Rapid prototyping fabrication of soft and oriented polyester scaffolds for axonal guidance.

Biodegradable polyesters have been extensively used for preparation of nerve guidance scaffolds, due to their high biocompatibility and defined degradation periods. However, conventional methods for fabrication of porous polyester scaffolds provide limited control over shape and micro-architecture. Here, a fabrication procedure based on 3D printing was developed to generate highly ordered and anatomically personalized, polyester scaffolds for soft tissue regeneration.

Kinetics of pollutants removal in vertical and horizontal flow constructed wetlands in temperate climate.

This paper reports a comparative study on kinetics of organic matter expressed as BOD and nitrogen removal in constructed wetlands operated in Poland. Analyzed data were collected at eight wetland systems, composed of subsurface flow beds: horizontal flow (HF) and vertical flow (VF), in different number and sequences. The analysis involved particularly mass removal rates (MRR) and first-order removal rate coefficients of BOD and total nitrogen (k and k for VF and HF filters, respectively, and k as a parameter averaged for a temperature of 20 °C).

Long-term operation of Kickuth-type constructed wetland applied to municipal wastewater treatment in temperate climate.

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the problem of changes of effectiveness of Kickuth-type constructed wetland with subsurface flow applied to domestic wastewater treatment. This study is based on an example of a wetland 3000 m in surface, serving 800 inhabitants, located in Poland. The results of chemical analysis showed that after an initial year of 'start-up time', the efficiency of pollutant removal gradually increased to reach an apex in the 6th year of operation.

A simulation study of the energy-efficient options for upgrading and retrofitting a medium-size municipal wastewater treatment plant.

Many municipal wastewater treatment plants are retrofitted with membrane filtration that replaces secondary clarification. Such a solution saves space and improves overall treatment efficiency but at the cost of increased energy consumption and reduced potential for energy recovery from sewage sludge. Thus, the plant takes a step back from reaching energy self-sufficiency.

Ghrelin as a potential blood pressure reducing factor in obese women during weight loss treatment.

Background: In animal models ghrelin reduces cardiac afterload and increases cardiac output via receptors in the cardiovascular system. The aim of our study was to evaluate a potential relationship between weight loss treatment, blood pressure and serum ghrelin concentrations in obese women.

Material And Methods: A group of 37 obese premenopausal women with no previous history of hypertension (BMI: 36.

[The effect of xantham gum on satiety status of obese patients after test meal].

Investigation of soluble fiber-xantham gum on hunger, satiety and epigastric fullness in obese subjects. 21 obese women: age 40.7 +/- 17, BMI 35.

Tilt table testing in obesity.

Introduction: An imbalance between the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems has been indicated in obesity. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the results of tilt table testing (TT) in obese patients.

Methods: 59 patients with simple obesity (F/M: 50/9; BMI: 36.

[Immunomodulation of recurrent urinary tract infections with Urvakol vaccine].

The authors present the results of the URVAKOL vaccine use in clinical practice. The vaccine was administered in the treatment of recurrent cystitis, persistent lower urinary tract infection, chronic pyelonephritis and prostatovesiculitis. The clinical efficacy of the vaccine was assessed by detection of bacteria and leukocytes in the urine, subjective complaints, skin tests and the assessment of selected specific and nonspecific immunity parameters in the urine and saliva.

[Treatment of infertility in nonobstructive azoospermia using the TESE method (testicular sperm extraction)--clinical results].

Sperm was found in 56.6% of TESE cycles in 27 men with non-obstructive azoospermia. Using testicular sperm, 30% oocytes were fertilized.

[Treatment of infertility in non-obstructive azoospermia using the TESE (testicular sperm extraction) method--clinical study].

Testicular sperm extraction (TESE) was performed in 27 men in 30 cycles. All men were examined for genetics, serum hormonal status, biochemical status of semen samples. All men were examined by an urologist.

[Treatment of male infertility after oncologic therapy: preventive autologous sperm preservation versus testicular biopsy and oocyte fertilization with testicular spermatozoa].

The prognosis of oncological therapy of some malignancies is favourable. Unfortunately the majority of young patients remain sterile. Sperm cryopreserved before treatment was successfully used in IVF-ICSI (in vitro fertilization-intracytoplasmic sperm injection) cycles.

Infertility treatment of men with non-obstructive azoospermia.

Male infertility can be treated by several methods with varying degree of success. We present evidence that "open" testicular biopsy is favorable for men suffering from non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA). Moreover, any NOA patient may be subjected to this treatment even though his past histopathological examinations suggest that it is likely no sperm will be found in the testicular tissue.

Biochemical findings in the ejaculate of men with non-obstructive azoospermia.

In men with non-obstructive azoospermia, testicle biopsy can provide isolated sperm which can be used for fertilization of an oocyte. The male seminal plasma was examined for adequate biochemical parameters and then tested as potential diagnostic parameters for prediction of sperm presence in non-obstructive azoospermia. Sperm was obtained by preparation of the testicular tissue.

[Fibrocystic disease of breast and pituitary-thyroid axis function].

The aim this study was to report findings on the concentrations of mean triiodothyroxine (T3), thyroxin (T4), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and prolactin (Prl) in patients with benign mastopathy and in control group. All of the examined subjects were clinically euthyroid. The mean T4 concentrations in women with mastopathy (78.

[Evaluation of thyroid anti-membrane and anti-thyroglobulin antibody determination in patients with thyroid cysts treated with external drainage under ultrasonographic control].

In patients (43 women and 12 men) external open drainage under ultrasonography control was performed. In 25 cases contents of serous nature, in 27 cases of colloid and in 3 cases of suppurative character were obtained. Anti-membrane thyroid antibodies (ATMA) and anti-thyroglobulin antibodies (Tg-Ab tire) were determined in the cyst contents as well as in the serum.

[Transvaginal urethrovesicopexy].

The authors present their own modification of Stamey's operation of female stress incontinence. Using a two-needle applicator of their own design, they introduce by transvaginal punction fibres next to the cervix of the bladder into the epigastrium. By tightening the fibres they elevate the cervix of the bladder.