MicroRNAs (miRNA) are short, single stranded, non-coding RNAs that play an important role in controlling gene expression at the posttranscriptional stage. There is no bladder cancer marker that has been approved as an alternative for diagnostic cystoscopy and urine cytology so far, thus research for alternative, more sensitive, and less invasive methods of bladder cancer detection are being made.

The aim of the study was to compare the relative expression levels of miRNAs in patients with bladder cancer.

Urine and serum samples were collected from patients with the diagnosis of bladder cancer (NMIBC 71%, MIBC 29%). We assessed expression of 4 miRNAs (106b-3p, 130b-3, 145- 3p and 199a-5p) using real-time PCR and double delta (ΔΔCt) method. The analysis was performed with the Mann-Whitney U test.

miRNA 145-3p was significantly underexpressed in urine (p=0,0111) compared with control group, whereas in serum we did not find relevant differences between groups (p=0,0903). Overexpression was observed for miRNA 199a-5p tested in urine (p=0,0262) and for miRNA 106b-3p for both urine and serum (p=0,0262 and p=0,0149 respectively). For miR-130b-3 we did not find statistically significant differences neither for urine (p=0,6335) nor serum (p=0,2443).

A correlation between the relative levels of expression for miRNA 106b-3p, 199a-5p and miRNA 145-3p was detected. We also observed differences between the results obtained for urine and serum. In the context of urinary cancers diagnosis urine seems to be more useful material than serum. We plan to continue our studies assessing expression levels of miRNA 106b-3 and miRNA 145-3p.

A correlation between the relative levels of expression for miRNA 106b-3p, 199a-5p and miRNA 145-3p was detected. We also observed differences between the results obtained for urine and serum. In the context of urinary cancers diagnosis urine seems to be more useful material than serum. We plan to continue our studies assessing expression levels of miRNA 106b-3 and miRNA 145-3p.Henoch-Schönlein-purpura (HSP) is a type of systemic vasculitis characterized by increased serum levels of IgA and the deposition of immune complexes mainly composed of IgA1. The cause of this disease has not yet been known. HSP mainly affects the pediatric population. In adults it is associated with a more aggressive course. A characteristic symptom of most patients is a petechial rash, often coexisting with joint pain and abdominal pain.

The aim of the study was to present the clinical picture and therapeutic possibilities of adult patients diagnosed with HSP.

A retrospective study was carried out in 8 adult patients with HSP, including 3 women and 5 men. The course of the disease, the degree of kidney damage and the effectiveness of the treatment were analyzed.

The mean value of nitrogen retention indexes in the studied group of patients was increased (creatinine 1.47 ± 0.3 mg/dl, urea 54.45 ± 9.02 mg/dl), no significant deviations were found in blood counts. In the general urine examination, hematuria was noted in 7 of 8 patients, proteinuria in 6 patients. Daily proteinuria was significantly increased (2498 ± 1031.69 mg/24h). 7 out of 8 patients had a diagnostic kidney biopsy. In 6 patients, the immunomorphological picture indicated glomerulonephritis in the course of IgA nephropathy. Six (75%) patients received immunosuppressive treatment, two (25%) conservative treatment.

The one-center retrospective one-year analysis of patients diagnosed with HSP shows that IgA-related vasculitis is a disease with a varied course, often causing diagnostic as well as therapeutic difficulties.

The one-center retrospective one-year analysis of patients diagnosed with HSP shows that IgA-related vasculitis is a disease with a varied course, often causing diagnostic as well as therapeutic difficulties.Heart failure (HF) despite the progress in treatment remains the main health problem worldwide. Biomarker ST2 is currently being studied in patients with HF due to its high potential predictive value and promising prospects for use as a component of biomarker-controlled therapy. The factors that can impact on the ST2 biomarker level in diabetic patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) are still not well known.

The aim of the study was to determine the influence of various risk factors on ST2 levels in patients with HFpEF and diabetes mellitus type 2 (T2DM).

A total of one hundred and thirty-four patients (74 females and 60 males, 51 diabetic patients and 83 patients without T2DM with HFpEF were examined. Duration of HF and T2DM, common risk factors, such as smoking, overweight, clinical examination, parameters of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and M235T polymorphism of ATG have been used. Multivariate backward stepwise cox regression analysis was performed in Statistica 10,0. p<0,05 was considered statistically significant.

ST2 level in patients with HFpEF associated with T2DM exceeded this value in patients with HFpEF without T2DM and was 23.26 ng/ml (18.5 29.3) vs. 20.39 ng/ml (18.3 24.6), respectively (p<0,05). To assess the cumulative effect of the studied factors on the ST2 level, we performed the Cox’s stepwise multivariate regression analysis. Smoking, HOMA-IR (Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance), glucose, HbA1 and insulin levels were found to be the most significant factors influencing ST2 levels in patients with HF and T2DM, indicating a significant effect of DM type 2 on ST2 concentration.

Smoking, HOMA-IR, glucose, HbA1, and insulin levels can significantly affect ST2 levels in patients with T2DM and HFpEF.

Smoking, HOMA-IR, glucose, HbA1, and insulin levels can significantly affect ST2 levels in patients with T2DM and HFpEF.

Insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS1) is a crucial factor in the insulin signaling pathway. IRS1 gene polymorphism rs1801278 in mothers has been reported to be associated with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). selleck chemical However, it is not clear whether IRS1 gene polymorphism rs1801278 in fetuses is associated with their mothers’ GDM morbidity. The purpose of this study is to analyze the association between maternal, fetal, or maternal/fetal IRS1 gene polymorphism rs1801278 and GDM risk.

The study was a single-center, prospective cohort study. In total, 213 pairs of GDM mothers/fetuses and 191 pairs of control mothers/fetuses were included in this study. They were recruited after they underwent oral glucose tolerance test during 24-28 weeks of gestation and followed up until delivery. All participants received the conventional interventions (diet and exercise), and no special therapy except routine treatment.

A total of 213 pairs of GDM mothers/fetuses and 191 pairs of normal blood glucose pregnant mothers/fetuses were ge-notyped using PCR and DNA sequencing from January 2015 to September 2016.