Introduction: Urinary bladder cancer is a serious oncological problem that is the cause of many deaths worldwide. The processes of metastasis and origination of local tumor invasion depend on the extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation. The cancer microenvironment, particularly the ECM, may be considered a key factor in cancer progression. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are classified as the main factors responsible for the degradation of ECM components. Therefore, the aim of the study was to evaluate the expression and activity of matrix metalloproteinase 2 and 9 (MMP-2 and MMP-9) in urinary bladder cancer according to different stages. Material and methods: Urinary bladder tissue samples were analyzed. Cancer patients were divided into two groups: low-grade tumors (LG; Group I) and high-grade tumors (HG; Group II). Control tissue was obtained from the opposite site to the tumor. MMPs content and activity (actual and specific) were evaluated using ELISA and Western blot methods, respectively. Results: Both MMPs are present in high and low molecular complexes in healthy or bladder cancer tissues. The content of MMP-9 is enhanced in comparison with MMP-2, particularly in HG cancer tissue. The actual activity of MMP-2 was highest in LG cancer tissue whereas the actual activity of MMP-9 was highest in HG cancer. Specific activity of both MMPs was highest in LG cancer, but the activity of MMP-9 was higher in comparison with MMP-2. Conclusions: In conclusion, the content and specific activity of MMP-9 were increased in comparison with MMP-2. The revealed differences in content and activity of both MMPs demonstrate their different participation in ECM remodeling at different stages of cancer development. Moreover, it seems that MMP-9 has higher clinical utility than MMP-2 as a potential therapeutic option and a diagnostic biomarker of urinary bladder cancer.

A suitable and balanced diet is a major factor determining human health and should comprise unprocessed food enriched with oilseed products containing bioactive components and fatty acids. This paper reviews the chemical compositions and biomedical functions of plant seed oils extracted from black cumin, evening primrose, hemp, milk thistle, sesame, flax, and pumpkin seeds. The review provides a comprehensive overview of current oil extracting techniques and of the composition and content of bioactive components, including fatty acids, phytosterols, tocopherols, phenols, and carotenoids. Moreover, we describe research findings on the medical applications, benefits and limitations of treatment with plant seed oils for diverse diseases such as mastalgia, premenstrual syndrome, menopause, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, cancer, and urinary tract and liver disease, as well as their use in dermatology and chemotherapy. The use of plant seed oils as topical agents and their anti-bacterial properties are reviewed, as well as important precautions in their medical applications. The information provided in this review is intended to serve as a compendium for medical professionals in the field of integrative medicine, nutrition, and dietetics, and to help consumers make the best use of plant seed oils in accordance with their medical and health needs. The review is also addressed to food control laboratories, as it provides detailed tabularised data on the components and their contents in the above-mentioned seven plant seed oils. These data are highly useful for the development of new analytical methods for testing the quality and authenticity of oils.

Antimicrobial resistance has become a growing public health concern in recent decades, demanding a search for new effective treatments. Therefore, this study aimed to elucidate the phytochemical composition and evaluate the antibacterial activity of the essential oil obtained from the fruits of Piper tuberculatum Jacq. (EOPT) against strains carrying different mechanisms of antibiotic resistance. Phytochemical analysis was performed using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The antibacterial activity of EOPT and its ability to inhibit antibiotic resistance was evaluated through the broth microdilution method. The GC-MS analysis identified 99.59% of the constituents, with β-pinene (31.51%), α-pinene (28.38%), and β-cis-ocimene (20.22%) being identified as major constituents. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of EOPT was determined to assess its antibacterial activity against multidrug-resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus (IS-58, 1199B, K2068, and K4100). The compound showed a MIC of ≥ 1024 μg/mL, suggesting a lack of intrinsic antibacterial activity. However, when the EOPT was associated with antibiotics and EtBr, a significant decrease in antibiotic resistance was observed, indicating the modulation of efflux pump activity. This evidence was corroborated with the observation of increased fluorescent light emission by the bacterial strains, indicating the involvement of the NorA and MepA efflux pumps. Additionally, the significant potentiation of ampicillin activity against the S. aureus strain K4414 suggests the β-lactamase inhibitory activity of EOPT. These results suggest that the essential oil from P. tuberculatum fruits has antibiotic-enhancing properties, with a mechanism involving the inhibition of efflux pumps and β-lactamase in MDR S. aureus strains. These findings provide new perspectives on the potential use of EOPT against antibiotic resistance and highlight the importance of Piper species as sources of bioactive compounds with promising therapeutic activities against MDR bacteria. Nevertheless, further preclinical (in vivo) studies remain necessary to confirm these in vitro-observed results.

Urinary tract pathologies are the most common congenital abnormalities. Duplex colleting system occurs at different stages of completion and is usually asymptomatic. Ureteral ectopia is an associated anomaly which may manifest as continuous incontinence. The aim of this article is to present two patients with duplex kidney and ureteral ectopia. Both patients presented symptoms of continuous urinary incontinence and became symptomatic in the adult life.