The Antioxidant Power of a Diet May Improve the Quality of Life of Young Women with Acne Vulgaris.

Acne vulgaris (AV) significantly reduces the quality of life (QoL) of young people, so it is important to look for factors that can improve their QoL. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between dietary antioxidants measured using the new DAQI index and QoL measured using standardized tests. The DAQI included the following elements: antioxidant vitamins, minerals, carotenoids, polyphenols, phytosterols, lignans, and the total antioxidant capacity of the diet. The study involved 165 young women with AV, mainly students. A self-report survey was used to collect basic data on their sociodemographic status, anthropometric information, and lifestyle. The energy value of the diet and the content of vitamins, minerals, and carotenoids with antioxidant activity in the diet were estimated using 3-day food diaries and the Diet 6.0 program. The antioxidant potential of the diet and the content of polyphenols, phytosterols, lignans, and selenium were calculated based on the consumption of individual food products and available databases. The results of this study showed that the QoL of the young women with AV was impaired. However, greater adherence to an antioxidant diet reduces the risk of AV impact on the QoL by approximately 30-32% and the risk of depression by 33%. The DAQI may be used as a new indicator of diet quality in acne vulgaris.

P28-A146†The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on eye banking in the Lublin Eye Bank, Poland.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Lublin Eye Bank activities. METHODS: We compared the corneal donors screening rules, number of harvested corneas before, during, and after the pandemic (2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 years). RESULTS: In 2019 we had 182 corneal donors and 360 harvested corneas; in 2020 - 114 donors and 227 corneas; in 2021 - 151 donors and 300 corneas, and in 2022 till the 15th November - 115 donors and 228 corneas. From the 11th March 2020, when the World Health Organization had declared a global pandemic, our Eye Bank ceased all activities until the 10th May 2020. We started then, according to recommendations of Polish Transplantation Society, performing a nasopharyngeal swabs specimen collecting for every corneal donor. In 2020 we noted only 1 positive donor, whereas in 2021 we had 9 and in 2022 - 12 SARS-CoV-2 positive donors, respectively. Overall mean reduction in the number of corneal donors and obtained corneal tissues of 6,3% was observed in the Lublin Eye Bank CONCLUSION: COVID-19 pandemic had an influence on the Lublin Eye Bank activities.Fortunately, the pandemic did not have a major impact on the number of donors as well as the corneas collected in our bank.

The Effectiveness of Pyruvic Acid Peeling in Improving the Quality of Life of Patients with Acne Vulgaris.

Improving the quality of life (QoL) of patients with various chronic diseases has become a challenge and priority of contemporary medicine. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of pyruvic acid peeling on the QoL of patients with acne vulgaris. The study group consisted of 200 young patients (mean age 23.04 ± 4.71) with acne vulgaris of mainly mild or moderate severity. Basic data about the patient were collected using a self-reported questionnaire. The assessment of QoL was carried out using standardized questionnaires: CADI (Cardiff Acne Disability Index), DLQI (Dermatology Life Quality Index), SWLS (Satisfaction With Life Scale), and BDI (Beck Depression Inventory). The cosmetic intervention consisted of chemical peeling with 35% pyruvic acid for acne lesions on the body and included four series repeated at 7-day intervals. This study demonstrated that acne vulgaris impairs the quality of life of young people. There were no significant differences between the severity of acne and the lifestyles of the subjects. The applied cosmetic procedure significantly decreased the severity of the acne and improved the quality of life of the patients.

Subcutaneous Dirofilariosis of the Eyelid Brought to Poland from the Endemic Territory of Ukraine.

We present the case of a 60-year-old man who was diagnosed with a subcutaneous nodule on the upper eyelid of his left eye. The patient reported multiple mosquito bites during numerous work trips to Ukraine. Histopathological examination of the nodule isolated during surgery suggested Dirofilaria repens infestation. The infection was brought to Poland from the territory of Ukraine. Ophthalmologists must be aware of uncommon presentations of parasitic infestations when they consider infections of the ocular adnexa.

Massive Demodicosis of the Eyes in a Patient with Sjögren Syndrome: A Case Report.

PURPOSE: Demodex mites infestation, typically asymptomatic, is a problem for patients with weakened immune systems because it often takes the form of symptomatic, massive infection. The Demodex mites play an important role in the occurrence of a range of eye surface diseases such as Demodex blepharitis, Meibomian gland dysfunctions, conjunctivitis and corneal changes. The ocular infection is closely related to the systemic invasion. Our goal was to minimize infestation and alleviate the symptoms of massive demodicosis so as to prevent further damage to the cornea. METHODS: Our research note involves a 61-year old woman diagnosed with secondary Sjögren syndrome due to rheumatoid arthritis. On the background of the autoimmune disease, corneal perforation of the left eye occurred that was cured by surgery. Then during the follow-up visit the patient was found (microscopically) massively infected with Demodex mites and the developed symptoms were particularly severe. RESULTS: Adequate dry eye syndrome and massive demodicosis therapy significantly reduced the number of Demodex mites and improved the patient's condition. CONCLUSION: We would like to draw the attention of the physicians of different specialties that special care should be taken with respect to the therapy of dry eye syndrome and ocular demodicosis in patients with immunological disorders to achieve therapeutic success and avoid particularly dangerous consequences of these diseases.

Vitamin C and aroma composition of fresh leaves from Kalanchoe pinnata and Kalanchoe daigremontiana.

Species of kalanchoe are rich in bioactive compounds and are widely used in folk medicine; however, these plants are not well known from the point of view of aroma. Two species, Kalanchoe pinnata and Kalanchoe daigremontiana, were examined after six months and two years of growth and their vitamin C content, succulence, and aroma composition were determined. The efficiency of juice extraction was highest (72%) for the leaves of K. daigremontiana after six months of growth. The concentration of vitamin C was highest in juices from two-year-old plants and much higher in the juice of K. pinnata (81 mg/100 g). SPME/GC/MS analysis identified 32 aroma components, considering those with the spectrum similarity over 75%. The main components were furan-2-ethyl, hexanal, 2-hexenal, 2,4-hexadienal, 1-octen-3-ol, nonanal. The quantitative relations of these compounds were somewhat different in the two species. The most dominant component, 2-hexenal, is responsible for the green-like aroma noted by the sensory panel.

Clinical Efficacy of Platelet-Rich Plasma in the Treatment of Neurotrophic Corneal Ulcer.

PURPOSE: Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is an autologous blood product without preservatives and rich in proteins and growth factors which make it possible for cells to differentiate, proliferate, and migrate, thus stimulating healing and regeneration of tissues. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of autologous platelet-rich plasma in the treatment of neurotrophic keratopathy. METHODS: The study group consists of 25 patients with nonhealing corneal ulcers due to herpes simplex or herpes zoster infection and facial nerve or trigeminal nerve paralysis as a result of a neurosurgical operation caused by a tumour or stroke. The patients were given autologous platelet-rich plasma drops five times a day and additionally preservative-free artificial tears and a vitamin A ointment at night for maximum 3 months. The following were evaluated: best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), healing of corneal surface, subjective symptoms, and changes in corneal thickness with the use of anterior segment optical coherent tomography (AS-OCT). RESULTS: BCVA before the treatment was 0.10 ± 0.14, and after the treatment it was -0.3 ± 0.27 (p=0.001). Improved visual acuity and less subjective symptoms were observed in all patients. Complete healing of the ulceration was observed in 20 patients (80%). Four patients (16%) experienced considerable improvement of their clinical condition (reduced size and depth of the ulceration and inflammatory state: smaller conjunctival injection and swelling, improved visual acuity, and less subjective symptoms). In one of the patients, an amniotic membrane was transplanted due to the lack of improvement of his local condition. In all patients, the progression of corneal thinning was stopped. An average corneal thickness in its thinnest point was 322.3 ± 125.8 µm before the treatment, and 404.5 ± 118.7 µm (p < 0.05) after the treatment. None of the patients reported general or local side effects of the treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Autologous platelet-rich plasma is a blood-based product which seems efficient in the treatment of neurotrophic keratopathy.

Late-onset lattice corneal dystrophy without typical lattice lines caused by a novel mutation in the TGFBI gene.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to report the clinical, histopathological, and molecular findings in a patient with late-onset lattice corneal dystrophy (LCD) without typical lattice lines and a novel mutation in the TGFBI gene. METHODS: Corneal lesions were visualized by slit-lamp examination and by in vivo confocal microscopy. Histopathological examination was performed on the patient's corneal specimen obtained during a deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty. By using genomic DNA as a template, all coding regions of the TGFBI gene were amplified and directly sequenced. The presence of the mutation was verified using restriction endonuclease digestion. Eight different computational methods and multiple sequence alignments were used to predict the pathogenicity of the novel genetic variant. RESULTS: The corneal phenotype was characterized by the presence within the stroma of round, oval, and short comma-shaped structures with indistinct margins. Lattice lines were not visible. Histopathological study revealed positive Congo red areas of amyloid deposits typical for LCD. A novel heterozygous missense mutation p.Leu565Pro was identified in exon 13 of the TGFBI gene. The amino acid substitution was unambiguously predicted to have a high pathogenic potential. CONCLUSIONS: The mutant codon 565 is located at the C-terminus in the region corresponding to a highly conserved amino acid in the fourth fascilin domain of the TGFBI protein. The novel variant expands the spectrum of TGFBI mutations causing LCD and located in this region. An increased number of known mutations will facilitate future studies of genotype-phenotype correlations and molecular pathogenesis of corneal dystrophies.

The cause of Actinomyces canalictulis--a case study.

Actinomycosis of the lacrimal ducts is a rare chronic infection, caused by bacteria of the genus Actinomyces, usually A. israelii. The analyzed case of a 72-year-old man draws attention to the chronic nature of the infection and the need to thoroughly investigate the microbiological material sampled from the lacrimal ducts. Good effects of treatment resulted from oral use of doxycycline and local application of erythromycin. A precise removal of actinomycotic deposits and the applied antibiotic therapy resulted in a complete recovery without recurrences. The analyzed case confirms incidents in Poland of actinomycosis of the lacrimal ducts, and draws attention to this group of microorganisms that may cause infections in ophthalmology. This confirms the need for accurate diagnosis of microbial infections in the lacrimal ducts towards anaerobic bacteria. This would contribute to greater detection of a rare form of infection.

Amniotic membrane transplantation in treatment of persistent corneal ulceration after severe chemical and thermal eye injuries.

PURPOSE: To analyze results of amniotic membrane transplantation (AMT) in treatment of corneal ulceration after severe chemical and thermal injuries. METHODS: Analysis of 55 AMT in 53 patients (53 eyes) with corneal ulceration and limbal deficiency 180-360° of the limbus after grade 4-6 (Dua classification, 2001) chemical and thermal injuries was performed. Mean terms of the operation were 46.1 ± 46.4 days after the injury (range 8-181 days). Preoperative visual acuity (VA) was <0.01 in 33/53 patients (62.3%). Mean follow-up period was 8.8 ± 10.1 months (range 1.5-46 months). RESULTS: Further corneal ulceration was prevented in 54/55 cases (98.1%), cornea epithelialized after 42/55 AMT (76.3%). Mean terms of corneal epithelialization were 24.2 ± 26.7 days after AMT (range 6-123 days). Corneal defect recurred in 3/42 successful cases (7.1%). Limbal deficiency of different extent with subsequent corneal conjunctivalization developed in all successful patients. The VA was ≥0.01 (range 0.01-1.0) in 23/42 patients (54.8%) with corneal epithelialization. The VA at the last visit was improved on 2 and more lines on the eye chart compared to preoperative VA in 15/42 patients with corneal epithelialization (35.7%), did not change in 18/42 successful patients (42.9%), and decreased on one line in 9/42 of these patients (26.2%). Symblepharon developed in 23/42 successful patients (54.7%). CONCLUSIONS: Amniotic membrane transplantation may stop ulceration and promote corneal epithelialization in the majority of patients with the most severe chemical or thermal eye injuries in case of timely application of the operation and adequate fixation of the AMT graft.

Expression of double strand DNA breaks repair genes in pterygium.

PURPOSE: The alteration in the expression of some genes and proteins responsible for chosen DNA repair pathways in pterygium pathogenesis were studied. This study was focused on the examination of the expression of genes and RAD50 protein taking part in homologous recombination. METHODS: Peripheral blood lymphocytes, samples of pterygium tissue, samples of conjunctiva of patients suffering from pterygium as well as peripheral blood lymphocytes and conjunctiva of patients from the control group were examined. In order to identify genes products from RNA, Ribonuclease Protection Assai method was applied. LIM15, RAD50, RAD54, RAD52, MRE11, XRCC2, XRCC3, RAD51, RAD51B, RAD51C, RAD51D genes transcripts were detected. Expression of RAD50 protein was analyzed immunohistochemically. RESULTS: Peripheral blood lymphocytes analyses revealed lower level of RAD50 gene expression in the pterygium patients compared to the control group and the increased expression of XRCC2, XRCC3 and RAD51 genes in patients with pterygium, who declared the recurrence of the lesion in comparison to the patients with primary pterygium. Lower expression of the RAD54 gene in pterygium tissue comparing to conjunctiva from the eyes with pterygium was found. An expression of RAD50 gene in the conjunctiva originating from eyes with pterygium in comparison to the conjunctiva of control group was shown to be considerably higher. Expression of RAD50 protein in pterygium squamous epithelial cells was significantly higher than in conjunctiva from control group. CONCLUSION: There may exist a relationship between pterygium pathogenesis and damages of double strand DNA, however, the elucidation of its exact nature needs further study.

Type 2 diabetes quality of life patients treated with insulin and oral hypoglycemic medication.

The aim of the study is to assess QoL depending on the choice of therapeutic regimen. From a total of 200 patients, half (n = 100) were treated with insulin (66% were females, age 52.1 ± 7.4-group A), the remaining 100 received oral treatment (74% females, age 63.3 ± 8.3-group B). For self-assessment of QoL, the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire was used. In group A, we found a negative influence of increased level of glycemia and occurrence of coexisting diseases in the somatic domain . In the psychological domain, frequent checkups showed a positive influence while circulatory failure produced negative results. For social domain, disobeying of recommended diet was strongly negative as well as increased levels of glycemia and coexisting disease for environmental domain. In group B, for somatic domain, correct values of glycemia and place of residence had positive influence. Incorrect values of BMI, WHR, and co-existing disease influenced the same domain negatively. In the psychological domain, a positive influence had place of residence but a negative BMI, ischemic heart disease, clinical complications. For environmental domain, a positive influence had correct values of glycemia but a negative BMI, ischemic heart disease and clinical complications. Finally, the social domain for group B was negatively influenced by BMI, ischemic heart disease, clinical complications, and lack of regular supervisions of glycemia level. A higher assessment of quality of life was found in the group of patients treated with oral hypoglycemic medicines in somatic and environmental domains, and in the group of patients treated with insulin in psychological domain.

[Fungal infections of the cornea--diagnostics and management]. / Diagnostyka i postepowanie w grzybiczych zakazeniach rogówki.

Fungal keratitis, an important cause of corneal infectious disease, is one of the most challenging types of microbial keratitis to diagnose, isolate the etiologic fungal organism and treat successfully. Aspergillus spp. are most commonly responsible for fungal keratitis worldwide. Most cases occur in hot, humid climates. Fungi invade the ocular surface only when it is compromised and gain access into the corneal stroma through a defect in the epithelial barrier. Pathogens multiply then, and cause inflammatory reaction together with tissue necrosis. Symptoms of fungal keratitis typically are not as acute as those of other forms of microbial keratitis. On examination, both signs seen in other forms of microbial keratitis and specific features of fungal keratitis are observed. In all cases with suspected fungal keratitis, corneal smears and cultures should be performed as soon as possible. Antifungal therapy should be restricted to those cases with fungus-positive laboratory results. The use of topical corticosteroids in the treatment of fungal keratitis is contraindicated. In about one-third of patients pharmacological therapy is not successful. In those cases, surgical intervention is essential. The main goal of surgical intervention is to control infection and maintain the integrity of the globe. The most commonly performed surgery in fungal keratitis is therapeutic penetrating keratoplasty. The use of topical corticosteroids is contraindicated in early postoperative period.

The occurrence, population dynamics and natural regulation of abundance of Phyllonorycter robiniella (Clem.) in Kraków area.

This work covers the four years (2002-2005) observations on the occurrence and numerousness of Phyllonorycter robiniella (Clem.) and their natural regulation by parasitoid complex in Kraków area. The highest infestation by P. robiniella was found in year 2003 when almost 100% of Leaves and 90% of leaflets was infested. During the vegetation period the density of the observed mines increased and reached the maximum in August in all years of observations. The most important factor decreasing the number of P. robiniella was parasitization. The parasitization ranged between 18% and 27% depends on year of observation. Generally the highest parasitization was noted in the end of growing season, in September after the maximum of pest abundance. The most common parasitoids were Hymenoptera from the family Eulophidae (Chalcidoidea).

[Oxidative stress parameter analysis in rat brains during long-term ethanol intoxication]. / Ocena parametrów stresu oksydacyjnego w mózgach szczurów przewlekle intoksykowanych etanolem.

The aim of this research was to define the influence of long-term ethanol intoxication on the changes in end products of lipid peroxidation, reacting with thiobarbituric acid (TBA-reactive products) and free SH-groups concentrations in rat brains. The experiment was conducted on male Lewis rats. The experimental groups received a 1-molar ethanol solution and the control group received tap water. The animals were killed after 4, 8 and 12 weeks of intoxication and their brains were collected for further examination, encompassing measurement of the concentration of TBA-reactive products and free SH-groups. A statistically significant increase in the concentration of TBA-reactive products in 4th week of intoxication and decrease in the concentration of free SH-groups in 8th and 12th week of intoxication--compared to the control group--was noticed.

[Changes of the concentration of lipid peroxidation products and thiol groups in rat brains with long-term intoxication with methanol]. / Zmiany stezen produktów peroksydacji lipidów i grup tiolowych w mózgach szczurów w przebiegu przewleklej intoksykacji metanolem.

The aim of this paper was to define the influence of long-term methanol intoxication on the changes of end products of lipid peroxidation, reacting with thiobarbituric acid (TBA-reactive products) and free SH-group concentration in rat brains. The experiment was conducted on male Lewis rats. The experimental groups received a 1-molar methanol solution and the control group received tap water. The animals were killed after 4, 8 and 12 weeks of intoxication and their brains were collected for further examination, which encompassed measurement of the concentration of TBA-reactive products and free SH-groups. The revealed changes of TBA-reactive products and free SH-group concentration were not statistically significant.

[Selected alcohols on the pro- and anti-oxidative processes in rat erythrocytes]. / Wplyw wybranych alkoholi na procesy pro- i antyoksydacyjne w krwinkach czerwonych szczurów.

In forensic medicine practice poisonings are rather frequent, and among them, those caused by fatal "substitution" of ethyl alcohol. One of the most frequently encountered "substitutes" for ethyl alcohol is methanol. The purpose of our research was to determine the concentration of malonic dialdehyde as the expression of lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzyme activity after dosed chronic ethyl and methyl alcohol intoxication. The experiment was conducted on approx. 6 month-old male inbred Lewis rats each weighing approx. 250 g. Ethanol and methanol solution was given in the concentration 1.0 M. The control group of rats received water. Each experimental group numbered 30 rats, this number was divided into three sub-groups, which were put-down at 4, 8 and 12 weeks. The activity of superoxide dismutase (CuZu-SOD) was determined by the Misra-Fridovich method, catalase (CAT) by the Beers-Sizer method. The concentration of malonic dialdehyde (MDA) was determined using the method of Placer et al. by assessing the concentration of TBARS compounds. Results are expressed as a mean +/- SD. The paired Student's test for small groups were used. Superoxide dismutase SOD1 activity decreased compared with the control group throughout the duration of the experiment from 2212 U/gHb to 1676 U/gHb for ethanol and from 2212 U/gHb to 945 U/gHb for methanol. Catalase activity for methanol decreased from 9.1 U/gHb to 5.1 U/gHb, for ethanol to 7.4 U/gHb. In the 4th week of the experiment increase of malonyl dialdehyde concentration for methanol group was observed--from 0.14 umol/gHb to 0.34 umol/Hb; after 8th weeks it decreased to 0.2 umol/gHb and in the 12th week increased to 0.23 umol/gHb. For ethanol these changes was less visible and reached the level of 0.24 umol/l. The statistical processing of the results was performed on the basis of parametric tests (the t-Student test for small experiments) and computer software Statistica. The statistical significance was set for p<0.05.

[Sobriety testing in case of lack of cooperation of the examined person--the legal basis of the physician's activities]. / Badanie stanu trzezwosci w przypadku braku wspólpracy osoby badanej--podstawy prawne dzialania lekarza.

The legal aspect of blood sample taking for alcohol concentration from suspicious, uncooperative persons is described in this paper. The Polish law allows for a possibility to take blood samples for alcohol concentration from suspects only by a physician or another skilled medical worker and only when consent is given to the medical procedure. The traffic act makes an exception for cases when the suspects are drivers and the suspicion concerns driving under the influence of alcohol. Taking blood samples is the medical worker' obligation in accordance with the law. The physician can refuse to do this only when the procedure threatens the life or health of the suspect.

[The influence of Aronia Melanocarpa Elliot and acetylcysteine on selected biochemical parameters of experimental animals with chronic lead acetate poisoning]. / Wplyw antocyjanin z aronii czarnoowocowej (Aronia Melanocarpa Elliot) i acetylcysteiny na wybrane parametry biochemiczne u zwierzat narazonych na przewlekle przyjmowanie octanu olowiu.

Lead mostly shows that it accumulates in bones in an insoluble phosphate form. Its toxicity grows with the deficiency of calcium, calciferol, irons and coppers in food. The examination was carried out on 40 female and male Wistar rats weighing 200-250 g. They lived in the animal quarters with a stable temperature and humidity. They were fed with standard fodder (Murigan) and water ad libitum. In the work carried out the effect of anthocyanins of Aronia Melanocarpa Elliot and acetylcysteine on the selected biochemical parameters of experimental animals with chronic lead acetate poisoning were examined. After administration anthocyanins statistically important substantially decreased the concentration of the products of the unsaturated fatty acids oxidation in urine and examined organs. Those anthocyanins also decreased excretion of delta-aminolevulinic acid and 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine in urine.