Biomedical subjects

Barbara Wizner

Publications and source records attributed to Barbara Wizner.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

The prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors among centenarians is low: risk factors in centenarians.

BACKGROUND: The presence of major cardiovascular risk factors was investigated in a group of centenarians. METHODS: The following risk factors: sex, smoking, overweight, diabetes, hypertension and hypercholesterolemia were analysed in 93 centenarians and compared with data obtained from 90 individuals age 40-60 years. RESULTS: Smoking, overweight and hypercholesterolemia were found statistically more often in a younger population, whereas hypertension was diagnosed more frequently in centenarians. No or one risk factor were found in 55.4% of centenarians and in 14.2% of younger subjects. CONCLUSIONS: Centenarians are characterized by a much better cardiovascular risk profile than middle-aged individuals. This indicates that longevity is related to low cardiovascular risk.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Erythrocyte stiffness in diabetes mellitus studied with atomic force microscope.

The mechanical properties of erythrocyte membrane have been studied using an atomic force microscope. Measurements were carried out on blood samples taken from 7 diabetes mellitus patients and 8 healthy individuals. For each blood sample a distribution of a Young's modulus was constructed. It has been found that both the mean value and the width of the distribution in diabetic patients exceed the corresponding results for healthy persons by a factor greater than 3. The high sensitivity of the atomic force microscopy and the ability to measure the full distribution of the erythrocyte membrane Young's modulus makes it a unique, powerful and promising tool in studies of the membrane stiffness of red blood cells.

Diabetes Mellitus↗

PubMed2005

Erythrocyte stiffness probed using atomic force microscope.

The stiffness of erythrocytes in patients (N=45) suffering from certain disorders, such as coronary disease, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus has been assessed using the Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and compared with that in a group of healthy individuals (N=13). For each blood sample, around 20 erythrocytes were selected at random and the stiffness of each one was probed in 20-30 arbitrarily chosen points. From these results, distributions of the cell Young's modulus (YM) were determined. Average values and widths of YM distributions significantly increased in samples taken from diabetes mellitus patients and cigarette smokers, as compared to those taken from healthy donors. At the same time, the average values of YM were found to increase as a function of the patient's age. We demonstrated that the atomic force microscope is a very sensitive tool for determination of cell stiffness with every prospect of a routine application as a diagnostic tool in quantitative analysis of the physiological and pathological states of red blood cells.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2003

[Knowledge of hypertension and blood pressure measurement procedure among students of last year of medical school in Cracow].

The knowledge about hypertension--especially its diagnosis and therapy--among graduates of medical schools, is very important in view of hypertensive epidemics. The aim of this study was to assess the medical graduate's knowledge about recommended technique of blood pressure (BP) measurements, the factors affecting BP measurement value, the WHO/ISH--1999 hypertension diagnostic criteria, and its complications and basic therapy rules. The questionnaire investigating the respondent's knowledge was filled out by 132 medical students of the 6th year Medical College of the Jagiellonian University, in Cracow, from February till June 2000. Only 21.2% of students had good knowledge about BP measurement technique, 70% to 90% of subjects knew hypertension diagnostic criteria, about 30% gave the correct values defined as "high-normal". About 37.1% were aware of complications concerning heart, brain, kidney, eye and peripheral blood vessels. Only 11% knew all drugs recommended by WHO/ISH guidelines, as first-line medication; but 95% were only able to mention at least four of them (diuretics, beta-blockers, ACE-I, Ca-blockers). The students have unsatisfactory levels of knowledge about hypertension. This indicates poor preparation of future physicians in treatment of hypertensive problems.

Blood Pressure↗

PubMed2002

[Vascular dementia and systemic changes].

The aim of the study was to evaluate risk factors of atherosclerosis and extra-cerebral target organ damage in patients with hypertension and vascular based mild memory disorders. A group of the study included 20 persons at age of 54-75 (8 males and 12 females) with mild vascular dementia (20-25 pts in MMSE, 22.8 +/- 1.73) with treated mild hypertension. A diagnosis of vascular dementia was confirmed in MRI by two independent experts. All examined patients presented multiinfarction changes in central nervous system as a cause of dementia. The study protocol contained present history, physical examination, 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM), ECG, biochemical tests: total cholesterol, HDL-Ch, LDL-Ch, triglycerides, glucose, urea, creatinine plasma levels and urine test for microalbuminuria. In part of the study group (55%) echocardiography with posterior wall (PW) thickness and ejection fraction (EF) evaluation was performed. In the analysed group mean 24-hour blood pressure values were not elevated (SBP 130.8 +/- 15.8 mm Hg and DBP 77.6 +/- 9.2 mm Hg at day, respectively 121.6 +/- 17.1 mm Hg and 68.2 +/- 11.6 mm Hg at night). No significant (> 10%) nocturnal SBP decrease was observed, however DBP fall was noticed. Either total cholesterol (n < 5.2 mmol/l) or LDL-Ch (n < 3.5 mmol/l) plasma levels were increased in patients with vascular dementia and ranged respectively 5.8 +/- 0.9 and 3.7 +/- 0.9 mmol/l, HDL-Ch and triglycerides levels remained normal (respectively 1.7 +/- 0.5 and 1.5 +/- 1.1 mmol/l). Mean urea and creatinine levels were maintained in normal range (urea 5.8 +/- 1.7 mmol/l, creatinine 75.5 +/- 15.1 mumol/l). In a part of study group (35%) microalbuminuria was presented (urine albumine > 20 mg/l). In majority of patients with hypertension and vascular dementia a few risk factors co-existed. No systolic blood pressure decrease observed at night in 24-hour blood pressure monitoring, though normal mean values, can play an important role in vascular abnormalities progression.

Aged↗