Maciej Putowski

PD1/PD1L pathway, HLA-G and T regulatory cells as new markers of immunosuppression in cancers.

The appropriate function of the immune system depends on the effective regulation of the immune response on multiple levels. The key element of an effective immune response to antigenic stimulation is maintaining a homeostasis between activation and inhibitory function of immunocompetent cells and molecules. In pathological conditions such as chronic infections, autoimmune diseases or cancer there are significant alterations, and prevalence of signals of one type over another. Main markers of these dysfunctions are altered expressions of molecules, such as programmed death-1 (PD-1), Human Leukocyte Antigen G (HLA-G), or changed percentages of T regulatory cells (Treg). These indicators of immune system dysfunction may contribute to disease progression, but also could represent good targets for treatment. Interestingly, in recent years there are many new, interesting reports which showed that the role of PD-1, HLA-G or Treg is ambiguous and not always their higher expression or frequency lead to the progression of disease. Recent studies have shown that Treg can suppress bacteria-driven inflammation which promotes carcinogenesis and thus protect the host from cancer development. Moreover, proliferation of hematological tumor cells expressing ILT-2 receptor can be inhibited by HLA-G, in contrast to solid tumors where HLA-G favors tumor escape. In this paper we present characteristics of expressions of PD-1 and its ligands, HLA-G, and frequency of Treg cells in a variety of physiological and pathological conditions associated with chronic infections, autoimmune diseases and cancer. The understanding of the complex interactions between the functional elements of immune system is essential for a detailed characteristics of the mechanisms leading to the development of diseases and identification of more effective targeted therapies.

Personal resources and satisfaction with life in Marfan syndrome patients with aortic pathology and in abdominal aortic aneurysm patients

Introduction Whether or not the source of aortic pathology is Marfan syndrome (MFS) or other processes leading to development of abdominal aorta aneurysms (AAA), the awareness of pathology may lead to an emotional upset and low assessment of satisfaction with life. Aim To assess, in regard to MFS patients with aortic pathology and to abdominal aortic aneurysm patients: 1) whether or not self-efficacy (SE) and health locus of control (HLoC) affect the patients’ satisfaction with life; 2) whether the two groups of patients differ in terms of mental dispositions. Material and methods The study population consisted of 16 MFS patients with aortic pathology and 16 AAA patients, 9 men and 7 women in each group. The mean age of the MFS patients was 28.5 ±8.214, and of the AAA patients 64.25 ±7.019. The following scales were applied: Generalized Self-Efficacy Scale, Satisfaction With Life Scale, Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale. Results Abdominal aorta aneurysms patients compared to MFS patients gave a higher rating for SE (MD = 33.94 and MD = 29.56), internal health locus of control (MD = 25.00 and MD = 21.13), external personal HLoC (MD = 24.50 and MD = 19.25), external impersonal HLoC (MD = 23.06 and MD = 18.25), and satisfaction with life (M = 22.06 and M = 20.13). Internal and external HLoC were significantly lower in MFS patients compared to AAA patients. Conclusions In patients with aortic diseases, special attention must be paid to the state of personal resources (PR). Interactions made by medical professionals should focus on enhancing PR supporting the patients’ self-knowledge on their SE. This will help to improve their satisfaction with life and form a positive attitude to the illness.

The awareness of testicular cancer among young males in the Lubelskie Region / Świadomość nowotworu jądra wśród młodych mężczyzn na Lubelszczyźnie

Abstract Aim. The aim of the study was to analyze the awareness of testicular cancer and prevention behaviors among male residents of the Lubelskie Province. Material and methods. The study was conducted in 2015 and involved 131 men aged 17 to 38. A questionnaire designed by the authors was used as a research tool. The obtained results were analyzed statistically and the Chi2 test was used. Results. Using a 0-5 scale, every fourth participant assessed their knowledge as 0, while only 7% assessed it as 5. The average level was 3.1 among students of medicine, while among students of other faculties it was 1.6. The Internet was cited as the most popular source of information about testicular cancer, while the healthcare staff was ranked as the last one. As much as 83.2% of men from the study group had never learnt how to perform testicular self-examination properly. Medical students were more likely to carry out this procedure regularly - 32%, compared to non-medical students - 12%. Conclusions. The awareness of testicular cancer among the population of young men from the Lubelskie Province is insufficient, which is the main cause of their failure to perform regular self-examinations. The role of general practitioners is too little, despite the fact that most males consider them as the most reliable source of the information. Implementation of education and training programs for prevention of testicular cancer is required.