Nurses, midwives and students' reports of effective dedicated education units in five European countries: A qualitative study.

AIM: To investigate nursing/midwifery students, Clinical Mentors, Link Teachers and Head Nurses experiences within "Dedicated Education Unit" model in 6 European clinical placements and analyse the necessary elements for a powerful clinical learning environment. DESIGN: A multi-country, phenomenological, qualitative study. METHODS: Focus group interviews were performed to identify the personal and organizational factors of importance for students and nurses/midwives. RESULTS: Data analysis produced 4 main themes (1) Clinical placement organization, (2) students' clinical knowledge and skill acquisition, (3) students, and nurses/midwives' experiences within the DEU model and (4) factors for creating an effective learning environment. CONCLUSIONS: A close educational-service collaboration, a realistic clinical placement planning, a focus on student learning process and an investment in professionals' education and development among others, are elements to set up a powerful clinical learning environment. IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PROFESSION: It is considered advisable and urgent to improve the working conditions of nurses/midwives and the learning environments of students as a strategy to alleviate the global shortage of nurses and respond to the increasingly demanding health needs of the population. IMPACT: Due to the close relationship between students' learning and features of the clinical environment nurse educators seek innovative models which allow students to manage patient care and their transition to professional practice. To implement new learning strategies, identifying students, nurses and midwives perceptions and suggestions is a powerful information to evaluate implementation process and outcomes. PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: Our findings could help academic and clinical managers to meet the human and organizational requirements to create a successful learning environment in every student placement.

Progesterone and Its Metabolites Play a Beneficial Role in Affect Regulation in the Female Brain.

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder is a female affective disorder that is defined by mood symptoms. The condition is linked to unstable progesterone concentrations. Progestin supplementation is given in cases of threatened or recurrent miscarriage and for luteal phase support. Progesterone is essential for implantation, immune tolerance, and modulation of uterine contractility. For a long time, the administration of progestins was associated with an unfavorable impact on mood, leading to negative affect, and, therefore, was contraindicated in existing mood disorders. Establishing the role of the natural progesterone derivative allopregnanolone in advances in the treatment of postpartum depression has shed new light on the general pathophysiology of mood disorders. Allopregnanolone directly interacts with gamma-aminobutyric acid type A (GABA-A) receptors even at nanomolar concentrations and induces significant anti-depressant, anti-stress, sedative, and anxiolytic effects. Postpartum depression is caused by a rapid drop in hormones and can be instantly reversed by the administration of allopregnanolone. Premenstrual dysphoric disorder can also be considered to result from insufficient neuroactive steroid action due to low progesterone derivative concentration, unstable hormone levels, or decreased receptor sensitivity. The decrease in progesterone levels in perimenopause is also associated with affective symptoms and an exacerbation of some psychosomatic syndromes. Bioidentical progesterone supplementation encounters several obstacles, including limited absorption, first-pass effect, and rapid metabolism. Hence, non-bioidentical progestins with better bioavailability were widely applied. The paradoxical, unfavorable effect of progestins on mood can be explained by the fact that progestins suppress ovulation and disturb the endocrine function of the ovary in the luteal phase. Moreover, their distinct chemical structure prevents their metabolism to neuroactive, mood-improving derivatives. A new understanding of progesterone-related mood disorders can translate the study results from case series and observational studies to cohort studies, clinical trials, and novel, effective treatment protocols being developed.

CYSTIC LYMPHANGIOMA ARISING FROM THE SMALL INTESTINE MESENTERY INCIDENTALLY FOUND DURING SURGERY FOR A LARGE OVARIAN TUMOR - A CASE REPORT.

The aim of this study was presenting significance of diagnostic process in doctor's daily routine. A 45-year-old patient for a planned laparotomy due to left ovarian cyst detected with a routine transvaginal ultrasound. She did not report any symptoms. Computer tomography of the abdomen and pelvis showed a cystic lesion with segmental wall thick¬ening, measuring 133 ☓ 83 ☓ 135 mm, adjacent to the left ovary and the uterus on the left side. At the laparotomy exploration, a giant cyst, ca. 20 cm in diameter was found above the uterus, on the left side, in the area between the lower and middle abdomen. The histological exam results showed lymphangioma of the small and large intestine mesentery. In this case, lymphangioma was found in a rare location, in the mesentery of the ileocecal valve. It did not present any signs and symptoms. CT used in the present case failed to identify the exact point of origin of the lesion.

Maternal Serum and Cord Blood Leptin Concentrations at Delivery in Normal Pregnancies and in Pregnancies Complicated by Intrauterine Growth Restriction.

INTRODUCTION: Leptin is a polypeptide hormone, and in pregnancy, it is secreted by the placenta and maternal and fetal adipose tissues. Normal leptin production is a factor responsible for uncomplicated gestation, embryo development, and fetal growth. The study compared maternal serum and cord blood leptin concentrations at delivery in normal pregnancies and in pregnancies complicated by intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). METHODS: The study was performed in 25 pregnant women with isolated IUGR and in 194 pregnant women without any complications. Leptin concentrations in maternal serum and in cord blood samples collected at delivery were measured by ELISA and subsequently analyzed by maternal body mass index (BMI), mode of delivery, and infant gender and birth weight. For comparative analyses of normally distributed variables, parametric tests were used, that is, the Student t test and a one-way ANOVA. The nonparametric Mann-Whitney test was used when the distribution was not normal. The Pearson correlation coefficient was calculated to assess the correlation between normally distributed variables (p < 0.05). RESULTS: In pregnancies complicated by IUGR, the mean maternal serum leptin concentration at delivery was significantly higher (52.73 ± 30.49 ng/mL) than in normal pregnancies (37.17 ± 28.07 ng/mL) (p = 0.01). The mean cord blood leptin concentration in pregnancies complicated by IUGR was 7.97 ± 4.46 ng/mL and significantly lower than in normal pregnancies (14.78 ± 15.97 ng/mL) (p = 0.04). In normal pregnancies, but not in pregnancies complicated by IUGR, a statistically significant correlation was established between maternal serum leptin concentrations and maternal BMI at delivery (r = 0.22; p = 0.00). No statistically significant correlation was found between cord blood leptin concentrations and maternal BMI in either study subjects or controls. In normal pregnancies, but not in pregnancies complicated by IUGR, a strong correlation was observed between cord blood leptin concentrations and birth weight (r = 0.23; p = 0.00). CONCLUSIONS: Elevated maternal blood leptin concentrations in pregnancies complicated by IUGR may indicate a significant adverse effect of elevated leptin on fetal growth. The differences in leptin concentrations, measured in maternal serum and in cord blood, between the study subjects and controls suggest that deregulated leptin levels may increase the risk of obstetric complications associated with placental insufficiency.

Pixel-CO2 laser for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence.

The aim of this study was to assess the safety and efficacy of a minimally invasive pixel-CO2 laser procedure for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence (SUI). This was a prospective, open-label study with a cohort of 59 women. Patients were treated intravaginally with a fractional/pixel CO2 laser every 4-6 weeks for a total of three treatments and assessed at 3, 6, and 12 months. Evaluation tools included a Sandvik severity score based on a validated questionnaire, 1-h pad test, vaginal health index score (VHIS), validated female sexual function index (FSFI), patient's impression of disease severity (PGI-S), global impression of improvement (PGI-I), and the short-term pelvic floor impact questionnaire (PFIQ-7) to assess improvements in quality of life. Reduction in SUI severity was noticed throughout the duration of the study, as compared to the baseline in which 2% of the patients were defined as "slight," 73% "moderate," and 25% "severe." Gradual improvement of symptoms resulted in redistribution of severity score and the best outcome observed between 3 and 6 months. Sanitary pad weight declined from an average of 35.45 g per day at baseline to 12.47 g at the 3rd treatment, and increased to 23.06 g at 12 months. Vaginal acidity changes showed a similar pattern. No serious adverse events were reported. Pixel-CO2 laser is safe and effective for treating SUI. Additional maintenance treatments should be considered during the 6-12-month post-treatment period in order to maintain the beneficial effects. Pixel-CO2 laser is a safe and effective treatment for SUI. Maintenance treatments should be considered at 6-12 months.

Perception of Stress and Styles of Coping with It in Parents Giving Kangaroo Mother Care to Their Children during Hospitalization in NICU.

The experience of hospitalization of a newborn in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) may become distressing both for the baby and parent. The study aimed to assess the degree of parental stress and coping strategies in parents giving KMC to their babies hospitalized in NICU compared to the control group parents not giving KMC. The prospective observational study enrolled a cohort of 337 parents of premature babies hospitalized in NICU in 2016 in Eastern Poland. The Parental Stressor Scale: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations were used. The level of stress in parents giving KMC was defined as low or moderate. Analysis confirmed its greater presence in the group of parents initiating KMC late (2-3 weeks) compared to those starting this initiative in week 1 of a child's life. An additional predictor of a higher level of stress in parents initiating KMC "late" was the hospital environment of a premature baby. Task oriented coping was the most common coping strategy in the study group. KMC and direct skin-to-skin contact of the parent with the baby was associated with a higher level of parental stress only initially and decreased with time and KMC frequency.

Evaluation of a Mentor training program for midwives in two hospitals in Warsaw, Poland - a qualitative descriptive study.

BACKGROUND: Mentoring is a recognized, but still underutilized strategy for effective clinical training of midwifery students. The success of formally recognized course-embedded mentoring depends on adequate preparation of clinical teacher to act as mentors and effective developing of their mentoring skills. The aim of this study was to evaluate a Mentor Training Program for midwives, the first of its kind in Poland. METHODS: Twenty-one midwives who completed a dedicated Mentor Training Program organized by the Medical University of Warsaw (12-14 June 2017) participated in this study. In Stage 1, 7 days prior to the training course, the participants completed an online questionnaire that identified their motivations and expectations. In Stage 2, they assessed the training program they had completed as well as described any perceived needs of further mentor training. Subsequently a qualitative study of the data was performed using content analysis. RESULTS: In Stage 1, the participants expressed their interest in the Mentor Training Program mostly expecting to develop skills allowing them to implement mentoring in clinical training of student midwives. They were aware of the potential benefits of mentoring for hands-on instruction on the wards and wanted to gain knowledge of this strategy. In Stage 2, the overall satisfaction with the program was high, but the participants assessed their preparedness to act as midwifery mentors as inadequate. The results suggest that the Mentor Training Program should be further refined and expanded while the outcomes need to be evaluated in more detail by both new mentors and their trainers over a longer period of time, possibly after the participants have gained actual experience of mentoring in the clinical setting. CONCLUSION: The participants described the Mentor Training Program as innovative, valuable and largely meeting their expectations. They gained knowledge of the concept of mentoring and its potential application in clinical training of midwifery students in Poland. Future mentor training programs should be expanded with a greater focus on developing, strengthening and applying mentoring skills in the clinical setting.

Does HPV infection have impact on results of photodynamic treatment of vulvar lichen sclerosus?

BACKGROUND: The association between lichen sclerosus (LS) and human papilloma virus (HPV) infections remains unclear. The co-occurrence of both pathologies may impact treatment and prognosis. This study aimed to assess the results of photodynamic therapy (PDT) for vulvar LS and the effect of incidence of HPV infection on the results of treatment and duration of remission. METHODS: A total of 73 patients with LS were included in the study. In each patient, 14 types of HPV were detected. PDT was performed using the PhotoDyn 501, which emits light at 630 nm wavelength and power density of 204 mW/cm². Focal lesions were exposed for 10 min once weekly for a total of 10 weeks. The complete treatment cycle was repeated after 3 months, whenever required. The biopsy was repeated after completion of treatment. RESULTS: The number of treatment cycles for HPV-positive and HPV-negative patients were not statistically different (cases after one or two PDT cycles). An exception was a group of patients with LS requiring three PDT cycles. Analysis of remission period considering HPV results (positive vs. negative) did not reveal a significant statistical difference. Mean remission period among HPV-negative patients was longer in comparison to remission time for those with positive HPV results (14 ±â€¯9 vs. 11 ±â€¯9 months). CONCLUSIONS: PDT may be a promising, effective, and safe method for the treatment of LS regardless of HPV infection.

Analysis of the Sound Environment and the Sound Level in the Delivery Room in the First Hour of a Newborn's Life.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to analyse the sound environment and the range of sound levels recorded in the delivery room immediately after the birth of a newborn. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The research method was open observation combined with recording measurements of the sound intensity levels. The material was collected by means of an observation questionnaire. The research was conducted in 11 maternity hospitals in Warsaw. A total of 304 vaginal labours were analysed. RESULTS: The average sound level in the delivery room after the birth of a newborn was 58.03 ± 7.66 dB, and the sound intensity ranged from 40.30 dB to 78.0 dB. Staff conversations were the most common sources of noise. A statistically significant relationship between the number of people in the delivery room and sound intensity was observed. The number of people positively correlated with the average sound level (R=0.520, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Based on the tests, it was found that the average sound level in the delivery room exceeded the recommended standards. The noise was mainly caused by the activity of staff. The present study indicates the need for staff education and the use of noise reduction procedures.

Mentoring in the clinical training of midwifery students - a focus study of the experiences and opinions of midwifery students at the Medical University of Warsaw participating in a mentoring program.

BACKGROUND: The current system of clinical training for midwifery students in Poland is in need of considerable revision to adapt it to the global standards and the expectations of healthcare providers, healthcare users and student midwives themselves. Aim of this study was to report the experiences of midwifery students participating in a mentor-led clinical training program and their opinions of mentoring as a novel training method. METHODS: A qualitative descriptive study that used a focus group was undertaken in the period from October 2017 to June 2019. The participants were 12 s- and third-year midwifery students at the Medical University of Warsaw who at various times during the study period had their clinical training in the Department of Obstetrics, Solec Hospital in Warsaw, Poland. All students had previous experience of clinical training other than clinical mentorship. At the end of the study, a focus group interview was conducted with all 12 participants. Five questions were selected to guide the focus group discussion: Did you get any valuable learning experience during your clinical training? How did this clinical training differ from your previous clinical training? What was your experience of one-on-one mentoring? Did the mentoring program meet your expectations? What do you think could be changed to make the proposed mentor-led clinical training more effective? RESULTS: Four themes were identified. The study demonstrated that mentoring was perceived by the participants as an innovative and effective method of clinical training for midwifery students. All students positively evaluated the quality of the mentor-led clinical training which allowed improving their clinical skills and building new competencies. Students believed they could effectively use their clinical skills and make informed decisions in a safe and supportive clinical learning environment. They felt that their inclusion in the therapeutic team contributed to better patient care. CONCLUSIONS: The use of innovative forms of clinical training at undergraduate level improves its effectiveness and in the future should be reflected in a high-quality maternity care. Mentoring has its advantages for both, mentor and mentee, but the main goal is to develop and improve professional competencies of the junior partner.

Effective academic-practice partnership models in nursing students' clinical placement: A systematic literature review.

OBJECTIVES: This systematic review examines the effectiveness of academic-practice partnership models which include clinical faculty and clinical mentor roles in improving nursing students' clinical learning when compared with traditional models. REVIEW METHODS: PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO and Cochrane Library were searched to locate Randomized Control Trials and quasi-experimental studies published from 1999 to 2020. The Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal tools were used to ensure methodological quality. RESULTS: Fourteen studies were included in the review. The Collaborative Teaching Model and the Dedicated Education Unit model were tested in randomized controlled trials. Dedicated Education Unit, Dedicated Education Centre, Clinical Education Units, Education Partnership model, Collaborative educational-practice model and Collaborative clinical practicum model were evaluated in four experimental studies and ten quasi-experimental studies. Studies did not include patient participation, and staff and faculty had anecdotal presence. CONCLUSION: There is limited evidence on the effectiveness of academic-practice partnership models. However, the complementary roles of clinical faculty and clinical mentor, in addition to education and health institutions managers commitment could successfully facilitate students' clinical learning.

Maternal serum and cord blood leptin concentrations at delivery.

INTRODUCTION: Studies have demonstrated leptin involvement in the physiology and pathophysiology of pregnancy and suggest that leptin may be a prognostic marker for some complications of pregnancy although the association remains unclear. To date no studies have reported leptin reference intervals established in normal pregnancy, which could be used for interpreting the differences in leptin levels found in normal and pathological pregnancies. OBJECTIVE: To determine leptin concentrations at delivery, in maternal serum in normal pregnancy and in cord blood and to establish reference intervals for leptin. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was performed in 194 pregnant women without any comorbid health conditions. Leptin concentrations in maternal serum and in cord blood were measured by ELISA and subsequently analyzed by gestational age (weeks), maternal Body Mass Index (BMI), mode of delivery and infant gender and birth weight. For comparative analyses of normally distributed variables, parametric tests such as the Student-t were used to test the assumption of homogeneity or non-homogeneity of variance and a One-Way ANOVA when more than two groups were compared. The Pearson correlation coefficient was calculated to assess the correlation between normally distributed variables (p<0.05). The reference intervals for leptin were obtained by referring to the central 95% of laboratory test values. RESULTS: In normal pregnant women, the mean serum leptin concentration at delivery was 37.17 ± 28.07 ng/mL and the established reference interval was 33.19-41.14 ng/mL. The mean leptin concentration in cord blood was 14.78 ± 15.97 ng/mL and the established reference interval was 12.32-17.67 ng/mL. There was a statistically significant positive correlation between maternal serum and cord blood leptin concentrations (r = 0.37; p = 0.00). Mean leptin concentrations in cord blood increased with gestational age (p = 0.00). No statistically significant differences in maternal serum and cord blood leptin concentrations were found in regard to mode of delivery and neonatal gender. A statistically significant correlation was found between maternal serum leptin and third-trimester BMI (r = 0.22; p = 0.00), but there was no association between maternal BMI and cord blood leptin concentration. There was a statistically significant positive correlation between cord blood leptin concentration and birth weight (r = 0.23; p = 0.00). CONCLUSIONS: Reference intervals for leptin in maternal serum and in cord blood established in normal pregnancy could be used in clinical practice for interpreting the differences in leptin concentrations found in normal pregnancy and in complications of pregnancy. The results indicate a strong association between maternal serum leptin levels and obesity and between cord blood leptin levels and birth weight.

Implementation of the first breastfeeding in Warsaw's maternity hospitals.

OBJECTIVE: Introduction: Birth is associated with the loss of the comfortable intrauterine environment and the beginning of life in the external environment. The newborn undertakes basic life functions in an environment of stimuli to which his nervous system is particularly sensitive. Some fundamental methods that facilitate adaptation to extrauterine life are skin-to-skin contact and the first breastfeeding. Aim: The aim of the study was to assess the provision of the first breastfeeding after natural delivery in Warsaw's medical facilities. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Material and method: The method of direct observation was used in the study. The research material was collected using the authored observation sheet designed for the purposes of the study. The tests were carried out in 11 Warsaw obstetric facilities with varying degrees of referentiality, in which the management agreed to conduct the study. It was ensured that the data collected would be presented anonymously. The research began in January 2016 and was completed in December 2017. RESULTS: Results: During the direct contact of the mother with the child, in 97.37% of the cases the newborn was attached to the mother's breast. In 25.01% of the cases, the duration of the first breastfeeding was over 30 minutes, and in the same number of feedings it ranged from 21-30 minutes. The shortest duration of feeding from 1-5 minutes was observed in 5.58% of the cases. CONCLUSION: Conclusions: In most cases, the first breastfeeding took place within 2 hours of birth. The initiation of breastfeeding after natural delivery took place during the mother's first contact with the child. In more than half of the cases, the first feeding lasted as long as the specialists recommend - over 20 minutes.

The influence of structured prenatal education on the use of specialist lactation counseling in case of difficulties.

OBJECTIVE: Introduction: Breastfeeding is the optimal way to nourish newborns and infants. According to the PTGHiZDz, ESPGHAN and AAP, exclusive breastfeeding should be sought for the first 6 months of life. Aim: To analyse the relationship between participation in prenatal education and the frequency to intend and then continue breastfeeding in the first 6 months of a child's life. To assess the impact of participation in prenatal education on women's use of specialist lactation counselling. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Material and methods: The study was conducted in the period from May 2013 to June 2014 at the Specialist Hospital of St. Sophia in Warsaw. It included 333 women in the maternity ward. The study group consisted of 244 women who participated in structured prenatal education classes in group form. The control group numbered 89 women who did not participate in prenatal education either in one-to-one or group form. The first stage of the study was carried out among women 48 hours after childbirth. In the second stage of the study, a questionnaire was sent to women in electronic form, not earlier than one day after the child was 6 months old. RESULTS: Results: The variables that differentiated the groups studied were: education, place of residence, professional activity before pregnancy and professional activity during pregnancy longer than 27 weeks. The intention to take up exclusive breastfeeding expressed 48 hours after childbirth was declared by 94.7% of the women from the study group and 86.5% of the women from the control group (p=0.024). Breastfeeding was the most common difficulty reported by women during their stay in hospital (39.3% vs. 38.2% p=0.85) and during the first 6 months after childbirth (19.8% vs. 7.1% p=0.11). In case of difficulties in the course of childbirth, the women from the study group who used specialised lactation counselling accounted for 12.7%. No woman from the control group benefited from this type of care. CONCLUSION: Conclusions: Participation in structured prenatal education is a factor influencing the frequency of intending to breastfeed. Women after a cycle of structured prenatal education classes are more likely to take advantage of lactation counselling at a specialist level. Structured prenatal education has no influence on the subjective assessment of women concerning the practical application of the knowledge concerning breastfeeding.

Perinatal care needs and expectations of women with low vision or total blindness in Warsaw, Poland.

BACKGROUND: As estimated from the number of published studies, in Poland the research into the perinatal care experiences of women with low vision or total blindness remains limited. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the study was to fill this gap by investigating satisfaction with perinatal care received by women with visual impairment in four city hospitals in Warsaw, Poland, and to recommend, if required, modifications in midwives' education and care standards based on the women's perceptions and expectations. METHODS: Hour-long interviews were conducted between 30 August 2014 and 2 September 2015 with 16 blind or low vision women in perinatal care, audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. The accounts were subsequently evaluated using the Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) approach. Five major themes were pre-selected: perceived stigma and lack of affirmation for the interviewee's motherhood, accessibility of childbirth preparation, accessibility of perinatal care and hospital facilities, midwives' attitudes and the interviewees' expectations for care improvements. RESULTS: Overall, the accounts demonstrated the lack of satisfaction with the quality of perinatal care, including the childbirth preparation classes, hospital facilities and hospital staff approach as not actually meeting specific functional needs. They also suggested how the quality of care could be improved. CONCLUSIONS: Specific standards and procedures for perinatal care for women who are blind or have low vision should be developed and introduced in clinical practice in Poland based on research into the experiences of these women. Also, the training of health care professionals should be modified and their attitudes changed to meet maternal needs.

Benign metastasizing leiomyoma: A review of current literature in respect to the time and type of previous gynecological surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Benign metastasizing leiomyoma (BML) is a rare disorder that affects women with a history of uterine leiomyoma, which is found to metastasise within extrauterine sites. The aetiology of BML remains unexplained. Because BML is rare, and most publications contain descriptions of single cases, no statistically determined time relations were found between the primary and secondary surgeries, which may have aetiological implications. OBJECTIVES: To determine age before BML surgery, age during diagnosis of BML, type of prior surgery, and location of metastasis based on the literature. METHODS: A systematic review of four databases (Medline/PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane) covering articles published from 1 January 1965 to 10 April 2016. The inclusion criteria were full-text articles in English and articles containing case reports. Articles in languages other than English (39), articles containing incomplete data (14), i.e. no information regarding the time of surgery and/or the site of metastasis, articles bereft of case studies (25), and articles with access only to summaries, without access to the complete text (10) were excluded. Of 321 titles identified, only 126 articles met the aforementioned criteria. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The mean age during primary surgery and BML diagnosis was 38.5 years and 47.3 years, respectively. The most common surgery was total hysterectomy. The most frequent site of metastasis was the lungs; other organs were affected less frequently.The site of metastases and their number were not related to the longer time span between the patient's initial surgery and occurrence of metastasis. The analysed data, such as the age during primary surgery, age during BML diagnosis, site and type of metastasis, do not provide us a clear answer. Thus, BML pathogenesis is most probably complex in nature and requires further multidirectional research.

Monitoring the treatment outcome in endometrial cancer patients by CEA and TATI.

An attempt was made to compare the usefulness of determining markers carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and tumor-associated trypsin inhibitor (TATI) in endometrial cancer patients in whom recurrence or distant metastasis was diagnosed in observation after treatment. The study included 316 patients aged 32-81, average age of 61 years, SD = 8.72, with diagnosed endometrial cancer, treated between 1994 and 1995 at the Oncology Center in Warsaw and then under observation from 4 months to 17 years after completion of treatment. The levels of the markers TATI and CEA were assessed from the first five serum samples taken during postoperative radiotherapy and in the initial period of observation after completed treatment. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were generated, determining the sensitivity and specificity of both CEA and TATI in patients who experienced treatment failure, i.e., recurrence and distant metastasis. Assessing the sensitivity of the marker CEA, it was found that if in the third sample, i.e., during radiation therapy, the marker level increased by more than 20 % compared with the first sample, then recurrence of cancer occurred during the observation period in 75.9 % of patients and metastatic occurred in 69.7 % of patients. In the evaluation of the marker TATI, it was found that if the level of TATI between the first and the third sample increases by 10.6 % from the initial level, then in 84.4 % (sensitivity) of cases, this means the occurrence of cancer recurrence and in 75.7 % (sensitivity) of cases, the occurrence of metastasis. The specificity of both markers is low and not useful diagnostically.

Tumor-associated trypsin inhibitor in patients with endometrial cancer.

AIM: The aim of the study was to look for prognostic factors of metastasis or recurrence in patients with endometrial cancer. METHODS: Tumor-associated trypsin inhibitor (TATI) concentrations were measured in serum of 317 patients with endometrial cancer. The assay was done 7 times in each patient, from the moment of diagnosis until the start of follow-up after the completion of treatment. Observation of patients after treatment lasted from 0 to 16 years. RESULTS: The TATI levels in patients with adverse prognostic factors accumulated in the first 3 assays and then decreased to zero. Mean TATI concentrations were significantly higher in patients with clinically advanced disease (stage IIIB) than patients at stage I (Kruskal-Wallis p = 0.0446). An increase in the concentration by more than 10.6% in the first 3 assays was significantly correlated with disease relapse (Mann-Whitney Z = -6.06653, p = 0.00000) and local or distant recurrence (Mann-Whitney Z = -4.97475, p = 0.000001). A significant increase in the TATI level in the first 3 tests also occurred in patients who died during the study period (Kruskal Wallis p<0.001). In our series of patients with endometrial cancer, TATI proved to be a sensitive indicator of disease recurrence and distant metastasis, with a sensitivity of 84.4% and 75.7%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: TATI seems to behave as a prognostic factor in certain subgroups of patients with endometrial cancer.

The prognostic significance of thrombocytosis in ovarian cancer.

Ovarian cancer makes up 25-30% of all cases of cancers of the female genital tract. It has the highest mortality rate of any condition in oncological gynaecology. Early diagnosis is associated with a favourable 5-year survival prognosis. Many solid tumours have been detected with concomitant thrombocytosis. The tumour cell-induced platelet aggregation is a result of a direct integration of tumour cells with blood platelets. The aim of the present paper is an evaluation of platelet count as a prognostic parameter for ovarian cancer. Between 2000 - 2005, 349 patients with ovarian tumour (aged 12 - 88-years-old) underwent primary surgical treatment at a clinic. Ninety-seven patients with ovarian carcinomas underwent chemotherapy in the Oncology Centre. The control group comprised 252 women diagnosed with a histopathological lesion of mild intensity, whereas the cancer group constituted 97 women with a histopathologically-diagnosed malignant neoplasm. Thrombocytopaenia was assumed with a platelet count below 150G/L and thrombocythaemia at 350G/L and higher. Thrombocytosis often coincides with ascites and the cytoreduction decreases platelet count. There is a positive correlation between platelet count and tumour grading. Thrombocytosis was more frequently found in high grade tumours. There is also a positive correlation between platelet count and tumour stage according the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics (FIGO). Thrombocytosis was more frequently found in stage III and IV cancers. Patients with co-occurring thrombocytosis were found to have shorter survival periods and shorter time free from disease. This seems to give grounds for measuring platelet count before the primary surgical intervention, and suggests that the platelet count should be included in the panel of prognostic factors for patients with ovarian tumours.