X-ray reflectivity of chemically vapor-deposited diamond single crystals in the Laue geometry.

The absolute X-ray reflectivity of chemically vapor-deposited (CVD) single-crystal diamond plates was measured in the Laue geometry in the double-crystal non-dispersive setting with an asymmetric Si beam-conditioner crystal. The measurements were supplemented by rocking-curve topography. The measured reflectivity curves are examined in the framework of the Darwin-Hamilton approach using a set of two independent parameters: the characteristic thickness of mosaic blocks and their average angular misorientation. Owing to strong extinction effects, the width of the reflectivity curves does not directly represent the average misorientation of the blocks. Two different sets of parameters were found for the 111 asymmetric reflection in the two different scattering configurations (beam compression and beam expansion). Analysis of the rocking-curve topographs shows that this discrepancy can be attributed to inhomogeneity of the diamond crystal microstructure.

Comparison of one-step nucleic acid amplification (OSNA) method and routine histological investigation for intraoperative detection of lymph node metastasis in Polish women with breast cancer.

Sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy is a part of the staging procedure in breast cancer patients. Intraoperative molecular analysis for SLN metastases using the one-step nucleic acid amplification (OSNA) method based on reverse-transcription loop-mediated amplification (RT-LAMP) has already been validated in breast cancer. In this study, we compare the intraoperative OSNA method to our routine histological investigation. To evaluate the performance of OSNA in comparison to histology, analysis of 74 SLN from 60 breast cancer patients was conducted with both methods. Of the 22 histologically positive samples, 14 were attributed to macrometastases (++) in the OSNA-CK19 assay and 8 to micrometastases (+). Two samples negative in histopathology were positive in the OSNA method (micrometastases +). Our results show that OSNA is an excellent method for the detection of metastases in lymph nodes and can be applied as an intraoperative diagnostic approach. Intraoperative molecular analysis for SLN metastases using the OSNA method reduces the number of admission days and duration of surgery. To our knowledge this is the first study referring to Polish women.

[Free microvascular fibula graft for skeletal reconstruction of the distal radius: 5 years follow-up after en-bloc resection of a giant cell tumour]. / Rekonstruktion des distalen Radius mittels freiem mikrovaskulären Fibulatransplantat: 5-Jahres-Resultat nach en-bloc-Resektion eines Riesenzelltumors.

A giant cell tumour of the distal radius or of the carpal bones, verified by incisional biopsies, should be approached as a low-grade malignancy. Lesions that arise in the bones of the hand or the wrist have a greater propensity to metastasise, and have a higher risk of local recurrence. In this case report we describe a 54-year-old women with a giant cell tumour of the distal radius (Campanacci grade III lesion), having a follow-up of five years without signs of local recurrence or metastatic disease. The general principles of and options for surgical treatment are discussed.

Tissue levels of cadmium and trace elements in patients with myoma and uterine cancer.

The aim of this study was to investigate the cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), magnesium (Mg) and calcium (Ca) concentrations in uterine cancer and uterine myoma. Tissue levels of six elements in 15 uterine cancers and 28 uterine myomas were measured by atomic absorption spectrometry. The samples were collected from women aged 32-79 (uterine myomas, uterine cancer and non-lesion uterine tissues from the same women). The results showed that the tissue Cd concentration was significantly lower in myoma than in non-lesion tissue. In uterine cancer, however, it was statistically significant, but only slightly lower than controls (the non-lesion uterine tissue). In the investigated tissues, the correlation between Cd concentration and age was found, but no effect of menopausal status or smoking habits on Cd level was detected. In uterine cancer tissue, a significant increase in Ca concentration and an insignificant increase in Mg level was observed when compared to normal uterine tissue. In uterine myoma, a significant increase of Mg and Mg/Ca ratio, as well as a decrease in Fe concentration were found. Statistical analysis showed no correlation between smoking habits, age, menopausal status and concentration of Cu, Zn, Fe, Mg and Ca trace metals in myoma or cancer tissue.

An association between the matrix metalloproteinase 1 promoter gene polymorphism and lymphnode metastasis in breast cancer.

A single guanine insertion (1G/2G polymorphism) in the promoter of the matrix metalloproteinase (MMP-1) gene creates a binding site for the transcription factor and may affect the level of transcription of MMP-1. An elevated level of MMP-1 in cancer cells may facilitate their invasion and contribute to metastasis. To evaluate the contribution of 1G/2G polymorphism in the development and/or progression of breast cancer we genotyped 135 subjects with breast cancer. The 1G/2G polymorphism was determined by the method based on restriction endonuclease digestion. We found that the frequency of the 2G allele was higher in lymphnode-metastasis patients than in the group without metastasis (p < 0.001). We did not find differences between distribution of the genotypes and frequencies of alleles in cancer patients and in healthy subjects served as control. Our results suggest that allele 2G may be associated with lymphnode metastasis in patients with breast cancer and therefore it can be considered as a prognostic marker in this disease.

[Pruritic urticaria-related papules and plaques of pregnancy: a case report]. / Rzadki przypadek zapalenia pokrzywkowo-grudkowo-plamistego skóry ciezarnych.

Rarely met pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy usually are connected with multiply pregnancy. Disease begins in the third trimester of pregnancy, doesn't react on treating and disappear after delivery. In the reported case massive skin changes disappeared in a few days after caesarean section.

[Cytological picture of fluid collected from middle ear in course of o.m.s. in children]. / Obraz cytologiczny plynu pobranego z ucha srodkowego w przebiegu o.m.s. u dzieci.

The fluid collected during operation from tympanic cavity of 37 children with o.m.s. was examined. Its cellular composition was assessed by microscopic observation in magnification of 400 in 10 different fields of view. Lymphocytes, neutrophiles, eosinophiles and macrophages were counted. The ratio of number of macrophages to the total number of lymphocytes granulocytes was expressed in percent. The concentration of proteins was evaluated using stripe method Multistix 10 SG and comparatively, after staining the fixed preparation with hematoxylin and eosine, on the basis of pink colour, which intensity is proportional to the amount of protein. The exudative fluid was found to be protein-rich; it contained numerous lymphocytes in 56% of samples; epithelioid cells were sparse or absent in 53% of samples; in 95% of samples eosinophiles were absent, or occurred in small numbers, in 65% of samples only few neutrophiles was found. The fraction of immature cells in total number of neutrophiles decreased evidently with increase of this number (r2 = 0.85); the average ratio of the number of macrophages to the total number of lymphocytes and granulocytes was 32%. The relationship between hypoacusia and cytological parameters of ear secretion was analysed. It was discovered, that there was no dependence between the value of hypoacusia and the concentration of proteins, neither the total number of cells in fluid. With the increase of hypoacusia, the number of eosinophiles decreased. Further studies are required to check whether hypoacusia is dependent on the amount of secretion.

[Diagnostic value of fine needle aspiration biopsy in breast cancer diagnosis (cytohistological correlation): preliminary note]. / Wartosc diagnostyczna biopsji aspiracyjnej cienkoiglowej w diagnostyce raka sutka (konfrontacja histologiczno-cytologiczna--doniesienie wstepne).

A valuation trial of the usefulness of fine needle aspiration biopsy in breast cancer diagnosis attempted. The absence of false positive results, high sensitivity (84%), low price and short time of diagnosis allow omitting the intraoperative or open biopsy in the case of surgical treatment or initial chemotherapy.

Inhibitive determination of mercury and other metal ions by potentiometric urea biosensor.

The biosensor with urease entrapped in PVC layer at the surface of pH-sensitive iridium oxide electrode was applied for testing of mercury and other metal ions inhibition on enzymatic reaction. The calculation of inhibition effect was based on the measurement of initial rate of decrease of biosensor potential (proportional to the initial rate of enzymatic reaction) after addition of substrate after inhibition step. Some differences of inhibition extent were observed for various mercury forms (Hg(NO3)2, HgCl2, PhHgCl and Hg2(NO3)2) as well as for other heavy metal ions investigated as potential interferents. Because the method was not specific, it was applied for the determination of total inhibition effect caused by heavy metal ions in water samples. In the case of most cations tested the total recovery of enzyme activity was possible using Tris buffer solution with EDTA and thioacetamide after less than 10 min regeneration time.

[Vulvar lichen sclerosus in girls treated locally with clobetasol propionate]. / Miejscowe leczenie propionianem clobetasolu liszaja twardzinowego sromu u dziewczat.

Vulvar lichen sclerosus is rare disease in children. 5 girls (age 5-16) with LS were treated locally with clobetasol propionate. All patients showed clinical improvement or full regression of symptoms without side effects.

[Clinical and histopathologic picture of lichen sclerosus treated with clobetasol propionate]. / Obraz kliniczny i histopatologiczny liszaja twardzinowego sromu w trakcie leczenia propionianem klobetazolu.

Effects of treating of the vulvar lichen scleroses by topical using of clobetasol propionate. The period of observation was 1 year. All patients showed clinical improvement or full regression depending on the period of disease. In all cases histopathologic examination was performed.

[Vulvar squamous cell hyperplasia and lichen sclerosus et atrophicus: clinical picture, morphology and treatment]. / Rozrost plaskonablonkowy oraz liszaj twardzinowy i zanikowy sromu--obraz kliniczny, morfologiczny i leczenie.

Treatment of the vulvar squamous cell hyperplasia and lichen sclerosus et atrophicus by topical using of corticosteroids and 2% testosterone ointment. The period of observation was from 6 months to 18 months. All patients showed clinical improvement or full regression depending on the period of disease. In all cases histopathologic examination was performed.

[Pathomorphological evaluation of the extraocular muscles during strabismus]. / Ocena patomorfologiczna miesni okoruchowych w przebiegu choroby zezowej.

PURPOSE: An analysis of the histopathological picture of extraocular muscles removed in the operation of strabismus. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Light microscopy analysis included 131 fragments of rectus muscles, with the majority of lateral, collected from patients with concomitant squint of different angles and disease durations. RESULTS: Normotopic cross-striated muscle fibres were observed in 40 (30.6%) studied muscles, while pathological changes appeared in 91 (69.4%) muscles with a prevailance of fibrous atrophy. A correlation was found between the histopathological picture of the examined muscles and the extent of strabismus. CONCLUSIONS: Pathomorphological changes were observed with the majority of the extraocular muscles in the microscopic picture. The observed changes in the cellular structure of the extraocular muscles influenced the extent of the squint angle, affecting the result of surgery.

[Significance of scores for therapy planning and evaluation of individual intensive care patients from the viewpoint of general surgery]. / Die Bedeutung von Scores für die Therapieplanung und -beurteilung beim individuellen Intensivpatienten aus der Sicht der Allgemeinchirurgie.

Thirty-six postoperative patients of the department for general, thoracic and vascular surgery were treated in the ICU during November 1995. APACHE-II-Scores were prospectively monitored daily. All three patients with considerable deterioration (> = 2) of this score succumbed. During 6 weeks starting in January 1996 the Hannover-Intensive-Score was documented in all 14 patients requiring ICU-treatment for 3 days or more: three patients died; two without considerable change, one with improvement of this score. Numerical changes of both scores did not precede clinical changes. Thus neither score system replaces or even significantly supports clinical judgement in a field like general surgery with an inhomogenous group of patients.

Lactate solid-state biosensor with multilayer of electrodeposited polymers for flow-injection clinical analysis.

In the lactate biosensor, electrodeposited poly(o-phenylenediamine) serves as a convenient matrix for the immobilization of lactate oxidase, but does not provide sufficient discrimination from several interfering species present in physiological fluids. Their effect, however, can be eliminated by additional modification of the working Pt electrode with a bilayer of electrodeposited polypyrrole/polyphenol. Despite continued decrease in biosensor sensitivity, the newly developed three-layer solid-state biosensor was successfully applied in flow-injection determination of lactate in both undiluted and diluted human blood serum samples over a 10 day period. For the lactate concentration range 0.2-5.0 mM in several series of measurements the correlation coefficient values for comparison with photometric determination using a DuPont dimension clinical analyzer were between 0.96 and 0.99. The reproducibility measured for 1:10 diluted serum was 0.6%. The detection limit was estimated as 2 microM.

Enzymatic flow-injection determination of urea in blood serum using potentiometric gas sensor with internal nonactin based ISE.

Ion-selective electrode with cellulose triacetate membrane containing nonactin is employed for the potentiometric detection of ammonia produced in biocatalytic reaction in flow-injection system with enzyme reactor. The elimination of interferences occurring in the presence of alkali metal ions was achieved by covering a nonactin membrane with outer hydrophobic gas permeable membrane. The obtained flow-injection response to ammonia indicates a possibility of ammonia determination down to 10 microM ammonia. In the flow-injection system for urea determination 200 microl of 10-fold diluted blood serum sample was injected into carrier stream of distilled water merged with TRIS buffer, passed through the urease flow-through reactor and then after merging with NaOH stream delivered to the detector. It was found in several series of natural blood serum samples, that the correction for endogenous ammonia in such a determination is not indispensable.

Oxidative removal of interferences in flow-injection potentiometric determination of chloride.

Direct potentiometric determination of chloride in a flow-injection system can be performed in the presence of excess bromide, iodide, sulphide and cyanide, when potassium bromate in nitric acid is used as the carrier solution. The hydrodynamics and temperature of such a system have been examined and various oxidants and indicating electrodes investigated. The analysis can be performed at a maximum rate of 120 samples per hour.

Behaviour of a chalcocite copper ion-selective electrode in solutions of iron(III) ions.

The effect of iron(III) ions on the potential of the chalcocite electrode was investigated. Linear graphs were obtained for pFe(III) = 2-4, and were suitable for analytical purposes. The effect of ligands complexing iron(III) was studied, and the potential shown to be due to the concentration of free iron(III) ions only. The pH effect is mainly connected with solution reactions. A mechanism of potential response, based on a redox reaction, has been postulated, but the response does not depend on the redox potential in the bulk of the solution.