[The usage of silicone breast implants in the women bodybuilder]. / Stosowanie protez silikonowych piersi u kulturystek.

The immediate improvement of appearance is the reason for the usage of silicone breast implants also by women bodybuilders who take part in competitions. The breast implants are frequently built of an outer silicon cover filled up with half-liquid content. In Europe the implants filled up with silicone gel and saline solution are allowed. The most popular are silicone implants. They contain internal covers and silicone gel of a different consistency--from half-fluid to gelatinous. The surface of the implant may be smooth or with rough surface. The shape may be round or anatomical. Recently has appeared the new sort of anatomical prosthesis from series 510 Dual Gel. The prostheses contain of two kinds of silicone gel of a different level of cohesion. There are four points where the implant can be inserted: an umbilicus, armpits, a surface below a breast and around teat. There is no proof that prostheses increase a risk of cancer. They do not cause an impairment of immune system either. It is cosidered that even after two weeks light weights can be carried. The training of chest is not recommended in six weeks after a surgery.

[The usage of synthol in the body building]. / Stosowanie syntholu w kulturystyce.

Synthol consists usually of oil, benzyl alcohol and lidocain. It consists of 85% of oil (normally it is oil built by medium-length MTC chains because it gives the best effects), 7,5% of lidocain (painkiller), 7,5% of alcohol (to sterilize the mixture). Synthol is a substance used by body builders as a temporary implant which is injected deeply into the muscle. The enlargement effects are immediate. Synthol is used in small groups of muscles to enlarge their volume (for example triceps, biceps, deltoids, muscles of the calf). Some serious drawbacks can be visible while using synthol. The muscles deform and become unnaturally shaped. The side effects of synthol are manifold and they can also cause a damage of nerves, oil embolic of the pulmonary, occlusion of the pulmonary artery, myocardial infarction, cerebral stroke and infectious complications.

Surgical treatment of lower limb ischemia and abdominal aorta aneurysm in a patient suffering from eosinophilic fasciitis.

We report on a 65-year-old woman with typical clinicopathologic features of eosinophilic fasciitis (Shulman syndrome) who suffered from lower limb ischemia and abdominal aorta aneurysm. Physical examination, laboratory data and histopathologic findings confirmed the diagnosis of eosinophilic fasciitis. The patient underwent aorto-bifemoral vascular prosthesis implantation. Tissue reactions associated with eosinophilic fasciitis produced serious disturbances of the implanted graft healing.

[Molecular basics of angiogenesis]. / Molekularne podstawy angiogenezy.

In the article we present the latest knowledge about angiogenesis. We have divided the paper into three main parts, in which the involvement of the extracellular matrix, cells, and cytokines/growth factors in the growth of new blood vessels is described. In brief, the extracellular compartment plays a crucial role in the formation of new vasculature. Degradation of matrix is a very important and precisely controlled process performed mostly by a family of proteins called matrix metallproteinases (MMPs). The extracellular compartment, through the special transmembrane proteins integrins, transmit a wide variety of signals into the cells and thus influence such cell behavior as proliferation, invasion, shape, migration, and maturation. Many products of matrix degradation are potent (mostly negative) regulators of angiogenesis; this self-limiting system prevents excessive proteolysis of the matrix components. The cells involved in the process are endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), which are derived from bone marrow. The major surface antigens of the cells are CD34+, CD133+, and VEGFR2+. It has been demonstrated that EPCs are responsible for maintaining the functional integrity of endothelium. The number of EPCs in peripheral blood samples inversely correlates with cardiovascular risk factors. In the last section of the article the role of cytokines/growth factors is described. VEGF, as a key regulator of the initial steps of angiogenesis, controls the mobilization and incorporation of EPCs into the site of ischemia. The most important cytokine that facilitates the mobilization of EPCs from bone marrow is SDF-1, which is the strongest chemoattractant for EPCs. Ang-1, on the other hand, controls new blood vessel maturation and stabilization.

The baboon syndrome due to nickel.

The "baboon syndrome" is a rare variant of systemic contact dermatitis and is characterized by general exanthema with particular involvement of buttocks and flexures. Here we present a 25-year-old female with contact allergy to nickel, who developed baboon syndrome after systemic administration of this allergen.