Postoperative radiotherapy and radiotherapy combined with CCNU chemotherapy for treatment of brain gliomas

A prospective, randomized trial evaluates the effects of two postoperative treatment regimens on survival in 198 adult patients with supratentorial gliomas. All patients were irradiated with 6 000 rads after possibly radical removal of tumors. CCNU administration in the dosis of 100 mg/sq m of body surface every 6–8 weeks following surgery proved to have no significant effect on the survival of patients. The median survival time in patients receiving radiation therapy alone was 61±7 weeks, while in those receiving additional chemotherapy was 56±4 weeks. Tumor histological malignancy and patients age were found to be the only important prognostic factors, irrespective of the treatment modality. Address for offprints: T Trojanowski, Department of Neurosurgery, Medical School, Jaczewskiego 8, 20-950 Lublin, Poland     

Activation of hamster mast cells for IgE — Mediated histamine release

The conditions for active sensitization of hamster peritoneal and pleural mast cells and IgE-induced histamine release as well as cell desensitization were defined. Immunization of hamsters with ovalbumin (5 g) in Al/OH/₃ gel (5 mg) with several boosters resulted in sensitization of peritoneal and pleural mast cells; in the presence of extracellular Ca⁺⁺, pH of medium 7.2 and at 37°C these cells released up to 70% of histamine on the challenge with specific antigen. Partial release was observed when the cells were challenged with antigen in the absence of extracellular calcium. The rate of release is high during the first seconds of activation and is complete at 1 min. 30 min preincubation of peritoneal and pleural mast cells in calcium-free conditions (in the presence of 4 mM EDTA) resulted in complete desensitization of cells to subsequent action of antigen in potimal conditions. The present experiments demonstrate, that hamster peritoneal and pleural mast cells can be a useful model system forin vitro studies of the mechanisms of IgE-induced cell activation.     

Distribution and localization of histamine in bovine and rabbit eye

Histamine (HI) is present in various structures of the bovine and rabbit eye (retina, choroid, sclera) and in the optic nerve of both species. The amine levels in particular structures of either cow or rabbit are highly differentiated, as well as profile of HI distribution which differs markedly between both species, except only the retina structure (HI levels were between 70–80 ng per g tissue). In the bovine retina HI is stored in non mast cell compartment, while in the optic nerve at least 50% of the amine is of mast cell origin. Approximately 90% of the retinal HI was recovered in the P₁ subcellular fraction. HI in the bovine retina is metabolized by methylation. The data are discussed in terms of a possible physiological role of HI in the retina.     

Inhibition of plant and mammalian diamine oxidase by substrate analogues

Imidazoles, aliphatic substrate analogues and the natural dipeptides, carnosine and anserine, were investigated as inhibitors of diamine oxidase from the pig kidney, human pregnancy plasma and pea seedlings. Imidazole, methyli-midazoles,N-acetylimidazole, histamine andN -methyl-histamine are relatively potent inhibitors of mammalian diamine oxidase showing no influence on plant enzymes. Anserine and carnosine are inhibitors of pig kidney and pea seedling enzymes.K ₁ values are 2 M and 10 M respectively. Investigated natural derivatives of putrescine and cadaverine have no influence on diamine oxidase of different origin.In conclusion, we present some evidence to suggest that mammalian diamine oxidase, despite a high reaction rate with putrescine, is better adapted to histamine oxidation, whereas for plant enzymes the diamines are preferred substrates.     

Ophthalmic imaging by spectral optical coherence tomography

PURPOSE: To demonstrate two novel ophthalmic imaging techniques based on fast Spectral Optical Coherence Tomography (SOCT). DESIGN: Prospective observation case report. METHODS: SETTING: Research laboratory. STUDY POPULATION: A normal human subject. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Correlation of an optical coherence retinal tomogram with known retinal anatomy, reduction of eye exposure to the probing light beam during Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) examination. RESULTS: High resolution (3- x 20-microm) cross-sectional 2-dimensional images of the human retina in vivo have been obtained with only 0.1-second total illumination time (for 1024 A-scans), and approximately 200- microW eye exposure. Details of the optic disk in vivo have been visualized at a rate of eight frames per second, which is sufficient to provide real time analysis. The 3-dimensional images of the optic nerve correspond to the images obtained from a fundus camera. CONCLUSIONS: Because of its short acquisition time and high sensitivity, SOCT uses a 100 times lower exposure/A-scan to obtain images of comparable quality to those obtained by the commercial instrument based on traditional time-domain OCT. Spectral Optical Coherence Tomography therefore provides a much wider safety margin than the traditional method and allows relaxation of the current safety precautions forbidding more than 10 minutes/day scanning of the same location of a retina. As a result of the high speed offered by the new technique, the 3-dimensional tomograms, which allow a surgeon access to a comprehensive and detailed view of relevant pathologies, are obtained in a much shorter, clinically more reasonable time.     

Prognostic value of the pronuclear morphology pattern of zygotes for implantation rate

INTRODUCTION: In ICSI and conventional IVF cycles, the embryos are usually selected for transfer based on evaluation of the cleavage speed and the extent of blastomere fragmentation. Pronuclear stage scoring system has been used in IVF recently as an additional parameter. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to classify embryos from ICSI cycles according to the pronuclear scoring system and its influence on implantation rate. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 62 couples suffering from different types of infertility and treated by ICSI were included in our study. For each embryo, the following data were analyzed: pronuclei (PN) morphology, 16-20 hours after ICSI, and embryo morphology, about 40-42 (day 2) and 65-68 (day 3) hours after ICSI. The embryo transfer was performed on the third day after pick-up. RESULTS: In 55 (88.7%) cases we transferred at least one embryo from the zygotes of 0 or 1 or 2 pattern. The implantation rate was 30.6% (n = 19). In all of these cases the embryos have been derived from zygotes from pattern 0, 1 or 2. CONCLUSIONS: Pronuclear scoring system of zygotes appears to be a predictor of the implantation potential. Embryos derived from pattern 0, 1 and 2 of zygotes implant at a higher rate (p = 0.05).     

Pleomorphic adenoma of minor salivary glands

Pleomorphic adenoma, a benign tumor often seen in ENT practice, arises either from minor as well from major salivary glands. 5-14% of tumors occur in minor glands. Sixteen cases of minor salivary gland pleomorphic adenomas are studied. Eight of them originate from the oral cavity: 6 from the palate, one from the lower lip and one from the cheek. Two oral adenomas were malignant. In 4 patients tumors occur in the nasal cavity and in two other patients--in the neck. The clinical and pathological features of these patients are presented. Special attention is given to malignant transformation and the rate of recurrence of the tumors.     

Hypothyroidism after combined therapy of laryngeal cancer

The hormonal function of the thyroid gland in patients with laryngeal cancer, treated with combined method, has been discussed. The first group of them was having one of the thyroid lobes used for reconstruction of the structural defects following partial laryngectomy, the second one, for oncologic reasons--part or the whole gland--excised. Hormonal dysfunction of the thyroid gland was present in 7/10 of the treated patient. In 2 of them the full hypofunction (FH) of the thyroid gland could be observed. Most likely the hypothyreosis was the result of the surgical interference in the thyroid gland (disorders in blood supply in translocated for larynx repair thyroid lobe, excision of the lobe/s for oncological reasons) and degenerative process due to the external irradiation. The monitored hormonal function of the thyroid gland revealed the possibility of transformation of subclinical hypofunction (SH) into FH even after long period of therapy termination. The obligatory monitoring of the thyroid gland hormonal activity for many years has been stressed, as well as the necessity of supplementary therapy at the time of SH.