Objective: The aim of this study was a comparison of the outcomes of intrauterine myelomeningocele (MMC) repairs (IUMR) in type II Chiari malformation (II CM) fetuses with clinical data of newborns and infants operated on postnatally. Methods: The study group (SG) comprised 46 pregnant women whose type II CM children underwent IUMR, while 47 pregnant women whose type II CM children were operated on postnatally constituted the control group (CG). A total of 24 SG and 20 CG patients reached the endpoint of the study. Results: High incidence of prelabor rupture of membranes (24 (52.2%), CI: 3.74 (1.69–8.26) (p < 0.001) was noted in the group of prenatal surgeries as compared to controls. The need for ventriculoperitoneal shunt implantation was statistically significantly lower (p < 0.008) in the group of children after IUMR as compared to controls (5 (27.8%) and 16 (80%), respectively, CI: 0.35 (0.16–0.75). None of the postnatally treated CG children can walk without adaptive equipment. In contrast, two children from the SG (2 (11.1%) CI: 1.86 (1.00–3.48) p < 0.05) are able to walk independently. Conclusions: Prenatal MMC closure significantly lowers further adverse evolution of the II CM. Further studies are needed, especially on preventive measures for preterm labor and iatrogenic preterm prelabor rupture of membranes (iPPRM) in the postoperative course of IUMR.

Micro- and nanoplastics (NPs) cannot be completely removed from water/wastewater in conventional wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) and drinking water treatment plants (DWTPs). According to the literature analysis, membrane processes, one of the advanced treatment technologies, are the most effective and promising technologies for the removal of microplastics (MPs) from water and wastewater. In this article, firstly, the properties of MPs commonly found in water and wastewater treatment and their removal efficiencies are briefly reviewed. In addition, research on the use of microfiltration (MF), ultrafiltration (UF), nanofiltration (NF), reverse osmosis (RO), and membrane bioreactors (MBR) for the remediation of MPs and NPs from water/wastewater is reviewed, and the advantages/disadvantages of each removal method are discussed. Membrane filtration is also compared with other methods used to remove MPs. Furthermore, the problem of membrane fouling by MPs during filtration and the potential for MPs to be released from the polymeric membrane structure are discussed. Finally, based on the literature survey, the current status and gaps in research on MPs removal by membrane technologies are identified, and recommendations for further research are made.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the concentrations of IgG antibodies against Hsp60 and Hsp65 in sera of patients with ovarian cancer at various stages of clinical progress and for different histopathological types of disease.

A population-based organised cervical cancer screening programme (OCCSP) was introduced in Poland in 2006. In this study we have aimed to analyse whether selected parameters related to invasive cervical cancer (ICC) of patients diagnosed in two distant gynaecological oncology centres changed after the first screening round of the programme run between 2006–2008. We have run a retrospective cross-sectional analysis of 189 women diagnosed with ICC between 2002–2005 (directly before introduction of the programme) and 165 patients diagnosed between 2009–2012 (just after the first screening round of the programme) and compared their age at diagnosis, histology, stage of tumours and overall survival (OS). Mean age of patients diagnosed in years 2002–2005 and 2009–2012 was 52.1 and 52.6 years respectively. Squamous cell carcinomas constituted 90.5% and 86.1% of tumours diagnosed in years 2002–2005 and 2009–2012 respectively and the rest of tumours had glandular and other histologies. 74.5% and 61.0% of women diagnosed in years 2002–2005 and 2009–2012 respectively had early ICC (FIGO—International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics stages I-IIA) and the rest had advanced disease (FIGO IIB-IV). We have noticed no significant differences in mean age of patients, histology of tumours and OS of patients with ICC diagnosed before and after the first screening round of OCSSP in Poland. Advanced stages of ICC were more commonly diagnosed after the introduction of OCSSP. Changes only in some clinical parameters of patients with ICC were noticed before and after the first screening round of OCSSP in Poland but OS of patients remained the same.