The frequency of occurrence of abnormal frenal attachment of lips and enamel defects in Turner syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the work was to register the frequency of occurrence of abnormal frenal attachment of lips and enamel defects and find the correlation between these anomalies and three types of Turner syndrome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty patients (aged 20-40 years) were clinically and cytogenetically diagnosed and divided into three groups, according to karyotype: 45,X (17 cases), with structural aberrations of chromosome X (12 cases) and with mosaic karyotype (21 cases). The control group consisted of 51 healthy woman aged 21-40 years. Subjects were screened for developmental anomalies in the labial frenula and enamel defects in three groups of Turner syndrome. RESULTS: Some significant anomalies of soft and hard tissues were found in studied patients: abnormal frenal attachments (42% of cases), enamel opacities (58% of cases) and enamel hypoplasia (38% of cases). Differences in the occurrence of these anomaly in all group with Turner syndrome in comparison with the control group were significantly different. Enamel defects were prevalent in the patients with karyotype 45,X and patients with structural aberrations of chromosome X in comparison with the mosaic karyotype. CONCLUSION: The results of the present study have shown, that abnormal attachment of lips and enamel defects were more frequent in Turner syndrome patients than in the control group. Enamel defects were correlated with the karyotypes of Turner syndrome and abnormal attachment of lips was not correlated with the karyotypes of Turner syndrome.

Tobacco smoking problem in a group of 18-year-old high school students in the city of Gdansk--finding causes and preventive methods.

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to evaluate smoking prevalence among 18-year-old secondary school students as well as their awareness of systemic health threats of smoking. Our goal was also to discuss the youth smoking risk factors and effective ways both to prevent and fight smoking problem. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 1516 18-year-old students (808 men, 708 women) from randomly selected 12 high schools were studied. The adolescents fulfilled the anonymus questionaire. RESULTS: 34.1% (517) of all participants smoke every day or occasionally, with the highest percentage of smokers in vocational schools (49.6%); women are the most frequent smokers (52.8%). The lower prevalence of smoking was observed in high schools (21.2% of men, 20% of women). In technical high schools 36.1% of men and 11.1% of women were smokers. The habitual smokers were found in all schools; the highest percentage was observed in vocational schools (32.75%-33.13%). The percentage was particularly high among women (33.13%). 92.09% of studied women and 89.95% of men were aware of smoking systemic health threats (93.84% of high school students, 88.25% of vocational school students). CONCLUSIONS: It is alarming that the percentage of smokers among 18-year-old students is high, in particular among women and vocational schools students. The results indicate that smoking is a serious problem in this population. It is vital to create the preventing and educating programmes addressed especially to adolescents. There is a need of future studies aimed to evaluate smoking risk factors and create effective methods of prevention as well as smoking cessation help resources.

Susceptibility to antifungal agents of Candida species isolated from paediatric and adult patients with haematological diseases.

Summary The susceptibility to six antifungals: amphotericin B (AMF), 5-fluorocytosine (5-F), miconazole (MIK), ketoconazole (KET), fluconazole (FLU) and itraconazole (ITR) was tested among 206 Candida spp. isolated from paediatric and adult patients with haematological malignancies. To determinate the susceptibility the commercial microdilution method Fungitest (Bio-Rad, France) was used. The strains were classified as susceptible, intermediate susceptible, or resistant on the base of the growth in following breakpoint concentrations of particular drugs: 2 and 8 microg ml(-1) for AMF, 2 and 32 microg ml(-1) for 5-F, 0.5 and 8 microg ml(-1) for MIK, 0.5 and 4 microg ml(-1) for KET and ITR, and 8 and 64 microg ml(-1) for FLU. The highest activity to overall species showed AMF (only one resistant strain) and 5-F (85% susceptible strains). Most of C. albicans isolates were susceptible to tested azoles. The percentages of C. albicans resistant to FLU, ITR, KET and MIK were 4, 11, 8, and 0.8%, respectively. The less susceptible to azoles were C. glabrata and C. krusei (14% and 44% isolates resistant to FLU). A non-albicans Candida isolated from adult patients receiving KET prophylaxis was more frequently resistant to FLU than isolates from patients without previous exposure to azoles (P < 0.05). We did not observe differences in the susceptibility of Candida strains isolated from children compared with those from adults.

Root morphology of mandibular premolars in 40 patients with Turner syndrome.

AIM: To analyse root morphology of mandibular premolars in 40 females with Turner syndrome. METHODOLOGY: All patients aged 18-50 years (mean+/-SD: 26.2+/-6.22) were clinically and cytogenetically diagnosed and divided into three groups according to karyotype: I-with 45,X (n=19); II-with 46,X,i(Xq) and other structural changes of this chromosome (n=8); III-with mos45,X/46,XX and other mosaic karyotype (n=13). The control group consisted of 30 healthy women aged 20-50 years (mean+/-SD: 31.52+/-5.21) who underwent dental treatment at the Department of Conservative Dentistry and Department of Periodontology and Oral Mucosa Diseases, Medical University of Gdansk, Poland. The root morphology of mandibular premolars was studied based on orthopantomogram X-ray images. The results were analysed using chi-square test with Yates's adjustment. RESULTS: Separate mesial and distal root canals and separate root apices were noted on orthopantomograms in patients with Turner syndrome. Two-rooted mandibular first premolars were observed in 34% of cases in group 45,X (group I), in 31% of cases in the group with structural aberrations of chromosome X (group II) and in 31% of cases with mosaic karyotypes (group III). Two-rooted mandibular second premolars were observed in 39% cases in group 45,X and in 31% of cases in the group with structural aberrations of chromosome X and in 35% of cases with mosaic karyotypes. This type of root morphology was not observed in the control group. No significant difference was found between the three groups of Turner syndrome. CONCLUSION: Highly significant differences in root morphology of mandibular premolars between patients with Turner syndrome and a population control group were found.

Naked DNA vaccination differentially modulates autoimmune responses in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis.

Vaccination with naked DNA represents a therapeutic strategy currently under consideration in multiple sclerosis (MS). In this study, we tested the potential therapeutic effect of vaccination with a naked DNA construct encoding proteolipid protein (pRc/CMV-PLP) upon the outcome of subsequent sensitization for experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) actively-induced in SJL mice with PLP139-151 peptide in adjuvant. Intramuscular vaccination with the naked DNA pRc/CMV-PLP construct led to PLP expression in local muscle tissue that persisted for about 8 weeks. Early sensitization for EAE (4 weeks after DNA vaccination) caused recipient mice to develop a severe, exacerbated form of disease (in comparison to control mice), while late sensitization (>10 weeks) resulted in a milder, ameliorated form. In the groups sensitized <10 weeks post-DNA vaccination with pRc/CMV-PLP induction of a Th1-type cytokine response was noted. In contrast, sensitization >10 weeks post-DNA vaccination led to peripheral tolerance as evidenced by a decrease in T cell proliferation and cytotoxic T cell response, no Th2 response, and no increase in apoptosis. These data are novel in that they demonstrate a differential effect of DNA vaccination and have important implications for its use as a mechanism to enhance or modulate immune reactivity.

[Radionuclide diagnosis of tricuspid regurgitation as a method of estimating the significance of tricuspid insufficiency with concurrent mitral valve disease]. / Diagnostyka radioizotopowa wielkosci fali zwrotnej trójdzielnej jako metoda okreslania istotnosci niedomykalnosci trójdzielnej towarzyszacej wadzie mitralnej.

UNLABELLED: A mitral valve replacement without simultaneous correction of a concomitant tricuspid regurgitation aggravates remote postoperative results. Nowadays diagnostics of a degree of tricuspid regurgitation bases on semi-quantitative methods, which are not unequivocal criteria of a significant tricuspid insufficiency. The aim of the study was to investigate diagnostic usefulness of a radioisotopic method of determination significant tricuspid insufficiency. The study group consisted of 35 patients with rheumatic mitral valve disease and tricuspid regurgitation (30 females, 5 males) at a mean age of 55 years qualified for operative treatment. Physical and noninvasive examinations were performed in all patients: chest X-ray (relative heart volume--RHV) and echocardiographicy (tricuspid regurgitation and right ventricle pressure). Final determination of a significant tricuspid insufficiency based on intraoperative diagnosis. The radioisotopic method relies on first pass technique with a determination of a tricuspid regurgitation index (TRI) and a right ventricular ejection fraction. Intraoperatively the patients were divided into two groups: with significant tricuspid regurgitation--21 patients and without--14 patients. Statistically significant differences, considering clinical and echocardiographic assessment between the two groups were noticed. The TRI index did not differentiate two groups. Noninvasive parameters that could affect diagnosis of significant tricuspid regurgitation were proved by a logistic regression analysis. Among them the TRI Index could have a separate value. CONCLUSIONS: Presented radioisotopic method of determination a degree of tricuspid regurgitation with the new TRI Index is of value in diagnosing significant tricuspid insufficiency when assessed with other noninvasive parameters. Estimation of a clinical usefulness of the method needs further investigation and bigger study group.

[Massive pericardial effusion during the course of hematological diseases]. / Masywne wysieki osierdziowe w przebiegu chorób hematologicznych.

7 patients, 4F/3M aged 20-63 years (x = 39.5 yrs) with high grade non-Hodgkin lymphoma (4 pts), Hodgkin's disease (1), acute leukaemia (1) and blastic crisis of CML (1), complicated by massive pericardial effusion with impending cardiac tamponade were presented. Symptoms of neoplastic pericardium infiltration have appeared at the diagnosis of underlying disease in 2 pts, in the remaining 5.5-24.5 months (mean = 12.5 months) since the diagnosis and onset of cytostatic treatment was established. In 6 pts pericadiocentesis or pericardium drainage have been applied, resulting in evacuation of 100-1450 ml (mean = 680 ml) of fluid. In 3 pts pericardial effusion was bloody and in two some neoplastic cells were found. In 4 pts intrapericardially 5-20 mg mitoxantrone, 5-20 mg, was administered 7 times. The survival time since the diagnosis of a massive pericardial effusion ranged 0.5-10 months. One person remains alive 7 months after diagnosis of cardiac effusion and 19 months from the diagnosis of n-HL. The authors conclude that pericardiac involvement in the course of haematologic malignancies is a very unfavorable event.

[Hematologic changes in stomach cancer]. / Zmiany hematologiczne w raku zoladka.

Haematologic disturbances in 13 cases of gastric cancer are described. All the patients had anemia of different origin. Increased leukocytosis was observed in half of the cases, leukemic reaction in one third. Hemolysis was present in 50% of cases. Thrombocytopenia coexisted most frequently with disseminated intravascular coagulation in 4 patients. Bone metastases were visualised as osteolytic foci with radiological methods or increased capture of isotopic marker in the bones under scintigraphic examination. Under the microscope neoplastic metastases were found in bone marrow smears of 5 patients. All patients displayed symptoms of gastric ulcer disease acute or chronic phase. In some cases only repeated gastroscopic examination and mucosa biopsy was the only way to confirm cancer. In other cases the diagnosis was made after the histopathologic examination of the resected stomach, in still others by a section.

[Haematologic changes in gastritic cancer]. / Zmiany hematologiczne w raku zoladka.

Haematologic disturbances in 13 cases of gastric cancer are described. All the patients had anemia of different origin. Increased leukocytosis was observed in half of the cases, leukaemia reaction in one third. Haemolysis was present in 50% of cases. Thrombocytopenia coexisted most frequently with disseminated intravascular coagulation in 4 patients. Bone metastases were visualised as osteolytic foci with radiological methods or increased capture of isotopic marker in the bones under scintigraphic examination. Under the microscope neoplastic metastases were found in bone marrow smears of 5 patients. All patients displayed symptoms of gastric ulcer disease acute or chronic phase. In some cases only repeated gastroscopic examination and mucosa biopsy was the only way to confirm cancer. In other cases the diagnosis was made after the histopathologic examination of the resected stomach, in still others by a section.

[Aspergillosis of the lymphatic nodes]. / Grzybica kropidlakowa (Aspergillosis) wezlów chlonnych.

The authors emphasize fungal lesions to the lymphatic nodes confirmed by the presence of Aspergillus flavus in blood and throat smear cultures (on Sabouraud's medium) and presence of A. flavus in cytological examination of biopsy from the lymphatic node, increased number of eosinophils in peripheral blood, and infiltration of eosinophils in bone marrow and lymphatic nodes. Aspergillosis coexisted with the infection with Candida albicans and S. aureus. The treatment of recurrent tonsillitis with antibiotics and also lowered granulocyte myeloperoxidase activity with increased production of O2 peroxide ion might predispose to such fungal infection.

Unusual case of granular lymphocytes (GL) proliferation: simultaneous reactive and neoplastic proliferation.

We report a case of a 55-year-old male with lymphoproliferative disease of granular lymphocytes. In the first year of follow-up reactive expansion of granular lymphocytes was observed during infectious episodes additionally to malignant proliferation. Histopathological studies revealed malignant lymphocytic infiltrations of the liver and gallbladder walls. The number of GL varied from 1.1 G/l to 17.8 G/l. Immunophenotyping studies showed surface phenotype CD3+, CD8+. There was markedly reduced NK cell function. The patient exhibited lack of severe parenchymal involvement, moderately increased white cell count (up to 21.0 G/l), severe neutropenia (0.06 G/l - 0.8 G/l) and recurrent infectious episodes.

[Metastatic tumor of the right heart successfully removed by surgery]. / Przerzutowy nowotwór do jam prawego serca skutecznie usuniety operacyjnie.

A case report of a cardiac metastasis from osteosarcoma of the pelvis is presented. The tumor obliterated nearly completely the right atrium and ventricle, inferior vena cava and pulmonary artery. It was successfully treated surgically and during a 9 month follow-up echocardiographical assessment was normal.

[Effect of livex on hypochromic anemia]. / Wplyw livexu na niedokrwistosc z niedoboru zelaza.

Livex is a lyophilised preparation of the bovine blood which contains 70% of proteins and 0.3% of iron. Livex was given to 25 patients with iron deficiency anemia (group I), and 25 patients with lymphoreticular malignancies accompanied by iron deficiency with or without anemia. The dose was 5 g t.i.d. for 3 months. The majority of patients of group I were women. Excessive menstrual bleeding and chronic gastritis were most common causes of iron deficiency in this group. Livex statistically significantly increased hemoglobin, hematocrit, corrected reticulocyte count, mean erythrocyte hemoglobin, serum iron, percent transferrin saturation, and leukocyte count. Therapy produced significant increase in serum iron, total iron binding capacity, and percent transferrin saturation in patients with lymphoreticular malignancies.

[Bacterial urinary infections in acute leukemia]. / Zakazenia bakteryjne ukladu moczowego w ostrych bialaczkach.

Hundred thirty patients with the acute leukemia were examined. Bacterial urinary infections were detected in 34% of the examined patients, statistically more frequently in women. Decreased response to the inflammatory process is noted in leukemic patients with the urinary infections. Non-stable clinical symptoms, multiple changes in the normal laboratory findings in both the urine and blood serum may suggest urinary infection which should be confirmed by the urinary cultures. The most frequent causes of the urinary infections are various species of gram-negative bacteria of Enterobacteriaceae similarly to non-leukemic patients with urinary infections. Reinfections and superinfections were seen in some patients but the latter were more frequent in the acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

[Studies of lysozyme activity in the saliva of workers in the drug industry]. / Badania aktywnosci lizozymu w slinie osób zatrudnionych w zakladach przemyslu farmaceutycznego.

The aim of this study was to examine the lysozyme activity in saliva of pharmaceutic industry workers in whom pathologic changes in the oral cavity were previously diagnosed. The study was carried out in the Pharmaceutic Plant "Polfa" in Stargard Gdanski at the departments of sulphonamides, acetylsalicylic acid and various syntheses. The study comprised 94 workers from whom resting saliva samples were collected 2-3 hours after breakfast. The lysozyme activity was determined using the modified Litwack method, while proteins were examined using the Lawry method. Our examinations have demonstrated a higher enzyme activity in pharmaceutic industry workers as compared to the control group. The highest lysozyme activity was recorded at the sulphonamides department.