Harris lines (HL; also known as “growth arrest lines” or “transverse radiopaque lines”) are horizontal sclerotic lines formed in the metaphyseal or diaphyseal part of long bones, usually visualized using X-ray images. Among the factors that may lead to a temporary arrest of bone growth (and thus—to HL deposition), the most commonly mentioned are nutritional disorders (malnutrition, protein, vitamin, and mineral deficiencies), a history of smallpox, pneumonia or other diseases, food poisoning, or alcohol abuse. The position of the HL is related to the period of incidence of physiological stress inhibiting bone growth, which enables the estimation of the age at which the subject was exposed to it. Such information can be valuable in the study on archeological populations; therefore, various methods have been developed to determine the age of HL deposition. In this review, six known methods for calculating the age of HL origin are presented and compared: Allison/McHenry, Hunt and Hatch, Clarke, Hummert and van Gerven, and Maat and Byers’ methods. In addition, the authors propose here a modification to the last method in order to enable calculations on non-adult bones.

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is not a single disease, but a number of various ailments that form one entity. Psychomotor retardation, anhedonia, sleep disorders, an increased suicide risk, and anxiety are the main symptoms that often define the clinical diagnosis of depression. Interleukin-6 (IL-6), as one of the proinflammatory cytokines, seems to be overexpressed during certain mental disorders, including MDD. Overexpression of IL-6 in depression is thought to be a factor associated with bad prognosis and worse disease course. IL-6 may directly affect brain functioning and production of neurotransmitters; moreover, its concentration is correlated with certain clinical symptoms within the wide range of depressive symptomatology. Furthermore, there is a strong correlation between IL-6 synthesis and psychosomatic functioning of the patient. This article discusses potential sources and significance of IL-6 in the pathogenesis of depression.

ADAM protein family – its role in tumorigenesis, mechanisms of chemo-resistance and potential as diagnostic and prognostic factors

The term “nanosilica” refers to materials containing ultrafine particles. They have gained a rapid increase in popularity in a variety of applications and in numerous aspects of human life. Due to their unique physicochemical properties, SiO₂ nanoparticles have attracted significant attention in the field of biomedicine. This study aimed to elucidate the mechanism underlying the cellular response to stress which is induced by the exposure of cells to both biogenic and pyrogenic silica nanoparticles and which may lead to their death. Both TEM and fluorescence microscopy investigations confirmed molecular changes in cells after treatment with silica nanoparticles. The cytotoxic activity of the compounds and intracellular RNS were determined in relation to HMEC-1 cells using the fluorimetric method. Apoptosis was quantified by microscopic assessment and by flow cytometry. Furthermore, the impact of nanosilica on cell migration and cell cycle arrest were determined. The obtained results compared the biological effects of mesoporous silica nanoparticles extracted from Urtica dioica L. and pyrogenic material and indicated that both types of NPs have an impact on RNS production causing apoptosis, necrosis, and autophagy. Although mesoporous silica nanoparticles did not cause cell cycle arrest, at the concentration of 50 μg/mL and higher they could disturb redox balance and stimulate cell migration.