Modulation of angiogenesis by topical application of leptin and high and low molecular heparin using the Japanese quail chorioallantoic membrane model.

Pathological angiogenesis characterized by uncontrollable vessel growth is an accompanying feature of many diseases. The avian embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) is an excellent model for angiogenesis research. In our study we used a less common Japanese quail CAM model for the testing of angiogenic potential of leptin, high-molecular (heparin sodium) andlow-molecular (nadroparin calcium) heparins. Heparins play a significant role in vascular endothelial cell function, and they are able to modulate the activities of angiogenic growth factors. On embryonic day 7 leptin (5 µg per CAM), heparin sodium (75 IU per CAM) and nadroparin calcium (47.5 IU per CAM) in 500 µl PBS were applied on the CAM surface. After 24 h the fractal dimension (Df) of the vasculature was evaluated. Samples from each group were histologically analyzed and VEGF-A and Quek1 expression were detected by qPCR. Df was significantly increased in the leptin group. A moderate stimulatory effect of heparin sodium and an inhibitory effect of nadroparin calcium were observed. Both leptin and heparin sodium caused a noticeable increase in the CAM thickness compared to the control and nadroparin calcium groups. We observed an increased number of blood vessels and accumulation of fibroblasts. There was no significant impact on gene expression of VEGF-A and Quek1 24 h after treatment, however, trends similar to the changes in Df and CAM thickness were present. The resulting effect of nadroparin administration on Quek1 levels was exactly the opposite to that of leptin (p < 0.05).

[Experimental use of the recipient's epithelial cells in tracheal allotransplantation--initial outcomes]. / Vyuzitie epiteliálnych buniek príjemcu pri allotransplantácii trachey v experimente--prvé výsledky.

The management of long tracheal lesions requires development of tracheal implants, which would enable resection combined with anastomosis. The authors' scientific study is based on tracheal allotransplantation on an animal model (sheep), using tracheal epithelial cells of the recipient. The project covers preparation of the graft, so that all components of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC), which participate in graft rejection, are removed. Histological examination of the allograft with cultivated epithelial cells showed its good healing with revasculatization and with no signs of graft rejection.

[Ablative treatment of rectosigmoidal precanceroses and early cancer]. / Ablatívna liecba rektosigmoideálnych prekanceróz a vcasných karcinómov.

Endoscopic mucosal resection and piece meal polypectomy are methods of choice in broad based unifocal rectosigmoideal lesions. Thermal ablative modalities are indicated for flat adenomas, lateral spreading tumors and as an adjunct therapeutic modality for incomplete polypectomy. Photodynamic therapy using ALA photosensitiser is effective in the treatment of multifocal lesions either alone or in a combination with thermal ablative techniques. At present "tailored suite" combination of these techniques for each patient according the character of the lesion is considered to be the most effective treatment for rectosigmoideal praecancerous lesions and early cancer.

Immunohistochemical markers of proliferation and vascularisation in preneoplastic bronchial lesions and invasive non-small cell lung cancer.

Autofluorescence bronchoscopy (AFB) has been shown to be sensitive to detect preneoplastic lesions in central lung airways system. In early stages of carcinogenesis, up-regulation of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, Ki67 and/or increased angiogenesis may play a role by promoting the proliferation of tumoral cells and their resistance to apoptosis, as well as angiogenesis, tumor cell invasion and setting up of the metastatic process. The present study compared the expression of proliferative (COX-2, Ki67 and PCNA) and angiogenic markers (CD34 and NG2) between preneoplastic bronchial squamous dysplasia lesions and invasive squamous cell carcinoma. Biopsies obtained during AFB [preneoplastic lesions: low-grade (lesions up to moderate dysplasia), n=13; high-grade lesions (severe dysplasia), n=12] and surgical specimens (resections of bronchogenic carcinoma, n=11) were stained with COX-2, Ki67, PCNA, CD34 and NG2 monoclonal antibodies. Microvessel density (MVD) was analysed based on anti-CD34 immunostaining. Lesions were positive for COX-2 in 12 out of 25 preneoplastic lesions, and in 10 out of 11 invasive carcinomas (p=0.025). In preneoplastic lesions, the mean percentage of Ki67 positive cells was lower compared to invasive carcinomas (37.4+/-5.8 versus 58.6+/-8.4%, p=0.043). In addition, significant differences in MVD were observed between preneoplastic and NSCLC specimen [35.3 (25.9, 61.9) versus 22.1 (20.1, 32.6), p=0.016]. No differences were observed in the mean percentage of PCNA or NG2 positive cells between preneoplastic lesions and invasive carcinomas. Findings of the present study indicate that increases in COX-2 and Ki67 expression may be associated with the development of bronchogenic carcinomas and possibly with acquisition of an invasive phenotype. In contrast, increased CD34 expression in preneoplastic lesions suggests that increased MVD may represent an early marker of lung carcinogenesis.

[Autofluorescence videothoracoscopy--our initial experience]. / Autofluorescencná videotorakoskopia--prvé vlastné skúsenosti.

The authors present their initial clinical experience with the use of autofluorescence videothoracoscopy in diagnostics of pleural disorders. The study used Richard Wolf DAFE fluorescence endoscopy system. Preliminary results show that autofluoresence imaging is more precise in locating the pathology, which improved the diagnostic yield of videothoracoscopy in pleural disorders. The resulting indirect autofluorescence image depicts healthy tissues in a white-green colour, while tissues with a roughened surface, resulting from hyperplastic inflammatory processes (pachypleura, adhesions) and tumorous or dysplastic processes, are depicted as vivid blue high-density foci.

Endobronchial actinomycosis presenting as haemoptysis.

Actinomycosis is an infrequent chronic progressive granulomatous and suppurative disease caused by Actinomyces israelii, a natural inhabitant of the gastrointestinal tract. We report a rare case of a 68-year-old man with primary endobronchial actinomycosis who presented in the emergency respiratory ward with massive hemoptysis and dyspnea. An urgent fiberoptic bronchoscopy revealed hypertrophic mucosa and a narrowed lingular bronchus with a pale extruding exophyt. Diffuse bleeding from the mucosa adjacent to the exophyt was present. Histopathologic evaluation revealed chronic inflammation with abscess formation and clusters of Actinomyces colonies. Therapy with clindamycin maintained for 7 weeks prevented recurrence of the disease. In the light of our case and the review of literature we conclude that early recognition of primary endobronchial actinomycosis associated with hemoptysis and proper antibiotic treatment are essential to prevent undesirable complications including unwarranted surgery (Fig. 2, Ref. 30). Full Text (Free, PDF) www.bmj.sk.

[Tracheal tumor--a case review]. / Tumor trachey--kazuistika.

Tracheal tumors make a histologically variant group of tumors. Our case review describes a case of a forty-five year-old female patient with an endoscopically and CT- diagnosed tracheal tumor. The patient was hospitalized at the IInd Surgical Clinic of the UPJS LF, the Faculty Hospital of L. Pasteur in Kosice, with symptoms of dyspnoea and stridor, in the orthopnoic position. Following the neccessary pre- operative procedures, her trachea was resected, followed by end-to-end anastomosis. The histological examination of the resected tissue revealed an inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor. The postoperative course was positive with no complications.

Photoinduced antitumour effect of hypericin can be enhanced by fractionated dosing.

The in vivo antitumour activity of the natural photosensitizer hypericin was evaluated. C3H/DiSn mice were inoculated with fibrosarcoma G5:1:13 cells. When the tumour reached a volume of 40-80mm3 the mice were intraperitoneally injected with hypericin, either in a single dose (5mg/kg; 1 or 6h before laser irradiation) or two fractionated doses (2.5 mg/kg; 6 and 1 h before irradiation with laser light; 532 nm, 70mW/cm2, 168 J/cm2). All tumours in control groups treated with hypericin alone as well as those irradiated with laser light alone had similar growth rates and none of these tumours regressed spontaneously. Complete remission of tumour in photodynamic therapy (PDT)-treated groups was similar (14-17% single dose vs. 33% fractionated dose), but the fractionated schedule of hypericin dosing was found to be more efficient than the single dose, measured by survival assay (p < 0.05). Our experimental model showed that fractionated administration of hypericin can produce a better therapeutic response than single administration.

Photodynamic therapy of murine fibrosarcoma with topical and systemic administration of hypericin.

The in vivo antitumour activity of the natural photosensitizer hypericin was evaluated. C3H/DiSn mice inoculated with fibrosarcoma G5:1:13 cells were intraperitoneally or intratumourally injected with hypericin (5 mg/kg) and 2 hours later the mice were locally irradiated with laser light (488 nm, 150 mW/cm2, 180 J/cm2) when the tumour reached volume of 40-80 mm3 (approximately 17 days after inoculation). Tumours treated with hypericin alone as well as those irradiated with laser light alone have similar growth rates and none of these tumours regressed spontaneously. The mean tumour volume in hypericin-PDT treated groups was significantly lower in comparison to that found in the control group 3-5 weeks after the therapy. A higher proportion of animals with tumour volume less than 5-fold of the initial volume has been observed in both hypericin-PDT treated groups. Complete response to PDT has been observed for 44.4% of the animals with intraperitoneally administered hypericin and for 33.3% of the animals with intratumourally administered hypericin. Complete remission occurred in treated lesions with 3 mm or less in height. Hypericin-PDT significantly increased survival. However, no statistically significant difference in survival rate of animals has been found between the intratumoural and the intraperitoneal schedule of administration of hypericin.