Marta Lis-Sochocka

Expression of caspase 1and histomorphology of lung after cladribine treatment

BACKGROUND Cladribine is a useful immunosuppressive drug for the treatment of autoimmune diseases, leukemias and multiple sclerosis (MS). Despite the drug having low toxicity, side effects have been reported connected with myelosuppression, neutropenia and severe anemia. OBJECTIVES The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of cladribine on lung pathomorphology and the expression of caspase 1 using immunohistochemistry method. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study was conducted on Wistar rats, which were divided into a control group (C) and an experimental group (E). In group C, the rats were given a 0.9% NaCl solution by a subcutaneous injection, at the same dose as the dose of drug used in the experiment. In group E, the animals received cladribine at a dose of 0.07 mg/kg/24 h by a subcutaneous injection. The animals were decapitated 24 h following the last dose. To detect collagen deposition, we utilized Massons trichrome staining. To evaluate the intensity of the inflammatory process in the lung, an immunohistochemistry reaction was carried out with the use of caspase 1. RESULTS In group E, we observed an increase in the thickness of space between the alveoli. A statistically significant (p < 0.017243) difference between the thicknesses of the interalveolar septum was seen between the research groups. In E group, we observed regions with collagen deposition, alveolar epithelial cell hyperplasia, hyperemia and inflammatory cell infiltration. Caspase 1 activity was higher in group E. The immunohistochemical reaction with caspase 1 was positive in 49% of all the interalveolar cells in group E; however, in group C about 13% of the interalveolar cell showed positive immunohistochemistry (IHC) response. CONCLUSIONS Cladribine-based therapy might have negative influence on lung morphology. The interstitial changes in the lung tissue suggest that cladribine is a drug that may be the cause of drug-induced lung disease and may lead to several respiratory disorders.

Use of propolis in difficult to heal diabetic wounds. Short review

Abstract According to WHO, about 347 million of people worldwide suffer from diabetes. Diabetes has complex etiology, and the consequences of this illness are seen in the morphological changes of many tissues and organs i.e. neuropathy leading to the risk of diabetic foot. Due to the diabetic condition, injuries to blood vessels in diabetic foot can be classified as chronic. This is because such wounds remain unresponsive to treatment for months or even years. There are many therapeutic methods employed in treating such injuries. These involve the use of silver, iodine or multi-antibiotic preparations, but treatment is expensive and cumbersome for patients. In the natural environment, however, there are many anti-inflammatory preparations, among them propolis which was the subject of our focus. Due to its anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties, propolis is widely used in the treatment of colds, caries, rheumatic diseases, heart diseases and treatment of burns, wounds and frostbites. Numerous studies also indicate the beneficial effects of propolis on the difficult to heal diabetic wounds in which the use of propolis can significantly accelerate the healing process. The treatment utilizing propolis is easy, inexpensive and does not seem to cause any side effects, therefore costs can be reduced to minimum. The few studies conducted in diabetic patients confirm the results obtained in laboratory animals.

Autophagy in the pancreatic islets after the administration of cladribine in accordance to two different modes of therapy

Abstract The treatment of neoplastic and neurodegenerative diseases is still difficult. This because the cytostatic drugs have adverse effects on healthy organs. Among the drugs that have been investigated in the therapy of cancers and multiple sclerosis are the purine analogues. The aim of our study was the evaluation of the effect of cladribine on the process of autophagy in the healthy pancreas via two dosage models. The experiment was conducted on female Wistar rats which were placed within the experimental and control groups of two dosage models: model (A) - cladribine being administered in a daily dose of 0.1 mg/kg by weight for 7 days, and model (B) - cladribine being administered in a daily dose of 0.07 mg/kg by weight in 3 cycles of 6 days with 5 weeks break. A-bis and B-bis groups were included within, respectively, groups A and B. Here, decapitation occurred after 4 weeks break in drug administration. In our work, autophagy was investigated via the expression of the LC3B protein (Light Chain 3B protein). The comparison of the results of many independent trials was built upon the use of the Kruskal-Wallis non-parametric test. Significance was set at p < 0.005. In our results, average LC3B expression was observed in 100% of all cells in the group A, 70% in group B and 60% in group B-bis. We not observed average LC3B expression in the other groups. Moreover, a poor reaction was observed in 55% of all cells in group A-bis. We noted significant relationships between control group and group A, between the control group and group B, and between group A-bis and groups B and B-bis. These results demonstrate that cladribine has led to the induction of autophagy in the pancreatic islet cells.

Do medical students have a positive outlook on the world

Abstract Introduction. Upon entering diverse fields of medical science, young people are on the cusp of adulthood. They change their environment and take on new responsibilities, which often translates to stress and depression. Aim. The main objective of the work was to assess the psychological health in students of Medical University of Lublin. Material and Methods. The research tool was a questionnaire containing information regarding mental health of first-year students of medicine. The results were statistically analysed in Statistica 11.0, utilising Pearson’s Chi Squared test of independence, with significance set at p<0.05. Results. Most respondents (55.79%), whether male or female, rarely feel sadness. About 43% of respondents replied that they employ different strategies of coping with stress. 33.47% of all students stated that whenever any problems appear they look for support from their families. Generally, around 47% of all students are happy with their lives. There were, statistical signification between the sex of the students and psychological well-being, and between the sex and the ways of dealing with depression. Conclusions. Despite the significant stress to which these young people are exposed, they are relatively strong mentally and have a positive outlook towards the lives.

Do duties of students of medicine be cause for stress

Abstract Introduction. For young adults, one of the sources of peer interaction problems is the fact that they are burdened with an increasing number of duties and their pace of life increases. Since they are usually burdened with huge amount of study material, medicine students are particularly vulnerable. Aim. The aim of this work was to determine the relationship between their obligations, stress levels and their peer or family relationships. Material and methods. The study involved 242 students (148 women and 94 men) of the first year of daily studies, aged 18-30 (median - 20 years). The assessment was performed in March 2016, and the research tool was an anonymous survey. This took into account, inter alia, data on the demands of their studies, and their peer and family affinities. Results. Using the results, around 71% of all respondents consider themselves to be over-burdened with the obligations resulting from their choice of study. Among these, women were more likely to self-assess themselves as overburdened (65%). Moreover, out of all respondents, approx. 27% of all, considered excessive workload as a major source of stress. This, however, does not significantly affect their peer and family relationships, because approx. 95% of all respondents consider such these to be be either good or rather good. Conclusions. Medical students are burdened with responsibilities. This can be a source of stress, but overall, does not affect social and family associations.

Do you know what you eat? Students of the Medical University of Lublin and food consumption awareness

Abstract At the present time, consumers are paying more attention to the food items they purchase, and, hence, organic products, more and more, are a popular choice. Furthermore, there is an increased awareness of the ingredients added as fixatives and taste modifiers. Medical students are assumed to have greater health awareness, and to recognize that proper nutrition has a significant impact on the overall physical well-being. Moreover, they are thought to be aware of the chemical composition of consumed foods. The aim of our study was to truly assess the degree of consumer awareness amongst students of the Medical University of Lublin. The research study consisted of 301 students of the I and II years, the work being performed at the turn of the year 2014/2015. The research tool was an anonymous questionnaire. This contained questions regarding their degree of healthy food awareness of retailed food products. The results of this study revealed that about 44% of the respondents always or often pay attention to the composition of the food products which they buy. Indeed, the highest percentage of all respondents declared that their purchase of food products is guided by the declared (labeled) composition (48.84% of the students coming from urban settings, and 55.81% coming from rural districts). Of note, regarding products labeled organic, from both urban and rural origin, such items were chosen by approximately 50% of the respondents. Finally, only a small percentage of students (about 9% overall) stated that they avoid foods stated to contain preservatives. In summary, despite the increasing availability of healthy foods, such items are not too often chosen by UM students - Indeed, despite the large biomedical knowledge purportedly held, medical students, in particular, do not avoid foods containing preservatives.

Back pain and physical activity: Students of the Medical University of Lublin

Abstract At the present time, back pain and posture problems affect a growing number of young people. This is probably due to a changing lifestyle which has led to less physical activity. The aims of our study were to evaluate the prevalence of pain associated with the spine, as well as to ascertain the relationship of these symptoms with the degree of physical activity among a group of students of the Medical University of Lublin. The research group consisted of 301 students (201 women and 100 men) aged between 19 and 27 years. The survey was performed at the turn of the year 2014/2015. Based on an anonymous questionnaires, we found that treatment and advice obtained at the faulty posture and/or orthopedic clinic benefited slightly more than 32% of all respondents. In this group, about 20% were women, while among men, it was a little over 12%. Physical therapy to treat back problems was also entered into by about 29% of the respondents, while 5% of students undertook such treatment very frequently. What is more, 89% of all respondents stated they regularly attend physical education classes. Moreover, more than 81% of all students surveyed practiced some sport, in this group - about 51% of the respondents stating so were women, and a little over 29% were men. Although medical students are a group of people with high health issue awareness, they are not deprived of problems related to the musculoskeletal system.

Intrinsic Apoptosis Pathway in Fallopian Tube Epithelial Cells Induced by Cladribine

Cladribine is a purine nucleoside analog which initiates the apoptotic mechanism within cells. Moreover, the available data confirms that cladribine, with the participation of the p53 protein, as well as the proapoptotic proteins from the Bcl-2 family, also induces the activation of the intrinsic apoptosis pathway. However, while there has been a lot of research devoted to the effect of cladribine on lymphatic system cells, little is known about the impact of cladribine on the reproductive system. The aim of our study was to evaluate apoptosis in oviduct epithelial cells sourced from 15 different female rats. In so doing, the sections were stained with caspases 3, 9, and 8. Results suggest that cladribine also induces apoptosis in the oviduct epithelial cells by way of the intrinsic pathway. Indeed, the discontinuing of the administration of cladribine leads to a reduction in the amount of apoptotic cells in the oviduct epithelium.

Consumption and awareness of students about nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

ABSTRACT Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are used by millions of people worldwide to neutralize pain that is of different origin, as well as to treat fever and inflammation. However, NSAIDs misuse/overuse can induce many adverse effects and some potentially serious complications. The aim of the our study was to ascertain young people’s knowledge about non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The research tool was a questionnaire. This study was carried out among students of the Medical University in Lublin, and it involved 236 persons of an average age of 20 years. The questions were intended to assess the frequency of NSAIDs use and the general knowledge that is held with respect to them. The results of this work show that more than 77% of the respondents confirmed that they use NSAIDs. Our results revealed no statistical correlation between the place of living or origin and the use of this drug. Hence, it can be said that while young adults quite often use NSAIDs, their knowledge about the dangers associated with the use of NSAIDs is low. Therefore, it is necessary to more intensively disseminate knowledge on the potential adverse effects of NSAID utilization.