The first record of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Spirocerca lupi</Emphasis> (Rudolphi, 1809) (Spirocercidae,Nematoda) from Poland based on faecal analysis of wolf (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Canis lupus</Emphasis> L.)

Summary During studies on the helminth fauna of wolves inhabiting natural ecosystems of Poland, 86 scats were examined. All the samples were collected in the autumn of 2005. Spirocerca lupi was detected with decantation and flotation techniques. The prevalence was 2.32 %. This is the first record of the parasite from Poland and the third case of its occurrence in the wolf (Canis lupus L.) within its distribution range.     

Treatment of the infected pseudoarthrosis of the tibia by the Harmon method]

The principles of treatment of tibial pseudoarthroses complicated by skin and soft tissue loss with the use of cancellous bone grafts from posterolateral approach to the tibia by Harmon method were discussed. The detailed surgical technique was presented. Management of 3 patients that resulted in bone union was described.     

How reproducible is cutaneous electrogastrography? An in-depth evidence-based study1

AIM: To check on reproducibility of parameters of the cutaneous electrogastrogram registered at a close or a distant time span. METHODS: Twenty-two volunteers recruited by an advertisement (11 females and 11 males, median age 25 years, range: 18-35) underwent three surface electrogastrography examinations of which two were taken on consecutive days and the third one was accomplished at least 2 weeks before or after the two other sessions. The examination involved a 30-min fasted recording, followed by a 90-min postprandial registration after intake of a 394-kcal mixed solid-liquid test meal. RESULTS: Parameters of the electrogastrogram pertaining to the frequency of the gastric slow waves exhibited good to moderate reproducibility, whereas fair reproducibility characterized parameters expected to describe the power of gastric slow waves. With the exception of the difference fed minus fasted power (DeltaDP), in no instance was the medium term reproducibility any worse than the short term one. Categorical data analysis revealed that the relative time share of normogastria postprandially exhibited a better reproducibility than in the fasted period. The Cohen's kappa-value of 0.459 for the DeltaDP for the medium term reproducibility placed this parameter within the range of moderate agreement between repeat examinations. Of the two two-parameter combinations considered, the alliance of the fasted and fed normogastria performed worse than any of those parameters considered alone, whereas a combination of the DeltaDP with the fed-state normogastria revealed a kappa-value amounting to 0.510 for the medium term reproducibility. CONCLUSIONS: The feasibility of some electrogastrographic parameters to convey clinically useful information may be hampered by their fair reproducibility. Recoding of parameters of the cutaneous electrogastrogram from primary continuous to secondary categorical may help achieve a better agreement between repeat examinations.     

Porphyria cutanea tarda associated with autoimmune hypothyroidism, vitiligo and alopecia universalis.

The aetiology of porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) has not been elucidated, but the possibility of an autoimmune mechanism has been proposed. We report a case of an unknown clinical combination of PCT with autoimmune hypothyroidism, alopecia universalis and vitiligo with thyroid and parietal cell circulating antibodies. This is highly suggestive of underlying autoimmune damage in this patient.     

Müllerian adenosarcoma of the uterus

Histologic structure of Mueller's adenosarcoma has been studied in 5 patients subjected to uterine and its appendages extirpation. Microspectrophotometric assessment of the course of nuclear DNA accumulation, measurement of X-chromatin in two morphologic components of the tumor (epithelial and stromal) confirmed malignant morphological nature of the latter and benign one of the former. Basing on their experience with the 5 patients three of which died in the course of 5 years of relevant metastases, the authors believe the prognosis for uterine adenosarcoma to be poor.     

Analyses of serum vitamin D-binding protein, ceruloplasmin and copper levels in preterm infants.

The cord blood specimens of 12 preterm and 20 term babies were investigated. We determined serum calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), magnesium (Mg), vitamin-D binding protein (DBP), ceruloplasmin (Cp) and copper (Cu) levels in two groups. We found that Ca, P, and MG levels of cord sera did not differ between the groups (p > 0.05), but DBP, Cp and Cu values showed a significant decrease in the preterm group (p < 0.05). The Cu and Cp values of the preterm infants correlated with those of the term infants.     

The effect of sulphinpyrazone and alpha-tocopherol on platelet activation and function in haemodialysed patients

In 30 patients on chronic haemodialysis treatment the platelet activity and function were studied before and during antiplatelet therapy with alpha-tocopherol and sulphinpyrazone. In both kinds of treatment a significant decrease of ADP-induced and spontaneous aggregation was observed. Sulphinpyrazone exerts an inhibitory effect not only on platelet aggregation but also on platelet factor 3 and provokes a significant prolongation of the bleeding time.     

A rare case of nasopharyngeal angiofibroma in an elderly female

Nasopharyngeal angiofibromas occur predominantly in males in their puberty and adolescence; the incidence in other age groups and in women is exceptional. This report describes a case of a 57-year-old woman with nasopharyngeal angiofibroma presenting typical radiological findings in computed tomography, MR imaging and angiography. The tumour was successfully removed and histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis. In 6 years follow-up the patient is free of symptoms.