Optimization of the cosmetic appearance of skin scar after caesarean section - part II physiotherapy practice.

Scar formation is a natural part of the healing process after CS. This process, lasting up to two years, depends on the number of factors including type of incision, wound size, the person's age, body weight, health condition, and many others. Abnormal scarring should not be treated only as a cosmetic defect or superficial tissue defects. Functional and anatomical considerations must also be considered. Large varieties of non-invasive treatment modalities have been used to enhance wound healing and scar treatment. The article proposes a comprehensive approach to scar prevention and remodeling. The role of manual techniques, dry needling, cupping therapy, compression therapy, Kinesio taping, and physical agents is highlighted.

Self-Powered Cascade Bipolar Electrodes with Fluorimetric Readout.

Bipolar electrodes working in a self-powered mode are a basis for the development of easy to use electrochemical-optical sensors, these systems are very promising due to their simplicity and no need of external polarization. However, the self-powered mode can be used only in cases when the redox potential difference of reactions occurring at opposite poles of the electrode is sufficiently high. To overcome this limitation, we propose the development of a system working spontaneously, but involving two bipolar electrodes, forming a cascade system. One of electrodes ("driving" electrode) works in self-powered mode and triggers charge transfer processes in the second ("sensing") bipolar electrode. For the sensing electrode, an electrochemical process of an analyte occurs at one pole, accompanied by a complementary process at the second pole, inducing an optical (fluorimetric) analytical signal. This concept was successfully tested on a model system of a sensing bipolar electrode with a platinum electrode participating in oxidation of an analyte, l-ascorbic acid, connected with electrode coated by poly(3-octylthiophene), where reduction of the polymer results in formation of fluorimetrically active neutral form. As the driving system, bipolar electrodes with zinc wire as one pole, characterized by a low redox potential, were used.

Diastasis recti abdominis - a review of treatment methods.

Diastasis recti abdominis is a condition in which both rectus abdominis muscles disintegrate to the sides, this being ac-companied by the extension of the linea alba tissue and bulging of the abdominal wall. DRA may result in the herniation of the abdominal viscera, but it is not a hernia per se. DRA is common in the female population during pregnancy and in the postpartum period. There is a scant knowledge on the prevalence, risk factors, prevention or management of the abovemen-tioned condition. The aim of this paper is to present the methods of DRA treatment based on the results of recent studies.

Photopolymerized polypyrrole microvessels.

We report on the preparation of water-filled polymer microvessels through the photopolymerization of pyrrole in a water/chloroform emulsion. The resulting structures were characterized by complementary spectroscopic and microscopic techniques, including Raman spectroscopy, XPS, SEM, and TEM. The encapsulation of fluorescent, magnetic, and ionic species within the microvessels has been demonstrated. Confocal microscopy and fluorescence anisotropy measurements revealed that the encapsulated chromophore (Rhodamine 6G) resides within voids in the capsules; however, strong interaction of the dye with polypyrrole results in a measurable decrease in its rotational dynamics. Microvessels loaded with ferrofluid exhibit magnetic properties, and their structures can be directed with an external magnetic field. TEM measurements allowed imaging of individual nanoparticles entrapped within the vessels. The application of Cu(2+)-loaded microvessels as a transducer layer in all-solid-state ion-selective electrodes was also demonstrated.