Evaluation of the effectiveness of laser photoselective vaporization of the prostate in the treatment of patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia.

INTRODUCTION: The prolongation of the life of men results in the growing number of people suffering from benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). In 2010, BPH concerned more than 200 million men in the whole world, which at that time made up 6% of the population of men at large. Currently, the population of men in the world amounts about three billion six hundred million. The modern surgical treatment of BPH consists of minimally invasive techniques, including laser systems. AIM: Evaluation of the effectiveness of photoselective vaporization of the prostate (PVP) on the basis of subjective parameters assessed by patients using IPSS and QoL questionnaires as well as objective parameters obtained from results of urodynamic tests. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between 2012 and 2015, 120 patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia were included in the study and underwent PVP. Finally, 77 patients were included in the study. In all patients, IPSS and QoL sheets were carried out 1, 6 and 12 months, and urodynamic tests 12 months a er the surgical treatment. RESULTS: The statistically significant change in the value of each parameter assessed: decrease in the IPSS, QoL, PVR, Pmax, Pop, the degree of obstruction according to Schäfer and ICS nomogram, and an increase in the values of Qmax and Qave. CONCLUSIONS: Photoselective vaporization of the prostate is an effective method of therapy in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Smoking-related behaviours of pregnant women depending on their place of residence.

OBJECTIVES: Smoking is a commonly recognized risk factor of civilization diseases. Despite many educational programmes concerning harmful effects of tobacco smoking, this habit is still very popular. Particularly alarming is a high percentage of pregnant women who smoke. METHODS: The aim of the study was to analyse the prevalence of smoking among pregnant women depending on their place of residence. The research was conducted in randomly selected 30 outpatient clinics for women in Lodz and 16 outpatient clinics in rural communes of the Lodz province. The epidemiological analysis included 400 women. Collected data were processed statistically using the descriptive methods and statistical inference. RESULTS: It has been demonstrated that smoking in the past was more popular among city residents than countryside residents (58.2% and 47.9%, respectively). Women living in the city smoked almost three times more frequently during the whole pregnancy than the respondents from the countryside (13.4% and 4.3%, respectively). Furthermore, every fifth respondent living in the urban area (f=0.21) smoked over 10 cigarettes a day, and every fourth respondent from rural communes (f=0.24) smoked from 5 to 10 cigarettes a day. However, in the month preceding the research, pregnant women from rural areas smoked slightly more frequently as compared to the subjects from the city. In the group of pregnant women who smoked in the past or who smoke at present, regardless from their place of residence, every other woman did not breastfeed her baby. 6.1% of city residents and 4.3% of countryside residents declared that they smoked during the breastfeeding period. CONCLUSIONS: Within the analysed population the influence of place of residence on the prevalence of active smoking, number of smoked cigarettes and giving up smoking during pregnancy and breastfeeding period has been evidenced.

Oxidative stress in colonic adenocarcinoma: An impact on the body's antioxidative status and oxidative protein damage.

BACKGROUND: Thus far, the pathogenesis of these intestinal tumors has not been fully explained. However, the analysis of risk factors and research regarding their formation that have continued for 3 decades have allowed us to demonstrate a significant role of oxidative stress in the processes leading to the development of cancer in the large intestine as well as in some other organs. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to examine the level of anti-oxidative status and the degree of oxidative protein damage in patients with varying severity of colonic adenocarcinoma (CAC) in relation to healthy individuals. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study involved 4 groups (A-D) of patients with increasing severity of CAC stages according to Dukes' classification and a control group of healthy volunteers. Total antioxidant capacity (TAC) of blood plasma, as well as carbonyl (C=O) group contents in blood plasma proteins as a product of their oxidative damage, were estimated in all participants. Both parameters were determined by spectrophotometric methods using commercial kit to test TAC and 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine to assay the contents of C=O groups. RESULTS: In each of the studied groups, A-D, a statistically significant reduction in the TAC values was noted relative to the control group, which progressed with increased severity of CAC stages: 1.783 mmol/L vs 1.191 mmol/L (group A), 1.07 mmol/L (group B), 0.931 mmol/L (group C), and 0.899 mmol/L (group D). At the same time, significantly increased contents of protein C=O groups were observed compared to the controls, also progressive in the course of growing CAC severity: 0.496 nmol/mg protein vs 0.57 nmol/mg protein (group A), 0.689 nmol/mg protein (group B), 0.804 nmol/mg protein (group C), and 1.054 nmol/mg protein (group D). CONCLUSIONS: The CAC-related oxidative stress considerably reduces the systemic anti-oxidative status and increases the protein damage; both those changes become worse in parallel with the progression of this cancer.

Impact of electromagnetic radiation emitted by monitors on changes in the cellular membrane structure and protective antioxidant effect of vitamin A - In vitro study.

OBJECTIVES: The increasing number of devices emitting electromagnetic radiation (EMR) in people's everyday life attracted the attention of researchers because of possible adverse effects of this factor on living organisms. One of the EMR effect may be peroxidation of lipid membranes formed as a result of free radical process. The article presents the results of in vitro studies aimed at identifying changes in malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration - a marker of lipid peroxidation and antioxidant role of vitamin A during the exposure of blood platelets to electromagnetic radiation generated by liquid-crystal-display (LCD) monitors. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Electromagnetic radiation emitted by LCD monitors is characterized by parameters: 1 kHz frequency and 220 V/m intensity (15 cm from display screen). The time of exposure was 30 and 60 min. The study was conducted on porcine blood platelets. The samples were divided into 6 groups: unexposed to radiation, unexposed + vitamin A, exposed for 30 min, exposed for 30 min + vitamin A, exposed for 60 min, exposed for 60 min + vitamin A. RESULTS: The MDA concentration in blood platelets increases significantly as compared to control values after 60 min of exposure to EMR. A significant decrease in MDA concentration after the addition of vitamin A was noticed. In the blood samples exposed to EMR for 30 and 60 min the MDA concentration was significantly increased by addition of vitamin A. CONCLUSIONS: The results show the possibly negative effect of electromagnetic radiation on the cellular membrane structure manifested by changes in malondialdehyde concentration and indicate a possible protective role of vitamin A in this process. Int J Occup Med Environ Health 2017;30(5):695-703.

The impact of electromagnetic radiation of different parameters on platelet oxygen metabolism - in vitro studies.

BACKGROUND: Electromagnetic radiation emitted by a variety of devices, e.g. cell phones, computers and microwaves, interacts with the human body in many ways. Research studies carried out in the last few decades have not yet resolved the issue of the effect of this factor on the human body and many questions are left without an unequivocal answer. Various biological and health-related effects have not been fully recognized. Thus further studies in this area are justified. OBJECTIVES: A comparison of changes within catalase enzymatic activity and malondialdehyde concentration arising under the influence of the electromagnetic radiation emitted by car electronics, equipment used in physiotherapy and LCD monitors. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The suspension of human blood platelets at a concentration of 1 × 109/0.001 dm 3, obtained from whole blood by manual apheresis, was the study material. Blood platelets were exposed to an electromagnetic field for 30 min in a laboratory stand designed for the reconstruction of the electromagnetic radiation generated by car electronics, physiotherapy equipment and LCD monitors. The changes in catalase activity and malondialdehyde concentration were investigated after the exposure and compared to the control values (unexposed material). RESULTS: An increase in catalase activity and malondialdehyde concentration was observed after 30 min exposure of platelets to EMF regardless of the radiation source. The most significant changes determining the degree of oxidative stress were observed after exposure to the EMF generated by car electronics. CONCLUSIONS: The low frequency electromagnetic fields generated by car electronics, physiotherapy equipment and LCD monitors may be a cause of oxidative stress in the human body and may lead to free radical diseases.

The effect of electromagnetic radiation emitted by display screens on cell oxygen metabolism - in vitro studies.

INTRODUCTION: Research studies carried out for decades have not solved the problem of the effect of electromagnetic radiation of various frequency and strength on the human organism. Due to this fact, we decided to investigate the changes taking place in human blood platelets under the effect of electromagnetic radiation (EMR) emitted by LCD monitors. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The changes of selected parameters of oxygen metabolism were measured, i.e. reactive oxygen species concentration, enzymatic activity of antioxidant defence proteins - superoxide dismutase (SOD-1) and catalase (CAT) - and malondialdehyde concentration (MDA). A suspension of human blood platelets was exposed to electromagnetic radiation of 1 kHz frequency and 150 V/m and 220 V/m intensity for 30 and 60 min. The level of changes of the selected parameters of oxidative stress was determined after the exposure and compared to the control samples (not exposed). RESULTS: The measurements revealed an increase of the concentration of reactive oxygen species. The largest increase of ROS concentration vs. the control sample was observed after exposure to EMF of 220 V/m intensity for 60 min (from x = 54.64 to x = 72.92). The measurement of MDA concentration demonstrated a statistically significant increase after 30-min exposure to an EMF of 220 V/m intensity in relation to the initial values (from x = 3.18 to x = 4.41). The enzymatic activity of SOD-1 decreased after exposure (the most prominent change was observed after 60-min and 220 V/m intensity from x = 3556.41 to x = 1084.83). The most significant change in activity of catalase was observed after 60 min and 220 v/m exposure (from x = 6.28 to x = 4.15). CONCLUSIONS: The findings indicate that exposure to electromagnetic radiation of 1 kHz frequency and 150 V/m and 220 V/m intensity may cause adverse effects within blood platelets' oxygen metabolism and thus may lead to physiological dysfunction of the organism.

The effect of 50 hz magnetic field of different shape on oxygen metabolism in blood platelets: in vitro studies.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to assess the influence that the shape of low frequency magnetic field may have on catalase and superoxide dismutase activity, malondialdehyde concentration and free radicals generation in human blood platelets. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The suspension of human blood platelets was exposed for 15 min to 50 Hz magnetic field of different shape, and flux density of 10 mT. RESULTS: The determinations of free radicals, malondialdehyde and catalase showed increased values compared with the initial level, regardless of the shape of the magnetic field applied. In contrast, superoxide dismutase activity was lower than at the onset of the experiment. CONCLUSIONS: The findings indicate that the oxidative stress resulting from exposure to 50 Hz magnetic field of 10 mT induction may produce a number of adverse effects within the cell and thus may lead to systemic disturbances in the human body.

[Influence of electromagnetic field on chosen parameters of thrombocytes' oxygen metabolism--in vitro research]. / Wplyw ksztaltu pola elektromagnetycznego na wybrane parametry metabolizmu tlenowego krwinek plytkowych--badania in vitro.

UNLABELLED: Being a natural environmental factor, an electromagnetic field exists from the beginning of the life on Earth and it has an influence on maintenance of life processes. Natural electromagnetic fields affect day and year rhythms of plants, animals and humans. As a result of an electromagnetic field's activity, there occurs a disorder of blood platelets' function, which may, in consequence, lead to acute and chronic conditions dangerous to health and life. AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of this work was to assess the influence, which a shape of an electromagnetic field of low frequency has on generating free radicals and enzymatic activity of superoxide dismutase in human blood platelets. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Suspension of human blood platelets was subjected to activity of electromagnetic field of different shapes, frequency of 50 Hz and induction of 10 mT for 15 and 30 minutes. An electromagnetic field was generated with Helmholtz coils arranged on a bracket, inside of which test tubes with the blood platelets' suspension were put. Next, they were subjected to an activity of a specific electromagnetic field. RESULT: The measurement of free radicals generation indicated an increase, in comparison with the initial values, after 15 minutes as well as 30 minutes of exposition, regardless of the electromagnetic field's shape, whereas the enzymatic activity of superoxide dismutase decreased, in comparison with the initial values, after 15 minutes as well as 30 minutes of exposition, regardless of the applied electromagnetic field's shape. CONCLUSION: Basing on obtained results, it may be stated that the level of generating free radicals as well as the level of enzymatic activity of superoxide dismutase in tested blood cells indicates significant dependence on an electromagnetic field's shape. The greatest changes have been observed during the activity of a rectangular and triangular pulse.

[Effect of electromagnetic field produced by mobile phones on the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD-1)--in vitro researches]. / Zmiany aktywnosci dysmutazy ponadtlenkowej (SOD-1) w krwinkach plytkowych poddanych dzialaniu promieniowania elektromagnetycznego wysokiej czestotliwosci--badania in vitro.

The aim of the paper was to estimate in vitro the effect of electromagnetic field produced by mobile phones on the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD-1) in human blood platelets. Suspension of blood platelets exposed to the electromagnetic field of 900 MHz frequency for 1, 3, 5, 7 minutes. Our studies demonstrated that microwaves produced by mobiles significally depleted the activity of SOD-1 after 1, 5, 7 min. of exposition and increased after 3 min. nn comparison wit control test. On the ground of our results we conclude that oxidative stress after exposition to microwaves can be the reason of many disadvantageous changes in cells and may cause many systemic consequences in human organism.

[Epidemiology of parasitic diseases in military personnel treated in the United Nations Interim Force hospital in Lebanon, from 1993 to 2000]. / Analiza epidemiologiczna wystepowania chorób pasozytniczych u osób leczonych w szpitalu Tymczasowych Sil Zbrojnych onz w Libanie w latach 1993 - 2000.

The study examined the incidence and prevalence of parasitic diseases among military personnel of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and local civilian population. Additionally, the authors investigated the potential risk factors, including environmental conditions, influencing the incidence of infectious diseases. Epidemiological analysis was conducted based on the medial records of patients treated in the Internal and Surgical Ward of the UNIFIL Hospital from 1993 to 2000. The patients with parasitic diseases accounted for 3.78% of all patients hospitalized during the analyzed period. The most frequent infectious diseases treated during that time were trichuriasis, ancylostomiasis, giardiasis and ascariasis.

[Infectious diseases among military personnel in the catchment area of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon hospital, from 1993 to 2000]. / Zachorowania na choroby zakazne osób z rejonu lecznicze- go szpitala Tymczasowych Sil Zbrojnych onz w Libanie w latach 1993 - 2000.

In the study the incidence of infectious diseases among military personnel of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon and local civilian population is examined. Additionally, the authors investigate the potential risk factors, including environmental conditions, influencing the incidence of infectious diseases. Epidemiological analysis was conducted based on the medical records of patients treated in the Internal and Surgical Ward of the UNIFIL Hospital from 1993 to 2000. The patients with infectious diseases accounted for 5.84 % of all patients hospitalized during the analyzed period. The most frequent infectious diseases treated during that time were salmonellosis and staphylococcal food poisoning.

Tamsulosin: efficacy and safety in patients with neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction due to suprasacral spinal cord injury.

PURPOSE: We evaluated the efficacy and safety of tamsulosin in patients with neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction secondary to suprasacral spinal cord lesions in a 4-week randomized controlled trial (RCT) followed by a 1-year, open label, long-term study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 263 patients were randomized to 4-week double-blind therapy with placebo, or 0.4 or 0.8 mg tamsulosin once daily. Of these, 244 patients completed the RCT, 186 continued long-term tamsulosin therapy (0.4 or 0.8 mg once daily) and 134 completed 1-year treatment. The primary efficacy parameter was maximum urethral pressure (MUP). RESULTS: Although the mean decrease in MUP at 4 weeks in the RCT did not reach statistical significance over the placebo, it was more pronounced with 0.4 (-12.2 cm H2O or -10%) and 0.8 mg (-9.6 cm H2O or -9%) tamsulosin than placebo (-6.5 cm H2O or -3%). In the long-term study there was a statistically significant mean decrease in MUP (-18.0 cm H2O, p <0.001 or -15%) from baseline to end point. In the long-term study tamsulosin also decreased maximum urethral closure pressure, improved several cystometry parameters related to bladder storage and emptying, and increased to a statistically significantly degree, from baseline to end point, mean voided volume based on the micturition diary. There was statistically significant improvement for the International Prostate Symptom Score Quality of Life, as well as several questions about symptoms related to urinary leakage, and 1 question on bladder emptying and frequency, bother and severity of symptoms of autonomic dysreflexia. Finally, 71% of patients improved according to investigators (44% slightly and 27% much improved). Both doses were effective and well tolerated. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term tamsulosin treatment (0.4 and 0.8 mg once daily) seems to be effective and well tolerated in patients with neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction. The results suggest that it improves bladder storage and emptying, and decreases symptoms of autonomic dysreflexia.

[Effect of electromagnetic field produced by mobile phones on the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD-1) and the level of malonyldialdehyde (MDA)--in vitro study]. / Zmiany aktywnosci dyzmutazy ponadtlenkowej (SOD-1) oraz stezenia dialdehydu malonowego w krwinkach plytkowych poddanych dzialaniu promieniowania elektromagnetycznego wysokiej czestotliwosci generowanego przez telefon komórkowy--badania in vitro.

The aim of the study was to assess in vitro the effect of electromagnetic field produced by mobile phones on the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD-1) and the level of malonyldialdehyde (MDA) in human blood platelets. The suspension of blood platelets was exposed to the electromagnetic field with the frequency of 900 MHz for 1, 3, 5, and 7 min. Our studies demonstrated that microwaves produced by mobile phones significantly depleted SOD-1 activity after 1, 5, and 7 min of exposure and increased after 3 min in comparison with the control test. There was a significant increase in the concentration of MDA after 1, 5, and 7 min and decrease after 3 min of exposure as compared with the control test. On the grounds of our results we conclude that oxidative stress after exposure to microwaves may be the reason for many adverse changes in cells and may cause a number of systemic disturbances in the human body.

Generation of reactive oxygen species in blood platelets.

The generation of superoxide anion radicals (O2*-) and the other reactive oxygen species (ROS) was estimated by means of cytochrome c reduction and chemiluminescence, as well in resting blood platelets and in platelets stimulated by thrombin in the presence or absence of some inhibitors of pathways involved in platelet activation. We used allopurinol (xanthine oxidase inhibitor), wortmannin (PI 3-kinase inhibitor) and staurosporine (protein kinase C inhibitor). To determine the involvement of the glutathione in ROS generation, we used L-buthionine sulfoximine (BSO) which blocks GSH synthesis. Our results confirmed that thrombin stimulates the production of ROS concomitant with metabolism of arachidonate and production of malonyldialdehyde (MDA) in blood platelets (P < 0.05) and showed that, in the presence of inhibitors, the generation of ROS in platelets (resting and stimulated) was reduced. This indicates that xanthine oxidase, PI 3-kinase or protein kinase C take part in the formation of ROS in blood platelets. Moreover, adhesion of platelets to fibrinogen and secretion of adenine nucleotides from platelets after wortmannin and staurosporine action was also inhibited. BSO not only decreased GSH level, but also reduced the amount of ROS; a correlation between the depletion of GSH and the decrease of ROS was observed (R = -0.987; P < 0.02). It is concluded that in blood platelets, ROS are produced in the receptor-mediated signaling pathways and platelet activation (arachidonic acid metabolism, the glutathione cycle, metabolism of phosphoinositoides and due to xanthine oxidase). Our results support the importance of ROS in platelet function.