The effect of l-arginine supplementation and surgical trauma on the frequency of myeloid-derived suppressor cells and T lymphocytes in tumour and blood of colorectal cancer patients.

Purpose: l-arginine (L-arg) deficiency causes immunosuppression, but it is unknown if L-arg supplementation in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients restores immune system activity. Our objective was to investigate the effect of L-arg supplementation on the frequency of monocytic (M) and polymorphonuclear (PNM) myeloid-derived suppressor cells (M-MDSCs and PMN-MDSCs, respectively).

Methods: We enrolled 65 CRC patients (34 males, 31 females) aged 69 ​± ​10 years into a prospective, randomised, double-blind study.

Functional assessment of the right ventricle in patients with bronchial asthma of various severity.

Introduction: Pulmonary artery hypertension and its consequences still constitutes an underestimated clinical problem in asthma patients and its non-invasive early detection may influence proper treatment.

Aim: To non-invasively examine the pulmonary artery flow parameters and right ventricular function in patients with asthma of various severity.

Material And Methods: The analysis of parameters of echocardiography and first-pass and gated radionuclide angiography, and baseline examination in 31 patients with bronchial asthma and 16 healthy controls.

Sex-related differences among ischaemic stroke patients treated with intravenous thrombolysis in Poland.

Aim Of Study: We investigated sex differences i n i schaemic s troke p atients t reated w ith i ntravenous a lteplase.

Clinical Rationale For Study: We suggest that it is necessary to improve care for women with atrial fibrillation. Our data suggests that closer evaluation of treatment for ischaemic stroke in men and women is needed, preferably in the form of a prospective study.

Coincidence of PTPN22 c.1858CC and FCRL3 -169CC genotypes as a biomarker of preserved residual β-cell function in children with type 1 diabetes.

Background: Genotype-phenotype studies in type 1 diabetes (T1DM) patients are needed for further development of therapy strategies.

Objective: Our aims were to investigate the distribution of selected PTPN22 and FCRL3 gene polymorphisms and their associations with clinical course of disease in children with newly diagnosed T1DM from the Pomeranian region of Poland.

Subjects/methods: The prospective, longitudinal study of 147 children with newly diagnosed T1DM-autoimmune subtype was conducted.

Reorganization of nutritional therapy can markedly reduce the rate of catheter-related blood stream infections in pediatric patients receiving parenteral nutrition - a 7-year prospective follow-up study.

Background: Implementation of hygienic measures and simple changes in the structure of medical team may considerably reduce the rate of catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs) in parenterally nourished patients.

Aim: To analyze the effects of organizational changes in parenteral nutrition services on the CRBSI rates in pediatric patients.

Methods: We compared the CRBSI rates documented prior to, during and after the implementation of the organizational changes (introduction of a nutritional support team and related procedures, medical staff training).

Maternal smoking modulates fatty acid profile of breast milk.

Aim: We hypothesized that the fatty acid composition of breast milk can be affected by a smoking habit in the mother. Consequently, this study verified whether maternal smoking modulates, and if so to what extent, the breast milk fatty acid profile.

Methods: The study included 20 postpartum women who declared smoking more than five cigarettes daily throughout a period of pregnancy and lactation, and 136 nonsmoking postpartum women.

Anxiety disorders in intimate partners and the quality of their relationship.

Background: The aim of this study was to explain whether anxiety disorders presenting in one or both partners of a relationship can influence the latter and to what extent.

Methods: This study included 85 couples, where: 1) the male partner suffered from an anxiety disorder and female partner was free from this type of disorder (F((-))M((+)), n=20); 2) the female partner suffered from an anxiety disorder and the male partner was free from this type of disorder (F((+))M((-)); n=40); and 3) both partners were affected with anxiety disorders (F((+))M((+)), n=25). The quality of the relationship was assessed by both partners using three different scales: 1) Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS), 2) Family Attitude Scale (FAS), and 3) Marriage Success Scale (SPM).

[Reliability of self-reported maternal smoking during early lactation period].

Unlabelled: Smoking cigarettes is very common among lactating women. The objective evaluation of an exposure to cigarette smoke is needed, as cotinine concentration. On many research a questionnaire is the only determinant of fact and intensification of smoking.

Longitudinal study of vitamins A, E and lipid oxidative damage in human milk throughout lactation.

Background: Little is known about the intensity of oxidative damage in human milk resulting from maternal oxidative stress. The aim of our study was to explore the changes in Total Antioxidant Status (TAS) and concentrations of antioxidative vitamins and isoprostanes (markers of oxidative stress) in human colostrum and mature milk.

Methods: The study included 49 postpartum women with normal, spontaneous full term delivery.

Application of adjusted subpixel method (ASM) in HRCT measurements of the bronchi in bronchial asthma patients and healthy individuals.

Background: Recently, we described a model system which included corrections of high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) bronchial measurements based on the adjusted subpixel method (ASM).

Objective: To verify the clinical application of ASM by comparing bronchial measurements obtained by means of the traditional eye-driven method, subpixel method alone and ASM in a group comprised of bronchial asthma patients and healthy individuals.

Methods: The study included 30 bronchial asthma patients and the control group comprised of 20 volunteers with no symptoms of asthma.

TGF-beta(1), IL-10 and IL-4 in colostrum of allergic and nonallergic mothers.

Objective: To determine transforming growth factor (TGF) beta(1), interleukin (IL) 4, and IL-10 concentrations in human milk and to assess the relationship between allergic disorders in mothers and the content of the interleukins in their milk.

Material And Methods: Thirty allergic and 46 healthy mothers were included in the study. Colostrum was collected 2-3 days after delivery.

[The comparison of selected spirometric parameters with functional muscles exercise evaluation in patients with myasthenia].

Unlabelled: Pathological skeletal muscle weakness is an axial clinical symptom of myasthenia (MG). Diminished respiratory muscular force can be manifested by decreased peak expiratory flow (PEF) value.

Material And Methods: Patients aged 13-77 years were studied at which according to Osserman classification ocular form (the type I) or generalized form (the type II) was diagnosed (n = 68).

[Milk in the diet of children between 7 and 24 months of age].

The Aim Of This Study: was to estimate what kind of milk is administrated to children between 7-23 months of age in Poland.

Material And Methods: the study included 1390 children 13-36 months of age, from 4 different regions in Poland. Data were obtained on the basis of questionnaires filled in by mothers visiting the outpatient clinic.

[Etiology of community - acquired acute diarrhea in children].

The Aim: of the study was to analyse the etiology of home acute diarrhea in children.

Material And Methods: 2636 children with community-acquired acute diarrhea were included in the study. Stool samples were analysed for the presence of Salmonella spp, Shigella spp, rotaviruses and adenoviruses.