Somatic and skeleton development of rat foetuses following in-utero exposure to isopropylantipyrine (propyphenazone) during the second trimester of gestation

Isopropylantipyrine (IPA, propyphenazone) is a pyrazolone derivative, widely used as an antipyretic and analgesic drug. The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of propyphenazone on rat development. IPA was administered to pregnant rats from day 8 to day 14 of pregnancy once a day, orally by a stomach tube at doses of 2.10 (R1), 21.0 (R2), and 210.0 mg/kg/day (R3). The dams were sacrificed on day 21 of gestation and corpora luteum, implants, resorptions, and live foetuses were counted. The weight of foetuses and placentas, the length of foetuses and their tails were checked. The foetuses were fixed in alcohol and skeletons were stained with alizarin. There was a statistical difference in body length in R1, R2 and numbers of subcutaneous ecchymose in R1. External and skeletal examination of the foetuses revealed no evidence of teratogenesis. It can be concluded that IPA has no harmful effects on the prenatal development of the rat offspring at doses used in the present study

Evaluation of bone formation in fetal skeletons following prenatal paracetamol administration in single alizarin-stained specimens in Wistar rats

The study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of paracetamol on skeleton in Wistar rats. The drug was administered orally, once a day, in three doses: P1 - 3.5 mg/kg, P2 - 35.0 mg/kg, P3 - 350.0 mg/kg. The foetuses were delivered by laparotomy on the 21st day of pregnancy and fixed in alcohol. The skeletons were stained with alizarin. Insignificant differences of bone malformations were found

Morphology of third molar teeth with incompletely formed apices on the basis of panoramic radiograms

Third molar teeth are causative factors of many oral pathologies. Lower third molars are the most often retained teeth and the origin of considerable pain. The aim of the study is a presentation of the morphology of third molars with incompletely formed apices on the basis of panoramic radiograms. The material comprised routine panoramic radiograms taken in the years 1996–2000. In the cases where third molars with incompletely formed apices were found, there was determined the location of the teeth in the alveolar process. The angle between occlusal plane and tooth axis was measured, which allowed determination of angularity of the teeth. Retromolar space width ratio was also calculated as a prognostic radiographic feature on which an estimation of future eruption of mandibular third molars could be based. In retained teeth the reasons for impaction, such as incorrect angularity, insufficient retromolar space, presence of pathological lesions impeding eruption, were analysed. Panoramic radiograms proved useful in diagnostics of morphology of third molars with incompletely formed apices

Types of ethmoid sinus morphology on the basis of computed tomography examination

The aim of the study was the application of computed tomography (CT) in the evaluation of types of ethmoid morphology. The material consisted of 197 CT examinations performed, using the Somatom AR.T (Siemens) CT scanner, in patients referred for CT for reasons other than sinus pathology. The examinations were performed in 2-mm contiguous axial scans. Ethmoid morphology was evaluated by means of classification into 3 types according to the degree of aeration and the relationship of the anterior ethmoid cells to the lacrimal sac on transversal scans. The most common was the II type (medium relationship to the lacrimal sac) found in 38.32% of the cases. Type III (large ethmoid sinus extending in front of the lacrimal sac) occurred in 32.49% of the patients, while the smallest sinus (Type I) was detected in the remaining 29.19% of the cases. In almost 1/5 of the cases asymmetry of the bilateral ethmoid anatomy was noted. It was concluded that CT examination was useful in the evaluation of ethmoid sinus morphology in respect to the lacrimal sac

A developmental anomaly of the mammary glands - gigantomastia. A case report

Developmental anomalies of the breast are frequently observed in women. The most serious pathology is gigantomastia. This type of breast hypertrophy may be caused by hypersensitivity of the breast oestrogen and progesterone receptors, by disturbances of the normal balance of oestrogen and androgen hormones, by hyperthyroidism or by hormonal activity of the neoplasm. In most cases gigantomastia produces pathological changes in the vertebral column which become manifest as discopathia, scoliosis or scoliokyphosis. A case of gigantomastia treated with surgery is presented and the effect of plastic operation is demonstrated. Surgery may be recommended as an excellent therapeutic treatment of gigantomastia

Unusual interleukin-1 and -6 expression in fetal cartilage is associated with placental abnormalities.

Unusual expression of interleukin-1alpha, -1beta and -6 was previously found in the epiphyseal cartilage of rat fetuses prenatally exposed to various non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID, i.e., ibuprofen, piroxicam, tolmetin) and selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor (DFU). The aim of the present study was to evaluate the role of placenta in such phenomenon. Morphology of the organ, thickness of basal and labyrinth layer, immunoexpression of COX isoenzymes were examined, and confronted with maternal biochemical data and fetal developmental parameters. Higher maternal urea level, as well as lower placental weight and labyrinth thickness were found in the group of fetuses who revealed expression of genes coded the selected interleukins, when compared with the xenobiotic-exposed pups without the selected genes expression and untreated control. A significant correlation between placental weight and maternal total protein or urea level was revealed. Histological changes like inflammatory infiltration and calcification were observed sporadically. Location and intensity of COX-1 staining was similar in all cases. However, more intense COX-2 staining for majority of cells of the basal zone and in dispersed giant cells of the labyrinth was found in inflamed organs. It could be concluded that abnormal expression of the selected interleukins is associated with low placental weight and decrease of its thickness, especially labyrinth zone, as well as with high maternal urea level

The Redox Imbalance and the Reduction of Contractile Protein Content in Rat Hearts Administered with L-Thyroxine and Doxorubicin

Oxidative stress and disorders in calcium balance play a crucial role in the doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity. Moreover, many cardiotoxic targets of doxorubicin are regulated by iodothyronine hormones. The aim of the study was to evaluate effects of tetraiodothyronine (0.2, 2 mg/L) on oxidative stress in the cardiac muscle as well as contractility and cardiomyocyte damage markers in rats receiving doxorubicin (1.5 mg/kg) once a week for ten weeks. Doxorubicin was administered alone (DOX) or together with a lower (0.2T4 + DOX) and higher dose of tetraiodothyronine (2T4 + DOX). Two groups received only tetraiodothyronine (0.2T4, 2T4). Coadministration of tetraiodothyronine and doxorubicin increased the level of lipid peroxidation products and reduced RyR2 level when compared to untreated control and group exposed exclusively to doxorubicin. Insignificant differences in SERCA2 and occasional histological changes were observed. In conclusion, an increase of tetraiodothyronine level may be an additional risk factor of redox imbalance and RyR2 reduction in anthracycline cardiotoxicity

Rola rezonansu magnetycznego w ocenie stopnia zaawansowania raka szyjki macicy

Magnetic resonance belongs to a group of modern diagnostic methods which, together with classic gynecological, transvaginal ultrasound and histopathological examinations, should be routinely used in patients with suspicion or diagnosed cervical malignancies. The procedure allows precise localization and staging of the tumor, as well as evaluation of the volume of the local lymph nodes. Obtained data are useful in selection of optimal therapy and evaluation of cancer progression. Intravenous injection of the paramagnetic contrast media significantly increases diagnosis accuracy, especially of small lesions. It is also helpful in differentiation of post-radiotherapy changes and malignant infiltration. The new applications, such as diffusion weighted imaging, magnetic resonance spectroscopy and fat or water saturation are also widely used to improve final diagnosis. The endovaginal receiver coil allows high spatial resolution imaging of the cervix, which is particularly useful in very small, controversial lesions.Tomografia rezonansu magnetycznego należy do nowoczesnych metod obrazowania ciała, która wraz z podmiotowym badaniem ginekologicznym, ultrasonografią przezpochowową i oceną histopatologiczną powinna być rutynowo stosowana w diagnostyce pacjentek z podejrzeniem lub potwierdzonym złośliwym rozrostem w obrębie szyjki macicy. Metoda umożliwia dokładną ocenę lokalizacji i zaawansowania nowotworu oraz objętości okolicznych węzłów chłonnych. Uzyskane dane pozwalają na wybór najlepszego sposobu leczenia oraz są istotne przy ocenie postępu choroby. Podanie paramagnetycznych środków kontrastowych znacząco poprawia diagnostykę małych zmian. Jest również pomocne w różnicowaniu zmian popromiennych od naciekowych. Diagnostykę poszerza się również o ocenę dyfuzji, obrazowanie w opcji saturacji tłuszczu i wody oraz spektroskopię rezonansu magnetycznego. W małych zmianach zalecane jest również wykonanie badania dodatkową sondą pochwową

Mammary gland anatomy and the role of mammography and ultrasonography in the early diagnostics of breast cancer. A case report

Progress in imaging techniques has brought a solution to the problem of the early diagnosis of breast cancer. An interesting case of breast cancer is presented here, pictures of the malignant tumour are demonstrated and the usefulness of new diagnostic methods analysed. The presentation of this case may contribute to greater effectiveness in early breast cancer detection

Axillary lymph node and early breast cancer diagnostics. A case report

Understanding of the anatomy of the axillary lymph nodes is important in diagnostic and treatment procedures for breast cancer. An interesting case is presented here of breast cancer without a breast tumour. The first symptom of the disease was lymphadenopathy of the axillary region. This kind of case is extremely rare in clinical practise (one case per 1-5 years) and constitutes a great problem for specialists, since in many cases the primary neoplasm source is unknown. The anatomical and clinical implications of such a situation are discussed