Chronic venous disease (CVD) is a vascular disease of lower limbs with high prevalence worldwide. Pathologic features include varicose veins, venous valves dysfunction and skin ulceration resulting from dysfunction of cell proliferation, apoptosis and angiogenesis. These processes are partly regulated by microRNA (miRNA)-dependent modulation of gene expression, pointing to miRNA as a potentially important target in diagnosis and therapy of CVD progression. The aim of the study was to analyze alterations of miRNA and gene expression in CVD, as well as to identify miRNA-mediated changes in gene expression and their potential link to CVD development. Using next generation sequencing, miRNA and gene expression profiles in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of subjects with CVD in relation to healthy controls were studied. Thirty-one miRNAs and 62 genes were recognized as potential biomarkers of CVD using DESeq2, Uninformative Variable Elimination by Partial Least Squares (UVE-PLS) and ROC (Receiver Operating Characteristics) methods. Regulatory interactions between potential biomarker miRNAs and genes were projected. Functional analysis of microRNA-regulated genes revealed terms closely related to cardiovascular diseases and risk factors. The study shed new light on miRNA-dependent regulatory mechanisms involved in the pathology of CVD. MicroRNAs and genes proposed as CVD biomarkers may be used to develop new diagnostic and therapeutic methods.

Abdominal artery aneurysm (AAA) refers to abdominal aortic dilatation of 3 cm or greater. AAA is frequently underdiagnosed due to often asymptomatic character of the disease, leading to elevated mortality due to aneurysm rupture. MiRNA constitute a pool of small RNAs controlling gene expression and is involved in many pathologic conditions in human. Targeted panel detecting altered expression of miRNA and genes involved in AAA would improve early diagnosis of this disease. In the presented study, we selected and analyzed miRNA and gene expression signatures in AAA patients. Next, generation sequencing was applied to obtain miRNA and gene-wide expression profiles from peripheral blood mononuclear cells in individuals with AAA and healthy controls. Differential expression analysis was performed using DESeq2 and uninformative variable elimination by partial least squares (UVE-PLS) methods. A total of 31 miRNAs and 51 genes were selected as the most promising biomarkers of AAA. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis showed good diagnostic ability of proposed biomarkers. Genes regulated by selected miRNAs were determined in silico and associated with functional terms closely related to cardiovascular and neurological diseases. Proposed biomarkers may be used for new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches in management of AAA. The findings will also contribute to the pool of knowledge about miRNA-dependent regulatory mechanisms involved in pathology of that disease.

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Introduction The widespread occurrence of drug-resistant bacteria has increased interest in alternatives to antibiotics for combatting bacterial infections, among which bacteriophages play an important role. The ability of phage proteins to induce an anti-phage immune response can significantly limit the effectiveness of treatment, which was the basis for the study described in this article. The aim of the study was to assess the effects of bacteriophages on the induction of an anti-phage humoral response in calves. Material and Methods The study was conducted using phage components of experimental preparations and sera from calves treated and not treated with phages. Levels of G, M and A immunoglobulins were analysed by ELISA. The assay plates were coated with whole Escherichia coli and Mannheimia haemolytica phages and selected phage proteins obtained in sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and two-dimensional electrophoresis. Neutralisation of phages by immunoglobulins was assessed by determining phage titres using double-layer plates. Results The results confirmed an increased anti-phage response affecting all immunoglobulin classes in the calf sera. The highest significant (P ≤ 0.05) level of antibodies was observed for IgG in the sera of calves receiving phages. The phage neutralisation test showed a significant differences (P ≤ 0.05) in the reduction of phage titres in comparison to untreated calves. Conclusion Despite the induction of an anti-phage response, no significant negative effect on the antibacterial activity of phages was observed in vitro.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a chronic vascular disease caused by localized weakening and broadening of the abdominal aorta. AAA is a clearly underdiagnosed disease and is burdened with a high mortality rate (65–85%) from AAA rupture. Studies indicate that abnormal regulation of angiogenesis and inflammation contributes to progression and onset of this disease; however, dysregulations in the molecular pathways associated with this disease are not yet fully explained. Therefore, in our study, we aimed to identify dysregulations in the key regulators of angiogenesis and inflammation in patients with AAA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (using qPCR) and plasma samples (using ELISA). Expression levels of ANGPT1, CXCL8, PDGFA, TGFB1, VEGFB, and VEGFC and plasma levels of TGF-alpha, TGF-beta 1, VEGF-A, and VEGF-C were found to be significantly altered in the AAA group compared to the control subjects without AAA. Associations between analyzed factors and risk factors or biochemical parameters were also explored. Any of the analyzed factors was associated with the size of the aneurysm. The presented study identified dysregulations in key angiogenesis- and inflammation-related factors potentially involved in AAA formation, giving new insight into the molecular pathways involved in the development of this disease and providing candidates for biomarkers that could serve as diagnostic or therapeutic targets.

Although massive progress in discovering allergic rhinitis (AR) aetiology has been made in recent years, its prevalence is still rising and it significantly impacts patients’ lives. That is why further and non-conventional research elucidating the role of new factors in AR pathogenesis is needed, facilitating discoveries of new treatment approaches. One of these factors is the gut microbiota, with its specific roles in health and disease. This review presents the process of gut microbiota development, especially in early life, focusing on its impact on the immune system. It emphasizes the link between the gut microbiota composition and immune changes involved in AR development. Specifically, it elucidates the significant link between bacteria colonizing the gut and the Th1/Th2 imbalance. Probiotics, prebiotics and bacterial lysates, which are medications that restore the composition of intestinal bacteria and indirectly affect the clinical course of AR, are also discussed.

Introduction: Endarterectomy of the internal carotid artery (CEA) is a surgical procedure used to prevent cerebral ischemic stroke. Available data from previous literature indicates that CEA may lead to complications in the form of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion syndrome and oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to evaluate the serum levels of oxidative stress-related biomarkers such as 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in patients who underwent CEA. Material and methods: Twenty-four patients with severe internal carotid artery stenosis participated in the study. Serum samples were taken from patients at three different times: within 24 hours preoperatively to CEA, 12 hours postoperatively, and 48 hours postoperatively. Serum 8-OHdG and MDA levels were measured using a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: Serum 8-OHdG levels indicated statistically significant elevation 12 hours after surgery when compared to preoperative levels (p < 0.05). A further increase in the concentration of this parameter was observed 48 hours after surgery when compared to the previous measurement, however, this increase was no longer statistically significant (p = 0.05). Furthermore, serum MDA levels also indicated a statistically significant elevation 48 hours after surgery when compared to preoperative levels (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Our study showed that CEA causes an increase in blood levels of 8-OHdG and MDA, which may be related to the occurrence of oxidative stress during cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury. Therefore, 8-OHdG and MDA may represent corresponding markers of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion complications in patients undergoing CEA.

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