Tachykinins amplify the action of capsaicin on central histaminergic neurons.

Substance P (SP), a product of the tachykinin 1 (Tac1) gene, is expressed in many hypothalamic neurons. Its wake-promoting potential could be mediated through histaminergic (HA) neurons of the tuberomamillary nucleus (TMN), where functional expression of neurokinin receptors (NKRs) waits to be characterized. As in the process of nociception in the peripheral nervous system (PNS) capsaicin-receptor (transient potential vanilloid 1: TRPV1) signalling is amplified by local release of histamine and SP, we tested the involvement of tachykinins in the capsaicin-induced long-lasting enhancement (LLEcaps) of HA neurons firing by investigating selective neurokinin receptor ligands in the hypothalamic mouse brain slice preparation using patch-clamp recordings in cell-attached mode combined with single-cell RT-PCR. We report that the majority of HA neurons respond to SP (EC50 3 nM), express the SP precursor tachykinin 1 (Tac1) gene and at least one of the neurokinin receptors. Responses to selective agonists of three known neurokinin receptors were sensitive to corresponding antagonists. LLEcaps was significantly impaired by the neurokinin receptor antagonists, indicating that in hypothalamus, as in the PNS, release of tachykinins downstream to TRPV1 activation is able to boost the release of histamine. The excitatory action of SP on histaminergic neurons adds another pathway to the noradrenergic and orexinergic ones to synergistically enhance cortical arousal. We show NK1R to play a prominent role on HA neurons and thus the control of wakefulness.

[Precancerous states of the larynx: analysis of mono- and polyclonality of the cells with high proliferative index (p53, PCNA)]. / Stany przedrakowe krtani--analiza mono- i poliklonalnosci komórek o wysokim indeksie proliferacyjnym (p53, PCNA).

The aim of the study was analysis of relationship between proliferation index (PCNA) and protein p53 content in dysplastic laryngeal epithelium and the degree of dysplasia, age of patients and smoking. The study population consisted of 45 patients (mean age 57.7 +/- 6.2) with chronic laryngitis. It was revealed epithelial dysplasia varying in intensity in 36 patients and epithelial hyperplasia without dysplasia (acanthosis) in 9 patients--control group. Mean value of p53 protein index was 8.91 +/- 7.43% in dysplastic epithelium and 3.67 +/- 3.4 in hyperplastic epithelium without dysplasia. The difference was statistically significant (p = 0.007). P53 content significantly differed between groups with grade I and grade II dysplasia (p = 0.03) and between groups with grade I and grade III dysplasia (p = 0.03). The difference was found between groups with grade II and III dysplasia and group with hyperplasia without dysplasia. The analysis of the correlation between degree of dysplasia and value of PCNA index showed absence of differences. There was no relationship between smoking, age of patients and Value of p53 and PCNA index.

Lewis antigens and argyrophilic nucleolar organizer regions staining for assessment of potential malignancy of adenomatous polyps of the gastrointestinal tract in children.

Adenomatous polyps (AP) of the gastrointestinal tract in children are very rare. Because of their potential malignancy, they are of great clinical importance. There is little experience in the management of children with AP. The immunohistochemical expression of the Lewis blood group antigens (BGA) (sialosyl-Le(a), Le(a), Leb, Le(x), and Le(y)) and the number of activated nucleoli with the silver staining method for nucleolar organizer regions (AgNORs) were studied in two children with AP. In a girl with isolated AP of the stomach and colon, it was found that antigens Le(b) and s-Le(a) were expressed extensively in the gastric adenoma, and sialosyl-Le(a) throughout the entire length of the rectal adenoma crypts, but in the AgNORs stain the number of nucleoli ranged from two to four, evidencing changes of a benign character. In the case of familial adenomatous polyposis diagnosed in a 9-year-old boy, in some colonic adenomas the number of activated nucleoli was greater than five, and the Le(b) antigen was expressed in superficial epithelial cells in one of the adenomas. Also, extensive expression of antigens Le(y) and s-Le(a) throughout the entire length of the crypt in another polyp removed was observed. We believe that immunohistochemical study of the intensity and extent of the expression of Lewis BGA in the polyp tissue simultaneously with the determination of the number of activated nucleoli by the AgNORs staining method can be helpful in better analysis of cytological risk factors of a malignant transformation.

Breast cancer progression and expression of blood group-related tumor-associated antigens.

There is sufficient evidence that blood group related Lewis antigens are tumor-associated molecules. We have conducted immunohistochemical analysis of the expression of Lewis antigens in breast cancer tissue as an indicator of the degree of malignancy and as a prognostic factor. The studies were performed by examining 43 female patients diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast. Postoperative specimens were stained immunohistochemically using a panel of monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) specific for tumor-associated antigens: sialosyl LewisA, LewisA, LewisB, Lewisx, and LewisY. The aims of the study were to compare the appearance of metastases, degree of cancer stage (pTNM), and its histologic differentiation with the expression of Lewis phenotype. The evaluation of antigen expression was performed quantitatively and independently by two pathologists. Statistical significance was defined by Mann-Whitney test. The presented analysis of Lewis antigens showed higher expression of LeB and LeA (p = 0.03) in patients in stage N2 than in stage N1. The expression of LeB and LeY was higher in patients in stage T4 than in stage T1 (p = 0.02). No differences were observed for histologic differentiation. These data suggest that the expression of sialosyl-LeA and LeB antigens in breast cancer may predict metastases to lymph nodes.

Immunohistochemical analysis of lymphocytic infiltration in the tumor microenvironment in patients operated on for laryngeal cancer.

The aim of this study was to evaluate semiquantitative and qualitative analysis of lymphocytic infiltrations in a neoplasm microenvironment in patients with laryngeal cancers and the correlation analysis between the intensitivity degree and composition of lymphocytic infiltration in foreseeing a survival time and probability of the appearance of lymph node metastases. Postoperative specimens from 43 patients (Upper Silesia region) operated on for laryngeal cancer in the 2nd ENT Department, Silesian Medical University in Zabrze between 1985 and 1995 all had unfavorable courses due to tumor recurrences. The patients' ages ranged from 39 to 79 years (mean 57 years). Tissue specimens were subjected to routine processing. The degree of pathological changes was ascertained and immunohistochemical preparations of laryngeal tissue were prepared according to generally accepted methods. The following primary monoclonal antibodies were used: CD 3, CD 20, CD 43, CD 45 RO, CD 56. The distribution analysis of the intensity of the phenotype CD 43 evaluated the lymphocytic infiltration in relation to differentiation of the whole study group. The intensity of CD 43 cell infiltration increased in the group of patients with lymph node metastases. In patients with stage IV disease, a relationship was found between survival time and intensity of cell infiltrations with CD 43 and CD 45 RO lymphocytes. The influence of these two lymphocyte phenotypes in the patient subgroups - one after total laryngectomy with confirmed lymph node metastases and the other group without lymph node metastases - showed their prognostic value. Our analysis of lymphocytic infiltration, mostly of CD 43 cells, in the neoplasm microenvironment indicated a prognostic value for determining a shorter survival time and the possibility of lymph node metastases in patients with recurrences of cancer.

[Level of stress during pregnancy estimated by mothers and average weight of newborns and frequency of low birth weight]. / Poziom stresu w czasie ciazy w ocenie matek a sredni ciezar ciala noworodków i czestosc wystepowania malej urodzeniowej masy ciala.

Low birth weight is still important health problem in many countries. Children's low birth weight increases mortality, injures central nervous system, somatic, interferes with intellectual and emotional development. Low birth weight is frequently occurring in Poland--between 7-9% of live births. There are many risk factors, among them behavioural and environmental. In Poland an attention was put on chemical and physical environmental factors. Behavioural factors (stress) are disregarded. In the present paper it was decided to check the relationship between stress during pregnancy (estimated by pregnant), child birth weight and frequency of low birth weight. The research was carried out by use of a questionnaire using the "case-control study". In the research were involved 450 mothers of new-born children (the group of cases: untimely, premature delivery or child birth weight below 2500 g) and 450 mothers of new-born children (control group-physiologically delivered). Mothers were asked about their relations to the pregnancy; professional and personal stress during pregnancy was estimated. The results were analysed by counting risk ratio coefficient (RR) and correlation coefficient. The research showed, that there is no relation between acceptation of pregnancy, stress and frequency of low birth weight or the average child birth weight. The researches didn't prove unfavourable influence of stress reaction caused by professional and personal stressors on intrauterine foetus development.

Scaphocapitate syndrome in a child associated with a distal radius and ulna fracture.

A case is presented of scaphocapitate fracture syndrome associated with a Salter-Harris type II fracture of the distal radius and ulna occurring in an 11-year-old girl. The proximal fragment of the fractured capitate was rotated 180 degrees. The injury was treated by open reduction and internal fixation. One year after the injury, radiographs showed that fractures were united with no signs of avascular necrosis of the capitate. The patient had a full range of motion of the wrist, as well as full pronation and supination of the forearm. An awareness of this fracture entity is necessary to correctly diagnose this injury in a child.

Soft-tissue expander failure in severe equinovarus foot deformity.

Soft-tissue expanders have recently been reported to be useful in clubfoot surgery. We report our experience with this procedure in five patients with seven severe equinovarus foot deformities. The primary diagnoses of these patients included distal arthrogryposis, cerebro-oculo-facial syndrome, ischemic contracture and spina bifida. Our patients' major complications included ischemia, infection, and sepsis, which resulted in premature removal of the soft-tissue expanders in five of seven clubfeet. Minor complications, such as partial wound dehiscence, occurred in the two successful expansions. Predisposing factors may include soft-tissue expanders with self-contained ports, poor compliance, and extremely tight tissues that limit the subcutaneous space available for expansion, with resultant diminution of the vascular supply to the overlying skin.

Septopal beads and autogenous bone grafting for bone defects in patients with chronic osteomyelitis.

Thirty-five patients with chronic osteomyelitis were treated with autogenous bone grafts for bone defects. Of 35 patients, two were lost to follow-up evaluation. There were 27 men and six women. The age range was from 18 to 62 years (median age, 29 years). The bones included 22 tibias, nine femurs, and two ulnas. The size of the bone defects ranged from 2.5 x 15 cm (median defect, 2.5 x 6 cm). The length of infection ranged from two to 540 months (median, 31 months). Twenty patients had nonunions and 19 patients required soft-tissue muscle transfers. Patients were treated with systemic antibiotics and/or gentamicin (Septopal) antibiotic beads. Twelve patients were treated with Septopal beads. The range of follow-up evaluation was 24 to 68 months (median, 47 months). Thirty-one of 33 patients had one bone-graft procedure and two patients required two. The time from initial debridement and infection control to bone graft for patients not requiring soft-tissue muscle flaps was one to six weeks (median time, four weeks). For patients requiring soft-tissue muscle transfer, the range was six to nine weeks (median, six weeks). The median time to bone-graft incorporation was six months. All fractures united. Complications included two refractures from auto accidents in the immediate postoperative period, one partial muscle loss, one skin-graft loss, four pin tract draining sites, and two antibiotic-related skin rashes. There was one recurrent infection, and the infection arrest rate was 97%.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Heterotopic ossification after direct lateral approach and transtrochanteric approach to the hip.

The incidence of heterotopic ossification after total hip replacement using the direct lateral approach is compared to the incidence using the transtrochanteric approach. All the initial ectopic ossification occurred by six months following the implant with noncemented fixation. The direct lateral approach adds slightly to the incidence of ectopic ossification as compared to the transtrochanteric approach. Heterotopic ossification of minimal grade did not interfere with any of the planar motions of the hip, whereas severe ectopic ossification disabled the hip in several planes of motion and restricted it significantly in the others. The more severe form of ectopic bone was more common after the transtrochanteric approach to the hip, while the lighter form developed more often following the direct lateral approach.

[Ultrasound controlled percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography]. / Ultraschallgezielte perkutane transhepatische Cholangiographie.

A method of performing transcutaneous cholangiography under sonographic control is presented. This method makes it possible to enter the distended intrahepatic bile ducts accurately. The sonographic control enables the needle to be inserted into the superficial bile ducts. The method reduces liver traumatisation. Under the control of sonography the procedure is safer, and there are fewer complications.

Classification of human colorectal adenocarcinoma cell lines.

Eleven human colorectal adenocarcinoma cell lines established in this laboratory were classified into three groups based on morphological features (light and electron microscopy), modal chromosome number, and ability to synthesize carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). Group 1 cell lines contained both dedifferentiated and differentiating cells growing in tight clusters or islands of epithelium-like cells; their modal chromosome number was about 47, and they synthesized small to moderate amounts of CEA. Group 2 cell lines were more dedifferentiated, were hyperdiploid, and synthesized small amounts of CEA. Group 3 cell lines were morphologically similar to those of Group 1 by light microscopy. They differed ultrastructurally by containing microvesicular bodies; the modal chromosome number varied from hyperdiploid to hypertriploid or they had bimodal populations of hypodiploid and hypertriploid cells, and they synthesized relatively large amounts of CEA. No correlation could be found between Broder's grade or Duke's classification of the original tumor and modal chromosome number or ability to synthesize CEA. These findings support Nowell's hypothesis that the stem line is different for each solid tumor, which makes it difficult to relate chromosomal changes to the initiation of the neoplastic state.