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The aim of the study was to assess the impact of modulating factors on vascular smooth muscle cells reactivity. Vascular resistance was induced by the administration of increasing concentrations of imidazole. The experiments were performed on isolated and perfused tail artery of Wistar rats (weight 250 g - 350 g). Rats were been narcotized by urethane (intraperitoneal injection) at a dose of 120 mg/kg, stunned and then sacrificed by cervical dislocation. In the following investigation classical pharmacometric methods were used. Relationships between concentration-response curves (CRCs) for imidazole observed in the presence of ODQ [(1H-(1,2,4)oxadiazolo-[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one)], 7-nitroindazole and indomethacin were analyzed. Imidazole-induced contractility of vascular smooth muscle cells was independent from alpha-adrenergic receptors and PLC activity. Reactivity of VSMCsinduced by imidazole, was significantly changed in the presence of ODQ and 7-nitroindazole.

The aim of this research was a macro- and microscopic investigation of pituitary glands in people who died after head injuries with the base of the skull fractures in the sella turcica. No macroscopic changes in the pituitary glands were discovered during an autopsy examinations. Histopathology demonstrated traumatic changes of the pituitary glands in all the cases, which were correlated with sella trurcica fractures. The evolution of traumatic alterations correlated with survival time after the injury. In the pituitary glands of people who died directly after head injuries, hyperemia and focal hemorrhages were discovered. Apart from hyperemia, focal necrosis was found in the pituitary glands among those who survived from 48 to 72 hours after head injury. The examined pituitary glands of those people who lived from 2 to 3 weeks after head injury showed considerable necrotic changes and numerous calcificationss.

The aim of the morphological study was to search for traumatic changes in the thyroid in the cases of hanging in a vertical position with an open and closed noose. These changes would constitute an additional proof of intravital hanging and they would be useful in postmortem diagnosis of the hangings in which other commonly acknowledged features of intravitality are not discovered. In 33% of all cases, petechiae were observed in the thyroid gland. They appeared in 20% of the hangings with the closed noose, and in 13% of the hangings with the use of the open noose. The study showed that there was no difference between the open or closed, hard noose in terms of changes in the thyroid gland. There was also no correlation between the body position and the injury of the thyroid gland. In all the cases, hyperemia of the thyroid was observed and segmental expansion of blood vessels. The histopathological analysis showed that in one third of all the cases with negative macroscopic examination, it was discovered that microscopic changes indicated hanging alive.

Mucins have been shown to be aberrantly overexpressed in various diseases including cystic fibrosis, asthma, and cancer. Recent studies have uncovered the roles of these mucins in the pathogenesis of cancer. The presence of MUC-1 has also been detected on the cell surface of multiple myeloma (MM) cells in peripheral blood and showed direct correlation with tumor mass. In this study, we evaluated the levels of soluble MUC-1 (sMUC-1) in 50 new MM patients and correlated this with the levels of sMUC-1 after treatment. High levels of sMUC-1 were found in 20/50 (40%) MM patients, and in 2/50 (4%) healthy individuals (p = 0.001). According to the ISS, we found significant differences of mean sMUC-1 levels between the first stage of the disease (0.63 ± ± 0.26) and the third (0.93 ± 0.24; p = 0.03), but not with the second stage (0.80 ± 0.22; p = 0.08). Our study confirmed the correlation between elevated sMUC-1 and high elevated lactate dehydrogenase (p = 0.03) and the level of IgG in groups of patients with MM IgG at every stage of disease (p = 0.001). We showed for the first time that levels of sMUC-1 after treatment, in a group of patients with initially elevated levels of MUC-1, were statistically lower than in a group of patients with initially lower levels of sMUC-1 (21% vs. 42,6%; p = 0.05). At 37 months median of follow-up, we found a statistically significant difference between patients with normal versus elevated sMUC-1 in terms of progression-free survival (median 12 months vs. 8.1 months; p = 0.03).

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common cancers of the gastrointestinal tract and the fourth cause of cancers death in the world. Soluble adhesion molecules (CAMs) are thought to have an important role in host defense against carcinogenesis. They are biomarkers of inflammation and indicators of the immune response to tumors. The study included 40 CRC patients without remote metastases and 24 control subjects. Serum concentrations of sE-selectin, sICAM and sVCAM in patients with CRC were investigated by ELISA method. The level of the sCAMs decreased significantly after radical tumor resection. Preoperative serum concentrations of sICAM and sVCAM in CRC patients were significantly higher compared to the control group, whereas there were no differences regarding serum sE-selectin. Serum levels of sE-selectin, sICAM and sVCAM correlated significantly with each other. There was a significant correlation of serum levels of sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1, but not sE-selectin, with TNM stage and lymph node involvement. No significant relationship was found between serum concentrations of sICAM-1, sVCAM-1 and sE-selectin in CRC patients and patients' age or gender. Our findings suggest that an improved understanding of the mechanisms of membrane shedding of sICAM, sVCAM and sE-selectin is required to delineate their role in tumor progression.

Unlabelled: The human immune system recognize and eliminate strange antigens by present of lymphoid cell clones, which to come into being in consequence of clonal proliferation inducted by contact with the antigen. The cell clones to be due to the somatic mutations and recognize antigens incorrectly are eliminate by apoptosis., The Aim of the Study: To estimation of expression of chosen proliferative and proapoptotic proteins in lymphoid follicles and extra-follicular region of pharyngeal tonsil., Material and Methods: Histochemical examination of chosen proapoptotic (p53, Bax) and proliferative (Ki-67, PCNA) proteins in adenoidectomised pharyngeal tonsil was done., Results: The most greater proliferation activity was in the germinal centers of lymphoid follicles, much less in the mantle zone and in the extrafollicular region. Similarly, maximal expression of proapoptotic proteins was in germinal centers of tonsil lymphoid follicles, the least in the mantle zone., Conclusions: The high proliferative and proapoptotic activity of lymphoid follicles germinal centers to bear evidence of clonal selection of undistinguished lymphoid cells to come into being by somatic mutations.

Introduction: Hypertension is one of the most frequently occurring diseases worldwide. Approximately 10% of the population with hypertension reveals the secondary type of the disease. The aim of the study was to evaluate the megakaryocyte-platelet system in the course of renovascular hypertension., Material/methods: An experimental model of hypertension in rats according to Goldblatt was used in the study. The experimental material (blood, bone marrow) was collected in the 4th, 8th, and 16th weeks of the study. Bone marrow megakaryocytes (MKs) were evaluated using immunohistochemical and morphometric methods. Blood platelets were analyzed based on their count (PLT) and mean volume (MPV). Plasma thrombopoietin (TPO) concentration was also assessed., Results: The investigation showed increased numbers of MKs 16 weeks after partial unilateral ligation of the renal artery. Statistically significant increase in platelet count, platelet mass, and the number of MK naked nuclei (NKs) as well as elevation of the circular deviation of the nuclei (CDN) of MKs accompanied the changes. MPV and TPO concentration did not change during the experiment. There was significant positive correlation between the increase in blood pressure and the numbers of MKs and NKs. The number of MKs correlated positively with PLT and CDN. Although TPO plasma level did not change significantly, there was marked negative correlation between plasma TPO concentration and PLT., Conclusions: Although features of intensified platelet turnover were not observed, on the basis of the study it can be assumed that the megakaryocytic system undergoes changes in the course of renovascular hypertension. This can contribute to blood platelet production and the development of possible hypertension complications.

Brain gliomas are characterized by invasive growth and neovascularisation potential. Angiogenesis plays a major role in the progression of gliomas and its determination has a great prognostic value. The aim of the study was to assess the vascularisation of chosen brain gliomas and to estimate how it is correlated with tumour histological type, malignancy grade, location and size, and with age and sex of patients. Tumour vascularisation analysis was based on the determination of microvascular proliferation (MVP) and microvessel density (MVD). Microvascular proliferation was measured with immunohistochemical methods using mouse monoclonal antibodies to detect cell proliferation antigens. The following antibodies were used Ki-67 and PCNA (DAKO). Identification of vessels was performed by CD31 antibody and anti-human von Willebrand factor (DAKO). The highest microvascular proliferation and microvascular density were observed in multiform glioblastomas and the lowest in oligodendrogliomas. Significant correlation was observed between the vascularisation and malignancy grade.