Erythropoietin accelerates tumor growth through increase of erythropoietin receptor (EpoR) as well as by the stimulation of angiogenesis in DLD-1 and Ht-29 xenografts.

Anemia is a relatively common symptom coexisting with colorectal carcinoma. Besides having a positive impact on hematological parameters, erythropoietin (Epo) has the serious adverse effect of promoting the neoplastic process. The role of Epo in colon cancer has not been clearly shown. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of Epo therapy on colorectal carcinoma cells both in in vitro and in animal models. Human colon adenocarcinoma cells DLD-1 and Ht-29 were cultured in medium with Epo beta in normoxia. Cell proliferation was measured with an automated cell counter. Expression of erythropoietin receptor (EpoR) mRNA, Akt mRNA, and their proteins were assessed by RT-PCR and confocal microscopy, respectively. Nude mice were inoculated with adenocarcinoma cells and treated with a therapeutic dose of Epo. Expression of EpoR, VEGF, Flt-1 and CD31 was evaluated in xenograft tumors. We identified that Epo through EpoR activates Akt, which promotes colon cancer cell growth and proliferation. Epo, and high levels of phosphorylated EpoR, directly accelerates tumor growth through its proliferative and proangiogenic effects. This study demonstrated that Epo had enhanced carcinogenesis through increase of EpoR and Flt-1 expression, and thereby contributed to tumor development. These results suggest that both EpoR-positive and EpoR-negative cancer cells could be regulated by exogenous Epo. However, an increased response to erythropoietin was observed in the EpoR-positive cells. Thus, erythropoietin increases the risk of tumor progression in colon cancer and should not be used to treat anemia in this type of cancer.

Expression of insulin-like growth factor receptor type 1 correlate with lymphatic metastases in human gastric cancer.

Most patients with gastric cancer are diagnosed at advanced clinical stages with a high frequency of lymph node metastasis. It is very important to find novel factors for the early diagnostic and prognostic evaluation of gastric cancer. It has been shown that IGF-1R activates mitotic division and inhibits apoptosis of cancer cells through the activation of signaling MAP/ERK and PI3K/Akt-1 pathways. IGF-1R plays a role in cell transformation and maintenance of the phenotype in modified cells. Moreover, an IGF-1 receptor effect influences the processes of adhesion, migration, invasion and metastasis of tumor cells. The aim of the study was to assess the expression of IGF-1R in gastric carcinoma in correlation with selected anatomo-clinical parameters. The study enrolled a group of 49 patients treated surgically for gastric cancer. 28 patients had no lymph node metastases. The expression of the studied proteins was assessed using the immunohistochemical method. We found that the expression of IGF-1R in gastric cancer is associated with lymph node metastasis (p < 0.001), is correlated with worse prognosis and high histological malignancy grade, and is an independent predictor of survival in patients with gastric cancer (p < 0.001). IGF-1R may play an important role in tumor growth and metastasis via the lymphatic pathway.

Diagnostic significance of TIMP-1 level in serum and its immunohistochemical expression in colorectal cancer patients.

Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) inhibits the ability of cancer cells to metastasize, but it can also stimulate cancer development. The aim of this study was to assess the level of TIMP-1 in serum and its expression in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). The study group consisted of 43 patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer and 24 healthy volunteers. The level of TIMP-1 was assessed by the ELISA method while the expression of this protein was performed immunohistochemically. The concentration of TIMP-1 in the sera of colorectal cancer patients was significantly higher than in the healthy control group (p = 0.004). Higher level of TIMP-1 in the sera correlated with female gender (p = 0.045), tumor location in colon (p = 0.016), poorly differentiated tumor (p = 0.034) and higher platelet count in whole blood (p < 0.004). A positive reaction of the protein in cancer cells was observed in 31 cases and was found to correlate negatively with its reaction in peritumoral stroma (p < 0.001). According to this study, TIMP-1 protein may play an important role in cancer development. The assessment of this molecule in serum and tissue can be useful at the time of diagnosis and can help us to understand the nature of colorectal pathogenesis.

Association of erosive esophagitis with Helicobacter pylori eradication: a role of salivary bicarbonate and glycoprotein secretion.

In some populations, Helicobacter pylori eradication is associated with development of erosive esophagitis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the contribution of salivary bicarbonate and glycoprotein secretion to the pathogenesis of erosive esophagitis developing after H. pylori eradication. Gastroscopy and saliva collection were performed at recruitment and 12 months after completion of eradication therapy. Eighty-eight patients with duodenal ulcer were recruited to the study. Erosive esophagitis was found in 13 patients (grade A, 8 patients; grade B, 4 patients; grade C, 1 patient). Among the 74 subjects who completed the study, erosive esophagitis was detected in 21 patients (grade A, 15 patients; grade B, 6 patients); they all were successfully eradicated. Bicarbonate and glycoprotein secretion was not found to differ significantly between the subjects with and without erosive esophagitis both before and 1 year after H. pylori eradication. However, it was lower in H. pylori-infected (baseline) than in H. pylori-noninfected erosive esophagitis subjects (1 year after successful eradication) (bicarbonate 2.34 [1.29-3.40)]vs. 3.64 [2.70-4.58]micromol/min and glycoprotein 0.23 [0.15-0.31]vs. 0.35 [0.28-0.43] mg/min, P= 0.04 and P= 0.04, respectively). We conclude that changes in salivary bicarbonate and glycoprotein secretion related to H. pylori eradication do not promote the development of erosive esophagitis in duodenal ulcer patients.

Adenosine deaminase activity in gastric cancer.

Adenosine deaminase activity, the key enzyme of adenosine inactivation, was studied in slices taken endoscopically from gastric cancer and macroscopically unchanged gastric mucosa surrounding the cancer. The activity of the enzyme was measured in mucosa homogenates by determination of ammonia liberated from substrate. It was found that adenosine deaminase activity in neoplastic lesions did not differ significantly from normal mucosa and that the gastric region studied (antrum, corpus) did not have an impact. A significant difference in enzyme activity was noticed between intestinal and diffuse-type gastric carcinoma (according to Lauren's classification); the intestinal type was characterized by lower adenosine deaminase activity than was the diffuse type. Since the activity of adenosine deaminase in gastric cancer did not exhibit significant differences from normal mucosa the diagnostic value of its determination is of less importance.

Adenosine deaminase activity in patients with the intestinal type of gastric carcinoma.

Adenosine deaminase activity was studied in tissue slices taken endoscopically from gastric mucosa of patients with the intestinal type of gastric carcinoma. The enzyme activity was measured in mucosal homogenates by determination of ammonia liberated from substrate during 10-min incubation. It was found that: (1) the enzyme activity of de novo gastric cancer was significantly lower than that of recurrent cancer of the gastric remnant; and (2) the enzyme activity of uninvaded gastric mucosa surrounding the neoplastic lesion of non-operated stomach was significantly lower than of the gastric mucosa of partially resected stomach due to malignancy. Since the enzyme activity in gastric cancer and surrounding uninvaded gastric mucosa correlated well with the advance of neoplastic disease estimated by ultrasonography examination, we speculate that some systemic factors associated with tumor progression might be implicated in the regulation of adenosine deaminase activity.

Glycogen content in the gastric mucosa of partially resected stomach; a possible relationship with the development of cancer.

Since gastric carcinoma, unlike uninvaded mucosa, has a relatively high glycogen content and the risk of gastric carcinoma is especially high in patients with a partially resected stomach, the aim of this study was to follow glycogen storage in both uninvaded gastric stump mucosa and carcinoma developing in the stump postsurgery performed for benign and malignant conditions. One hundred patients were recruited, including controls with non-operated stomachs (duodenal ulcer or gastric cancer patients). In endoscopically taken biopsies glycogen was determined by the anthrone method. It was found that the glycogen content in the gastric remnants was higher than in non-operated stomachs and increased with the time after surgery. It is possible that the risk of gastric cancer, which increases with the time from surgery, may be related to glycogen storage.

Morphologic changes of small intestine epithelium in the course of post-alcoholic liver cirrhosis.

Morphologic changes of the duodenal mucous membrane were studied in 50 patients (20 with post-alcoholic liver cirrhosis and 30 non-alcoholic with postinflammatory liver cirrhosis). The macroscopic condition of the duodenal mucous membrane was evaluated during endoscopic examination; evaluation of the histopathologic changes in the biopsy specimens of the duodenal mucous membrane was carried out according to the criteria of Whitehead et al. (Digestion, 13 (1975) 129). Endoscopic examinations showed changes of chronic inflammatory process of the duodenal mucous membrane in 60% of the patients in both groups. The microscopic studies did not show essential differences in the intensity of histopathological changes of the duodenal mucous membrane between both groups, i.e, alcohol is not a decisive factor evoking or intensifying pathological changes of the duodenum.

Widespread myocardial and pulmonary bone marrow embolism following cardiac massage.

Widespread fatal massive bone marrow embolism of the coronary and the pulmonary arteries are described in a 71-year-old man with a respiratory disease. Cardiac massage was carried out during the cardiac arrest. In autopsy findings there were no fractures of the ribs or the sternum. The authors suggested that the cardiac massage was the most important predisposing factor for the bone marrow embolism.

Papillary Hürthle cell tumor of thyroid: report of a case with a cytomorphologic approach to diagnosis.

BACKGROUND: Hürthle cells are founded often in fine needle aspirates of the thyroid from nonneoplastic and neoplastic lesions. Papillary Hürthle cell tumors of the thyroid are composed of oxyphilic cells with a prominent papillary component. Papillary Hürthle cell carcinoma is a relatively uncommon type of thyroid carcinoma. CASE: A 42-year-old man had two asymptomatic nodules (2.5 and 3.5 cm) in the left lobe and one (2.5 cm) in the right lobe of the thyroid. Fine needle aspiration biopsy of the tumor in the left lobe showed large cells in monolayers and papillary clusters with moderate to abundant eosinophilic, granular cytoplasm with sharp borders, a granular nuclear enlargement with pleomorphism and single nucleoli. Histologic examination showed capsular invasion and infiltration of vessels. CONCLUSION: The cytologic appearance of papillary Hürthle cell carcinoma is not specific but can be suspected on fine needle aspiration.

Gastric and pancreatic functions in haemodialyzed patients.

The aim of this work was to assess gastric acid secretion in relation to morphological and histological changes in the gastric mucosa as well as prevalence of Helicobacter pylori in chronically haemodialyzed uraemic patients. Exocrine pancreatic functions after secretin-cerulein test were also studied. In haemodialyzed patients low basal gastric acid output was found, whereas peak output after pentagastrin stimulation did not differ significantly when compared to controls. Endoscopy of gastric and duodenal mucosa revealed inflammatory changes in the majority of patients, described histologically as chronic gastritis with duodenitis. Helicobacter pylori antigen was detected in the serum of 45% of uraemic patients. Serum amylase activity was elevated in haemodialyzed patients relative to controls. Although clinically asymptomatic, haemodialyzed patients exhibited various degrees of gastrointestinal mucosal abnormalities and impairment in exocrine pancreatic functions, mainly low stimulated bicarbonate and protein output as well as low electrolyte concentrations in duodenal content.

[Radioisotope studies of the brain, adrenal glands and adipose tissue in acute lindane poisoning]. / Badania radioizotopowe mózgu, nadnerczy i tkanki tluszczowej w ostrym zatruciu lindanem.

Results of the examinations on radioactivity of the adipose tissue, supraprenal glands and the brain after intragastric administration of lindan--14 C in the dose evoking acute poisoning show that it accumulates in the examined tissues. Its highest concentration was observed in the adipose tissue, slightly lower in the supraprenal glands and the lowest one was noted in the brain. It was found that a considerable amount of lindan absorbed was expelled from the tissue during the first 4 days of exposure, but the remaining part was expelled from the adipose tissue and the brain during 36 days, and from the supraprenal glands after 36 days of the experiment.

[Comparative studies of radioactivity of the blood and urine of rats after intravenous, intraperitoneal and intragastric administration of C-14-labeled lindane]. / Badania porównawcze radioaktywnosci krwi i moczu szczurów po dizylnym, dootrzewnowym i dozoladkowym podaniu lindanu-14C.

The results of blood and urine radioactivity investigations carried out on male Wistar rats after intravenous, intraperitoneal and intragastric administration of gamma-Benzene Hexachloride-14C indicate that this pesticide is absorbed from blood within 15 hrs after intravenous, 25 hrs after intraperitoneal and 35 hrs after intragastric administration and is excreted in urine within 35 days. A very high level of excretion was observed during the first 4 days after intravenous, 7 days after intraperitoneal, and 8 days after intragastric administration.

[Mast cells in chronic gastritis of children]. / Komórki tuczne w przewleklym zapaleniu blony sluzowej zoladka u dzieci.

Mast cell involvement in chronic gastritis in children was analyzed. 25 children with normal mucosa (controls), 20 children with chronic gastritis and 28 children with chronic gastritis and infected Helicobacter pylori were included to the study. Bioptic material from antrum and corpus of the stomach were stained with toluidine blue and anti-human mast cell tryptase to evaluate mast cell density. Changes in mast cells number were also estimated in 7 children before and after successful eradication of Helicobacter pylori infection. Mast cell density was significantly greater in children with chronic gastritis with or without Helicobacter pylori infection when compared to the controls. Mast cell degranulation was demonstrated by electron microscopy in children with chronic gastritis and infected Helicobacter pylori. Mast cell through it's numerous mediators may play a key role in chronic gastritis especially when Helicobacter pylori infection is present.

[Lymphocytic response of gastric and duodenal mucosa in Helicobacter pylori infection in children]. / Odpowiedz limfocytarna blony sluzowej zoladka i dwunastnicy w zakazeniu Helicobacter pylori u dzieci.

The authors evaluated morphologically gastric and duodenal mucosa in H. pylori infection in children. Fenotypic evaluation of T lymphocytes carried out in patients showed the increase in number of these cells in gastric antrum and corpus mucosa in comparison with controls according to the level of mucosal inflammation. B lymphocytes in inflamed gastric mucosa were dispersed as lamina propria infiltrates or in clusters (lymph nodules).

[Mast cell of upper gastrointestinal tract mucosa and Helicobacter pylori infection in children]. / Komórka tuczna blony sluzowej górnego odcinka przewodu pokarmowego a zakazenie Helicobacter pylori u dzieci.

Using histological, immunohistochemical and electron microscopic examinations of gastric and duodenal mucosa the authors showed the increase in the number of mast cells with ultrastructural changes characteristic of their degranulation in H. pylori infected children. The damage of various intensification in glandular and covering epithelial cells and the inflammatory response were also proved. The results suggest the role of mastocytes in the inflammation of gastric and duodenal mucosa in H. pylori infected children.

[Exocrine pancreatic function and gastric mucosa and duodenal mucosa in patients with chronic kidney failure]. / Czynnosc zewnatrzwydzielnicza trzustki i blony sluzowej zoladka i dwunastnicy u chorych na przewlekla niewydolnosc nerek.

Uraemic pancreatopathy is frequently observed in patients with chronic renal failure. The aim of the study was to assess some parameters of exocrine pancreatic function in uraemic patients maintained on intermittent haemodialyses. Elevated serum amylase activity was found in these patients. The most significant finding was the low bicarbonate output in duodenal content after secretin-cerulein stimuli, comparable with that obtained in patients with chronic pancreatitis. It indicates pancreatic exocrine defect in uraemic patients. A fall in protein output and lower amylase activity in duodenal content was also observed in haemodialyzed patients after stimulation. Low basal acid output (BAO) and enhanced maximal (MAO) and peak (PAO) acid outputs were found in uraemic patients after pentagastrin stimulation. Gastritis and duodenitis were frequently diagnosed in endoscopic and histopathological examinations in these patients. In patients with chronic renal failure even without clinical signs of pancreatic, laboratory findings of exocrine pancreatic abnormalities are reported. It may be the cause of uraemic pancreatopathy.

[Primary malignant lymphomas of the digestive tract. Morphologic and clinical analysis of 100 cases]. / Pierwotne chloniaki zlosliwe przewodu pokarmowego. Analiza morfologiczna i kliniczna 100 chorych.

The morphologic and clinical evaluation of malignant lymphomas having the primary localization in the digestive tract has been presented. The analysis of particular cases involved the localization of tumors, the histological types, age, sex and clinical symptoms. It has been stated that malignant lymphomas are rare primary malignancies of the digestive tract which develop most frequently in the stomach and their clinical course may be masked by other diseases of digestive tract.

[A case of esophageal pemphigus]. / Przypadek pecherzycy przelyku.

A case of oesophageal pemphigus was observed in a man aged 76. Attention is called to the rarity of this disease and resulting diagnostic difficulties.

[A case of myxoma of the left cardiac atrium--morphologic analysis]. / Przypadek sluzaka lewego przedsionka serca--analiza morfologiczna.

A case is reported of left atrial myxoma with clinical manifestations suggestive of mitral stenosis. The morphogenesis of the tumour is analysed on the basis of histological examination.