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Main goal of the paper is to present the algorithm serving to solve the heat conduction inverse problem. Authors consider the heat conduction equation with the Riemann-Liouville fractional derivative and with the second and third kind boundary conditions. This type of model with fractional derivative can be used for modelling the heat conduction in porous media. Authors deal with the heat conduction inverse problem, which, in this case, consists in identifying an unknown thermal conductivity coefficient. Measurements of temperature, in selected point of the region, are the input data for investigated inverse problem. Basing on this information, a functional describing the error of approximate solution is created. Minimizing of this functional is necessary to solve the inverse problem. In the presented approach the Ant Colony Optimization (ACO) algorithm is used for minimization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is to present some new and essential facts about group 𝒢 generated by the family of convergent permutations, i.e. the permutations on ℕ preserving the convergence of series of real terms. We prove that there exist permutations preserving the sum of series which do not belong to 𝒢. Additionally, we show that there exists a family G (possessing the cardinality equal to continuum) of groups of permutations on ℕ such that each one of these groups is different than 𝒢 and is composed only from the permutations preserving the sum of series. This result substantially strengthens some old Pleasants’ result.

A major risk associated with surgery, including bone tissue procedures, is surgical site infection. It is one of the most common as well as the most serious complications of modern surgery. A helpful countermeasure against infection is antibiotic therapy. In the present study, a methodology has been developed to obtain clindamycin-modified polymer-ceramic hybrid composite coatings for potential use in bone regenerative therapy. The coatings were prepared using a UV-light photocrosslinking method, and the drug was bound to a polymeric and/or ceramic phase. The sorption capacity of the materials in PBS was evaluated by determining the swelling ability and equilibrium swelling. The influence of the presence of ceramics on the amount of liquid bound was demonstrated. The results were correlated with the rate of drug release measured by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Coatings with higher sorption capacity released the drug more rapidly. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imaging was carried out comparing the surface area of the coatings before and after immersion in PBS, and the proportions of the various elements were also determined using the EDS technique. Changes in surface waviness were observed, and chlorine ions were also determined in the samples before incubation. This proves the presence of the drug in the material. The in vitro tests conducted indicated the release of the drug from the biomaterials. The antimicrobial efficacy of the coatings was tested against Staphylococcus aureus . The most promising material was tested for cytocompatibility (MTT reduction assay) against the mouse fibroblast cell line L929 as well as human osteoblast cells hFOB. It was demonstrated that the coating did not exhibit cytotoxicity. Overall, the results signaled the potential use of the developed polymer-ceramic hybrid coatings as drug carriers for the controlled delivery of clindamycin in bone applications. The studies conducted were the basis for directing samples for further in vivo experiments determining clinical efficacy.

Restoring the structures and functions of tissues along with organs in human bodies is a topic gathering attention nowadays. These issues are widely discussed in the context of regenerative medicine. Excipients/delivery systems play a key role in this topic, guaranteeing a positive impact on the effectiveness of the drugs or therapeutic substances supplied. Advances in materials engineering, particularly in the development of hydrogel biomaterials, have influenced the idea of creating an innovative material that could serve as a carrier for active substances while ensuring biocompatibility and meeting all the stringent requirements imposed on medical materials. This work presents the preparation of a natural polymeric material based on pullulan modified with silymarin, which belongs to the group of flavonoids and derives from a plant called Silybum marianum . Under UV light, matrices with a previously prepared composition were crosslinked. Before proceeding to the next stage of the research, the purity of the composition of the matrices was checked using Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. Incubation tests lasting 19 days were carried out using incubation fluids such as simulated body fluid (SBF), Ringer's solution, and artificial saliva. Changes in pH, electrolytic conductivity, and weight were observed and then used to determine the sorption capacity. During incubation, SBF proved to be the most stable fluid, with a pH level of 7.6-7.8. Sorption tests showed a high sorption capacity of samples incubated in both Ringer's solution and artificial saliva (approximately 350%) and SBF (approximately 300%). After incubation, the surface morphology was analyzed using an optical microscope for samples demonstrating the greatest changes over time. The active substance, silymarin, was released using a water bath, and then the antioxidant capacity was determined using the Folin-Ciocâlteu test. The tests carried out proved that the material produced is active and harmless, which was shown by the incubation analysis. The continuous release of the active ingredient increases the biological value of the biomaterial. The material requires further research, including a more detailed assessment of its balance; however, it demonstrates promising potential for further experiments.

In recent years, a growing demand for biomaterials has been observed, particularly for applications in bone regenerative medicine. Bone tissue engineering (BTE) aims to develop innovative materials and strategies for repairing and regenerating bone defects and injuries. Polysaccharides, due to their biocompatibility, biodegradability as well as bioactivity, have emerged as promising candidates for scaffolds or composite systems in BTE. Polymers combined with bioactive ceramics can support osteointegration. Calcium phosphate (CaP) ceramics can be a broad choice as an inorganic phase that stimulates the formation of new apatite layers. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of composite systems based on selected polysaccharides used in bone tissue engineering, highlighting their synthesis, properties and applications. Moreover, the applicability of the produced biocomposites has been analyzed, as well as new trends in modifying biomaterials and endowing them with new functionalizations. The effects of these composites on the mechanical properties, biocompatibility and osteoconductivity were critically analyzed. This article summarizes the latest manufacturing methods as well as new developments in polysaccharide-based biomaterials for bone and cartilage regeneration applications.

Background: This was an observational study prospectively evaluating the effectiveness and safety of aflibercept/FOLFIRI administered in second-line mCRC per the reimbursement criteria in Poland., Methods: Consecutive mCRC patients who progressed with first-line oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy received aflibercept (4 mg/kg IV) followed by FOLFIRI every 2 weeks until progression or unacceptable toxicity. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS); overall survival (OS) and safety were the secondary endpoints., Results: A total of 93 patients were treated at 17 Polish sites. A median of 10 cycles was administered. Over a median treatment duration of 5.3 months, median PFS and median OS were 8.4 months [95% CI, 6.9-9.9] and 27.0 months [95% CI, 23.9-30.1], respectively. There was no significant impact of primary tumor location, metastatic site, or KRAS status on PFS and OS. Main grade ≥ 3 adverse events were neutropenia (16%), hypertension (8%), diarrhea (4%), and stomatitis (4%)., Conclusions: The benefits/risks of Aflibercept plus FOLFIRI administered per the Polish reimbursement criteria in second-line treatment of mCRC after failure of a prior oxaliplatin-based regimen is confirmed.

The search for the ideal metallic material for an implant is still a difficult challenge for scientists due to the phenomenon of corrosion and the consequent disruption of the implant structure. Prevention is the application of coatings that protect the implant, activate the tissues for faster regeneration, and also prevent inflammation through antibacterial and antiviral effects. The present study focuses on the selection of components for a Ti-6Al-4V alloy coating. These days, researchers are taking an intense interest in extracts of natural origin. It was decided to take a look at Sideritis raeseri , which contains vitamins and valuable elements and is rich in polyphenols, as well as antioxidants. The composition of coatings based on a PEG polymer reinforced with brushite and the S. raeseri extract with the proteins L-carnosine, fibroin, or sericin was developed. The samples were subjected to detailed physiochemical analysis, including potentiometry and electrical conductivity analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, and UV-VIS spectroscopy. The study demonstrated that polyphenols were successfully released from the coatings during incubation in vitro. The osteointegration process can be supported by a number of factors, such as the release of polyphenols from implant coatings to prevent bacterial, viral, and fungal infections. Subjecting the samples to 14 days of incubation demonstrated their interactions with the incubation fluids, an ion exchange between the medium and the materials. An analysis of the surface morphology exhibited the presence of brushite crystals and their increased number after incubation, indicating the bioactivity of the formed coatings.

Targeted therapy represents a real opportunity to improve the health and lives of patients. Developments in this field are confirmed by the fact that the global market for drug carriers was worth nearly $40 million in 2022. For this reason, materials engineering and the development of new drug carrier compositions for targeted therapy has become a key area of research in pharmaceutical drug delivery in recent years. Ceramics, polymers, and metals, as well as composites, are of great interest, as when they are appropriately processed or combined with each other, it is possible to obtain biomaterials for hard tissues, soft tissues, and skin applications. After appropriate modification, these materials can release the drug directly at the site requiring a therapeutic effect. This brief literature review characterizes routes of drug delivery into the body and discusses biomaterials from different groups, options for their modification with clindamycin, an antibiotic used for infections caused by aerobic and anaerobic Gram-positive bacteria, and different methods for the final processing of carriers. Examples of coating materials for skin wound healing, acne therapy, and bone tissue fillers are given. Furthermore, the reasons why the use of antibiotic therapy is crucial for a smooth and successful recovery and the risks of bacterial infections are explained. It was demonstrated that there is no single proven delivery scheme, and that the drug can be successfully released from different carriers depending on the destination.

Coating materials offers an intriguing solution for imparting inert implants with additional bioactive characteristics without changing underlying parameters such as mechanical strength. Metallic implants like endoprostheses or polymeric implants can be coated with a thin layer of bioactive film capable of stimulating bone-forming cells to proliferate or release a drug. However, irrespective of the final implantation site of such a coating biomaterial, it is necessary to conduct detailed mechanical and physicochemical in vitro analyses to determine its likely behavior under biological conditions. In this study, polymeric and composite coatings with hydroxyapatite obtained under UV light underwent incubation tests in four different artificial biological fluids: simulated body fluid (SBF), artificial saliva, Ringer's fluid, and water (as the reference fluid). The potentiometric and conductometric properties, sorption capacity, and degradation rate of the coatings were examined. Furthermore, their hardness, modulus of elasticity, and deformation were determined. It was demonstrated that the coatings remained stable in SBF liquid at a pH value of around 7.4. In artificial saliva, the greatest degradation of the polymer matrix (ranging between 36.19% and 39.79%) and chipping of hydroxyapatite in the composite coatings were observed. Additionally, the effect of ceramics on sorption capacity was determined, with lower capacity noted with higher HA additions. Moreover, the evaluation of surface morphology supported by elemental microanalysis confirmed the appearance of new apatite layers on the surface as a result of incubation in SBF. Ceramics also influenced mechanical aspects, increasing hardness and modulus of elasticity. For the polymer coatings, the value was 11.48 ± 0.61, while for the composite coating with 15% ceramics, it increased more than eightfold to a value of 93.31 ± 11.18 N/mm 2 . Based on the conducted studies, the effect of ceramics on the physicochemical as well as mechanical properties of the materials was determined, and their behavior in various biological fluids was evaluated. However, further studies, especially cytotoxicity analyses, are required to determine the potential use of the coatings as biomaterials.

In an increasingly aging society, there is a growing demand for the development of technology related to tissue regeneration. It involves the development of the appropriate biomaterials whose properties will allow the desired biological response to be obtained. Bioactivity is strongly affected by the proper selection of active ingredients. The aim of this study was to produce bioactive hydrogel materials based on hyaluronic acid and collagen modified by the addition of placenta. These materials were intended for use as dressings, and their physicochemical properties were investigated under simulated biological environmental conditions. The materials were incubated in vitro in different fluids simulating the environment of the human body (e.g., simulated body fluid) and then stored at a temperature close to body temperature. Using an FT-IR spectrophotometer, the functional groups present in the composites were identified. The materials with the added placenta showed an increase in the swelling factor of more than 300%. The results obtained confirmed the potential of using this material as an absorbent dressing. This was indicated by pH and conductometric measurements, sorption, degradation, and surface analysis under an optical microscope. The results of the in vitro biological evaluation confirmed the cytosafety of the tested biomaterials. The tested composites activate monocytes, which may indicate their beneficial properties in the first phases of wound healing. The material proved to be nontoxic and has potential for medical use.

In recent years, significant developments have taken place in scientific fields such as tissue and materials engineering, which allow for the development of new, intelligent biomaterials. An example of such biomaterials is drug delivery systems that release the active substance directly at the site where the therapeutic effect is required. In this research, polymeric materials and ceramic-polymer composites were developed as carriers for the antibiotic clindamycin. The preparation and characterization of biomaterials based on hyaluronic acid, collagen, and nano brushite obtained using the photocrosslinking technique under UV (ultraviolet) light are described. Physical and chemical analyses of the materials obtained were carried out using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and optical microscopy. The sorption capacities were determined and subjected to in vitro incubation in simulated biological environments such as Ringer's solution, simulated body fluid (SBF), phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), and distilled water. The antibiotic release rate was also measured. The study confirmed higher swelling capacity for materials with no addition of a ceramic phase, thus it can be concluded that brushite inhibits the penetration of the liquid medium into the interior of the samples, leading to faster absorption of the liquid medium. In addition, incubation tests confirmed preliminary biocompatibility. No drastic changes in pH values were observed, which suggests that the materials are stable under these conditions. The release rate of the antibiotic from the biomaterial into the incubation medium was determined using high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). The concentration of the antibiotic in the incubation fluid increased steadily following a 14-day incubation in PBS, indicating continuous antibiotic release. Based on the results, it can be concluded that the developed polymeric material demonstrates potential for use as a carrier for the active substance.

Naturally occurring hydroxyapatite (HA) is the mineral phase of bone tissue. It is characterized by its bioactivity toward stimulating bone cells to proliferate and thus form new apatite layers. For this reason, it is a material commonly used in implantology for filling defects or covering implants (such as endoprostheses). There are several methods to obtain synthetic HA, and by controlling parameters such as temperature, pressure or the drying process, physicochemical parameters of the final powder can be affected. In the present study, HA was obtained by wet precipitation technique and subjected to two different drying methods, determining whether this parameter significantly affects the properties of the final material obtained. Analyzed Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) confirmed the presence of functional groups typical for HA. X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) demonstrated that the materials are partially amorphous; however, the only phase was identified in HA. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to evaluate the surface morphology and the density, and average grain diameter was measured. Furthermore, HA powders were subjected to modification with the antibiotic clindamycin to determine the potential for use as a carrier for the active substance. The release rate of the drug was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The differences in the characteristics of the powders were relatively small; however, they affected the rate of drug release from the material as well as the shape of the grains. The method of drying the powders was shown to affect the shape of the grains, as well as the porosity of the sinters prepared from it. A higher amount of clindamycin released into PBS was observed in material with more pores. The materials have demonstrated the potential to be used as a carrier for the active substance; however, further biological, as well as physicochemical, analysis is required.

Anti-EGFR antibodies combined with chemotherapy doublets are a cornerstone of the upfront treatment of colorectal cancer. RAS and BRAF mutations are established negative predictive factors for such therapy. The primary tumour located in the proximal colon has recently emerged as another negative predictive factor. We have conducted a retrospective multicentre study to collect data on real-world population characteristics, practice patterns, and outcomes in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer treated in a first-line setting with either cetuximab or panitumumab in combination with either FOLFOX or FOLFIRI chemotherapy. The presented analysis focuses on the impact of the primary tumour location. 126 of 842 patients analysed (15.0%) had proximal primary. It was associated with a lower BMI at diagnosis, mucinous histology, and peritoneal metastases. It was also associated with inferior treatment outcomes in terms of response ratio: 59.4% vs. 74.22% (odds ratio [OR] 0.51, 95% CI 0.33-0.78, p = 0.010), and median depth of response: -36.7% vs. -50.0% ( p = 0.038). There was only a borderline non-significant trend for inferior PFS in patients with proximal tumours. OS data was incomplete. The presented analysis confirms the negative impact of tumour sidedness on the efficacy of an upfront anti-EGFR-chemotherapy combination and provides valuable data on real-world population characteristics.

Bioactive calcium phosphate ceramics (CaPs) are one of the building components of the inorganic part of bones. Synthetic CaPs are frequently used as materials for filling bone defects in the form of pastes or composites; however, their porous structure allows modification with active substances and, thus, subsequent use as a drug carrier for the controlled release of active substances. In this study, four different ceramic powders were compared: commercial hydroxyapatite (HA), TCP, brushite, as well as HA obtained by wet precipitation methods. The ceramic powders were subjected to physicochemical analysis, including FTIR, XRD, and determination of Ca/P molar ratio or porosity. These techniques confirmed that the materials were phase-pure, and the molar ratios of calcium and phosphorus elements were in accordance with the literature. This confirmed the validity of the selected synthesis methods. CaPs were then modified with the antibiotic clindamycin. Drug release was determined on HPLC, and antimicrobial properties were tested against Staphylococcus aureus . The specific surface area of the ceramic has been demonstrated to be a factor in drug release efficiency.

Conventional intake of drugs and active substances is most often based on oral intake of an appropriate dose to achieve the desired effect in the affected area or source of pain. In this case, controlling their distribution in the body is difficult, as the substance also reaches other tissues. This phenomenon results in the occurrence of side effects and the need to increase the concentration of the therapeutic substance to ensure it has the desired effect. The scientific field of tissue engineering proposes a solution to this problem, which creates the possibility of designing intelligent systems for delivering active substances precisely to the site of disease conversion. The following review discusses significant current research strategies as well as examples of polymeric and composite carriers for protein and non-protein biomolecules designed for bone tissue regeneration.

In recent times, fractional calculus has gained popularity in various types of engineering applications. Very often, the mathematical model describing a given phenomenon consists of a differential equation with a fractional derivative. As numerous studies present, the use of the fractional derivative instead of the classical derivative allows for more accurate modeling of some processes. A numerical solution of anomalous heat conduction equation with Riemann-Liouville fractional derivative over space is presented in this paper. First, a differential scheme is provided to solve the direct problem. Then, the inverse problem is considered, which consists in identifying model parameters such as: thermal conductivity, order of derivative and heat transfer. Data on the basis of which the inverse problem is solved are the temperature values on the right boundary of the considered space. To solve the problem a functional describing the error of the solution is created. By determining the minimum of this functional, unknown parameters of the model are identified. In order to find a solution, selected heuristic algorithms are presented and compared. The following meta-heuristic algorithms are described and used in the paper: Ant Colony Optimization (ACO) for continous function, Butterfly Optimization Algorithm (BOA), Dynamic Butterfly Optimization Algorithm (DBOA) and Aquila Optimize (AO). The accuracy of the presented algorithms is illustrated by examples.

The knowledge of interactions between different molecules is undoubtedly the driving force of all contemporary biomedical and biological sciences. Chemical biology/biological chemistry has become an important multidisciplinary bridge connecting the perspectives of chemistry and biology to the study of small molecules/peptidomimetics and their interactions in biological systems. Advances in structural biology research, in particular linking atomic structure to molecular properties and cellular context, are essential for the sophisticated design of new medicines that exhibit a high degree of druggability and very importantly, druglikeness. The authors of this contribution are outstanding scientists in the field who provided a brief overview of their work, which is arranged from in silico investigation through the characterization of interactions of compounds with biomolecules to bioactive materials.

In order to obtain optimized elementary devices (photovoltaic modules, power transistors for energy efficiency, high-efficiency sensors) it is necessary to increase the energy conversion efficiency of these devices. A very effective approach to achieving this goal is to increase the absorption of incident radiation. A promising strategy to increase this absorption is to use very thin regions of active material and trap photons near these surfaces. The most effective and cost-effective method of achieving such optical entrapment is the Raman scattering from excited nanoparticles at the plasmonic resonance. The field of plasmonics is the study of the exploitation of appropriate layers of metal nanoparticles to increase the intensity of radiation in the semiconductor by means of near-field effects produced by nanoparticles. In this paper, we focus on the use of metal nanoparticles as plasmonic nanosensors with extremely high sensitivity, even reaching single-molecule detection. The study conducted in this paper was used to optimize the performance of a prototype of a plasmonic photovoltaic cell made at the Institute for Microelectronics and Microsystems IMM of Catania, Italy. This prototype was based on a multilayer structure composed of the following layers: glass, AZO, metal and dielectric. In order to obtain good results, it is necessary to use geometries that orthogonalize the absorption of light, allowing better transport of the photocarriers-and therefore greater efficiency-or the use of less pure materials. For this reason, this study is focused on optimizing the geometries of these multilayer plasmonic structures. More specifically, in this paper, by means of a neurocomputing procedure and an electromagnetic fields analysis performed by the finite elements method (FEM), we established the relationship between the thicknesses of Aluminum-doped Zinc oxide (AZO), metal, dielectric and their main properties, characterizing the plasmonic propagation phenomena as the optimal wavelengths values at the main interfaces AZO/METAL and METAL/DIELECTRIC.

In recent times, many different types of systems have been based on fractional derivatives. Thanks to this type of derivatives, it is possible to model certain phenomena in a more precise and desirable way. This article presents a system consisting of a two-dimensional fractional differential equation with the Riemann-Liouville derivative with a numerical algorithm for its solution. The presented algorithm uses the alternating direction implicit method (ADIM). Further, the algorithm for solving the inverse problem consisting of the determination of unknown parameters of the model is also described. For this purpose, the objective function was minimized using the ant algorithm and the Hooke-Jeeves method. Inverse problems with fractional derivatives are important in many engineering applications, such as modeling the phenomenon of anomalous diffusion, designing electrical circuits with a supercapacitor, and application of fractional-order control theory. This paper presents a numerical example illustrating the effectiveness and accuracy of the described methods. The introduction of the example made possible a comparison of the methods of searching for the minimum of the objective function. The presented algorithms can be used as a tool for parameter training in artificial neural networks.

In the present work, hydroxyapatite-polymer materials were developed. The preparation, as well as characterization of the ceramic-polymer composites based on polyvinylpyrrolidone, sodium alginate, and gelatin were described. The system was enriched with the addition of common sage extract ( Salvia officinalis ). The antioxidant potential of sage aqueous extract and total polyphenol content was determined. The antioxidant capacity and total phenolic content of extract were equal to 86.06 ± 0.49% and 16.21 ± 0.58 mg gallic acid equivalents per gram of dry weight, respectively. Incubation studies in selected biological liquids were carried out to determine the biomineralization capacity on the surface of the composites and to examine the kinetics of release of the active substances from within the material. As a result of the incubation, a gradual release of the extract over time from the polymer matrix was observed; moreover, the appearance of new apatite layers on the composite surface was recorded as early as after 14 days, which was also confirmed by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) microanalysis. The composites were analyzed with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) spectroscopy, and the morphology was recorded by scanning electron microscope (SEM) imaging. The in vitro biological studies allowed their cytotoxic effect on the reference L929 fibroblasts to be excluded. Further analysis of the biomaterials showed that enrichment with polyphenols does not support the adhesion of L929 cells to the surface of the material. However, the addition of these natural components stimulates human monocytes that constitute the first step of tissue regeneration.

In this research, we synthesize and characterize poly(glycerol sebacate) pre-polymer (pPGS) ( 1 H NMR, FTiR, GPC, and TGA). Nano-hydroxyapatite (HAp) is synthesized using the wet precipitation method. Next, the materials are used to prepare a PGS-based composite with a 25 wt.% addition of HAp. Microporous composites are formed by means of thermally induced phase separation (TIPS) followed by thermal cross-linking (TCL) and salt leaching (SL). The manufactured microporous materials (PGS and PGS/HAp) are then subjected to imaging by means of SEM and µCT for the porous structure characterization. DSC, TGA, and water contact angle measurements are used for further evaluation of the materials. To assess the cytocompatibility and biological potential of PGS-based composites, preosteoblasts and differentiated hFOB 1.19 osteoblasts are employed as in vitro models. Apart from the cytocompatibility, the scaffolds supported cell adhesion and were readily populated by the hFOB1.19 preosteoblasts. HAp-facilitated scaffolds displayed osteoconductive properties, supporting the terminal differentiation of osteoblasts as indicated by the production of alkaline phosphatase, osteocalcin and osteopontin. Notably, the PGS/HAp scaffolds induced the production of significant amounts of osteoclastogenic cytokines: IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α, which induced scaffold remodeling and promoted the reconstruction of bone tissue. Initial biocompatibility tests showed no signs of adverse effects of PGS-based scaffolds toward adult BALB/c mice.

Hydroxyapatite (HAp) is a bioactive ceramic with great potential for the regeneration of the skeletal system. However, its mechanical properties, especially its brittleness, limit its application. Therefore, in order to increase its ability to transmit stresses, it can be combined with a polymer phase, which increases its strength without eliminating the important aspect of bioactivity. The presented work focuses on obtaining organic-inorganic hydrogel materials based on whey protein isolate (WPI) reinforced with nano-HAp powder. The proportion of the ceramic phase was in the range of 0-15%. Firstly, a physicochemical analysis of the materials was performed using XRD, FT-IR and SEM. The hydrogel composites were subjected to swelling capacity measurements, potentiometric and conductivity analysis, and in vitro tests in four liquids: distilled water, Ringer's fluid, artificial saliva, and simulated body fluid (SBF). The incubation results demonstrated the successful formation of new layers of apatite as a result of the interaction with the fluids. Additionally, the influence of the materials on the metabolic activity according to ISO 10993-5:2009 was evaluated by identifying direct contact cytotoxicity towards L-929 mouse fibroblasts, which served as a reference. Moreover, the stimulation of monocytes by hydrogels via the induction of nuclear factor (NF)-κB was investigated. The WPI/HAp composite hydrogels presented in this study therefore show great potential for use as novel bone substitutes.

Regenerative medicine is becoming a rapidly evolving technique in today's biomedical progress scenario. Scientists around the world suggest the use of naturally synthesized biomaterials to repair and heal damaged cells. Hydroxyapatite (HAp) has the potential to replace drugs in biomedical engineering and regenerative drugs. HAp is easily biodegradable, biocompatible, and correlated with macromolecules, which facilitates their incorporation into inorganic materials. This review article provides extensive knowledge on HAp and collagen-containing compositions modified with drugs, bioactive components, metals, and selected nanoparticles. Such compositions consisting of HAp and collagen modified with various additives are used in a variety of biomedical applications such as bone tissue engineering, vascular transplantation, cartilage, and other implantable biomedical devices.

This study involves the synthesis of hydroxyapatite and describes the preparation and characterization of polymer coatings based on poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate and poly(ethylene glycol) and modified with bovine serum albumin and hydroxyapatite. Hydroxyapatite was obtained by wet chemical synthesis and characterized by X-ray diffraction and FTIR spectroscopy, and its Ca/P molar ratio was determined (1.69 ± 0.08). The ceramic and bovine serum albumin were used in the preparation of composite materials with the polymeric matrix. The chemical composition of coatings was characterized with FTIR spectroscopy, and their morphology was recorded with SEM imaging. Moreover, the measurements of surface roughness parameters and stereometric research were performed. The prepared coatings were subjected to in vitro studies in simulated body fluid and artificial saliva. Changes in chemical composition and morphology after immersion were examined with FTIR spectroscopy and SEM imaging. Based on the conducted research, it can be stated that applied modifiers promote the biomineralization process. The roughness analysis confirmed prepared materials were characterized by the micrometer-scale topography. The materials morphology and roughness, and the morphology of the newly formed apatite deposit, were dependent on the type of the used modifier, and the artificial fluid used in in vitro studies.

This paper presents the algorithms for solving the inverse problems on models with the fractional derivative. The presented algorithm is based on the Real Ant Colony Optimization algorithm. In this paper, the examples of the algorithm application for the inverse heat conduction problem on the model with the fractional derivative of the Caputo type is also presented. Based on those examples, the authors are comparing the proposed algorithm with the iteration method presented in the paper: Zhang, Z. An undetermined coefficient problem for a fractional diffusion equation. Inverse Probl. 2016, 32 .

Introduction: Recent studies have shown that the presence of systemic inflammation correlates with worse outcomes in many types of cancers. The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) have been proposed as indicators of systemic inflammatory response. The aim of the study was to assess the prognostic value of NLR and PLR before starting chemotherapy among patients with newly diagnosed ovarian cancer., Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of medical documentation of 315 patients with newly diagnosed epithelial ovarian cancer, treated in Maria Skłodowska-Curie Memorial Cancer Center and Institute of Oncology, Gliwice Branch, between 2007 and 2013. 31 (12.1%) patients had metastatic disease at the time of diagnosis. Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curves for progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) prediction were plotted to verify cut-off points for NLR and PLR. PFS and OS were analysed for correlation with NLR and PLR, using the Cox regression model. Other potential prognostic variables included in multivariate analysis were: patient's age at diagnosis (<65 vs ≥65 years), Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (ECOG-PS) ≥2, FIGO stage of the disease and baseline Ca-125 level., Results: In multivariate analysis, higher pretreatment NLR (p=0.002), poor ECOG-PS (p=0.0002), higher disease stage (p<0.0001) and baseline Ca-125 (p=0.03) level were independent negative prognostic factors for PFS. However, only ECOG-PS ≥2 (p<0.0001), high stage of the disease (p<0.0001) and high baseline Ca-125 level (p=0.0003) were independent negative prognostic factors for OS., Conclusions: Advanced stage of the disease with high Ca-125 level and poor patient performance status are the most important prognostic factors in ovarian cancer. Higher pretreatment value of NLR was an independent negative prognostic factor for PFS, with no significant impact on OS., Competing Interests: Conflicts of Interest: None declared.

Aim of the Study: The presence of BRCA germline mutations in patients with ovarian cancer has been shown to have predictive and prognostic significance, including increased platinum-sensitivity. The aim of the study was to evaluate if patients with BRCA1-associated ovarian cancer have more treatment related adverse events and, if so, does it have impact on chemotherapy outcomes., Material and Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of medical records of 172 patients with newly diagnosed epithelial ovarian cancer, treated in Maria Skłodowska-Curie Memorial Cancer Center and Institute of Oncology, Gliwice Branch between 2007 and 2013. Ninety-six of these patients have known BRCA mutation status - 21 patients were BRCA1(+) and 75 BRCA1(-). Analysed treatment related adverse events (AE's) were: haematological toxicity, nausea/vomiting, neuropathy and mucositis., Results: Grade 3-4 haematological AE's were significantly more common among BRCA1(+) patients (OR = 3.86; 95% CI: 1.14-13.23; p = 0.02). There was no association between BRCA1 mutation status and neuropathy ( p = 0.73) or nausea/vomiting ( p = 0.91). Occurrence of above mentioned AE's has no significant association with PFS ( p = 0.75, 0.64, 0.97 respectively) and OS ( p = 0.64, 0.69, 0.73 respectively)., Conclusions: Among patients with BRCA1-associated epithelial ovarian cancer we observed significantly more grade 3-4 haematological complications after chemotherapy. However, occurrence of AE's did not correlate with better outcomes in this subgroup., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Aim of the Study: The aim of this study was to present our own experiences concerning risk factors for cardiac side effects in the study group., Material and Methods: The study was performed in 120 patients with HER2-overexpressing breast cancer who received immunotherapy in the Clinical and Experimental Oncology Department, between 2006 and 2011., Results: LVEF reduction > 10% of the baseline fraction was observed in 10 (8%) patients. Symptomatic heart failure occurred in two individuals. Due to persistent cardiotoxicity five patients (4%) had to discontinue therapy prematurely. Risk factors for cardiac toxicity in the analyzed group included: previous radiotherapy to the left side of the chest (p = 0.05), higher BMI (p = 0.05), negative steroid receptor status (p = 0.045) and low baseline LVEF (p < 0.001). Patients receiving radiotherapy were more likely to develop cardiotoxicity if presenting older age (p = 0.0003)., Conclusions: Previous radiotherapy to the left side of the chest, negative steroid receptor status, high BMI and low baseline LVEF were associated with increased risk of cardiac dysfunction. There was no difference between patients receiving adjuvant therapy and those treated due to metastatic disease.

Introduction: Wilms' tumour is one of the commonest malignant tumours of childhood. It appears mainly in the first 5 years of life. Incidental examples of nephroblastoma in adults have been described in literature (about 3% of all described cases). There are diagnostic and therapeutic difficulties in that older age group. The preoperative diagnosis of nephroblastoma in adults is difficult because there are no specific radiographic findings that allow to distinguished it from the more common adult renal tumors. Histopathologically, there is no difference between adult and childhood Wilms' tumor., Materials and Methods: The PubMed database and current literature search was conducted for reports on clinical and histopathological features of nephroblastoma in adults. We also reviewed the literature in terms of treatment strategy, toxicity and prognostic factors., Results: Up till now, several biological factors have been identified that may be in future new prognostic factors. Modern treatment regiments improved OS in this group of patients (OS rates of 90%). The prognosis remain still worse for about 25% of patients with anaplastic, bilateral and recurrent disease., Conclusions: Due to the fact that nephroblastoma is a very rare type of cancer, adult patients should be treated in an individual way based on the available schemes used in children. Toxicity in adults is higher than in children.

Thymomas are thymic epithelial neoplasms. Surgery plays a major role in thymoma treatment but chemotherapy can significantly improve prognoses for this group of patients. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (before surgery), adjuvant chemotherapy (after surgery), chemotherapy combined with radiotherapy and palliative chemotherapy in dissemination stage could be required in effective therapy. The aim of this paper is description of the effective systemic second line treatment in the case of 66 years old patient with advanced thymoma.