Assessment of the prognostic value of horner syndrome in perinatal brachial plexus palsy.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of Horner syndrome as an indicator of preganglionic injuries of the lower part of the brachial plexus. The study investigated 18 cases of children with perinatal brachial plexus injury and coexistent Horner syndrome. The following data sets were analyzed: the degree of severity of the brachial plexus injury, the results of imaging examinations, the intraoperative view, the kind of operative treatment and the resultant hand function. On the basis of a clinical material analysis, it was established that Horner syndrome accompanying upper and upper-middle brachial plexus injuries has no prognostic importance. In total injuries the presence of this syndrome is not a definite proof of preganglionic injury to the C8-Th1 roots of the spinal nerves.

Ferromagnetic spins interaction in poly(m-p-aniline).

Alternating poly(m-p-aniline) can be oxidized to radical cations with spins S = 1/2. For high spin density, ferromagnetic spin interaction is observed, and some of the generated radical cations are found to be in a ground triplet state.

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF-R) in Dupuytren's disease.

The aim of this paper was to examine participation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF-R) signal pathway in the pathogenesis of Dupuytren's disease. The study showed changes in the ratio of membrane EGF-R to its intracellular level during the different clinical stages of Dupuytren's contracture progression. Our observations of a high ratio of surface to intracellular EGF-R in the palmar aponeurosis of patients with second degree of Dupuytren's disease (Iselin's classification), which was significantly higher than this ratio in control palmar fascia (P=0.022), would suggest that EGF-R has a role in the involutional phase of the disease.

[Absorption of chitosan applied to polyester discs in rats after implantation]. / Wchlanianie chitozanu naniesionego na krazki poliestrowe po implantacji u szczurów.

Experiments have been made on white rats implanting polyester blocks covered with chitosan into the peritoneal cavity and to the abdominal wall skin. Before implantation the material was sterilized with ethylene oxide or radiation. The animals were subjected to autopsy 3, 7, 14, 21, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55 and 60 days after implantation with macroscopic and microscopic evaluation. On the basis of the carried out experiments it was stated that the disintegration of chitosan proceeded not uniformly. The resorption time of chitosan oscillated in the range of 45-60 days and it was accompanied by rather strong specific inflammation process. It was characterized with fibrin effusion and with appearance of multi-flapped neutrocytes. Essential distinctions in the resorption process of depending on the sterilization mean of the blocks as well as on the place of implantation were not stated.