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The aim of this study was to investigate associations between the immune component of the oral cavity, lysozyme, in gingival crevicular fluid and unstimulated saliva, and colonization dynamics of periodontopathogenic bacteria from supra- and subgingival plaque samples in patients with gingivitis or periodontitis.Lysozyme in crevicular fluid and unstimulated saliva, and bacteria in supra- and subgingival plaque samples were assessed in 84 samples from 28 patients with gingivitis, 96 samples from 32 patients with periodontitis, and 72 samples from 24 donors with intact periodontium and free of internal disease. Lysozyme activity was determined spectrophotometrically. The micro-IDent plus assay was used to detect 6 periodontopathogenic bacteria plaque samples.Lysozyme activity in crevicular fluid in the gingivitis and periodontitis groups was significantly greater than that in the donor group, but lysozyme activity in unstimulated saliva was less than that in the donor group. Peptostreptococcus micros, Fusobacterium periodontium and Campylobacter rectus were predominant in subgingival plaque samples in the periodontitis group compared to the donor group (P0.001), and Eubacterium nodatum and Eikenella corrodens were predominant in the gingivitis group compared to the donor group (P0.001).Lysozyme activity in crevicular fluid and in unstimulated saliva correlated with periodontal pocket depth in donors and in patients with gingivitis or periodontitis (specificity and sensitivity were both 100%). These findings indicate that infection with P. micros, F. periodontium, E. nodatum, E. corrodens, and C. rectus may be an important indicator of inflammatory periodontal disease development.

Introduction: The objective of this study was to establish the influence of preoperative parameters on unfavorable outcomes after transurethral resection of the prostate. Patients and Methods: In a prospective study, 90 patients underwent transurethral resection of the prostate. The standardized protocol was used to investigate parameters, preoperatively and after 6 months. The baseline values were analyzed with respect to the probability of predicting the effectiveness of the outcome. Results: All preoperative parameters changed significantly, from 55.1 to 116% (p < 0.001). Treatment was effective for 85.6% of the patients, and the outcomes were unfavorable for 14.4%. The monovariate analysis detected the transition zone index (cut-off 0.48, p = 0.002, OR 7.48) as independent predictor of ineffective outcome. Logistic regression analysis found two the most important parameters – transition zone index (OR 30.26, p = 0.002) and bothersomeness of voiding symptoms (OR 20.7, p = 0.008) for unfavorable outcomes. Conclusions: The parameters that are traditionally used cannot predict unfavorable outcomes. The transition zone index and bothersomeness of voiding symptoms are most important parameters for predicting an unfavorable outcome after TURP.

To evaluate the changes of the quality of life after the surgery for esophageal carcinoma and to find out whether these changes are influenced by the extent of the resection and lymphadenectomy.A total of 49 patients in whom esophageal carcinoma had been resected with curative intent and who stayed disease-free for at least twelve months after the surgery were studied. Twenty-four patients (48.9%) underwent two-field lymphadenectomy and intrathoracic esophagogastric anastomosis (group T), while in another twenty-five patients three-field lymphadenectomy and cervical esophagogastric anastomosis were performed (group C). To determine the impact of surgery quality of life was assessed in each patient just before the surgery, on the day of the discharge and at three-month intervals until the end of the first postoperative year. The quality of life was measured by means of European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Version 3.0.Compared with the preoperative assessment quality of life had decreased at discharge but was restored within 3-12 months. The emotional functioning had increased just after the surgery. Significant differences between groups C and T were found in global health, physical, and role functioning scales.Majority of the aspects of quality of life deteriorated after the radical surgery for esophageal carcinoma and regained the preoperative level before the end of the first postoperative year. Major surgical procedure (three-field lymphadenectomy and cervical esophagogastric anastomosis) gives some disadvantages in physical, social and role functioning during the first six postoperative months.

To determine the prevalence of age-related maculopathy in a sample of Lithuanian middle-aged population and to assess the relationship between age-related maculopathy and ischemic heart disease and its risk factors, including smoking, arterial hypertension, obesity, hyperglycemia, and dyslipidemias.A random sample of urban population of 1357 adults (ranging from 35-64 years of age; 597 males and 760 females) living in Kaunas, Lithuania was examined during the interval from 2001 to 2002. Each participant underwent a comprehensive examination that included an ophthalmic examination. The presence of age-related maculopathy was determined by grading from fundus examination by indirect ophthalmoscopy, slit lamp examination, and color fundus photographs. The history, physical examination findings, and fasting blood samples provided data on possible risk factors. Age-adjusted logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the risk factors for age-related maculopathy.Early age-related maculopathy was detected for 44 males and 40 females. The prevalence of age-related maculopathy increased steadily with age without significant difference between males and females. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that increased diastolic blood pressure, obesity, hyperglycemia, ischemic ECG-abnormalities and history of myocardial infarction were significantly associated with age-related maculopathy in males aged 40-64 years. Current smoking and hyperglycemia were significantly associated with age-related maculopathy in females aged 40-64 years.Our study suggests that arterial hypertension, obesity, hyperglycemia, current smoking and positive history of cardiovascular disease are relevant risk factors for age-related maculopathy in middle-aged urban population.