Biomedical subjects

D M Nowak

Publications and source records attributed to D M Nowak.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2001

Bufuralol metabolism by guinea pig adrenal and hepatic microsomes.

Previous investigations demonstrated that CYP2D16 was expressed at high levels in guinea pig adrenal microsomes. The studies presented here were done to determine whether adrenal metabolism of bufuralol (BUF), a model CYP2D substrate, was similar to that in the liver. Guinea pig adrenal microsomes converted BUF to 1'-hydroxybufuralol (1'-OH-BUF) as the major metabolite and smaller amounts of a compound identified as 6-hydroxybufuralol (6-OH-BUF). In contrast, 6-OH-BUF was the major product formed by hepatic microsomal preparations. The apparent Km values were similar for 1'-OH-BUF and 6-OH-BUF production in each tissue. Quinidine, a selective CYP2D inhibitor, decreased the production of both BUF metabolites equally in liver and adrenal microsomes. Cortisol also caused equivalent decreases in the rates of 1'-OH-BUF and 6-OH-BUF formation by adrenal microsomes, but had no effect on hepatic BUF metabolism. Although both BUF metabolites may be produced by CYP2D16, unknown factors appear to effect some differences in the catalytic characteristics of BUF metabolism in adrenal and liver. The large amount of 6-OH-BUF produced distinguishes BUF metabolism in guinea pigs from that in other species previously studied.

Adrenal Glands↗

PubMed2001

[Hepatic abscess treated conservatively].

A woman, aged 76, was admitted to the Internal Medicine Ward because of severe general state, marked dehydration and high pyrexia of ten-day duration. The executed diagnostics, among others USG and CT, allowed to give the diagnosis of single hepatic abscess. The patient did not consent to the lesion puncture and due to that conservative treatment was initiated. She was administered Augmentin, Gentamycin and Metronidazole parenterally. In consequence of the treatment complete recovery, confirmed in control USG and CT, was obtained.

Aged↗

PubMed1999

Identification of components of Prunus africana extract that inhibit lipid peroxidation.

Extractive and chromatographic separations were performed on V-1326, a chloroform extract from the bark of Prunus africana (also referred to as Pygeum africanum), which is used to treat the symptoms associated with benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH). The relative amounts of eleven identified constituents in crude V-1326 and in separated fractions were determined using gas chromatographic analysis. The ability of V-1326 and its separated fractions to inhibit ferrous ion-induced stimulation of lipid peroxidation in microsomal preparations from rabbit livers was evaluated. The extract, V-1326, and fractions containing high levels of myristic acid potently inhibited lipid peroxidation.

Biological Assay↗

PubMed1998

Sphingosine and sphinganine levels in human mesothelial cells in vitro as a potential index of signal transduction pathways impacted by microbes and osmolality.

Sphingolipids are emerging as important regulators of mammalian cell biology. In this study, the contents of six separate preparations of human omental mesothelial cells in vitro were examined for free sphingosine and sphinganine, and for the total levels of these sphingoid bases in ceramide-containing sphingolipids. Two high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) methods for determination of sphingoid base levels in cultured cells were compared. The rapid-HPLC method was found to yield the highest recovery of internal standard. Mesothelial cells initially isolated by collagenase digestion of the omentum were found to have higher free- and total-sphingoid base levels than cells isolated by trypsin-EDTA digestion. Use of sphingoid base levels to gain insights into the status of cellular nutrition, inflammation, programmed cell death, exposure to microbial toxins, cytokines, and growth factors within the peritoneum will require a systematic description of sphingolipids in normal, diseased, and dialyzed mesothelium.

Cells, Cultured↗

PubMed1996

The effect of intravenous dexamethasone in pediatric adenotonsillectomy.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the intravenous administration of dexamethasone sodium phosphate before tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy can reduce the morbidity from, and increase the safety of, this procedure. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. SETTING: A university medical center, caring for both ambulatory and hospitalized children. PATIENTS: Eighty children aged 3 to 15 years undergoing tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy for either chronic tonsillitis or adenotonsillar hypertrophy (obstructive sleep apnea and/or upper airway obstruction). INTERVENTIONS: Forty-one children received intravenous dexamethasone sodium phosphate (1 mg/kg up to 16 mg) and 39 received placebo before undergoing an electrocautery dissection tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Postoperative oral intake, pain, vomiting, temperature, and complications. RESULTS: Patients who received intravenous dexamethasone had significantly less trismus, vomiting, and elevations of temperature 6 hours after surgery and more oral intake (liquids and soft solids) at 24 hours. Three children, all of whom were in the placebo group, had emergency department visits for pain and dehydration. Each group had one child who had a secondary hemorrhage (no surgery needed), one child who had pneumonia, and one child who had night terrors. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with intravenous dexamethasone before electrocautery tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy is safe, increases early postoperative oral intake, and decreases morbidity.

Adenoidectomy↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Polycystic kidney disease: an unrecognized emerging infectious disease?

Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is one of the most common genetic diseases in humans. We contend that it may be an emerging infectious disease and/or microbial toxicosis in a vulnerable human subpopulation. Use of a differential activation protocol for the Limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL) assay showed bacterial endotoxin and fungal (1-->3)-beta-D-glucans in cyst fluids from human kidneys with PKD. Fatty acid analysis of cyst fluid confirmed the presence of 3-hydroxy fatty acids characteristic of endotoxin. Tissue and cyst fluid from three PKD patients were examined for fungal components. Serologic tests showed Fusarium, Aspergillus, and Candida antigens. IgE, but not IgG, reactive with Fusarium and Candida were also detected in cyst fluid. Fungal DNA was detected in kidney tissue and cyst fluid from these three PKD patients, but not in healthy human kidney tissue. We examine the intertwined nature of the actions of endotoxin and fungal components, sphingolipid biology in PKD, the structure of PKD gene products, infections, and integrity of gut function to establish a mechanistic hypothesis for microbial provocation of human cystic disease. Proof of this hypothesis will require identification of the microbes and microbial components involved and multifaceted studies of PKD cell biology.

Communicable Diseases↗