<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
Body height is positively correlated with overall health and survival. Previous studies have found that taller people are healthier and live longer than their smaller counterparts. Despite numerous investigations, the correlation between adult stature and longevity remains uncertain. The objective of the present study is to evaluate the relationship between adult height and lifespan. Data were available from 480493 men and 364666 women who died in the years 2004-2008 in Poland. Pearson’s r coefficients of correlation were calculated and ANOVA was employed. The correlation between height and longevity was negative and statistically significant in men (r = –0.27, p &lt; 0.0001) and women (r = –0.25, p &lt; 0.0001). However, after allowing for the cohort effect, these correlations proved to be very weak and significant. On balance, these results do not corroborate the hypothesis that taller people live longer, and the effects of body height on survival were small. In this article, these findings are discussed in an attempt to identify the biological mechanisms that are responsible for greater longevity in short people. This paper also deals with several biological factors and mechanisms involved in the link between body size and longevity.
</abstract>

Do taller people live longer? Evaluating the relationship between adult stature and longevity

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
In science and medicine, terminology is a precise system of terms that are generally accepted in a given discipline. In anatomy, it is important to distinguish between terminology and nomenclature, which is an officially accepted set of terms arranged according to certain rules and principles. The Terminologia Anatomica (1998) has been the golden standard in the field of terminology, even though it contains minor errors, inaccuracies, discrepancies, multiplication of terms, inconvenient terms as well as synonyms and identical names for different structures. All of these problems need to be solved in the future, which is a key cchallenge in the field. Another major challenge is to create a clear, precise, logical, flawless and worldwide accepted list of anatomical terms that would cover all the names that are used in education and clinical practice. Many researchers and clinicians assert that this task is still ahead of us. The aim of this article is to explain why the longstanding tradition of medical terminology should be respected and why major and rapid changes should never be endorsed. Anatomical terminology, if correctly used, is a basic tool of communication both within and outside the field. It is also a guide through the intricacies of the human anatomy.
</abstract>

Anatomical and medical terminology: new challenges and perspectives

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
This review examines how physical activity can modulate the gut microbiota, taking into account the training intensity used, the value of the load and the age group studied. The aim of the study is to show the significant interaction between exercise and its effects on the gut microbiota. Many of the studies we analysed showed an interesting correlation between the physical activity undertaken and the change in biodiversity and taxon representation, so we concluded that exercise can significantly modulate the composition of the gut microbiome. This also works the other way around, as doing too much intense and taxing exercise can lead to so-called intestinal dysbiosis, which promotes inflammatory reactions and other unfavourable metabolic consequences. Therefore, in this review, we have analysed the latest and most interesting body of literature oscillating around the complex relationship between the movement undertaken and its impact on the microbiome.
</abstract>

The effect of physical activity on gut microbiota. A review

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
It is impossible to imagine learning anatomy without properly fixating cadavers. Thanks to accurate preservation techniques, students can differentiate anatomical structures by their sight and touch. The formalin method was first described almost 150 years ago, and as such it may seem primitive, however it is effective and easy to use, which is why it is still in use today. Despite formaldehyde’s bactericidal, fungicidal, and insecticidal properties contact with vapors of embalming solutions such as formalin may have a negative health effect. Skin drying, eczema, allergic contact dermatitis and lowered red blood cells (RBCs) and platelets are only a few symptoms that may occur as a result of spending long periods of time in places where cadavers are stored.
Due to formalin’s features, other techniques were invented. Thiel’s method is also well known; after liquid application, tissues remain their natural color as the method is non-irritating and almost odorless. With the rise of technology, more modern methods of cadaver preservation were developed as alternative to formalin, such as the use of N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone (NVP), which is commonly implemented in Japan and Brazil, and the Modified Larssen solution (MLS), which gives the possibility to reduce formalin concentration without losing the effectiveness of tissue preservation.
The aim of this work is to develop an integrated approach to cadaver preservation through the analysis of frequently used preservation techniques. This is a considerable issue because first-year students of medicine and related faculties encounter the preserved material while learning anatomy.
In comparison to more modern methods, formalin seems to be the worst choice due to worse joint flexibility, tissue colour and structure and, most importantly, its cancerogenic action.
</abstract>

Cadaver preserving methods – is it possible to do anything better?

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Summary</title> Theoretical and experimental bases of TILLING and FOX-hunting, new tools for precise identification of genes in functional studies are reviewed. TILLING (Targeting Induced Local Lesions IN Genomes) is a technique combining chemical mutagenesis with its sensitive and precise detection. The method involves PCR amplification of DNA samples pooled following extraction from a collection of chemically-treated organisms and a subsequent screening for mutations using Cel1 endonuclease, detecting mismatches in heteroduplexes [52]. FOX-hunting (Full-length cDNA Over-eXpressing gene hunting system) is a new method of plant gene overexpression, which enables a quick gene isolation and sequencing, paralelly with functional studies.</abstract>

Tilling and Fox-Hunting: New Methods for Functional Analysis of Genes

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Summary</title> Blood vessel formation in tumor is defined as tumor angiogenesis. So far, the most known its mechanism is sprouting, which means formation of blood vessels from existing ones, as a result of the proliferation and migration of endothelial cells. The main mitogenic factor of these cells is vascular endothelial growth factor VEGF, acting by VEGFR-2 receptors. Recent studies have provided knowledge about the ability of tumors to form vessel-like structures. The phenomenon was called vascular mimicry. Tumor cells show a high plasticity and they can undergo differentiation to the ones with phenotype similar to endothelial cells. Each of the known tumor angiogenesis mechanisms is a result of many different factors and cell cooperation in tumor microenvironment. Tumor ability to the heterogeneous vascularization forces developing of complex, anti-angiogenic therapy directed to different molecular and cellular targets. Therapies, used so far, often lead to drug-induced hypoxia, which increases tumor cell aggressiveness and metastasis.</abstract>

Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Biology A. Mickiewicz University Umultowska Street 89, 61-614 Poznań,

Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Biology, A. Mickiewicz University, Poznań,

Department of Clinical Pathomorphology, Medical University of Poznań,

Tumor Blood Vessels and Vasculogenic Mimicry – Current Knowledge and Searching for New Cellular/Molecular Targets of Anti-Angiogenic Therapy

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
All healthcare professionals have to master the extensive anatomical terminology, which is an indispensable tool in communication. The <italic>Terminologia Anatomica</italic>, formerly known as <italic>Nomina Anatomica</italic>, is a particularly useful tool for effective communication among anatomists and specialists beyond the field, both within a medical context and the broader scientific discourse. The inaugural edition of the Terminologia Anatomica, which was issued in 1998 by the Federative Committee on Anatomical Terminology, gained widespread international recognition. Nevertheless, many authors believe that precise definitions and valid names for the parts and segments of the anatomical structures that are clinically and didactically useful should be incorporated in future editions of anatomical nomenclature. Thus, refining and extending the Terminologia Anatomica remains a challenging task for future generations of anatomists. Simultaneously, the intricate nature of anatomical nomenclature poses a major challenge, as learning, remembering, and understanding the complex terminology is a difficult task, especially for first-year medical students and newcomers to the field, emphasizing the need to simplify the anatomical language. The purpose of this article is to explore specific strategies designed to elevate the educational experience of medical students as they endeavor to master human gross anatomy and its terminology.
</abstract>

Teaching anatomical terminology: effective learning strategies in medical education

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
The discovery of mitochondria-derived peptides has facilitated a comprehensive understanding of their protective effects on various organs. One of such peptides, Mitochondrial ORF of the 12S rRNA type-C (MOTS-c), was initially characterized in 2015 as a bioactive molecule that regulates gene expression and cellular metabolism via 5’-adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK).
MOTS-c has exhibited notable protective effects across diverse organs, including protection against diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, alleviating the impacts of ageing, and regulating the immune response. Despite these well-established functions, the precise role of MOTS-c in the endocrine system remains elusive. However, recent research emphasizes the increasing significance of MOTS-c and other mitochondrial-derived peptides in regulating endocrine system function and addressing metabolism-related diseases. Therefore, this review aims to summarize the current information on the action of MOTS-c and other mitochondrial--derived peptides in various endocrine system organs.
</abstract>

Protective and multi-organ effects of MOTS-c and other mitochondrial-derived peptides in the endocrine system

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
Hepatocellular carcinoma and socioeconomic status of a population have a complicated relationship. While the determinants that are associated with increasing the risks of getting the disease are attributing the incidence and prevalence in certain regions, the availability of essential healthcare plays the main role in favourable prognosis and lower mortality rates.
</abstract>

Hepatocellular carcinoma – a complicated matter

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
Photogrammetry is technique which allows generation of three-dimensional models using photographic images. It is relatively new technique and very rarely used, as for now, in anatomy, but in our opinion, it has a great potential for being great alternative for conventional anatomy teaching methods.
In the anatomy department of Wroclaw Medical University, we decided to check usefulness of this method as it comes to generation of anatomical models. In process we came up with a very simple, yet effective way of taking photos and generating models sufficient for didactics. We based our technique on very accessible and user-friendly mobile phone apps, basic medical-grade lamp setup, mobile phone cameras, and free computer software. All that makes our technique easy, fast, and cheap – which makes this method a better, potentially widely available alternative for conventional learning materials.
We are sure photogrammetry will become more and more popular because of its superiority to digital anatomical resources such as three-dimensional atlases. Additionally, we can see a rise in popularity of technologies such as VR (virtual reality) and AR (augmented reality), which can be useful in further implementation and development of photogrammetric 3D anatomical models as studies have shown.
</abstract>

Can we make anatomical specimen last forever? Technical note on photogrammetry

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
This review examines the role of physical therapists in the treatment of hamstring injuries (HSI) using detailed anatomy and knowledge of the most common mechanisms leading to injury. The authors of the analyzed works pay attention to the appropriate prevention of hamstring injuries, especially in professional sports. Diagnostics should include determining the mechanism of injury, because rehabilitation will fully depend on it.
In the rehabilitation process, attention should be paid to the time in which actions are taken, because each stage of rehabilitation brings different difficulties.
A physiotherapist has many tools that clearly influence how quickly the patient will recover. The treatment process for a patient with HSI requires further research and improvement of guidelines, as it is one of the most common injuries of the posterior thigh muscle group with a high risk of recurrence.
</abstract>

Hamstring tendon muscle injuries – anatomy, mechanisms and rehabilitation

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
Atopic dermatitis is a skin disorder caused by the dysfunction of a multitude of genetic components. This paper reviewed three main genetic factors leading to the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis including: the epidermal barrier, the body’s immune system, and the filaggrin protein.
</abstract>

Genetic dysfunctions leading to the pathogenic cascade of atopic dermatitis

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Summary</title> Resveratrol is a natural organic compound, polyphenol, produced naturally by some plants in response to several harmful factors such as attack by pathogens, UV radiation, or increased oxidative stress. Many experiments suggest that it triggers mechanisms that counteract aging-related effects and plays a role in insulin resistance as well. It also possesses beneficial properties such as anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, blood-sugar-lowering and cardiovascular effects. It is supposed to exhibit an interesting activity in neuroprotection - mainly through activation of sirtuins and counteraction in forming peptide aggregates. Still research is needed to evaluate exactly how resveratrol protects neurons, and to develop new, potential, therapeutic drugs</abstract>

Antioxidant Properties of Resveratrol and its Protective Effects in Neurodegenerative Diseases

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Summary</title> UDP-glycosyltransferases (GTases, UGT) catalyze the transfer of the sugar moiety from the uridine-diphosphate-activated monosaccharide (e.g. uridine-diphosphate-5’-glucose, UDPG) molecule to the specific acceptor. Glycosides contain aglycons attached by a β-glycosidic bond to C1 of the saccharide moiety. Glycosylation is one of the mechanisms maintaining cellular homeostasis through the regulation of the level, biological activity, and subcellular distribution of the glycosylated compounds. The glycosides play various functions in plant cells, such as high-energy donors, or signalling molecules, and are involved in biosynthesis of cell walls. Plant cells exhibit structural and functional diversity of UGT proteins. The Arabidopsis thaliana genome contains more than 100 genes encoding GTases, which belong to 91 families, and are deposited in the CAZY (Carbohydrate Active enzyme) database (www. cazy.org/GlycosylTransferases.html). The largest UGT1 class is divided into 14 subfamilies (A-N), and includes proteins containing highly conserved 44-amino acid PSPG (Plant Secondary Product Glycosyltransferase) motif at the C-terminus. The PSPG motif is involved in the binding of UDP-sugar donors to the enzyme. UGT1’s catalyze the biosynthesis of both ester-type and ether-type conjugates of plant hormones (phytohormones). Conjugation of the phytohormones is an important mechanism that regulates the concentration of physiological active hormone levels during growth and development of plants. Glycoconjugation of phytohormones is widespread in the plant kingdom and all known phytohormones are able to form these conjugates. Most plant hormone conjugates do not indicate physiological activity, but rather are involved in transport, storage and degradation of the phytohormones. UDPG-dependent glycosyltransferases possess high substrate specificity, even within a given class of phytohormones. In many cases, the phenotype of plants is strongly affected by loss-of-function mutations in UGT genes. In this paper, advances in the isolation and characterization of glycosyltransferases of all plant hormones: auxin, brassinosteroids, cytokinin, gibberellin, abscisic acid, jasmonates, and salicylate is described</abstract>

Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń,7 Gagarina Street, 87-100 Toruń

Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń

Udp-Glycosyltransferases of Plant Hormones

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>Folliculogenesis is the process of ovarian follicle formation,, taking presence during foetal period. During the follicular development, oogoniums undergo meiosis and oocytes are formed. In the ovaries of new born sows, primary and secondary follicles are present and, 90 days after birth, tertiary follicles appear. During development in the ovarian follicles growth of granulosa cells and differentiation of the thecal cells can be observed. A cavity filled with follicular fluid appears. Granulosa cells are divided into: mural cells and corona radiata, which together with the oocyte form the cumulus oophorus. Corona radiata cells, mural layers and oolemma contact each other by a network of gap junctions. Secreted from the pituitary gland, FSH and LH gonadotropin hormones act on receptors located in granular and follicular cells. In the postnatal life tertiary follicles and Graafian follicles are formed. When the follicle reaches a diameter of 1 mm, further growth depends on the secretion of gonadotropins. Mature ovarian follicles produce: progestins, androgens and oestrogens. The growth, differentiation and steroidogenic activity of ovarian follicles, in addition to FSH and LH, is also affected by prolactin, oxytocin, steroid and protein hormones, numerous proteins from the cytokine and interleukin family, metabolic hormones like insulin, glucocorticoids, leptin, thyroid hormones and growth hormones. Despite numerous studies, many processes related to folliculogenesis have not been discovered Learning the mechanisms regulating reproductive processes would allow to easily distinguish pathological processes and discover more and more genes and mechanisms of their expression in cells that build ovarian follicles.</abstract>

Characteristic of factors influencing the proper course of folliculogenesis in mammals

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>The pig is a polyestrous animal in which the ovarian cycle lasts about 21 days and results in ovulation of 10-25 oocytes. Ovum reaches 120-150 μm in diameter, with the surrounding corona radiata providing communication with the environment. The zona pellucida is composed of glycoproteins: ZP1, ZP2, ZP3. In the course of oogenesis, RNA and protein accumulation for embryonic development occurs. Maternal mRNA is the template for protein production. Nuclear, cytoplasmic and genomic maturity condition the ability of the ovum to undergo fertilization. There are several differences in protein expression profiles observed between <italic>in vitro</italic> and <italic>in vivo</italic> conditions. Oogenesis is the process of differentiating female primary sex cells into gametes. During development gonocytes migrate from the yolk sac into the primary gonads with TGF-1, fibronectin, and laminin regulating this process. Cell cycle is blocked in dictyotene. Primary oocyte maturation is resumed before each ovulation and lasts until the next block in metaphase II. At the moment of penetration of the sperm into the ovum, the metaphase block is broken. The oocytes, surrounded by a single layer of granular cells, form the ovarian follicle. The exchange of signals between the oocyte and the cumulus cells done by gap-junctions, as well as various endo and paracrine signals. The contact between the corona radiata cells provides substances necessary for growth, through the same gap junctions. Studies on follicular cells can be used to amplify the knowledge of gene expression in these cells, in order to open way for potential clinical applications.</abstract>

Cytoplasmic and nuclear maturation of oocytes in mammals – living in the shadow of cells developmental capability

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Summary</title> Aquaporins (AQPs) or water channels are some of the most ubiquitous integral membrane proteins, and are present in all living organisms. Their presence in the lipid bilayer of cell membranes considerably increases their permeability to water and, in some cases, to other small solutes. All AQPs, identified thus far, share the same structure, comprising of six transmembrane segments and two conserved regions forming the pore. Depending on the transported solutes, AQPs can be divided into two classes: ‘classical’ aquaporins (permeable only to water) and aquaglyceroporins (permeable also to glycerol and/or other solutes). Many subtypes of AQPs coexist in a single organism. Localization of particular subtypes of AQPs is tissue-specific. AQPs have been well characterized in almost all vertebrate classes. However, little is known about their counterparts in invertebrates. Most of the water channels characterized in invertebrates are found in insects. Therefore, the knowledge of aquaporins in invertebrates is generally limited to the information concerning water channels in this class of organism. Insects are characterized by an astonishing variety of physiological adaptations, notable in their feeding strategies or survival strategies in hostile environments. An example of such, is feeding on blood, or tolerating extreme cold or drought. It is likely that many of these adaptation patterns emerged due to the expression and regulation of particular aquaporins. Here we review the current state of knowledge of invertebrate AQPs (of insects and nematodes) and compare their structure and function with mammalian water channels</abstract>

Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University

Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University 89 Umultowska Street, 61-614 Poznan, Poland

The Current Knowledge of Invertebrate Aquaporin Water Channels with Particular Emphasis on Insect AQPs

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>The ovary is part of the reproductive system, possessing very important functions in the reproduction process (ovum and embryo transfer, providing a suitable environment for sperm capacitation, etc.). There are two types of cells in the fallopian tubes: alveolar and secretive cells. These study shows the metabolic processes in pig oviductal epithelial cells associated with the activation of signaling pathways of amino acids metabolism and degradation during long-term in vitro culture. Oviductal epithelial cells from 45 colonies in the anestrous phase of the estrous cycle have been utilized in this study. RNA extract from the OEC primary cultures was pooled after 24h, 7days, 15 days and 30 days from the beginning of culture and the transcriptome investigated by Affymetrix® Porcine Gene 1.1 ST. From the whole transcript that consisted of 2009 different genes, 1537 were upregulated and 995 were downregulated after 7 days of culture, 1471 were upregulated and 1061 were downregulated after 15 days of culture and 1329 were upregulated and 1203 were downregulated after 30 days of culture. The results of these studies provide, for the first time, information on the activation of metabolic pathways of amino acids such as valine, leucine, isoleucine, cysteine, and methionine in the investigated tissue. They also indicate genes that may be OECs-specific genetic markers that are expressed or upregulated during long-term <italic>in vitro</italic> culture.</abstract>

Amino acids metabolism and degradation is regulated during porcine oviductal epithelial cells (OECs) primary culture in vitro – a signaling pathways activation approach

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Medical Journal of Cell Biology

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