Arch Med Sci
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Paraphenylenediamine and related chemicals as allergens responsible for allergic contact dermatitis.
Paraphenylenediamine (PPDA) is a chemical with strong sensitizing properties used for dyeing of hair and textiles. Paraphenylenediamine can cross-react, resulting in allergy to other related compounds. The prevalence of PPDA sensitization varies widely. The objectives were to assess the frequency of positive patch test reactions to PPDA and related chemicals among patients with allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) and to analyze them regarding their clinical pattern, occupation and cross-reactions. ⋯ Paraphenylenediamine was a major cause of contact allergy of diverse clinical picture more often affecting women, especially with atopy. Every fifth PPDA-allergic person exhibited hypersensitivity to other related compounds. Strong reactions to PPDA increased the risk of cross-reactions.
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The Child-Pugh and model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) scores are widely used to predict the outcomes of liver transplant (LT). Both have similar prognostic values in most cases, although their benefits might differ in some specific conditions. The aim of our study was to analyze the influence of pre-transplant ascites and encephalopathy in post-transplant liver rejection development and survival in alcohol cirrhosis (AC) patients undergoing LT to determine the usefulness of the Child-Pugh score for the assessment of prognosis in such patients. ⋯ Ascites and encephalopathy do not seem to influence AC or CR in patient survival, regardless of the presence of viral infections, so in our study neither the Child-Pugh nor ALBI score seems to be the best score to predict the outcomes of these patients.
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The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of disease activity, selected serum cytokines, and therapy on metabolic syndrome (MetS) components in patients with synovitis, acne, pustulosis, hyperostosis, and osteitis (SAPHO) syndrome. ⋯ Serum IL-23 protects, whereas methotrexate treatment stimulates selected components of the MetS in patients with SAPHO syndrome.
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In recent years hypertension has become an emerging condition in the young population. It has been proposed that the renin-angiotensin system plays an important role in regulation of blood pressure. We assessed whether activation of the intrarenal renin-angiotensin system occurs in hypertensive children and adolescents and what better reflects its activity: urine angiotensinogen (AGT) or urine renin (REN). ⋯ Increased urine REN/cr. in hypertensive children and adolescents and its positive correlation with BP may indicate its important role in the pathogenesis of HT. Perhaps urine REN/cr. could be a marker of intrarenal renin-angiotensin system activity. Nevertheless, further research should be undertaken to confirm this observation.
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Deforming arthrosis, or osteoarthritis, is the most common rheumatic disease that involves the musculoskeletal system. The purpose of this research is to perform a retrospective review of the quality of life of patients with knee arthrosis, who underwent total knee arthroplasty (TKA) no less than 5 years ago, to evaluate, based on the Knee Society Scoring System, the efficacy of a modified measured resection technique, and to investigate factors that affect the outcomes. ⋯ Knee arthrosis is a serious health problem, given the significant rate of disability among patients and the significant reduction in the quality of life. Patients often seek medical help at the later stages of the disease, when pain is strong and knee function is significantly reduced. The approach to rehabilitation procedures and, in some cases, to lifestyle improvement should be more responsible.