Fecal lactoferrin, a marker of intestinal inflammation in children with inflammatory bowel disease.

The aim of this study was to analyze the usefulness of fecal lactoferrin in the diagnosis and monitoring of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in children. The study included 52 children with IBD (24 with Crohn's disease and 28 with ulcerative colitis) aged between 0.92 and 18 years, and 41 IBD-free controls of similar age.

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.

Maternal smoking decreases antioxidative status of human breast milk.

Objective: To evaluate the influence of maternal smoking on antioxidative capacity and intensity of oxidative damage in breast milk.

Study Design: The study group (n=30) was comprised of postpartum women who declared smoking more than five cigarettes per day during pregnancy and lactation (confirmed by the urinalysis of cotinine concentration), and their newborns. Control group included 29 non-smoking postpartum women and their newborns.

Cystic fibrosis is a risk factor for celiac disease.

Background: The coexistence of cystic fibrosis (CF) and celiac disease (CD) has been reported. To our knowledge there is no study directly comparing the incidence of CD in CF patients to that in the general population at the same time. There is no published data on genetic predisposition to CD in CF patients either.

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.

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.

[Analysis of risk factor treatment failures in therapeutic programme for malignant germ cell tumours in children. Multicentre prospective study of Polish Pediatric Group for Solid Tumours 1998--2006].

Aims: The aim of the study was the analysis of risk factors of therapeutic failures in children with malignant germ cell tumours treated within the multicentre programme of PPGGL from 1999--2006.

Materials And Methods: The investigated group included 18 (14.3%) patients, of 123 who have finished the treatment of malignant germ cell tumour, in whom no remission was obtained or relapse occurred.

[Evaluation of selected immunocompetent cells expression in gastric mucosa in children with Helicobacter pylori infection before and after eradication treatment--a preliminary study].

Introduction: Helicobacter pylori infection activates local immunological response and causes mononuclear cells infiltration in the gastric mucosa. On this account the studies on lymphocyte subpopulations in the gastric mucosa in children during Helicobacter pylori infections are inconsistent. It has been shown that the morphological status of gastric mucosa in children with Helicobacter pylori infection is different than in adult patients.

[Therapy of chronic viral hepatitis type B in children after previous ineffective interferon-alpha treatment].

Unlabelled: THE AIM of this study was to estimate the efficacy of nucleoside analogue (lamivudine) in the therapy of chronic viral hepatitis type B in children, after previous, ineffective treatment with interferon-alpha.

Patients And Methods: we analyzed 53 children with chronic viral hepatitis type B, who had not responded to Interferon-alpha treatment conducted 1-7,5 years before this study (mean 4,0 +/- 7,5; median 4 years). Inclusive criteria to re-therapy with lamivudine were as follows: increased serum alanine aminotransferase activity, detected at least three times during 6 months before treatment, HBsAg and HBeAg present in the blood, viral HBV DNA detected for at least 6 months before the beginning of lamivudine therapy (above 200 genome copies per mL) and inflammation activity observed in liver biopsy specimen (biopsy performed within previous 24 months).

[HBV gene variants and polymerse gene mutations in children with chronic hepatitis B in the course of the antiviral therapy].

Unlabelled: THE AIM OF THE STUDY was to evaluate the occurrence of HBV genotypes and the emergence of polymerase gene mutations in children with chronic hepatitis B in the course of the lamivudine therapy.

Material And Methods: eighteen children (aged from 6 to 15 years, mean age 11,8 years, 10 boys and 8 girls) with chronic hepatitis B were included in the study. All patients were treated with 100 mg lamivudine tablets given daily orally for 12-16 months.

Acute acalculous cholecystitis of viral etiology--a rare condition in children?

Acute acalculous cholecystitis (AAC) comprises 5% to 10% of all cases of acute cholecystitis in adults and appears to be even less frequently diagnosed in children. The diagnosis of AAC is established upon some clinical, laboratory, and ultrasonographic findings, which may sometimes be ambiguous and confusing especially in children. Diagnostic difficulties may result in either delayed diagnosis or unnecessary surgical intervention.

[Analysis of enteral nervous system in children with drug resistant ulcerative colitis].

Introduction: pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel diseases has been intensively investigated for many years. The role of enteric nervous system (ENS) and neuroprotective transmitters such as galanine (GAL), vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and pituitary adenosine cyclase activating peptide (PACAP) has been underlined recently. Neuroprotective transmitters play a role in the regulation of intestinal contractions, ion transport in the intestinal epithelium and modulation of the proinflammatory cytokine production, which may result in diminuation of inflammation.

Serum gastrin concentration and changes in G and D cell densities in gastric antrum in children with chronic gastritis.

Background: Elevated gastrin concentration leading to gastritis is explained as the effect of change in the density of D and G cells. The aim of the study was to determine and compare fasting serum gastrin concentrations, G and D cell densities in gastric antrum mucosa in children with chronic gastritis and in children with no gastritis or Helicobacter pylori infection.

Material And Methods: A total of 184 patients aged 6-18 years, with chronic abdominal pain underwent endoscopic examination.

[Does chemotherapy and radiotherapy influence the level of oxidative stress in children with malignant bone tumours?].

Unlabelled: Reactive oxygen species may play a role in initiation, promotion and progression of malignancies. Radiotherapy of neoplasms is a strong egzogenous source of reactive oxygen species. Chemotherapy with anthracyclines is also a source of reactive oxygen species.

[Plasma protein peroxidation as a marker of oxidative stress intensity and antioxidant barrier activity in children who have completed treatment for neoplastic diseases].

Unlabelled: Reactive oxygen species are engaged in the process of carcinogenesis. It was found that oxidative stress level is significantly elevated in children with neoplasms. Moreover, their antioxidant barrier is deficient and does not control free radical reactions.

[Testicular malignant tumours. Efficacy of germ cell and sex cord tumours treatment protocol in Poland].

Unlabelled: Approximately 2% of of all malignant tumours in boys are localised in the testis. Among them 80% are germ cell tumours with the malignant elements of yolk sac tumour. AIM of the study was evaluation of the efficacy of malignant testicular tumour treatment programme in children.

[Ovarian malignant tumours. Efficacy of germ cell and sex cord tumour treatment protocol in Poland].

Unlabelled: Approximately 1% of all malignant tumours among children are localized in the ovary. The majority belongs to germ cell tumours and occurs in the peripubertal period. AIM of the study was the evaluation of the efficacy of malignant ovarian germ cell tumour treatment programme in children.

[Assessment of angiogenesis in children' s osteosarcoma].

Introduction: Tumour angiogenesis is one of the most important hallmarks of cancer, which enables its development, progression and metastasizing. The extent of angiogenesis seems to be an essential prognostic factor in many solid tumours of children and adults. There have also been reports on the significance of angiogenesis in osteosarcoma.

[Pulmonary metastases in children with solid tumours--own experiences].

Background: The most frequent reasons of relapses in solid tumours among children are lung metastases.

Aim: Analysis of lung metastatic cases among children with solid tumours treated from 1995-2005.

Material And Methods: 26 lung metastatic cases (17 males, 9 females) were analysed.

[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.

[Giardiasis in children - clinical diversity and diagnostic problems based on own experience].

Unlabelled: Parasitosis still remains a significant pediatric health problem, despite improving hygienic conditions and social awareness.

The Aim Of This Study: was to analyze clinical manifestations of Giardia lamblia infection in children hospitalized in the Department of Pediatrics, Pediatric Gastroenterology and Oncology of Medical University of Gdansk.

Material And Methods: studied children included 49 patients aged 2.

[Changes in the number of neuroprotective transmitter containing mucosal nerve fibres in children with ulcerative colitis].

Introduction: Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease are two main disease entities that belong to the group of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). Chronic inflammatory process concerning intestinal mucosal membrane causes structural and functional changes of intestinal nervous system. This phenomenon is called the plasticity of the nervous system and is due to the ability of nerve cells to adapt to changing environmental conditions.

[Tryptase activity in colon mucosal samples of children with inflammatory bowel disease].

Introduction: mast cells are dispersed in many tissues, especially in the digestive and respiratory system mucosal membranes. Tryptase is the most important proteinase released from mast cells after degranulation. It influences strongly the cells and tissues by activating the inflammatory process.