[Allergens of home environment]. / Alergeny srodowiska domowego.

Exposure for various bio-chemical factors, which are regarded as potent allergens is growing rapidly in human population. The reasons are mainly connected with working environment and hazzards at workplace, and, on the other hand, with home environment. What's more important, there is a rapidly growing incidence of allergic reactions to many biological (i.e. ascares, fungi, cockroaches etc.) factors, associated directly with our place of living. Additionally hypersensitivity can be released or enhanced by various other environmental factors, especially by air pollution. The aim of this study was to summarize the most frequent potential allergens, which started to appear in our homes.

Lung function and breathing regulation parameters during pregnancy.

AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes in lung function and breathing regulation parameters measured in women who did not suffer from any respiratory system disorders (in comparison with body mass index values obtained before pregnancy) in any particular trimester of pregnancy. METHODS: The study was carried out on 51 pregnant women aged 26.6 +/- 4.9 years and 40 healthy women (control group). Spirometry, flow-volume loop, respiratory resistance (RRS), and respiratory pattern were evaluated using computerized spirometer "Lungtest," Poland. The examinations were performed in the first, second, and third trimesters of pregnancy. RESULTS: The statistically significant differences during pregnancy were stated in cases of tidal volume (VT) and minute ventilation (MV) (whereas breath frequency was nearly on the same level), inspiratory drive (VT/TI) and also occlusion pressure (P0.1), RRS, and peak expiratory flow (PEF). We observed a correlation between BMI at the baseline with P0.1, MV, and VT/TI. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that BMI at the baseline seems to predict the increase in MV, occlusion pressure, and inspiratory drive. The fact that RRS values increase during pregnancy and both forced expiratory volume (FEV1) and FEV1% forced vital capacity (FVC) values remain at the same level may reflect the effect of the autonomous nervous system on the respiratory tract.

Comparison between (99m)Tc-MIBI myocardial perfusion SPECT and multi-slice computed tomography for identifying and assessing coronary artery disease.

Imaging atherosclerotic changes allows us to identify the incidence and to predict the extent of coronary artery disease (CAD). In this study we have examined whether the changes in coronary vessels assessed by multi-slice computed tomography (MSCT) reflected those in myocardial perfusion determined by the methyl-iso-butyl isonitryl ((99m)Tc-MIBI) (99m)Tc labeled SPECT study. Seventy-two patients with established CAD underwent the MSCT and the (99m)Tc-MIBI SPECT tests. The correlation between coronary artery calcium scoring (CS) and the extent of CAD in coronary angiography was determined. No correlation between total CS and the score of the reversible and non-reversible perfusion defects in (99m)Tc-MIBI SPECT was found. Following the analysis for the 3 main coronary arteries separately, and the number of reversible perfusion defects, a significant correlation was observed between LAD and RCA vessels (p<0.008 and p<0.004, respectively). MSCT can identify the patients with CAD, only when CS exceeds 300-400; other diagnostic procedures such as (99m)Tc-MuIotaBetaIota SPECT and coronary angiography are recommended.

[Comparison of myocardial perfusion assessed by Tc99m MIBI single photon emission computer tomography (SPECT) with the Coronary Calcium Score (CS) assessed by multi-slice computer tomography (MSCT)]. / Porównanie perfuzji miesnia serca ocenianej metoda Tc99m MIBI SPECT, z ocena zwapnien w naczyniach wiencowych metoda wielorzedowej spiralnej tomografii komputerowej.

BACKGROUND: There is growing evidence regarding evaluation of Coronary Artery Calcium Score (CS) using the multi-slice computer tomography (MSCT), but as a new method it still need for verification in comparison with other, non-invasive modalities, with established rationale. One of these is SPECT, which value in evaluation of patients with coronary artery disease is well known. We tried to compare these two studies and their usefulness in diagnosis of patients with confirmed coronary artery disease. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 72 patients (53 males and 19 females, mean age 59.9 +/- 8.66), all after coronary angiography, with coronary artery disease (CCS II or III) were included into our study. SPECT and exercise treadmill results were compared with the coronary artery calcium score (CS) as assessed by MSCT. Both studies were performed with maximal 7-days intervals at most between the studies. Image reconstruction was performed using the Autoperfusion protocol, with the VISUAL Score analysis (5-point scale) of extent of perfusion defect. MSCT was evaluated using the Calcium Score protocol. For the statistical analysis we used Student's T-test and Pearson correlation analysis. RESULTS: The correlation between total CS and the score of the reversible and non-reversible perfusion defects in Tc 99mMIBI SPECT was not found. Following the analysis for the 3 main coronary arteries separately, and number of perfusion defects, a correlation was observed for LAD and RCA perfusion regions. CONCLUSIONS: 1. Statistically significant correlation between CS by MSCT and SPECT perfusion deficiencies in the left descending artery (LAD) and right coronary artery (RCA) perfusion regions were found. 2. The correlation between high CS (>400) and the presence of hemodynamically significant changes in coronary angiography was found. 3. We conclude that CS by MSCT may be a screening-tool of some value for risk stratification.

[Evaluation of saliva antioxidant activity for determining the state of dentition and oral hygiene in a group of young athletes]. / Ocena aktywnosci antyoksydacyjnej sliny w odniesieniu do stanu uzebienia i higieny jamy ustnej w grupie mlodych sportowców.

At a basis of many pathologic reactions lie disturbances in balance between production of free radicals and antioxidant organism capability. In our study we evaluate antioxidant capability of saliva, as a Ferric Reducing Ability of Plasma (FRAP). 74 pupils selected from active swimmer class (age 11.48 +/- 0.48) were included into our study. Children examination consisted of evaluation of oral cavity Approximated Plate Index (API), tooth decay index (PUW) and %PUW (PUW as a fraction of all evaluated teeth). The average FRAP was 0.55 +/- 0.11 mmol/l. Value of 0.44 was selected as a lower normal limit. 20% of children (group I) were below that value, while the rest 80% (group II) achieved values above this limit. Both groups had API Index values below 25%, which comply as an optimum hygiene of oral cavity. We also observed greater PUW values in group I when compared to group II (4.2 vs 2.8 respectively), and greater %PUW (16.69 vs. 12.75). Decreased values of FRAP indicated convergence with worse status of oral cavity. Significant novelty of our study is correlation between oral cavity status and FRAP, which until now was only used for determination of antioxidant capability of blood plasma.

Early and late changes in myocardial function and heart rate variability in patients after myocardial revascularisation.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effect of myocardial revascularisation and associated improvement of left ventricular systolic function on heart rate variability in patients after myocardial infarction. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study population consisted of 35 patients, who within the previous 6 months had suffered from myocardial infarction and in whom low dose dobutamine ventriculography revealed hibernating myocardium, whereas coronary angiography provided indications to revascularisation. CABG was performed in 22 patients, PTCA of the infarct-related artery in 13 patients. At baseline, 3 months and 3 years after the procedure radionuclide ventriculography, myocardial perfusion scintigraphy and 24hr continuous ECG recording were performed. RESULTS: After initial improvement of systolic function in ventriculography (EF = 48.63 +/- 11.6 v. 52.37 +/- 11.27 at p < 0.001) it slightly but not significantly decreased at long-term follow-up (EF = 51.8 +/- 10.77). The remaining parameters of systolic function function behaved in a similar way in radionuclide ventriculography. Diastolic function parameters did not change significantly at early and long-term follow-up. HRV measures did not change at 3 months but at 3 years both sympathetic- and parasympathetic- related parameters and global autonomic activity were diminished. At 3 years global autonomic activity and parasympathetic activity were diminished with their values similar in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: It seems that HRV measures diminish at long- -term follow-up. The type of revascularisation procedure is only of short-range value with the parameters stabilising on a similar level at long-term follow-up.