Peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-α agonists suppress transforming growth factor-α-induced matrix metalloproteinase-9 expression in human keratinocytes.

The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs), PPARα, PPARδ, and PPARγ, are nuclear ligand-activated transcription factors that are best known as regulators of glucose and lipid metabolism. PPARα agonists have been shown to have profound anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative effects on human keratinocytes, and are important for maintaining homeostasis of the skin. To better characterize the mechanisms underlying these phenomena, we analysed the effects of PPARα agonists on transforming growth factor (TGF)-α-induced expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9. MMP-9 expression in keratinocytes has previously been linked to inflammatory skin diseases, regenerative skin mechanisms, and tumour development and metastasis. We found that PPARα agonists effectively inhibited TGF-α-induced MMP-9 expression in human keratinocytes via a post-transcriptional mechanism, revealing a novel and important aspect of the anti-inflammatory and anticarcinogenic action of these compounds.

[Tobacco and alcohol use among Lublin students]. / Stosowanie uzywek wsród studentów lubelskich.

On the basis of 361 anonymous inquiries the authors tried to establish the extent of cigarette smoking and alcohol and narcotics use by Lublin students. Cigarette smoking is the greatest health risk in the population of students in Lublin, one-third of them are heavy smokers. Over three-fourth of students drink alcohol, and 6.6% drink it at least once weekly. In the student population alcohol dependence is a marginal problem, but alcohol abuse occurs. Similarly only few students are narcotic addicts, most frequently occasional hashish smoking or drug taking were reported. Students taking narcotics show a greater tendency for alcohol drinking and heavy smoking as compared to other students. Alcohol, tobacco and narcotics are taken more frequently by male students than by females.

[9 years' survival of a patient with malignant mesenchymoma]. / 9-Letnie przezycie kobiety z mesenchymoma malignum.

The authors present diagnostic and therapeutic documentation of a very rare case of a tumour with mesenchymoma malignum texture in a 48-year old woman operated because of uterine myomas. After the surgery (total hysterectomy and adnexectomy by Freund procedure) followed by radiotherapy and chemotherapy, the patient survived nine years. At the bottom of the therapeutic success lies incidental very early discovery of the tumour and combined treatment of this kind of sarcoma, extremely malignant, thanks to operative therapy of uterine myomas.