Helicobacter pylori increases expression of proapoptotic markers Fas and FasL on CD4 lymphocytes in children.

The pathomechanism of Helicobacter pylori action upon gastric mucosa and its role in the pathogenesis of gastritis have not been fully elucidated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the most prevalent lymphocyte subpopulations of the gastric mucosa in gastritis in children, as well as to evaluate the expression of Fas and Fas ligand receptors (FasL), periapoptotic markers of gastric mucosa lymphocytes before and after H. pylori eradication.

[Inflammatory bowel disease in children--an analysis of the clinical symptoms and selected biochemical parameters].

Aim Of The Study: an analysis of clinical symptoms and laboratory tests in children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Patients And Methods: eighty-nine children with IBD (58 with ulcerative colitis (UC) and 31 with Crohn's disease (CD) diagnosed on the basis of clinical symptoms, endoscopic and histopathological examination, were qualified into the studied group. Disease activity was evaluated by using Truelowe-Witts scale for UC and PCDA9 scale for CD cases.

[Dysphagia and gastroesophageal reflux in children with oesophageal atresia with tracheo-oesophageal fistula after succesful surgery treatment. Own observations].

Background: current succesful surgery of oesophageal atresia with tracheo-oesophageal fistula leads to increased survival of the affected newborns Hence late complications of the defect itself or those due to surgical methods occur more often.

Aim Of The Study: was to establish on the base of own observations, the frequency of swallowing problems, gastro-esophageal reflux and oesophagitis after successful surgery of oesophageal atresia.

Material And Methods: we investigated 17 patients after successful surgery of oesophageal atresia and tracheo-oesophageal fistula, performed during the first days of life, in the Department of Paediatric Surgery, Medical University of Gdańsk (chief prof Czesław Stoba).

Fecal pyruvate kinase: a potential new marker for intestinal inflammation in children with inflammatory bowel disease.

Objective: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in children creates diagnostic and clinical challenges. Clinical data, endoscopic appearance and the histopathological assessment of biopsies are essential for diagnosis. However, new methods are required for non-invasive follow-up.

[Gastroesophageal reflux disease presenting as severe bronchial asthma in an 18 months old child].

It is known that gastro-esophageal reflux can trigger bronchospasm among children with asthma and cystic fibrosis as well as in children without chronic respiratory tract disorders. In our practice we have met only once with the case of a child misdiagnosed as having severe asthma in whom surgical treatment of gastro-esophageal reflux disease ended with full withdrawal of respiratory symptoms. On the basis of this case we conclude that the diagnostic procedures should be performed in cases of asthma resistant to typical treatment.

TGF-beta (transforming growth factor-beta) in chronic inflammatory conditions - a new diagnostic and prognostic marker?

TGF-beta is a cytokine with varied properties and pleiotropic activity. It is released in an inactive form. To exhibit its biological activity, it requires binding to extracellular matrix proteins and, after that, proteolytic elimination of LAP (Latent Associated Protein) and LTBP (Latent TGF-beta Binding Protein).

Frequency, consequences and pharmacological treatment of gastroesophageal reflux in children with cystic fibrosis.

Background: Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) may aggravate chronic bronchopulmonary diseases. The study evaluated GER frequency and characteristics in children with Cystic Fibrosis (CF) as well as its consequences and pharmacological treatment.

Material/methods: 40 CF children aged 1.