Edward Błaszczak

Serum levels of selected chemokines in systemic lupus erythematosus patients

Chemokines promote leukocyte traffic into the site of inflammation. Serum levels of monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1), stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1), interferon-gamma-inducible protein 10 (IP-10), and interleukin-8 (IL-8) were evaluated in 48 treated women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and mild-to-moderate disease severity. The results were compared between the whole SLE group and the control (29 women). The relationships between chemokines, their concentrations, and peripheral blood leukocyte count and between the chemokines and individual leukocyte populations (polymorphonuclear leukocytes—PMNs, lymphocytes—Ls, monocytes—Ms, eosinophils) counts were determined. The relationships between the analyzed chemokines were also determined in the control. SLE subjects had significantly higher MCP-1, SDF-1, IP-10, and lower IL-8 concentrations compared to the control. Moderate, positive correlations between MCP-1/SDF-1, SDF-1/IP-10 and a negative correlation between MCP-1/IL8 were observed in the patient group. Moderate, negative correlations were found between SDF-1/total leukocyte count, SDF-1/absolute number of PMNs as well as between IP-10/total leukocyte count, IP-10/absolute PMNs, Ls, and Ms counts in peripheral blood of SLE group. We suggest that the obtained results and correlations observed between the examined parameters might be used to monitor SLE course and progression. However, further randomized clinical studies should be carried out on in untreated and treated patients with SLE.

Application of various power densities of ultrasound in the treatment of leg ulcers

AIM: The objective of our study was to determine which ultrasound power density (0.5 W/cm2 or 1 W/cm2) is more effective at reducing the area and volume of leg ulceration. METHODS: A total of 65 patients with venous ulcers were randomly divided into three groups: A, B and C. In group A, 22 patients were treated with ultrasound rated at 1 W/cm2 and with compressive therapy. In group B, 21 patients were treated with ultrasound rated at 0.5 W/cm2 and with compressive therapy. In both groups the patients were treated with a pulsed wave of a duty cycle of 1/5 (impulse time=2 ms, pause time=8 ms) and frequency of 1 MHz. The 22 patients in group C (control group) were subjected to topical pharmacological treatment. RESULTS: We found a statistically significant reduction of the ulcer area, volume and linear dimensions in all three groups of patients. The ulcer area reduction rate was highest in group B. The volume reduction rate in group B was higher than in group A only. The rate of reduction of suppurate area was highest in group B. CONCLUSION: We have demonstrated that ultrasound rated at 0.5 W/cm2 causes greater and faster changes in the healing process than ultrasound rated at 1 W/cm2.

The Effect of a Single Session of Whole-Body Vibration Training in Recreationally Active Men on the Excitability of the Central and Peripheral Nervous System

Abstract Vibration training has become a popular method used in professional sports and recreation. In this study, we examined the effect of whole-body vibration training on the central nervous system and muscle excitability in a group of 28 active men. Subjects were assigned randomly to one of two experimental groups with different variables of vibrations. The chronaximetry method was used to evaluate the effect of a single session of whole-body vibration training on the excitability of the rectus femoris and brachioradialis muscles. The examination of the fusing and flickering frequencies of the light stimulus was performed. An increase in the excitability of the quadriceps femoris muscle due to low intensity vibrations (20 Hz frequency, 2 mm amplitude) was noted, and a return to the initial values was observed 30 min after the application of vibration. High intensity vibrations (60 Hz frequency, 4 mm amplitude) caused elongations of the chronaxy time; however, these differences were not statistically significant. Neither a low intensity vibration amplitude of 2 mm (frequency of 20 Hz) nor a high intensity vibration amplitude of 4 mm (frequency of 60 Hz) caused a change in the excitability of the central nervous system, as revealed by the average frequency of the fusing and flickering of the light stimulus. A single session of high intensity whole-body vibration did not significantly decrease the excitability of the peripheral nervous system while the central nervous system did not seem to be affected.

Static postural stability in women with stress urinary incontinence: Effects of vision and bladder filling

This case‐control study was designed to compare static postural stability between women with stress urinary incontinence and continent women and it was hypothesized that women with incontinence aged around 50 years also have balance disorders.

Bioelectrical activity of the pelvic floor muscles after 6-week biofeedback training in nulliparous continent women

PURPOSE The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of a 6-week sEMG-biofeedback-assisted pelvic floor muscle training program on pelvic floor muscle activity in young continent women. METHODS Pelvic floor muscle activity was recorded using a vaginal probe during five experimental trials. Biofeedback training was continued for 6 weeks, 3 times a week. Muscle strenghtening and endurance exercises were performed alternately. SEMG (surface electromyography) measurements were recorded on four different occasions: before training started, after the third week of training, after the sixth week of training, and one month after training ended. RESULTS A 6-week sEMG-biofeedback-assisted pelvic floor muscle training program significantly decreased the resting activity of the pelvic floor muscles in supine lying and standing. The ability to relax the pelvic floor muscles after a sustained 60-second contraction improved significantly after the 6-week training in both positions. SEMG-biofeedback training program did not seem to affect the activity of the pelvic floor muscles or muscle fatigue during voluntary pelvic floor muscle contractions. CONCLUSIONS SEMG-biofeedback-assisted pelvic floor muscle training might be recommended for physiotherapists to improve the effectiveness of their relaxation techniques.

Effectiveness of carpal tunnel syndrome rehabilitation after endoscopic versus open surgical release.

BACKGROUND. Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common upper limb compression neuropathy. Postoperative rehabilitation improves the function of the limb. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of rehabilitation in patients who had undergone endoscopic vs. open surgical carpal tunnel release. MATERIAL AND METHODS. Twenty-six patients were divided into endoscopy (E) and open surgery (K) groups. The following parameters were assessed after rehabilitation: two-point discrimination by fingertips of the operated hand, ranges of motion of joints of the hand, circumferences of the radiocarpal and metacarpo pha langeal joints and the severity of pain and other symptoms. RESULTS. The groups differed regarding the severity of symptoms (numbness), joint circumferences and tactile sensation in fingertips I-IV. The mean values of these parameters were significantly higher in group K compared to group E. In group E, rehabilitation decreased severity of pain and other symptoms and increased the ranges of motion. Recovery of two-point discrimination by fingertips I-IV was also observed. Group K patients showed the greatest improvement in the range of motion. Pain intensity decrease did not reach statistical significance. The two-point discrimination test demonstrated better tactile sensation, but the mean distance between caliper points for particular fingers still showed reduced two-point discrimination ability. CONCLUSIONS. 1. Rehabilitation improved hand function in patients from groups that operated on using different techniques of median nerve release. 2. Rehabilitation resulted in improved innervation density, which was reflected by changes in two-point discrimination scores in fingertips in the operated hand of patients from both groups. 3. Great er improvement was achieved in the pa tients who had undergone an endoscopic procedure.

A comparison of a step-initiation task in women with and without urinary incontinence. A case-control study

The aim of the study was to objectively determine differences in postural response by women with and without urinary incontinence during a step‐initiation task depending on the degree of bladder filling.

Selected adipokines and thickness of the intima-media complex in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

INTRODUCTION It is believed that patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are at higher risk of developing accelerated atherosclerosis [1]. Recently, several adipokines have been implicated in the development of atherosclerosis, inflammation, and immune processes [2, 3]. Further investigations are needed regarding adipokine concentrations and their association with the results of arterial imaging, which led us to conduct this study.