Histological studies were performed on 30 pancreases obtained from normal human fetuses aged between the 9th and 38th week. For immunocytochemistry, the avidin-biotin-peroxidase method was used to identify and colocalise insulin, glucagon, somatostatin, pancreatic polypeptide and proliferating cell nuclear antigen. In the 9th week, cells containing all investigated peptides were present. During the fetal period, two populations of endocrine cells have been distinguished, Langerhans islets and freely dispersed cells. The free cells were polyhormonal, containing insulin, glucagon, somatostatin and pancreatic polypeptide, and were localised in the walls of pancreatic ducts throughout the whole gland. During the development of the islets we have observed four stages: (1) the scattered polyhormonal cell stage (9th-10th week), (2) the immature polyhormonal islet stage (11th-15th week), (3) the insulin monohormonal core islet stage (16th-29th week), in which zonular and mantle islets are observed, and (4) the polymorphic islet stage (from the 30th week onwards), which is characterised by the presence of monohormonal cells expressing glucagon or somatostatin. Bigeminal and polar islets also appeared during this last stage. The islets consisted of an insulin core surrounded by a thick (in the part developing from the dorsal primordium) or thin rim (part of the pancreas concerned with the ventral primordium) of intermingled mono- or dihormonal glucagon-positive or somatostatin-positive cells. The most externally located polyhormonal cells exhibited a reaction for glucagon, somatostatin and pancreatic polypeptide. Apart from the above-mentioned types of islets, all arrangements observed in earlier stages were present. Proliferating cell nuclear antigen-positive cells (single in the large islets and more numerous in the smaller ones) were predominantly observed in the outermost layer. Taken together our data indicate that, during the human prenatal development of the islet, endocrine cells are able to synthesise several different hormones. Maturation of these cells involved or depended on a change from a polyhormonal to a monohormonal state and is concerned with decreasing proliferative capacity. This supports the concept of a common precursor stem cell for the hormone-producing cells of the fetal human pancreas.

Radiofrequency enables cellulite reduction. A crucial aspect is proper monitoring of the progress of such therapy, which ultrasound allows.

Digitalization of production environment, also called Industry 4.0 (the term invented by Wahlster Wolfgang in Germany) is now one of the hottest topics in the computer science departments at universities and companies. One of the most significant topics in this area is augmented reality (AR). The interest in AR has grown especially after the introduction of the Microsoft HoloLens in 2016, which made this technology available for researchers and developers all around the world. It is divided into numerous subtopics and technologies. These wireless, see-through glasses give a very natural human-machine interface, with the possibility to present certain necessary information right in front of the user’s eyes as 3D virtual objects, in parallel with the observation of the real world, and the possibility to communicate with the system by simple gestures and speech. Scientists noted that in-depth studies connected to the effects of AR applications are presently sparse. In the first part of this paper, the authors recall the research from 2019 about the new method of manual wiring support with the AR glasses. In the second part, the study (tests) for this method carried out by the research team is described. The method was applied in the actual production environment with consideration of the actual production process, which is manual wiring of the industrial enclosures (control cabinets). Finally, authors deliberate on conclusions, technology’s imperfections, limitations, and future possible development of the presented solution.

The development of the human fetal adrenals starts in the 6th week gestational age and adrenal C19 steroid production becomes of major importance for the maintenance of the pregnancy. Therefore, in the present study, human fetal adrenals at 6 weeks of gestational age were immunostained for 17 alpha-hydroxylase, the key enzyme for the production of C19-steroids. In parallel, chromaffin cells were characterized by immunohistochemical staining for chromogranin A, the major soluble protein in adrenal chromaffin granules. Large 17 alpha-hydroxylase-immunoreactive cells were found in the center of the adrenal anlagen during the 6th week of gestation. At the same developmental stage, chromaffin cells with a neuronal-like appearance occurred in the paraortic area and started to invade the adrenal primordium. Our results show that, even at week 6 gestational age, when chromaffin cells start to enter the adrenal anlagen, human adrenals already contain differentiated, 17 alpha-hydroxylase immunoreactive cortical cells which were located to the center of the primordium.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility, safety and early results of mechanochemical ablation of incompetent varicose veins using a special catheter: the Phlebogriffe. Material and methods:The design of this catheter is based on a typical diagnostic catheter. Into this catheter a metal shank, attached to which are 5 thin, curved, springy wires with sharpened ends, is introduced. After being pushed out of the catheter, these wires deploy into a cat's claw pattern. When the whole device -the catheter and shank with open claws -is being pulled out, sclerosing foam is administered. In this pilot study, which was performed in the years 2011-2013, we evaluated 40 patients with varicose veins. Efficacy of the procedure, defined as closure of the treated vein, and clinical result evaluated using the Venous Clinical Severity Score (VCSS) were assessed after 1, 3, 6 and 12 months. Results: Efficacy of the procedure after 1, 3, 6 and 12 months was 97.4%, 94.9%, 89.7% and 89.7%, respectively. Statistical analysis of the VCSS before the procedure and after 12 months revealed statistically significant improvements regarding pain, presence of varicose veins, oedema, number and size of active ulcers, their duration, size of active ulcers and the use of compression therapy. The average improvement in VCSS scores was 3.56 points. Conclusions:The Phlebogriffe is a device that offers new opportunities for safe and efficient treatment of varicose veins associated with incompetence of saphenous veins.