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Rheumatic diseases lead to postural problems, which increase the risk of falls and lead to greater disability. The aim of the present work is to evaluate posture disorders in patients with osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), as well as to evaluate the influence of other factors. A total of 71 subjects were enrolled in this study. Joint position sense (JPS) and the functional assessment of proprioception on a balance platform for both lower limbs were examined. The Average Trace Error (ATE), test time (t), and Average Platform Force Variation (AFV) were calculated. Additionally, an equilibrium test was carried out in the one-legged standing position (Single Leg Stance-SLS). The results were compared in several ways and revealed the following: (1) A JPS of 10° plantar flexion in RA obtained significantly worse results when repeating the movement than OA; the ATEs were significantly lower in RA; and RA needed more support during SLS assessment. (2) RA patients with higher DAS28 had statistically significantly higher values in JPS, with 5° plantar flexion and 10° dorsal flexion, SLS assessment, and stabilometric rates. A statistically significant correlation between DAS28 and RA was found in a JPS of 10° plantar flexion. The VAS ruler demonstrated a significant moderate correlation with t. (3) Patients who experienced at least one fall demonstrated higher JPS and t. Our study shows that proprioception is the most influenced by the nature of the disease and the level of disease activity. We can see that the stability and balance functions are also greatly influenced by the patient's falling experience and the level of pain. These findings may be useful in designing an optimal proprioception-enhancing movement training plan.

We present of rare case of multifocal fibromatosis in a 52 year-old women. In 1996, she was first evaluated for a tumour of the right breast and on the basis of the surgical specimen the extra-abdominal fibromatosis was diagnosed. Four years later, she was reevaluated for the tumor of the right lung, and then in 2001 for the lesion of the right parietal pleura. Microscopic examination of pulmonary and pleural lesions revealed histological pattern almost identical with the breast tumor. The recurrent lesions were located proximally to the primary one.

We evaluated cytograms and tissue sections of nasal polyps and mucosa of 30 patients with chronic allergic and nonallergic rhinitis. We compared them with cytograms and biopsies of 20 asymptomatic persons. We noticed a presence of neutrophils in cytograms and in biopsies of patients with allergic rhinitis and with nonallergic eosinophilic rhinitis. We observed the metaplasia of endothelium in allergic rhinitis, aspirin intolerance and in control group. The obtained data create integral view of alterations on the surface and inside of mucosa. Their analysis permits for correct classification and treatment of rhinitis.

The amount of lead pollution in the environment is increasing proportionally to the development of industry. Lead is capable of damaging the organism in many ways due to its high affinity to various tissues, different enzymes and serum proteins and its tendency to cumulate (1, 14). Acute lead poisoning occurs in people who have had intense, but short-term contact with organic lead compounds (tetraethylolead) used as an antidetonant in motor fuels, or plumbous orthoplumbate (red lead), which is an important component in anticorrosive paints (4, 6). Chronic poisoning by lead and lead salts, which used to occur in printers and workers in battery factories, is now a threat to the whole human population because of the hundreds of thousands of tons of tetraethylolead used as a fuel additive. This substance pollutes not only the atmosphere, but also the soil and the water and because of this, the food (10). The toxic effects of lead on the central and peripheral nervous system and the hematopoetic system is well known (9, 12), Less clear, however, are the toxic effects of this metal on the liver. As of now, there are still different views on the existence of negative effects of lead on the livers of people and animals exposed to this metal. Some researchers found no changes in the liver in cases of long-term contact with lead (3).

Cobalt alloys produced in Poland and meant for orthopedic implants were morphologically and toxicologically evaluated. They were implanted subcutaneously in the para-osseous region of rats' heads. The results of the experimental tests strongly suggest the advisability of a clinical research project (study) on the examined cobalt alloys: Medpol-1 and Medpol-2.