Arch Med Sci
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Immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) may lead to end stage renal disease and severely affect patient functioning and wellbeing. The aim of the study was to evaluate health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in children and adolescents with IgAN, and compare HRQoL in relation to the disease course, social status and psychological factors, such as expressing anger and perceived personal competence. ⋯ We found lower HRQoL in regard to physical and psychological wellbeing in a group of Polish children with IgAN compared to healthy peers. HRQoL should be monitored in this patient group.
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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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Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may affect many organs and may be responsible for numerous complications including cardiovascular problems. ⋯ Diabetes, elevated level of CRP and troponin, heart rate variability parameters and worsening of left ventricular ejection fraction are related to the severity of cardiovascular complications following COVID-19 infection.