Polymorphism of Interleukin 1B May Modulate the Risk of Ischemic Stroke in Polish Patients.

Background and Objectives: Inflammation plays a crucial role in the pathophysiology of ischemic stroke (IS). Interleukin-1B and interleukin-1 receptor antagonists are key factors in inflammatory processes. Aims: The aims of our study were to evaluate the relationship between genetic variation in interleukin-1B (IL1B) rs1143627 and interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL1RN) variable-number-tandem-repeats (VNTR), and overall IS and subtype prevalence rates. Materials and Methods: The analysis included 147 hospitalized Polish patients with IS diagnosed using conventional criteria. The control group consisted of 119 healthy subjects. Genotypes were determined by polymerase chain reaction. Results: A significant association between rs1143627 and stroke was found. The -31C IL1B polymorphism showed an association with overall IS, OR = 2.30 (1.36-3.87) p = 0.020. An association was also detected for LVI (large vessel infarction) subtypes of stroke. After risk factor adjustment (age, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia), the C allele was found to be an independent risk factor for LVI, OR = 1.99 (1.05-3.79) p = 0.036. Significant association was not observed between IL1RN alleles and IS. Conclusions: Our results suggest that the C allele of IL1B rs1143627 may be associated with susceptibility to overall IS and LVI subtypes of stroke in the Polish population.

VAMP-8 gene variant is associated with increased risk of early myocardial infarction.

INTRODUCTION: Single nucleotide polymorphism in the 3' untranslated region of the vesicle-associated membrane protein gene (VAMP-8) has been associated with increased risk of early-onset myocardial infarction (MI). In this study the risk of early onset MI conferred by VAMP-8 gene polymorphism was investigated in a group of 171 male subjects. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Male patients with a history of MI who underwent coronary angiography were enrolled and divided into early (incident < 55 years of age) and late (incident ≥ 55 years of age) MI onset groups. Apart from the RFLP-PCR based analysis of the VAMP-8 variant, history of hypertension, lipid abnormalities, smoking and body mass index were recorded. In statistical analyses odds ratios and relative risk were used as a measure of genotype-MI association while logistic regression was implemented for evaluation of MI risk factor strength. RESULTS: VAMP-8 A allele frequency proved to be significantly higher in the early-onset MI group and conferred higher relative risk of early MI in the investigated cohort, when calculated for the individual A allele (p = 0.029). In logistic regression analyses no association between risk genotypes and traditional risk factors was observed. CONCLUSIONS: In this study VAMP-8 A variant was identified as a risk allele for early MI in male subjects.

The role of magnetic resonance imaging in early prediction of cerebral palsy.

This work was undertaken to assess the usefulness of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain for early prognosis of cerebral palsy. The study group included 47 neonates (24 term and 23 preterm) with symptoms of perinatal asphyxia. MRI examinations in term neonates were performed during the first month of life but not before the second week of life, while in preterm neonates MRI data were acquired between 38 and 40 weeks from conception. MRI of the brain demonstrated hypoxic-ischemic findings in all neonates born with perinatal asphyxia who later progressed to cerebral palsy. These results support the hypothesis that MRI performed in the neonatal period plays an essential role in predicting cerebral palsy in both term and preterm neonates, regardless of their gestational age.

[Diagnostic problems of rare cerebellopontine angle tumors]. / Problemy diagnostyczne w rozpoznawaniu rzadkich guzów kata mostowo-mózdzkowego.

UNLABELLED: Astrocytoma (neuroepithelial tumor) determine about 25% all the cerebroma but their original location in cerebellopontine angle is seldom. In case of this kind of tumors in this place, the symptoms can be non-characteristic and similar to these, which appear in the acoustic neurinoma. The most important in case of this diagnosis is both that this tumors can infiltrate of the brain tissues and the fact that they can transformate toward the anaplastic astrocytoma or glioblastoma multiforme (very malignant tumors). MATERIAL AND METHODS: [corrected] A rare case of astrocytoma presenting as a cerebellopontine angle tumor is discussed. The special characteristics of this tumor and unusual clinical course are disscused. CONCLUSION: The early diagnosis of the astrocytoma increases the patient's chance on convalescence and limits extension of the operation, and consequently of the neurological complication.

Noncystic white matter injury--a case report.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain in preterm infants at term-equivalent age demonstrated that apart from cystic periventricular leukomalacia (PVL), noncystic white matter injury may take place, detected as diffuse excessive high signal intensity (DEHSI) in the white matter on T2-weighted imaging. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain is conducted in few neonatal intensive care units. Consequently, the literature on the subject lacks descriptions of sequelae of noncystic white matter injury in premature newborns with very low birth weight (VLBW). We present the results of a three-year long observation of a child born at the 27th week of pregnancy diagnosed with DEHSI. The boy exhibited cerebral palsy, hyperexcitability and hypoacusis. In the authors' opinion, noncystic white matter injury may not just be one of the reasons for cognitive/behavioral deficits--it may also be responsible for some cases of cerebral palsy in premature infants.

[Recurrent polychondritis. Presentation of two cases and a review of the literature]. / Nawracajace zapalenie chrzastek. Opis dwóch przypadków i przeglad pismiennictwa.

Relapsing polychondritis is a rare, chronic disease that can involve all types of cartilage in different sites. The most common symptoms of relapsing polychondritis are features of auricular, nasal and tracheal cartilage inflammation. The authors presented two cases of relapsing polychondritis and related diagnostic and therapeutic difficulties.

[Usefulness of ultrasonographic and MR imaging in diagnosis of shoulder impairment]. / Uzytecznosc badania ultrasonograficznego i tomografii rezonansu magnetycznego w diagnostyce uszkodzen stawu ramiennego.

The aim of our study is to determine the value of ultrasonography (US) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in diagnostics of shoulders pain and dysfunction. 25 patients were examined both with US and MRI. The group consisted of 16 females, ranged 33-74 yr. (mean 57) and 9 males, ranged 32-65 yr. (mean 53). The mean complaint duration was 2 years and 7 months (1 month-16 yr). US detected RCT in 12 patients, what was confirmed with MRI in all cases. In 13 patient (52%) US detected no abnormality, but MRI revealed changes in four patients. The overall sensitivity of USG in diagnosing rotator cuff tears was 80%. USG and MR imaging has been shown to be accurate in diagnosing of rotator cuff tear to a high and comparable degree. Because of high accuracy and ability to dynamic assessment, US should be a method of choice in evaluation of painful shoulder.