[Evaluation of esophageal motility after its resection and extensive devascularization]. / Ocena motoryki przelyku po jego transekcji polaczonej z rozlegla dewaskularyzacja.

UNLABELLED: Almost complete lack of information concerning esophageal motility after non-shunt operations due to bleeding esophageal varices was the main stimulus of this study. Thirty seven patients from 112 treated for bleeding esophageal varices in our Clinic in the years 1993-1997, were studied. To evaluate esophageal parameters the Autronic GmbH D-7500 pH-meter, and from 1995, the Microdigitrapper 2 MB (Synectics) System were used. The latter enables 24-hour, simultaneous pH and pressure measurements. In patients before operation, and those who did not undergo surgery (24 measurements), reflux occurred in 14 (58%). In 10, the varices were qualified to gr. III and IV according to Paquet's classification. Five cases of mixed (supine/upright) reflux was observed. Among 9 patients subjected to previous sclerotherapy, 4 had reflux. Ph parameters in 14 patients examined before and after operation did not differ significantly. 24-hour pressure monitoring was performed in 24 patients. Eight were examined before and after operation. All pre and postoperative results were compared. No statistic differences were found. CONCLUSION: 1. Gastroesophageal reflux is frequent in cirrhotic patients with varices, and concerns over 50% of them. 2. No significant differences between pre and postoperative results, suggest that extensive devascularisation and esophageal transection do not affect esophageal motility significantly. 3. 24-hour combined pH and manometry is an extremely helpful method of obtaining objective motility data.

[Early and late evaluation of Jurasz's operation]. / Wczesna i odlegla ocena operacji Jurasza.

In the years 1971-1996, 102 patients were treated for pancreatic pseudocysts. In 42 cases pancreatocystogastrostomy modo Jurasz was done. 12 patients operated on in the years 1971-83 were included in group I--retrospective trial, other 30 patients treated in the years 1984-96 were included to group II (prospective trial). Postoperative course was uneventful in 38 patients, remaining 4 (9%) had the following complications: bleeding from gastric mucosa 2x, or from the cysts 1 x, mechanical ileus 1x. Hospital mortality was 7% (3 patients). The cause of the death was: sepsis, pulmonary oedema, cardiac arrest. Pancreatic enzymes monitoring in the postoperative period and controlled USG and endoscopic tests (group II) indicate that emptying of the cysts takes place mainly during first 3-4 days and it's closure is completed within two weeks. The follow up period is 1 month to 13 years (mean 5 years). Recurrence of the cyst was noted only in 1 patient 2%.

[Influence of Catholic social teachings on the shaping of demographic processes]. / Implikacje katolickiej nauki spolecznej dla ksztaltowania procesow ludnosciowych.

PIP: This paper presents the proposal for dialogue concerning problems of contemporary socio-demographic policy in light of the social doctrine of the Roman Catholic church, also known as moral theology. It refers to the round table conference of Polish demographers in June 1983 and suggests that the basis for dialogue between Marxists and Catholics should be the common language of social psychology and ethics of workers involved in national and international solidarity. Joint struggles against regression and barbarism, for dignity, freedom, and justice could bring these 2 groups together with real success. Generally, the attitude of the Church towards politics is merely a recapitulation of the essence of social thought attributed to John Paul II, and thus touches upon the most important teachings of contemporary theology with regard to bodily life, especially in matters concerning abortion and law, death, euthanasia, and manipulation of the human body. Pragmatic conclusions are to maintain the dialogue and to do demographic research, especially on a rational, humanistic model of the family as well as on economic and noneconomic factors of fertility and mortality. (author's modified)^ieng

[Thoughts on demographic optimization in contemporary Poland]. / Rozwazania o optymalizacji demograficznej w Polsce wspolczesnej

PIP: This article presents the viewpoint of the Polish school of social policy of the Institute of Social Economy concerning the problem of optimization of demographic structures and processes in contemporary Poland. This school was created under the leadership of the outstanding sociologist Ludwik Krzywicki (1859-1941). The reasoning concerns, first of all, the scientific premises of the choice of criteria of demographic optimization examined and then there is a critical assessment of modern simplified approaches to the definition of optimum population. It also shows actual possibilities of demographic optimization and the complexity of analytical categories of socioeconomic processes which determine the development of the population in specific time and space. In conclusion, the theory of demographic optimization is regarded as a task too ambitious and perhaps even utopian in view of the assumptions needed for its satisfactory realization. This conclusion confirms the thesis contained in the handbook of demography by J.Z. Holzer published in 1970. The author considers, however, that the search for a theory of demographic optimization is still a task which mobilizes social sciences to an integration centered on demography and social policy. (author's)^ieng