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Objective: This study was performed to determine the prognostic significance and the biological function of the structure protein keratin 18 (K18) in a group of patients with breast cancer., Material and Methods: Paraffin sections from the primary tumors in 80 patients with breast cancer were examined for the expression of K18 by immunohistochemical staining with the monoclonal antibody CK2. The intensity of the expression measured by an immune reactive score (IRS) was compared with clinicopathological variables and follow-up data up to 10 years. Additionally K18 expression in different human breast cancer cell lines with well defined metastatic behavior were investigated to confirm the clinical data., Results: A marked positive staining was observed in 13 (16.2%) women. Mortality rate in this group was 7.7% and 46.3% in the group with a low K18 expression. The recurrence rate was with 15.4% significantly lower in the positive group than in the negative group with 56.7%. Irrespective of the morphological tumor stage, almost all patients with strong K18 expression were still free of disease after 10 years. This clinical finding is supported by observations in cell cultures., Conclusions: In our collective K18 expression was found to be an independent and significant predictor for disease-free and overall survival.

The polyarthrosis of the hand is a typical disease of the old age. Its banal form is more frequent in women, its erosive type in men. It can be demonstrated not only on the interphalangeal joints but on the metacarpophalangeal joints as well. The degenerative process of the basal-joints of the first ray of the hand is often seen in polyarthrosis. Most frequently diagnostic problems are caused by the erosive arthrosis however first of all polyarthrosis has to be differentiated from the p.c.p.

Authors found Paget's disease in cases among 1500 patients who considered themselves as healthy. They established their diagnosis on the basis of radiological and laboratory examinations. The incidence rate of Paget's disease was 0,7%, however it must be more frequent in the old groups. The familiar incidence of this illness is not frequent, thus it is rather intriguing that three persons i.e., 2 sisters and 1 brother is one family were found to have Paget's disease showing similar clinical and radiological symptoms. After three years the comparative examinations of two returning aged women showed a progress of Paget's disease. This manifested in exacerbation of osteopathy and increased the activity of the serum-alkaline-phosphatase. The cases of Paget's disease were reported by the authors because of the radiological interest, familiar incidence and the gerontological-geriatrical aspects.

Seromuscular patches were prepared from the wall of the resected stomach of 20 dogs. The patches were used in the form of allogeneic and autologous grafts fixed with Histoacryl adhesive to cover gastric and intestinal sutures and gastric perforations. The aim was a hermetic closure of the wound and the prevention of suture insufficiency. In the 7 to 90 days follow-up period a perfect organization was observed in all the cases. On the basis of the favourable experimental results the clinical application of autologous seromuscular patches is suggested.

The fluorescence and thiobarbituric acid reaction of isolated beta lipoprotein (beta-LP) and alpha lipoprotein (alpha-LP) have been studied in young, old, and old hyperlipemic persons. Specific fluorescence showed no significant difference in the beta-LP of young and old individuals. However, the difference was signficant in the A:F 380:450 fluorescence (A= activation wavelength, F = fluorescence or emission wavelength) of the alpha-LP. On the effect of autooxidation the alpha-LP showed a significant increase in both the A:F 380:450 and the A:F 410:470 fluorescence. Absorption at 530 nm has been studied by the thiobarbituric acid (TBA) reaction. The malondialdehyde (MDA) content has been given as microgram/mg on the basis of the curve obtained by the known quantity of MDA. The MDA content of beta-LP in the young and old groups was less increased as compared to the substantial increase of alpha-LP. As opposed to results obtained in senile persons MDA increase of alpha-LP has been significant in old hyperlipemic individuals. In addition to the absorption peak at 530 nm, characteristic for MDA, a peak at 450 nm has been obtained by TBA. A yellow-brown substance associated with hyperlipemia did appear mainly in the protein fraction isolated from alpha-LP and has been named protein III. During oxidation in hydrochloric acid a yellow-brown substance appeared from protein III fraction and became unsoluble and dark brown in hyperlipemic persons. The substance was considered as a precursor of the atherofluorescent component (AFC) present in atherosclerotic aortas. The reaction in the alpha-LP, and particularly in its protein component, with MDA (originating from peroxidezed unsaturated fatty acids) leads to complexes which are, assumably, precursors of atheromatous lipid and calcium plaques.

Basing on x-ray and clinical examinations, the authors report on the incidence, distribution according to sex and age, and lateral localisation of arthrosis occurring in the first segment of the foot. The bilateral type of arthrosis mostly occurs as a result of hallux valgus and is seen in women. Furthermore, degnerative changes and structural modifications of the dislocated sesamoids are also frequent. Arthrosis associated with hallux rigidus is a degenerative process mainly found in men, which is exclusively unilateral. This degenerative process shows the classical clinical and x-ray signs pertaining to arthrosis

Seromuscular patches were prepared from the gastric wall of 20 experimental dogs and used in the form of autologous or allogenic transplants for the covering of the resection surface of parenchymal organs (liver, spleen, pancreas). The patches were fixed by means of the tissue adhesive Histoacryl-N-Blue; the aim was to achieve haemostasis and to prevent running of the secretion. In the 1 to 90 days follow-up period the patches completely organized and in none of the cases did haemorrhage occur. On the basis of the good experimental results the authors suggest the possibility of the clinical application of autologous patches.

On the basis of the examination on a rich old-age patient material it may be established that. 1. Radiomorphologically the Forestier's disease essentially differs from the banal spondylosis. 2. Age is of particular importance in its genesis -- it is primarily a disease of old age men. 3. It is localized for the most part on the dorsal vertebral part. 4. As compared to the multiple radiomorphological signs clinical symptoms are, in general, neglectable. 5. Additional search for the relationship with diabetic metabolic disturbances in gerontological patients seems advisable.

The frequency of arthrosis in the first ray of the hand increases with the age of the patient, particularly in the saddle joint of the thumb and in the joint between the trapezoid bone and the navicular bone of the hand. The finding is frequently bilateral and is accompanied by kinesalgia, periarticular swelling and restricted movement. A relationship between arthrosis of the first ray of the hand and certain occupations can be assumed. While the arthrosis in the saddle joint of the thumb demonstrates the usual radiological symptoms of arthrosis, the sclerosing of the joint surfaces between the os naviculare and the ossa multangula is the most pronounced.