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Obesity is one of the most serious and common risk factors for cardiovascular disease that increases the risk of type 2 diabetes.

The aim of the study was to analyze the features of disorders of diastolic function of the left ventricle and the oxygenation of arterial and venous blood in patients with diabetic foot syndrome and metabolic syndrome with diastolic dysfunction of the left ventricle in its complex treatment with the using a course of hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

An examination of 32 patients with diabetic foot syndrome, neuro-ischemic form (I stage – 8 patients, II stage – 24 patients) and metabolic syndrome, to determine an assessment was made of diastolic function of the left ventricle, determination of saturation of arterial and venous blood, oxygen content in arterial and venous blood, arterio-venous difference in oxygen. The control group consisted of 20 healthy individuals. These indicators were determined before starting the course of hyperbaric oxygen therapy and after completing the full eased from 46.85 ± 0.84 ml·L-1 to 57.83 ± 4.3 ml·L-1.

The use of the course of the hyperbaric oxygen therapy contributed to the reduction of signs of diastolic heart failure and increased oxygenation rates of arterial and venous blood, the alignment of oxygen metabolism, contributed to the elimination of both systemic oxygen deficiency and local tissue hypoxia, due to which a complex therapeutic effect revealed.

The use of the course of the hyperbaric oxygen therapy contributed to the reduction of signs of diastolic heart failure and increased oxygenation rates of arterial and venous blood, the alignment of oxygen metabolism, contributed to the elimination of both systemic oxygen deficiency and local tissue hypoxia, due to which a complex therapeutic effect revealed.Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a connective tissue disease characterized by endothelial cell damage, perivascular inflammation and tissue hypoxia. Angiopoietin-like protein 4 (ANGPTL4) has been demonstrated to affect vascular permeability, inflammation and oxidative stress, thus may contribute to SSc pathogenesis.

The aim of the study was to evaluate serum ANGPTL4 in systemic sclerosis and correlate it with disease subtype (localized and diffuse, lcSSc and dcSSc respectively), disease duration, skin fibrosis and internal organ involvement.

Twenty-two patients with systemic sclerosis (15 lcSSc, 7 dcSSc) and thirteen healthy controls were analyzed. Clinical and laboratory data were collected including modified Rodnan Skin Score (mRSS), Raynaud’s phenomenon, disease duration, digital pitting scars, oesophageal involvement and interstitial lung disease. ANGPTL4 sera concentrations were measured by ELISA.

Patients with systemic sclerosis had lower ANGPTL4 serum levers in comparison to healthy controls, however without statistical significance (160.15 ± 117.53 vs. 127.15 ± 83.58 ng/ml; p=0.64). No association between ANGPTL4 levels and disease subtype, disease duration, severity of skin involvement (mRSS) and Raynaud’s phenomenon onset was found.

This is the first study evaluating the serum concentration of ANGPTL4 in patients with systemic sclerosis. This study contributes to still undetermined role of ANGPTL4 in the development or progression of systemic sclerosis. Therefore the role of ANGPTL4 in hypoxia-related diseases such as systemic sclerosis needs further research.

This is the first study evaluating the serum concentration of ANGPTL4 in patients with systemic sclerosis. This study contributes to still undetermined role of ANGPTL4 in the development or progression of systemic sclerosis. Therefore the role of ANGPTL4 in hypoxia-related diseases such as systemic sclerosis needs further research.Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) is a frequent cause of chronic abdominal complaints. So far, a lot information has been gathered on its pathogenesis but are still doubts that raise question why its causes chronic diarrhea in some and constipation in other patients.

The aim of the study was to assess the number of endothelial lymphocytes (IELs) in the duodenal and ileum mucosa in patients with SIBO with dominant diarrhea (SIBO-D) and dominant constipation (SIBO-C).

The study was performed in 30 healthy patients (group I) and 40 patients with SIBO and diarrhoea (group II), and in 4o patients with constipation (group III). To diagnose SIBO the lactulose hydrogen breath test (LHBT) was performed. To determine the number of intraepithelial lymphocytes in duodenal and jejunal mucosa the histological assessment was performed using haematoxylin-eosin staining. Moreover, immunochistochemical method was used to assess the number of enterochromatoffin cells (EC, chromogranin A – LK-2H10) in these some parts of the gut.

The results of LHBT were similar in group II and III – 75,6±18,1 ppm and 66,9±16,2 ppm(p>0,05). The number of IELs in duodenal mucosa in controls was 14,6±4,1/100 EN, in group II – 28,3±6,8/100 EN (p<0.01), and in group III – 23,0±9,9/100 EN (p<0,05), and similar differences were in jejunal mucosa. The number of EC in both parts of the gut was higher in SIBO compared to controls. Proteinase K mw Furthermore, in patients with SIBO-D the number of IELs in duodenum, as well as in jejunum, was positively correlated with the number of EC cells ( p<0,05, p=0,056, respectively).

In patients with SIBO, particularly with SIBO-D, increased number of IELs I EC cells may be a cause of diverse abdominal symptoms.

In patients with SIBO, particularly with SIBO-D, increased number of IELs I EC cells may be a cause of diverse abdominal symptoms.Dissection of the interior carotid artery is rare in the general population. It can however be a potentially life-threatening condition. In the group of patients below 45 years of age, it constitutes a fairly common cause of cerebral stroke.

The study describes the case of a patient with the right interior carotid artery dissection, sustained most probably in the course of work. The patient was admitted to hospital for a severe headache of a few days’ duration accompanied by Horner’s syndrome on the right side. Promptly undertaken diagnostic procedures allowed for immediate diagnosis and application of the right treatment. The check-up examinations performed showed a healed artery and withdrawal of the neurological syndrome.

The case emphasizes the role of prompt diagnosis and treatment in preventing the development of more serious complications. The article refers also to the standards of treating the dissection of the interior carotid artery which still arouse controversies.

The case emphasizes the role of prompt diagnosis and treatment in preventing the development of more serious complications.