[Influence of chronic glucocorticosteroid therapy on fat free mass in women with severe bronchial asthma].

During lifetime many changes in biochemical and morphological body composition take place. In women those changes are extremely rapid after menopause. Catabolic influence of steroid therapy is an additional factor inducing body composition disturbances.

[The effect of air pollution on pulmonary function in young men from different regions of Poland].

Unlabelled: The aim of study was to evaluate possible influence of air pollution on pulmonary function in the population of 1278 healthy non-smoking young men (18-23 years old) from different parts of Poland. Poland was divided into three regions depending on different concentration of SO2, NO2 and airborne particulate matter (PM10) in the air: region 1 comprised North Poland--agricultural areas with the lowest concentrations of pollution, region 2 comprised Central Poland--big agglomerations with moderate air pollution, region 3 comprised South Poland--big agglomerations and industrial centres with the highest pollution level. Subjects were divided further according to a study place (North Group--subjects from region 1, Central Group--subjects from region 2 and South Group--subjects from region 3).

[Air pollution--impact on the human respiratory system].

Authors present the problem of air-pollution in Central Europe at the turn of centuries. The main sources (natural & antropogenic), main types of pollutants (particularly SO2 and O3), WHO atmospheric air quality Guidelines, outdoor & indoor air pollution, episodic and chronic consequences and mechanisms with clinical effects of air pollution on the respiratory system (function, self-defence) were shortly performed).

[Sleep related breathing disorders in allergology practice].

1/3 of the contemporary population suffers from sleep disorders. Sleep related breathing disorders are very important from the clinical point of view, because they markedly contribute to high morbidity and mortality of this population. Pharyngeal and upper airway obstruction is the main cause of these disorders.