Andrzej Kukwa

Bitter and sweet components of ethanol taste in humans

This study examined taste descriptions elicited by ethanol and by other tastants in humans. All subjects described 10% ethanol as bitter and approximately 30% of the subjects described it as sweet and/or sour. Highly significant correlations were found between sweetness of some sucrose solutions (0.6-1%) and intensity of the taste of ethanol. In another experiment, quinine (bitter) solutions were rated as similar to 10% ethanol taste and this effect was potentiated by the addition of sucrose. In contrast, citric acid (sour) tended to decrease similarity ratings when added to the quinine solutions. Taken together, these findings suggest that: (1) in humans ethanol tastes both bitter and sweet; and (2) the relationship between sucrose and ethanol intakes previously found in animals and humans may result, at least partially, from similar taste responses elicited by sucrose and ethanol.

Depressive symptoms and taste reactivity in humans.

Animal studies suggest that induction of depression-like states may alter preference for sweet tastants. A major goal of the present study was to search for correlations between depressive symptoms measured by the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and taste responses to sweet and bitter substances. Thirty-three nonclinical volunteers rated intensity and pleasantness of chocolate and vanilla milk as well as of sucrose- and quinine-soaked filter paper disks. Reactivity to citric acid (sour) and sodium chloride (salty) was also tested with the paper disk methodology. Taste detection thresholds were assessed by means of electrogustometry. A weak inverse relationship was found between the BDI scores (range: 3-33) and rated intensity of paper disks soaked in 60% sucrose. No correlations were found between depressive symptoms and intensity, pleasantness or identification of the other samples. Similarly, there was no relationship between the BDI scores and responses to chocolate and vanilla milk. BDI scores were not associated with electrogustometric thresholds. These data suggest that depressive symptoms may not influence taste reactivity in nonclinical population.

Reanimation of the face after facial nerve palsy resulting from resection of a cerebellopontine angle tumour

Twenty-three patients with facial nerve paralysis following surgery for a cerebellopontine angle tumour had a facial-hypoglossal anastomosis and simultaneous anastomosis of the cervical ansa with the distal stump of the hypoglossal nerve. In 18 patients, simultaneously with the neural anastomoses, additional transpositions of the temporalis and masseter muscles were performed. At follow-up examination 3-87 months after reconstructive surgery, eight patients had House grade II, ten grade III and five grade IV outcome. The EMG evidence of reinnervation was observed 5-11 months after anastomosis. Combination of the facial-hypoglossal anastomosis with simultaneous myoplasty and with anastomosis of the distal hypoglossal nerve stump to the ansa cervicalis provides the advantage of immediate protection against ophthalmic complications, prevents hemiatrophy of the tongue and gives good functional results when reinnervation of the facial muscles takes place.

Mitochondrial genotype in vulvar carcinoma - cuckoo in the nest

Vulvar squamous cell carcinoma (VSCC) is a rare female genital neoplasm. Although numerous molecular changes have been reported in VSCC, biomarkers of clinical relevance are still lacking. On the other hand, there is emerging evidence on the use of mtDNA as a diagnostic tool in oncology. In order to investigate mtDNA status in VSCC patients, haplogroup distribution analysis and D-loop sequencing were performed. The results were compared with available data for the general Polish population, cancer free-centenarians as well as patients with endometrial and head and neck cancer. The obtained data were also compared with the current status of mitochondrial databases. Significant differences in haplogroup distribution between VSCC cohort, general Polish population and cancer-free centenarians cohort were found. Moreover, a correlation between the VSCC patients haplogroup and HPV status was observed. Finally, a specific pattern of mtDNA polymorphisms was found in VSCC. Our results suggest that the mitochondrial genetic background may influence the risk of VSCC occurrence as well as susceptibility to HPV infection.

Rhabdomyosarcoma of the head and neck in children.

Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is the most frequent soft tissue sarcoma in children. It is localized in the head and neck region in 40% of cases. Treatment of RMS is complex, including multi-drug chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery. The progress that has been accomplished in oncology in recent decades significantly improved outcomes. The 5-year survival rate raised from 25% in 1970 to 73% in 2001, according to IRS-IV data. The outcome is influenced by primary tumor localization, clinical staging, histological tumor type and age at the moment of diagnosis. The relatively rare incidence of these tumors resulted in difficulties in creating more standardized therapeutic protocols. Comparison of outcomes in large patients groups led to an increase in the number of patients with complete remission. Although survival rates of RMS patients have improved, searching for new therapeutic modalities and substances is still essential to improve outcomes in cases of more advanced stages and unfavorable tumor localizations.

Guzy ślinianki przyusznej w materiale Kliniki Otolaryngologii w Warszawie w latach 1990–2006 ☆

Summary Introduction The purpose of this work was the desire for handing over authors’ experience in diagnostic and operative procedures in the case of the parotid glands tumours, presenting gathered material, ways of removing tumours and curing results. They are paying special attention for dealing with tumours infiltrating skull base, penetrating intracranial, requiring practicing “the saving surgery”. Material and methods The study is the analysis of 317 patients; 180 (58%) women and 131(42%) men with parotid gland tumours in patients treated in ENT Department between X. 1989 – XII. 2006. In 222 cases they made a partial parotidectomy, in 63 total, in 11 radical parotidectomy, in 21 cases radical parotidectomy widened for the radical neck dissection, where 8 patients were subjected to the radical saving surgery – subtotal petrosectomy and craniotomy. Authors analyzed surgical treatment and intraoperative tumours stage. The results of histological diagnosis were presented. Results The period of follow-up is from 1.5 year to 16 years. The frequency of incidence of benign tumours was 81%. The most frequent tumours were pleomorphic adenoma and adenolymphoma. Malignant tumours constituted 19% of all parotid gland tumours. The most common malignant tumours were adenoid cyst (15%) and undifferenciated (15%) carcinomas. Out of 59 patients with malignant tumours 29 died. Conclusions 1. There were 81% cases of benign neoplasm and 19% malignant neoplasm in presented material. 2. The result of parotid gland treatment depends on tumors histopathology, the period of disease, the size of tumour, its expansion into the neighbourhood, infiltrating of the facial nerve and metastases into the lymph nodes 3. Radical resection of tumour and metastases, reconstructing the continuity of tissues and maintaining the quality of patients life, should be the principle of surgical treatment.

Laryngeal embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma in an adult - A case presentation in the eyes of geneticists and clinicians

1. AbstractBackgroundRhabdomyosarcoma is a solid tumor, resulting from dysregulation of the skeletal myogenesis program. For rhabdomyosarcomas (RMS) with a predilection for the head and neck, genitourinary tract, extremities, trunk, retroperitoneum, the larynx is still an unusual site. Till now only several cases of this laryngeal tumor have been described in world literature in the adult population. The entire spectrum of genetic factors underlying RMS development and progression is unclear until today. Multiple signaling pathways seem to be involved in ERMS development and progression.Case presentationIn this paper we report an interesting RMS case in which the disease was located within the glottic region. We report an embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma of the larynx in 33 year-old man. After unsuccessful chemotherapy hemilaryngectomy was performed. In follow up CT no signs of recurrence were found. Recently patient is recurrence free for 62 months.ConclusionsConsidering the histological diagnosis and the highly aggressive nature of the lesion for optimal diagnosis positron electron tomography (PET) and computerized tomography (CT) of the neck and thorax should be performed. At this time surgical treatment with adjuvant radiotherapy seems to be the treatment of choice for this disease. Rhabdomyosarcoma of the larynx has a better prognosis than elsewhere in the body, probably because of its earlier recognition and accessibility to radical surgery.

(99m)TC-octreotide scintigraphy and somatostatin receptor subtype expression in juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibromas.

The main goal of the study was the analysis of somatostatin receptor (SSTR) expression on juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma (JNA) cells and a subsequent analysis of the utility of SST analog‐based scintigraphy in JNA diagnostics.

Chorda tympani nerve transection does not alter operant oral self-administration of ethanol in the rat

In experimental conditions, it has been suggested that taste factors may contribute to ethanol preference in rodents. The aim of the current study was to assess the effects of transection of a gustatory branch of the seventh cranial nerve, the chorda tympani (CT), on operant self-administration of ethanol in rats. Male Wistar rats were trained to lever press for 8% [volume/volume (vol./vol.)] ethanol solution. When 8% ethanol intake stabilized, the CT nerve was transected bilaterally in six subjects. Another group received sham operations. There were no between-group differences in terms of self-administration of 8% ethanol, either before or after surgery. In addition, self-administration of 2% and 4% ethanol, measured after surgery, did not differ between the groups. In a control experiment, two-bottle consumption of as well as preference for 0.625% [weight/volume (wt./vol.)] sucrose were significantly decreased in the lesioned subjects. The results may indicate that gustatory input of the CT nerve is not necessary for maintenance of operant oral self-administration of ethanol.

Tracheal adenoid cystic carcinoma mimicking a thyroid tumor: A case report

At present, only eight cases of tracheal adenoid cystic carcinomas (ACCs) mimicking thyroid tumors have been reported. Since there are no guidelines available regarding their diagnosis and treatment, they present a significant clinical challenge. In the present study, patient treatment was analyzed to deliver the first concise summary of treatment options in patients with ACC mimicking a thyroid tumor. In addition, all available data regarding molecular abnormalities of this disease have been discussed. The current study presents a case of a 17-year-old patient with a tracheal ACC mimicking a thyroid tumor. The patient was diagnosed in 2007 with a pathological mass between the left lobe of the thyroid and the trachea, and underwent surgery and radiotherapy. In 2010, multiple lesions in the lungs were diagnosed and pulmonary metastasectomy was performed. Following surgery, the patient has been disease-free for almost 30 months. Thyroid tumor biopsy may reveal ACCs. This pathological report requires further investigation of the head and neck in order to confirm if the disease is of tracheal origin. Patients may present with a neck swelling, hoarseness of voice or dysphagia. Surgery must be considered as first-line therapy for all patients with local disease as it may be curative. For palliative treatment chemoradiotherapy based on cisplatin may be effective. The identification of cytogenetics, tumor suppressor genes, oncogenes, epigenetic alterations and mitochondrial abnormalities specific for ACCs is critical to the development of targeted therapies. Thus far, large studies have only reported the transcriptional activator Myb and mammalian target of rapamycin signaling pathway to be disrupted in ACCs.