The effect of repeated cadmium oral exposure on the level of sex hormones, estrous cyclicity, and endometrium morphometry in female rats.

Cadmium (Cd) is regarded as a potential endocrine disruptor. However, the exact mechanism by which this metal may interfere with the reproductive system has not yet been elucidated. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of subacute Cd oral administration at daily doses of 0.

The usefulness of soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) in differentiating anemia occurring in young children.

We evaluated the usefulness of soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) and of the sTfR/log ferritin index(sTfR/logF) in the differentiation of anemia in young children. 96 children, aged 6-36 months, were examined.From these, four groups were distinguished: 1 - (IDA): 33 children with anemia due to iron deficiency; 2 -(IA): 19 children with infectious anemia without iron deficiency; 3 - (IA + ID): 16 children with infectious anemia and iron deficiency; and 4 - a comparator group (CG): 28 healthy children without iron deficiency.

The effect of cadmium on steroid hormones and their receptors in women with uterine myomas.

Cadmium (Cd) is one of the environmental metalloestrogens, and its role in uterine tissues has not yet been fully elucidated. The aim of the study was to investigate estrogenic properties of Cd in uterine tissues by analyzing the expression of estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) as well as estrogen and progesterone levels in serum and Cd concentrations in blood and tissues. The samples of tissues (leiomyoma and surrounding myometrium) collected intrasurgically and blood samples drawn from 53 women (age 39 to 52 years) with uterine myomas were thoroughly analyzed.

[Concentration of selected cytokines in serum of patients with acne rosacea].

Introduction: Rosacea is a common chronic disorder, mainly affects women in their thirties or fourties. As etiology, inflammation is taken into consideration.

Aim Of The Study: To assess the concentrations of proinflammatory cytokines: IL-6, IL-18, TNF-alpha and CRP protein.

[Insulinsensitivity and beta-cell function in children with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome].

Glucose intolerance which is frequently found in patients with the idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS) may be linked to an increased cardiovascular risk in these patients. Recently it has been suggested that proteinuria and steroid treatment may independently affect insulin sensitivity. The aim of the study was to assess insulin resistance (IR) and beta-cell function in children with INS at various stages of the disease.

[Cholestatic liver disease in children].

Cholestatic liver disease constitutes a large part of chronic liver diseases during infancy. It is caused either by extrahepatic disorders (obstruction) or by intrahepatic cholestasis (functional). The differential diagnosis should be done as early as possible because the delayed surgical therapy in extrahepatic cholestasis has a very bad prognosis.

Long-chain PUFA supplementation improves PUFA profile in infants with cholestasis.

Long-chain PUFA (LCP) deficiency is a frequent complication in cholestatic infants. We investigated the effects of LCP-supplemented formula on EFA status in infants with cholestasis. Twenty-three infants with cholestasis (biliary atresia after surgery, 8; intrahepatic cholestasis, 15) aged 1.

Detection of cytomegalovirus in infant cerebrospinal fluid by conventional PCR, nested PCR and PCR-Digene.

The possibility of amplification of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) DNA in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for the diagnosis of HCMV central nervous system (CNS) infection in infants was studied. Single-step PCR, nested PCR and PCR-Digene were used to assay CSF specimens from 37 patients. Criteria for patient inclusion in the study were: 1.

[The prognostic meaning of the selection parameters amniotic fluids samples and frequency occurrence respiratory distress newborn].

Prenatal diagnosis of amniotic fluid enables the evaluation of fetal lungs maturity. The aim of the study is to evaluate prognostic significance of measurement of concentration of lamellar body count (LC) in comparison with other laboratory investigations for prenatal fetal lung maturity evaluation. The study was carried out on 60 amniotic fluid collections obtained by amniocentesis of pregnant women, hospitalized in Polish Mother's Health Centre between August 1998-January 2000.

[Alpha-amylase/glucose index in amniotic fluid as a new method in prenatal assessment of fetal maturity].

Prenatal diagnosis of amniotic fluid enables fetal maturity evaluation, particularly that of fetal lungs. The aim of the study is to evaluate the diagnostic value of on alpha-amylase/glucose index in amniotic fluid in comparison to routinely performed tests, used for prenatal fetal lung maturity evaluation, particularly in respect of PG concentration, whose predictive value is almost 100%. The study was carried out on 180 pregnant women, chosen by random selection, hospitalized in Polish Mother's Health Centre Hospital in the period from 15.

[Diagnostic significance of index alpha-amylase/glucose in amniotic fluid in prediction of fetal maturity].

An increase in alpha-amylase activity with parallel decrease in glucose concentration in amniotic fluid is observed during pregnancy. This interdependence is a theoretical basis for using an alpha-amylase/glucose index in fetal maturity evaluation. The aim of the study was to investigate usefulness of the alpha-amylase/glucose index in amniotic fluid in prenatal fetal maturity diagnosis.

[Prenatal evaluation of fetal lung maturity by determination of phosphatidylglycerol (PG) concentration in amniotic fluid].

Phosphatidylglycerol (PG) is considered to be the most important phospholipid of lung surfactant, responsible for its biological activity. The aim of the study was to investigate the predictive value of phosphatidylglycerol (PG) concentration in amniotic fluid in prediction of neonatal lung maturity. The study was carried out on 180 pregnant women, chosen by random selection, hospitalized in Polish Mother's Health Centre Hospital in the period from 15.

Essential fatty acid metabolism in infants with cholestasis.

Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids are important for the growth and early development of the central nervous system. Cholestatic infants suffer from fat malabsorption and disturbed lipid metabolism and therefore may be at risk of developing polyunsaturated fatty acid depletion. The aims of this study were to determine essential fatty acid status in cholestatic infants and to study the relationship to disease severity, degree of undernutrition, antioxidant status and mode of feeding.

[Application of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the detection of DNA-HCMV in cerebrospinal fluid of neonates and infants with cytomegalovirus infection].

The goal of the work was to prove the usefulness of PCR for detection of DNA-HCMV in cerebrospinal fluid of the infected newborns and infants and to compare our results with clinical diagnosis. The studied group consisted of 24 newborns and infants with HCMV infection (presence of DNA-HCMV in urine and blood, presence of specific IgM, IgG antibodies in serum, and clinical symptoms). Among 12 children with symptoms from central nervous system, DNA-HCMV was detected in CSF of 11 patients.

[Long term observation of children with Giardia intestinalis invasion treated with metronidazole and furazolidone].

The results of a long-term (3-year) follow-up of children infected with G. intestinalis treated with metronidazole and furazolidone are presented. Therapy was effective in 84-95% of cases, depending of the duration or the follow-up.

[Humoral response of the immunologic secretory system of the small intestine in children infected with Giardia intestinalis].

Local humoral response of the intestinal mucosa was determined with secretory IgA levels and secretory component activity in enterocytes and duodenal content of 15 children infected with G. intestinalis. The obtained results were compared to those in 5 children with coeliac disease and 12 children with diarrhoea without lambliasis.

[Expression of HLA-DR antigen in small intestinal mucosa of children infected with Giardia intestinalis].

HLA-DR Antigen expression was shown in the small intestinal mucosa sampled by aspiration biopsy in 12 children infected with Giardia intestinalis. The studies were performed by using three immunohistochemical techniques, with the best results achieved by use of fluorescein- stained avidin biotin system. HLA-DR Antigen expression in Giardiasis was slightly enhanced in the enterocytes of the absorption region; an increased number of HLA-DR positive cells was also found in the lamina propria of the small intestine as compared with controls.