Magnussonmidtgaard1115
Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory disease, the prevalence of which is 1-3% in the Polish population. Genome testing using single nucleotide polymorphisms revealed more than 50 regions associated with the risk of psoriasis, and most of these genes are associated with the immune system.
To assess the presence of PSEN1 subunits of the γ-secretase gene polymorphisms in patients with psoriasis and comparison of results with a healthy control group.
We used polymerase chain reaction - restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR RFLP) method to assess polymorphisms. The starting material for analysis was peripheral blood obtained from the patient.
PSEN1a-positivity was found in 2/52 (2.78%) of patients with psoriasis and 1/36 (3.85%) of healthy controls. PSEN1b positivity was seen in 3/52 (5.77%) of patients with psoriasis and 1/36 (3.85%) of control individuals. Only 3 patients with psoriasis but none of healthy volunteers had a presence of PSEN1c. Four patients were excluded from further statistical analysis.
We have not shown a relationship between PSEN1 polymorphism and the clinical occurrence of psoriasis but now we start the assessment of other subunits of the γ-secretase gene - PSENEN and NCSTN.
We have not shown a relationship between PSEN1 polymorphism and the clinical occurrence of psoriasis but now we start the assessment of other subunits of the γ-secretase gene - PSENEN and NCSTN.
Anti-RNA polymerase III (a-RNA Pol III) antibodies are marker antibodies in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc).
To assess the prevalence of a-RNA Pol III in patients with SSc and to identify the differences in the disease picture in SSc patients with and without a-RNA Pol III antibodies.
The study was performed in 126 SSc patients. The subtype of SSc, incidence of internal organ involvement, malignancy, death and serological profiles were determined in the entire group. The study groups were studied according to the presence of antibodies by applying the commercial test - EUROLINE SSc Profile. Due to the presence of a-RNA Pol III, patients were divided into two groups the a-RNA Pol III (+) SSc group of 19 patients and the a-RNA Pol III (-) SSc group of 107 patients.
A-RNA Pol III were present in 19/126 patients with SSc (15%), 13/19 (68.4%) patients had no other SSc marker antibodies. A-RNA Pol III were more common in patients with diffuse cutaneous SSc (
= 0.049). We showed a significant positive association between a-RNA Pol III and occurrence of malignancy (
= 0.007), scleroderma renal crisis (
= 0.001) and decreased DLCO (
= 0.007).
Anti-a-RNA Pol III antibodies are common in patients with SSc, particularly with a diffuse subtype. In more than 50% of patients with a-RNA Pol III antibodies, they may be present as the sole marker of antibodies. In SSc, a-RNA Pol III antibodies are frequently associated with malignancy occurrence, kidney and lung involvement.
Anti-a-RNA Pol III antibodies are common in patients with SSc, particularly with a diffuse subtype. In more than 50% of patients with a-RNA Pol III antibodies, they may be present as the sole marker of antibodies. In SSc, a-RNA Pol III antibodies are frequently associated with malignancy occurrence, kidney and lung involvement.
Autoimmune mechanisms with evident genetic background are the main components of alopecia areata (AA) pathogenesis. Interleukin 15 (IL-15) is considered as an important signalling cytokine. Its disordered expression has been linked to inflammatory autoimmune disorders.
The present study aimed to evaluate serum IL-15 in active AA patients and to assess its association with patients' sex, age, and disease severity.
IL-15 serum level was measured in 40 patients with active alopecia areata and 20 healthy controls using the ELISA technique. The severity of hair loss was assessed in accordance with the Severity of Alopecia Tool (SALT).
A significantly higher serum level of IL-15 in AA patients than in controls was detected (
< 0.001). A significant positive correlation was detected between the SALT score and IL-15 serum level (
= 0.433,
= 0.005). No significant correlation between age of the patients and the serum level of IL-15 was observed (
= 0.224,
= 0.164). No significant difference in IL-15 serum level regarding patients' sex, history of disease recurrence, or family history of AA was noted.
The elevated serum level of IL-15 in active AA patients might reflect its role in disease pathogenesis as a key signalling cytokine. Its level is correlated with disease severity. However, IL-15 is not influenced by patients' gender or age.
The elevated serum level of IL-15 in active AA patients might reflect its role in disease pathogenesis as a key signalling cytokine. Its level is correlated with disease severity. However, IL-15 is not influenced by patients' gender or age.
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multisystem inflammatory autoimmune disease with a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations. Cytokines such as interleukin-1 (IL-1) and tumour necrosis factor α (TNF-α) are involved in its pathogenesis. Endocan is a novel marker of endothelial dysfunction and is likely to be engaged in proinflammatory processes in SLE.
To determine whether endocan serum concentration in SLE patients vary from healthy controls.
The study included 36 patients with SLE. SLEDAI-2K score was used to assess disease activity. The control group comprised 23 healthy volunteers. ELISA kits were used to assess serum concentrations of endocan, IL-1β, TNF-α, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and high-sensitivity C reactive protein (hs-CRP).
The serum concentration of endocan was significantly higher (
< 0.001) in the SLE group than in healthy individuals. A positive correlation was found between serum levels of endocan and IL-1β (
= 0.47,
< 0.05). Active SLE patients (SLEDAI-2K score above 6 points) with an elevated total cholesterol level (above 5.17 mmol/l) were found to have VEGF concentration higher than those with a normal cholesterol level (
< 0.03). No other relevant relationships were found between the serum concentration of endocan, other laboratory parameters, anthropometric features, activity and duration of SLE.
A higher serum level of endocan in SLE patients indicates its possible role in the pathogenesis of the disease and reflects endothelial dysfunction. Our findings indicate that endocan could serve as a potential marker of endothelial dysfunction in SLE.
A higher serum level of endocan in SLE patients indicates its possible role in the pathogenesis of the disease and reflects endothelial dysfunction. Our findings indicate that endocan could serve as a potential marker of endothelial dysfunction in SLE.
The current state of knowledge is that allergic rhinitis can occur in two forms. One is allergic rhinitis as a manifestation of a systemic allergy with systemic atopy and positive results of skin prick tests or sIgE tests. The other is local allergic rhinitis (LAR) as a local allergic reaction affecting only the nasal mucosa without systemic atopy.
To attempt to assess the usefulness of the nasal allergen provocation test for the purposes of differential diagnosis and the qualification of LAR patients for therapy.
The subjects in the study were a group of 6 adults diagnosed with LAR on the basis of their medical history and the results of nasal allergen provocation tests, with the allergens being house dust mites (
The methods adopted in the study were a point-based rating scale as a measure of nasal/extranasal complaints and active anterior rhinomanometry.
Significant differences (
< 0.05) were observed, using the subjective rating scale, in relation to registered nasal and extranasal complaints in the early phase of the allergic reaction. Similarly, the rhinomanometry method revealed significant differences in nasal resistance values before and after the administration of an allergen.
The nasal allergen provocation test is the only testing tool that objectively measures the degree of the patient's allergic reactions and is useful in qualifying LAR patients for further therapy.
The nasal allergen provocation test is the only testing tool that objectively measures the degree of the patient's allergic reactions and is useful in qualifying LAR patients for further therapy.
Asthma is a complex condition characterized by the presence of chronic inflammation in the lower respiratory tract resulting in many disturbing symptoms. The study of the clinical profile of the population with asthma allows us to understand a trend of a specific disease taking into account several indicators and its clinical characteristics.
Evaluation of the clinical profile of patients with chronic bronchial asthma in Poland.
The study included 10400 adult patients, of both sexes, diagnosed with chronic bronchial asthma who started therapy based on inhaled glucocorticosteroids accompanied by salmeterol, and 52 allergists. The examination was performed in a doctor's surgery. Standardized questionnaire interviews were used in order to carry out the procedure.
The age of the patients ranged from 18 up to 97 years. Most of them suffer from overweight and obesity. 45.3% of the patients smoked cigarettes or declared to be passive smokers. Current asthma control was poor over 56% of the patients suffered from diurnal symptoms more often than twice a week, almost 55% from nocturnal symptoms, in 72% of the patients' physical activity was limited, whereas 57% required immediate treatment. Most commonly used drugs were inhaled glucocorticosteroids and short acting β2-mimetics. After treatment change, fewer patients suffered from asthma symptoms.
Adjusting the therapy according to the current guidelines and to the patient's needs helps to improve asthma control.
Adjusting the therapy according to the current guidelines and to the patient's needs helps to improve asthma control.
Cardiac abnormalities revealed in patients suffering from epidermolysis bullosa (EB) include dilated cardiomyopathy (DC) and aortopathy. DC is a rare but serious complication associated with an increased mortality, predominantly observed in recessive dystrophic EB. Echocardiography is the most available diagnostic tool used to detect heart disease in EB patients.
To analyse echocardiographic results obtained in Polish EB patients and compare them between the EB group and healthy persons.
We analysed retrospectively echocardiograms of 23 patients with EB (14 F, mean age 17.3 years) performed from 2017 to 2019. The incidence of left ventricular (LV) systolic and diastolic dysfunction, right heart disease and congenital heart disease was evaluated. A comparison of echo-parameters between EB patients and 20 matched healthy subjects was performed.
We did not find any cases of DC and aortopathy in the EB group. One bicuspid aortic valve case was revealed. Analysis of LV diastolic parameters showed that the mean value of mitral A velocity was significantly higher and the pulmonary venous flow D velocity was lower in the EB group than in controls. Tissue Doppler analysis revealed lower values of E' velocities of mitral annulus in the EB group, what may suggest discreetly slower LV relaxation, however, this will definitely require further research.
Although most EB patients do not present cardiac symptoms, there is still a risk of developing cardiomyopathy associated with poor prognosis. It seems reasonable to perform a scheduled echocardiographic screening including LV systolic and diastolic function assessment to detect preclinical cardiac abnormalities.
Although most EB patients do not present cardiac symptoms, there is still a risk of developing cardiomyopathy associated with poor prognosis. It seems reasonable to perform a scheduled echocardiographic screening including LV systolic and diastolic function assessment to detect preclinical cardiac abnormalities.
