[Energy metabolism in the failing heart].

Daily heart consumption of energy (about 6 kg of ATP) exceeds significantly energy consumption of other organs. Deprivation of energy is considered as one of the main factors in development of heart failure. Currently available research methods permit not only to evaluate more precisely the role of impaired energy metabolism in the heart failure, but also give a hope for the future metabolic therapy.

[Hypercholesterolaemia among patients of the cardiology ward of a Regional Hospital in Wejherowo].

The strong positive relationship between cholesterolaemia and ischaemic heart disease is unquestioned and comes from several lines of evidence. In this paper results of questionnaire studies concerning cholesterolemia performed among patients of the Cardiology Ward of a Regional Hospital in Wejherowo are presented.

[Weak anti-inflammatory effects of acetaminophen are related with its free radicals scavenger activity].

The main target of acetaminophen application is bifunctional enzyme--prostaglandin endoperoxide H2 synthase (PGHS)--which has cyclo-oxygenase and peroxidase activities and synthesizes initial intermediates in prostanoid synthesis. The reaction catalyzed by PGHS is radical-based and it is initiated and then maintained by the constant presence of peroxides especially peroxynitrate, which generate so-called "peroxide tone" in the enzyme surrounding. Currently it is known that inhibitory effect of acetaminophen on PGHS activity is directly connected with the elimination of "peroxide tone".

[Diabetes and road traffic collisions].

Insulin-treated diabetes influences motor vehicle driving mainly through the possibility to induce hypoglycemia in patients. However, there has never been any consistent evidence to suggest that patients with insulin-treated diabetes cause significantly more accidents than the general population. Diabetes and its complications have very various individual courses in patients, because of that candidates for driver's license should always be qualified individually.

[Mild clinical course of left ventricular pseudoaneurysm].

Left ventricular pseudoaneurysm from myocardial infarction is rare but is associated with a high risk of rapid enlargement and rupture. This report describes a 57 year old woman with left ventricular pseudoaneurysm and delayed surgical repair. Seven weeks after myocardial infarction control transthoracic echocardiography revealed a inferolateral left ventricular pseudoaneurysm.

[Significant periodical fluctuation of insulin requirement in patients with type 2 diabetes].

We have described three physicians aged 65-70 years, who had noticed during their insulintherapy significant, periodically recurrent variations of insulin requirement (max. 50 i.u.

[Spontaneous regression of cancer--review of cases from 1988 to 2006].

Spontaneous regression of malignant tumours is a rare and enigmatic phenomenon. We reviewed the cases of spontaneous regression of cancer in medical literature according to MEDLINE database in the period 1988-2006 and compared them with similar reviews from 1900-1987 period. The number of reported cases of spontaneous regression increased steadily in XX century, probably due to a rising interest in this problem and new possibilities of radiological and biopsy examinations.

[Recurrence of pheochromocytoma in the second adrenal gland 19 years after adrenalectomy].

A case of the patient who underwent by bilateral adrenalectomy at the age of 37 and 56 years due to recurrent pheochromocytoma has been described. The authors stress that follow-up of patients after adrenalectomy is mandatory on lifetime basis.

[The assessment of age-standardised cancer incidence rates in the chosen organ systems].

Age-standardised cancer incidence rates in reproductive system, digestive system and respiratory system were analyzed taking into account the statistics for 38 States of USA (1996-2001), European Union (2006) and Europe (2006). Age-standardized incidence rate in the reproductive system was higher in comparison with the corresponding rates for digestive and respiratory systems. The authors put under discussion a hypothesis of this phenomenon.

[Tobacco smoking and multiple primary cancers].

Seventy six patients (55 males and 21 females) aged from 39 to 89 (mean 63.7 +/- 9.7) years with multiple primary cancers were described.

[Late recurrence of malignant tumours 20 years after diagnosis and treatment].

Late recurrence of malignant tumours is very rare phenomenon. Seven cases of late recurrent malignancy (melanoma--2 cases, clear cell renal cancer, stomach sarcoma, breast cancer, basal cell carcinoma, ovarian cancer) after 20-32 (average 22.3) years from diagnosis and treatment were described.

[No influence of imatinib on type 2 diabetes].

Five patients with type 2 diabetes, three of them treated with insulin and two with oral antidiabetic drugs, receiving imatinib due to chronic myeolid leukaemia are reported. Treatment with imatinib 400 mg/day for 7 to 37 (mean 24.2) months had no positive effect on clinical course of type 2 diabetes.

[Insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes patients].

Among 1052 type 2 diabetics 11 patients with insulin requirement from 102 to 138 (average 123) i.u. were selected.

[Perspectives of inhaled insulin treatment].

In the article some merits and some limitations of inhaled insulin (Exubera produced by Pfizer) in the treatment of adult patients with type 1 or 2 diabetes were presented. Up till now about 3500 volunteers usually in short-term study periods (6 months) were examined. Some patients were observed in the course of treatment even 4-7 years.

[The role of intestine in detoxification].

In the result of liver detoxification, xenobiotics change into more water soluble and thus easier for excretion from the body. It is convenient to consider this process as occurring in two phases. In phase I, the major reactions involved are hydroxylation, catalyzed by monoxygenases.

[Heme oxygenase as a potential therapeutic target for hepatoprotection].

Heme oxygenase (HO) is the rate limiting enzyme in the breakdown of heme into carbon monoxide (CO), iron and biliverdin. To date three mammalian HO isozymes have been identified, and only one of them (HO-1) is inducible. The products of HO-catalyzed reaction, particularly CO and biliverdin/bilirubin have been shown to exert protective effects in the liver against different noxious stimuli.

[Drug counterfeiting--the risk to the public health].

Unlabelled: Pharmaceutical counterfeiting and purchasing medicines from illegal distribution channels have become more and more common problem in our country. Different medicines, especially erectile dysfunction drugs are involved. The aim of this study was the qualitative analysis of fake Levitra tablets and the estimation of the risk they bear to potential users.

[Side effects after the usage of Chinese dieting product Meizitanc].

Unlabelled: Side effects of self-treatment of eight obese women aged between 28 and 45 (average 36.5) with the body mass index (BMI) between 28 and 32 (average 30) kg/m2 have been described. All these women, without any medical consultation and upon their own will had been using Meizitanc as the only remedy for slimming.

Heat stroke complicated by liver failure and hyperbilirubinaemia--a case report.

Heat stroke may appear as a result of exposure to high environmental temperature or strenuous exercise. It represents a medical emergency characterized by an elevated core body temperature and multi-organ failure. We have described a case of a 41 year-old female after sun exposure, who was admitted to the hospital with the temperature of 42 degrees C.

[Acute intoxication with hydrogen peroxide with air emboli in central nervous system--a case report].

Unlabelled: 54-year-old woman with brain gas emboli after an accidental ingestion of concentrated hydrogen peroxide was described. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is a water-soluble, caustic liquid. Exposure to concentrated (> 30-35%) hydrogen peroxide may cause cardiorespiratory insufficiency, shock, convulsions, coma, and chemical burns of skin and mucous membranes.

[Drug-induced liver failure caused by thiamazole and methimazole--a case report].

Unlabelled: Drug-induced liver injury might be responsible for 1 of 600 to 3500 of all hospital admissions. About 2-3% of all drug adverse effects may be connected with the liver. There could be pure injury of heaptic cells or impairment of hepatocellular bile secretion.