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This study is the first to assess redox homeostasis in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) in respect to histopathological parameters associated with the tumour microenvironment such as tumour budding and inflammatory infiltration. Pro-oxidant enzymes (NADPH oxidase (NOX), xanthine oxidase (XO)), antioxidant barrier (Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR), reduced glutathione (GSH)), redox status (total antioxidant (TAC)/oxidant status (TOS)) and oxidative damage products (advanced glycation end products (AGE), advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP), malondialdehyde (MDA) and 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG)) were determined in both the normal and cancerous tissue of 29 CRC patients. The activity of NOX (p &lt, 0.01) and XO (p = 0.01), as well as SOD (p &lt, 0.0001), CAT (p &lt, 0.0001) and TAC level (p &lt, 0.01) were significantly higher in tumour tissue than in normal colon mucosa. Oxidative damage products (AGE&mdash, p &lt, 0.01, AOPP&mdash, 0.001, MDA&mdash, 0.001, 8-OHdG&mdash, 0.0001) were also higher in cancerous colon tissue. Furthermore, we observed that CAT (p &lt, 0.05) and XO (p &lt, 0.05) activity depends on the intensity of inflammatory infiltration. Oxidative stress index (OSI) (p &lt, 0.05) and MDA (p &lt, 0.01) values were significantly higher in patients with tumour budding (TB) &gt, 5 versus cases with TB &lt, 5. However, OSI level did not differ significantly between cancer and normal tissue. Our results confirm that CRC is associated with enzymatic/non-enzymatic redox imbalance and increased oxidative damage to proteins, lipids and DNA. The determination of these biomarkers could be useful for the evaluation of the tumour progression.

This is the first study to assess the effect of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on the mitochondrial respiratory system, as well as free radical production, glutathione metabolism, nitrosative stress, and apoptosis in the salivary gland mitochondria of rats with high-fat diet (HFD)-induced insulin resistance (IR). The study was conducted on male Wistar rats divided into four groups of 10 animals each: C (control, rats fed a standard diet containing 10.3% fat), C + NAC (rats fed a standard diet, receiving NAC intragastrically), HFD (rats fed a high-fat diet containing 59.8% fat), and HFD + NAC (rats fed HFD diet, receiving NAC intragastrically). We confirmed that 8 weeks of HFD induces systemic IR as well as disturbances in mitochondrial complexes of the parotid and submandibular glands of rats. NAC supplementation leads to a significant increase in the activity of complex I, II + III and cytochrome c oxidase (COX), and also reduces the ADP/ATP ratio compared to HFD rats. Furthermore, NAC reduces the hydrogen peroxide production/activity of pro-oxidant enzymes, increases the pool of mitochondrial glutathione, and prevents cytokine formation, apoptosis, and nitrosative damage to the mitochondria in both aforementioned salivary glands of HFD rats. To sum up, NAC supplementation enhances energy metabolism in the salivary glands of IR rats, and prevents inflammation, apoptosis, and nitrosative stress.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of whey protein concentrate (WPC-80) on glycoconjugate catabolism, selected markers of oxidative stress and liver inflammation. The experiment was conducted on male Wistar rats (n = 63). The animals from the study group were administered WPC-80 at a dose of 0.3 or 0.5 g/kg body weight for 7, 14 or 21 days, while rats from the control group received only 0.9% NaCl. In liver homogenates, we assayed the activity of N-acetyl-&beta, D-hexosaminidase (HEX), &beta, glucuronidase (GLU), &beta, galactosidase (GAL), &alpha, mannosidase (MAN), &alpha, fucosidase (FUC), as well as the level of reduced glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA), interleukin-1&beta, (IL-1&beta, ) and transforming growth factor-&beta, 1 (TGF-&beta, 1). A significantly higher activity of HEX, GLU, MAN and FUC were found in the livers of rats receiving WPC-80 compared to controls. Serum ALT and AST were significantly higher in the animals supplemented with WPC-80 at a dose of 0.5 g/kg body weight for 21 days. In the same group of animals, enhanced level of GSH, MDA, IL-1&beta, and TGF-&beta, 1 were also observed. WPC-80 is responsible for intensive remodelling of liver tissue and induction of oxidative stress especially at a dose of 0.5 g/kg body weight.

There are still missing non-invasive biomarkers of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in children. Therefore, the aim of the study was to evaluate oxidative stress indicators in the non-stimulated (NWS) and stimulated saliva (SWS) of CKD children (n = 25) and healthy controls (n = 25). Salivary antioxidants (catalase (CAT), peroxidase (Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD), uric acid (UA), reduced glutathione (GSH), albumin), redox status (total antioxidant capacity (TAC), total oxidant status (TOS), oxidative stress index (OSI)), and oxidative damage products (advanced glycation end products (AGE), advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP), malondialdehyde (MDA)) were evaluated. We have demonstrated the significantly higher activity of SWS GPx and SOD, as well as elevated concentrations of UA and albumin in NWS and SWS of CKD children vs. the control group. TAC, TOS and OSI were significantly higher only in SWS, while oxidative damage products (AGE, AOPP and MDA) were significantly higher in both NWS and SWS of CKD children. ROC analysis showed a considerably high diagnostic value of AOPP in both NWS and SWS of CKD children compared to controls (AUC = 0.92, 0.98). CKD is responsible for disturbances in salivary antioxidant systems and oxidative damage to proteins and lipids. Salivary AOPP can be a potential biomarker of CKD in children.

Introduction. The care of a child with a disability is associated with difficulties in many areas of life, including comprehensive medical care. Aim. The aim of the sociomedical study was to assess the level of dental care provided to children with disability based on the data from a questionnaire study performed in their parents/guardians. Material and methods. The research was conducted among 200 parents/guardians of disabled and/or chronically ill children living in Poznań and Białystok. Information on the frequency of dental visits and their causes, access to dental offices as well as the course of treatment, particularly in primary teeth, was collected. The study was approved by the Committee of Bioethics of the Poznan University of Medical Sciences (Resolution No. 159/17) as well as the directors of institutions and parents/guardians. Results. The data obtained showed that up to 18.50% of children with disability had never been to a dentist. The most common reasons for a dental visit were changes within a tooth noticed by a parent (25.50%) or a dental check-up (25.00%). Thirty-six children (18.00%) experienced a few episodes of dental pain, whereas 47.00% of children had never received dental treatment of primary teeth. Only 67.50% of respondents reported no access barriers to dental treatment. Up to 51.50% of parents/guardians reported that there was currently no need for dental treatment in their children. Conclusions. The data presented show that there is insufficient dental care for children with disability, which is probably due to inadequate education of their parents/guardians, in relation to the care of oral health in children. The study also indicates the presence of obstacles in access to dental treatment, such as architectural or financial barriers as well as problems in access to dental care in the place of residence.

Due to the high biotolerance, favourable mechanical properties, and osseointegration ability, titanium is the basic biomaterial used in maxillofacial surgery. The passive layer of titanium dioxide on the surface of the implant effectively provides anticorrosive properties, but it can be damaged, resulting in the release of titanium ions to the surrounding tissues. The aim of our work was to evaluate the influence of Ti6Al4V titanium alloy on redox balance and oxidative damage in the periosteum surrounding the titanium miniplates and screws as well as in plasma and erythrocytes of patients with mandibular fractures. The study included 31 previously implanted patients (aged 21–29) treated for mandibular fractures and 31 healthy controls. We have demonstrated increased activity/concentration of antioxidants both in the mandibular periosteum and plasma/erythrocytes of patients with titanium mandibular fixations. However, increased concentrations of the products of oxidative protein and lipid modifications were only observed in the periosteum of the study group patients. The correlation between the products of oxidative modification of the mandible and antioxidants in plasma/erythrocytes suggests a relationship between the increase of oxidative damage at the implantation site and central redox disorders in patients with titanium miniplates and screws.

Oxidative stress is a key pathogenic factor in both neurogenerative and metabolic diseases. However, its contribution in the brain complications of insulin resistance is still not well understood. Therefore, the aim of this study was the evaluation of redox homeostasis and oxidative damage in the hypothalamus and cerebral cortex of insulin-resistant and control rats. 16 male Wistar rats were divided into two equal groups (n=8): the control and high fat diet group (HFD). Prooxidant enzymes (xanthine oxidase and NADPH oxidase); enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidants [glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase-1 (SOD-1), and uric acid (UA)]; and oxidative damage products [advanced glycation end products (AGE), 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE), malondialdehyde (MDA), and 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG)] as well as the total antioxidant capacity (TAC), total oxidant status (TOS), oxidative stress index (OSI), and total ferric reducing ability of sample (FRAP) were evaluated in the hypothalamus and cerebral cortex as well as serum/plasma of HFD-fed and control rats. The activity of prooxidant enzymes was significantly increased in the cerebral cortex and hypothalamus of HFD-fed rats vs. control rats. Additionally, we have showed enhanced antioxidant efficiency in the hypothalamus (↑CAT, ↑UA, ↑TAC, and ↑FRAP) and cerebral cortex (↑GPx, ↑CAT, ↑SOD-1, ↑UA, ↑TAC, and ↑FRAP) of HFD-fed rats. All of the oxidative damage markers (AGE, 4-HNE, MDA, 8-OHdG, and OSI) were significantly increased in the cerebral cortex of insulin-resistant rats, while only 4-HNE and MDA were markedly higher in the hypothalamus of the HFD group. Summarizing, the results of our study indicate an adaptive brain response to the increased production of free radicals under insulin resistance conditions. Despite the increase in antioxidative defense systems, this mechanism does not protect both brain structures from oxidative damages. However, the cerebral cortex is more susceptible to oxidative stress caused by HFD.

Oxidative stress plays a crucial role in the salivary gland dysfunction in insulin resistance (IR). It is not surprising that new substances are constantly being sought that will protect against the harmful effects of IR in the oral cavity environment. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on oxidative stress and secretory function of salivary glands in a rat model of insulin resistance. Rats were divided into 4 groups: C—normal diet, C + NAC—normal diet + NAC, HFD—high-fat diet, and HFD + NAC. We have demonstrated that NAC elevated enzymatic (superoxide dismutase, catalase, and peroxidase) and nonenzymatic antioxidants (reduced glutathione (GSH) and total antioxidant capacity (TAS)) in the parotid glands of HFD + NAC rats, while in the submandibular glands increased only GSH and TAS levels. NAC protects against oxidative damage only in the parotid glands and increased stimulated salivary secretion; however, it does not increase the protein secretion in the both salivary glands. Summarizing, NAC supplementation prevents the decrease of stimulated saliva secretion, seen in the HFD rats affected. NAC improves the antioxidative capacity of the both glands and protects against oxidative damage to the parotid glands of IR rats.

COPD is associated with different comorbid diseases, and their frequency increases with age. Comorbidities severely impact costs of health care, intensity of symptoms, quality of life and, most importantly, may contribute to life span shortening. Some comorbidities are well acknowledged and established in doctors’ awareness. However, both everyday practice and literature searches provide evidence of other, less recognized diseases, which are frequently associated with COPD. We call them underrecognized comorbidities, and the reason why this is so may be related to their relatively low clinical significance, inefficient literature data, or data ambiguity. In this review, we describe rhinosinusitis, skin abnormalities, eye diseases, different endocrinological disorders, and gastroesophageal reflux disease. Possible links to COPD pathogenesis have been discussed, if the data were available.

Ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) is an appropriate technique to detect and identify chemical warfare agents (CWAs), in particular nerve agents. In many cases, the challenge is to correctly distinguish between nerve agents such as sarin, soman, tabun and VX. This paper presents the identification of CWAs by PRS-1W, a detector that uses IMS combined with differential mobility spectrometry (DMS).

Oxidative stress plays a crucial role in dementia pathogenesis; however, its impact on salivary secretion and salivary qualities is still unknown. This study included 80 patients with moderate dementia and 80 healthy age- and sex-matched individuals. Salivary flow, antioxidants (salivary peroxidase, catalase, superoxide dismutase, uric acid and total antioxidant capacity), and oxidative damage products (advanced oxidation protein products, advanced glycation end products (AGE), 8-isoprostanes, 8-hydroxy-2’-deoxyguanosine and total oxidant status) were estimated in non-stimulated and stimulated saliva, as well as in plasma and erythrocytes. We show that in dementia patients the concentration/activity of major salivary antioxidants changes, and the level of oxidative damage to DNA, proteins and lipids is increased compared to healthy controls. Non-stimulated and stimulated salivary secretions were significantly reduced in dementia patients. The deterioration in mini mental state examination (MMSE) score correlated with salivary AGE levels, which when considered with receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, suggests their potential role in the non-invasive diagnosis of dementia. In conclusion, dementia is associated with disturbed salivary redox homeostasis and impaired secretory function of the salivary glands. Salivary AGE may be useful in the diagnosis of dementia.

Background There have been inconsistent conclusions regarding salivary abnormalities and their effect on oral health of Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) patients. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the flow rate and selected biochemical parameters of unstimulated whole saliva in correlation to oral health in JIA children. Methods Thirty-four JIA patients and 34 age- and sex-matched controls not affected by JIA (C) were divided into two groups: with mixed and permanent dentition. DMFT/dmft, gingival and simplified oral hygiene indices were evaluated. Salivary flow rate, pH, lysozyme, lactoferrin, salivary protein concentrations and peroxidase activity were assessed. Results The salivary flow rate was significantly lower in the total JIA group (0.41 ml/min) as compared with the C (0.51 ml/min) and in the permanent dentition of JIA children (0.43 ml/min) as compared with the C (0.61 ml/min). A significantly lower pH was observed in total (6.74), mixed (6.7) and permanent (6.76) dentition of JIA groups in comparison to the C (7.25, 7.21, 7.28 respectively). The specific activity of peroxidase was significantly higher in JIA patients (total 112.72 IU/l, mixed dentition 112.98 IU/l, permanent dentition 112.5 IU/l) than in the C group (total 70.03 IU/l, mixed dentition 71.83 IU/l, permanent dentition 68.61 IU/l). The lysozyme concentration in JIA patients (total and permanent dentition groups) was significantly higher than in the C group. There were no significant differences in lactoferrin and salivary protein concentrations. There were no statistically significant differences in oral status between JIA patients and C, respectively: DMFT = 5.71, dmft = 3.73, OHI-S = 0.95, GI = 0.25 and DMFT 5.71, dmft = 3.73, OHI-S = 0.85, GI = 0.24. The specific activity of peroxidase in the unstimulated whole saliva was inversely correlated with the GI index, whereas the salivary lysozyme concentration was inversely correlated with the dmft index in JIA patients. Conclusion In the course of JIA occur a reduction of the resting salivary flow rate and a decrease of saliva pH. In spite of this, no differences in the clinical oral status between the JIA children population and the control group were found. The mobilisation of salivary peroxidase and lysozyme contributes to the maintenance of healthy oral tissues.

Titanium miniplates and screws are commonly used for fixation of jaw fractured or osteotomies. Despite the opinion of their biocompatibility, in clinical practice symptoms of chronic inflammation around the fixation develop in some patients, even many years after the application of miniplates and screws. The cause of these complications is still an unanswered question. Taking into account that oxidative stress is one of the toxic action of titanium, we have evaluated the antioxidant barrier as well as oxidative stress in the erythrocytes, plasma and periosteum covering the titanium fixation of the jaw. The study group was composed of 32 patients aged 20–30 with inserted miniplates and screws. The antioxidant defense: catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase-1 (SOD1), uric acid (UA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), as well as oxidative damage products: advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP), advanced glycation end products (AGE), dityrosine, kynurenine, N-formylkynurenine, tryptophan, malondialdehyde (MDA), 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE), total oxidant status (TOS), and oxidative status index (OSI) were evaluated. SOD1 activity (↓37%), and tryptophan levels (↓34%) showed a significant decrease while AOPP (↑25%), TOS (↑80%) and OSI (↑101%) were significantly elevated in maxillary periosteum of patients who underwent bimaxillary osteotomies as compared to the control group. SOD-1 (↓55%), TAC (↓58.6%), AGE (↓60%) and N-formylkynurenine (↓34%) was statistically reduced while AOPP (↑38%), MDA (↑29%), 4-HNE (↑114%), TOS (↑99%), and OSI (↑381%) were significantly higher in the mandibular periosteum covering miniplates/screw compared with the control tissues. There were no correlations between antioxidants and oxidative stress markers in the periosteum of all patients and the blood. As exposure to the Ti6Al4V titanium alloy leads to disturbances of redox balance in the periosteum surrounding titanium implants of the maxilla and the mandible so antioxidant supplementation should be recommended to the patients undergoing treatment of dentofacial deformities with the use of titanium implants. The results we obtained may also indicate a need to improve the quality of titanium jaw fixations through increase of TiO2 passivation layer thickness or to develop new, the most highly biodegradable materials for their production.

Objective Chronic high protein intake leads to an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. However, there is no data on the impact of high-protein diet on the antioxidant barrier, oxidative stress and secretory function in the salivary glands of healthy individuals. Design 16 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 2 groups (n = 8): normal protein (C) and high-protein diet (HP) for 8 weeks. Salivary antioxidants: peroxidase (Px), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD 1), uric acid (UA), total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS) and the oxidative stress index (OSI), as well as protein carbonyls (PC), 4-hydroxynonenal protein adduct (4-HNE protein adduct), 8-isoprostanes (8-isoP), 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and protein content were determined in the salivary glands and plasma. Salivary unstimulated and stimulated flow rates were examined. Results Parotid Px, TAS, UA, TOS, OSI, PC were significantly higher, the total protein content was statistically lower in the HP group as compared to the control. Submandibular UA, TOS, OSI, 8-isoP, 4-HNE-protein adduct, 8-OHdG were statistically elevated, SOD 1 and Px were significantly lower in the HP group as compared to the control rats. The unstimulated salivary flow rate was significantly depressed in the HP group as compared to the controls. Conclusions Higher antioxidant capacity in the parotid glands of HP rats vs. control rats seems to be a response to a higher ROS formation. In the submandibular glands severe oxidative modification of almost all cellular components was observed. Administration of HP resulted in the weakening of the salivary gland function.

Background We compared effects of binge and chronic alcohol drinking on oral health and salivary immunity proteins. Methods The study involved males: 13 healthy social-drinking (C), 10 alcohol-dependent after chronic alcohol-intoxication (A), and 8 binge-drinkers after a single binge-drinking session (B). We compared periodontal/dental state and salivary immune proteins (lactoferrin –Lf, lysozyme –Lz, oral peroxidase –OPO, immunoglobulin A –IgA) in all groups. Results Group A had worse dental and periodontal states than group C and B. Group B had a lower OPO activity and Lz concentration, and a higher IgA concentration in comparison to group C. Group A had a higher OPO activity than group C. Group B had a lower Lz and a higher LF and IgA outputs than C. Group A had a lower IgA output and a strong tendency of Lf and Lz outputs to be lower than in group C. Positive correlations were found between alcohol amounts and OPO and Lf output in group A, with no such correlations in group B. Only IgA concentration in group B and OPO activity in group A have potential to be markers that help to differentiate binge from chronic alcohol drinking, and OPO activity had better accuracy than IgA. Conclusion Binge alcohol consumption resulted in specific disturbances in salivary innate immunity (Lz), whereas chronic drinking led to disturbances in both adaptive and innate immunity (IgA, Lz and Lf). There is potential applicability of raised salivary IgA concentration and especially OPO activity in binge and chronic drinking detection and differential-diagnosis.

Still little is known about the role of oxidative stress (OS) in the pathogenesis of the salivary gland dysfunction in the course of insulin resistance (IR). To induce IR rats was fed with a high fat diet (HFD) during 8 weeks. Stimulated and non-stimulated salivary flow rate, total protein, as well as oxidative damage markers: 4-HNE protein adduct, 8-isoprostanes (8-isoP), 8-hydroxy-D-guanosine (8-OHdG), advanced oxidation protein product (AOPP) and protein carbonyls (PC) were determined in the plasma and submandibular and parotid glands of IR and control rats. We have shown a significant decrease (45%) of the stimulated salivary flow rate, and in the total protein concentration in the parotid (35%) and submandibular (10%) glands of HFD IR as compared to the control rats. The level of 4-HNE protein adduct (15%) and 8-isoP (20%) in the submandibular glands of IR rats as well as total level of 4-HNE protein adduct (39%), 8-isoP (27%), AOPP (25%), PC (32%), and 8-OHdG (18%) in the parotid glands of IR rats were significantly higher as compared to the control group. We showed no correlation between the assessed OS parameters in the plasma and salivary glands. However, the redox balance in both glands shifted toward the oxidative status, parotid glands of IR rats are exposed to greater intensity OS. Stimulated secretory ability and mechanisms involved in the synthesis/secretion of proteins in the salivary glands are depressed in the course of IR. Oxidative damage in the salivary glands arises independently from the general oxidative stress in the course of insulin resistance induced by a high fat diet.

A new workplace is a result of changing a work post or undertaking a new job. Direct indices of adaptation to this situation (average mood at the workplace and job satisfaction) and the indirect ones (costs like health complaints and the level of depressing or facilitating anxiety) are analysed with regard to reactivity and values-motives coherence at work. Sixty bank workers were investigated. The obtained results confirm that mood and costs depend on reactivity, but satisfaction with work depends on coherence. Only achievement values-motives coherence at work differentiates direct and indirect indicators of adaptation. Considering both kinds of variables modifies dependencies. Some theoretical and practical conclusions resulting from the research are included.

Morbid obesity leads to progressive failure of many human organs and systems; however, the role of oxidative damage to salivary composition is still unknown in the obese patients. In this study, we assessed the effect of bariatric surgery on oxidative damage in nonstimulated (NS) and stimulated (S) whole saliva. The study included 47 subjects with morbid obesity as well as 47 age- and gender-matched healthy volunteers. Oxidative modifications to lipids (4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) and 8-isoprostanes (8-isoP)), proteins (advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP) and protein carbonyl groups (PC)), and DNA (8-hydroxy-D-guanosine (8-OHdG)) were analyzed in morbidly obese patients before and after bariatric surgery as well as in the healthy controls. The concentrations of 8-isoP, AOPP, PC, and 8-OHdG were significantly higher in both NS and S of patients with morbid obesity than in the control patients and compared to the results obtained 6 months after bariatric surgery. The levels of oxidative damage markers were also higher in S versus NS of morbidly obese patients. In summary, morbid obesity is associated with oxidative damage to salivary proteins, lipids, and DNA, while bariatric treatment generally lowers the levels of salivary oxidative damage.

This study compared the antioxidant status and major lipophilic antioxidants in patients with ataxia-telangiectasia (AT) and Nijmegen breakage syndrome (NBS). Total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), oxidative stress index (OSI), and concentrations of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) and vitamins A and E were estimated in the plasma of 22 patients with AT, 12 children with NBS, and the healthy controls. In AT patients, TAS (median 261.7 μmol/L) was statistically lower but TOS (496.8 μmol/L) was significantly elevated in comparison with the healthy group (312.7 μmol/L and 311.2 μmol/L, resp.). Tocopherol (0.8 μg/mL) and CoQ10 (0.1 μg/mL) were reduced in AT patients versus control (1.4 μg/mL and 0.3 μg/mL, resp.). NBS patients also displayed statistically lower TAS levels (290.3 μmol/L), while TOS (404.8 μmol/L) was comparable to the controls. We found that in NBS patients retinol concentration (0.1 μg/mL) was highly elevated and CoQ10 (0.1 μg/mL) was significantly lower in comparison with those in the healthy group. Our study confirms disturbances in redox homeostasis in AT and NBS patients and indicates a need for diagnosing oxidative stress in those cases as a potential disease biomarker. Decreased CoQ10 concentration found in NBS and AT indicates a need for possible supplementation.

Drug hypersensitivity reactions may manifest with either organ-specific or systemic symptoms, but cutaneous eruptions are the most common manifestations. Different medications may cause identical skin symptoms, whereas hypersensitivity to a single drug may manifest with various patterns of symptoms depending on the pathomechanism of hypersensitivity. Drug reactions should be also taken into account in the differential diagnosis of numerous skin rashes. Analysis of morphology of drug-induced lesions, about potential immunologic or nonimmunological mechanisms, is important for the final diagnosis. Thus, here the authors present a morphologic approach to the diagnosis of cutaneous drug-induced eruptions.

Ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) is a technique used for the detection of chemical warfare agents (CWA), drugs, toxic industrial compounds (TIC), and explosives, when rapid detection should be performed (from a few to several seconds) for trace amounts of these substances. An important development of IMS technology is differential ion mobility spectrometry (DMS). DMS is also known as Field Asymmetric Waveform Ion Mobility Spectrometry (FAIMS). Detection possibilities of apparatus using the DMS method are based on the occurrence of the different mobilities of ions (K) in the alternating electric field. This dependence is characterized by the alpha function (α).This presentation shows methods and examples of the identification of chosen substances. The results for the dependence of coefficient α are specific for different types of substances. This specificity is used to identify vapours and gases.

Increasing attention to the importance of saliva testing is not surprising because smoking and alcohol drinking act synergistically on oral tissues, and their metabolite levels, e.g., acetaldehyde, are much higher in saliva than in blood. The activity of salivary alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) comes from oral microbiota, mucosa, and salivary glands. The purpose of this study was to investigate the involvement of ADH in the oral health pathology of smoking (AS) and non-smoking (ANS) alcohol-dependent males. The results indicated that the AS group had a more significant and longer duration (until the 30th day of alcohol abstinence) decrease in ADH activity and output than the ANS group (until the 15th day of alcohol abstinence) compared to controls (social drinkers; C). The decreased salivary flow (SF) in alcoholics was observed longer in the ANS group (until the 30th day of alcohol abstinence), whereas in the AS group SF normalized at the 15th day, probably due to the irritating effect of tobacco smoke on the oral mucosa. Because saliva was centrifuged to remove cells and debris (including microbial cells), the detected salivary ADH activity was derived from salivary glands and/or oral mucosa. A more profound and longer decrease in ADH activity/output in smoking than non-smoking alcoholics was likely due to the damaged salivary glands and/or oral mucosa, caused by the synergistic effect of alcohol drinking and smoking. The lower values of salivary ADH in smoking than non-smoking alcoholics might also be partly due to the reversed/inhibited ADH reaction by high levels of accumulated acetaldehyde.

Background: Some salivary markers of alcohol abuse/dependence have been proposed so far: aminotransferases, gamma-glutamyltransferase, ethanol, ethyl glucuronide, ethyl sulfate, sialic acid, β-hexosaminidase A, oral peroxidase, methanol, diethylene/ethylene glycol, α-amylase, clusterin, haptoglobin, heavy/light chains of immunoglobulins and transferrin. Aim: To investigate the effect of chronic alcohol drinking and smoking on the activity (pKat/ml) and output (pKat/min) of salivary lysosomal exoglycosidases: α-fucosidase (FUC), α-mannosidase (MAN), β-galactosidase (GAL), and β-glucuronidase (GLU), and their applicability as markers of alcohol dependence. Methods: The activity of FUC, MAN, GAL and GLU was measured colorimetrically in the saliva of healthy social drinkers, alcohol-dependent non-smokers and alcohol-dependent smokers. Results: We observed an increased salivary activity of FUC, GAL, GLU and MAN, as well as an increased output of GAL and GLU, in comparison with controls. The highest increase in the activity/output was found in salivary GLU and MAN (GLU, even 7- to 18-fold), and the least in GAL. We found an excellent sensitivity and specificity and a high accuracy (measured by the area under the ROC curve) for salivary FUC, GLU and MAN activities. The salivary GLU activity positively correlated with the number of days of last alcohol intoxication. Salivary activity of FUC, GAL and MAN, but not GLU, positively correlated with the periodontal parameters such as gingival index and papilla bleeding index. Conclusions: Although we found an excellent sensitivity and specificity as well as a high accuracy for the salivary activity of FUC, GLU and MAN, the GLU activity seems to be mostly applicable as a marker of chronic alcohol drinking (alcohol dependence).

Self-harm of the skin is a complex problem encountered mainly in adolescents and young adults. The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of deliberate cutaneous self-harm without suicidal intent among secondary school teenagers of the Lodz region. A self-administered specially designed anonymous questionnaire was delivered to 1,448 secondary school teenagers, aged 12-19 years. The lifetime prevalence of self-reported deliberate self-harm was 19.5%, out of which 14.4% confirmed isolated cutaneous self-injury (self-cutting in the vast majority of cases), 1.7% ingested a substance or drug in excessive amounts and 3.5% declared both behaviours. Our results indicate that skin is the organ most commonly involved in deliberate self-harm. Dermatologists, especially those focussed on dermatosurgery and aesthetic dermatology, should understand the special issues relating to such patients before taking decisions concerning performing any procedures on these individuals, since deliberate self-harm has been recognised as one of the main risk factors of suicide.

This is the first study to analyze the impact of high protein diet (HPD) on antioxidant defense, redox status, as well as oxidative damage on both a local and systemic level. Male Wistar rats were divided into two equal groups (n = 9): HPD (44% protein) and standard diet (CON, 24.2% protein). After eight weeks, glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase-1 (SOD-1), reduced glutathione (GSH), uric acid (UA), total antioxidant (TAC)/oxidant status (TOS) as well as advanced glycation end products (AGE), 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE), and malondialdehyde (MDA) were analyzed in the serum/plasma, cerebral cortex, and hypothalamus of HPD and CON rats. HPD resulted in higher UA concentration and activity of GPx and CAT in the hypothalamus, whereas in the cerebral cortex these parameters remained unchanged. A significantly lower GSH content was demonstrated in the plasma and hypothalamus of HPD rats when compared to CON rats. Both brain structures expressed higher content of 4-HNE and MDA, whereas AGE was increased only in the hypothalamus of HPD animals. Despite the enhancement in antioxidant defense in the hypothalamus, this mechanism does not protect the hypothalamus from oxidative damage in rats. Hypothalamus is more susceptible to oxidative stress caused by HPD.

Mucous membrane pemphigoid (MMP) is a subtype of autoimmune subepidermal blistering diseases characterized by autoantibodies to structural components of the hemidesmosome primarily affecting mucous membranes. Inflammation-related progressive scarring can lead to serious complications, including blindness, and the disease may be associated with malignancy. Conventional immunosuppressive treatment is often insufficiently effective and limited due to side effects, warranting new therapeutic options ideally targeting both inflammation and extensively recalcitrant cicatrization. Heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) is a cell stress-inducible chaperone required for the function of a large number of client proteins, and its pharmacological inhibition has proven to be effective and relatively safe in patients with cancer. Recent observations also suggest a promising role of Hsp90 as drug target in preclinical in vivo murine models of autoimmune diseases such as subepidermal bullous and fibrotic autoimmune disorders comprising epidermolysis bullosa acquisita and systemic sclerosis, respectively, which exhibit some pathophysiological features reminiscent of MMP. This article thus hypothesizes that Hsp90 blockade could represent a double-edged sword in MMP treatment by targeting pathogenic factors of inflammatory blister and fibrosis formation. Moreover, Hsp90 inhibitors could even be proclaimed as a triple-edged sword in case of an underlying malignancy. Future studies investigating the role of Hsp90 in MMP are needed to clarify whether Hsp90 inhibition could become a novel treatment approach for patients with this potentially devastating disease.

Background. Severe periodontitis leading to tooth loss is found in 5–15% of most populations worldwide.Aim. The applicability of salivaryβ-hexosaminidase (β-HEX A%, percentage ofβ-HEX A isoenzyme to totalβ-HEX) andβ-HEX B% (β-HEX B/β-HEX) indexes was investigated as a possible marker of periodontitis.Methods. Thirty three alcohol-dependent smokers (AS) and 32 healthy controls (C) were enrolled in the study. The activity ofβ-HEX was measured spectrophotometrically.Results.β-HEX A% was significantly higher andβ-HEX B% was lower in AS than in C group. We found a significant correlation betweenβ-HEX A% and gingival index (GI) and an inverse correlation betweenβ-HEX A% and salivary flow (SF), in all groups. Salivaryβ-HEX A% index in smoking alcoholics at 0.23 had excellent sensitivity (96%) and specificity (91%); the AUC forβ-HEX A% was high (0.937). There were no correlations between amount/duration-time of alcohol drinking/smoking andβ-HEX A% orβ-HEX B%. We found significant correlations between the time period of denture wearing and GI, papilla bleeding index (PBI), and decayed missing filled teeth index (DMFT) and between GI and the amount of smoked cigarettes per day.Conclusion. Bad periodontal state was most likely due to the nicotine dependence. Salivaryβ-HEX A% is a promising excellent marker for the diagnosis of periodontitis.

Objective There is no study analyzing the salivary antioxidant profile in the course of the insulin resistance. Materials and methods Rats were divided into two groups. One group was fed with a normal diet, another one with a high fat diet for 5 weeks. The analysis included: catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase, peroxidase activities, uric acid, and total antioxidant status concentrations. Results The activity of peroxidase in both kind of glands of insulin resistance rats was significantly reduced than in the control rats. The protein concentration, total amount of total antioxidant status in the parotid glands of insulin resistance rats were significantly lower than in the control glands The total amount of superoxide dismutase, CAT, and uric acid in the parotid glands of insulin resistance rats were significantly elevated in comparison with the control rats. The median values of the total amount of superoxide dismutase, CAT, peroxidase, total antioxidant status were significantly higher in the parotid than in the submandibular glands of the insulin resistance and control rats. Conclusion Parotid and submandibular glands of rats react differently when exposed to insulin resistance condition; however, the parotid glands seem to be more affected. The main source of antioxidants is parotid glands of rats.

Background A sensitive alcohol marker, β-hexosaminidase (HEX), in the saliva of alcoholics, is investigated for the first time. Methods The activity, specific-activity and output of total HEX and its isoenzymes HEX A and HEX B were measured in the saliva of healthy controls (C), alcohol-dependent non-smokers (ANS), and alcohol-dependent smokers (AS). Results We observed a significantly increased activity/specific-activity and output of HEX A in the ANS and AS groups, due to the inflammatory state of the oral-cavity/salivary-glands. Significantly increased activity of HEX A contributed to an increase in the salivary activity of the total HEX in the ANS group. A significant decrease in the activity/specific-activity of HEX B in AS seemed to be due to HEX B inactivation by cigarette smoke. We noticed a tendency for deteriorated dental state (lower decayed-missing-filled-teeth index – DMFT), worse periodontal state (higher gingival index – GI and papilla-bleeding index – PBI) in AS, and worse periodontal state (higher GI) in ANS, as compared to the controls. We found no differences in the salivary protein concentrations between all groups and decreased salivary flow in both alcoholic groups as compared to the controls. In alcoholics, the area under the curve (AUC) for HEX A activity/specific-activity was significantly greater than for HEX and HEX B. The salivary HEX A activity/specific-activity had good/excellent sensitivity and specificity in smoking and non-smoking alcoholics, whereas salivary HEX and HEX B had poor/fair sensitivity and specificity. Conclusions Salivary HEX A may be helpful in the diagnosis of chronic alcohol intoxication, even in smokers.

In this prospective, cross-sectional, multicenter study, we assessed clinical and laboratory characteristics from patients with cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE) using the Core Set Questionnaire of the European Society of Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus (EUSCLE). 1002 (768 females, 234 males) patients with different subtypes of CLE, such as acute CLE (ACLE, 304 patients), subacute CLE (SCLE, 236 patients), chronic CLE (CCLE, 397 patients), and intermittent CLE (ICLE, 65 patients), from 13 European countries were collected and statistically analyzed by an SPSS database. The main outcome measures included gender, age at onset of disease, LE-specific and LE-nonspecific skin lesions, photosensitivity, laboratory features, and the criteria of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) for the classification of systemic lupus erythematosus. The mean age at onset of disease was 43.0±15.7 years and differed significantly between the CLE subtypes. In 347 (34.6%) of the 1002 patients, two or more CLE subtypes were diagnosed during the course of the disease and 453 (45.2%) presented with LE-nonspecific manifestations. Drug-induced CLE and Sjögren's Syndrome had the highest prevalence in SCLE patients (13.1% and 14.0%, respectively). Photosensitivity was significantly more frequent in patients with ACLE, SCLE, and ICLE compared with those with CCLE. The detection of antinuclear antibodies such as anti-Ro/SSA and anti-La/SSB antibodies revealed further significant differences between the CLE subtypes. In summary, the EUSCLE Core Set Questionnaire and its database facilitate the analysis of clinical and laboratory features in a high number of patients with CLE and will contribute to standardized assessment and monitoring of the disease in Europe.

Introduction: Psoriasis is a chronic and relapsing disease which significantly affects the quality of life and social func tioning of the affected people. It is one of the so-called psychodermatological diseases, which means that there exists a psychological component in the image of the disease. Aim: To examine the relationship between health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in psoriatics and selected demo graphic, medical and psychological (dispositional optimism) variables and to determine the predictors of HRQoL in the examined group. Material and methods: The study consisted of 138 patients with the diagnosis of psoriasis vulgaris. Most respon dents (125) had psoriasis on exposed parts of the body. Methods used: SKINDEX, Life Orientation Test, PASI. Results: The gender does not differentiate patients in terms of HRQoL and optimism. Almost all of analyzed vari ables correlate with HRQoL and all examined variables explain the results variability for overall HRQoL but only opti mism explains the highest percentage of the variability ( β = ‐0.35). Conclusions: The study demonstrated a very interesting relationship ‐ the stronger optimism the better quality of life in psoriatics. So, a generalized expectation of positive life events is related to better assessment of HRQoL.

Introduction Chronic urticaria (CU) belongs to a group of psychodermatological disorders, thus stress can play a significant role in this dermatosis onset and/or exacerbation. On the other hand, the disease itself accompanied by itch, may be a source of distress and could worsen patients’ quality of life (QoL). Aim The first goal of our study was to compare stress intensity between CU subjects and the control group. The second aim was to investigate the relationships between disease-related parameters (CU severity, itch) and psychological variables (stress and QoL) in CU patients. Material and methods Forty-six female patients with CU participated in our study. Thirty-three healthy females constituted a control group. The following methods were applied: Urticaria Activity Score (UAS), Itch Severity Evaluation Questionnaire, Visual analogue scale (VAS), Social Readjustment Rating Scale (SRRS) and the Chronic Urticaria Quality of Life Questionnaire (CU-Q2oL). Results Chronic urticaria patients demonstrated a significantly higher stress level in comparison to the control group (z = 2.699; p < 0.001). Regarding the total pruritus score, all CU-Q2oL dimensions were affected, except for subscale swelling/mental status. The strongest link was revealed between global itch and QoL subscale embarrassment (r = 0.51, p < 0.001). There were also statistically significant correlations between stress (VAS scale and SRRS) and QoL (all at least p < 0.05). Conclusions: Taking into account the significant pruritus contribution to QoL impairment, it would be worth employing itch-coping trainings in the CU group. As a consequence, feeling of self-control and self-efficacy could be enhanced, thus resulting in the well-being improvement.

Objective.This study evaluated oxidative damage caused to the salivary glands in streptozotocin-induced diabetes (DM).Materials and Methods.Rats were divided into 4 groups: groups 1 and 2, control rats, and groups 3 and 4, DM rats. 8-Hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), protein carbonyl (PC), 4-hydroxynonenal protein adduct (4-HNE), oxidized and/or MDA-modified LDL-cholesterol (oxy-LDL/MDA), 8-isoprostanes (8-isoP), and oxidative stress index (OSI) were measured at 7 (groups 1 and 3) and 14 (groups 2 and 4) days of experiment.Results.The unstimulated salivary flow in DM rats was reduced in the 2nd week, while the stimulated flow was decreased throughout the duration of the experiment versus control. OSI was elevated in both diabetic glands in the 1st and 2nd week, whereas 8-isoP and 8-OHdG were higher only in the parotid gland in the second week. PC and 4-HNE were increased in the 1st and 2nd week, whereas oxy-LDL/MDA was increased in the 2nd week in the diabetic parotid glands.Conclusions.Diabetes induces oxidative damage of the salivary glands, which seems to be caused by processes taking place in the salivary glands, independently of general oxidative stress. The parotid glands are more vulnerable to oxidative damage in these conditions.

Background Diabetes is one of the most common metabolic diseases. Moreover, previous studies indicate that diabetes may cause changes in the salivary glands phenotype and in the composition of saliva itself. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to determine the effects of streptozotocin induced diabetes on lipid profile of the rat salivary glands. Methods Male Wistar rats were divided into two groups: control and STZ-induced diabetes. At the end of the experiment all animals were sacrificed and samples of the parotid and submandibular salivary glands were excised. Major lipid fractions concentrations were determined by means of chromatography (TLC and GC). Results We observed a significant increase (∼3.5 fold) in the level of triacylglycerol in both the parotid and submandibular salivary glands of diabetic rats. The abovementioned changes were accompanied by significant, although less dramatic (i.e. from −60% to −90%), decrements in the levels of other lipid classes (phospholipids, free fatty acids and diacylglycerol). Conclusions In our study we have showed, presumably for the first time, that streptozotocin induced diabetes causes decrement in PH content with subsequent atrophy and malfunction in both parotid and submandibular salivary glands. Another novel finding of our research is that diabetic rats were characterized by an increased TG accumulation in both parotid and submandibular salivary glands. The later one could be a clinical manifestation of diabetes.

The paper presents the cases of five patients who developed complications after aesthetic medicine procedures. Four of the cases involved women who reported to the Department of Forensic Medicine, Medical University of Lodz, for a description and legal qualification of bodily injuries suffered as a result of aesthetic medicine procedures, whereas one was related to the assessment of accuracy of medical management at the request of the prosecutor handling the case. The reported cases concerned acid exfoliation treatments, photoepilation and cryotherapy. The authors attempt to discuss the most common complications that may occur after aesthetic medicine procedures, and measures to avoid them.

In today’s world wrong nutritional habits together with a low level of physical activity have given rise to the development of obesity and its comorbidity, insulin resistance. More specifically, many researches indicate that lipids are vitally involved in the onset of a peripheral tissue (e.g., skeletal muscle, heart, and liver) insulin resistance. Moreover, it seems that diabetes can also induce changes in respect of lipid composition of both the salivary glands and saliva. However, judging by the number of research articles, the salivary glands lipid profile still has not been sufficiently explored. In the current study we aim to assess the changes in the main lipid fractions, namely, triacylglycerols, phospholipids, free fatty acids, and diacylglycerols, in the parotid and the submandibular salivary glands of rats exposed to a 5-week high fat diet regimen. We observed that the high caloric fat diet caused a significant change in the salivary glands lipid composition, especially with respect to PH and TG, but not DAG or FFAs, classes. The observed reduction in PH concentration is an interesting phenomenon frequently signifying the atrophy and malfunctions in the saliva secreting organs. On the other hand, the increased accumulation of TG in the glands may be an important clinical manifestation of metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes mellitus.

The aim of the present study was to assess the profiles of the exoglycosidases: N-acetyl-β-hexosoaminidase, β glucuronidase and β galactosidase, α mannosidase and α fucosidase in fibroblast culture undergoing replicative and stress-induced senescence. Half of the cell culture was grown in normal conditions, without the stressor, and the other half of the cell was treated with 0.15 mM tert-butylhydroperoxide. The activities of total N-acetyl-β-hexosoaminidase as well as β glucuronidase in the cell lysate were determined in duplicates using the method of Marciniak et al. The activities of β galactosidase, α mannosidase and α fucosidase in the cell lysate were determined in duplicates using the method of Chatteriee et al. with the modification by Zwierz et al. The activities of the exoglycosidases examined, with the exception of β glucuronidase, showed a significant increase between individual days of the experiment in both non-stressed and stressed fibroblast cell culture. On each day of the experiment, in the cell lysate of stressed fibroblasts, the activities of exoglycosidases were significantly higher compared to the non-stressed cells. There were very strong correlations between SA-β-GAL staining and b galactosidase activity on individual days of the experiment in both non-stressed and stressed fibroblast cell culture. Replicative and stress-induced senescence results in significant changes to the level of lysosomal exoglycosidases, and results in enhanced lysosomal degradative capacity.

Salivary lactoferrin is a glycoprotein involved in the elimination of pathogens and the prevention of massive overgrowth of microorganisms that affect oral and general health. A high concentration of lactoferrin in saliva is often considered to be a marker of damage to the salivary glands, gingivitis, or leakage through inflamed or damaged oral mucosa, infiltrated particularly by neutrophils. We conducted a study to determine the effect of chronic alcohol intoxication on salivary lactoferrin concentration and output. The study included 30 volunteers consisting of ten non-smoking male patients after chronic alcohol intoxication (group A), and 20 control nonsmoking male social drinkers (group C) with no history of alcohol abuse. Resting whole saliva was collected 24 to 48 hours after a chronic alcohol intoxication period. Lactoferrin was assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. For all participants, the DMFT index (decayed, missing, or filled teeth), gingival index (GI) and papilla bleeding index (PBI) were assessed. The differences between groups were evaluated using the Mann–Whitney U test. We noticed significantly decreased salivary flow (SF) in alcohol dependent patients after chronic alcohol intoxication (A), compared to the control group (C). Although there was no significant difference in salivary lactoferrin concentration between the alcohol dependent group A and the control group C, we found significantly decreased lactoferrin output in group A compared to group C. We found a significant correlation between the amount of daily alcohol use and a decrease in lactoferrin output. There was a significant increase in GI and a tendency of PBI to increase in group A compared to group C. We demonstrated that chronic alcohol intoxication decreases SF and lactoferrin output. The decreased lactoferrin output in persons chronically intoxicated by alcohol may be the result of lactoferrin exhaustion during drinking (due to its alcohol-related lower biosynthesis or higher catabolism) or to decreased function of neutrophils affected by the ethanol. The poorer periodontal state in alcohol dependent persons compared to controls may be a result of lower salivary flow and decreased protection of the oral cavity by lactoferrin.

Psoriasis is a chronic genetically determined, erythemato-squamous disease associated with many comorbidities. Evidence from clinical studies and experimental models support the concept that psoriasis is a T cell-mediated inflammatory skin disease and T helper (Th) cells - Th1, Th17 and Th22 - play an important role in the pathogenesis. Th1 cytokines IFNγ, IL-2, as well as Th17 cytokines IL-17A, IL-17F, IL-22, IL-26, and TNFα (Th1 and Th17 cytokine) are increased in serum and lesional skin. IL-22 produced by Th17 and new subset of T helper cells, Th22, is also increased within psoriatic lesions and in the serum. Other recently recognized cytokines of significant importance in psoriasis are IL-23, IL-20 and IL-15. The IL-23/Th17 pathway plays a dominant role in psoriasis pathogenesis. Currently due to enormous methodological progress, more and more clinical and histopathological psoriatic features could be explained by particular cytokine imbalance, which still is one of the most fascinating dermatological research fields stimulating new and new generations of researchers.

The study examined the relations between anxiety and job satisfaction from the perspectives of three distinct approaches to well-being, i.e. ‘bottom-up’, ‘top-down’, and ‘transactional’ (boosted with elements of greatest significance of the former two approaches). Overall Job Satisfaction (OJS), diversification in satisfaction according to job facets (Work Description Inventory), situational (four items from the Job Affect Scale) and persistent job-related anxiety (Mood at Workplace Questionnaire), Neuroticism and Extraversion (NEO–FFI) were investigated among 240 employees (120 males). Analyses done from the perspective of ‘bottom-up’ theories showed that two forms of job-related anxiety were negatively correlated with the level of satisfaction but were not associated with diversification in satisfaction. Data analyzed from the perspective of the ‘top-down’ model demonstrated that Neuroticism affected job-related anxiety and job satisfaction; moreover, persistent anxiety mediated the relation between Neuroticism and OJS. Data analysis within the transactional model indicated that OJS depended on interaction between persistent anxiety, Neuroticism and Extraversion. The study reveals the possible methodological problems and measurement artifacts of the ‘bottom-up’ and ‘top-down’ approaches. In addition, it provides evidence supporting the adaptive role of anxiety and individual properties as its moderators.

Dermatitis artefacta is a disease that occurs as a result of a self-inflicted injury of the skin. The skin lesions are most often located on the areas within easy reach of the patient's dominant hand sparing the middle part of the back. Dermatitis artefacta may coexist with psychiatric disorders and imitate many dermatologic diseases. As most of the patients with self-inflicted dermatoses usually initially deny any psychiatric problems, what delays psychiatric intervention, they are typically first seen by dermatologists. We are reporting a case of a 35-year-old man with a 3-year-long history of schizophrenia who has been treated at a dermatologist's office sequentially with acne, bacterial lesions, suspected tuberculosis. However, the treatment was ineffective. He was diagnosed with dermatitis artefacta after 7 years of disease duration. During this time he was treated with many medicines e.g. isotretinoin, which is contraindicated in psychosis as it worsens the course of disease. After establishing the correct diagnosis and antipsychotic treatment, a significant improvement was obtained in both skin condition and mental state. These are the reasons why we would like to recommend close cooperation between dermatologists and psychiatrists.

A high-sucrose diet (HSD) is widely known for its cariogenic effects and promotion of obesity, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, and cancer. However, the impact of the HSD diet on the salivary gland function as well as the level of salivary oxidative stress is still unknown and requires evaluation. Our study is the first to determine both redox balance and oxidative injury in the parotid and submandibular glands of rats fed the HSD diet compared to the control group. We have demonstrated that uric acid concentration and the activity of superoxide dismutase and peroxidase varied significantly in both the submandibular and parotid glands of HSD rats vs. the control group. However, enhanced oxidative damage to proteins, lipids, and DNA (increase in advanced glycation end products, advanced oxidation protein products, 4-hydroxynonenal, and 8-hydroxy-2&rsquo, deoxyguanosine) was observed only in the parotid glands of HSD rats. Moreover, the HSD diet also reduced the total protein content and amylase activity in both types of salivary glands and decreased the stimulated salivary flow rate. To sum up, an HSD diet reduces salivary gland function and disturbs the redox balance of the parotid as well as submandibular salivary glands. However, the parotid glands are more vulnerable to both antioxidant disturbances and oxidative damage.

Whey protein concentrate (WPC) is characterized by powerful antioxidant properties, but its effect on redox homeostasis of salivary glands of aging organisms is still unknown. In this study, we are the first to evaluate the antioxidant barrier of salivary glands of 14-month Wistar rats fed WPC-80. Total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), oxidative stress index (OSI), activities of glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) as well as concentrations of reduced glutathione (GSH) are estimated in the submandibular and parotid glands of rats administered WPC-80 intragastrically for a period of 7 and 14 days. We demonstrate a significant increase in GSH, GPx and SOD in the salivary glands of rats fed WPC-80 for 14 days and a significant increase in TAS, GPx and SOD in the parotid glands of rats fed WPC-80 for 7 days compared to control rats. The beneficial effects of WPC-80 on salivary glands are also demonstrated by lower TOS and OSI in the parotid glands of rats fed WPC-80 compared to the submandibular glands. In summary, we demonstrate that WPC-80 improves redox homeostasis in salivary glands, particularly in the parotid glands of old rats.

Although trichotillomania is a relatively common disorder no large epidemiological studies are available. The aims of this study were to determine the frequency of trichotillomania as identified by Polish dermatologists, and to evaluate the treatment modalities used. A questionnaire was sent to 172 dermatologists; 118 (68.6%) responded. The questions covered demographic data, frequency of trichotillomania and treatments used. During the course of their working lives 68% of respondents had observed at least one patient with trichotillomania and 11% were currently treating such a patient. More than 30% of respondents had observed one or two cases of trichotillomania during the past 5 years, 11% had seen 3-5 cases, 3% had seen 6-10 cases, and 5% had seen more than 10 patients. Of the respondents, 40.7% always and 28.8% often asked for a psychiatric opinion. Dermatologists with more experience more frequently (p0.05) obtained a psychiatric opinion. Some dermatologists (15.3%) used their own pharmacological treatment (anxiety-relieving drugs and sedatives). Trichotillomania is a relatively common disorder; however, not all dermatologists are sufficiently prepared to treat it.

This review discusses some of the recent advances in basic and clinical research focused on chronic urticaria. It is a concise summary of issues that occupied researchers' attention in the previous year, and it discusses a selection of novel findings that further our understanding of the pathomechanism of this disease.Particular consideration is given to the role of basophils, the coagulation cascade, fibrinolysis, and hormonal pathways in chronic urticaria pathogenesis. The description of clinical data is focused on prognostic issues, disease severity, and the effects of the disease on patients' quality of life.Mast cells are the key elements in chronic urticaria pathogenesis, whereas basophils should be regarded as bystanders and serve as biomarkers in some chronic urticaria subsets. The coagulation cascade, hormonal factors, and the psychological status of the patients seem to contribute substantially to the course and activity of the disease. Nonsedating second-generation antihistamines should be considered as first-line symptomatic treatment for chronic urticaria. Of note, the dosage should be increased up to four-fold if required before switching to second-line therapies.