Izabela Korona-Glowniak

Bio: Izabela Korona-Glowniak is an academic researcher from Medical University of Lublin. The author has contributed to research in topics: Medicine & Chemistry. The author has an hindex of 12, co-authored 83 publications receiving 598 citations.

Mechanisms of the Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition and Tumor Microenvironment in Helicobacter pylori-Induced Gastric Cancer.

Abstract: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is one of the most common human pathogens, affecting half of the world’s population. Approximately 20% of the infected patients develop gastric ulcers or neoplastic changes in the gastric stroma. An infection also leads to the progression of epithelial–mesenchymal transition within gastric tissue, increasing the probability of gastric cancer development. This paper aims to review the role of H. pylori and its virulence factors in epithelial–mesenchymal transition associated with malignant transformation within the gastric stroma. The reviewed factors included: CagA (cytotoxin-associated gene A) along with induction of cancer stem-cell properties and interaction with YAP (Yes-associated protein pathway), tumor necrosis factor α-inducing protein, Lpp20 lipoprotein, Afadin protein, penicillin-binding protein 1A, microRNA-29a-3p, programmed cell death protein 4, lysosomal-associated protein transmembrane 4β, cancer-associated fibroblasts, heparin-binding epidermal growth factor (HB-EGF), matrix metalloproteinase-7 (MMP-7), and cancer stem cells (CSCs). The review summarizes the most recent findings, providing insight into potential molecular targets and new treatment strategies for gastric cancer.

Antibody and Plasmablast Response to 13-Valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Patients - Preliminary Report

Abstract: BACKGROUND Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) leads to significant immune system dysfunction. The predominant clinical presentation in 50% of patients involves recurrent, often severe, infections. Infections are also the most common (60-80%) cause of deaths in CLL patients. The scope of infections varies with the clinical stage of the disease. Treatment-naive patients typically present with respiratory tract infections caused by encapsulated bacteria Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae. Since 2012, the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) has been recommended in the United States and some EU countries for pneumococcal infection prevention in patients with CLL (besides the long-standing standard, 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine, PPV23). The aim of this study was to compare the immune response to PCV13 in 24 previously untreated CLL patients and healthy subjects. METHODS Both groups were evaluated for: the levels of specific pneumococcal antibodies, the levels of IgG and IgG subclasses and selected peripheral blood lymphocyte subpopulations including the frequency of plasmablasts before and after immunization. RESULTS Adequate response to vaccination, defined as an at least two-fold increase in specific pneumococcal antibody titers versus pre-vaccination baseline titers, was found in 58.3% of CLL patients and 100% of healthy subjects. Both the CLL group and the control group demonstrated a statistically significant increase in the IgG2 subclass levels following vaccination (P = 0.0301). After vaccination, the frequency of plasmablasts was significantly lower (P<0.0001) in CLL patients in comparison to that in controls. Patients who responded to vaccination had lower clinical stage of CLL as well as higher total IgG, and IgG2 subclass levels. No significant vaccine-related side effects were observed. CONCLUSIONS PCV13 vaccination in CLL patients is safe and induces an effective immune response in a considerable proportion of patients. To achieve an optimal vaccination response, the administration of PCV13 is recommended as soon as possible following CLL diagnosis.

Epidemiology, clinical history and microbiology of peritonsillar abscess

Abstract: The purpose of this investigation was to explore the epidemiology, clinical history and microbiology of peritonsillar abscess (PTA). A retrospective review of PTA cases treated at the Department of Otolaryngology, Regional Specialist Hospital in Radom, Poland between 1st October 2003 and 30th September 2013 was undertaken. A total of 111 PTA patients were admitted. The study population consisted of 57.7 % males and 42.3 % females, with an average age of 31.0 (range 5–78) years. Smokers comprised 22.0 % of the study group. The seasonal variation of PTA was statistically insignificant (p = 0.45). Recurrent tonsillitis occurred in 35.5 % of patients. In comparison with the rest of the study population, patients with a history of recurrent pharyngotonsillitis had higher incidence of previous PTA episodes [odds ratio (OR) 17.8, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 2.1–148.7, p = 0.001]. Also, they were more frequently treated with antibiotics prior to hospitalisation (OR 4.6, 95 % CI 2.0–10.9, p = 0.0005) and had significantly longer hospital stay (p = 0.03). Bacterial cultures of abscess aspirates were performed in 40.5 % of patients. Monomicrobial growth was detected in 77.8 % of aerobic cultures. Streptococcus pyogenes, growing most frequently in monoculture, was found in 28.9 % of aerobic cultures. PTA patients with and without recurrent pharyngotonsillitis differed with regard to clinical history and course of disease. The percentage of smokers among PTA patients was lower than that described in the literature. Monomicrobial growth predominated in PTA aspirate cultures. S. pyogenes proved to be the most frequent pathogen.

The In Vitro Activity of Essential Oils against Helicobacter Pylori Growth and Urease Activity.

Abstract: The anti-H. pylori properties of 26 different commercial essential oils were examined in vitro by MIC (minimal inhibitory concentration) determination for the reference strain H. pylori ATCC 43504. We selected 9 essential oils with different anti-Helicobacter activities and established their phytochemical composition and urease inhibition activities. Phytochemical analysis of the selected essential oils by GC-MS method and antioxidant activity were performed. The phenol red method was used to screen the effect of essential oils on urease activity expressed as IC50 (the half of maximal inhibitory concentration). The most active essential oils, with MIC = 15.6 mg/L, were thyme, lemongrass, cedarwood and lemon balm oils; MIC = 31.3 mg/L—oregano oil; MIC = 62.5 mg/L—tea tree oil; MIC = 125 mg/L—pine needle, lemon and silver fir oils with bactericidal effect. Urease activity was inhibited by these oils with IC50 ranged from 5.3 to > 1049.9 mg/L. The most active was cedarwood oil (IC50 = 5.3 mg/L), inhibiting urease at sub-MIC concentrations (MIC = 15.6 mg/L). The statistical principal component analysis allowed for the division of the oils into three phytochemical groups differing in their anti-H. pylori activity. To summarize, the activity in vitro of the five essential oils silver fir, pine needle, tea tree, lemongrass, and cedarwood oils against H. pylori was found in this paper for the first time. The most active against clinical strains of H. pylori were cedar wood and oregano oils. Moreover, cedarwood oil inhibited the urease activity at subinhibitory concentrations. This essential oil can be regarded as a useful component of the plant preparations supporting the eradication H. pylori therapy.

Dampening inflammation by modulating tlr signalling

Abstract: Damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) include endogenous intracellular molecules released by activated or necrotic cells and extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules that are upregulated upon injury or degraded following tissue damage. DAMPs are vital danger signals that alert our immune system to tissue damage upon both infectious and sterile insult. DAMP activation of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) induces inflammatory gene expression to mediate tissue repair. However, DAMPs have also been implicated in diseases where excessive inflammation plays a key role in pathogenesis, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA), cancer, and atherosclerosis. TLR activation by DAMPs may initiate positive feedback loops where increasing tissue damage perpetuates pro-inflammatory responses leading to chronic inflammation. Here we explore the current knowledge about distinct signalling cascades resulting from self TLR activation. We also discuss the involvement of endogenous TLR activators in disease and highlight how specifically targeting DAMPs may yield therapies that do not globally suppress the immune system.

Gastric Cancer: Epidemiology, Risk Factors, Classification, Genomic Characteristics and Treatment Strategies.

Abstract: Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most common malignancies worldwide and it is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related death. GC is a multifactorial disease, where both environmental and genetic factors can have an impact on its occurrence and development. The incidence rate of GC rises progressively with age; the median age at diagnosis is 70 years. However, approximately 10% of gastric carcinomas are detected at the age of 45 or younger. Early-onset gastric cancer is a good model to study genetic alterations related to the carcinogenesis process, as young patients are less exposed to environmental carcinogens. Carcinogenesis is a multistage disease process specified by the progressive development of mutations and epigenetic alterations in the expression of various genes, which are responsible for the occurrence of the disease.

A Review of Dietary Selenium Intake and Selenium Status in Europe and the Middle East

Abstract: This is a systematic review of existing data on dietary selenium (Se) intake and status for various population groups in Europe (including the United Kingdom (UK)) and the Middle East. It includes English language systematic reviews, meta-analyses, randomised controlled trials, cohort studies, cross-sectional and case-control studies obtained through PUBMED searches from January, 2002, to November, 2014, for European data and from 1990 to November 2014, for Middle Eastern data. Reports were selected if they included data on Se intake and status. The search identified 19 European/UK studies and 15 investigations in the Middle East that reported Se intake and Se concentration in water and/or food and 48 European/UK studies and 44 investigations in the Middle East reporting Se status. Suboptimal Se status was reported to be widespread throughout Europe, the UK and the Middle East, and these results agreed with previous reports highlighting the problem. Eastern European countries had lower Se intake than Western European countries. Middle Eastern studies provided varying results, possibly due to varying food habits and imports in different regions and within differing socioeconomic groups. In conclusion, Se intake and status is suboptimal in European and Middle Eastern countries, with less consistency in the Middle East.