SummaryBackgroundThe aim of the study was to assess if the presence of nasal septal deviation and concha bullosa is connected with the development of sinuses and the incidence of inflammation within them.Material/MethodsWe retrospectively analysed 214 patients who underwent paranasal sinus computed tomography. There were 125 females and 89 males, the mean age being 47.67±16.74 years (range 18–97). Exclusion criteria included: age under 18 years, prior sinonasal surgery and S-shaped septum.ResultsMean volume of the right maxillary sinus was 17.794 cm3, while for the left one it was 17.713 cm3. Nasal septal deviation was found in 79.9% of computed tomography examinations and concha bullosa was observed in 42.1% of the patients’ examinations. There was an association between the presence of unilateral or dominant concha bullosa and contralateral direction of septal deviation [right-sided (p=0.039), left-sided (p=0.003)]. There was higher incidence of bilateral maxillary sinusitis in patients with septal deviation (p=0.007). Bilateral concha bullosa did not influence the incidence of bilateral maxillary sinusitis (p=0.495). Neither septal deviation (right sided: p=0.962; left-sided: p=0.731), nor unilateral/dominant concha bullosa (right: p=0.512; left: p=0,430) affected the asymmetry in volumes of maxillary sinuses. Bilateral concha bullosa was connected with larger volume of maxillary sinuses (right sinus: p=0.005; left sinus: p=0.048).ConclusionsNasal septal deviation, contrary to concha bullosa, has influence on the development of maxillary sinusitis. There is a connection between the presence of concha bullosa and direction of septal deviation. Only bilateral concha bullosa affects maxillary sinus volumes.

Telocytes, a recently discovered type of interstitial cells, have a very distinctive morphology -the small cell body with long extensions, named telopodes. In our review, apart from introducing general aspects of telocytes, we focus on properties, functions and future potential of those cells in cardiovascular system. However, physiological functions of telocytes in cardiovascular system are still regarded as quite enigmatic. Previous studies claim that they play a role in organogenesis and regeneration, bioelectrical signalling, mechanoelectrical coupling, anti-oxidative protection, angiogenesis and regulation of blood fl ow. As well, they are presumably connected with the presence of blood-myocardium barrier and proper organisation of extracellular matrix. Moreover, there exists a signifi cant link between the quantity of telocytes in tissue and numerous cardiovascular diseases such as: myocardial infarction, cardiomyopathies, systemic sclerosis, heart failure, atrial fi brillation, isolated atrial amyloidosis, myxomatous valve degeneration and hyperplastic consequences of vascular injury. Thanks to their unique properties, telocytes might be a breakthrough in treatment of cardiovascular diseases, as they may be effective in reversing effects of myocardial infarction. Telocytes also may play a major role in tissue engineering -they might be the key factor in creating stable and effi cient vascular network in larger synthetic tissues or organs (Tab. 1, Fig. 3, Ref. 53). Text in PDF www.elis.sk.

PurposeThe aim of the study was to find which linear measurements, field and volume coefficients correlate the best with real volume of the spleen and can be further used for identification of splenomegaly.MethodsAbdominal computed tomography (CT) examinations of 264 patients were retrospectively analyzed in terms of maximal length, maximal thickness, hilum thickness, maximal height, vertical height and estimated height. Spleen volume was manually measured in Vitrea software. Two- and three-dimensional coefficients were calculated through proper mathematical formulas from linear measurements. Splenomegaly cut-off: 314.5 cm3. Data were analyzed with use of Pearson correlation and χ2 test with statistical significance at p < 0.05.ResultsFor single measurements, the correlation with real spleen volume was the strongest for maximal height (r = 0.804; p < 0.05). Among two-dimensional indexes, multiplication product of maximal length and vertical height reached the highest level of correlation with spleen volume (r = 0.923; p < 0.05) and had the highest sensitivity and specificity (94.3% and 93.0%, respectively) for splenomegaly detection (threshold 115 cm2). In case of three-dimensional ones, the coefficient calculated from maximal length, vertical height and hilum thickness established the strongest link with spleen volume (r = 0.956; p < 0.05).ConclusionsCoefficient calculated from maximal length, vertical height and hilum thickness correlates the strongest with spleen volume and can be utilized for monitoring of spleen volume instead of obsolete splenic index. The most suitable for quick splenomegaly screening is two-dimensional coefficient (maximal length × vertical height), with the cut-off 115 cm2.

Telocytes are emerging cell population localized in the stroma of numerous organs, characterized by a distinctive morphology - small cell body with very long, slender prolongations, termed telopodes. Those cells can be found in the whole female reproductive system: in the vagina, uterus, oviducts and ovaries, mammary glands and also in the placenta. In our review, we aim at complete and transparent revision of the current knowledge of telocytes' localization and function, enriched by the analysis of the possible future direction of development of their clinical applications. The function of telocytes in the reproductive system has not been fully elucidated yet; however, many researchers point at their role in the regulation of local microenvironment, myogenic contractile mechanism, bioelectrical signaling, immunomodulation and regulation of blood flow. Additionally, previous research suggests that telocytes might act as sex hormone level sensors and are connected with pregnancy maintenance. As the morphology and number of those cells change under pathological conditions, such as pre-eclampsia, endometriosis and ovarian failure, there is a chance that they may contribute to therapy of abovementioned conditions. The impact of telocytes on stem cells and angiogenesis has been proven in many organs, and may be useful in regenerative medicine of the female reproductive system. A recently found connection between the proliferation rate of breast cancer cells and stromal cells like telocytes might be a step forward to the management of mammary gland neoplasms.

No abstract