[Advances in diagnostic procedures and treatment of spinal neoplasms]. / Postepy w diagnostyce i leczeniu nowotworów kregoslupa.

In the years 1958-1995 in the Department of Neurosurgery in Bydgoszcz we treated operatively 160 patients (100 men and 60 women aged 5-81 yrs) with spinal tumours causing spinal cord compression. Our material was useful in estimating the evolution in diagnostic procedures, treatment and limit of contraindications to surgery. We utilized previously analyzed patients' data from the years 1958-1987 (100 patients) and compared this with results from the years 1988-1995 (60 patients). In the years 1988-1995 we operated on twice as many patients per year than in the period 1958-1987 owing to better diagnostic and operative procedures and decrease of contraindications to treatment. In about 60 percent of patients the tumours were totally and subtotally removed. In recent period we performed 10 initial procedures of transpedicular stabilization. In most cases the extensiveness of tumours did not reach the level of three spinal segments. We confirmed good early results of treatment, particularly in cases with total resection of tumours, in about half the patients with spinal neoplasm, although the most common histological diagnoses were carcinoma (89 cases). In thirty percent of cases with carcinoma only pain was diminished.

[The prognostic values and correlations between Hockaday's (EEG) and Nathanson-Bergman's (ENG) scales in the context of new definition of death]. / Wartosci prognostyczne i wzajemne korelacje skali GCS, Hockaday'a (EEG) i Nathansona-Bergmana (ENG) w kontekscie nowej definicji smierci.

A group of 92 patients being under treatment in Intensive Care Unit of Neurosurgery Clinic in Bydgoszcz were observed using EEG, ENG and neurological findings. The eeg patterns, classified by Hockaday's scale, were related to the clinical stage, described using Glasgow Coma Scale, and the ENG patterns (Nathanson-Bergman's scale). Unfavourable prognosis was indicated by appearance of IV and V stage on Hockaday's scale and the caloric test seemed to mark the moment of complete breakdown of all brain-stem functions. The present paper demonstrated the value of EEG- and ENG patterns in description and forecasting of patients in coma.

[The prognostic value of EEG and ENG recording in deep coma]. / Wartosc prognostyczna badania elektroencefalograficznego i elektronystagmograficznego w glebokich stanach nieprzytomnosci.

The eeg and eng test were performed in 53 patients admitted in deep coma. The eeg patterns was analysed using Hockaday's scale and the eng test was appreciated by Nathanson-Bergman's scale. It was noticed that grade IV and V by Hockaday's scale and stage IV by Nathanson-Bergman's scale suggested malignant prognosis. Grade III in Hockaday's scale and stage II in Nathanson-Bergman's scale were unrelated to prognosis.

DNA base modifications in chromatin of human cancerous tissues.

Free radical-induced damage to DNA in vivo is implicated to play a role in carcinogenesis. Evidence exists that DNA damage by endogenous free radicals occurs in vivo, and there is a steady-state level of free radical-modified bases in cellular DNA. We have investigated endogenous levels of typical free radical-induced DNA base modifications in chromatin of various human cancerous tissues and their cancer-free surrounding tissues. Five different types of surgically removed tissues were used, namely colon, stomach, ovary, brain and lung tissues. In chromatin samples isolated from these tissues, five pyrimidine-derived and six purine-derived modified DNA bases were identified and quantitated by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry with selected-ion monitoring. These were 5-hydroxy-5-methylhydantoin, 5-hydroxyhydantoin, 5-(hydroxymethyl)uracil, 5-hydroxycytosine, 5,6-dihydroxycytosine, 4,6-diamino-5-formamidopyrimidine, 8-hydroxyadenine, xanthine, 2-hydroxyadenine, 2,6-diamino-4-hydroxy-5-formamidopyrimidine, and 8-hydroxyguanine. These compounds are known to be formed typically by hydroxyl radical attack on DNA bases. In all cases, elevated amounts over control levels of modified DNA bases were found in cancerous tissues. The amounts of modified bases depended on the tissue type. Lung tissues removed from smokers had the highest increases of modified bases above the control levels, and the highest overall amounts. Colon cancer tissue samples had the lowest increases of modified bases over the control levels. The results clearly indicate higher steady-state levels of modified DNA bases in cancerous tissues than in their cancer-free surrounding tissues. Some of these lesions are known to be promutagenic, although others have not been investigated for their mutagenicity. Identified DNA lesions may play a causative role in carcinogenesis.