Gdańsk Medical University

About: Gdańsk Medical University is a education organization based out in Gdańsk, Poland. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Cancer. The organization has 4893 authors who have published 11216 publications receiving 260523 citations.

A comprehensive study of serum odd- and branched-chain fatty acids in patients with excess weight.

Abstract: Objective While small amounts of odd-chain fatty acids (OCFAs) and branched-chain fatty acids (BCFAs) were known to be present in mammals, it was quite recently that they were shown to play an important role in human health. However, still little is known on OCFA and BCFA profiles in subjects who have obesity. The aim of this study was to verify whether obesity is associated with changes in serum OCFA and BCFA profiles. Methods Serum content of fatty acids was determined by gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy in 23 patients with excess weight and 21 nonobese controls. Results Six OCFAs and six BCFAs (three iso-BCFAs and three anteiso-BCFAs) were found in sera from the examined subjects. Patients with excess weight presented with significantly lower serum iso-BCFA levels than the controls. Total serum content of iso-BCFAs correlated inversely with serum insulin, triglycerides, and 18:1/18:0 desaturation index. Both OCFA and iso-BCFA levels correlated inversely with C-reactive protein concentration. Conclusions Lower iso-BCFA content in patients with excess weight may be involved in elevation of serum concentration of triglycerides and inflammation. Decreased contents of iso-BCFAs in subjects with have obesity, and established anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, and anticancer properties of these fatty acids, point to potential beneficial effects of an iso-BCFA-rich diet.

Induction of apoptosis in HL-60 cells through the ROS-mediated mitochondrial pathway by ramentaceone from Drosera aliciae.

Abstract: Ramentaceone (1) is a naphthoquinone constituent of Drosera aliciae that exhibits potent cytotoxic activity against various tumor cell lines. However, its molecular mechanism of cell death induction has still not been determined. The present study demonstrates that 1 induces apoptosis in human leukemia HL-60 cells. Typical morphological and biochemical features of apoptosis were observed in 1-treated cells. Compound 1 induced a concentration-dependent increase in the sub-G1 fraction of the cell cycle. A decrease in the mitochondrial transmembrane potential (ΔΨm) was also observed. Furthermore, 1 reduced the ratio of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 to pro-apoptotic Bax and Bak, induced cytochrome c release, and increased the activity of caspase 3. The generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was detected in 1-treated HL-60 cells, which was attenuated by the pretreatment of cells with a free radical scavenger, N-acetylcysteine (NAC). NAC also prevented the increase of the sub-G1 fraction induced by 1. These results...

Safety of intravenous application of second-generation ultrasound contrast agent in children: prospective analysis.

Abstract: The goal of the work described here was to assess the safety profile of intravenous second-generation ultrasound contrast agents (UCAs) containing sulfur hexafluoride in pediatric contrast-enhanced ultrasound. Between 2010 and 2013, a total of 167 examinations were performed in 137 children referred by the Oncology Department. Approval by an Independent Ethical Review Board on Scientific Research for the intravenous use of an UCA containing sulfur hexafluoride in children with oncologic diseases was obtained. Consent for UCA administration was acquired from the parents or legal guardians. Severe anaphylactic reaction was observed in 0.6% (n = 1). No other adverse events during or after intravenous administration of contrast were observed in the examined group (no changes in heart rate and rhythm, blood pressure, oxygen saturation or respiratory rate). There were no reports of subjective flushing, nausea, transient headaches or altered taste. Although second-generation ultrasound contrast agents are considered potentially safe, all investigators should be prepared for the development of adverse reactions and have provisions in place for all pediatric intravenous contrast-enhanced ultrasound examinations. More multicenter studies are essential to determination of an accurate UCA safety profile.