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Letter 2007; 28(3): 250-251 PubMed PMID: 17627256 Citation  Keywords:  Adult, Brain Stem Neoplasms:diagnostic imaging, Female, Glioma:diagnostic imaging, Humans, Indium Radioisotopes, Receptors, Somatostatin:analysis, Somatostatin:analogs & derivatives, Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon,.   

: In diffuse brainstem gliomas often surgical biopsies cannot be obtained. The diagnosis relies upon imaging criteria, first line being MRI. Gliomas generally express somatostatin receptors (SSTR), which might enable receptor imaging. We present the case of a female adolescent with acute onset of hallucinations, dysphagia and diplopia. MRI detected a suggestive large pontine glioma. This lesion presented with marked In-111-pentreotide tracer uptake. SSTR-scan provided information about SSTR-expression, tumour viability and extension. Radiopeptide therapy for selected patients might be discussed....

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Journal Article 2007; 28(3): 221-229 PubMed PMID: 17627253 Citation  Keywords:  Carcinoma, Papillary:genetics, Gene Rearrangement, Genotype, Humans, Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced:genetics, Phenotype, Proto-Oncogenes, Receptor, trkA:genetics, Thyroid Neoplasms:genetics,.   

: Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) represents an example of tumour with high incidence of oncogenic sequences, such as RET/PTC and Trk. Both of them arise from the fusion of 3' terminal sequences of TK domain of RET or NTRK1 gene, respectively, with 5' terminal sequences of their activating genes. In case of NTRK1 oncogene, several rearrangement types are observed, characteristic for PTC: Trk (TMP3), Trk-T1, Trk-T2, Trk-T3 and Trk-2h, observed in human breast cancer cell line. Studies from different geographical regions, revealed significant population differences in the incidence of Trk rearrangements (0-50%), while within the same population, the frequency of Trk in spontaneous and radiation-associated PTCs is similar. The results of studies, focused on the correlation between tumour genotype and the histopathological type of tumour, involving cases of both RET/PTC and Trk rearrangements in PTC, are not unequivocal. In many studies, no correlation was observed between the presence of RET and/or NTRK1 rearrangement and such parameters, as patient's age at diagnosis, gender, histopathological type of tumour or clinical stage (TNM stage grouping), although the earliest clinical symptoms and the worst disease outcomes were observed for RET/NTRK1 rearrangement positive tumours. Differences in the rearrangement incidence between male and female patients were associated with the latency period of radiation-associated tumours, being significantly lower in women. In general, it is assumed that oncogenic Trk sequences are typical for the spontaneous type of PTC....

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Journal Article 2007; 28(1): 45-51 PubMed PMID: 17277727 Citation  Keywords:  Aged, Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate:blood, Disease Progression, Estradiol:blood, Follicle Stimulating Hormone:blood, Hormones:blood, Humans, Hydrocortisone:blood, Luteinizing Hormone:blood, Male, Middle Aged, Prognosis, Prolactin:blood, Prostatectomy, Pr.   

OBJECTIVE: Prostate cancer is now recognized as one of the principal medical problems facing male population and the commonest cancer in males in delevoped countries. The aim of this study was to find out whether serum hormone levels differ significantly in localized (pT2) and locally advanced (pT3-pT4 or N1) prostate cancer.

METHODS: In 250 men (mean age+/-SEM: 63.8+/-0.4) who underwent radical retropubic prostatectomy for histologically confirmed prostate cancer were analyzed serum samples for total testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, estradiol, progesterone, prolactin, cortisol, sex hormone-binding globulin, luteinizing hormone and follicle stimulating hormone. Free testosterone content was calculated from total testosterone and SHBG concentrations.

RESULTS: Significantly lower serum level of FSH, i.e. 5.63+/-0.31 vs. 7.07+/-0.65 U/L was found in patients with localized prostate cancer than in locally advanced (p<0.05). Significant correlation was found between serum levels of DHEAS and cortisol in both groups (p<0.02), estradiol and prolactin in patients with locally advanced prostate cancer, as well between LH and prolactin (p<0.05). No differences were found in other observed hormones.

CONCLUSION: The results point to importance of hormone status as possible additional prognostic marker for patients with prostate cancer. Considerable research is needed to further understand influence of hormones on prostate cancer....

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Comparative Study 2006; 27(6): 763-767 PubMed PMID: 17187005 Citation  Keywords:  Adult, Androgen Antagonists:therapeutic use, Androgens:blood, Androstenedione:blood, Cyproterone Acetate:therapeutic use, Dehydroepiandrosterone:blood, Drug Combinations, Ethinyl Estradiol:therapeutic use, Female, Ghrelin, Humans, Peptide Hormones:blood, .   

OBJECTIVE: Ghrelin is a natural ligand of the growth hormone secretagogue receptor and has been shown to be a potent stimulant of GH secretion. It has also orexigenic effects and regulates energy homeostasis. Recent studies claim that ghrelin influences the androgen level and probably takes part in PCOS pathomechanism. The aim of the study was an assessment of ghrelin level in plasma in women with PCOS before and after the treatment and ghrelin's influence on androgen level change.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 25 women with the diagnosed PCOS (mean age 25.3+/-4.05 yr). The tests were done twice: before the treatment and after 6-month therapy with Diane 35 (cyproterone acetate 2 mg with ethinylestradiol 35 mug). Following hormones were measured: ghrelin, free testosterone, androstendione, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, 17-OH-progesterone and estradiol.

RESULTS: The received results in both groups were compared with the control group (11 healthy women, mean age 26.0+/-2.6 yr). No statistically significant differences in ghrelin levels before (187.8+/-8.1 fmol/ml) and after the therapy (185.6+/-9.5 fmol/ml) were found. Similar results were received when two groups of women compared with the control (186.5+/-8.7 fmol/ml). No correlations between ghrelin and androgen levels were confirmed.

CONCLUSIONS: Final conclusion is that there is no direct impact of ghrelin level on PCOS pathogenesis, however, its role in development of obesity, hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance co-occurring with metabolic disorders syndrome cannot be excluded....

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Case Reports 2006; 27(6): 737-739 PubMed PMID: 17187000 Citation  Keywords:  Acute Disease, Akathisia, Drug-Induced:diagnostic imaging, Antipsychotic Agents:adverse effects, Benzodiazepines:adverse effects, Cerebellum:diagnostic imaging, Fluorodeoxyglucose F18, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Positron-Emission Tomography:methods, Radio.   

OBJECTIVES: Akathisia is a clinical important symptom, frequently induced by neuroleptic treatment. Despite its clinical importance, less is known about its pathophysiology.

METHODS: Using [18]-FDG-PET, imaging patterns of cortical metabolic activity were obtained in a patient during olanzapine-induced akathisia and after recovery.

RESULTS: Akathisia was characterized by a reduced metabolic activity in thalamus and cerebellum. After discontinuing medication akathisia disappeared, reflected by a recovery of metabolic activity in these brain areas.

CONCLUSION: [18]-FDG-PET may be useful to identify cortical regions mediating clinical aspects of drug-induced akathisia, thereby offering a deeper insight into the pathophysiology of this serious side effect....

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Comparative Study 2006; 27(Suppl 2): 148-151 PubMed PMID: 17159802 Citation  Keywords:  Benzothiepins:pharmacology, Histamine:pharmacology, Histamine H1 Antagonists:pharmacology, Humans, Loratadine:pharmacology, Neutrophils:drug effects, Peroxidase:metabolism, Superoxide Dismutase:metabolism, Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate:pharmacology,.   

OBJECTIVES: To study the effect of H1-antihistamines dithiaden (Dit) and loratadine (Lor) and compare it with that of histamine (His) on phorbolmyristate acetate (PMA) stimulated chemiluminescence (CL) of whole blood, isolated neutrophils, release of myeloperoxidase (MPO), and on superoxide (SO) generation.

METHODS: Luminol- and isoluminol-enhanced CL was applied for measuring the oxidative burst, spectrophotometry was used for determination of MPO (o-dianisidine) and SO generation (superoxide dismutase inhibition of cytochrome c).

RESULTS: Dit and Lor dose-dependently inhibited CL of whole blood and significantly decreased oxidative burst both at the extra- and intracellular sites of neutrophils. Release of MPO was decreased with both drugs tested in 10-times lower concentrations than was SO inhibition. Histamine (His) was much less effective in the inhibition of the parameters investigated.

CONCLUSIONS: Histaminergic drugs of the 1st generation inhibited oxidative burst of human phagocytes in whole blood and in isolated neutrophils. The rank order of potency to inhibit CL, MPO release and SO generation in PMA stimulated phagocytes was: Dit>Lor>His....

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Journal Article 2006; 27(Suppl 2): 116-120 PubMed PMID: 17159794 Citation  Keywords:  Brain Injuries:blood, Gene Expression Profiling, Humans, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Metallothionein:blood, Nerve Growth Factors:blood, Phosphopyruvate Hydratase:blood, Radiography, S100 Calcium Binding Protein beta Subunit, S100 Proteins:blood,.   

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation of neuron specific enolase (NSE), protein S100B and time-profile of Glasgow Coma Score (GCS) development with metallothionein (MT) blood levels in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) during 10 days of hospitalization. Patients were divided into 2 groups with respect to NSE and S100B levels - with (group I) and without (group II) GCS improvement.

METHODS: Serum NSE and S100B concentrations were measured by immunochemical methods; serum metallothionein concentration by electrochemical technique. Cortical biopsies were investigated immunohistochemically and by electron microscope. A cDNA microarray containing 700 gene probes was used to study the changes in gene expression in the ipsilateral cortex.

RESULTS: Values of MT in the blood of group I showed a non-significant decrease compared to group II during 1-3 days after admission. There was an increase of MT during 4-8 days in comparison with values of 1-3 days. The highest value of MT during hospitalization was found in a patient with diffuse axonal injury (group II). The data of cDNA microarray suggested an increase in expression of gene transcripts for oxygen free radical scavenger proteins corresponding with the increase of MT during 4-8 days in both groups.

CONCLUSIONS: The experimental data indicate that monitoring the content of MT in patients with trauma brain injury would be a suitable approach to evaluate the degree of injury or duration of prolonging unconsciousness, particularly in diagnosis of diffuse axonal injury....

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Comparative Study 2006; 27(Suppl 2): 86-90 PubMed PMID: 17159787 Citation  Keywords:  Adult, Bystander Effect:radiation effects, Carcinoma:etiology, Computer Simulation, Humans, Lung:radiation effects, Lung Neoplasms:etiology, Models, Biological, Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced, Radon Daughters:toxicity, Risk Factors, Smoking:adverse effects,.   

OBJECTIVES: Exposure to radon and radon decay products represents one of the greatest risks of ionizing radiation from natural sources in some residential and working areas. Recently increasing attention has been paid to accurate estimations of this health risk by using various models.

METHODS: In the presented study, a bystander model was used to predict biological effects of radon products on lung tissue target cells. The model considers radiation response as a superposition of the direct alpha particles hit effect and the bystander (cells communication) effect. Energy deposition in the lung tissue and in the air gap was calculated using the Bethe-Bloch equation. The exponential distribution of radon progenies in the mucous layer of smokers and non-smokers was evaluated.

RESULTS: The excess relative risk value of lung cancer occurrence per unit exposure obtained in our study was ERR/WLM=0.0047 for smokers and ERR/WLM=0.0171 (taking into account the environment in radioactive ore mines) for non-smokers. Other published results give the average excess relative risk values per unit exposure in the dwellings for smokers ERR=0.050 per 100 Bq.m(-3) and for non-smokers ERR=0.198 per 100 B.qm(-3). Results presented in this study are in good agreement with the published epidemiological data on lung cancer incidence for mines and residential areas.

CONCLUSIONS: The bystander model is suitable for radon risk prediction in dwellings and at workplaces (residential and working areas)....

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