744) polymorphism may confer susceptibility to lung cancer.

Vitiligo and anxiety: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Vitiligo is an acquired depigmenting skin disease which is often accompanied by mental distress. There are numerous studies dedicated to local and global prevalence of depression in patients with vitiligo but anxiety has not been recognized as a major mental problem within named population. We aimed to evaluate the prevalence of anxiety among patients with vitiligo from different countries and to compare it with patients suffering from eczema, psoriasis, and acne.

METHODS

In November 2019, we conducted a systematic search for observational studies that examined the prevalence of anxiety in vitiligo patients. Fifteen studies comprising 1176 patients with vitiligo were included to our systematic review.

RESULTS

The general prevalence of anxiety among vitiligo patients was equal to 35.8%. Statistically significant difference in anxiety rates was found among female and male patients (47.32% vs 42.4%) (P = 0.03), but the clinical relevance of this issue remains arguable. In addition, the pooled odds ratio among vitiligo and non-vitiligo patients did not indicate a statistical significance among patients coming from different continents.

CONCLUSIONS

The pooled prevalence of anxiety among vitiligo patients worldwide was comparable to other severe skin disorders. This finding accentuates the necessity of anxiety awareness in management of patients with skin diseases.

Association of polymorphism TP53 Arg72Pro with radon-induced lung cancer in the Kazakh population

Lung cancer is a problem of great concern and one of the commonest cancer diseases worldwide and in the Republic of Kazakhstan in particular. Radon exposure is classified as the second most important cause of lung cancer. According to the experts, the contribution of natural sources to the average annual radiation dose of the Kazakh population currently stands at 80 %, including 50 % from radon. However, the effect of radon on human health in the Republic of Kazakhstan is almost unknown. The tumor suppressor gene TP53 is a key mediator of the DNA damage response cascade following cell exposure to ionizing radiation. The common polymorphism TP53 Arg72Pro (rs1042522) is a risk factor for lung cancer in the Asian population, but until now no genetic association studies have been done in the Kazakh population. No information on the synergistic carcinogenic effect of radon exposure and polymorphism TP53 Arg72Pro (rs1042522) is available either. This paper presents the results of the study of association between alteration in the TP53 gene and radon-induced lung cancer risk in the Kazakh population. Genetic association was assessed in a case-control study including 44 radon-exposed patients with lung cancer, 41 patients with lung cancer without radon exposure and 42 age/sex-matched healthy controls. We found that polymorphism TP53 Arg72Pro (rs1042522) was associated with lung cancer risk in the Kazakh population (OR = 6.95, 95 % CI = 2.41–20.05). Individuals with the Arg72Pro genotype also showed a significantly higher risk of radon-induced lung cancer (OR = 8.6, 95 % CI = 2.6–28.59).

miR-19 in blood plasma reflects lung cancer occurrence but is not specifically associated with radon exposure

Radon is one of the most powerful carcinogens, particularly in terms of lung cancer onset and development. miRNAs may be considered not only as markers of the ongoing tumorigenesis but also as a hallmark of exposure to radiation, including radon and its progeny. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to estimate the value of plasma miR-19b-3p level as the prospective marker of the response to radon exposure in lung cancer pathogenesis. A total of 136 subjects were examined, including 49 radon-exposed patients with lung cancer, 37 patients with lung cancer without radon exposure and 50 age/sex matched healthy controls. Total RNA from blood samples was extracted and used to detect miR-19b-3p expression via reverse transcription quantitative-polymerase chain reaction. The 2-ΔΔCq method was used to quantify the amount of relative miRNA. The plasma level of p53 protein was determined using a Human p53 ELISA kit. Plasma miR-19b-3p level was significantly higher in the patients with lung cancer groups, compared with the healthy control group (P<0.0001). No other statistically significant differences were determined in the expression level of plasma miR-19b-3p between patients diagnosed with lung cancer exposed to radon and not exposed to radon. The expression level of free circulating miR-19b-3p was higher in the group of non-smoking patients with lung cancer, compared with smokers with lung cancer. The miR-19b-3p was 1.4-fold higher in non-smokers than in smokers (P<0.05). No association between plasma levels of p53 protein and miR-19b-3p freely circulating in patients with lung cancer was observed. No other statistically significant differences were determined in the plasma p53 protein level between patients diagnosed with lung cancer exposed and not exposed to radon. These results indicated that detection of miR-19b-3p levels in plasma potentially could be exploited as a noninvasive method for the lung cancer diagnostics. However, this miRNA is not suitable as the precise marker for radon impact.