The quality of an oocyte is influenced by its microenvironment, which includes cumulus cells and follicular fluid, as well as cells of the immune system and their products. The ovarian interleukins, which are secreted by the granulosa cells and other immune cells within the ovaries and follicles, regulate various functions between the cells. IL-6 is a cytokine that is present in the follicular fluid and may affect the quality of oocytes. There are some inconsistencies in the literature regarding the concentration of interleukin 6 in the follicular fluid. The main objective of this study was to examine whether the concentration of interleukin 6 in the follicular fluid affects the outcome of IVF. This study involved 83 patients who underwent IVF. Follicular fluid was used as the biological material for the analysis. Examination of the obtained follicular fluid and collection of oocytes under a stereomicroscope was performed in the embryological laboratory. The concentration of IL-6 in the follicular fluid was analyzed. IVF and ICSI methods were used as the fertilization methods. Pregnancy was confirmed by the positive serum β-hCG level. The software package SPSS 20 was used for statistical data processing. Analysis of the follicular fluid samples showed a correlation between the concentration of IL-6 in the follicular fluid and the outcome of IVF. The concentration of IL-6 in the follicular fluid was higher in patients with confirmed pregnancy (9.55 ± 7.47 ng/ml). Based on our results, we conclude that the concentration of IL-6 affects the outcome of IVF. If the range of IL-6 concentration is between 3,67 ng/ml and 10 ng/ml, we can expect good IVF outcome with vital pregnancy.

Introduction. High prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in children and adolescents is a great concern of the modern society. Objective. Our aim was to determine the influence of previously investigated, but also and potentially novel risk factors for the development of metabolic syndrome in children and adolescents. Methods. Observational case-control clinical study was conducted involving children and adolescents with obesity/metabolic syndrome, treated on inpatient basis from January 2008 to January 2012 at the Pediatric Clinic of the Clinical Centre Kragujevac, Kragujevac, Serbia. The group of ?cases? (n=28) included patients aged 10-16 years with the diagnosis of metabolic syndrome according to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) criteria, while the control group included twice as many obese patients (n=56) matched to the compared group. Results. Presence of maternal gestational diabetes (ORadjusted: 39.426; 95% CI: 1.822-853.271; p=0.019), and/or lack of breastfeeding in the first six months of life (ORadjusted: 0.079; 95% CI: 0.009-0.716; p=0.024) were significant predictors for developing MetS. Also, microalbuminuria is associated with MetS in obese children and adolescents (ORadjusted: 1.686; 95% CI: 1.188-2.393; p=0.003). Conclusion. Presence of maternal gestational diabetes and/or lack of infant breastfeeding are considered as relevant factors that may contribute to the increased risk of developing MetS syndrome, while microalbuminuria is frequently associated with MetS in obese children and adolescents.

Four new platinum(II) complexes of general formula [PtCl₂(R₂-S,S-eddtyr)] (R = ethyl, n-propyl, n-butyl and n-pentyl); S,S-eddtyr = ethylenediamine-N,N′-di-(2,2′-di(4-hydroxy)-benzyl-acetic acid) have been synthesized and characterized by microanalysis, and infrared, ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. The in vitro antimicrobial activity of ligands L1–L4 [L = R₂-S,S-eddtyr; R = ethyl (L1), n-propyl (L2), n-butyl (L3), n-pentyl (L4)], platinum(II) complexes C1–C4 [PtCl₂(R₂-S,S-eddtyr)] [R = ethyl (C1), n-propyl (C2), n-butyl (C3), n-pentyl (C4)] and palladium(II) complexes C5–C8 [PdCl₂(R₂-S,S-eddtyr)] [R = ethyl (C5), n-propyl (C6) or n-butyl (C7) or n-pentyl (C8)] was investigated. The cytotoxicity of ligands and platinum(II) complexes was investigated using MTT assay. The interaction of platinum and palladium complexes [MCl₂(R₂-S,S-eddtyr)] (M = Pt or Pd) with calf thymus DNA (CT-DNA) was investigated using UV-Vis absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy. The association constant (K_b) estimated from the absorption spectral study and the quenching constant (K_SV) calculated from relevant fluorescence quenching data indicate a non-covalent interaction between the metal complex and DNA. Ethidium bromide (EB) competitive studies revealed that complexes C1–C8 could interact with CT-DNA through intercalation. Furthermore, the interactions between human serum albumin (HSA) and the platinum(II) and palladium(II) complexes were also investigated by UV-Vis absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy, showing that the new complexes could strongly bind with HSA.

Introduction: Endometrial hyperplasia is a condition that occurs as a result of hormonal imbalance between estrogen and progesterone. Morphological disturbance of endometrial cells occurs consequently leading towards endometrial cancer. In therapy of endometrial hyperplasia SERMs are used to...

THE ASSOCIATION OF CIRCULATING SCLEROSTIN LEVEL WITH MARKERS OF BONE METABOLISM IN PATIENTS WITH THYROID DYSFUNCTION

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), a highly invasive type of cancer, is difficult to treat due to insufficient specific targets and low survival rates. Current therapy often encounters drug resistance or relapse; thus, repurposing existing drugs could revolutionize cancer treatment. This study examined the anticancer effects of the antipsychotics Cariprazine (CAR), Olanzapine (OLZ), and Clozapine (CLZ), and the immunomodulatory potential of CAR, in vitro and in vivo in TNBC models. In vitro, CAR, OLZ, and CLZ significantly inhibited the proliferation of TNBC cells. This inhibition occurred via the induction of mitochondrial apoptosis, G0/G1 cell cycle arrest, and the suppression of autophagy, as evidenced by the down-regulation of Bcl-2, p62, and pAKT; the upregulation of Bax and active caspase 3; the decrease of ΔΨM; and the promotion of cytochrome c release. In addition, CAR inhibited MDA-MB-231 cells migration. In vivo, CAR inhibited tumor growth in the 4T1 xenograft model without causing adverse effects and resulted in the mRNA upregulation caspase 9, p53, p21, and Beclin-1. In addition, CAR influenced the immune response by promoting the production of proinflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-17, and IL-1β and increasing the percentage of TNF-α⁺, IL-17⁺, IL-1β⁺, and IFN-γ⁺ CD3⁺ splenocytes. In conclusion, compared with other antipsychotics, 5-FU, and cisplatin, CAR exerted the most potent anticancer activity in TNBC in vitro and in vivo. This efficacy may be attributed to its ability to regulate apoptosis and autophagy, promote G0/G1 cell cycle arrest, and modulate antitumor immune response, suggesting its therapeutic potential in breast cancer.