[Relapsing polychondritis--a challenge for modern diagnostics and treatment].

Relapsing polychondritis is a rare autoimmune disease, which is due to sporadic occurrence, unexplained etiology and wide range of symptoms resulting in the difficulties in diagnosis. Recurrent inflammation leads to destruction of cartilaginous tissues, such as ear, nasal septum, larynx, trachea and bronchi, peripheral joints and vertebral structures. Blood vessels, the central nervous system, eyes, and the urinary tract can be involved as well.

Different reactivity of the proximal and distal segments of the radial artery to vasoconstrictors in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting.

Background: Complete arterial revascularisation using the radial artery (RA) is an attractive alternative to venous graft implantation for the coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). In spite of the favourable long-term results of this approach, the sensitivity of RA to vasoconstriction and spasm is still limiting its use. It has been suggested that vasospastic properties of the artery may differ depending on the location (proximal or distal).

[Beneficial effects of statins and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors on aggregability of red blood cells in hypertensive patients].

This study was designed to investigate changes in aggregability of red blood cells of patients with essential hypertension and concomitant hypercholesterolemia (total cholesterol level > 5.0 mmol/l) following the use of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE-I) along with or without inhibitor of reductase HMG-CoA (statin). Under standard pharmacotherapy (beta-receptor anatgonist, calcium chanel antagonist, and diuretic) aggregability of RBC in hypertensive patients was significantly increased in spite of the treatment.

[The functional relevance of Arg16Gly and Gln27Glu-beta2-adrenoreceptor polymorphism in patients with asthma and allergic rhinitis].

The objective of the present study was to investigate the effect of beta2-adrenoreceptor polymorphisms Arg16Gly and Gln27Glu as well as their relationship to the pulmonary function parameters, and the clinical presentation in patients with asthma and allergic rhinitis. Investigated polymorphisms were in linkage disequilibrium, therefore their effects should be evaluated collectively. Although no significant association could be found with the presence of asthma or allergic rhinitis in studied population, polymorphisms of beta2-adrenoreceptor can influence pulmonary function in these patients.

[Disturbances in aggregability of red blood cells in essential hypertension].

The study was performed to find the relationship between rheological properties of erythrocytes and the effectiveness of antihypertensive therapy both in patients suffering from essential hypertension as well as in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Additionally, in patients receiving the same antihypertensive therapy we evaluated the effect of aspirin at a low and high dose on aggregation of erythrocytes. We found that in a consequence of uniformed antihypertensive therapy which in patients lasted minimum one year and consisted of one of ACE inhibitors (enalapril or perindopril or captopril), one of beta-antagonists (metoprolol or bisoprolol) and diuretic agent (indapamid), while SHR lasted 8 days and consisted of ACE inhibitor (chinapril), blood pressure lowered and red blood cell rheology was significantly improved.

[Difficulties in differential diagnosis of Sjögren's syndrome and systemic lupus erythematosus].

Sjögren's Syndrome (SS) is the second most common autoimmune disorder after rheumatoid arthritis (RA). It can be found as a lone condition (primary Sjögren's Syndrome) or may accompany other autoimmune rheumatic diseases (secondary Sjögren's Syndrome). Despite such frequent occurrence, accurate diagnosis of Sjögren Syndrome is difficult.

[Influence of treating atopic dermatitis with oral antihistamine and topical steroids on selected parameters of cell and humoral immunity].

Unlabelled: Pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis (AD) is multifactorial, therefore despite many different treatment protocols none of the available methods is effective enough. In the present study we analysed the effects of oral antihistamines and topical steroids on selected parameters of humoral (immunoglobulin levels) and cellular (lymphocyte proliferation index, granulocyte oxidative burst, lymphocyte phenotype CD4:CD8) immunity. These parameters were analysed in 34 AD subjects during the exacerbation of the disease and after 4 and 12 weeks of the treatment.

[Influence of tobacco dust on the respiratory system and selected immunological parameters].

Unlabelled: Tobacco dust contains various immunologically active as well as toxic substances. However the relationship between allergic reactivity or lung function with chronic exposure to tobacco dust remains unclear. Accordingly the aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between occupational chronic exposition to tobacco dust, respiratory function and some allergic reaction parameters.

[The effect of aspirin on rheological properties of erythrocytes in essential hypertension].

Essential hypertension is one of the most important risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. Its pathophysiological mechanism is unknown. Recent data suggests that deformability and aggregation of red blood cells may play an important role in the regulation of blood rheology in hypertension.