[Assessment of p53 dependent apoptosis in glia-derived tumors of the brain]. / Ocena zjawiska apoptozy w glejopochodnych guzach mózgu w oparciu o badanie antyonkogenu p53.

There are conflicting reports in connection with the association of the p53 tumour suppressor gene mutation with the clinical and histopathological progression of gliomas. Glia-derived neoplasms frequently show mutational changes in the p53 gene which result in enhancement of tumorigenesis. The aim of the paper was an assessment of the frequency of mutations in the exon 8 of this gene. The specimens from 14 patients operated for glial tumors were investigated by polymerase chain reaction-assisted--single strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP). We found aberrant bands in 64.3% of specimens. The percentage of mutations was similar in patients with benign and malignant tumours. There was no correlation between the alteration of the gene and intensity of necrosis in histological examination in patients with glioblastoma. Changes in activity of the p53 gene were more frequent in younger patients and in males when compared to women.

Changing epidemiology of hepatitis A virus infection--a comparative study in central eastern Poland (1990-1999).

A comparative seroepidemiological study (1990 vs. 1998/99) on HAV infection, was carried out in population from middle-eastern Poland. Anti-HAV was tested in 1450 subjects from 0 to over 50 years of age and the results were compared with those observed in 1990, in 1000 individuals of the same age range and from the same geographical area. Overall anti-HAV prevalence was 58.4% in 1990 vs. 30.6% in 1998/99. This decline of HAV infection in Polish population indicates that the number of non-immune adults is increasing, with higher risk of symptomatic infection in the near future. The surveillance and prevalence data presented here have implications for developing the strategy for use of hepatitis A vaccine.