Clinical relevance of estimating circulating interleukin-17 and interleukin-23 during methylprednisolone therapy in Graves' orbitopathy: A preliminary study.

Purpose: Graves' orbitopathy (GO) is an important problem in endocrinology. Currently used methods of assessing the degree of activity of the autoimmune process are not satisfactory. Therefore, there is a need to establish indicators of greater utility.

Search of reference biomarkers reflecting orbital tissue remodeling in the course of Graves' orbitopathy.

Introduction: Graves' orbitopathy (GO) is a complication in Graves' disease (GD) that causes disfigurement and sometimes blindness. The pathogenesis of GO remains unknown, while its symptoms demonstrate dependence between the thyroid gland and the orbit. The ongoing inflammatory process in retrobulbar tissue results in its remodeling characterized by increased volume of the orbital contents involving adipose tissue, with fibrosis and adipogenesis as predominant features.

Association of PTPN22 polymorphism and its correlation with Graves' disease susceptibility in Polish adult population-A preliminary study.

Background: Susceptibility to Graves' disease (GD) is determined by various genetic factors; the gene encoding protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTPN22) may be one of those associated with higher risk of GD. The aim was to estimate the association of the PTPN22 gene polymorphism rs2476601:c.C>T (c.

Diagnostic power of VEGF, MMP-9 and TIMP-1 in patients with breast cancer. A multivariate statistical analysis with ROC curve.

Purpose: Vascular endothelial growth factor is an important factor in promoting angiogenesis in malignant processes, matrix metalloproteinase-9 in the degradation of extracellular matrix, which enhances metastasis, and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 is its inhibitor. The aim of this study was to investigate the diagnostic power of these parameters in comparison to CA15-3 in breast cancer patients and in relation to the control group.

Materials/methods: The study included 120 breast cancer patients, 60 patients with benign breast tumors and 60 healthy women.

Decreased Frequencies of Peripheral Blood CD4+CD25+CD127-Foxp3+ in Patients with Graves' Disease and Graves' Orbitopathy: Enhancing Effect of Insulin Growth Factor-1 on Treg Cells.

Graves' orbitopathy (GO) is characterized by orbital T cell infiltration. We evaluated the regulatory T (Treg) cell fractions induced with IGF-1 in Graves' disease (GD) with and without GO. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were obtained from 13 patients with GD without eye manifestations; 10 patients with active GO; and 12 patients with nodular goiter (NG).

M-CSF in a new biomarker panel with HE4 and CA 125 in the diagnostics of epithelial ovarian cancer patients.

Background: We investigated plasma levels of M-CSF and conventional tumor markers (HE4 and CA 125) in epithelial ovarian cancer patients as compared to control groups: benign ovarian tumor patients (cysts) and healthy subjects.

Methods: M-CSF levels were determined by ELISA, HE4 and CA 125 levels - by CMIA method.

Results: Our results have demonstrated significant differences in the concentration levels of M-CSF, CA 125 and HE4 between the groups of ovarian cancer patients, cysts patients and the healthy controls.

Fundus albipunctatus: review of the literature and report of a novel RDH5 gene mutation affecting the invariant tyrosine (p.Tyr175Phe).

Fundus albipunctatus (FA) is a rare, congenital form of night blindness with rod system impairment, characterised by the presence of numerous small, white-yellow retinal lesions. FA belongs to a heterogenous group of so-called flecked retina syndromes. This disorder shows autosomal recessive inheritance and is caused mostly by mutations in the RDH5 gene.

Disturbances of modulating molecules (FOXP3, CTLA-4/CD28/B7, and CD40/CD40L) mRNA expressions in the orbital tissue from patients with severe graves' ophthalmopathy.

Purpose. To evaluate the relationship between the expression of orbital tissue mRNA for FOXP3, CTLA-4/CD28/CD80/CD86, and CD40/CD40 and the severity of Graves' orbitopathy (GO). Material and Methods.

Markers of inflammation and fibrosis in the orbital fat/connective tissue of patients with Graves' orbitopathy: clinical implications.

Purpose: To assess FGF-β, TGF-β, and COX2 expression and immunocompetent cells in the orbital tissue of patients with severe and mild Graves' orbitopathy.

Patients And Methods: Orbital tissue was taken from 27 patients with GO: (1) severe GO (n = 18), the mean clinical activity score (CAS) being 8.5 (SD 2.

Plasma levels of IL-17, VEGF, and adrenomedullin and S-cone dysfunction of the retina in children and adolescents without signs of retinopathy and with varied duration of diabetes.

The study objective was to assess chosen biochemical parameters of blood and bioelectric function of the retina in patients with T1DM. The study group consisted of 41 patients with T1DM with no signs of diabetic retinopathy. The control group included 21 pediatric patients.

Squamous cell carcinoma of the lower eyelid penetrating into the orbit - case report.

The aim of our study is to report a case of pigmented squamous cell carcinoma of the palpebral conjunctiva referred to our clinic because of eye pain. A 86 year old patient suffering from eye pain due to a lower right eyelid tumour was admitted to our department. The basic ophthalmic examination and CT scans of orbits were performed.

Pattern electroretinogram (PERG) in the early diagnosis of optic nerve dysfunction in the course of Graves' orbitopathy.

Purpose: The present study was design to evaluate the pattern electroretinogram in the diagnosis of early changes in visual function of patients with Graves' orbitopathy without perimetrical signs of optic nerve neuropathy.

Material And Methods: 19 eyes from ten patients, mean age 36 +/- 6.8 SD.

Percentage of LFA-1+ and ICAM-1+ peripheral blood mononuclear cells in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes does not distinguish patients with vascular complications.

There are only few studies evaluating lymphocytes activation in the diabetic vascular complications. ICAM-1/LFA-1 adhesion molecules not only participate in the lymphocyte T proliferation but also mediate leukocyte migration to the site of inflammation. We assess a relationship between the percentage of ICAM-1 and LFA-1 expressing PBMCs and the evolution of vascular complications in T1D in children and adolescents.

Increased percentage of L-selectin+ and ICAM-1+ peripheral blood CD4+/CD8+ T cells in active Graves' ophthalmopathy.

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the percentage of CD4+/CD8+ peripheral T cells expressing CD62L+ and CD54+ in patients with Graves' disease and to assess if these estimations could be helpful as markers of active ophthalmopathy. The study was carried out in 25 patients with Graves' disease (GD) divided into 3 groups: 1/ 8 patients with active Graves' ophthalmopathy (GO) (CAS 3-6, GO complaints pound 1 year), 2/ 9 patients with hyperthyroid GD without symptoms of ophthalmopathy (GDtox) and 3/ 8 patients with euthyroid GD with no GO symptoms (GDeu). The control group consisted of 15 healthy volunteers age and sex matched to groups 1-3.

Serum gelatinases (MMP-2 and MMP-9) and VCAM-1 as a guideline in a therapeutic approach in Graves' ophthalmopathy.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to estimate the influence of corticosteroids on soluble MMP-2, MMP-9 and VCAM-1 in patients with Graves ophthalmopathy (GO) in order to assess their usefulness as a guideline in a therapeutic approach.

Material And Methods: Serum gelatinases and VCAM-1 were detected in three groups of subjects: 20 patients with GO (CAS > or = 3, anamnesis of GO > or = 1 yr), 12 patients with no clinical symptoms of ophthalmopathy (Gd) and 10 healthy volunteers. Corticosteroid therapy consisted of intravenous infusions (2 series, 3 grams each time) of methylprednisolone (MP) and subsequent treatment with oral prednisone (60 mg per day) in a tapering schedule.

Pattern visual evoked potentials in the early diagnosis of optic neuropathy in the course of Graves' ophthalmopathy.

The Aim Of The Study: To investigate by means of pattern visual evoked potentials (PVEPs) early neuropathic changes in Graves' ophthalmopathy (GO) patients without any clinical symptoms of optic neuropathy in order to evaluate the prevalence of subclinical optic neuropathy in GO patients and to elucidate whether there is a relationship between PVEP (P100 and N75 latency), intraocular pressure (IOP) and exophthalmometry.

Material And Methods: Two groups of patients were examined: 15 patients with GO without clinical signs of dysthyroid optic neuropathy (DON) and 12 healthy controls. The correlations between the N75 and P100 latencies, IOP and Hertel exophthalmometry were investigated.

[Could the expression of L-selectin be an early marker of arterial hypertension and microangiopathy in the course of type 1 diabetes mellitus in juvenile patients?].

Background: Autoreactive T lymphocytes participate in the development of type 1 diabetes mellitus. The migration of T cells is initiated by increased expression of L-selectin on the cellular membrane of lymphocyte. Recently, a correlation between the concentration of sL-selectin and the develop-ment of diabetic retinopathy, atherosclerosis and arterial hypertension was stated.

[Hypertensive retinopathy in child with pheochromocytoma].

Aim: Pheochromocytoma is a tumor secreting catecholamines, it occurs in different age, rarely in children. The disorder coexists with malignant arterial hypertension. We present a case of patient with ophthalmic alterations in the course of pheochromocytoma.

[Pulsatile ocular blood flow in patients with juvenile glaucoma].

Purpose: To compare ocular blood flow in patients with glaucoma juvenile and in normal subjects.

Material And Methods: 20 glaucoma juvenile subjects and 20 persons as a control group aged 13 and 17, were matched for intraocular pressure and pulsatile ocular blood flow using pulsatile ocular blood flow (POBF).

Results: A positive correlation was found between ocular blood flow in patients with glaucoma juvenile and normal subjects.

[Surface expression of costimulatory molecules CD28/CTLA-4 on peripheral blood T lymphocytes in the course of type 1 diabetes mellitus in children and adolescents].

Background: Type 1 diabetes is mediated by autoreactive - T lymphocytes recognizing pancreatic islet cell antigens. CD28/CTLA-4 costimulatory molecules participate in the transduction of the necessary signal in T lymphocytes proliferation and play an important role in the development of autoimmunological process.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was: to evaluate whether the expression of CD28, CTLA-4 molecules on peripheral blood T lymphocytes alters in the course of disease -- diabetes lasting less than 5 years and over 5 years; to assess a relationship between the percentage of CD28, CTLA-4 on T cells and the evolution of vascular complications (microalbuminuria, arterial hypertension, diabetic retinopathy).