Indoor cycling training in rehabilitation of patients after myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: Standard endurance training used from the second stage of cardiac rehabilitation has many common features with indoor cycling training which is used in fitness clubs. In the study, an attempt was made to evaluate the usefulness of this form of training in a 24-day rehabilitation program for patients after myocardial infarction. The study examined a group of 64 patients (51.34 ± 8.02 years) who were divided into two groups: the IC group (32 patients aged 53.40 ± 4.31 years) with indoor cycling training instead of standard endurance training; and the ST group (32 patients aged 55.31 ± 6.45 years) performing standard training. The level of exercise tolerance (cardiopulmonary exercise testing on a treadmill-Bruce's protocol), hemodynamic indicators of the left ventricle (echocardiography) and blood lipid profile (laboratory test) were assessed. RESULTS: In the IC group there was a significant increase in the test duration (9.21 ± 2.02 vs 11.24 ± 1.26 min; p < 0.001), the MET value (9.16 ± 1.30 vs 10.73 ± 1.23; p = 0.006) and VO2max (37.27 ± 3.23 vs 39.10 ± 3.17 ml/kg/min; p < 0.001). Parallel changes were observed in the ST group, where the following parameters improved: the test duration (9.41 ± 0.39 vs 10.91 ± 2.22; p < 0.001), MET value (8.65 ± 0.25 vs 9.86 ± 1.12; p = 0.002) and VO2max (36.89 ± 6.22 vs 38.76 ± 3.44; p < 0.001). No statistically significant changes were found in the hemodynamic indices of the left ventricle and the lipid profile. Also, the intergroup analysis did not show any statistical significance. CONCLUSION: Based on the research results, it was found that indoor cycling training in the second phase of cardiac rehabilitation is a safe form of therapy and therefore may be an interesting alternative method to the classic bicycle ergometer exercise in the stage of early cardiac rehabilitation.

Aberrant function and differentiation of monocytes in end stage renal disease.

Patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD) suffer from many disturbances of the immune system. These immunopathologies are related to the higher failure of vaccination, and increased prevalence of infections and neoplasms. In the presented article, we review the current data regarding the role of monocytes in immune dysfunctions which are observed in terminal renal failure. As monocytes play a pivotal role in regulating the function of the immune system, their dysfunction can have a profound effect on the immune system and may lead to accelerated arteriosclerosis and deteriorating overall health conditions. More specifically, we suggest that peripheral blood monocytes in patients with ESRD are chronically activated, and their functional and phenotypical features resemble those of inflammatory macrophages. This state of chronic inflammation is unfavorable for dendritic cells and consequently, the prevalence of dendritic cells is reduced. As these effects are consistent across different modes of dialysis, they are probably mediated by the uremia itself.

[Human papilloma virus infection in pregnant women with normal pap-smears, HPV oncogenity and risk factors]. / Zakazenie wirusem brodawczaka ludzkiego z uwzglednieniem onkogennosci oraz obecnosci wybranych czynników ryzyka, u kobiet ciezarnych z prawidlowymi wynikami badan cytologicznych.

UNLABELLED: The process of carcinogenesis in both types of cervical carcinoma is dependent on the infection of oncogenic types of HPV. HPV infection could be diagnosed on the basis of whether or not the DNA virus in present. In pregnant women the latent-persistent infection easily changes into its active form. This process is related to changes in immunological response and concentration of the hormones. AIM: The main aim of the study was to evaluate the frequency of HPV infection in healthy pregnant women in second and third trimester of pregnancy and the presence of selected risk factors. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was conducted in 2005-2006 on hospitalized women in The Clinic of High Risk Pregnancy. The first group consisted of 180 pregnant women in 2nd trimester of pregnancy, the second comprised 220 pregnant women in the 3rd trimester. In all women the Pap-smears and diagnosis of DNA presence of high and low risk HPV from the border line of cervical epithelium were tested on the first day of the hospitalization. The PCR method using Human Papilloma Virus Typing Set was used. RESULTS: In 400 pregnant women the presence of HPV was found in 4.5%, type 16 was fund in 2.5%, type 18 in 1.7%. Combined infection 16 and 18 types was found in 0.2%. In 180 pregnant women in II trimester high risk HPV was found in 4.4%: 16 type was found in 2.8%, 18 type in 1.7%. In IlI trimester high risk HPV was found in 4.5%: 16 type was found in 2.3%, type 18 in 1.8%, combined 16 and 18 in 0.4%. Low risk HPV was found in 1.0%- type 6. In II trimester in 1.1%, In III trimester 0.9%. There were no differences between HPV infection rate in II and III trimester, pregnant women age, the gravity and HSV2 infection. The difference was found between high risk HPV infection and parity, cigarette smoking and oncological family history. CONCLUSION: Asymptomatic HPV infection has the same frequency in II and III trimester. High parity, cigarette smoking and oncological family history were connected with an increased rate of high risk HPV infection. All women in reproductive age should be checked for the HPV DNA.

[The analysis of the uterine cervix biocenosis in pregnant women]. / Analiza biocenozy kanalu szyjki macicy u ciezarnych.

OBJECTIVES: Infections of the vagina and the uterine cervix are some of the most frequently diagnosed and treated complications during pregnancy. AIMS: The aim of the study was to carry out biocenosis of the uterine cervix among pregnant women and the assessment of the resistance of the previously isolated types of bacteria to antibiotics. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was done in a group of 244 pregnant women, aged from 17 to 43, hospitalized and treated for various reasons in the Department of Pathology of Pregnancy at Medical University in Lódz. The biocenosis of the uterine cervix and the results of microbiological bacterial culture have been analyzed and the sensitivity of bacterial flora on the applied antibiotics has been assessed. RESULTS: Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus epidermidis were the most frequent bacteria found in the smear from the uterine cervix. Negative culture was obtained in 2% of the pregnant women. The most frequently observed resistance to antibiotics manifested itself in case of amoxicillin, ampicillin, penicillin, erythromycin, clarithromycin and azithromycin. The bacteria showed least resistance to cephalosporins and fluoroquinolones. Staphylococcus epidermidis showed the highest resistance to antibiotics in general. CONCLUSIONS: In cases of bacterial vaginal infections, with unknown sensitivity to bacteria, treatment the use of cephalosporins is highly recommended.

[Renal osteodystrophy as a cause of false positive result of whole body scintigraphy in a patient with differentiated thyroid cancer]. / Osteodystrofia nerkowa przyczyna falszywie dodatniej scyntygrafii calego ciala u chorego ze zróznicowanym rakiem tarczycy.

We demonstrated the case of coexistence of secondary hyperparathyroidism in the course of irreversible renal failure and differentiated thyroid carcinoma diagnosed at the time of parathyroidectomy. Changes in skeletal system caused by secondary hyperparathyroidism resulted in false positive result of whole body scintigraphy and required differentiation with bone metastases of thyroid cancer. Therefore, the diagnostic tests of thyroid gland are necessary before parathyroidectomy in patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism.

[Calcimimetics as a new chance for effective treatment of calcium metabolism disturbances]. / Kalcymimetyki jako nowa szansa na skuteczne leczenie zaburzen gospodarki wapniowej.

Physiological principles are presented of calcium receptor (CaR) as well as agents affecting the receptor, defined as calcimimetics. Positive influence of type 1 and type 2 calcimimetics on calcium metabolism is discussed. The clinical indications for calcimimetics, especially type 2, in the future, seem to be hypercalcemia in the course of primary and secondary hyperparathyroidism as well as hypercalcemia in patients with parathyroid carcinoma.