To analyze the expression of autophagy markers p62, LC3, and Beclin1 in ovarian cancer tissue and evaluate the prognostic potential of these markers.The study enrolled 328 patients: 122 with epithelial ovarian carcinoma, 42 with atypical proliferative ...

Age and sex influence serum cholesterol levels, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. To investigate further, we measured cholesterol, precursors (surrogate synthesis markers), degradation products (oxysterols and bile acid precursors) in serum, the liver, jejunum, and ileum, as well as serum plant sterols (intestinal absorption markers) in male and female Wistar rats (4 and 24 months old). The analysis of histomorphometric and oxidative stress parameters (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione-related enzyme activities, lipid peroxide, and protein carbonyl concentrations) in the liver and jejunum offered further insights into the age- and sex-related differences. The hepatic gene expression analysis included AR, ERα, and sex-specific growth hormone-regulated (Cyp2c11 and Cyp2c12) and thyroid-responsive (Dio1, Tbg, and Spot 14) genes by qPCR. We observed age-related changes in both sexes, with greater prominence in females. Aged females had significantly higher serum cholesterol (p < 0.05), jejunum cholesterol (p < 0.05), and serum plant sterols (p < 0.05). They exhibited poorer hepato-intestinal health compared with males, which was characterized by mild liver dysfunction (hydropic degeneration, increased serum ALT, p < 0.05, and decreased activity of some antioxidant defense enzymes, p < 0.05), mononuclear inflammation in the jejunal lamina propria, and age-related decreases in jejunal catalase and glutathione peroxidase activity (p < 0.05). Aged females showed increased levels of 27-hydroxycholesterol (p < 0.05) and upregulated ERα gene expression (p < 0.05) in the liver. Our study suggests that the more significant age-related increase in serum cholesterol in females is associated with poorer hepato-intestinal health and increased jejunal cholesterol absorption. The local increase in 27-hydroxycholesterol during aging might reduce the hepatoprotective effects of endogenous estrogen in the female liver.

Background and Objectives: Ovarian cancer is the leading cause of death among gynecological tumors. PD-1/PD-L1 immunoregulatory mechanism is activated in ovarian cancers. Lymphocyte infiltration is a significant factor that affects its expression. We analyzed the correlation between localization of lymphocytic infiltrate and PD-L1 expression in epithelial ovarian tumors. Materials and Methods: PD-L1 expression was analyzed in 328 subjects, 122 with epithelial ovarian carcinoma, 42 with atypical proliferative tumor, and 164 with benign epithelial ovarian tumor. Expression in central and invasive tumor parts in epithelial ovarian carcinoma was combined with the most pronounced lymphocyte reaction. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed using the tissue microarray and correlated with a set of histopathology parameters. Results: PD-L1 expression was most prominent in epithelial ovarian carcinoma with different levels of expression observed between invasive and central tumor segments. A high level of PD-L1 expression on tumor cells was more frequently present in the invasive than in the central tumor parts (p < 0.001) only in high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSC). There was no significant correlation between peritumoral lymphocytic infiltrate and PD-L1 expression regardless of tumor segment. In the central tumor parts of HGSC, there was a correlation of intratumoral lymphocytic infiltrate with a higher level of PD-L1 expression (p = 0.003). Conclusions: The most prominent PD-L1 expression was observed in the invasive tumor parts of HGSC. Only the central parts of the HGSC exhibited significant PD-L1 expression in association with considerable intratumoral lymphocytic infiltrate.

Background and Objectives: Cervical squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) usually showed an infiltrative growth pattern into endocervical stroma. In rare cases, SCC spreads superficially as an intraepithelial lesion to proximal uterine segments, and more rarely, involves invasive and more aggressive behavior on secondary sites. Materials and Methods: In this study, we present the case of an interesting form of cervical SCC growth and we discuss the possible reasons for that presentation. Results: After clinical examination and repeated histomorphological analysis, we found remarkable cervical epithelial dysplasia (a high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion—H-SIL). A histopathology report after conization and hysterectomy showed squamocellular carcinoma with microinvasive focuses. Interestingly, squamocellular carcinoma was found in the proximal uterine and adnexal structure, as well as intraepithelial and microinvasive lesions. Conclusions: Our study described a rare presentation of primary cervical SCC with unusual adnexal involvement. This pattern of tumor growth should be especially considered for patients who are proposed for sparing surgical procedures. A detailed and multidisciplinary approach for every patient is very important because unpredictable cases are present. However, they are rare.

Introduction. Since the coronavirus disease 2019 outbreak was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization on March 11, 2020, it has become the greatest public health threat worldwide. People with chronic diseases were identified as the group at risk for fatal outcome. The purpose of this research is to estimate the mental health of patients with chronic diseases during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Material and Methods. A total of 463 individuals (50.8% female), with the average age of 46.63 years (SD = 14.29, ranging from 20 to 75 years of age) participated in the research. The subjects were divided into two groups, based on the existence of at least one chronic disease. The Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 was used to assess the mental health of the participants. The research was conducted in August 2020. The impact of chronic illness on depression, anxiety, and stress levels was assessed using linear regression models. Results. The prevalence of chronic diseases among the participants was 44.3%. The participants with chronic diseases presented with higher levels of depression (p < 0.05), anxiety (p < 0.001), and stress (p < 0.001) compared to healthy participants. The presence of chronic illness remains a significant predictor of all the dependent variables, even after the inclusion of multiple variables in the final regression model: depression (Beta [?] 0.37; 95% confidence interval: 2.67 - 4.42; p < 0.01), anxiety (Beta [?] 0.19; 95% confidence interval: 0.80 - 2.55; p < 0.01), and stress (Beta [?] 0.09; 95% confidence interval: 0.01 - 2.13; p < 0.05). Conclusion. About five months after the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic was declared, the investigation of mental health of chronically ill adults in Serbia shows an increased amount of stress, anxiety, and depression in this subpopulation.

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) significantly contribute to heterogeneity, malignancy, and therapy resistance in ovarian cancer. Recent studies emphasize the role of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) in regulating cell differentiation and stemness in various types of cancer. This study aims to determine the expression levels of CD44, CD133, and VDR in epithelial ovarian tumors (EOTs) and to compare these levels across different tumor types, including benign, atypical proliferative tumors, and five types of malignant phenotypes, in order to evaluate their potential as diagnostic tools for malignancy. Tissue samples from 218 patients diagnosed with EOT were analyzed. Clinical and histopathologic parameters were recorded. Quantitative immunohistochemical tissue microarray analysis was used to assess the expression levels of CD44, CD133, and VDR using two different scoring systems. Comparisons were made between benign tumors (n = 45), atypical proliferative tumors (n = 42), and ovarian carcinomas (n = 131), including high-grade serous (HGSC) and non-HGSC subtypes. Ovarian cancer, especially HGSC, showed a significantly higher expression of CD44 and VDR (p < 0.05) compared to atypical proliferative tumors and benign tumors. The expression of CD133 was highest in atypical proliferative tumors (p < 0.05). A moderate positive correlation was found between CD44, CD133, and VDR in all groups, with significant correlations with tumor grade and FIGO stage in ovarian cancer (p < 0.05). The increased expression of CD44 and VDR in aggressive ovarian cancer, along with elevated CD133 levels in atypical proliferative tumors, highlights the complexity of tumor biology. These markers may serve as valuable targets for the diagnosis of ovarian cancer.