A case of concrescent tooth-A developmental anomaly in a 19th century skull from Uganda.

Dental abnormalities in archeological material such us concrescence or odontoma are rare cases often found accidentally, mostly during routine X-ray analysis or during macroscopic examination of the mastication apparatus. In this study, we present a rare case of concrescence between an upper left third molar and a supernumerary fourth molar in a 19th century skull from Uganda. Simultaneously, it is a critical revision of earlier studies on the same object (which considered this abnormality as an odontoma), using dental X-ray imaging and histological analysis. Concrescence is a rare dental anomaly and this specimen is, to the best of our knowledge, the first such case reported in paleopathological studies of Eastern Africa. It may contribute to recognition and identification of etiopathogenetic factors in dental developmental defects in historical and contemporary populations of Africa.

Assessment of iron in uterine and testicular tissues and hair of free-ranging and household cats.

Iron (Fe) represents a highly essential element for various biological processes. In spite of this very little is known as regards its status in mammalian reproductive tissues and factors that may potentially influence it. At the same time, there is an ongoing debate as to whether analyses of the Fe content in hair can provide reliable information on its tissue burden. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the content of Fe in the testicular and uterine tissues, and hair of the domestic cat (Felis catus) and how this content relates to an animal's age, weight, physical activity, inhabited environment and diet. The median Fe content in the feline reproductive tissues amounted to 50.8 ppm and in hair to 180.2 ppm. As found, free-ranging cats were characterized by a significantly higher Fe content in reproductive tissues, particularly in the uterus. Age, weight and physical activity had no effect on determined Fe levels. The type of commercial diet (wet, dry or combined) given to household cats also had no influence upon Fe status in hair and tissue although males fed exclusively on dry food had a lower Fetestis:Fehair ratio. Hair Fe level was positively correlated with that found in the reproductive tissues (Rs=0.30). This study extends the body of information on Fe distribution in felines, demonstrates the difference between free-ranging and household cats and provides evidence that Fe hair status may, at least partially, reflect the status of this element in the feline reproductive system.

Snoring and sleep disorders in children with hypertrophy of lymphoid tissue in the throat.

Hypertrophy of lymphoid tissue within the throat in children leads to a number of respiratory problems and sleep disorders. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of the above-mentioned changes depending on the location of overgrown lymphoid tissue, BMI, and coexisting allergies. The study was based on a survey conducted in a group of 103 children aged 3-14 with a hypertrophy of lymphoid tissue requiring surgery. The questionnaire included questions about symptoms of sleep disordered breathing. In addition, BMI was calculated and the coexistence of other diseases in the group of examined children was taken into account. Pathological changes predominated in children aged 4-6. The incidence of snoring was the most common, observed in 87%, followed by apnea in 45% of the examined group. Co-occurrence of allergies was observed in 36% and excess of body weight in 21% of the children. Overweight was an essential factor that facilitated apneic sleep episodes accompanying lymphoid hyperplasia. Snoring and nasal obstruction were observed more often in allergic patients.

[Analysis of chromosome instability as a genetic risk factor of laryngeal cancer]. / Analiza niestabilnosci chromosomowej pod katem oceny ryzyka genetycznego wystapienia raka krtani.

The bleomycin test was established in the laboratory of Hsu et al. (M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas) for quantitative estimation of hidden chromosome instability. The article presents a concept, method and applicability of the test. Chromosome sensitivity initially studied in respect to estimate a general genetic risk to develop cancer was found as a technique of an extended potential to study a genetic risk of familial cancer, young adults & neck cancer and other associations.

[The Erbium-Yag laser in stapes surgery]. / Wplyw lasera Erbium-Yag na czynnosc ucha wewnetrznego.

Laser has been used for 21 years in otology. This technique was introduced to decrease the number of complications after micromanipulations within the middle ear. Continuous-wave laser and pulsed laser have clinical application. In the ENT Dept. in Poznan pulsed Er-Yag laser (Zeiss Corp.) is used in the treatment of otosclerosis. First experiences and results of treatment of 35 patients using this method were presented. In all patients recovery of hearing was observed. No damage of the inner ear (deafness or hypoacusis) was found.

[Reconstructive surgery in larynx cancer]. / Operacje rekonstrukcyjne w raku krtani.

Subtotal laryngectomies with larynx reconstruction are an acceptable alternative to the total laryngectomy in T2, T3 larynx cancer treatment. One procedure resection and reconstruction allow for radical oncological treatment with simultaneous preservation of air passage continuity and the function of the neolarynx. In the years 1988-1997 in ENT Dept. of Karol Marcinkowski University of Medical Sciences 38 subtotal laryngectomies with larynx reconstruction were performed. They were: 34 supracricoid laryngectomies with cricohyoidopexy, 2 with epiglotohyoidopexy and 3 supraglotic laryngectomies with reconstruction. The basic criterion of the evaluation of such procedures effectiveness was their oncological radicality. The follow-up period ranged from 2 to 9 years. Local relapse was observed in none of the cases, nodal relapse was started in 2 patients. Another aspect taken into consideration was the function of the neolarynx. In 3 cases two or three laser procedures were performed because of neolarynx lumen structure which were followed by T-dren plasty. In 10 patients temporary swallowing difficulties, especially liquids, were observed in the first three month. Gastrostomy was performed in one case. The authors discuss indications to this type of surgery, operation technique, oncological and functional results. Spirometry results and voice analyses after larynx resection and reconstruction in these patients are presented.

[Usefulness of chromosome instability analysis for selecting proper therapy of laryngeal cancer]. / Przydatnosc analizy niestabilnosci chromosomowej do wyboru metody terapii raka krtani.

A decision concerning of larynx cancer therapy is dependent on such factors as tumour location, its size, histology and occurrence of metastasis. The aim of the paper is to turn attention on usefulness of individual sensitivity of genetic information on mutagen-induced damage. The considerations are based on own author's experience and the literature data. Mutagen sensitivity is estimated by bleomycin test that is a measure of individual resistance to mutagens and carcinogens. The review is focused on DNA and chromosome sensitivity to radiation-induced damage. The attempts to individualize radiotherapy basing on cytogenetic and molecular studies are presented.

[Hidden chromosome instability and risk of laryngeal cancer incidence]. / Ukryta niestabilnosc chromosomowa a ryzyko wystapienia raka krtani.

The bleomycin test is a recognised method of evaluation of hidden genetical instability. The concept of the test consists in inducing chromosome aberrations in lymphocytes exposed in vitro to bleomycin and subsequent quantitative analysis of chromosome breaks. The study material was whole venous blood from 61 laryngeal cancer patients and from 30 healthy persons taken as a control. For each patient two parallel cultures where carried out in the standard procedure. Bleomycin was added to one of the cultures to induce chromosome breaks. Then, in microscopic metaphasal plates stained by Giemsa dye, the chromosome instability index estimated as a number of chromosome breaks per cell (b/c) and the percentage of cells with chromosome breaks were calculated. Higher indices of chromosome instability were demonstrated in laryngeal cancer patients in comparison to the controls. The persons with chromosome instability (b/c > 0.8) or with chromosome oversensitivity to mutagens (b/c > 1) were identified only among larynx cancer subjects. Furthermore, it was established that an increased chromosome instability is associated with high aggressiveness recognised by histological grading. The latter finding requires confirmation on an enlarged group of subjects.

[Estimation of bleomycin-induced chromosome aberrations in lymphocytes of laryngeal cancer subjects. Preliminary report]. / Ocena indukowanych bleomycyna aberracji struktury chromosomów w limfocytach chorych na raka krtani. Doniesienie wstepne.

Chromosome instability is associated with an increased risk of malignancy. However, the quantitative analysis of chromosome breaks provided by the bleomycin test requires additional analysis aimed for the localisation of chromosome aberrations. For this reason, the metaphasis slides prepared for bleomycin test were stained with fluorochrome DAPI to estimate chromosome breaks in particular chromosomes. The additional staining of chromosomes can be recognised as an extension of the classical bleomycin test addressed for identification of structural aberrations. Preliminary results indicate that the most frequent chromosome breaks were found in chromosomes 1, 2, 3, 7 and 13.

[Chromosome damage in the course of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma]. / Uszkodzenia chromosomów w przebiegu plaskonablonkowego raka krtani.

The aim of the article is a review of own cytogenic studies on laryngeal cancer confronted with the literature data. Spontaneous and bleomycin-induced chromosome instability was analysed in peripheral blood lymphocytes in relation to genetic risk of cancer incidence and progression. Comparative genome hybridization (CGH) was applied to demonstrate gains and losses of DNA copy number in tumour and non-tumour laryngeal mucosa. The profiles of imbalances of DNA copy number were shown to differ between metastazing and non-metastazing tumours. Preliminary data indicate a frequent loss of Y chromosome in tumour cells. The loss of heterozygosity at chromosome p53 locus (17p) has been shown to be more frequent than at chromosome locus coding 16 gene (9p). Altogether, the experiments have proven that a dynamics of chromosome aberrations is highest at the stage of metastasis.

[Chromosome sensitivity to bleomycin-induced damage in patients with laryngeal cancer as a marker of genetic risk]. / Wrazliwosc chromosomów na uszkodzenia indukowane bleomycyna u chorych na raka krtani jako marker podatnosci na rozwój choroby nowotworowej.

An inter-individual variability in sensitivity to mutagen-induced genotoxicity was studied in respect to an estimation of larynx cancer risk. Bleomycin induced chromosome breaks were analysed in blood lymphocytes proliferating in vitro in a group of 35 larynx cancer subjects and in 18 healthy controls. A significantly higher index of chromosome breaks was found in larynx cancer subjects as compared with the controls. The distribution of individual results indicates that subjects oversensitive to bleomycine were identified only among laryngeal tumour patients. A potential usage of bleomycin test in tumour prognosis is discussed.