Rak dojke : kaj morate vedeti

Pred vami je druga izdaja knjižice, v kateri vam predstavljamo osnovna dejstva in zmote o raku dojke. Rak dojke je najpogostejši rak žensk. Zaradi sodobnega načina življenja ženske vse manj rojevamo, prvi porod ob kontracepciji odlagamo v poznejše življenjsko obdobje, v pomenopavzi pa se moramo, da smo kos izzivom sodobne družbe, prepogosto zateči še k nadomestnemu hormonskemu zdravljenju

Assessment of coxarthritis risk with dimensionless biomechanical parameters

Unfavourable distribution of contact stress over the load bearing area is considered a risk factor for early coxarthritis and it is of interest to outline respective biomechanical parameters for its prediction. The purpose of the work was to develop a transparent mathematical model which can be used to assess contact stress in the hip from imaged structures of pelvis and proximal femora, in large population studies and in clinical practice. Methods: We upgraded a previously validated three-dimensional mathematical model of the human hip in the one-legged stance HIPSTRESS by introducing parameters independent from the size of the structures in the images. We validated a new parameter % dimensionless peak stress normalized by the body weight and by the radius of the femoral head ( pmaxr 2 /WB) on the population of 172 hips that were in the childhood subjected to the Perthes disease and exhibited increased proportion of dysplastic hips. Results: The dimensionless parameter pmaxr 2 /WB exhibited smaller number of indecisive cases of hip dysplasia predicted by the model than the previously used parameter pmax/WB (6% vs. 81%, respectively). A threshold for an increased risk of early coxarthritis development by the HIPSTRESS parameter H = pmaxr 2 /WB was found to be 2. Conclusions: We proposed a dimensionless peak stress on the load bearing area with the border value of 2 as a decisive parameter over which hips are at risk for early development of degenerative processes and presented a method for determination of biomechanical parameters with the use of nomogra

Applicability of platelet- and extracellular vesicle-rich plasma in medicine

Platelet-rich plasma is a blood-derived product with proven favourable effects after a local application in various healing disorders. It is also rich with extracellular vesicles - a heterogeneous group of nano- to micro-sized membranous structures -that are considered as the main mediators of regenerative effects. Hence, the prepared blood product can be suitably named »platelet- and extracellular vesicle-rich plasma«. Platelets and platelet- derived extracellular vesicles are not only important in haemostasis, but also in the immune response. Platelets are the most numerous blood immune cells. They are also the main source of blood-derived extracellular vesicles. Extracellular vesicles play an important role in intra- and intercellular communication, therefore they can be utilised in diagnosis and treatment. Platelet- and extracellular vesicle-rich plasma is being used for almost three decades in different fields of medicine, especially in surgery, due to its favourable regenerative properties. However, extracellular vesicles are seldom described in clinical studies that consider the platelet-rich plasma. Based on the molecular mechanisms of the healing process, functions of platelets and platelet-derived extracellular vesicles, platelet- and extracellular vesicle-rich plasma offers an important therapeutic solution in different diseases. Application of platelet- and extracellular vesicle-rich plasma is inexpensive and safe, however its preparation requires advanced laboratory skills. An article contains a description of this blood product and reported experiences on its use. We also present our recent advances which are a product of a collaboration of researchers from medical and biomedical fields. This collaboration leads to an advancement in the treatment modalities in different fields of medicine, also otorhinolaryngology and cervicofacial surgery