Aptamers-Diagnostic and Therapeutic Solution in SARS-CoV-2.

The SARS-CoV-2 virus is currently the most serious challenge to global public health. Its emergence has severely disrupted the functioning of health services and the economic and social situation worldwide. Therefore, new diagnostic and therapeutic tools are urgently needed to allow for the early detection of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and appropriate treatment, which is crucial for the effective control of the COVID-19 disease. The ideal solution seems to be the use of aptamers-short fragments of nucleic acids, DNA or RNA-that can bind selected proteins with high specificity and affinity. They can be used in methods that base the reading of the test result on fluorescence phenomena, chemiluminescence, and electrochemical changes. Exploiting the properties of aptamers will enable the introduction of rapid, sensitive, specific, and low-cost tests for the routine diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2. Aptamers are excellent candidates for the development of point-of-care diagnostic devices and are potential therapeutic tools for the treatment of COVID-19. They can effectively block coronavirus activity in multiple fields by binding viral proteins and acting as carriers of therapeutic substances. In this review, we present recent developments in the design of various types of aptasensors to detect and treat the SARS-CoV-2 infection.

[Methods of rapid prototyping in preoperative planning in musculoskeletal reconstructive surgery]. / Metody szybkiego prototypowania w planowaniu przedoperacyjnym w zabiegach chirurgii rekonstrukcyjnej narzadu ruchu.

Rapid Prototyping and CT based 3D modelling implementation in orthopaedic reconstructive surgery is presented in the article. Bone models rendered in SLS (Selective Laser Sintering) were used in pre-operative planning. Physical models were made based on imaging data obtained in standard CT scans. Better pre-planning, surgical team preparation and an insight into possible difficulties are the obvious advantage of the method as well as resulting reduced complication rate. Its clinical applicability was confirmed during surgical procedures.

Total hip arthroplasty through a minimally invasive lateral approach--our experience and early results.

AIMS: Evaluation of: 1. early clinical and radiographic results of total hip arthroplasty (THA) through a standard lateral direct approach, 2. early clinical and radiographic results of THA through a minimal lateral approach, 3. comparison of the results of THA in these two groups. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 120 THAs (60 cementless and 60 cemented) done in 120 patients due to degenerative changes were evaluated prospectively. 60 THAs were done through a minimal lateral approach and constituted a study group. 60 THAs were done through a direct lateral approach and constituted a control group. The mean age of the 120 patients (98 women and 22 men) was 45 y.o. (range: 32-67 y.o.). The duration of follow-up in the study group was from 6 to 12 months (mean: 8.5 months). The duration of follow-up in the control group was from 10 to 16 months (mean: 10.5 months). Mean preoperative functional status of the study group was 44.5 points according to the Harris hip score. Radiographic evaluation of the results was done according to the criteria of the Joint Committee of the Hip Society, AAOS and SICOT. RESULTS: 6 months after THA, clinical results were 92 pts in the study group and 88 pts in the control group. Radiographic outcomes were very good in all 120 patients from both arms: there were no differences between the control and study group. The incidence of complications was similar in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Minimally invasive THA demonstrated its value in the treatment of degenerative changes of the hip joint with regard to short-term outcomes. The clinical and radiographic outcomes were comparable between the standard and minimally invasive approaches. Success with THA using a minimally invasive approach depends on excellent operative technique and experience with standard hip approaches rather than on the use of special instruments.

Internal fixation with bone cement in reconstruction of bone defects due to bone metaseses.

Background. Retrospective evaluation of surgical technique, clinical and radiological results and mechanical sufficiency internal fixation with bone cement in treatment of bone defect due to metastatic lesions. Material and methods. 66 patients treated operatively due to pathologic fractures becuase of the bone metastases. Mean age of the patients was 65,5 y. o. There were 40 women and 26 men. In 53 cases (80%) origin of primary tumor was known. Localisation secondary tumors was as follow: femur - 52 cases, humerus - 13 cases and tibia - 1 case. Bone defects after curettage of metastasis were recunstrucated by bone cement and fixations were made by plate technique - 54 cases or intramedullary nail techique - 12 cases. Evaluation of the mechanical suffifciency of applicated recunstuction techniques in treatment of bone metastatic lesions was made accornig to athors' own scale: grade I - good stabilisation, grade II - fair destabilisation, grade III - advanced destabilisation and grade IV - complete destabilisation. Results. There were 2 deaths in early postoperative period (3%). Mean survial time after surgery was 13 months. In 64 cases excellent or good results were achived: good mechanical fixation and no pain. In left 2 cases partial and complete destabilisation of fixation occurred. Conclusions. Mechanical sufficiency of reconstruction techniques in metastatic bone lesions was good in study group. Incidence of local and systemic complications in study group was 3-time higher than in normal trauma fracture population, because of more sever general health status of patients with advaced neoplastic disease.

[Effect of osteonecrosis on bone density and its management on the results of revision arthroplasty of the hip]. / Wplyw rozleglosci ubytku podloza kostnego i sposobu jego zaopatrzenia na wyniki realloplastyki stawu biodrowego.

128 hips after revision arthroplasty in 115 patients which had been operated in our Ward in 1990-2001 were retrospectively evaluated. There were 99 women and 16 men with mean age: 68.9 years old. The mean time of follow-up was 28.6 months (form 3 to 120 months). In 98 hips there were aseptic loosening of the both elements of the prosthesis, in 13 hips there were aseptic loosening of the stem, in 17 hips there were aseptic loosening of the cup only. Cement total hip rearthroplasty was made in 112 cases and cementless total hip rearthroplasty was made in 16 hips. In presented material there were used the acetabular bone grafts in 114 cases, and the femoral bone grafts in 97 cases--all with allogenic frozen bone grafts. The additional implants were used in 31 cases (meshwork, wire, screw). The bone defects in acetabulum and femoral stem was based on Paprovsky classification. There were good and excellent results in 90% and poor or bad results in 10% according to clinical and radiological evaluation. Mean clinical result was 78.5 p. in Harris Hip Score. The radiological results were poor in 13 hips (according to criterion proposed by joined committee of The Hip Society, SICOT and AAOS). Osteointegration of bone allografts was radiologically confirmed in 81% of cases. Complication rates is 20%. There is no correlation between the type of acetabular or femoral bone defects and results of revision hip arthroplasty. Poor results are correlated with use of SKT or Weller stem. Wagner femoral osteotomy and the lack of bone allografts healing.

[Acetabular bone grafting in primary total hip arthroplasty]. / Uzupelniajaca plastyka kostna panewki w pierwotnej cementowej alloplastyce stawu biodrowego.

A group of 108 hips in 102 patients (81 females and 21 males; average age: 66.9 years) operated at our Centre between 1989 and 1998 was evaluated. There were 76 hips with idiopathic arthritis, 21 hips with rheumatoid arthritis, 2 hips with post-traumatic lesions and 9 cases of dysplastic arthritis of the hip. Cemented total hip arthroplasty was performed in all cases (62 Weller prostheses, 28 Charnley prostheses, 12 Ultima-Straight prostheses and 6 Centrament prostheses). In the presented material three different kinds of bone grafting were performed: "impaction bone grafting" with autogenous cancellous bone grafts in cases of bone cysts and cavitary lesions (57 cases); augmentation of thin sclerotic or protrusive acetabulums with autogenous cancellous bone grafts with or without allogenous cancellous bone grafts (26 and 16 cases respectively); and reconstruction of the roof of the acetabulum with autogenic cortico-cancellous bone grafts 9 cases). In 17% cases autogenous and allogenous bone grafts were used simultaneously and in 83% autogenous bone grafts only were employed. Acetabular bone grafting was necessary to create proper bone substrate for endoprostheses implantation. Evaluation of results was based on criteria proposed by a joint committee of The Hip Society, SICOT and AAOS. A mean of 83.5% points were achieved in the Harris Hip Score. Aseptic loosening was observed in 15 sockets and 9 stems. Bone grafts didn't heal in 25 hips, of which 14 had loose sockets. These results are comparable to those in primary total hip arthroplasties without acetabular bone grafting. The results in the presented paper support the opinion that acetabular bone grafting is a useful tool in reconstructive surgery of the hip and allows to achieve good results in technically difficult acetabuli.