Significance of tissue polypeptide specific antigen (TPS) in diagnosis and monitoring of treatment in ovarian cancer

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: It has recently been reported that in developed countries gastric outlet obstruction now predicts gastric malignancy. The aim of this study was to find out if this is the case in a developing country like India. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Seventy-four patients with gastric outlet obstruction underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and biopsy specimens were obtained from any suspicious looking lesions or from the most distal point at which the endoscope could be positioned. RESULTS: In 56 patients (76%) the cause of the gastric outlet obstruction was malignant. On clinical and endoscopic appearance three patients were wrongly diagnosed as having malignancy when the cause, on endoscopic biopsy, was benign (tuberculosis n = 2, and immunoproliferative small intestinal disease n = 1). Twelve of the 18 patients with benign gastric outlet obstruction were managed conservatively with drugs and endoscopic balloon dilatation. CONCLUSION: Even in a developing country like India, malignancy is the commonest cause of gastric outlet obstruction and endoscopic biopsy specimens should be obtained in all patients with gastric outlet obstruction because the occasional benign lesions can be managed conservatively.     

Effects of the prolonged administration of bradykinin on the rat pituitary-adrenocortical axis

The effects of a prolonged administration of bradykinin (BK) and/or D-Arg, [Hyp3, D-Phe7]-BK, a specific antagonist of BK receptors (BK-A) (daily subcutaneous injections of 4 nmol/rat for 6 days) on the function of the pituitary-adrenocortical axis were investigated. BK did not change plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC), but markedly lowered that of corticosterone (PBC) and consequently induced a compensatory hypersecretion of ACTH by the pituitary gland. BK-A did not apparently affect the function and growth of the adrenal gland, but, when administered together with BK, markedly raised both PAC and PBC, and provoked a significant atrophy of the adrenal gland, probably due to loss of parenchymal cells. Taken together, these rather puzzling findings do not appear to provide clear evidence for the involvement of BK in the physiological regulation of adrenocortical growth and steroidogenic capacity in rats.     

Technique of hard radiation and directly magnified radiograms for early diagnosis of pneumoconiosis (author''s transl)

Myxoid sarcomas are characterized by the presence of branching capillaries in preparations around which lipogenesis is proceeded (unilocular and multilocular). Fat is chemically neutral. The cell content is represented by two basic kinds of cells: 1. stellate lipoblast -- a cambial element of the tumor, and 2. mature lipocyte -- a terminal stage of the differentiation of stellate lipoblast. Moreover, variable intermediate forms demonstrating the stage of lipoge nesis may be encountered. The differential diagnosis between the former and intramuscular myxoma and neurinoma (Antony B type) was made. The work is based on the analysis of 10 cases of myxoid liposarcomas.     

Gas‐phase removal of indoor volatile organic compounds and airborne microorganisms over mono‐ and bimetal‐modified (Pt,Cu, Ag) titanium(IV) oxide nanocomposites

The photocatalytic deactivation of volatile organic compounds and mold fungi using TiO₂ modified with mono‐ and bimetallic (Pt, Cu, Ag) particles is reported in this study. The mono‐ and bimetal‐modified (Pt, Cu, Ag) titanium(IV) oxide photocatalysts were prepared by chemical reduction method and characterized using XRD, XPS, DR/UV‐Vis, BET, and TEM analysis. The effect of incident light, type and content of mono‐ and bimetallic nanoparticles deposited on titanium(IV) oxide was studied. Photocatalytic activity of as‐prepared nanocomposites was examined in the gas phase using LEDs array. High photocatalytic activity of Ag/Pt‐TiO₂ and Cu/Pt‐TiO₂ in the reaction of toluene degradation resulted from improved efficiency of interfacial charge transfer process, which was consistent with the fluorescence quenching effect revealed by photoluminescence (PL) emission spectra. The photocatalytic deactivation of Penicillium chrysogenum, a pathogenic fungi present in the indoor environment, especially in a damp or water‐damaged building using mono‐ and bimetal‐modified (Pt, Cu, Ag) titanium(IV) oxide was evaluated for the first time. TiO₂ modified with mono‐ and bimetallic NPs of Ag/Pt, Cu, and Ag deposited on TiO₂ exhibited improved fungicidal activity under LEDs illumination than pure TiO₂.     

Therapeutic Potential of Jasmonic Acid and Its Derivatives

A modern method of therapeutic use of natural compounds that would protect the body are jasmonates. The main representatives of jasmonate compounds include jasmonic acid and its derivatives, mainly methyl jasmonate. Extracts from plants rich in jasmonic compounds show a broad spectrum of activity, i.e., anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory and cosmetic. Studies of the biological activity of jasmonic acid and its derivatives in mammals are based on their structural similarity to prostaglandins and the compounds can be used as natural therapeutics for inflammation. Jasmonates also constitute a potential group of anti-cancer drugs that can be used alone or in combination with other known chemotherapeutic agents. Moreover, due to their ability to stimulate exfoliation of the epidermis, remove discoloration, regulate the function of the sebaceous glands and reduce the visible signs of aging, they are considered for possible use in cosmetics and dermatology. The paper presents a review of literature data on the biological activity of jasmonates that may be helpful in treatment and prevention.     

Studies of human papillomavirus infection (HPV) and expression of oncoprotein p 21 in cervix neoplasms

Frequencies of HPV type 16 and 18, evaluated by in situ hybridization technique in uterine cervix carcinomas of the IIIrd stage of clinical advancement, were 54% and 36.5% respectively. Presence of p 21 protein was detected in 85.3% cases of the cancers and showed no relation to HPV infection.     

Retrospective appraisal of intensity of skin postradiation reactions in breast cancer patients treated with telegammatherapy

Post irradiation skin reaction in patients treated with telegammatherapy is evaluated. Exaggerated reaction was noted in patients older than the mean age of the entire group.     

The Numerical–Experimental Enhanced Analysis of HOT MCT Barrier Infrared Detectors

We present the results of numerical simulations and experimental data of band gap-engineered higher operating temperature mercury cadmium telluride barrier photodiodes working in a middle wavelength infrared radiation and a long wavelength infrared radiation range of an infrared radiation spectrum. Detailed numerical calculations of the detector performance were made with our own computer software taking into account Shockley Hall Read, Auger, band-to-band and trap-assisted tunneling and dislocation-related currents. We have also simulated a fluctuation phenomena by using our Langevin-like numerical method to analyze shot, diffusion, generation–recombination and 1/f noise.     

A set of genetically diverged Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains with markerless deletions of multiple auxotrophic genes

Genome analysis of over 70 Saccharomyces strains revealed the existence of five groups of genetically diverged S. cerevisiae wild‐type isolates, which feature distinct genetic backgrounds and reflect the natural diversity existing among the species. The strains originated from different geographical and ecological niches (Malaysian, West African, North American, Wine/European and Sake) and represent clean, non‐mosaic lineages of S. cerevisiae, meaning that their genomes differ essentially by monomorphic and private SNPs. In this study, one representative strain for each of the five S. cerevisiae clean lineages was selected and mutated for several auxotroph genes by clean markerless deletions, so that all dominant markers remained available for further genetic manipulations. A set of 50 strains was assembled, including eight haploid and two diploid strains for each lineage. These strains carry different combinations of leu2?0, lys2?0, met15?0, ura3?0 and/or ura3?::KanMX‐barcoded deletions with marker configurations resembling that of the BY series, which will allow large‐scale crossing with existing deletion collections. This new set of genetically tractable strains provides a powerful tool kit to explore the impact of natural variation on complex biological processes. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.