Visual evoked potentials in patients with psoriasis vulgaris

Purpose: The aim of this study is an estimation of the visual evoked potentials (VEP) in patients with psoriasis vulgaris. The role of the nervous system was pointed out in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. Also epidemiologic research confirms that patients with psoriasis are at increased risk of MS development. Materials and methods: A group of 30 psoriatic males aged between 18 and 54 was examined. The results were compared with those obtained from a group of 30 healthy age-matched males and they were correlated with the psoriasis area and severity index (PASI), the skin surface area involved, duration of the disease and duration of the last relapse. In neurological and ophthalmological examinations no pathological symptoms were detected in either group. The VEP examination was executed using pattern reversal (pr) and pattern flash (pf) stimulation. Results: Using pf stimulation, in the group of patients with psoriasis vulgaris, a statistically significant elongation in the latency of P-100 and reduction of response amplitude, not related to the PASI, nor the skin surface area involved, nor duration of the last relapse, were observed. Conclusions: The results of the study indicate subclinical damage of the visual pathway in patients with psoriasis vulgaris.     

Factors Affecting Dental Caries Experience in 12-Year-Olds,Based on Data from Two Polish Provinces

(1) Background: Dental caries is a chronic disease that affects a child’s dentition from the first stages of life. Several factors contribute to the development of the disease, including an improper diet. This cross-sectional study aimed to identify risk factors of dental caries in 12-year-old adolescents from Greater Poland and Lubusz Provinces (Poland). (2) Material and methods: The research was conducted in adolescents from five primary schools. A questionnaire consisted of close-ended questions on socioeconomic characteristics on family, diet, and oral hygiene habits. An assessment of the dentition was carried out in accordance with World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations. In addition to cavitated carious lesions, incipient caries lesions were noted according to the International Caries Detection and Assessment System, adapted for epidemiological studies (ICDASepiDMFt). (3) Results: The mean number of teeth with untreated caries; removed due to caries; and restored because of caries (DMFt) was 1.52 ± 1.90, while the ICDASepiDMFt index amounted to 2.64 ± 2.55, respectively. Children who did not brush every day had significantly higher odds of having ICDASepiDMFt > 0 than children brushing at least once daily (OR = 10.32, 95% CI = 1.36–78.32, p = 0.0240). Adolescents who drank sweet carbonated drinks every day had significantly higher ICDASepiDMTt than children who drank sweet carbonated drinks less frequently (p = 0.0477). (4) Conclusions: The research revealed that dental caries indices of 12-year-old adolescents from Greater Poland and Lubusz Provinces depend mainly on oral hygiene behaviors. The only significant nutritional factor that differentiated the caries intensity was the daily consumption of sweet carbonated drinks.     

Five-Year Follow-up of a Randomized Clinical Trial of Unilateral Thyroid Lobectomy with or Without Postoperative Levothyroxine Treatment

Background  

The aim of this study was to compare the prevalence of recurrent nodular goiter in the contralateral thyroid lobe among patients after unilateral thyroid lobectomy for unilateral multinodular goiter (MNG) receiving versus not receiving postoperative prophylactic levothyroxine (LT4) treatment.     

Lymphocyte subtypes CD3+, CD19+, CD16+CD56+, CD4+, CD8+, and CD3+HLA-DR+ in peripheral blood obtained from patients after thoracic organ transplantation

Introduction

The aim of this study was to assess peripheral blood lymphocyte subtypes (CD3⁺, CD19⁺, CD16⁺CD56⁺, CD4⁺, CD8⁺, and CD3⁺HLA-DR⁺) obtained from thoracic organ recipients at various periods after transplantation.

Material and Methods

Seventeen patients after lung transplantation (LT) and 5 patients after heart transplantation (HT) included 13 males (76.5%) and 4 females (23.5%) of overall mean age at the time of transplantation of 46.7 ± 11.55 years and mean body mass index of 21.1 ± 4. Lymphocyte phenotypes were estimated using Simultest IMK Plus.

Results

A significant decrease in lymphocytes of the majority of subtypes was observed at 1 year posttransplantation compared with normal ranges: CD19⁺ B lymphocytes in 56% of patients, CD8⁺ T cells among 48% and CD16⁺CD56⁺ natural killer elements, 56%. In contrast, there were increased numbers of activated lymphocytes (CD3⁺HLA-DR⁺). Beyond the 1-year observation, we observed a trend to normalize parameters among the majority of subjects.

Conclusion

A clear tendency to a decrease number of peripheral blood lymphocytes of various subtypes was observed among thoracic organ recipients in the first year posttransplantation with the exception of activated HLA-DR⁺ cells. After the first year, there was slow restoration of lymphocytes.     

Total,free, and protein-bound thiols in plasma of peritoneal dialysis and predialysis patients

Thiol compounds such as glutathione, homocysteine, and cysteinyl-glycine are the natural reservoir of reductive capacity of the cells. Chronic renal failure is accompanied by disturbances in redox status of plasma thiols. The aim of the present study was to compare the changes in concentrations of different forms of thiols in plasma of terminal renal failure patients, nondialyzed and on peritoneal dialysis. Total concentrations of different redox forms of thiols were determined by high performance liquid chromatography. We observed that total concentration of glutathione in terminal renal failure patients decreased and total concentration of the remaining thiols in these patients significantly increased. Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis had the following features in comparison with nondialyzed patients: (1) glutathione and cysteine concentration was restored and (2) free fraction of thiols rose, while protein-bound fraction dropped (except for homocysteine). Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis corrects total concentration of glutathione and cysteine, in comparison with nondialyzed patients.     

Heterotopic pancreas in the stomach (type II according to Heinrich) - literature review and case report

Heterotopic pancreas is a rare congenital disorder characterized by the presence of normal pancreatic tissue located outside the pancreas. The most common locations include the duodenum, stomach, and jejunum. Most cases of heterotopic pancreas are asymptomatic. However, the development of clinical symptoms depends on the size, location and pathological changes similar to those observed in case of the normal pancreas. The Authors presented a case of multiple stomach heterotopic pancreatic lesions in an adult male patient. The atypical clinical presentation including non-specific endoscopic and CT images were responsible for the misdiagnosis before surgery. The patient underwent surgery. The tumor located in the posterior wall of the body of the stomach was excised by wedge resection. The postoperative course proved uneventful. Proper diagnosis was established on the basis of the histopathological examination of the resected tumor: heterotopic pancreas-multiple lesions, type II, according to Heinrich. The presented case report demonstrated that heterotopic pancreas should always be considered in the differential diagnosis of gastric tumors.