Radiation-induced long-term alterations in hippocampus under experimental conditions.

BACKGROUNDS: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of ionizing radiation on the cell population that co-forms hippocampal formation in an adult rat brain. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Adult male Wistar rats were exposed to whole-body irradiation with fractionated doses of gamma rays (the total dose of 4 Gy). Thirty, 60 and 90 days after irradiation the cell-specific types housed in the CA1, CA3 subregions and adjacent layers were labelled using immunohistochemistry for specific cell phenotypes; Ki-67 marker was used for proliferating cells and GFAP for detection of astrocytes. RESULTS: During the 30th day post-exposure, a considerable increase in the numbers of Ki-67-positive cells was seen. Moreover, significant decline in the density of neurons, mostly in the CA1 subregion, was observed on the 60th day. Slight overaccumulation of Ki-67-positive cells was seen in CA1 area 90 days after radiation treatment. Temporary decrease of GFAP-positive astrocytes was seen thirty days after irradiation, followed by their subsequent increase 60 days after exposure. Secondary decrease of GFAP-positive cells in both of regions was found in the group surviving 90 days post-irradiation. CONCLUSION: Results showed that radiation response of neurons and astrocytes that form the adult hippocampus may play contributory role in the development of prognostically unfavourable adverse radiation-induced late effect.

[Thyroid disorders in women with breast cancer]. / Tyreopatie u zien s karcinómom prsníka.

AIM: Increasing prevalence of non-malignant thyroid disorders in women with breast cancer has been known for several decades; it is said to be associated with a better prognosis of the cancerous disease. The aim of this work was to analyse associations between thyropathies found in women with breast cancer and particular prognostic factors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A group of 110 women with breast cancer were tested for autoimmune thyroiditis (AIT) and functional changes of the thyroid gland. Presence of thyroid-peroxidase autoantibodies (TPOAb), serum levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and free thyroxine (FT3, FT4) were determined after the surgery but before adjuvant cancer treatment (radiotherapy, chemotherapy or hormone therapy) initiation. Conventionally evaluated prognostic factors of breast cancer, including histological grading and molecular predictive factors (i.e. the status of the hormone receptors and the human epidermal growth factor receptor) were assessed - these were divided into four basic categories. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of AIT and subclinical hypothyroidism in the study group was 37.3% and 20%, respectively, i.e. higher than in the general population. The only correlation found was between thyropathies and the specific prognostic factors was that with G1 breast cancer grading.

[Low-dose radiotherapy in the treatment of plantar fasciitis]. / Nizkodávková rádioterapia v liecbe plantárnej fasciitídy.

BACKGROUNDS: To evaluate the analgesic effect of low-dose radiotherapy in the treatment of plantar fasciitis and to analyse prognostic factors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis was used in the assessment of the analgesic effect after the 1st and 2nd series of low-dose radiotherapy. The treatment regime of 273 patients included total dose of 4.0 Gy, with fraction dose 1.0 Gy, received 2-3 times a week. Recommended follow-up was 3 months. In 323 cases of plantar fasciitis, prognostic factors (age, sex and pain duration before treatment) were evaluated. RESULTS: Analgesic effect of total dose of 4.0 Gy was 55.7% after the 1st series and 74.8% after the 2nd series. The results are comparable to published results. Pain duration before treatment shorter than 6 months had a significant effect on the treatment. Age was also a significant prognostic factor, with benefits in the group of patients younger than 50 years. CONCLUSION: Results confirm the advantageous analgesic effect of the dose regime received by our group of 273 patients. Analysis of prognostic factors shows greater benefit of treatment in the acute stage of plantar fasciitis. When treating young patients, however, the possible risks of radiotherapy should be considered compared to other treatment modalities.