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Biomedical subjects

A Zalewska

Publications and source records attributed to A Zalewska.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Long-term results of topical PUVA in necrobiosis lipoidica.

The aim of our study was to evaluate the long-term results of topical psoralen ultraviolet A (PUVA) in patients with necrobiosis lipoidica (NL), in whom conventional methods (pentoxifylline, vitamin E, tretinoin, and topical or intralesional corticosteroids) had failed. The study comprised 10 women (age range 17-44 years), six of whom were insulin-dependent diabetics and four were diabetes-free. Duration of NL ranged from 3 to 10 years. The patients were treated with a 0.005% aqueous solution of 8-methoxypsoralen, applied topically for 30 min, and subsequently irradiated with UVA three times weekly. All the patients experienced almost complete remission (softening of skin lesions, no hyperpigmentation, lack of lesion progression) after a mean of 47 sessions (mean UVA cumulative dose 69.5 J/cm2). They were followed up for 12-24 months, during which time two recurrences, both in diabetic patients, were observed after 8 and 12 months of treatment cessation, which further resolved after another course of topical PUVA. We conclude that topical PUVA is well tolerated by NL patients and may serve as an alternative therapeutic regimen.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

[Non mucin proteins of saliva with high homology of polypeptide chains].

To non mucin proteins of human saliva belong: cystatins, statherin, histatins and acidic proline-rich protein. These saliva proteins influence hard and soft tissues by forming a pellicle layer on oral mucosa and enamel, by taking part in removing bacteria or initiating of bacterial colonization. Most of them are able to inhibit the formation of dental calculus and control the calcium phosphate homeostasis.

Bacterial Adhesion↗
PubMed2001

[Awareness of airflow obstruction together with antismoking advice increases success in cessation smoking].

COPD is one of the leading causes of mortality and increased morbidity in developed world. In advanced disease it also imposes an important economic burden on societies. The main etiologic factor for COPD is tobacco smoking. The aim of the study was to asses if the awareness of airflow obstruction combined together with a minimal antismoking advice in middle aged smokers increases the quitting rate. Out of smokers participating in mass spirometric screening for COPD in five polish towns, we invited 734 (300 with airflow limitation and 247 with normal lung function) for a follow-up. During the second visit, at one year, spirometry was performed and smoking status was assessed. Non-smoking was validated with carbon monoxide measurements in exhaled breath. Patients who did not come for the follow-up visit were considered as smokers. Of 734 smokers invited, 543 (74%) presented for the follow-up visit. All smokers tried to modify the habit. Number of cigarettes smoked at one year was reduced by -5.5 (p < 0.001) in patients with airflow limitation and -2.2 (ns) in smokers with normal lung function. One year quit rate in smokers with airflow limitation was 11.1% vs 7.6% in smokers with normal lung function (ns). When the calculation was made for those who had the follow-up the quit rates were 15.1% vs 9.9% (p < 0.05). Cessation of smoking was correlated with lung function. Those smokers who stopped smoking permanently or tried to quit had lower FEV1 (p < 0.01) and FEV1/FVC (p < 0.05), than those who continued to smoke.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

[Early detection of COPD by high risk population spirometric screening].

UNLABELLED: COPD is the most frequent chronic lung disease in Poland. The disease is however under-diagnosed, especially at the early stages. The aim of the study was to assess the efficacy of spirometric screening for COPD in middle aged smokers. Informations on causes and symptoms of COPD were disseminated in mass media in 14 large cities. Subject aged over 39 and with smoking history of > 10 packyears were invited for a free spirometry in local chest clinic. However, everyone attending had the spirometry performed. Spirometry was performed according to ATS recommendations. Airway obstruction (AO) was diagnosed when FEV1/FVC < 85% of N and categorised as mild (FEV1 > 70% of N), moderate (FEV1 50-69% of N) or severe (FEV1 < 50% of N). Spirometry was accompanied by an antismoking advice. RESULTS: 12.781 subjects were screened (mean age 52 +/- 12 years, 57% males). In 8.269 subjects who complied with inclusion criteria AO was diagnosed in 29.8% (mild in 10.9%, moderate in 12% and severe in 6.9%). In smokers < 40 years of age and a history of < 10 packyears AO was found in 8.8% (mild in 6.0%, moderate in 1.8% and severe in 1.0%). CONCLUSION: Mass spirometry is an effective and easy method for early detection of COPD.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Structure and biosynthesis of human salivary mucins.

Human salivary glands secrete two types of mucins: oligomeric mucin (MG1) with molecular mass above 1 MDa and monomeric mucin (MG2) with molecular mass of 200-250 kDa. Monomers of MG1 and MG2 contain heavily O-glycosylated tandem repeats located at the central domain of the molecules. MG1 monomers are linked by disulfide bonds located at sparsely glycosylated N- and C-end. MG1 are synthesized by mucous cells and MG2 by the serous cells of human salivary glands.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1999

[Acne vulgaris: local and systemic treatment].

Acne vulgaris is a skin disease affecting mainly young people. To its pathogenetical factors belong: excessive serum production, cornification of hair follicles and presence of different bacteria (Propionibacterium acnes, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Pityrosporum ovale) on the skin and within hair follicles leading to skin inflammation. Therapeutical approach to the patient depends on the clinical presentation of the disease. And so, in its local treatment are benzyl peroxide, azelaic acid, topical antibiotics, hormonal therapy and retinoids whereas in systemic one are found oral antibiotics, hormonal therapy and retinoids.

Acne Vulgaris↗
PubMed1999

Isoenzymes of N-acetyl-beta-hexosaminidase.

Biological significance, structure and posttranslational processing of N-acetyl-beta-hexosaminidase isoenzymes are described. Clinical application of N-acetyl-beta-hexosaminidase is also reviewed.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1997

Functional studies of skin mast cells in lichen planus.

In order to identify possible functional differences between mast cells obtained from the skin of lichen planus (LP) patients and healthy donors, biopsies from lesional skin of 11 lichen planus patients and from normal skin of 7 healthy donors were sampled. Mast cells were obtained from the skin using an enzymatic dispersion technique. The cells were challenged in vitro with substance P (SP), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and anti-IgE. Their reactivity was estimated on the basis of histamine release. LP skin mast cells and healthy skin mast cells showed similar sensitivity to stimulation with TNF-alpha at a concentration of 10(-7) M (15.2% histamine release, as a proportion of total cellular content vs 15.9%) and to stimulation with anti-IgE at a dilution of 1:100) (38.8% vs 37.0%). Spontaneous histamine release was also very similar in both the populations of mast cells (10.2% vs 12.7%, respectively). However, LP skin mast cells showed significantly higher (P < 0.01) sensitivity towards stimulation with SP at a concentration of 10(-4) M than healthy skin mast cells (15.9% histamine release vs 7.0%). This finding could suggest that neurogenic inflammatory mechanisms contribute to the pathogenesis of LP.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Identification of melanoma risk factors in the Polish population.

BACKGROUND: There is a great deal of literature regarding malignant melanoma risk factors all over the world. However, such data concerning the Polish population has not been published as of yet. OBJECTIVE: To identify the importance of melanoma risk factors including number and distribution of common and atypical nevi of the patients, phenotypic features, and environmental conditions. METHODS: This is a case-control study of 74 melanoma patients and 300 controls. We used histopathological examination to confirm diagnosis of melanoma. Epiluminescence microscopy was introduced for differential diagnosis of all pigmented lesions. RESULTS: The mean number of common nevi in melanoma patients was significantly higher compared with the control group (22.1 vs 15.2; P < 0.05). Atypical nevi in the melanoma patients group and in the control group were encountered in 16.2% and 6.6%, respectively (P < 0.05). In the melanoma group more patients with fair complexion, intense sun exposure, and sunburn were identified compared with the control group. CONCLUSION: It was stated that an increased number of nevi (especially atypical ones), fair skin, and blue/green eyes, as well as intense UV exposure and sunburns, are important risk factors for melanoma development.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Sensitivity of human cutaneous mast cells to anaphylactic and nonimmunological stimuli.

Mast cells represent significant cellular element of the skin. It is now postulated that they play an important role in cutaneous homeostasis and are engaged in some pathological processes as well. The aim of our study was to examine sensitivity of human cutaneous mast cells to anaphylactic and anaphylactoid stimuli. The studies were performed on human cutaneous mast cells obtained from healthy skin by enzymatic dispersion technique. The mast cells were activated in vitro with anti-IgE, concanavalin A (Con A), compound 48/80, substance P (SP) or tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha). We have noticed that skin mast cells were susceptible to the challenge with anti-IgE and Con A, and histamine release was dose- and time-dependent. In both cases histamine release was high (44.0 +/- 4.1% with anti-IgE at dilution 1:500 and 20.1 +/- 2.4% with Con A in concentration 500 micrograms/ml). Cutaneous mast cells were challenged in a dose- and time-related fashion with compound 48/80, however histamine release was low (9.8 +/- 2.4%, at concentration of compound 48/80-100 micrograms/ml). SP and TNF-alpha also activated mast cells but the magnitude of histamine release was not high (up to 7.1 +/- 0.9%, SP in concentration 10(-4) M and 17.4 +/- 1.1%, TNF-alpha in concentration 10(-6) M) and maximal after 20 min reaction.

Anaphylaxis↗
PubMed1997

Behavioral activity of 1S,3R-ACPD, an agonist of metabotropic glutamate receptors.

The influence of intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injections of 1-aminocyclopentane-1,3-dicarboxylic acid (1S,3R-ACPD), an agonist of metabotropic glutamate receptors, on the activity of the central nervous system was examined in rats. 1S,3R-ACPD at the i.c.v. doses of 100 and 200 nmole significantly decreased apomorphine-induced stereotypy, and at a dose 200 nmole significantly diminished catalepsy caused by haloperidol, two behavioral symptoms controlled mainly by central dopaminergic system. The tested compound had no influence on the locomotor and exploratory activity of rats estimated in open field. 1S,3R-ACPD significantly improved acquisition at the i.c.v. dose of 100 nmole, and consolidation of information at the i.c.v. doses of 100 and 200 nmole. The tested compound had no influence on retention processes in passive avoidance situation. This compound also did not improve recognition memory tested in the object recognition test. These results indicated that 1S,3R-ACPD improved memory motivated affectively but had no influence on recognition memory and the diminished dopaminergic transmission.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

[Treatment of multiple myeloma associated anemia with human recombinant erythropoietin in a hemodialysis patient].

Recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) was used to treat the anaemia in a hemodialyzed 60 year old man with multiple myeloma requiring chemotherapy; the type of serum M component was IgA kappa. During the 5 months before rHuEPO treatment the patient was given multiple blood transfusions. rHuEPO was started 125 U/kg/week subcutaneously in divided doses after dialysis. After introduction of rHuEPO, blood transfusions were no longer required and haemoglobin concentration increased from 5.2 mmol/l to 6.9 mmol/l after 8 weeks of treatment. We conclude that rHuEPO treatment in haemodialysed patients with multiple myeloma may be safe, well tolerated and clinically effective.

Anemia↗