Effect of endothelin-1 receptor antagonist BQ-123 on basilar artery diameter after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) in rats.

Aim of the study was to quantify cerebral vasospasm in rats after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) by morphometric examination of basilar artery and to evaluate the influence of endothelin receptor blocker BQ-123 on basilar artery constriction. The rat cisterna magna (CM) was cannulated and after 7 days SAH was developed by administration of 100 microl autologic, non-heparinized blood to the CM. The sham subarachnoid hemorrhage was developed by intracisternal administration of 100 microl of artificial cerebrospinal fluid. Endothelin receptor blocker BQ-123 was injected into the CM in a dose of 40 nmol diluted in 50 microl of cerebrospinal fluid 20 min. before SAH, and 24h and 48 h after SAH. After perfusion fixation the brains were removed from the skull and histological preparations of basilar artery were done. The internal diameter and wall thickness of basilar arteries was measured by interactive morphometric method. The most severe vasospasm was found in rats after SAH. The presence of numerous infiltrations composed of neutrophils and macrophages correlated with advanced vasospasm (index of constriction 5 times lower than in normal), suggesting the role of other factors participating in the late phase of vasospasms after SAH. Administration of BQ-123 in the late phase after SAH caused the dilatation of basilar artery. Following the administration of BQ-123 in the late phase (48 h after SAH) the basilar artery dilated, its wall became thinner, and the number of leukocyte infiltrations in the subarachnoid space decreased compared to the values after SAH alone.

Reactivity of cerebral arteries after subarachnoid hemorrhage in rats after phosphoramidon administered.

The aim of the study was to quantify cerebral vasospasm in rats after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) by morphometric examination of basilar artery and to evaluate the influence of Phosphoramidon on basilar artery constriction. The rat cisterna magna (CM) was cannulated and after 7 days SAH was developed by administration of 100 microliters autologic, non-heparinized blood to the CM. The sham subarachnoid hemorrhage was developed by intracisternal administration of 100 microliters of artificial cerebrospinal fluid. After 60 min and after 24 h Phosphoramidon was injected into the CM in a dose of 40 nmol diluted in 50 microliters of cerebrospinal fluid. After perfusion, the brain was removed from the skull and histological preparations of the basilar artery were made. The internal diameter and wall thickness of basilar arteries were measured by interactive morphometric method. The most severe vasospasm was found in rats after SAH and the administration of Phosphoramidon in the late phase after SAH caused the dilatation of the basilar artery. The presence of numerous infiltrations composed of neutrophils and macrophages correlated with advanced vasospasm (index of constriction 5 times lower than normal), suggesting the role of other factors participating in the late phase of vasospasms after SAH.

Smear technique in the intra-operative brain tumor diagnosis: its advantages and limitations.

The role of intra-operative pathological diagnosis increases along with a development of minimally invasive neurosurgery, especially stereotactic and endoscopic techniques. The authors present their own experience with the cytological method and evaluate its usefulness in intra-operative diagnosis of brain tumors. Brain tumor biopsy specimens obtained during craniotomy from 217 patients were examined. The cytological preparations (smears) were stained with 1% toluidin blue and/or with May-Grünwald-Giemsa stain. In 199 cases (92%) the cytological diagnosis was consistent with the histopathological one. A 99% sensitivity and 69% specificity were obtained. The histogenesis of gliomas was correctly established in 90% and their grade in 73% of cases. The most frequent diagnostic errors were: undergrading of gliomas (20), incorrect assessment of their histogenesis (10), diagnosis of low grade astrocytoma in a case of gliosis (3) and diagnosis of glioblastoma multiforme instead of metastatic carcinoma (2 cases). The most important advantages of cytological examination are rapidity, simplicity and relatively high diagnostic efficacy. Even very tiny specimens, especially of soft consistency are suitable for this technique, which is extremely important in operations of brain tumors localized in functionally important brain areas. In the authors' opinion this method still merits wider popularization in neurosurgical centers.

Expression of adhesion molecule CD44 in metastatic brain tumors.

Expression of CD44 (m.w. 80-95 kD) in 48 metastatic brain tumors was examined using monoclonal antibody on paraffin sections. The CD44 expression was found in 48% of studied tumors. The most constant expression of CD44 was observed in metastases from thyroid, skin and breast cancer. The brain metastases were characterized by quite heterogenous distribution of CD44 glycoprotein--the most pronounced expression was seen in individual neoplastic cells embedded in abundant stroma and in the vicinity of preserved neural tissue. Such a topographical distribution of CD44 supports its role in interactions of cancer cells with extracellular matrix components of the tumor stroma as well as of neural tissue.

[The study of the role of intervertebral disc neovascularization and immune response in the pathogenesis of lumbar discopathy]. / Badanie roli neowaskularyzacji krazka miedzykregowego oraz odf1wiedzi immunologicznej w patogenezie dyskopatii ledzwiowej.

In adult humans moral intervertebral disc (id) is an avascular tissue and becomes so called sequestrated autoantigen. Any acquired defect of anulus fibrosus may potentially lead to contact of immunocompetent cells circulating in the blood with id antigens thus inducing autoimmune reaction. 34 patients operated on because of lumbar discopathy were studied. The id injury was divided into: a) protrusion, B) simple prolapse, c) subligamentous prolapse, d) sequester. The samples of surgically removed id were subjected to histopathological and immunohistochemical study. Presence of granulation tissue, neovascularization and humoral response (confirmed by immunopositive reaction to factor VIII and IgG) was found in decreasing pattern in the following groups: I) sequesters, 2) simple prolapses, and 3) subligamentous prolapses. Among protrusions there were only two cases positive for IgG. A negative reaction to C3bR was seen in all the groups of id. The obtained results suggest that immune reaction against lumbar id is rather an effect than a cause of its herniation.

[A case of hemorrhagic cerebral abscess with sudden clinical onset]. / Przypadek ukrwotocznionego ropnia mózgu o udarowym przebiegu klinicznym.

A rare case with unfavourable clinical course of haemorrhagic cerebral abscess in the parietal region is presented. Attention is drawn to diagnostic difficulties in cerebral abscesses with non-typical radiological and clinical picture as well as putative mechanisms responsible for haemorrhage within abscess are discussed.