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The aim of the present study was to evaluate the biochemical responses of the skeletal muscle and cardiac tissues of the urban pigeon as a bioindicator organism tested in diverse environments (Szpęgawa as a rural environment and Słupsk as an urban environment, Pomeranian Voivodeship, northern Poland), resulting in changes in the level of lipid peroxidation at the initial and final stages of this process and the activities of Krebs cycle enzymes (succinate dehydrogenase, pyruvate dehydrogenase, isocitrate dehydrogenase, and alfa-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase). Szpęgawa village was chosen due to the intensive use of the European motorway A1 with significant traffic and pollution levels. The concentration of Pb was higher in the soil and feathers of pigeons nesting in the polluted areas (Szpęgawa). Our studies have shown that the presence of lead in soil and feathers of the pigeons resulted in the activation of lipid peroxidation, destabilization and increased activity of lysosomal membranes, and activation of mitochondrial enzymes of the Krebs cycle with energy deficiency (reduction of ATP levels) in cardiac and skeletal muscle tissues simultaneously., (© 2021. The Author(s).)

Pigeons can be successfully used as bioindicators of a contaminated environment. We studied the relationship between the functioning of the pro/antioxidant balance in muscle tissues (skeletal muscle and cardiac tissues) of pigeons (Columba livia f. urbana) living in areas with different levels of pollution (Pomeranian Voivodeship, Northern Poland). The current study demonstrated the impact of the environment with preferential high Pb contamination in soil and feathers of pigeons on the formation of adaptive redox mechanisms in muscle tissues. An increase in the intensity of lipid peroxidation (estimated by the TBARS level) accompanied by enhancement of the oxidative modification of proteins (aldehydic and ketonic derivatives) and an important decrease in the activity of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, and GR) in pigeon muscle tissue was observed. These changes in enzyme activities were dependent on the type of muscle tissue (skeletal muscle and cardiac tissues). Our results confirm the concept of the recalculation of the De Ritis ratio (AsAT/AlAT) in both types of muscles indicating the tendency to cardio- and hepatocellular damage and toxicity caused by heavy metals from the polluted environment.

Introduction: Oral leukoplakia (OL) is the most common potentially malignant lesion of the oral cavity., Aim: The purpose of the study was clinical and epidemiological analysis of patients with OL diagnosed and treated in the Department of Maxillofacial and Oral Surgery, Medical University of Gdansk, comparison of effectiveness of treatment methods, defining whether van der Waal level of OL influences treatment effectiveness, correlation between localization of OL and treatment effectiveness, and defining the optimal OL therapeutic method., Material and Methods: Among 55 911 patients diagnosed and treated in the Department in the years 1999-2009, 204 people with OL were selected (104 women, 100 men, average age: 58.1 years). Treatment and observation period of 6 months was completed by 178 (87.25%) patients. Seventy-four patients were treated with cream containing 0.05% tretinoin. Sixty-three patients underwent cryosurgery, and 41 surgery. Control visits were made in week 2, 4, 6 and 8 and 6 months after completed treatment., Results: Three hundred and twenty lesions of OL were diagnosed. According to van der Waal classification, the largest group of patients was classified into stage I and II. The percentage of totally cured patients was 90.07%. There were no statistic differences in effectiveness between surgical and cryosurgical treatment., Conclusions: Evaluation of OL treatment methods depends on localization of the lesions and its stage of progression. The effectiveness of treatment with locally applied tretinoin is smaller in comparison to surgery and cryosurgery. It allows to reduce the number and size of OL lesions, what makes it possible to reduce the number of ablative procedures.

Extranodal natural killer (NK)/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type, is a rare type of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma with similar presentation to various benign inflammatory diseases. Adequate biopsy is required for a diagnosis because this lymphoma frequently coexists with large amount of necrosis and inflammation. In this study, a case of a 49-year-old woman presenting with a 3-week history of right maxillary alveolar ridge pain with a subsequent diagnosis of periodontitis is described. The patient's clinical condition deteriorated over a period of 6 weeks. Computed tomography delineated involvement of the right maxillary sinus, posterior part of the right pharynx and right nasal cavity. Immunohistopathology initially revealed Wegener's granulomatosis, followed by extranodal nasal-type NK/T-cell lymphoma. Severe refractory periodontitis in a background of Wegener's granulomatosis may be the initial presentation of extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type. In addition to careful examination, radiographic and laboratory testing, multiple large biopsies should be taken for immunohistochemical analysis to obtain an appropriate diagnosis.

Introduction: So far there have been no papers analyzing the incidence of 'non-pathological' lesions or normal variants on the male external genitalia. Subsequently, the number of patients consulted due to the presence of such lesions remains unknown. The aim of the study was to estimate the incidence of normal variants in patients who were consulted due to lesions on the skin or mucosa of the male external genitalia., Material and Methods: The study group consisted of 400 males, aged 3-91, who were consulted due to lesions on the genitalia in the Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology of the Medical University of Gdańsk., Results: The most common lesions were hyperpigmentation of the median raphe of the penis and scrotum (85.6%), pearly penile papules (24%), and prominent veins (24%). Sebaceous hyperplasia or ectopic sebaceous glands were revealed in 9% of patients, respectively. Melanocytic nevi were diagnosed with similar frequency (9.5%), whereas skin tags more rarely (7%). Other 'non-pathological' lesions were diagnosed in a considerably lower number of patients. In 32 patients (8% of all patients) the reason of admission to the Clinic was just the presence of some 'non-pathological' lesions. Pearly penile papules were found to be the most common condition, occurring in 78.1% patients., Conclusions: Normal variants represent a substantial percentage of generally asymptomatic lesions and the only indication for their removal is cosmetic discomfort or venerophobia.

The epidemiology and nature of childhood nail apparatus pathology is not well known. The aim of our study was to investigate the frequency and nature of nail alterations in Polish pediatric patients. Among 1588 patients diagnosed and treated at our clinic due to nail alterations, 82 (5.16%) patients under age 16 were selected. The most frequent (36.59%) diagnosis were variants of normal nails, which were observed in 30 patients. The most common pathology were viral warts (19.51%). Differences in the distribution of onychomycosis and viral warts in children and adults were statistically significant. Onychomycosis was more common in adults (60.39% vs. 9.76%), whereas viral warts were more common in children (19.51% vs. 5.86%; P<0.0001). Melanonychia was diagnosed in one (1.22%) case. Benign and malignant tumors were not observed. In conclusion, distribution of nail apparatus pathology in children is different comparing with adults. In the group of children under 6 years of age, there were mainly variants of normal nails, whereas in older children viral infection and acquired structural disorders were recorded. The risk of nail apparatus malignancy in childhood seems to be extremely low.

Intestinal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury remains associated with high morbidity and mortality. The protective efficacy of the following endothelin (ET) receptor blockers: BQ-123 (ET(A) receptor), BQ-788 (ET(B)); tezosentan (dual ET blocker) was tested against the inhibition of gastrointestinal (GI) motility induced by intestinal I/R. Intestinal Evans blue transit was measured in untreated (UN) rats and animals subjected to skin incision (SI), I/R (1h superior mesenteric artery clamping followed by 2-24h reperfusion) or sham operation (SO). Surgical procedures were conducted under diethyl ether anesthesia. Anesthesia and SI did not affect the GI transit compared to UN rats. In contrast both SO and I/R significantly reduced GI motility, the latter evident at 2-24h of reperfusion. Tezosentan (1-10 mg/kg), BQ-123 and BQ-788 (0.1-1 mg/kg) protected against I/R-induced inhibition of intestinal motility in a time- and dose-dependent manner at the early and late stages of reperfusion. Furthermore tezosentan alleviated the I/R-induced decrease in the contractile response of the longitudinal jejunal smooth muscle strips to carbachol in vitro. The serum ET(1-21) level was increased at 2h but not 24h of reperfusion compared to SO animals and ET(1-21) was higher in tezosentan pretreated rats.

Introduction: The main goal in reconstruction of the full thickness defects of the eyelids after tumour resection is the reconstitution of the tarsal plate as supportive layer of the lid., Aim of Study: We report a simple, one stage reconstruction procedure of repairing the eyelid internal lamella., Method: The chondroperichondrial graft from auricular concha was used to reconstruct the tarsoconjunctival layer in nine patients with surgical defects following excision of skin cancer. Local cutaneous flaps were used to reconstruct the external lamella., Results: All grafts appeared completely without reabsorption, healing of the wounds was rapid. Epithelialization on the perichondrium from the surrounding conjunctiva occurred between 2 and 3 weeks. The functional and aesthetic results were judged as very good in seven patients after reconstruction of the lower eyelid. One patient after reconstruction of the upper eyelid has good result too. The last patient needed secondary very extensive operation because of the tumour recurrence., Conclusions: Conchal chondroperichondrial free graft provides simple, one-stage reconstruction of the lower and upper eyelid. Perichondrium substitutes the conjunctiva in early postoperative period and it makes epithelialization possible.

In this paper we present a case of sclerosing basal cell carcinomas affecting both sides of periocular regions in a 68-years old woman. Neoplastic tissues were surgically removed and the extend of resection was controlled microscopically during the operation. After fixing the remaining palpebral structures to ocular muscles and bones the split-thickness skin grafts were placed at the defects. We planned to perform the second step reconstructive procedures of the eyelids, but we resigned because of unexpectedly good functional nad esthetic results. We present this case because the cancers were long-term, multiple and of a great advancement, the treatment was difficult and the results were very good.

Background: The upper lip is an important esthetic unit of the face and its reconstruction is a big challenge to the dermatosurgeon., Objective: The aim of the paper is to present results of upper lip reconstruction for moderately sized defects with single island subcutaneously pedicled flaps, or in combination with additional local flaps., Methods: Thirteen patients were operated upon mostly for malignant skin neoplasms. Defects of skin only were covered with island flaps planned individually to fit esthetic units of the face. Defects in skin and vermillion were covered with island flaps, and additionally and independently with flaps that reconstructed the vermilion., Results: The healing process was in all the cases but one (partial flap necrosis) free of complications. Follow-up results were also very good functionally and esthetically.

Facial nerve conduction was tested after lip reconstruction from flaps of labial and buccal muscles. The neuromuscular activity in the flaps was maintained. The delay of electrical response was greater in case of buccal flaps than labial flaps. Conduction delay is explained by the authors as result of elongation of the route of the electrical impulse caused by cutting of a part of the rami of the parotid plexus and stretching or compression of nervous rami by the surrounding tissues.

The authors present the evolution of the lower lip reconstruction by labial flaps. Some details of the operation technique and the range of indications for this type of plastic operation have been discussed.

The magnitude of the mouth slit and lower lip in men of the age of 51-70 years has been determined in to order to assign the ground for the estimation of the result of lower lip reconstruction.

A historical review is presented of the methods of lower lip reconstruction in relation to the general trends in reconstructive surgery.