Insulin-like growth factor type 2 is a better survival marker than insulin-like growth factor type 1 in patients after acute decompensated heart failure.

Introduction: A decreased insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) level has been found in heart failure (HF). There are no reports assessing IGF-2 in HF, although research has shown that IGF-2 stimulates cardiomyocyte proliferation more than IGF-1. The study aim was to compare the IGF-1 and IGF-2 concentrations depending on HF exacerbation and annual survival.

Pregnancy Ketonemia and Development of the Fetal Central Nervous System.

Glucose is the major source of energy for the human brain which in turn uses ketone bodies as a supplement for energy deficit in glucose cell deficiency conditions. Pregnancy complicated by gestational diabetes is a condition associated with significantly increased risk of ketonemia development. The data available proves a changing influence of ketones on the central nervous system during fetal life and in adults as well.

The influence of a ten-week Nordic walking training-rehabilitation program on the level of lipids in blood in overweight and obese postmenopausal women.

[Purpose] The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a ten-week Nordic Walking (NW) rehabilitation program on chosen anthropometric parameters and the level of basic lipids in overweight and obese postmenopausal women's blood. [Subjects and Methods] The subjects were 32 women aged 50-68 (average: 59.7 ± 5.

Self-monitoring of blood glucose in diabetes: from evidence to clinical reality in Central and Eastern Europe--recommendations from the international Central-Eastern European expert group.

Self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) is universally considered to be an integral part of type 1 diabetes management and crucial for optimizing the safety and efficacy of complex insulin regimens. This extends to type 2 diabetes patients on intensive insulin therapy, and there is also a growing body of evidence suggesting that structured SMBG is beneficial for all type 2 diabetes patients, regardless of therapy. However, access to SMBG can be limited in many countries in Central and Eastern Europe.

Lactic acidosis occurrence during exercises in the smoke chamber in a 53-year-old firefighter with no significant medical history.

Lactic acidosis is a form of metabolic acidosis with a high anion gap, reduced rate of arterial blood pH under 7.35 mmol/l, and lactic acid concentration over 7 mmol/l. In the literature we can find some descriptions of the cases of lactic acidosis in patients with severe systemic diseases (cancer, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, sepsis, diabetes with cardiovascular disease and after organ transplantations).

Pathomechanisms of the development of obesity in some endocrinopathies - an overview.

Obesity is a disease in which the excess of accumulated body fat has an adverse effect on health and consequently leads to a reduced life expectancy. It is a typical 'disease of civilisation', and is a serious public health problem because of a significant increase in its prevalance. It is also a common symptom in a variety of endocrine disorders, but the factors responsible for the development of obesity in endocrinopathies have not been clearly identified.

Occurrence and predictors of left ventricular systolic dysfunction at hospital discharge and in long-term follow-up after acute myocardial infarction treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention.

Background: Post-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) has been identified as an important marker of poor prognosis.

Aim: To assess the prevalence and course of LVSD at hospital discharge and in long-term follow-up in STEMI patients treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI).

Methods: We enrolled 205 patients (157 male, 48 female) with a first STEMI.

Value of oral glucose tolerance test in the acute phase of myocardial infarction.

Background: Although European guidelines advise oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) before or shortly after hospital discharge, data supporting this recommendation are inconclusive. We aimed to analyze whether disturbances in glucose metabolism diagnosed before hospital discharge in AMI patients represents a latent pre-existing condition or rather temporary finding. Additionally, we planned to investigate the value of pre-selected glycemic control parameters as predictors of long-term glucometabolic state.

An evaluation of visfatin levels in obese subjects.

Introduction: Visfatin is a protein secreted by adipose tissue, which shows insulin mimetic properties. The role of visfatin in the development of obesity, diabetes mellitus, and metabolic syndrome continues to raise controversy. The aim of the study was to evaluate visfatin levels and to attempt to establish the relationship between visfatin and selected anthropometric and biochemical parameters in obese individuals.

Spontaneous baroreflex sensitivity in subjects with type 1 diabetes with and without cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy.

Introduction: The clinical usefulness of baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) in the early detection of autonomic dysfunction in patients with diabetes is not well established. The aim of the study was the evaluation of BRS in subjects with type 1 diabetes with and without cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy (CAN).

Material And Methods: The group examined consisted of 39 patients with type 1 diabetes (mean age 30.

Coagulation and fibrinolysis variables in pregnant women with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Background: Many studies have reported changes in the hemostatic system in patients with type 1 diabetes in whom coagulation processes predominate over fibrinolytic activity. The aim of this study was to assess some of the hemostatic variables during pregnancy women with in type 1 diabetes.

Material/methods: The current study included 31 pregnant diabetic women and 24 healthy pregnant women.

[Assessment of selected factors influencing birthweight in pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus].

Objectives: Giving birth to a chi;d with an excessive brithweight is one of the most common neonate complications observed in the pregnant women with gestation diabetes (GDM).

Design: The aim of the study was an evaluation of selected factors affecting birthweight in the GDM.

Materials And Methods: Data from 867 pregnant women were analysed.

[Early development of Charcot neuroarthropathy in the course of compensated diabetes mellitus--case report].

Charcot neuroarthropathy (CN)--chronic and progressive, destructive disease of bones and joints, which develops on the background of neuropathy, is late and uncommon complication of diabetes. It occurs almost exclusively in patients with a mean duration of diabetes at least 10 years. We report the case of woman, who developed an acute phase of CN 11 months after recognition of diabetes.

The role of intrinsic fibrinolytic system activation in pathogenesis of hemostasis disturbances in hemodialyzed patients with chronic renal failure.

In the hemodialysis patient, hemostasis changes may occur. The contribution of fibrinolysis in pathogenesis of these disorders is unclear. The aim of the study was to estimate intrinsic fibrinolysis pathway in patients treated with hemodialysis (HD) because of chronic renal failure caused by chronic glomerulonephritis.