Arch Med Sci
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The changes of enzyme activity in the hepatocytes in the course of different liver diseases are reflected by increase of the corresponding enzyme activity in the plasma. For example, the activities of alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) correlate with the severity of the condition during cirrhosis. In this study we measured the activity of ADH isoenzymes and ALDH in the sera of patients with hepatitis C. ⋯ The activity of class I and II ADH isoenzymes in the sera of patients with hepatitis C is increased, and it seems to be caused by the release of these isoenzymes from damaged liver cells.
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Epidemiological studies have shown increased morbidity and mortality in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We aimed to characterize the oxygen dependence of endothelial function in patients with CAD and coexisting COPD. ⋯ Our data suggest that in CAD patients with COPD, decreased systemic oxygen levels lead to endothelial dysfunction, underlining the relevance of cardiopulmonary interaction and the potential importance of pulmonary treatment in secondary prevention of vascular disease.
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Helicobacter pylori infection is a common infection worldwide. The most frequently recommended treatment for eradication of H. pylori remains triple therapy. In this study, we compared sequential and hybrid regimens for H. pylori eradication in a region of Turkey with high resistance to clarithromycin. ⋯ Both therapies are highly effective for eradication of H. pylori, and could be recommended as a first-line therapy in regions with high antibiotic resistance.
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Paresis of the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) is a complication of thyroid surgery. Neuromonitoring as is gaining acceptance among surgeons. The aim of the study was to assess the number of technical problems in the initial phase of intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) use and the specificity, sensitivity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of neuromonitoring. The number of cases of postoperative paresis (transient and permanent) was assessed. ⋯ During the initial stages of implementing IONM we experienced technical problems that required correction in every tenth patient. The positive predictive value was relatively low; nevertheless, good results in terms of the rate of accurate identification of the RLN as well as the low rate of RLN paresis support the use of this method.
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Insufficient wound healing related to chronic inflammation of chronic venous leg ulcers (CVUs) represents an important public health problem. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a carbohydrate polymer with zinc oxide therapy on CVUs. ⋯ The carbohydrate polymer with zinc oxide treatment with venous compression enhances healing of CVUs and improves quality of life due, in part, to its anti-inflammatory properties.