The correlation between vitamin D and autoimmune thyroid function – short review

Vitamin D is traditionally associated with the regulation of mineral metabolism and bone homeostasis, and its deficiency is the cause of diseases such as osteoporosis or osteomalacia. However, numerous studies in recent years suggest that thanks to the common expression of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) on the cells of the body and the related additional anti-inflammatory, immunomodulating, antioxidant, anti-fibrotic vitamin D effects, it may play a role in the development and progress of autoimmune diseases and tumors. The collected data suggest that low vitamin D levels correlate with the occurrence of autoimmune diseases of the thyroid gland and that there is a significant correlation between 25(OH)D and anti-TPO or anti-Tg levels. However, these data are inconclusive and further research is needed to confirm this relationship and determine whether lowered vitamin D titer is the cause or rather the consequence of autoimmune thyroid disorders, and whether vitamin D supplementation could prove to be an effective prophylaxis and treatment

Sprawozdanie z XVII corocznej czesko‑polsko‑słowackiej konferencji naukowej, Bojnice 6-7 września 2016 r.

W dniach 6-7 września 2016 roku w Bojnicach na Słowacji odbyła się XVII czesko‑polsko‑słowacka konferencja naukowa. W tym roku została ona zorganizowana przez Katedrę Prawa Administracyjnego, Prawa Ochrony Środowiska i Prawa Finansowego Wydziału Prawa z Uniwersytetu w Trnavie, reprezentowaną przez prof. JUDr. Soňę Košičiarovą PhD. Tegoroczne rozważania koncentrowały się wokół tematu „Prawo do środowiska i instrumenty jego realizacji”

Expression of matrix metalloproteinase 9 in pancreatic ductal carcinoma is associated with tumor metastasis formation.

The objective of the current study was to assess the expression of matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) in pancreatic ductal carcinoma and to examine its correlation with chosen clinico-anatomical parameters. The study group consisted of 36 patients with pancreatic ductal carcinoma. Tumors were stained using immunohistochemical method (NCL -MMP-9, Novocastra). No correlation was found between tumor MMP-9 expression and age, gender or grade of histological malignancy. However, statistical analysis revealed a relationship between tumor MMP-9 expression and histological type (adenocarcinoma mucinosum) of pancreatic carcinoma. The expression was strongly correlated with lymph node involvement and occurrence of distant metastases (

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis - novel approach on future treatment

IntroductionIdiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a fatal pulmonary disease that leads to progressive fibrosis and extremely poor resaults.. Since the etiology is unknown, there are highly limited options of the IPF treatment. The researchers are trying to discover the most valuable targets, leading them to the agents registered in different conditions or not registered as any other treatment. This innovative approach can result in IPF being determined as not fatal. PurposeThe purpose of our review is to present possible future treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and point out the promising targets that could lead the researchers to the development of better IPF management. Materials and methodsWe have reviewed the literature from the PubMed database searching for clinical trials, meta analysis and randomized controlled trials from the past 5 years. The keywords we agreed on offered us the most informative articles and made us hope for the further development of our article. ResultsOur review shows that there are new targets that could significantly benefit IPF treatment. However, the means we presented in our review need more research to prove its safeness, effectiveness in slowing down the decline of the FVC, improving patients’ physical efficiency, their saturation level and most importantly their ability to stop the continuous fibrosis of the lungs. ConclusionsThe only treatment registered for IPF are nintedanib and pirfenidone, but the researchers continue the exploration of new possible measures to improve the survival rate and quality of life of the patients suffering from this fatal disease

Immunohistochemical expression of MMP-7 protein and its serum level in colorectal cancer

 The study objective was to determine the presence of MMP-7 in cancer tissue in correlation with its serum level in patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer (CRC). In 45 patients with CRC, MMP-7 expression was assessed immunohistochemically on FFPE slides in tumours (N = 37) and in the corresponding surgical margin sample. MMP-7 serum level was measured preoperatively. The expression of MMP-7 in cancer tissue was much stronger as compared to the normal intestinal mucosa. Also the level of MMP-7 in the serum of CRC patients was higher than in healthy subjects (N = 24) (p < 0.01). The tumour located in the colon showed higher expression of MMP-7 than CRCs located in the rectum (p < 0.05), whereas the higher MMP-7 serum level showed correlation with older age (p = 0.005), tumour size less than 5 cm (p < 0.05), higher Dukes’ stage (p < 0.05) and distant metastases (p < 0.05). The increased serum level of MMP-7 in CRC patients may indicate the presence of distant metastases.

Compulsive buying — new therapeutic challenge

Kompulsywne zakupy z powodu dużej częstości występowania w społeczeństwie zasługują na większą uwagę psychiatrii. Kompulsywne kupowanie jest kandydatem na kolejne uzależnienie czynnościowe. Problem ten jest badany od wielu lat, ciągle jednak wiele pytań pozostaje bez odpowiedzi. Autorzy przedstawiają charakterystykę tego zaburzenia oraz przegląd metod leczenia.Due to its high population prevalence the compulsive buying deserves more attention from psychiatrists. Compulsive buying is the candidate for another functional dependence. This problem is studied for many years, but still remains a lot of unanswered questions. The authors present the characteristics of this disorder and an overview of studied methods of treatment

Eating disorders in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus

Introduction and purpose: Eating disorders are an ever-growing problem, both in the general population and also in the population of pediatric patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus. However, for this specific group of patients, there is a twofold higher risk of developing eating disorders, the occurrence of additional distinct forms of these disorders, the so-called diabulimia - consisting of deliberate restriction of insulin delivery or skipping insulin doses, which can consequently lead to poor metabolic control of diabetes , and even threaten the lives of patients. The purpose of this work is to present the current state of knowledge on the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of eating disorders in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes. The state of knowladge: The background of the onset of eating disorders in pediatric patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus includes the lowered self-esteem accompanying early adolescence, stress, excessive focus on external appearance, as well as difficulties in accepting the diagnosis and a rather strict dietary regime. Since the treatment of eating disorders is long and difficult, the most important goal becomes effective prevention and rapid selection of patients with a predisposition to develop such disorders. The first screening tools - SEEDS, m-SCOFF and DEPS-R questionnaires - have already been developed, and the effectiveness of therapy sessions aimed at this group of patients is also being studied.  Summary: Therapy of eating disorders in patients with type 1 diabetes should be targeted at this specific patient population. It requires cooperation and communication of teams dealing separately with these diseases, education of the staff and their thorough knowledge of the background of the problem, prompt action and, above all, the development of specific guidelines for management, methods of prevention and the earliest possible start of treatment, which will also include the patient's caregivers