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Biomedical subjects

A Petrescu

Publications and source records attributed to A Petrescu.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Epidemiologic survey of multiple sclerosis in the Bucharest city and suburban area.

Epidemiologic survey over a restricted area of Romanian territory, i.e. the city of Bucharest with a population of 1,934,052 and a surface of 605 km2, established the following values for the MS parameters studied. On January 5, 1977 the prevalence rate for "probable" and "possible" cases was 46.4 per 100,000 inhabitants and for "probable" cases alone (with certain clinical diagnosis) 41.3 per 100,000. The specific 20- to 60-year age adjusted prevalence rate was 79.4 per 100,000. The incidence rate over the 1969--1976 period was 1.78 per 100,000. The prevalence and incidence rates in this survey are similar to those reported for two other large urban centers of Romania (population over 100,000 each), Romania being therefore situated in a geographical area of "high risk" for MS. The 0.61 per 100,000 nationwide and the 0.65 per 100,000 Bucharest mortality rates are lower than those reported in other geographical areas of "high risk" for MS.

Adolescent

The effect of ATP on lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) activity and influenza B virus multiplication.

The authors investigated the effect of ATP, an energy supplying substance, on the activity of LDH, an enzyme of the glycolytic pathway and on the multiplication of influenza virus strain B/Singapore in embryonate hen eggs. In the presence of ATP the increase in LDH activity could be detected from the first 1-3 hours and became obvious after 24 hours; likewise, virus multiplication was more intensive so that the hemagglutinating (HA) activity appeared 12 hours earlier than in controls and the increased HA values persisted for a longer time. The isoenzymatic pattern showed an intensification of LDH4 and LDH5 fractions in virus-inoculated eggs.

Adenosine Triphosphate

Variations in the activTY OF SOME BRAIN AND PLASMA ENZYMES UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF +Gz acceleration.

The present paper refers to the activity of some enzymes associated with the cellular cytomembranes in the plasma and brain of guinea pigs exposed to the action of repeated +10Gz acceleration. Immediately after the last run, diminution of enzymatic activity in the brain supernate ran parralel to a rise in plasma enzymatic activity. Variations in enzymatic activity suggested the liberation of enzymes connected with the neuronal organelles, perhaps consequent to alterations in the permeability or structure of the neuronal cytomembranes. These alterations might also be interpreted as being accompanied by permeabilization of the blood-brain barrier, with release of enzymes from the neuronal structures into the plasma. Changes in the permeability of the neuronal membranes might be attributed to several factors: cerebral hypoxia following the hemodynamic and ventilation alterations induced by hypergravitation, the influence upon the membrane permeability of hormones released in excess under the stress of acceleration, and the strain to which the central nervous system neurones are subjected by the multitude of afferent impulses with a starting point in the various types of receptors stimulated by hypergravitation.

Acceleration

Experimental viral lung fibrosis. Quantitative study of the relationships between cell accumulations and fibrillogenesis.

The relationships between mesenchymal lung cell accumulations and reticulinic fibrillogenesis were analysed morphologically and quantitatively during the development of a viral infection in the rabbit lung, induced by intranasal administration of influenza A2 virus. Cells and fibrils accumulated in the alveolar walls and in the interlobular areas of the lung were counted during the evolution of the experiment and statistically analysed. A significant statistical correlation between lung cell accumulations and fibrillogenesis could be demonstrated during the development of viral lung fibrosis.

Animals

Neutralizing influenza antibodies, IgA and total protein in the nasopharyngeal secretions of subjects vaccinated by nasal route with the inactivated influenza vaccine prepared in the "Stefan S. Nicolau" Institute of Virology.

Intranasal administration of two doses of the inactivated influenza vaccine prepared in the "Stefan S. Nicolau" Institute of Virology was followed by rises in the level of neutralizing secretory influenza antibodies in 82% of the cases. The concomitant study of secretory antibody, IgA and total protein levels, as well as of the serum HAI influenza antibodies demonstrated that their evolution was parallel only in 23% of the vaccinees. The percentage of secretory antibody conversion was similar to the rate of protection conferred by the vaccine.

Administration, Intranasal

[Studies of the influenza epidemic of January-March, 1974].

In an epidemiologic, clinical and viral study of several influenza foci in some urban districts of Romania during January-March 1974, 23 influenza virus B Hong-Kong 8/73 strains were isolated. The dynamics of HAI serum antibodies confirmed the viral diagnosis. The epidemic ran a slow course, affecting especially the 14-25 years age group and had an evident benign clinical aspect.

Adolescent

[Complex studies of virology, microbiology, biochemistry and epidemiology in the adults of a semi-closed community vaccinated against influenza with the inactivated NIVGRIP vaccine intranasally].

A study was conducted on the specific and non specific immunomodulator effects of the inactivated vaccine NIVGRIP. The results revealed the seroconversion of HAI antibodies against influenza and mumps viruses and the reduction of viral and microbial flora of the pharynx. The kinetics of some proteins specific to the acute stage (siderophiline antitrypsin, microglobulin, complement C1q and C2 factors, C reactive protein and fibronectin) was also investigated and significant quantitative modifications were noticed in vaccinated subjects. The mean illness duration (acute respiratory disease) was three times as short in vaccinated subjects as in controls.

Acute-Phase Proteins

[Epidemiological and virological research on influenza and viral respiratory infections in the southeastern region of Romania in the cold season of 1991-1992].

Investigations pointed out the high level of respiratory diseases and pneumonias in children, especially in the youngest ones (0-1 year-old) during all the surveyed period. An influenza outbreak during the second half of February was registered in the infantile population--school and low-age children--which gave most of the cases. Serology and isolations incriminated an influenza virus related to the A/Beijing 353/89 (H3N2) strain. Isolations worked out after the influenza epidemics pointed out circulation of parainfluenza and adenoviruses. The necessity is emphasized of the anti-influenza vaccination of low-age children.

Acute Disease

Na+ and K+ dependent ATP-ase and structural modifications in hypokinetic rats.

In rats the hypokinetic state obtained by restraint in special cages, produces after 30 days, a marked decrease in Na+ and K+ dependent ATP-ase in the skeletal muscle. After 15 days hypokinesia the enzymatic content of the investigated tissues did not change. In the left cardiac ventricular muscle Na+ and K+ dependent ATP-ase decreased after 15 days and particularly after 30 days hypokinesia. These changes were brought about by the hypofunctional state of both muscles, which also produced structural alterations. In the skeletal and cardiac muscles electron microscopy revealed fibrillar atrophy and mitochondrial alterations typical of an affected function. In the cardiac muscle, in which these changes were more accentuated, the dissociation of the intercalar disc was also noted, aspects partially described by others.

Adenosine Triphosphatases

Statistical study of lethal stroke.

Deceased cases with cerebral infarction and hemorrhage constituted the subjects of the present study. They were divided into two groups: 127 cases in group 1 (1954-1959) and 427 cases in group 2 (1977-1982). The purpose of the study was to compare clinical data to evidence any statistical difference between groups. No statistically significant difference was noticed, except the increase of age mean in both diagnoses due to the overall increase of age mean of the population (2.5-10 yrs).

Adult

Digestive structural modifications in rats submitted to 15 days of hypokinetical conditions.

Restraining rats for 14 days in special cages in order to determine a hypokinetical state decreased mucopolysaccharide secretion in submaxillary glands and gastric mucosa. In the small intestine and in the colon, concomitantly with an enzymatic (leucine-aminopeptidase and acid phosphatase) hypersecretion as results from specific histochemical reactions. These modifications show maximum intensity at the end of the interval. The corticosterone plasmatic level determined in the same interval also increased, suggesting this way to a causal relation. The histomorphological changes presented delayed reaction. This material is in accord with our previous investigations as well as with some literature data.

Acid Phosphatase

[The incidence of viral and microbial antigens and the serum interferon titer in certain forms of rheumatism].

The presence of some viral and inframicrobial antigens in peripheral leukocytes was investigated by the indirect immunofluorescence technique in 120 patients with different forms of rheumatism and 50 clinically healthy controls. Mycoplasma pneumoniae and type 3 para-influenza virus were detected most frequently. The determination of serum interferon titer revealed a rise of this product in rheumatic patients.

Antigens, Bacterial

Neuropathologic and therapeutic studies in experimental spinal cord trauma.

Experimental spinal cord trauma was performed intraoperatively in 132 rabbits (Allen's method modified by Faden et al.). Only 77 animals were administered drugs (glucocorticoids, antioxidants and anti-inflammatory nonsteroids): Prednisolon, Fluocinolon-N-spray, Epurox, Ketazone, Rheopyrin and Rengasil. The remaining 55 animals were controls. Results were clinically (the assessment of lower limb movement was performed on a 5-score scale) and neuropathologically studied. From a clinical point of view, Prednisolon, Fluocinolon and Rengasil showed some beneficial effects. No significant differences of nervous fibre regeneration were noticed between probands and controls.

Animals

[A morphological study of pneumopathies caused by associated para-influenza and influenza viruses].

Histological examination of lungs collected from mice inoculated with influenza A/PR 8/34 (H0N0) and/or parainfluenza type 3 viruses revealed the existence of lymphohistiocytic interstitial bronchopneumonia lesions. Necrosis zones were found in the lungs of influenza virus infected animals. Associated infection by the two viruses induced also the fibroblast and fibrocyte proliferation, at same average ratios.

Animals

[The incidence of influenzal, para-influenzal and adenoviral antigens in keratoconjunctivitis patients during immunization with NIVGRIP vaccine].

Repeated intranasal administrations of NIVGRIP, influenza inactivated vaccine, to patients with chronic recurrent keratoconjunctivitis, led to a significant reduction of respiratory virus incidence, as revealed by the immunofluorescence test in the conjunctive epithelial cells. The effect is probably due to endogenous interferon stimulation by the vaccine, at the nasopharyngeal level.

Adenoviruses, Human