The investigation was carried out on 16 human foetal cadavers at the age of 17–23 weeks from the time of conception. The foetal vascular system was injected with the synthetic resin MERCOX CL-2R and analysed in scanning electron microscope. The vascular system of the foetal spinal cord was studied. The foetal vascular system was characterised by high variability concerning the number, course and localisation of blood vessels. It contained numerous anastomoses with the internal spinal venous plexuses, which included anterior and posterior radicular veins. Large arteries running on the surface of the spinal cord are accompanied by the homoname veins. The venous system of the investigated foetuses was divided into 2 categories of veins: internal veins responsible for the drainage of blood from the central area, that is central and peripheral veins coming radially to the surface of the spinal cord and external veins, which form the venous system of the surface of the spinal cord. The venous system of the foetal spinal cord was also examined as to the presence of the valves. (Folia Morphol 2014; 73, 2: 139–142)
A tracheotomy tube, as well as the stoma through which it is inserted into the patient’s throat, may represent a potential risk of fungal infections for patients suffering from larynx cancer. The study was aimed at evaluating the influence of the hospital room environment on the fungal colonisation of tracheotomy tubes in the case of patients diagnosed with larynx cancer and operated on in the Laryngology ward. The mycological research was carried out in the rooms of the Laryngology ward, from which 105 air samples were collected. Twenty-two Portex and metal tracheostomy tubes collected from 13 patients diagnosed with larynx cancer. Fungi were cultured on 15 tracheostomy tubes: moulds were isolated from 3 of these tubes, and fungi belonging to the genus Candida from the remaining 12. The simultaneous occurrence of the same moulds in the air and on the tracheotomy tubes was observed only in one case (Aspergillus flavus). In conclusion, the same moulds observed in the air can sometimes also be found on the tracheotomy tubes used by patients diagnosed with larynx cancer. Yeast-like fungi are isolated from tracheotomy tubes much more frequently than moulds, and this requires further mycological research.
The tumor associated antigen RCAS1 (receptor-binding cancer antigen expressed on SiSo cells) expressed with high frequency in various cancer and trophoblast cells, inhibits growth of estrogen receptor-expressing cells and induces apoptosis. Because previous reports demonstrated RCAS1 presence only by non-quantitative immuno- cytochemistry methods, we decided to use a Western blotting with anti-RCAS1 monoclonal antibodies for estimation of the relative content of the tumor-associated antigen. One hundred tissue samples were assayed (neoplasms, chronic inflammatory diseases, healthy tissues, trophoblasts and placentas at term). RCAS1 was present in all neoplastic, placental and trophoblast tissue samples and its level in malignant samples was statistically significantly higher than in benign neoplasms. The amount of RCAS1 in chronic inflammations was also significantly increased in immune mediated diseases, like allergic nasal polyps and sarcoidosis. The RCAS1 protein was not revealed in healthy mucous membrane and in muscle tissues. The presented results suggest that RCAS1 might play an important role in tumor escape from host immunological surveillance and carry weight in the down regulation of the maternal immune response, thereby maintaining pregnancy.
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