Oxidation and degradation of polyethylene in hip implants

The infrared absorption spectra of polyethylene samples from 13 used acetabular cups of hip prostheses retrieved from patients after different periods of use were studied. The presence of carbonyl compounds was observed in exploited polyethylene samples, confirming progressive oxidative degradation of polyethylene in biological environment

PTH and arterial hypertension

Parathormon (PTH) jest od wielu lat postrzegany jako potencjalny czynnik hipertensynogenny. Pogląd ten opiera się jednak tylko na dowodach pośrednich, takich jak podwyższone stężenie PTH w surowicy u chorych z nadciśnieniem tętniczym pierwotnym oraz zwiększona częstość występowania nadciśnienia tętniczego u pacjentów z pierwotną nadczynnością przytarczyc (pHPT). Parenteralne podanie PTH powoduje krótkotrwały rozkurcz naczyń oraz wzrost natriurezy, co przemawia przeciwko udziałowi PTH w patogenezie nadciśnienia tętniczego. Wpływ PTH na ciśnienie tętnicze może być następstwem pogorszenia funkcji śródbłonka naczyń, proliferacji komórek mięśni gładkich naczyń oraz przerostu mięśnia sercowego. Wątpliwości dotyczące udziału PTH w etiopatogenezie nadciśnienia pierwotnego powstają przy uwzględnieniu czynności wydalniczej nerek, która często jest upośledzona nie tylko u chorych z pHPT, ale również u pacjentów z nadciśnieniem tętniczym związanym z nefropatią nadciśnieniową i starzeniem się organizmu. Należy więc zwrócić szczególną uwagę na niewątpliwy niekorzystny wpływ przewlekłej ekspozycji nerek na zwiększone stężenie PTH i wapnia w surowicy u pacjentów z pHPT. Niezależnie od nieudowodnionej roli PTH w etiopatogenezie nadciśnienia tętniczego, pHPT wiąże się niewątpliwie ze zwiększonym ryzykiem schorzeń sercowo-naczyniowych. Celem niniejszego, krytycznego przeglądu literatury jest przedstawienie aktualnego stanu wiedzy na temat zależności pomiędzy PTH a nadciśnieniem tętniczym.Parathormon (PTH) has been recognized as a potential factor in the etiopathogenesis of essential hypertension. The higher prevalence of arterial hypertention in primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT) than in the general population and higher serum PTH concetration in patients with essential hypertensive are the only indirect evidence confirming this assumption. Infusion of PTH in man results in transient vasodilatation and increased urinary sodium excretion that gives evidence against its hypertensive effect. On the contrary, impaired endothelial function, proliferation of vascular smooth cells and heart hypertrophy may cause increase of blood pressure. Question concerning the role of PTH in the pathogenesis of arterial hypertension arises when excretory renal function, which is often impaired not only in patients with pHPT but also with arterial hypertension as a result of hypertensive nephropathy and ageing, is taken under consideration. It is important to remember about the negative consequences of long-term kidney exposition to increased PTH and serum calcium level in patients with pHPT. However, the role of PTH in the etiopathogenesis of arterial hypertension is still unclear, pHPT is undoubtedly associated with increased cardiovascular risk. The aim of this critical review is to summarize current arguments concerning the relationship between PTH and arterial hypertension

Psoriatic lesion regression -thermographic evaluation

Abstract Psoriasis vulgaris is a chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by hyperkeratosis, dermal inflammatory infiltrate and increased angiogenesis. The aim of the present study was to assess usefulness of thermography in psoriatic lesion regression. Ten in-patients with psoriasis vulgaris were included in the study. ThermaCam INFRAMETRICS 290E thermocamera with temperature resolution of 0.1 oC was employed. Both visual and thermal images, derived from four body regions i.e. chest, back, upper and lower limbs of lesional and lesion-free areas were recorded and analyzed. A significant decrease in temperature measurement was observed along with efficient treatment both over skin lesions and lesion-free areas. There was also a significant decrease in erythema severity in all the examined areas. A negative correlation was noted between temperature and desquamation on the chest and between temperature and infiltration on the back. It is conceivable to speculate that temperature measurement could serve as a marker of disease remission. What is more, lesion-free skin in psoriatic patients seems to be somewhat involved in the pathological process in psoriasis suggesting that it is "prepared" for lesion progression

EFFECT OF SOWS’ CONDITION ON MORPHOLOGICAL AND BIOCHEMICAL BLOOD INDICATORS

The aim of the study was to determine the effect of sows’ condition, being expressed as fat reserve – the mean from two measurements (P2 + P4)/2 on the 104th day of pregnancy (±2 – 3 days) on hematological indicators in blood of PLW x PL sows. Classification of sows into two groups was performed on the basis of lifetime evaluation of backfat thickness in 97 sows (primiparous: multiparous – 30%:70%); group I consisted of the sows with (P2 + P4)/2>20 mm and group II with (P2 + P4)/2≤20 mm. The condition of sows, as expressed by backfat thickness in three dates (late pregnancy, parturition, weaning) amounted to >3,5 for group I and ≤2.5 for group II on a 5-point scale. The examination of hematological indicators was performed on a representative group of 32 randomly chosen sows, 16 animals from each group. Blood for analyses was sampled from the sows on the 104th day of pregnancy and on the 21st day of lactation. Any significant differences between group I and II in respect of morphological indices, excluding significantly higher MCV in sows from group I vs. II on the 21st day of lactation (P≤0.05), were not found. In late pregnancy, significant differences were recorded for the content of ALB and TP (P≤0.05), BUN (P≤0.01), HDL (P≤0.001) and in final stage of lactation – HDL (P≤0.01) (higher in group I vs. II). The mean values of the studied blood indicators of the sows were found within the standards for the species, production group and stage of reproduction cycle, irrespectively of the condition of the females

Diagnosis and treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus in patients with chronic kidney disease and eGFR < 60 mL/min — a position statement of the Polish Society of Nephrology Working Group on Metabolic and Endocrine Disorders in Kidney Diseases

Diabetes mellitus is one the most frequent co-morbid conditions in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), frequently leading to chronic kidney failure. Progression of CKD accelerates several metabolic disorders, predominantly those related to abnormalities of carbohydrate metabolism. Patients with CKD are usually characterised by an insulin resistance additionally aggravated by several co-morbid conditions (for example chronic low-grade inflammation). Treatment with anti-diabetic medications in patients with CKD remains a challenge because, along with the disease progression, the dosing of several drugs needs to be adjusted to the reduced kidney function (especially those that are excreted intact with urine or as active metabolites). Progression of CKD also increases the risk of hypoglycaemia in patients treated with anti-diabetic drugs, and other adverse drug reactions may occur more frequently. Usefulness of the new generation drugs has not yet been verified in patients with advanced kidney disease (although some of them act through kidney-related mechanisms). The current position statement of the Polish Society of Nephrology Working Group provides practical recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus in patients with CKD and reduced kidney function

Experimental model for acute kidney injury caused by uropathogenic Escherichia coli

Introduction: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is the rapid deterioration of renal function, diagnosed on the basis of an increase in serum creatinine and abnormal urinary parameters. AKI is associated with increased risk of mortality or chronic kidney disease (CKD).The aim of the study was to develop an experimental model for AKI resulting from Escherichia coli-induced pyelonephritis. E. coli was isolated from a patient with clinical symptoms of urinary tract infection (UTI).Material/Methods: The study included three groups of female Wistar rats (groups 1, 2 and 3), in which pyelonephritis was induced by transurethral inoculation with highly virulent E. coli (105, 107 and 109 cfu/ml, respectively). Urine and blood samples for analysis were obtained prior to the inoculation (day 0), as well as 7, 14 and 21 days thereafter.Results: Aside from a microbiological examination of urine samples, daily urine output, serum creatinine (CreaS), creatinine clearance (CrCl), interleukin 6 (IL-6), fractional excretion of sodium (FENa) and fractional excretion of urea (FEUrea) were determined. A histopathological examination of kidney and urinary bladder specimens was conducted as well. While UTI-related pyelonephritis developed irrespective of E. coli inoculum size, AKI was observed only following transurethral administration of E. coli at the intermediate and high dose, i.e. 107 and 109 cfu/ml, respectively (group 2 and 3). Discussion: An increase in CreaS and abnormal diuresis were accompanied by changes in parameters specific for various forms of AKI, i.e. FENa and FEUrea. Based on these changes, administration of E. coli at 107 cfu/ml was demonstrated to induce renal AKI, whereas inoculation with 109 cfu/ml seemed to cause not only ascending pyelonephritis, but perhaps also bacteremia and urosepsis (prerenal component of AKI)