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Biomedical subjects

A Gładysz

Publications and source records attributed to A Gładysz.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Effect of food manipulation on the neuropeptide Y neuronal system in the diencephalon of ewes.

The expression of neuropeptide Y (NPY), which is involved in the neuromodulatory function associated with animal nutrition, growth and reproduction, depends on the nutritional status. However, the roles of individual components of food are not fully recognised. In this study, we evaluated the effects of dietary protein levels on the diencephalic population of NPY neurones. Female lambs were fed two diets equilibrated energetically but containing 8% protein in restricted diet or 18% protein in elevated diet, for 15 weeks starting with 6 months of age, during the first breeding period. Then, brain tissues were collected, fixed and used for the immunohistochemical localisation of NPY. Detection of NPY in diencephalon sections was followed by the image analysis and expressed as the percent area stained and optical density of immunostaining. Two distinct populations of the immunoreactive NPY perikarya were found, one in the infundibular nucleus; and the other in areas of diencephalon adjacent to the rostral hypothalamus. Long-term feeding the protein restricted diet caused a prominent expression of the immunoreactive material solely in the hypothalamic NPY neurones, particularly in those located in the entire periventricular area and in the infundibular nucleus. Both, percent area exhibiting positive staining and the density of immunoreactive NPY measured in the periventricular subdivision of the paraventricular nucleus were significantly higher (P<0.05) in sheep fed restricted diet, than in sheep fed on elevated diet. This study describes the distribution of NPY neurones in the sheep diencephalon, and shows the relationships between the expression of hypothalamic population of NPY neurones and the level of protein feeding.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Effects of central infusions of neuropeptide Y on the somatotropic axis in sheep fed on two levels of protein.

Effects of infusions of neuropeptide Y (NPY) into 3rd ventricle of growing sheep fed on diets containing restricted (R) or elevated (E) levels of protein on the immunoreactive (ir) somatostatin neurones, ir somatotrophs, growth hormone (GH) concentration in the blood plasma were studied. The long-term restriction of protein in the diet elicited: enhancing irSS content in periventricular perikarya; diminishing irSS stores in the median eminence and elevating the number ir somatotrophs and content of irGH. NPY infusions enhanced the content of irSS in perikarya in sheep fed on E diet and diminished the number of ir somatotrophs and content of irGH of sheep fed on R diet. The R diet as well as NPY infusions caused an increase in GH mean concentrations in the blood plasma. Obtained results suggest that stimulatory effect of restricted feeding and/or NPY action on GH secretion can be due to attenuated SS output. Since dietary restrictions and exogenous NPY have similar influence on the activation of GH secretion, we suggest that NPY could be a neuromodulatory link between nutritional cues and somatotropic axis in sheep.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

[Epidemiology of HBV infections and possibilities for therapeutic actions in children and adolescents with end-stage renal failure treated with dialysis].

Wide spreading of prophylaxis principles of HBV infections in dialysis centers decreased the HBV infection rate in general population of dialyzed patients in Poland last years. There is neither data concerned with HBV infection epidemiology in children and adolescents, nor data about anti-viral treatment possibilities and effects in this group of dialyzed patients. The aim of the study was evaluating of HBV infection rate in patients of pediatric dialysis centers and analysis of causes of infection and efficacy of treatment. Study was based on data sent in a query-answer by 8 biggest pediatric dialysis centers, all of them treating 210 patients. HBV infection was found much more often (16.6%) than in population of all hemodialyzed patients in Poland. More than 75% non-vaccinated patients was infected before dialysis therapy, remaining were infected during vaccination, before the protecting level of antibodies was gained. Big differences in HBV infection rate among centers are observed. Nowadays HCV infections (more than 40% patients infected) are a bigger issue. Only 10 patients in 5 centers had anti-viral treatment (5 with isolated HBV infection, 5 with mixed HBV/HCV infection). In 9 patients interferon-alpha and in 1 patient lamivudine was administered. Efficacy of interferon-alpha treatment was similar to the population of non-uremic children (33.3% vs. 50% of HBeAg elimination). Majority of patients quite well tolerated the drug. Only in 1 case interferon-alpha treatment had to be ceased because of side effects. In a boy treated with lamivudine, after 3 months elimination of viremia and decrease of ALAT activity was observed. HBV infection in patients of pediatric dialysis centers is still a serious matter. More strict applying of vaccination against hepatitis B before dialysis treatment is needed. The possibility of HBV infections therapy is limited, mostly for economical reasons.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

[Effectiveness of antiviral treatment of patients with chronic hepatitis C (a Polish multicenter study)].

Interferon alpha (INF) is routine treatment in patients with chronic hepatitis C. Many controlled investigations were evaluated to establish the optimal schedule of treatment with sustained virological and biochemical response. Recently, multicentre meta-analyses suggest that combination therapy (INF + Ribavirin) was more effective than treatment with interferon alone. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of four schedules of antiviral treatment in 445 patients with chronic hepatitis C. Combination therapy (INF + Ribavirin) given for 6 mo. and monotherapy (INF) for 18 mo. were more effective than interferon alone given for 6 mo. Treatment with INF alone for 6 mo. was demonstrated to be insufficient.

Antiviral Agents↗
PubMed2001

[Liver sarcoidosis--a case report].

46-years old woman was diagnosed in Department of Infectious Diseases of Medical Academy in Wrocław due to dyspeptic disorder, eosinophilia and high AspAT, AlAT, AP and GGTP level in blood serum. Liver biopsy was performed. Hepatic, noncaseating granulomata were found in liver biopsy specimen. Histological changes indicate to liver sarcoidosis.

Biopsy, Needle↗
PubMed2000

[Epidemiology and clinical course of HCV infection in children and adolescents with chronic renal failure].

The aim of the study was to evaluate epidemiology and clinical course of HCV infection in children and adolescents with end-stage renal disease. The study involved 70 patients, aged 1-25 years, 31 M, 39 F: group of 40 dialysed (27 HD, 13 CAPD) and 30 patients suffering from different chronic renal disease as a control group. Anti-HCV antibodies were assayed by EIA 3rd gene (Abbott Diagnostic) and were sought by LIATEK HCV 3rd gene. HCv RNA was detected and measured by a standardised HCV RNA PCR assay (Amplicor Roche). HCV genotypes were identified by InnoLIPA (Innogenetics). HCV infection was diagnosed in 20 (50%) dialysed and in 3 (10%) non-dialysed patients. None of the HCV infected patients presented the clinical symptoms of hepatitis; the mild activity of ALT was observed in 8 cases only. HCV viremia was relatively low: 365 x 103 copies/mL in PD and 110,9 x 103 copies/mL in HD patients. 3 genotypes of HCV were identified: 1a, 1b and 4c/4d. In 3 cases liver biopsy was performed, no cirrhosis was diagnosed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

[Prevalence of anti-HAV antibodies in selected groups of children].

Hepatitis A is a significant endemic and epidemic disease of global importance. There are few studies on the epidemiology of hepatitis A in Poland. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of the antibodies to HAV (anti-HAV IgG) in children and adolescents living in urban and rural areas. Sera from 377 children were collected: 195 lived in Warsaw and 182 in rural area (voyevodship opolskie). The prevalence of anti-HAV was very low--9.3% and 3.8% respectively. This finding suggest that epidemiological shift from intermediate to low endemicity is possible in Poland and a new policy of prophylaxis hepatitis A may be necessary.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Decrease of enhanced interferon alpha levels in sera of HIV-infected and AIDS patients receiving combined antiretroviral therapy.

In the advanced stages of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection the defective interferon (IFN) responses have been observed. Persisting high lebels of the acid-labile interferons (al-IFNs) have been found in sera of the patients with AIDS. The combined antiretroviral therapy, that included the reverse transcriptase and viral protease inhibitors, resulted in a significant improvement of the clinical state of the majority of HIV-infected patients. In this report we describe the levels of IFNs in 41 HIV patients subjected to the combined treatment. High IFN levels (median 84, up to 576 U/ml) were found in sera of patients classified as the stage C2 or C3 of AIDS before the treatment. The combined therapy resulted in the decrease of IFN levels (median 7.5, up to 24 U/ml) that approached the levels of IFNs detected in the HIV+, A1-A3 stage patients (median 4, up to 36 U/ml). In contrast, the unsuccessful therapy connected with the worsening of the clinical state and the decrease of CD4+ cell count had no effect on the IFNs levels (median 48, up to 96 U/ml). Thus, the measurements of IFN activity in sera may be useful for monitoring the effects of the antiretroviral combined therapy. In sera of the AIDS patients, subjected to the antiviral bioassays, the mixture of the acid-labile and acid-stable form of IFN-alpha, with the prevailing al-IFN-alpha, have been detected.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1998

[Therapeutic efficacy of low-dose alpha interferon therapy in liver cirrhosis associated with HBV].

The aim of this study was the assessment the efficacy and safety of therapy with interferon alpha (Intron A) administered s.c. 3 MU x 3/week for 12 weeks for patients with HBV related liver cirrhosis (Child's class A). Fifteen patients completed therapy and 12 months follow-up. At the end of follow-up sustained response to the therapy, defined by clearance of HBV-DNA, normalization of ALAT activity in serum and improvement in the liver histology was achieved in 46.6% of treated patients. Moreover, among few patients from group of nonresponders (patients without sustained clearance of HBV-DNA) decrease of HBV-DNA level, ALAT activity in serum and improvement in the liver histology were observed. Adverse effects of IFN alpha therapy were typical, but in any case were no necessity terminate the therapy.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Long-term assessment of interferon responses in the HIV+ and AIDS patients.

Impairment of interferon (IFN) system in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) became a basis for searching IFN responses to monitor the disease progression. For detailed investigations 16 HIV+/AIDS patients with at least 4 successively taken blood samples available for IFN determinations were selected. IFN responses were tested in two ways. Firstly, IFN level in plasma was measured. Secondly, capacity of IFN production by leukocytes was evaluated. The latter was determined in the whole blood assay, in which Newcastle disease virus (NDV) and phytohemagglutinin (PHA) were used as IFN-alpha and IFN-gamma inducers, respectively. The levels of IFN induced in whole blood leukocytes varied considerably in all individuals that had been tested. Nevertheless, two patterns of IFN responses were observed. In pattern I, patients had low levels of IFN in plasma and high levels of induced IFN-alpha and IFN-gamma. It was characteristic for 8 patients in good clinical condition. On the contrary, severe disease found in 2 patients was correlated with high levels of IFN in plasma and low levels of induced IFNs (pattern II). In 6 patients IFN responses were classified as intermediate pattern I/II suggesting transition from pattern I to pattern II. A variation of pattern I was found in the case of a patient defined as long-term survivor having relatively low levels of all IFN tested. The results suggested that interferon measurements reflected clinical condition of HIV+ patients showing not only past but also current immune changes.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1995

[Plasma fibronectin in chronic liver disease--marker of fibrosis?].

The determination of fibronectin (FN) concentration in plasma has been performed in the group of 77 patients (60-with various chronic liver diseases, 6-with AIDS IVc, 11-healthy patients). The purpose of this study was: evaluation of the value of plasma FN determination in assessment the degree of liver fibrosis and the degree of liver damage. The obtained results were compared with routine biochemical tests and histopathological picture of liver sections. Among patients with liver diseases, we observed that plasma FN concentration was significantly lower only in the group with decompensated liver cirrhosis, in relation to control group. Non significant lower values of FN was observed in the group of patients with chronic hepatitis, as well as non significant higher ones in the group with cholestasis and fibrosis. It has been concluded that determination of plasma FN concentration has not any importance in evaluation of degree of liver fibrosis and its only one from many functional liver tests.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1994

Interferon and tumor necrosis factor responses of HIV+ patients as markers for monitoring of the AIDS progression.

The blood samples taken from 31 HIV+ and AIDS patients were used to study interferon (IFN) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) responses. The IFN and TNF levels in plasma were determined. In the whole blood assay (whole blood diluted 1:10 with culture medium) Newcastle disease virus (NDV) and phytohemagglutinin (PHA) were used as cytokine inducers. Blood leukocytes of HIV+ patients produced significantly less IFN-alpha after NDV stimulation than the cells of healthy (HIV-) individuals. On the other hand, the production of IFN-gamma in response to PHA was impaired only in AIDS patients with stage CDC IV and CD4+ cell number < 200/microliters. These patients had also increased IFN levels in plasma. Particularly, the high level of IFN in plasma was frequently detected in patients with progressing AIDS with CD4+ cell number < 50/microliters. This type of IFN was identified as a mixture of acid-labile and acid-stable IFN-alpha. The IFN responses of HIV+ patients may be considered as markers for monitoring progression of AIDS and therapy.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1993

High prevalence of antibodies to hepatitis C virus in three haemodialysis centres in south-western Poland.

We assessed the prevalence of anti-hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) antibodies and markers of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in patients of three haemodialysis centres before initiating anti-HBV vaccinations. Of the 94 patients, 39 (41.5%) were anti-HCV positive (+) and 81 (86.2%) were anti-hepatitis B core antigen (HBc) positive. There was a high rate of anti-HBc positivity among anti-HCV (+) patients (92.3%), although the presence of anti-HCV and anti-HBc antibodies were not significantly related to each other. Multiple blood transfusions (> 5 units) was a risk factor for development of HCV infection (P < 0.02), while none of our patients admitted intravenous drug abuse. Although 53.8% of anti-HCV (+) patients have had moderate serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) elevations during the study period, none has had considerable liver disease, nor did the increased ALT correlate with the presence of anti-HCV. Only two of 17 staff members participating in the survey were anti-HCV (+), though almost every one gave a history of accidental needlestick exposure. All the study subjects were human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) negative. Our results, obtained with the second-generation, highly specific enzyme immunoassay and verified by the immunoblot assay for anti-HCV antibodies, support a recent suggestion that earlier reports might have underestimated the true prevalence of anti-HCV antibodies in haemodialysis patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

[Treatment of chronic hepatitis B with interferon alpha (Wellferon) with and without previous corticosteroid therapy -- results of a multicenter, double blind study].

The present study was aimed to test the efficacy and safety of interferon alpha (Wellferon-Wellcome Foundation Ltd.) either alone, or in combination with short-term corticosteroid pretreatment in the therapy of chronic hepatitis B. 44 patients with documented chronic hepatitis type B (12 women and 32 men; mean age 37.5 years, range 23-59 years) and satisfying the entry criteria were subjects of the study. 30 patients had chronic active hepatitis on liver biopsy, while 14 had chronic persistent hepatitis. Consecutive patients were given either placebo or prednisone in a double-blinded manner for 4 weeks (0.6 mg/kg/day in the first two weeks, 0.45 mg/kg/day in the third week and 0.25 mg/kg/day in the last week), and then, after a 2 week pause, therapy with interferon was instituted for a total of 12 weeks. Interferon was given by intramuscular injection in a single daily dose of 10 x 10(6) IU for 5 days and three times weekly thereafter. However, because of side effects, the dose of interferon was occasionally reduced to 5 x 10(6) IU in most patients. Interferon induced a sustained cessation of HBV replication as judged by loss of DNA-polymerase activity in 26 (59%) patients, 20 (45%) patients seroconverted to anti-HBe. Additionally, 6 (14%) cases lost HBsAg and seroconverted to anti-HBs. Prednisone pretreatment did not seem to improve the efficacy of interferon therapy. The outcome of the treatment was unrelated to gender and pretreatment activity of transaminases, however, patients with low activity of HBV replication were more likely to respond to therapy than patients with high HBV replication.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

[Clinical characteristics of patients with AIDS treated at the Infectious Disease Clinic, Medical Academy, in Wrocław during the years 1989-1990].

In the period 1989-1990 15 patients with various stages of HIV infection were treated. Among them were: 8 (53.3%) i.v. drug users, 6 (40%) homo- and bisexual men, and 1 (6.1%) woman with post-transfusion infection. The undertaken medical and laboratory examination, on the basis of CDC/WHO criteria, revealed: 6 patients with PGL, 6-with IV A stage, 1-IVB, 1-IVd and 1-IVE. The group of homo and bisexual men had lover CD4 lymphocyte counts than other patients. From our group only 7 patients were treated unsuccessfully with Retrovir (600 mg daily/6 months) but without side effects. Three patients died to this day.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗