BACKGROUND/AIMS: Partial gastrectomy is a well-established pre-malignant condition. It is postulated that in the gastric stump an accelerated neoplastic process takes place, similar to that of (intestinal type) adenocarcinoma from the non-operated stomach. K-ras codon 12 mutation is one of the most frequent oncogenic alterations in human solid neoplasms. It is rare in conventional gastric carcinoma and has not been studied in gastric stump carcinoma. The aim of this study was to compare the prevalence of K-ras codon 12 point mutations in gastric stump carcinomas with those in conventional carcinomas from the non-operated stomach. METHODOLOGY: Twenty-four gastric stump carcinomas were compared with 26 conventional gastric carcinomas. Stage, histology, and demographics were comparable in both groups. Mutations in codon 12 of the K-ras gene were examined with a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based method and subsequent dot blot hybridization with mutation-specific probes. The results of Helicobacter pylori infection, Epstein-Barr virus infection and p53 immunohistochemistry were partially known from a previous study. RESULTS: In one of the gastric stump carcinomas as well as in one of the conventional gastric carcinomas a K-ras codon 12 point mutation was found. p53 immunohistochemistry results were comparable in both groups. Interestingly, Helicobacter pylori infection rate and Epstein-Barr virus in situ hybridization for EBER1, as previously studied, appeared were significantly different in the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: K-ras codon 12 point mutations are rare in both gastric stump carcinomas and conventional gastric carcinomas. This supports the postulated hypothesis that the pathways of carcinogenesis in both gastric stump carcinoma and conventional gastric carcinoma share common features. However, these groups differ in infection rate of Helicobacter pylori and of Epstein-Barr virus, which suggests that some neoplastic stimuli differ as well.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Selected markers of oxidative stress in rats with active Heymann nephritis.

BACKGROUND: Reactive oxygen species play an important role in the pathogenesis of different glomerulopathies. The purpose of this study was to examine selected markers of oxidative stress and antioxidant defense in active Heymann nephritis (AHN), which is a model of human membranous nephropathy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: AHN was induced in female Wistar rats by i.p. injection of proximal tubule brush border antigen (Fx1A). The control animals received an equivolume injection of saline. The animals were sacrificed at 6, 9, 15, 17, 18, 19, 22 and 23 weeks after Fx1A administration. We assayed the plasma concentration of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) and nitric oxide metabolites (nitrites + nitrates, NOx) as well as total plasma antioxidant capacity (ferric reducing ability of plasma, FRAP) and serum paraoxonase (PON) activity. RESULTS: Fx1A-injected rats demonstrated a marked increase in proteinuria and impairment of renal excretory function evidenced by increased plasma creatinine and uric acid. Histologically, diffuse renal changes were seen, characterized by glomerular hypercellularity, increased glomerular size and narrowing of Bowman's space. Ultrastructural studies revealed diffuse fusion of foot processes and detachment of podocytes, subepithelial immune deposits in the glomerular capillary wall, thickening of the glomerular basement membrane, and local accumulation of lymphocytes and macrophages in glomeruli and interstitial cells. In the AHN group, TBARS increased significantly beginning in the 9th week, reaching maximum at the 23rd week (139.4% of time-matched control). The plasma concentration of NOx demonstrated a biphasic increase. The first peak (249.9% of control) was observed at the 9th week, followed by a decrease to normal between the 17th and 19th week. Then the NOx concentration increased to 211% of control at the 23rd week. FRAP began to increase in the 9th week and reached its maximum (134.9% of control) at the 15th week. After the 18th week FRAP returned progressively to control levels. PON activity was 17.0%, 19.1% and 21.3% lower in AHN than in the control group at the 19th, 22nd, and 23rd weeks, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that AHN is associated with oxidant-antioxidant imbalance, which may contribute to renal damage in this model of glomerulonephritis.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Carpal tunnel syndrome in hemodialysed patients].

A case of carpal tunnel syndrome in female patient treated with hemodialyses for 10 years is presented. Surgical management was applied with positive result. Histological examination of tissue collected during surgery has shown the deposits of amyloid-like substance in carpal tunnel. The authors discuss current concepts of carpal tunnel syndrome pathogenesis in hemodialysed patients.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Tangier disease.

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Blood Protein Disorders↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Comparison of pharmacological properties of rubidomycine and its newly synthesized derivatives DR-22 and DR-27 in animals.

The effect of two newly synthesized 5-amino modified analogues of rubidomycine was submitted to preliminary pharmacological and histological investigations in healthy Albino Swiss mice. The results showed a similarity of the tested properties of the new compounds and commercial rubidomycine, suggesting the same spectrum undesired side-effects after acute administration. Of the two novel compounds DR-22 was found to be less toxic, while much potent in its action on the haematopoietic system in comparison to rubidomycine, in prolonged treatment. DR-22 is a candidate for further, more detailed investigations.

Analgesics↗