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Biomedical subjects

Anna Skoczyńska

Publications and source records attributed to Anna Skoczyńska.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Invasive meningococcal disease associated with a very high case fatality rate in the North-West of Poland.

The aim of the study was to investigate invasive meningococcal disease in the North-West of Poland, associated with a case fatality rate of 42.9%, where among the first 11 cases, eight had fatal outcome. All fatal cases were diagnosed as fulminant meningococcal severe sepsis with Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome and disseminated intravascular coagulation. Serotyping and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis analysis revealed that the high case fatality rate was not associated with the dissemination of one epidemic clone. However, six cases, all with good outcomes, were caused by C:2b:(P1.2,P1.5) isolates of the same pulsed-field gel electrophoresis type belonging to ST8 complex/Cluster A4.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

[The role of lipids in atherogenesis].

The lipoproteins derived from cholesterol are the key to understanding atherogenesis. The main source of lipids for macrophages presented in the subendothelial space are lipoproteins undergoing oxidative modification or aggregation. Lipoproteins internalized in macrophages via endocytosis or phagocytosis are delivered to peripheral endosomes or lysosomes, where they are hydrolyzed. Large amounts of cholesteryl esters bound to cytoplasmic membranes are permanently affected by neutral hydrolase and repeated re-esterification by ACAT. Liberated free cholesterol is provided to the plasma membrane and other intracellulare structures, probably by vesicular transport. This transport is probably partially mediated by npc1 and npc2 (HE1) proteins, as well as lysobiphosphatidic acid. If some cholesterol acceptors, for example HDL particles, are available, some of the cholesterol can leave the cell, enter the circulation, and be transported to the liver in a process of reverse cholesterol transport. Modification of the lipid droplets fluidity by lipid composition is an important factor in susceptibility to this cholesterol efflux. The free cholesterol, especially crystalline, induces apoptosis. Finally, foam cells die and cellular cholesterol esters and free cholesterol are released into the lesion. This represents lipid or necrotic core formation in advanced atheromata. In this paper the role of oxysterols, triglycerides, fatty acids, and phospholips in atherogenesis are also described.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

High genetic diversity of ciprofloxacin-nonsusceptible isolates of Streptococcus pneumoniae in Poland.

We have analyzed the susceptibility to ciprofloxacin of 697 pneumococcal isolates collected in 1998-2002 in Poland from patients with respiratory tract diseases. Thirty-one ciprofloxacin-nonsusceptible isolates (MICs, > or =4 microg/ml) were identified, of which two were resistant to levofloxacin (MIC, 8 microg/ml). Serotyping, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, multilocus sequence typing, and the analysis of resistance determinants showed their great genetic diversity.

Anti-Infective Agents↗
PubMed2005

Characteristics of Haemophilus influenzae type b responsible for meningitis in Poland from 1997 to 2004.

Two hundred forty-five H. influenzae isolates responsible for meningitis in Poland from 1997 to 2004 were studied. Among these, 233 (95.1%) belonged to serotype b (Hib), 2 belonged to serotype f, and 10 were noncapsulated. The relatedness of all isolates was evaluated by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), and selected representatives were evaluated by multilocus sequence typing. Resistance to ampicillin was identified in 34 (14.6%) of the Hib isolates and was associated with the production of beta-lactamase only. Except for four isolates nonsusceptible to chloramphenicol, all isolates were susceptible to cefotaxime, ciprofloxacin, and rifampin. The PFGE analysis divided the Hib isolates into five PFGE types; however, all of them were possibly related. The most common PFGE type, with 25 subtypes, was characteristic for 97.4% of the isolates. The most prevalent PFGE subtype found in our study was also the most common among the Hib isolates responsible for invasive disease in Italy and the Czech Republic and was found among isolates causing lower respiratory tract infections in Poland. The most prevalent sequence types (STs) in the studied group were ST6 and ST92. Four new STs were found: ST188, ST189, ST190, and ST268. Results of this study support the evidence that the genetic structure of encapsulated H. influenzae is clonal. The continuing high number of meningitis cases due to Hib in Poland underlines the need for mass vaccination against Hib in Poland.

Ampicillin↗
PubMed2005

[The proinflammatory activity of cadmium].

Prolonged exposure to cadmium may cause damage to various organs. It may especially induce inflammatory reaction in the liver, kidneys, and respiratory system, and research in recent years indicates that this may be the case of the cardiovascular system as well. It is also know that inflammation is one of the pathways in atherosclerosis. This is a short review of current knowledge about this proinflammatory action. In the cardiovascular system, cadmium may interact in the synthesis or regeneration of extracellular matrix compounds, especially glycosaminoglycans, and may act on the structure and metabolism of the endothelium. Damage to the subendothelial matrix and endothelial cells may be responsible for the development of atherosclerotic plaque in cadmium-exposed individuals.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

[Effect of tobacco smoking on endothelial function in patients with coronary arteriosclerosis].

Smoking is one of the most important risk factors of atherosclerosis and ischaemic heart disease. Endothelial dysfunction is a pathological result of smoking. The aim of the study was to examine the influence of cigarette smoking on biochemical parameters of endothelial function in persons with angiographically confirmed coronary arteries atherosclerosis. The study group included 117 men: 55 patients (mean age 58.8 +/- 10.4) with ischaemic heart disease and 62 healthy subjects (mean age 47.1 +/- 9.3) of control group. In all patients blood lipid concentrations, biochemical parameters of endothelial function (nitric oxide, endothelin-1, sICAM, selectin-E), and inflammation parameters (interleukin-1 beta, interleukin-6) were measured. In a group of smoking patients both: with atherosclerosis and in control subjects nitric oxide (NO) concentrations in serum were decreased in comparison to nonsmokers. In patients with diagnosed coronary arteries atherosclerosis interleukin-6 and sICAM concentrations were increased in comparison to non-smokers. It is concluded that cigarette smoking activates or maintains inflammatory reaction in vessels with atherosclerotic changes.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

[Influence of tobacco smoking on endothelial function in lead-exposed male workers].

BACKGROUND: Endothelial dysfunction is a pathology resulting from smoking and occupational exposure to lead. The aim of the study was to examine the influence of cigarette smoking on biochemical parameters of endothelial function in people occupationally exposed to lead. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study covered 105 men, including 43 lead exposed copper-smelters (mean age 49.9 +/- 4.1) and 62 non-exposed men (mean age 47.3 +/- 9.3) formed the control group. In all subjects, peripheral blood lipid concentrations, biochemical parameters of endothelial function (nitric oxide, endothelin-1, sICAM-1, selectin-E) and inflammation parameters (interleukin-1beta, interleukin-6) were measured. RESULTS: In the group of smokers, including both copper-smelters and control subjects, serum nitric oxide concentrations were lower than in non-smokers. In the serum of men occupationally exposed to lead, sICAM-1 concentrations were higher than in the control group. The lack of physiological correlation between serum concentration of nitric oxide and endothelin-1 resulted from interactions of tobacco smoking with lead exposure. CONCLUSIONS: Workers occupationally exposed to lead should be informed about adverse effects of tobacco smoking in terms of the interaction between nicotine and lead, two combined toxic agents affecting the circulatory system.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

[Acute intermittent porphyria coexisting with chronic postinfectious renal failure].

In this paper a case of 46-year-old woman suffering from the acute intermittent porphyria (AIP) was presented. She developed the chronic renal failure due to the hypertension, reccurent urinary tract infections and neurogenic urinary bladder following the autonomic neuropathy. The patient eventually died in spite of haemodialysis. Skin lesions observed in the last stage of the disease could be an evidence of the possible conversion of AIP in variegate porphyria (VP). However, this suspicion is only the hypothesis due to the lack of the adequate enzymatic lab tests.

Female↗
PubMed2004

[The effect of chronic exposure to lead and cadmium on lipid peroxidation in the rat brain].

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of exposure to lead and cadmium on concentrations of some lipids, lipid peroxidation, enzymatic and non-enzymatic efficiency of antioxidants in the rat brain as well as the effect of combined exposure to metals on the lipid parameters and the activity of antioxidative system. The authors also compared the results in order to detect interactions between these two heavy metals. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study used the model of chronic, sub-clinical intoxication of lead and/or cadmium in Buffalo rats. RESULTS: The tests involved the determination of lead and cadmium concentrations in the rat blood, superoxide dismutase activity, total cholesterol, lipid peroxides, and levels of vitamins C and E in tissue homogenates. CONCLUSIONS: Single and combined exposures to small doses of lead and cadmium in rats results in the changed parameters showing the stimulation of lipid peroxidation and antioxidative system along with interactions in their influence.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Serum vasoactive agents in rats poisoned with cadmium.

OBJECTIVES: Mechanisms of the vascular effect of cadmium vary and involve nervous, hormone and intracellular signaling pathways. However, it is still not clear if mechanisms of the vascular effect of cadmium (Cd) include changes in the synthesis or release of vasoactive agents. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of subchronic Cd poisoning on blood nitric oxide or endothelin in blood and to relate it to the redox system activity in vessel walls and to blood Cd concentration. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was performed on male Buffalo rats which were given cadmium in drinking water, 50 or 200 ppm, for 12 weeks. RESULTS: The study showed different dose-dependent changes in toxicological and biochemical status. Mean serum nitric oxide concentration (measured using R&D Systems) was lower in rats poisoned with cadmium compared with the control group (57.7 +/- 7.6 vs. control 65.0 +/- 4.9 micromol/l, p < 0.05), whereas the plasma endothelin-1 level (measured using enzymoimmunoassay) and serum prostaglandin PGF2alpha concentration (determined using R&D System) were similar in all animals. The lipid peroxides concentration (measured colorimetrically) was higher in the group treated with cadmium in a dose of 50 ppm than in controls (5.2 +/- 3.0 vs. controls 1.4 +/- 0.4 nmol/ml, p < 0.001) and gluthatione concentration was decreased in the group treated with cadmium in a dose of 200 ppm as compared with the control group, (1.3 +/- 1.2 vs. control 2.5 +/- 0.9, micromol/l p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: It is concluded, that cadmium induces oxidative stress in both doses, however, the activity of defending mechanisms depends on Cd dose. Oxidative stress can be responsible for decreased nitric oxide concentration in serum. We suppose that the mechanisms of the vascular effect of cadmium vary and are dose-dependent. Cd used in a dose of 50 ppm for three months induces more severe functional vascular disturbances than its dose of 200 ppm.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed2003

Genetic relatedness, antibiotic susceptibility, and serotype distribution of Streptococcus pneumoniae responsible for meningitis in Poland, 1997-2001.

Streptococcus pneumoniae is the third most frequent etiologic agent of bacterial meningitis in Poland. Therefore, the objective of this study was to characterize S. pneumoniae isolates responsible for meningitis in Poland from 1997 to 2001 by determining their serotypes, antimicrobial susceptibility, and genetic relatedness. Among 36 serotypes and rough isolates, the most common were serotypes 3, 8, 19F, 6B, 4, and 23F, altogether accounting for 45.3% of cases. Penicillin-nonsusceptible pneumococci constituted 14.8% of all isolates. A high heterogeneity of pneumococcal isolates concerning serological features as well as genetic relatedness based on pulsed-field gel electrophoresis analysis was observed. With the exception of some serotypes (e.g., 3, 7F, 19F), isolates of the same serotype do not appear to be more closely related to each other than to isolates of different serotypes.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

[Lead effect on vascular endothelium].

The results of numerous epidemiological and experimental studies show that environmental exposure to lead in humans, as well as small doses of this element given to experimental animals exert hypertensinogenic and athoregenic effect. The vascular endothelium, involved in the development of arterial hypertension and arteriosclerosis, is now regarded as the main target organ for the toxic effect of lead. This metal can influence endothelium in various ways. Functional disturbances, mainly in respect of synthesizing and modifying functions of intravascular coagulation processes, impairment of endothelium integrity and cytotoxic effect have been observed. The lead-induced vascular damage may involve the inhibition of the repair processes of endothelial cells damaged by various exo- and endogenous factors. In addition, lead can also affect, directly or indirectly, the vasoactive function of endothelium through the increased production of reactive oxygen species. This effect of lead results in modified nitric oxide or endothelin synthesis and/or their release. Lead also accelerates the proliferation of smooth muscle cells and disturbs the synthesis of prostacyclins.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Serum vasoactive agents in lead-treated rats.

BACKGROUND: It is still unknown whether mechanisms of the hypertensinogenic effect of lead include changes in synthesis or release of vasoactive agents. This question is essential with regard to lead dissemination in the human environment as well as to frequent occurrence of arterial hypertension. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of chronic exposure to lead on the vasoactive agents in blood in relation to redox system activity in vessel walls and to disturbances in homeostasis of essential metals. Using lead in double small, hypertensive doses we tried to estimate whether this effect dependents on the degree of lead exposure. METHODS: The study was performed on the male Buffalo rats which were given lead in drinking water, 50 or 100 ppm (lead acetate dissolved in distillate water) for 12 weeks. Control rats were given distillate water. Rats were fasted starting the night before the experiment, and the next day were anesthetized intramuscularly with ketaminum at a dose of 300 mg/kg body weight. The abdomen was opened and the aorta was isolated. Blood samples were drawn from heart, abdominal and thoracic aorta and then kidneys were excised. Serum nitric oxide and prostaglandin PGF(2alpha) concentrations were measured using R&D systems, and the plasma endothelin-1 level with enzymoimmunoassay; 5% homogenates of aorta were prepared from thoracic fragment in saccharose buffer. Lipid peroxides in homogenates were determined colorimetrically and glutathione was measured using colorimetric assay BIOXYTECH GSH-400. The concentration of metals (lead, copper and zinc) in blood and aorta were determined with a plasma spectrometer. RESULTS: The study shows different changes in toxicological and biochemical status, depending on the dose of metal. Mean serum nitric oxide concentration was higher in rats treated with lead in a dose of 50 ppm (p < 0.01) or 100 ppm (p < 0.001) than in the control group. The plasma endothelin-1 level was lower in rats given lead in a dose of 50 ppm (p < 0.05) than in controls, whereas serum prostaglandin PGF(2alpha) concentration was similar in all animals. Glutathione concentration in aorta was higher in both groups of rats treated with lead (p < 0.001) in comparison to controls. There were positive linear dependencies between: (a) blood lead and serum nitric oxide; (b) aorta glutathione and serum nitric oxide; (c) copper in aorta and glutathione in aorta; (d) serum zinc and plasma endothelin-1 concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: It was concluded, that lead in small doses increases synthesis and/or releases nitric oxide and its concentration in serum. This effect of lead is probably connected with the augmented production of glutathione in vessel walls. Additionally, lead in a dose of 50 ppm provokes the decrease in the level of plasma endothelin-1, probably through the decreased level of serum zinc. We suppose that the mechanisms responsible for the vascular effect of lead differ even within the range of hypertensive doses.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

[Epidemiology and therapy of infections caused by Neisseria meningitidis].

In spite of the progress in antibiotic therapy and immunoprophylaxis Neisseria meningitidis remains one of the major causes of meningitis and sepsis burdened by high mortality. In this paper characteristics of N. meningitidis and in particular its epidemiology, virulence factors, antibiotic therapy and resistance mechanisms, immuno- and chemoprophylaxis, are discussed. Data from the National Reference Centre for Bacterial Meningitis are also presented. These data indicate that this pathogen is the most common laboratory confirmed bacterial etiologic agent of community-acquired meningitis in Poland.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed2002

[The activity of angiotensin converting enzyme in vascular mesenteric bed of rats poisoned with lead and cadmium].

Heavy metals can increase the arterial blood pressure by influencing the endothelial renin-angiotensin system. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of single and combined exposure to lead and cadmium at hypertensive doses on the tissue renin-angiotensin system in rats. An attempt was made to assay the induced synthesis of angiotensin II (AII) in the isolated mesenteric rat bed, as well as the reactivity of vessels to AII and norepinephrine used before and after infusion of angiotensin receptor blocker. Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), used in infusion, induced slight increase in perfusion pressure only in mesenteric vessels of cadmium poisoned rats. In this group, AII given during ACE infusion induced slightly stronger vasoconstriction than in other groups of rats, and losartan, used in infusion totally eliminated the pressor effect of AII. Therefore, the share of endothelial renin-angiotensin system in the regulation of vessel resistance was greater than in mesenteric bed of lead-poisoned rats or controls. It is likely that the effect of ACE inhibitors and blockers of the AII receptors may be slightly stronger in persons with arterial hypertension exposed to cadmium than in non-exposed patients.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

[The impact of lead and cadmium on the immune system].

A long-lasting exposure to lead and cadmium may cause changes in the immune response. Until now only a few reports have addressed this problem. At present, the direct immunotoxicity of heavy metals is the subject of extensive studies, especially on in vitro models. Heavy metals may regulate the immune response of the body at its different stages, modifying early and late inflammatory reactions, among others through changing the number of circulating B and T lymphocytes, NK cells and immunological memory cells. Some authors show that lead and cadmium stimulate the production of cytokines and IgE antibodies, which can be the reason for the increased number of atopic diseases in populations exposed to these two metals. Clinical tests in patients occupationally exposed to lead revealed the diminished number of B and T lymphocytes, and a considerable decrease in the number of NK cells. Other authors noted the increased number of CD8+ lymphocytes, which play a pivotal role in cytotoxic response, and the decreased number of B lymphocytes together with the increased IgA levels in policemen of road services. In copper smelters some changes in humoral response can be detected, e.g. a lower production of IgA and IgG, predisposing them to infections and cancers. To elucidate the exact impact of heavy metals on the immunological response further investigations are required. The growing pollution of the environment by heavy metals probably contributes to the enhanced incidence of allergic diseases and cancers in urban populations. Our goal should be to identify the mechanisms responsible for the changes in the immunological response induced by lead and cadmium, so that it could be possible to reduce or minimize serious pathologies resulting from the exposure to these metals.

Cadmium↗
PubMed2002

[The utility of high density lipoprotein cholesterol subclasses measurement].

The aim of our study was to estimate the cholesterol concentrations in high density lipoprotein subfractions (HDL2 i HDL3) in plasma of patients with normocholesterolemia and atherosclerosis of coronary arteries and in patients with myeloproliferative diseases. Blood samples from patients with normal plasma cholesterol levels were analyzed in spite of the fact that atherosclerosis of coronary arteries usually exist with hypercholesterolemia and myeloproliferative diseases usually coexist with hypocholesterolemia. In this way we wanted to determine changes in HDL2 i HDL3 metabolism which occur independently from changes of cholesterol levels in other lipoproteins. Our results showed that in patients suffering from atherosclerosis of coronary arteries with normolipemia the lowering of plasma cholesterol level in subfractions HDL2 and HDL3 was observed. In patients with myeloproliferative disease with normocholesterolemia the slight lowering of cholesterol level in subfraction HDL3 may be connected with moderate hypertriglyceridemia. In both groups of patients the lowering of HDL cholesterol in plasma was accompanied with the increased lipid peroxidation.

Adult↗