Morphological and mechanical changes in juxtarenal aortic segment and aneurysm before and after open surgical repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of study was to assess how the ultrastructure of the wall of aortic aneurysms, sac and neck influences aortic wall distensibility and proximal dilatation 2 years after open repair. METHODS: Biopsies for electron microscopy were taken from aneurysmal sac and neck of 30 patients. Patients were assessed by computed tomography (CT) and ultrasound for aneurysm diameter and distensibility (M-mode ultrasonography). RESULTS: Postoperative CT of the aortic stump distinguished two groups. Group I (n = 11) with little enlargement, median 1 mm (1-3 mm) and group II (n = 19) with significant aortic enlargement, median 5.2 mm (4-12 mm). In group II, changes in elastic fibres in the aneurysm neck were comparable to, but as extreme as in the aneurysm sac. For group I, the distensibility of the aneurysmal sac was significantly lower than in the neck or at the renal arteries. For group II, the distensibility in both the neck and sac was significantly lower than at the juxtarenal segment (p = 0.01). The biopsies of group II patients showed the extensive degeneration of normal architecture, which was associated with altered wall distensibility in both the aneurysmal neck and sac. CONCLUSIONS: Disorganisation and destruction of normal aortic architecture at the ultrastructural level are associated with decreasing aortic distensibility. Low aortic neck distensibility is associated with proximal aortic dilatation at 2 years postoperatively.

Correlation between the stage of cystic fibrosis and the level of morphological changes in adult patients.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between the stage of cystic fibrosis and the intensity of accompanying morphological changes--including transmission electron microscopy--within bronchial mucosa. The stage of the disease was assessed on the basis of clinical status and radiological and endoscopic examination. We focused on morphological changes in epithelial cells, the presence of metaplasia and/or dysplasia, the type of inflammatory infiltrate, and the presence of epithelial ulcerations, thickening of epithelial basement membrane and collagenization of lamina propria. We found two clinically different patients groups. The first one was in a poor clinical condition, advanced inflammatory fiberoptic bronchoscopy and radiological changes, multiple exacerbations, and with chronic inflammation and only focal appearance of ciliated epithelium. Moreover, squamous cell metaplasia and dysplasia was diagnosed in 3 and 4 cases, respectively. The other group, in a better clinical condition, had normal BMI and small changes on chest Xray. In this group the diagnosis of cystic fibrosis was made at later age. Two patients from this group displayed features of acute phase; ciliated epithelium was covering the whole sample. After statistical analysis, we found a correlation between the clinical course and the morphological changes in bronchial mucosa. Bronchial ulcerations, squamous cell metaplasia and dysplasia were found in the group with the more severe clinical course.

Myopathy as the first symptom of hypokalemic periodic paralysis--case report of a girl from a Polish family with CACNA1S (R1239G) mutation.

PURPOSE: Presenting the case of unusual onset hypokalemic periodic paralysis (HypoPP) where myopathy had developed two years before paralysis occurred. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A Polish three-generation family with HypoPP and mutation in CACNA1S (R1239G) has been investigated. Clinical presentation with unusual onset of the disease, biopsy results and genetic research in one family member were described. CONCLUSION: HypoPP is a rare disease it needs to be taken into consideration not only in cases of paroxysmal weakness but also when there is myopathy of unknown origin.

Intracellular expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1alpha, TNF-alpha, and IL-6) in chronic hepatitis C.

The study aimed at localizing TNF-alpha, IL-1alpha, IL-6 at light and electron microscope levels in patients with chronic hepatitis C, using the immunocytochemical techniques in biopsy material from patients with chronic hepatitis C and at comparing the expression of the cytokines with histopathological changes. Our studies demonstrated an augmented expression of all cytokines in liver biopsies in chronic hepatitis C, in comparison with respective values, obtained in control biopsy material. The highest expression of the cytokines was observed in hepatocytes. That was confirmed by electron microscopy, which demonstrated the cytokines mainly in altered ER cisterns and in the cytoplasm. In children, the expression of IL-1alpha was negatively correlated with staging, while in adult patients; the staging was positively correlated with the expression of TNF-alpha. The new element involves demonstration of cellular and subcellular expression of TNF-alpha, IL-1alpha and IL-6 in hepatocytes in in vivo infection.

The influence of simultaneous whole body exposure to cigarette smoke and low-protein diet feeding on fertility, reproduction, and progeny of rats.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the toxicological influence of different concentrations of tobacco smoke and low-protein diet on fertility, reproduction, and survival of offspring of Wistar female rats. We studied three generations, two litters in each. There were 192 animals in parent generation. Animals were exposed to three different concentrations of tobacco smoke that were reflected by the carbon monoxide (CO) concentration (500, 1000, and 1500 mg CO/m3 air) during 11 weeks (six before and two weeks during mating, and three weeks of pregnancy). Additionally, animals were divided into two subgroups that were fed normal or low-protein diet. In the present study, we concentrated on the indices describing the reproduction ability, fertility, and rearing of pups of mothers exposed to tobacco smoke. The parameters of newborns survival were estimated also. We concluded that neither tobacco smoke exposure nor the low-protein diet changed the duration of pregnancy. The tobacco smoke in all doses and low-protein diet had a negative influence on fertility, reproduction, and survival of newborns from exposed mothers. This influence was mainly attributed to the tobacco smoke exposure. The levels of carboxyhaemoglobin were increasing with increasing tobacco smoke concentration.

Additional cell damage after transpupillary thermotherapy in choroidal malignant melanoma.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of transpupillary thermotherapy (TTT) in generating tumour necrosis by light and electron microscopy, as well as to evaluate additional cell damage in the area directly adherent to the necrotic zone. Four eyes of four patients diagnosed with intraocular malignant melanoma of the uvea were treated experimentally with diode laser TTT. In all cases a standard technique was used. All eyes were enucleated: one eye the day after TTT, two eyes 2 days after TTT, and one eye 6 weeks after TTT. Immediately after enucleation the eyes were immersed in standard Karnovsky's fixative with cocodylate buffer and prepared for light and electron microscopy. In the treated area of all four melanomas we found a dense band of necrotic tissue (zone A) consisting of an amorphous mass of dead cells sharply demarcated from the rest of the neoplastic tissue. Next to this zone was a more eosinophilic and also sharply demarcated band (zone B) that consisted of similar but less intensive changes. In the next band (zone C), marked injury to the cellular membrane and subcellular structures were seen on electron microscopy. The next band (zone D) consisted of changes mainly observed only within the cytoplasm of neoplastic cells and significantly less intensive than those in zone C. Outside zone D tumour cells that were normal in appearance were seen. No scleral alterations induced by heat were found. We concluded that after TTT the cytotoxic effect gradually decreases in proportion to the distance from the central point of the diode laser spot, with additional cell damage in the area adjacent to the necrotic zone. The interval between TTT and enucleation had no influence on the histological results.

[The Lublanska classification of precancerous lesions of the larynx]. / Klasyfikacja Lublanska stanów przedrakowych krtani.

Laryngeal carcinomas are preceded by precancerous lesions in about 20% of cases. The macroscopical appearance of these lesions is not enough characteristic to define their malignant potential. The accurate identification of epithelial abnormalities of the laryngeal mucosa requires biopsy and microscopic evaluation. There are many histological classifications of laryngeal precancerous lesions used at present. Many of them are highly subjective and have low reproducibility. Moreover, the different grades of these classifications not always give distinct guidelines for clinician concerning the treatment modality. The Ljubljana classification seems to be easier, more readily applied and more reproducible. It uses the name "epithelial hyperplastic laryngeal lesion" (EHLL) which includes all alterations in laryngeal squamous epithelium. The four grades of EHLL are: 1. simple hyperplasia (thickening of epithelium due to augmentation of normal prickle cells), 2. abnormal hyperplasia (with increase of basal-like cells), 3. atypical, or risky hyperplasia (epithelium thickened by increase of basal-like cells with pronounced atypical features), and 4. carcinoma in situ (i.e. full thickness change with the features of malignancy but without stromal invasion). The criteria of Ljubljana classification are precise and gives a possibility to make a more clear-cut separation of cases with risk of developing carcinoma from those without it.

Correlation of morphological alterations of light and electron microscopy in chronic type B and C hepatitis.

Chronic type B and C hepatitis involves inflammatory lesions of a variable intensity and variably advanced fibrosis. Considering current, progressively growing requirements for correct evaluation of lesions in liver biopsies, an attempt was made to appraise suitability of selected techniques for a broadened histopathological diagnosis. The lesions were evaluated at the level of light and electron microscopy. Material for the study consisted of liver biopsies obtained from adults and children (n = 60) with serological markers of chronic type B or type C hepatitis. Routine techniques of staining for light and electron microscopy, as well as the techniques of Brachet and Feulgen, were applied. HBcAg expression and HBV-DNA detection in children with chronic type B hepatitis were studied employing the avidin-biotin peroxidase complex (ABC) technique and in situ hybridisation with the ImmunoMax signal amplification. Slight or moderately intense inflammatory lesions (grading of 1 to 2 points) and a low level of fibrosis advancement (staging of 1 to 2 points) prevailed in the material, independently of the etiologic agent involved and age of the patient. Both in children and in adults, extensive lesions in the nuclear chromatin represented the common trait of chronic type B and type C hepatitis examined by light microscopy. Ultrastructural patterns confirmed the lesions and demonstrated virus-resembling particles in the cell nuclei. In HCV infection, hepatocyte cytoplasm contained tubular and horseshoe-shaped structures with lesions of mitochondria, while in HBV infection Dane's particles and tubular forms of HBsAg were detected. For cognitive reasons and due to frequently equivocal literature data, our data on ultrastructural lesions in chronic type C hepatitis seem to be of particular interest. Using the ImmunoMax signal amplification, we were able to diagnose HBV infection under light microscope and to define stage of the infection. Their sensitivity, specificity and relatively short time required for performing the tests makes them advisable in the routine diagnosis of the two infections.

A comprehensive analysis of selected diagnostic methods with respect to their usefulness in evaluating the biology of neoplastic cells in patients with laryngeal cancer.

The difficult and complicated mechanism of cancer development with little knowledge about the biology of existing cancers can lead to a permanent search for new examination techniques to improve the precision of life expectancy in patients and the selection of the most efficient methods of treatment. The aim of this study was to analyze certain prognostic factors, i.e., p53, Ki67, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), DNA ploidy and cell proliferating activity, as well as the degree of morphological differentiation and cell maturity evaluated on an ultrastructural level in patients with laryngeal cancers in connection with data obtained from follow-up examinations and the clinical course of the disease. Neoplastic tissue was taken from 120 patients with laryngeal cancers. All underwent surgical treatment, radiotherapy and combined treatment in the Department of Otolaryngology. Karol Marcinkowski University School of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland, and the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Haukeland University, Bergen, Norway. Before beginning treatment all patients underwent histological verification of their neoplastic tissues. Histopathological examination proved that the majority of cases (95%) had a squamous cell carcinoma. The occurrence of changes within the lymph nodes of the neck (N) was significantly correlated with T, S, Ki67, metastases to lymph nodes, DNA ploidy, site and surgery performed. The degree of clinical progression (S) was intercorrelated with T, N, p53, Ki67, PCNA, DNA ploidy, site and laryngectomy. The occurrence of oncoprotein p53 in neoplastic cells was measured by the staining degree of their nuclei and was correlated with T, S, DNA ploidy, metastases to lymph nodes, PCNA and site. The degree of staining of neoplastic cells for the nuclear antigen Ki67 was correlated to T, N, G, S, DNA ploidy, metastases to lymph nodes and surgical treatment. The proliferative antigen PCNA in the examined population of patients was intercorrelated with T, p53, Ki67, metastases to lymph nodes and surgical treatment. The results obtained from DNA flow cytometry could be associated with N, G, p53, Ki67 and metastases to lymph nodes. On the basis of the results obtained, the techniques suggested for the morphological and biological evaluation of neoplastic cells in cancer of the larynx should include TNM classification + G + DNA + p53 + Ki67.

The experimental investigations of the toxic influence of tobacco smoke affecting progeny during pregnancy.

1. Tobacco smoke contains around 4000 substances, most of which are described as toxic, and they may have an influence on the development of progeny. 2. The present studies concentrate on the measurement and calculation of indices describing the new-born's survival, rearing of pups, weight of foetuses, young animals, placenta and females in relation to different doses of tobacco smoke (carbon monoxide levels). The morphological studies of placenta, foetal and newborn lungs were done as a supplement. Biochemical placenta study was also done. 3. The results of the experiment proved that some indices for animals in groups which were passively exposed to the highest concentrations of tobacco smoke were lower, others fluctuated (4 day, 12 day and total survival) and some did not reveal any changes (rearing). Direct correlation between maternal passive exposure to tobacco smoke and the presence of acute respiratory distress syndrome symptoms in new-borns was observed. A decrease of body weight of pregnant females passively exposed to tobacco smoke was also observed. An increase of placenta-foetal factor was found. A decrease of rat weight was observed after passive exposure to tobacco smoke. 4. We concluded that there is correlation between passive exposition to tobacco smoke during pregnancy and delayed lung maturation in the offspring. Exposure of the pregnant rats to cigarette smoke increases the activity of isocitric and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenases in placenta.

CD56(NCAM) antigen in glandular epithelium of human thyroid: light microscopic and ultrastructural study.

CD56 antigen, an isoform of the neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) was previously found by us in human thyroid by APAAP immunohistochemistry in light microscopy on frozen tissue sections. In the current study, it was attempted to trace the antigen in question using another light microscopic immunohistochemical procedure and to validate the results at the ultrastructural level. For light microscopy, cryostat sections of 12 surgical samples of human thyroid were subjected to ABC (preformed avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex) method. For immunoelectron microscopy, immunoperoxidase reaction was carried out on prefixed, small thyroid tissue blocks. Following preliminary inspection of semithin sections, ultrathin sections were examined in the transmission electron microscope. ABC reaction revealed distinct specific CD56 staining of thyrocyte cell membranes. The staining was weak or absent in thyroid papillary carcinoma cells. The results were confirmed in semithin sections by indirect immunoperoxidase. The latter reaction in ultrathin sections at the ultrastructural level has shown that specific reaction product was confined to free and lateral surfaces of thyroid follicular cells. Endothelial cell membranes of thyroid capillary vessels were totally devoid of the reaction product. The reaction was weakly positive in thyroid follicular and papilllary carcinomas but absent from medullary carcinoma.

Studies on tissue expression of HBV in children with chronic hepatitis type B using Immunomax technique.

The study aimed at employing the Immunomax technique to detect the markers of HBV replication (HBcAg and HBV-DNA) in liver biopsy material, obtained from children with chronic hepatitis type B. In line with the currently modified classification of chronic hepatitis and with the increasing potential of antiviral therapy it seemed purposeful to supplement routine staining techniques with studies at the molecular level. Our studies demonstrated the effective detection of both the core antigen and HBV-DNA in liver tissue in children using immunocytochemical techniques and in situ hybridization, amplified with the Immunomax technique. HBcAg was detected in 26 out of 27 liver biopsies from patients with chronic hepatitis type B and with replication of the virus. HBV-DNA was detected in all study children with HBV infection and in 2 out of 5 cases of chronic hepatitis of a distinct etiology. No significant relationships could be found between the detection of tissue HBV markers on the one hand and the intensity of inflammatory lesions or severity of fibrosis on the other.

[The value of DNA flow cytometry in evaluation of proliferating activity of neoplasm cells in patients with laryngeal cancer]. / Wartosc cytometrii przeplywowej DNA w ocenie zdolnosci proliferacyjnej komórek nowotworowych u chorych na raka krtani.

A study of DNA ploidy was carried out including 84 cases of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma. Material was fixed during 30 min in 3% paraformaldehyde and embedded in low-melting-point paraffin. The histologic studies were done for diagnosis and general view. Results were as follows. The highest percentage of cancers with DNA diploidy was found in well- and medium-differentiated tumors. Among well-differentiated carcinomas there were 18% diploid versus 5% polyploid tumors. In the medium-differentiated cancers there were 23.5% diploid, 6% polyploid, and 6% hyperdiploid tumors. The highest percentage of DNA hyperdiploidy and poliploido-aneuploidy was found in low-differentiated cancers. Additionally, tumor proliferative activity was evaluated in relation to the percentage of cells in phase S of cellular cycle. Special attention was paid to tumors which revealed the phenomenon of DNA poliploidy-aneuploidy beside DNA diploidy.

Is vacuolization of podocytes and glomerular endothelial cells of prognostic value with respect to FSGS?

Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) poses a major problem both from the clinical and pathomorphological viewpoint. The diagnosis of FSGS in its early stage is vital mainly because of rapidly developing therapeutic modalities. In the literature various changes are discussed which may be of prognostic value (may predict the development of FSGS). One the these changes in vacuolization, mainly of podocytes and less frequently of endothelial cells. The purpose of the present study was to analyse biopsy specimens to find out to what extent vacuolization of podocytes and endothelial cells is associated with FSGS. We compared vacuolization in minimal change disease (MCD), mesangial glomerulonephritis (GNMES) and FSGS. A similar analysis was made also with respect to those cases of MCD and GNMES, in which electron microscopy suggested an early stage of FSGS. In each group electron micrographs obtained from 15 children were analysed. Electron micrographs (12-15 on average) were obtained most frequently from 3 glomeruli. Each case electron micrographs contained 90-100 podocytes. Based upon the same electron micrographs we counted capillary lumina and defined the percentage of those which contained vacuolized endothelia (we counted the capillary lumina, and not the cells, because it is most frequently impossible to identify the border of vacuolized endothelial cells). The number of capillary cross-sections was 60 on average. The results of the analysis were compared with the clinical data. This comparison did not confirm the hypothesis of other investigators that vacuolization is of a prognostic value. Additionally we evaluated the character of vacuoles. Within podocytes the vacuoles were varying in shape. Surrounded by a single membranous layer most frequently they contained material corresponding to proteins or proteoglycans, rarely to lipids. Sometimes the vacuoles were autophagosomal, occasionally they consisted of the dilated rough endoplasmic reticulum. Vacuole-like changes within the capillary lumina were related to the swelling of endothelial cytoplasm or mesangial processes. The reasons for a discrepancy between our results and those reported by other investigators necessitate further studies.

[Retrospective analysis of selected tumor markers (p53, PCNA, Ki67; DNA ploidy) and ultrastructure in patients with larynx carcinomas]. / Retrospektive Analyse ausgewählter Tumormarker (p53, PCNA, Ki67; DNA-Ploidie) und der Ultrastruktur bei Kranken mit Larynxkarzinomen.

A comparison was made of the staining intensities of selected immunohistochemical proliferating antigens (p53, PCNA, Ki67), DNA flow-cytometry and ultrastructures of neoplastic cells from 120 cases of laryngeal cancers. Clinically very advanced tumors were in the majority (T3, 43%; T4, 18%). A 5-grade scale was adopted to evaluate the level of immunohistochemical staining of the carcinoma cell nuclei. Positive staining was obtained in 70% for p53, 57% for Ki67 and 80% for PCNA. Sixty-two percent of the cases were DNA-diploid and 38% DNA-aneuploid. The DNA-diploid carcinomas were accompanied by enlargement of the cell nuclei, preservation of wide margins of nuclear heterochromatin, enlargements of the nuclear areas and increases in the number of nuclei. In the aneuploid-polyploid cancers the nuclei had a substantial polymorphism, with large cleaved nuclei showing significant variations in size and having a nuclear envelope. A frequent finding was euchromatization of chromatin. Dense chromatin appeared in the form of small clumps spread over the whole area of these irregular nuclei. Enlargement and activation of nucleoli were found. There was a positive (chi-square) correlation between T- and N-stage and immunohistochemical staining. There was also a positive correlation in staining intensity between p53, Ki67 and PCNA markers and strong correlation between these markers for proliferative activity and the degree of aggressiveness of a tumor.

Morphology of brain stem lesion and bera findings after 60Co irradiation.

Ionizing rays, utilized in radiological diagnostics and oncological therapy affect the central nervous system and may injure auditory pathways and cause hearing disturbances which vary in intensity. On the basis of a stereotactic atlas of the brain of a guinea pig, the trapezoid and geniculate bodies were identified in the skull X-ray pictures. The irradiated region was found to have 10 x 6 x 5 mm in dimensions and to be situated at the depth of 11 mm away from the animals occiput. After introductory recording of the potentials obtained from the brain stems (BERA), the stems of 60 guinea pigs were irradiated in the groups with the doses of 5, 10, 20 Gy. The hearing potentials from the brain stems were recorded on the 1st, 4th, 10th, 21st and 84th day after irradiation. The findings of measurements of hearing potentials were compared with the morphologic picture of the brain stems in the examined animals.

The Kartagener syndrome--an electron microscopic studies of biopsied mucosa.

We studied 43 tissue samples taken from patients (16 male and 27 women) with clinical diagnosis of Kartagener's syndrome. The specimens were fixed and prepared for transmission electron microscopy. After preliminary light microscopic examination 23 cases were qualified for ultrastructural studies. We found abnormal number of cilia on the bronchial mucosa cells. The ciliary structure was abnormal. In several cases we observed lack of inner and/or outer dynein arms, abnormal location of central microtubules, and abnormal number of microtubular doublets. Other findings were as follows: replacement of ciliated cells by goblet ones, mucosal edema and inflammatory infiltrate.

Alteration of p53 gene structure and function in laryngeal squamous cell cancer.

The p53 gene is known as an anti-oncogene that manifests its function by controlling the cell cycle and is responsible for apoptosis of cells with unrepaired DNA. An accelerated p53 protein synthesis is the first response of a cell following DNA damage. However, mutations of the p53 gene can disturb protein synthesis or may be responsible for synthesis of a changed protein unable to control the cell cycle. Laryngeal tissue specimens from 120 patients were tested by immunohistopathological staining to detect mutated wild-type p53 protein. It was found that p53-positive specimens correlated with TNM staging and histopathological grading. Another indication of entering the cell cycle and undertaking an active proliferation by laryngeal cells was shown by detection of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and Ki67 nuclear antigen, which appeared in proliferating cells (late G1, S-G2 and M phase), but was absent in resting cells. Scoring of the staining for p53 protein, PCNA and Ki67 correlated with each other. DNA from 40 specimens was then isolated, amplified by polymerase chain reaction and analysed by single-strand conformation polymorphism and DNA sequencing for mutation in the p53 gene. Fifteen DNA samples were found to be positive, while mutations were detected in exons 5-8 in 13 samples. The majority of mutations were found in tissue specimens from T3 and T4 tumors. A possible explanation is almost half was attributable to genotoxic effects of tobacco smoking. Changes in the p53 gene and its products may also reflect early changes in laryngeal carcinogenesis and be of prognostic value.

[Diagnostic and prognostic value of p53 oncogene and the selected neoplastic markers (Ki67, PCNA, DNA ploidy) of the ultrastructure in patients with laryngeal cancer]. / Wartosc diagnostyczna i prognostyczna onkogenu p53 wybranych markerów nowotworowych (Ki67, PCNA, DNA Ploidii) ultrastruktury u chorych na raka krtani.

A comparison was performed of staining intensity of immunohistochemical proliferating antigens (p53, PCNA, Ki67), DNA flow cytometry and ultrastructure of the carcinoma cells in 120 cases of laryngeal cancer. Clinically very advanced tumors were in majority (T3 - 43%, T4 - 18%). A 5 graded scale was adapted to evaluate the level of immunohistochemical staining of the carcinoma cell nuclei. A positive staining was obtained in 70% for p53, 57% for Ki67 and in 80(2/3) for PCNA. 62% of the cases were DNA diploid and 38% DNA aneuploid. The DNA diploid carcinomas were accompanied by the enlargement of the cell nuclei, preserving of the nuclei's wide margins of heterochromatine, enlargement of the nuclear area and increase of the number of nuclei. In the aneuploid-polyploid cancer the nuclei had a substantial polymorphism with large cleaved nuclei and with significant variation in size, and with nuclear envelope. A frequent finding was euchromatization of chromatine. Dense chromatine appeared in the form of small clumps spread over the whole area of these irregular nuclei. Enlargement and activation of nucleoli occurred. There was a positive correlation (Chi-square) between T- and N-stage and immunohistochemical staining. There was also a positive correlation in staining intensity between p53, Ki67 and PCNA. There is also strong correlation between these markers of proliferative activity and the degree of aggressiveness of the tumour.

Retardation of lung development after maternal cigarette smoking and low protein diet in animal model.

This study has been aimed at showing the influence of tobacco smoke, together with low protein diet on the lungs of newborn rats. The studied animals were Wistar rats. They were exposed to the tobacco smoke for 11 weeks (6 weeks before mating, 12 days during mating, and 21 days of pregnancy). Morphological analysis and interpretation of 48 one-day old rats was based on observation under the light and electron microscope. The study showed atelectasis of the lungs: the lung tissue was insufficiently extended, the alveoli were geometrically irregular and the alveolar septa were thick. Many extravasated erythrocytes and edema (latent as well as overt) were also present. The II type pneumocytes and their surfactant were poorly developed. Tobacco smoke caused the serious pathological effects and together with poor protein diet all changes worsened. For comparison, the lungs of control group were studied (lack of exposure to tobacco smoke); they were well aerated and their structure well-developed.