Enhanced TLR2 responses in multiple sclerosis

The roles of the microbiome and innate immunity in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS) remain unclear. We have previously documented abnormally low levels of a microbiome‐derived Toll‐like receptor (TLR)2‐stimulating bacterial lipid in the blood of MS patients and postulated that this is indicative of a deficiency in the innate immune regulating function of the microbiome in MS. We postulated further that the resulting enhanced TLR2 responsiveness plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of MS. As proof‐of‐concept, we reported that decreasing systemic TLR2 responsiveness by administering very low‐dose TLR2 ligands attenuated significantly the mouse model of MS, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. Studies of Toll‐like receptor responses in patients with MS have been conflicting. Importantly, most of these investigations have focused on the response to TLR4 ligation and few have characterized TLR2 responses in MS. In the present study, our goal was to characterize TLR2 responses of MS patients using multiple approaches. Studying a total of 26 MS patients and 32 healthy controls, we now document for the first time that a large fraction of MS patients (50%) demonstrate enhanced responsiveness to TLR2 stimulation. Interestingly, the enhanced TLR2 responders include a significant fraction of those with progressive forms of MS, a subset of patients considered unresponsive to adaptive immune system‐targeting therapies. Our results suggest the presence of a pathologically relevant TLR2 related innate immune abnormality in patients with both relapsing–remitting and progressive MS. These findings may have significant implications for understanding the role of innate immunity in the pathogenesis of MS.

TEM studies of the nitrided Ni-Ti surface layer

The structure of surface layer, obtained on the nearly equiatomic Ni-Ti alloy after nitriding under glow discharge conditions at temperatures 700 or 800 degrees C, was investigated. The structural characterization of the intruded layer was performed on cross-sectional thin foils by the use of the transmission and scanning electron microscopes. The obtained results show that the nitrided layers consist mainly of the nanocrystalline TiN phase and small amount of Ti(2)N. Between the nitrided layers and beta-NiTi matrix an intermediate Ti(2)Ni phase layer was observed.

Serum cholesterol in cerebral malignancies

Reduced blood cholesterol levels were reported in patients with a variety of malignant peripheral tumors. This fact is likely related to increased cholesterol demand by proliferating tumor cells. The question arises whether this 'tumor-associated hypocholesterolemia' occurs also in patients with brain tumors, and--if it does not--whether its absence can be related to the location of the tumors. We have compared fasting serum total cholesterol levels among three groups of patients: 52 patients with gliomas, 56 patients with symptomatic metastatic brain tumors, and 50 patients harboring malignant tumors of peripheral location but showing no clinical signs of brain metastases. Patients in the last group, despite being--on an average--more age-advanced, had lower total serum cholesterol levels than either the patients with gliomas, or the patients with brain metastases. No difference in the cholesterol levels was found between the two latter groups, and a majority of these patients had borderline or elevated cholesterol levels. This apparent absence of 'tumor-associated hypocholesterolemia' in brain tumor patients may be related to either brain tumors' ability to synthesize cholesterol de novo and their reduced dependence on peripheral cholesterol supply, the existence of brain tumor-blood barrier, effect of medications used to counteract brain edema and seizures, or a combination of these factors.

[Results of surgical treatment for Zenker's diverticula]

From 1976 to 1996, thirty nine patients were surgically treated for pharyngoesophageal diverticulum. The present study aimed to compare two methods of operative treatment of Zenker's diverticulum: excision (group I) and pexy, both of which were associated with upper esophageal sphincter myotomy. The main indication for surgery was dysphagia. The diagnosis of Zenker's diverticulum was based on clinical symptoms and the result of upper GI tract barium examination. In 75% of patients the diameter of diverticulum exceeded 2 cm. No patient died in the perioperative period. The main complications observed in the postoperative period were of pulmonary origin. In group I (excision) a leakage from the suture line occurred in 2 patients (12.5%). Time of follow-up ranged from 1 to 20 years (mean: 7 years). The comparison of both methods of treatment employed is in favour of diverticulopexy, being a safer and less complications-bearing method, although both of them give similar functional results.

[Esophageal resection for cancer--analysis of postoperative complications from personal materials]

The aim of the present study was to analyse the rate of postoperative complications in patients after esophageal resection for cancer, as well as the dependence of its frequency from surgical tactics employed during the operation. Postoperative complications occurring in 38 patients who underwent esophagectomy and intrathoracic esophagogastric anastomosis (treated from 1978 to 1987) were compared with the same data of 74 patients (1988-1996) in whom the operation consisted of the total intrathoracic esophagectomy, cardia, lesser curvature of the stomach and large regional lymph nodes dissection. In these latter cases the esophagogastric anastomosis was performed in the neck. The most frequent postoperative complications in both groups were of cardiopulmonary origin. The anastomotic leak occurred less frequently in patients with cervical esophagogastric anastomosis. However, when occurred, healing was more likely by local drainage and conservative treatment. Anastomotic leaks after intrathoracic esophagogatric anastomoses were usually fatal. In these cases the only chance of patient's survival was an aggressive surgical treatment consisting of disconnection of alimentary tract: esophageal fistula in the neck and feeding jejunostomy.

Endoscopic laser treatment of benign tracheal stenoses

We present the technique and results of endoscopic neodymium-yttrium aluminum garnet laser treatment of benign tracheal stenoses. This therapy was used in 15 patients with tracheal stenoses. Benign tracheal granulomas were caused by prolonged tracheal intubation in eight patients, permanent maintenance of tracheostomy tube in five patients, and nonspecific inflammatory process of the trachea in two patients. The clinical picture was dominated by dyspnea and stridor. The achievement of normal tracheal patency required several laser therapy sessions, repeated at 5- to 7-day intervals. In 30% of patients additional laser vaporization was required as well. The immediate and short-term results were encouraging; in all cases the normal tracheal lumen was restored, resulting in alleviation of patients' symptoms.

[Portal vein thrombosis. Etiology, diagnosis and treatment]

The authors present 225 patients with various forms of portal system venous thrombosis (PSVT), of various origin and etiology. The largest group (120 patients) were the young people suffering from portal hypertension due to pre-hepatic venous obstruction of uncertain etiology, lasting since childhood. The next group consisted of 75 patients with liver cirrhosis coexisting with PSVT. In other cases PSVT was diagnosed as coincident with: Budd-Chiari Syndrome (8 cases), liver tumors (9 cases), chronic pancreatitis (3 cases) and polycythaemia (2 cases). In 3 cases PSCT developed postoperatively and in 5 cases after oral contraceptives. Diagnosis of coexisting PSVT deteriorates the prognosis in liver cirrhosis. The overall mortality was 16%. The course of the disease depends on extensiveness and dynamism of thrombosis, but consequently leads to the development of portal hypertension. The most effective diagnostic procedures are: CT and USG with Doppler flowmetry. Bleeding esophageal varices require either sclerotherapy or surgical treatment--decompressive shunts or "non-shunt" procedures. In the cases of recent thrombosis, without bleeding varices, thrombolytic therapy appears to be effective.