Stabilizing the urinary activity of fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase with EDTA and mercaptoethanol.

Objectives: The study aim was to establish conditions for stabilization the activity of fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase (FBP-1) in stored urine.

Design And Methods: The FBP-1 was determined by the method Kepka et. al in a collected fraction of purified urine.

Frequency and treatment of trichotillomania in Poland.

Although trichotillomania is a relatively common disorder no large epidemiological studies are available. The aims of this study were to determine the frequency of trichotillomania as identified by Polish dermatologists, and to evaluate the treatment modalities used. A questionnaire was sent to 172 dermatologists; 118 (68.

Update on chronic urticaria: focusing on mechanisms.

Purpose Of Review: This review discusses some of the recent advances in basic and clinical research focused on chronic urticaria. It is a concise summary of issues that occupied researchers' attention in the previous year, and it discusses a selection of novel findings that further our understanding of the pathomechanism of this disease.

Recent Findings: Particular consideration is given to the role of basophils, the coagulation cascade, fibrinolysis, and hormonal pathways in chronic urticaria pathogenesis.

[Anxiety, depression and social support in patients with psoriasis].

Dermatological patients present significantly more psychological disturbances of various types than the general population. The aim of the present study was to analyze anxiety and depression in relation to social support in psoriasis patients. The study was performed on a group of 32 psoriasis vulgaris in-patients of the Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Lódź.

Body dysmorphic disorder and dermatologists.

Unlabelled: The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) identified by Polish dermatologists and to evaluate the treatment modalities applied by them.

Methods: A specially designed questionnaire was distributed to 172 dermatologists. A total of 118 doctors responded (68.

Cytokines and anticytokines in psoriasis.

Background: Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune hyperproliferative skin disease of varying severity affecting approximately 2-3% of the general population in the USA and Europe. Although the pathogenesis of psoriasis has not been fully elucidated, an immunologic-genetic relationship is likely. Cutaneous and systemic overexpression of various proinflammatory cytokines (TNF, interleukins, interferon-gamma) has been demonstrated in psoriatic patients.

Genes and structure of selected cytokines involved in pathogenesis of psoriasis.

Psoriasis is a common skin disease involving 1-4% of human population worldwide, of strong genetic background. The following cytokines are directly involved in psoriasis: TNF, IL-1, IL-2, IL-6, IL-7, IL-8, IL-15, IL-18, IL-19, IL-20, IL-23 whereas IL-4, IL-10, IL-12 as well as IL-11, IL-17 and IFN-gamma are rather indirectly engaged. This work is a review of some genetic factors and structure of selected cytokines and receptors and their genes location.

Dermatitis artefacta in a patient with paranoid syndrome.

It is well recognized that psychosomatic factors play an important role in many skin diseases. Dermatitis artefacta coexists with quite an extensive number of psychopathologic conditions. In women, it is regarded as a ''cry for help'', especially when the patient is faced with psychosocial stressors.

Plasma interleukin-18 and dendritic cells in males with psoriasis vulgaris.

Peripheral blood dendritic cells seem to play a crucial role in psoriatic inflammatory processes. The aim of our study is to investigate the relationship between plasma interleukin-18 (IL-18) levels and blood dendritic cells in psoriatic patients. IL-18 plasma levels were measured by ELISA.

Activity of lysosomal exoglycosidases in saliva of patients with HIV infection.

Introduction: The aim of this work was to evaluate the influence of HIV infection on the catabolism of glycoconjugates in oral cavity, by determination the activity of lysosomal exoglycosidases in resting whole saliva HIV positive patients.

Material And Methods: Sample of resting whole saliva from HIV infected patients (divided into two groups, depending on lymphocyte CD4+ number in peripheral blood) and the control-HIV negative group were analyzed for exoglycosidases activity. Determinations the activities (muKat/kg of protein) of lysosomal exoglycosidases were performed according to Chatteriee et al.

Delusional parasitosis in dermatological practice.

Background: The accurate incidence of delusional parasitosis (DP) is difficult to assess. The aim of this study was to analyse the frequency of DP treated by dermatologists, and to evaluate the treatment modalities they applied.

Material And Methods: A specially designed questionnaire was distributed to 172 dermatologists.

Repeated low-dose ultraviolet (UV) B exposures of humans induce limited photoprotection against the immune effects of erythemal UVB radiation.

Background: Exposure of human subjects to ultraviolet (UV) B radiation causes immunosuppression. Most experiments to date have not tested the effects of low daily doses of UVB radiation.

Objectives: To ascertain whether photoprotection against several UV-induced immune effects might develop following repeated exposure.

Thermography in psoriasis vulgaris evaluation.

Psoriasis vulgaris is a chronic inflammatory skin disease with a strong genetic component, characterized by hyperkeratosis, dermal inflammatory infiltrate and increased angiogenesis. The aim of the present study was to employ thermography in evaluation of psoriatic lesions localized in different parts of the body. A series of in-patients with stable plaque type psoriasis vulgaris were included.

Qualitative thermograhic analysis of psoriatic skin lesions.

Psoriasis vulgaris affects about 2% of the human population all over the world. The aim of this study was to evaluate usefulness of thermography in estimation of psoriatic lesion activity. A series of patients with plaque type psoriasis vulgaris were included.

Acceptance of chronic illness in psoriasis vulgaris patients.

Background: Acceptance of an illness is regarded as a considerable problem in patients with chronic diseases. Lack of acceptance can lead to lower adherence to medical treatment and delayed clinical improvement. Psoriasis, being a chronic skin disease, is known to cause considerable distress to patients.

Activity of N-acetyl-beta-hexosaminidase and its isoenzymes in serum and synovial fluid from patients with different arthropathies.

Objective: To evaluate the activity of N-acetyl-Beta-hexosaminidase (HEX) and its isoenzymes in the serum and synovial fluid of healthy volunteers and patients with an injury to the anterior cruciate ligament and/or meniscus (ACL) osteoarthritis (OA), juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: The activity of HEX and its isoenzymes was determined according to Zwierz et al. method.

Decreased ratio of circulatory vascular endothelial growth factor to endostatin in patients with systemic sclerosis--association with pulmonary involvement.

Objective: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and endostatin appear to be involved in development of systemic sclerosis (SSc). We undertook this study to determine ratios of serum concentrations of VEGF to endostatin in SSc patients, healthy controls, assessments between cytokines, and lung-diffusing capacity (DLCO) as lung injury measurements related to interstitial lung disease (ILD).

Materials And Methods: Serum VEGF and endostatin levels were measured with ELISA in 28 SSc patients (16 with lcSSc) and 20-matched healthy volunteers, evaluating correlation and balance.

Heart rate and arrhythmia in patients with psoriasis vulgaris.

Background: Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease involving 1-3% of the human population worldwide. Many systemic diseases including cardiovascular disturbances have been described in psoriatic patients. However, there is a scarcity of data on heart rate, heart rate variability, arrhythmia and conduction abnormalities in this group of patients.

[Quality of life predictors among patients suffering from systemic lupus erythematosus].

Researches on quality of life have been undertaken from dozens of years. However, there are few information about quality of life among people suffering from systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The aim of this study was to set predictors making possible quality of life anticipation.

Optimization of an enzymatic method for the determination of lysosomal N-acetyl-beta-D-hexosaminidase and beta-glucuronidase in synovial fluid.

Background: Our goal was to develop a suitably sensitive assay for N-acetyl-beta-D-hexosaminidase (HEX) and beta-glucuronidase to allow their use as markers of joint diseases.

Methods: We optimized a spectrophotometric method for the determination of lysosomally derived HEX and beta-glucuronidase in synovial fluid on a microplate reader to improve its utility. HEX and beta-glucuronidase act on the 4-nitrophenyl derivatives N-acetyl-beta-glucosamine and beta-D-glucuronide, respectively, to produce 4-nitrophenol, which can be measured at 405 nm on a microplate reader.

Interleukin 6 and 8 levels in plasma and fibroblast cultures in psoriasis.

Fibroblasts have been implicated in psoriatic inflammatory processes. The aim of the study was to evaluate soluble interleukin 2 receptor (sIL-2R), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and interleukin 8 (IL-8) plasma levels in psoriatic patients and IL-6 and IL-8 levels in fibroblast culture supernatants. Cytokines levels in plasma and supernatants were measured by ELISA.