Body composition in healthy older persons: role of the ratio of extracellular/total body water.

The aim of this study was to identify the best prognostic parameters for quickly assessing fluid volume status in the context of nutritional status and water balance in older persons and to facilitate decision-making of the general practitioner (GP). This pilot study was conducted with 142 volunteers aged 60 years or older who were Polish students of the University of the Third Age. Inclusion and exclusion criteria for the study were defined. Assessment tools included: the Mini Nutritional Assessment questionnaire (MNA®) and the anthropometric measurements. Weight and body composition analysis were determined by Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) using the Tanita MC-780 multi frequency segmental Body Composition Analyzer. According to the MNA scale, 89.2% of the sample was wellnourished and 10.8% were at risk of malnutrition. A total of 47.1% participants had normal body mass index, 20.6% were overweight, and 32.3% were obese. The BIA showed that females had more fat mass (FM) compared to males (35.84% vs 23.90%), while men had more free fat mass (FFM) and total body water (TBW; 61.16% vs 45.22% and 53.31% vs 45.22%respectively). There were no statistically significant differences in FM, FFM, and TBW by age. The ratio of Extracellular to Total Body Water (ECW/TBW) was higher in women than in men (46.76% vs 43.66%). Of all measures, only ECW/TBW increased significantly with age and sex, especially after 65 years. We propose that ECW/TBW may be used as the first, simple, and fast indicator of water volume status in the context of nutritional status and water balance in older subjects. Systematic control of the ECW/TBW by GP or nurse may increase senior independence, resulting in longer self-maintenance at home and reduced hospital admissions.

The profile of melatonin receptors gene expression and genes associated with their activity in colorectal cancer: a preliminary report.

The antiproliferative and immunomodulatory effects of melatonin (MLT) have been demonstrated in a variety of neoplasms including colorectal cancer (CRC). In humans and other mammals, MLT acts on target tissues through membrane and retinoid nuclear receptors. The aim of this study was to evaluate transcription activity of melatonin receptors and genes associated with regulation of their activity in colorectal adenocarcinoma tissues in relation to clinical stage of cancer. A total of 24 pairs of surgically removed tumoral and healthy (marginal) tissue samples from colorectal cancer patients at clinical stages I-II and III-IV were collected. As an additional control, twenty normal samples were tak¬en from people whose large intestine tissues were reported as non-tumoral after colonoscopy. Expression of mRNA genes was studied by microarray HG-U133A analysis. The analysis of gene expression profile was performed using commercially available oligonucleotide microarrays of HG-U133A. High increase of MT1 mRNA expression levels in all cancerous samples vs non-cancerous tissues was observed. The MT2 mRNA expression levels increased slightly in marginal and malignant samples. Among the genes participating in the cascade of signal transfer in cells activated by MLT via melatonin receptors, we found encoding genes (GNA11, OXTR, TPH1) only for differentiating stage III - IV of CRC. Monitoring the expression levels of genes that are related to melatonin receptors may offer a strategy to anticipate tumour development and estimate the molecular changes that occur during carcinogenesis. The mechanism behind this association needs further elucidation.

Expression of ADAM28 and IGFBP-3 genes in patients with colorectal cancer - a preliminary report.

Adamalisynes (ADAMs) play an important role in inter-membrane interactions, cell adhesion and fusion processes and protein shedding from the cell surface. Many reports indicate that members of the ADAMs family are overexpressed in human cancer. The aim of the present study was to evaluate ADAM28 and Insulin Like Growth Factor Binding Protein-3 (IGFBP-3)) gene expression in colorectal carcinoma tissues with regard to the overweight or obese status of the patients using an oligonucleotide microarray technique. Fresh tissue specimens were obtained from colorectal cancer patients during surgical treatment. Eighteen specimens from tumour and 18 normal tissue specimens from colorectal cancer patients at clinical stages III and IV were analysed. The examined patients were divided into two groups; those with BMI greater than or equal to 25 and those with normal BMI. The control group consisted of 18 specimens of non-neoplastic colon tissues, which were divided between overweight/obese and normal body weight patients. The gene transcriptional activity from the specimens was analysed using an oligonucleotide microarray technique. Microarrays and rinsing and marking solutions were prepared according to the procedure in the Gene Expression Analysis Technical Manual. The following conclusions were made: i) change of ADAM28 and IGFBP-3 genes expression are present in the normal tissue in overweight/obese patients with colorectal cancer only; ii) the observed molecular variability of ADAM28 and IGFBP-3 expression may be an initial process of cancer proliferation; iii) the histopathologically normal surgical margin in this group of patients was not equal to the molecular margin.

Analysis of expression profile of gene encoding proteins of signal cascades activated by insulin-like growth factors in colorectal cancer.

The aim of the study is to analyse gene typing with the use of the microarray technique (HG-U133A, Affymetrix), differentiating colorectal cancer tissues from tissues assessed histopathologically as healthy ones among a panel of 93 mRNA of gene encoding proteins involved in the activation of cellular signal transduction pathways by insulin-like growth factors. The study was conducted on a group of 8 colorectal cancer patients. Frozen tumor and healthy specimens from the patients were used in molecular tests. Transcript IGF2 differentiated cancer from healthy tissue. Among the genes participating in the cascade of signal transfer in cells activated by IGF, GRB10, PIK3R3, PIK3R1, and IRS1 were qualified as differentiating transcripts. IRS1 indicated over-expression in tumour. Transcript SMAD2 showed a significant changed in tumour samples (increased expression).

[Evaluation of quality of life in patients with advanced colorectal cancer treated with topotecan]. / Ocena jakosci zycia chorych z zaawansowanym rakiem jelita grubego leczonych topotekanem.

UNLABELLED: During last years a few new directions appeared in therapy of advanced colorectal cancer. Topotecan, a camptothecin analog, seems to be one of the promising novel drug in these cases. Its unique mechanism of action is connected with inhibition of the nuclear enzyme topoizomerase I. Assessing therapeutic effects of new cytotoxic drugs we should consider their impact on survival time and quality of life as well. The aim of our study was the attempt to assess the quality of life of patients with advanced colorectal cancer (IV stage in TNM scale), treated by topotecan. Clinical trial was performed in the group of 10 patients. Topotecan was administered intravenously at 1.5 mg/m2/day for 5 days and repeated every 21 days. Quality of life assessment was performed at special time points using Rotterdam Symptom Checklist. We observed improvement in quality of life in six out ten patients having advanced colorectal cancer. Two patients did not show any change in quality of life and two patients with progression of disease demonstrated lower quality of life during topotecan treatment. CONCLUSION: Topotecan has a positive influence on quality of life of patients with advanced colorectal cancer. Further study are needed to confirm this observation.

[Endolymphatic therapy]. / Leczenie dolimfatyczne.

Using physiological function of lymphatic vessels and nodes and also a fact that they are a frequent place of spreading of diseases, there are attempts of endolymphatic therapy--it means drug infusions into lymphatic vessels for the purpose of penetrate lymphatic nodes engaged by disease. There are more and more attempts of using the cytostatics placed in liposomes in endolymphatic.

[A trial of applying an oily suspension of bleomycin endolymphatically in patients with Hodgkin's disease of the extraperitoneal lymph nodes]. / Próba podania oleistej zawiesiny bleomycyny droga dolimfatyczna u chorych na ziarnice zlosliwa wezlów chlonnych zaotrzewnowych.

This study summarized results of treatment of the extraperitoneal lymphatic nodes in patients with Hodgkin's disease with infusion of oily form of bleomycin into the lymphatic vessels. Sixty patients aged 17-69 yr. (mean 43 yr.), 24 women and 36 men with Hodgkin's disease staged IIIA-IVB after 6 cycles of chemotherapy with MOPP or MOPP/ABVD were investigated. Three months after the last cycles of chemotherapy neoplastic changes in the extraperitoneal lymphatic nodes were found in 18 patients only. These patients were treated with bleomycin injected within 30 min. in a daily dose of 30 mg up to total dose 60 mg. Total remission was found in 7 patients, in 4 patients the nodes were shrunken and in the remaining 7 patients there was no visible sings of the disease. Serum level of bleomycin was the highest a few minutes after injection (217-680 ng/ml) and was followed rapid decrease. The obtained results have led to the following conclusions: 1. Oily suspension of bleomycin is a method of chose in the treatment of patients with Hodgkin's disease with changes in the extraperitoneal node. 2. High dose of bleomycin applied directly to the lymphatic vessels leads to total or subtotal remission of the nodal changes. 3. The highest serum concentration of bleomycin was found after the injection. 4. The method in painless and safe the patients, fever may occur for a few hours only.

[Effectiveness of combined therapy in patients with clear cell carcinoma of the kidney]. / Skutecznosc stosowania terapii kombinowanej u chorych na raka jasnokomórkowego nerki.

The paper presents preliminary results of a combined therapy consisted of INF-alpha, TNF-alpha and Vinblastine administrated to 12 patients with advanced clear cell carcinoma of kidney. All patients accrued into this protocol underwent unsuccessful conventional oncological treatment. In 2 subjects the treatment was interrupted because of acute adverse events during the first course of the combined therapy. In the remaining group: 3 patients showed long term partial remission (PR) (follow up time up to 9.5 months) and 4 patients responded with minor/stable disease. The disease progression was observed in 2 patients.

[Beautiful literature and audiovisual media provide a change to stimulate human creativity]. / Literatura piekna i srodki audiowizualne szansa na pobudzenie ludzkiej kreatywnosci.

The aim of this study was the attempt to determine which films and books had an influence on the mental resources of medical students. We used a special form, created in accordance with the group thinking theory called "brain storm on a paper". We examined 111 six year medical students taking part in the workshops. Each group of students consists of 9-12 persons. It was impossible to describe and analyze in that paper all novels which made the impression on the examined students. The obtained outcomes indicated that the progress of young people mentality was limited by simple and traditional ground basis. That basis was consisted of obligatory set books and actually popular films. There were only a few items which were to teach an optimism or to promote an active and creative attitude to the life. In our opinion that findings should be very important to every person who cares for a mental condition of young people.

Pregnancies after endolymphatic therapy of residual retroperitoneal Hodgkin lymphoma.

Three young women with Hodgkin lymphoma (stage III and IV) had residual retroperitoneal lymphoma after 6 cycles of standard chemotherapy. To preserve fertility, chemotherapy was subsequently continued as a single endolymphatic injection of 60 mg Bleomycin in oily suspension (Oil Bleo). Except for slight, transient fever in one patient, no side effects occurred. Follow-up plain X-rays with lipoidal stained lymph nodes showed a marked reduction in size of the retroperitoneal lymphomatous lymph nodes in all 3 patients. Each woman became pregnant between 2 and 14 months after endolymphatic therapy and bore healthy infants. Two of the women remain free of disease. The third has had a recurrence in the neck and has been treated with second-line intravenous chemotherapy. Endolymphatic therapy of retroperitoneal lymphoma may achieve a satisfactory result in selected patients while preserving fertility.

Serum levels of bleomycin released from the lymphatic system.

Endolymphatic injection Oil-Bleo (Nippon Kayaku, Japan) was performed on 24 patients for treatment of residual retroperitoneal malignant lymphoma detected after intravenous chemotherapy. The drug was administered once only in a dosage of 60 mg/30 mg per foot. Serum levels of the drug were monitored. The results were compared with data obtained after routine intravenous infusion of aqueous bleomycin to patients with advanced cervical cancer. The results revealed that bleomycin administered intralymphatically reaches maximum concentration after 15 minutes, and bleomycin after intravenous administration reaches maximum concentration at 36 hours.