Biomedical subjects

Andrzej Kukwa

Publications and source records attributed to Andrzej Kukwa.

12 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Nicotine-induced conditioned taste aversion in the rat: effects of ethanol.

It has been shown that small doses of ethanol antagonise the discriminative stimulus properties of nicotine in the rat. The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether ethanol could antagonise the aversive stimulus effects of nicotine. Wistar rats were trained to associate nicotine injections with a novel tasting fluid (0.1% saccharin) in the conditioned taste aversion procedure. Nicotine (0.3 mg/kg, s.c.) was injected 5 min after the end of a 20-min exposure to the saccharin solution. Ethanol (0.25-0.5 g/kg, i.p.) was administered 5 or 50 min before nicotine. In general, ethanol did not inhibit nicotine-induced conditioned taste aversion. Contrary to the findings in drug discrimination studies, a slight but significant enhancement of nicotine-induced taste aversion conditioning was observed after ethanol pre-treatment. Blood ethanol levels were measured in a separate group of rats. Maximal blood ethanol levels after i.p. administration of 0.25 or 0.5 g/kg ethanol exceeded 20 and 80 mg%, respectively. Concluding, the present results may indicate that ethanol does not attenuate nicotine-induced conditioned taste aversion in the rat.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

[The syndrome of dyskinetic cilia as the cause of chronic sinusitis].

UNLABELLED: The syndrome of dyskinetic cilia is the cause of chronic inflammatory processes of upper and lower airways. The research studies concerning cilia's structure were held during 50s. About 20 types of cilia's defects were characterized by now, classified as inborn defects. OBJECTIVES: The presentation of the case is because of both the rarity of incidence and diagnostical's problem and treatment. In this case, we observed who re-occurrence of chronic inflammation accompanied by having infections of lower respiratory tract it is necessary to expand diagnosis to find out the reasons of such disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A 7 years old girl was admitted to our Clinic. Since couple years she has been under assistance of Specialist Clinic. She was also hospitalized because of aggravation inflammatory state of lower airways. After computers tomography of sinuses she was qualified to surgical treatment. During operation a material to study of cilia immobility was taken. The electron microscope study confirm the diagnosis of the group of dyskinetic cilia. RESULTS: The follow-up examination was held 14 months after operation. During this time the girl did not take any antibiotic (before antibiotherapy was held couple times during the year). Clinical status proved. Better results were also on computer tomography. CONCLUSIONS: In this case, re-occurrence, inflammatory process both upper and lower respiratory tract are necessary to expand the diagnostics to find out the cause of illnesses. The methods of treatments the group of in-movement's cilia based on the symptomatic treatment, but the role of physiotherapy of respiratory system is stressed as the operation of removal of secretion's retention. There is an important role of regular laryngology care and surgical treatment allow partly to control the disease.

Child↗

PubMed2004

Taste responses to monosodium glutamate after alcohol exposure.

AIMS: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of acute and chronic exposure to alcohol on taste responses to a prototypic umami substance, monosodium glutamate (MSG). METHODS: The rated intensity and pleasantness of MSG taste (0.03-10.0%) was compared in chronic male alcoholics (n = 35) and control subjects (n = 25). In a separate experiment, the effects of acute exposure of the oral mucosa to ethanol rinse (0.5-4.0%) on MSG taste (0.3-3.0%) were studied in 10 social drinkers. RESULTS: The alcoholic and control group did not differ in terms of the rated intensity and pleasantness of MSG taste. Electrogustometric thresholds were significantly (P < 0.01) higher, i.e. worse, in the alcohol-dependent subjects. The difference remained significant after controlling for between-group differences in cigarette smoking and coffee drinking. Rinsing with ethanol did not alter either intensity or pleasantness of MSG taste in social drinkers. CONCLUSIONS: The present results suggest that: (i) neither acute nor chronic alcohol exposure modifies taste responses to MSG; (ii) alcohol dependence may be associated with deficit in threshold taste reactivity, as assessed by electrogustometry.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Depressive symptoms and taste reactivity in humans.

Animal studies suggest that induction of depression-like states may alter preference for sweet tastants. A major goal of the present study was to search for correlations between depressive symptoms measured by the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and taste responses to sweet and bitter substances. Thirty-three nonclinical volunteers rated intensity and pleasantness of chocolate and vanilla milk as well as of sucrose- and quinine-soaked filter paper disks. Reactivity to citric acid (sour) and sodium chloride (salty) was also tested with the paper disk methodology. Taste detection thresholds were assessed by means of electrogustometry. A weak inverse relationship was found between the BDI scores (range: 3-33) and rated intensity of paper disks soaked in 60% sucrose. No correlations were found between depressive symptoms and intensity, pleasantness or identification of the other samples. Similarly, there was no relationship between the BDI scores and responses to chocolate and vanilla milk. BDI scores were not associated with electrogustometric thresholds. These data suggest that depressive symptoms may not influence taste reactivity in nonclinical population.

Aconitic Acid↗

PubMed2004

[Reduction of overgrown lymphatic system among children as a method of restoration of upper airways].

It was concluded, that airway stenosis in the pharyngeal area is the most frequent cause of sleep apnea syndrome among children. The basis of research were children treated at The Clinic from 1999-2002 and it was stressed that the best way to cure is surgical therapy. Partial tonsillectomy or adenoidectomy is a stable method of dilatation of the airway. Proper treatment depends on correct recognition made by the laryngologist based on interview, clinical examination and pulsoxymetry examination. The less extensive procedures were stressed specially among children because of role of pharyngeal and palatine tonsil, which are the most significant factors of lymphoid tissue of Waldeyer's ring.

Adenoidectomy↗

PubMed2004

[Expression of glutathione-S-transferase isoenzymes in larynx cancer].

Carcinoma planoepitheliale of larynx is the most common cancer present in the upper part of the respiratory system. The molecular mechanism of this cancer generation is unknown and there is no a specific marker for its early diagnosis. The properties, physiological function, as well as the results of studies on genetic polymorphism indicate that glutathione-S-transferase (GST) may play an important role in etiology of this cancer. In the present work the studies on expession of GST isoenzymes pi, alfa, mu4, and mu5 in larynx cancer (carcinoma planoepitheliale laryngis) were performed. Specimens of larynx cancer and their corresponding normal adjacent tissues were obtained from patients by surgery. Expression was studied on the level of mRNA using RT-PCR method. The results indicated raised expression of GST pi (the major isoform in larynx) and lowered expression of GSTs mu4 and alfa in cancer as compared with the control tissue. No expression of GST mu5 was observed in tumor and normal larynx tissues. Obtained results indicate various mechanism in regulation of GSTs expression in cancerous and normal larynx tissues. They also indicate a special role of GST pi in larynx carcinogenesis.

Aged↗

PubMed2004

[Epidemiological analysis of patients cure in frame of emergency in ORL clinic in Warsaw, stepińiska 15/21 in 1996].

Study the epidemiological and clinical features of patients attending the emergency in the Clinic during 12 months to think whether the emergency is still needed as a one of method of curing. 4892 patients attended the emergency. Parameters analyzed were: age, sex, hour and day of arrival, place of living, initial signs, hospitalization and surgical services. The most frequent reasons for coming to the emergency were: ear disease (32.2%--middle ear otitis), nose disease (662 patients), bleeding nose (559 patients). The most frequent reason for hospitalization were swallowed foreign body (16.5%), tumor of the larynx and pharynx (16%), vestibulary nerve (12.9%). Emergency is an important sector of hospital activity, with a mean 55 per day (week-days), 87 per day (week-end and out of job days). The majority men disease were facial traumas, women were disease of vestibulary nerve, sudden hearing loss. However, 33% of the consultation in the emergency apper to be real medical emergencies, others could be appropriately provided by a general practitioner.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Chorda tympani nerve transection does not alter operant oral self-administration of ethanol in the rat.

In experimental conditions, it has been suggested that taste factors may contribute to ethanol preference in rodents. The aim of the current study was to assess the effects of transection of a gustatory branch of the seventh cranial nerve, the chorda tympani (CT), on operant self-administration of ethanol in rats. Male Wistar rats were trained to lever press for 8% [volume/volume (vol./vol.)] ethanol solution. When 8% ethanol intake stabilized, the CT nerve was transected bilaterally in six subjects. Another group received sham operations. There were no between-group differences in terms of self-administration of 8% ethanol, either before or after surgery. In addition, self-administration of 2% and 4% ethanol, measured after surgery, did not differ between the groups. In a control experiment, two-bottle consumption of as well as preference for 0.625% [weight/volume (wt./vol.)] sucrose were significantly decreased in the lesioned subjects. The results may indicate that gustatory input of the CT nerve is not necessary for maintenance of operant oral self-administration of ethanol.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Taste function in methadone-maintained opioid-dependent men.

It has been shown repeatedly that opioid dependence is associated with increased consumption of refined sugars. It is possible that this association results from altered taste reactivity in opioid-dependent subjects. Thus, in the present study, we compared taste responses to sweet, bitter, sour and salty solutions in methadone-maintained opioid-dependent men and healthy control subjects. The two groups did not differ in terms of rated intensity or pleasantness of sucrose (1-30%), quinine (0.001-0.005%), citric acid (0.02-0.1%) and sodium chloride (0.18-0.9%) solutions. Proportions of 'sweet-likers', i.e. subjects rating a 30% sucrose (0.88 M) solution as the most pleasant, were also similar in both groups. In line with the previous findings, the methadone-maintained subjects reported adding more table sugar to caffeinated beverages. The results of the present study suggest that changes in taste reactivity may not be responsible for altered dietary choices in opioid addicts.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

[The evaluation of results of the surgical treatment in patients with otosclerosis].

The authors presents hearing results in 216 patients with otosclerosis surgical treated. Averaged cochlear reserve in relation to the bone conduction determined before operation was used in this study. The follow-up was 2 months-10 years. Good results was proved in more than 93%, no change in 5% and deterioration in less than 2%. The cochlear reserve up to 10 dB obtained in 59% of all patients. The cases when no changes (and deterioration) after surgical treatment correlated to large anomaly evolution in the structure of the hole drum and extensive focus with otosclerosis.

Bone Conduction↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Skull base surgery techniques in the treatment of pituitary adenomas].

The giant pituitary adenoma surgery remains a real challenge to any neurosurgeon. Despite an extensive development of transsphenoidal techniques, open craniotomy procedures still are required in 5-10% of all cases with pituitary adenoma. The skull base surgery techniques not only allow to minimize the surgery-related trauma of the brain, but also improve the access to the operating field. In the years 1998-2001 the authors operated on the total of 395 pituitary adenoma patients, mostly using the transsphenoidal approach (320 cases), with skull base surgery techniques applied in 75 cases (i.e. in 19% of all patients)--in 67 patients the transbasal-subfrontal approach was applied, and in 2 cases--lateral rhinotomy. There were two indications to the transbasal-subfrontal approach: a large size of the tumor causing visual disturbances, and extension of the adenoma to adherent anatomical spaces. In this group of patients the total removal of the tumour was achieved in 88% of cases. In the remaining patients remnants of the tumor were left in the cavernous sinuses. The skull base surgery techniques are most useful in the treatment of selected patients with pituitary adenoma.

Adenoma↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Diagnostic and therapeutic difficulties in soft tissue sarcomas localized in nonparameningeal head and neck region--own experiences].

INTRODUCTION: Soft tissue sarcomas (MTM) localized within the nonorbital and non-parameningeal head and neck region in children are associated with favourable prognosis. However in our material we have observed many therapeutic failures in this group of patients. The aim of the study was to analyze the reasons for disappointing results of oncological therapy in children with MTM treated between 1992 and 2004. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Nine children (M/F: 6/3; mean age 5,5 years). Five patients were diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma, four--with non-rhlabdomyosarcoma, including: angiosarcoma, malignant triton tumour, fibrosarcoma and leiomyosarcoma. RESULTS: mean duration of initial symptoms was 7 months. The first sign of the neoplastic disease in all children was tumour. In as many as five of nine patients initially a false histopathological diagnosis was made based on material obtained from aspiration biopsy of the tumour performed in non-oncological centres. This resulted in a significant delay of the proper diagnosis of malignant disease ranging from 2 to 15 months (mean 7 months). That is why all our patients presented with highly advanced stages of MTM or even in the phase of disease recurrence. Therapy was conducted according to the schemes: MMT-89, CWS-91, CWS-96 and CWS-2002. Durable complete remission after the first line therapy was obtained in one child only. Six patients developed MTM relapse and two--progression during chemotherapy. Finally five children remain disease-free after treatment termination with follow-up of 1 to 1,5 years. Four of then had microscopically complete delayed resection of the tumour or the relapse. Four patients died of neoplasm recurrence and progression. In three of them the proper diagnosis was delayed significantly and they were diagnosed in the first or even second relapse of the tumour. CONCLUSION: Unfavourable course and treatment results in MTM located in nonorbital and nonparameningeal head and neck region in our patients result from initial wrong histopathological diagnosis and delayed therapy institution.

Adolescent↗