The effect of the well-characterized callus extract of Chaenomeles japonica on viability, morphology, and proliferation of normal human skin fibroblasts was investigated. The phytochemical analysis was performed using the ultra-high performance liquid chromatography method. The total phenolic, phenolic acid, and flavonoid contents were determined spectrophotometrically. The antioxidant activity was investigated using the DPPH (1,1-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl Radical Scavenging), FRAP (Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power), and CUPRAC (CUPric Reducing Antioxidant Capacity) assays. The callus growth index during passages was high as well as the content of pentacyclic triterpenoids. The microscopic observations of the fibroblast viability, morphology and the evaluation of the proliferation ratio (xCELLigence system) proved that the influence of callus extract on the fibroblasts was dose-dependent. The evaluated level of fibroblasts proliferation rate after 72 h of incubation with callus extract at concentration 12.5 µg L⁻¹ was the highest compared to all the analyzed ligands. Moreover, callus extract administrated for 72 h caused a significant increase in the proliferation rate in comparison with the control group (5.7 ± 0.1 vs. 4.4 ± 0.9; p < 0.01). The preliminary studies carried out may suggest that the callus extract rich in triterpenoids may be a potential source of cosmetic ingredients with a beneficial effect on human skin.

A genetic association study of estrogen receptor 2 gene (ESR2) polymorphisms in idiopathic scoliosis (IS). To investigate association of the ESR2 polymorphisms with either predisposition to or progression of IS in Central European population. In ESR2 the rs1256120 polymorphism was described to be associated with predisposition to and severity of IS in Chinese population. This observation has not been confirmed in Japanese population. The ESR2 rs4986938 and rs1256049 polymorphisms were described to present association with breast cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, and bone mineral density, however the association with IS has not been evaluated. Case-control study of 248 females with IS and 243 healthy females was performed. Three single-nucleotide polymorphisms were studied using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragments length polymorphism technique with the restriction enzymes: AlwNI (C/T rs1256120), AluI (A/G rs4986938), and RsaI (A/G rs1256049). The patients' medical history was evaluated, Cobb angle was measured and surgery rate established. The patients were analyzed in 3 subgroups according to curve progression velocity. Neither the genotypes nor alleles distribution showed significant differences between patients with IS and healthy controls. There was no significant difference in genotype or allele frequency. In the AluI site polymorphism a significant difference in mean Cobb angle between genotypes was found: (AA, 31.9° ± 14.2°; AG, 43.2° ± 17.8°; and GG, 38.9° ± 19.0°), P = 0.002. There was significant difference in genotype distribution between patients with moderate (<40°) versus severe (≥40°) scoliosis, P = 0.0011; the minor allele frequency (AA) in recessive model of penetration was over-represented in patients with Cobb angle below 40°, P = 0.0075, odds ratio = 3.65. No association between ESR2 polymorphism and predisposition to IS was found in Caucasian females. None of the previously reported associations of AlwNI site polymorphism could be confirmed. ESR2 AluI site polymorphism may be associated with curve severity. N/A.

The early-life modifications of intestinal microbiota may impact children's subsequent emotional and cognitive development. Studies show that some bacteria species in gut microbiota, and the lack of others, may play a key role in autism spectrum disorders (ASD) development. Fecal samples were obtained from three groups of children: 16 healthy, 24 with allergies (ALG), and 33 with ASD (probiotics and non-probiotics users). The analysis was carried out according to the KyberKompakt Pro protocol. We observed a significantly higher level of Klebsiella spp. in the healthy children from the non-probiotics group, considering three groups. In the same group, Bifidobacterium spp. the level was lower in ASD compared to neurotypical individuals. In healthy children who did not use probiotics, strong positive correlations were observed in E. coli and Enterococcus spp. and Bacteroides and Klebsiella spp., and a negative correlation for Akkermansia muciniphila with both Klebsiella spp. and Bacteroides spp. In the ASD group who take probiotics, a strongly negative correlation was observed in Lactobacillus spp., and both Faecalibacterium prausnitzii and Akkermansia muciniphila levels. In the ALG group, the strongest, negative correlation was found between Enterococcus spp. and Lactobacillus spp. as in Akkermansia muciniphila and Bifidobacterium spp. The simple commercial test revealed minor differences in the composition of intestinal microorganisms between children with autism spectrum disorders and neurotypical peers.

The age at menarche (AAM) is commonly in use in patients with IS as one of the maturity indicator suggesting deceleration of the growth velocity. The AAM was suggested to be related to predisposition and curve progression potential of IS. The late age at menarche was reported to be associated with higher prevalence of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. The age at menarche is determined by both genetic and environmental factors as well as their interactions. Estrogen receptors 1 and 2 polymorphism were reported to be associated with AAM: in ESR1 XbaI and PvuII site polymorphism and in ESR2 AluI site polymorphism. The purpose of the study was to investigate associations of the ESR1 and ESR2 polymorphisms with AAM in IS patients and to evaluate association of AAM with IS severity. 208 females with IS Caucasian females from Central Europe underwent clinical, radiological and genetic examinations. Four SNPs were selected XbaI (A/Grs9340799) and PvuII (C/T rs2234693) in ESR1 and AluI (A/G rs4986938) and RasI (A/G rs1256049) in ESR2. Samples were analyzed with polymerase chain reaction followed by restriction fragments length polymorphism analysis (PCR-RFLP). The age of a menarche was established during personal interview with the patients and in case of children with their parents. The Cobb angle was measured. All genotypes followed HWE. Mean AAM for patients was 154.8 ± 14.7 months (12.9 ± 1.2 years). The earliest AAM was 121 and latest 192 months. There was no statistically significant difference between AAM mean values in each genotype, for the XbaI, PvuII, AluI and RsaI site polymorphisms the p values were p = 0.7141, p = 0.9774, p = 0.7973 and p = 0.2282, respectively. Patients divided according to Cobb into mild (<30°), moderate (30°-49°) or severe (≥50°) IS revealed tendency to delay AAM: 151.9 ± 14.7; 155.2 ± 14.8 and 157.9 ± 14.0 months, respectively. There was statistical significant difference between patients with mild <30° and severe ≥50° IS, p = 0.0267. In IS patients estrogen receptors polymorphisms did not show association with the AAM. Patients with severe IS form revealed delayed AAM than patients with mild IS form.

Ovarian cancer remains the leading cause of death due to gynecologic malignancy. Estrogen-related pathways genes, such as estrogen receptors (ESR1 and ESR2) and their coregulators, proline-, glutamic acid-, and leucine-rich protein 1 (PELP1), and proto-oncogene tyrosine-protein kinase c-Src (SRC) are involved in ovarian cancer induction and development, still they require in-depth study. In our study, tissue samples were obtained from 52 females of Caucasian descent (control group without cancerous evidence (n = 27), including noncancerous benign changes (n = 15), and the ovarian carcinoma (n = 25)). Using quantitative analyses, we investigated ESRs, PELP1, and SRC mRNA expression association with ovarian tumorigenesis. Proteins’ presence and their location were determined by Western blot and immunohistochemistry. Results showed that PELP1 and SRC expression levels were found to differ in tissues of different sample types. The expression patterns were complex and differed in the case of ovarian cancer patients compared to controls. The most robust protein immunoreactivity was observed for PELP1 and the weakest for ESR1. The expression patterns of analyzed genes represent a potentially interesting target in ovarian cancer biology, especially PELP1. This study suggests that specific estrogen-mediated functions in the ovary and ovary-derived cancer might result from different local interactions of estrogen with their receptors and coregulators.

It is assumed that spermatozoa are target cells for estrogens however, the mechanism of their action is not fully understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of 17β-estradiol (E2) on the human spermatozoa mitochondrial function. The effects on spermatozoa of E2 at final concentrations of 10−10, 10−8 and 10−6 M were studied regarding the following phenomena: (1) kinetics of intracellular free calcium ions changes (using Fluo-3), (2) mitochondrial membrane potential ΔΨm (using JC-1 fluorochrome), (3) production of superoxide anion in mitochondria (using MitoSOX RED dye), (4) spermatozoa vitality (propidium iodide staining) and (5) phosphatidylserine membrane translocation (staining with annexin V marked with fluorescein). E2 initiated rapid (within a few seconds) dose dependent increase of intracellular free calcium ions concentration. E2 was changing the mitochondrial membrane potential: 10−8 M initiated significant increase of percentage of high ΔΨm spermatozoa while the 10−6 M induced significant decrease of high ΔΨm cells. In spermatozoa stimulated with E2 10−6 M a significant increase of mitochondrial superoxide anion level was observed. 2 h incubation of spermatozoa with E2 did not alter cells vitality nor stimulated phosphatidylserine membrane translocation, for all three doses. 17β-estradiol affected the human spermatozoa mitochondrial function. E2 in low concentration improved while in high concentration might deteriorate mitochondrial function.