[Impression cytology in patients with dry eye syndrome and various rheumatic diseases].

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the cytological changes of bulbar conjunctiva in patients with various rheumatic diseases and dry eye syndrome.

Material And Methods: 60 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic scleroderma (SScl), primary Sjbgren syndrome (pSS), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and dry eye syndrome were studied. The ocular examination consisted of Schirmer I, break- up time of tear film (BUT), fluorescein and lissamine green staining and impression cytology of bulbar conjunctiva.

[Secondary lethal catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome in 24-years old female patient with overlap syndrome (systemic sclerosis and systemic lupus erythematosus)].

In our article we describe the case of 24 years old woman with overlap syndrome under form of systemic sclerosis and systemic lupus erythematosus complicated by secondary antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). The first manifestation of antiphospholipid syndrome was intrauterine fetal death. Afterwards pulmonary embolism occurred.

[Matrix metalloproteinases and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis].

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disorder of joints characterized by the accumulation of mononuclear cells and the proliferation of the synovium-lining layer. The role of lymphocytes, macrophages and fibroblasts infiltrating the synovium is not fully understood. These cells are supposed to be involved in the tissue destruction by several mechanisms, including the production of proinflammatory cytokines and matrix metalloproteinases.

[Analysis of the acid glycoprotein heterogeneity in patients with arthritis].

The concentration measurement of the acute phase proteins in blood serum has been applied in differential diagnosis of inflammatory arthritis since a long time. However, it appeared that the qualitative changes such as the presence of different glycoforms of the acute phase protein that was a glycoprotein, enabled to differentiate acute inflammatory conditions including the chronic ones, and to determine the dynamics of inflammatory process. This phenomenon is defined as a main heterogeneity, whereas the determination of the proportions of particular glycoforms is known as glycosylation profile.

The influence of doxycycline on articular cartilage in experimental osteoarthrosis induced by iodoacetate.

The experiment was performed on 36 Wistar rats. On the first day of the experiment iodoacetate was administered to the left posterior knee joint of the 18 rats which composed Group I. The second group of 18 rats received additionally doxycycline (doxy) through the gastric tube in doses comparable with those of doxycycline used in humans.

[Kidneys in rheumatoid arthritis].

Kidney pathology is a common phenomenon which is revealed in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Its incidence is estimated at 50-60% of all patients. It is an important clinical problem because it directly affects the outcomes of RA.

[The effect of low dose methotrexate treatment on bone mineral density in patients with rheumatoid arthritis].

To evaluate the bone mineral density (BMD) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treated with MTX or SF. The study consisted of 56 premenopausal women diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Bone mineral density (BMD) of the lower lumbar spine was assessed before starting treatment, and again after 12 months of treatment.