Background and Objectives: Inflammation plays a crucial role in the pathophysiology of ischemic stroke (IS). Interleukin-1B and interleukin-1 receptor antagonists are key factors in inflammatory processes. Aims: The aims of our study were to evaluate the relationship between genetic variation in interleukin-1B (IL1B) rs1143627 and interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL1RN) variable-number-tandem-repeats (VNTR), and overall IS and subtype prevalence rates. Materials and Methods: The analysis included 147 hospitalized Polish patients with IS diagnosed using conventional criteria. The control group consisted of 119 healthy subjects. Genotypes were determined by polymerase chain reaction. Results: A significant association between rs1143627 and stroke was found. The -31C IL1B polymorphism showed an association with overall IS, OR = 2.30 (1.36–3.87) p = 0.020. An association was also detected for LVI (large vessel infarction) subtypes of stroke. After risk factor adjustment (age, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia), the C allele was found to be an independent risk factor for LVI, OR = 1.99 (1.05–3.79) p = 0.036. Significant association was not observed between IL1RN alleles and IS. Conclusions: Our results suggest that the C allele of IL1B rs1143627 may be associated with susceptibility to overall IS and LVI subtypes of stroke in the Polish population.

Patients with intragenic mutations of the VHL gene have a typical disease presentation. However in cases of large VHL gene deletions which involve other genes in the proximity of the VHL gene a presentation of the disease can be different.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of Fascial Manipulation in patients with disc herniations of the lumbar spine confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging. Material and Methods: This study included 69 patients with intervertebral disc damage of the lumbar spine, as confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging. Patients were divided into two groups: a study group and a control group. The control group (C) was treated conservatively with treatments such as interference currents, diadynamic currents, tens currents, galvanization, Sollux lamps, local cryotherapy, magnetic fields, therapeutic massages of the spine, and mobility exercises. The study group (S) was subjected to therapy using Fascial Manipulation, which included two treatments—the first on the day the patient reported for the study and the second a week later. Patients for this study were selected at random. Results: This study presents a statistically significant difference between the treatment effects, as assessed by the degree of pain (p < 0.001) and mobility limitation (p < 0.001), as well as the presence of stretch symptoms (p < 0.001): all three parameters improved significantly more in the study group compared to the control group. Conclusion: Fascial Manipulation is an effective method for treating pain in patients with disc herniations of the lumbar spine; in addition to reducing pain, it improves the range of motion and the results of SLR and PKB tests. In lumbar spine pain in disc herniations, treatment using Fascial Manipulation is definitely more effective than treatment according to the traditional physiotherapy regimen.