PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

J Romatowski

Publications and source records attributed to J Romatowski.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

The depressive effect of Pi on the force-pCa relationship in skinned single muscle fibers is temperature dependent.

Increases in P(i) combined with decreases in myoplasmic Ca(2+) are believed to cause a significant portion of the decrease in muscular force during fatigue. To investigate this further, we determined the effect of 30 mM P(i) on the force-Ca(2+) relationship of chemically skinned single muscle fibers at near-physiological temperature (30 degrees C). Fibers isolated from rat soleus (slow) and gastrocnemius (fast) muscle were subjected to a series of solutions with an increasing free Ca(2+) concentration in the presence and absence of 30 mM P(i) at both low (15 degrees C) and high (30 degrees C) temperature. In slow fibers, 30 mM P(i) significantly increased the Ca(2+) required to elicit measurable force, referred to as the activation threshold at both low and high temperatures; however, the effect was twofold greater at the higher temperature. In fast fibers, the activation threshold was unaffected by elevating P(i) at 15 degrees C but was significantly increased at 30 degrees C. At both low and high temperatures, 30 mM P(i) increased the Ca(2+) required to elicit half-maximal force (pCa(50)) in both slow and fast fibers, with the effect of P(i) twofold greater at the higher temperature. These data suggest that during fatigue, reductions in the myoplasmic Ca(2+) and increases in P(i) act synergistically to reduce muscular force. Consequently, the combined changes in these ions likely account for a greater portion of fatigue than previously predicted based on studies at lower temperatures or high temperatures at saturating Ca(2+) levels.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Pentatrichomonas hominis infection in four kittens.

Four purebred domestic cats examined because of diarrhea were found to have Pentatrichomonas hominis, a rarely reported trichomonad parasite, in their feces. Treatment with a combination of metronidazole and enrofloxacin tended to improve consistency of the feces, whereas treatment with metronidazole alone reduced the number of P hominis trophozoites in fecal smears but did not necessarily result in an improvement in clinical signs. Two cats were euthanatized. Necropsy revealed lymphoplasmacytic enterocolitis with eosinophils and eosinophilic globular leukocytes, neutrophils in the mucosa of the colon and within intraluminal contents of the cecum, and P hominis trophozoites in intraluminal contents of the colon and cecum.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Evaluation of feline leukemia virus control measures.

A susceptible-infected-recovered-susceptible (SIRS) model of the epidemiology of feline leukemia virus is formulated and analysed. The dynamics of the disease are dramatically different in no-risk, low-risk and high-risk subpopulations of asocial, free roaming, and multiple cat household cats. Among low risk (<1% prevalence) free roaming cats, the model predicts that an effective immunization rate of 4% year-1, or an effective removal rate of 8% year-1 are adequate to control the disease completely. Under higher risk (10% prevalence) conditions, an effective immunization rate of 23-72% year-1 or a removal rate of 69-145% year-1 are required for control. At very high (30%) prevalence rates, even heroic measures may not suffice to substantially reduce disease prevalence: a vaccination rate of 100% year-1 even if attainable, would only slightly reduce disease prevalence from 30% to 29%. We conclude that the current estimated effective feline leukemia virus immunization rate of 11-19% of the general population is inadequate to provide herd immunity in the subpopulation of cats which are genuinely at risk of infection. A substantial increase in the vaccination rate and/or intensification of test and removal efforts in the at risk population would be required to attain an effective level of protection.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Assessing the validity of serodiagnostic test results.

When questionable serological results have been obtained from testing laboratories or test kits used in the clinic, the veterinarian either can accept the results at face value, and suffer the probable consequences of misdiagnoses, or take steps to ascertain if indeed the assay was properly validated and the result properly interpreted. It should not be assumed that assays offered by all commercial testing laboratories are fully validated. Neither should it be assumed that test kits, because they are licensed by the USDA, will give accurate answers to all serological questions. When evidence suggests that an assay was fully validated, test results produced by that assay still must be interpreted by the veterinarian within the context of the probability of disease for the patient or groups of animals before testing, or misclassification of infection/disease status of patients may occur. The astute veterinarian will take steps to clarify if the testing laboratory or the test kits being used are performing adequately. Additionally, all test results in that practice will be interpreted in the context of their predictive values. Simplified methods for accomplishing these goals in a timely manner have been provided and will lead to more reasoned clinical diagnoses.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

[Exocrine pancreatic function and gastric mucosa and duodenal mucosa in patients with chronic kidney failure].

Uraemic pancreatopathy is frequently observed in patients with chronic renal failure. The aim of the study was to assess some parameters of exocrine pancreatic function in uraemic patients maintained on intermittent haemodialyses. Elevated serum amylase activity was found in these patients. The most significant finding was the low bicarbonate output in duodenal content after secretin-cerulein stimuli, comparable with that obtained in patients with chronic pancreatitis. It indicates pancreatic exocrine defect in uraemic patients. A fall in protein output and lower amylase activity in duodenal content was also observed in haemodialyzed patients after stimulation. Low basal acid output (BAO) and enhanced maximal (MAO) and peak (PAO) acid outputs were found in uraemic patients after pentagastrin stimulation. Gastritis and duodenitis were frequently diagnosed in endoscopic and histopathological examinations in these patients. In patients with chronic renal failure even without clinical signs of pancreatic, laboratory findings of exocrine pancreatic abnormalities are reported. It may be the cause of uraemic pancreatopathy.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Gastric and pancreatic functions in haemodialyzed patients.

The aim of this work was to assess gastric acid secretion in relation to morphological and histological changes in the gastric mucosa as well as prevalence of Helicobacter pylori in chronically haemodialyzed uraemic patients. Exocrine pancreatic functions after secretin-cerulein test were also studied. In haemodialyzed patients low basal gastric acid output was found, whereas peak output after pentagastrin stimulation did not differ significantly when compared to controls. Endoscopy of gastric and duodenal mucosa revealed inflammatory changes in the majority of patients, described histologically as chronic gastritis with duodenitis. Helicobacter pylori antigen was detected in the serum of 45% of uraemic patients. Serum amylase activity was elevated in haemodialyzed patients relative to controls. Although clinically asymptomatic, haemodialyzed patients exhibited various degrees of gastrointestinal mucosal abnormalities and impairment in exocrine pancreatic functions, mainly low stimulated bicarbonate and protein output as well as low electrolyte concentrations in duodenal content.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Interpreting feline leukemia test results.

Routine prevaccinal screening for FeLV has inherent statistical limitations owing to the magnification of false-positive test errors by the low prevalence of FeLV viremia in the general cat population. Positive ELISA test results obtained in a screening program should be interpreted with caution, because a high proportion--approximately 72%--of such are likely to be false-positive results. On the other hand, routine screening is an excellent method for ruling out FeLV viremia, because a false-negative result is likely to be obtained in only 1/1,000 tests.

Animals↗