New monoallelic combination of KRAS gene mutations in codons 12 and 13 in the lung adenocarcinoma.

PURPOSE: In a retrospective analysis of the prevalence of KRAS mutations in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), we detected a unique and not earlier described case of a double combination of mutations at codons 12 and 13 of the KRAS gene in a patient with lung adenocarcinoma. MATERIAL/METHODS: To determine the molecular characteristics of the infrequent mutation and the mutational status of the KRAS gene in metastatic brain tumors in the same patient, we performed morphological and molecular tests. RESULTS: Molecular analysis of the nature of the double mutation showed that the unique combination of variants is a monoallelic mutation. This type of changes has not yet been registered in the Catalogue of Somatic Mutations in Cancer database. Molecular assessment of the KRAS mutation status in the brain metastatic site in the same patient, showed no mutations in codons 12 and 13. Moreover, we did not find mutation at exon 19 and 21 of EGFR gene, both in primary tumor as well as in secondary metastatic foci in the brain. CONCLUSIONS: The presented case shows an example of KRAS gene molecular mosaicism and heterogeneity of lung adenocarcinoma primary and metastatic tumors. Molecular heterogeneity of lung adenocarcinoma tumors can significantly affect eligibility of patients for targeted therapies.

Morphological evaluation of the lungs in rats with experimentally induced renal failure.

The study aimed at morphological evaluation of changes in the lungs of rats during experimentally induced uremia. The studies were performed in three (3) groups of rats: C--a control group (15 animals), SO--15 rats, submitted to sham operation, U--an uremic group--21 rats with experimental renal failure. After 1, 2 and 4 weeks from the surgery, the collected lungs were fixed in Bouin's fluid and in 2.5% purified glutaraldehyde for electron microscopy. Paraffin specimens were cut into 5 microm slices and stained by H+E, by Azan's method and with silver, according to Grimelius. Ultra thin sections contrasted with uranyl acetate and lead citrate. Blood serum urea and creatinine levels were determined. In the uremic rats, increased concentrations of serum creatinine and urea were observed. Chronic renal failure affected the progress and the degree of development of the changes in the lungs, the final effect of which was fibrosis. In microscopic pictures of the lungs from the uremic rats, numerous changes were observed, characteristic for chronic oedematous conditions of different intensification.

Attempts to detect Helicobacter pylori in atherosclerotic plaques.

Cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases are regarded to be the main causes of mortality in developed countries, atherosclerosis being at their pathological base. During the recent years, attention was paid to the role of bacterial infections, including Helicobacter pylori, in the process of atherogenesis and coronary heart disease development. The aim of the study was an evaluation of H. pylori presence--by means of PCR technique--in atherosclerotic changes, obtained by endarterectomy, performed during coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). In the analysed group of patients, the following risk factors were found: hyperlipidaemia, smoking, hypertension, obesity, diabetes mellitus, cardiac infarction. No DNA of the bacteria was traced in any of the patients.

Detection of human papillomavirus in papillomas of oral cavity.

The oral cavity is exposed to many harmful factors among others: tobacco, alcohol and viral infection e.g. human papillomaviruses (HPV). HPV belongs to a family of tumorigenic viruses and induces cutaneous and mucosal proliferations of epithelial cells. The aim of our study was to estimate the frequency of HPV occurrence in papillomas of oral cavity in the Podlasie region. The study included 38 papillomas of oral cavity. HPV was found in 14 cases (36.8%). High risk HPV was present in 12 papillomas, while low risk HPV was detected in 2 papillomas.

Pulmonary neuroendocrine cells in physiology and pathology.

Pulmonary neuroendocrine cells are scant and widespread within the pulmonary epithelium. The function they play is not fully known, more studies are needed to clearly define it. They have been implicated however, as either the culprit or victim of many pulmonary diseases. That is the reason, why so many scientists take interest in the pulmonary neuroendocrine system. This paper reviews current information regarding pulmonary neuroendocrine cells, their origin, morphology, ontogeny, role, neuroendocrine cell markers, dysplasia and hyperplasia of pulmonary neuroendocrine cells in various conditions, diffuse idiopathic pulmonary neuroendocrine cell hyperplasia, typical carcinoid, atypical carcinoid, small-cell lung carcinoma, large-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma and the unusual spectrum of pulmonary neuroendocrine tumours.