To date, there are three main types of fluorescent materials: org

To date, there are three main types of fluorescent materials: organic dyes, fluorescent proteins, and nanotech probes [4]. Compared with existing organic dyes and fluorescent proteins, nanotech probes can

offer signals that are several folds brighter and hundreds of times more stable [5, 6]. The range of substances Natural Product Library of nanotech probes mainly includes carbon, semiconductors, and precious metals [4]. Carbon nanotubes, due to their natural photoluminescence in the tissue-penetrating near-infrared region, have been successfully explored as potential imaging tools [7]. Recently, carbon dots as a relative newcomer have multicolor emission capabilities and non-toxic nature, which enable them to be engaged in a wide range of applications in the biomedical field [8]. Unlike semiconductor nanomaterials or quantum dots (QDs), however, the fluorescent properties of carbon-based probes are harder to control [4]. QDs (such as CdSe, CdTe, and

PbTe) have received broad attention due to their unique optical and biochemical features. However, the release of Cd2+, Pb2+, or other heavy metal ions arouses cytotoxicity and is a potential environmental hazard, which limits the applications of QDs [9, 10]. More recently, precious metal nanoparticles (such as gold nanoclusters (AuNCs)) are highly attractive because of their high fluorescence, good photostability, non-toxicity, excellent biocompatibility, and solubility [11, 12]. Biomimetic synthesis second has become a promising green pathway to prepare nanomaterials [13–16]. Ying’s group see more used the protein bovine serum albumin (BSA) as a scaffold to make AuNCs (<1

nm) with red emission (640 nm) via a simple, one-pot, solution-phase, green synthetic route within 12 h [17, 18]. Zhu et al. have successfully prepared AuNCs with near-infrared emission and Au@AgNCs with yellow emission using a BSA-assisted sonochemical approach [19]. Therefore, organic fusion of the fluorescence emission of AuNCs and the surface plasmon resonance of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) enables dual-modality Anlotinib research buy dark-field and fluorescence imaging. Herein, we reported a simple ‘one-pot’ synthesis of gold nanoclusters/nanoparticles by using chloroauric acid (HAuCl4·3H2O) along with hydrazine monohydrate (N2H4·H2O) as reducer in the presence of BSA under vigorous stirring. The synthesized AuNCs and AuNPs own fluorescence emission (588 nm) and surface plasmon resonance (500~700 nm), respectively. The BSA-Au nanocomplexes display non-cytotoxicity and excellent biocompatibility on MGC803 gastric cancer cells. After being conjugated with folic acid molecules, the BSA-Au nanocomplexes demonstrate various functions such as tumor targeting and dual-modality imaging. Methods In a typical experiment, aqueous HAuCl4 solution (5 mL, 50 mM) was added to BSA solution (10 mL, 3 mg/mL) with vigorous magnetic stirring at room temperature. Afterward, the mixed solution was vacuumized and kept static under nitrogen protection for 2 h.

002), and there was no significant difference between BCC and nor

002), and there was no significant difference between BCC and normal skin (p = 0.818). The expression amount score based on western blotting is graphed in Fig. 2. To confirm the expression in phosphate

form, western blot analysis with phospho-Src and phospho-Yes was also performed in 2 MM, 2 SCC, 2 BCC and 2 normal skin tissues. Phospho-Src was expressed in all malignant skin selleck kinase inhibitor tumors and not expressed in normal skin tissues and phospho-Yes was expressed in MM and SCC but not in BCC and normal skin (Fig. 3). Figure 1 Western blot analysis for c-Src and c- Yes in malignant skin tumor and normal skin. (A) c-Src was expressed in malignant melanomas (MM) (M-1 – M-4), squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) (S-1 – S-4) and basal cell carcinomas (BCC) (B-1 – B-4), but not in normal skin (N-1 – N-4). (B) c-Yes was expressed in MM, SCC, but not in BCC and normal skin. Figure 2 The score of expression amount using western blotting.

(A) c-Src, (B) c-Yes. Figure 3 Western blot analysis for phospho-Src and phospho-Yes in malignant melanoma (M-7, M-8), squamous cell carcinoma (S-7, S-8), basal cell carcinoma (B-7, B-8) and normal skin (N-7, N-8). The expression pattern of the phosphate form mirrored that of the total form. Immunohistochemical examination Immunohistochemical study URMC-099 purchase showed that the staining pattern of c-Src and c-Yes in MM, SCC and BCC correlated with western blot analysis. c-Src protein was expressed in MM and SCC with moderate positivity, and BCC with mild positivity

(Fig. 4). Thymidine kinase c-Yes was expressed in MM with moderate positivity and SCC with strong positivity, but not in BCC (Fig. 5). Figure 4 Immunohistochemical staining of c-Src in (A) malignant melanoma (MM), (B) squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and (C) basal cell carcinoma (BCC). c-Src protein is expressed in MM and SCC with moderate positivity, and BCC with mild positivity. Figure 5 Immunohistochemical staining of c-Yes in (A) malignant melanoma (MM), (B) squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and (C) basal cell carcinoma (BCC). c-Yes was expressed in MM with moderate positivity and SCC with strong positivity, but was negative in BCC. Discussion The activation and functions of SFKs have been more investigated and better characterized in colon cancer and breast cancer compared to skin cancers. In colon cancer studies, c-Src protein level and kinase activity in the early-stages of colon cancer were found to be greater than in normal colonic mucosa [4, 5]. The activity was highest in moderately to well-differentiated colonic lesions, while poorly differentiated carcinomas and normal colonic mucosa showed lower c-Src kinase activity [6]. selleckchem Therefore, c-Src activity is directly related to the malignant potential of the cells, providing evidence that its activation contributes to the progression of colon cancer in the early and developing stages.

SMP and JCS: analyzed the results and wrote the paper All author

SMP and JCS: analyzed the results and wrote the paper. All authors contributed to the editing and approved the final paper.”
“Background Antibiotic resistance (AR) among pathogens is an increasing problem for medical and veterinary treatment. During the last decades the number of AR infections has been on the rise, and this trend will certainly continue [1]. The vast majority

of antibiotic classes currently used originate from natural compounds, and bacteria have been FK228 cell line evolving in the antibiotic-containing natural environment for millions of years [2]. Indeed, AR genes can be detected in sediments that are thousands of years old, millennia before any modern medicine [3]. During the years of medical and veterinary usage of antibiotics, some of the Selleck I-BET151 drugs have been constantly escaping into the environment, creating an additional selection pressure for resistance [4]. As SB202190 solubility dmso expected, AR bacteria can be found in both pristine and anthropogenically influenced environments at relatively high frequencies [5–10]. The common ways of spreading

AR include accumulation of mutations in genes already present in the genome, and acquisition of new genes by horizontal gene transfer. Pathogenic organisms can be multiresistant i.e. they can be insensitive to several antibiotics. This can decrease the chance for successful infection treatment, making it harder and more time consuming. Multiresistance can be facilitated by single proteins like efflux pumps which are able to use several antibiotics as a substrate [11]. Another way of becoming multiresistant is to acquire, by horizontal gene transfer, a plasmid and/or transposon carrying resistance genes for several antibiotics in one cassette [11]. Such plasmids are not uncommon, and over time they can incorporate additional resistance genes [12, 13]. Similarly to AR against single antibiotics, multiresistance is not unique to pathogens. Multiresistant organisms have also been found in the natural environment

[7, 9]. They can be retrieved even from pristine environments that have not been subjected to any direct or obvious pollution by human activity [8, 14]. Previous studies Abiraterone looking at antibiotic resistance in the environment have concentrated on specific genera, usually the medically most relevant ones, or on specific resistance determinants [5, 7, 9, 15–17]. Therefore, it is currently not clear how widespread multiresistance is in the environment, or which combinations of resistances tend to occur together. We chose to analyze AR and multiresistance in a random population of cultivable environmental bacteria from a freshwater river. We did not concentrate on specific genera or other specific groups of bacteria as previous studies have done [5, 7, 16], but instead used five common antibiotics for the selection of our isolates. All isolates in the collection were tested for resistance against six antibiotics, and the tendencies to multiresistance were estimated.

Twenty microliters of overnight cultures were added to 2 ml of LB

Twenty microliters of overnight cultures were added to 2 ml of LB containing one of the following chemicals: hydrogen Batimastat peroxide, sodium chloride, or sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). Cultures in all assays were grown Ganetespib supplier aerobically by shaking at 225 rpm. After exposure to H2O2 or other stresses, aliquots of cultures were diluted

and plated in triplicates. Bacterial colonies were enumerated as colony-forming units (CFU) after overnight incubation to determine the bacterial concentration. Disc diffusion assay was carried out as described previously [52]. Briefly, approximately 1 × 106 cfu bacteria were plated onto M9 minimal agar plates and paper discs of 1/4″” diameter loaded with 10 μl of 30% H2O2 were placed in the center of plates onto the bacterial lawn. Plates were incubated overnight selleck inhibitor at 37°C, and the diameter of the inhibitory zone on each plate was measured. Scavenging

of H2O2 by E. coli Wild type, the ΔarcA and the ΔarcB mutant E. coli were cultured overnight in LB broth at 37°C with shaking at 225 rpm. Twenty microliters of overnight bacterial culture was diluted in 1 mL of fresh LB broth containing 2 mM of H2O2 that had been pre-warmed to 37°C. An aliquot of 100 μL was taken as the 0 minute sample, and rest of the cultures were incubated at 37°C with shaking. Subsequently, aliquots were taken at 10′ intervals. Aliquots of bacterial cultures were used for plating to determine the bacterial concentration, and the rest of the samples were used to determine the concentration of H2O2. A control sample of LB supplemented with H2O2 that contained no bacteria was included in all assays for spontaneous degradation of H2O2. The concentration of H2O2 in bacterial cultures was determined as described [53]. Briefly, bacterial cultures were spun down

to remove bacteria and 40 μL of supernatant Lepirudin was diluted in 260 μL of 50 mM potassium phosphate (pH7.0). Diluted supernatant was mixed with 600 μL of a reaction mixture containing 500 nM H2O2, 2.5 mM phenol, 0.5 mM 4-aminoantipyrine, 40 μg horseradish peroxidase, and 1 mM potassium phosphate (pH 7.0) [53]. The reactions were incubated at room temperature for approximately 10′ till color stabilized, and OD505 nm was measured for each sample. The concentration of H2O2 was determined by a standard curve generated with known concentrations of H2O2 in LB broth. The H2O2 scavenging was determined as (initial H2O2 concentration – residual H2O2 concentration) (in mM)/bacterial concentration (in 107 cfu/mL). Real-Time Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) analysis of gene expression To analyze the expression of fliC messenger RNA, we cultured the wild type and ΔarcA mutant E. coli in LB broth to log phase and divided each culture into two aliquots. One of the aliquots was exposed to 5 mM H2O2 and samples were taken after different exposure periods. The other aliquot was used as an unexposed control. Total RNA was purified from E.

5%) 253 (75 7%)    IIIc 77 (22 9%) 81 (24 3%)    IV 2 (0 6%)

5%) 253 (75.7%)    IIIc 77 (22.9%) 81 (24.3%)    IV 2 (0.6%) KU55933 0 (0%) PFS 12 months 12 months OS 29 months 30 months Recurrent disease Despite the activity of first-line chemotherapy, which gives response rates up to 80% in first line treatment, the majority of patients die of their recurrent disease [2]. Therefore, a large proportion of patients are candidates for second-line treatment. Platinum sensitivity, which is defined by a response to first-line platinum-based therapy, has been found to predict the response to subsequent retreatment with a platinum-containing regimen frequently used for salvage therapy. In general, patients who progress

or have stable disease during first-line treatment or who relapse within 1 month are considered to be ‘platinum-refractory’. Patients who respond to primary treatment and relapse within 6 months are considered

‘platinum-resistant’, Verubecestat ic50 and patients who relapse more than 6 months after completion of initial therapy are characterized as ‘platinum-sensitive’ [11]. It is known that longer platinum free interval (PFI) increases the chances for a benefit by platinum re-challenge. This has been reported especially for PFI longer than 12 months. Patients who are relapsing 6-12 months following the end of their initial regimen may benefit less and are, usually classified as so-called ‘partially sensitive’ [12] (Table 4). Table 4 Association of platinum sensitivity and PFI Platinum sensitivity resistant Bcl-w sensitive   refractory resistant partially sensitive sensitive PFI during/immediately after chemotherapy < 6 months 6-12 months > 12 months Several randomized

trials have been performed in platinum-sensitive patients. The ICON-4/OVAR 2.2 study compared the combination chemotherapy (platinum plus paclitaxel) to single chemotherapy (platinum alone) in 802 patients with ‘platinum-sensitive’ relapsed ovarian cancer. Results demonstrated that both survival and progression free survival were significantly longer in combination therapy compared to platinum alone [13]. The optimal treatment of patients with partially platinum-sensitive recurrent ovarian cancer is not clearly defined. Trabectedin, a marine-derived antineoplastic agent initially isolated from the tunicate Ecteinascidia selleckchem turbinate, has recently been introduced to this setting of patients. This agent is currently produced synthetically and its mechanism of anti-cancer action is based on DNA minor-groove binding [14]. Patients with platinum refractory and resistant are good candidates for novel investigational approaches and studies of drug resistance. Single-agent therapy is considered the standard treatment in these patients. Low response rates are recorded in these patients with the use of topotecan, docetaxel, oral stoposide, pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD), gemcitabine, ifosfamide and hexamethylmelamine.

Most of

the work on transporters and metabolism of zinc a

Most of

the work on transporters and metabolism of zinc and other metals has been done with non-pathogenic laboratory strains of E. coli [50–52], which makes the results difficult to extrapolate to strains which are professional intestinal or extra-intestinal pathogens. For example, STEC expresses several different metal uptake and zinc export genes not present in laboratory E. coli strains [4, 5, 53, 54] so STEC’s response to bioactive metals often differs from non-pathogenic E. coli. In addition, the specialized Type III secretion system EPZ015938 research buy (and Type VI secretion system in EAEC) used to deliver effectors into host cells may serve as an “Achilles’ heel” in these pathotypes because the membrane secretion machinery causes them to become hypersusceptible to some stressful stimuli [55] such as the envelope stress response [27, 56]. Furthermore, many of the reports on zinc in enteric bacteria only focus on the essential nature of this metal for the pathogen [4, 57], without consideration of how zinc might also benefit the host. In addition, many reports do not distinguish between the growth-and-fitness

promoting effects of zinc on pathogens at the low concentrations usually present (1 to 50 μM) versus the higher, stress-inducing concentrations of zinc that can occur during zinc supplementation (0.1 to 0.4 mM). In general, it appears that host cells are better able to survive—

and thrive— in the presence of these higher zinc concentrations that are deleterious Methisazone to E.coli and see more other enteric bacteria ( [58, 59], and Figures  1, 2 and 3 of this study). Moreover, studies that have actually tested zinc for infection outcomes using AZD0156 supplier cultured cell models or animal models have generally shown that zinc benefits the host more than the pathogen, resulting in a reduction in severity of disease [11, 13, 48, 60]. Indeed, Botella et al. recently showed that zinc is mobilized in macrophages and concentrated in phagosomes as part of the host defense against Mycobacterium tuberculosis [61]. This is relevant to the gut because zinc is also concentrated in the secretory granules of Paneth cells [62, 63], specialized cells in the intestinal crypts involved in antimicrobial defenses. The discovery that zinc specifically inhibits virulence factor expression by some pathogens and not others has led us to emphasize that zinc’s effects may be pathogen-specific [64]. We may have to temper that emphasis, however, because Figures  1 and 2 of this study show zinc may strengthen the intestinal epithelial barrier against oxidant damage and this might extend zinc’s protection to organisms that are not specifically affected by zinc.

We are not aware of any investigations concerning how γ-α-γ trans

We are not aware of any investigations concerning how γ-α-γ transformations influence on the diffusion properties of substitution NVP-BEZ235 supplier atoms. As the SIS3 cost result of γ-α-γ transformations, crystal structure has been formed having a system of defects (dislocations, low-angle subboundaries, deformation twins), different from the ones received in case of γ-ϵ-γ transformations (dislocations, packaging defects). Different structure defects may have different influence on diffusion processes. In our work, we studied the influence of defects in crystal

structure, which have been formed as the result of γ-α-γ transformations, on the diffusion properties of nickel and iron atoms in Fe-31.7%Ni-0.06 %C alloy. Methods Fe-31.7%Ni-0.06%C alloy was in austenite state at room temperature. The direct, γ-α transformation in the alloy, occurred as the result of cooling in liquid nitrogen, and the reverse, α-γ one, during consequent heating in a salt bath at the temperature of 400°C. In our experiments, the heating rate of hardened samples under the inverse transformation was 80°/sec. To avoid relaxation

processes in the reverted austenite, we prevented overheating above the temperature at the final point of inverse transformation. Temperature range of the direct and the reverse martensitic BMS-907351 science transformations was defined by a differential magnetometer. The magnetic field shown by the magnetometer was 10 kOe; the temperature was measured in the range of -196°C to 500°C, the amount of martensitic phase was measured with the accuracy

of 0.5%. The temperature points of the investigated alloy were M s  = -60°C, M f  = -160°C, A s  = 290°C, and A f  = 400°C. The measurement accuracy of the diffusion coefficient was 20%. Phase analysis was performed on automatic X-ray diffractometer DRON-3 (Moscow, USSR). Electron microscopic research was performed using microscope PREM-200 (Moscow, USSR). A layer with radioactive isotope 63Ni or a mixture of isotopes 55,59Fe was deposited on one of the austenitic alloy surfaces. The thickness of the isotope was less than 0.5 μm and β activity was (5 × 103 ± 50) pulses/min. Concentration distribution of nickel and iron (in different samples) in depth after the multiple martensitic γ-α-γ transformations and diffusion annealing at temperatures 400°C was obtained using photographic method, with exposing the film to X-rays in a vacuum for 30 days. The employed photographic method is based on the interaction of radiation with a photosensitive emulsion film. This method is not a destructive one. After exposing and developing, the blackenings on the films were analyzed using computer-analyzer photometer MF-4.

Figure 4 shows the transmission spectra of the transparent film m

Figure 4 shows the transmission spectra of the transparent film measured before and after environmental testing. After the tests were carried out at 55°C and

95% moisture for 6 h (ISO 9211), the transmittance of the TAT multilayers decreased, whereas no attenuation of visible light was observed for the TAS multilayers. This shows that the SiO2 film acted as a very good moisture barrier material, thereby preventing transmittance losses in the system. The transmittance of the TAS film improved with decreasing reflectance, which is related to the high-reflection index of the TiO2 layer. The weathering resistance of the TAS film could be improved by using a protective SiO2 film as the uppermost layer. Figure 3 Transmittance spectra of DMD structures with different metal and dielectric layers. Figure 4 Transmittance values before and after environmental testing. Microstructure of the TAS SCH772984 ic50 multilayers The transmission electron microscopy (TEM) image of the cross ABT-263 price section of a TAS film on a glass substrate presented in Figure 5 confirms that each layer (TiO2, SiO2, and Ag) had a flat and smooth structure,

which suggests high conductivity at the Ag layer of the TAS film. The transparent conductive multilayers (TAS) fabricated by E-beam coating with IAD have lower resistance than those prepared without IAD [2]. This is due to the different morphologies

of the Ag layers. The film prepared click here without IAD exhibits an island structure, and the low contact between the Ag islands results in a higher resistivity. On the other hand, the Ag layer prepared by with IAD is smooth and has a low resistivity. The TAS film reported herein was prepared by E-beam coating with IAD and has a low resistivity (sheet resistivity of 6.5 Ω/sq for a 9.5-nm-thick Ag layer). The Ag layer in this material is flat and sufficiently smooth to make it attractive for use as a transparent film. The film thicknesses determined from the TEM images are consistent with those predicted by simulations carried out using the Macleod software. The 10-nm-thick Ag layer was Cytidine deaminase a continuous strip exhibiting a nanoscale crystalline structure. While the TiO2 films were also polycrystalline, the SiO2 films exhibited an amorphous structure. The EDS mapping images shown in Figure 6 suggest that no oxides are present in the Ag layer, although diffusion is possible. Figure 7 shows EDS line scans that confirm the results of EDS mapping. The formation of partial nanocrystals is also clearly visible. Figure 5 TEM image of the cross section of a TAS film. Figure 6 Cross-sectional STEM mapping of TAS multilayer structures deposited by E-beam evaporation with IAD. Figure 7 EDS line scans of TiO 2 /Ag/SiO 2 multilayer structures deposited by E-beam evaporation with IAD.

UDP-N-acetylmuramate is a peptidoglycan-derived muropeptide

UDP-N-acetylmuramate is a peptidoglycan-derived muropeptide Protein Tyrosine Kinase inhibitor that as a group are considered to be potential virulence factors of several gut pathogens [24] specifically involved in biofilm colonization. Higher abundances of genes related to folate biosynthesis may be a direct result of supplemental amounts of folic acid in swine feedstuff or an increased production by the swine microbial consortia [25]. The impacts of food additives, such as folic acid, on the microbial ecology of the swine gut warrants further study. Figure

6 Pair-wise comparisons of functional gene groups from swine versus other gut metagenomes. Pair-wise comparisons were calculated for the pig fecal metagenome versus (A) lean mouse cecum (B)

cow rumen (C) human adult (D) termite gut (E) human infant (F) fish gut (G) and chicken cecal R428 mw metagenomes is shown. Each point on this exploratory plot represents a different SEED Subsystem and it’s relative abundance within the pig fecal metagenome compared to other available gut metagenomes within the MG-RAST database. Points closer to y-axis represent functions more abundant in the swine gut metagenome, while points closer to the x-axis are more abundant in other gut metagenomes. Points laying on or near the dotted midline have equal or very similar abundances within both metagenomes. A matrix of the abundance of sequences assigned to each SEED Subsystem from each gut metagenome Adriamycin supplier was generated using the “”Metabolic Analysis”" tool in MG-RAST. The number of reads from each individual pig, human infant, and human adult metagenomes were each combined since there was more than one metagenome for each of these hosts within the MG-RAST database. The e-value cutoff for metagenomic

sequence matches to SEED Subsystems was 1×10-5 with a minimum alignment Glycogen branching enzyme length of 30 bp. Fisher exact tests were used with the Benjamin-Hochberg FDR multiple test correction to generate a list of significantly different SEED Subsystems using STAMP v1.0.2 software [39]. The Newcombe-Wilson method was used to calculate the 95% confidence intervals. Comparative metagenomics of proteins involved in the cell wall and capsule subsystems revealed several unique glycosyl transferases and carbohydrate uptake systems. This unique pool of glycosyl transferases may provide a capacity for diversification of surface polysaccharide structures helping shape the genetic functional potential of this gut ecosystem. For example, the acquisition of new types of carbohydrate-binding proteins, transporters, and degradation enzymes through horizontal gene transfer may allow for the utilization of a wider array of substrates that may be utilized for energy harvesting [2]. Pfams and COGs related to virulence factors such as adhesions were numerous within the gene families unique to the swine fecal metagenomes (Additional File 2, Table S6).

Following amplification, PCR products were digested using 10 U of

Following amplification, PCR products were digested using 10 U of restriction enzyme Msp I (New England BioLabs, Beverly, MA, USA) for 16 h at 37°C, and electrophoresed on a 3% agarose gel. The wild type Arg allele for codon 194 is determined by the presence of a band at 292 bp, while the mutant Trp allele is determined by the presence of a band at 313 bp (indicative of the absence

of the Msp I cutting site). In addition to these bands, a 174 bp band, resulting from an additional invariant cutting site for Msp I in the 491 bp amplified fragment (codon 194) is always present and serves as internal control for complete Msp I digestion. The wild type Arg allele for codon 399 is determined by the presence Tariquidar in vivo of two bands at 374 and 221 bp, while the mutant Gln allele is determined by CX-6258 manufacturer the presence of the uncut 615 bp band (indicative of the absence of the Msp I cutting site). Data analysis The allelic frequencies were estimated by gene counting and genotypes were scored.

The χ2 test was used to compare the observed numbers of genotypes with those expected for a population in the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium and to test the significance of the differences of observed alleles and genotypes between groups. The odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated by using a logistic regression model. The t-test (for normal distribution) or selleck products Manne-Whitney test (for non-normal distribution) was used to compare each parameter between two groups

(i.e. sex and age). An analysis of variance test was used to identify parameters that would make significant differences PtdIns(3,4)P2 between more than two groups; Scheffe’s test was then used to assess the significance of difference in each identified parameter between any two groups. STATISTICA 6.0 software (Statsoft, Tulsa, OK, USA) was used to perform analyses. Results and discussion In this work we investigated two common single nucleotide polymorphisms of XRCC1 gene Arg194Trp and Arg399Gln and their association with human head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. The genotype analysis of these two SNPs of XRCC1 gene, for 92 HNSCC patients and 124 controls of cancer free subjects, in Polish population were performed using PCR-RFLP method. The polymorphisms chosen for this study have been shown to have functional significance and may be responsible for a low DNA repair capacity phenotype characteristic of cancer patients including head and neck squamous carcinomas [29–32]. The characteristic of HNSCC patens group according to age, sex, tumor stage and smoking status data was displayed in table 1. Table 1 The characteristic of patients group with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (HNSCC). Patients Sex Tumor stage (TNM) Smoking status (cigarettes per day) No.