Using Spectralis and Stratus optical coherence tomography devices to analyze the retinal nerve fiber layer in patients with open-angle glaucoma - preliminary report.

BACKGROUND: During the study at the Ophthalmology Clinic of Wroclaw Medical University retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness was examined in 35 patients with open-angle glaucoma. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to analyse RNFL thickness measurements by 2 different optical coherence tomography (OCT) devices. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study group consisted of 35 patients with open-angle glaucoma (aged 48-76 years, including 20 women and 15 men - 70 eyes) with intraocular pressure below 19 mm Hg, treated pharmacologically. The subjects were examined using a Stratus Time Domain OCT (TD-OCT), produced by Zeiss, and a Spectralis Spectral Domain OCT (SD-OCT), manufactured by Heidelberg Engineering. The OCT examination was carried out with both devices on the same day in random order. RESULTS: The study shows that the results obtained using the 2 devices are correlated, although the average measurements of RNFL thickness were lower for the Spectralis OCT in comparison with those taken by the Stratus OCT. The strongest correlation was found for the temporal and nasal quadrants. CONCLUSIONS: The study results using the Spectralis OCT and Stratus OCT are similar, but not identical, so follow-up tests should be performed on the same apparatus as in the initial testing. Considering the new generation of apparatus and the more precise measurement algorithm, the results obtained using the Spectralis SD-OCT seem more accurate.

[Effect of Helicobacter pylori infection on proliferation and apoptosis in stomach antrum in smoking patients]. / Wplyw infekcji Helicobacter pylori na proliferacje i apoptoze komórek odzwiernika zoladka u pacjentów palacych papierosy.

Peptic ulcer disease develops if the balance between aggressive and defensive factors is destroyed. Among the identified risk factors are Helicobacter pylori infection (Hp), stress, cigarette smoking and taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. However, the exact ulcerogenic mechanism of these factors remains not fully elucidated; yet habitual smoking is the most controversial. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of cigarette smoking and/or Hp infection on gastric mucosa expression of COX-2, iNOS and proliferation and apoptosis processes (Ki-67 and active caspase 3 expressions, respectively). In smokers without Hp all studied parameters were higher than in nonsmoker without Hp group. Hp infection increases iNOS , COX-2 and active caspase 3 expression. Highest values for iNOS, COX-2 and Ki-67 was observed in smoker with Hp infection group. Hp infection in smokers significantly decrease active caspase 3 expression.

[Therapy of Lesniowski-Crohn disease of the upper part of the gastrointestinal tract]. / Leczenie choroby Lesniowskiego-Crohna w górnym odcinku przewodu pokarmowego.

The treatment of a form of Lesniowski-Crohn disease (L-CD) which occurs in the upper part of the gastrointestinal tract (GI) in principle is similar to that which is used if other parts of the GI tract are involved in L-CD, however with certain modifications, and these problems are discussed in this paper. The treatment is based on 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA), glucocorticosteroids, antibiotics and immunosuppressive drugs. For patients in whom the conventional therapy doesn't give expected results, the advent of infliximab (biologic agents) has greatly improved treatment possibilities of L-CD. Lesniowski-Crohn disease is not curable either by drugs or by surgery. The goal of treatment in this disease remains the mitigation of symptoms and improvement of the quality of life and at the same time elimination or delaying of the appearance of complications and early and late side effects as a result of treatment. The introduction of biologic agents into the treatment arsenal for inflammatory bowel diseases is a revolutionary step.

[Lesniowski-Crohn's disease in the upper part of the gastrointestinal tract]. / Choroba Lesniowskiego-Crohna w górnym odcinku przewodu pokarmowego.

Lesniowski-Crohn's disease (L-CD) includes several clinical and pathological pictures which are manifestations of transmural inflammation. L-CD may affect any portion of the gastrointestinal tract (GI) and in the upper part of GI it has been described in 0.5%-13.0% of all cases of this disease. In the upper part of GI, in the course of L-CD, there appears a considerable variety of endoscopical and morphological pictures. Advances which have been achieved in endoscopic methods, along with very precise histopathological description, allow us to diagnose a greater number of incidences of L-CD in the upper part of GI, compared to previous years.

[The significance of probiotics in medicine--a new look]. / Znaczenie probiotyków w medycynie--nowe spojrzenie.

The article presents the definition, activity mechanism and application of probiotics, as well as their side-effects. Probiotics are microorganisms living in humans which may favorably influence human health and prevent some diseases. The mechanism of their activity is not yet fully understood. There are numerous attempts to apply probiotics as supportive therapy, mainly in gastrointestinal tract diseases. Other possible applications of probiotics in medicine require further clinical studies, concerning the mechanism of activity, determination of indications for use and optimal therapeutic dose.

[The influence of habitual cigarette smoking on level of endogenic histamine determined simultaneously in plasma, gastric juice and gastric mucosa in healthy individual]. / Wplyw nalogowego palenia tytoniu na stezenie endogennej histaminy oznaczane jednoczesnie we krwi, soku zoladkowym i sluzówce zoladka u ludzi zdrowych.

UNLABELLED: The aim of this study was to examine the amount of endogenic histamine measured simultaneously in the plasma, gastric juice and gastric mucosa in habitual smokers and nonsmokers and to suggest possible implications of the obtained results. METHODS: 48 individuals were selected for this test. None of them suffered from any symptoms of ulcer disease. 28 were habitual cigarette smokers, 20 were nonsmokers who had never smoked. The tests were carried out standard conditions. Each patient underwent endoscopy. Gastric juice was taken by catheter via endoscopes, and biopsy specimens were taken for microscopic examination and establish histamine levels, which were also measured in plasma. Blood samples were taken before endoscopy. RESULTS: The levels of endogenic histamine in plasma and gastric juice were significantly higher in habitual smokers than in nonsmokers, especially in plasma. In the tissue of both groups no statistically significant differences were observed, but the histamine level was slightly higher in nonsmokers. CONCLUSION: The amount of histamine in plasma, as well in gastric juice, is may be connected with habitual cigarette smoking, and its level in tissue may also depend on smoking.