Biomedical subjects

Andrzej Wiczkowski

Publications and source records attributed to Andrzej Wiczkowski.

13 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Cellular toxicity of oxycholesterols.

Oxycholesterols (OS) are formed from cholesterol or its immediate precursors by enzymatic or free radical action in vivo, or they may be derived from food. OS exhibit a wide spectrum of biological activities. In OS cytotoxicity, several mechanisms seem to be involved: e.g. inhibition of HMG-CoA reductase activity, antiproliferative action, apoptosis induction, replacement of cholesterol by OS in membranes followed by changes in cellular membrane structure and functionality, and immune system functions alteration. Furthermore, OS may be mutagenic and carcinogenic and may serve as intracellular signaling or regulatory molecules. Here we review OS cellular activities with special attention to the cytotoxic action in vivo and in vitro using experimental models.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

[Echinococcus granulosus--diagnostics and therapy problems--case report].

The case report of patient with asymptomatic liver echinococcosis several year observing was shown. The liver cyst occasionally revealed by ultrasound examination had doubled its diameter in two years, serological test result had suggested Echinococcus granulosus infection. After the initially treatment with benzimidazole the curative surgery had been conducted and histological examination confirmed the liver echinococcosis diagnosis. The headaches in two years after surgery needed the central nervous system echinococcosis considering in differential diagnostics. Because of the normal liver parenchyma ultrasound image, normal laboratory tests results and negative serological tests results the patient was considered as completely recovered after several year of observation. On the base of procedure undertaken the diagnostics and therapeutic possibilities were reviewed. The necessity of taking the echinococcosis into account in occasionally found liver cysts differential diagnostics and individual choice of the optimal therapeutic schema was underlined.

Albendazole↗

PubMed2006

[Tick-borne diseases exposure of forestry workers and preventive methods usage].

Forestry workers are a group of a high risk of occupational exposure to tick-borne diseases. The group of 51 healthy persons with a history of more than 3 years forestry working was tested for antibodies against B. burgdorferi and tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) and reviewed on tick-bites preventive methods usage. Two-steps serological examination revealed the anti-B. burgdorferi antibodies in 14 (27.5%) persons. Anti-TBE antibodies were present in 6 (11.8%) persons. Despite of multiple tick bites in anamnesis, methods of ticks bites prevention (clothes, repellents) were used by less than 30% of workers. Similarly, anti-TBE vaccination was conducted only in 11 persons. Concluding, the elaboration of educational, prophylactic and efficacy monitoring standards for this occupational group is needed.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

[Molecular indicators of neoplasia in clinical diagnostics].

In normal conditions growth and cell division processes in tissues and organs are precisely regulated. On the molecular level these processes demand coordination of protooncogenes, suppressor genes, mismatch repair system genes and apoptotic genes expression. Mutations presence leads to alteration or loss of their function. In the consequence of these lesions cumulation of DNA errors cumulation and loss of cellular proliferation control take place, what leads to genome instability and promotes selection of cells clone being able to hyper-proliferate. Mutations presence in mentioned above groups of genes in high percentage had been detecting in cells of neoplasms described in this review. According to clinical observations presence of mutations in these genes influenced on the clinical course and prognosis. The aim of this review was to focus on mutations found in protooncogenes, suppressor genes, mismatch repair system and apoptotic genes, which in development of some genetically determined neoplasms, some syndromes predisposing to neoplasm development and in some sporadic neoplasms in high percentage had been detected. The presence of mutations in mentioned above groups of genes as molecular neoplasias indicators' in clinical diagnostics had been taking into account.

Apoptosis↗

PubMed2005

[Opportunistic protozoa--the problem in immunodeficient patients].

Protozoan infections with a mild or asymptomatic course in immunocompetent individuals, in the case of immunocompromised patients could cause severe syndromes or fatal outcome. The different clinical course is possible to diagnose only with specific laboratory methods. Actual settlements on the most often diagnosed in human opportunistic protozoan infections pathogenesis and diagnostics are presented.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

[Oxidative stress evaluation in chronic hepatitis C pathogenesis].

UNLABELLED: The aim of this study was oxidative stress evaluation as reflected by antioxidant status and lipid peroxidation products levels in plasma and erythrocytes from CHC patients (chronic hepatitis C patients). Antioxidant status, markers of lipid peroxidation and liver function were measured in erythrocytes and plasma from 29 CHC patients and from 26 matched healthy controls. Plasma and erythrocytes MDA (malondialdehyde) levels were statistically decreased in CHC patients as compared with healthy controls while erythrocytes CuZnSOD (superoxide dismutase--cytoplasmic enzyme contains copper and zinc) activity was statistically increased in CHC patients as compared to healthy subjects. Plasma MDA levels correlated positively with AST (aspartate aminotransferase), ALT (alanine aminotransferase), aldolase and LDH (lactate dehydrogenase) activity. GPX (glutathione peroxidase) activity correlated negatively with erythrocytes and plasma MDA levels and CuZnSOD activity correlated negatively with LDH, aldolase, AST activity and with plasma MDA levels. CONCLUSIONS: Results of antioxidant status in CHC patients indicate oxidative stress development and efficient function of intracellular antioxidants.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

[Frequency of human parasites in selected populations of Silesian region].

Epidemiological evaluation of the most frequent human parasitoses in the group of children at age of seven years, in adult patients and in group of Polish citizens coming back from tropics between 1999-2003 was performed. All examined people were Silesian region inhabitants. The biggest average infection prevalence in children from all examined years concerned Enterobius vermicularis, in adult--Giardia intestinalis, while in group of population coming back from tropics--Entamoeba histolytica-like. High percentage of anti-Toxocara canis and Toxoplasma gondii antibodies presence can result from non randomly study group recruitment.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Subfertile couple with inv(2),inv(9) and 16qh+.

This case report presents two chromosomal inversions in one of partners from a subfertile couple. The woman was referred due to a spontaneous abortion in the 5th week of pregnancy. Cytogenetic examination showed that the proband's karyotype was normal: 46,XX,16qh+, as centromeric heterochromatin is thought to be clinically insignificant. However, the proband's partner occurred to be a carrier of two pericentric inversions. His karyotype was 46,XY,inv(2)(p11q13),inv(9)(p11q13). The abnormal karyotype is recognised as a possible reason of fertility problems in the investigated couple. The risk of further miscarriages is considered high, but the risk of progeny with abnormal karyotypes is rather low, as small inversions may lead to lethal recombinants.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗

PubMed2004

[Molecular analysis of methicillin-resistant staphylococci isolated from hospital patients and in the out-patient clinic].

In this study, a molecular analysis of the methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative staphylococci strains was performed. The obtained results of the biochemical and drug resistant pattern investigations were insufficient to assess the relationship between the strains. Therefore genotyping by the restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis (PCR-RFLP) method was performed. Analyzed strains characterized presence of the mecA gene-PCR products. The PCR products were digested with DraI and TasI, and the fragments separated by agarose gel electrophoresis. Typing of the methicillin-resistant gene using PCR-RFLP showed that all MRCNS strains possess an identical restriction pattern of the mecA gene. This identical restriction pattern of the mecA gene in investigated strains may suggest an easy transfer of this gene between different staphylococci species and lead to the spreading of methicillin-resistant among hospital strains. Furthermore performing the comparison of different phenotype and genotype methods has shown that the PCR-RFLP method is quick and reliable, enabling the detection and estimation of the relationship between MRCNS strains.

Bacterial Proteins↗

PubMed2004

[Serum intercellular adhesion molecule ICAM-1 concentration in interferon alpha treated patients with chronic viral C hepatitis].

Intercellular adhesion molecule is a protein regulating the inflammatory cells movement. An increase of ICAM-1 expression on hepatocytes and in serum has been observed in patients with chronic viral hepatitis. Interferon alpha treatment should lead to inflammatory response diminution and serum ICAM-1 concentration decrease. The aim of the study was the estimation of interferon alpha treatment influence on serum ICAM-1 concentration in patients with chronic viral C hepatitis. A group of 19 interferon alpha treated patients with chronic viral C hepatitis has been observed. ALT activity, the presence of HCV antibody and HCV-RNAas well as histological examination has been estimated in every patient. Patients have got 144 doses of interferon alpha in a schedule 5 MU three times a week. After three months of treatment control estimations have been conducted for initial evoluation of treatment efficacy. Differences in ALT activity have been observed between I and III trials. ICAM-1 serum concentration has decreased significantly from 1322 to 369 pg/ml, and differences in ICAM-1 serum concentration have been observed in all trials. Estimation of serum ICAM-1 concentration is an indirect parameter of attenuation of inflammatory reaction after interferon alpha treatment.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

[Anti-Toxoplasma gondii IgG antibodies in HIV-infected patients].

Toxoplasma gondii infection is mostly asymptomatic, since multiplication of the parasites is limited by immunological mechanisms. Immunocompromised patients are an exception. Immunity decrease in HIV-infected persons results in opportunistic infections, including toxoplasmosis reactivation. The basis of the diagnosis are serological investigations, revealing IgM, IgA and IgG antibodies in serum. In HIV-infected patients their titres are often low, what makes disease phase definition and therapeutic decisions difficult. Another marker of toxoplasmosis activity is the determination of IgG antibodies avidity. The aim of the study was determination of anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies presence and their avidity in HIV-infected patients with respect to CD4 lymphocyte count. The results suggest no effect of IgG antibodies presence on CD4 lymphocyte count. Low titres of IgG antibodies were noted in the patients but the high avidity index of the determined antibodies indicated chronic T. gondii infection.

Antibodies, Bacterial↗

PubMed2003

[Prevalence of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in ticks, Ixodes ricinus in Tarnowskie Góry district].

Borrelia burgdorferi is an aetiological factor of borreliosis (Lyme disease). The main vectors of Borrelia burgdorferi are larvae, nymphs, and females of Ixodes ricinus. The aim of this paper was to analyse infection parameters of Borrelia burgdorferi in a selected populations of Ixodes ricinus. The study was conducted in Tarnowskie Góry administrative district (Krupski Młyn, Zielona, Lubliniec, Tarnowskie Góry, Swierklaniec, Tworóg, and Zbrosławice). A total of 85 ticks were collected with a piece of cloth dragged over the vegetation. The Borrelia burgdorferi infection was confirmed with a PCR method, using flagellin protein gene DNA amplification. DNA of Borrelia burgderferi sensu lato was present in 14 ticks, which constituted 16.5% of the population studied. The percentage of infected females and nymphs was 26.8%, 22.2%, and 5.6%, respectively. A high prevalence of the pathogen (50%) was in ticks revealed in the recreation areas and the community forest in Swierklaniec.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Permanent effects of postnatal administration of beta-adrenergic ligands on the volume of sexually dimorphic nucleus of the preoptic area (SDN-POA) in rats.

BACKGROUND: beta-adrenergic ligands have been shown to influence sexual differentiation of the brain. In the present study we document that short postnatal treatment with beta-adrenergic agonists or antagonists may permanently reverse the morphological sex of the brain, as judged by the volume of sexually dimorphic nucleus of the preoptic area (SDN-POA). Female rats treated by beta(2)-adrenergic stimulating ligands exhibit an increased, male type SDN-POA volume while male rats treated by beta1-adrenergic antagonists show a decreased, female type of SDN-POA volume. OBJECTIVES: To analyze the volume of SDN-POA of adult rats after postnatal administration of betaadrenergic ligands. METHODS: From the second day of life, over 5 consecutive days, all the neonates were injected subcutaneously with the following drugs: isoproterenol, salbutamol, metoprolol alprenolol or saline. SDN-POA volumes were estimated planimetrically on serial brain slides. RESULTS: In male rats the mean volume of SDN-POA was 9.97 +/- 1.66 x 10(-3) mm(3), in female rats the respective volume reached 4.02 +/- 1.26 x 10(-3) mm(3) only and was 2.5 times lower, the difference being highly statistically significant. Postnatal administration of isoproterenol remained without effect in male rats but diminished the SDN-POA volume in female rats, thus increasing the sexual dimorphism. The disappearance of sexual dimorphism was noted in rats treated postnatally with salbutamol. This effect was due to the increase in SDN-POA volumes in female rats, up to 9.81 +/- 2.64 x 10(-3) mm(3), the levels approaching the male type of POA differentiation. Postnatal alprenolol treatment influenced the sexual dimorphism of the brain by decreasing the SDN-POA volume reached by adult males. In fact, in rats treated postnatally with alprenolol, the volume of the nucleus reached only 4,44 +/- 1,61 x 10(-3) mm(3), being not statistically different from female nuclei. The effect of metoprolol pretreatment was similar to alprenolol. Male volumes of SDN-POA were restored both by isoproterenol and salbutamol in metoprolol pretreated rats and by isoproterenol only in alprenolol treated rats. CONCLUSION: It appears that inhibition of beta(1)-adrenergic pathway is able to shut off the physiologic mechanisms of male differentiation of SDN-POA, and the subsequent beta(2)-adrenergic stimulation activates an alternative mechanism of masculinization. beta(2)-adrenergic signal is able to masculinize rat preoptic area in females as well. From the presented data it may be concluded that beta adrenoreceptors participate in sexual differentiation of preoptic area in rats and the modulation of their activity in postnatal period permanently influences the morphology of the sexually differentiated nucleus of the preoptic area.

Adrenergic beta-Agonists↗