Kazimierz Funk: Polish vitamins' discoverer. / Kazimierz Funk - polski odkrywca witamin.

Kazimierz Funk, born on February 23, 1884, in Warsaw, demonstrated an early inclination toward the field of human physiology. He charted his scientific trajectory within esteemed European scientific institutions, commencing at the age of 16 in Geneva, where he pursued studies in natural sciences. Subsequently, he continued his academic endeavors in Bern, culminating in the attainment of his doctorate in 1904. Following this, Funk relocated to Paris and secured a position at the Pasteur Institute. In France, his research concentrated on elucidating the role of trace elements in the human body. In 1906 he transitioned to Berlin, collaborating with Hermann Fisher (1852-1919) to investigate proteins and cancer processes. In 1910, Funk ventured to London, joining the Lister Institute, where he initiated research on beriberi disease. His investigations led to the isolation of a substance pivotal in treating the ailment, which he termed "vitamin" (derived from 'vita' meaning life and 'amine' indicating a nitrogen-containing compound). Despite four nominations for the Nobel Prize (in 1914, 1925, 1926, and 1946), Kazimierz Funk didn't receive the prestigious accolade. In 1925, at the urging of Dr. Ludwik Rajchman (1881-1965), the director of the National Institute of Hygiene, Funk assumed the directorship of the Biochemistry and Hygiene of Nutrition Branch at the National School of Hygiene. Under Funk's guidance, Poland became the third European country to produce insulin. Kazimierz Funk passed away on November 19, 1967, in New York City, at the age of 83. His significant contributions to the fields of biochemistry and nutrition endure as a testament to his enduring impact on scientific understanding. This proposal aims to condense and emphasise Kazimierz Funk's diverse scientific interests and the various scientific teams and sites he collaborated with, which ultimately led to his groundbreaking discover.

The first identification of nesfatin-1-expressing neurons in the human bed nucleus of the stria terminalis.

Neuropeptides are involved in various brain activities being able to control a wide spectrum of higher mental functions. The purpose of this concise structural investigation was to detect the possible immunoreactivity of the novel multifunctional neuropeptide nesfatin-1 within the human bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST). The BNST is involved in the mechanism of fear learning, integration of stress and reward circuits, and pathogenesis of addiction. Nesfatin-1-expressing neurons were identified for the first time in several regions of the BNST using both immunohistochemical and fluorescent methods. This may implicate a potential contribution of this neuropeptide to the BNST-related mechanisms of stress/reward responses in the human brain.

Feasibility and accuracy of new insertion technique of S1 transpedicular screw. Computed tomography-based morphometric analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To assess feasibility and accuracy of a new insertion technique of S1 transpedicular screw. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Transpedicular stabilization in the first sacral vertebra (S1) is a technically demanding surgical procedure with inherent risk of loosening of the implant. A modification of the technique was recently proposed, along with the analytical verification which was performed based on the available literature. In the study, we performed radiological assessment of screws inserted into the S1 using the classical and modified techniques. METHODS: The analysis was performed in two parts. The first part was performed on eight cadaver specimens after implantation of the screws. In the second part, we used computed tomography images of patients with degenerative disk disease with a superimposed representation of screws. The thickness of the posterior cortex adherent to the screws, screw trajectory and their position with regard to the spinal canal was measured. The area of posterior cortex in contact with the screws was also calculated. RESULTS: The contact length and area was found to be two times greater for screws introduced with the modified technique. The convergence angle was comparable between the techniques, despite the shift of entry point. There was no canal breach, although with the modified technique the screws passed closer to the spinal canal. CONCLUSIONS: The modified technique is considered safe. In this technique, the screws pass through a thicker portion of the posterior cortex compared to the classical technique that aims at improving the stability of the fixation.

Cephalic index in the first three years of life: study of children with normal brain development based on computed tomography.

Cephalic index is a highly useful method for planning surgical procedures, as well as assessing their effectiveness in correcting cranial deformations in children. There are relatively very few studies measuring cephalic index in healthy Caucasian young children. The aim of our study was to develop a classification of current cephalic index for healthy Caucasian children up to 3 years of age with normal brain development, using axial slice computer tomography performed with very thin slices (0.5 mm) resulting in more accurate measurements. 180 healthy infants (83 females and 97 males) were divided into 5 age categories: 0-3, 4-6, 7-12, 13-24, and 25-36 months. The average value of cephalic index in children up to 3 years of age amounted to 81.45 ± 7.06. The index value in case of children under 3 months was 80.19, 4 to 6 months was 81.45, 7 to 12 months was 83.15, in children under 2 years was 81.05, and in children under 3 years was 79.76. Mesocephaly is the dominating skull shape in children. In this study, we formulated a classification of current cephalic indices of children with normal brain development. Our date appears to be of utmost importance in anthropology, anatomy forensic medicine, and genetics.

Study of social awareness regarding body donations for scientific and educational purposes.

BACKGROUND: The basis of teaching anatomy is the understanding of the body's structures using human cadavers. Body donation should be a fully conscious and voluntary act. There is a growing demand for human cadavers in medical universities. To meet these demands, it is necessary to understand the societal awareness regarding body donation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study utilized a proprietary single-choice questionnaire while maintaining the anonymity of the respondents. The study included 1004 individuals, comprising 700 women and 304 men. The analysis employed the Mann-Whitney test, Pearson's chi-squared test with calculation of the Cramer's V coefficient. RESULTS: Among the respondents, 56.37% consider donating their bodies for scientific and educational purposes. Among the concerns associated with donation, fear of lack of proper respect for the remains by students (18.23%), family opposition (16.24%), and religious reasons (9.16%) were highlighted. Non-religious individuals are more inclined to donate their bodies for scientific and educational purposes than religious individuals (p < 0.001). Residents of rural areas and small towns are less likely to consider donating their bodies for scientific and educational purposes than residents of large cities (p = 0.002). As many as 85.76% of respondents believe that human remains are essential for effective anatomy education. CONCLUSIONS: Increasing public awareness of cadaver donation may contribute to increasing the effectiveness of anatomy teaching at medical universities.

Trend change analysis in the assessment of body balance during posture adjustment in reaction to anterior-posterior ground perturbation.

Postural adjustments (PA) occur to counteract predictable perturbations and can be impaired as a result of musculoskeletal and neurological dysfunctions. The most common way to detect PA is through electromyography measurements or center of pressure (COP) position measurements, where analysis in time domain and frequency domain are the most common. Aim of the research was to determine whether a new method of analyzing stabilographic measurements-the COP trend change analysis (TCI) of temporary posture corrections- can expand understanding of changes in balance strategy connected with PA. The study group involved 38 individuals (27women, 11men) aged 23±2.6 years. Measurements were performed using a stabilographic platform placed on a perturbation platform. The tests involved three measurements with forward and backward momentary movements of the platform. Participants were tested in three conditions-knowing the nature, time and direction of perturbation (Tr3), knowing only the nature of perturbation (Tr2) and without any information about the perturbation (Tr1). Statistically significant differences were revealed in the last second of Tr3 for the mean velocity of COP (p<0.05) and for two TCI parameters-TCI_dV (p<0.05) and TCI_dS (p<0.01). The increase in TCI_dV was related to the increase in the mean distance between trend changes (TCI_dS) and constant value of the mean time between trend changes (TCI_dT). The increase of the mean value of TCI_dS was the result of smaller number of posture corrections with the distance 0-2 mm and lager number with the distance 4-6 mm. Obtained results proved that the TCI analysis is a method enabling an extended analysis of PA, indicating the nature of changes occurring in posture corrections-longer momentary jumps of COP-related to a change in the strategy of maintaining balance before a known disorder, which has not been analyzed in this type of research so far.

Anatomical analysis of the radial nerve and arcade of Frohse in the cubital fossa using human cadavers.

BACKGROUND: The radial nerve (RN) is a peripheral nerve that originates from the posterior bundle of the brachial plexus and carries C5-Th1 fibers. In the cubital fossa radial nerve divides into a superficial branch of the radial nerve (SBRN) and a deep branch of the radial nerve (DBRN). Next DBRN enters under the arcade of Frohse (AF) and changes its name to posterior interosseous nerve of antebrachii (PIN). The AF was first described in 1908 by Frohs and Frankel. It is the superior proximal part of the supinator muscle, which can be tendinous or membranous. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eight dissected upper limbs were examined to measure the distances and characteristics of the RN, DBRN, SBRN and AF, utilizing precise electronic caliper. RESULTS: The average distance from the point of branching of the RN into its terminal branches to the AF was 54.64 mm on average. In half of the cases DBRN divided before entering the AF. The average distance from the point of branching of the DBRN to the AF in these cases was 13.88 mm. The width of the AF averaged 8.60 mm. Five tendinous AF and three membranous AF were identified. CONCLUSIONS: A thorough understanding of the anatomy of the radial nerve and its branches in the cubital fossa, as well as the AF, is important for the development of anatomy and may also contribute to the reduction of surgical complications during procedures in this area.

Atrial septum anatomy as a predictor of ischemic neurological episodes in patients with a patent foramen ovale.

BACKGROUND: The correlation between atrial septum anatomy and the risk of ischemic neurological events remains underexplored. AIMS: This study aimed to examine both the functional and anatomical attributes of the atrial septum and identify predictors of stroke and/or transient ischemic attack (TIA) in patients diagnosed with patent foramen ovale (PFO). METHODS: A total of 155 patients diagnosed with PFO, with a cardiological cause of neurological events, were enrolled. Transesophageal echocardiography was utilized to assess the anatomy of the PFO canal, size of the right-to-left shunt, thickness of the primary and secondary atrial septum, presence of atrial septum aneurysm, and anatomical structures of the right atrium. RESULTS: Regression analysis showed that factors such as female sex, hypercholesterolemia, PFO canal width, and a large right-to-left shunt were significantly associated with stroke and/or TIA. Receiver operating characteristic analysis indicated that the width of the PFO canal holds a relatively weak, although significant predictive, value for ischemic neurological episodes (area under the curve = 0.7; P = 0.002). A PFO canal width of 4 mm was associated with 70% sensitivity and 55% specificity for predicting stroke and/or TIA. CONCLUSIONS: The atrial septum's anatomy, especially the dimensions of the PFO canal and the magnitude of the right-to-left shunt, combined with specific demographic and clinical factors, are linked to ischemic neurological incidents in PFO patients.

Clinical significance of knowledge about the structure, function, and impairments of working memory.

A review of contemporary research on the working memory system (WMS) is important, both due to the need to focus the discussion on further necessary investigations on the structure and function of this key part of the human brain, as well as to share this knowledge with clinicians. In our introduction we try to clarify the actual terminology and provide an intuitively understandable model for 3 basic cognitive operations: perception, recognition, imagery, and manipulation of recalled mental images. We emphasize the importance of knowledge of the structure and function of the WMS for the possibility to demonstrate the links between genetic polymorphisms and the prevalence to some mental disorders. We also review current knowledge of working memory dysfunction in the most common diseases and specific clinical situations such as maturation and aging. Finally, we briefly discuss methods for assessment of WMS capacity. This article establishes a kind of compendium of knowledge for clinicians who are not familiar with the structure and operation of the WMS.

Dietary habits and physical activity in students from the Medical University of Silesia in Poland.

BACKGROUND: Some of the major human health problems being confronted in the 21st century are cardiovascular disease, diabetes and obesity. It is recognised that having proper dietary habits (nutritional behaviour) and taking moderate physical exercise seem to be the best methods for reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease. OBJECTIVES: To assess whether the dietary habits and levels of physical activity in first year medical students (freshers) are suitable for preventing cardiovascular disease. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Subjects surveyed were Polish freshers studying medicine, physiotherapy, nursing and midwifery at the Medical University of Silesia in Katowice situated in South Western Poland (n = 239, mean age 19.82 +/- 1.2 years). Assessments, by questionnaire, included daily food intake, frequency of consuming foodstuffs with an adequate nutritional value and evaluating adverse dietary habits. Also considered were students' health, types of physical activity undertaken, or if not, then awareness of the consequences so arising. Statistical analysis was performed by the Chi2 test. RESULTS: These showed that 25% of students did not eat breakfast, 45.6% snacked in between main meals and 25% ate just before bedtime. Only 29% ate fruit and vegetables daily and 12% never had fish. Energy drinks were consumed by 39% of students daily and also 40% daily drank sweetened beverages. Furthermore, 40% of all subjects rated themselves as physically active, among which the highest were physiotherapy students at 70%. Regular physical activity was not considered essential to health by 5% subjects and 22% of nursing students believed that a lack of exercise, despite eating a healthy diet, did not affect health. The main reasons cited for not performing physical exercise were a lack of time (60%) and energy (26%). CONCLUSIONS: Despite being aware of the importance that a proper diet and adequate levels of physical activity confers on health, the students of medicine and related disciplines, nevertheless, did not implement theory into practice.

[Vaccination against Streptococcus pneumonia and knowledge about it in the cardiology and general practitioners patients]. / Szczepienia przeciw Streptococcus pneumoniae i wiedza w tym zakresie pacjentów Poradni Kardiologicznej i Poradni Lekarza Rodzinnego.

UNLABELLED: Streptococcus pneumoniae is a reason of many infectious diseases, from prosy respiratory tract infections to the grave bacterial hematosepsis which often is a cause of patients death. Infection spreads with droplets or sometimes by direct contact. Symptomatic Staphylococcal infections most often unfold as a otitis, sinusitis, broncho-pneumonia and lobal pneumonia or as a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, bronchial asthma aggravation or they can be the cause of many other illnesses like: meningitis and encephalitis, endocarditis, epicarditis, peritonitis, arthritis and hematosepsis. The aim of the study was to evaluate anti-streptococcal vaccinations and to analyze cardiology patients and General Practitioners patients knowledge about Streptococcus pneumoniae. MATERIAL AND METHODS: There were 312 Cardiology and General Practitioners patient's from Outpatients Clinic in Katowice included to the study. Additionally there were national registers analyzed involving anti-streptococcal vaccination and streptococcal infections data from years from 2006 to 2009. Informations about anti-streptococcal vaccination and data evaluating knowledge about streptococcal infections problems were obtained from the poll made especially for this study. RESULTS: Results of the study showed, that patient's knowledge about anti-streptococcal vaccination is very poor. From 312 patients included to the study only 16 were vaccinated and 118 persons had no knowledge about Streptococus pneumoniae. Data from the national registers showed, that in the years 2006-2009 the invasive form of streptococcal infection had similar number of patients - 273 and 274 respectively - in Silesia, 28 and 26 patients respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The knowledge about anti-streptococcal vaccinations is very poor and a number of people vaccinated small. There is the need to provide more information to rise the number of vaccinated persons, especially in the group of increased risk and consequently reduce worker absenteeism in the work and financial loss.

[B hepatitis vaccination evaluated in population of non-medical staff members]. / Szczepienia ochronne przeciw wirusowemu zapaleniu watroby typu B, oceniane w populacji doroslych pacjentów niebedacych pracownikami sluzby zdrowia.

UNLABELLED: Hepatitis belongs to a group of diseases caused by different hepatotropic viruses, which are responsible for inflamation of the liver. The most common form of liver infection is hepatitis B virus (HBV). It is transmitted by blood and other body fluids. The infection can also occur during pregnancy--the fetus contact with mother physiological fluids, direct contact with infected blood, unprotected sexual contact and intravenous administration of drugs using of unsterile needles. Chronic hepatitis B accounts for approximately 80% of liver cancer. HBV constitutes a major epidemiological threat. According to statistical data over 2 billion people worldwide are infected. 60% of patients are non-symptomatic, while 40-50 develop disease symptoms. All this often lead to inflamation, cirrhosis hepatis and hepatocellular carcinoma. HBV vaccinaton presents the only effective way to prevent the disease. Therefore it is extremely important to make people fully aware of the disease. The aim of the study was to evaluate hepatitis virus B vaccination and hepatitis incidence rate in the patients, who are non-medical staff members. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Family Doctor Office and Cardiology Clinic patients were included in the study. The source of data was questionnaire concerning anti-hepatitis B vaccination and hepatitis occurrence. RESULTS: The research was conducted on a group of 312 patient (109 male and 203 female). In this group, 168 people got vaccinated against the hepatitis B (53.84%). 29 patients (9.29%) had little knowledge about such a possibility of immunization, while 17 people (5.44%) knew nothing about the vaccination. The most common reason for vaccination was preventive action (preparation for medical treatment)--83 people (49.40%). Only 10 people (3.20%) from the studied group got infected. The most frequent reason were medical procedures. CONCLUSIONS: In Poland, the number of people vaccinated against B hepatitis is still very low. Therefore it is necessary to run a nationwide informative campaign and to intensify pro-vaccination activities. All this is extremely important for prevention of serious complications such as: liver failure, cirrhosis hepatis and hapatocelluar carcinoma. In the studied group it was medical procedures that became the source of infection. To guard ourselves against such situations in future it is vital to introduce and follow septic and antiseptic regime.

[Vaccination against influenza--recommendations and reality in the assessments of patients of cardiology and family physician center]. / Szczepienia przeciw grypie--zalecenia a rzeczywistosc oceniane wsród pacjentów poradni lekarza rodzinnego i poradni kardiologicznej.

UNLABELLED: Influenza is one of the most common diseases in the world. It occurs seasonally and is a viral disease contracted by a direct contact (respiratory droplets), causing many serious complications. The best way to prevent influenza is to get vaccinated once a year, which is the cheapest and the most effective protection. Research results have confirmed positive effects of influenza vaccination in the group of patients above the age of 65 and under the age of five. The group of high-risk patients comprises people with chronic diseases, especially people suffering from chronic conditions like heart and lung diseases. The aim of the study was to evaluate influenza vaccination and influenza incidence rate. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Family Doctor Office and Cardiology Clinic patients were included to the study The source of data was questionnaire concerning anti-influenza avaccination and influenza occurrence. Another source of the data were records from the National Health Institute, the Public Sanitation Institute and the Warsaw Epidemiological Center. RESULTS: The research was conducted on a group of 312 patients. In this group, 134 people got vaccinated against the seasonal influenza (42.94%). Regular vaccination was declared by 78 patients (58.20%). 29 people had symptoms of influenza. From a group of higher-risk patients above the age of 65, 35 patients got vaccinated (51.47%). In this group only 3 people got ill (8.57%). CONCLUSIONS: According to research, not enough Poles get vaccinated against seasonal influenza. Moreover, not all of them do this regularly. Vaccinated people get ill less frequently than people who have not been vaccinated, which proves the effectiveness of vaccination. There is a need of further informative actions and wide-spread activities in order to increase the number of vaccinated people, especially from a higher risk group, which - based on the latest research results - is significant in a prevention of complications, including the development of acute coronary syndrome.

Computer-assisted preoperative planning of reduction of and osteosynthesis of scapular fracture: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Reports on the use of computer-assisted trauma surgery of comminuted scapula fracture are still quite rare. In this article, we present a case of comminuted scapula fracture, the surgical reconstruction of which was pre-operatively planned using a complex software solution. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For surgical planning of the fracture, we used the TraumaTech software facilitating virtual reconstruction (both manual and automatic), surgery planning, design of the implant, planning of screw placement and lengths, and production of a 3D print model of the fracture and the implant. The software also supported ordering such custom-made plate from a plate producer who was capable of fast and precise production of the plate. RESULTS: The surgery using the custom-ordered plate was successful. The actual used screw lengths did not differ from the planned ones by more than 2 mm. One year after the surgery, the patient was capable of more demanding activities and doing sports activities. CONCLUSION: This approach provides a great way to prevent complications of the surgery and to shorten its duration. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first description of the treatment of a scapula comminuted fracture utilizing computer-assisted preoperative planning.

Impact of percutaneous patent foramen ovale closure on migraine headaches in patients with history of ischemic neurological events.

INTRODUCTION: Observational studies have shown that migraine has been associated with patent foramen ovale (PFO). Whilst studies investigating PFO closure for the treatment of migraine have been neutral, there is some evidence that symptoms of migraine may improve if the PFO was closed after ischemic stroke. AIM: To establish whether closure of PFO in patients with stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) is associated with reduction in the severity of co-existent migraine headaches. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients with ischemic stroke or TIA, PFO suitable for percutaneous closure and migraine, were given migraine severity questionnaires prior to PFO closure. These were followed up at 6 and 12 months after closure with the same questionnaire. The primary endpoint was change in migraine severity using the Migraine Severity Scale (MIGSEV). Migraine episode frequency, disability (using the MIDAS scale), and pain intensity were also assessed. RESULTS: Sixty-two patients were included in the analysis. MIGSEV scores reduced from 7 (7-8) at baseline to 4 (3.25-6) at 6-month follow-up, and 3 (0-4) at 12-month follow-up (p < 0.001). Other measures of migraine headache were also improved at both 6- and 12-month follow-up. Twenty-four (38%) patients were rendered migraine free at 12 months. CONCLUSIONS: PFO closure for stroke or TIA prevention in patients with migraine was associated with a reduction in markers of migraine headache severity.

Early Stage of Atherosclerosis in Aortocoronary Saphenous Vein Grafts: Intravascular Ultrasound Study.

INTRODUCTION: Angiographically visible plaques in patent vein grafts are usually detected years after surgery. Our aim was to examine early plaque formation in vein grafts. METHODS: Bypass angiography and intravascular ultrasonography (IVUS) examination were performed on 77 aortocoronary saphenous vein grafts (SVGs) implanted in 36 patients during the first 2 years after CABG. In each graft, a good quality 25 mm ultrasound image was analyzed. We measured: plaque area, lumen area, external elastic membrane (EEM) area, graft area and wall area. For the comparative assessment of SVGs, the index plaque area/EEM area was calculated. Data were analyzed for the following 4 time periods: I - 0-4 months (22 grafts), II - 5-8 months (23 grafts), III - 9-12 months (19 grafts) and IV - 13-16 months (13 grafts) after CABG. Student's t and Fisher-Snedecor tests were used for the purpose of statistical analysis in this retrospective study. RESULTS: In period I, plaque formation (neointimal) was observed in 10 grafts (45%), with a mean plaque area of 1.59 mm., in 6 grafts (26%) in period II, with a mean plaque area of 1.03 mm. and in 15 grafts (71%) in period III, with a mean plaque area of 1.41 mm., and in all (100%) grafts in period IV, with mean plaque area of 2,3 mm.. Average index plaque area/EEM area in periods I, II, III and IV were 0.12, 0.08, 0.13 and 0.22. We have showed a significant plaque increase between periods II and IV(P=0.038). CONCLUSION: IVUS showed plaque in about 40% of venous grafts during the first year after CABG. Between 13-16 months plaque was visible in all studied grafts.

Biomechanical analysis of the durability of a modified S1 vertebrae transpedicular screws insertion technique.

BACKGROUND: One of the most important elements of the transpedicular screw implantation technique, which enables a strong screw-bone interface, is the precise choice of the site of screw insertion and the screw's trajectory. Due to the complex biomechanics of the lumbosacral interface and different shape of the sacrum, fixation of this segment remains a challenge for surgeons. Because of this, Kubaszewski et al. proposed a modified technique in which the entry point for screw insertion in the S1 vertebra is changed. METHODS: Six human cadaver specimens of the S1 vertebrae were examined. Two transpedicular screws were inserted into the body of each examined vertebra using two implantation methods with different screw entry points and trajectories. The screws were subjected to cyclic preloading, followed by the pull-out test. The ultimate pull-out force, displacement, stiffness, and failure energy were measured. FINDINGS: The average pull-out force obtained for the standard method of implantation was 498 N (SD 201), whereas for the modified technique, it was 1308 N (SD 581). Displacement of the inserted screws in the new method was 36% higher than in the case of the standard method. This method is also characterized by the greater stiffness of the obtained interface and greater failure energy than the normally used technique. INTERPRETATION: The obtained results demonstrate that the use of the new technique of implantation significantly increases the strength of the obtained screw-bone interface. It should also increase the success rate of the performed fixations and increase the safety of such fixations in clinical practice.

Female and male orbit asymmetry: Digital analysis.

BACKGROUND: Standard anthropometric methods applied to measurements of the skull differentials are laden with mistakes stemming from the way the measuring devices are built and from a lack of experience on the part of the researchers. To increase objectivity, digital imaging measurements via computer systems were introduced. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this research was to assess the asymmetry of the male and female orbit with the application of the new graphic methods: raster graphics and vector graphics. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The examination was conducted on 184 well-preserved skulls. The photos were taken by a digital camera with high definition. Orbit asymmetry was examined by determining the distance between the centers of gravity of both orbits and the frontal median line d1 and d2. Then angles α and ß were appointed. They are defined as angles between the line that runs through craniometrical points mf and ek on the right side (angle α) and on the left side (angle ß), and the frontal median line at their crossing point. Distances r2 and r1, which are allocated points between the frontal median lines (LPP), were also set. RESULTS: Angles α and ß were also analyzed while comparing the skulls of both genders. Statistically significant differences were only observed in male skulls. However, differences for both genders were noted in parameters d1 and d2. No statistically significant differences were discovered between men and women for parameters r1 and r2. The groups of women and men were merged, being treated as a population; which resulted in the conclusion that there are no statistically significant differences between these parameters. CONCLUSIONS: The skull's asymmetry connected to gender and the asymmetry of the right and left sides of examined craniums can be used in criminal examinations as well as in facial reconstructive surgeries.

Neointima development in externally stented saphenous vein grafts.

INTRODUCTION: The main limitation of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is rapid neointimal hyperplasia leading to graft failure. AIM: To assess plaque formation in saphenous vein grafts (SVG) covered by an external Dacron stent in comparison with the classical technique. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In the study group vein grafts covered by external stent mesh made of Dacron were implanted. An intravascular ultrasonography (IVUS) study was performed in 35 aorto-coronary SVG covered by an external Dacron stent and in 64 normal SVG during the first year after CABG. In each SVG 25 mm of good quality IVUS image, volumes of lumen, plaque (neointima), outer border of the vein graft (external SVG) and adventitia were calculated in three time periods: 0-130 days, 130-260 days and 260-390 days. RESULTS: Between the first and second time period, lumen volume (mm3) was reduced from 10.33 ±4.4, to 6.80 ±2.23 in the second period and 5.69 ±1.26 in the third one. This effect was much less marked in normal grafts. The corresponding lumen volume (mm3) was: 10.90 ±3.9, 9.15 ±2.94 and 8.92 ±2.93 in consecutive time periods. Plaque volume (mm3) did not change in control grafts during the course of the study, but it increased very significantly in stented grafts from 0.86 ±1.24 in the first period to 2.70 ±1.58 in the second and 3.29 ±2.66 in the third one. CONCLUSIONS: The experimental technique of implanting SVG covered with an external elastic Dacron stent seems to be inferior to traditional ones. This is probably due to the more complicated process of vein implantation and higher micro-injury occurrence during the surgery.