Characteristics of Al-Si Alloys with High Melting Point Elements for High Pressure Die Casting.

This paper is devoted to the possibility of increasing the mechanical properties (tensile strength, yield strength, elongation and hardness) of high pressure die casting (HPDC) hypoeutectic Al-Si alloys by high melting point elements: chromium, molybdenum, vanadium and tungsten. EN AC-46000 alloy was used as a base alloy. The paper presents the effect of Cr, Mo, V and W on the crystallization process and the microstructure of HPDC aluminum alloy as well as an alloy from the shell mold.

Dermoscopy of Cutaneous Graft-Versus-Host-Disease in Patients After Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation.

Introduction: Progress in the transplant procedure has resulted in a higher proportion of patients with long-term survival after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). Cutaneous graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) occurs often among patients who have undergone allo-HSCT. Routine diagnosis of skin and mucosal lesions is based primarily on clinical evaluation and histopathologic confirmation of skin biopsies.

The Association of SNPs Located in the CDKN2B-AS1 and LPA Genes With Carotid Artery Stenosis and Atherogenic Stroke.

The aim of this project was to assess the prevalence of four selected SNPs rs4977574 and rs7857345 (CDKN2B-AS1 gene) and rs3798220 and rs10455872 polymorphisms (the LPA gene) in the subpopulation of patients with symptomatic and asymptomatic carotid stenosis. This study included 623 individuals (244 patients with symptomatic carotid artery stenosis, 176 patients with asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis and 203 healthy people. All the participants underwent neurological examination, duplex Doppler ultrasound examination and molecular procedures.

Frailty phenotype and the role of levodopa challenge test in geriatric inpatients with mild parkinsonian signs.

Deficiency in dopaminergic system function may be one of the hypothetical reasons of the frailty syndrome but its role still remains unclear. The aim of our study was to assess the frailty phenotype prevalence in geriatric inpatients with mild parkinsonian signs (MPS) and to investigate levodopa test in the frail patients with MPS. We examined 118 participants: 90 with MPS and 28 in control group (without MPS).

Tumor Necrosis Factor-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand-Induced Apoptosis in Prostate Cancer Cells after Treatment with Xanthohumol-A Natural Compound Present in Humulus lupulus L.

TRAIL (tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand) is an endogenous ligand, which plays role in immune surveillance and anti-tumor immunity. It has ability to selectively kill tumor cells showing no toxicity to normal cells. We tested the apoptotic and cytotoxic activities of xanthohumol, a prenylated chalcone found in Humulus lupulus on androgen-sensitive human prostate adenocarcinoma cells (LNCaP) in combination with TRAIL.

Dermoscopy of halo nevus in own observation.

Introduction: Halo nevus (HN) is a rare dermatologic entity characterized by a typical whitish rim encircling the existing melanocytic nevus resembling a halo. The clinical picture is suggesting its diagnosis, but so far only several dermoscopic descriptions of halo nevus have existed in the PubMed database.

Aim: To present the clinical and dermoscopic characteristics of halo nevus observed in dermoscopy.

Dermoscopy of accessory nipples in authors' own study.

Introduction: The accessory nipple (AN) is characterised by its network-like structures, which may suggest the diagnosis of a melanocytic lesion. The knowledge about additional dermoscopic features of AN may greatly minimise the risk of unnecessary surgical excisions.

Aim: To analyse and present different clinical and dermoscopic forms, in which the AN may appear.

Plasma levels of leptin and orexin A in the restrictive type of anorexia nervosa.

Objective: The aim of the study was to analyze the pattern of leptin and orexin A plasma levels in patients with the restrictive type of anorexia nervosa (AN-R), during the course of treatment. Thirty females with AN-R, aged 18.0 ± 1.

Acute and late outcomes of unprotected left main stenting in comparison with surgical revascularization.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to compare the early and late results of percutaneous and surgical revascularization of left main coronary artery stenosis.

Background: Unprotected left main coronary artery (ULMCA) stenting is being investigated as an alternative to bypass surgery.

Methods: We randomly assigned 105 patients with ULMCA stenosis to percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI; 52 patients) or coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG; 53 patients).

[Does coffee drinking influence serum uric acid concentration?].

The drinking of coffee, a commonly used beverage, was a subject of many studies, mainly regarded to coffee influence on cardiovascular system. However, only one study indicates that coffee drinking in male adults may lead to decrease in serum uric acid level. Hyperuricaemia is a risk factor of many diseases.

Does the negative correlation found in breast cancer patients between plasma melatonin and insulin-like growth factor-I concentrations imply the existence of an additional mechanism of oncostatic melatonin influence involved in defense?

Background: Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) is probably involved in promoting both normal and neoplastic cell growth, neoplastic transformation processes, angiogenesis, and neoplasma progression. On the other hand, one possible mechanism of the oncostatic action of melatonin is its influence on the action and/or release of the growth factors that stimulate neoplastic cell growth. Quantitative changes in melatonin and IGF-I, as well as an imbalance between melatonin and IGF-I, may affect the growth of breast cancer cells and exacerbate the disease.