IntroductionThe Focal Infection Theory, originally presented at the beginning of the 20th century, postulates that systemic diseases can be caused by microorganisms that arise from the focus of infection. Foci of infections have been described as sinuses, adenoids, tonsils, teeth, genitourinary tract, gall bladder and kidneys. A focus of infection is defined as the area that can occur in any part of the body, contains a pathogen (microorganism) and is usually asymptomatic. There are discordant opinions about the role of focal infections in the pathogenesis of psoriasis and urticaria.AimTo establish whether there is a higher incidence of focal infections in patients with chronic urticaria and psoriasis.Material and methodsWe retrospectively reviewed 129 patients with a history of psoriasis and chronic urticaria: 58 women and 71 men treated in the Department of Dermatology of the Jagiellonian University Medical College in Krakow.ResultsIn the analyzed group, 11 patients had a dental consultation, 58 – laryngological consultation and 29 women had a gynecological consultation. The most common examples of focal infection were tonsillitis, upper respiratory tract infections, sinusitis, dental caries and genitourinary tract infections. Aggravating factors were similar to previously described.ConclusionsA high incidence of focal infections in patients with psoriasis and urticaria suggests that infections may play a significant role in the pathogenesis of these skin disorders. Treatment of infection foci may play the key role in the remission of skin changes.

The aim of this study was to compare the expressions of mRNA for metalloproteinases (MMP-2 and MMP-9) and type IV collagen in two different histological types of basal-cell carcinoma (BCCs; nodular and infiltrative) and in normal tissues from the tumor interface. The study included biopsy specimens of the skin involved with BCC and normal skin adjacent the lesion. The expressions of mRNA for MMP-2, MMP-9 and type IV collagen were determined by means of RT-PCR (Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction). The level of type IV collagen mRNA in nodular and infiltrative BCCs turned out to be significantly lower, and the expressions of MMP-2 and MMP-9 mRNA significantly higher than in normal tissues adjacent to these tumors. The expression of mRNA for MMP-9 but not for MMP-2 was significantly higher in infiltrative BCCs than in the nodular BCCs. In turn, normal tissues adjacent to nodular BCCs showed significantly higher levels of mRNA for MMP-2 and significantly lower levels of type IV collagen mRNA than the normal tissues from the interface of infiltrative BCCs. The findings suggest that MMP-2 and MMP-9 could be used as prognostic factors of BCCs.

The aim of current bone biomaterials research is to design implants that induce controlled, guided, successful, and rapid healing. Titanium implants are widely used in dental, orthopedic, and reconstructive surgery. A series of studies has indicated that cells can respond not only to the chemical properties of the biomaterial, but also, in particular, to the changes in surface topography. Nanoporous materials remain in focus of scientific queries due to their exclusive properties and broad applications. One such material is nanostructured titanium oxide with highly ordered, mutually perpendicular nanopores. Nanoporous anodic titanium dioxide (TiO2) films were fabricated by a three-step anodization process in propan-1,2,3-triol-based electrolyte containing fluoride ions. Adipose-derived stem cells offer many interesting opportunities for regenerative medicine. The important goal of tissue engineering is to direct stem cell differentiation into a desired cell lineage. The influence of nanoporous TiO2 with pore diameters of 80 and 108 nm on cell response, growth, viability, and ability to differentiate into osteoblastic lineage of human adipose-derived progenitors was explored. Cells were harvested from the subcutaneous abdominal fat tissue by a simple, minimally invasive, and inexpensive method. Our results indicate that anodic nanostructured TiO2 is a safe and nontoxic biomaterial. In vitro studies demonstrated that the nanotopography induced and enhanced osteodifferentiation of human adipose-derived stem cells from the abdominal subcutaneous fat tissue.

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A b s t r a c tIntroduction: Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease with immunologic etiology. Aim: To investigate the levels of the proinflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin 23 (IL-23) and IL-17 in patients with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis with concomitant metabolic syndrome. Material and methods: This study included 60 patients with severe psoriasis. Results: In patients with arterial hypertension concomitant with psoriasis, no statistically significant differences in cytokine levels were observed. On the other hand, in the group of patients diagnosed with diabetes, an increased level of IL-17 was observed. In patients with lipid disorders, the results were similar to the results of patients with diabetes. Conclusions: It is very important to study immunologic mechanisms responsible for the presence and severity of psoriasis, in order to personalize the therapy in the future and optimize the effect of action on the basic disease and on concomitant disorders.