Dabužinskienė, Anita

Oral leukoplakia (OL) is a potentially malignant lesion, but only a proportion of cases undergo transformation to carcinoma (7.2% to 9.5%). The aim of this study was to analyze the possible differences and the role of immune cells in homogeneous and non-homogeneous OL at different grades of dysplasia. The infiltration density of T and B lymphocytes, macrophages, plasma cells, and cells expressing CD9 antigen was assessed semi-quantitatively in 50 OL cases using a 4-point scale—score 1 (<5%), score 2 (6–10%), score 3 (11–15%) and score 4 (16–20%)—via manual counting by two morphologists. Both clinical types of OL that showed dysplasia had noticeably higher proportions of CD138+ and CD68+ immune cells. Statistical analysis confirmed that only non-homogeneous OL with dysplasia showed an increase in the infiltration density of CD3+ and CD20+ lymphocytes. There was a statistically significant moderate positive correlation between the amount of CD9+ cells in the lamina propria and the number of labeled epithelial layers in OL of different thicknesses. Expression of CD138 and CD9 proteins in epithelial and connective tissue cells in OL indicates active epithelial–mesenchymal interaction during the premalignant stage of OL, but the expression of these markers in epithelial and immune cells was completely the opposite. The evaluation of CD3, CD20, CD9, CD138, and CD68 antigen expression, particularly in non-homogeneous leukoplakia, improves the accuracy of malignancy risk assessment in patients with dysplasia.

A change in testicular volume can indicate decreased male fertility and is useful for comparing spermatogenesis before and after experiments in animals, or before and after treatment of especially valuable domestic breeding animals with pharmaceuticals affecting spermatogenesis, such as antitumor drugs. Various formulae can be used to calculate the volume of living males’ testes. This study examined the suitability of four testicular volume calculation formulas for male Wistar rats of different ages (2-months, 1-year, and 2-years-old) and the changes in testicular volume during 90 days of observation. In 2-months-old rats, the solid ellipsoid triaxial body calculation formula and the prolate ellipsoid formula were most suitable for the calculation of testes’ volume, and the volume of both testes increased very significantly during the 90 days of observation. In 1-year-old rats, the solid ellipsoid triaxial body calculation formula was optimal, and the volume of both testes increased insignificantly. For 2-years-old rats, the solid ellipsoid triaxial body calculation and prolate ellipsoid formulas or their average was recommended, and the volume of both testes decreased slightly during 90 days of observation.

Objectives. To measure and compare some morphometrical parameters of the left and right testes in 31–35-year-old men. Materials and methods. This work was approved by Kaunas Region Biomedical Research Ethics Committee (No. P2-BE-2-1/2015, 2022-05-06). Pairs of testes from 5 men aged 31–35 years were obtained from Kaunas Division of State Forensic Medicine Service after autopsy. The standard hematoxylin-eosin staining protocol of histological slides was used. The thickness of the Tunica albuginea (30 measurement/testis), the diameter of seminiferous tubules and the thickness of seminiferous epithelium (20 tubules/testis), the diameter of spermatogonia nuclei and Leydig cells nuclei (30 cells/testis) were measured using the cellSens Dimension 1.9 Digital Imaging Software package. The IBM SPSS Statistics program independent Samples T-Test was used for statistical comparison of the left and right testes’ parameters (p values). Results. The left testes had significantly thinner (510.76 ± 154.66 µm) Tunica albuginea than the right ones (570.82 ± 175.94 µm; p < 0.05). The diameter of seminiferous tubules in the left testes was slightly larger than the right ones (206.72 ± 37.42 µm and 204.74 ± 34.75 µm respectively; p > 0.5). The seminiferous epithelium of the left testes’ seminiferous tubules (59.5 ± 15.33 µm) was thicker that in the right ones (58.6 ± 15.19 µm; p > 0.05). The diameter of spermatogonia nuclei in the left testes’ seminiferous tubules was significantly major than in the right testes (5.87 ± 0.92 µm and 5.64 ± 1.07 µm respectively, p < 0.05). The diameter of Leydig cells nuclei of the left testes (6.28 ± 1.2 µm) was insignificantly major than of the right ones (6.23 ± 1.21 µm, p > 0.05). Conclusions. In the left testes, the Tunica albuginea was significantly thinner, and the diameter of seminiferous tubules, the thickness of seminiferous epithelium, the diameter of spermatogonia and Leydig cells nuclei were larger than in the right testes.

Objectives. The aim of study is to reflect invaluable activities of Hans Herbert Wegener mainly in the field of life long education of Baltic physicians. 30 years ago, German Baltic Doctors association (Deutsch-Baltische Ärztegesellschaft) was founded to restore cooperation between medical staff from Germany and the Baltic States. The founder and the first president (1991–2001) and (2007–2013) was pathologist of Berlin Moabit hospital, chief of Pathology institute H.H. Wegener. He has born in Guatemala, lived in Leipzig, then fled from GDR to West Berlin to study medicine at the FU. He got PhD in 1968 and was the author of about 60 publications. The founders of the Latvian section were I. Krastiņš, P. Apinis, A. Požarnovs, H. and I. Adoviči, Dz. Mozgis etc. Presidents in Latvia were H. Adovičs, J. Pudāne, Dz. Mozgis. Materials and Methods. We have used publications in German and Latvian press, materials of 27 German symposium for Pathology and personal experience. Results. Each year H.H. Wegener had organized annual doctor meetings in Berlin and in the towns of Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia but with local organizers – A. Lipping (ES), R. Kleina (LV), A. Rimkevicius (LT) regular symposium for pathologists inviting the best lecturers from Europa. In 90’s H.H. Wegener organized shipments of medical equipment, literature, medications for rural hospitals. Regularly 5-7 doctors per year underwent internships in Germany in chosen specialty for one month. Doctor is fond of Baltic culture, nature and politics and therefore he understood perfectly our victory for independence. After symposium he always planned the trips around Baltic countryside with excellent concerts, he plays piano and organ himself. Conclusions. H.H. Wegener has proved how many one person can do for the medicine of other countries. All Baltic doctors, especially pathologists who have been in contact with doctor Wegener always highly appreciate and admire his charity, patronage, philanthropy and generosity.

On January, 27, 2020 there was the hundredth anniversary of the foundation of Higher Courses in Kaunas, the first higher education center in the independent Lithuania in the Lithuanian language after occupation of Vilnius by the Polish army in 1919. On January 29, 1920 the first lecture of Human Anatomy marked the commencement of Kaunas Anatomy School. There were 3 periods of Kaunas anatomists’ scientific activity: the period of independent Lithuania — between the 1st and 2nd World wars; the Soviet occupation period, and the period of restored Lithuania. During the 1st period (1920—1940) the Lithuanian anatomical and anthropological school was created. The founder was Prof. Jurgis Žilinskas (1885—1957), who graduated Juryev (Tartu) University in 1912. During the 1st World War he was working as a surgeon in the Russian Red Cross Hospital. In 1919 he returned to Lithuania and started to work as a surgeon in the Military Hospital of Kaunas. He played an active part in the organization of the Faculty of Medicine and was appointed Lecturer of Anatomy and Surgery. After the establishment of the University of Lithuania he became the head of the Institute of Anatomy. J. Žilinskas was a student of a famous German anatomist, anthropologist, and embryologist August Rauber (1841—1917). Žilinskas modelled the Lithuanian Anatomy School on the German School. Prof. Žilinskas strived to develop the research school of Lithuanian Ethnic Anthropology and Craniology, based on archeological investigations; somatometric and anthropometric examinations of 5011 Lithuanian soldiers (21—22 years old) and 1006 inhabitants of Lithuania Minor (Prussian Lithuania). The Soviet occupation suspended these investigations. Prof. J. Žilinskas was blamed for spreading racist ideas in the science and was dismissed from the University. After the 2nd World War (1945—1990) the research work was controlled by the Soviet Government. [...].

Abstract It is essential to identify markers that could indicate the presence of early molecular changes in premalignant tissues like oral leukoplakia (OL). CD44 adhesion molecule is not only a stem cell marker, but also determines cell proliferation and migration in malignant processes. The aim of our study was to assess the amount and pattern of CD44 antigen expression by epithelial and mononuclear cells in the lamina propria under OL and their role in premalignant lesions. The current study included 102 cases of OL and ten biopsies from healthy oral mucosa. Immunohistochemical CD44 antigen expression was determined in 34 cases by a standard EnVision imaging system in three points of OL: both edges and centre. Statistical analysis was done using GraphPad Prism software version 8.4.0. In OL, statistically significant overexpression of membranous CD44 was demonstrated compared to healthy mucosa (p < 0.0001). The intra-cytoplasmatic CD44 expression of epithelium together with characteristic nuclear changes may be used as a predictive factor for potential malignant transformation of non-homogenous leukoplakia. CD44 expression in mononuclear cells under the basal membrane in OL (p < 0.05) possibly influences the process of premalignant lesion transformation into intraepithelial cancer. Further study of CD44 antigen expression in intra-cytoplasmatic structures is required for better explanation of the role of this glycoprotein. [...].

This study aimed the comparison of the isolated testes size, volume, weight and density changes with age and establishing the suitability of three formulas of testicular volume calculation for 18-50 and 51-70-year-old men groups. 206 testes of 103 men (59 of 18-50-year-old and 44 of 51-70-year-old men) were weighed and their size was measured by the sliding calliper. The accurate volume was determined by water displacement and compared with volume calculated using three formulas, and the density of testicular tissues was calculated. The mean length and height of both testes and length and height of right and left testes decreased significantly with age. The mean width of both testes and width of right and left testes decreased with age insignificantly. The mean of water displacement volume and weight and volume and weight of right and left testes decreased with age significantly. The mean density of testicular tissues and the density of the right and left testes increased significantly with age. In the same age group, the size, water displacement volume and weight of right testes was insignificantly major than the left, and the density of testicular tissues was similar in the right and left testes. The prolate spheroid formula was most suitable for calculation of testes volume for 18-50-year-old men and prolate ellipsoid formula was most suitable for calculation of 51-70-year-old men testes volume.

Introduction Clinical autopsies still represent a reasonable tool for quality control in hospitals and continue to reveal diagnostic problems at different departments, also primary place of malignancies is always detected despite modern methods od investigation (D.Wittschieber et al, 2012; S.Scwanga-Burger et al, 2012; H. Mashall et al, 2017; A.Lai et al, 2019). Study Aims Study aim was to analyse the mismatch of clinical and pathological diagnoses in gastrointestinal, biliary tract, liver and pancreas cases and its possible causes. Methods Sixty-three pathology records from RECUH, Pathology Center, clinical epicrisis and information from Doctors bureau were used to compare clinical and post-mortem diagnoses. We have evaluated time of hospitalization, laboratory tests and morphological specimens stained with H/E and some immunohistochemical markers. Results were analysed by Excel programme. Results In gastrointestinal tract diagnostic discrepancies were about gastric and duodenal ulcer (n= 10), intestinal gangrene (n=2) and gastric and colon carcinomas (n=8). As differential diagnoses in these cases were constituents of para-neoplastic syndrome. Missed diagnoses in pancreas were: 7 cancers, 9 pancreatitis. Instead of pancreatic pathologies clinicians mainly diagnosed liver and cardiac diseases. Mismatch in diagnostics of liver diseases were in 16 cases: 6 primary tumors, 7 cirrhosis, 3 steatosis. Pre-mortem diagnoses were mainly secondary tumors of liver. During hospitalization in biliary tract was not diagnosed: cholecystitis with and without stones (n=8) and adenocarcinoma of gall bladder (n=3). Causes of mismatch of diagnoses in clinics and pathology were mainly: too late hospitalization (33 %)-average hospitalization time was 1,5 days; objective difficulties (34,2 %) in cases with multiple concomitant diseases, also alcoholism; misinterpretation of laboratory tests (24,3 %) etc. Diagnostic errors in 27% to[...].

Highlights. The dissection of human bodies and organs systems is one of the tools to study the structure of human. Students are able to observe the location of the organs in situ, evaluate the positional relationship of organs, and compare their individual, gender, and aged features. Students, who were acquainted with systemic anatomy during dissection were developed the holistic understanding about human body and made sense of permanent anatomy knowledge. Background. To review the significance of the human body dissection in anatomical curricula in the Institute of Anatomy. Materials and Methods. We reviewed the dissection curricula in 2014-2019. Results. In 2014-2019 were dissected 22 human bodies in the Institute of Anatomy. The first year students of Medicine and Odontology faculties dissected bodies and organs according the study requirements. In “Locomotion”, “Homeostasis and Excretion”, “Respiration and Circulation”, “Reproduction and Inheritance”, “Basics of Neurosciences”, “Immune response”, and “Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine” modules the second, third and fifth year students were dissected the human bodies and systems, which were related to the module‘s tasks. In the dissection course students were used the guidelines for dissection and for practical works students had self dissection tasks. Students of Medicine, Odontology, and Nursing faculties were well cared for dissection on their elective studies in the Institute of Anatomy. Every year surgery and orthodontics residents were improving their dissection skills in the Institute of Anatomy. Beside course work students had possibility to dissect in extracurriculum time, the number of interested students increases strongly. Students were prepared the anatomical specimens, which were used for anatomy teaching and stored in the anatomical museum. Discussion. Our described curricula coincided with the opinion of I. [...].

Study Highlights. There are more than 1.2 million texts of Latvian folk-songs (Dainas) and 30,000 melodies and 11456 Lithuanian folk-songs (Fs) and 7005 melodies in “Lietuvių liaudies dainynas”. First collections of Lithuanian Fs – 7000 texts, and 2000 melodies were recorded by A. Juška (1819- 1880). The collection of Dainas called “The Cabinet of Folksongs” is inscribed in the UNESCO Memory of the World Program. K. Barons (1835-1923) was a person who travelled and pick up most of the Fs in Latvia. Folksongs are dedicated to all bright and sad events of human life like the birth, death, love, family, war, job, and also about health, sufferings, and their treatment. Researches of Fs about medical topics in Europe was done by J. Kupcis (1932), A. Maceina (1955), K. Arons (1999), D. Penkala-Gawecka (1995), F. Stefansson (2005), R. Saukand (2005), M. Zavjalova (2016) etc. More Fs there are about health healing but there are few publications about the manifestation of different diseases in Dainas (Fs) of Lithuania and Latvia. Background. The aim of the study was to find out the variety of health problems discussed in Latvian and Lithuanian Fs. Material and Methods. We have analyzed an available folk literature and Internet resource in Latvian, Lithuanian, and English languages. We found more than 1000 Fs in Latvian and Lithuanian Fs about different health problems but very few are translated in English and German (Auziņa-Szentivayi, 2018; Reza (1825), Katzenelenbogen (1935). Results. Folksong tellers of Latvia and Lithuania were from all districts of both countries. In Fs we have found reflection of paediatric problems, young people and elderly diseases in various dialects and even different languages of one country. We have analyzed Fs about traumatology during the wars and even family conflicts. There are songs with advises not to climb up in trees, to use swings carefully, fire and beat injuries in [...].