[Symptoms and pathomechanism of changes in the digestive system during the course of systemic lupus erythematosus]. / Objawy i patomechanizm zmian w ukladzie pokarmowym w przebiegu tocznia rumieniowatego ukladowego.

In this work, authors make an attempt to review and systematize digestive system symptoms and pathomechanism of changes in the course of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). They also point out the increasing role of visual methods in the diagnostics of connective tissue diseases. It should be noted that though Osler described first visceral symptoms of systemic lupus erythematosus in 1895, this topic has gained little interest in literature.

Antihypertensive effect of amlodipine compared with nifedipine retard in patients with mild and moderate essential hypertension.

OBJECTIVE: The present study was undertaken to evaluate the efficacy and safety of amlodipine for hypertension treatment in comparison with nifedipine retard. METHODS: We examined 31 patients with arterial blood pressure approximately 155-165 mmHg/100-105 mm Hg at the beginning of the trial. It was a randomized double-blind, parallel-group trial including two groups of patients. Patients of the first group were given active amlodipine and nifedipine retard placebo during 6 weeks, while the second group was given active nifedipine retard and amlodipine placebo. Statistical analysis was made using the paired Student's t-test, chi-square test and ANOVA test. RESULTS: At end point we observed significant decrease in arterial blood pressure after treatment of both drugs. The treatment with nifedipine retard increased the mean heart rate of patients. Amlodipine therapy in comparison to nifedipine retard did not change the heart rate in treated patients. Safety parameters: SGOT, SGTP, creatinine and others were in laboratory norms ranges. CONCLUSION: Amlodipine proved to be an effective, more safe and better-tolerated therapeutical alternative for hypertension management than nifedipine retard.

The assessment of nephrotoxic effect of organophosphorous pesticides based on the determination of the activity of some selected enzymes in urine.

Pesticides and their metabolites are excreted mainly by the kidneys. The effect of these compounds on the kidney parenchyma was evaluated on the basis of determinations of the activity of the following enzymes: alkaline phosphate, N-acetylglucosaminidase, lactate dehydrogenase, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and arginase in urine of workers employed at the department producing organophosphorous pesticides (32 males and 53 females) as well as those employed at the production of chlorfenvinphos (35 males). The activity of most of the estimated enzymes was significantly higher as compared to control groups. The dynamic of changes of enzyme activity was traced in the workers employed at the department producing chlorfenvinphos over their first 18 months of employment.

Biochemical evaluation of the liver function in workers employed at the production of chlorfenvinphos.

In order to assess the liver damage caused by chlorfenvinphos, all the workers employed at the production of this compound were examined twice, 9 years apart. Serum concentration of bilirubin, protein components and the activity of some selected enzymes--red blood cell acetylcholinesterase (AChE), serum alkaline phosphatase (AP), gamma-glutamyltranspeptydase (GGT), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and malic dehydrogenase (MDH) were determined in 41 males on the first examination. On the second examination serum bilirubin concentration and the activity of AChE, ChE, AP and ALT were determined in 35 males. As compared to the results obtained in control groups the first study showed that a lower concentration of serum proteins was accompanied by decreased globulin alpha 1 and beta percentage along with an increased globulin gamma percentage; bilirubin concentration and the activity of ALT, AST, and MDH were higher, whereas the activity of AP, GGT and AChE was lower. The results of the second study were similar--lowered activity of ChE and AP, and increased ALT activity. The results of the investigation provide support for a very slight impairment of the liver parenchyma.

[Cholecystolithiasis in the urban population of Poland]. / Kamica pecherzyka zólciowego w populacji miejskiej w Polsce.

Multicentre study was carried out in three regions of Poland aimed to assess cholecystolithiasis incidence in urban population and some potential risk factors of the disease. 10133 persons in five age groups, from 16 to 70 (6071 women and 4062 men) were examined. The examination consisted of questionnaire considered sex, age, weight, dietary habits, complaints, chronic drugs use, family history and in women number of pregnancies and deliveries as well as hormone therapy. The results obtained were analysed statistically with Chi 2 test. Cholecystolithiasis was found in 1411 persons (10.7%), among them 18% women (1083 women) and 8.2% men (328 men). Incidence rate was 180.5/1000 women and 82.0/1000 men. The obtained increase in percentage of cholecystolithiasis cases with age was statistically significant. No relation were found between the number of stones and sex of the examined persons. In 1480 persons (43.5%0 the disease was asymptotic. The studies did not prove the correlation between cholecystolithiasis in women and sex of the first child or oral contraception. Positive correlation was found between cholecystolithiasis in women, obesity, number of pregnancies and family history. In men age was most significant risk factor. Incidence of cholecystolithiasis in Poland, Western Europe and USA is similar.

[Rarely encountered association of hyperthyroidism in the form of Graves-Basedow disease with vitiligo]. / Rzadko spotykane skojarzenie nadczynnosci tarczycy w postaci choroby Gravesa-Basedowa z bielactwem.

A case is described of rarely occurring disease combination, that is Graves-Basedow disease and vitiligo. In the discussion, on the basis of literature data the possibility is presented of simultaneous occurrence of diseases of autoimmunological character.

[Small-cell lung tumor associated with erythroleukemia reaction in peripheral blood and syndrome of disseminated intravascular coagulation]. / Rak drobnokomórkowy pluc przebiegajacy z odczynem erytroleukemicznym we krwi obwodowej i zespolem wykrzepiania wewnatrznaczyniowego.

A case of a 65-year-old man with erythroleukaemic reaction in peripheral blood in the course of untreated lung cancer, and the encountered diagnostic problems are described. In the discussion the possible mechanisms are presented which may explain the occurrence of erythroleukaemia in the course of parvicellular lung carcinoma.

[Epidemiology of cholelithiasis among professionally active persons in the Katowice province]. / Epidemiologia kamicy pecherzyka zólciowego u ludzi zawodowo czynnych w województwie katowickim.

In the workplaces of the City of Katowice 2867 subjects in 5 age groups were studied by inquiry, physical examination and gallbladder ultrasonography. Calculi in the gallbladder were found in 344 subjects that is 11.99%. The prevalence of calculi was much higher in females, and in both sexes it increased with age. The study confirms the value of USG in the diagnosis of gallbladder calculi and the possibility of its use for screening of the general population.