Retracted: Atomic Absorption Spectrometry Analysis of Trace Elements in Degenerated Intervertebral Disc Tissue.

Medical Science Monitor is retracting the following publication on the basis of duplicated published content. 1) Kubaszewski Ł, Zioła-Frankowska A, Frankowski M, Rogala P, Gasik Z, Kaczmarczyk J, Nowakowski A, Dabrowski M, Labedz W, Miękisiak G, Gasik R. Comparison of trace element concentration in bone and intervertebral disc tissue by atomic absorption spectrometry techniques.

Impact of the oxidative and enzymatic metals in degenerated intervertebral disc disease.

Introduction: The degenerative process of the intervertebral disc is a heterogeneous process that may exist in two forms, and involves dominant degenerative changes within the nucleus pulposus and the annulus fibrosus. In degenerative disc disease, the oxidative stress factor can play an important role.

Objective: The aim of research was to present a new approach to understanding the role of the analyzed elements in the process of degeneration of the intervertebral disc.

Comparison of Bone Tissue Trace Element Content in the Different Radiological Stages of Hip Osteoarthritis.

Bone metabolism and the trace element content associated with it change at each stage of degenerative disease. The aim of this study was to find out about the role of the analyzed elements in different stages of hip osteoarthritis. Elements associated with oxidative and enzymatic processes were analyzed depending on the changes in the radiological images of the hip joint.

Surgical treatment of diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis of cervical spine with dysphagia - Case report.

Introduction: Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis of cervical spine can lead to dysphagia.

Presentation Of Case: A 73-year-old male weighing 110 kg and diagnosed with diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis in cervical spine with dysphagia. Patient manifested local pain of neck, a gradual limitation of spinal mobility.

XUV diagnostic to monitor H-like emission from B, C, N, and O for the W7-X stellarator.

The "C/O Monitor" system for the Wendelstein 7-X (W7-X) stellarator is a dedicated spectrometer with high throughput and high time resolution (order of 1 ms) for fast monitoring of content of low-Z impurities in the plasma. The observed spectral lines are fixed to Lyman-α lines of H-like atoms of carbon (3.4 nm), oxygen (1.

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.

Short-Term Effects of Kinesio Taping® on Electromyographic Characteristics of Paraspinal Muscles, Pain, and Disability in Patients With Lumbar Disk Herniation.

Kinesio taping® (KT) is a therapeutic modality frequently used in the clinical practice for the treatment of various musculoskeletal disorders. It is often applied in patients with chronic low back pain to decrease pain and improve functional capacity. However, it is not known, whether thoracolumbar fascia KT technique can decrease back pain, restore normal activity of paraspinal muscles, and improve functional capacity in patients with lumbar disk herniation (LDH).

Chemometric evaluation of concentrations of trace elements in intervertebral disc tissue in patient with degenerative disc disease.

Background: The work is designed to uncover the pattern of mutual relation among trace elements and epidemiological data in the degenerated intervertebral disk tissue in humans. Hitherto the reason of the degenerative process is not fully understood. Trace elements are the basic components of the biological compound related both its metabolism as well as environmental exposure.

Modified methods for efficiently differentiating human embryonic stem cells into chondrocyte-like cells.

Introduction: Human articular cartilage has a poor regenerative capacity. This often results in the serious joint disease- osteoarthritis (OA) that is characterized by cartilage degradation. An inability to self-repair provided extensive studies on AC regeneration.

Correlations between serum adipocytokine concentrations, disease stage, radiological status and total body fat content in the patients with primary knee osteoarthritis.

Purpose: The study was designed to investigate whether serum concentrations of leptin, resistin and adiponectin in obese and normal-weight patients with primary knee osteoarthritis (OA) correlate with clinical and radiological stages of the disease and percentage of total body fat.

Methods: Seventy-three patients with knee OA, divided into obese and normal-weight groups, were clinically evaluated according to the Knee Society Score (KSS), and radiologically assessed using Kellgren and Lawrence scale. The percentage of total body fat and some anthropometric data were also given.

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.

Treatment of degenerative cervical spondylosis with radiculopathy. Clinical practice guidelines endorsed by The Polish Society of Spinal Surgery.

Introduction: Degenerative cervical spondylosis (DCS) with radiculopathy is the most common indication for cervical spine surgery despite favorable natural history. Advances in spinal surgery in conjunction with difficulties in measuring the outcomes caused the paucity of uniform guidelines for the surgical management of DCS.

Aims: The aim of this paper is to develop guidelines for surgical treatment of DCS.

Treatment of lumbar disc herniation with radiculopathy. Clinical practice guidelines endorsed by The Polish Society of Spinal Surgery.

Introduction: Herniated lumbar disc (HLD) is arguably the most common spinal disorder requiring surgical intervention. Although the term is fairly straightforward, the exact pathology and thus the clinical picture and natural history may vary. Therefore, it is immensely difficult to formulate universal guidelines for surgical treatment.

Application of cell and biomaterial-based tissue engineering methods in the treatment of cartilage, menisci and ligament injuries.

Over 20 years ago it was realized that the traditional methods of the treatment of injuries to joint components: cartilage, menisci and ligaments, did not give satisfactory results and so there is a need of employing novel, more effective therapeutic techniques. Recent advances in molecular biology, biotechnology and polymer science have led to both the experimental and clinical application of various cell types, adapting their culture conditions in order to ensure a directed differentiation of the cells into a desired cell type, and employing non-toxic and non-immunogenic biomaterial in the treatment of knee joint injuries. In the present review the current state of knowledge regarding novel cell sources, in vitro conditions of cell culture and major important biomaterials, both natural and synthetic, used in cartilage, meniscus and ligament repair by tissue engineering techniques are described, and the assets and drawbacks of their clinical application are critically evaluated.

Traumatic brain injury in Poland from 2009-2012: A national study on incidence.

Background: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) remains one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity worldwide. The purpose of this study was to provide data on epidemiology of TBI in Poland during 2009-2012.

Methods: The national data on hospitalizations with TBI as a primary diagnosis was obtained from the National Health Fund of Poland.

Complete twelve month bone remodeling with a bi-phasic injectable bone substitute in benign bone tumors: a prospective pilot study.

Background: Benign primary bone tumors are commonly treated by surgery involving bone grafts or synthetic bone void fillers. Although synthetic bone grafts may provide early mechanical support while minimizing the risk of donor-site morbidity and disease transmission, difficult handling properties and less than optimal transformation to bone have limited their use.

Methods: In a prospective series, patients with benign bone tumors were treated by minimal invasive intervention with a bi-phasic and injectable ceramic bone substitute (CERAMENT™ BONE VOID FILLER, BoneSupport, Sweden) with the hypothesis that open surgery with bone grafting might be avoided.

Bioimaging: An Useful Tool to Monitor Differentiation of Human Embryonic Stem Cells into Chondrocytes.

To improve the recovery of damaged cartilage tissue, pluripotent stem cell-based therapies are being intensively explored. A number of techniques exist that enable monitoring of stem cell differentiation, including immunofluorescence staining. This simple and fast method enables changes to be observed during the differentiation process.

Analysis of trace element in intervertebral disc by Atomic Absorption Spectrometry techniques in degenerative disc disease in the Polish population.

Objective: Although trace elements are regarded crucial and their content has been determined in number of tissue there are only few papers addressing this problem in intervertebral disc in humans. Most of the trace elements are important substrates of enzymes influencing metabolism and senescence process. Others are markers of environmental pollution.

The role of adipocytokines in the pathogenesis of knee joint osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most common causes of musculoskeletal disability in the world. Traditionally, it has been thought that obesity contributes to the development and progression of OA by increased mechanical load of the joint structures. Nevertheless, studies have shown that adipose tissue-derived cytokines (adipocytokines) are a possible link between obesity and OA.

Accuracy of the Free-hand Placement of Pedicle Screws in the Lumbosacral Spine Using a Universal Entry Point: Clinical Validation.

Study Design: Retrospective radiographic study.

Objective: To evaluate the accuracy of the free-hand placement of pedicle screws (PSs) using a new method of localization of entry points.

Summary Of Background Data: The PSs are essential in modern spinal surgery but their placement can be technically demanding.

The role of growth factors in stem cell-directed chondrogenesis: a real hope for damaged cartilage regeneration.

Purpose: The use of stem cells in regenerative medicine offers hope to treat numerous orthopaedic disorders, including articular cartilage defects. Although much research has been carried out on chondrogenesis, this complicated process is still not well understood and much more research is needed. The present review provides an overview of the stages of chondrogenesis and describes the effects of various growth factors, which act during the multiple steps involved in stem cell-directed differentiation towards chondrocytes.