<abstract xml:lang="en" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Worldwide more than several hundred million humans are exposed to severe air pollution, and a significant part of them also smoke. The effect of air pollution on human health has been recognized for many years.The nose, as the first portal of entry to the respiratory system is constantly exposed to a large volumes of air, which is composed of a mixture of gases, particulate matter and infectious agent, and any material other than physiological amount of oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide and water is considered as pollutant. Being exposed to critical amount of air pollutants, nasal cavity shares sophisticated system of protective and defensive mechanisms regarding the lower airways and lungs, however the highest risk of direct exposure to relevant air pollutants is just within the nose. Air pollution is considered to be responsible for some of the pathological processes affecting airways prone to allergic reactions in predisposed subjects, onset of nasal sensorineural hyperresponsiveness, non-specific inflammation, sinonasal cancer and definitely, the risk is not limited just to the nasal mucosa, but can proceed toward the lower airways.The broad spectrum of irritants probably shares very similar molecular background of action. They are capable to activate the cation channenl tranisient receptor potential A1-TRPA1 by covalent modification of the channel protein, because many of them are highly reactive and nonstable molecules with possibilities for various chemical reactions. Activation of this channel is responsible for nociceptive reactions mediated by stimulation of afferent trigeminal nerves, retrograde release of tachykinins, activation of parasympathetic afferent drive leading to increase of mucus output and decrease of nasal patency, with subsequent alteration of nasal functions. Based on the recently described neuro-immune bidirectional relationships, air pollutants may be responsible for recruitment of immune cells with infiltration of the nasal mucosa possibly leading to the inflammatory processes and allergies.Our paper is discussing the nose as the target for air pollution, and focuses on the relevance of TRPA1 channel on trigeminal afferents in pollution mediated responses.</abstract>

Anesthesiology and Intensive Medicine Clinic of Jessenius Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University and University Hospital in Martin, Slovakia

Department of Pathological Physiology, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Martin, Slovakia

Department of Otorhinolaryngology of Jessenius Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University and University Hospital in Martin, Slovakia

The Nose as a Target of Air Pollution, Physiological Aspects and Clinical Relevance of Nasal Trpa1 (Transient Receptor Potential A1) Receptors

<abstract xml:lang="en" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Proteins of Bcl-2 family are key regulators of mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis. Deregulation of apoptosis disrupts the complex and delicate balance between cell proliferation, survival and death and plays an important role in the development of malignant diseases. In addition to uncontrolled proliferation, alterations in apoptotic proteins are frequently associated with resistance of malignant cells to chemotherapy, leading to ineffective treatment with chemotherapy that primarily acts by apoptosis initiation. Despite the progress in combinatory and biologic therapy, response rates for treatment of different malignant diseases are not high enough. Therefore, new anti-cancer agents that selectively kill tumour cells and spare normal tissues are still urgently needed. Progress in biochemistry and cell biology leading to detailed dissection of cell signalling pathways allows development of new therapeutic strategies targeting different proteins involved in malignant transformation and uncontrolled proliferation of malignant cells. Emerging knowledge on molecular mechanisms of apoptosis deregulation in cancer development has revealed Bcl-2 family proteins as potential targets for drugs discovery. Structural analysis of these proteins together with studies of apoptosis mechanisms have outlined strategies for generation of new drugs, resulting in numerous novel chemical entities with mechanism-based activity. Many of the most logical targets for promoting apoptosis of malignant cells are technically challenging, involving often disruption of protein interactions or changes in gene expression, as opposed to traditional pharmaceutical approach that predominantly attacks enzymes. Understanding of the core components of the apoptotic machinery at the molecular and structural levels may lead to new era in cancer therapy where the intrinsic and acquired resistance of malignant cells to apoptosis can be pharmacologically reversed, reinstating natural pathways of cell suicide.</abstract>

Bcl-2 Family Proteins in Development and Treatment of Malignant Diseases

<abstract xml:lang="en" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Fibrosarcoma is a malignant spindle cell tumor of the soft tissues uniformly composed of collagen-producing cells capable of exhibiting varying degrees of fibroblastic differenciation. This diagnosis was more liberally applied to many types of spindle and pleomorphic cell sarcomas that exhibited fibrosarcoma-like patterns, e.g., malignant schwannoma, synovial sarcoma, malignant fibrous histiocytoma, and some benign fibroproliferative lesions, particularly fibromatosis and reactive tumor-like lesions.The major challenge in the diagnosis lies in over and under diagnose of fibrosarcoma and underdiagnosis of reactive fibrosis. But this histologic differenciation is necessary owing to different treatment strategies.</abstract>

Department of Pathological Anatomy, Jessenius Medical Faculty, Comenius University and University Medical Hospital in Martin, Slovakia

Clinic of Stomatology and Maxillofacial Surgery, Jessenius Medical Faculty, Comenius University and University Medical Hospital in Martin, Slovakia

Anaesthetic and Critical Care Consultant Doncaster and Bassetlow Hospital, NHS Trust, United Kingdom

Department of Non-Medical study Programmes, Clinic of Dermatology

Department of Anatomy, Jessenius Medical Faculty, Comenius University and University Medical Hospital in Martin, Slovakia

Retromolar Fibrosarcoma - A Diagnostic Dilemma: Case Report

<abstract xml:lang="en" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">The cardiovascular diseases are still the leading cause of mortality and impaired quality of life worldwide. This fact implies the necessity of appropriate screening markers for focusing primary prevention on the individuals at higher cardiovascular risk.The relevance of arterial stiffness as a predictor of future cardiovascular events is due to the fact it is a manifestation of the cumulative effect of all the harmful factors acting on the vascular wall, their duration and intensity, as well as of the genetic background of the individual.The major structure of the vascular wall of the large "conduit" arteries is reviewed and the organization of the basic unit, the lamellar unit, is discussed in relation to the normal aging process and the concomitant alterations in arterial stiffness.A review of the modern non-invasive methods for arterial stiffness evaluation is carried out: imaging of the relationship between vascular size and distending pressure; pulse wave analysis; measurement of pulse wave velocity (PWV).A comparison of the resting brachial-ankle PWV (ba-PWV) is performed between two groups of young healthy adults: offspring of parents with cardiovascular pathology (N+) and their age matched controls (N-). Brachial-ankle PWV was significantly higher (8.72 ± 0.35 m/s) in N+ as compared to N- (6.72 ± 0.66 m/s) (P &lt; 0.01). We consider the increased PWV as a consequence to an autonomic dysbalance and to an elevated sympathetic stimulation of the vascular smooth muscle in the healthy young adults with positive family history for cardiovascular pathology. We can conclude that measurement of ba-PWV is a relevant and cost-effective method for screening the individuals at higher cardiovascular risk.</abstract>

Arterial Stiffness is a Relevant Marker of Cardiovascular Risk

<abstract xml:lang="en" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">The aim of this article is to describe the development of one day surgery (ODS) and assess its role within the Slovak healthcare system.ODS is a surgical healthcare system based on single treatment of a patient or single diagnostic procedure when performing this healthcare intervention enables dismission of patient in stabilized state in 24 hours.During 1997-1999 the first healthcare facilities of ODS were established in the Slovak Republic. Since then the number of ODS centers has grown to 54. Currently, some 8% of all operations in Slovakia, mainly surgical and ophtalmological, are done via ODS.The authors suggest that, if possible, ODS is an economic option regardless of medical specialty. They expect an increase of facilities performing ODS within existing health structures, establishment of new facilities for ODS and a overall increase in number of ODS interventions in Slovakia in near future.As a conclusion, the authors highlight a possibility of pregradual experience of medical students with ODS and its benefit in dissemination of understanding and positive attitude towards the ODS methods.</abstract>

Department of One Day Surgery, ZILPO Ltd., Zilina, Slovakia

Department of Public Health, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Martin, Slovakia

Assessment of Development and Role of One Day Surgery in Slovak Healthcare System

AHEAD OF PRINT

Volume 24 (2024): Issue 1 (April 2024)

Volume 23 (2023): Issue 3 (December 2023)

Volume 23 (2023): Issue 2 (August 2023)

Volume 23 (2023): Issue 1 (April 2023)

Volume 22 (2022): Issue 3 (December 2022)

Volume 22 (2022): Issue 2 (August 2022)

Volume 22 (2022): Issue 1 (April 2022)

Volume 21 (2021): Issue 3 (December 2021)

Volume 21 (2021): Issue 2 (August 2021)

Volume 21 (2021): Issue 1 (March 2021)

Volume 20 (2020): Issue 3 (December 2020)

Volume 20 (2020): Issue 2 (August 2020)

Volume 20 (2020): Issue 1 (April 2020)

Volume 19 (2019): Issue 3 (December 2019)

Volume 19 (2019): Issue 2 (August 2019)

Volume 19 (2019): Issue 1 (April 2019)

Volume 18 (2018): Issue 3 (December 2018)

Volume 18 (2018): Issue 2 (August 2018)

Volume 18 (2018): Issue 1 (June 2018)

Volume 17 (2017): Issue 3 (December 2017)

Volume 17 (2017): Issue 2 (August 2017)

Volume 17 (2017): Issue 1 (April 2017)

Volume 16 (2016): Issue 3 (December 2016)

Volume 16 (2016): Issue 2 (August 2016)

Volume 16 (2016): Issue 1 (April 2016)

Volume 15 (2015): Issue 3 (December 2015)

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Volume 15 (2015): Issue 1 (May 2015)

Volume 14 (2014): Issue 2 (September 2014)

Volume 14 (2014): Issue 1 (May 2014)

Volume 13 (2014): Issue 3 (February 2014)

Volume 13 (2013): Issue 2 (November 2013)

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Volume 13 (2013): Issue Supplement-1 (March 2013)

Volume 12 (2012): Issue Supplement-1 (February 2012)

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Volume 11 (2011): Issue Supplement-1 (March 2011)

Volume 11 (2011): Issue 3 (December 2011)

Volume 11 (2011): Issue 2 (August 2011)

Volume 11 (2011): Issue 1 (March 2011)

Acta Medica Martiniana

 Acta Medica Martiniana is a medical scientific journal, first published in print form in December 2001. It is a continuation of the journal / almanac Folia Medica Martiniana (1971 - 1996). The journal‘s owner is the Jessenius Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Slovakia. The aims and scope of the AMM:   Dissemination of research results and scientific knowledge from all areas of medicine and nursing.  Stimulation, facilitation and supporting of publication activity for the young medical research and clinical generation. The contributions of young novice authors (PhD students and post-doctorials) are particularly welcome.   Acta Medica Martiniana (AMM) publishes, and here only in English, high quality original papers (in extenso and short-rapid communications), case reports as well as review articles.  Acta Medica Martiniana is an open-access journal, with a periodicity of publishing three times per year (Apr/Aug/Dec). It covers a wide range of basic medical disciplines, such as anatomy, histology, biochemistry, human physiology, pharmacology, etc., as well as all clinical areas incl. preventive medicine, public health and nursing. Interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary manuscripts, including papers from all areas of biomedical research, are welcome.  All articles are submitted to a peer-review process. They are peer-reviewed anonymously (double blind) by external experts pursuant to the standard evaluation criteria. Based on the reviewers opinions, the Editorial Board will decide whether a paper is to be included in the journal.  Rejection Rate:   15-30%   Archiving  Sciendo archives the contents of this journal in Portico - digital long-term preservation service of scholarly books, journals and collections.  Plagiarism Policy  The editorial board is participating in a growing community of Similarity Check System's users in order to ensure that the content published is original and trustworthy. Similarity Check is a medium that allows for comprehensive manuscripts screening, aimed to eliminate plagiarism and provide a high standard and quality peer-review process. 