Kardiomiopatia restrykcyjna – historia ze szczęśliwym zakończeniem

Cardiomyopathies are a group of rare diseases of a myocardium in a pediatric population which affect 1–1.5 cases per 100 000 children. Restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM) is the least common type, which constitutes 2–5% of all cardiomyopathies. RCM is characterized by a diastolic dysfunction which is a result of an increased stiffness of the ventricular myocardium with a normal systolic function. Differential diagnosis should include especially constrictive pericarditis. Because of a poor prognosis, it is important to diagnose patients as soon as possible and to early qualify them for a heart transplantation.     

Fine-needle sampling of a case of carcinoma of the breast with neuroendocrine differentiation

Fine-needle sampling was performed in a woman with a left breast lump. The cytologic diagnosis was consistent with a poorly-differentiated carcinoma. Cytologic features included medium-to-large, round, and spindle-shaped cells with scanty cytoplasm, nuclear molding, and rosette-like structures. Histology revealed an endocrine pattern. Immunohistochemical staining was positive for epithelial and neuroendocrine markers, and electron microscopy showed many small membrane-bound electron-dense granules, confirming the diagnosis of breast carcinoma with neuroendocrine differentiation. DNA flow cytometry and cytogenetic analyses revealed a near-tetraploid tumor. Diagn Cytopathol 1996;14:233–237. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

The Influence of Low-Molecular-Weight Monomers (TEGDMA,HDDMA, HEMA) on the Properties of Selected Matrices and Composites Based on Bis-GMA and UDMA

Bisphenol A-glycidyl methacrylate (bis-GMA) and urethane dimethacrylate (UDMA) are usually combined with low-viscosity monomers to obtain more desirable viscosity, handling characteristics and general properties. The present study determined the flexural strength (FS), flexural modulus (FM), diametral tensile strength (DTS), and hardness (HV) of five matrices and composites based on these resins. The polymerization shrinkage stress (PSS) was also studied for the composites. The polymer matrices were formed using bis-GMA and UDMA. TEGDMA, HEMA and HDDMA acted as co-monomers. The composites had 45 wt.% of filler content. The highest FS and FM were obtained from the UDMA/bis-GMA/TEGDMA/HEMA matrix and the composite (matrix + filler). The best DTS values were obtained from the UDMA/bis-GMA/HEMA matrix and the composite. One of the lowest values of FS, FM, and DTS was obtained from the UDMA/bis-GMA/HDDMA matrix and the composite. All the composites demonstrated similar hardness values. The lowest polymerization shrinkage stress was observed for the UDMA/bis-GMA/TEGDMA/HEMA composite, and the highest PSS was observed for the UDMA/bis-GMA/TEGDMA/HDDMA composite. The addition of HEMA had a positive effect on the properties of the tested materials, which may be related to the improved mobility of the bis-GMA and UDMA monomers.     

The influence of chronic stress on multiple opioid peptide systems in the rat: pronounced effects upon dynorphin in spinal cord

Recurrent exposure to intermittent electrical foot-shock (30 min, twice daily) for 7 days caused an increase in immunoreactive (ir) dynorphin and ir-alpha-neo-endorphin in lumbar and cervical (but not thoracic) spinal cord as measured 16 h following the final session. At this time the level of ir-Met-enkephalin-Arg6-Gly7-Leu8 (MEAGL) was also increased at the lumbar level. An acute foot-shock depleted spinal cord dynorphin in chronically stressed but not in naive rats. No alterations in levels of ir-dynorphin or ir-MEAGL were seen in discrete brain tissues. In contrast to the brain, where no effects were seen, the levels of beta-endorphin increased in both lobes of the pituitary. This change, however, was not accompanied by an alteration in levels of beta-endorphin in plasma. These data show that chronic foot-shock stress selectively influences particular pools of opioid peptides, predominantly those derived from proenkephalin B in the spinal cord and from proopiomelanocortin in the anterior pituitary. It is suggested that alterations observed in the spinal cord reflect enhanced activity of the proenkephalin B system in response to chronic nociceptive stimulation.     

Radio-opaque polyethylene for personalized craniomaxillofacial implants

Objective

This study aimed to present a new possibility to create radio-opaque implant material for craniomaxillofacial reconstruction.

Materials and methods

The test disks made of the own compound of polyethylenes with addiction of 2, 4, and 6 % of weight TiO₂ was investigated for cytotoxicity [each group 15 disks respectively]. Next, computed tomography of the disks was performed in environment of muscle and fat. Hardness, tensile modulus and strength, and compressive modulus and strength were tested too.

Results

Deterioration of mechanical properties of the composites containing titanium dioxide was observed [hardness, tensile modulus and strength, compressive modulus and strength, respectively: 56.7 ± 1.6 shore D, 354 ± 52, 22.5 ± 1.3, 21.8 ± 1.1, and 2995 ± 327 MPa as addiction of 2 % TiO₂; 52.0 ± 0.9 shore D, 347 ± 66, 18.0 ± 0.7, 14.2 ± 0.9, and 1396 ± 477 MPa as 4 % TiO₂; 51.3 ± 1.3 shore D, 316 ± 9, 17.4 ± 0.2, 13.6 ± 0.6, and 1100 ± 144 MPa as 6 % TiO₂ added]. The test disks revealed no cytotoxicity effect on human osteoblasts. The new material presents mild radio-opacity which was enough to observe the implant in relation to fat and muscle, but with no visible effect of beam hardening.

Conclusion

In view of the performed tests, the polyethylene enriched by titanium dioxide seems to be a proper material to consider manufacturing of craniomaxillofacial implants.

Clinical relevance

Maxilloafacial surgery is still looking for new implantologic materials. The proposed one is a new way to manufacture an implant visible in computed tomography which does not interfere with its shape in radiological examination and makes it possible to observe the surrounding soft tissues.