Prognostic value of assessment of stool and serum IL-1Β, IL-1ra and IL-6 concentrations in children with active and inactive ulcerative colitis

Introduction: Interleukin-1b (IL-1b), interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) contribute to the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis (UC). The aim of our study was to evaluate the serum and stool IL-1b, IL-1ra and IL-6 concentrations as potential prognostic factors in children with UC. Material and methods: Thirty-eight children with UC (20 active, 18 inactive) and 14 healthy controls were prospectively included in the study. IL-1b, IL-1ra and IL-6 concentrations were measured in serum and stool supernatants at inclusion to the study using ELISA immunoassays. The children were followed up over 5 years, and at each follow-up clinical disease activity, quantity and severity of relapses, nutritional status, endoscopic and histopathologic activity, disease complications and the treatment regimen were evaluated. Results: In children with active and inactive UC who had relapsed during a 5-year follow-up period compared to the non-relapse groups we found significantly increased serum IL-1b (1.34 vs. 0.98 pg/ml, p < 0.05, and 1.02 vs. 0.68 pg/ml, p < 0.01, respectively,) and IL-1ra (718.0 vs. 453.2 pg/ml, p < 0.05, and 567.4 vs. 365.1 pg/ml, p < 0.01, respectively). Additionally, in children who had experienced complications during a 5-year follow-up period we observed significantly increased serum and stool IL-1b (p < 0.05) and serum IL-1ra (p < 0.01) compared to the group without complications. Conclusions: We concluded that serum IL-1b and IL-1ra and to a lesser extend stool IL-1b concentrations may be useful prognostic factors in children with active and inactive UC over a short-term follow-up period, which may help to identify children that require more aggressive therapy due to an increased risk of relapse or complications resulting from UC

Blood Microsampling for Complete Blood Count: Take Heed of Preanalytical Errors

Background: The credibility of the result of a complete blood count is closely connected with the preanalytical phase.Objectives: This study evaluated accordance of filling of microtubes with manufacturer's recommendation and assessed the effect of storage of overfilled and underfilled samples on the results of complete blood count.Design and Methods: Volume of blood samples collected into microtubes in the wards of the University Children's Hospital in Cracow during one month was analyzed. In the stability studies, overfilled and underfilled samples stored at ambient temperature were analyzed at 1, 2, 3 and 12 hours after phlebotomy. The analysis was made using the SYSMEX XT-1800i analyzer.Results: More than half of the analyzed samples were incorrectly filled. 63% of the samples were filled above the manufacturer's recommended volume and 15% of test-tubes were filled below the recommendation. We observed differences between collected blood volume in accordance to the age of patients (p=0.001). The storage of overfilled and underfilled microtubes for complete blood count for 1,2,3 and 12 h at room temperature had no effect on the results of this test.Conclusion: Medical staff does not follow the instructions of the manufacturers. It might lead to a decrease of the quality and credibility of the results

The antero-lateral approach with corpectomy in the management of the ventral meningioma of the spinal canal

The authors present the anterior approach to cervical spine, which enabled complete resection of tumor located in the anterior part of the spinal canal. Considering there are not many reports in the literature, the authors present a case of a meningioma at the level C5–C6 resected with good result through anterolateral approach

Dieta niskowęglowodanowa - alternatywa w leczeniu otyłości, ale czy bezpieczna? Opis przypadku

Wobec rozpowszechnienia otyłości - jednego z istotnych czynników ryzyka chorób układu sercowo-naczyniowego - dużym wyzwaniem staje się jej leczenie. Podstawą tego leczenia powinny być odpowiednio dobrana dieta oraz zindywidualizowany wysiłek. W poniższym artykule opisano diety niskowęglowodanowe, wysokotłuszczowe, stające się często alternatywą dla diet konwencjonalnych, dobrze zbilansowanych, a przez to - rekomendowanych przez towarzystwa medyczne. W pracy przedstawiono opis przypadku chorej stosującej przez 10 lat dietę Kwaśniewskiego, przyjętej do Śląskiego Centrum Chorób Serca w Zabrzu z rozpoznaniem zawału serca bez uniesienia odcinka ST

Effect of selected factors on the serum 25(OH)D concentration in women treated for breast cancer

Maintaining an optimal vitamin D concentration reduces the risk of recurrence and extends survival time in patients after breast cancer treatment. Data on vitamin D deficiency among Polish women after breast cancer therapy are limited. Thus, the aim of the study was the analysis of vitamin D status in post-mastectomy patients, considering such factors as seasons, social habits, vitamin D supplementation and its measurements. The study involved 94 women after breast cancer treatment. Serum vitamin D concentration was measured, and a questionnaire, gathering demographic and clinical data regarding cancer, diet, exposure to sun radiation, and knowledge of recommendations on vitamin D supplementation, was delivered twice, in both winter and in summer. The control group consisted of 94 age-matched women with no oncological history. In women after breast cancer treatment, 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) deficiency was much more frequent than in the general population. Only about half of the patients supplemented vitamin D at the beginning of the study. After the first test and the issuing of recommendations on vitamin D supplementation, the percentage of vitamin D supplemented patients increased by about 30% in study groups. The average dose of supplement also increased. None of the women that were not supplementing vitamin D and were tested again in winter had optimal 25(OH)D concentration. It was concluded that vitamin deficiency is common in women treated for breast cancer. Medical advising about vitamin D supplementation and monitoring of 25(OH)D concentration should be improved

Neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF 2) or schwannomatosis? – Case report study and diagnostic criteria

Introduction Neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) and schwannomatosis are entities that may, due to the similarity of clinical symptoms, cause diagnostic difficulties. Incidence rate of both diseases is similar and estimated between 1:25,000 and 1:40,000. The genes associated with the development of the aforementioned disorders are located on chromosome 22 and lay in proxmity. Schwannomatosis is characterized by an incomplete penetrance and the risk of its transmission to the offspring is significantly lower than in the case of NF 2. Schwannomatosis clinical characteristic is similar to the NF2, however vestibular schwannomas are not present. Therefore the imaging studies evaluated by an experienced radiologist play a key role in the diagnostic process. Case report Forty two-year-old female hospitalized three times because of the tumors of the spinal canal was admitted to the Department of Neurosurgery and Peripheral Nerve Surgery in 2008 because of the cervical pain syndrome with concomitant headache. She was diagnosed with a schwannomatosis, recently distinguished, the third form of neurofibromatosis. MRI imaging revealed craniocervical junction tumor. Suboccipital craniectomy with concomitant C1–C2 laminectomy was done in order to remove the lesion. After the surgery the patient did not present any deficits in neurological examination and was discharged from hospital in good general condition. Conclusions The patient was diagnosed with schwannomatosis, recently established neurofibromatosis entity which may resemble NF2 clinically. In patients after the age of 30, in whom we observe multiple schwannomas without the concomitant hearing impairment, the diagnosis of schwannomatosis is very likely