Ágoston Ember

Changes in expression of oncogenes and TP53 tumour suppressor gene as biomarkers in head and neck cancers

Despite modern diagnostic procedures and up-to-date therapy, the survival of head and neck tumour patients is unfavourable. This can be explained by several factors, one of which is the late recognition of the tumour. This study related to the changes in expression of the c-myc and Ha-ras oncogenes and the p53 tumour suppressor gene as biomarkers in head and neck cancer cases. The gene expressions were investigated on RNA gained from peripheral white blood cells of head and neck cancers patients before and after definitive treatment. The results were compared with those on a control group of patients with non-tumorous diseases. The gene expressions were significantly higher in the cancer group than that in the control group (volunteer medical staff and medical students). After definitive treatment, the expressions of all these genes were decreased in patients in whom there was no recurrence of the tumour, but enhanced in the event of recurrence. Such measurement may serve as reliable biomarkers to monitor tumour development and the efficiency of therapy. The method may also be useful for the early identification of populations exposed to noxe, which may lead to the development of head and neck cancers.

Impact of microRNAs on molecular epidemiology

Cancer research concerning short non-coding RNA sequences and functionally linked to RNA interference (RNAi) have reached explosive breakthrough in the past decade. Molecular technology applies microRNA in extremely wide spectrum from molecular tumor prediction, diagnostics, progression monitoring and prevention. Functional analysis of tissue miRNA and cell-free serum miRNA in posttranscription and translation regulation innovated and restructured the knowledge on the field. This review focuses on molecular epidemiology and primary prevention aspects of the small non-coding RNA sequences.

Különleges eredetű feszülő légmellr

CASE REPORT A middle-aged man presented with the diagnosis of typical spontaneous pneumothorax in the left chest. His management was initiated as usual with a chest drain and he had an uneventful recovery with good expansion of the affected lung up until the third postoperative day. But due to a fatal accident, the patient connected the oxygene supply tube into his thoracic drain. This high pressure caused a left, and a consequent bilateral pneumothorax with massive subcutanous emphysema, being the cause of a preterminal status. Cardio-pulmonary resuscitation was unsuccesfull and the patient died. Intentional suicide was excluded by forensic investigations. DISCUSSION According to our knowledge, no similar case with this mechanism of tension pnemuthorax has been published in the literature so far. The pathophysiology is similar to lung damage due to high-pressure ventillation with consecutive tension pneumothorax.