Estrogen Receptor (ER) and Progesterone Receptor (PgR) Expression in Endometrial Cancer-An Immunohistochemical Assessment.

Endometrial cancer (EC) is one of the most common types of cancer in Poland and worldwide. Many risk factors lead to the pathogenesis of this disease, such as lifestyle choices, BMI, the medicines used in breast cancer therapy, and Lynch syndrome. EC cells show the expression of estrogen receptors (ERs) and progesterone receptors (PgR). These receptors occur in multiple isoforms and have a significant influence on the operation of cells. The loss of ER and PgR expression is associated with a poor prognosis. We assessed tissue slides that were obtained from 103 women with EC diagnoses of various grades, stages, and histological types. In this study, we used computer image analyses to increase the objectivity of the assessment. We proved that, in the tissue of patients with high-grade (G3) EC, the expression of PgR is significantly lower than that in the tissues of patients with low-grade EC. We also observed that PgR is significantly expressed in EC with a low FIGO stage and in the endometroid type of EC (which rarely becomes malignant compared to serous type). The expression of ERb1 was lower in patients with EC at the IV FIGO stage than in patients with stage III EC. These findings confirm that the loss of ER and PgR expression is connected with a poor prognosis.

SERPINA3: Stimulator or Inhibitor of Pathological Changes.

SERPINA3, also called α-1-antichymotrypsin (AACT, ACT), is one of the inhibitors of serine proteases, one of which is cathepsin G. As an acute-phase protein secreted into the plasma by liver cells, it plays an important role in the anti-inflammatory response and antiviral response. Elevated levels of SERPINA3 have been observed in heart failure and neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's disease or Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. Many studies have shown increased expression levels of the SERPINA3 gene in various types of cancer, such as glioblastoma, colorectal cancer, endometrial cancer, breast cancer, or melanoma. In this case, the SERPINA3 protein is associated with an antiapoptotic function implemented by adjusting the PI3K/AKT or MAPK/ERK 1/2 signal pathways. However, the functions of the SERPINA3 protein are still only partially understood, mainly in the context of cancerogenesis, so it seems necessary to summarize the available information and describe its mechanism of action. In particular, we sought to amass the existing body of research focusing on the description of the underlying mechanisms of various diseases not related to cancer. Our goal was to present an overview of the correct function of SERPINA3 as part of the defense system, which unfortunately easily becomes the "Fifth Column" and begins to support processes of destruction.

Grossly Bloody Colostrum-The Need for Staff Education and Maternal Support.

BACKGROUND: Grossly bloody colostrum is defined as the presence of brownish or bloody-colored colostrum. The frequency is determined to be 0.1% of all births, and no predisposing factor for its occurrence was determined. The purpose of this study was to find factors that increase the probability of the syndrome and the possible influence of the presence of erythrocytes (red blood cells-RBCs) in breast milk on the symptoms of maternal milk intolerance in newborns. METHODS: Here, 2 mL of colostrum was collected from 137 participants on postpartum days 1-3, separately from each breast, and transferred to the laboratory. For microscopic analysis, 0.5 mL of colostrum was centrifuged and then stained using the May-Grünwald-Giemsa method. Using an Olympus BX 43 light microscope at 400× total magnification, samples were visually assessed for the presence of RBCs. Additionally, the participants completed a questionnaire regarding their health status, observation of feeding tolerance of the newborn, observed milk color and other factors. RESULTS: The number of RBCs in the yellow or white colostrum samples ranged from 8 to 1000 RBCs/mL and was found in 24.8% of cases. Regardless of the number of RBCs, the color of the milk was white (28.5%) or yellow (66.4%). Only one participant (0.7%) presented classical bloody-stained colostrum with visible bloody-milk colorization. We did not observe the influence of any analyzed factor as the reason for the increased number of RBCs in the colostrum. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of RBCs in breast milk did not cause milk intolerance among newborns and was independent of the analyzed factors. Mothers should be supported, and in view of the overall composition of breast milk, especially the content of immune cells in colostrum, even a temporary interruption in breast milk feeding in the case of grossly bloody colostrum is not recommended.