Electrocardiographic diagnosis of the left ventricular hypertrophy in patients with left bundle branch block: is it necessary to verify old criteria?

Background: The diagnosis of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) in the presence of the left bundle branch block (LBBB) is difficult. In our study we compared commonly used ECG criteria with left ventricular mass index (LVMI) calculated during cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMRI) to verify their clinical value or the need to recalibrate.

Methods: CMRI and ECG data of 36 patients were included in this study.

Changing HCV genotypes distribution in Poland--relation to source and time of infection.

Background: Understanding the distribution of HCV genotypes has implications for prognosis and therapy of hepatitis C.

Objectives: To describe the distribution of HCV genotypes in Poland in relation to route of transmission and year of infection.

Study Design: Patients with chronic liver disease were evaluated at the Department of Infectious Diseases, Bialystok (Poland).

High prevalence of genotype 4 among hepatitis C virus-infected intravenous drug users in north-eastern Poland.

The aim of this study was to describe the distribution of hepatitis C genotypes among intravenous drug users in north-eastern Poland. The study group included intravenous drug users recruited at a drug treatment center and a clinic for HIV-infected patients. HCV infection was confirmed by qualitative nested RT-PCR to test for the presence of HCV RNA.

Intestinal fatty acid binding protein (I-FABP) as a possible biomarker of ileitis in patients with ulcerative colitis.

Background: One of nine types of FABP, intestinal fatty acid binding protein (I-FABP) is primarily limited to the mature enterocytes of the small intestine, with only trace amounts identified in the stomach and large intestine. The aim of this study was to investigate the use of I-FABP as a possible plasma marker of intestinal injury in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC).

Material And Methods: The study group consisted of 42 patients (11 females and 31 males) with active ulcerative colitis (UC), aged from 24 to 74 years (mean age: 41.

[Growth factors in chronic hepatitis C].

Unlabelled: GROWTH FACTORS: HGF, PDGF, TNF-alpha, IL-6 have important role in liver regeneration. The aim of our study was the evaluation of serum growth factors concentration in chronic hepatitis C. Studied growth factors and cytokines levels were analyzed in relation to inflammatory and fibrotic changes in liver.

Increase in expression of monocytic tissue factor (CD142) with monocytes and blood platelet activation in liver cirrhosis.

Tissue factor (TF) is one of the proteins that participate in hemostatic and inflammatory processes. Activated monocytes present in the liver increase expression of TF, and while accumulating in the organ they can intensify inflammation. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the expression of TF on monocytes in advanced liver cirrhosis with regard to other activation markers.

Pigment epithelium-derived factor in ulcerative colitis: possible relationship with disease activity.

Objectives: Pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) is an endogenous most potential angiogenic inhibitor and increased expression of PEDF in intestinal mucosa specimens was shown in the course of ulcerative colitis (UC). The aim of the present study was to evaluate serum concentration of pigment epithelium-derived growth factor, a potent anti-angiogenic factor and its possible association with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels and disease activity.

Methods: Concentrations of PEDF and VEGF were measured in sera of 33 patients (13 females and 20 males) with active UC.

[Analysis of prognostic factors in patients with autoimmune hepatitis].

Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is the chronic inflammatory liver disease of unknown etiology, demonstrating progressive injury of liver, finally leading to insufficiency of this organ. Possible association between clinical forms, course and prognosis of AIH has been considered recently. Aim of this study is to evaluate autoimmune hepatitis exacerbation risk in respect to epidemiological, clinical and laboratory signs demonstrated in patients with freshly diagnosed AIH.

Expression of p53, Bax and Bcl-2 proteins in hepatocytes in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Aim: To analyze the protein expression essential for apoptosis in liver steatosis.

Methods: The expression of proapoptotic proteins p53, Bax, and antiapoptotic Bcl-2 in hepatocytes with steatosis (SH) and without steatosis (NSH) was evaluated in 84 patients at various stages of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

Results: Immunohistochemical staining of liver tissue showed the activation of p53 protein in SH and NSH with increased liver steatosis, diminished Bcl-2 and slightly decreased Bax protein.

Expression of beta2-integrin on leukocytes in liver cirrhosis.

Aim: To analyze beta2-integrin expression on blood leukocytes in liver cirrhosis.

Methods: In 40 patients with liver cirrhosis and 20 healthy individuals, the evaluation of expression of CD11a (LFA-1alpha), CD11b (Mac-1alpha), CD11c (alphaX) and CD49d (VLA-4alpha) on peripheral blood leukocytes was performed using flow cytometry. The analysis was carried out in groups of patients divided into B and C according to Child-Pugh's classification.

Does HAART improve renal function? An association between serum cystatin C concentration, HIV viral load and HAART duration.

Aim: The prevalence of renal disease in human HIV-infected individuals varies between 2% and 10%. Many reports have demonstrated the beneficial effect of antiretroviral (ARV) therapy on slowing the progression of renal diseases. The aim of our cross-sectional study was to determine serum cystatin C concentration in different stages of HIV infection and the relationship between cystatin C concentration and ARV treatment.

Detection of Trichinella spiralis antigens in urine of men and animals.

The practical inability to diagnose Trichinella spiralis antibodies in man before day 20 post infection (dpi) has stimulated interest in the development of immunodiagnostic test to detect circulating antigens. Our previous experience showed that soon after infection immune complexes as well as uncomplexed parasite antigens in sera of infected rats could be detected. To diagnose the presence of antigen in urine, double sandwich-capture ELISA was applied using a peroxidase-conjugated rabbit immunoglobulin to T.

[Clinical picture of Lyme boreliosis].

Prevalence of Lyme borreliosis in Europe has been well esablished during the last decade. The highest morbidity in Poland, exceeding 100 cases (100.000) year, was demonstrated in north-estern part of the country.

[New imaging diagnostics of liver echinococcosis].

Cystic and alveolar echinococcosis, parasitic diseases, caused in humans by the larval stage of tapeworm Echinococcus granulosus and E. multilocularis are rare diseases in Poland. We have diagnosed 71 patients with cystic echinococcosis and 10 patients with alveolar echinococcosis during last 12 years.

[Toxoplasmosis of the brain as an example of the opportunistic invasion of the women HIV positive].

Most toxoplasmosis infections occur in the brain. Cerebral toxoplasmosis is a specially serious complication in patients with AIDS. Similarly to other opportunistic pathogens, Toxoplasma gondii causes rapidly progressive, and often fatal disease in immunosuppressed patients.

Beta 2-microglobulin and neopterin in patients with giardiasis.

The aim of the study was to evaluate serum beta 2-microglobulin (beta-2m) and neopterin (NPT) in in patients with giardiasis. Twenty-two patients with giardiasis were examined and compared with twelve healthy subjects as a control group. Serum beta-2m and NPT concentration were determined twice: at the moment of diagnosis of giardiasis and six months after antiparasitic treatment with metronidazole.

[Diagnostics of human granulocytic anaplasmosis].

Diagnostics of human granulocytic anaplasmosis. Human granulocytic anaplasmosis is one of recently emerging tick-borne diseases. The paper summarizes current opinions on diagnostics of this zoonosis, including the recent recommendations of ESCAR (European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases Study Group on Coxiella, Anaplasma, Rickettsia and Bartonella).

Antiretroviral therapy and its influence on the stage of brain damage in patients with HIV - 1H MRS evaluation.

Background: MR proton spectroscopy (1H MRS) enables early detection of metabolic changes, which occur in the course of AIDS Dementia Complex Syndrome (ADC). The goal of the study was the evaluation of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and its influence on the character and intensity of metabolic changes in brain 1H MRS spectra in clinically asymptomatic HIV-infected patients as well as search for correlation between the treatment and 1H MR spectroscopy results and immune deficit degree.

Material/methods: In the group of 20 HIV+ patients, the examination of the central nervous system (CNS), MR and 1H MRS were conducted twice:before HAART treatment and during the therapy; on average after 6 months (4 -9 months of treatment).

Known and probable risk factors for hepatitis C infection: a case series in north-eastern Poland.

Aim: To describe the risk profile of patients in hospital with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in Poland.

Method: Using a structured questionnaire, all patients with confirmed HCV infection were interviewed about the risk factors.

Results: Among the 250 patients studied, transfusion before 1993 was the primary risk factor in 26%, intravenous drug use setting in 9% and occupational exposure in health-care in 9%.

Phagocytic and oxidative burst activity of neutrophils in the end stage of liver cirrhosis.

Aim: To evaluate the phagocytic activity and neutrophil oxidative burst in liver cirrhosis.

Methods: In 45 patients with advanced postalcoholic liver cirrhosis (aged 45+/-14 years) and in 25 healthy volunteers (aged 38+/-5 years), the percentage of phagocytizing cells after in vitro incubation with E. coli (Phagotest Kit), phagocytic activity (mean intensity of fluorescence, MIF) and the percentage of neutrophil oxidative burst (Bursttest Kit), and the level of free oxygen radical production (MIF of Rodamine 123) were analyzed by flow cytometry.

HBV-DNA and sFas, sFasL concentrations in serum of healthy HBsAg carriers.

Purpose: Increased HBV-DNA concentration is a prognostic factor of disease progression in chronic hepatitis B patients. Moreover, active hepatic inflammation during HBV replication influences apoptosis intensification. The aim of this study was to estimate occurrence of HBV replication among carriers of HBsAg.

Transforming growth factor beta1 and prostaglandin E2 concentrations are associated with bone formation markers in ulcerative colitis patients.

Osteoporosis is a significant complication of a multifactoral etiology associated with inflammatory bowel disease. The aim of study was to evaluate the relationships between bone mineral density as well as bone turnover markers and inflammatory activity modulators (i.e.