Overweight and obesity may play a role in the pathogenesis of chronic spontaneous urticaria.

BACKGROUND: Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) is one of the commonest diseases in allergological and dermatological practice. It constitutes an interdisciplinary problem, and its pathogenesis is not always easily determined. It has been suggested that metabolic syndrome and hyperlipidaemia are more frequent in patients with CSU, but the influence of overweight and obesity on the development of CSU has not been thoroughly investigated. AIM: To assess the association between body parameters and the development of CSU. METHODS: The study enrolled 85 patients with CSU, who were divided into three subgroups: patients whose only symptoms were weals, patients whose only symptom was angio-oedema, and patients with urticaria and accompanying angio-oedema. Mean weight, height, body mass index (BMI), body surface area, disease duration and age of disease onset were recorded RESULTS: There was a statistically significant association between CSU and heavier weight, higher BMI, greater affected body surface area and older age at disease onset. Subjects with higher BMI values had a tendency towards longer disease duration. There were no statistically significant differences between the three subgroups. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that CSU, especially if of long duration, may be associated with overweight and obesity, while increased body mass can result in later onset of urticaria symptoms. Further analyses to confirm the presented results and possible association between obesity and CSU occurrence are needed.

Sleeve lobectomy as an alternative to pneumonectomy in patients with operable lung cancer.

In many patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), pneumonectomy is still the only choice of surgical treatment. Pneumonectomy is associated with the increased risk of postoperative complications and higher mortality. Late results are affected by progressive deterioration of the quality of life. In some patients, especially with central location of the tumor the sleeve lobectomy can be an alternative to pneumonectomy. However, there are some doubts about the higher risk of local recurrence. The aim of the study was to assess the early and late results of sleeve lobectomy in patients with NSCLC treated surgically. The study group consisted of 107 patients subjected to surgery due to NSCLC between 2001 and 2009. There were 89 male and 18 female patients, aged between 35 and 78 years (mean age: 65 years). Surgery was preceded by routine diagnostic and staging procedures. Statistical analysis was based on the Statistica 6.0 software.The following sleeve lobectomies were performed: 71 right upper, 29 left upper, 5 left lower lobectomies, one inferior bilobectomy and one upper bilobectomy. Twelve patients were subjected to left upper sleeve lobectomy with partial resection and reconstruction of the pulmonary artery. Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) was the most common type of histology. Most patients were classified as stage IB and IIB. Perioperative mortality in the entire study population was 1.8%. The most frequent complications were as follows: supraventricular arrhythmias (11.2%) and atelectasis of the operated lung (10.3%). The five-year survival after surgery was 56.1%. Local recurrence was observed in 10 patients (9.3%). Statistical analysis demonstrated that T stage and postoperative chemotherapy were significant factors influencing long-term survival. Multivariate analysis showed that T stage was the only factor influencing the long-term survival. Sleeve lobectomy is a good alternative to pneumonectomy in selected patients with NSCLC. Although it is considered as technically difficult, it is characterized by lower risk of death during the perioperative period, lower percentage of significant postoperative complications and better quality of life after the operation.

Nonrandom DNA copy number changes related to lymph node metastases in squamous cell carcinoma of the lung.

Lung cancer is one of the most common malignancies and cancer-related death worldwide. Lymph node metastasis is the main cause of treatment failure. Although many studies were performed to evaluate genetic events associated with development and progression of lung cancer, molecular mechanism still remains poorly defined. In the present study, using comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) technique, we described the pattern of DNA copy number changes in a cohort of 42 primary squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) of the lung. A direct comparison of nonmetastatic (TxN0M0) and metastatic (TxN1-2M0) tumors was performed to define chromosomal imbalances related to lymph node metastases. Some genetic alterations were observed more frequently in metastatic than in non-metastatic tumors, including losses at 11q, 16p, 16q, 19p and gains at 4q, 7q, 12p, 13q, 18p. The gain at 7q with the smallest common altered region 7q31.2-q32, was found to be directly associated with lymph node involvement (p=0.0407). We suggest that the established chromosomal region harbors two putative tumor suppressor genes WNT2 and c-Met. An overexpresion of these genes seems to be involved in inducing the invasive growth and metastatic potential of SCC of the lung.

The prognostic value of DNA content analysis in patients with squamous cell lung cancer treated surgically.

The aims of the study were to assess the degree of ploidy and determine whether it had any influence on the remission time and survival of surgically treated patients with squamous cell lung cancer. The results were then related to the clinical staging, grading, size and location of the tumor. Tissue samples of squamous cell lung carcinoma (n=80) resected between 1995 and 1996 in the Department of Thoracic Surgery at University of Medical Sciences in Poznan were prepared using the modified Hedley's method. The measurements were made by means of a Cytoron Absolute flow cytometer. Abnormal (aneuploid) DNA was found in 45% of the tumors. In the 2-year observation period significantly more patients with aneuploid tumors died (75%) than those with diploid tumors (43.2%), P<0.05. No significant correlation was found between the ploidy and frequency of metastasis to regional lymph nodes, tumor size, location or grading. Estimation of the DNA content in cancer cells appears to be a significant prognostic factor. Furthermore measurement of the DNA content can be useful after surgery to estimate the risk of recurrence.

Prognostic significance of DNA ploidy in squamous cell lung carcinoma: is it really worth it?

BACKGROUND: Many previous studies attempted to associate DNA quantification with prognosis for lung cancer, but there is a divergence of opinion about its value. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the frequency of abnormal DNA content in squamous cell cancer (SCC) and analyze its correlation with late survival rates after surgical treatment. METHODS: A group of 110 patients surgically treated because of SCC was analyzed. Paraffin-embedded pathologic material underwent cytometric analysis. Postoperative follow-up was performed with standard follow-up visits. The statistical analysis was carried out using Mann-Whitney's U and chi2 tests to compare various variables in both groups. The survival curves were drawn using the Kaplan-Meier method. Clinical staging, regional metastasis, and ploidy, were analyzed with multivariate analysis for having a great impact on survival rates. RESULTS: Fifty (45%) tumors were DNA aneuploid. The survival rate in patients with aneuploid cancers was worse than in those with diploid tumors and the most frequent cause of death was local recurrence (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: DNA content abnormalities were found to be an important prognostic factor in patients with SCC. The DNA quantification can select a group of high risk of recurrence even after a radical procedure and set new guidelines for adjuvant therapy.

[169Yb-dichlorodimethionine platinum (II) as a tumor-seeking radiopharmaceutical]. / 169Yb-dichlorodimethioninoplatin (II) als tumoraffines Nuklearpharmakon.

Biodistribution studies of 169Yb-dichlorodimethioninoplatin (II) in mice, bearing Ehrlich or leukemia tumors, showed increased uptake of the complex in the tumors. A large difference in the retention of the total injected activity was found depending on the optical isomeric form of the methionine part of the complex.

Extended pneumonectomy for non small cell lung cancer--should we still do it?

The aim of the study was to assess the early and late results of extended pneumonectomies in lung cancer patients with T3 and T4 disease. Between Jan. 1995 and Dec. 1999--445 pneumonectomies were performed in patients with lung cancer. In 37 patients without preoperative N2 involvement a standard pneumonectomy was extended to include the following additional resections: chest wall (10), pericardium (9), diaphragm (5), VCS (3), descending aorta (2), left atrium (5), esophagus (1) and tracheal bifurcation (2). The effect of various factors on general mortality and morbidity was analyzed with the use of binary logistic regression. There were two early postoperative deaths (6.8%). Major complications occurred in 10 patients (29%). Overall survival rates at 1, 2, and 3 years were 43, 30 and 24%, respectively. The survival rates for the subgroup with chest involvement only were 50, 42 and 30%, respectively. Eight patients survived beyond the 36 month follow-up. The only factor significantly affecting mortality was incomplete resection, as revealed by postoperative microscopic examination (R1, p<0.05). Extended operations are justified by a relatively low mortality rate and low number of severe postoperative complications, specially in patients with chest wall involvement only. The result of this treatment predominantly depends upon the completeness of the resection.

[Congestive papilledema caused by marked narrowing of the superior ophthalmic vein]. / Zastoinowy obrzek tarczy nerwu wzrokowego w przebiegu znacznego zwezenia swiatla zyly górnej oczodolu.

In the reported case eye fundus changes and symptoms suggested initially increased intracranial pressure. The cause of choked disc was recognized relatively late, after phlebography. Thrombosis of the upper ophthalmic vein causes papilloedema with or without haemorrhages on the disc and around it. Vision may be normal or slightly impaired. There are no inflammatory changes in the orbital soft tissues or exophthalmos. Fundus changes are not different from those caused by raised intracranial pressure.

[Effect of abstinence on visual evoked potentials in alcoholics]. / Wplyw abstynencji na wzrokowe potencjaly wywolane u osób uzaleznionych od alkoholu.

Visual evoked potentials (VEP) were studied in 61 alcohol-dependent subjects analysing the amplitude and latency of the first major positive wave (P100) and carrying out the determinations three times, in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd weeks of abstinence. The results were compared with similar ones obtained in healthy subjects without a history of alcohol abuse. In the acute stage of alcohol withdrawal a significant rise was observed in the amplitude of the cortical P100/N120 complex. With regression of the clinical symptoms of withdrawal syndrome the amplitude of visual potentials decreased and demonstrated partial normalization. The mean P100 latency was significantly longer in relation to the control group and was not changed during the withdrawal period. Amplitude increase was regarded as an evidence of hyperexcitability of the central nervous system, and latency prolongation as a result of the toxic effects of alcohol and nicotine on the optic nerve.

[Prognostic significance of DNA analysis in neoplastic cells of patients with squamous cell lung neoplasms treated surgically]. / Prognostyczne znaczenie zawartosci DNA w komórkach nowotworowych u chorych na raka plaskonablonkowego pluca leczonych chirurgicznie.

The aim of our study was the assessment of the ploidia and its influence on the remission time and the survival of surgically treated patients with squamous cell lung cancer. The results were then related to the clinical staging, grading, size and localization of the tumor. The tissue samples (n = 60) of squamous cell lung carcinoma resected between 1995-1996 at the Department of Thoracic Surgery at University of Medical Sciences in Poznan were prepared using modified Hedley's method. The measurement was done in Cytoron Absolute flow cytometer. The abnormal DNA (aneuploid) was found in 40% of tumors. In two-year observation period more patients died with aneuploid tumors (54.6% deaths) than with diploid tumors (35.2% deaths). No significant correlation was found between the ploidy and frequency of metastasis to regional lymph nodes, tumor size, localization and grading. The estimation of the DNA content in the cancer cells seems to be a significant and valuable prognostic factor. The measurement of the DNA content can be useful in patients to estimate risk of recurrence after surgery.

Thromboembolic complications after total hip arthroplasty and prevention of thrombosis: own experience.

Background. Total hip arthroplasty (THA) is today one of the most frequently performed major surgical operations in orthopedics. Although it is the standard method of treatment for advanced degenerative changes in the joint, the operation is accompanied by a high risk of thromboembolic complications. Material and methods. The present study is a retrospective analysis of two groups of THA patients. Group I consisted of 80 patients (average age 62) operated 1980-1983, for whom no prophylaxis was applied. In Group II, low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) was applied pre- and postoperatively. This group consisted of 94 patients (average age 63.5) operated in the year 1998. Thromboembolic complications were diagnosed on the basis of reported symptoms, physical examinations and additional tests (chest x-ray, EKG, gasometry). Results. In Group I there were 11 complications (13.75%), including 10 cases (91%) of deep venous thromboembolic disease of the lower extremities (DVT) and 1 case (9%) of pulmonary embolism (PE), while in Group II there were only 2 complications (2.1%), 1 DVT and 1 PE. The difference between groups was statistically significant. The risk factors for venous thromboembolic disease were analyzed. In both study groups, the predominant risk factors were prolonged duration of surgery and diabetes accompanied by venous insufficiency. Conclusions. The results of our analysis showed that the use of DVT prophylaxis with low-molecular heparin in the preoperative and postoperative period reduced the occurrence of thromboembolic complications.

Synthesis and quality control testing of 32P labeled ion exchange resin microspheres for radiation therapy of hepatic neoplasms.

Commercial cation exchange resin beads (200--400 mesh) are separated into narrow particle size ranges by sieving and differential sedimentation. These microspheres are converted into the chromic form by reaction with Cr(NO2)3, labeled with 20 mCi 32P phosphate by exchange at pH 2--4, and converted to a stable product at pH 9. Chemical stability ahd biological behavior of these microspheres suspended in physiological saline is measured before administration through a hepatic artery catheter for radiation therapy of the liver and hepatic neoplasms.