[Gap junction intercellular communication in carcinogenesis of endometrial cancer]

One of the mechanisms for direct cell to cell signaling is mediated by gap junctions. These junctions are formed by connexins, transmembrane proteins. Gap junction intercellular communication (GJIC) plays a critical role in tissue development, differentiation of cells, and regulation of tissue homeostasis. Cancer cells are characterized by growth and/or differentiation disorders. Endometrial cancer is the most common gynecological malignancy in developed countries. In this study we discuss the putative role of GJIC and adhesion molecules in the development of endometrial cancer The relationships of GJIC to the process of apoptosis and function of some adhesion proteins have also been underlined.

Laryngologist Leon Zamenhof—Brother of Dr. Esperanto

Purpose

To reconstruct the biography of the Polish otorhinolaryngologist Leon Zamenhof (1875–1934), a brother of Ludwik Zamenhof, who is famous for invention of the international language Esperanto.

Method

Biographical information was collected from pre-World War II resources.

Results

Zamenhof developed several important new forms of treatment to help the hearing impaired. Zamenhof was especially interested in the education of deaf children and the therapy necessary to facilitate their integration into society. His significant achievements were a phonetic method of therapy for the hearing impaired and an automatic device for ear insufflation that was considered indispensable in the management of pyorrhea. In addition, Zamenhof initiated various forms of social support among physicians within the medical community of Warsaw, Poland; made health care available to children with hearing impairments; and organized a Jewish school for deaf children. Zamenhof tried to change public attitudes toward deafness, working to promote the integration of the deaf into wider society. He also translated Polish literature into Esperanto.

Conclusions

With similar aims to his brother Ludwik, Leon Zamenhof strived to enhance and broaden communication among people who could not hear and to persuade people to change their attitudes about deafness.

Expression of Bcl-xL, Bax, and p53 in primary tumors and lymph node metastases in oral squamous cell carcinoma

Disturbances in expression of apoptosis-associated proteins take part in the development and progression of many human malignancies. The aim of this study was the assessment of correlations among proteins involved in apoptosis-Bcl-xL, Bax, and p53-as well as relationships of these proteins with selected clinicopathological features in oral squamous cell carcinoma. Consequently, we examined by immunohistochemistry, using the avidin-biotin-peroxidase method, Bcl-xL, Bax, and p53 expression in 56 samples of primary oral squamous cell carcinoma and in 22 matched pairs of primary and metastatic tumors. The evaluation of immunostaining of Bcl-xL, Bax, and p53 was analyzed in 10 different tumor fields, and the mean percentage of tumor cells with positive staining was evaluated. The significance of the associations was determined using Spearman correlation analysis and the chi-square test. We found positive Bcl-xL, Bax, and p53 immunostaining in 44.6%, 28.6%, and 58.9% of the studied primary tumors and in 63.6%, 45.5%, and 72.7% of lymph node metastases, respectively. Analysis of associations among studied proteins revealed positive correlation between Bcl-xL and Bax in primary tumors (P<0.03, r=0.307). Statistically significant relationship between p53 expression in primary oral cancers and its expression in lymph node metastases (P<0.02) as well as increased expression of Bcl-xL, Bax, and p53 in metastatic sites compared with primary tumors could indicate an association of these proteins with oral cancer progression and development of metastases. Moreover, we suppose that knowledge about heterogeneity between primary and metastatic tumor might help to understand mechanisms of oral cancer progression.

[Evaluation of adenoid mast cells in children with secretory otitis media]

Mast cells may play a role in pathogenesis of the otitis media with effusion (OME) in children. The study involved 72 children with no history of allergic diseases. The analysed material were adenoids removed on the grounds of hypertrophy. Immunohistochemical analyses were carried out using antibodies (Dako, M 7052) directed against mast cell tryptase. The slides evaluation was performed by means of optic microscope. The presence of mast cells within adenoidal tissue were scored. There were no statistically significant difference between the numbers of mast cells in each examined adenoid as well as age groups. Our results correspond with those obtained by other authors according to mast cells distribution in adenoid tissue and do not indicate any particular role of mast cells in pathogenesis of OME in children.

The role of Bak expression in apoptosis of the oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and metastases to lymph nodes (LNMs)

The immunohistochemical method was applied to show Bak expression in oral squamous cell carcinoma and its metastases to lymph nodes (LNMs). Bak expression was evaluated by immunohistochemical methods in specimens with oral squamous cell carcinomas and their lymph node metastases. Immunohistochemical studies were performed, using goat polyclonal Bak antibodies (Santa Cruz Biotechnology, USA) at 1:200 dilution. Our studies revealed over expression (64%) of Bak in the cytoplasm of epithelial cells in primary tumours (PTs) and in (75%) LNMs. No statistically significant correlations were observed between Bak immunoreactivity and age, pT and G of the carcinoma in PTs and LNMs. We conclude that expression of Bak may be useful for better characterising and predicting the prognosis of OSCC but cooperative studies are needed to assess its applications in the clinical practice.

The Bcl-2 protein expression in germinal centers of hypertrophied adenoids in children

The aim of this study was to evaluate Bcl-2 expression in the germinal centers of adenoid in children on the assumption that it can be treated as a marker of adenoidal tissue function. The study involved 95 children. The patients were divided into three age groups: aged up to 5, 5-10 and above 10 years. The analysed material were adenoids removed on the grounds of hypertrophy. Immunohistochemical analyses were carried out using monoclonal antibodies (DAKO/Bcl-2, No. M0887) directed against human Bcl-2 protein. The presence of Bcl-2 positive lymphocytes within the lymphoid follicles and Bcl-2 immunostaining were scored. The immunohistochemical staining showed Bcl-2 positive lymphocytes in the examined sections of adenoidal tissue and their characteristic location, mainly within the mantle zone. Bcl-2 reactivity was widespread in hyperplastic lymphoid tissue, including germinal centers surroundings, scattered cells within the germinal centers and the T-cell areas in general. We have not found statistically significant correlation between Bcl-2 expression and clinical status and change in Bcl-2 expression level according to age. The apoptosis presence within the germinal centers and its lack in mantle zone, the manifestation of which is Bcl-2 expression, is a sign of a proper lymphocytes maturation within lymphoid follicles. It seems that these processes are not influenced by age, so the adenoid involution is probably associated with the changes in the number of lymphoid follicles rather than change or inhibition of the processes that take place in them.

Naive and memory T cells in hypertrophied adenoids in children according to age

The anatomic location of the adenoid implies that this organ is the first site of contact with inhaled antigens. Depending on the expression of different isoforms of the CD45 molecules, T cells can be divided into naive (CD45RA(+)) and memory (CD45R0(+)) cells, the latter representing T cells that have already been exposed to antigens. The purpose of this study was to analyse the lymphoid cells' subsets in adenoids and relate the findings to the age. The analysed material was adenoid tissue removed on the grounds of hypertrophy from 22 children. The patients were divided into two groups: up to 5 and above 5 years of age. The analyses of the lymphocytes subpopulations in the adenoid were performed in an EPICX XL (Coulter) flow cytometry. The results are expressed as the percentage of positively labeled cells (CD4(+), CD8(+), CD4(+)/CDB(+), CD4(+)CD45RA(+), CD8(+)CD45RA(+), CD4(+)CD45R0(+), CD8(+)CD45R0(+)). The percentage of CD4(+)/CD45R0(+) in children up to 5 years of age was significantly lower than in older children. We found the positive regression between age and the percentage of CD4(+) cells was CD45R0(+) (r=0.64). There were no statistically significant differences between study subgroups for the other parameters. The positive regression for CD4(+)/CD45R0(+) cells and age may result from increased stimulation by bacterial, viral and other antigens. Our results indicate that the adenoid have an important role in the development of an immunological memory among younger children.

Lymphocyte subpopulations in hypertrophied adenoid in children with otitis media with effusion

Otitis media with effusion (OME) usually coexist with the adenoid hypertrophy. The aim of this study was a quantitative evaluation of the lymphocyte subpopulations in hypertrophied adenoid in children with persistent (ove three months) otitis media with effusion. We used flow cytometry for study the subpopulations of the lymphocytes in the pharyngeal adenoid during otitis media in the children, alternative group consist of children with simple adenoid hypertrophy. The monoclonal antibodies selected were specific markers for T lymphocytes (CD3), T-helper cells (CD4), T-suppressor cells (CD8), B cells (CD19) and NK cells (CD56). There were also analyzed T activation markers: HLA-DR and CD25. The percentage of NK cells was significantly decreased in the group of younger children with otitis media with effusion (0.81 +/- 0.51) in comparison to older ones (1.40 +/- 0.59%). Also, in the group of younger children with adenoid hypertrophy, the NK cells percentage was significantly lower (0.85 +/- 0.37%) than in the group of older children--(1.46 +/- 0.83). In both subgroups of younger children the percentage of lymphocytes T with HLA-DR activation marker was close, but it was significantly lower in the group of older children with otitis media with effusion (4.28 +/- 3.40%) in comparison to the group of older children with adenoid hypertrophy (5.03 +/- 3.00%).

[Bacterial flora of hypertrophied tonsils in children with secretory otitis media]

The potentially pathogenic bacteria: Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis, Streptococcus pneumoniae are the major bacterial flora of hypertrophied tonsils. In children suffering from otitis media with inflammatory effusion an unfortunate decreased physiological flora of Streptococcus viridans and Neisseria is observed.

[Lymphocyte subpopulations in the adenoids analyzed by flow cytometry]

Adenoid hypertrophy is a common problem of childhood. The peak occurrence of adenoid hypertrophy correlates with the onset of serous otitis media. The aim of the study was to evaluate the lymphocyte subpopulations in the adenoids of children with serous otitis media. The adenoids obtained from 65 children at the age of 1 to 17 years were examined. Two groups were studied: 1) children with persistent effusion in the middle ear, 2) children with adenoid hypertrophy without a history of otitis media. The percentage of the lymphocytes B in the adenoids was similar in both groups. However, the percentage of lymphocytes T (p < 0.04), and CD4+ (p < 0.005) was significantly lower in adenoids of children with serous otitis media. The percentage of lymphocytes T HLA-DR+ was slightly higher in this group, but the percentage of lymphocytes T CD25+ was the same in both groups. The quantitative differences in the lymphocyte subpopulations of adenoids may be the predisposing factor in serous otitis media.

Lymphocyte subpopulations in hypertrophied adenoid in children

Adenoid hypertophy is a common feature of childhood. It is currently accepted that it is caused by the antigen-stimulated increased activity of lymphocyte B (D. Bani, O. Gallo, O. Fini-Storchi, Intraepithelial lymphocyte subpopulations and dendritic accessory cells in normal and hypertrophic adenoids, Laryngoscope 10 (1994) 869-873). The adenoid decreases its size with age but the accompanying function alterations are not fully understood (L. Zawadzka-Glos, M. Chmielik, M. Wasik, Cell mediated response in hypertrophied tonsils in children, Nowa Pediatr. 4 (1997) 12-13). The understanding of the adenoid structure that undergoes some changes during the growth period is essential for evaluation of indications for adnoidectomy and assessment of its potential results. The aim of this study was to evaluate lymphocyte subpopulations in adenoid according to age. The analysed material was adenoids removed on the grounds of hypertrophy, which caused obstructive symptoms and/or otitis media with effusion onset. In the present study, we did not find any statistically significant differences among lymphocytes B, Th, and Ts subpopulations, respectively, in the adenoids of any of the age groups. We have found a statistically significant CD3(+) HLA-DR(+) cell percentage decrease in the group of children from 5 to 10 and above 10 years of age, respectively. We have also found a statistically significant increase in the percentage of NK (CD3(-) CD16(+) 56(+)) lymphocytes in relation to age. On the grounds of the current study, it may be stated that some changes in lymphocyte subpopulations in the adenoid take place with age.

Distortion products otoacoustic emissions in diagnosis of hearing loss in Down syndrome

This study was carried out to investigate the features of hearing impairment in subjects with Down syndrome. Forty-seven children and 14 adults with Down syndrome were included in the study. In all cases, a complete otorhinolaryngological examination was performed, followed by audiological assessment. Depending on age, intellectual level and middle ear status the following examinations were performed: pure-tone 'play audiometry', tympanometry, acoustic reflex, auditory brain response (ABR) and distortion products otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE). The results were compared with age matched control groups. Among the group of children with Down syndrome, we have frequently found impairment of the conductive function of the middle ear which was expressed by pathological tympanometry. Tympanometry of B and C type was detected in 56% of ears. The amplitude of DPOAE was lower in children with Down syndrome than in the control group. This difference was more expressed in adults with Down syndrome. DPOAE examination results in subjects with Down syndrome without conductive hearing loss indicate early age related inner ear impairment.