Studies on the mechanism of the toxic action of sodium nitrite on intestinal absorption in rats

The biochemical parameters Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase, alkaline phosphatase, oxygen consumption, and lactic acid level were evaluated in the small intestine mucosa of male Wistar rats duringin situ perfusion of the rat with sodium nitrite. Sodium nitrite was poorly absorbed (10% of the administered dose), but it inhibited the activity of Na⁺/ K⁺-ATPase and alkaline phosphatase. It had no effect on the lactic acid level, pointing to normal oxygen in the intestine, evidently reducing the utilization of oxygen by this tissue. Using metabolism inhibitors added to the perfusion fluid in the concentrations: ouabaine 0.1 mM, NaN₃ (sodium azide) 1 mM, L-phenylalanine 50 mM and during functional ischaemia of the intestine produced by occlusion of the superior mesenteric artery for the time of the perfusion, it was possible to find the site of action and the direction of the toxic influence of sodium nitrite.     

Reconstruction of soft tissue defects of the fingers using homodigital V-Y flap]

A series of 54 patients is presented in which full-thickness soft-tissue defects on 57 digits were reconstructed using homodigital V-Y flaps. This is a modification of the Moberg procedure, which was designed for coverage of injuries of distal thumb. The V-Y flap is pedicled on two digital neurovascular bundles, possible advancement is up to 2 cm, and V-shaped base of the flap allows direct closure of the proximal defect, without skin grafting. This technique was used for the reconstruction both volar and dorsal tissue defects of the fingers. All flaps healed within 2-4 weeks. 14 patients (15 fingers) were evaluated after they recovered. In all affected fingers active range of motion was satisfactory, only with slight defect of extension in 2 cases. However, sensation of the light touch was decreased in 10 fingers, and 2PD discrimination was abnormal in 5 fingers. The versatility of V-Y technique in various clinical occasions and its low risk of complications was emphasized. This method is very useful, easy to learn even for trainees unfamiliar with microsurgery.     

The soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor I is an early predictor of local infective complications after colorectal surgery

The clinical implications of increased cytokine levels after major surgery remain unclear. In this study, systemic concentration of a spectrum of cytokines, including interleukins IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-1ra, and soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor-I (sTNF-RI) was examined in patients with and without postoperative septic complications following colorectal surgery. Although there were no significant changes in IL-1, TNF-, and IL-8 serum levels during the observation period, there was a significant rise in IL-6, IL-1ra, and sTNF-RI concentrations in the entire group of patients between postoperative day 1 and 14. There were no differences between the group without and with local complications when IL-6, IL-1ra, and IL-10 were examined. The serum levels of sTNF-RI, IL-1ra, and IL-6 were found to be sensitive indicators of the pro- and anti-inflammatory response to the surgical trauma, but only sTNF-RI turned out to be a sensitive early marker of local septic postoperative complications in patients with colorectal carcinoma.     

P-glycoprotein expression influences the result of 99mTc-MIBI scintigraphy in tertiary hyperparathyroidism

Precise localization of parathyroid glands using 99mTc-labeled hexakis-2-methoxyisobutylisonitrile (99mTc-MIBI) scintigraphy could be affected by various biological factors. There is increasing evidence that radiotracer retention could be controlled by members of multidrug resistance (MDR) system, especially P-glycoprotein (P-gp). Since the role of P-gp in tertiary hyperparathyroidism (T-HPTH) scintigraphic studies is poorly recognized, the aim of the study was to compare the correlation between parathyroid P-gp expression and results of their scintigraphy in T-HPTH versus primary hyperparathyroidism (P-HPTH). P-HPTH (n = 19) and T-HPTH (n = 18) patients were subjected to 99mTc-MIBI scintigraphy followed by surgical treatment. The parathyroid glands were assessed in routine hematoxylin-eosin staining and P-gp expression was analyzed using immunohistochemistry. Parathyroids collected during cadaver donor multi-organ harvesting were used as a control. It has been found that P-HPTH-derived parathyroid glands with predominating adenoma morphology expressed less P-gp, as compared to P-gp-rich T-HPTH glands, mainly displaying nodular or diffused hyperplasia phenotype. This finding reversely correlated with results of 99mTc-MIBI scintigraphy. However, we did not observe any difference in P-gp expression nor scintigraphy result between nodular or diffused hyperplasia. Altogether, these data suggest that P-gp overexpression in T-HPTH could be responsible for decreased sensitivity of 99mTc-MIBI scintigraphy in those patients. Therefore, the recently proposed reduced neck exploration or limited parathyroid resection on the basis of scintigraphy could create the risk of persisted/recurrent hyperparathyroidism. However, this problem requires further study.     

The –553 T/A polymorphism in the promoter region of the FGF2 gene is associated with increased breast cancer risk in Polish women

Introduction

Fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF2) is an important signalling molecule contributing to angiogenesis, tumour growth and progression and its expression is implicated in breast cancer (BC) development. We investigated whether –553 T/A FGF2 gene polymorphism is associated with the risk and progression of BC in Polish women.

Material and methods

The –553 T/A polymorphism was genotyped in 230 breast cancer patients and 245 control subjects, using a polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) approach. Moreover, FastQuant human angiogenesis array was used to measure FGF2 levels in tumour (n = 127) and serum (n = 76) samples.

Results

The T/A genotypes (OR = 2.12, 95% CI: 1.20–3.74) (p = 0.08) and the combined heterozygotes T/A and homozygote A/A (OR = 2.18, 95% CI: 1.24–3.83) (p = 0.006) had an increased risk of BC. The median FGF2 levels in the tumours of A allele carriers were significantly increased compared to T/T patients, whereas in serum FGF2 levels were hardly altered among different genotype carriers. Significantly higher frequency of A allele was found in patients with lymph node metastases (OR = 2.53; 95% CI: 1.23–5.17) (p = 0.009) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 positive tumour (OR = 3.22, 95% CI: 1.49–6.99) (p = 0.002). Furthermore, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that the A allele predicted worse disease-free survival (DFS) in BC patients.

Conclusions

Our study shows for the first time that the –553 T/A FGF2 gene polymorphism may be associated with a risk of BC developing and progression in Polish women and may have prognostic value for the assessment of BC high-risk groups.     

Asymptomatic myxoma of the tricuspid valve septal leaflet

We presented a case of asymptomatic myxoma of the tricuspid valve septal leaflet. The tumour was diagnosed accidentally during rutine transthoracic echocardiography and confirmed by transesophageal echocardiography. It was resected and the septal leaflet repaired during surgery.