Is mitochondrial DNA copy number a good prognostic marker in resectable pancreatic cancer?

Background

The aim of this prospective study was to investigate mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number in a group of resectable pancreatic cancer (PC) tumor tissues and adjacent normal pancreatic tissues, and to explore the correlation between the mtDNA content in tissues and the clinicopathological parameters and the overall survival.

Viscoelastic Polyurethane Foams with Reduced Flammability and Cytotoxicity

Consistent and proper use of respiratory protective devices (RPD) is one of the essential actions that can be taken to reduce the risk of exposure to airborne hazards, i.e., biological and nonbiological aerosols, vapours, and gases. Proper fit of the facepiece and comfort properties of RPDs play a crucial role in effective protection and acceptance of RPDs by workers. The objective of the present paper was to develop viscoelastic polyurethane foams for use in RPD seals characterised by proper elasticity, allowing for the enhancement of the device fit to the face and the capability of removing moisture from the skin in order to improve the comfort of RPD use. Moreover, it was pivotal to ensure the non-flammability of the foams, as well as a simultaneous reduction in their cytotoxicity. The obtained foams were characterised using scanning electron microscopy, infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetry, and differential scanning calorimetry. Measurements also involved gel fraction, apparent density, compression set, rebound resilience, wettability, flammability, and cytotoxicity. The results are discussed in the context of the impact of modifications to the foam formulation (i.e., flame-retardant type and content) on the desired foam properties. The test results set directions for future works aimed to develop viscoelastic polyurethane foams that could be applied in the design of respiratory protective devices.     

Therapeutic approach to pediatric acute mastoiditis – an update

IntroductionAcute mastoiditis remains the most common complication of acute otitis media. It may rarely appear also in cochlear implant patients. However, the treatment recommendations for this disease are not precisely defined or employed, and in the current literature the differences regarding both the diagnosis and management are relatively substantial.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to determine a standard and safe procedure to be applied in case of pediatric acute mastoiditis.MethodsA retrospective chart review of 73 patients with 83 episodes of acute mastoiditis hospitalized at our tertiary-care center between 2001 and 2016 was conducted. Bacteriology, methods of treatment, hospital course, complications, and otologic history were analyzed. Based on our experience and literature data, a protocol was established in order to standardize management of pediatric acute mastoiditis.ResultsAll the patients treated for acute mastoiditis were submitted to an intravenous antibiotic regimen. In the analyzed group pharmacological treatment only was applied in 11% of children, in 12% myringotomy/tympanostomy was added, and in the vast majority of patients (77%) mastoidectomy was performed. In our study recurrent mastoiditis was noted in 8% of the patients. We also experienced acute mastoiditis in a cochlear implant child, and in this case, a minimal surgical procedure, in order to protect the device, was recommended.ConclusionsThe main points of the management protocol are: initiate a broad-spectrum intravenous antibiotic treatment; mastoidectomy should be performed if the infection fails to be controlled after 48 h of administering intravenous antibiotic therapy. We believe that early mastoidectomy prevents serious complications, and our initial observation is that by performing broad mastoidectomy with posterior attic and facial recess exposure, recurrence of acute mastoiditis can be prevented.     

Effect of hyperthermia and anoxia on glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid receptor expression in neonatal rat hippocampus

Brief periods of neonatal asphyxia are frequently observed. Within the CNS, the hippocampus is known to be particularly vulnerable to the damaging effects of hypoxia/ischaemia. The hippocampus contains the highest concentration of both mineralocorticoid (MR) and glucocorticoid (GR) receptors and the balance between MR/GR activation influences cell birth and death. MR occupation appears to promote prosurvival actions, while GR overactivation favours neurodegeneration. It has been widely recognized that core body temperature is a critical determinant of the severity of hypoxic–ischemic brain injury; indeed, hyperthermia exacerbates the degree of damage. Therefore, the aim of the present investigation was to study the effect of elevated body temperature in newborn rats under control conditions or during neonatal exposure to a critical anoxia, on changes of MR and GR mRNA expression in the rat hippocampus. 2-day-old rats were exposed to anoxia in 100% nitrogen atmosphere. Rectal temperature was kept at 33 °C (typical for the rat neonates), or elevated to a level typical for febrile (39 °C) adults. Control rats were exposed to atmospheric air under the respective thermal conditions. The changes in MR and GR mRNA expression in hippocampus were examined 24 h after exposure. Our data show that hyperthermia with or without added anoxia, causes induction of MR mRNA expression in neonatal rat hippocampus without any effect on GR mRNA expression. We suggest this elevation of MR plays an important role in modulating the survival of neurons in the injured hippocampus.     

Acute myocardial infarction during pregnancy complicated with pulmonary oedema

Acute myocardial infarction, a rare peripartum event, is accompanied by significant maternal and fetal mortality. We report a 41-year-old woman who developed an acute myocardial infarction during the third trimester of pregnancy. The case of infarction was complicated with pulmonary oedema on the 3 day after delivery. Coronary angiography was performed 7 weeks post partum and no coronary lesions were detected. Therapeutic options in such condition are discussed and review of relevant literature is presented.     

Binding of cadmium on metallothionein in man: an analysis of a fatal poisoning by cadmium iodide

This study presents data on the organ distribution of cadmium, and Cd-protein complexes in the body of a man fatally poisoned with CdJ₂, after an oral dose of about 5 g.The levels of cadmium in different tissues were (in g per g fr. wt.): liver and kidney cortex about 80, kidney medulla, heart and testes 8.9–10.0, bile 1.9, brain 0.5 and blood 1.1.Almost all cadmium detected in the organism was bound to a low molecular weight protein, tentatively identified as metallothionein.Total amount of 18 mg cadmium was excreted in urine within 6 days of hospitalization, most likely due to Ca-EDTA treatment.The data are suggestive that cadmium induced biosynthesis of metallothionein in the subject.This paper was presented at the 2nd Symposium of Toxicology and Seminar of Pharmacology, Dvoák, September 18–19, 1970.