Preliminary immunohistochemical investigations of human thyroid C cells in the simple and hyperactive nodular goitre

The aim of this study was to carry out histomorphological and immunohistochemical analysis of thyroid C cells in 30 patients with simple goitre and hyperactive goitre including Graves-Basedow (G-B) disease, treated surgically. Four tissue samples were always taken from the same internal parts of the gland where the number of C cells in physiological conditions was the highest. C cells were detected in paraffin sections after impregnation with silver salt (Grimelius method) or immunohistochemically, with antibodies against calcitonin, synaptophysin, chromogranin A and neuron-specific enolase. Distinctly less numerous C cells were found in simple and hyperactive goitre than in normal thyroid parenchyma. The majority of C cells showed weak intensity of the examined immunohistochemical reactions. C cells were not observed at all in the texture of nodules well separated by the connective tissue. Proliferative changes concerned only follicular cells.

[Biochemical mechanism of raloxifen and tamoxifen action for the prevention of breast cancer. Studies in vitro]

Cancer growth follows fine balance disturbance between cell proliferation, differentiation and death. It has been shown that mutation of 4 to 5 genes controlling cellular proliferation events may be contributive to carcinogenesis. Estrogens play a central role in reproductive physiology. They are also a causative factors in the pathogenesis of neoplastic and non-neoplastic diseases, including breast cancer. The estrogen dependency of human breast cancer has been successfully exploited in the treatment of early and advanced diseases and provides a unique opportunity for chemoprevention of this common malignancy. The aim of present study was to examine the effects of tamoxifen and raloxifen on the induction of apoptosis and proliferative activity of human breast adenocarcinoma MCF-7 cells. It has been found that both tamoxifen and raloxifen decreased the speed of cell cycle in MCF-7 cells and acts as proapoptotic factors. It reduces viability of cancer cells and probability of neoplastic clone multiplification. This effect conducts to limitation of cancer expansion.

Influence of estrogen, antiestrogen and UV-light on the balance between proliferation and apoptosis in MCF-7 breast adenocarcinoma cells culture

Studies of the mechanism of actions of estrogen, antiestrogen and physical factors may provide clues to an understanding of breast cancer growth and/or regression regulation and thus identify novel targets for therapeutic intervention. Defective control of apoptosis appears to play a central role in the pathogenesis of neoplasia. Conversely, cancer therapy and ionizing radiation can induce cancer cell death by apoptosis and/or necrosis. bcl-2 gene and p-53 gene products have been both linked to programmed cell death pathways. We have analyzed the effect of estradiol, tamoxifen and UV exposure on the induction of apoptosis, expression of p53 and bcl-2 gene products as well as the proliferative activity (expressed as [3H]thymidine incorporation and PCNA and MPM2 antigens involvement) in MCF7. It has been found that estradiol increases the speed of cell cycle in MCF7 and acts as antiapoptotic factor. Tamoxifen has multiple influence on the rate of growth of cancer cells: depends on estrogen receptor (ER), conducts reduction of proliferation rate; depends on ER and other mechanisms conducts to suppressions of Bcl-2 protein expression and induction of cell death through apoptotic pathway. Estradiol prevents the apoptotic influence of tamoxifen probably by enhancement of Bcl-2 protein expression and does not prevent the inhibition of proliferation rate. The irradiation with UV induces apoptosis by over-expression of p53 and down-regulation of bcl-2 gene.

[Mast cell of upper gastrointestinal tract mucosa and Helicobacter pylori infection in children]

Using histological, immunohistochemical and electron microscopic examinations of gastric and duodenal mucosa the authors showed the increase in the number of mast cells with ultrastructural changes characteristic of their degranulation in H. pylori infected children. The damage of various intensification in glandular and covering epithelial cells and the inflammatory response were also proved. The results suggest the role of mastocytes in the inflammation of gastric and duodenal mucosa in H. pylori infected children.

[Lymphocytic response of gastric and duodenal mucosa in Helicobacter pylori infection in children]

The authors evaluated morphologically gastric and duodenal mucosa in H. pylori infection in children. Fenotypic evaluation of T lymphocytes carried out in patients showed the increase in number of these cells in gastric antrum and corpus mucosa in comparison with controls according to the level of mucosal inflammation. B lymphocytes in inflamed gastric mucosa were dispersed as lamina propria infiltrates or in clusters (lymph nodules).

Evaluation of selected cytokines and mononuclear cell infiltration in gastric mucosa of children with food allergy

The authors performed simultaneous evaluation of histological changes in gastric and duodenal mucosa, phenotypic evaluation of mononuclear cells infiltration and the levels of selected cytokines of gastric mucosa in children with diagnosed food allergy. It was determined that IL-4, IL-5, IL-10 and TNF-alpha were produced locally within alimentary tract mucosa; they may play pathogenic role in food hypersensitivity in children. Increase in the number of T lymphocytes (CD3+, CD8+) and B lymphocytes (CD20+) as well as mastocytes with positive reaction to Mast Cell Tryptase-Mastocyte antibody was also observed in gastric and duodenal mucosa of these patients.

Triazine dyes as inhibitors and affinity ligands of glycosyltransferases

The triazine dyes: Cibacron Blue 3GA, Reactive Red 120, Reactive Yellow 86, Reactive Green 19, Reactive Blue 4, Reactive Brown 10 inhibited the activity of a purified preparation of alpha1,6fucosyltransferase (GDP-L-fucose: N-acetyl beta-glucosaminide 6-alpha-L-fucosyltransferase, EC 2.4.1.68) from human blood platelets. Cibacron Blue 3GA and Reactive Red 120 were examined for the nature of the inhibition and both were found to be competitive inhibitors of the enzyme, with Ki = 11 microM and 2 microM, respectively. The two dyes inhibited also serum glycosyltransferases: alpha1,2fucosyltransferase (GDP-L-fucose: beta-D-galactosyl-R2-alpha-L-fucosyltransferase, EC 2.4.1.69), beta1,4galactosyltransferase (UDP-galactose: N-acetyl-D-glucosamine 4-beta-D-galactosyltransferase, EC 2.4.1.90) and beta1,3N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase (UDP-GlcNAc: 4-beta-D-galactosyl-D-glucose). Cibacron Blue 3GA was a more effective inhibitor of the glycosyltransferases that use UDP-linked sugar donors than Reactive Red 120 while the latter was a stronger inhibitor of the fucosyltransferases that use GDP-linked donor. All four glycosyltransferases could be affinity purified on Cibacron Blue 3GA-Agarose columns. The order of elution of glycosyltransferases from the columns with solutions of 0.25-1.0 M potassium iodide also depended upon the structure of nucleotide sugar donor, i.e. whether it contained UDP or GDP. Thus, triazine dyes should interact with the sugar donor binding sites of glycosyltransferases. The main advantages of the use of triazine dyes as affinity ligands for isolation of glycosyltransferases are their universal applicability regardless of enzyme specificity, low cost, and insensitivity to high concentration of other proteins present in the solution.

[Surgical management in the non-neoplastic and neoplastic thyroid goiter with Hürthla cells]

The routine preoperative cytological evaluation of pathological changes of the thyroid more and more frequently reveals single or multiple Hürthl cells in the material obtained by the method of fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNA). Hürthl cells are a degenerative form of epithelial follicular cells of the thyroid and cytological examination is insufficient for unequivocal differentiation between adenoma and carcinoma. Management of patients with FNA-diagnosed Hürthl cells arouses a number of controversies. Therefore, the authors of the present study subjected the thyroids of patients with cytologically diagnosed Hürthl cells to postoperative histopathological analysis. Appropriate surgical management was indicated.

[Surgical treatment of thyroid disease in adolescents]

Surgical treatment of goitre in children and teenagers under 18 is relatively rare and undertaken for strict therapeutic indications. It still arouses much controversy among surgeons, being loaded with a high percentage of complications, usually distant ones. The aim of the study was to analyse the surgical treatment of various goitre types under the age of 18 basing on 65 operations performed in the years 1994-1998. Operations for non-toxic and hyperactive nodular goitre, including Graves-Basedow disease, were predominant. Five cases of thyroid carcinoma were found. No serious complications were observed during and after the surgery. Our own material and the 5-year observation reveal that surgical treatment of thyroid diseases in children and adolescents carried out for definite indications by an experienced operating team is successful and causes only few complications.

[Tumor DNA content as a prognostic indicator in squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx]

Celluar DNA content has been found to be an important prognostic factor in many head and neck tumours, yet within the larynx few studies have examined its effect on survival. 31 patients with squamous carcinoma of the larynx treated in years 1983-85 by total laryngectomy were studied. The tumours were classified according to the TNM classification 1987 and graded histopathologically according to Jaccobson's classification. Quantitative DNA content was determined with the use of image cytometry performed by an image analyzer (CAS-200). Quantitative DNA analysis correlated with tumor grade and patient outcome within 6 years of follow-up.

Overexpression of the nucleolar organizer regions (NORs) in the thyroid follicular tumours. Comparison of the cytological and histopathological examinations

The aim of the study was to determine the usefulness of the expression of argyrophilic nucleolar organizer region proteins (AgNORs) as a marker of malignancy degree in thyroid follicular tumours. The study used the postoperative material of thyroid glands and cytologic material obtained with fine needle aspiration biopsy. Follicular adenoma, carcinoma and struma nodosa hyperplastica-type changes were analysed. The comparison of the AgNOR parameters examined revealed statistically significant differences between the groups of follicular carcinoma and follicular adenoma, follicular carcinoma and nodular goitre, and between adenoma and nodular goitre. However, the "overlapping" of value ranges was observed between the groups of follicular carcinoma and adenoma, as well as follicular adenoma and nodular goitre. This referred particularly to atypical adenoma parameters found within a non-diagnostic range. No differences were observed in the counts of AgNOR dots between histologic and cytologic material obtained with fine needle aspiration biopsy.

[Chylomicronemia syndrome complicating type 1 hyperlipoproteinemia with concomitant insulin-dependent diabetes]

The case of chylomicronaemia syndrome complicating clinical course of type-1 hyperlipoproteinaemia and insulin-dependent diabetes is described. The patient required hypoglycaemic and lipid-lowering therapy.

[Expression of p53 protein and proliferative activity in multiform glioblastoma]

The aim of the study of 41 multiform glioblastomas was the analysis of p53-protein immunoreactivity in neoplastic cells and evaluation of relationship of this biologic marker to tumour proliferation activity. Positive p53 expression was observed in 24 (58.5%) tumours, the negative one in 17 tumours (41.5%). Proliferation indexes of PCNA, anti-Ki6 and AgNORs showed high values in the multiform glioblastoma p53 positive group, but without statistical differences in comparison with the group of p53-negative glioblastomas. Significant differences were observed in survival time of patients with p53 positive tumours in comparison with p53-negative ones. In 15 patients with p53-positive multiform glioblastomas survival time was less than 6 months (62.5%) on the contrary with only 4 patients with similar survival time in p53-negative glioblastoma group (23.5%). Our results suggest that p53 expression in multiform glioblastoma cells, generally considered as the indirect index of p53 suppressor gene, reflects aggressive stadium of neoplastic disease and significantly worsens the prognosis.

Ultrastructure of bone marrow megakaryocytes in experimental haemorrhagic shock in rats. I. Correlation between ultrastructure of MK nuclei and DNA ploidy

The correlation was described between the ultrastructural picture and DNA mass content of MK nuclei in experimental haemorrhagic shock in rats. Significant disproportions were revealed between the morphological pictures and the ploidy of MK nuclei in the successive phases of the shock. Abnormalities of the maturation of marrow MK nuclei were found in the first hours of the shock, being most pronounced in the 24th hour.

A comparison of the peritoneal cell population of pregnant rabbits after LPS or TNF-alpha induced septic shock

Septic shock is a catastrophic consequence of invasive infection. Unfortunately, recent advances in surgical and medical sciences have not significantly reduced the overall mortality from septic shock. Bacterial antigens stimulate a cascade of cytokine release; each cytokine helps the host to overcome infection, but their excessive production causes them to trigger events that lead to septic syndrome and shock. Tumour necrosis factor (TNF-alpha) has a pivotal role in orchestrating the events leading to septic shock. Intraperitoneal administration of certain substances can increase the number and phagocytic activity of cells, which reach naturally the site of infection. Activation of the immunity cells in the peritoneal cavity and their immunocompetence are found to be responsible for the organism protection against abdominal cavity infections. Macrophages, lymphocytes and granulocytes of low activity in the non-stimulated peritoneal cavity become significant due to the influence of numerous biologically active substances. This study was designed to determine the peritoneal response to local administration of LPS or TNF-alpha in the course of experimental septic shock.

Morphometric and ultrastructural studies of the spinal sensory ganglia in the course of sciatic nerve regeneration in rats intoxicated with ethanol

The aim of the study was to examine morphological changes in the spinal dorsal ganglia (from which sensory fibres of the sciatic nerve extend) in animals intoxicated with ethanol, in which the sciatic nerve was transected and then sutured. By means of morphometric methods using a computer system of picture analysis and in ultrastructural examinations it was found that ethanol administered to rats to drink for 3 months caused only slight morphological alterations in the sensory nerve cells of the spinal vertebral ganglia on the non-operated side. However, ethanol or its metabolites destroyed the regenerating sensory nerve cells of the spinal vertebral ganglia of the transected and then sutured sciatic nerve.

Primary intracranial malignant fibrous histiocytoma--ultrastructural study

Malignant Fibrous Histiocytoma is the most common soft tissue sarcoma in adults with the majority of cases that occur in patients between 50-70 years and 64% of cases occurs in male. Most commonly it arises in extremities (lower 49% and upper 19%), less often in the abdomen (16%) and very rare in head localization (3%) [5]. Typically macroscopically it is a multilobulated, gray-white, fleshy mass between 5-20 cm of diameter. In light microscopy this tumour has a highly variable morphologic pattern and manifests a broad range of histological appearance. It has been classified into the following subtypes: storiform-pleomorphic, myxoid, giant cell, inflammatory and angiomatoid. The first two subtypes are more frequent than others. The aim of this report is to present the electronmicroscopic features of giant cell type of MFH localized in head.

Ultrastructure of bone marrow megakaryocytes in experimental haemorrhagic shock in rats. II. Correlation between ultrastructure of MK cytoplasm and thrombopoiesis

Ultrastructural evaluation was performed of the MK cytoplasm in the successive phases of experimental haemorrhagic shock in rats. Qualitative abnormalities were revealed in the intracytoplasmic structures of MK. Platelets in the circulating blood were evaluated. A correlation was found between the changes in the intracytoplasmic organelles and the number and biological activity of blood cells. The results obtained indicate significant disturbances in the functioning of the thrombopoietic system in experimental haemorrhagic shock, which are caused by alterations within the intracytoplasmic structures of MK and lead to platelet production from morphologically differentiated but functionally immature MK.

Cyclophosphamide in diffuse lung damage

Some cyclophosphamide toxic effects on lung tissue are presented. Cyclophosphamide metabolism, pathogenesis of lung damage and morphological lung tissue changes caused by that agent were characterized. Attention was focused on BAL evaluation as a useful method in the monitoring of lung tissue damage degree.

Influence of endotoxin on the level of tumor necrosis factor alfa and blood morphology in rats

The influence of endotoxin E.coli O127 B:8 given intravenously or intraperitoneally on the level of Tumor Necrosis Factor alfa (TNF-alpha), blood cells count and bone marrow morphology in rats was studied. The presented results show that endotoxin (3 mg/kg) given intravenously or intraperitoneally (1 or 3 times) provoked an appearance of TNF-alpha in the systemic circulation 24 hours after its injection. Endotoxin given intravenously evoked greater changes in blood morphology and bone marrow than that applicated intraperitoneally.

Colour doppler sonography guided percutaneous fine-needle biopsy of the liver

Between 1992 and 1997, every year, approximately 30,000 examinations of the liver and bile ducts were done. Addition of colour Doppler imaging improves safety of procedures and allowed to perform ultrasound guided biopsy in 73 patients. On the basis of our experience we state that colour Doppler sonography guided percutaneous fine needle biopsy of the liver is useful, sufficient and safety diagnostic method of abscesses, cysts and malignant tumours of the liver.

[Chronic cor pulmonale--a disease of the right or both ventricle(s) of the heart?]

Some aspects of the development of chronic cor pulmonale have been presented. Special attention has been paid to the possibility of simultaneous formation of changes in the muscle of both ventricles of the heart and to an increase in the number of capillaries in the myocardium in the early stage of this disease. Angiogenesis, the role of hypoxia and endothelins in the pathogenesis of these changes have been discussed.