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Our present knowledge on interrelation between morphology/ultrastructure of mitochondria of the Leydig cell and its steroidogenic function is far from satisfactory and needs additional studies. Here, we analyzed the effects of blockade of androgen receptor, triggered by exposure to flutamide, on the expression of steroidogenic proteins (1) and ultrastructure of Leydig cells’ constituents (2). We demonstrated that increase in the expression level of steroidogenic (StAR, CYP11A1, 3β-HSD, and CYP19A1) proteins (and respective mRNAs) in rat testicular tissue as well as elevation of intratesticular sex steroid hormone (testosterone and estradiol) levels observed in treated animals correspond well to morphological alterations of the Leydig cell ultrastructure. Most importantly, up-regulation of steroidogenic proteins’ expression apparently correlates with considerable multiplication of Leydig cell mitochondria and subsequent formation of local mitochondrial networks. Interestingly, we showed also that the above-mentioned processes were associated with elevated transcription of Drp1 and Mfn2 genes, encoding proteins implicated in mitochondrial dynamics. Collectively, our studies emphasize the importance of mitochondrial homeostasis to the steroidogenic function of Leydig cells.

Background Testis is an immune privileged organ, which prevents the immune response against sperm antigens and inflammation. Testicular cells responsible for immune tolerance are mainly Sertoli cells, which form the blood-testis barrier and produce immunosuppressive factors. Sertoli cells prevent inflammation in the testis and maintain immune tolerance by inhibiting proliferation and inducing lymphocyte apoptosis. It has been shown that 9-cis-retinoic acid (9cRA) blocks ex vivo apoptosis of peripheral blood lymphocytes and promotes the differentiation of Treg cells in the gut. However, the role of retinoid signaling in regulating the immune privilege of the testes remains unknown. Objective The aim of this study was to determine whether 9cRA, acting via the retinoic acid receptors (RAR) and the retinoic X receptors (RXR), controls the immunomodulatory functions of Sertoli cells by influencing the secretion of anti-inflammatory/pro-inflammatory factors, lymphocyte physiology and Treg cell differentiation. Methods Experiments were performed using in vitro model of co-cultures of murine Sertoli cells and T lymphocytes. Agonists and antagonists of retinoic acid receptors were used to inhibit/stimulate retinoid signaling in Sertoli cells. Results Our results have demonstrated that 9cRA inhibits the expression of immunosuppressive genes and enhances the expression of pro-inflammatory factors in Sertoli cells and lymphocytes, increases lymphocyte viability and decreases apoptosis rate. Moreover, we have found that 9cRA blocks lymphocyte apoptosis acting through both RAR and RXR and inhibiting FasL/Fas/Caspase 8 and Bax/Bcl-2/Caspase 9 pathways. Finally, we have shown that 9cRA signaling in Sertoli cells inhibits Treg differentiation. Conclusion Collectively, our results indicate that retinoid signaling negatively regulates immunologically privileged functions of Sertoli cells, crucial for ensuring male fertility. 9cRA inhibits lymphocyte apoptosis, which can be related to the development of autoimmunity, inflammation, and, in consequence, infertility.

Our recent study demonstrated altered expression of Notch ligands, receptors, and effector genes in testes of pubertal rats following reduced androgen production or signaling. Herein we aimed to explore the role of nuclear androgen receptor (AR) and membrane androgen receptor (Zrt- and Irt-like protein 9; ZIP9) in the regulation of Notch pathway activation in rodent Sertoli cells. Experiments were performed using TM4 and 15P-1 Sertoli cell lines and rat primary Sertoli cells (PSC). We found that testosterone (10−8 M–10−6 M) increased the expression of Notch1 receptor, its active form Notch1 intracellular domain (N1ICD) (p < 0.05, p < 0.01, p < 0.001), and the effector genes Hey1 (p < 0.05, p < 0.01, p < 0.001) and Hes1 (p < 0.05, p < 0.001) in Sertoli cells. Knockdown of AR or ZIP9 as well as antiandrogen exposure experiments revealed that (i) action of androgens via both AR and ZIP9 controls Notch1/N1ICD expression and transcriptional activity of recombination signal binding protein (RBP-J), (ii) AR-dependent signaling regulates Hey1 expression, (iii) ZIP9-dependent pathway regulates Hes1 expression. Our findings indicate a crosstalk between androgen and Notch signaling in Sertoli cells and point to cooperation of classical and non-classical androgen signaling pathways in controlling Sertoli cell function.

Background Literature confirms the tangible educational benefits of participating in high-fidelity simulation exercises. However, the final assessment of such sessions is always a combination of the teacher’s actions, the project, the technical infrastructure, and the student. The aim of this study was to evaluate and conduct a comparative analysis of high-fidelity simulation sessions regarding applied educational practices, satisfaction levels, and self-confidence among nursing students at a university located in a major academic center in southern Poland. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted in May and June during the 2021/2022, 2022/2023, and 2023/2024 academic years on a group of 422 first-year undergraduate nursing students. Data from 412 students who participated in high-fidelity simulation sessions were analyzed. The study employed a custom questionnaire, the Educational Practice Questionnaire (EPQ), and the Student Satisfaction and Self-Confidence in Learning Scale (SSCL). The study used Spearman’s correlation coefficient, Kruskal-Wallis test, Dunn’s post-hoc analysis and multivariate linear regression. A significance level of p  < 0.05 was adopted. Results The students rated the attractiveness of the sessions, the development of competencies, and the conducted debriefing relatively highly (average score above 4). Statistically significant differences were found between academic years in the assessment of social competencies acquired ( p  = 0.008) and the evaluation of debriefing elements as a summary method ( p  = 0.009). Students indicated that collaboration (M = 4.81; SD = 0.44) was present in the proposed educational method and considered it the most valuable aspect (M = 4.59; SD = 0.66). A positive correlation ( r  > 0) was noted between the development of knowledge ( r  = 0.389, p  < 0.001), practical skills ( r  = 0.44, p  < 0.001), and social skills ( r  = 0.401, p  < 0.001) and satisfaction. There was also a positive correlation ( r  > 0) between the applied techniques during simulation and the level of self-confidence in the learning process ( p  < 0.05). The applied multiple regression models identified the aspects of the sessions that had a direct and unimpeded impact on nursing students’ sense of satisfaction and self-confidence. These aspects included, among others, active learning and diverse learning methods. Conclusions This study confirmed the justification for organizing high-fidelity simulation sessions for nursing students due to the overall benefits for the student (in terms of satisfaction and increased self-confidence), the institution (student satisfaction with the university’s educational offerings), and the profession (high perception of increased nursing competencies).

Bone mineral density (BMD) assessed by DXA is a well-established predictor of osteoporotic fracture risk. However, data regarding the Polish female population remains limited. To evaluate the predictive value of BMD measurements for vertebral, hip, and all low-energy fractures in women aged 50 years and older. A total of 1.311 women from the Małopolska region underwent BMD assessment at the femoral neck, lumbar spine. The average follow-up period was 10.2 years, during which 479 osteoporotic fractures were recorded. DXA measurements at the femoral neck showed the strongest correlation with hip fracture risk. Each one standard deviation decrease in the femoral neck T-score increased the risk of hip fracture by 2.1 times (HR 2.10; 95% CI 1.28-3.46; = 0.003), after adjusting for age, but is not linear. A 1 SD decrease in the hip T-score was associated with a 28% increase in the risk of all osteoporotic fractures (HR 1.28; CI 1.17-1.40; < 0.001), 53% increase in vertebral (HR 1.53; CI 1.13-2.08; = 0.006) and 30% in hip (HR 1.30; CI 0.81-2.09; = 0.278). The AUC values for hip BMD and hip T-score had the highest predictive value-AUC (area under the curve was 0.732 and 0.720, < 0.01). BMD at the femoral neck proved to be a stronger predictor of hip fractures than measurements at the spine, radius. The risk increase associated with BMD/T-score reduction was non-linear. These findings confirm results from other benchmark studies.

Delta/Serrate/LAG-2 (DSL) proteins, which serve as ligands for Notch receptors, mediate direct cell–cell interactions involved in the determination of cell fate and functioning. The present study aimed to explore the role of androgens and estrogens, and their receptors in the regulation of DSL proteins in Sertoli cells. To this end, primary rat Sertoli cells and TM4 Sertoli cell line were treated with either testosterone or 17β-estradiol and antagonists of their receptors. To confirm the role of particular receptors, knockdown experiments were performed. mRNA and protein expressions of Jagged1 (JAG1), Delta-like1 (DLL1), and Delta-like4 (DLL4) were analyzed using RT-qPCR, Western blot, and immunofluorescence. Testosterone caused downregulation of JAG1 and DLL1 expression, acting through membrane androgen receptor ZRT- and Irt-like protein 9 (ZIP9) or nuclear androgen receptor (AR), respectively. DLL4 was stimulated by testosterone in the manner independent of AR and ZIP9 in Sertoli cells. The expression of all studied DSL proteins was upregulated by 17β-estradiol. Estrogen action on JAG1 and DLL1 was mediated chiefly via estrogen receptor α (ERα), while DLL4 was controlled via estrogen receptor β (ERβ) and membrane G-protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER). To summarize, the co-operation of nuclear and membrane receptors for sex steroids controls DSL proteins in Sertoli cells, contributing to balanced Notch signaling activity in seminiferous epithelium.

The diverse list of tasks and needs related to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic may lead to different professional experiences in nurses working with patients infected with and not infected with SARS-CoV-2. The aim of the study was to measure the professional challenges of nurses working during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in Poland. The study was conducted in 2021 in a group of 151 nurses. The following scales were used: the (PSS-10), the (GSES), the (IES-R), the (MSQ-SF), the (AWS) and the (MBIHSS). Nurses working with patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 showed a positive correlation between workload and emotional exhaustion (ρ = 0.26, p = 0.02), as well as positive correlations among control, community and depersonalization (ρ = 0.25, p = 0.02; ρ = 0.23, p = 0.04). Among nurses working with uninfected patients, positive correlations were found among control, community, fairness and emotional exhaustion (ρ = 0.40, p = 0.000; ρ = 0.41, p = 0.000; ρ = 0.25, p = 0.03), as well as correlations between control and depersonalization (ρ = 0.33, p = 0.01), and among control, community and personal accomplishment (ρ = 0.23, p = 0.05; ρ = 0.27, p = 0.02). Nurses working during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic with infected and uninfected patients both experienced a variety of psychosocial challenges in coping with the demands of their work, social relationships and personal life. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2023;36(1):112-24.

Adipokines influence energy metabolism and have effects on male reproduction, including spermatogenesis and/or Sertoli cell maturation; however, the relationship between these active proteins and androgens in testicular cells is limited. Here, we studied the impact of short-term exposure to flutamide (an anti-androgen that blocks androgen receptors) on the expression of chemerin, apelin, vaspin and their receptors (CCRL2, CMKLR1, GPR1, APLNR, GRP78, respectively) in adult rat testes. Moreover, the levels of expression of lipid metabolism-modulating proteins (PLIN1, perilipin1; TSPO, translocator protein) and intercellular adherens junction proteins (nectin-2 and afadin) were determined in testicular cells. Plasma levels of adipokines, testosterone and cholesterol were also evaluated. Gene expression techniques used included the quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), Western blot (WB) and immunohistochemistry (IHC). The androgen-mediated effects observed post-flutamide treatment were found at the gonadal level as chemerin, apelin, and vaspin gene expression alterations at mRNA and protein levels were detected, whereas the cellular targets for these adipokines were recognised by localisation of respective receptors in testicular cells. Plasma concentrations of all adipokines were unchanged, whereas plasma cholesterol content and testosterone level increased after flutamide exposure. Differential distribution of adipokine receptors indicates potential para- or autocrine action of the adipokines within the rat testes. Additionally, changes in the expression of PLIN1 and TSPO, involved in the initial step of testosterone synthesis in Leydig cells, suggest that testicular cells represent a target of flutamide action. Increase in the gene expression of PLIN1 and TSPO and higher total plasma cholesterol content indicates enhanced availability of cholesterol in Leydig cells as a result of androgen-mediated effects of flutamide. Alterations in adherens junction protein expression in the testis confirm the flutamide efficacy in disruption of androgen signalling and presumably lead to impaired para- and autocrine communication, important for proper functioning of adipokines.

Objectives: The diverse list of tasks and needs related to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic may lead to different professional experiences in nurses working with patients infected with and not infected with SARS-CoV-2. The aim of the study was to measure the professional challenges of nurses working during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in Poland. Material and Methods: The study was conducted in 2021 in a group of 151 nurses. The following scales were used: the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), the General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES), the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R), the Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire (MSQ-SF), the Areas of Worklife Survey (AWS) and the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey (MBIHSS). Results: Nurses working with patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 showed a positive correlation between workload and emotional exhaustion (p = 0.26, p = 0.02), as well as positive correlations among control, community and depersonalization (p = 0.25, p = 0.02; p = 0.23, p = 0.04). Among nurses working with uninfected patients, positive correlations were found among control, community, fairness and emotional exhaustion (p = 0.40, p = 0.000; p = 0.41, p = 0.000; p = 0.25, p = 0.03), as well as correlations between control and depersonalization (p = 0.33, p = 0.01), and among control, community and personal accomplishment (p = 0.23, p = 0.05; p = 0.27, p = 0.02). Conclusions: Nurses working during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic with infected and uninfected patients both experienced a variety of psychosocial challenges in coping with the demands of their work, social relationships and personal life. Key words: nurses, work, COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, psychosocial challenges, professional challenges