An intracranial complication of acute isolated sphenoid sinusitis

Intracranial complications of acute sphenoid sinusitis are a rare, but severe condition. Due to subclinical and non-specific symptomatology it is usually diagnosed with delay or after neurological manifestation is present. A case of temporal epidural abscess secondary to isolated sphenoid sinusitis in a 14-year-old boy is presented. Immediate endoscopic sinus surgery was performed. Early diagnosis and aggressive therapy to guarantee drainage of the sinus is recommended.     

Interleukin-1 Gene Polymorphisms in Chronic Gastritis Patients Infected with Helicobacter pylori as Risk Factors of Gastric Cancer Development

Epidemiological investigations indicated association of the Helicobacter pylori infections with the occurrence of inflammatory conditions of the gastric mucosa and development of chronic gastritis and intestinal type of gastric cancer. IL1A and IL1B genes have been proposed as key factors in determining risk of gastritis and malignant transformation. The aim of this paper was to evaluate association of interleukin-1 gene polymorphisms with chronic gastritis, atrophy, intestinal metaplasia, dysplasia and intestinal type of gastric cancer in H. pylori-infected patients. Patients subjected to analysis represent group of 144 consecutive cases that suffered from dyspepsia with coexisting infection of H. pylori and chronic gastritis, chronic atrophic gastritis, intestinal metaplasia, dysplasia or gastric cancer. Molecular studies involved analysis of –889C>T polymorphism of IL1A gene and +3954C>T polymorphism of IL1B gene. Statistical analysis of association of polymorphism –889C>T of gene IL1A with changes in gastric mucosa showed lack of significance, whereas +3954C>T polymorphism of IL1B gene showed significant association. Frequency of allele T of +3954C>T polymorphism of IL1B gene was higher in group of patients with chronic gastritis, atrophy, intestinal metaplasia, dysplasia or intestinal type of gastric cancer (32.1 %) as compared with population group (23 %), χ² = 4.61 and p = 0.03. This corresponds to odds ratio: 1.58, 95 % CI: 1.04–2.4. Our results indicate that +3954C>T polymorphism of IL1B gene increase susceptibility to inflammatory response of gastric mucosa H. pylori-infected patients and plays a significant role in the development of chronic gastritis, atrophy, intestinal metaplasia, dysplasia and the initiation of carcinogenesis.     

Evaluation of oxidative stress markers in pathogenesis of primary open-angle glaucoma

Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is the leading cause of blindness in the industrial countries. It is reported that oxidative stress might be an important risk factor in the pathogenesis of POAG. Forty subjects including 20 patients with open-angle glaucoma (9 men and 12 women, mean age 61.8 ± 12.1 yr) and 20 controls without glaucoma symptoms (9 men and 12 women, mean age 58.1 ± 17.7 yr) were enrolled in our study. The main aim of the work was to evaluate oxidative stress markers in the pathogenesis of open-angle glaucoma. In our work the activity of antioxidant enzymes: catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) as well as the total antioxidant status (TAS) was estimated. An alkaline comet assay was used to measure DNA damage of strand breaks (SB), oxidized purines as glicosylo-formamido-glicosylase (Fpg) sites, and oxidized pirmidines as endonuclease III (Nth) sites. We measured endogenous as well as exogenous DNA damage after 10 μM hydrogen peroxide treatment (H₂O₂). We did not observe any statistical changes of DNA strand break lesion in examined POAG patients according to healthy subjects (P > 0.05). However, either endogenous (P < 0.01) or exogenous (P < 0.001) levels of oxidative DNA damage in POAG patients were found to be statistically higher than controls. A significant decrease of antioxidant enzymes: CAT (P < 0.001), SOD (P < 0.05), and GPX (P < 0.001) and a non-statistical decrease of TAS status (P > 0.05) in glaucoma patients according to controls were also indicated. In conclusion our data revealed that oxidative stress had a pathogenic role in primary open-angle glaucoma. Therefore, we suggested that the modulation of a pro-oxidant/antioxidant status might be a relevant target for glaucoma prevention and therapy.     

BDNF and HSP gene polymorphisms and their influence on the progression of primary open-angle glaucoma in a Polish population

Introduction

Glaucoma is a neurodegenerative disease that is often associated with high intraocular pressure (IOP). One of the effects of elevated IOP is disorder of neurotrophic molecules transport, including brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and recruit specific cellular proteins called “heat shock proteins” (HSPs). The aim of this study was to evaluate a relationship between the BDNF and HSP70-1 gene polymorphisms with risk occurrence of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG).

Material and methods

The study consisted of 167 patients with POAG (mean age: 73 ±9) and 193 healthy subjects (mean age: 64 ±13). Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood. Analysis of the gene polymorphisms was performed using PCR-RFLP, using the following restriction enzymes: NlaIII (rs6265) and BsrBI (rs1043618). The Heidelberg retinal tomography (HRT) clinical parameters were also analyzed. The odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for each genotype and allele were calculated.

Results

Comparison of the distributions of genotypes and alleles of the 196G/A polymorphism of the BDNF gene as well as 190G/C polymorphism of the HSP70-1 gene and analysis of the odds ratio (OR) showed no statistically significant differences between POAG patients and controls (p > 0.05). However, there was a statistically significant association of the 196G/A of BDNF and 190G/C of HSP70-1 gene polymorphisms with progression of POAG depending on values of clinical parameters. 196G/A of BDNF correlated with the parameters GDx and RA (p = 0.03; p = 0.002, respectively), while 190G/C of HSP70-1 correlated with c/d and RA (p = 0.014, p = 0.024, respectively).

Conclusions

The BDNF 196G/A and HSP70-1 190G/C gene polymorphisms may be related to progression of POAG.     

An assessment of the results of upper limb replantation]

During the period 1996-2005, in General and Hand Surgery Department in Szczecin, 47 patients, 45 males and 2 females, with a me an age of 42 years, with total (72%) and subtotal (28%) amputations within the metacarpus and more proximal were operated. 35 replants survived, however 10 (21%) necrotized, in 2 cases (5%) blood flow was not re-established during the operations. The study presents results of assessment of objective parameters of 19 patients who received replantation of amputated extremities at the level of metacarpus - 5 cases, wrist - 9, forearm - 3, elbow - 1 and arm - 1 case. Patients were followed-up at mean of 2.5 years after injury (range 6 months -10 years). The average active range of motion of fingers in replanted extremities was 116 degrees (range 26-224 degrees). The average total grip strength was 8.3 kG (range 2-12 kG). The subjective assessment of hand dexterity with DASH questionnaire was mean of 103 points, (range 72-148). Range of motion was satisfactory in most of metacarpals and wrist replantations and less pleasing in forearm and arm amputations. Simultaneously better objective results were achieved in metacarpals and wrist replantations (14 cases, mean DASH 98), than forearm and arm replantations (5 cases, mean DASH 117). The Semmes-Weinstein monofilament testing revealed feeling of light touch good in 2 cases, satisfactory in 4 cases (median nerve) and in 2 cases (ulnar nerve). Only protective sensation in 8 cases (median nerve) and 10 cases (ulnar nerve). In Chen's classification 3 patients were scored I grade, 2 patients II grade and 9 patients III grade. The patients underwent 78 corrective operations (mean 2.3 per patinet, range 1-5) in order to improve function or cover skin defect. The results support an opinion that these time consuming operations result in salvage of functionally acceptable extremity what advocates that in every case of major amputation, regardless the mechanism or extend of injury an attempt of replantation should be considered, when patient's general health condition is stable.     

Evaluation of the outcome of treatment of facial deformities due to Recklinghausen’s disease

The aim of the study was to evaluate the outcome of treatment of facial deformities in patients with Recklinghausen’s disease. Twenty-nine patients suffering from Recklinghausen’s disease were treated at the Hospital of Plastic Surgery in Polanica Zdrój in the years 1990–2005. The age of patients when they were first seen was from 1 to 23 years (mean age 11 years). Most of the patients were followed up for 1 to 31 years and were submitted to surgical treatment only periodically. All the patients had facial lesions, including 14 with tumours within the orbits and eyelids. Altogether, 198 partial or complete resections of neurofibromas and corrective procedures were performed (average 6.8 operations per one patient). Nodules on the head, eyelids, cheeks and nose were most commonly resected. Reduction in the tumour mass resulted in improvement of facial symmetry. The resections were often repeated several times in the same area with additional resections in other body areas. Histopathological examinations revealed plexiform neurofibroma in seven cases, while malignant carcinoma was not diagnosed in any of the cases. Three patients developed mild complications (1.5%). Facial neurofibromas occurring in the course of von Recklinghausen’s disease require surgical treatment, which is often multi-stage because of benign but progressive proliferation of tumours. Systematic reduction in tumour mass may decrease the risk of malignant transformation.     

Evaluation of Polysaccharide–Peptide Conjugates Containing the RGD Motif for Potential Use in Muscle Tissue Regeneration

New scaffold materials composed of biodegradable components are of great interest in regenerative medicine. These materials should be: stable, nontoxic, and biodegrade slowly and steadily, allowing the stable release of biodegradable and biologically active substances. We analyzed peptide-polysaccharide conjugates derived from peptides containing RGD motif (H-RGDS-OH (1), H-GRGDS-NH₂ (2), and cyclo(RGDfC) (3)) and polysaccharides as scaffolds to select the most appropriate biomaterials for application in regenerative medicine. Based on the results of MTT and Ki-67 assays, we can state that the conjugates containing calcium alginate and the ternary nonwoven material were the most supportive of muscle tissue regeneration. Scanning electron microscopy imaging and light microscopy studies with hematoxylin–eosin staining showed that C2C12 cells were able to interact with the tested peptide–polysaccharide conjugates. The release factor (Q) varied depending on both the peptide and the structure of the polysaccharide matrix. LDH, Alamarblue^®, Ki-67, and cell cycle assays indicated that peptides 1 and 2 were characterized by the best biological properties. Conjugates containing chitosan and the ternary polysaccharide nonwoven with peptide 1 exhibited very high antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Overall, the results of the study suggested that polysaccharide conjugates with peptides 1 and 2 can be potentially used in regenerative medicine.     

Electrochemically Pretreated Sensor Based on Screen-Printed Carbon Modified with Pb Nanoparticles for Determination of Testosterone

Testosterone (TST), despite its good properties, may be harmful to the human organism and the environment. Therefore, monitoring biological fluids and environmental samples is important. An electrochemically pretreated screen-printed carbon sensor modified with Pb nanoparticles (pSPCE/PbNPs) was successfully prepared and used for the determination of TST. The surface morphology and electrochemical properties of unmodified and modified sensors were characterized by cyclic voltammetry (CV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM and TEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). Selective determinations of TST at the pSPCE/PbNPs were carried out by differential pulse adsorptive stripping voltammetry (DPAdSV, E_{Pb dep.and TST acc.} of −1.1 V, t _{Pb dep.and TST acc.} of 120 s, ΔE_A of 50 mV, ν of 175 mV s⁻¹, and t_m of 5 ms) in a solution containing 0.075 mol L⁻¹ acetate buffer of pH = 4.6 ± 0.1, and 7.5 × 10⁻⁵ mol L⁻¹ Pb(NO₃)₂. The analytical signal obtained at the potential around −1.42 V (vs. silver pseudo-reference electrode) is related to the reduction process of TST adsorbed onto the electrode surface. The use of pSPCE/PbNPs allows obtaining a very low limit of TST detection (2.2 × 10⁻¹² mol L⁻¹) and wide linear ranges of the calibration graph (1.0 × 10⁻¹¹–1.0 × 10⁻¹⁰, 1.0 × 10⁻¹⁰–2.0 × 10⁻⁹, and 2.0 × 10⁻⁹–2.0 × 10⁻⁸ mol L⁻¹). The pSPCE/PbNPs were successfully applied for the determination of TST in reference material of human urine and wastewater purified in a sewage treatment plant without preliminary preparation.     

Sister Mary Joseph Nodule

A Sister Mary Joseph nodule represents a cutaneous metastasis into the umbilicus. This clinical sign of intra‐abdominal malignancy is frequently overlooked or misinterpreted by both patients and their physicians. We report 4 patients with a Sister Mary Joseph nodule. The umbilical metastases appeared sonographically as hypoechoic masses with irregular margins and small internal hyperechoic foci. Further evaluation revealed disseminated malignancy, and the umbilical nodule was just “a tip of an iceberg.”     

Additive Manufacturing of Plastics Used for Protection against COVID19—The Influence of Chemical Disinfection by Alcohol on the Properties of ABS and PETG Polymers

In this paper, the influence of disinfection on structural and mechanical properties of additive manufactured (AM) parts was analyzed. All AM parts used for a fight against COVID19 were disinfected using available methods—including usage of alcohols, high temperature, ozonation, etc.—which influence on AM parts properties has not been sufficiently analyzed. During this research, three types of materials dedicated for were tested in four different disinfection times and two disinfection liquid concentrations. It has been registered that disinfection liquid penetrated void into material’s volume, which caused an almost 20% decrease in tensile properties in parts manufactured using a glycol-modified version of polyethylene terephthalate (PETG).