In orthopedics, bone fixation imposes the use of implants in almost all cases. Over time, the materials used for the implant have evolved from inert materials to those that mimic the morphology of the bone. Therefore, bioabsorbable, biocompatible, and bioactive materials have emerged. Our study aimed to review the main types of implant materials used in orthopedics and present their advantages and drawbacks. We have searched for the pros and cons of the various types of material in the literature from over the last twenty years. The studied data show that consecrated metal alloys, still widely used, can be successfully replaced by new types of polymers. The data from the literature show that, by manipulating their composition, the polymeric compounds can simulate the structure of the different layers of human bone, while preserving its mechanical characteristics. In addition, manipulation of the polymer composition can provide the initiation of desired cellular responses. Among the implanting materials, polyurethane is distinguished as the most versatile polymeric material for use both as orthopedic implants and as material for biomechanical testing of various bone reduction and fixation techniques.

Acne is a chronic inflammatory condition affecting the pilosebaceous unit that was traditionally viewed as a disease of the adolescence. However, over the past several years, an increasing number of adult women have been reported to suffer from this condition. The prevalence of adult female acne ranges between 12 and 54%. Two clinical types can be distinguished in this population, a 'retentional' and an 'inflammatory' type, which usually tend to overlap. In terms of evolution, three main subtypes can be identified: Persistent acne, which is the most frequent subtype, late-onset acne and recurrent acne. This type of acne is mainly mild-to-moderate in severity and may be refractory to conventional treatment. The etiopathogenesis is complex and has yet to be fully elucidated. It appears to involve an interaction among genetic predisposition, hormonal factors, and chronic activation of the innate immune system overlapping with external factors, such as daily stress, Western-type diet, use of tobacco and cosmetics. The treatment may be challenging and a holistic approach is required, with special attention to the individual needs and particularities of adult women. Both topical and systemic treatments are available, with hormonal therapies being of special value in this population. The aim of the present article was to provide up-to-date, evidence-based information on the clinical presentation, etiopathogenesis and treatment of adult female acne. Contents1. Introduction 2. Prevalence 3. Clinical presentation 4. Etiopathogenesis 5. Treatment of adult female acne 6. Conclusions

To examine the effect of high dose vitamin D3 treatment on visceral adipose tissue, we used vitamin D deficient male Wistar rats (18 months old) as a model of sarcopenia. The aging process is not only responsive for the losing muscle mass but also for redistribution of lipid resulting in altered fatty acid storage and dysdifferentiation of mesenchymal precursors. The effect of aging and vitamin D treatment (weekly oral gavage with 0.125 mg vitamin D3 (5000 IU)/100g body weight) on the omental adipose tissue were histological examinated. At the end of the experiment (9 monhs), adaptive changes to the reduction of adipogenesis and increased apoptosis in response to long-term treatment with vitamin D consisted of smaller size of adipocyte and moderate macrophage infiltrate.

We aimed to investigate the effects of two nitric oxide donors in acute inflammation in rats. The experiment was carried out on white Wistar rats, randomly distributed in 4 groups of 5 animals each; the substances were administered intraperitoneally as follows: Group 1 (SS): saline solution 0.1mL/100 g body weight (control); Group 2 (IND): indometacin 150 mg/kg body weight; Group 3 (NEB): nebivolol 1 mg/kg body weight; Group 4 (GSNO): S-nitroso-glutathione 1 mg/kg body weight. An experimental model of acute hind paw inflammation with carrageenan was used for the researches. The influence of the nitric oxide donors on blood parameters, specific inflammatory and immune markers was evaluated 24 h, respectively 72 hours after the injection of irritant agent. The experimental protocol was implemented according to the recommendations of our University Committee for Research and Ethical Issues. The administration of nitric oxide donors nebivolol and S-nitroso-glutathione was accompanied by a substantial diminution of paw edema, as well as by an important decrease in the percent of lymphocytes, a reduction of interleukin 6 and tumor necrosis factor alpha values. The effects of nebivolol were more accentuated than of S-nitroso-glutathione, but less intense than of indomethacin in the experiment. The treatment with nebivolol and S-nitroso-glutathione produced anti-inflammatory effects on local acute inflammation in the carrageenan-induced paw edema test in rats.

Endometriosis is described as a gynecological disorder characterized by the presence of endometrial tissue outside the uterus; extensively explored because of its increasing incidency, with an indubitable diagnostic only after invasive surgery, with no efficient treatment, it has still many aspects to be elucidated. A growing body of facts sustain oxidative stress as a crucial factor between the numerous incriminated factors implicated in endometriosis ethiopathogeny. Reactive oxygen species(ROS) act to decline reproductive function. Our study intends to determine if an experimental model of endometriosis may be useful to assess the impact of oxidative stress on endometrial cells; we have used a murine model of 18 adult Wistar female rats. A fragment from their left uterine horn was implanted in the abdominal wall. After 4 weeks, a laparatomy was performed, 5 endometrial implants were removed, followed by biochemical tissue assay of superoxide dismutase(SOD) and catalase(CAT). At the end of the experiment, the rats were sacrificed, the implants were removed for histopathological exam and biochemical assay of antioxidant enzymes. The results revealed decreased levels of antioxidant enzymes, pointing on significant oxidative stress involvement.