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Background: Patients with diagnosed keratinocyte carcinomas (KCs) have an increased risk of subsequent skin cancers development. Current studies indicate that patients with subsequent tumors should be followed up regularly. However, none of the studies indicate the connection between the specific subtypes and an increased risk for further KCs development. The study assesses the differences in the risk of developing a subsequent skin cancer after a previous diagnosis of KC, especially considering individual types of skin malignances, and identifies potential factors associated with an increased risk of new cutaneous tumor describing non-invasive diagnosis and monitoring. Methods: Pathology and medical records were examined to identify the characteristics of patients with multiple KCs diagnosed between 1999 and 2019. Results: The study group comprised 13,913 KCs occurring in 10,083 patients. Multiple KCs were observed in 2300 patients (22.8%). The analysis showed aggressive subtypes, multiple tumors, and male sex as significant prognostic factors. Conclusions: The most crucial risk factors for developing subsequent KC are being of a male gender, an aggressive tumor subtype, and previous history of multiple skin cancers. Basal cell carcinoma subtypes, such as infiltrative basosquamous, with aggressive growth patterns predispose not only to increased risk for the recurrence but are also expected to be at higher risk of subsequent KCs.

Basosquamous carcinoma (BSC) is a rare non-melanoma skin cancer that shares the characteristic features of both basal and squamous cell carcinomas (BCC, SCC). Our research enables better characterization of BSC in comparison to high-risk subtypes of BCC and SCC. Paper includes a retrospective analysis of BSC cases regarding sex, age, number of tumors and anatomical distribution in comparison to BCC and SCC evaluating the differences and defining the implications. Histologically confirmed carcinomas recorded between 1999 and 2019 were studied. 181 diagnosed BSC cases were identified, making this study the largest cohorts of BSC patients reported worldwide. Most cases were reported on head and neck. Analysis of facial anatomic distribution shows that most commonly affected sites were the nose (43%) and the cheek (25%). The age at excision of metatypical BCC was higher than those of low-risk BCC (P P = 0.20). We revisited that the concept of BSC is the most similar to high-risk subtypes of BCC. Patients with diagnosed BSC have higher risk of second nonmelanoma skin cancer. Therefore, the frequency of follow-up examination should be adjusted to the individual risk of another skin cancer.

Introduction Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare, aggressive cutaneous neuroendocrine cancer that typically arises in sun-exposed areas of the skin, especially in the elderly. Significant advances have recently been made regarding skin cancers, but data on cases of MCC are rather limited as these patients are frequently grouped together with other non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSC). Here, we performed an analysis of the clinical profile of patients with MCC in Poland to identify major factors influencing the prognosis. Methods Approximately 13,000 pathology and medical records were examined to identify patients with MCC diagnosed between 2010 and 2019. The management and outcomes of patients with histologically confirmed MCC were retrospectively evaluated. Results Thirty-one patients diagnosed with MCC were identified. The tumor occurred predominantly in women (61.3%) and in the elderly (mean 75.6 years). Twenty-nine patients had locoregional MCC and two had metastatic MCC at the time of diagnosis. Patients in stage I disease had excellent prognosis. In stages II and III, respectively 22.2% and 50.0% of patients developed metastases. Among patients who received chemotherapy with cisplatin and etoposide, 17% achieved partial remission with progression-free survival (PFS) of 8.0 months, and a further 50% achieved stable disease with PFS of 4.0, 4.5, and 4.5 months respectively. In 6 (19.4%) patients MCC coexisted with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). In all six cases CLL preceded MCC development. Conclusions Female gender, tumor-free resection margins, and local disease were found to be independent prognostic factors in MCC progression. Patients with hematological malignancies, immunosuppression, and those with immune deficiencies should be closely followed up as they are predisposed to develop MCC. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1007/s13555-020-00424-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSCs) are the most common malignancies diagnosed in Caucasian populations. Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most frequent skin cancer, followed by squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Unfortunately, most European cancer registries do not record individual types of NMSC. To evaluate the incidence of primary BCCs and SCCs regarding age, sex, tumour site and tumour subtype to determine trends in epidemiology of both cancers. Retrospective analysis of BCCs and SCCs diagnosed and treated across seven sites in Poland from 1999 to 2019. We recorded 13,913 NMSCs occurring in 10,083 patients. BCC represented 85.2% of all cases. SCC patients were older than BCC patients (77.1 ± 11.3 years vs. 70.1 ± 12.3 years, p 0.01). The nodular subtype was the most common subtype of BCC, followed by the superficial and infiltrative subtypes. The superficial BCC subtype was more common on photoprotected areas (p 0.01), whereas the nodular BCC subtype occurred on the face (p 0.01). The high-risk SCC subtypes were more common on face compared to low-risk SCC subtypes (p 0.01). BCC and SCC are common malignancies developing at various ages and anatomical sites. These data underline the need for better registration policies regarding NMSC in order to improve prevention and treatment strategies for these tumours.

In Poland, the value of art as a contributor and equal collaborator for business is still either not fully recognized or undervalued. Thus, the aim of the article is to present a set of effective practices and research, highlighting examples from Poland and focusing on areas of creative collaboration beneficial for entrepreneurs, such as employees’ development and empowerment, artistic residences, and investing in artists seen as brands or simply hiring them as chief innovators and inspirers, not only instructors. Finally, the benefits in the field of human capital and communication are briefly discussed to encourage Polish business practitioners to strengthen and extend the art‑business collaboration for the sake of the sustained socio‑economic development.

Non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSCs) are the most common malignancies diagnosed in Caucasian populations. Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most frequent skin cancer, followed by squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Unfortunately, most European cancer registries do not record individual types of NMSC. To evaluate the incidence of primary BCCs and SCCs regarding age, sex, tumour site and tumour subtype to determine trends in epidemiology of both cancers. Retrospective analysis of BCCs and SCCs diagnosed and treated across seven sites in Poland from 1999 to 2019. We recorded 13,913 NMSCs occurring in 10,083 patients. BCC represented 85.2% of all cases. SCC patients were older than BCC patients (77.1 ± 11.3 years vs. 70.1 ± 12.3 years, p p p p

Background: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic seriously affects the mood, sleep and induce patients' stress in an oncological environment. To date there is no data available on cancer patients under the COVID-19 pandemic and its influence on anxiety and depression status. Methods: A survey of 421 patients treated in an oncology center was conducted. The survey included Patient Health Questionnaire and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire to evaluate the influence of pandemic on the cancer patients' status of anxiety and depression. Results: More than half of cancer patients (50.7%) during the COVID-19 pandemic had symptoms of anxiety, whereas the incidence of depression was 46.8%. Living alone contributes to a higher risk of depression (P=0.026) and anxiety (P=0.031). Moreover, patients having an acquaintance or a relative infected with COVID-19 were more susceptible to suffer severe anxiety (P=0.028).Conclusions: Half of cancer patients are more likely to show increased incidence of depression and anxiety. There is a strong necessity to detect and treat depression and anxiety in cancer patients to increase the quality of life and reduce mortality. During this challenging time, the oncology community faces extraordinary issues to enhance the mental health for people with cancer.

BACKGROUND Colorectal cancer (CRC) is usually diagnosed in the metastatic stage, when chemotherapy and molecularly-targeted therapies, instead of surgery, play the most important therapeutic role. Application of anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) therapy requires the analysis of RAS mutation status and only RAS wild-type (wt) patients are qualified for the therapy. OBJECTIVES The objective of this study was to analyze driver mutations in KRAS, NRAS, BRAF, and PIK3CA genes in CRC patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS We assessed the KRAS, NRAS, BRAF, and PIK3CA genes in 102 inoperable, locally advanced and advanced CRC patients. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and high resolution melt PCR (HRM-PCR) techniques with DNA intercalating dye were applied in the study. RESULTS Forty-six patients demonstrated the presence of examined mutations (45.1%). No significant differences in driver mutation occurrence between men and women, as well as between younger (

Particle deposition phenomena were theoretically analyzed in terms of a hybrid theoretical approach where the bulk transport is described by continuity equations and the surface transport by the random sequential adsorption (RSA) models. RSA modeling furnishes maximum coverages and blocking functions for spherical and anisotropic particles. These parameters are used as boundary conditions for the bulk transport equation. This enables one to derive theoretical results describing kinetics of convection and diffusion-controlled transport of particles to interfaces, which is discussed next. The utility of this theoretical approach is confirmed by experimental data obtained for various colloid systems involving micro- and nanoparticles using optical and fluorescence microscopy AFM, SEM and TEM imaging of particle monolayers. Comparison of theoretical and experimental results shows that the electrostatic interactions play a dominant role affecting the maximum coverage of and the structure of deposited particle monolayers. Particle deposition on heterogeneous surfaces formed by a controlled deposition of nanoparticles and proteins (latex, hematite, fibrinogen) is also considered. These phenomena are properly interpreted in terms of the RSA model considering fluctuations in the particle density. The classical DLVO theory, based on the mean-field (averaged) zeta potential concept proved inadequate. It is also shown that the colloid particle deposition on protein monolayers can be used to efficiently determine the coverage and a real charge distribution under wet, in situ conditions. It is concluded that particle and protein deposition phenomena show deep analogies. This suggests that the results acquired for nanoparticles can be used as convenient reference systems for interpretation of molecular adsorption phenomena inaccessible to direct measurements.

A new family of bismacrocyclic homo- and heteronuclear Ni and Cu complexes has been synthesized and characterized. The ligand scaffold is comprised of two 14-membered tetraazamacrocyclic sites held in cofacial orientation. The dinuclear complexes are unique in that one macrocyclic center is neutral while the other one is charged, although the ligand backbones are nearly identical. This leads to a binuclear system of two structurally similar components, differing in their electron-donor abilities. The crystallographically characterized structures in the solid state revealed similarity of the four dinuclear complexes studied. The metal-metal separations are between 4 and 5 A. The strongest electrostatic intramolecular interactions occur in the molecules with neutral and charged components, most differing in donor abilities.

International audience; In this paper we review two well-known citation methods to find relatedness between scientific papers: co-citation and bibliographic coupling. We propose a practical method to estimate the co-citation relatedness using the Google search engine. We call this method Web co-citation. We conducted experiments on a collection of scientific papers to compare the performances of different methods. The experimental results show that our approach, despite its simplicity, is efficient in discovering the relatedness between scientific papers.