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Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a devastating neurological condition that affects individuals worldwide, significantly reducing quality of life, for both patients and their families. In recent years there has been a growing interest in cell therapy potential in the context of spinal cord injuries. The present review aims to discuss and compare the restorative approaches based on the current knowledge, available spinal cord restorative cell therapies, and use of selected cell types. However, treatment options for spinal cord injury are limited, but rehabilitation and experimental technologies have been found to help maintain or improve remaining nerve function in some cases. Mesenchymal stem cells as well as olfactory ensheathing cells seem to show therapeutic impact on damaged spinal cord and might be useful in neuroregeneration. Recent research in animal models and first human trials give patients with spinal cord injuries hope for recovery.

Chronotypes play a crucial role in regulating sleep–wake cycles and overall health. The aim of this study was to investigate chronotype, sleep quality, polymorphisms of clock genes and the level of leptin in serum. We used standardized questionnaires to assess chronotype and sleep quality. Genetic analysis was performed to determine the selected clock gene polymorphism. Serum leptin level was measured by the Elisa method. The results showed that serum leptin concentration was elevated in women, as well as in men who had a high waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) and body mass index (BMI). The evidence indicated that younger students (<22 years old) were most likely to experience poor sleep quality. Nevertheless, our multivariate analysis revealed that young age and a morning-oriented chronotype were associated with better sleep quality. We noted that clock gene polymorphisms were present in 28.6% of the participants. Moreover, polymorphisms of PER1 c.2247C>T (rs2735611) and PER2 c.-12C>G (rs2304672) genes were associated with serum leptin level and chronotype, respectively. These findings provide insights into the relationships between chronotype, sleep quality, clock gene polymorphisms and obesity risk in biomedical students. Understanding these factors can contribute to better sleep management and potential interventions to improve health outcomes in humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The RAGE signaling pathway is associated with many chronic disorders. One of them may be endometrial cancer (EC). EC is one of the most common gynecologic cancers among women. The aim of our considerations was to decipher the role of RAGE and its ligands in the progression of EC. We confirmed that disruptions in the RAGE signaling pathways may be a reason for EC progression. The cross-talk between RAGE and Diaph1 plays a crucial role in downstream signaling pathways during EC progression. However, we assume that DNA methylation may regulate the activity of the RAGE signaling pathways in the endometrium. Thus, DNA methylation may create an epigenetic memory that may trigger perturbations in the endometrium. Endometrial cancer (EC) is the most common gynecological malignancy. EC is associated with metabolic disorders that may promote non-enzymatic glycation and activate the receptor for advanced glycation end-products (RAGE) signaling pathways. Thus, we assumed that RAGE and its ligands may contribute to EC. Of particular interest is the interaction between diaphanous-related formin 1 (Diaph1) and RAGE during the progression of human cancers. Diaph1 is engaged in the proper organization of actin cytoskeletal dynamics, which is crucial in cancer invasion, metastasis, angiogenesis, and axonogenesis. However, the detailed molecular role of RAGE in EC remains uncertain. In this review, we discuss epigenetic factors that may play a key role in the RAGE-dependent endometrial pathology. We propose that DNA methylation may regulate the activity of the RAGE pathway in the uterus. The accumulation of negative external factors, such as hyperglycemia, inflammation, and oxidative stress, may interfere with the DNA methylation process. Therefore, further research should take into account the role of epigenetic mechanisms in EC progression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Myo-inositol (MI) is the most abundant inositol found in nature. To date MI supplementation is reported to be effective in the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome, it is also suggested to alleviate the symptoms of diabetes and neurodegenerative disorders, but to date no statistically significant effects of inositol on depressive and anxiety symptoms were proven. In the study of anxiolytic effects in zebrafish, we often use the thigmotaxis index measuring the ratio of the amount of time the animal spends near the walls compared to the entire arena. Aim: The objective of this paper was to examine the effect of MI on zebrafish embryos’ locomotor activity, as well as its potential anxiolytic activity in zebrafish larvae. Material and methods: In the first part of the experiment, the embryos were incubated with 5, 10, 20, and 40 mg/mL MI. 1-day post fertilization, embryo mobility was evaluated and burst activity was calculated. In the next part of the study, the behavior of 5-day-old larvae was tested. Results: Tests on embryo movement showed an increase in burst activity in the MI group at concentrations of 40 mg/mL (p < 0.0001) and a slight decrease in the group at concentrations of 10 mg/mL (p < 0.05). MI in the light/dark challenge had no impact on the thigmotaxis index. Conclusions: MI was shown to not affect stress reduction in zebrafish larvae. Further research on the potential of MI and other stereoisomers is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A growing body of literature has shown that type 1 diabetes (T1D) and high-fat diet (HFD) affect female reproductive function and may be involved in a chronic inflammatory state. Our previous studies indicated that T1D as well as HFD may evoke perturbations in the receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) signaling pathway. The aim of the study was to determine the amount of RAGE protein and its proinflammatory ligands in uterine tissues harvested from T1D and HFD/pre-diabetic mice (n = 5 per group). We sought the impact of T1D and HFD on the activity of the RAGE signaling pathway in uterine tissues during the estrous cycle. The abundance of RAGE and its ligands were estimated using immunohistochemical staining. However, we also performed nerve conduction velocity studies to confirm diabetic neuropathy. The highest amount of RAGE and its ligands were observed in uterine tissues of T1D mice. Moreover, myometrial activity of the RAGE signaling pathway was increased in HFD in comparison to the control group (P≤0.05). We observed a strong relationship between RAGE, Nε-(carboxymethyl)lysine (CML) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) proteins in mice myometrium. These data suggest that T1D and HFD could modulate the activity of RAGE and thus RAGE signaling pathway in uterine tissues during estrous cycle. Long-term diabetes and HFD may induce malfunctions in the uterine milieu. In the future RAGE protein may serve as a molecular marker in the diagnosis of malfunctions in pre- and diabetic uterus milieu. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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