Influence of Inhaled Corticosteroids on Bronchial Inflammation and Pulmonary Function in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease with Moderate Obstruction.

Inflammation in the bronchial respiratory tract and lung parenchyma underlies the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It consists of effector cell infiltration, changes in reticular basement membrane (RBM) thickness, and the content of inflammatory mediators. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) on the number of inflammatory cells and RBM thickness in bronchial biopsies, and pulmonary function in patients with moderate COPD.

Prevalence of Neisseria meningitidis Carriage with Identification of Serogroups and Genogroups in Professional Soldiers.

The article presents the prevalence of Neisseria meningitidis carriage with the identification of sero- and genogroups in professional soldiers serving in the Polish Armed Forces. A total of 1246 soldiers from the 10th Armored Cavalry Brigade in Świętoszów, Poland were examined in the period January-February 2016. Microbiological tests were performed using standard methods (culture, incubation, microscopy, biochemical, and automated identification with VITEK cards).

Bacteriological Assessment of Pneumonia Caused by Gram-Negative Bacteria in Patients Hospitalized in Intensive Care Unit.

The article presents the results of 11-year study (2005-2015) of Gram-negative bacteria responsible for pneumonia in 2033 mechanically ventilated patients hospitalized in Intensive Care Unit. Of 8796 biological samples, consisting mainly of bronchial aspirate (97.9 %), 2056 bacterial strains were isolated and subjected to identification.

Zika - another threat on the epidemiological map of the world.

Zika fever is an acute infectious disease caused by the Zika virus (ZIKV) of the Flaviviridae family and Flavivirus genus. It is transmitted by day-time active Aedes mosquitoes, and potentially by sexual contacts, blood transfusion, and from mother to foetus (resulting in microcephaly in a child). ZIKV was first isolated from a macaque monkey in the Zika forest in Uganda in 1947.

Etiological factors causing lower respiratory tract infections isolated from hospitalized patients.

Lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI) account for 20-30 % of all hospital-acquired contagions. They are characterized by high mortality of hospitalized patients. The most serious form of LRTI is pneumonia, and the most common etiological factors in such cases are bacteria.

Effectiveness of immunoprophylaxis in suppressing carriage of Neisseria meningitidis in the military environment.

Neisseria meningitidis, etiological factor of invasive meningococcal disease, is a human commensal that colonizes the nasopharynx. Colonization is usually asymptomatic, but it is a prerequisite for disease. Asymptomatic carriers are the major source of infection.

Carbon and nitrogen isotope analyses coupled with palynological data of PM10 in Wrocław city (SW Poland)--assessment of anthropogenic impact.

We have applied both palynological and carbon and nitrogen isotopic analyses of PM10 (particulate matter with a diameter of 10 μm or less) to trace its origin and to assess the anthropogenic impact for the area under study. The PM10 samples were collected in Wrocław (SW Poland) by the Regional Inspectorate for Environment Protection during the year 2007. The usefulness of the palynological observations in the case of PM10 is much lower than that for total suspended particles due to the resolution of absorbed particles, but is still helpful for distinguishing C(3)/C(4) plants that indicate long-distance transport of pollutants.

[Analysis of treatment results of boys referred to outpatient paediatric surgery centre with recognition of phimosis].

Unlabelled: The problem with prepuce retraction is caused not only by its narrowing, called phimosis, but also frequently by the inner prepuce adhesion to glans. The spontaneous prepuce retraction is received in 80% cases of boys up to the age of two, whereas in remaining cases, after the age of two it is necessary to take up the medical treatment. The purpose of the research was to estimate the effectiveness of conservative therapy using steroid ointments which was undertaken in boys referred to Outpatient Paediatric Surgery Centre with recognition of phimosis.