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Galectin-3's (Gal-3) effect on the pathogenesis of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) has not yet been extensively studied. The present study aims to analyze the potential role of Gal-3 as a prognostic biomarker in CLL patients. The Gal-3 expression was evaluated in CLL cells with RT-qPCR and flow cytometry. Due to the unclear clinical significance of soluble Gal-3 in CLL, our goal was also to assess the prognostic value of Gal-3 plasma level. Because cell survival is significantly affected by the interaction between Gal-3 and proteins such as Bcl-2, the results of Gal-3 expression analysis were also compared with the expression of Bcl-2. The results were analyzed for known prognostic factors, clinical data, and endpoints such as time to first treatment and overall survival time. Our research confirmed that Gal-3 is detected in and on CLL cells. However, using Gal-3 as a potential biomarker in CLL is challenging due to the significant heterogeneity in its expression in CLL cells. Moreover, our results revealed that Gal-3 mRNA expression in leukemic B cells is associated with the expression of proliferation markers (Ki-67 and PCNA) as well as anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 and can play an important role in supporting CLL cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bee pollen is a natural resource - pollen collected by bees and stored in the beehive with various bee enzymes added as it is a mixture of plants pollen and bee saliva. It is rich source of various nutrients, among them exogenous amino acids. Therefore, it can be a good and natural dietary supplement. New possibilities for bee pollen usage arise every day, yet it can also be a threat. Although bee pollen can act as an immunostimulant and anti-allergic agent, it is also and maybe even primarily allergic or cross-reactive with many allergens. A number of bee pollen allergy cases was described worldwide. A caution is therefore needed before ingestion or any other form of administration, especially in case of children or individuals with atopic predispositions. Anti-allergic attributes and immunostimmulation ability still need further research.

Monocytes are one of the least studied immune cells with a potentially important role in the pathogenesis of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Nevertheless, data regarding the role of subpopulations of monocytes in the CLL microenvironment are still limited. For the very first time, this study presents an assessment of monocyte subsets divided according to SLAN and CD16 expression in CLL patients. The study involved 70 freshly diagnosed CLL patients and 35 healthy donors. Using flow cytometry, monocyte subpopulations were assessed among PBMCs. CD14+ monocytes can be divided into: "classical" (CD14+CD16−SLAN−), "intermediate" (CD14+CD16+SLAN−) and "non-classical" (CD14dimCD16+SLAN+). In our study, we noted an increased percentage of non-classical monocytes with intracellular expression of TNF and IL-12. On the other hand, among the intermediate monocytes, a significantly higher percentage of cells synthesizing anti-inflammatory IL-10 was detected. The percentage of CD14dimCD16+SLAN+ monocytes producing TNF and IL-12 decreased with the stage of CLL and inversely correlated with the expression of the prognostic factors ZAP-70 and CD38. Moreover, the percentage of CD14dimCD16+SLAN+ monocytes producing TNF and IL-12 was lower in CLL patients requiring treatment. This may indicate the beneficial effect of non-classical monocytes on the anti-tumor response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Gamma-delta (γδ) T cells comprise an important subset of human T cells, responding to viral and bacterial infections, and are significant for cancer immunosurveillance. Human γδ T cells are divided into 5 major subsets, namely Vδ1-Vδ5, of which the latter 3 have limited available literature. At present, Vδ2 is the most studied subpopulation., Objectives: In the current paper, we focused on non-Vδ2 cells in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). We assessed the expression of co-inhibitory checkpoint receptors (CTLA-4, PD-1 and TIGIT) and co-stimulatory (CD226 and NKp30) molecules separately on Vδ1 and Vδ3-Vδ5 cells., Material and Methods: We assessed γδ T cells for their expression of both cytotoxicity-related (NKp30, CD226) and co-inhibitory (PD-1, TIGIT) molecules with flow cytometry in CLL patients. Moreover, we evaluated the expression of TIGIT and CD226 ligand (PVR , CD155) in neoplastic B cells in CLL patients with quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR)., Results: A significant accumulation of Vδ1 T cells was noted, while no difference was observed in the total percentage of Vδ2 cells. Contrary to our initial hypothesis, the impact of CLL burden on CD226 and TIGIT expression was lower than anticipated. The former tends to be lower in more advanced disease. Finally, a strong upregulation of CD155 (PVR) was noted on CLL-derived B cells when compared to healthy B cells., Conclusions: Chronic lymphocytic leukemia regulates the expression of the CD155-CD226/TIGIT axis. Contrary to expectations, the ligand is significantly more affected than the receptors. Nevertheless, the relatively high expression of CD155 and TIGIT makes CLL an interesting target for anti-TIGIT immunotherapy.

Introduction: Dietary supplements (DS) are dietary products aiming only at diet complementation. Nevertheless, they are frequently used in treatment of various conditions since they are safer substitutes for medication., Aim of the Study: The aim of this study was to analyze the frequency of dietary supplements using by young people, their knowledge about the used substances, and the assessment of the effectiveness of DS by those who consumed these products., Materials and Methods: The present study was conducted by the means of an anonymous questionnaire assessed the DS intake among subjects aged between 15 and 54. The questionnaire was performed both on-line among 611 subjects and in paper form among 242 1st year medical students of Medical University of Lublin. The average age of the participants was 22.02 ± 3.74 years. Women constituted 72.92% of all respondents., Results: DS consumption was reported by most questionnaire participants, that is 77. 84%. The supplements were purchased mainly in pharmacies (81.63%). 47.87% of the respondents, declared to be aware of the undesirable side effects of DS, and 67.29% claimed to be able to distinguish between a medication and a supplement. 20.48% of the respondents reported a significant improvement of their condition resulting from DS usage, 51.05% reported a partial improvement, and 28.46% observed no difference., Conclusions: Dietary supplements are commonly consumed by young people regardless of the fact that many do not observe any DS intake-related improvement of their health. The knowledge about the effects of dietary supplements and their adverse effects is relatively high. Yet, many people do not know the difference between a medication and DS. The knowledge concerning the risks of DS misuse should be promoted among young people in particular.

Background: Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are small battery-powered electronic devices, heating the liquid to produce vapour--in most cases the latter contains nicotine and several flavourings. E-cigarettes are highly advertised across the media, mainly as healthy substitute to conventional cigarettes, aid in quitting smoking addiction or way of circumventing ban on smoking in public places., Objective: The aim of study was obtaining epidemiological data on cigarette smoking and electronic cigarette usage among Polish universities students., Material and Methods: Students of different Polish state universities were asked to fill a self-prepared survey on cigarette-smoking and electronic cigarette usage. 1068 fulfilled questionnaires were gathered. The population was divided into two subgroups--medical universities' students (n=545) and non-medical universities students (n=523)., Results: 23.78% of respondents declared current smoking while 57.0% admitted ever smoking. The mean duration of smoking among current smokers was 4.17±2.53 years. 56.30% of current smokers tried quitting at least once. 31.46% of students declared ever using e-cigarettes (37.28% (n=195) among non-medical universities' students and 25.87% (n=141) among medical universities' students and 8.33% current usage. Among the latter 52.81% admitted simultaneous smoking. 26.97% of current e-cigarettes' users declared having experienced side effects of e-cigarettes. 42.70% (n=456) of respondents viewed e-cigarettes as safer than conventional cigarettes, this group comprises of 40.54% (n=212) non-medical and 44.77% (n=244) medical universities' students. 85.39% (n=912) of students viewed e-cigarettes as generally unhealthy, there were 83.56% (n=437) non-medical and 87.16% (n=475) medical universities' students among this group., Conclusions: The frequency of e-cigarettes usage resembles current status in many Western countries. Collected data shows high frequency of e-cigarettes usage and conventional cigarettes smoking among students (also medical universities' students). The situation requires intensive preventive measures to limit and reduce the popularity of tobacco products along with modern equivalents like electronic cigarettes.

Background: Electronic cigarettes as possibly healthier alternative to conventional cigarettes are gaining popularity worldwide, although they are still hazardous to human health. Partly it is caused by unregulated advertising and online sales. Unfortunately it is more and more popular for youth to try electronic cigarettes., Objective: The aim of the study was to assess the marketing claims used by Polish websites offering electronic cigarettes., Material and Methods: A search using Google search engine was performed in July 2015 for two keywords: e-papierosy [e-cigarettes] and elektroniczne papierosy [electronic cigarettes]. First 150 websites (15 pages) were listed. After initial review 86 pages met all inclusion criteria and were included in the study. Pages were searched for presence of 13 selected marketing claims as well as age-related warning and any social websites connections., Results: Age-related warning was present on only 33.72% (n=29) websites. Two thirds has its own Facebook fan-page with average 1922.09 ± 3634.86 likes. Articles about health are available on 10.46% (n=9) websites, 53.49% (n=46) states that e-cigarettes are healthier than conventional ones, 39.53% (n=34) emphasized that during usage of e-cigarettes no tarry substances are produced. Two pages had special article in which conventional and electronic cigarettes were compared. Almost half (44.19%) remarked that e-cigarettes are cheaper in usage than conventional, one third pointed out the simplicity of usage. 32.56% advertised e-cigarettes as aid in quitting smoking. One fourth stated that e-cigarettes are harmless for surroundings. 33.72% marketed them as a way of bypassing public smoking act. 56.98% remarked the variety of liquid tastes offered., Conclusions: Electronic cigarettes and their rising popularity create another new possible threat for public health as the widely available information emphasize safety of e-cigarettes usage and as their availability and usage is not limited or restricted by law., Key Words: electronic cigarettes, e-cigarettes, internet retail websites.