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Copyright of Polimery is the property of Industrial Chemistry Research Institute and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Polimery is the property of Industrial Chemistry Research Institute and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Introduction. Failure to perform surgical repair of varicocele before puberty is among the common causes of male infertility. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the testicular volume and fertility potential in men after laparoscopic varicocelectomy conducted in adolescence due to varicocele and concomitant testicular hypotrophy. Material and methods. From 1996 through 2011, eighty-two adolescents were operated on for unilateral primary varicocele with testicular hypotrophy. Sixty-eight patients were subject to the current analysis. The age of the patients was 13 to 17 years (mean 15.3 years). Clinical diagnosis was established on the basis of andrologic examination and ultrasonography with an assessment of testicular size and varicocele severity. Laparoscopic surgical repair was performed by a transperitoneal approach with division of testicular vein only. Results. An increase in left testicular volume when compared with the contralateral testis was found in 25 (78.1%) young men with clinical grade 2 varicocele (p = 0.02) and in 32 (88.8%) subjects with grade 3 abnormality (p = 0.04). An increase in left testicular volume was found in 46 (85.1%) of 54 patients with unilateral varicocele and in 12 (85.7%) of 14 subjects operated on for bilateral disease. A left testicular volume increase was comparable independent of the use of uni- or bilateral repair. Fifty-eight (85.2%) of our 68 patients had normozoospermia. Conclusions. Laparoscopic varicocele repair resulted in a significant increase of hypotrophic testicular volume in 83.8% of our subjects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. The clinical significance of biochemical recurrence (BCR) after radical prostatectomy (RP) due to prostate cancer (PCa) is not unambiguous, sometimes being independent from the real progression. BCR is followed by a greater risk of adverse events and almost always results with the necessity for implementation of adjuvant therapy (AT). The aim of the following study was to examine the impact of AT in patients with BCR together with PCa progression and mortality 5-years after RP. Material and methods. Two hundred forty-seven patients after RP, who were treated in the period from 1995 to 2009, underwent the retrospective analysis. They were divided into three groups according to the applied AT after prior BCR diagnosis. The first group (n - 39) included patients treated with radiotherapy, along with hormonotherapy. The second group (n - 63) covers patients receiving hormonotherapy only. The third group (n - 145) consists of patients without BCR. Five-year general and disease-specific survival was evaluated and choice prognostic factors were compared. Results. Five-year overall survival was 74.2% in group I, 88.3% in group II, and 98.7% in group III. Diseasespecific survival was: 76.9%, 90.5%, and 100% (p = 0.001), respectively. BCR was diagnosed in 102 (41.5%) patients; while in another 24 (23.5%) of them progression was diagnosed after the AT was applied. Conclusions. The risk of BCR 5-years after RP is greater in patients with high initial concentration of PSA, higher Gleason score, and clinical advancement. Five-year overall and disease-specific survivals are higher among patients after hormonotherapy alone compared to those after both radio- and hormonotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. An evaluation of prostate cancer progression in group 1 (n - 30) with simultaneous prostate cancer (PCa) and premalignant lesions (PL) in comparison with group 2 (n - 159) with prostate cancer alone was carried out. Materials and methods. All patients underwent radical prostatectomy (RP). The assessment consisted of PSA levels, Gleason score (Gs), clinical staging, percentage of multifocal tumors, and tumor volume in both groups. Postoperative follow-up was evaluated: including clinical recurrence and biochemical recurrence (BCR) rate, metastases, and cancer specific deaths. Results. Sixty percent of patients in group 1 had clinically insignificant prostate cancer. Although in this group PSA levels, Gs, and tumor staging were statistically lower. Tumor progression was similar to group 2. A considerably prevalent presence of multifocal tumors in group 1 did not result in their greater volume. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. The increasing number of benign and non-cancerous tumors has resulted in the common use of NSS for the treatment of pT1 tumors. However, this kind of treatment did not reduce the number of unnecessary operations. Material and methods. Two-hundred nineteen patients with pT1 tumors treated with NSS were analyzed retrospectively. The mean time of observation was 77.9 months. The patients were divided into groups depending on tumor size and the degree of cellular differentiation of the tumor - DCTD (according to Fuhrman). Results. Statistical analysis revealed that an increase in tumor diameter accompanied a decrease in the percentage of patients with tumors staged pT1 as well as those graded G1 and G0 (according to Fuhrmann). Mean survival time also decreases. While the percentage of tumors graded G3, those staged pT3, unconventional varieties of renal cell carcinoma (RCC), local recurrence, as well as renal insufficiency all increase together with increases in tumor diameter. Conclusions. In patients with tumors up to 3 cm, the risk of surgical overtreatment increases. In patients with pT1 increases: the risk of unconventional varieties of RCC, cancerous progression, and death along with the increase in the size of the tumor and DCTD. Along with the size of pT1 tumors, a decrease in the number of benign and non-cancerous tumors as well as 5-years survival after NSS is observed. The dynamics of cancerous changes in the tumors up to 2 cm is similar to the dynamics observed in the tumors up to 3 cm, whereas those of 4 cm act similarly as the tumors of 5 cm diameter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. Lower testosterone (T) and higher estrogen (E) concentrations in obese men associated with aggravation, delay of detection, and adequate treatment of prostate carcinoma (PCa) make BMI an independent factor influencing the outcomes of its treatment. The aim of this study was the clinical assessment of the influence of BMI depending on preoperative PSA concentration on PCa progression, continence, and erectile dysfunction in 214 patients after radical retropubic prostatectomy. Material and methods. The group of 214 patients after radical suprapubic prostatectomy was divided into 3 subgroups depending on increasing PSA concentration and into 2 subgroups depending on nerve sparing surgery. The group of 168 patients was divided into 3 subgroups depending on BMI and progression continence and erectile dysfunction were also assessed. Results. Preoperative PSA concentration significantly influences the postoperative Gleason score and PCa progression. BMI does not influence PCa progression. Neither BMI nor preoperative PSA concentration influenced continence and erectile dysfunction in patients after radical suprapubic prostatectomy. Conclusions. 1. Preoperative PSA concentration affects postoperative Gleason score, biochemical recurrence, and metastases, but does not influence continence or erectile function. 2. BMI does not correlate with preoperative PSA concentration, postoperative Gleason score, progression, continence, or erectile function. 3. Radical retropubic prostatectomy with nerve sparing impacts on decreased percentage of continence and erectile dysfunction, but it is not proportional improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Polish Journal of Urology / Urologia Polska is the property of Urologia Polska and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The hydrophobisation of cellulose can be achieved by the treatment of wood fibers with aluminum sulfate and sodium salts of fatty acids. The purpose of the study was to determine the effect of various factors on the resultant hydrophobicity. The investigated variables were fatty acid chemistry and reaction conditions. The hydrophobic property was assessed indirectly by quantifying the wettability of cellulosic material (contact angle) and water retention value (WRV). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Fibres & Textiles in Eastern Europe is the property of Sciendo and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Fibres & Textiles in Eastern Europe is the property of Sciendo and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Purpose: The aim of this study is to present the case of a spontaneous retinal pigment epithelial tear in high myopia., Material and Methods: A 56 years old woman with high myopia (refractive error -10.0D) in both eyes and amblyopia in right eye since childhood, complained of a decrease in left eye vision for one and a half month. Full ophthalmic examination, fundus photography, ultrasound examination and indocyanine green angiography were performed., Results: At first visit BCVA was 5/25 in her left eye. A subretinal hemorrhage accompanied by retinal pigment epithelial tear inferotemporal to the fovea was found in ocular examination. B-scan ultrasound did not revealed any traction at the fovea. 3 months later BCVA was 5/16 OS. The area of the atrophy of RPE--Bruch's membrane--choriocapillaris complex expanded and hyperpigmentation occured above the RPE tear. 3 months later BCVA was 2/50 OS, we observed a dark brown pigment spot surrounded with a subretinal hemorrhage somewhat above the RPE tear. Indocyanine green angiography demonstrated an initial choroidal neovascularization at superotemporal edge of hypertrophic pigment epithelium (Fuch's spot)., Conclusions: A spontaneous RPE tear might be the beginning of Fuchs' spot. A mechanical stress associated with eye movement is transmitted through the thin sclera and Bruch's membrane onto RPE and may cause a tear in its most vulnerable place i.e. at the margin of posterior staphyloma.

The aim of the study was to present current knowledge in the field of combined surgery: phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implantation and pars plana vitrectomy.

Purpose: To present an atypical course of acute posterior multifocal placoid epitheliopathy., Materials and Methods: 59 years-old diabetic man was seen at emergency because of a few days history of blurred vision in his right eye. Ophthalmologic examination revealed patches of blurred margine, multiple, yellowish lesions 1-2 dd in the fundus in both eyes. There were also lesions typical for non proliferative diabetic retinopathy like microaneurysms, dot and blot intraretinal hemorrhages and hard exudates. Optic discs and blood vessels were normal. We found peripheral drusen extending from the equator to the ora serata in both eyes. During 8 months of observation, we performed three times ophthalmologic examination, fluorescein and indocyanine green angiographies, USG A and B. No treatment was given., Conclusions: There is disagreement about the site of origin of placoid lesions, etiology and pathogenesis in acute posterior multifocal placoid epitheliopathy. In our report we agree with thesis, that the choriocapillaris are the primary site of the break. We propose, that different duration of the APMPPE and recurrences are directly proportional to the state and quality of the blood vessels. The possible explanation for longstanding lesions in our patient is diabetic damage of the capillaries in the retina and choroid.

The aim of our study is to present own observations with Eckardt temporary keratoprosthesis, during combined pars plana vitrectomy and corneal transplantation. We operated on two aphakic patients with unclear corneas and retinal detachment--I case, phthisis bulbi after recurrent uveitis--II case. Eckardt temporary keratoprosthesis was sutured to the corneal bed with 4 or 6 Ethilon 10.0 bites, pars plana vitrectomy was performed followed by corneal transplantation and silicone oil tamponade. We obtained good transplant clarity only in the I case, in the II case because of hipotony and persistent contract of silicone oil with cornea, transplant was cloudy and collapsed with small exception in the central area. After 3-rd month we noticed local retinal detachment in the periphery, which was suppressed with laser photocoagulations. We think, that Eckardt temporary keratoprosthesis gives possibility to do vitrectomy in patients with undear cornea, which was in the past impossible. However, combined procedure requires surgical skills in both: anterior and posterior segments of the eye.

Aim of the Study: The aim of our study was to estimate the state of the vitreous body and the vitreoretinal interface in patients with idiopathic macular holes., Material and Methods: We examined 36 patients (41 eyes), 34 women and 2 men aged 65-72 with idiopathic macular holes. State of the hole (classified by Gass) was established on the biomicroscopical examination using Goldmann lens and double aspheric Volk lenses (+60.0, +90.0 D), ultrasonography Compuscan UAB 1000 Storz and fluorescein angiography., Results: We classified stage 2 macular hole in 7 eyes (17%), stage 3 in 28 eyes (68%) and stage 4 in 6 eyes (15%). In the slit lamp examination we revealed partial posterior hyaloid detachment with posterior hyaloid membrane still attached at optic nerve head in 5 eyes, vitreomacular separation in 3 eyes, and vitreofoveal separation of posterior hyaloid membrane with the presence of focal condensation of the posterior hyaloid membrane in front of the fovea--operculum in 11 eyes, in stage 3 macular hole. In 8 eyes we observed lacunaes, and vitreoretinal tractions in 6. Ultrasonography was slightly more effective in revealing vitreomacular and partial PVD separation than biomicroscopical examination. In the case of vtireoretinal tractions or lacunaes, ultrasonography was worse than slit lamp examination., Conclusions: The exact evaluation of condition of the vitreous body and vitreo-retinal relationships are crucial for a further surgical treatment.

Purpose: To check post penetrating keratoplasty (PK) corneal wound healing characteristics after epidermal growth factor (EGF) application and to compare it with controls., Material and Methods: The PK was performed in the group of 72 young, healthy New Zealand rabbits (36 females and 36 males). Slit-lamp examination, tonometry and corneal topography by Tomey's corneal modeling system (TMS-1) were carried out before and after surgery. The PK was performed in both eyes. Half of animals were used as a bilateral donor for the other half, with a rule: right eye cornea to the right eye and left eye cornea to the left eye. As a result, after completed surgery 36 rabbits had bilateral grafts. The animals were divided into 3 equal groups (12 in each). Two drops of the human recombined EGF dissolved in the saline solution with concentration varied from 500 to 1500 ng in each drop were applied to the right eye according to schedule. The left eye was used as a control and did not receive EGF. Time of observation varied from 24 hours to 6 months. The tensinometry and the histopathologic study--light and electron microscopy were performed to determine corneal scarring., Results: The wound healing pattern after PK was characteristic and constant in each group. The corneal wound healing significantly accelerated in the EGF treated group of rabbits compared with the controls (p < 0.05). In the group of rabbits receiving 1000 ng of hrEGF 3 times/day, after two weeks of application we noted increase of the wound strength up to 600 folds, comparing with controls. Well-organized scar was histologically seen on the 21st post-surgery day. The post-operative corneal astigmatism was less expressed in the eyes treated with EGF comparing to controls., Conclusions: These preliminary results of our experimental study indicated accelerated effect on the corneal wound healing after PK with topical, low dose hrEGF application. Clinical observation of utilization of similar low doses of the hrEGF after PK--is in progress.