Jozef Rosina

Expression of selected proteins in breast cancer brain metastases

The aim of the study was to assess the immunohistochemical (IHC) profiles of SRC3, Pax2, ER, PgR, Her2, EGFR, CK5/6, and Ki67 proteins in breast-cancer brain metastasis. The study utilized tumor samples from 30 metastatic patients and calculated correlations between all IHC variables. In fourteen cases, primary breast cancers paired with secondary deposits were analyzed. We evaluated the association between IHC status in the primary and secondary deposits, grade, and histotype of the tumors. The examination of the metastatic deposits in all 30 patients resulted in positive detection in the following cases: SRC3 in 20 cases (66.6%), Pax2 in 22 (73.3%), ER in 22 (73.3%), PgR in 25 (83.3%), Her2 in 10 (33.3%), EGFR in 12 (40%), CK5/6 in 7 (23.3%), and Ki67 in 23 (76.6%). Grade 2 was found in 13.3% of all patients, and grade 3 in 86.7%. SRC3 and Pax2 were positive in both G2 and G3. Invasive lobular carcinoma and invasive ductal carcinoma were diagnosed in 23.3% and 76.7% of cases, respectively. There were no differences between the IHC expression of the studied proteins in either grading or histotype of the tumors. In the IHC profiles, which included SRC3, Pax2, ER, PgR, Her2, CK5/6, Ki67, and EGFR, we found no statistically significant differences between the primary cancer and the brain metastasis. In our study of metastatic breast carcinoma deposits, there was no correlation between SRC3, Pax2 status and histotype, and tumor grade. The IHC status of the paired primary and metastatic deposits did not differ in a statistically significant manner.

Hydration and transparency of the rabbit cornea irradiated with UVB-doses of 0.25 J/cm(2) and 0.5 J/cm(2) compared with equivalent UVB radiation exposure reaching the human cornea from sunlight.

Purpose: Exposure of the cornea to UV radiation from sunlight evokes intraocular inflammation, photokeratitis. Photokeratitis is caused by UVB radiation. It is accompanied by changes of corneal hydration and light absorption. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of two UVB doses on corneal optics in rabbits and to compare these UVB doses with the equivalent exposure of UVB radiation reaching the human cornea from sunlight. Materials and Methods: Rabbit corneas were irradiated with a daily UVB dose of 0.25 J/cm2 or 0.5 J/cm2 for 4 days. One day after finishing the irradiations the rabbits were sacrificed and corneal light absorption measured using our spectrophotometrical method. Corneal hydration was examined using an ultrasonic Pachymeter every experimental day before the irradiation procedure and the last day before sacrificing the animals. Results: Changes in corneal optics appeared after the repeated exposure of the cornea to a UVB dose of 0.25 J/ cm2 and massively increased after the repeated exposure of the cornea to a UVB dose of 0.5 J/cm2. The first significant changes in corneal hydration appeared after a single exposure of the cornea to a UVB dose of 0.25 J/cm2. Conclusions: Changes in corneal hydration appeared after the exposure of the rabbit cornea to a single UVB dose equivalent to 2.6 hours of solar UVB radiation reaching the human cornea, as measured by UVB sensors embedded in the eyes of mannequin heads facing the sun on a beach at noon in July. Repeated exposure of the rabbit cornea to the same UVB dose evoked profound changes in corneal optics. Although comparison of experimental and outdoor conditions are only approximate, the results in rabbits point to the danger for the human eye from UVB radiation when short stays in sunlight are repeated for several consecutive days without UV protection.

The evolution of rectal and urinary toxicity and immune response in prostate cancer patients treated with two three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy techniques.

BackgroundOur research compared whole pelvic (WP) and prostate-only (PO) 3-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT) techniques in terms of the incidence and evolution of acute and late toxicity of the rectum and urinary bladder, and identified the PTV-parameters influencing these damages and changes in antitumor immune response.MethodsWe analyzed 197 prostate cancer patients undergoing 3DCRT for gastrointestinal (GI) and genitourinary (GU) toxicities, and conducted a pilot immunological study including flow cytometry and an NK cell cytotoxicity assay. Acute and late toxicities were recorded according to the RTOG and the LENT-SOMA scales, respectively. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted for factors associated with toxicity.ResultsIn the WP group, an increase of acute rectal toxicity was observed. A higher incidence of late GI/GU toxicity appeared in the PO group. Only 18 patients (WP-7.76% and PO-11.11%) suffered severe late GI toxicity, and 26 patients (WP-11.21% and PO-16.05%) severe late GU toxicity. In the majority of acute toxicity suffering patients, the diminution of late GI/GU toxicity to grade 1 or to no toxicity after radiotherapy was observed. The 3DCRT technique itself, patient age, T stage of TNM classification, surgical intervention, and some dose-volume parameters emerged as important factors in the probability of developing acute and late GI/GU toxicity. The proportion and differentiation of NK cells positively correlated during 3DCRT and negatively so after its completion with dose-volumes of the rectum and urinary bladder. T and NKT cells were down-regulated throughout the whole period. We found a negative correlation between leukocyte numbers and bone marrow irradiated by 44-54 Gy and a positive one for NK cell proportion and doses of 5-25 Gy. The acute GU, late GU, and GI toxicities up-regulated the T cell (CTL) numbers and NK cytotoxicity.ConclusionOur study demonstrates the association of acute and late damage of the urinary bladder and rectum, with clinical and treatment related factors. The 3DCRT itself does not induce the late GI or GU toxicity and rather reduces the risk of transition from acute to late toxicity. We have described for the first time the correlation between organs at risk, dose-volume parameters, and the immunological profile.

Comparison of quality of facial scars after single low‐level laser therapy and combined low‐level with high‐level (PDL 595 nm) laser therapy

The main goal of our study was to compare the quality of resulting facials scar 12 weeks after single and combined laser therapy. Forty‐one children from age 1.5 to 5 years with facial scars after injury participated in the study. Thirty‐one underwent laser therapy, 14 were treated using single low‐level laser therapy (670 nm, fluence 3–5 J/cm−2), and 17 underwent combined high‐level laser therapy with non‐ablative pulsed dye laser (PDL; 595 nm, spot size 7 mm, delay 0.45 ms or 1.5 ms, fluence 9–11 J/cm−2, cryogen spray/delay 20/30 ms) and low‐level laser therapy. The control group consisted of 10 untreated children. Before treatment and at week 4, 8, and, 12 the scars were evaluated using the POSAS questionnaire. A statistically significant improvement in scars (between ratings before treatment and 4 weeks after therapy, before treatment and 8 weeks after therapy and before treatment and 12 weeks after therapy) was observed in all parameters in both treatment groups (p < 0.0001). For the HLLT+LLLT group the most significant enhancement in the quality of scars was found for all items and at all evaluations, except pigmentation and pliability. There was no improvement observed in quality of facial scars in the control group.

13 C-methacetin breath test in the evaluation of disease severity in patients with liver cirrhosis

AIMS The non-invasive (13)C-methacetin ((13)C-MBT) breath test has been proposed as a measure of metabolic liver function that improves the diagnostic efficacy of serologic and biochemical tests in assessing hepatic functional capacity and liver disease severity, The goal of this study was to establish the clinical utility of this test in quantifying hepatic metabolic function in patients with liver cirrhosis of varying severity and to compare (13)C-MBT measurements with the AST/ALT ratio, APRI score, and other routine liver tests. METHODS Routine liver function tests including serum bilirubin, aspartate aminotransferase activity (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), AST/ALT ratio, the APRI score, the percentage of dose rate (PDR) and cumulative percentage of dose rate (CPDR) of the (13)C-MBT were evaluated in 52 cirrhotic patients of alcohol etiology (Child-Pugh A/B/C 10/28/14) and 37 healthy controls. RESULTS The (13)C-MBT differed significantly between healthy controls and cirrhotic patients at all time intervals measured. It also proved the ability to differentiate patients with liver cirrhosis based on severity of hepatic impairment corresponding to the Child-Pugh classification A vs. B vs. C. The ROC curve analysis suggested that the best prediction is provided by time intervals between the 10th - 20th or 10th - 40th minute of PDR. CONCLUSIONS The (13)C-MBT offers a reliable means for quantification of hepatic metabolic function over the complete range of functional liver impairment. It is non-invasive, easy to perform and completely safe.

Czech Republic 20 years after Chernobyl accident.

The territory of the Czech Republic was contaminated as a result of the breakdown in the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in 1986. The Czech population received low doses of ionising radiation which, though it could not cause a deterministic impact, could have had stochastic effects expressed in the years following the accident. Twenty years after the accident is a long enough time to assess its stochastic effects, primarily tumours and genetic impairment. The moderate amount of radioactive fallout received by the Czech population in 1986 increased thyroid cancer in the following years; on the other hand, no obvious genetic impact was found.

Analysis of therapeutical effects of Er:YAG and CO2 laser post treatments of small hemangiomas

The main goal of our study was the evaluation of treatment efficiency of two types of ablative laser-CO2 and Er:YAG (or ERB) treatment. 183 patients (Er:YAG—105 patients, CO2—78 patients) were analyzed to compare the curative effects and adverse events, such as loss of pigment and appearance of scars caused by these two lasers. The results of the study showed the slightly better effectiveness of Er:YAG laser radiation in comparison with CO2 laser in the case of treatment of small hemangiomas up to 3 mm in diameter. In the Er:YAG laser application the curative effect was in 99%, hypo-pigmentation occurred in 18%, and scars in 70% of all treatments. In the CO2 laser application the curative effect was in 97%, hypo-pigmentation in 52%, and scars in 77% from all treatments.

Automated dynamic bioreactor for 2D endothelial structures

This work deals with construction of automated bioreactor that is used for 2D planar endothelial structures in optimized cultivation chamber. Designed bioreactor is controlled by industrial PC with FPGA card. It consists of proportionally controlled peristaltic pumps for cultivation media perfusion, necessary sensors and electronics for maintaining stable and repeatable operation during experiments, redundant power supply. FPGA card design gives deterministic control with implemented safety routines. Monitoring controlling software allows remote access. Endothelial cells are during experiments exposed to laminar flow at given shear stress, which helps to orient them in direction of flow and improves structure of cytoskeleton and intercellular connections. Results from cultivation experiments leads to establishing cultivation of 3D tubular structures and artificial vascular prostheses.

Isotope-Selective Infrared Spectroscopy Reveals Pathological Changes in the Liver

Isotope-Selective Infrared Spectroscopy Reveals Pathological Changes in the Liver An overview of new diagnostic device IRIS (Wagner Analysen Technik, Germany) is provided. This device uses the 13C stable isotope together with non-dispersive infrared selective spectroscopy for non - invasive quantification of hepatic function parameters, including kinetics (type of liver damage) and capacity (percentage of recovery yield of the liver). The short physical principle of infrared spectroscopy and acousto-optical detector of IRIS was presented. In the final section we verified the diagnostic quality of this new diagnostic device (using ANOVA) on cohort of 76 patients divided into 5 groups according to diagnosis and the various level of liver damage.