[Histopathological evaluation of orbital tissue encircling intraorbital implant made of glassy carbon and its influence on basic blood parameters in a rabbit]. / Ocena histopatologiczna tkanek oczodolu wokól wszczepu z wegla szklopodobnego oraz podstawowych parametrów krwi u królika.

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study is to present histopathological evaluation of orbital tissue encircling intraorbital implant and to present influence of glassy carbon on blood parameters of rabbits. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We examined 20 rabbits (Oryctolagus Cuniculus) and 2 pigs (Suis Domesticus) with carbon orbital implants. Periodically the experimental animals were killed 5, 20, 35, 60, 100, 150 days after implantation of glassy carbon into the orbit. Encircling tissue was histopathologically examined. The blood was taken to analysis on 0, 5, 20, 35, 60, 100, 150 day after procedure. RESULTS: Histopathological specimens of rabbits did not show intolerance reaction of glassy carbon. Histopathological picture was typical of the "foreign body" reaction. Histopathological pictures of pigs did not show any reaction to implant. There was no deviation in blood parameters. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that intraorbital glassy carbon implants do not induct intolerance reactions to orbital tissues. Glassy carbon implant does not have any influence on basic blood parameters of rabbits.

Cerebral blood flow in Sjögren's syndrome using 99Tcm-HMPAO brain SPET.

Neuropsychiatric disturbances are frequent in connective tissue diseases. Little is known about the cerebral pathophysiology of Sjögren's syndrome, including cerebral blood flow disturbances. 99Tcm-HMPAO brain SPET was performed in 21 Sjögren's syndrome patients. We also studied 77 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and 27 healthy individuals. Our results demonstrate the high rate of alterations in cerebral blood flow in Sjögren's syndrome, both psychoneurologically symptomatic and asymptomatic. Focal interhemispherical perfusion deficits were seen in 17 of 21 patients (80.9%) with Sjögren's syndrome: 13/15 symptomatic (86.6%) and 4/6 asymptomatic (66.6%). These changes were mostly localized in the prefrontal and frontal areas, occipital lobes and occipitoparietal area, and less frequently so in the temporal, parietal and central areas. Diffuse hypoperfusion of the frontal lobes (bilateral hypofrontality) was seen in 29% of patients in the Sjögren's group. An acetazolamide stress test was performed in seven patients. There was an increase in perfusion deficits in two patients, no change in two patients, and hypoperfusion decreased in three patients compared with baseline. The results indicate that most Sjögren's syndrome patients experience alterations in cerebral blood flow that are consistent with systemic lupus erythematosus, with heterogeneous reactivity to acetazolamide-induced hypercapnia. These alterations present as focal perfusion deficits and bilateral diffuse hypoperfusion of the lobes. The mechanism of cerebral blood flow alterations is unknown, although it might be the result of diffuse cerebral vasculitis.

[Prof. Morawiecki: the oculist and outstanding expert in immunology, immunopathology and serology]. / Prof. Jerzy Morawiecki - okulista, wybitny znwca immunologii, immunopathologii i serologii.

Jerzy Morawiecki (1910-1997) was a man with versatile interests. Being an assistant of Professor Wladyslaw Szumowski in the Jagiellonian University he published papers devoted to the history of medicine. After getting his medical degree in 1937 he worked in the Public Health Department in Warsaw under the very well known Ludwik Hirszfeld. There he carried out pioneer studies on the blood groups, the very beginning of a new science - immunology which moulded the scientific interests to which he was faithful for the rest of his life. Under the Nazi occupation of Warsaw he managed to send his paper on blood groups to Switzerland where it was published in 1941. Between 1946 and 1992 he published 18 papers in the field of immunology mainly of the eye. He did pioneer work on the precipitation of antigens and antibodies. The phenomenon of precipitation lines in the cornea is quoted in the literature as the "Morawiecki phenomenon" or as "Morawiecki' lines". He presented the original hypothesis of immunotherapy of intravitreal hemorrhages - the method of acceleration of hemorrhage absorption. The use of Anti-RhD antibodies subsequently became the most effective method of intraocular hemorrhages.

[Effect of working conditions in a china-manufacturing plant on the eye]. / Wplyw warunków pracy w zakladach porcelany stolowej na narzad wzroku.

629 workers of the China Plant "Lubiana" have been examined and divided into 4 groups varying with hazards affecting the sight organ. In groups I and II of those exposed to ceramic dusts and paints, approx. 80% exhibited coniogenic changes in the protective apparatus of the eye and cornea. In groups III and IV, with no permanent and direct exposure to the mentioned hazards, 40% exhibited nonspecific (for that type of ceramic plants) chronic inflammation of the conjunctivae and eyelid margins.