Profile of Expression of Genes Encoding Matrix Metallopeptidase 9 (MMP9), Matrix Metallopeptidase 28 (MMP28) and TIMP Metallopeptidase Inhibitor 1 (TIMP1) in Colorectal Cancer: Assessment of the Role in Diagnosis and Prognostication.

BACKGROUND Studies on the pathomechanism of colorectal cancer (CRC) expansion indicate a significant role of metalloproteinases and their inhibitors in the extracellular matrix. The results of the analysis of a profile of transcriptional activity of genes encoding metalloproteinases were the basis of the hypothesis indicating changes in the expression of genes encoding MMP9, MMP28, and TIMP1 as an additional diagnostic and prognostic marker of CRC. MATERIAL AND METHODS The material consisted of samples obtained from resected tumors and healthy tissue samples from 15 CRC patients (aged 46-72 years) at clinical stages (CSs) I and II-IV. Gene expression analysis was done using microarrays. Microarray data analysis was done using the GeneSpring 11.5 platform. The results were validated using the qRT-PCR technique. RESULTS We found high levels of expression of MMP9 at each CS, as well as in the tissues at the early stage of CRC. Additionally, we observed high levels of expression of TIMP1 and low levels of MMP28 genes in CS II-IV. No statistically significant differences based on the stage of CRC were observed. CONCLUSIONS MMP9 gene profile may be a complementary diagnostic marker in CRC. The results suggest a crucial role of MMP9 at the early stage of carcinogenesis in the large intestine. The increase in MMP9 and TIMP1 mRNA concentration and the decrease in MMP28 in the large intestinal tissue may be a confirmation of cancer, but it may not indicate the advance of CRC.

Methods of Using a Manual Defibrillator during Simultaneous Cardiac Arrest in Two Patients-Analysis of the Actions of Emergency Medical Response Teams during the Championships in Emergency Medicine.

Background/Objectives: Conducting advanced resuscitation requires medical personnel to carry out appropriately coordinated actions. Certain difficulties arise when it becomes necessary to conduct cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on two patients at the same time. The aim of this paper was to assess the actions of teams participating in emergency medicine championships in tasks related to simultaneous cardiac arrests in two patients. Methods: The study was conducted on the basis of an analysis of assessment cards for tasks carried out during the 'International Winter Championships in Emergency Medicine'. Three-person medical response teams (MRTs), with the support of two people, had the task of conducting advanced resuscitation on an adult and child simultaneously. The tasks were prepared and developed by European Resuscitation Council (ERC) instructors. Results: The study showed that teams used four methods of checking heart rhythm and performing defibrillation during CPR-using paddles only, using paddles and self-adhesive electrodes, using paddles and a three-lead ECG and using two pairs of self-adhesive electrodes. Teams performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation using paddles and a three-lead ECG performed significantly more actions incorrectly than other teams-in part due to the fact that they incorrectly interpreted which patient's heart rhythm was displayed on the defibrillator screen. The effectiveness of the remaining methods was similar for most of the actions. The CPR method using two pairs of electrodes enabled personal safety to be maintained to the significantly highest percentage during defibrillation. Conclusions: The study demonstrated that the need to conduct CPR on two patients at the same time, irrespective of the method used, caused MRT members considerable difficulties in correctly conducting some of the actions. The method of assessing heart rhythm using paddles and a three-lead ECG should not be used. The study showed that the optimal method of CPR in use appears to be the method using two pairs of adhesive electrodes-it provided, among other things, the significantly highest percentage of safely conducted defibrillation.

Multiannual abdominal pain complicated by obstruction of the gastrointestinal tract in the course of cystic form of mesenteric lymhangioma of the small intestine.

Lymphangiomas constitute a group of very rare diseases and occur with a frequency of 1/250,000 to 1/20,000 of hospitalizations. Even though they are benign lesions, their complications may turn into a life-threatening condition. They usually occur in children (90%), they are either congenital or they appear before the child's second birthday. Occassionally they are found in adults. Lymphangiomas are usually localized around neck, but also near armpits and in the groin area. Less than 1% of lymphagiomas are detected in the retroperitoneal space and intestinal mesentery. Vascular lesions derived from lymphatic vessels can be divided into ordinary ones, usually known as capillary, cavernous, and cystic. The cystic tumor (lymphangioma mesenteri) is the least common. It occurs mostly in the retroperitoneal space, mesentery of the colon, or extremely rarely in the mesentery of the small intestine. Preoperative diagnosis is difficult due to non-specific clinical symptoms and noncharacteristic image in the diagnostic tests. Lymphangioma complications, such as intestinal obstruction or perforation, and persistent pain, are the cause of exploratory laparotomy. Final diagnosis requires microscopic examination of material collected during an operation. This article presented the case of a 40-year-old female, operated due to the obstruction of the gastrointestinal tract, in whose case the lymphangioma was recognised in postoperative histopathological examination of the tumor from the jejunal mesentery. Since patients with these tumors have good chances of complete recovery - if there are no serious complications - it appears that the optimal therapeutic procedure should be early surgery, which reduces the possibility of complications.