Emphysema and lung cancer risk.

Background: With increasing significance of lung cancer screening programs, it is essential to determine the group of participants, who would benefit the most from screening. In our study, we aimed to establish the correlation between lung emphysema and lung cancer risk.

Methods: The study design was cross-sectional.

Evaluation of the Organisation of the COVID-19 Vaccination Process by the Teachers in a Region of Poland.

The aim of this study was to assess the organisational process of vaccination within the National Vaccination Programme against COVID-19 (NVP) in the professional group of teachers in Pomeranian Province, Poland. The main goal of the survey was to assess the quality of planning and executing of the NVP and to find a correlation between social and employment placements with the level of perception of chosen quality indicators of the NVP. The presented cross-sectional survey was conducted among 4622 teachers from all levels of education in public and non-public institutions who received the SARS-CoV-2 virus vaccination campaign with the vaccine from AstraZeneca as part of the NVP.

Assessment of the Carotid Bodies in Magnetic Resonance-A Head-to-Head Comparison with Computed Tomography.

Objectives: To evaluate carotid body visibility in contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance (MR) studies and to compare the results to contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT).

Methods: Two observers separately evaluated MR and CT examinations of 58 patients. MR scans were acquired with contrast-enhanced isometric T1-weighted water-only Dixon sequence.

The usefulness of selected sequences of magnetic resonance imaging in a diagnostic model for Crohn's disease.

Introduction: We hypothesized that, based on magnetic resonance enterography (MRE) and the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), measured in the affected parts of the intestine, it is possible to effectively differentiate active and chronic phases of Crohn's disease.

Aim: To create a multidimensional diagnostic model for differentiating between the phases of Crohn's disease.

Material And Methods: This study included 125 patients - 55 women (aged 19 to 66 years) and 70 men (aged 12 to 67 years) - who underwent MRE and ADC measurement for the first time.

Effect of Glucocorticoid Administration in Intravenous Pulses on Selected Parameters of the Coagulation System.

Background: Changes of the coagulation system are promoted by serious infectious or noninfectious diseases, surgical procedures, and exogenous substances, including drugs. This study aimed to assess the effect of methylprednisolone pulses on selected parameters of the coagulation system.

Methods: The study group consisted of patients suffering from multiple sclerosis, thyroid orbitopathy, or sudden sensorineural hearing loss.

Diagnostic value of diffusion tensor imaging in patients with clinical signs of cervical spondylotic myelopathy.

Aim Of The Study: The aim of this study was to assess the diagnostic value of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) in patients with symptoms of cervical myelopathy. Detailed goals included determining the diagnostic effectiveness of quantitative parameters, i.e.

The Emerging Role of MR Urography in Imaging Megaureters in Children.

Introduction: Megaureter, described as ureter dilatation more than 7 mm in diameter, commonly associated with other anomalies, is still a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. Magnetic resonance urography (MRU) appears as a promising method in urinary tract imaging, providing both anatomical and functional information. There are several postprocessing tools to assess renal function (including differential renal function) and severity of ureteral obstruction based on MRU.

A Comparability of Renal Length and Volume Measurements in MRI and Ultrasound in Children.

Despite the significant increase in use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in children, there is still a lack of normal reference values of renal size in this method and reference values are being interpolated from the ultrasound (US) studies. The study provides comparative analysis of agreement in renal length and volume measurements between MRI and ultrasound. Ninety-three children with a mean age of 8.

MRI-Derived Subcutaneous and Visceral Adipose Tissue Reference Values for Children Aged 6 to Under 18 Years.

The assessment of body composition in pediatric population is essential for proper nutritional support during hospitalization. However, currently available methods have limitations. This study aims to propose a novel approach for nutrition status assessment and introduce magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-derived subcutaneous and visceral fat normative reference values.

Higher Responsiveness to Rosuvastatin in Polygenic versus Monogenic Hypercholesterolaemia: A Propensity Score Analysis.

Unlabelled: Background The monogenic defect in familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is detected in ∼40% of cases. The majority of mutation-negative patients have a polygenic cause of high LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C). We sought to investigate whether the underlying monogenic or polygenic defect is associated with the response to rosuvastatin.

Invasive Assessment of the Myocardial Microcirculation during Beating Heart Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting.

Coronary artery bypass grafting may be associated with several cardiac complications, including ischemia, acute myocardial infarction, arrhythmias, or hemodynamic instability. Accumulating evidence suggests that well-developed coronary collateral circulation may protect against adverse effects, including myocardial ischemia. Assessment of myocardial microvascular perfusion is, therefore, of great clinical interest in beating heart surgery.

The correlation between the MRI-evaluated ectopic fat accumulation and the incidence of diabetes mellitus and hypertension depends on body mass index and waist circumference ratio.

The widespread presence of overweight and obesity increases with every decade, and the number of people with body mass index (BMI) >30 kg/m2 has doubled in the last 30 years. The aim of the study is to assess the correlation between MRI-evaluated ectopic fat accumulation in pancreas, skeletal muscles and liver and the incidence of type 2 diabetes and hypertension, depending on BMI and waist circumference ratio. This prospective study included 267 consecutive patients who were referred to abdominal MRI and underwent a standard clinical assessment with BMI and waist circumference ratio calculation.

Selected adipocytokines in patients with an incidentally discovered pheochromocytoma.

Background: Adipose tissue secretes many adipokines and cytokines, which may be an additional risk factor of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases in patients with an incidentally discovered pheochromocytoma (PHEO). The aim of the study was to investigate levels of selected adipocytokines in these patients.

Methods: This prospective study included 12 patients with an incidentally discovered PHEO and 18 healthy participants.

MRI assessment of ectopic fat accumulation in pancreas, liver and skeletal muscle in patients with obesity, overweight and normal BMI in correlation with the presence of central obesity and metabolic syndrome.

Obesity, defined as a body mass index (BMI) exceeding 30 kg/m, is a serious health problem, which can be called an epidemic on a global scale and is one of the most important causes of preventable death. The aim of this study was to assess ectopic fat accumulation in pancreas, liver and skeletal muscle in patients with obesity, overweight and normal BMI in correlation with metabolic syndrome (MetS). The study included 267 consecutive patients who underwent a standard clinical assessment with BMI calculation.

Computed tomography indicators of cerebral microperfusion improve long term after carotid stenting in symptomatic patients.

Objectives: We tested the hypothesis that computed tomography (CT) perfusion markers of cerebral microcirculation would improve 36 months after internal carotid artery stenting for symptomatic carotid stenosis while results obtained 6-8 weeks after the stenting procedure would yield a predictive value.

Methods: We recruited consecutive eligible patients with >70% symptomatic carotid stenosis with a complete circle of Willis and normal vertebral arteries to the observational cohort study. We detected changes in the cerebral blood flow (CBF), cerebral blood volume (CBV), mean transit time (MTT), time to peak (TTP) and permeability surface area-product (PS) before and after carotid stenting.

Adipokine and cytokine levels in patients with adrenocortical cancer, subclinical Cushing's syndrome and healthy controls.

Introduction: In recent years researchers have focused at hormonal activity in Cushing's syndrome (CS) in connection with metabolic disorders and the role of adipokines and cytokines secreted by the adipose tissue. The aim of the study was to investigate levels of adipokines and cytokines in patients with: subclinical CS (SCS) - in relation to hormonal parameters of hypercortisolemia, and, adrenocortical cancer (ACC).

Materials And Methods: The study included 20 SCS as well as 7 ACC patients, and 18 healthy participants.

Late Aortic Remodeling after Endovascular Repair of Complicated Type B Aortic Dissection-TEVAR Protects Only the Covered Segment of Thoracic Aorta.

Background: TEVAR is the preferred way of treatment of complicated type B aortic dissection. The purpose of the study was to assess the impact of TEVAR on aortic remodeling in the thoracic and abdominal segment in long-term follow-up.

Methods: Twenty-three patients with complicated type B aortic dissection were treated by TEVAR in years 2004-2012 in our department.

Adipokine and cytokine levels in non-functioning adrenal incidentalomas (NFAI).

Due to the fact that overweight or obesity is accompanied by hormonally active adrenal tumors: Cushing Syndrome-(CS) and Subclinical Cushing Syndrome (SCS), it is of high interest the correlation between different adipokines and cytokines secreted by adipose tissue, with metabolic disorders and hormonal activity in this group. Even in non-functioning adrenal incidentalomas (NFAI) elevated risk for cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome was demonstrated. The aim of the study was to investigate plasma adiponectin, leptin, resistin, tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα), interleukin 6 (IL6) and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP1) levels in patients with NFAIs and healthy subjects.

Nontoxic Goiter (NTG) and Radioiodine: What Do Patients Think About It? Quality of Life in Patients with NTG Before and After 131-I Therapy.

Objective: Despite numerous publications regarding nontoxic goiter (NTG) treatment and an increasing interest in patients' quality of life, few studies present the outcome of 131-I treatment from the patients' perspective. Our study's main aim was to verify whether there is any improvement in life quality following 131-I treatment.

Materials And Methods: Thirty-five patients with NTG qualified to participate in the study.

Regional resting state perfusion variability and delayed cerebrovascular uniform reactivity in subjects with chronic carotid artery stenosis.

The aim of this study was to assess regional perfusion at baseline and regional cerebrovascular resistance (CVR) to delayed acetazolamide challenge in subjects with chronic carotid artery stenosis. Sixteen patients (ten males) aged 70.94±7.

Visualizing Carotid Bodies With Doppler Ultrasound Versus CT Angiography: Preliminary Study.

Objective: The purpose of this article is to evaluate the utility of ultrasound in identifying carotid bodies (CBs) in patients with drug-resistant arterial hypertension.

Subjects And Methods: We enrolled 13 patients with drug-resistant hypertension into a trial for surgical CB excision. CT angiography (CTA) and Doppler ultrasound (DUS) of the cervical arteries were performed before surgery.

A pilot study with flow mediated skin fluorescence: A novel device to assess microvascular endothelial function in coronary artery disease.

Background: Endothelial dysfunction is one of the earliest vascular manifestations in the pathogen-esis of cardiovascular disease. Noninvasive, simple, and inexpensive methods of endothelial function assessment are therefore needed.

Methods: Microvascular endothelial function was assessed in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients by flow mediated skin fluorescence (FMSF), based on measurements of reduced form of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) fluorescence intensity during brachial artery occlusion (ischemic re-sponse [IRmax]) and immediately after occlusion (hyperemic response [HRmax]).

Carotid Artery Stenting and Blood-Brain Barrier Permeability in Subjects with Chronic Carotid Artery Stenosis.

Failure of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a critical event in the development and progression of diseases such as acute ischemic stroke, chronic ischemia or small vessels disease that affect the central nervous system. It is not known whether BBB breakdown in subjects with chronic carotid artery stenosis can be restrained with postoperative recovery of cerebral perfusion. The aim of the study was to assess the short-term effect of internal carotid artery stenting on basic perfusion parameters and permeability surface area-product (PS) in such a population.

Comparison of voiding cystourethrography and urosonography with second-generation contrast agents in simultaneous prospective study.

Background: The invasiveness and exposure to radiation in voiding cystourethrography led to the introduction of alternative methods of diagnosis of vesicoureteral reflux, including contrast enhanced voiding urosonography. While there is a limited number of studies comparing these methods using new generation ultrasound contrast agents, none of them compared both methods simultaneously. This study is aimed at assessing agreement between contrast enhanced voiding urosonography with second-generation ultrasound contrast agents and voiding cystourethrography.

Morphometric evaluation of the delayed cerebral arteries response to acetazolamide test in patients with chronic carotid artery stenosis using computed tomography angiography.

Background: The evidence accumulates that the response to acetazolamide test is delayed on the ipsilateral side to stenosis. However, the effect of acetazolamide beyond 30 min after acetazolamide administration remains unknown. The aim of this study was to assess the diameters of anterior cerebral arteries (ACAs), middle cerebral arteries (MCAs) and posterior cerebral arteries (PCAs) before and 60 min after the acetazolamide test.