[Inoperable non-small-cell bronchial carcinoma: macroscopic and microscopic tumor behavior during and after radiotherapy with curative intent].

The supervision of the efficacy of therapy with curative aim in inoperable NSCLC focus on clinical and radiological parameters and the survival rate. But the decision about the local tumour elimination lies in the microscopic area, which cannot be controlled neither by laboratory tests nor by radiological examinations. About twenty years ago with support of our pneumologist we carried out bronchoscopies and biopsies depending on the applied radiation dose.

[Local efficiency of percutaneous radiotherapy in lung cancer. Analysis of 215 repeated bronchoscopies in relation to applied radiation dosage].

Purpose: During a locoregional radiotherapy with curative attempts of lung cancer patients bronchoscopic examinations with biopsies and/or cytologic lavages were repeated to assess the accuracy of limiting the total dose to 60 Gy. In order of the applied dose macroscopic changements of the endoluminal tumor and microscopic elimination should be made out. The correlation between macro- and microscopical regression should allow a statement about reliability of single results.

[Acute dyspnea, cough, headache].

Six hours after work in an empty, non-ventilated silo a 27-year-old Yugoslav worker suffered acutely from cough, dyspnea and general weakness. He was admitted to the hospital with severe partial respiratory insufficiency, and after emergency intubation artificial respiration had to be installed. X-ray showed a severe symmetrical alveolo-interstitial opacity.

[Acute effects of the natural atmospheric ozone exposure on lung function of clinically normal smokers and non-smokers].

The influence of moderate ambient ozone exposure on spirometric lung function and bronchial responsiveness was analyzed in 13 healthy adult nonsmokers and 11 asymptomatic smokers. The study was divided into an initial investigation at low atmospheric ozone concentrations of about 80 (range 68-102) micrograms/m3 and a subsequent similar testing at moderately elevated ozone concentrations above 140 (range 145-205) micrograms/m3. Overall there was a slight but significant impairment in forced expiratory volumes (p less than 0.

[Oxygen home therapy in chronic respiratory insufficiency. Report of experience with 70 patients].

The effect of home long-term oxygen therapy has been evaluated in 70 patients (52 men and 18 women) with chronic respiratory insufficiency due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The mean duration of the observation period was 17.5 months, lasting at least 6 months and in a few cases over 40 months.

Predictors for early mortality in patients with long-term oxygen home therapy.

The follow-up of 87 patients with long-term oxygen therapy over a 3-year period revealed a mortality of 23.7% during the first year, of 37.4% after 2 years and of 45% after 3 years, respectively.

[Problems of bacteriological diagnosis of lower respiratory infections using fiberbronchoscopic aspiration of secretions].

Different results have been observed in systematically analysing bacteriological cultures of (a) bronchial secretions aspirated during fiberoptic bronchoscopy and (b) of sputum. In a prospective study of 23 patients with chronic infections of the lower respiratory tract, bacteriological cultures of the sputum showed more bronchopathogenic strains than those of subsequently removed bronchial secretions. These different findings may be attributed to a bactericidal effect of topical anesthetics used during bronchoscopy.

Favorable prognosis for malignant melanomas associated with acquired melanocytic nevi.

In a clinicohistopathologic study of 557 patients with primary cutaneous malignant melanoma, there were fewer metastases and/or deaths from melanoma when histologic evidence of a coexisting acquired melanocytic nevus was found. A total of 130 patients with melanocytic nevus and 427 cases of melanoma without histologic evidence of a nevus (denovo) were studied. Clinical follow-up evaluation for evidence of metastases and/or death was obtained.

Actinic reticuloid.

A 58-year-old man has his condition diagnosed as actinic reticuloid on the basis of clinical and histologic findings and phototesting data. He had clinical features resembling mycosis fungoides in light-exposed areas. Histologic findings disclosed a bandlike infiltrate with atypical mononuclear cells in the dermis and scattered atypical cells in the epidermis.

The effects of retinoids on neutrophil functions in vitro.

Vitamin A (retinol) and its analogues (retinoids) are clinically effective in cystic acne and psoriasis, diseases in which neutrophils may constitute major components of inflammatory cell infiltrates. We found that the earliest histopathologic alteration in psoriasis is the disappearance of neutrophils at 2 to 4 weeks after the initiation of therapy with etretinate. Since retinoids may exert anti-inflammatory effects by virtue of an action upon neutrophils, we studied the effects of the following retinoids on discrete neutrophil functions in vitro: retinol, retinyl acetate, retinal, tretinoin, isotretinoin, etretinate, and Ro 10-1670.

Factors related to thickness of melanoma. Multifactorial analysis off variables correlated with thickness of superficial spreading malignant melanoma in man.

Computer analyses to identify correlations between thickness of primary superficial spreading malignant melanoma and eighteen variables previously reported to be related to prognosis were performed on a series of malignant melanomas. The variables that showed statistically significant (less than or equal to 0.05) direct relationships to thickness were level (Clark), elevation of lesion, age of patient, least and greatest diameters of lesion, history of bleeding, ulceration, clinical and histologic stage, anatomic location, pedunculation, and satellitosis.

Cluster headache. Ultrastructural aspects and pathogenetic mechanisms.

The skin of both temples was examined ultrastructurally in six patients with cluster headaches and in three controls. An increased number of mast cells were present in the patients irrespective of whether they were in a cluster period or in a quiescent phase. The mast cells were found perivascularly and in the vicinity of cutaneous nerves in the patients, whereas they were predominantly found in perivascular areas in controls.

[A "micro" technique for arterial blood gas analysis].

Puncture of the radial or cubital artery with a thin needle of 0.4--0.5 mm diameter connected to a glass capillary is a simple and non-invasive technique for obtaining samples for arterial blood gas analysis.

Evolution, maturation, and regression of lesions of lichen planus. New observations and correlations of clinical and histologic findings.

Two hundred specimens from lesions of lichen planus were studied by conventional light microscopy in order to assess their evolution, maturation, and regression. The most important finding was that Langerhans' cells appear in increased numbers in the epidermis very early in the disease, even preceding the experience of lymphocytes there and then that the appearance of lymphocytes is followed by destruction of keratinocytes in the lower portion of the epidermis and by general epidermal hyperplasia, including hypergranulosis and hyperkeratosis. Wedge-shaped hypergranulosis develops around intraepidermal adnexal structures, namely, acrosyringia and acrotrichia.

[Therapy of chronic respiratory insufficiency].

In patients with chronic respiratory insufficiency the treatment of the underlying pulmonary disease is of primary importance. However, many patients often also need symptomatic management to recompensate or stabilize impaired pulmonary gas exchange. The most suitable measures for this purpose are (1) ventilatory support by periodic intermittent positive pressure breathing (IPPB), (2) long-term oxygen administration and (3) respiratory stimulant drugs.