Trace elements play a crucial role in many biochemical processes, mainly as components of vitamins and enzymes. Although small amounts of metal ions have protective properties, excess metal levels result in oxidative injury, which is why metal ion homeostasis is crucial for the proper functioning of the brain. The changes of their level in the brain have been proven to be a risk factor for Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's diseases, as well as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Therefore, it is currently an important application of various analytical methods. This review covers the most important of them: inductively coupled ground mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), flame-induced atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS), electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS), optical emission spectrometry with excitation in inductively coupled plasma (ICP-OES), X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF), and neutron activation analysis (NAA). Additionally, we present a summary of concentration values found by different research groups.

The introduction of TMZ before, during and after radiotherapy for newly diagnosed glioblastoma multiforme gives clinically and statistically significant improvement of survival with unremarkably increased toxicity of the treatment.

PurposeEvaluation of the utility of the free anterolateral thigh flap reconstruction of the defects resulting from radical temporal bone resection in the management of lateral skull base malignancies in a single institution.MethodsAn analysis of 17 en bloc subtotal petrosectomies for removal of malignant tumours was performed. There were 12 squamous cell carcinomas, 4 basal cell carcinomas and 1 adenoid cystic carcinoma. The tumours were staged with the University of Pittsburgh TNM system. In all patients, the lateral temporal bone with the preservation of the petrous apex and carotid artery was performed. All patients had parotid gland resection. The post-resection defect was reconstructed with an ALT free flap.ResultsTumour radical resection and defect reconstruction with an ALT flap was achieved in all patients without intraoperative complications. The transplants were harvested as fasciocutaneous flaps, 11 perfused by musculocutaneous and 6 by septocutaneous perforators. The ALT flaps had a mean pedicle length of 8 cm (6–12 cm), and the flap size ranged between 6 × 15 cm and 15 × 30 cm. The flaps were supplied by nine facial, five occipital and three maxillary arteries. Recipient-site veins included eight internal jugular, seven facial, one retromandibular and one external jugular vein. All arterial pedicles were anastomosed in an end-to-end manner. The veins were anastomosed with interrupted sutures and in 11 cases with Synovis-Coupler® devices. All the flap transfers were performed successfully. Three patients experienced postoperative complications.ConclusionsThe ALT flap proved to be effective for covering large temporal skull base defects resulting from the radical removal of temporal bone malignancies. The functional and cosmetic results were acceptable with a low complication rate.

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Glial tumors are one of the most common lesions of the central nervous system. Despite the implementation of appropriate treatment, the prognosis is not successful. As shown in the literature, maximal tumor resection is a key element in improving therapeutic outcome. One of the methods to achieve it is the use of fluorescent intraoperative navigation with 5-aminolevulinic acid. Unfortunately, often the level of fluorescence emitted is not satisfactory, resulting in difficulties in the course of surgery. This article summarizes currently available knowledge regarding differences in the level of emitted fluorescence. It may depend on both the histological type and the genetic profile of the tumor, which is reflected in the activity and expression of enzymes involved in the intracellular metabolism of fluorescent dyes, such as PBGD, FECH, UROS, and ALAS. The transport of 5-aminolevulinic acid and its metabolites across the blood–brain barrier and cell membranes mediated by transporters, such as ABCB6 and ABCG2, is also important. Accompanying therapies, such as antiepileptic drugs or steroids, also have an impact on light emission by tumor cells. Accurate determination of the factors influencing the fluorescence of 5-aminolevulinic acid-treated cells may contribute to the improvement of fluorescence navigation in patients with highly malignant gliomas.

Neutropenic enterocolitis (NE) is a severe gastrointestinal complication in patients who undergo aggressive chemotherapy. It is a necrotizing inflammation of the cecum, colon, and the terminal part of the ileum. The serious clinical state of NE patients requires very frequent surgical consultations; however, in a few particular cases of NE, e.g., perforation of the bowels, a surgical intervention is necessary. Here, we report on six cases of NE in patients with acute leukemias. The patients were all women aged 21-55 years. Two of them had acute myeloid leukemia and four had lymphoblastic leukemia. NE occurred 7-10 days after the completion of chemotherapy, during the neutropenic phase. They represented a typical picture of NE: two of them died because of septic shock; five patients had subileus with irritation of the peritoneum; and one had hepatosplenic abscesses confirmed 6 months later by post-mortem examination. In each case, a surgical opinion was required. None of these patients were operated on. We present a report summarizing our experience and problems with six patients who had a clinical picture of NE and offer a short review of the current literature on the subject.

The aim is to examine whether brain tissue samples obtained through needle biopsy are better for histopathological evaluation when obtained with defined vacuum pressure, a novel needle rotation method, and using different needle type - Laitinen or Nashold. Moreover the paper aims to answer the question: Does vacuum and mechanical injury resulting from different sampling methods damage the tissue specimen challenging the diagnosis?. Eight hundred biopsy specimens from fresh swine brains were obtained using Nashold and Laitinen brain biopsy needles through inner cannula cutting or needle rotation sampling at vacuum pressure, from 0 to 0.06 MPa. The specimen weight and tissue quality for microscopic assessment were evaluated using the Mair score. Rising aspiration pressure increased the biopsy sample weight. Needle rotation delivered larger biopsy samples than the standard method. Laitinen provided larger samples than the Nashold needle, with the same sampling method or vacuum pressure. A higher histopathological diagnostic quality of tissue was obtained with the Laitinen needle than with Nashold, with higher vacuum pressure than lower pressure and finally with needle rotation than the standard method. No tissue damage caused by higher suction pressure or method of tissue separation was documented. Brain tissue samples obtained through needle biopsy are better for histopathological evaluation when obtained with higher vacuum pressure, a novel needle rotation method and with Laitinen needle. Higher suction pressure and sampling methods did not cause tissue damage.

IntroductionGastric cancer (GC) is one of the leading causes of cancer death worldwide. The membrane glycoprotein CD200, widely expressed on multiple cells/tissues, uses a structurally similar receptor (CD200R), delivering immunoregulatory signals. There is evidence that CD200/CD200R signaling suppresses anti-tumor responses in different types of malignancies. Little is known about the CD200/CD200R pathway in GC. The aim of the study was to evaluate the frequencies of CD200+ and CD200R+ lymphocytes in patients with GC.Material and methodsForty patients primarily diagnosed with GC and 20 healthy volunteers (control group) were enrolled. The viable peripheral blood lymphocytes underwent labeling with fluorochrome-conjugated monoclonal antibodies and were analyzed using a flow cytometer.ResultsIn the GC group, the percentages of T CD3+, CD3+/CD4+, and CD3+/CD8+ cells expressing CD200 antigen were higher than in the control group (p < 0.00013, p < 0.0004, and p < 0.0006, respectively). In the GC group, the frequencies of T CD3+, CD3+/CD4+ and CD3+/CD8+ cells expressing CD200R were lower than in the control group (p < 0.0009, p < 0.004, and p < 0.002, respectively). The percentage of B CD19+/CD200+ lymphocytes was higher in GC patients than in the control group (p < 0.00005). Lower frequency of B CD19+/CD200R+ cells was observed in GC patients compared to the control group (p < 0.0001). No differences in the frequencies of CD200+ and CD200R+ lymphocytes were found in relation to either UICC stage or histological grading of the tumors.ConclusionsFor GC pathogenesis, deregulation of the CD200/CD200R axis is important. High percentages of lymphocytes with CD200 expression may contribute to the continuous T cell activation and development of chronic inflammation and influence gastric carcinogenesis.