[Evaluation of occurrence of fungal infection in patients with lung cancer]. / Ocena wystepowania zakazenia grzybiczego u chorych z rakiem pluc.

The study was aimed at determination of frequency and size of fungal infection in patients with lung carcinoma, as compared with the control group. The study involved 20 patients with histologically confirmed lung carcinoma and--as a control group--20 patients with other lung diseases and healthy volunteers. Quantitative mycological investigation of sputum and bronchial rinsings were performed threefold. The degree of infection of these materials was determined on a Sabouraud medium. Candida-like fungi were determined basing on API 20 AUX test. In majority of patients with lung carcinoma, presence of pathogenic fungi, mostly from the genus Candida, was detected in sputum or bronchial secretions. In one third of cases infection was severe or very severe which was dependent of the stage of disease advancement. In control group severe infection was observed only sporadically.

[Trial of evaluating co-existent fungal infection during course of neoplastic disease in patients with lung cancer]. / Próba oceny wplywu wspólistniejacego zakazenia grzybiczego na przebieg choroby nowotworowej u chorych z rakiem pluc.

The study was aimed at determination of possible connection between co-existing fungal infection in patients with lung carcinoma with course of neoplastic disease and ability to achieve remission by application of different methods of treatment. The study involved 25 patients with histologically confirmed lung carcinoma. Their sputum and bronchial rinsings were tested mycologically. The tests were performed at the moment of diagnosis of the diseases, during and after treatment. In all patients occurrence and type of Candida infections was investigated. Dynamics of fungal infection was measured by a scale from minimal to very severe. In about 1/3 of patients at the moment of diagnosis of the disease, severe or very severe infection was seen which was dependent of stage of the disease advancement. These preliminary studies seem to indicate that presence of severe or very severe fungal infection is not favourable prognostically and frequently correlates with a progress of neoplastic changes and worse response to treatment.

[Sudden death in the course of sarcoidosis of the heart]. / Nagly zgon w przebiegu sarkoidozy serca.

A case of 46-years old patient with morphological diagnosis of hilar lymph nodes sarcoidosis is presented. Patient complained of mild degree of shortness of breath and easily fatigability. Chest X-ray examination showed enlargement of both hilar lymph nodes and slight increase in heart size. In electrocardiography (EKG)--left bundle branch block. It was diagnosed first degree sarcoidosis without involvement of lungs. It was beginning the steroid treatment because of suspicion of sarcoidosis of heart. Patient died suddenly in 17 day of treatment. Post mortem examination proved sarcoidosis of heart. In spite of cardiac involvement in sarcoidosis only a few patients have cardiac symptoms or signs.

[The effects of radiotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer]. / Wyniki leczenia napromienianiem niedrobnokomórkowego raka pluca.

The results of radiotherapy with Co-60 and photon X9 MeV in 126 patients with non-small-cell lung cancer are presented. Complete remission was been in 5.5% of the subjects. Remission time ranged from 15 to 57 months. One year survival was been in 48.4% of the patients. Side effects induced by radiotherapy were not been. The rising incidence of lung cancer and the known limitations of surgical therapy imply that this type of therapy should be used more extensively.

[Bronchoalveolar lavage in patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis and advanced radiologic changes]. / Plukanie oskrzelowo-pecherzykowe u chorych na sarkoidoze pluc z I zaawansowania zmian radiologicznych.

The study material was made up of 20 patients with stage I pulmonary sarcoidosis in different state of activity. BAL was carried out through a bronchofiberscope using four aliquots 50 ml each, immediately aspirated after introduction into siliconized vials. BAL induced side effects were not seen. The returned fluid was centrifuged and the cell differential count was carried out. 11 patients (55%) demonstrated a high lymphocytic count. The degree of lymphocytosis did not correlate with abnormalities in respiratory function. The degree of lymphocytosis did slightly correlate with disease activity. Thus serial BAL studies might be useful in therapy monitoring. The high lymphocytosis should be carefully interpreted and can not be the only indication for instituting steroid therapy.

[Toxicity of paraquat used in the form of aerosols in experimental studies]. / Toksycznosc parakwatu stosowanego w postaci mgly aerosolowej w badaniach eksperymentalnych.

The toxic effect of paraquat aerosol was studied in 30 rats using three different concentration: 3 mg, 15 mg and 30 mg. Extensive lung involvement was observed in rats exposed to medium and high doses, which in most animals was fatal. In 2 rats exposed to the small concentrations of paraquat on the 15th day atelectasis and cellular infiltrations in the lung parenchyma were found. These changes could not be found in rats sacrificed on the 29th day of the experiment. The results of this study show that even low doses of paraquat may injure the respiratory system, producing changes that are symptom free.

[Self perception in patients with lung cancer and chronic bronchitis]. / Badanie zmian osobowosci u chorych z rakiem pluca i przewleklym zapaleniem oskrzeli.

A study on perception of oneself (self acceptance, self review, self acceptance) was carried out in 30 male subjects with lung cancer and 30 male subjects with chronic bronchitis. A standardized review allowed to characterise each patient. A diagnostical questionnaire added information on each patient's characterological status. A decrease of self acceptance was found that was proportional to duration of disease. The results of this study demonstrated the variations in characterology of patients influenced by their disease process.

Acute effects of tobacco smoke on alveolar macrophages cultured in gas phase.

With a culture technique in gaseous phase which permits a direct contact between cells and the atmosphere, without any liquid interposition, we studied the short-term effects of tobacco smoke on guinea pig alveolar macrophages (AM). Tobacco smoke had a cytotoxic effect on AM as evaluated by the decrease in cell ATP content, total smoke appearing more toxic than the gas phase. Toxicity of smoke gas phase is also ascertained by morphologic cell changes in electron microscopy and by a decrease in cell bactericidal activity. The large variation in AM susceptibility is not related to cell content in superoxide dismutase but seems to be in good correlation with AM glutathione content, especially when cells are cultured with N-acetylcysteine. However, the protective glutathione action is not total and seems less important than the one observed with a low concentration of NO2 (0.2 ppm/24 hours).