An analysis of placental chorionic villous and decidual basalis tissue immunoreactivity in patients after cesarean section due to a placenta accreta spectrum disorder and elective cesarean section followed by the depressed mood.

An analysis of placental chorionic villous and decidual basalis tissue immunoreactivity in patients after cesarean section due to a placenta accreta spectrum disorder and elective cesarean section followed by a depressed mood. RESEARCH BACKGROUND: Over the past few years, interest in investigating immune dysfunction in patients with psychiatric disorders has increased. B7-H4 is a molecule with immunosuppressive properties that seems to play a key role in establishing maternal tolerance against fetal antigens. The aim of this study was to compare the B7-H4 immunoreactivity levels in patients after cesarean section. METHODS: Placental and decidual tissue samples were obtained from 49 women who delivered at Bielanski Hospital in Warsaw between 2009 and 2015. Fifteen of the patients developed postpartum depression and 14 had a diagnosis of placenta accreta spectrum. The control group consisted of 20 healthy patients on whom cesarean section was performed due to breech presentation at term. RESULTS: The highest levels of B7-H4 immunoreactivity were found in the placental chorionic villous and decidual basalis tissue samples of the patients who later developed postpartum depression, while the lowest levels were found in the samples of those patients with a placenta accreta spectrum disorder. The difference between the B7-H4 immunoreactivity levels of these two groups was statistically significant. The B7-H4 expression levels were statistically significantly higher in the women in the postpartum depression group than in the control group. CONCLUSION: Postpartum depression follows a disturbance of the suppressive milieu responsible for rebalancing the maternal immune system after the initial cytotoxic activation during labor.

The analysis of Treg lymphocyte blood percentage changes in patients with head and neck cancer during combined oncological treatment: a preliminary report.

INTRODUCTION: In patients with cancer, Treg lymphocytes seem to play an important role in promoting tumour growth. The number of circulating Treg cells has been associated with poor survival among patients suffering from various types of cancers. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the changes in the percentage levels of Treg lymphocytes in the blood samples of patients with head and neck cancer during combined treatment with respect to the stage of the disease and the intensity of the radiation reaction as monitored using the Dische scale. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Peripheral blood samples were collected from 20 head and neck cancer patients prior to the combined oncological treatment, during, and then one week after the completion of the therapy. RESULTS: A statistically significantly higher percentage of CD3+/CD4+/CD25+/FoxP3+/CD127(-/low) T cells within the CD3+/CD4+ T cell population was detected in patients during radiotherapy (RTH), chemotherapy (CTH), and chemoradiotherapy (CRT) than before the treatment began (p < 0.0001). A statistically significantly higher percentage of CD3+/CD4+/CD25+/FoxP3+/CD127(-/low) T cells within the CD3+/CD4+ T cell population was detected after RTH/CRT than before treatment, with respect to the radiation reaction as evaluated using the Dische scale (p = 0.0150). CONCLUSIONS: The increase in the percentage of Treg cells correlated with an increase in the intensity of the radiation reaction measured using the Dische scale which indicates the advance of the oral mucositis reaction to RTH. In conclusion, because the role of Treg lymphocytes in cancer patients is complex, it is necessary to monitor the percentages of these cells in patients during combined oncological therapies.

High tumor cell vimentin expression indicates prolonged survival in patients with ovarian malignant tumors.

OBJECTIVES: The main aims of the study were to investigate the expression of vimentin and its correlation with the overall survival (OS) of patients with malignant ovarian tumors, and the correlation between vimentin expression and tumor stroma characteristics. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study focused on 94 malignant ovarian tumors that had been collected from women who were treated in the Department of Gynecology and Oncology of the Lukaszczyk Oncological Center, Bydgoszcz, Poland. Vimentin expression was assessed in both the cancer cells (expression intensity and quantitative analysis) and the tumor stroma (expression intensity). Vimentin expression was analyzed according to both stromal cellularity and the clinicopatho- logical features of the disease. RESULTS: Both high cancer cell vimentin expression intensity and high quantitative vimentin expression (up to and includ- ing 30% of cells) indicated a significantly prolonged OS. Low vimentin stromal expression was associated with prolonged OS, although the difference did not reach the level of significance. High tumor cell vimentin expression intensity was as- sociated with significantly higher vimentin stromal expression. High vimentin expression in the tumor stroma indicated a significantly higher cellularity of the tumor stroma. Vimentin expression in cancer cells and the tumor stroma were not dependent on the histopathological type, the tumor grade or the FIGO stageof the disease. CONCLUSIONS: High cancer cell vimentin expression is associated with an improved OS of patients with malignant ovar- ian tumors. The expression of vimentin in ovarian malignancies may influence the structure of the tumor stroma.

An analysis of the influence of infection on overall survival rates, following modified posterior pelvic exenteration for advanced ovarian cancer.

Objectives The aim of our study has been to determine the association between the appearance of infection after modified posterior pelvic exenteration (MPE) and TTC (time to adjuvant chemotherapy) and to examine whether the infection impacts clinical results by delaying the start of chemotherapy. Material and methods The present, retrospective study analyzed 77 patients who had undergone MPE followed by adjuvant chemotherapy. Either no residual tumor or tumor less than 2.5 mm was achieved in 76.7% of these patients. Patients were divided into two subgroups for comparison; the first group consisted of 41 patients with infections, the second group of 36 patients without infections. Infection after surgery was monitored within a 90-day postoperative period. Median TTC and OS (overall survival) was determined for those patients who developed infection as well as for those who did not. Results The expected 5-year survival rate was 0.40 (SD=0.09) for those patients without infection and 0.17 (SD=0.07) for those patients with infection. The survival curves of patients with infection and those without infection were statistically significantly different (p=0.038). Median TTC differed significantly for those patients who developed infection vs those patients who did not develop infection (37days vs 27.5 days, p=0.024), and patients without infection were statistically more likely to receive chemotherapy within 25 days following surgery than in the subsequent 25-42-day period compared to those patients who did develop infection (p=0.048). No statistically significant differences were found between the groups in relation to the initiation of chemotherapy within 42 days (p=0.445). Conclusions The absence of postoperative infection was associated with a better survival. Patients with infection were noted a longer time interval from surgery to start of chemotherapy without negative impact to OS.

Analysis of Treg cell population in patients with breast cancer with respect to progesterone receptor status.

Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed type of cancer in women worldwide. Both the development and progression of breast cancer are related to tumour evasion of the immune system through a process called cancer immune-editing, in which regulatory lymphocytes play an important role. The infiltration of Treg cells in patients with breast cancer has been proposed as an independent unfavourable prognostic factor. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the percentages of the Treg cell populations in the peripheral blood of patients with breast cancer with respect to progesterone receptor expression. Peripheral blood samples were collected from 27 patients with breast cancer treated in the Clinical Department of Breast Cancer and Reconstructive Surgery of the Professor Franciszek Lukaszczyk Oncological Centre, Bydgoszcz. Flow cytometry was used to evaluate the percentage of CD25+/FOXP3+/CD127 (-/low) T cells within CD3+/CD4+ T cells. The presence of CD25+/FOXP3+/CD127 (-/low) T cells within CD3+/CD4+ T cells was identified in all the examined blood samples. A statistically significantly higher percentage of CD25+/FOXP3+/CD127 (-/low) T cells within CD3+/CD4+ T cells was observed in progesterone receptor (PR)-negative breast cancer patients when compared to PR-positive breast cancer patients. The observed high percentage of CD25+/FOXP3+/CD127 (-/low) T cells within CD3+/CD4+ T cells in PR (-) breast cancer patients when compared to PR (+) breast cancer patients seems to confirm the unfavourable prognostic significance of these cells in breast cancer patients. This may indicate a rationale for combining standard oncological treatment in breast cancer patients with Treg-depleting therapy.

Analysis of metallothionein and vimentin immunoreactivity in pharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma and its microenvironment.

Metallothionein (MT) has been shown to have pro-proliferative anti-apoptotic activity and to be involved in microenvironment remodeling. The aim of this study has been to determine whether the changes in MT and vimentin immunoreactivity observed in cancer and its microenvironment are related to the local spread of the disease. The immunoreactivity levels of both MT and vimentin were evaluated together with CD56 and CD57 antigens in 49 tissue samples taken from patients with squamous cell carcinoma originating from the palatine tonsils and in 20 tissue samples derived from patients with chronic tonsillitis (the reference group). MT immunoreactivity levels were statistically significantly higher in the tissue samples from squamous cell carcinoma than in those of the reference group and also higher in the squamous cell carcinoma samples compared with the stromal samples. Moreover, stromal fibroblasts exhibited high vimentin and MT immunoreactivity levels. Statistically significantly higher MT immunoreactivity levels within the tumor cells were identified in patients with the presence of lymph node metastases in contrast to those patients without such metastases. Vimentin was detected in both the tumor and the stromal tissue samples and presented an interesting pattern of staining strongly expressed within the stroma and the septal architecture of the tumor. The number of CD56- and CD57-positive lymphocytes identified in tissue samples both from squamous cell carcinoma and from the stroma was statistically significantly lower than that in the reference group. MT expression by tumor cells is thus associated with an aggressive phenotype of the tumor and the ability to create metastases.

FOXP3-positive cell infiltration in the chorionic villi is increased in the placenta accreta and decreased in the placental abruption.

OBJECTIVES: Growing data suggest a role of Treg cells in placentation. The aim of the study was to evaluate Treg cells (FOXP3-positive cells) placental bed infiltration in patients with placenta accrete syndrome (PAS) and patients who experienced placental abruption. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study group included 13 patients with PAS and the control group consisted of 66 women who had caesarean (CD) delivery of whom, 44 patients with elective caesarean (EC) delivery, and 22 patients with urgent caesarean (UC) delivery due to placental abruption. FOXP3 cell infiltration was assessed by means of immunohistochemistry in placental chorionic villous (CV) and in the decidua (D) and cumulatively in the placental bed (PB). RESULTS: We observed significant difference in the degree of FOXP3-positive cell CV infiltration between studied groups (p = 0.04). FOXP3-positive cells were the most commonly observed in PAS patients, while, they were the least frequently presented in patients after UC. The immunoreactivity for FOXP3-positive cells in CV were as follows: PAS 5 (38%), urgent CS 1 (5%) and elective CS 8 (18%) subjects. We found no difference in the presence of FOXP3-positive cells in the D (p = 0.35) and in the PB (p = 0.23) of analyzed groups. FOXP3-cell infiltration was not related with patient age, BMI, gestational age and neonatal birth weight. CONCLUSIONS: Our study provides further evidence that abnormal invasive placentation is an associated disturbance of the maternal immune response. Accordingly, we have theorized that alteration of the FOXP3-positive Treg cell infiltration into the placental bed allows trophoblast cell invasion.

The Creation of the Suppressive Cancer Microenvironment in Patients with HPV-Positive Cervical Cancer.

The development of malignancy is closely connected with the process of cancer microenvironment remodeling. As a malignancy develops, it stimulates the creation of the suppressive microenvironment of the tumor through the presence of cells that express membrane proteins. These proteins are secreted into the cancer microenvironment, where they enable tumor growth. In patients with cancer of the cervix, the development of the disease is also linked to high-risk HPV (hr-HPV) infection. Such infections are common, and most clear spontaneously; however, a small percentage of these infections can persist and progress into precancerous cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and invasive cervical carcinoma. Consequently, it is assumed that the presence of hr-HPV infection alone is not sufficient for the development of cancer. However, chronic HPV infection is associated with the induction of the remodeling of the microenvironment of the epithelium. Furthermore, the local microenvironment is recognized as a cofactor that participates in the persistence of the HPV infection and disease progression. This review presents the selected immune evasion mechanisms responsible for the persistence of HPV infection, beginning with the delay in the virus replication process prior to the maturation of keratinocytes, the shift to the suppressive microenvironment by a change in keratinocyte immunomodulating properties, the alteration of the Th1/Th2 polarization of the immune response in the microenvironment, and, finally, the role of HLA-G antigen expression.

HPV-Related Cervical Cancer and Extracellular Vesicles.

Cervical cancer is the fourth most common type of cancer in females worldwide. Infection with a human papillomavirus is crucial to the etiopathogenesis of cervical cancer. The natural trajectory of HPV infection comprises HPV acquisition, HPV persistence versus clearance, and progression to precancer and invasive cancer. The majority of HPV infections are cleared and controlled by the immune system within 2 years, but some infections may become quiescent or undetectable. The persistence of high-risk HPV infection for a longer period of time enhances the risk of malignant transformation of infected cells; however, the mechanisms responsible for the persistence of infection are not yet well-understood. It is estimated that 10-15% of infections do persist, and the local microenvironment is now recognized as an important cofactor promoting infection maintenance. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are small membrane vesicles derived from both normal cells and cancer cells. EVs contain various proteins, such as cytoskeletal proteins, adhesion molecules, heat shock proteins, major histocompatibility complex, and membrane fusion proteins. EVs derived from HPV-infected cells also contain viral proteins and nucleic acids. These biologically active molecules are transferred via EVs to target cells, constituting a kind of cell-to-cell communication. The viral components incorporated into EVs are transmitted independently of the production of infectious virions. This mode of transfer makes EVs a perfect vector for viruses and their components. EVs participate in both physiological and pathological conditions; they have also been identified as one of the mediators involved in cancer metastasis. This review discusses the potential role of EVs in remodeling the cervical cancer microenvironment which may be crucial to tumor development and the acquisition of metastatic potential. EVs are promising as potential biomarkers in cervical cancer.

Human Papillomavirus Infection: Knowledge, Risk Perceptions and Behaviors among SMW and AFAB.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the United States, and persistent HPV infection has been established as playing a major role in the development of cervical cancer. Providing HPV vaccination and regular screening tests have reduced the risk of developing cervical cancer or helped to detect the cancer at an early stage. Despite the above measures, cervical cancer still remains a major public health problem worldwide. Infection with HPV, and consequently cervical cancer, affects all people with an intact cervix, so not only heterosexual women, but also women from sexual minorities (SMW) together with people assigned female at birth (AFAB). These populations may be even more likely to develop cervical cancer, mainly because they are less likely to be aware of HPV transmission and prevention of cervical cancer. In our review, we summarized the current state of HPV knowledge, collected data assessing the orientation of this issue among SMW and AFAB, and indicated the causes of possible negligence in the prevention of cervical cancer.

Expression of the Costimulatory Molecule B7-H4 in the Decidua and Placental Tissues in Patients with Placental Abruption.

B7 homolog 4 protein (B7-H4), a member of the B7 family, is a immunomodulatory membrane protein. The aim of the study was to evaluate the expression of this protein in the decidua and placental tissues in case of placental abruption (PA) compared to cases of retained placental tissue (RPT) and controls. Tissue samples were obtained from 47 patients with PA, 60 patients with RPT, and 41 healthy controls. The samples were stained for B7-H4 expression, analyzed by an expert pathologist, and a semi-quantitative scale was applied. A statistical analysis revealed that the expression of B7-H4 was significantly higher in the decidua in PA samples compared to samples from patients with RPT (p-value < 0.001) and healthy controls (p-value < 0.001). The expression of B7-H4 in the placental chorionic villus was significantly higher in PA samples in relation to samples from healthy controls (p-value < 0.001) but not in relation to RPT samples (p-value = 0.0853). This finding suggests that B7-H4 might play an important role in mechanisms restoring reproductive tract homeostasis. Further research is necessary in regard to the role of B7-H4 in PA.

The analysis of receptor-binding cancer antigen expressed on SiSo cells (RCAS1) immunoreactivity within the microenvironment of the ovarian cancer lesion relative to the applied therapeutic strategy.

RCAS1 is involved in generating the suppressive profile of the tumor microenvironment that helps cancer cells evade immune surveillance. The status of the cells surrounding the cancer nest may affect both the progression of the cancer and the development of metastases. In cases of ovarian cancer, a large number of patients do not respond to the applied therapy. The patient's response to the applied therapy is directly linked to the status of the tumor microenvironment and the intensity of its suppressive profile. We analyzed the immunoreactivity of RCAS1 on the cells present in the ovarian cancer microenvironment in patients with the disease; these cells included macrophages and carcinoma-associated fibroblasts. Later we analyzed the immunoreactivity levels within these cells, taking into consideration the clinical stage of the cancer and the therapeutic strategy applied, such as the number of chemotherapy regiments, primary cytoreductive surgery, or the presence of advanced ascites. In the patients who did not respond to the therapy we observed significantly higher immunoreactivity levels of RCAS1 within the cancer nest than in those patients who did respond; moreover, in the non-responsive patients we found RCAS1 within both macrophages and carcinoma-associated fibroblasts. RCAS1 staining may provide information about the intensity of the immuno-suppressive microenvironment profile found in cases of ovarian cancer and its intensity may directly relate to the clinical outcome of the disease.

The evaluation of metallothionein expression in nasal polyps with respect to immune cell presence and activity.

BACKGROUND: The expression of metallothionein (MT) is involved in acquiring resistance to immune-mediated apoptosis; it is also a negative regulator of the immune response. Nasal polyps are typified by a resistance to immune-mediated apoptosis as well as by excessive immune cell infiltration. RCAS1 (receptor-binding cancer antigen expressed on SiSo cells) is a membrane protein capable of inducing the apoptosis of CTLs and NK cells. The aim of the present study has been to explore the expression of metallothionein with respect to immune cell presence and immune cell activity. In our study, we identified immune cells using CD4 and CD68 antigen expression and evaluated their activity using CD25 antigen expression. We then analyzed metallothionein, RCAS1, CD25, CD4, and CD68 in a sampling of 50 nasal polyps using the immunohistochemistry method. We were able to divide the nasal polyps into three main groups according to their predominant immune cell infiltration: eosinophilic nasal polyps (21 cases), lymphocytic nasal polyps (17 cases), and neutrophilic nasal polyps (12 cases). RESULTS: In the present study, statistically significant differences between the MT expression in the epithelium and that in the stroma of the nasal polyps along with the accompanying alterations in activation markers on immune cells were found and the number of macrophages in both the eosinophilic and the lymphocytic nasal polyps was assessed. RCAS1-expressing macrophages were found only in the eosinophilic nasal polyps. CONCLUSION: MT expression seems to favor the survival of nasal polyp epithelial cells in the adjacent area of increasingly cytotoxic immune activity. RCAS1-expressing macrophages seem to participate in creating the immune suppressive microenvironment and so help to sustain local inflammation.

[Quality of life in patients treated for cancer of paranasal sinus and other area at head and neck]. / Wplyw dysfagii na jakosc zycia chorych z nowotworami zatok przynosowych i w innych lokalizacjach glowy i szyi.

AIM: The oncology efficiency and quality of life are both important for patients with head and neck cancer in every-day life. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Evaluation of the dysphagia discomfort was made of 240 patients (190 male and 50 female). The primary location of the tumor was: paranasal sinuses, oral cavity, oropharynx, hypopharynx and larynx. The treatment was surgical or sugical and radiotherapy. Patient's quality of life was evaluated according to the self-administered questionnaire (M.D. Anderson Dysphagia Inventory MDADI). RESULTS: The comparison of the influence of dysphagia on the quality of life was made in two groups of patients. The first group consist of maxillectomy patients wearing obturator protheses, the second one were treated for cancer located in other mentioned area. Patients with primary tumors of the oral cavity, oropharynx, hypopharynx and larynx had significantly greater swallowing disability with an adverse impact on their quality of life compared with patients after maxillectomy. Method of treatment and stage of head and neck cancer greatly affected dysphagia-related quality of life. The longer the interval between completion of treatment and assessment by the MDADI, the higher the total score, thus reflecting a higher quality of life and funcional status as related to swallowing. CONCLUSION: The MDADI is the validated and reliable self-administered questionnaire designed specifically for evaluating the impact of dysphagia on the quality of life of patients with head and neck cancer.

Psychiatric disorders and changes in immune response in labor and postpartum.

Women may present with psychiatric disorders during pregnancy, normal labor, following delivery by caesarean section, or in the postpartum period. The accumulating evidence suggests that these disorders may be due to changes in immune responses. During pregnancy complications such as the prolongation of cervical ripening or descent, placental abruption, premature labor, and preeclampsia increase the risk of postpartum psychiatric disorders. Women may exhibit depression and postpartum psychosis following either normal birth or caesarean section. Since psychiatric disorders like schizophrenia, major depression, and bipolar disorder are associated with both alterations in the immune response and changes in immune cell subpopulations, in this study we have chosen to examine whether the psychiatric disorders in women during labor or postpartum also lead to aberrant immune responses.

Levonorgestrel-Releasing Intrauterine System as a Contraceptive Method in Nulliparous Women: A Systematic Review.

The aim of this review was to summarize the available evidence about the use of levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) as a contraceptive method in nulliparous women. For this purpose, studies evaluating the efficacy, safety, bleeding pattern, satisfaction and discontinuation of the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system in nulliparous women were analyzed. Only original research articles published in English between 1990-27th March 2020 were considered eligible. Reviews, book chapters, case studies, conference papers, opinions, editorials and letters were excluded. The systematic literature search of PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Embase and Cochrane Library databases identified 816 articles, 23 of which were analyzed. The available evidence indicates that LNG-IUS is an effective and safe contraceptive method for nulliparous women that achieves high levels of satisfaction among patients. Moreover, nulliparous women seem to experience fewer expulsions than parous ones. Bleeding pattern is acceptable for the majority of patients, and bleeding disorders mainly occur in the first months after the insertion. More in-depth, long-term prospective studies are needed in this patient group to determine risk factors for the occurrence of side effects and associated discontinuations, which should not, however, delay the wider use of the method in this group, given the number of advantages.

The association between RCAS1 expression in laryngeal and pharyngeal cancer and its healthy stroma with cancer relapse.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study has been to establish the level of RCAS1 - a membrane protein expressed in various cancer cells and able to induce apoptosis of CTLs and NK cells in pharyngeal and laryngeal cancer and its clear surgical margin - with respect to clinicopathological features and to patient's follow up and evaluate its possible role in cancer relapse. METHODS: A total of 122 tissue samples were obtained: 51 samples from laryngeal and pharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma, 51 samples from the clear surgical margins of these tumors, and 20 tissue samples derived from the healthy mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract mucosa of patients without cancerous tumors. Patients were observed for a total of 4 years following surgical treatment. The level of RCAS1 expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry and Western blot. RESULTS: RCAS1 was identified in all laryngeal and pharyngeal carcinomas and in almost all the clear surgical margin samples. The level of RCAS1 expression was significantly higher in the cancerous samples than in the clear surgical margins and was determined to be related to the grade of the cancer and the presence of lymph node metastases. In cases of cancer relapse, significantly higher levels of RCAS1 expression were observed in the clear surgical margins. CONCLUSION: Selective cytotoxic immune cell suppression concomitant with tumor growth and associated with RCAS1 expression seems to be an important event connected with cancer relapse.

The potential predictive value of serum srCaS1 levels for overall survival in endometrial cancer.

OBJECTIVES: The main aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of levels of serum soluble receptor-binding cancer antigen expressed on SiSo cells (sRCAS1) on the overall survival (OS) rates in patients with endometrial cancer. Furthermore, we analyzed sRCAS1 levels according to the clinicopathological characteristics of the disease. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study group comprised 43 patients who were being treated for endometrial cancer. We included 10 low-risk, 20 intermediate-risk and 13 high-risk endometrial cancers using the criteria of the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO), the European Society for Radiotherapy & Oncology (ESTRO) and the European Society of Gynaecological Oncology (ESGO). Serum sRCAS1 levels were obtained before and after surgery. Serum sRCAS1 levels were assessed using the ELISA method. RESULTS: In our univariate analysis, both the pre- and post-surgery high sRCAS1 groups of patients with endometrial cancer indicated a shortened OS. However, in our multivariate analysis, when patients' age and disease-related risk was taken into consideration, only the post-surgery sRCAS1 levels remained as independent prognostic factors of a poor OS. Pre-treatment serum sRCAS1 levels were statistically significantly higher than post-surgery sRCAS1 levels; however, the difference between pre- and post-surgery sRCAS1 levels did not influence the patients' OS rate. Pre- and post-surgery sRCAS1 levels did not differ according to tumor grade, stage of the disease or the disease-related risk group. CONCLUSIONS: High post-surgery serum sRCAS1 levels seem to be an independent indicator of shortened overall survival in patients with endometrial cancer.

Bilateral pseudocyst of the auricles in a 4-week neonate-case report and world literature review.

Pseudocyst of the auricle is a rare, idiopathic disease clinically manifesting as a painless edema of the upper-lateral parts of the auricle. Due to the rarity of the disease, auricular pseudocyst is often misdiagnosed. The confirmation of a diagnosis of auricular pseudocyst is most commonly made on the basis of clinical manifestations. The etiology of the disease remains unknown, and this frequently hinders both proper diagnosis and prevention. We report a case of a 4-week neonate admitted to the Department of Pediatrics, Rheumatology and Environmental Diseases of the Chair of Pediatry, Jagiellonian University, Medical College in Krakow with bilateral pseudocyst with very early presentation that was less prominent after birth and well presented in the second week of life. The surgical treatment was successful. One month after treatment the infant was admitted again to the hospital with hypertension and edema of feet and hands. Treatment with amlodipine was implemented resulting in a normalization of blood pressure. The diagnosis of pseudohypoaldosteronism type I was confirmed.

Analysis of the treg cell population in the peripheral blood of ovarian cancer patients in relation to the long-term outcomes.

OBJECTIVES: There is growing evidence that Treg cell infiltration into the cancer nest is associated with poor prognosis. How- ever, the Treg cell population in the peripheral blood may change when a different type of anticancer therapy is applied. Since Treg cells may support tumor growth by enhancing the suppressive profile of the cancer microenvironment, the assessment of Treg cells can bring to light important information regarding prognosis. Thus we decided to analyze the Treg cell population in the peripheral blood in relation to long-term outcomes in the group of patients with ovarian cancer. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The 80 patients included in the study were treated surgically followed by chemiotherapy for ovar- ian cancer between October 2010 through May 2011.The peripheral blood samples from the patients were collected directly prior to chemotherapy. Information on any patients who died was retrieved from the database of the Cuiavia-Pomerania Regional Office of the National Health System of Poland. CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ lymphocytes T were assed by flow cytometry. We have analyzed the long term outcomes of treatment regarding to the level of Treg cells in peripheral blood. RESULTS: We found that patients with serous adenocarcinomas had significantly higher Treg levels compared to those patients with non-serous types. Patients who had a higher percentage of Treg cells within the CD4+ cell population prior to the beginning of the treatment had worse long-term outcomes from the applied therapy. CONCLUSIONS: The assessment of Treg levels prior to the start of chemotherapy is clinically useful and may predict overall survival in ovarian cancer patients.