Introduction: The present study investigated the prognostic value of neutrophil-to-mean platelet volume ratio (NMPVR) for overall (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) in patients treated with nephrectomy for localized clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). Material and methods: Medical records of 344 consecutive patients who underwent partial or radical nephrectomy for M0 ccRCC were retrospectively analyzed. Based on the median NMPVR, the study population was divided into two groups: the high NMPVR group with NMPVR higher than or equal to the median, and the low NMPVR group with NMPVR lower than the median. Comparisons of baseline characteristics and laboratory and pathological findings were performed. Kaplan-Meier survival curves and Cox regression model analysis were used to assess the prognostic value of the NMPVR. Results: Patients with higher NMPVR values were more frequently diagnosed with advanced disease, tumor necrosis and higher tumor grade. The OS and CSS were significantly shorter in patients with NMPVR ≥ 0.41 compared to patients with NMPVR < 0.41. Inclusion of NMPVR in multivariable models of OS and CSS with other confounding variables determined categorized NMPVR as an independent prognostic factor for both endpoints. Conclusions: Pretreatment NMPVR ≥ 0.41 was associated with lower OS and CSS. NMPVR might be applied as a cheap and uncomplicated prognostic indicator in localized ccRCC patients treated with a primary surgical approach.

Introduction. Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a non-infectious epidemic of the 21 st century; therefore, it is essential to focus on prophylaxis, early detection and proper treatment in order to avoid its complications. The aim of this study was to evaluate diabetes-related knowledge among visitors of two shopping centers in Upper Silesia in Poland. The study was conducted by medical students from Medical University of Silesia in cooperation with the International Federation of Medical Students' Associations in Poland under supervision of doctors from the Department of Internal Diseases, Diabetology and Nephrology in Zabrze. Material and methods. People were invited to fulfill a 12-item questionnaire evaluating the basic diabetesrelated knowledge (among others symptoms of hyperglycemia, risk factors, complications and treatment of diabetes mellitus). They had their weight and height measurement performed as well as glycemia measured with the use of glucometer. Results. 401 out of 1500 invited shopping-center visitors agreed to take part in the study (27%) and their mean score of the diabetes knowledge test was 54.7 ± 18.7% of the correct answers. It turned out that there is an association of knowledge about diabetes with person's age and gender-younger people and women had a better knowledge about diabetes. Conclusions. There should be a great attention paid to different forms of education in order to improve the level of diabetes-related knowledge among the general public as a way to improve early diagnosis and a proper treatment.