PCNA and laminin as prognostic factors in primary Fallopian tube carcinoma

Primary Fallopian tube carcinoma (PFTC) is one of the rarest malignant tumours of the female genital tract. Staging of the disease according to FIGO scale is the most common prognostic indicator. Others, such as histological type, grading according to Hu classification, depth of tubal wall invasion, the presence of neoplastic cells in peritoneal leakage, invasion of the lymphatic and blood vessels, mitotic activity, DNA ploidy, Ki-67 expression, AgNOR level and p53 and c-erbB-2 immunoreactivity, are not widely accepted. 70 cases of primary Fallopian tube carcinomas were analysed with regard to clinicopathological data, survival and the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and laminin. Histological classification of PTFC revealed 26 cases of the endometriod type, 16 undifferentiated, 15 serous, 8 urothelial, 3 clearcell and 3 of other types. A total of 70 cases revealed positive nuclear staining for PCNA. The index of PCNA (labelling index, LI, proportion of PCNA-positive cells relative to all neoplastic cells) was evaluated. PCNA LI values were classified as high, > 0.45, or low, ≤ 0.45. Intracellular expression of laminin was found in 46 cases and extracellular in 28 cases. There was no significant correlation between the expression and distribution of laminin and survival. The p value was statistically significant only for PCNA LI as an independent prognostic factor

PrzeciweozynofilowedziałanieIL-12 w hodowanej tkance ludzkiego polipa nosa

Rationale: Tissue eosinophilia is an important pathophysiological issue in bronchial ashma and nasal polyps. Its magnitude is regulated by several mechanisms, including selective migration of eossinophils to peripheral tissues and prolongation of survival. A key role in this processes is assigned to Th2 originating cytokines: IL-3, IL-5, GM-CSF. It has been previously demonstrated that IL-12 diminishes tissue eosinophilia in an animal model, and Hofstra showed that Il-12 together with IL-18 prevents allergen-induced increase bronchial hyperresponsiveness, BAL eosinophilia and the development of allergen-specific Th2 cells. Methods: Nasal polyps were obtained during routine surgery and were cultured in fragments of approximately 30 mg for 2, 6, and 15 days in RPMI 1640 in the absence or presence of IL-12. Afterwards a dose-dependency was tested at day 2 of culture. Polyp tissue from cultures was than processed to slides, stained with Giemsa and cells were counted in light microscopy (400x). Results: Eosinophils represented 62,8 &plusmn; 21,3% of residing cells in nasal polyps at the day 0. IL-12 (1 &#956;g/ml) caused a significant time-dependent decrease in the percentage of Eos after 2 and 6 days. The effect of IL-12 at day 2 was concentration-dependent: control, 28,2 &plusmn; 2,9; at 10 ng/ml, 13,9 &plusmn; 6,4 (n = 4, p < 0,05); at 100 ng/ml, 11,6 &plusmn; 2,1 (p < 0.01); at 1 &#956;g/ml, 7,5 &plusmn; 1,5 (p < 0,005). Conclusion: IL-12 acts as potent topical antieosinophilic agent. Its action can be seen in a cultured polyp environment. It is visible already after two days and is concentration-dependent. Further study is needed to elucidate tissue mechanisms of this action

Evaluation of the effectiveness of partial splenic endovascular embolization in patients with refractory thrombocytopaenia

Purpose: Partial splenic endovascular embolization (PSEE) could be an option for patients with thrombocytopaenia (TCP). We selected a group of 22 patients diagnosed with refractory TCP to undergo PSEE, and we followed them for detailed analysis. Material and methods: Twenty-two patients aged 27-75 years (mean 46.5 ± 3.5 years) underwent PSEE, and 5 participants underwent a second PSEE due to the lack of effectiveness after the first procedure. A total of 27 PSEEs were performed. A semi-quantitative scale was used to assess the severity of the post-embolization syndrome. The percentage of spleen parenchyma excluded from circulation was 30-70%. We used the mixture of Histoacryl N-butyl cyanoacrylate glue and Lipiodol in 10 cases, spirals in 10 cases, and polyvinyl alcohol in 7 cases, for the embolization. Results: The mean value of platelet count (PLT) before procedure increased from 22.0 ± 15.0 to 87.7 ± 67.9 (p < 0.05) in a mean period of 194 days. In 2 cases severe post-embolization syndrome was observed. Closure less than 50% of the spleen circulation was associated with poorly expressed post-embolization symptoms. Serious complications occurred in 1 patient (3.5%). A strong positive correlation (r = 0.8, p < 0.05) was found between C-reactive protein (CRP) and the severity of post-embolization syndrome. Increased symptoms of post-embolization syndrome were also associated with a significant increase in hospitalization time – 27.0 vs. 7.2 days (r = 0.66, p < 0.05). Conclusions: Partial endovascular embolization of the spleen (PSEE) may be a valuable therapeutic option for patients with refractory TCP. PSEE is a safe method with a low complication rate

Imaging difficulties in Takayasu arteritis : case report and review of the literature

Background: Takayasu arteritis is an inflammatory disease of large-diameter arteries. Aorta and its branches are most frequently affected. Takayasu arteritis occurs mainly in young women and, if left untreated, leads to fatal complications. Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) is considered the gold standard in imaging of Takayasu arteritis. Case Report: A thirty-five-year-old woman was admitted to the hospital with transient loss of consciousness, effort-associated vertigo, upper limb weakness and temporary vision problems. On admission, there was no pulse on the left radial artery while there were bruits over subclavian arteries. Imaging of the aortic arch (computed tomography angiography, DSA) revealed stenoses of its main branches, indicating Takayasu arteritis. Conclusions: Computed tomography angiography (CTA) performed with a 64-slice unit revealed high effectiveness in localization of vascular wall and lumen pathologies resulting from Takayasu arteritis. Thanks to this fast diagnostic method, it is now possible to perform successful monitoring of patients with Takayasu arteritis and to plan possible interventional treatment