Convalescents' Reports on COVID-19 Experience-A Qualitative Study.

Background: The dynamic character of the COVID-19 pandemic and its social consequences caused several medical and societal issues and dilemmas. The aim of our qualitative research was to capture and analyze attitudes and beliefs of convalescents who experienced mild symptoms of COVID-19 in the first wave of the pandemic and decided to donate their plasma for therapeutic purposes.

Material And Methods: The article presents results of qualitative research conducted on the basis of grounded theory (GT) methodology.

Leukocyte cell-derived chemotaxin-2 and fibroblast growth factor 21 in alcohol-induced liver cirrhosis.

Background: The importance of early diagnosis of alcoholic liver disease underscores the need to seek better and especially non-invasive diagnostic procedures. Leukocyte cell-derived chemotaxin-2 (LECT2) has been widely studied to determine its usefulness in monitoring the course of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease but not for alcoholic liver cirrhosis (ALC).

Aim: To determine the concentration of LECT2 in the blood serum of patients in relation to progressive stages of ALC, its relation to fibroblast growth factor 1 (FGF-1) and FGF-21, and to examine the possible wider use of LECT2 in diagnosing ALC.

Oxidative stress-induced growth inhibitor 1 in alcohol-induced liver cirrhosis.

Introduction And Objective: Human oxidative stress-induced growth inhibitor 1 (OSGIN1) is a protein identified in 2001 which belongs to the OKL38 protein family. The aim of the study was to investigate the levels of this protein depending on the severity of alcohol-induced liver cirrhosis.

Material And Methods: The study group consisted of 60 patients: 30 patients with cirrhosis in the P-Ch A and B stage and 30 in the P-Ch C stage.

Bendamustine-Based Regimens as Salvage Therapy in Refractory/Relapsed Multiple Myeloma Patients: A Retrospective Real-Life Analysis by the Polish Myeloma Group.

Multiple myeloma (MM) is an incurable disease and patients become refractory to the treatment in the course of the disease. Bendamustine-based regimens containing steroids and other agents are among the therapeutic options offered to MM patients. Here, we investigated the safety and the efficacy of bendamustine used in patients with refractory/relapsed MM (RRMM).

Serum Concentration of Fluoride in Patients with Alcoholic Liver Cirrhosis from the Lublin Region in Eastern Poland.

In view of previous reports, it is important to determine the relationship between liver function and the level of fluoride in the serum. The aim of this study was to investigate serum concentrations of fluoride in 72 patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis, living in the region of Lublin (Eastern Poland) divided based on the severity of disease according to the Child-Turcotte-Pugh criteria. Higher plasma fluoride concentrations were associated with changes in liver related parameters.

Assessment of selected angiogenesis markers in the serum of middle-aged male patients with plaque psoriasis.

Local angiogenesis accompanies inflammation in psoriasis-affected skin. To determine the serum concentrations of selected pro- and anti-angiogenic factors and their interrelationships in patients with plaque psoriasis. The study included 41 men diagnosed with psoriasis, aged 43.

Analysis of novel serum markers of fibrosis and angiogenesis in patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis.

Introduction: Alcohol consumption causes acute and chronic liver injury. The clinical forms of alcohol liver disease (ALD) include steatosis, hepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) associated with liver cirrhosis.

Objective: The aim of the study was to determine the levels of novel markers of fibrogenesis and angiogenesis in patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis.

The effect of statins on psoriasis severity: a meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.

Introduction: Statins may reduce the severity of psoriasis, but the available evidence is unclear. We conducted a meta-analysis of randomized controlled studies (RCTs) that investigated the effect of statins on psoriasis severity assessed with the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI).

Material And Methods: Two investigators searched independently the following databases: Medline, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and ClinicalTrials.

Obstructive sleep apnea may increase the risk of Alzheimer's disease.

Objectives: Amyloid-β 1-40 (Aβ 1-40) and amyloid-β 1-42 (Aβ 1-42) are the proteins known to be involved in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD)-the most common cause of dementia in the elderly. Hypoxia is suspected to be one of conditions associated with Aβ plasma level increase. A common reason of hypoxia is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), characterized by recurrent episodes of apnea.

Factors influencing serum chemerin and kallistatin concentrations in patients with alcohol-induced liver cirrhosis.

Introduction: In Poland, an increasing number of patients are hospitalized due to liver diseases. One of the common liver diseases is cirrhosis, which can be caused by alcohol, viral hepatitis, autoimmune processes and metabolic diseases.

Material And Methods: The study included 99 patients with alcoholic cirrhosis from the Lublin region of Eastern Poland.

Serum lipid metabolism in psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis - an update.

Introduction: Psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis (PSA) are chronic, inflammatory, systemic diseases characterized by metabolic abnormalities, including an increased cardiovascular risk and an oxidative imbalance. This study assessed blood parameters of lipid metabolism and markers of oxidative stress in patients with psoriasis and PSA.

Material And Methods: The study included 93 patients with psoriasis (31 patients with PSA and psoriasis, 62 patients with psoriasis vulgaris), and 60 healthy, age-matched controls.

Afamin and adropin in patients with alcohol-induced liver cirrhosis.

The aim of the study was to determine serum concentrations of afamin and adropin in patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis and to define their correlation with the stage of disease. The study included 99 patients with alcoholic cirrhosis from the region of Lublin, (Eastern Poland). Liver cirrhosis was diagnosed based on clinical features, history of heavy alcohol consumption, laboratory tests and abdominal ultrasonography.

Serum concentrations of interleukin 18 and 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 correlate with depression severity in men with psoriasis.

Objective: Psoriasis and depression may have common mechanisms, such as systemic inflammation, dysfunction of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, and vitamin D3 deficiency. Among men with psoriasis, this study examined whether depression severity was associated with serum concentrations of different metabolic and inflammatory markers.

Methods: The study included 85 men with psoriasis (mean age ± standard deviation [SD], 47 ± 14 years) and 65 men without psoriasis (mean age ± SD, 44 ± 13 years).

Relationships between serum selenium and zinc concentrations versus profibrotic and proangiogenic cytokines (FGF-19 and endoglin) in patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis.

Introduction And Objective: Liver cirrhosis is a disease involving the liver parenchyma, which is characterised by fibrosis and impaired architectonics of the parenchyma with regenerative nodules. The aim of the study was to determine the relationship between stage of alcoholic liver cirrhosis, concentrations of selenium, zinc and profibrotic and proangiogenic cytokines (FGF-19, ENG).

Material And Methods: The study included 99 patients with alcoholic cirrhosis and 20 healthy subjects.

Spatial QRS-T angle in patients with newly diagnosed obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.

Purpose: The aim of the study was to assess the spatial QRS-T angle (QRS-TA) in a group of newly diagnosed and untreated adult patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) and to identify potential factors affecting this parameter.

Patients And Methods: The study group (PSG-confirmed OSAS) included 62 individuals, aged 51.7±10.

Association between Serum Selenium Concentrations and Levels of Proinflammatory and Profibrotic Cytokines-Interleukin-6 and Growth Differentiation Factor-15, in Patients with Alcoholic Liver Cirrhosis.

According to some authors, serum selenium levels are strongly associated with the severity of liver diseases, including liver cirrhosis. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between the concentration of selenium and pro-inflammatory and profibrotic cytokines-interleukin-6 (IL-6) and growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15) in patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis. The parameters studied were determined in the serum of 99 patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis divided based on the severity of disease according to the Child-Turcotte-Pugh criteria.

Reliability of the Epworth Sleepiness Scale and the Berlin Questionnaire for screening obstructive sleep apnea syndrome in the context of the examination of candidates for drivers.

Background: The aim of the study has been to assess the usefulness of the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and the Berlin Questionnaire (BQ) for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) screening. The capacity of both tests to discriminate between healthy individuals or with mild OSAS (apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) < 15/h) vs. patients with moderate or severe OSAS (AHI ≥ 15/h) was evaluated.

Evaluation of Fibrinolytic Inhibitors: Alpha-2-Antiplasmin and Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1 in Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnoea.

Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) induces thrombophilia and reduces fibrinolysis. Alpha-2-antiplasmin (a-2-AP) and plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) are major inhibitors of the fibrinolytic system. Increased concentrations of these factors are associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular diseases.

Serum Concentrations of Selected Heavy Metals in Patients with Alcoholic Liver Cirrhosis from the Lublin Region in Eastern Poland.

According to the WHO report, alcohol is the third most significant health risk factor for the global population. There are contrary reports about heavy metals concentrations in patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis. The aim of this study was to investigate serum concentrations of selected heavy metals in patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis living in the eastern part of Poland according to cirrhosis stage.

[Cardiac safety of electroconvulsive therapy in an elderly patient--a case report].

Since electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) was introduced as treatment for psychiatric disorders in 1938, it has remained one of the most effective therapeutic methods. ECT is often used as a "treatment of last resort" when other methods fail, and a life-saving procedure in acute clinical states when a rapid therapeutic effect is needed. Mortality associated with ECT is lower, compared to the treatment with tricyclic antidepressants, and comparable to that observed in so-called minor surgery.

Proinflammatory Cytokines (IL-1α, IL-6) and Hepatocyte Growth Factor in Patients with Alcoholic Liver Cirrhosis.

Background. The aim of the study was to assess the activity of interleukin-1α, interleukin-6, and hepatocyte growth factor protein (HGF) in serum of patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis. Materials and Methods.

Alteration in diurnal and nocturnal melatonin serum level in patients with chronic heart failure.

Introduction: Melatonin is best known for its influence on circardian physiology. The circulating levels of the hormone vary in a daily cycle, allowing the regulation of the circadian rhythms of several biological functions. Melatonin is now considered as a cardioprotective factor and its secretion might be influenced by the clinical course of CHF.

[Serum creatinine level and eGFR as the indices of renal function in present-day clinical practice].

The chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a polysymptomatic syndrome resulting from the reduction of active nephrons. It is estimated that the disease affects from 4.7-20% of adults.