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Biomedical subjects

A Szulc

Publications and source records attributed to A Szulc.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

The effect of risperidone on metabolite measures in the frontal lobe, temporal lobe, and thalamus in schizophrenic patients. A proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H MRS).

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was the evaluation of risperidone effect on metabolite measures in the frontal lobe, temporal lobe and thalamus in schizophrenic patients on the basis of proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy ( (1)H MRS). METHODS: A group of 14 patients with the diagnosis of schizophrenia, according to DSM-IV, were examined in the study. The patients were examined twice, once after a period of at least 7 days without neuroleptics and for the second time at least 4 weeks after stable risperidone doses. RESULTS: The significant differences in the metabolite levels before and after the treatment were observed only in thalamus: an increase in myoinositol (mI) and N-acetylaspartate (NAA) levels. Positive symptoms before the treatment correlated positively with NAA level in the frontal lobes and negatively in the temporal lobes. Negative symptoms before the treatment correlated positively with Glx (a common signal for GABA, glutamine and glutamate) level in the temporal lobes. CONCLUSION: Our results seem to confirm the influence of risperidone on the brain metabolism, specifically in the region of thalamus.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Role of metallothionein expression in non-small cell lung carcinomas.

Metallothionein (MT) is a low molecular weight protein, which participates in differentiation and proliferation of normal and tumour cells. In some malignant tumours (mammary, renal, ovarian cancers), its increased expression is thought to represent an unfavourable prognostic factor. Non-small-cellular lung cancers (mainly squamocellular cancer and adenocarcinoma) are characterised by ill-defined prognosis, which poses problems in the selection of effective post-surgical therapy. The present study aimed at demonstration of the prognostic significance of MT expression in cells of non-small cell lung cancers, attempting to correlate the intensity of MT expression with G grade and with the intensity of proliferation-associated antigen, Ki-67 expression. The studies were performed on archival paraffin blocks with samples of 25 cases of non-small cell lung cancers (5 squamous cell cancers, 20 adenocarcinomas). In paraffin sections of the studied tumours, immunocytochemical reactions were performed, using mouse monoclonal anti-MT and anti-Ki-67 antibodies. The expressions of MT and Ki-67 were demonstrated in all the studied tumours. An analysis of correlation between the expression of MT, Ki-67 antigen and G grade demonstrated a strong positive relation between the latter two parameters (r=0.70; p<0.05). Less pronounced positive correlations were disclosed between MT expression and G grade (r=0.44; p<0.05) and between MT expression and the expression of Ki-67 antigen (r=0.41; p<0.05). In addition, in 15 cases of examined tumours, survival analysis was performed, which disclosed a shorter survival in patients with high MT expression. The obtained results confirmed the relationship between MT expression and Ki-67 antigen expression, indicating an involvement of the proteins in processes of tumour cell proliferation. In turn, the shorter survival of patients with high expression of MT pointed to prognostic significance of the protein in non-small cell lung cancers.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed2001

[Psychologic disorders in acute and persistent neuroborreliosis].

In the risk group, inhabiting endemic areas, even non-specific symptoms should alert the physician to the possibility of infection caused by the spirochete. The invasion of central nervous system (neuroborreliosis) may be the cause for persisting, irreversible intellectual impairment and memory deficits. Brain lesions are the result of misdiagnosis and delayed antibiotic treatment. This paper describes a case of neuroborreliosis with atypical beginning and diagnostic difficulties.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2001

[Immunological marker activity in first episode schizophrenic patients].

We evaluated immune-inflammatory markers in 32 first-episode schizophrenic patients during exacerbation of symptoms and during clinical improvement. Mean concentrations of sIL-2R and IFN-g was higher and mean concentration of sIL-6R was lower in cell cultures from blood of schizophrenic patients than in normal controls and there was no difference in IL-2 concentration. There was no correlation between concentrations of cytokines and demographic and clinical data. Our results may suggest that immune system disturbances could be observed in schizophrenia at the onset of the disease.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

[Tumor necrosis factor alpha and its soluble receptors in serum of patients with coronary artery disease].

TNF-alpha as a pleiotropic, proinflammatory cytokine seems to play a role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease (CAD). TNF-alpha is binding to two cell surface receptors and its serum activity is modified by soluble forms of these receptors: sTNF-R I and sTNF-R II. The aim of this study was to assess serum concentrations of TNF-alpha, sTNF-R I and sTNF-R II in patients (pts) with CAD. We examined serum concentrations of TNF-alpha, sTNF-R I and sTNF-R II by ELISA in: 45 pts with stable exertional angina (group I); 32 pts with unstable angina (group II) within 6, 24, and 48 h after the chest pain; and 23 pts before and 6, 24, and 48 h after PTCA (group III). The control group (group C) consisted of 20 healthy subjects. We evaluated: clinical state of patients and results of some diagnostic examinations (lipids, ECG, echocardiography, coronary angiography). Mean serum concentrations of TNF-alpha were significantly higher in pts ith CAD (group I: 18.25 +/- 5.5 pg/ml; group II: 17.24 +/- 4.0 pg/ml; group III: 18.70 +/- 0.6 pg/ml; p < 0.001) than in healthy pts (8.31 +/- 1.4 pg/ml). In turn mean serum concentrations of sTNF-R I were significantly higher both in group I (1399.6 +/- 536.3 pg/ml; p < 0.05) and III (1544.0 +/- 391.4 pg/ml; p < 0.01) than in control group (1093.9 +/- 456.9 pg/ml). There were not differences in mean serum concentrations of sTNF-R II. We found no differences between mean serum concentrations of TNF-alpha, sTNF-R I and sTNF-R II either after the chest pain (group II); or before and after PTCA (group III). In group I mean TNF-alpha correlated with serum triglycerides and HDL-cholesterol (r = 0.412 and r = -0.424; p < 0.01); sTNF-R I correlated with LDL-cholesterol (r = -0.309; p < 0.05); and sTNF-R II correlated with total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol (r = 0.311 and r = 0.316; p < 0.05). The serum concentrations of TNF-alpha are increased in patients with CAD, but this does not reflect the clinical state of patients. In pts with stable angina these increased levels of TNF-alpha may be accompanied with higher concentrations of sTNF-R I--it seems to be the compensatory mechanism in long-term atherosclerosis. Lipid disturbances may influence the cytokines metabolism in pts with CAD.

Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary↗
PubMed2001

[Mental disorders in Lyme disease].

From the early 90-ties there is a growing number of patients suffering from Lyme Disease all over the world, including Poland. Lyme Disease is the disorder connecting physicians of various specialties. The authors reviewed literature on mental disorders in Lyme Disease during different stages and in different types of illness. Mental disorders are part of clinical picture of the acute stage of Lyme Disease, and could also be its sequel. The most commonly found mental disorders are: encephalopathy, other cognitive disorders, mood disorders (depression), anxiety disorders and less often: psychotic disorders and eating disorders (anorexia nervosa).

Borrelia burgdorferi↗
PubMed2001

[P-selectin and E-selectin in serum of patients with coronary artery disease].

UNLABELLED: Evidence for the role of chronic inflammation in atherogenesis has been well documented. Selectins mediate the first step in leukocyte adhesion and may contribute to the pathogenesis of stable and unstable angina. METHODS: The study group consisted of 59 patients (pts) with coronary artery disease (CAD) documented coronarographically: 27 pts with stable exertional angina (group A), 32 pts with unstable angina (group B). 20 healthy persons were the control group (group C). Serum levels of E-selectin and P-selectin were measured by ELISA method both before and after the treadmill ECG stress test (ST) in groups A and C. In group B the measurements were carried out at 6, 24, and 48 hours following an episode of chest pain. RESULTS: There were no differences between the baseline serum levels of selectins as determined in groups A and C. In patients with stable angina, the post-ST concentrations of E-selectin were significantly higher (68.8 +/- 29 ng/ml) in comparison to both baseline (38.7 +/- 15 ng/ml), and group C-values (pre-ST: 35.1 +/- 16; post-ST: 49.9 +/- 15 ng/ml). In unstable patients, serum P-selectin levels were higher when compared to those found in groups A and C (group A: 142.3 +/- 24; group B: 190.1 +/- 99; group K: 136.4 +/- 33 ng/ml). No differences between selectins concentrations were observed at fixed times after an episode of chest pain. CONCLUSIONS: Soluble selectins levels in pts with stable angina are comparable to those of healthy persons. Significant increase of E-selectin concentration as induced by ST may reflect endothelial response to exercise. Patients with unstable angina had elevated levels of P-selectin, which seems to be associated with enhanced platelet and leukocyte activation. The serum levels of selectins may indirectly reflect clinical condition of pts with CAD.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

[The QT interval dispersion and ventricular late potential in obese women].

UNLABELLED: Obesity is known to be a risk factor of cardiac death, that is associated first of all with cardiac arrhythmias. Increased QT dispersion (QTd) and ventricular late potentials (LP) are measurable indices of ventricular arrhythmias risk. The aim of this study is to asses QTd and LP in women with obesity. 62 obese women (mean BMI 36.7 kg/m2) and 15 apparently healthy subjects (mean BMI 24.5 kg/m2) were included in our study. QTd and correlated QT interval dispersion (QTdc) were calculated from 12-lead ECG. LVM were assessed from echocardiograms. LP were obtained by signal averaging of surface electrocardiograms. RESULTS: QTd, QTdc, LVM were significantly higher in patients. We found LP in six cases and higher QTdc in this subgroup. According to our research, increased QTd in obese women seems to be associated with left ventricular hypertrophy and increased QTd is significantly higher in subjects with LP.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

[The alcohol dependence in the patients of the Department of Orthopedics and the Department of Endocrinology of the clinical hospital in Białystok].

The authors analyse problem of alcohol dependence in the patients of the traumatic department (orthopedics) and the internal department (endocrinology). The evaluation of the dependence was made by the help of MAST. This test is easy to perform by the patients themselves. As authors predicted, the probability of alcohol dependence was higher among the patients of the orthopaedics department. Although the difference was not statistically significant, the authors confirm that the alcohol dependence may be related to physical traumas, especially in men.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

[Complications after joint endoprosthesis for treatment of locomotor system neoplasms].

The authors present most common complications after tumor related joint replacement. Twenty-six patients (9 females, 17 males) have been operated on (mean age 22.5 years). In 19 cases osteosarcoma was diagnosed, Ewing sarcoma in 4 and there were 3 cases of chondrosarcoma. Postoperatively, superficial skin necrosis occurred in 4 patients but healed in four weeks, full-thickness skin necrosis in 2 and in 2 cases wound infection resulted in septic loosening of endoprosthesis. The number of infections in our patients was low but caused delay of chemotherapy and need for revision of the infected joint.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

[QT interval dispersion and the type of obesity in women].

UNLABELLED: The risk of sudden cardiac death is higher in patients with obesity, particularly in the upper body obesity. The most common cause of cardiac events are serious ventricular arrhythmias. Delayed cardiac repolarization leading to the prolongation of the QT interval is a well characterised precursor of arrhythmias. The QT interval dispersion reflects inhomogeneity of repolarization. The aim of this study was to assess QT interval dispersion (QTd) in obese women and to establish the relationship between obesity and QTd. 62 patients with obesity (group 1) and 15 apparently healthy women (group 2) were included in our study. Obese subjects were distinguished in accordance to the waist to hip ratio (WHR) into three subgroups: 1a--obese women with upper body obesity; 1b--obese women with WHR: 0.75-0.85; 1c--obese women with lower body obesity. A standard 12-lead ECG was performed in each subjects and QTd, QTdc (QT correlated interval dispersion), QTdR (QTd ratio) were calculated. The left ventricular mass (LVM) and left ventricular mass index (LVMI) were obtained from echocardiograms. We found QTd, QTdc, QTdR and LVM, LVMI to be significantly higher in obese women as well as positive correlation between BMI and both LVM, LVMI. QTdR was significantly higher in subgroup 1a compared with subgroup 1c. CONCLUSIONS: 1) QT interval dispersion was increased in obese women compared with healthy subjects, 2) supposedly increased QTd was associated with the type of obesity.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1998

[Massive allogenic bone grafts in reconstructive surgery after local resection of malignant bone tumor].

A series of 11 patients (5 females, 6 males) aged 11 to 43 years (mean 19.5 years) with primary malignant bone tumor is presented. MRI and CT served to determine the exact tumor invasion within soft tissues and medullar cavity. Prior to the surgery IIB stage (Enneking) was established in all cases. Chemotherapy was used in 7 cases, radiotherapy in 1. Local excision of the tumor was followed by implantation of massive frozen bone graft. Fixation was achieved with intramedullary nails, screws, AO plates or Martin external fixator. Follow-up ranged from 2 years 4 months to 5 years 2 months (mean 3 years 6 months). Adjuvant pre- and post-operative chemotherapy allowed for limb salvage and excision procedure with massive allograft to fill the defect. One patient died due to dissemination of the neoplastic disease, remaining 10 are alive with no symptoms of metastases. Stable osteosynthesis allows for early axial weight bearing and fast rehabilitation of the limb.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

[Lower extremity deformities as an obstacle in rehabilitation of meningomyelocele patients--pathogenesis and principles of treatment].

The fate of 89 patients with meningomyelocele operated at the Institute of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation in Poznań between 1970 and 1989 due to paretic deformities of lower extremities has been traced by the authors. Deformities prevented nursing, standing or ambulating; their type and results of treatment have been related to the level of neurosegmental lesion. Modified Sharrard's classification served to group the patients. The level of lesion established during lower extremities muscles testing has been verified after neurological examination supplemented with electrophysiological tests: sensory response within L3-S2 dermatomes, afferent conduction velocity of the peroneal nerve and selected muscles of lower extremity electromyogram. Deformities due to inadequate nursing (hip and knee contractures and equinus foot) were the main obstacle in the rehabilitation in patients with spinal Th12-L2 lesion. In patients with L3-L5 lesion hip contractures were accompanied by dislocation or subluxation of the hip due to muscular imbalance. Knee contracture was less frequent in this group and foot deformities were diverse. Surgical correction of paretic deformity of the hip was the last stage of management designed to promote rehabilitation, following previous foot and knee surgery. In patients with Th12-L2 lesion recurrence of contractures made standing and walking impossible. In patients with L3-L5 neurosegmental lesion surgery for paretic dislocation or subluxation of the hip inclusive of open reduction, varus-derotation osteotomy of the proximal femur, transiliac osteotomy and iliopsoas transfer to the greater trochanter according to Mustard resulted in stable hip. Seventy percent of patients with L3-L4 lesion and all patients with L5 lesion profited from hip surgery with reduced orthotic use and effective gait.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

[The evaluation of selected risk factors of solitary bone cyst recurrence after its curretage and bone graft filling].

Selected risk factors of solitary bone cyst recurrence after curretage and bone graft filling have been analyzed in this study. Seventy-four patients (42 males, 32 females) have been reviewed. The age of patients at the diagnosis ranged between 4 and 55 years (mean 12 years). During follow-up ranging from 1 year to 48 years (mean 18 years) 15 recurrences appeared. It has been found, that sex of the patient, localization and volume of the cyst, septa presence or absence within it have no statistically significant influence on the recurrence. Age below 10 years and the use of allogenic lyophilized bone grafts predispose for recurrence of solitary cyst of bone.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

[Anthropometric parameters in assessment of patients with Marfan syndrome or with Marfan phenotype].

A series of 37 patients aged 4-64 years has been evaluated with criteria of Lee and Ramirez. Diagnosis of Marfan syndrome has been established in 13 cases, in 24 patients the Marfan phenotype has been found. In both groups body height, upper extremities length, the length of upper and lower body segment, length of the foot and hand have been recorded. Metacarpal index has been calculated. Antropometric measurements did not reveal significant differences in body parts proportions between these two groups.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

[Evaluation of the prognostic significance of P53 mutation in patients with non-small cell lung cancer].

Prognostic value of p53 gene mutation was determined in 95 radically operated non small cell lung cancer patients (78 males and 17 females, mean age 57.8 years). Study group included 62 cases of squamous cell carcinoma, 30--adenocarcinoma and 3--large cell carcinoma. There were 52 patients in stage I disease, 16--in stage II, 26--in stage IIIa and one--in stage IIIb. Paraffin-embedded samples of resected tumors were assayed for p53 mutations with the use of PCR/SSCP analysis. p53 mutation were present in 22 cases (23%). The median survival in patients with and without p53 mutations were 49 and 75 months (p = 0.46), respectively, and the five-year survival rate 53% and 50%, respectively. In stage I disease the median survival for patients with p53 mutation was 53 months and for those without mutations the median survival could not be determined as more then a half of them were alive. Median survival in stage II patients with and without mutations was 35 months and 44 months (p = 0.62), and in stage IIIA--9.5 months and 17 months, respectively (p = 0.37). The results of this study indicate that p53 gene mutation is not correlated with prognosis in non-small cell lung cancer patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

The influence of working time on the diurnal variation of blood pressure.

The aim of this study was to compare the diurnal blood pressure (BP) profile in the same persons performing the same work at different hours: at first examination: 06.00 to 14.00 day hours; the second examination: 22.00 to 06.00 night hours. The study group consisted of 20 men working in a power station. They were all doing similar work at the same working place (the handling of electric generators). In each subject 24 h BP monitoring (Excel Oxford Medical) was performed twice, during day and night working hours. Only eight subjects (40%) had a similar diurnal BP profile during both examinations. The BP profile of the other 12 subjects (60%) showed distinct differences. However, we have not observed any common or characteristic pattern in them. These results suggest that the time of working may be an important factor changing the diurnal variation of BP. To ascertain why it is not true for all examined subjects needs further exploration.

Adult↗