The effects of cyclophosphamide on pulmonary thrombopoiesis in rats.

Cyclophosphamide (CP), an antineoplastic and immunosuppressive agent, even when administered in large doses, slightly affects the quantity of blood platelets. The aim of the present study was to analyse the effect of single intraperitoneal administration of CP (150 mg/kg b.w.) on the quantitative changes in platelets obtained from the left and right ventricle of the heart, as well as to evaluate the occurrence of megakaryocytes in lung tissue depending on the period of time that passed from CP administration. In control subgroups, fewer platelets were found in the blood collected from the RV compared with the left ventricle at all time intervals. After 1 and 3 days following i.p. administration of CP, a decrease was observed in the number of platelets both in the blood from the right ventricle and left ventricle when compared with control. However, after 14 days, the number of platelets in the blood from the left ventricle was higher, compared with the left ventricle and right ventricle of control animals, and significantly higher (p < 0.001747), compared with their number obtained from the right ventricle of CP-receiving animals. Simultaneous ultrastructural examinations with transmission electron microscopy revealed the increased number of platelets in the lung vascular bed of CP-receiving rats at all time intervals. However, megakaryocytes were found 7 and 14 days after administration of CP. The findings clearly indicate that the lungs could be a major place of thrombopoiesis following therapy with a single large dose of CP.

Effect of Listeria monocytogenes lipids on the immunity of mice against Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans and Trichomonas vaginalis.

The effect of Listeria monocytogenes lipids (Lm lipids) on immunity against Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans and Trichomonas vaginalis was studied in mice. The administration of Lm lipids did not affect significantly the course of T. vaginalis infection. On the other hand, single Lm lipids injection markedly decreased the mortality rate of mice with mycotic infections, and significantly accelerated the elimination of fungal cells from liver, spleen and blood circulation of animals. It is suggested that enhanced resistance of mice conferred by Lm lipids may be related to observed increase in activity of macrophages. The study demonstrated a very low toxicity of Lm lipids preparation.

The enzymatic studies of the liver in acute experimental pancreatitis in dogs treated with prostacyclin (PGI2).

The liver affection in acute experimental pancreatitis (AEP) could be reflected by changes of enzymatic activity in the liver and in serum. The histoenzymatic studies of the liver of dogs with AEP of different severity and time of duration induced according to Elliott's method were performed and the constellation of serum enzymatic activities considering treatment with prostacyclin was estimated. The histoenzymatic reactions on succinic dehydrogenase, lactic dehydrogenase and alkaline phosphatase were depressed with progression of time and severity of AEP. In contrast, the reaction on acid phosphatase was augmented at the same time. Serum AspAT, AlAT and alkaline phosphatase were augmented in the later phase of AEP, but acid phosphatase and beta-glucuronidase were not significantly changed. The treatment with PGI2 limited both histoenzymatic reactions and alterations of serum enzymatic activities. These results support the significance of changes in enzymatic activities in the course of liver reaction on pancreatogenic noxa during acute pancreatitis, and suggest the protective effect of PGI2 against liver injury in this disease.

Fine needle aspiration biopsy cytology of chondrosarcoma.

Fine needle aspirates of ten chondrosarcomas were evaluated, and the cytologic features of this tumor were described. Some malignant cells in the smears of chondrosarcoma resembled cells of an epithelial origin and could be misinterpreted as carcinoma cells. The morphologic features described for chondrosarcoma should be helpful in avoiding such a diagnostic error.

The Bcl-2 protein expression in germinal centers of hypertrophied adenoids in children.

The aim of this study was to evaluate Bcl-2 expression in the germinal centers of adenoid in children on the assumption that it can be treated as a marker of adenoidal tissue function. The study involved 95 children. The patients were divided into three age groups: aged up to 5, 5-10 and above 10 years. The analysed material were adenoids removed on the grounds of hypertrophy. Immunohistochemical analyses were carried out using monoclonal antibodies (DAKO/Bcl-2, No. M0887) directed against human Bcl-2 protein. The presence of Bcl-2 positive lymphocytes within the lymphoid follicles and Bcl-2 immunostaining were scored. The immunohistochemical staining showed Bcl-2 positive lymphocytes in the examined sections of adenoidal tissue and their characteristic location, mainly within the mantle zone. Bcl-2 reactivity was widespread in hyperplastic lymphoid tissue, including germinal centers surroundings, scattered cells within the germinal centers and the T-cell areas in general. We have not found statistically significant correlation between Bcl-2 expression and clinical status and change in Bcl-2 expression level according to age. The apoptosis presence within the germinal centers and its lack in mantle zone, the manifestation of which is Bcl-2 expression, is a sign of a proper lymphocytes maturation within lymphoid follicles. It seems that these processes are not influenced by age, so the adenoid involution is probably associated with the changes in the number of lymphoid follicles rather than change or inhibition of the processes that take place in them.

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.

Changes of myocardial capillary density in progression of experimental lung emphysema.

A morphometrical analysis of changes in the heart of rats with experimental lung emphysema due to single intratracheal administration of papain solution has been done. Special attention has been paid to quantitative changes of capillaries and to the cardiomyocyte diameter in respective regions of the myocardium after one, three and six months following the administration of papain. A histological and morphometrical analysis of changes in the lungs has also been carried out and partial pressures of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the arterial blood of the examined animals have been marked. It has been found that a single administration of papain caused emphysematous changes in the lungs, growing more intense until the third month of the experiment. The progression of these changes corresponded to a capillary density increase in the right ventricle, interventricular septum and in the subendocardial layer of the left ventricle. The increase in the number of capillaries was interpreted as the first adaptive stage of cor pulmonale development and explained by the occurrence of angiogenesis. The changes co-existed with a decrease in partial pressure of oxygen in the arterial blood. After six months of the experiment, a reduction in capillary density in the heart regions mentioned above and a simultaneous increase in the cardiomycyte transversal diameter were observed, being the exponents of evident myocardial hypertrophy. Development of ultrastructural changes in the hearts of rats has been analysed too. Simultaneous development of changes in the right ventricle muscle and in the subendocardial layer of the heart left ventricle myocardium was observed. The role of hypoxia as a one of essential factors responsible for the observed morphologic changes has been discussed.

Contribution of capillary endothelium to cor pulmonale development in experimental lung emphysema.

The aim of this study was the ultrastructural analysis of the changes in the endothelium of myocardial capillaries and the processes observed in their vicinity in consecutive stages of experimental lung emphysema. Emphysematous changes in the lungs of Wistar rats were induced with a single intraperitoneal infusion of proteolytic enzyme solution, papain, in a dose of 20 mg/kg b.w./0.5 ml PBS. Ultrastructural analysis of the changes within the right ventricle and the subendocardial part of the left ventricle of the heart was made by a transmission electron microscope after 1, 3 and 6 months following papain administration. Special attention was paid to the analysis of changes found in the vicinity of newly formed myocardial capillaries. Animals killed after 1 and 3 months following papain infusion showed blurred borderline between the endothelium of the newly formed myocardial capillaries and perivascular connective matrix. The new vessels had poorly developed basement membrane. Fibrillary structures and/or collagen fibrils were found instead. The latter frequently demonstrated features of disorders in the structure and spatial distribution. Neither fibroblasts nor their processes were observed in the vicinity of the new collagen fibrils. Pericytes were occasionally present. In the later period (6 months from intratracheal papain infusion) well formed collagen fibres dominated in the vicinity of myocardial capillaries. The results of the ultrastructural analysis suggest the possibility of active contribution of endothelial cells to the processes of perivascular fibrosis within the myocardium in the course of experimental lung emphysema.

Plastic surgery of the ureteropelvic junction with a pedicle stomach flap.

Experiments were carried out on dogs on the application of a pedicle flap cut from the stomach in plastic surgery of the ureteropelvic junction. The experiments showed that the flap healed well without any stenosis at the site where it was sewn in. An analysis of microscopic patterns showed that there was primary repair of the ureter wound which was the result of an adequate supply of blood to the flap.

Evaluation of CA 15-3 serum levels in breast cancer patients.

The usefulness of post operative serum CA 15-3 determination was evaluated in a group of 57 breast cancer patients. CA 15-3 was assayed at baseline and every 3 months for a median follow-up of 34 months. Recurrence-free survival probability for patients with elevated serum CA 15-3 levels before surgery was 53.5% versus 88% for patients with normal serum CA 15-3 levels (p < 0.201). In 12 of the 15 patients with increased trend for CA 15-3 during follow-up, elevated CA 15-3 levels preceded (10 patients) coincided (2 patients) with the clinical detection of tumour recurrence, providing a predictive value of an increased trend of 80%. In the group of 10 patients who showed elevated serum CA 15-3 levels prior to the detection of recurrence, the median load-time was 5 months/(range 3-11 months). We concluded that CA 15-3 had prognostic value in breast cancer. Serial determinations of CA 15-3 was consistent with the treatment results.

Liver histology in chronic metribuzin poisoning of the guinea-pig.

Forty male guinea-pigs weighing 400-600 g, 8 months old, were given metribuzin directly into the gastric lumen over a period of 30 days (20 animals) or 90 days (20 animals), 6 times a week. The intoxicated animals showed congestion and obliteration of the trabecular structure of the liver. Acidophilic and vacuolar degeneration of the liver cells with signs of necrosis were also observed. Histochemical tests revealed a poorer staining for glycogen and succinic dehydrogenase and intensification of the alkaline and acid phosphatases reaction. The above findings indicate a progressive degeneration due to metribuzin of different organelles of the liver cells including nuclei, mitochondria, lysosomes, microvilli and the cytoplasm.

[Diagnostic value of the latex test (Pyloriset) for detection of Helicobacter pylori antibodies in adult patients with upper digestive tract diseases]. / Wartosc diagnostyczna testu lateksowego (Pyloriset) do wykrywania przeciwcial dla Helicobacter pylori u doroslych pacjentów z chorobami górnego odcinka przewodu pokarmowego.

The biopsy specimens and sera from 269 adult patients referred for gastroscopy were examined for Helicobacter pylori infections. The bacteriologic studies included: Gram smears, urease test and culture methods of biopsy specimens, biochemical tests for identification of isolates and their sensitivity testing to 17 chemotherapeutics. The biopsy specimens were examined histopathologically also. For demonstration of specific antibodies the latex test (Pyloriset, Orion Diagnostica, Finland) was used. Biopsy--cultures were positive for H. pylori in 171 (63.6%) cases, biopsy--urease test in 149 (55.4%) and Gram smears in 163 (62.8%). A total of 193 (71.7%) positive sera with latex were found. The sensitivity and specificity of the latex test as compared with the culture method, biopsy--urease test and Gram smears was 80.7% and 43.9%, 80.5% and 39.2% or 79.8% and 40.6% respectively. All three direct diagnostic methods were positive in 122 (45.4%) patients, 101 (82.8%) of them were positive with the latex test. Only in 33 (19.3%) patients with positive biopsy--culture for H. pylori anti-H. pylori antibodies were not observed. On the other hand, among 75 patients with negative all direct methods for H. pylori infections 39 (52.0%) of them were positive with the latex test. The latex test was also positive in 56 (54.9%) sera among 102 blood donor tested by us but this value was lower, in trems of statistical significance than in patient sera. In conclusion, the latex test may be useful as a screening serological test for the diagnosis of patients with H. pylori infections and for epidemiological studies.

[Immunohistochemically expression of the protein p53 evaluated in invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix]. / Immunohistochemiczna ocena ekspresji bialka p53 w inwazyjnym plaskonablonkowym raku szyjki macicy.

The p53 protein expression in the invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix was evaluated immunohistochemically. Its predictive role in the correlation with histological grading and staging was analyzed. 13.7% of examined cases (10/73) presented positive protein expression. There was no correlation between the intensified protein p53 expression and particular prognostic histological factors.

[Analysis of the frequency of prevalence of endometrial hyperplasia and endometrial adenocarcinoma based on own material in the year 1975, 1985 and 1995]. / Analiza czestosci wystepowania rozrostów blony sluzowej trzonu macicy i raka gruczolowego w materiale Kliniki w latach 1975, 1985 i 1995.

We analysed the frequency of prevalence of endometrial hyperplasia and endometrial adenocarcinoma in the years 1975, 1985 and 1995. Significant differences between endometrial simple hyperplasia and complex hyperplasia with atypia was found. There were no statistic differences in the frequency of the prevalence of endometrial adenocarcinoma between analysed years.

[Diagnostic value of nucleolus organizer regions (NORs) in premalignant and malignant lesions of the cervix]. / Wartosc diagnostyczna ekspresji regionów organizatorów jaderkowych (NORS) w stanach przedrakowych i raku szyjki macicy.

The proliferative activity of CIN and SCC lesion was examined using silver-binding argyrophilic nucleolar organizer region (AgNOR) staining. AgNORs have been counted in sections of routinely processed paraffin embedded tissue blocks. The specimens consisted punch biopsies, cones or surgery. The number of black dots (AgNORs) appearing on the nuclei were counted. Significant variation in AgNOR counts were observed between CIN III and SCC compared with the other study groups (p < 0.001). These results suggest that AgNOR counts may be of significance in the evaluation of cervical lesions and could elaborate histopathological diagnosis.

[Expression of PCNA antigen in cellular proliferative activity of cervical carcinoma]. / Ekspresja antygenu PCNA w ocenie aktywnosci proliferacyjnej komorek raka szyjki macicy.

The proliferative activity of cervical carcinoma was examined using proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) staining. Labelling index (LI) have been counted in sections of routinely processed paraffin embedded tissue blocks. Significant variation in PCNA LI were observed between study groups (p < 0.0235). The results obtained indicate that the evaluation of proliferative activity of cells expressed by high PCNA LI is assessed with worse prognosis.

[Heterogeneity of ovarian epithelial tumors in analysis of nucleolar organizer regions (NORs) expression]. / Heterogennosc nowotworów nablonkowych jajnika w analizie ekspresji bialek regionów organizatorów jaderkowych (NORS).

Nonhistone proteins associated with the nucleolar organizer regions (NORs) can be visualized by a silver-staining technique on paraffin-embedded tissues. The number of black dots (AgNORs) appearing on the nuclei are thought to reflect cell differentiation and can be used as a measurement of cellular proliferative activity. In this study we tested AgNOR staining in ovarian epithelial tumors to evaluate its diagnostic potential in distinguishing between borderline tumors and carcinomas.

[Surgical management in the non-neoplastic and neoplastic thyroid goiter with Hürthla cells]. / Postepowanie chirurgiczne w nienowotworowym i nowotworowym wolu tarczycy z obecnoscia komórek Hürthla.

The routine preoperative cytological evaluation of pathological changes of the thyroid more and more frequently reveals single or multiple Hürthl cells in the material obtained by the method of fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNA). Hürthl cells are a degenerative form of epithelial follicular cells of the thyroid and cytological examination is insufficient for unequivocal differentiation between adenoma and carcinoma. Management of patients with FNA-diagnosed Hürthl cells arouses a number of controversies. Therefore, the authors of the present study subjected the thyroids of patients with cytologically diagnosed Hürthl cells to postoperative histopathological analysis. Appropriate surgical management was indicated.

[Chronic cor pulmonale--a disease of the right or both ventricle(s) of the heart?]. / Przewlekle serce plucne--choroba prawej czy obu komór serca?

Some aspects of the development of chronic cor pulmonale have been presented. Special attention has been paid to the possibility of simultaneous formation of changes in the muscle of both ventricles of the heart and to an increase in the number of capillaries in the myocardium in the early stage of this disease. Angiogenesis, the role of hypoxia and endothelins in the pathogenesis of these changes have been discussed.

[Free alveolar cells in experimental pulmonary emphysema. I. Statistical analysis of cellular composition and lung morphometry]. / Wolne komórki pecherzykowe w doswiadczalnej rozedmie pluc. I. Analiza statystyczna skladu komórkowego i badania morfometryczne pluc.

The study was carried out on an experimental papain induced model of pulmonary emphysema. The authors assessed the cell populations sampled with lavage. Special emphasis was directed on alveolar macrophages and neutrophils. Extent of emphysema was analysed morphometrically. The authors demonstrated an influx of neutrophils 24 hours after papain was introduced intratracheally. This was followed by a swift decrease of the number of sampled neutrophils. Seven days latter the neutrophil count returned to normal. A significant increase of alveolar macrophages was seen on the seventh day. The increased macrophage count correlated with the extent of the pulmonary emphysema destruction.