RORα and RORγ expression inversely correlates with human melanoma progression.

The retinoic acid-related orphan receptors (RORs) regulate several physiological and pathological processes, including immune functions, development and cancer. To study the potential role of RORs in melanoma progression, we analysed RORα and RORγ expression in nevi and primary melanomas and non-lesional skin and metastases in relation to melanoma clinico-pathomorphological features. The expression of RORα and RORγ was lower in melanomas than in nevi and decreased during melanoma progression, with lowest levels found in primary melanomas at stages III and IV and in melanoma metastases.

Intravenous thrombolysis and three-year ischemic stroke mortality.

Background And Purpose: Intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) in ischemic stroke (IS) does not reduce three-month mortality; however, longer-term survival after IVT has not been clearly established. Thus, we aimed to compare three-year mortality after IS in IVT-treated vs non-treated patients and to indicate predictors of long-term mortality after IVT.

Methods: We have evaluated data of 366 subjects with IS (196 treated with IVT and 170 non-treated with IVT, whose age, sex, and calendar time of IS occurrence matched the control group) collected via the Pomeranian Stroke Register.

Changes in Immunogenicity during the Development of Urinary Bladder Cancer: A Preliminary Study.

In the present study, we evaluated tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and blood regulatory T lymphocyte (Tregs, CD4+/CD25+/FoxP3+) expression in bladder cancer patients. The number of CD4+, CD8+, CD25+, FoxP3+ and CD20+ TILs was analyzed in association with clinico-pathomorphological features. In more advanced metastasizing tumors, showing non-classic differentiation (ND) and a more aggressive tissue invasion type (TIT), the number of TILs decreased.

Melanin content in melanoma metastases affects the outcome of radiotherapy.

Melanin possess radioprotective and scavenging properties, and its presence can affect the behavior of melanoma cells, its surrounding environment and susceptibility to the therapy, as showed in vitro experiments. To determine whether melanin presence in melanoma affects the efficiency of radiotherapy (RTH) we evaluated the survival time after RTH treatment in metastatic melanoma patients (n = 57). In another cohort of melanoma patients (n = 84), the relationship between melanin level and pT and pN status was determined.

Relationships Between Health Behaviors, Self-Efficacy, and Health Locus of Control of Students at the Universities of the Third Age.

BACKGROUND This study aimed to determine the relationship of health behaviors with the health locus of control and the sense of self-efficacy against the background of socio-economic factors and self-rated health among students of the Universities of the Third Age (U3As). MATERIAL AND METHODS The study included 320 U3A students, with mean age of 67.5 years.

Frequency of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ cells in peripheral blood in relation to urinary bladder cancer malignancy indicators before and after surgical removal.

Tumor cells communicate with stromal cells, including cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), to form microenvironment inhibiting immune responses. Regulatory T cells (Tregs, CD4+CD25+FoxP3+) stimulate immune tolerance and facilitate tumor progression. We analyzed the changes in Treg frequencies assessed using flow cytometry in the peripheral blood of patients with urothelial bladder cancer before and after tumor-removal.

Distribution and time trends of HIV-1 variants in Poland: Characteristics of non-B clades and recombinant viruses.

The spread of HIV-1 subtypes varies considerably both worldwide and within Europe, with non-B variants commonly found across various exposure groups. This study aimed to analyse the distribution and temporal trends in HIV-1 subtype variability across Poland. For analysis of the subtype distribution, 1219 partial pol sequences obtained from patients followed up in 9 of 17 Polish HIV treatment centres were used.

Polish consensus guidelines on the use of acyclovir in the treatment and prevention of VZV and HSV infections.

A physician has to perform a benefit-risk assessment each time acyclovir is prescribed "off label" for children. A group of Polish infectious disease experts was created to develop evidence-based guidelines on the use of acyclovir in the treatment and prevention of varicella zoster and herpes simplex infections. In primary varicella zoster virus infections, oral acyclovir treatment is recommended in children over 12 years of age and should be considered in younger children who fall into one of the groups at risk of severe varicella.

Expression of Vitamin D Receptor (VDR) Positively Correlates with Survival of Urothelial Bladder Cancer Patients.

Vitamin D3 shows tumoristatic and anticancer effects by acting through the vitamin D receptor (VDR), while hydroxylation of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 at position 1α by CYP27B1 is an essential step in its activation. The expression of both the VDR and CYP27B1 has been found in many normal and cancer tissues, but there is a lack of information about its expression in human bladder cancers. The aim of the present research was to examine whether the expression of the VDR and CYP27B1 in bladder cancer was related to the prognostic markers and disease outcome.

Functional assessment of geriatric patients in regard to health-related quality of life (HRQoL).

Purpose: The main aim of our research was to evaluate general health, functioning, and performance parameters, as well as care problems of Geriatric Clinic inpatients in relation to deficits in fulfilling needs. The assessment of health-related quality of life was also performed.

Patients And Methods: The research subjects were patients attending the Clinic of Geriatrics: 149 women and 78 men; 227 persons in total.

Transmitted HIV drug resistance in antiretroviral-treatment-naive patients from Poland differs by transmission category and subtype.

Objectives: The surveillance of HIV-transmitted drug resistance mutations (t-DRMs), including temporal trends across subtypes and exposure groups, remains a priority in the current management of the epidemic worldwide.

Methods: A cross-sectional analysis of 833 treatment-naive patients from 9 of 17 Polish HIV treatment centres. Partial pol sequences were used to analyse drug resistance with a general time reversible (GTR)-based maximum likelihood algorithm used for cluster/pair identification.

Filling effects, persistence, and safety of dermal fillers formulated with stem cells in an animal model.

Background: Research is scarce regarding the effectiveness of dermal fillers containing autologous stem cells.

Objectives: The authors sought to determine the local and systemic effects of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) as a component of dermal fillers in an animal model.

Methods: Wistar rats were injected with 1 of the following dermal fillers: ADSCs combined with hyaluronic acid (ADSC-HA), ADSCs combined with fish collagen (ADSC-COL), HA alone (CONTROL-HA), or COL alone (CONTROL-COL).

Secreted frizzled-related protein 4 (SFRP4) and fractalkine (CX3CL1) - Potential new biomarkers for β-cell dysfunction and diabetes.

The discovery of new risk factors for diabetes is a major challenge for contemporary science. Pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is closely related to adipose tissue dysfunction. The aim of this review was to describe recently discovered cytokines: fractalkine (CX3CL1, FKN) and secreted frizzled-related protein 4 (SFRP4) as potential biomarkers of early β cell dysfunction and diabetes.

Assessment of economic effectiveness in treatment of neuropathic pain and refractory angina pectoris using spinal cord stimulation.

Background: The implementation of new diagnostic and therapeutic technologies is related to expanding financial needs. The escalation of expenses for health protection and simultaneous economic problems has resulted in an interest in the subject of economic assessment. Decision makers in the health sector should have reasonable tools that will allow them to make complex evaluations of the economic suitability of health technologies.

Diabetes as a complication of adipose tissue dysfunction. Is there a role for potential new biomarkers?

Increasing incidence of type 2 diabetes is a major health problem of the modern world and requires new diagnostic tools to assess early metabolic disorders, particularly insulin resistance. The link between obesity, inflammation and insulin resistance indicates the important secretory role of adipose tissue. Proinflammatory factors (cytokines, adipokines) produced by enlarged adipose tissue are related to impaired glucose metabolism.

Endothelial progenitor cells in diabetic foot syndrome.

In the late 20th century endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) were discovered and identified as cells capable of differentiating into endothelial cells. Antigens characteristic of endothelial cells and hematopoietic cells are located on their surface. EPCs can proliferate, adhere, migrate and have the specific ability to form vascular structure, and they have a wide range of roles: They participate in maintaining hemostasis, and play an important part in the processes of vasculogenesis and angiogenesis.

Is there an association of allergy and cardiovascular disease?

Cardiovascular diseases and allergic diseases occur commonly in developed countries. They lead to serious health complications and significantly impair the quality of life. Both types of diseases are characterized by excessive inflammatory processes.

Melatonin improves oxidative stress parameters measured in the blood of elderly type 2 diabetic patients.

An elevated oxidative status in the aging organism may be involved in the development of non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). Melatonin, a potent antioxidant agent, is essential for glucose homeostasis and regulation. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of melatonin supplementation on the oxidative stress parameters in elderly NIDDM patients.

Antioxidative effects of melatonin administration in elderly primary essential hypertension patients.

The imbalance of the redox state of the aging organism may be involved in the development of primary essential hypertension. Melatonin, a potent antioxidant agent, was found to exert a hypotensive effect and improve the function of the cardiovascular system. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of melatonin supplementation on oxidative stress parameters in elderly primary essential hypertensive (EH) patients, controlled by a diuretic (indapamide) monotherapy.

Influence of additives and storage temperature on physicochemical and microbiological properties of eye drops containing ceftazidime.

The purpose of the studies was to examine the influence of additives and the storage temperature on the physicochemical properties of the eye drops containing ceftazidime and on the antimicrobial activity of ceftazidime in the eye drops stored for 30 days at the temperature of 4 degrees C and 2 degrees C. The eye drops were 1% sterile aqueous solutions of Biotum (Ceftazidimum) in citrate buffer of pH 6.18-6.

Physicochemical and microbiological properties of eye drops containing cefuroxime.

The purpose of the studies was to examine the influence of the additives and storage temperature on physicochemical properties and on the antimicrobial activity of cefuroxime in the eye drops. The eye drops were 1% sterile aqueous solutions of cefuroxime in citrate buffer of pH 6.15-6.

Parapharyngeal space foreign body.

We present a case of an unusual toothbrush foreign body in the parapharyngeal space in a 1.5-year-old child. Children are most affected by this kind of trauma.

Influence of additives and storage temperature on physicochemical and microbiological properties of eye drops containing cefazolin.

The purpose of the studies was to choose additives for eye drops containing cefazolin and the assessment of the influence of used additives and the storage temperature on the physicochemical properties and the stability of the eye drops. The drops were 1% sterile solutions of cefazolin in citrate buffer of pH 6.15-6.