Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) represents the most frequent form of inflammatory arthritis affecting approximately 1% of the population worldwide. Introduction of novel therapeutic strategies targeting proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and interleukin-6) revolutionized the treatment of RA. This kind of treatment, although effective in a substantial portion of patients, may potentially cause many side effects. Among them cardiovascular safety is one of the main concerns. Objectives: In the present study, we investigated what impact treatment with anti-TNF-α and anti-IL-6 agents may have on heart function and levels of heart function biomarkers Methods: To measure this, we used cardiac function biomarkers such as NT-pro Brain Natriuretic Peptide, mid regional pro Atrial Natriuretic Peptide, Galectin-3 and Heart-Type Fatty Acid-Binding Protein and compared them to patients treated with methotrexate as well as healthy controls. Results: Patients treated with biologics were characterized by low disease activity or were in remission. The disease activity in these groups were significantly lower in comparison to the methotrexate group. All patient recruited to the study were characterized by normal heart function measured with the use of echocardiography (EF>50%). With the exception of MR-proANP between tocilizumab and adalimumab (median: 1.01 vs 0.49 nmol/L, p < 0.05), we failed to observe any significant differences in biomarkers levels between groups treated with biologics. Contrary to this, patients on MTX showed higher NT-proBNP levels compared to adalimumab, and healthy controls (p < 0.05 for both). Striking differences have been shown in regard to H-FABP. The levels of these biomarkers were elevated in all biologics and the methotrexate group as compared to healthy controls. Conclusion: As this biomarker reflects potential heart injury we suggest that heart damage proceeds in continuous manner in RA patients despite effective treatment and attainment of remission/low disease activity. This finding however should be verify in larger cohort of RA patients to ascertain if routine assessment of H-FABP may be useful for detection of patients with RA who are at risk of development of heart damage.

Serous cystadenoma was the most common pancreatic cystic tumor in the analyzed group. PCTs were most frequently located within the pancreatic head. Pancreatic resection was possible in most patients, and pancreatoduodenectomy was the most common pancreatic resection type.

Calciphylaxis, also known as calcific uremic arteriolopathy (CUA), is a rare vascular disease caused by deposition of calcium salts in vessel walls, accompanied by coagulation disorders, which leads to extensive skin ulceration and soft tissue necrosis. Typical cases of calciphylaxis are usually described in patients with renal failure, though it is currently known that approx. 1/10th of all cases stem from other causes, including systemic inflammation, metabolic disorders and endocrine disorders. This article shows an overview of the most important pathophysiological phenomena which accompany calciphylaxis, characterizes the clinical picture of the disease and presents available approaches to therapeutic management.

Osteoporoza jest poważną chorobą powodującą wystąpienie znacznej niepełnosprawności w populacji osób starszych. W prewencji i leczeniu tej choroby, oprócz modyfikacji stylu życia i leczenia antyresorpcyjnego, podstawowe znaczenia ma utrzymanie prawidłowej gospodarki mineralnej. W ciągu ostatnich 20 lat pojawiły się doniesienia wskazujące na rolę witaminy K w tym procesie. Celem niniejszego opracowania był krytyczny przegląd tych doniesień, ze szczególnym uwzględnieniem znaczenia witaminy K w prewencji osteoporozy.