Tissue factor and tissue factor pathway inhibitor in chronically inflamed gallbladder mucosa.

We characterised a tissue factor (TF) and tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) expression in relation to severity of inflammatory infiltration of the gallbladder mucosa in a chronic cholecystitis. We prospectively studied the gallbladder specimens obtained from 54 patients who had undergone cholecystectomy due to chronic calculous cholecystitis and 16 calculosis-free gallbladder specimens obtained from patients who underwent cholecystectomy due to the polyp/polyps as well as in cases of gallbladder injury. To assess TF and TFPI immunoreactivity by immunohistochemistry, the monoclonal anti-human TF and TFPI antibodies were used. The inflammatory infiltration of the gallbladder mucosa was reflected by the number of CD3 and CD68 positive cells. The expression of TF and TFPI differed significantly between the cholecystitis and the control group. Most capillary endothelial cells of the cholecystitis group presented weak expression for TFPI. The mean number of CD3 positive lymphocytes in the cholecystitis group was 18.6 ± 12.2, but the mean number of CD68 positive cells was 29.7 ± 13.9. In the control sections, it was 3.1 ± 1.9 and 8.8 ± 3.9, respectively (P < 0.001). The results of the current study suggest that the tissue procoagulant state found may be engaged in the etiopathogenesis of the cholecystitis.

Association between liver steatosis and angiogenesis in chronic hepatitis C.

BACKGROUND: The relationship between steatosis and angiogenesis in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) is unclear. AIM AND METHODS: The aim was to explain whether liver steatosis presence and its extent are associated with the number of new-formed blood vessels in lobules and portal tracts in CHC. 72 CHC patients infected with viral genotype 1b, 35 of whom had steatosis were evaluated. Monoclonal antibody anti-CD34 was used to identify new-formed blood vessels. RESULTS: Patients with steatosis had a significantly more advanced stage of fibrosis (p = 0.002) and higher inflammatory activity grade (p = 0.062). CD34 expression in portal tracts (CD34pt), lobules and fibrous septa (CD34lfs) and total (CD34) were significantly higher in patients with steatosis (p = 0.034; p = 0.021; p = 0.023, respectively). CD34, CD34pt and CD34lfs differed significantly between patients with various steatosis grade (p = 0.006; p = 0.009; p = 0.013, respectively). CD34 and CD34pt differed significantly between each steatosis grade whereas CD34lfs between grade 1 and 3. Fibrosis stage and inflammatory grade were positively associated with steatosis extent (p = 0.015; p = 0.003, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Our observations suggest that extensive steatosis of liver parenchyma in CHC patients is associated with formation of new blood vessels in lobules and portal tracts. Understanding the relationship between steatosis, fibrosis and angiogenesis is therefore of great importance for the introduction of new therapeutic approaches and in the evaluation of CHC progression.

The evaluation of the possibilities of using PLGA co-polymer and its composites with carbon fibers or hydroxyapatite in the bone tissue regeneration process - in vitro and in vivo examinations.

Synthetic polymers belonging to the aliphatic polyester group have become highly promising biomaterials for reconstructive medicine. The purpose of the present work is a biological evaluation of lactide-glycolide co-polymer (PLGA) and its composites with carbon fibers (PLGA+CF) or hydroxyapatite (PLGA+HA). The cytotoxicity of the evaluated materials towards hFOB 1.19 human osteoblast-like cells was assessed. Moreover, during the one-year contact of the assessed materials with living osseous tissue, the progress of bone formation was analyzed and the accompanying process of the materials' degradation was evaluated. The materials under evaluation proved to be biocompatible.

The influence of carbon fibres on the resorption time and mechanical properties of the lactide-glycolide co-polymer.

In this study the influence of short carbon fibres (CF) on mechanical properties and degradation time of the lactide-glycolide co-polymer (PGLA) and on the mechanism of bone ingrowth into the implants was determined. Mechanical properties and push-out tests were measured. The pH of solutions and the implants' weights were tested after incubation in Ringer fluid. Analysis was based upon FT-IR and SEM with EDS studies. Pathological examinations were also performed. The in vitro examination revealed that carbon fibres accelerated polymer degradation process and increased the mechanical strength of polymer. In the case of PGLA + CF under in vivo conditions, initially, the superficial polymer degradation with new tissue in-growth was observed. Next, the degradation process included also the inner part of the implant, while the bone began to grow on exposed carbon fibres. In the case of pure PGLA the growth of soft tissue can be observed at the bone-implant interface and in the implant area. Our research indicates that PGLA + CF composite can be used in bone surgery as a short-term multifunctional load-bearing implant, which initially provides a mechanical support. During the time of controlled resorption of PGLA, carbon fibres act as a scaffold for the bone growth.

[Pyoderma gangrenosum after a pacemaker implantation--case report]. / Piodermia zgorelinowa po wszczepieniu kardiostymulatora-opis przypadku.

We are presenting a 71-years old male patient with chronic skin lesions that appeared at multiple site of pacemaker implantations in the upper thorax. In spite of many treatment trials, no significant improvements were accomplished. Expanded dermatological tests including serial histopathological examinations were necessarily performed. Based on test results and clinical presentations, the diagnosis of pyoderma gangrenosum was made. Immediate steroid therapy allowed dramatic improvement of the chronic inflammatory condition. The patient is still undergoing a close dermatological and cardiological follow-up. Replacement of the pacemaker into the abdomen is currently being considered.

The historical outline of Vilnius pathological anatomy in the first half of the 19th century.

The first post mortem examination was performed in Vilnius by a priest Stefan Bisio in 1770. At the end of the 18th century, Jakub Briotet, a surgeon and anatomist, founded a modest anatomical (surgery) study. In 1804, Jan Piotr Frank and his son Józef arrived to Vilnius and became professors of the University. Jan Piotr Frank took charge of the University Teaching Hospital and Józef of the Chair of Pathology. When, in 1805, Józef Frank took charge, after his father, of the University Hospital, he founded the first anatomopathological examination room there. The samples were obtained mainly from post mortem studies--autopsies. Most of the samples kept in spirit in the Frank's room were eaten by the starving French soldiers during the retreat of Napoleon's army. Getting dead bodies for the Universities was easy thanks to Tsar's decrees from the years 1793-1809 which ordered to open dead bodies and collect monsters. Moreover, a permission to transfer dead bodies from military hospitals to the University was issued in 1810. These decrees did not stop the cases of students digging out dead bodies from the graves, which still happened in 1810 and 1817. Józef Frank acknowledged great role of post mortem in medicine teaching. He wrote: an author describing a disease with lethal outcome, who does not mention pathological changes found through autopsy is backward. Beside Frank's study, there was still a study founded by Briotet at the Vilnius University, at the Chair of Anatomy. In 1808, Tsar Alexander I designed ruins of Spaska Orthodox Church for an anatomic theater. After seven year redecoration works, it was opened. Beside the theater, dissection room and Veterinary Institute, the building included zoological, veterinary and anatomical museum. The growing anatomical museum had, in 1841, 2895 preparations including 1239 anatomopathological preparations. After closing down Vilnius University and opening Medical and Surgery Academy, pathological anatomy classes were introduced for the 5th year students in 1834. The first lecturer of pathological anatomy, as an individual subject, was Ludwik Siewruk. He started the classes in 1840 when he took charge of the Chair of Anatomy at the Moscow University. Jan Leonow continued the classes till the closing down of Medical and Surgery Academy by the tsar in 1842. The classes performed by Siewruk and Leonow were limited to lectures. Practical knowledge, autopsies were a part of pathology classes and specific therapy (3rd and 4th years of studies). After the Academy had been closed down, all the exhibits of the Vilnius anatomical museum, including anatomopathological preparations were moved to the anatomical museum of Kiev University. Few of them remained in the Vilnius Medical Society.

[Coexistence of pigmented urticaria and mastocytomas: a case report]. / Wspólistnienie pokrzywki barwnikowej ze zmianami typu mastocytoma--opis przypadku.

Mastocytoses are a heterogeneous group of disorders of unknown etiology characterised by the accumulation of mast cells, particularly in the skin. Mastocytosis may be limited to the skin or involve internal organs, especially those playing the lymphoreticular function. We present a case of 9-year-old girl, with a history of maculopapules at the age of two, followed by yellow-brownish, nodular skin lesions. The skin lesions, located on the trunk, neck and face were accompanied by pruritus. The histopathological examination of the node confirmed the diagnosis of mastocytoma. A bone scintigram showed an increased uptake of radiotechnetium around the right coxal region. Application of antihistaminic drugs and phototherapy (UVA) has led to partial remission of skin manifestations of the disease. A long-term follow-up of the child is necessary.

Rudolf Virchow and presentation of his scientific achievement in Polish medical magazines in the 19th century and the beginning of 20th century.

The development of pathological anatomy in the second half of the 19th century was mainly associated with the scientific activity of Rudolf Virchow. Last year we celebrated the 180th birth anniversary and this year the 100th death anniversary of this outstanding man. The paper presents the scientific achievements of Rudolf Virchow as it was presented in Polish medical magazines in the 19th century and the beginning of 20th century. In 1858, his theory of cellular pathology became a basis for the understanding and fight against pathologic processes in living organisms. The theory also contributed to an increased interest in pathologic anatomy, especially histopathology and Virchow himself. In 1859 an extensive summary of the article, issued a year before, entitled "Cellular pathology based on physiological and pathological theory of tissues" appeared in the subsequent issues of "Tygodnik Lekarski" ("Medical Weekly"). Also a translation of the XI chapter of "Cellular pathology..." devoted to nerve tissue appeared in the same magazine. This is the only treatise in Polish on the most important work in the history of pathological anatomy of the 19th century. Three years later, in 1862, Wlodzimierz Brodowski delivered to the students of Medical and Surgery Academy in Warsaw a lecture "Introduction to the lecture on pathological anatomy" which was later printed in "Pamietnik Towarzystwa Lekarskiego Warszawskiego" ("Diary of Warsaw Medical Association"). He presented the development of pathological anatomy along with the achievements of Virchow. Brodowski was the first Polish anatomopathologist who lectured to students on Virchow's theory. Moreover, a paper "Scientific activity of Rudolf Virchow and its importance for medicine" by Edward Przewoski was published in the series "Clinical Lectures" issued by the editors of "Gazeta Lekarska" ("Medical Magazine") in 1892. The article included a detailed description of the scientific activity of that outstanding scholar. Apart from the above mentioned examples, Virchow's opinion not only on pathological anatomy and medicine but also on, for example, anthropology was often presented. Rudolf Virchow's death was announced in all the then Polish medical magazines.

[Selenium plasma concentrations in children with celiac disease in different stages of diagnosis]. / Stezenie selenu w surowicy u dzieci z celiakia na róznych etapach diagnostyki tego schorzenia.

Selenium is an important nutritional factor of human diet. Epidemiological and experimental data indicate that low selenium level can be associated with increased risk of cancer. On the other hand there are some evidence that patients with celiac disease can present selenium deficiency and increased risk of certain malignancies. Therefore the aim of study was to evaluate plasma selenium levels in children with celiac disease. The level of selenium was estimated by flame atomic absorptiometry method according to Whiteside. Celiac disease was diagnosed according to ESPGHAN criteria. Obtained results indicate that in celiac disease low plasma selenium levels are especially marked at preliminary stage of diagnosis and following low compliance to the gluten free diet. Children with this sickness may need supplementation of their diet with selenium.

A unique case of primary corneal melanoma.

PURPOSE: To report a unique case of primary corneal melanoma. METHODS: A 59-year-old white woman underwent keratectomy to remove a pigmented rapidly enlarging growth on the corner of her left eye. The specimen was submitted for histopathologic examination. RESULTS: Ophthalmic examination disclosed no association with limbal or conjunctival melanocytic abnormalities. Histopathologic studies demonstrated nodular malignant melanoma. CONCLUSION: Possible development of primary corneal melanoma should be considered in diagnosing all cases with a past history of corneal melanin pigmentation.