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Biomedical subjects

J Zwoliński

Publications and source records attributed to J Zwoliński.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Preliminary studies on the relationship between Ixodes ricinus activity and tick-borne infection among occupationally-exposed inhabitants of eastern Poland.

Relative density (activity) of the tick Ixodes ricinus was determined in five districts of the Lublin region (eastern Poland) by vegetation flagging. Tick activity values were compared to the determined by ELISA tests seroprevalence to tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) and Borrelia burgdorferi in forestry workers and farmers from the same areas. A significant correlation between tick activity and seroprevalence to both TBEV and B. burgdorferi antigen was found in farmers and in the total examined population.

Agricultural Workers' Diseases↗

[The risk factors of Toxocara canis infestation in population of patients from the Lublin region].

The risk factors of Toxocara canis infestation were assessed among population of patients from the Lublin region. Sera from 151 patients suspected of toxocarosis were tested on the presence of the specific antibodies by ELISA (Biokema-Bordier, Switzerland). Sera from 74 women and 77 men were collected (mean: 24 years; range: 0-74 years). Women sera were found positive in 27 cases (36.5%) and men in 34 cases (44.2%). Positive results were found in the following age groups: young people up to 15 years--34 positive from 71, people from 16 to 30 years old--7 from 33, people from 31 to 45 years old--9 from 24 and people older than 45 years--11 from 23. Patients suspected of ocular larva migrans were found serologically positive in 37 cases from 98. Among patients with eosinophilia 8 positive cases were found from 17 (47.1%). Rural inhabitants were found positive in 41 cases from 73, whereas inhabitants of small towns in 17 cases from 55 and inhabitants of Lublin city (population nearly 400,000) in 3 cases from 23. This relationship was statistically significant (p<0.01). The difference between the group of living in a house (52% positive cases) compared to those living in flats (18% positive cases) was also statistically significant (p<0.001).

Adolescent↗

[Risk of tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) virus infection among people occupationally exposed to tick bites].

The paper presents the results of seroepidemiologic studies concerning tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) in 1583 persons (1261 forestry workers and 233 farmers) from the Lublin region (eastern Poland) occupationally exposed to ticks and in 130 healthy blond donors (a control group). The mean percentage of seropositive reactions in forestry workers amounted 19.8% and in farmers 32.0%. Based on 5-year research (1994-1998) conducted in 5 districts of the Lublin region, an existence of endemic foci of TBE was detected in the district of Biała Podlaska, on the areas of Radzyñ Podlaski and Parczew, where the percentage of seropositive reactions in forestry workers exceeded 50%. Statistical analysis showed that the frequency of seropositive reactions in forestry workers and farmers was significantly greater compared to control group (p<0.001 and p<0.05, respectively). It indicates that these groups are occupationally exposed to TBE wirus. Totally, in the years 1994-98 nine clinical cases of TBE (acute neuroinfection) in forestry workers and fourteen clinical cases in farmers were confirmed serologically. The effectiveness of specific immunization against TBE was proved on the brie of 100% seroconversion in 56 earlier seronegative forestry workers. The obtained results proved that forestry workers and farmers in Poland are under increased risk of infection with TBE virus.

Adult↗

Seroepidemiologic study on tick-borne encephalitis among forestry workers and farmers from the Lublin region (eastern Poland).

The paper presents the results of seroepidemiologic studies concerning tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) in 1,583 persons (1,261 forestry workers and 233 farmers) from the Lublin region (eastern Poland) occupationally exposed to ticks and in 130 healthy blood donors (a control group). The mean percentage of seropositive reactions in forestry workers amounted to 19.8% and in farmers 32.0%. Based on 5-year research (1994-1998) conducted in 5 districts of the Lublin region, the existence of endemic foci of TBE was detected in the district of Bia a Podlaska, on the areas of Radzyń Podlaski and Parczew, where the percentage of seropositive reactions in forestry workers exceeded 50%. Statistical analysis showed that the frequency of seropositive reactions in forestry workers and farmers was significantly greater compared to control group (p < 0.001 and p < 0.05, respectively). It indicates that these groups are occupationally exposed to TBE virus. In the years 1994-98, a total of nine clinical cases of TBE (acute neuroinfection) in forestry workers and fourteen clinical cases in farmers were confirmed serologically. The effectiveness of specific immunization against TBE was proved on the basis of 100% seroconversion in 56 earlier seronegative forestry workers. The obtained results proved that forestry workers and farmers in Poland are under increased risk of infection with TBE virus.

Adult↗

Tolerability and efficacy of GM-CSF [Leucomax] in patients with small cell lung cancer treated with intensive chemotherapy.

The aim of this study was to evaluate tolerability and efficacy of Leucomax (Sandoz/Schering Plough) used for neutropenia in patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC) treated with etoposide and cisplatin. The potential influence of granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) on chemotherapy relative dose intensity (RDI) was also evaluated. The chemotherapy used was the following, cisplatin 50 mg m-2 i.v. 1 and 7 day, etoposide 170 mg m-2 i.v. 3-5 days, q 3-4 weeks. Patients received a median of six cycles (range 2-8) over 4-36 weeks (median: 20). Thirty-two consecutive patients were treated, six were excluded. Eleven patients received GM-CSF 5 micrograms kg-1 s.c. due to absolute neutrophil count (ANC), 1000/mm3 until recovery (ANC > 2000 mm3) or during 7 days, and thereafter prophylactically 24 hours post subsequent chemotherapy cycles for 7 days. Four patients received single GM-CSF course during the terminal disease phase. In 11 patients, there was no neutropenia requiring GM-CSF during the whole treatment course. Toxicity of chemotherapy was high, including thrombocytopenia, neutropenia, anaemia, mucositis, fever and hypotension. GM-CSF toxicity was the following, first dose reaction-one patient, local erythema-two patients, arthralgia-one patient, hypotension, chills, fever requiring GM-CSF discontinuation one patient RDI of cisplatin/etoposide was 0.77/0.62 in GM-CSF group, and 0.90/ 0.80 in patients who didn't receive Leucomax. Overall objective response rate to chemotherapy and complete response rate were 80% (21/26), 26% (7/26) and median survival of all patients was 10 months. Median disease free survival was 8 months. Four patients are alive, two patients lost during progression, 20 died. Administration of GM-CSF did not appear to improve RDI of chemotherapy, overall response rate (RR) nor survival in this phase I/II clinical study. RDI of chemotherapy was reduced in patients receiving GM-CSF due to thrombocytopenia and/or extrahaematologic toxicity of chemotherapy.

Adult↗

[Early results of chemotherapy in patients with non-small cell lung cancer].

59 patients with non-small cell lung cancer were treated with cisplatin (60 mg/m2) on day 1 and etoposide (60 mg/m2) on days 1-5. The results of the treatment were evaluated after 4th course. Remissions were seen in 27 patients, 17 patients had stabilization and 15-progression. The response rate in stages I and II was 70%, in stage III-40% and in stage IV-23%. In squamous cell carcinoma the response rate was 55%, in large cell carcinoma-25% and in adenocarcinoma-12%.

Adenocarcinoma↗

[Cadmium content in daily food rations of rural school-age children].

Cadmium was determined in 230 daily food rations of children aged 8-9 years and 12-13 years. The study was carried out in spring and in autumn during three successive days. Daily meals were collected from the households selected in the area of five villages. Cadmium was determined by the extraction ASA method, after dry mineralization at about 450 degrees C. The level of cadmium in the examined food rations varied from 6 to 569 micrograms/person/day, with the mean value of 43.5 +/- 52.6 micrograms/person/day, and the median of 31.3 micrograms. In 93% of food rations the amount of cadmium was below the upper limit--the dose permitted by the WHO for adults i.e. 57-71 micrograms/day. Considering the children's smaller body weight the daily cadmium intake in food rations was converted into the daily cadmium intake per 1 kilogram body weight. In the group of children aged 8-9 years cadmium intake was 0.3-15 micrograms, with the mean value of 1.7 micrograms, and in the group of 12-13-years-old children it was 0.1-13.9 micrograms, with the mean of 1.3 micrograms. Only 36% of food rations in the group of younger children and 58% of food rations in the older group contained the amount of cadmium below the tolerable value of 1 microgram/kg body weight/day. The weekly cadmium intake was calculated for each child based on its amount in daily food rations during the successive three days. The mean value was 12.3 micrograms/kg body weight, with the median of 8.1 micrograms, within the range of values 2.1-58.8 micrograms.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗

[Two cases of tuberculous pericarditis--diagnostic difficulties].

Some difficulties etiological diagnosis were presented in an example of two clinical cases. In the first patient with exudative pericarditis tuberculosis was determined in histopathological examination of lymph node (caseous necrosis). After antituberculotic treatment the majority of clinical symptoms was disappeared. In the second patient with chronic constrictive pericarditis the tuberculous etiology was accepted according to highly positive tuberculin reaction and signs of pericardial calcification. Patient was qualified to pericardiectomy.

Adult↗

[Castleman tumor].

A case of a mediastinal benign tumor in a 56 year old male is presented. The tumor was detected during a routine chest radiographic examination. The patient was asymptomatic. During thoracotomy two tumors were found. One was localized in the middle mediastinum the other in the posterior mediastinum. Both tumors were removed completely. Basing on the results of the clinical examination, of the laboratory data and the histopathological examination of the resected tumors a diagnosis of Castleman's tumor of the plasma-cell type was made.

Castleman Disease↗

[Prognostic value of measuring serum angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) in patients with sarcoidosis].

Serum ACE (s-ACE) activity were determined in 112 sarcoid patients and 60 healthy volunteers. The mean s-ACE activity in sarcoid patients were 39.5 +/- 14.1 U. and in healthy volunteers 22.1 +/- 3.6, U. Significant increase of s-ACE was seen in active sarcoidosis 51.2 +/- 13.7 U. Serum ACE activity increased twice or more in comparison with control values imply activity of the process. Serum-ACE determination may be of use as a prognostic factor in sarcoidosis.

Adolescent↗

[Post-traumatic chylothorax].

A case of post-traumatic chylothorax in a 84 year old man with ILD is presented. The chylothorax was successfully treated after 6 months, which was confirmed at post-mortem, during which a solitary plasmocytoma of the left kidney was also diagnosed.

Accidental Falls↗

Effect of hydrazide cysteine on T cells. II. Human autologous rosette forming cells belong to two subpopulations differing with respect to the sensitivity to hydrocortisone and hydrazide cysteine.

In our studies on healthy individuals and patients suffering from chronic spastic bronchitis we demonstrated that autologous rosette forming cells in peripheral non-B lymphocytes belong to two subpopulations: HC-sensitive and HC-resistant. In about 50% of individuals there exists only one subpopulation of ARFC-HC-resistant. Treatment of individuals, whose non-B lymphocytes are 100% resistant to HC, with HC, did not cause any alteration in the ability to form rosettes. On the other hand, injection of HC into the individuals whose non-B lymphocytes are partially resistant to HC causes significant reduction of the autologous rosette formation. Similar results were obtained in the in vitro studies. Hydrazide cysteine converts HC-sensitive lymphocytes into HC-resistant which do not form rosettes. The mechanism of action of HC and HD on the cells forming autologous rosettes is discussed.

Bronchitis↗

T lymphocytes modifying factors in sera of patients with Myasthenia gravis.

The examination of patients with Myasthenia gravis revealed that before thymectomy the number of T and B cells in the peripheral blood did not deviate from the norm. It was also observed that their sera contained factor stimulating T lymphocytes to the spontaneous rosette formation, theta antigen generation in xynogeneic system and hydrocortisone-resistant thymocytes. No factor inhibiting the spontaneous rosette formation by T lymphocytes or causing the transmission from Thy-1.2+ cells to Thy-1.2-cells was detected in these sera. Thymectomy resulted in the immediate fall of T lymphocytes number in the peripheral blood of the patients examined. Besides, serum of most patients almost totally lost the stimulating factor. The fall of T cells number did not involve the appearance of the inhibitory factor in the patients' serum. Different than in others results gave blood and serum analysis in the patient tymectomized 10 years earlier. Her blood contained the normal number of T and B lymphocytes and the stimulatory factor of a "limited" activity. It displayed only the ability of generating hydrocortisone-resistant cells, it appeared nonactive in generating theta antigen or restoring the ability of rosette formation by T cells.

Adolescent↗

Regulatory factors in human serum: effect on murine T cells.

Effect of lymphocyte E rosette stimulatory and inhibitory factors from human serum on murine T cells was studied. It was shown that the stimulatory factor (a polypeptide, temperature sensitive, with a molecular weight about 20,000, isolated from healthy individuals) interacted, in vitro, with murine spleen T cell precursors and generated formation of Thy-1,2+ cells. The cells generated were also active in GvH reaction. The stimulatory factor induced, in vitro, formation of cortisone-resistant thymocytes. Unfractionated pool of spleen cells treated with the inhibitory factor (a beta-lipoprotein isolated from sera of humans with active pulmonary tuberculosis) showed lower number of Thy-1,2+ cells, and lower activity in GvH reaction. However, when the spleen cells were subsequently treated with the stimulatory factor, the initial number of Thy-1,2+ cells was restored. It was confirmed that the factors did not interact with the target cells in the presence of prostaglandin inhibitors.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗