Zygmunt Siedlecki

The Assessment of the Magnitude of Frontal Plane Postural Changes in Breast Cancer Patients After Breast-Conserving Therapy or Mastectomy – Follow-up Results 1 Year After the Surgical Procedure

Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in Polish women. Management of breast cancer includes surgical treatment as well as adjuvant chemotherapy, radiotherapy, hormonal therapy, and combination regimens. One of the adverse consequences of oncological management of breast cancer may involve changes in frontal plane body posture. The objective of the study was to assess the frontal plane body posture changes in women treated for breast cancer. A prospective study including 101 of female breast cancer patients subjected to surgical treatment in the period from October 2011 to October 2012 (mastectomy was performed in 51 cases while breast conserving therapy was administered in the remaining 50 cases). The body posture in the frontal plane was assessed using the computer-assisted postural assessment system with Moiré fringe analysis. No statistically significant differences were observed in pre-operational postural parameters of interest. Exam II revealed highly significant differences in SLA values; results suggesting more pronounced dysfunction were observed in the MAS group. Exam III revealed highly significant differences in PIA, SH, SD and SLA values; results suggesting more pronounced dysfunction were observed in the MAS group. Undesirable postural changes occur both in women who were treated with radical mastectomy and in those who underwent breast-conserving surgery; breast-conserving surgery is associated with decreased severity in postural abnormalities;

Stimulation of the human auditory nerve with optical radiation

A novel, spatially selective method to stimulate cranial nerves has been proposed: contact free stimulation with optical radiation. The radiation source is an infrared pulsed laser. The Case Report is the first report ever that shows that optical stimulation of the auditory nerve is possible in the human. The ethical approach to conduct any measurements or tests in humans requires efficacy and safety studies in animals, which have been conducted in gerbils. This report represents the first step in a translational research project to initiate a paradigm shift in neural interfaces. A patient was selected who required surgical removal of a large meningioma angiomatum WHO I by a planned transcochlear approach. Prior to cochlear ablation by drilling and subsequent tumor resection, the cochlear nerve was stimulated with a pulsed infrared laser at low radiation energies. Stimulation with optical radiation evoked compound action potentials from the human auditory nerve. Stimulation of the auditory nerve with infrared laser pulses is possible in the human inner ear. The finding is an important step for translating results from animal experiments to human and furthers the development of a novel interface that uses optical radiation to stimulate neurons. Additional measurements are required to optimize the stimulation parameters.

Ossification center of the humeral shaft in the human fetus: a CT, digital, and statistical study

PurposeThe knowledge of the development of the humeral shaft ossification center may be useful both in determining the fetal stage and maturity and for detecting congenital disorders, as well. This study was performed to quantitatively examine the humeral shaft ossification center with respect to its linear, planar, and volumetric parameters.Materials and methodUsing methods of CT, digital image analysis, and statistics, the size of the humeral shaft ossification center in 48 spontaneously aborted human fetuses aged 17–30 weeks was studied.ResultsWith no sex differences, the best-fit growth dynamics for the humeral shaft ossification center was modeled by the following functions: y = −78.568 + 34.114 × ln (age) ± 2.160 for its length, y = −12.733 + 5.654 × ln(age) ± 0.515 for its proximal transverse diameter, y = −4.750 + 2.609 × ln (age) ± 0.294 for its middle transverse diameter, y = −10.037 + 4.648 × ln (age) ± 0.560 for its distal transverse diameter, y = −146.601 + 11.237 × age ± 19.907 for its projection surface area, and y = 121.159 + 0.001 × (age)4 ± 102.944 for its volume.ConclusionsWith no sex differences, the ossification center of the humeral shaft grows logarithmically with respect to its length and transverse diameters, linearly with respect to its projection surface area, and fourth-degree polynomially with respect to its volume. The obtained morphometric data of the humeral shaft ossification center are considered normative for respective prenatal weeks and may be of relevance in both the estimation of fetal ages and the ultrasonic diagnostics of congenital defects.

Determination of lormetazepam in tablets using high-performance thin-layer chromatography, high-performance liquid chromatography, and derivative spectrophotometry methods

This study describes the development and validation of some analytical methods as high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC), ultraviolet (UV)–densitometry, UV–high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and derivative spectrophotometry elaborated for the estimation of lormetazepam in pharmaceutical formulations. HPTLC method was performed using silica plates, a mobile phase composed of acetonitrile–water (6:4, v/v), and a densitometric detection at 241 nm. UV–derivative spectrophotometry method was applied, and at first, the direct spectrum was recorded, then first-, second-, and third-derivative spectra were obtained and measured by peak-zero (P-0) or peak-peak (P-P) techniques. Moreover, HPLC method was performed using a Gemini C18 column and isocratic elution mode with a mobile phase composed of acetonitrile–water (65:35, v/v) and delivered at a flow rate of 0.5 mL min−1. In the case of HPTLC analysis, the quantification was achieved with acceptable precision (relative standard deviation [RSD] = 5.39%) and recovery of 98.53%, using a nonlinear calibration curve. For the UV–derivative spectrophotometry method, all derivatives and wavelengths studied proved good linearity, precision (RSD = 2.30–6.13), and recovery (91.17–98.70%). On the other hand, the elaborated HPLC method provided good results of precision (RSD = 2.16%) and recovery of 97.60% in the concentration range of 1.95–62.5 μg mL−1 using linear regression analysis. It was concluded that the best results were found for HPLC method; however, all the developed methods can be considered comparable and successfully applied to the routine quality control of this drug in dosage form.

Dostęp czaszkowo-twarzowy w leczeniu guzów zatok przynosowych z zajęciem przedniego dołu czaszki

Summary Introduction Craniofacial resection is a treatment of choice for paranasal malignant and benign tumors invading the skull base. The aim of the study In this article the authors present the experience in craniofacial resection for malignant tumors invading the anterior skull base. Material and methods The material consisted of four patients operated in the Department of Otolaryngology and Laryngological Oncology CM UMK between 2007 and 2010. The patients were treated for malignant neoplasms of the paranasal sinuses with anterior skull base involvement. The age range of the group were between 60 and 75 years. Of these patients three were females and one male. Results We performed a lateral rhinotomy for laryngological acces for the tumor. The neurosurgeon performed anterior skull base osteotomy at an appropriate site above. The patients recovered uneventfully. The follow up period ranged between 13 and 42 months. The overall 3-year survival for all patients in our series was 66,6%. Conclusions Combined craniofacial resection of tumors of the anterior skull base is an effective approach for the management of these pathologies. This type of approach in elderly patients over 70 years old could be associated with increased mortality and complications leading to poorer outcome.