OBJECTIVES To determine the frequency of contact sensitization among patients with chronic leg ulcers; to identify the most common allergens; and to examine possible relationships to ulcer duration, itching, exudate, and leg eczema. METHODS Researchers conducted a 5-year retrospective analysis of 145 patients diagnosed with chronic leg ulcers who underwent skin patch testing with S-1000, LU-1000, and the commonly used dressing and antiseptic series. RESULTS Investigators included 88 females (60.7%) aged 64 ± 15.1 years and 57 males (39.3%) aged 61 ± 16.4 years. Of these, 62.8% (n = 91) of patients were sensitized to at least one substance (2.6 ± 1.4 allergens on average). The most common allergens were benzalkonium chloride (18.6% [n = 27]), balsam of Peru (17.9% [n = 26]), and povidone-iodine 10% (17.2% [n = 25]). Finally, 40% (n = 58) of patients presented with pruritus around the ulcer, which was strongly associated with a positive patch test reaction (74.1% [n = 43] vs 55.2% [n = 48]; P = .021) and polysensitization (3.5 sensitivities [95% confidence interval, 2.4–4.6] vs 2 [95% confidence interval, 1.2–2.8]). CONCLUSIONS Contact sensitization is very common in patients with chronic leg ulcers, and pruritus around the ulcer is associated with contact allergy as well as polysensitization.

Objective The aim was to identify the critical levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and vascular endothelial growth factor-A in umbilical cord blood that could be used as markers for predicting the central nervous system (CNS) damage and retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in preterm infants. Study Design A total of 158 preterm infants, born at 22 to 34 weeks of gestation, were evaluated in the first week after birth and at 36 to 37 weeks of postconceptual age. Results A significant relationship between CNS changes and concentrations of IL-6 (p < 0.001) and TNF-α (p < 0.001) in umbilical cord blood at 22 to 34 weeks of gestation was determined. The concentration of IL-6 >13.0 pg/mL predicts significant CNS damages in 36 to 37-week infants (p = 0.013). ROP was diagnosed in 24.8% infants (n = 149). It was detected that the levels of TNF-α >116.4 pg/mL (p < 0.001) and IL-6 >13.0 pg/mL (p < 0.05) in umbilical cord blood could predict 2 to 3/3 to 4 stages of ROP. Conclusion Critical values of IL-6 and TNF-α in predicting ≥grade III intraventricular hemorrhage in the early adaptation and in predicting marked CNS damages and severe ROP stages in the later adaptation of preterm infants were determined.

Znaczenie białka C-reaktywnego w przewidywaniu zespołu płodowej reakcji zapalnej 'DLYD %DUWNHYLFLHQHï ,QJULGD 3LO\SLHQHð 'LDQD 5DPDVDXVNDLWH -ROLWD =DNDUHYLFLHQH 'DOLD /DXåLNLHQơï 0LQGDXJDV 6LONXQDVï 5DVD $XUHOLMD 9DQNHYLFLXWH Abstract Objectives: The aim of the study was to identify and evaluate a possible correlation between C-reactive protein (CRP) concentration in maternal blood and the risk of developing fetal inflammatory syndrome (FIRS). Material and methods: The study included 158 infants born at 22-34 weeks of gestation and their mothers. Umbilical cord blood cytokines were evaluated in immunoassay tests and maternal blood was tested for CRP concentration.Results: The period of gestation was significantly shorter in the FIRS group as compared to the control group (29.5±3.1 vs. 32.2±2.4 weeks, p<0. 001). Gestational age was ≤30 weeks for 53.8% of the newborns in the FIRS group and 15.8% of the newborns in the control group (p<0.001). Maternal CRP before, during and after labor was significantly higher in the FIRS group as compared to the control group (p<0.001). Our study investigated the correlation between CRP in maternal blood and IL-6 concentration during the entire perinatal period (p<0.001). Conclusion: CRP concentration in the FIRS group was significantly higher than in controls before

Background. The aim of this article is to present rare clinical cases of craniofacial fibro-osseous lesions in pediatric patients. Materials and methods. In this report we present 3 cases of fibroosseous craniofacial lesions in pediatric patients. Lesions of bones resembled fibrous dysplasia, dysplastic fibroma and chronic osteomyelitis which were confirmed or suspected by clinical signs, radiographic visualization methods and histopathological investigations for these patients. The diagnostic workup, treatment, follow-up procedures and a literature review are presented. Results and conclusions. Fibro-osseous lesions of the jaws and skull manifest in a similar pattern. Conditions are easily revealed upon examination and with the help of conventional diagnostics, however, differential diagnosis using only radiological imaging is impossible. Histological findings remain a tool of choice determining the treatment strategy and outcome of the patients but it is not always available due to anatomical and functional considerations. Treatment of fibro-osseous lesions of the face and skull is highly individualized and depends on various qualities of the lesion and the patient himself. All patients received palliative symptomatic treatment to alleviate their conditions and in all cases obtaining a histology specimen and surgical intervention for treatment of the lesion was considered as a treatment option only if it was seen being safe and as least traumatic as possible because of the functional and psychological importance of the craniofacial region.