Characteristics of the expression of KAI1/CD82 and PDGFRß and their impact on glioma progression.

The biological features of glioma cells may define their clinical outcome. Little is known about the interactions between KAI1/CD82 metastatic suppressor protein and PDGFR in gliomas. The aim of the study was to examine KAI1/CD82 and PDGFR expression in gliomas in order to find the impact of these proteins on progression of the tumors. PDGFR, KAI1/CD82 protein expression and mRNA of genes were evaluated on eighty four paraffin-embedded tissue of gliomas using immunohistochemical staining and RT-PCR analysis. The PDGFR expression was higher in IV/III than in I/II glioma grades (p = 0.0004). The level of mRNA PDGFR was associated with the degree of PDGFR immunoreactivity. Downregulation of KAI1/CD82 was associated with tumor malignancy (p = 0.007). The increased level of KAI1/CD82 gene expression (3-4-fold) was found in gliomas with strong KAI1/CD82 immunoreactivity. The parallel KAI1/CD82 and PDGFR expression was more significantly associated with cases in a group graded as III and IV than in a group graded as I/II (p = 0.002). We found that a loss of KAI1/CD82 and an increase in PDGFR expression in gliomas relate to a progressive tumor growth. The correlation between PDGFR and KAI1 expression in high grade gliomas suggests that a direct or indirect interaction between these proteins might have an impact on cell motility and invasive behavior of the tumor.

Influence of rectus eye muscles tenotomy on the aqueous humor composition in rabbits.

INTRODUCTION: Anterior segment ischaemia manifesting in aqueous malformation may follow tenotomy of the extraocular muscles. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Tenotomy of 2 or 4 rectus eye muscles was performed on the right eyes of 23 adult rabbits. The aqueous humor was withdrawn from the anterior chamber of both eyes in 7 rabbits on the 11th, on the 22nd in 8 and on the 32nd postoperative day in 8 rabbits. Aqueous natrium, potassium and glucose concentrations and protein electrophoresis were examined. RESULTS: The only significant change was lower mean aqueous potassium concentration in the operated eyes as compared to controls on the 11th postoperative day. CONCLUSION: Tenotomy of rectus eye muscles in healthy rabbits evoked a discrete blood-aqueous barrier break-down.

[The physical and chemical changes in the eye structure after sulfurhexafluoride injection into the rabbit vitreous]. / Zmiany fizyczne i chemiczne w strukturach galki ocznej po podaniu szesciofluorku siarki do ciala szklistego królików.

AIM: The aim of our paper was to observe the physical and chemical changes in the aqueous humor, lens, gelatous and fluid part of the vitreous body after the sulfurhexafluoride injection into the vitreous body. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The New Zealand rabbits were randomized into the control and experimental group which were injected the gas into the vitreous body. The interesting samples were investigated during the 2nd, 7th and 14th day of the experiment. We estimated the volume of the fluid part of the vitreous body, its electrical resistance, the whole protein concentration (in the aqueous humor, lens and vitreous), and electrolite concentration (in the aqueous humor and fluid part of the vitreous body). RESULTS: We observed the increase of the fluid fraction in the vitreous body with the increasing of the whole protein concentration, changes in the K+ concentration and decrease of the electrical resistance in the vitreous fluid fraction. CONCLUSION: On the basis of our experimental results we can assume that expanding sulfurhexafluoride gas could mechanically disrupt the vitreous structure. Moreover, the rapid intrabulbar pressure increase after the injection can cause the cilliary body ischaemia and the eye barrier collapse.

[Selected immunological studies of chronic purulent and hypertrophic otolaryngological diseases]. / Wybrane badania immunologiczne w przewleklych ropnych i przerostowych chorobach otorynolaryngologicznych.

The aim of this work was the comparison of selected immunological parameters in patients with chronic purulent and hypertrophic otorhinolaryngological diseases who were to be operated on. The patients were divided into two groups: 1-31 patients aged 17-58 with chronic purulent otorhinolaryngological diseases. The following immunological parameters were carried out: rheumatoid factor (RF), immunoglobulins IgG, IgM, IgA, proteinogram including the level of albumin, globulin alpha1, alpha2, beta and gamma. In chronic purulent otorhinolaryngological diseases the characteristic features are the reduction of the level of globulin alpha1 (67.7%) and gamma (35.5%), while in hypertrophic cases globulin alpha1, and beta--91.7% each.

[Evaluation of the general condition and selected biochemical blood parameters in various types of retinal vein occlusion]. / Ocena stanu ogólnego i wybranych parametrów biochemicznych krwi w róznych typach zmian zakrzepowych zyl siatkówki.

UNLABELLED: The aim of the study was to evaluate the coagulant and fibrinolytic system, lipid economy and neurological condition in patients with various types of retinal vein occlusion. The material was 70 patients: 8 with diagnosed congestive venous retinopathy, 27 with ischaemic central retinal vein occlusion and 35 with central retinal vein branch occlusion. Apart from the neurological evaluation, every patient underwent determination of: hematocrit, number of blood platelets, total plasma protein with its electrophoretic division, plasma fibrinogen level, kaolin-cephalin and prothrombin coefficient, and the level of triglycerides, total cholesterol with its fractions LDL and HDL. RESULTS: Considerable percentage of patients with arterial hypertension and suffering from partial or multi-symptomatic hemiparesis associated with complication in plasma lipid content indicates significant atheromatous changes in vascular wall which promote occlusion formation. The role of rheological factors in pathogenesis of these changes seems to be secondary.

Acute phase proteins in serum and cerebrospinal fluid in the course of bacterial meningitis.

We carried out estimations of the following acute phase proteins: C-reactive protein (CRP), alpha-1-antitrypsin (AAT), alpha-1-acid glycoprotein (AAG), alpha-2-ceruloplasmin (CER), and alpha-2-haptoglobin (HPT) in serum and in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in patients with bacterial meningitis (BM, n = 30) and viral meningitis (VM, n = 30). We have shown that determinations of concentrations of AAG and CRP in serum and CER in CSF are useful in differentiation between BM and VM. The diagnostic power of these three tests (the areas under their ROC curves equal 0.942, 0.929, and 0.931, respectively) is bigger, though statistically not significantly, than that of traditional parameters of BM in CSF, i.e., total protein concentration and white blood cell count. Determination of AAG, CRP, and AAT in serum is a valuable monitoring marker in the course of BM treatment. Convenience of serum sampling constitutes an advantage over traditional BM parameters in CSF.

Disturbances of morphological parameters in blood of rats orally exposed to aluminum chloride.

The aim of this work was to assess changes of morphological parameters in the blood of rats after oral (po) administration of aluminum (Al), in relation to the time and the administered dose. The experiment was performed on female Wistar rats. The animals were administered aluminum chloride (100 mg Al/kg) daily for 21 d. Morphological assays: red blood cells (RBC), hemoglobin (HGB), hematocrit (HCT), iron serum concentration (Fe), MCH, MCHC, absolute corrected reticulocyte count (ACRC), white blood cells (WBC), and platelet count (PLT) were estimated on d 3, 7, 14, and 21, both in the control group and in intoxicated rats. After wk 1 of aluminum administration we observed a decrease of RBC, HCT, HGB and serum iron concentration in the blood of rats. The increase of the platelet count was observed earlier than changes in other parameters. Investigation has proved that the exposure of rats to aluminum administered orally results in normocytic anemia.

The effect of chronic exposure to formaldehyde, phenol and organic chlorohydrocarbons on peripheral blood cells and the immune system in humans.

The aim of this study was to evaluate immunological, hematological and biochemical parameters in subjects chronically exposed to inhaled formaldehyde (F), phenol (Ph) and isomers of organic chlorohydrocarbons (Chc) released from Ksylamit. Twenty-two office workers had been exposed for 6 months to vapors of Ksylamit, used for protection of felt plates inside the office building. The concentration of Ksylamit vapor was measured at the end of the 6-month period and the level of Ph and F in the air inside the building was 1.3 mg/m3 and 0.8 mg/m3, respectively. Most of the workers had ailments due to the irritant effect of inhaled Ksylamit, but no remarkable increase in morbidity was found during the 6 months of exposure and in a 3-year follow-up. Morphological parameters of blood and the number of natural killer (NK) cells in the group of exposed subjects were within the range observed in healthy subjects matched for age and sex. The number of T-lymphocytes and NK cell cytotoxicity were significantly decreased. Phytohemagglutinin (PHA)- and alloantigen-induced lymphocyte proliferation was diminished. Some biochemical parameters suggested liver damage, although these parameters did not correlate with the levels of Ph and methanol excreted in the urine. Eight subjects with the highest levels of Ph in the urine had decreased erythrocyte and T-helper lymphocyte numbers, and increased numbers of eosinophils and monocytes. The results obtained prove that the functions of both the immune and hematopoietic systems could be affected by chronic exposure to these toxic substances.

[Hydrodynamics of the rabbit eye after general administration of cytostatics]. / Hydrodynamika oka królików po ogólnym podaniu cytostatyków.

The aim of the experimental studies, carried-out on 32 rabbits, was to explain the hypotensive effect of cytostatic drugs. It was found that a statistically significant lowering of the intraocular pressure without any changes in the coefficient of the outflow of intraocular fluid occurred on the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th day after administration of cytostatic drugs. On the 2nd and 3rd day, there were also observed a decrease of sodium and an increase of potassium blood concentrations. It ought to be supposed that those changes caused disturbances in Na/K ATP-ase activity with an inhibition of the active transport in the ciliary epithelium and a decrease of the secretion of intraocular fluid in ciliary body.

[Usefulness of establishing chosen acute phase proteins concentrations in serum and cerebrospinal fluid for differential diagnosis and monitoring of purulent meningitis in adults. I]. / Przydatnosc oznaczania stezen wybranych bialek ostrej fazy w surowicy krwi i plynie mózgowo-rdzeniowym do diagnostyki róznicowej i monitorowania przebiegu ropnych zapalen opon mózgowo-rdzeniowych u doroslych. I. Stezenie bialek ostrej fazy w surowicy krwi.

40 adult patients were examined: 24 with purulent meningitis and 16 with lymphocytic meningitis. The control group consisted of 100 healthy people. In purulent meningitis patients in the 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th, 14th and 28th day of the disease, concentrations of the following acute phase proteins were measured in serum: C-reactive protein, alpha 1-antitripsin, alpha 1-orosomucoid, alpha 2-ceruloplasmin, alpha 2-macroglobulin and alpha 2-haptoglobin. In lymphocytic meningitis patients concentrations of the above mentioned acute phase proteins were measured only in the 1st day of the disease. Usefulness of establishing alpha 2-haptoglobin, alpha 1-antitripsin, alpha 2-ceruloplasmin and particularly C-reactive protein concentrations for differential diagnosis of purulent and lymphatic meningitis was proved. Evaluation of C-reactive protein and alpha 1-antitripsin concentration kinetics proved to be fully useful for monitoring of seriousness of the course of purulent meningitis, and together with evaluation of the clinical condition of the patient it can constitute a valuable marker of effectiveness of the disease treatment.

[Usefulness of establishing chosen acute phase proteins concentrations in serum and cerebrospinal fluid for differential diagnosis and monitoring of purulent meningitis in adults. II]. / Przydatnosc oznaczania stezen wybranych bialek ostrej fazy w surowicy krwi i plynie mózgowo-rdzeniowym do diagnostyki róznicowej i monitorowania przebiegu ropnych zapalen opon mózgowo-rdzeniowych u doroslych. II. Stezenie bialek ostrej fazy w plynie mózgowo-rdzeniowym.

40 adult patients were examined: 24 with purulent meningitis and 16 with lymphocytic meningitis. In the course of purulent meningitis concentrations of the following acute phase proteins were measured in the cerebrospinal fluid: C-reactive protein, alpha 1-antitripsin, alpha 1-orosomucoid, alpha 2-ceruloplasmin, alpha 2-macroglobulin and alpha 2-haptoglobin in the 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th, 14th and 28th day of the disease. In lymphocytic meningitis patients concentrations of the above mentioned acute phase proteins were measured only in the 1st day of the disease. Full usefulness of establishing concentrations of all the above mentioned acute phase proteins within the first five days of the purulent meningitis for differential diagnosis of purulent and lymphatic meningitis was proved. Evaluation of concentration kinetics of acute phase proteins in cerebrospinal fluid for monitoring of the course of purulent meningitis is of a limited value.

The decreased circulating platelet mass and its relation to bleeding time in chronic renal failure.

The mean platelet volume, measured optically and by the electrical impedance method, was analysed in the patients with chronic renal failure. All parameters describing the circulating platelet biomass except the platelet volume heterogeneity were decreased in these patients. There is a strong inverse relation between the Ivy bleeding time and the platelet mass in the patient group. Our results indicate that the smaller platelets circulating in the patients with chronic renal failure may contribute to the uremic bleeding diathesis, and disturbed thrombocytopoiesis occurs in chronic renal failure.

[Methods of preventing atherosclerosis and ischemic heart disease in vocational school students]. / Metody prewencji miazdzycy i choroby wiencowej u uczniów szkól zawodowych.

The authors suggest that identification of high-risk individuals, modification of nutritional habit, preventing the smoking habit, increased physical activity, low salt intake, and early diagnosis and treatment of hypertension should be the most important methods used for atherosclerosis and IHD prevention in youths.

The toxicodynamics of benzene, ethanol, and benzene plus ethanol based on the histopathological examination of selected organs in the rat.

The influence of ethanol on benzene toxicity in the course of prolonged 26-week intoxication was investigated in Wistar rats. A dose of 1/30 DL50/24h of benzene in oil solution was administered subcutaneously once daily, 5 days a week. Drinking water was replaced by a 10% water solution of ethanol ad libidum. Specimens of the liver, spleen, kidneys, lungs, and heart were taken for histopathological examination. Changes in the liver confirmed the hepatotoxic action of benzene and were unaffected by the simultaneous administration of ethanol. In the lungs and spleen the lymphatic system showed signs of damage which became more pronounced in joint exposure to benzene plus ethanol. The authors conclude that alcohol abuse by people professionally exposed to benzene and other lipophilic petroleum derivatives (as in the petrochemical industry) may increase the toxic effects of these substances.

Hemodialysis and the acute-phase response in chronic uremic patients.

In comparison with healthy persons, chronic uremic patients on regular hemodialysis treatment had significantly higher blood serum concentrations of alpha 1-acid glycoprotein, ceruloplasmin and C4 complement component, while levels of haptoglobin, C3 and transferrin were lower. Serum alpha 2-macroglobulin and alpha 1-antitrypsin levels were similar in both groups. Hemodialysis with cuprophan membrane induced only slight changes in some of these glycoproteins during a 48-hour follow-up period. Seven hours after termination of hemodialysis slight, but significant, decreases in blood serum transferrin and alpha 1-antitrypsin concentrations were observed. Hemodialysis thus does not seem to induce a conspicuous acute-phase reaction.

Increase in antipyrine clearance in workers exposed to phenol and toluene in the petrochemical industry.

In 90 workers of the petrochemical industry occupationally exposed to a mixture of petroleum derivatives, including 60 persons exposed mainly to phenol and 30 to toluene, the metabolic activity of the liver was examined using the antipyrine test. In both groups of subjects, an increase of antipyrine clearance in saliva was observed. Occupational exposure to lipophylic derivatives of petroleum seems to induce the function of liver microsomal enzymes.

[Antipyrine test in petrochemical industry workers exposed to benzene]. / Test antypirynowy u ludzi eksponowanych na benzen w przemysle petrochemicznym.

Forty petrochemical industry workers occupationally exposed to benzene levels within TLVs (30 mg.m-3) had their hepatic microsomal enzyme function quantitatively assessed by the antipyrine test. The clearance (C1AP) and half life (P1/2) of antipyrine in the saliva were determined. The benzene-exposed workers exhibited increased C1AP and decreased P1/2, as compared to 20 control subjects. The occupational exposure to benzene at the concentrations exceeding 30 mg.m-3 seems to induce the microsomal enzyme function of the liver.

The effects of a single dose and prolonged benzene administration on 5-hydroxytryptamine and 5-hydroxyindolacetic acid content in rat brain.

The contents of serotonin (5-HT) and its major metabolite, 5-hydroxyindolacetic acid (5-HIAA), in the hypothalamus, the striatum and the remainder of the brain, after a single dose and prolonged administration of benzene were studied in rats. Benzene was injected s.c. in doses of 1/20-1/5 LD50 for single administration and in doses of 1/80-1/20 LD50 daily six days a week during four weeks of prolonged administration. Single administration produced a decrease in the 5-HT content of the hypothalamus and striatum, accompanied by an increase of the 5-HIAA level in the striatum. The highest contents of both 5-HT and 5-HIAA in the hypothalamus and the striatum were seen 45 min after benzene injection and lasted for at least 180 min. After prolonged benzene administration increases of both 5-HT and 5-HIAA contents were observed, particularly with striatum. The accelerated 5-HT turnover in rat brain after acute and prolonged administration of benzene indicates an effect of the hydrocarbon on the metabolism of 5-HT.