Incidence of different types of cancer in the follow-up period after primary diagnosis and treatment of melanoma. Single-centre 4-year follow-up on a population of 709 patients.

Introduction: Follow-up plays a key role in melanoma management, especially in the first years after diagnosis. During this period it is crucial to assess possible recurrence, progression of the disease or treatment complications. An important aspect is also the possibility of formation of new primary foci or other skin cancers. Aim: To assess the coincidence of skin lesions and cancers among the melanoma patients. Material and methods: Patients treated in the Comprehensive Cancer Centre between 2019 and 2022 were retrospectively analysed for occurrence of skin lesions diagnosed during the follow-up, and confirmed by biopsy. The lesions considered included skin cancers, dysplastic nevus and actinic keratosis. Results: In 100 (14%) out of 709 enrolled patients, 184 lesions were diagnosed. In 7 patients it was melanoma, in 49 BCC, and in 16 SCC. Dysplastic nevus and actinic keratosis were excised in 28 and 14 patients, respectively. More than one site of the skin lesion was observed in 39 patients, and more than one type of the lesion in 13 patients. Patients with lesions were on average 8.6 years older (p < 0.001), had less advanced tumours (p = 0.010), and primary melanoma was more often located on the head and neck (p = 0.056). Conclusions: Among melanoma patients, particular attention must be paid to, apart from early detection of melanoma recurrence and progression, the occurrence of new primary foci or independent skin cancers.

Additive manufacturing technologies enabling rapid and interventional production of protective face shields and masks during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is transmitted through respiratory droplets and contact routes, hence the demand for personal protective equipment (PPE) has increased during the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Among the most noticeable shortages was the lack of face shields. The urgent demand for PPE induced interdisciplinary cooperation to overcome the shortages, and additive manufacturing proved to be ideal for the crisis situation. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the possibilities of implementing additive manufacturing technologies in the interventional fabrication of protective face shields for medical staff. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An Ender 3 Pro 3D printer was used to print headbands and Cura 4.4 was chosen as the slicing software. Open source face shield designs were downloaded as standard tessellation language (STL) files and compared. Only models with scientific support were taken under consideration. RESULTS: The mean time for producing the headbands tested ranged from 59 min to almost 3 h, depending on the design. After setting up our low budget printer and choosing the Prusa RC 3 protective face shield as the main product, we were able to fabricate about 30 face shields per week at a cost of about €1 each. During 4 weeks, 126 face shields were produced and delivered to various hospital wards, which substantially eased the shortages. CONCLUSIONS: Additive manufacturing enables immediate responses to needs in emergency situations, and allows for mass production of personal protective equipment in a short time due the rapid exchange of data among printer users. Despite the unregulated legal situation and insufficient scientific evidence, such protective equipment has been approved by clinicians and is currently used by medical personnel around the world.

Overall clinical and trichoscopic analysis performed in patients who underwent pressurized intraperitoneal aerosol chemotherapy (PIPAC) treatment for peritoneal carcinomatosis - initial trial preliminary report.

INTRODUCTION: Cutaneous adverse events are among the remaining problematic issues of current oncology. The term peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) refers to the advanced cancer stage. The innovative treatment of PC includes the use of pressurized intraperitoneal aerosol chemotherapy (PIPAC). AIM: To present a preliminary report from an initial trial aimed at an overall clinical and trichoscopic analysis performed in patients who underwent PIPAC treatment due to PC. MATERIAL AND METHODS: For all steps of this study we obtained the consent of the local bioethics commission #KB 196/2018. Three different hair assessment methods were used in our study: 1) general clinical and patient self-feeling assessment; 2) hair pull test; 3) and trichoscopic analysis. RESULTS: No hair or scalp disorders were noted in the observation period. In the self-feeling test assessment the vast majority recognized their hair as being of comparable quality or even better in quality compared to previous forms of chemotherapy they had undergone. In all patients we observed a reduction of hair loss in the pull test in the hospitalization period. In trichoscopic analysis we found all determinants and signs of hair disorders in the assessed group. CONCLUSIONS: The PIPAC is safe and is not a burdensome or aggressive form of therapy, especially according to the very important factors influencing the potential quality of hair and hair loss. The authors, however, realize that to obtain comprehensive results and evaluate this novel and promising method we need to perform more research without any limitations like those in our study.

Are agricultural and natural sources of bio-products important for modern regenerative medicine? A review.

[b] Abstract Introduction and objectives[/b]. As tissue engineering and regenerative medicine have continued to evolve within the field of biomedicine, the fundamental importance of bio-products has become increasingly apparent. This true not only in cases where they are derived directly from the natural environment, but also when animals and plants are specially bred and cultivated for their production. [b]Objective.[/b] The study aims to present and assess the global influence and importance of selected bio-products in current regenerative medicine via a broad review of the existing literature. In particular, attention is paid to the matrices, substances and grafts created from plants and animals which could potentially be used in experimental and clinical regeneration, or in reconstructive procedures. [b]Summary.[/b] Evolving trends in agriculture are likely to play a key role in the future development of a number of systemic and local medical procedures within tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. This is in addition to the use of bio-products derived from the natural environment which are found to deliver positive results in the treatment of prospective patients.