Human papillomavirus (HPV) is associated with both benign lesions and with neoplastic diseases, such as oropharyngeal cancer. Due to the increasing occurrence of these neoplasms on a global scale, it seems important to estimate the risk factors in the population. So far, data on the presence of oral HPV in the European population are scarce. Oral HPV was detected in 53 out of 461 healthy subjects (11.5%) in south-eastern Poland. Among the most common oncogenic types, HPV 16 was reported in four subjects (0.87%) and HPV 18 in three subjects (0.65%). Another high-risk type, HPV 45, was detected in nine subjects (1.95%). Low risk types (HPV 6, 11, 54) were detected in 25 cases, which constituted 5.4% of all tested samples. In adults and children, statistically more HPV positive cases have been reported in males than in females. A positive relationship was demonstrated between age and the amount of positive oral HPV. The presence of HPV was statistically more frequent in the population living in urban rather than in rural areas in all studied age groups (p < 0.05).

Infekcje wirusowe przyczyniają się do wielu nowotworów na całym świecie i stanowią istotny odsetek śmiertelności. Do onkogennych wirusów zaliczany jest wirus Epsteina-Barr, który jest główną przyczyną mononukleozy zakaźnej i wykazuje tropizm względem limfocytów B. Dzięki obecności genów odpowiedzialnych za latencję może przyczyniać się do wielu stanów patologicznych. Przykładami tego są nowotwory złośliwe o wysokiej śmiertelności zlokalizowane w żołądku, a także głowie oraz szyi. Ponadto wirus ten jest poważnym zagrożeniem dla osób z obniżoną odpornością, co stanowi w obecnych czasach istotny problem ze względu na rosnącą liczbę chorych poddanych terapii immunosupresyjnej. Na szczególną uwagę w tym przypadku zasługują zaburzenia limfoproliferacyjnie po przeszczepie będące złośliwym nowotworem powiązanym z infekcją EBV. W niniejszym przeglądzie skupiono się na roli wirusa Epsteina-Barr w wybranych nowotworach.

Introduction and objective. Biomarkers are measurable biological indicators of many disease states. Particularly noteworthy are short nucleotide sequences involved in the regulation of many cellular processes. Their level in body fluids constitutes an important biological marker of serious diseases, such as cancer or cardiovascular diseases. For example, different types of microRNA may be used as biomarker in virus-associated cancers. The aim of this article was to review the current knowledge on the miRNAs and their role in viral-related cancers (EBV and HPV). The article reviews information available in journals and on electronic databases. Brief description of the state of knowledge. A significant part of the world's population hosts at least one of the oncoviruses, but only a small percentage of them undergo a cancerogenesis to which these infectious agents contribute. Interaction between the host cell and viral factors can lead to the origination of a microenvironment favourable to oncogenesis. Cancer arises as a result of dysregulation in many cellular processes, and particularly important are short RNA sequences which regulate the processes that can cause this disease. The varied expression of this ribonucleic acid contributes to many diseases and provides valuable information about health. Importantly, these molecules are differentially expressed in virally-induced cancer. Many publications have confirmed the relationship between the expression of specific types of miRNA and cancers associated with EBV and HPV. Conclusions. The use of miRNAs as biomarkers of neoplastic diseases associated with EBV and HPV infections may significantly contribute to the reduction of mortality caused by these viruses, and thanks to the development of modern technologies they are an attractive research object.

The article deals with the results of the analysis of the effectiveness of using online forms in the process of mastering the discipline «internal diseases». A pedagogical experiment was conducted with the inclusion of 46 interns who were engaged in the department during the period 2016-2017. It was found that the use of online forms to improve the efficiency of the educational process at the expense of, firstly, reducing the time spent on processing of the survey results, and, secondly, the optimization of the material assimilation level and «survival» knowledge of medical interns using a visual representation the results of the initial test and the substantive discussion on problematic issues. The combination of the online interviewing as a form of testing with the traditional way of control, and with self-control, can lead to a real system of objective assessment of the knowledge and realization of the main task of the educational process — the formation of strong knowledge and provide high-quality training of future specialists.

Introduction and objective. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is associated with cancers of the head and neck, including oropharyngeal cancer, which is increasing in incidence, and biomarker studies have potential in diagnostics and therapy. One of the most commonly deregulated microRNAs in cancers is miR-21-5p. It has been implicated in neoplastic transformation related to EBV infection in several investigations. The aim of this study was to determine the level of miR-21-5p in the serum of EBV (+) and EBV (-) oropharyngeal cancer patients. Material and methods. The study was carried out on 78 patients with confirmed OPSCC. Statistical analysis was used to investigate the relationship between clinical and demographic characteristics of patients. Enzyme immunoassays were used to determine the levels of miRNA, TLR9 and MMPs and cytokines. Statistical analysis was used to determine the relationship between miR21-5p and TLR9, MMP3, MMP9 levels, and the cytokines studied. Results. Significantly higher values of all tested parameters for miR-21-5p levels and grading as well as TN stage were found in the EBV (+) group. There was no statistically significant correlation between the miR-21-5p level and the levels of TNFα, VEGF, and TGFβ. Positive correlations were shown between miR-21-5p and IL-10, MMP-3 and -9. There was a negative correlation between the level of miR-21-5p and TLR9. Conclusions. The present study showed that in EBV (+) patients the level of miR-21-5p in the serum was significantly higher than in EBV (-) patients. Our study results could influence future strategies for the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of oropharyngeal cancers.