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Cisplatin is a widely used chemotherapeutic agent in the treatment of solid tumours. Its main side effect, limiting the use of higher doses, is nephrotoxicity manifested by acute kidney injury (AKI). Monitoring of kidney function and AKI detection during the treatment with cisplatin requires a serial measurements of serum creatinine, with estimation of glomerular filtration rate. This method allows the detection of AKI with a 24–48 hour delay, when glomerular filtration rate is significantly decreased. Research conducted in recent years has indicated a group of potential so-called morphological markers of kidney damage that allow earlier detection of AKI, also with subclinical manifestation (without a significant increase in serum creatinine). This is following cardiac surgery and after administration of contrast agents. The best characterised of these markers is neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL). It is a protein physiologically existing in the granules of neutrophils, bone marrow, lung, stomach, small and large intestines, pancreas and kidney. Its expression increases in the course of renal epithelial damage. Studies have demonstrated the utility of NGAL assessed in both serum and urine in the diagnosis of ischemic AKI. So far, studies of cancer patients treated with cisplatin did not confirm the usefulness of NGAL determination in serum, but demonstrated that its urine measurements enable earlier diagnosis of AKI than the routine serum creatinine assessment. This paper is a systematic review of these studies.

Introduction. Tuberculosis is still a public health problem despite the steadily declining incidence rate in the wider Polish population. Effective prevention requires a good diagnosis of the problem on a regional scale, particularly among the younger population. Therefore, analysis of the incidence in the Silesian population with analysis of temporary differences in this trend among children and adolescents to 19 years of age was made. Material and methods. The incidence rate and standardized incidence were calculated on data based from Central Statistical Office reports and data from Provincial Sanitary Epidemiological Station in Katowice. Data were analyzed with consideration of counties as a place of residence. Results. The standardized incidence rate of tuberculosis (n/100,000) in Silesian population between 2002–2013 amounted to: 25.5; 21.8; 22.1; 21.1; 17.3; 18.5; 17.1; 18.8; 19.8; 22.0; 19.9; 19.5. Percentage incidence in children and adolescents aged 0–19 years in subsequent years: 1.4%; 1.5%; 0.9%; 2.4%; 1.7%; 1.8%; 1.4%; 2.7%; 2.0%; 3.0%; 2.3%; 3.7%. The highest temporary differences of trend in children and adolescents are reported in Lubliniec county (0–35.2/100,000). Conclusions. Varied incidence of tuberculosis noted in the years 2002–2013 in Silesian area is followed by low percentage of tuberculosis cases in children and adolescents aged 0–19 years. The epidemiological situation of tuberculosis in most counties is stable. However, the increasing incidence in the youngest segment of the Silesian population in the last three years should be noted.

Background: Recent studies suggest that a large proportion of children with diagnosed and treated spastic bronchitis, in fact, suffer from undiagnosed asthma. Such a “labeling” effect is well described in Poland and a few other Eastern European countries. Aims and objectives: The aim of the study was to compare the prevalence and associations of allergic conditions in children with asthma and spastic bronchitis. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of randomly selected children aged 6-15 years living in the town of Chorzow (Southern Poland). Physician-diagnosed respiratory diseases such as asthma and spastic bronchitis as well as allergic disorders including hay fever, eczema, dust, pollen, food, and animal allergy were ascertained using a questionnaire completed by the parents. Results: A total of 3480 children aged 6-15 years participated in the study (response rate=75.7%). Asthma prevalence was 12.9% while spastic bronchitis prevalence was 10.5%. Any allergy was present in 71.6% of children with asthma and in 26.6% of children with spastic bronchitis (p Conclusions: Our findings revealed that allergic conditions are more frequent and are more strongly associated with asthma than with spastic bronchitis. It indirectly shows that in our study children with asthma and spastic bronchitis may suffer from two different conditions.

Background: Dyspnea is a frequent, difficult to measure subjective sensation in hospitalized patients. Objective: To find out which factors impact dyspnea sensation in patients hospitalized in Indian and Polish pulmonary departments. Methods: 340 patients were assessed with BORG, MRC, NYHA scales. Dyspnea was correlated with: 6MWT, spirometry results, level of education and disease awareness in both populations. Results: Patients were of the same age 57 (18-88) and 58 (17-92) years (p=0.5), but not height 169 (140-191) and 157(142-183)cm (p

Published data shows different prevalence trends depending on the region of Europe.The aim of the study was to analyze time trends of the frequency of the respiratory symptoms and allergic diseases in school children (Silesia, Poland) over the last 21 years.We compared the results of four population-based surveys performed in a town of Chorzow in 1993, 2002, 2007 and 2014 in children aged 7-10 years. All four studies had the same study protocol, recruitment (cluster, school-based sampling), questionnaire (WHO respiratory health questionnaire) and the same principal investigator The surveys included 1130 children in 1993, 1421 children in 2002, 1661 children in 2007 and 1698 in 2014.The results covered a 21 year span and showed a statistically significant (p 0.05) increase in the prevalence of the following physician-diagnosed disorders (1993-2002-2007-2014): asthma (3.4%-4.8%-8.6%-12,6%); allergic rhinitis (4.3%-11.9%-15.9%-13.9%); atopic dermatitis (3.6%-7.9%-12.0%-13.9%); allergic conjunctivitis (4.3%-7.9%-8.3%-7.9%); A simultaneous increasing trend (p 0.05) in the attacks of dyspnea (3.9%-5.9%-7.0%-7.3%) and symptoms (wheeze, dyspnea, cough) induced by exercise (7.5%-10.6%-22.0%-22.4%) and - at the same time - decrease (p 0.05) in the prevalence of cough (31.6%-19.6%15.4%-14.4%). Among children with diagnosed asthma during the 21 year span there was significantly (p 0.05) increased proportion of treated children (51.3%-51.3%-69.5%-60.7%) and a lower frequency of presenting current symptoms.Our findings are in line with the concept of a real increase in the occurrence of asthma and allergic disease in children. The pattern involves not only physician-diagnosed allergic diseases but also occurrence of symptoms related to respiratory disorders. Diagnosed asthma is better treated and better controlled.

Ulcerative colitis (UC), a form of inflammatory bowel disease, is characterized by recurrent exacerbation and remission periods. Disturbances in the TLR4 receptor pathway are suggested to be one of the potential mechanisms responsible for its development. TLR4 belongs to the toll-like receptor family, which is a part of the innate immune system. It is expressed in many cells, including enterocytes, and recognizes lipopolysaccharide of Gram-negative bacteria. The activated receptor leads to the development of the inflammatory reaction involving macrophages stimulated by chemokine CCL2, cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha). On the other hand, this reaction is inhibited by anti-inflammatory agents, such as prostaglandin 15d-PGJ2, and peroxisome proliferator activated receptor type gamma (PPARgamma). Inflammation is aimed at increasing cell proliferation and rapid mucosal healing. The increased expression of TLR4 and the development of the uncontrolled inflammatory response in UC (increased production of COX-2, PGE2, TNFalpha and CCL2) impairs regeneration of the mucosa, resulting in its damage, and may later lead to the development of colon cancer. The aim of this study is to discuss the role of TLR4 in UC, and to indicate the role of the TLR4 pathway in the mechanism of action of the currently used drugs.