Endometrial cancer develops as a result of abnormal cell growth associated with uncontrolled cell proliferation, excessive activation of signaling pathways and miRNA activity. The aim of this study was to determine the expression profile of genes associated with cell proliferation and to assess which miRNAs can participate in the regulation of their expression. The study enrolled 40 patients with endometrial cancer and 10 patients without neoplastic changes. The expression profile of genes associated with cell proliferation and the expression profile of miRNAs were assessed using microarrays. RT-qPCR was performed to validate mRNA microarray results. The mirTAR tool was used to identify miRNAs that regulate the activity of genes associated with cell proliferation. Decreased expression of IGF1 and MYLK, as well as SOD2 overexpression, were observed in endometrial cancer using both mRNA microarrays and RT-qPCR. Microarray analysis showed low levels of NES and PRKCA, but this was only partially validated using RT-qPCR. Reduced activity of MYLK may be caused by increased miR-200c, miR-155 and miR-200b expression. Cell proliferation is disturbed in endometrial cancer, which may be associated with an overexpression of miR-200a, miR-200c, and miR-155, making it a potential diagnostic marker.

The publication of the human genome sequence provided direction in the search for novel diagnostic and therapeutic methods for the treatment of human diseases. The aim of the present study was to investigate the hypothesis that the expression profile of genes involved in the regulation of angiogenesis may be a marker in endometrial cancer that facilitates the diagnosis and prognosis of patients, as well as the identification of novel therapeutic targets. The current study included 36 patients with grade (G) 1 to 3 endometrial cancer, and a control group of patients consisting of females that qualified for the removal of the uterus. Out of these, 28 samples (control, 3; G1, 7; G2, 12; and G3, 6) were selected for microarray analysis. Molecular analysis of the endometrial samples involved the extraction of total RNA, purification of the obtained extracts and subsequent analysis of the gene expression profiles using an oligonucleotide microarray technique (GeneChip® Human Genome U133A plates). The results indicated that the mRNA expression profile of genes involved in the regulation of angiogenesis varies depending on the degree of histological differentiation of endometrial adenocarcinoma. Similar results were obtained from descriptive statistics characterizing the expression profile of 691 mRNAs associated with the regulation of angiogenesis in the groups of patients with endometrial adenocarcinoma. In addition, the results of the present study indicated that neuropilin2 (NRP2) may serve an important role in the activity of endothelial cells, and may affect vascular endothelial growth factor, and potentially plexins and integrins via regulation of their functions. An understanding of how these proteins interact remains to be determined; however, elucidating these interactions may provide an explanation for the mechanisms underlying angiogenesis. In conclusion, the results of the present study suggest that NRP2 may be a valuable target for investigation in future pharmacological studies involving angiogenesis in endometrial cancer.

Mirror syndrome, or Ballantyne syndrome (BS), was described for the first time in 1892 by John W. Ballantyne. It is classically defined as triple oedema: association of foetal, placental and maternal oedema. In this syndrome, a pregnant woman with hydrops fetalis reflects (as in a mirror) the signs present in the foetus and develops symptoms similar to those displayed by the foetus. Mirror syndrome is not a widely described disease, its prevalence is unknown and there are relatively few literature reports of the condition. It coexists with various pathologies of pregnancy and structural anomalies of the foetus and placenta; it may occur after viral infections during pregnancy. The pathogenesis of Ballantyne syndrome remains unexplained and there is a wide variety of clinical signs. There exist theories for the pathomechanism of the syndrome, but none of them is fully satisfactory. Mirror syndrome is potentially life-threatening and is associated with increased foetal mortality and maternal morbidity. The treatment of choice for mirror syndrome in the mother is the treatment of oedema in the foetus, as the aetiology of the condition suggests. In mirror syndrome, the prognosis for the foetus is unfavourable and many cases end with intrauterine death. The treatment of hydrops fetalis, regardless of its cause, often leads to the resolution of symptoms in the mother, and, at the same time, better prognosis for the foetus.

Parvovirus B19 (B19V), which belongs to the Parvoviridae family, is one of the smallest viruses causing infections in humans. It is estimated that approximately 60% of the population will have a parvovirus B19 infection at some point in their lives based on B19V-specific antibody detection rates. The frequency of infections increases with age. Asymptomatic B19V infections are relatively common both in adults and in children. Parvovirus B19 is an aetiological factor for numerous diseases such as, for example, arthritis, erythema infectiosum, gloves and socks syndrome or haematological disorders. B19V infection is particularly dangerous during pregnancy due to the risk of maternal-foetal transmission; the estimated risk of virus transmission during pregnancy is 17-33%. The majority of infected foetuses have a good prognosis and experiencing intrauterine infection does not result in permanent sequelae; however, B19V infection during pregnancy can cause spontaneous abortion, hydrops fetalis or intrauterine death, among others; there are also single cases reported of congenital defects in the foetuses. In every pregnant woman with a suspected parvovirus B19 infection, assay of virus-specific IgM and IgG antibodies should be performed. If primary B19V infection is detected in a pregnant patient, she should be referred to a referral centre and undergo close observation with periodic foetal ultrasound examination. Children who have a history of parvovirus B19 infection during foetal life require specialist follow-up after birth. To date no specific method for B19V infection treatment has been developed. In addition, there is no vaccine against this virus.