Morphological aspects of the euphonic voice

The high quality of a euphonic voice is the result of complex interactions between many organs and systems. Vibrating vocal folds play a crucial role in this process. Their physiological motion is conditioned by the presence of the layered structure of laryngeal mucosa. In this study, we assessed the degree of dysphonia according to the Union of European Phoniatrics (UEP) scale. Videoendoscopy (VLS) and videostroboscopic (VLSS) examination of the larynx was used to visualize the vibration of the vocal folds. Morphological assessment of the inter-membranous part of the vocal fold mucosa was carried out using material collected after surgical treatment (60%) or obtained from autopsy (40%). The samples were examined by light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. In euphonic voices, 1° of dysphonia (UEP) and the physiological endoscopic (VLS) and stroboscopic (VLSS) findings of vocal folds were registered. No morphological or ultramorphological changes were observed in the cells of the multilayered flat epithelium, basal membrane or in the stroma. Unchanged epithelial cells were situated on the basal membrane with folds. Moreover, numerous pericytes, vessels with multiplication of basal membranes, scanty collagenous fibers, plasmatic cells and lymphocytes were seen. Morphological changes with signs of atrophy and polypoid degeneration of the vocal fold mucosa were found in only 3 (15%) patients. (Folia Histochemica et Cytobiologica 2011; Vol. 49, No. 1, pp. 72–79

MMP-1, UCH-L1, and 20S Proteasome as Potential Biomarkers Supporting the Diagnosis of Brain Glioma

The diagnosis of brain gliomas is mainly based on imaging methods. The gold standard in this area is MRI. Recommendations for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of gliomas are periodically modified and updated. One of the diagnostic techniques used when a brain glioma is suspected is liquid biopsy. However, this technique requires further development to confirm its effectiveness. This paper presents a proposal of three potential biomarkers of brain gliomas—extracellular matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1), ubiquitin carboxy-terminal hydrolase L1 (UCH-L1), and the 20S proteasome—which were quantified in blood plasma using SPRi biosensors. A statistical analysis of the results indicated no significant changes in the concentrations between the control group (K) and grades G1 and G2, and similarly between grades G3 and G4. However, the differences in the concentrations between the groups K/G1/G2 and G3/G4 were statistically significant. A positive average correlation was found between the concentrations of the proteins and the patient’s age. The individual tested proteins were also highly correlated with each other. Our work proposes a new diagnostic technique that may aid in the diagnosis of brain gliomas

Videostroboscopic and morphological aspects of voice disturbances in patients with larynx atrophy and coexisting hypopharynx cancer

Vocal folds play a crucial role in voice production. The physiological vibrations of vocal folds depend on the unchanged multilayered structure of the vocal folds mucosa. Morphological changes of mucosa are the cause of voice quality disorders — dysphonia. The aim of this study was to determine the morphological base of dysphonia in patients with vocal folds atrophy. A group of 24 patients with larynx atrophy confirmed by endoscopic (VLS) and stroboscopic (VLSS) examination of the larynx was included in the study. The morphological assessment of the larynx mucosa was carried out with the use of the transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Ultramorphological examinations revealed changes in the epithelium, basal membrane and lamina propria of the vocal folds mucosa. An increased number of collagenous fibers, fibroblasts with signs of vacuolar degeneration inflammatory cells and a decreased number of blood vessels and pericytes were observed. Morphological changes found in the epithelium, basal membrane and lamina propria of the vocal folds mucosa were the cause of disorders of vocal folds vibrations registered in the stroboscopic examination of the larynx (VLSS). (<i>Folia Histochemica et Cytobiologica 2011; Vol. 49, No. 4, pp. 659–663</i>

Laminin-5, Fibronectin, and Type IV Collagen as Potential Biomarkers of Brain Glioma Malignancy

The presented work is based on the quantification of LN-5, FN, and COL IV in blood plasma as potential biomarkers in patients diagnosed with glioma in grades G1 to G4. The obtained concentration results were compared with the protein content in the control group, which consisted of smokers of different ages. The obtained results were statistically analysed and interpreted based on the available clinical description. Quantitative determinations of LN-5, FN, and COL IV were performed with the use of SPRi biosensors specific to the tested proteins. Comparing groups K and G4, as well as G2 and G4, statistically significant relationships between changes in the concentration of individual proteins, were observed. The analysis showed significant correlations between FN and LN-5, between FN and COL IV, and between LN-5 and COL IV. There was a moderate positive correlation between individual proteins and the age of the patient. The ROC analysis distinguished patients with advanced disease from the control group. The results of the research show that LN-5, FN, and COL IV are effective biomarkers of brain glioma that may be helpful in non-invasive diagnosis and determining the grade of the disease

Cathepsin B, D and S as Potential Biomarkers of Brain Glioma Malignancy

Brain gliomas constitute the vast majority of malignant tumors of the nervous system. There is still a lack of fast, reliable and non-invasive methods of diagnostics. Our work focuses on the quantification of cathepsin B, D and S in glioma. The research was conducted with the use of SPRi biosensors sensitive to individual cathepsins. Changes in the quantity of selected cathepsins (cathepsins B, D and S), depending on the advancement of glioma and the presence or absence of important features or comorbidities in the selected patient, were examined. The results were statistically analyzed and interpreted based on the available clinical description. Statistical significance was observed in the difference in the concentration of the studied cathepsins, mainly between the groups Control and G3/G4 and G1/G2 and G3/G4. The strength of the correlation between the concentrations of individual cathepsins and the age of the patient and the size of the tumor, as well as the correlation between individual proteins, was investigated. The influence of IDH 1/2 status on the concentration of determined cathepsins was investigated and ROC analysis was performed. As a result of our research, we have developed a method for the diagnosis of brain glioma that allows us to distinguish grades G1/G2 from G3/G4 and the control group from G3/G4. We found an average positive correlation between the concentrations of the proteins tested and the age of the patient and a high positive correlation between the cathepsins tested. Comparative analysis of the effect of the presence of IDH 1/2 mutations on the number of proteins tested allowed us to demonstrate that the cathepsins assayed can be independent markers

Changes in the Concentrations of Proangiogenic Cytokines in Human Brain Glioma and Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and glioma are some of the most common malignancies, with ALL most often affecting children and glioma affecting adult men. Proangiogenic cytokines and growth factors play an important role in the development of both of these tumors. Glioma is characterized by an extremely extensive network of blood vessels, which continues to expand mainly in the process of neoangiogenesis, the direct inducers of which are cytokines from the family of vascular endothelial growth factors, i.e., vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF-A) and its receptor vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGF-R2), as well as a cytokine from the fibroblast growth factor family, fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF-2 or bFGF). Growth factors are known primarily for their involvement in the progression and development of solid tumors, but there is evidence that local bone marrow angiogenesis and increased blood vessel density are also present in hematological malignancies, including leukemias. The aim of this study was to examine changes in the concentrations of VEGF-A, VEGF-R2, and FGF-2 (with a molecular weight of 17 kDa) in a group of patients divided into specific grades of malignancy (glioma) and a control group; changes of VEGF-A and FGF-2 concentrations in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia and a control group; and to determine correlations between the individual proteins as well as the influence of the patient’s age, diet, and other conditions that may place the patient in the risk group. During the statistical analysis, significant differences in concentrations were found between the patient and control groups in samples from people with diagnosed glioma and from children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, but in general, there are no significant differences in the concentrations of VEGF-A, VEGF-R2, and FGF-2 between different grades of glioma malignancy. Among individuals treated for glioma, there was no significant impact from the patient’s gender and age, consumption of food from plastic packaging, frequency of eating vegetables and fruit, smoking of tobacco products, the intensity of physical exercise, or the general condition of the body (Karnofsky score) on the concentrations of the determined cytokines and receptor. The listed factors do not bring about an actual increase in the risk of developing brain glioma