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Biomedical subjects

J Kulpa

Publications and source records attributed to J Kulpa.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2004

Predictive value of SCC-Ag, CYFRA 21-1 and selected acute phase proteins in radiotherapy of pharyngeal and laryngeal cancer. A preliminary report.

The diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of tumor markers in head and neck cancers is not satisfactory. It is a stimulus for search of other biochemical indicators, among others determinations of acute phase proteins, helpful in head and neck cancers diagnostics and prognosis. In a group of 33 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the pharynx and larynx (T1-4 N0-3 M0) CYFRA 21-1, SCC-Ag and acute phase proteins such as prealbumin, albumin, alpha-1 acid glycoprotein, alpha-1 antytrypsin, transferrin, ceruloplasmin and C-reactive protein (CRP) determinations were performed before radiotherapy. Significantly greater area under ROC curve for CYFRA 21-1 than for SCC-Ag was found. In T3-4 group, significantly lower albumin and higher AAG and CRP concentrations in comparison with T1-2 patients were observed. Multivariate analysis revealed that apart from tumor stage, elevated concentrations of SCC-Ag and/or CRP are independent unfavorable prognostic factors.

Acute-Phase Proteins↗
PubMed1999

Leukemoid reaction in extremely low-birth-weight infants.

The objective of this paper was to determine the incidence of leukemoid reaction and to evaluate its relationship with maternal and neonatal factors in extremely low-birth-weight (ELBW) infants. The design a case-controlled retrospective study of all live-born ELBW infants (<1000 g) over a period of 2 years, from July 1994 to June 1996. A total of 60 preterm infants were born during the study period, and are included in this report. The infants who demonstrated leukemoid reaction formed the study group, while the remainder formed the control group. Leukemoid reaction was defined as a white blood cell (WBC) count > or = 50,000/mm3. The relationship between maternal and neonatal variables and WBC counts was studied. Nine of the 60 infants studied demonstrated counts >50,000/mm3, with an incidence of 15%. There was no significant association demonstrated between maternal or neonatal variables and leukemoid reaction. Patients with leukemoid reaction had a better overall survival. Leukemoid reaction in ELBW infants is a rare and recently documented phenomenon. In our study the incidence was 15%. Although many factors have been postulated as a cause of this phenomenon, we could not demonstrate any relationship between these factors and high WBC counts, including sepsis and the use of antenatal steroids, the two most likely variables. It was interesting to note that the infants who were able to mount a leukemoid response had a better chance of survival than those who did not.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1998

Pharyngeal acid reflux events in patients with vocal cord nodules.

OBJECTIVE: Gastroesophageal reflux has been implicated in the pathogenesis of vocal cord nodules. However, a cause-and-effect relationship has not been established. Because documentation of pharyngeal acid reflux events makes this correlation more plausible, the aim of the present study was to determine the frequency of pharyngeal acid reflux events in patients with vocal cord nodules. METHODS: Eleven patients with vocal cord nodules (mean age, 42 +/- 6 years) and eleven healthy volunteers (mean age, 45 +/- 6 years) were studied. Patients underwent barium esophagram and ambulatory 24-hour simultaneous three-site pharyngoesophageal pH monitoring. Controls only had ambulatory 24-hour simultaneous three-site pH monitoring. In the ambulatory pH monitoring studies, pH was recorded from the manometrically determined sites of pharynx (2 cm above upper esophageal sphincter), proximal esophagus (10 cm distal to pharyngeal site), and distal esophagus (5 cm above the lower esophageal sphincter). Pharyngeal acid reflux event was deemed acceptable if all three sites recorded a decrease in pH below 4 which was not related to meal or drinking. RESULTS: Pharyngeal acid reflux events occurred in seven of 11 patients with vocal cord nodules (1-4 episodes) and two of 11 controls (1-2 episodes) (P < .05). In both groups all pharyngeal acid reflux events occurred in upright position and were not associated with belching or coughing. Barium studies documented hiatal hernia in two patients and gastroesophageal reflux in five of 11 patients. However, none of the esophageal reflux events reached the pharynx on barium esophagram. CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of pharyngeal acid reflux events is significantly higher in patients with vocal cord nodules compared with normal controls and suggests a contributory role for gastroesophagopharyngeal acid reflux in the pathogenesis of some vocal cord nodules.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

[Gas exchange, blood acid-base balance and mechanical muscle efficiency during incremental levels of exertion in young healthy individuals].

UNLABELLED: In this study we have evaluated the changes in gas exchange variables, blood acid-base balance and the mechanical efficiency of muscle in healthy young men during an incremental exercise test. Twenty-six healthy men: age 22.1 +/- 1.4 (mean +/- SD) years, body mass 73.6 +/- 7.4 kg, height 179 +/- 8 cm, were subjects in this study. The subjects performed an incremental exercise test on a cycloergometer at a pedalling rate of 70 rev.min-1. The exercise test started at a power output of 30 W, followed by an increase of power output by 30 W every 3 minutes. Gas exchange variables were measured continuously (breath by breath). Antecubital blood samples for acid-base balance variables and plasma lactate concentration [La]pl were taken at the end of each 3-minute step. The lactate threshold (LT) in this study was defined as the highest power output above which [La]pl showed a sustained increase of > 0.5 mmol.l-1.step-1. The power output at LT amounted to 127 +/- 28 W. It corresponded to 45% of the maximal power output (MPO) reached at maximal oxygen uptake (VO2 max). The oxygen uptake at the LT amounted to 1734 +/- 282 ml.min-1 and corresponded to 48% of VO2 max (3726 +/- 363 ml.min-1). The minute ventilation at the LT amounted to 47.8 +/- 7.5 l, and its increase to the level of 125.7 +/- 19.7 l reached at the MPO was obtained mainly by intensification of breathing frequency from 23.8 +/- 3.31.min-1 to 43 +/- 5.91.min-1, for LT and MPO respectively. Analysis of the changes in PETCO2 during the incremental exercise test showed significant differences between subjects. One could recognise a group of subjects (n = 8) with high values of PETCO2 (above 45 mmHg) and a group of subjects (n = 8) with lower values of PETCO2 (below 43 mmHg). However, no significant differences in exercise tolerance, expressed by the level of MPO and maximal oxygen uptake, were found between those groups of subjects. The mechanical efficiency calculated on the basis of power output/net oxygen uptake ratio during cycling at a power output of 60 W amounted to 24.1 +/- 3.8 percent, at the LT 25.8 +/- 2.1%, whereas at the maximal power output a significant (p < 0.01) drop in muscle efficiency occurred, to the value of 23.1 +/- 1.6%. This drop in muscle efficiency occurring at the MPO may be an important factor limiting exercise tolerance when performing high power output exercise. IN CONCLUSION: The above presented data illustrate the physiological responses to incremental exercise and the level of exercise tolerance, which may serve as a reference point for the population of healthy, young physically active Polish students.

Acid-Base Equilibrium↗
PubMed1993

Mutations of the FLP recombinase gene that cause a deficiency in DNA bending and strand cleavage.

We have used site-directed mutagenesis to change several amino acids of the C-terminal portion of the FLP recombinase of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. These residues are absolutely conserved among the six FLP-like proteins from various yeast strains. We have examined the ability of the altered proteins to catalyze recombination in vivo and in vitro and to perform various partial steps of the reaction in vitro. Two of the mutations produced a partial defect in DNA binding but the remainder resulted in normal binding. All of these mutations caused impairment of the ability of the protein to induce the type II bend of the FRT site, and some of these proteins were also defective in DNA strand cleavage. None of the mutations affected the ability of the proteins to perform synapsis between two FRT sites, but some were defective in strand ligation. Interestingly, some mutant proteins showed impairment of the initial stages of the recombination reaction on a linear substrate and yet they maintained the ability to resolve a Holliday intermediate in the reaction. We conclude that this conserved region of the FLP protein is important for the early stage(s) of the recombination reaction.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1992

Characterization of the hemolysin transporter, HlyB, using an epitope insertion.

The prokaryotic hlyB gene product is a member of a superfamily of ATP-binding transport proteins that include the eukaryotic multidrug-resistance P-glycoprotein, the yeast STE6, and the cystic fibrosis CFTR gene products (Juranka, P. F., Zastawny, R. L., and Ling, V. (1989) FASEB J. 3, 2583-2592). Previous genetic studies have indicated that HlyB is involved in the transport of the 107-kDa HlyA protein from Escherichia coli; however, the HlyB protein has not been purified for biochemical studies due to its low abundance. In this study, we have engineered a monoclonal antibody epitope into the C-terminal end of HlyB that did not destroy its function. This has allowed us to use immunological methods to identify and localize various molecular forms of the HlyB protein present in vivo.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1992

[Value of plasma testosterone, carcinoembryonic antigen and CA 19-9 in the differential diagnosis of pancreatic carcinoma and chronic pancreatitis].

Diagnostic value was assessed of serum testosterone concentration and compared with that of serum assay of CEA and CA 19-9 in the differential diagnosis of pancreatic cancer (PC) and chronic pancreatitis (CP). Thirty-six patients with PC were compared with thirty-two CP patients. The sensitivity of CA 19-9 (76.9%) in detecting PC was greater than that of testosterone and CEA (30.6% and 30.8%, respectively). The specificity of testosterone and CA 19-9 were comparable (93.7% and 96.4%, respectively). The combination of tests did not enhance the sensitivity and specificity of each test when used alone. The serum CA 19-9 concentration in PC patients was significantly higher then in patients with colon cancer, gastric cancer and benign gastrointestinal diseases.

Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate↗
PubMed1990

CA-50 serum level in patients with prostate cancer.

CA-50 antigen is considered to be a generalized carcinoma-associated antigen. CA-50 serum levels were measured by solid phase radioimmunoassay using a specific monoclonal antibody. Sera of 49 patients with prostatic cancer of different clinical stages, 43 patients suffering from BPH, and 28 healthy males were tested. Positive test results were observed in 57.1% of patients with prostate cancer values ranging from 42.9% in stage A to 66.7% in stage D. Increased CA-50 levels were found in 11.6% of patients with BPH.

Aged↗
PubMed1990

Potassium-dependent changes in the expression of membrane-associated proteins in barley roots : I. Correlations with k(rb) influx and root k concentration.

Barley (Hordeum vulgare L. cv Halcyon) seedlings which had been grown in full strength complete inorganic nutrient media (containing 6 millimolar K(+)) had high internal K(+) concentrations and low values of K(+) ((86)Rb(+)) influx when influx was measured from solutions containing 100 micromolar K(+). Transfer of these plants to solutions lacking K(+) resulted in significant reductions of root and shoot K(+) concentrations and values of K(+) ((86)Rb(+)) influx increased by greater than 10-fold within 3 days. When plants treated in this way were returned to complete solutions, containing K(+), the changes induced by K(+) deprivation were reversed. Parallel studies of microsomal membranes by means of SDS-PAGE demonstrated that the expression of a group of polypeptides increased or decreased in parallel with changes of K(+) ((86)Rb(+)) influx. Most prominent of these were 45 and 34 kilodalton polypeptides which specifically responded to K(+) status of the barley plants; their expression was not enhanced by N or P deprivation. The 45 kilodalton polypeptide was susceptible to degradation by a membrane associated protease when microsomes were washed in buffer containing 0.2 millimolar PMSF. This loss was prevented by increasing PMSF concentration to 2 millimolar.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1988

Characterization of a protein serine kinase from yeast plasma membrane.

A casein kinase activity, which copurifies with the H+-ATPase activity during isolation of plasma membranes Saccharomyces cerevisiae and during centrifugation of the solubilized membrane extract through a sucrose gradient, is separated from the Mr = 100,000 ATPase catalytic polypeptide by subsequent DEAE-cellulose chromatography. The purified casein kinase activity exhibits a low Km of 12 microM MgATP, is maximally stimulated by 6 mM free Mg2+, and is 50% inhibited by 300 microM Zn2+, by 7.5 micrograms of heparin/ml, and by 300 microM orthovanadate. It phosphorylates only seryl residues. The purified casein kinase contains two polypeptides of Mr = 45,000 and 39,000 which yield antibodies which do not cross-react to each other. The two polypeptides seem to originate from a precursor of Mr = 85,000 which is detected by both antibodies in partly purified fractions. In the absence of casein, a zinc and heparin-sensitive phosphorylation of the ATPase polypeptide is observed in partly purified ATPase fractions, and a peptide of similar mobility is phosphorylated, among others, in isolated plasma membranes. The purified ATPase activity is markedly inhibited by incubation in the presence of acid phosphatase. In agreement with a recent report that the purified active ATPase molecule is largely phosphorylated (Yanagita, Y., Abdel-Ghany, M., Raden, D., Nelson, N., and Racker, E. (1987) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 894, 925-929) this data suggests that dephosphorylation leads to deactivation of ATPase activity.

Casein Kinases↗
PubMed1988

Serum tissue polypeptide antigen (TPA) and prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP) in patients with prostatic cancer.

Concurrent measurements of serum TPA and PAP concentrations by double antibody radioimmunoassays were done in 49 patients with prostatic cancer in different clinical stages. The reference group comprised patients suffering from BPH. Positive TPA was found in 32.7% of cancer patients, the lowest percentage in stage A (11.1%) and the highest in stage D (55.6%). The additional value as a diagnostic aid of the TPA test was revealed on the basis of examination of the selected group of patients with not increased PAP. Positive TPA was found in 16.7% of patients: none in stage A, 22.2% in stage B, and 33.3% in stage D. Prostatic cancer remains the most common malignancy of the genitourinary tract. The improvement in the results of treatment involves not only a modernization of treatment modalities but also the introduction of laboratory tests which give the most ample information on the stage of tumour development and improve possibilities to control tumour therapy. Besides the refinement of the determination procedures of specific prostatic markers, prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP), through radio- and enzyme-immunological methods, there is a search for additional markers which might be helpful in diagnosis and follow-up of treatment.

Acid Phosphatase↗
PubMed1987

A single mutation confers vanadate resistance to the plasma membrane H+-ATPase from the yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe.

A single-gene nuclear mutant has been selected from the yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe for growth resistance to Dio-9, a plasma membrane H+-ATPase inhibitor. From this mutant, called pma1, an ATPase activity has been purified. It contains a Mr = 100,000 major polypeptide which is phosphorylated by [gamma-32P] ATP. Proton pumping is not impaired since the isolated mutant ATPase is able, in reconstituted proteoliposomes, to quench the fluorescence of the delta pH probe 9-amino-6-chloro-2-methoxy acridine. The isolated mutant ATPase is sensitive to Dio-9 as well as to seven other plasma membrane H+-ATPase inhibitors. The mutant H+-ATPase activity tested in vitro is, however, insensitive to vanadate. Its Km for MgATP is modified and its ATPase specific activity is decreased. The pma1 mutation decreases the rate of extracellular acidification induced by glucose when cells are incubated at pH 4.5 under nongrowing conditions. During growth, the intracellular mutant pH is more acid than the wild type one. The derepression by ammonia starvation of methionine transport is decreased in the mutant. The growth rate of pma1 mutants is reduced in minimal medium compared to rich medium, especially when combined to an auxotrophic mutation. It is concluded that the H+-ATPase activity from yeast plasma membranes controls the intracellular pH as well as the derepression of amino acid, purine, and pyrimidine uptakes. The pma1 mutation modifies several transport properties of the cells including those responsible for the uptake of Dio-9 and other inhibitors (Ulaszewski, S., Coddington, A., and Goffeau, A. (1986) Curr. Genet. 10, 359-364).

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed1985

Bone marrow cyclic nucleotides (cAMP, cGMP) in phenylhydrazine-induced anemia.

The studies were carried out on male Wistar rats. The animals were divided into two groups: control and experimental. The hematocrit value and reticulocyte count were determined in blood samples collected from control and experimental rats. The experimental rats received subcutaneous injections of phenylhydrazine manufactured by Sigma for the duration of 3 days. On the 5th day blood samples were collected from all the control and experimental animals and determinations of hematocrit and reticulocyte count were repeated. cAMP levels were determined in bone marrow extracts by means of a radiocompetitive method. The cGMP level was determined by a radioimmunological assay. A significant elevation of cAMP level was detected in experimental rats, whereas the cGMP level changed only slightly.

Anemia↗
PubMed1983

The concentration of zinc in relation to fundamental elements in the diseased human prostate.

Studies of the composition of prostatic tissue revealed significant decreases not only of the zinc but also of the potassium concentration, in the cancerous tissue, whereas the nitrogen, phosphorus and magnesium concentrations were within normal limits. The composition of hyperplastic prostatic tissue was similar to the normal except for a tendency towards decreased nitrogen concentration.

Adult↗