DNA double strand breaks repair and apoptosis induction in peripheral blood lymphocytes of head and neck cancer patients.

AIM: To evaluate the generation and repair of DNA double strand breaks (DSBs) as a critical factors that define the efficiency of radiation therapy of cancer patients. METHODS: Peripheral blood lymphocytes obtained from 18 patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and 18 healthy donors were studied. The efficiency of DSBs repair after genotoxic treatment with hydrogen peroxide and gamma-radiation were examined by neutral comet assay. MTT assay was used for cell viability analysis and Annexin V-FITC kit specific for kinase-3 was employed to determine apoptosis. RESULTS: Lymphocytes from HNSCC patients were sensitive to genotoxic treatment and displayed impaired DSBs repair. Finally, as a consequence of this finding we have evidenced higher rate of apoptosis induction after gamma-radiation treatment of lymphocytes from HNSCC patients than those from healthy controls. CONCLUSIONS: DSBs repair and increased apoptosis in cells of patients with head and neck cancer is relevant for efficient therapy of HNSCC.

Qualitative and quantitative studies in electron microscopy on influence of experimental ischemia of the vertebral arteries on the outer hair cells function in guinea pigs.

Histological studies were performed in 20 guinea pigs, both sexes, weighing 250-300 g and divided into two groups: I--control (anaesthetized animals without surgery), II--examined (in anaesthetized animals through an incision of the skin and muscles of the neck), the left or right vertebral artery was exposed and a vascular clip was inserted into the foramen of the transverse process of the 2-nd cervical vertebra. 50 days after this procedure, the guinea pigs were again anaesthetized by intraperitoneal injection of 35% solution of chloral hydrate, then vascular and cochlear perfusion with 3.6% solution of glutaraldehyde was performed. Simultaneously, by means of micropreparation, samples of cochlea were made for electron studies by means of electron microscope (Philips EM 300). In qualitative histopathologic examinations in guinea pigs of II group, the ischemia changes of the outer hair cells were greater in the side of irritation of the vertebral artery than at the opposite side. At the receptor side of these cells, under the membrane, there are multilamellar outgrowths in the shape of cisterns, partly expanded. The relative volume of external compartment of mitochondria in control group is as follows respectively: 0.15 +/- 0.0% at the right side and 0.15 +/- 0.08% at the left side, and in II group, respectively: 0.22 +/- 0.06% at the side of irritation and 0.19 +/- 0.07% at the opposite side. The obtained data in electron microscopy, both qualitative and quantitative pointed at ischemia changes of outer hair cells in guinea pigs after prolonged irritation of periarterial plexus of vertebral artery.

[Therapeutic efficacy assessment of cefuroxime axetil in short 4 day course of empirical antibiotic therapy in patients with bacterial infections of upper respiratory tract and otitis media]. / Ocena skutecznosci terapeutycznej aksetylu cefuroksymu w 4-dniowej, skróconej antybiotykoterapii empirycznej u chorych z bakteryjnymi zakazeniami górnych dróg oddechowych i ucha srodkowego.

There were examined 261 patients aged 18-62 ambulatory treated and divided into five groups: I--65 patients with acute maxillary sinusitis, II--43 patients with exacerbation of chronic maxillary sinusitis, III--40 patients with angina, IV--61 patients with acute otitis media and V--52 patients with exacerbation of chronic otitis media. Cefuroxime axetil have applied 2 times a day in 500 mg oral dose by 4 days. The therapeutic efficacy of cefuroxime axetil was assessed on the basis: fever chart and self assessment chart of showed symptoms which were assessed from 0 to 4.4 days course antibiotic therapy showed that the total receding of illness symptoms stated in 90.8% patients with acute maxillary sinusitis, in 69.8% patients with exacerbation of chronic maxillary sinusitis, in 62.5% patients with angina, in 91.8% patients with acute otitis media and receding of acute symptoms of exacerbation with chronic otitis media--a ear pain in 88.5% patients and a ear leakage in 44.2% patients. The obtained results stated that the 4 days course of cefuroxime axetil can be sufficient and efficacy in treatment of acute bacterial infections of maxillary sinuses and ear media.