Selected indicators of the range and use of printed resources in Polish academic libraries

Reports the results of a survey rating the amount and degree of the utilisation of printed materials in Polish academic libraries. The results which are presented by type (for example chemical, biological, technical libraries etc.) as well as by function (research libraries and libraries of educational institutions), concern the number of materials, including both books and periodicals. The authors include the amount of material in English as well as in other foreign languages. Figures illustrating the annual increase of these materials are also included. In addition, the article offers data which cover a number of issues, including the range of materials which were ordered at the request of users, the time of cataloguing, the number of loans, the number of unfilled orders, the extent of the utilisation of the collections, the number of interlibrary loans, as well as the relegation of outdated materials. Finally, the survey reveals information on the number of libraries which research into user needs, the number of libraries which are open on Saturdays and Sundays, and the number of libraries which provide special services such as weekend loans.

Allometric growth of spleen and liver in black-white bovine fetuses (Bos primigenius f. taurus)

Growth relationships between spleen and liver weights and body weight and CR length as well as between weights of liver and spleen in fetuses (145 males, 141 females) of black-white cattle. According to their body weights, the fetuses were divided into 4 growth groups: I, to 1000 g; IIa, 1000-3490 g; IIb, 3500-7990 g; III, over 8000 g. The relationships were described using appropriate allometric growth equations (log Y = b log X + A) derived both for individual groups and for the entire fetal period. Relative weights of the organs studied and the liver-spleen coefficient (L/S) were determined as well. The results are presented in equations, tables, and graphs.

Effect of ethanol on intracellular vesicular transport from Golgi to the apical cell membrane: role of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and phospholipase A2 in Golgi transport vesicles association and fusion with the apical membrane

The study of ethanol effects on intracellular transport and membrane biogenesis in rat hepatocytes revealed that, during synthesis of transport vesicles, the cytosolic phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase incorporated into the membrane of Golgi transport vesicles and a portion of the vesicular phosphatidylinositol was phosphorylated to phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate. Association of the enzyme with Golgi transport vesicles and the transport to the apical portion of the cell membrane was not affected by 0 to 120 mM ethanol, but was dependent on the presence of the p85 subunit of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase. In the presence of ATP-enriched cytosol and calcium ions, association of Golgi transport vesicles with the apical membrane was followed by phospholipase A2-specific hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate and incorporation of the transport vesicle membrane into the apical membrane. Association of Golgi transport vesicles with apical membranes was not affected by preincubation of the cell membrane or Golgi transport vesicles with 0 to 120 mM ethanol, but was inhibited when the p85 phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase was incorporated into the membrane before incubation with Golgi transport vesicles. The fusion of Golgi transport vesicles with the apical membrane and generation of lysophosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate and arachidonate was inhibited with EGTA or after depletion of ATP from cytosol. Results of these studies provide evidence that phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and phospholipase A2 activities are crucial for the final step of exocytotic transport. The process consists of two stages. First, the p85 subunit of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase is involved in the specific association of the vesicle with membrane receptor, and that is followed by phospholipase A2-specific lysophospholipid generation, perturbation of the membranes, and fusion of the transport vesicle membrane with the apical membrane. Addition of ethanol to the in vitro transport system decreased production of Golgi transport vesicles, but had no effect on their association with apical membrane or fusion with the membrane.

Treatment portals for elective radiotherapy of the neck: an inventory in The Netherlands

PURPOSE

To assess the variation in and the three-dimensional dosimetric consequences of treatment portals for elective neck irradiation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Radiation oncologists (n = 16) from all major Head and Neck Co-operative Groups in The Netherlands (n = 11) were asked to delineate treatment portals on a lateral and an anterior simulation film in case of elective neck irradiation for a T3N0 tumour of the supraglottic larynx and a T2N0 tumour of the mobile tongue. In addition, they had to define their target, i.e. which parts of the neck nodal regions they would choose to irradiate electively for these particular tumour sites. Subsequently, treatment portals were compared and evaluated using CT-data and a 3-dimensional (3D) treatment planning system.

RESULTS

Significant variations were found in the shapes and sizes of the applied treatment techniques and portals. Also, among radiation oncologists who elected to irradiate the same lymph node regions, a significant variation in the delineated treatment portals was observed. As a consequence, substantial variations in treated volumes and in calculated normal tissue complication probabilities (NTCPs) for the parotid- and submandibular glands were observed.

CONCLUSION

For the tumour sites studied there appears to be a lack of standardisation in the areas of the neck to be irradiated electively. The observed differences may have consequences for the ultimate failure rate and particularly with regard to the side effects, e.g. the degree of xerostomia. It is argued that in the near future a more precise three-dimensional definition on CT of the lymph node regions in the neck might allow for a better standardisation of the treatment portals and, in addition, for the development and application of conformal radiotherapy techniques for optimal sparing of the critical normal tissues (e.g. parotid- and submandibular glands) with maximum tumour control probability.

Treatment of brain metastases in patients with testicular cancer

PURPOSE

Despite improved cure rates for patients with metastatic testicular cancer with cisplatin-based combination chemotherapy, patients who develop brain metastases are generally considered to possess a poor prognosis. This report summarizes the long-term results in 44 patients with brain metastases from testicular cancer treated between 1978 and 1995 at Hannover University Medical School.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Histologically, 42 patients (95%) had a nonseminomatous germ cell cancer and two patients (5%) a seminoma. Thirty-nine patients (89%) had lung metastases and 37 (84%) fulfilled the criteria for advanced disease according to the Indiana University classification even without considering the brain metastases. Eighteen patients (41%) presented with brain metastases at primary diagnosis (group 1), four (9%) developed brain metastases at relapse after a previous favorable response to combination chemotherapy (group 2), and 22 (50%) developed brain metastases during or directly after cisplatin-based chemotherapy. Chemotherapy consisted of cisplatin-based combination treatment and radiotherapy was given as whole-brain irradiation of 30 to 40 Gy and in single cases combined with a boost of 10 Gy to single lesions.

RESULTS

Overall, 10 patients achieved long-term survival (23%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 10.1% to 35.4%). The prognosis was significantly better for patients in groups 1 and 2, with six of 18 (33%) and three of four (75%) patients alive, compared with only one of 22 (5%) in group 3 (P < .01). Patients treated with either chemotherapy or radiotherapy alone did not achieve long-term survival, while nine of 28 (32%) who received treatment with both modalities with or without surgery achieved sustained long-term survival. During univariate analysis, patients with the diagnosis of brain metastases at first presentation (P < .01), patients with a single brain lesion (P < .02), and patients who received combined chemotherapy and radiotherapy (P < .03) had a significantly improved outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

Long-term survival can be achieved in approximately 25% of patients with brain metastases from testicular cancer by combined treatment with brain irradiation and aggressive cisplatin-based chemotherapy. Patients who develop brain metastases during systemic treatment should receive only palliative radiation therapy, since sustained survival will not be reached.

Radiosurgery for brain metastases: relationship of dose and pattern of enhancement to local control

PURPOSE

This study aimed to analyze dose, initial pattern of enhancement, and other factors associated with freedom from progression (FFP) of brain metastases after radiosurgery (RS).

METHODS AND MATERIALS

All brain metastases treated with gamma-knife RS at the University of California, San Francisco, from 1991 to 1994 were reviewed. Evaluable lesions were those with follow-up magnetic resonance or computed tomographic imaging. Actuarial FFP was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method, measuring FFP from the date of RS to the first imaging study showing tumor progression. Controlled lesions were censored at the time of the last imaging study. Multivariate analyses were performed using a stepwise Cox proportional hazards model.

RESULTS

Of 261 lesions treated in 119 patients, 219 lesions in 100 patients were evaluable. Major histologies included adenocarcinoma (86 lesions), melanoma (77), renal cell carcinoma (21), and carcinoma not otherwise specified (17). The median prescribed RS dose was 18.5 Gy (range, 10-22) and the median tumor volume was 1.3 ml (range, 0.02-30.9). The initial pattern of contrast enhancement was homogeneous in 68% of lesions, heterogeneous in 12%, and ring-enhancing in 19%. The actuarial FFP was 82% at 6 months and 77% at 1 year for all lesions, and 93 and 90%, respectively, for 145 lesions receiving > or = 18 Gy. Multivariate analysis showed that longer FFP was significantly associated with higher prescribed RS dose, a homogeneous pattern of contrast enhancement, and a longer interval between primary diagnosis and RS. Adjusted for these factors, adenocarcinomas had longer FFP than melanomas. No significant differences in FFP were noted among lesions undergoing RS for recurrence after prior radiotherapy (119 lesions), RS alone as initial treatment (45), or RS boost (55).

CONCLUSION

A minimum prescribed radiosurgical dose > or = 18 Gy yields excellent local control of brain metastases. The influence of pattern of enhancement on local control, a new finding in this retrospective analysis, needs to be confirmed.

Nitro-l-arginine attenuates SKF 38393-induced oral activity in neonatal 6-hydroxydopamine-lesioned rats

Nitric oxide (NO) in brain has been implicated in neuronal regulatory processes and in neuropathologies. Previously we showed that NO modified quinpirole-induced yawning, a behavioral measure of dopamine (DA) D3 receptor activation in rats. The aim of this study was to characterize the effect of nitro-L-arginine methyl ester HCl (NAME) and L-arginine HCl on reactivity of rats to the DA D1 receptor agonist SKF 38393 and DA D1 antagonist SCH 23390 in intact and neonatal 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-lesioned rats (134 micrograms of base ICV at 3rd day after birth). L-arginine HCl (300 mg/kg i.p.) increased the oral activity response in 6-OHDA-lesioned rats, like SKF 38393, and induced catalepsy in intact control rats, like SCH 23390. In contrast, NAME had no effect on oral activity or catalepsy, but fully attenuated SKF 38393-induced oral activity. These findings indicate that L-arginine HCl has no apparent effect at the DA D1 receptor, but that NAME is effective in attenuating a DA D1 agonist-induced effect. Consequently NO may be an intracellular second messenger for supersensitized receptors associated with DA D1 agonist-induced oral activity.

[Experimental and clinical aspects of the neurotoxic action of aluminum]

In the paper there were described some problems concerning influence of aluminium on central nervous system mainly. It was shown some aspects of neurotoxic action of aluminium in experimental studies and in some clinical disorders probability connected with intoxication of aluminium.

Enhancement in gastric mucosal EGF and PDGF receptor expression with ulcer healing by sulglycotide

1. The effect of an antiulcer agent, sulglycotide, on mucosal expression of EGF and PDGF receptors with chronic ulcer healing was investigated. 2. Rats with experimentally-induced gastric ulcers were treated twice daily for 14 consecutive days, either with sulglycotide at 200 mg/kg or vehicle, and at different stages of treatment used for quantitation of gastric mucosal EGF and PDGF receptors. 3. The ulcer healing was accompanied by an increase in mucosal expression of both types of receptors. A 1.8-fold increase in EGF and 3.1-fold increase in PDGF receptors occurred by the 4th day following the development of ulcer and reached a maximum of 2.4-3.9-fold increase by the 10-14th day. 4. Treatment with sulglycotide caused accelerated ulcer healing accompanied by a significant enhancement in the receptors expression. A 2.3- and 3.6-fold increase in EGF and PDGF receptor expression occurred by the 4th day of sulglycotide treatment, reaching a 5.5- and 5.6-fold respective increase by the 10th day when the ulcer essentially healed. 5. The results attest to the ability of sulglycotide to stimulate the gastric mucosal proliferative activities associated with ulcer healing.

Enhancement in gastric mucosal laminin receptor expression with ulcer healing by sucralfate

The expression of gastric mucosal laminin receptor during chronic ulcer healing in the presence of sucralfate treatment was investigated. Rats with induced gastric ulcers were treated twice daily for 20 consecutive days either with sucralfate at 100mg/kg or vehicle, and at different stages of treatment used for gastric mucosal laminin receptor quantitation. The assays revealed that accelerated ulcer healing (8 days) in the presence of sucralfate was accompanied by a significant enhancement in the laminin receptor expression. A 2.8-fold increase in the receptor expression over that of controls occurred by the 3rd day of sucralfate treatment, reached a maximum of 3.1-fold increase by the 7th day and remained elevated even after 20 days of treatment. The results attest to the ability of sucralfate to stimulate and promote the events associated with gastric mucosal integrity restoration.

Internal-surface reversed-phase chromatography for plasma metabolite analysis of radiopharmaceuticals

The use of internal-surface reversed-phase (ISRP) chromatography of unprocessed plasma samples was investigated as an alternative method of quantitation of the arterial plasma metabolite time course of [18F]N-methylspiperone. The ISRP method was directly compared to standard solid phase extraction/HPLC (SPE/HPLC) methods currently in wide use. Results indicate that: (1) the ISRP method is rapid and minimizes sample preparation; (2) recovery of radioactivity from the ISRP column is greater than 90%; (3) no radioactivity remains associated with chromatographically size excluded proteins and (4) the quantitative results are well correlated with conventional SPE/HPLC methods.

Effect of prostaglandins and capsaicin on gastric vascular flow and mucosal injury in endothelin-1-treated rats

Infusion of endothelin-1 reduced vascular flow in the isolated perfused rat stomach. Concurrent infusion of iloprost and capsaicin, respectively, did not counteract the flow-reduction caused by endothelin-1. Infusion of prostaglandin (PG)F2 alpha caused vasoconstriction and significantly augmented the endothelin-1-induced flow reduction. In vivo, i.v. infusion of endothelin-1 (50 pmol/kg//min for 10 min) did not cause gastric mucosal damage, but enhanced injury produced by intragastric instillation of 20% ethanol. Intragastric administration of iloprost or PGF2 alpha prevented the pro-ulcerogenic effect of endothelin-1. Similarly, stimulation of afferent sensory neurons by intragastric capsaicin (0.5 mg/kg) protected against damage caused by endothelin-1 and 20% ethanol. Functional ablation of afferent sensory neurons by s.c. administration of 125 mg/kg capsaicin markedly enhanced gastric mucosal damage by intraluminal 20% ethanol. This damage was, however, not further increased by infusion of endothelin-1. These findings show that protection against the proulcerogenic effect of endothelin-1 can occur without antagonism of vasoconstriction. The findings also show that parameters involved in protection such as afferent sensory neurons do not contribute to the pro-ulcerogenic effects of endothelin-1 suggesting that protection against and potentiation of damage rely on different mechanisms.

Release of 15-hydroxy-5,8,11,13-eicosatetraenoic acid and cysteinyl-leukotrienes in carrageenin-induced inflammation: effect of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

Inflammatory exudates obtained in rats after subcutaneous implantation of carrageenin-soaked sponges were found to contain relatively large amounts of 15-hydroxy-5,8,11, 13-eicosatetraenoic acid (15-HETE) and smaller amounts of cysteinyl-leukotrienes (LT) in addition to LTB4, thromboxane (TX) B2 and prostaglandin (PG)E2. Concentrations of 15-HETE and cysteinyl-LT were high 5 hours after sponge implantation and decreased significantly within 24 hours. This time-course, which is similar to that of TXB2, but differs from that of PGE2, suggests migrating leukocytes as a major source of 15-HETE and cysteinyl-LT. Aspirin, sodium salicylate, dipyrone (100 mg/kg each) and indomethacin (2 and 20 mg/kg) decrease the concentrations of cyclooxygenase products of arachidonate metabolism, but did not significantly affect levels of 15-HETE. Cysteinyl-LT were increased by 20 mg/kg indomethacin, but remained unaffected by 2 mg/kg indomethacin and by the other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) tested. 15-HETE and cysteinyl-LT could play a mediator role in inflammation. In addition, they could modulate the release and effects of other inflammatory mediators.

[Interview training for patient history inquiry at the first prenatal examination: a pilot project at a women's clinic]

In view of the relevance of preventive examinations to health policy and the prophylactic value of the first meeting between physician and patient, the efficiency which which patients' histories are taken--and hence overall prenatal care--should be improved. The method adopted by duty physicians at the prenatal outpatient clinic of a community hospital furnishes an example. The examination was subdivided into four phases: 1. documentation of the current state of communication between doctor and patient (tape recordings, participatory observation, interviewing the patients and the duty physicians); 2. analysis of the interviews and the participatory observation, linguistic analysis of the history discussions; 3. topic-centered communication training of the duty physicians involved, on the basis of their own tape recordings; 4. feedback, verification of efficiency, and transfer of results to routine practice in the prenatal clinic. As early as in the fourth session changes in behavior and an increased awareness of problem areas in the course of the discussion were noted among the duty physicians. The program has proved easy to implement in practice. It enhances communication and identification for the junior physicians, and has had a highly positive overall effect.

Effects of combined modality therapy of head and neck carcinoma on shoulder and head mobility

One hundred twenty-six patients were evaluated prospectively for head and shoulder mobility following combined treatment of their advanced head and neck carcinoma. In the absence of a pectoral myocutaneous flap reconstruction, the sacrifice of the spinal accessory nerve does not appear to be deleterious to overall head and shoulder mobility with the exception of shoulder elevation. The addition of the pectoral myocutaneous flap reconstruction negated the shoulder elevation difference between the modified neck dissection and the classical neck dissection. The administration of postoperative radiation therapy appears to decrease the range of motion of both the head and the shoulder by up to 20%. We conclude that head and shoulder mobility following combined modality treatment for patients with head and neck carcinoma appears to be a multifaceted problem involving more than the presence or absence of the accessory nerve and psychosocial considerations. The multifaceted etiology of this problem should be taken into consideration when developing physical and occupational programs directed specifically at this problem.

Effects of formaldehyde on normal xenotransplanted human tracheobronchial epithelium

Epithelial cells obtained from autopsies of full-term fetuses or infants less than 1 year old were isolated, amplified in primary cultures and inoculated in deepithelialized rat tracheas. These tracheas were then sealed and transplanted subcutaneously into irradiated athymic nude mice. Four weeks after transplantation the tracheal lumen was completely covered by epithelium, most of which was of mucociliary respiratory type. At this stage, tracheal transplants containing tracheobronchial epithelium from 20 different donors were exposed to silastic devices containing 0, 0.5, 1 and 2 mg paraformaldehyde. The tracheal transplants were examined histologically at 2, 4, 8, and 16 weeks after transplantation. Before sacrifice, all animals were injected with a single pulse of tritiated thymidine. Important epithelial alterations could be seen in the formaldehyde treated transplants with a maximum effect visible at 2 weeks after exposure. The highest dose of 2 mg produced, in most cases, numerous areas of epithelial erosion and inflammation whereas this effect was not as evident with the lower doses. All doses produced areas of hyperplastic epithelium alternating with areas of pleomorphic-atrophic epithelium. Although the differences in predominance of different types of epithelium was not clearly dose-dependent, the labeling index (LI) showed dose dependence between 2 and 4 weeks after initiation of exposure. The maximum mean LI was three to four times higher than normal, although in some focal hyperplastic-metaplastic lesions the LI was increased up to 20 times. These studies show that formaldehyde, although toxic at higher doses, is able to elicit at lower doses a proliferative response of the human respiratory epithelium that is not preceded by a massive toxic effect. This response is similar, although less intense than that of the rat respiratory epithelium in which formaldehyde proved to be a carcinogen.

Plastic endobronchial tubes in the management of life-threatening hemoptysis

Plastic double-lumen endobronchial tube was used to maintain the airway in a patient with massive hemoptysis and nonresectable lung cancer. This tube is superior to the previously used Carlens tube, as it can be inserted in emergency situations and does not require surgical setting. In addition, the larger internal diameter of these tubes allows better airway clearance and passage of a flexible bronchoscope. The double-lumen tube may be considered as an alternative to selective main-stem intubation.

Airway complications in patients with closed-head injuries

The neurologic deficits in the closed-head injury population present special problems when managing the airway. Many of these closed-head injury patients require long-term intubation with endotracheal tube or tracheostomy to treat their central respiratory problems and control oral and pulmonary secretions. Four hundred sixty-seven closed-head injury patients were seen over a five-year period. Seventy-two of these patients required long-term endotracheal intubation, tracheostomy, or both. A prospective study by direct endoscopic examination prior to decannulation showed 23 of these 72 patients (32%) had important laryngeal or tracheal findings. The principal abnormalities observed were vocal cord paralysis, tracheal stenosis, subglottic stenosis, glottic stenosis, and tracheomalacia. This study suggests also that severely mentally impaired patients (cognitive function II and III) should retain their tracheostomy because of the high morbidity and mortality among these patients (31%) when they are decannulated. This mortality was directly related to poor pulmonary toilet, with pneumonia and sepsis being the major causes of death. This study did not show that the use of steroids or ventilators in the initial management adversely effected airway complications.