The hedgehog pathway regulates remodelling responses to biliary obstruction in rats.

BACKGROUND: Chronic biliary obstruction provokes fibrosis and accumulation of immature ductular cells. This fibroductular reaction resolves following biliary decompression, suggesting that it may also be involved in the repair of biliary damage. The hedgehog (Hh) pathway becomes activated in liver after bile duct ligation (BDL), and might modulate hepatic remodelling because Hh ligands are potent morphogens. OBJECTIVE: To study the induction of the Hh pathway during progression and resolution of biliary fibrosis, and to clarify whether Hh signalling regulates accumulation of bile duct progenitor cells. DESIGN AND MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Livers from rats with BDL were examined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis and immunohistochemistry to identify factors that might stimulate Hh signalling. BDL rats were subjected to Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy (R-Y) to relieve biliary obstruction in order to determine whether these factors and Hh signalling declined as ductular populations and concomitant fibrosis regressed. Cultures of immature ductular cells were treated with putative Hh inducers and Hh ligands to confirm their functional relevance. RESULTS: BDL increased expression of platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) and sonic hedgehog (Shh), downregulated hedgehog-interacting protein (Hip), activated Hh signalling, and expanded populations of Hh-responsive ductular cells that expressed pancyotkeratin, a liver progenitor cell marker. After R-Y, Hip remained suppressed, expression of PDGF-BB and Shh gradually declined, and populations of hedgehog-responsive ductular cells regressed. In cultured ductular cells, PDGF-BB treatment induced Shh expression, and incubation with Shh inhibited apoptotic activity. CONCLUSIONS: These results identify a mechanism for activation of the Hh pathway during cholestasis and suggest that Hh signalling regulates ductular cell accumulation after biliary injury.

Trends in the evolution of the euglenid pellicle.

Trends in the evolution of the euglenid pellicle were described using phylogenetic methods on 18S rDNA, morphological, and combined data from 25 mostly phototrophic taxa. The tree topology from a total-evidence analysis formed a template for a synthetic tree that took into account conflicting results derived from the partitioned datasets. Pellicle character states that can only be observed with the assistance of transmission and scanning electron microscopy were phylogenetically mapped onto the synthetic tree to test a set of previously established homology statements (inferences made independently from a cladogram). The results permitted us to more confidently infer the ancestral-derived polarities of character state transformations and provided a framework for understanding the key cytoskeletal innovations associated with the evolution of phototrophic euglenids. We specifically addressed the character evolution of (1) the maximum number of pellicle strips around the cell periphery; (2) the patterns of terminating strips near the cell posterior end; (3) the substructural morphology of pellicle strips; (4) the morphology of the cell posterior tip; and (5) patterns of pellicle pores on the cell surface.

[Obstruction of the small intestine caused by malignant lymphoma]. / Niedroznosc mechaniczna jelita cienkiego spowodowana chloniakiem zlosliwym.

Primary malignant tumors of the small intestine are a rare finding, not thought to be a likely case of intestinal obstruction. A case is reported of a patient presenting with chronic abdominal pain, apparently due to adhesions and a postoperative hernia (already after its repair). On laparotomy two tumors of the small, intestine were found obstructing its lumen, diagnosed histopathologically as primary malignant lymphoma.

[Atypical case of retroperitoneal paraganglioma parasympaticum coexisting with recurrent bleeding from upper gastrointestinal tract]. / Nietypowy przypadek zaotrzewnowego przyzwojaka wspólistniejacego z nawracajacymi krwawieniami z górnego odcinka przewodu pokarmowego.

The authors report a case of 47 years old male who was treated for 1,5 year because of recurrent bleedings from upper GIT. Performed examinations showed the presence of retroperitoneal paraganglioma parasympaticum with multiple metastases in bones. A Zollinger-Ellison syndrome was suspected. The final correct diagnosis was established at last microscopically after surgical excision of the specimens.

[Methanol poisoning in the Tarnów region in the years 1982-1992]. / Zatrucia alkoholem metylowym w Tarnowie i województwie tarnowskim w latach 1982-1992.

In the paper five cases of methanol poisoning in Tarnów region treated with hemodialysis are presented and discussed. Despite a high dose of ingested alcohol and high levels of blood methanol concentrations and severe metabolic acidosis all treated patients survived and fully recovered.

[Acute ethylene glycol poisoning in the Tarnów region in the years 1982-1993]. / Ostre zatrucia glikolem etylenowym w województwie tarnowskim w latach 1982-1993.

The paper presents 15 causes of severe ethylene glycol poisoning in Tarnów region in the years 1982-1993. In the treatment haemodialyses as well as acidosis balancing and aethanol administration as an antidotum were preferred. Acute renal failure was observed in 73% of poisoned patients and mortality rate was 53%. The causes of treatment failure were: high ingested poison dose, too long time between poisoning and administration to hospital (and introduction of an appropriate treatment), critical clinical condition and severe metabolic acidosis.

[Primary adenoma of the jejunum in a patient with chronic severe bronchial asthma]. / Pierwotny gruczolak jelita czczego u chorego z wieloletnia ciezka astma oskrzelowa.

The authors have described a case of adenocarcinoma of the jejunum, complicated with its perforation. This case represents an extremely rare of complication. It was not possible to establish the final diagnosis, until the operation was been done.

Studies on antifungal properties of phenol complexes with secondary amines. 1. The effect of complex formation of nitro- and chlorophenols with dicyclohexylamine on the antifungal activity in vitro.

Inhibitory doses (ID50) of phenols complexed with dicyclohexylamine are lower (21.4-47.7%) than the inhibitory doses of free phenols. This is demonstrated in vitro by experiments with Aspergillus oryzae and Penicillium expansum on solid medium.

Studies on antifungal properties of phenol complexes with secondary amines. 2. Antifungal properties in vitro of the complex of 2,4,5-trichlorophenol with dicyclohexylamine.

In studies in vitro it has been found that 2,4,5-trichlorophenol in the form of a complex with dicyclohexylamine is two times more active an antifungal agent than free chlorophenol.

Studies on antifungal properties of phenol complexes with secondary amines. 3. The antimycotic activity of the complex of 2,4,5-trichlorophenol with dicyclohexylamine in the treatment of experimental mycosis.

2,4,5-trichlorophenol complexed with dicyclohexylamine was used for treatment of experimental mycosis. From the mycological and clinical evaluation the conclusion can be drawn that the effect of phenol in lipophilic ointment is comparable to that of clotrimazole (Canesten-cream "Polfa" licensed by Bayer) with the statistical significance p less than 0.001.

The cytotoxic action in vitro of catalytically sulphurated unsaturated fatty acids on Ehrlich's ascites cancer and normal peritoneal exudate (leucocytes).

Diethanolamine salts of the catalytically sulphurated oleic acid (X-303/1) and of the catalytically sulphurated fatty acids isolated from linseed oil (X-303/2) were found to exhibit a strong cytotoxic in vitro activity against Ehrlich ascites cancer cells with minimal cytotoxic effect on normal cells (leukocytes) of the peritoneal exudate in rabbits.

[In vivo antimycotic effect of topically applied morpholine (author's transl)]. / Antimykotische Wirkung von Morpholin bei lokaler Applikation in vivo.

The effect of morpholine in the cure of experimental mycosis caused by Trichophyton mentagrophytes var. granulosum was studied. In all experiments the ointment or gel containing 10% morpholine. The liberation constant of the ointment and gel was k = 1.243 x 10(--1) x k(--1) and k = 3.713 x 10(--1) x k(--1) respectively. After treatment with the ointment or gel on the guinea pig skin, a cure of mycosis was observed. The antimycotic effect of morpholine was demonstrated in histopathological, mycological and clinical study. The effect of morpholine was compared with cream Canesten "Polfa".