Patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) are likely to develop many types of infections, which affect the transport of glucose into tissues. Diabetes increases the susceptibility to different kinds of respiratory infections, is often identified as an independent risk factor for developing lower respiratory tract infections. Pulmonary infections caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Staphylococcus aureus, gram-negative bacteria and fungi may occur with an increased frequency, whereas infections due to Streptococcus pneumonia or influenza virus may be associated with increased morbidity and mortality. During lung infection, there are changes in the local and ciliary epithelial lining. Increased susceptibility to pneumococcal infection by people with diabetes is the result of reduced defense capability of antibodies to protein antigens. The relationship between diabetes and pulmonary tuberculosis is well known, and the incidence of tuberculosis in diabetic individuals is 4-5 times greater than among the non-diabetic population. It is thought that malfunction of monocytes in patients with diabetes may contribute to the increased susceptibility to tuberculosis and/or a worse prognosis. Hospitalization of patients with diabetes due to influenza virus or flu-like infections is up to 6 times more likely to occur compared to healthy individuals, also diabetic patients are more likely to be hospitalized due to infection complications. Immunization with influenza and anti-pneumococcal vaccines is recommended to reduce hospitalizations, deaths, and medical expenses. Diabetes, especially the uncontrolled one, predisposes to fungal infection, the most common candidiasis and mucormycosis.

Naturally occurring phenolic compounds have been shown to sensitize prostate cancer cells to tumour necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL)-induced apoptosis. TRAIL is a potent stimulator of apoptosis in cancer cells and an important immune effector molecule in the surveillance and elimination of developing tumours. However, many cancer cells are resistant to TRAIL-mediated death. In this study, we aimed to determine the mechanisms by which TRAIL resistance can be overcome in prostate cancer cells by 3,5-diprenyl-4-hydroxycinnamic acid (artepillin C). Artepillin C is a bioactive component of Brazilian green propolis that possesses antitumour and chemopreventive activities. TRAIL-resistant LNCaP prostate cancer cells were treated with TRAIL and artepillin C. Cytotoxicity was measured by MTT and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assays. Apoptosis was detected using Annexin V-FITC staining by flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy. Death receptor (DR) (TRAIL-R1/DR4 and TRAIL-R2/DR5) expression was analyzed using flow cytometry. Mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) was evaluated using DePsipher staining by fluorescence micro scopy. The inhibition of NF-κB (p65) activation was confirmed with the ELISA-based TransAM NF-κB kit. Caspase-8 and caspase-3 activities were determined by colorimetric protease assays. The results showed that artepillin C sensitized the TRAIL-resistant LNCaP cells by engaging the extrinsic (receptor-mediated) and intrinsic (mitochondrial) apoptotic pathways. Artepillin C increased the expression of TRAIL-R2 and decreased the activity of NF-κB. Co-treatment with TRAIL and artepillin C induced the significant activation of caspase-8 and caspase-3, as well as the disruption of ΔΨm. These findings show that prostate cancer cells can be sensitized to TRAIL-mediated immunoprevention by artepillin C and confirm the role of phenolic compounds in prostate cancer immunochemoprevention.

Abstract. Tumour necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is an endogenous agent that induces apoptosis selectively in cancer cells. Soluble or expressed in immune cells, TRAIL plays an important role in the defense against tumour cells. The resistance of cancer cells to TRAIL immune surveillance is implicated in tumour development. Naturally occurring flavonoids can sensitize TRAIL-resistant cancer cells and augment their apoptotic activity. Fisetin, a dietary flavonol has cancer preventive properties. This study was designed to investigate the effect of fisetin on the TRAILinduced apoptosis potential in prostate cancer cells. Prostate cancer cell lines represent an ideal model for research in chemoprevention. Cytotoxicity was measured by MTT and LDH assays. Apoptosis was detected using Αnnexin V-FITC by flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy. Mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) was evaluated using DePsipher staining by fluorescence microscopy. Death receptor (TRAIL-R1 and TRAIL-R2) expression was analysed by flow cytometry. Inhibition of NF-κB (p65) activation was confirmed with an ELISA-based TransAM NF-κB kit. Caspase-8 and caspase-3 activities were determined by colorimetric protease assays. Our study demonstrates that fisetin sensitizes the TRAIL-resistant androgen-dependent LNCaP and the androgen-independent DU145 and PC3 prostate cancer cells to TRAIL-induced death. Fisetin augmented TRAIL-mediated cytotoxicity and apoptosis in prostate cancer LNCaP cells by engaging the extrinsic (receptor-mediated) and intrinsic (mitochondrial) apoptotic pathways. Fisetin increased the expression of TRAIL-R1 and decreased the activity of NF-κB. Co-treatment of cancer cells with TRAIL and fisetin caused significant activation of caspase-8 and caspase-3 and disruption of ΔΨm. Our data indicate the usefulness of fisetin in prostate cancer chemoprevention through enhancement of TRAIL-mediated apoptosis.

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WstępZawód lekarza należy do profesji cechujących się jednym z najwyższych wskaźników poziomu stresu. Celem pracy było określenie stylów radzenia sobie ze stresem i poziomu poczucia własnej skuteczności oraz ustalenie zależności wymienionych czynników u studentów VI roku medycyny.Materiał i metodyBadaniem ankietowym objęto grupę 184 studentów VI roku medycyny SUM w Katowicach. Zastosowano Kwestionariusz Radzenia Sobie w Sytuacjach Stresowych – CISS, Skalę Uogólnionej Własnej Skuteczności – GSES, autorską ankietę badania wyboru specjalizacji medycznej. Analizę przeprowadzono za pomocą pakietu statystycznego IBM SPSS Statistics 22.Wynikipośród 184 badanych studentów (122 kobiety i 62 mężczyzn) 57 osób rozważało wybór medycyny rodzinnej jako specjalizacji docelowej, a 127 wybrało inne specjalizacje. Ponad połowa studentów charakteryzowała się stylem zadaniowym radzenia sobie ze stresem, u 32% dominował styl unikowy, a u 14,6% styl emocjonalny, w równym stopniu u kobiet i mężczyzn. Nie stwierdzono różnic międzygrupowych w stylach radzenia sobie ze stresem.Wnioski1. Studenci medycyny, niezależnie od wyboru specjalizacji, w większości charakteryzują się zadaniowym stylem radzenia sobie ze stresem i wysokim poziomem poczucia własnej skuteczności. 2. Badani studenci o wyższym poziomie poczucia własnej skuteczności częściej radzą sobie ze stresem w sposób zadaniowy i angażują się w poszukiwanie kontaktów towarzyskich. 3. Studenci wybierający specjalizację inną niż medycyna rodzinna charakteryzują się istotnie wyższym poczuciem własnej skuteczności. 4. Wysoki poziom poczucia własnej skuteczności i zadaniowy styl radzenia sobie ze stresem, jako elementy profilu osobowościowego przyszłego lekarza, mogą wskazywać na możliwości lepszego funkcjonowania w zawodzie.

Introduction. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) prophylaxis in general practice, especially in rural areas, is a major organizational challenge. Objective. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of CVD risk factors in the studied population, and to identify the effect of the number of planned prophylactic consultations on selected clinical parameters, risk factors, and total cardiovascular risk on the SCORE scale (Systemic Coronary Risk Evaluation). Materials and method. The study included patients of a rural general practice, aged 35-55 years, with at least one modifiable CVD risk factor. Medical history was obtained, a physical examination performed, blood glucose levels, lipid profile, BMI, waist circumference and blood pressure measured and the SCORE cardiovascular risk at baseline and at the end of the study calculated. All participants were provided with targeted specific education. Analysis was performed in two groups of patients (1 and 2), where group 1 had one more prophylactic consultation than Group 2. Results. The results at baseline and a year later were compared in pharmacologically untreated patients, 26 in Group 1 and 34 in Group 2. In Group 1, which had had more prophylactic consultations, a statistically significant decrease was found in the mean systolic blood pressure: 131.000-124.782 (p= 0.02721), mean diastolic blood pressure: 86.846-83.462 (p=0.01111), and a statistically significant decrease in total cardiovascular risk on the SCORE scale (p=0.0478). Conclusions. The higher number of preventive consultations had an impact on a statistically significant decrease in mean blood pressure and mean SCORE value. The year-long cardiovascular disease prophylaxis programme proved less effective than expected, and neither a decrease in body weight nor an improvement in lipid metabolism was achieved in any of the groups.

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Background. due to the constant increase in the number of morbidly obese patients, an adequate tool for assessing the functioning and disability of these patients is being sought. the international classification of Functioning, disability and Health (icF) could be that tool. Objectives. the aim of this study is to examine the usefulness of the icF scale in assessing the functioning of morbidly obese patients in two selected areas in reference to recognized scales. Material and methods. the study group included 76 patients with morbid obesity qualified for bariatric treatment. the icF was applied to assess the function and limitations of each individual. two domains of the icF were selected: body Functions and structures and activities and Participation. the usefulness of the icF was compared to that of the barthel and EPQ-r scales. Results. in morbidly obese patients, a correlation between motor functions and icF and bMi, as well as age, was observed. a significant correlation was observed between bMi and psychomotor control, appropriateness and range of emotions experienced, age and amount of sleep, quality of sleep, memory retrieval and psychomotor functions. Women's mental functions were significantly worse than those of men. in terms of interpersonal relations, a correlation between bMi and regulating behavior within interactions was observed. Conclusions. the icF is a useful tool for the study and description of the functioning of patients with morbid obesity. the selected domains are described better than by the previously used barthel scale. Women with morbid obesity tend to have more impaired mental functioning than morbidly obese men. Key words: icF, morbid obesity, personality disorders, barthel scale. Summary ISSN 1734-3402, eISSN 2449-8580 this is an open access article distributed under the terms of the creative commons attribution-noncommercial-sharealike 4.0 international (cc by-nc-sa 4.0). license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/). sosada k, gluck M, Mizgała E, lukas W, oleksiak a, Paliga J, borek i, drzastwa W, izydorczyk b, Matuszewska-zbrońska H, zbroński k, bujak-rosenbeiger E. attempt at application of the international classification of Functioning, disability and Health (icF) in the domains of body and structure function and activity and participation in the assessment of the rate of disability in patients with morbid obesity -pilot study. Fam Med Prim Care Rev 2017; 19(2): 156-160, doi: https://doi