The study was undertaken to determine the immunoexpression of protein products of nm23 genes which are thought to be potential metastasis suppressor genes, in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, and to analyze their relationship to selected clinicopathological features (age, sex, tumour size, depth of invasion, presence of lymph nodes and distant metastasis, pathologic tumor stage, degree of cancer differentiation and vascular/lymphatic invasion), as well as to the overall survival. Immunohistochemical staining with monoclonal antibody against nm23 using LSAB2/HRP method on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded sections obtained from 32 tumors was performed. Eight tumors (25%) showed positive nm23 immunoexpression. There were no statistically significant differences between nm23-positive and nm23-negative groups with respect to all clinicopathological features studied. The positive nm23 status was related to a worse prognosis but this was not significant. The results may suggest that nm23-status is not associated with metastatic ability and prognosis in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, but such thesis requires further study on a larger population.

Granular cell tumors (GCTs) are relatively uncommon, usually benign and solitary neoplasms. Until now, about 200 cases of esophageal GCTs have been reported in the literature. We present a rare case of synchronous occurrence of esophageal GCT and moderately differentiated squamous cell carcinoma in a 40-year-old white woman. The GCT was detected incidentally during esophagoscopy undertaken for evaluation of a 4-month history of progressive solid food dysphagia. The gross and microscopic appearance of the GCT was typical. It was localized in the mucosa of the middle esophagus dystally and separately to the cancer. It revealed strong positive immunostaining for vimentin, S-100 protein and neuron-specific enolase, as well as weakly positive focal staining for Ki67 and p53 protein. Although, the coexistence of esophageal GCTs and cancers seems to be coincidental, the necessity of a careful clinical evaluation and a close follow-up of patients with GCT is suggested.

The aim of this study was to analyze the scientific protocol of 21 patients operated due to abdominal aortic aneurysm. Arterial hypertension was the common feature for the whole group. Typical microscopic changes for true aortic aneurysm in all histopathological findings were approved. A different in size thrombus was always present inside the aortic sac. In every case atherosclerotic lesions were recognized in the aneurysm wall. In some samples the multiple inflammatory infiltration consisting of mononuclear cells were observed. Simultaneously an intensive angiogenesis process was seen.

The aim of the study was to determine the predictive value of selected clinical and histopathological factors as well as the immunohistochemical expression of p53 and bcl-2 proteins in the prediction of the pathological response to preoperative chemotherapy in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Thirty-four patients with advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the thoracic esophagus (T2-4 N0-1 M0), who underwent one cycle of cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil therapy followed by subtotal esophagectomy, were studied. All clinical factors (tumor longitudinal diameter in a computed tomographic scan, invasion depth, the presence of lymph node metastasis and clinical tumor staging) were evaluated before the onset of the therapy. The histopathological features (grade of differentiation, degree of keratinization, nuclear polymorphism, mitotic index, pattern of cancer invasion and inflammatory response), and the expression of p53 and bcl-2 proteins were also estimated in prechemotherapy endoscopic biopsy specimens. Pathological response to chemotherapy was assessed in surgically resected specimens. Of 34 patients, two (5.9%) showed complete response (CR), six patients (17.6%) exhibited major histological changes (partial response 1; PR1), 24 (70.6%) showed minor histological changes (partial response 2; PR2), and two patients (5.9%) exhibited no response to chemotherapy (stable disease; SD). There were no significant relationships between the response to preoperative chemotherapy (CR + PR1 vs. PR2 + SD) and the majority of the clinical and all the histopathological features. Deeper cancer invasion before chemotherapy was the only factor that tended to worsen the therapy effect (p < 0.01). The pathological response to treatment had no significant associations with the expression of p53 and bcl-2 proteins in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. It should be noted, however, that both patients in CR were p53 and bcl-2 protein-negative.

BACKGROUND/AIMSPartial gastrectomy is a well-established pre-malignant condition. It is postulated that in the gastric stump an accelerated neoplastic process takes place, similar to that of (intestinal type) adenocarcinoma from the non-operated stomach. K-ras codon 12 mutation is one of the most frequent oncogenic alterations in human solid neoplasms. It is rare in conventional gastric carcinoma and has not been studied in gastric stump carcinoma. The aim of this study was to compare the prevalence of K-ras codon 12 point mutations in gastric stump carcinomas with those in conventional carcinomas from the non-operated stomach.METHODOLOGYTwenty-four gastric stump carcinomas were compared with 26 conventional gastric carcinomas. Stage, histology, and demographics were comparable in both groups. Mutations in codon 12 of the K-ras gene were examined with a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based method and subsequent dot blot hybridization with mutation-specific probes. The results of Helicobacter pylori infection, Epstein-Barr virus infection and p53 immunohistochemistry were partially known from a previous study.RESULTSIn one of the gastric stump carcinomas as well as in one of the conventional gastric carcinomas a K-ras codon 12 point mutation was found. p53 immunohistochemistry results were comparable in both groups. Interestingly, Helicobacter pylori infection rate and Epstein-Barr virus in situ hybridization for EBER1, as previously studied, appeared were significantly different in the two groups.CONCLUSIONSK-ras codon 12 point mutations are rare in both gastric stump carcinomas and conventional gastric carcinomas. This supports the postulated hypothesis that the pathways of carcinogenesis in both gastric stump carcinoma and conventional gastric carcinoma share common features. However, these groups differ in infection rate of Helicobacter pylori and of Epstein-Barr virus, which suggests that some neoplastic stimuli differ as well.

The role of Helicobacter pylori in gastric carcinogenesis is a subject of an increasing interest. In this report we describe a prospective study on the resected stomachs to establish the prevalence of H. pylori in different types of gastric carcinoma. The material consisted of 62 consecutive patients operated on stomach adenocarcinomas Fifty six percent of the patients were intestinal type, 34%--diffuse type and 10%--mixed type. The presence of H. pylori was studied in specimens from surgically removed stomachs. The conformation of the bacterial infection was done by means of rapid urease test, microbiological culture, Warthin-Starry and immunohistochemical staining. The overall prevalence of H. pylori infection was 69% (43/62). There was a statistically significant difference in the infection rates between the types of carcinoma--75% in the intestinal type and 62% in the diffuse type. The most sensitive was immunohistochemical staining. The bacterial colonies were cumulated far from the tumor tissue. In cardiac cancer the most intense of infection was an antrum and lower part of gastric body. In opposite; in antrum and pylorus cancer the scope of colonisation increased in fundus and subcardiac region with statistical signification. We could not detect H. pylori in the tumor tissue itself as in the normal mucosa of the stomach. In gastric antrum the most intense colonisation was detected on mucosal atrophy, but in the upper part of the stomach--on the mucosal metaplasia.

Comparative value of esophagoscopy and biopsy in correlation with 24 hour esophageal pH metry parameters were assessed in 53 consecutive patients operated on due to GERD. The special attention was paid to the type and intensity of esophageal mucosa injury and the quantity of the pathological gastroesophageal reflux. The therapeutic effect of the Nissen Rossetti fundoplication on postoperative changes in esophageal mucosa was also estimated on the average 18 months after the antireflux procedure. Pre and postoperative efficiency of the antireflux mechanism and patients conditions were evaluated on the grounds of anamnesis, physical examination, x-ray examination, endoscopy with biopsy, 24 hours pH metry, LES and body of the esophagus manometry. The results were shown as mean and standard deviation. Statistical significance was determined using SPSS/PC-packet, Smirnow-Kolmogorow and Wilcoxon test, with p values < 0.05 considered as significant. After the operation complete and durable relief of reflux symptoms was obtained in 83% patients, with high significant decrease of DeMeester score from 21.15 +/- 12.19 to 3.43 +/- 5.22, p < 0.0002. Endoscopy following the operation confirmed significant regression of the GERD pathology, mainly in II and III degree according to Savary Miller classification, from 98.1% to 18.9%, p < 0.005. In comparison with other types of the pathology, Barrett's esophagus was always connected with significant higher quantity of the pathological gastroesophageal reflux before as well as after the operation. Biopsy following the operation revealed not significant regression of mucosal GERD lesions in 54.7%. The healing changes were observed first of all in the most severe esophageal injuries-chronic squamous esophagitis (64%), CLE except intestinal type of metaplasia (86.&%) and low grade dysplasia of squamous epithelium (100%). The absence of regression after the operation was always combined with unsatisfactory decrease of 24 hour pH metry parameters: DeMeester score, percentage of total time pH < 4.0 and time pH < 4.0 in supine position. Postoperative progression of GERD pathology was noticed in 12.6% patients. One third patients had the same biopsy outcome before and after the operation, even in those without any GERD complaints. Biopsy in correlation with 24 hour pH metry analysis similarly like endoscopy revealed in CLE twice higher DeMeester score than squamous esophagitis, hyperplasia or normal esophageal mucosa. The study proved that more advanced stages of GERD pathology were connected with higher quantity of the gastroesophageal reflux. The results presented in this study confirmed high efficacy of the Nissen Rossetti fundoplication in surgical treatment of GERD. We would to emphasize that with unsatisfactory biopsy results following the operation should be the reason for permanent follow up endoscopic and histopathologic verification.

Increasing prevalence of adenocarcinoma of the esophagus and esophago-gastric junction has been reported. The aim of the study was to determine whether this phenomenon is reflected in the cohort of patients referred for surgery to our institution. Clinical and pathological records of patients with adenocarcinoma of the stomach (n = 433) or gastro-esophageal junction (n = 302), and squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus (n = 266) were reviewed from 1981 to 1996. Yearly prevalence of carcinoma of the gastric cardia in comparison to carcinoma of (a more distal) stomach has not changed, ranging 19-46%. From 1981 to 1984 out of 58 gastric resections, 14 (24%) total gastrectomies were done, whereas from 1993 to 1996 total gastrectomies were performed in 104 out of 138 (75%) patients with gastric cancer (p < 0.001). In the first 4 years of the study period adenocarcinoma of the cardia and/or esophagus was found in 19% of all patients with esophageal and junctional tumors, while in the last 4 years,-in 30%. Resection rates for gastric and cardiac cancers have not changed significantly, 75-100% and 21-65% respectively. Resection rate for carcinoma of the esophagus increased from 50% (17/34) to 79% (53/67) (p = 0.006, test chi2). Increasing rate of total gastrectomies can be explained by a trend towards more proximal localisation of the primary gastric tumors and/or clinical application of Laurén classification for the choice of operative procedure. Higher resection rate for carcinoma of the esophagus is a result of increasing experience of the surgical team, improvement in preoperative staging, new palliative modalities, and application of preoperative chemo-/radiotherapy.

A case of 18 year old patient with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection is presented. Serious organ complications were observed in the course of the disease. Patient's death was a result of the massive gastrointestinal bleeding caused by gastric lymphoma, which was confirmed endoscopically and histopathologically. A possible role of EBV infection in the development of lymphomas is shortly discussed.

The Wistar rats were treated with daunorubicin in the doses corresponding to average doses administered in humans. Analysis under TEM concerned changes in hepatocytes induced by the drug. The changes were compared with those observed in the liver when daunorubicin administration followed protective administration of tocopherol (vitamin E) and ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and when daunorubicin was given simultaneously with tocopherol and ascorbic acid. The results showed nucleus heterochromatin scattering, segregation of nucleolus granular and fibrillar components, swelling of mitochondria and myelin structures in them, segmental degranulation of rough endoplasmic reticulum and decreased number of glycogen granules. The studies led to the conclusion that daunorubicin hepatotoxicity was blunted in animals receiving simultaneously vitamin E and C, which indicates to assume that those antioxidants exert some protective effect on hepatocytes. Normalization of the changes 3 weeks after administration of the last dose suggests that most of the changes are reversible and do not result in chronic liver damage.

Journal Article Chronic myelogenous leukaemia associated with rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis Get access M. Majdan, M. Majdan 1Departments of Nephrology, HematologyLublin, Poland Correspondence and offprint requests to: Maria Majdan MD, Klinika Nefrologii, 20-950 Lublin, Poland ul. Jaczewskiego 8 Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic PubMed Google Scholar A. Dmoszyńska, A. Dmoszyńska 2Department of Nephrology, PathologyLublin, Poland Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic PubMed Google Scholar M. Wojtaszko, M. Wojtaszko 2Department of Nephrology, PathologyLublin, Poland Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic PubMed Google Scholar H. Śpiewak, H. Śpiewak 2Department of Nephrology, PathologyLublin, Poland Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic PubMed Google Scholar D. Chibowski, D. Chibowski 3Department of Nephrology, Medical SchoolLublin, Poland Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic PubMed Google Scholar Z. Siezieniewska, Z. Siezieniewska 3Department of Nephrology, Medical SchoolLublin, Poland Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic PubMed Google Scholar A. Książek A. Książek 1Departments of Nephrology, HematologyLublin, Poland Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic PubMed Google Scholar Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation, Volume 9, Issue 5, 1994, Pages 562–563, https://doi.org/10.1093/ndt/9.5.562 Published: 01 January 1994 Article history Received: 30 November 1993 Accepted: 03 December 1993 Published: 01 January 1994

The toxicity of "Polfa" perphenazine and its profile of pharmacological properties were estimated. LD50 values calculated in rats were 2000 mg/kg and 325 mg/kg, after p.o. and i.p. administration respectively. Chronic toxicity of the perphenazine was evaluated during the period of 3 month of the drug treatment p.o. or i.p. in the rats and mice. Decrease of the locomotor activity of perphenazine was observed after the highest dose (15 mg/kg) of the drug, only in the first weeks of the experiment. Also the cataleptogenic effect of perphenazine observed in the mice was diminished during 3 month of the experiment. Moreover, perphenazine did not induced significant changes in the blood morphology and histology of the internal organs.

Ultrastructure of the basilar artery has been examined in 14 animals aged 70 and 140 days. The structure is characteristic for the muscular type artery. During the most intensive physical growth of the animals between 70 and 140 days, at the time of sexual maturation, the number of laminae in the middle layer increases from 4 to 6 and collagenous, and elastic fibers increase as well.

A case of carpal tunnel syndrome in female patient treated with hemodialyses for 10 years is presented. Surgical management was applied with positive result. Histological examination of tissue collected during surgery has shown the deposits of amyloid-like substance in carpal tunnel. The authors discuss current concepts of carpal tunnel syndrome pathogenesis in hemodialysed patients.