Schlemm\u27s Canal: The Outflow “Vessel”

The aim of this chapter is to review the knowledge about the aqueous outflow through Schlemm\u27s canal. Morphology of this canal and aqueous humor pathways from the anterior chamber through the trabeculum into suprascleral and conjunctival veins via connector channels are described. Additionally, the role of Schlemm\u27s canal in the development of glaucoma and outflow resistance is discussed. Canalography as a more precise method of assessing the conventional drainage pathway and facilitating localization of an uncollapsed collector and aqueous veins is shown. Attention is also drawn to the relationship between aqueous and suprascleral veins and heartbeat

Non-penetrating phaco-deep sclerectomy with SkGel implantation — long-term observations

INTRODUCTION. The aim of this study is to present the efficacy and safety of non-penetrating phaco-deep sclerectomy (PDS) with implantation of an absorbable sodium hyaluronate implant (SkGel/Corneal). MATERIALS AND METHODS. In a prospective case series study 219 procedures were performed on 176 subjects receiving PDS with SkGel implantation. Indications were uncontrolled primary-open angle glaucoma (POAG) and operable cataract. Data collected included best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), intraocular pressure (IOP), and number of hypotensive medications. Follow-up examinations were performed one and seven days after procedure, then one, three, and six months after, and thereafter every six months. Complete and qualified success (without and with hypotensive medications) was assessed for IOP ≤ 18 mm Hg and IOP ≤ 12 mm Hg. RESULTS . The mean follow-up was 48.3 } 12.8 months. At 24 months, mean IOP decreased from 19.9 ± 5.0 mm Hg to 13.4 ± 3.1 mm Hg (P < 0.001) (31.8% reduction) and to 13.3 ± 2.7 mm Hg (P = 0.003) and after 60 months (33.2% reduction). At the 24-month follow-up, the average number of anti-glaucoma medications was reduced from 2.3 ± 0.8 to 0.62 ± 0.88 (p < 0.001). Complete and qualified success rates for IOP ≤ 18 mm Hg were 70.1% and 93.0%, respectively. Goniopuncture (23.8%), suturolysis (20.1%), and needling (18.3%) were performed. The most common complication was transient hypotony (36.07%). CONCLUSIONS. PDS with SkGel leads to an effective decrease in IOP over a long-term follow-up. The profile of the complications indicates that it is a safe procedure

Using the results of a nationwide phenological network to examine the impact of changes in phenology of plant species on the concentration of plant pollen in the air

The application of phenological data together with meteorological and pollen data in a comprehensive analysis gives an opportunity to draw conclusions on variability of the starting date of the pollen season and its dynamics in terms of meteorological factors. It is quite important especially due to the fact that studies conducted all over Europe have proved that species phenology responds to climate warming trends. There has been observed a tendency to an earlier onset of spring flowering and leafing as well as the lengthening of the growing season. Although phenological network studies differ with regard to regions, species, events observed and applied methods, their data show a clear temperature-driven extension of the growing season by up to 2 weeks in the second half of the 20th century in mid- and high northern latitudes; for example, in Germany changes in timing of phenological spring events have been estimated at about -1.6 days / decade, while in Switzerland: -2.3 days / decade. Despite interannual variability in flowering date, caused by specific meteorological conditions each year, long-time series of phenological data from the area of Poland have proved that hazel flowering occurred in the surroundings of Warsaw later in the 50's (third decade of March) than it is observed at the beginning of the 21st century (second decade of March). There is a lack of such long time series of pollen data, but we can suspect that the hazel pollen season has changed similarly to the time pattern of its flowering. Plants are very sensitive to weather conditions, therefore it is important to know as precisely as possible the impact of meteorological conditions on a plant's reactions. The determination of thermal thresholds for a specific plant's reactions may be beneficial for this purpose. The estimated value of Positive Degree Days (PDD> 50), which caused the first Corylus flowers (F2 phenophase) to bloom in the study years, requires testing in future years to make the threshold values credible

Variability in the concentration and composition of pollen grains and atmospheric dusts and their impact on human health in Sosnowiec : [abstract]

Airborne allergy is an important problem in terms of public health, both in Europe and Poland. Symptoms occur in allergic persons every year with varied severity depending on the aeroalergens concentration in the air. Increased number of airborne allergies was stated in urbanized areas, which is associated with higher air pollution. Environmental pollution has a significant impact on the growth of allergic diseases. Organic and inorganic substances, motor exhaust fumes accumulate on the surface of pollen grains and are inhaled with them (Fragment tekstu)

Biological therapies in Crohn’s disease

Crohn’s disease is one of the chronic inflammatory diseases of the digestive tract. Pathophysiology of this disease involves the genetic and environmental factors, but the most important causative factor is anti-inflammatory reaction of the organism, which eventually leads to inflammatory changes, fibrosis and necrosis. Glucocorticosteroids are commonly used in therapy and may cause many negative side effects. Nowadays, new biological medicines are being tested, which are supposed to be an alternative method of treating Crohn’s disease. Infliximab, adalimumab, certolizumab pegol, natalizumab, etanerecept, vedolizumab and ustekinumab are the examples of those drugs, on which the research was already carried out. They lead to healing of the mucous membrane of the digestive tract, and thus to remission of the disease

Validation of exophthalmos magnetic resonance imaging measurements in patients with Graves’ orbitopathy, compared to ophthalmometry results

Purpose: Although assessment of the orbital structures using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is well described in the literature, there is no consensus as to which measurement method is the most useful in exophthalmos assessment. The aim of the study was to correlate 2 MRI methods of exophthalmos measurement with exophthalmometry results and to determine a proper technique of exophthalmos measurement. Material and methods: Fifty-four patients (108 orbits) with exophthalmos in the course of Graves’ orbitopathy were enrolled in the study. Two measurements on axial T2W orbital MRI images were performed by 2 independent radiologists: the distance from the interzygomatic line to the anterior surface of the globe (AD) and the distance from the interzygomatic line to the posterior sclera (PD). Within 4 weeks, an exophthalmometry was performed by an ophthalmologist using a Hertel exophthalmometer. The inter-observer variation was assessed using the Pearson correlation coefficient. Values were presented as mean and standard deviation, and the differences in values were explored with Student’s t-test. Results: The mean AD measured on MRI by the first observer was 20.6 ± 3 mm, and 20.6 ± 2.9 mm by the second observer. PD values were 2.9 ± 2.8 mm and 3.4 ± 2.8 mm, respectively. The mean exophthalmometry result was 21 ± 3.3 mm. The correlation was very high between observers for AD measurements (r = 0.98, p = 0.01) and high for PD measurements (r = 0.95, p = 0.01). AD measurements on MRI and exophthalmometry results were strongly correlated (r = 0.9, p = 0.01). Conclusions: The AD measurement has better reproducibility and is directly correlated with Hertel exophthalmometry. This method could be sufficient in routine practice

Aneuploids in the shrub birch Betula humilis populations in Poland

Shrub birch (Betula humilis Schrk.) is endangered glacial relict growing in natural and drained fens and transitional mires. At present study we examined karyotypes of 103 individuals of B. humilis, collected in six populations from eastern and northeastern Poland. We found 60% of diploid individuals with 2n = 28. The rest of studied plants were aneuploids with 26, 27, 29, 30 and 31 chromosomes in their karyotypes. High frequencies of aneuploids in Polish populations of B. humilis could be a consequence of: (i) hybridization with congeneric species, (ii) stress resulting from range fragmentation, (iii) karyotype instability of individuals with 2n ≠ 28, or (iv) vegetative reproduction