Neurological symptoms as the result of enlarged dimensions and non-typical course of inferior superficial temporal vein

Neurological symptoms as the result of non-typical course of superficial cerebral veins are described in available literature very rarely. The case described below indicates that in some circumstances the compression symptoms derived from the cerebral cortex may be incredibly more serious than their anatomical reasons. In our observation a young woman was described complaining of paroxysmal numbness of the left upper limb with paraesthesiae of the left side of the face, the left eye and left half of the tongue. The patient said that in childhood she used to have paroxysmal itching of the left hand. She also said that CT of the head made a few years ago after a car accident was without pathological changes. Neurological examination, x-ray of the skull and EEG test performed during first visit proved normal. After one year of the disease, Jackson-type epilepsy, combined with loss of sensation of the left half of the face for the first time, was present. Neurological and ophthalmological examination of the bottom of the eye proved normal. Skull x-ray was normal. Then disturbances of the vision in the left half of the field appeared. EEG was still in norm. The MRI test showed the asymmetry in the course and dilated superficial vein between the basis of the right temporal lobe and the tentorium of the cerebellum. The diameter of this vein was 2.5 mm, but there were no vascular malformations. Bottom of the eye was normal, but in the field of vision the white and red colours were dominated

The radioanatomical research of plural renal arteries

The aim of our study was to evaluate the physiological and pathological variations of plural renal arteries in individuals of various constitutional types. Data about sixty-six renal angiographies obtained post-mortem from 35 traffic accident victims were compared with 68 aortonephrograms of 35 randomly selected patients of the Medical Department. During the autopsy of the traffic casualties no major pathological traces were observed. Out of 35 medical patients, 19 were presented with no signs of renal artery diseases, 14 were diagnosed for stenosis of renal arteries and 2 for diabetes mellitus. Abdominal aortography with following selective angiography was performed. Out of the total of 35 patients examined by method of abdominal aortography with following selective angiography, plural renal arteries (PRA) were observed in 9 cases (25.7%), two of these having a double-sided PRA. Among 19 patients without angiography, signs of renal artery pathologies PRA were present in 5 cases (26.3%). This was also observed in 2 out of 14 patients with RA stenosis (14.2%), and in both diabetic patients. Among 35 examined patients, PRA were found in 25.7% (9 cases), in two of them PRA were revealed on both sides (5.7%). A total of 68 nephrograms was obtained in 35 patients (2 patients had one kidney only). PRA were present in 16.2% (11) of nephrograms. Six (25%) out of a total of 24 men had PRA. Among 11 examined women, PRA were observed in 3 cases (27.2%). Right-sided PRA were revealed in 6 out of a total of 35 right kidneys (17.1%) and left-sided PRA in 5 (15.2%) out of 33 left kidneys. Among 35 renal preparations taken from corpses of people who died from injures and had no renal or any other pathology, PRA were present in 9 cases (25.7%). PRA were counted in 9 cases (34.6%) of 26 preparations from corpses with advanced arteriosclerosis. Plural kidney arteries were met in 3 cases from 5 preparations taken from diabetic cadavers (60%). PRA were found in 21 (31.8%) cases out of 66 preparations examined by method of post vital angiography. PRA were noticed in 9 (28.1%) cases of 32 right side preparations, and in 12 cases (35.3%) of 34 left side preparations. PRA were observed in 11 cases (30.6%) of 36 male preparations, and in 10 cases (33.3%) of 30 female preparations. Due to the constitutional types of body: in picnic type cadavers and patients PRA were described in 12 cases (36.4%) of a total of 33, in mesomorphic type - in 8 cases (29.6%) of a total of 27, and in asthenic type cadavers - in 1 case out of 10 (10%). Total statistics showed that most often lower pole (50%) and upper pole (16.5%) accessory arteries were observed. Upper pole perforating arteries were described in nearly 22%, but lowerer pole arteries only in 4.4%. Double renal arteries occurred in 18.7%, and upper pole accessory arteries in 16.5%. Triple renal arteries were found very seldom (nearly 3%)

Advances in osteosynthesis - a basic overview of modern fixation materials

The dynamic development of trauma-orthopedic surgery and accompanying material technology has led in recent years to the need for close cooperation between researchers in these fields. In a short time, thanks to the cooperation of engineers and doctors, the general approach to the method of bone anastomosis has changed significantly. The need to optimize the effects of treatment, i.e. to quickly recovery, reduce the number of postoperative complications, reduce the number of reoperations, and reduce the costs of procedures and treatment used has resulted in the development of many new technologies that have set trends in modern traumatology. The widespread use of LCP (Locking compression plate) and locking screws, the development of polymers and biopolymers with a modified chemical structure, a significant improvement in the biocompatibility and cytocompatibility of the materials used, and the implementation of products with significant micro-roughness that improve osseointegration are the well-known and commonly used effects of this cooperation today . Materials science related to orthopedics is an extremely complex and multi-threaded field. Its continuous development requires a periodic summary of the results and development directions provided, which allows faster evaluation and interpretation by researchers. The purpose of the following work is to summarize the latest research on materials and methods used in osteosynthesis in a legible way for potential recipients of this information from various fields

Gastric cancer : epidemiology, risk factors, classification, genomic characteristics and treatment strategies

Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most common malignancies worldwide and it is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related death. GC is a multifactorial disease, where both environmental and genetic factors can have an impact on its occurrence and development. The incidence rate of GC rises progressively with age; the median age at diagnosis is 70 years. However, approximately 10% of gastric carcinomas are detected at the age of 45 or younger. Early-onset gastric cancer is a good model to study genetic alterations related to the carcinogenesis process, as young patients are less exposed to environmental carcinogens. Carcinogenesis is a multistage disease process specified by the progressive development of mutations and epigenetic alterations in the expression of various genes, which are responsible for the occurrence of the disease

Morphometric parameters of the human pineal gland in relation to age, body weight and height

The aim of the study was to compare the size, weight, volume and density of the pineal gland in several groups divided by age, body weight and height. 80 human pineal glands were included in the study. Obtained data were statistically analysed by means of Statistica by Statsoft to check existing differences. Obtained data show some significant differences between pineal gland morphometry in weight- and height-related groups. However, these differences do not influence pineal volume significantly. Differences between the pineal gland volume in the maximal and in the minimal weight groups may suggest some relationship between the gland’s structure and body weight. No age-related changes in the morphometry of the pineal gland were observed

Cyklooksygenaza-2 i jej rola w kancerogenezie

Cyclooxygenase is an enzyme involved in many physiological and pathological processes. It catalyzes the formation of prostaglandins, prostacyclins and thromboxanes from arachidonic acid. It has been reported that cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) modulates the secretion of proinflammatory mediators and its expression is associated with the promotion of the process of tumorigenesis initiation, transformation, progression and cancer metastasis. Increased expression of COX-2 in premalignant lesions makes it a key element in a chain of changes leading to cancer. So far, advances in the evaluation of COX-2 molecular mechanisms did not bring spectacular discoveries. Pathomechanisms of COX-2 activities are still not sufficiently understood and therefore, require further research. Currently, COX-2 inhibitors are one of the most commonly used medications. Unfortunately, their long-term use causes many side effects. The first report about the use of plant substances with anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity (COX-2 inhibitors) was reported by Hippocrates in the 5th century BC. The present review discusses the most important mechanisms by which a particular COX-2 isomer leads to the formation and development of cancer

Reactivity of corneal and conjunctival epithelial cells to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and/or irradiation with visible light in vitro

INTRODUCTION. Visible light and inflammation caused by bacterial endotoxins strongly influence direct cell interactions and modulate the expression of selected factors, such as nitric oxide (NO) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). The aim of the study is to establish whether exposition of corneal or conjunctival epithelial cells to visible light and/ or LPS may change their viability, direct cellular interactions and expression of NO and COX-2. MATERIALS AND METHODS. In vitro cultured human corneal and conjunctival epithelial cells were used in the study. The following assays were performed: Neutral Red (NR) uptake, nitric oxide (NO) quantification by the Griess method, cytoskeletal F-actin organization by fluorescent staining, and COX-2 expression by immunofluorescence. RESULTS. LPS reduced the viability of the cells, especially conjunctival epithelial cells. All cell stimulation variants tested (visible light and/or LPS treatment) led to decreased nitric oxide (NO) production both by corneal and conjunctival epithelial cells. No changes in cytoskeletal F-actin filaments were observed after the cells had been treated with light or the endotoxin. LPS slightly increased COX-2 expression, but light had no, or a slightly reducing, effect on the level of this enzyme. CONCLUSIONS. Visible light and/or bacterial endotoxin (LPS) may, depending on the local microenvironmental conditions, cooperate or interfere with each other’s activity in inducing ocular surface inflammation

The impact of oleanolic and ursolic acid on corneal epithelial cells in vitro

INTRODUCTION. Oleanolic (OA) and ursolic (UA) acids belong to the triterpene group widely present in plants. These compounds are recognised to have anti-inflammatory properties and thus are considered to be used in therapies as well as in cosmetic, natural health, or diet products. AIM. The scientific hypothesis of our study was to show that OA and UA influence corneal epithelial cells cultured in vitro. METHODS. Toxicity tests, based on MTT and Neutral Red (NR) uptake, measurement of nitric oxide (NOx) level, as well as analysis of metalloproteinases (MMP-2 and MMP-9) amount and activity were performed. RESULTS . UA expressed significantly higher toxicity on cells than OA. At the lowest concentration applied (5 μM), UA limited cellular metabolism and viability on average by 22% as compared to untreated control, while 25 μM resulted in values lower than 10%. On the other hand, OA at the highest (100 μM) concentration limited cellular metabolism and viability by about 20%. NOx level significantly increased when OA and UA were applied at concentrations of 25 and 100 μM, respectively. OA and UA had a stronger impact on the level of MMP-2 than MMP-9. OA and UA reduced MMP-2 and MMP-9 in the whole range of concentrations. Tested triterpenoids had no significant impact on MMP activity. CONCLUSIONS. OA and UA have a different impact on human corneal epithelial cells. UA is toxic for corneal epithelial cells, while OA exhibits milder activity, which may be useful for further analysis in ocular pharmacology