Impact of the anatomy of laryngeal nerves on intraoperative neuromonitoring results in surgery of thyroid gland and functional results after partial laryngectomies.

The aim of this work was to describe, interpret and highlight the impact of neuroanatomy in the region of the larynx on intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) during thyroidectomy. A rich network of anastomoses of the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) and superior laryngeal nerve (SLN) may have impact on the results of thyroidectomy and partial laryngectomy. Intraoperative neuromonitoring is a useful tool in the armamentarium of a head and neck surgeon but it will never replace profound knowledge of surgical anatomy and good surgical technique.

Immunohistochemical evaluation of oestrogen receptors α and β in epithelium of the vaginal mucous membrane in women after oestrogen therapy.

Oestrogens act on target cells through α and β receptors (ERα and ERβ). Expression of oestrogen receptors is associated with the age and menopausal condition of women. The aim of the study was an immunohistochemical evaluation of ERα and ERβ receptors in epithelium of the vaginal mucous membrane of women subjected to different forms of hormonal therapy (HTM).

The arachidonate 5-lipoxygenase activating protein gene polymorphism is associated with the risk of scleroderma-related interstitial lung disease: a multicentre European Scleroderma Trials and Research group (EUSTAR) study.

Objectives: The arachidonate 5-lipoxygenase activating protein (ALOX5AP) regulates synthesis of leukotrienes (LTs), which are important mediators of inflammation and connective tissue remodelling. The aim of this study was to evaluate if single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of ALOX5AP confer risk of SSc and/or SSc-related organ involvement.

Methods: Seven SNPs of ALOX5AP (rs17222814, rs17216473, rs10507391, rs4769874, rs9551963, rs9315050 and rs7222842) were genotyped in a cohort of 977 patients with SSc and 558 healthy controls from centres collaborating within the European Scleroderma Trials and Research group.

Correlation of leptin receptor expression with BMI in differential grades of human meningiomas.

Meningioma is one of the most common primary brain tumor, especially in postmenopausal women. The most important risk factors include radiation, primary head injury or genetic alterations, however it is currently unclear why postmenopausal women are predominantly affected. The aim of the present study was to evaluate leptin receptor (LEPR) expression and body mass index (BMI) in patients with meningiomas of differential grades.

Mutation of the gene as a prognostic factor in patients with colorectal cancer.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide, with ~700,000 mortalities occurring due to CRC in 2012. The treatment options are effective in a small percentage of patients, and it is important to identify specific biomarkers in order to determine patients for whom the available therapies will be beneficial. It has been hypothesised that the gene mutation may affect the response to therapy of patients with metastatic CRC.

Remodeling of the intercalated disc related to aging in the mouse heart.

Background: Aging is related to declined cardiac hemodynamic function. As pumping performance may be significantly related to slowed ventricular depolarization and non-synchronous contraction, we hypothesized that aging may cause dysfunction of intercalated disc (ID), which is the structure responsible for intercellular electrical communication between cardiomyocytes.

Methods: Male C57BL/6J mice were used for the study at two ages: 4 and 24 months.

Expression of MMP-9 and VEGF in meningiomas and their correlation with peritumoral brain edema.

Meningiomas constitute up to 13% of all intracranial tumors. The predictive factors for meningioma have not been unambiguously defined; however some limited data suggest that the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) may be associated with the presence of peritumoral brain edema (PTBE) and worse clinical outcome. The aim of this study was to analyze the expressions of MMP-9 and VEGF in a group of meningiomas of various grades and to study associations between these two markers and PTBE.

Disturbances of modulating molecules (FOXP3, CTLA-4/CD28/B7, and CD40/CD40L) mRNA expressions in the orbital tissue from patients with severe graves' ophthalmopathy.

Purpose. To evaluate the relationship between the expression of orbital tissue mRNA for FOXP3, CTLA-4/CD28/CD80/CD86, and CD40/CD40 and the severity of Graves' orbitopathy (GO). Material and Methods.

N-cadherin, beta-catenin and connexin 43 expression in astrocytic tumours of various grades.

Introduction: Astrocytic tumors are the most common primary brain tumors, but little is known about their etiology and prognostic factors. N-cadherin and beta-catenin are adhesive proteins, and are often overexpressed in many types of cancers, including breast or colorectal cancer, resulting in better prognosis. Connexin 43 is a gap junction protein involved in cell-cell signaling pathway taking part in the process of carcinogenesis.

Markers of inflammation and fibrosis in the orbital fat/connective tissue of patients with Graves' orbitopathy: clinical implications.

Purpose: To assess FGF-β, TGF-β, and COX2 expression and immunocompetent cells in the orbital tissue of patients with severe and mild Graves' orbitopathy.

Patients And Methods: Orbital tissue was taken from 27 patients with GO: (1) severe GO (n = 18), the mean clinical activity score (CAS) being 8.5 (SD 2.

[The healing process of tympanic membrane perforations in rats].

Introduction: Tympanic membrane (TM) perforations are commonly seen in clinical practice as a result of trauma or in the course of otitis media. The TM is a unique structure suspended in air which makes its healing processes different than in the skin wounds. The aim of the study was otoscopical and histological evaluation of the rat's TM healing process.

Intraoperative bleeding during endoscopic sinus surgery and microvascular density of the nasal mucosa.

Purpose: To evaluate the correlation between quality of the surgical field, intraoperative bleeding during endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) and the density of microvasculature of the nasal mucosa.

Material/methods: Nasal mucosa of 30 patients, operated for chronic rhinosinusitis, was biopsied to assess expression of CD34 antigen on vascular endothelium. Quality of surgical field was evaluated with Fromm-Boezaart scale at mean arterial pressure (MAP) of 70-80 mmHg.

Evaluation of estrogen receptor-β expression in the epithelium of the oral mucosa in menopausal women under hormone replacement therapy.

Purpose: We aimed to evaluate the ERβ expression in the epithelium of the oral mucosa in menopausal women treated with oral, transdermal or local (vaginal) menopausal hormone therapy.

Material/methods: In this study, we included 60 women treated with oral, transdermal or vaginal menopausal hormone therapy. The study material was obtained from swabs taken from the buccal mucosa before administering HRT, and after 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months and 12 months of therapy.

CXCL5 as a potential novel prognostic factor in early stage non-small cell lung cancer: results of a study of expression levels of 23 genes.

As the current staging system is imprecise for estimating prognosis of early stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), it is important to identify other methods for selecting high-risk patients after failed surgical treatment. The aim of the study was to evaluate the expression of 23 genes as putative prognostic markers in early stage NSCLC. The study was performed on 109 pairs of tumor and matched unaffected lung tissue surgical specimens taken from stage I and II NSCLC patients.

Overexpression of epidermal growth factor receptor as a prognostic factor in colorectal cancer on the basis of the Allred scoring system.

Background: Overexpression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is found in many types of neoplasms. The aim of the study was to evaluate EGFR expression in colorectal cancer (CRC) specimens and to determine whether EGFR expression correlates with clinicopathological data and overall survival.

Patients And Methods: Tissue specimens from 181 consecutive CRC patients treated at the Military Institute of Medicine in 2006-2010 were collected and examined for EGFR expression, by immunohistochemistry staining.

Evaluation of mast cells and hypoxia inducible factor-1 expression in meningiomas of various grades in correlation with peritumoral brain edema.

Meningiomas are common primary brain tumors. However, they are often complicated by significant peritumoral brain edema, which leads to surgery difficulties and prolonged hospitalization. The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of mast cells and expression of hypoxia inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) in correlation with the grade of meningioma and presence of peritumoral brain edema.

High serum sCD163/sTWEAK ratio is associated with lower risk of digital ulcers but more severe skin disease in patients with systemic sclerosis.

Introduction: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune disease characterized by chronic inflammation, vascular injury and excessive fibrosis. CD163 is a scavenger receptor which affects inflammatory response and may contribute to connective tissue remodelling. It has recently been demonstrated that CD163 can bind and neutralize the TNF-like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK), a multifunctional cytokine which regulates inflammation, angiogenesis and tissue remodelling.

New monoallelic combination of KRAS gene mutations in codons 12 and 13 in the lung adenocarcinoma.

Purpose: In a retrospective analysis of the prevalence of KRAS mutations in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), we detected a unique and not earlier described case of a double combination of mutations at codons 12 and 13 of the KRAS gene in a patient with lung adenocarcinoma.

Material/methods: To determine the molecular characteristics of the infrequent mutation and the mutational status of the KRAS gene in metastatic brain tumors in the same patient, we performed morphological and molecular tests.

Results: Molecular analysis of the nature of the double mutation showed that the unique combination of variants is a monoallelic mutation.

CCN1 expression in interleukin-6 deficient mouse kidney in experimental model of heart failure.

Chronic heart failure often leads to worsening of the renal function. Mediators of this process include inflammatory and neuroendocrine factors. CCN1 (Cyr 61), a member of growth factor-inducible immediate early genes, which modulates inflammation and fibrogenesis, is excreted with urine in the early phase of acute renal injury and may be involved in the pathogenesis of the cardiorenal syndrome.

Increased release of soluble CD163 by the peripheral blood mononuclear cells is associated with worse prognosis in patients with systemic sclerosis.

Purpose: CD163 is a scavenger receptor which is exclusively expressed on monocytes/macrophages and participates in modulation of inflammatory response. We aimed to evaluate ex vivo production of soluble CD163 (sCD163) by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from patients with systemic sclerosis (scleroderma, SSc).

Material/methods: Concentration of sCD163 was measured by commercially available ELISA kit in the PBMC suparnates from 23 SSc patients and 16 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (HC).

The expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 in primary brain tumors.

Purpose: Primary brain tumors are common type of neoplasms. The most common are astrocytic tumors, so do meningiomas of various grades. The etiology is still unknown; however, there are lots of data presenting new theories about genetic alterations responsible for low- or high-grade astrocytic tumors development as well as meningiomas, despite this the results are divergent.

Association of rs6166 polymorphism with FSH receptor transcript variants and steroid production in human granulosa cell cultures.

Follicle stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) genetic variation at position 2039 A > G (rs6166, p.Asn680Ser) was repetitively shown to correspond to the measures of ovarian sensitivity and the outcomes of gonadotropin stimulation. However, to date, there has been no study revealing the mechanisms behind the associations observed.

Assessment of inflammatory infiltration and angiogenesis in the thrombus and the wall of abdominal aortic aneurysms on the basis of histological parameters and computed tomography angiography study.

The proliferation of vessels within the aneurysm's wall and the intraluminal thrombus of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) may be the main factor responsible for progression and rupture of AAA. The aim of this study was to compare the parameters of the thrombus (size, density, contrast enhancement) measured by computed tomography (CT) with histological assessment of thrombi removed during surgery. 29 patients with AAA were examined with angio-CT.

Mast cells evaluation in meningioma of various grades.

Meningioma is a heterogenous group of primary brain tumors. The progression or recurrence is relatively very common; however, prognostic factors which may indicate those events are not known. The aim of the study was to evaluate the presence of mast cells within the low grade and high grade meningiomas.

Ethanolic extract of propolis, chrysin, CAPE inhibit human astroglia cells.

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of freeze dried ethanolic extract of propolis (EEP), chrysin and caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) dependently on their concentrations on the viability and morphology of human astroglia cells line (SVGp12).

Material And Methods: Using gas chromatography - mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) we have established the composition of lyophilisate of EEP collected in Podlasie region (Poland). After 24 h, 48 h and 72 h of exposition to EEP or its ingredients we evaluated the survivability of human astroglia cells (SVGp12) using MTT test.