[Glutathione S-transferase as a metabolic biomarker for predisposition to lung neoplasms induced by chemical carcinogens].

In the case of lung cancer induced by chemical carcinogens, cellular processes of metabolic activation and deactivation of these substances play a particular role. The involvement of glutathione--S-transferase in the process of deactivation of active metabolites draws special attention. Cellular activity of these enzymes is a significant factor which can define individual susceptibility to carcinogenic effect of occupational and environmental carcinogens.

[A problem with the histopathologic diagnosis of optic nerve glioma. A case report].

The methods and results of histopathological and immunohistochemical investigation of an optic nerve tumour removed in a 6-year girl are presented. The difficulties were connected with a proper differential diagnosis between schwannoma and astrocytoma.

[A case of glioma of the optic nerve with a 12-year follow-up observation].

Clinical course of the case of a now 20 patient, with glioma of the optic nerve, removed 12 years ago, is presented. The tumour was removed with a intraorbital part of the optic nerve, but the eyeball was saved, what enabled the normal, symmetrical development of the child's face. Painful atrophy of the eyeball occurred 10 years after surgery and it seems that there will be a necessity to remove the eye.

[Behavior of selected cytokines in subretinal fluid].

The aim of the investigations was to search the subretinal fluid for the inflammatory interleukins which influence T and B lymphocytes. The levels of IL-1, IL-2, IL-4 and IL-6 were determined. Only IL-6 was found in a significantly high level, especially in cases with retinal detachment lasting 5-8 weeks.

[Evaluation of simple expulsion of the lens nucleus in intraocular lens implantation].

The authors presented results of extracapsular cataract extraction with IOL implantation performed in 421 eyes using (with) simple removal of the lens nucleus, according to Pears' method. Details of this technique and the value of this way of nucleus removal for the later stages of cataract surgery is discussed.

[Value of leukotriene C4 in human subretinal fluid].

Concentration of leukotriene C4 (LT C4) in subretinal fluid and plasma of 12 patients with idiopathic retinal detachment has been studied. In 10 cases the subretinal fluid contained LT C4 (0.34 +/- 0.

A Euglena gracilis zinc endonuclease.

A 26-kDa endonuclease has been purified to homogeneity from zinc-sufficient Euglena gracilis. The protein binds to single-stranded DNA with a higher affinity than to double-stranded DNA, but it exhibits nucleolytic activity toward both. Thus, it converts supercoiled plasmid pBR322 DNA into the linear form, a property characteristic of endonucleases, and it continues to act on the linearized DNA until it is completely degraded.

[500 operations of retinal detachment. Early and long-term evaluation].

The early and long-term postoperative results of 453 patients (510 eyes) with retinal detachment, treated with several buckling procedures, have been analysed. The follow-up, ranging from 2 to 9 years, revealed that the better anatomical and functional results were observed in the group of 325 eyes, in which the complete subretinal fluid drainage had been performed during the surgery, compared with 185 non-drained eyes.

[Function of the visual system after orbital surgery. Late observations].

Forty six persons with an orbital tumor were operated in the period of 1980-1988. A control examination performed in 39 persons did not show in 38 any characteristics of recurrence of the tumor; the motility of the eye ball was normal. In 29 persons the visual acuity of the eye at the side of the operated tumor was over 5/6.

Increased levels of tissue plasminogen activator with a low plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 in a patient with postoperative bleeding.

Recurrent postoperative bleeding in a previously healthy man with a moderate prolongation of PT and PTT which did not correct with vigorous fresh-frozen plasma infusion was identified as a unique abnormality of the fibrinolytic system: a combination of an excess of tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) at 300% of normal activity accompanied by a concurrent deficiency of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 activity (PAI-1) of 10-20% of normal activity. This observation underscores the potentially important regulatory role of PAI-1 in the degree to which clinical manifestations of bleeding tendencies may occur in patients in whom an excess amount of t-PA is expressed.

Abnormally high level of C4b binding protein and deficiency of free fraction of protein S in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus and recurrent thromboses.

A patient with systemic lupus erythematosus and numerous thrombotic accidents was found to have a deficiency of the free fraction of protein S, most likely due to an abnormally high level of C4b binding protein. These abnormalities, unique in comparison to 4 other patients with hypercoagulation states, were partially corrected with cyclophosphamide. There was no evidence of a consumption of complement components.

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity in erythrocytes of patients with malignant neoplasms.

G6PD activity in erythrocytes was examined in 129 people with malignant neoplasms (83 males, 46 females). In all these subjects G6PD activity in erythrocytes was markedly higher than in the controls. Tumour surgery resulted in decreased activity of that enzyme in the erythrocytes.

[Conservative treatment of post-traumatic lesion of the optic nerve].

Twenty one patients aged 18-77 years with a lesion of the optic nerve caused by contusion of the head were treated conservatively in the period 1980-87. An improvement--often a substantial one--of the visual acuity was attained in 52.3 p.

[Evaluation of the effectiveness of Quinax in the prevention of the development of senile cataract].

The authors evaluated the efficacy of Quinax in 4 groups of patients with cataract. An observation of--on the average--5 years duration showed that systematic application of the drug prevents the development of the early senile cataract and distinctly slows down the progress of the disease in the group of patients without the risk factors. Non systematic application of the compound also slows down the progress of the condition in the group of early cataract.

[Vitreous body proteins. III. Immunoelectrophoresis of the vitreous body in pathological conditions of the eye].

Presented and discussed were the immunoelectrophorograms of the vitreous in various pathological conditions of the eye. The antigenic similarity of the serum and vitreous proteins were established; the quantitative and qualitative changes of protein fractions in some pathological conditions were demonstrated.

[Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase as a marker of genetic predisposition to neoplasms].

In the light of reports in the literature the data are presented on the importance of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase in cell metabolism. The effect of decreased enzyme activity or its complete absence on the functions of the cell, and the clinical conditions associated with deficient enzyme activity are described. The influence is discussed of the genetic determination of the enzyme on the occurrence of phenotypic effects, and the use of the mosaicism phenomenon in the study on the pathogenesis of certain disturbances.

[Evaluation of the surgical treatment of retinal detachment in children. Personal data].

Twenty nine children aged 8-18 years with retinal detachment were treated in the period 1980-1987. The cause of detachment was in 27 cases injury and in 2 cases rupture of a congenital retinal cyst. In the majority of cases the detachment was connected with a dialysis at the ora serrata and comprised two quadrants of the fundus' periphery.

[Evaluation of silicone sponge implant in the surgical treatment of retinal detachment].

In the period 1980-1987 158 adult patients with retinal detachment were operated by modified Schepens' method with the use of a silicone sponge implant. A favourable result of operation--as well from the anatomical as functional point of view--was achieved in 145 patients (91.8%).

[Evaluation of a hard silicone implant in the surgical treatment of retinal detachment].

In the period 1980-1987 82 patients with retinal detachment were treated surgically with the use of a hard silicone implant and a tightening band. A favourable result in the form of retinal reattachment and improvement of the visual functions was achieved in 76% of patients.

[Comparative results of the past and present surgical treatment of retinal detachment].

Compared are the surgical methods and postoperative results of retinal detachment surgery used in the years 1976-1980 and in the last 7 years. In the last years 89.7% of favourable results have been achieved and this is a much better result than 58.

[Photocoagulation in diabetes mellitus--our results].

Fifty six diabetic patients aged 25-74 were under ophthalmological control in the period 1984-87. The mean time of duration of diabetes amounted 14 years. In 29 persons diabetes was insulinodependent and in the remaining insulino-independent.

[Cryotherapy of vitreous hemorrhage in diabetic retinopathy].

The authors present the results of treatment in 51 patients with vitreous haemorrhage in the course of diabetic retinopathy by application of a transconjunctival scleral cryoapplication. In the result of clinical observations it was concluded that this method was successful in the majority of the patients.