New molecular targets in Hodgkin and Reed-Sternberg cells.

Recent discoveries shed light on molecular mechanisms responsible for classical Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) development and progression, along with features of Hodgkin - Reed and Sternberg cells (HRS). Here, we summarize current knowledge on characteristic molecular alterations in HL, as well as existing targeted therapies and potential novel treatments for this disease. We discuss the importance of cluster of differentiation molecule 30 (CD30) and the programmed cell death-1 protein (PD-1) and ligands (PD-L1/2), and other molecules involved in immune modulation in HL. We highlight emerging evidence indicating that the altered function of SWI/SNF-type chromatin remodeling complexes, PRC2, and other epigenetic modifiers, contribute to variations in chromatin status, which are typical for HL. We postulate that despite of the existence of plentiful molecular data, the understanding of HL development remains incomplete. We therefore propose research directions involving analysis of reverse signaling in the PD-1/PD-L1 mechanism, chromatin remodeling, and epigenetics-related alterations, in order to identify HL features at the molecular level. Such attempts may lead to the identification of new molecular targets, and thus will likely substantially contribute to the future development of more effective targeted therapies.

Application of ESWT in post-operative treatment in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome - a review.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the potential use of extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) in the post-operative treatment of patients with carpal tunnel syndrome. A body of evidence validates the use of ESWT in various medical areas, mostly in nephrolithiasis, but also in a number of musculoskeletal conditions and in wound healing. Our knowledge about the use of ESWT in carpal tunnel syndrome seems sparse, which combined with a lack of reference values, forms a major limitation of the use of ESWT in this condition.

Intraoperative Complications in an Open Intra-articular Fracture of the Proximal Tibia. A Case Study.

We present the case of a 35-year-old female patient who was professionally active and practised recreational sports. The patient was involved in a traffic accident during which she sustained multiple trauma including an open comminuted intra-articular fracture of the proximal tibial epiphysis. As a consequence of intraoperative complications and 6-year treatment, the patient became a disability pensioner and requires community care.

Immunomodulation on the ocular surface: a review.

The increasing understanding of immune mechanisms changed our perception of the ocular surface, which is now considered a compartment of the common mucosal immune system. It offered the possibility to alter the physiological immune response on the ocular surface and effectively combat inflammation, which impairs stability of the tear film and causes tear hyperosmolarity, causing symptoms of dry eye disease. The paper provides an overview of ocular surface anatomy and physiology, explains the underlying mechanisms of dry eye disease and discusses novel and promising treatment modalities, such as cyclosporine A, biological therapies using autologous serum and various growth factors as well as experimental treatment methods which are currently being investigated.

Gradient composite materials for artificial intervertebral discs.

Composites with the gradient of Young's modulus constitute a new group of biomimetic materials which affect the proper distribution of stresses between the implant and the bone. The aim of this article was to examine the mechanical properties of gradient materials based on carbon fibre-polysulfone composite, and to compare them to the properties of a natural intervertebral disc. Gradient properties were provided by different orientation or volume fraction of carbon fibres in particular layers of composites. The results obtained during in vitro tests displayed a good durability of the gradient materials put under long-term static load. However, the configuration based on a change in the volume fraction of the fibres seems more advantageous than the one based on a change of the fibres' orientation. The materials under study were designed to replace the intervertebral disc. The effect of Young's modulus of the material layers on the stress distribution between the tissue and the implant was analyzed and the biomimetic character of the gradient composites was stated. Unlike gradient materials, the pure polysulfone and the non-gradient composite resulted in the stress concentration in the region of nucleus pulposus, which is highly disadvantageous and does not occur in the stress distribution of natural intervertebral discs.

[Carbon external fixator--CARBOELASTOFIX in treatment of tibia diaphysis fractures]. / Stabilizator weglowy CARBOELASTOFIX w leczeniu zlamaii trzonów kosci piszczelowych.

The authors presents the results of healing status of tibia diaphysis fractures treated with carbon-plate fixator on a group of 12 patients (9 men and 3 women with age between 27 and 89 years). Long-term mechanical investigations and studies at animals, performed at our Department have shown advantages of bone fixation performed with a new device for osteosynthesis, called by authors CARBOELASTOFIX. General principle of the method is the use of external fixation device, made of carbon-epoxide resin composite plates with variable flexibility, enabling hastened fracture healing. The research allowed also to work out the guidelines of indications for surgery, surgical technique and method of modifying flexibility of fixation consistently with fracture healing course. The mean time of observation (from the operation to the healing) was 23 weeks, having 10 good and 2 bad results.

[Correlation between the content of transforming growth factor-beta 1, interleukin-1 beta and collagenase activity in proximal femur bone samples obtained from patients with femoral neck fracture]. / Wzajemne relacje pomiedzy zawartoscia transformujacego czynnika wzrostu-beta 1, interleukiny-1 beta i aktywnoscia kolagenazy w bioptatach kostnych blizszego konca kosci udowej u chorych po zlamaniu szyjki kosci udowej.

The aim of this study was to determine correlations between the content of TGF-beta1, IL-1beta and collagenase activity in bone samples of the femoral neck obtained from patients with femoral neck fracture. The material consisted of 42 samples of cancellous bone of femoral neck collected during hemiarthroplasty or total hip replacement procedure. 24 samples of cancellous bone from patients with osteoarthritis of the hip harvested during total hip replacement served as a control group. The content of TGF-beta1, IL-1beta was measured using ELISA and collagenase activity was measured with spectrofluorometry. In patients with fracture there was found a distinct inversely proportional correlation between the content of TGF-beta1 and IL-1beta. This correlation was not observed in the control group. In addition, a directly proportional relation between the content of TGF-beta1 and IL-1beta was discovered. These results confirm mutual correlations between examined cytokines in bone.

[Evaluation of femoral neck fracture treatment with hemiarthroplasty in elderly patients]. / Ocena wyników leczenia zlaman szyjki kosci udowej endoprotezoplastyka polowicza u chorych w wieku podeszlym.

The authors reviewed the medical records of 457 patients who underwent a hemiarthroplasty procedure for the treatment of displaced femoral neck fracture. The age of the patients ranged from 60 to 103 years (mean age: 83 years). Follow-up evaluation of 331 patients was done 4-114 months post-op (mean follow-up time 52 months). 19 patients (4.2%) died in hospital, 67 patients (14.6%) developed systemic conditions during hospitalisation. 12 months post-op the mortality rate was 15.7%. Mean survival was 36.5 months. According to the Merle d'Aubigne-Postel evaluation system there were 154 satisfactory results (75.9%). Cemented or uncemented implantation techniques had no influence on long term results. 94 patients (4.2%) achieved pre-injury mobility. The reoperation rate was 8.1%. Poor general conditions at admission that postponed surgery and impaired mobility were strong negative prognostic factors.