Expression of p21 and bcl-2 proteins and p53 mRNA in surgically resected preparations of non-small cell lung cancer (stage IIIA) after etoposide and cisplatin chemotherapy.

Apoptosis which is also a called programmed cell death plays an important role during development, homeostasis and in many diseases such as cancer. Apoptosis is a genetically encoded cell death program defined by characteristic morphological and biochemical features. It is well recognized as a distinct pathologic mechanism in tumours responding to anticancer therapies. Many genes play an important role in this process. We evaluated an expression of the tumour supressor gene p53 and proteins p21 and bcl-2 in non-small cell lung cancer. We examined resected tumour tissues from 30 patients who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy. As a control we assessed tissues from patients treated without chemotherapy. Histological slides of the resected tumours were evaluated by TUNEL, in situ hybridisation and with immunoperoxidase staining procedure. The results were documented by photography. We examined the level of extinction using cytophotometry. In conclusion, preoperative chemotherapy induces apoptosis in cancer cells. The level of p53 correlates with the acceleration of TUNEL reaction. The loss of bcl-2 expression correlated with an increased apoptotic cell death. There was an increased p21 protein expression in the examined cancer tissues after chemotherapy.

The coexistence of tuberculosis infection and lung cancer in patients treated in pulmonary department of Medical Academy in Lublin during last ten years (1990-2000).

The coexistance of tuberculous infection (TB-infection) and lung cancer in patients treated in Pulmonary Department of Medical Academy in Lublin during last ten years (1990-2000) has been evaluated. Inclusion criteria involved: aging from 50 to 80 years, tobacco smoking, tuberculous infection in present or in past, lung cancer. All analyzed patients (32 males, 13 females) were heavy smokers (from 10 to 70 cigarettes per day, during at least 5 years). 27 patients were suffered from lung tuberculosis in past, the rest of them had active tuberculous infection. In 19 cases we detected carcinoma planoepitheliale, in 13 cases carcinoma macrocellulare, in 7 cases carcinoma microcellulare and in 6 cases adenocarcinoma. We concluded, that increased occurrence of lung cancer in TB reinfected patients may be connected with immunodepression caused by chronic TB infection. In patients with new active TB-infection in whom the clinical status and chest X-ray were getting worse in spite of antituberculotic treatment recommended procedures for cancer diagnosis were performed. We suggest that bad results of anti-tuberculotic treatment in TB-infected patients are not always caused by bactericidal resistance. In these cases, the proper diagnosis of lung cancer should be considered.

[Chronic Chlamydia pneumoniae infection in patients with asthma]. / Przewlekle zakazenie Chlamydia pneumoniae u chorych na astme oskrzelowa.

The aim of our study was to evaluate the frequency of Chlamydia pneumoniae infection (especially chronic infection) in 41 asthma patients. They have been assigned to 3 groups, according to disease severity. Control group consisted of 35 age matched healthy volunteers (without cardiac and pulmonary diseases). The levels of specific IgG, IgA and IgM in patients' serum have been estimated using indirect microimmunofluorescence. According to serologic criteria, 23(56.1%) asthma patients and 4(11.4%) healthy controls have appeared to be chronically infected with Chlamydia pneumoniae (p < 0.001). Acute Chlamydia pneumoniae infection was present in 3(7.3%) asthma patients and in 2(5.7%) healthy controls. Taking in account asthma severity, persistent Chlamydia pneumoniae infection has occurred more frequently in patients with moderate and severe asthma than in ones with mild asthma. Acute Chlamydia pneumoniae infection was present in 9.1% and 12.5% of patients with mild and severe asthma respectively.

[Pulmonary tuberculosis in youth treated at the Clinic of Lung Diseases and Tuberculosis in 1990-1994]. / Zapadalnosc na gruzlice pluc miodych leczonych w klinice chorób pluc i gruzlicy w latach 1990-1994.

An analysis of pulmonary tuberculosis morbidity risk factors has been presented among patients treated in the Clinic during the period 1990-94. Among the morbidity risk factors, apart from the presence of concomitant diseases, the deterioration of the standard of living of the population and the low level of health education, observed even among people with higher education, was of prime importance, followed by a limited number of radiographic, catastral examinations.

[Difficulties with diagnosis of lung cancer]. / Trudnosci z rozpoznaniem raka pluc.

52 year old patient with pulmonary tuberculosis in the past, was admitted to hospital because of massive hemoptysis. The cause of hemoptysis was not find during routine examinations. TK of lungs revealed only cirrhosis and bronchiectases in upper right lobe. During thoracotomy lung cancer was recognised.

[Tuberculous meningitis--a diagnostic and treatment problem]. / Gruzlicze zapalenie opon mózgowo-rdzeniowych--problem diagnostyczny i leczniczy.

Tuberculous meningitis is one of the most serious form of tuberculosis. The delay in diagnosing of tuberculous meningitis results in high mortality. An early diagnosis allows to achieve successful effects of treatment.

[Cytologic and histopathologic examinations of polyps and mucosa in chronic allergic and nonallergic rhinitis]. / Badania cytologiczne i histopatologiczne polipów i blony sluzowej w przewleklych alergicznych i niealergicznych niezytach nosa.

We evaluated cytograms and tissue sections of nasal polyps and mucosa of 30 patients with chronic allergic and nonallergic rhinitis. We compared them with cytograms and biopsies of 20 asymptomatic persons. We noticed a presence of neutrophils in cytograms and in biopsies of patients with allergic rhinitis and with nonallergic eosinophilic rhinitis. We observed the metaplasia of endothelium in allergic rhinitis, aspirin intolerance and in control group. The obtained data create integral view of alterations on the surface and inside of mucosa. Their analysis permits for correct classification and treatment of rhinitis.

[Blood platelets as one hemostatic indicator in patients with bronchial asthma]. / Plytki krwi jako jeden z wykladników hemostazy u chorych na astme oskrzelowa.

Phospholipids forming blood platelets membrane are substrates for oxidative phosphorylation in electric and chemical activation of these cells. Beneficial effect of corticosteroids on the course of asthma is connected with inhibition of phospholipase A2. This enzyme is responsible for the generation of allergic reaction membrane mediators like leukotrienes, prostaglandins and other lipoxygenase products. Three groups of asthmatic patients were observed: I group--patients with mild asthma, II group--patients with moderate asthma, III group--patients with severe, corticosteroid-dependent bronchial asthma. Changes of platelets membrane phospholipids structure in these groups of asthmatic patients were analyzed. There were significant differences in membrane phospholipids structure between II and III group of patients and control subjects (p < 0.01).

[Diagnostic difficulties with pleural mesothelioma]. / Trudnosci w rozpoznawaniu miedzybloniaków zlosliwych oplucnej.

An increase in the incidence of mesothelioma is presently seen. The current views on pathogenesis and diagnosis of this malignancy are presented. Early and final diagnosis are hampered by heterogenecity of clinical, macroscopic and microscopic features of this tumor.