Biomedical subjects

Joanna Renke

Publications and source records attributed to Joanna Renke.

11 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

[Mastocytosis in childhood].

Mastocytosis is a rare multi-symptomatic disorder with overproduction and accumulation of mast cells in different tissues. Mast cells accumulate most often in skin, rarely in bone marrow, lymphnodes, liver and spleen. Symptoms of the disease may be due either to releasing of mediators that are present in mast cells or to affection of organs. Although mastocytosis is regarded as a rare disease in the population, among patients of dermatologists it is much more common. It concerns 5,4 caser per 1000 of cured children. The disease has no original treatment. There is a chance that thanks to to popularisation of knowledge of this disease will be more frequently diagnosed and known better.

Bone Marrow↗

PubMed2006

[Mast cells, their adenosine receptors and reactive oxygen species in chronic inflammatory pathologies of childhood].

Mast cells were described by Erhlich at the end of XIX-th century. Their role was deeply investigated in asthma and allergy. The massive degranulation of mast cells in allergy can lead to anaphylactic shock. Recently, mast cells have been recognized again as a very interesting topic for investigation, due to their possible role in chronic inflammation. Moreover, through adenosine receptors, mast cells can be activated or inactivated. That is why these cells are regarded as a potential target of new drugs. It has been reported, that mast cells generate intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) in response to stimulation with divergent physiologically relevant stimulants. The intensification of ROS production may be measured by the level of carbonyl groups, as a marker of protein peroxidation. However, the role of mast cells in other than asthma diseases with chronic inflammation needs further investigation. It was found out that the information about mast cell distribution in colonic mucosa may serve as help in differentiation between inflammatory bowel disease and collagenous colitis. Moreover, its accumulation in focal active gastritis was confirmed in patients with Crohn's disease. An important role in regulation of inflammatory process seems to be reserved for adenosine receptors present on mastocytes. The activation of mast cells through the adenosine receptor is connected with 11-8 release, which stimulate the migration of leukocytes and oxidation reactions. The detection of mast cells in tissues should not be limited only to the simple histologic examination. It should be completed by the detection of products of degranulation, e.g. tryptase. This is the way to find out their actual function and state of activation.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

[Systemic mastocytosis].

Mastocytosis is group of rare disorders characterized by abnormal mast cells growth. Pathology of the disease is unknown, mechanisms involved in mast cells delineation and growth are considered to play an important role. Unusual and broad spectrum of symptoms therefore requires cooperation of different specialists. The aim of the study was to assess diagnostic and therapeutic methods used in the Gdansk Mastocytosis Centre. 14 patients were studied (9 adults and 5 children). Bone marrow biopsy was performed in order to assess the stage of disease. Pathological, cytological, cytofotometry and genetic examination (C-KIT mutation) of the bone marrow were performed. Patients suffereing from food allergy and wasp venom anaphylaxis were diagnosed with skin prick tests and sIgE. All subjects suffered from urticaria pigmenthosa and anaphylaxis. Indolent mastocytosis was diagnosed in six subjects. Patients were treated with antihistamines, corticosteroids, cromones and immunotherapy with a marked reduction of symptoms. The experience of Gdansk Mastocytosis Centre indicates that mastocytosis is a rare and difficult to diagnose disease.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Antioxidative properties of human milk].

Human milk, despite numerous advantages, has also antioxidative properties. Oxidative stress is implicated in bronchopulmonary dysplasia, retinopathy of prematurity and necrotizing enterocolitis. Therefore, the influence of human milk on oxidative stress intensity in breast-fed neonates and infants is a significant issue. The concentration of antioxidants in milk depends on mother's diet, vitamins supplementation during pregnancy and lactation and geographical area of domicile. Breast-fed children have higher antioxidative capacity in blood and lower oxidative stress intensity as compared to formula-fed children. Storage increases the antioxidative activity of human milk. Maternal smoking augments oxidative damage in children and lowers the antioxidative capacity of milk.

Antioxidants↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Free radical reactions and activity of antioxidant barrier in children with chronic hepatitis B].

UNLABELLED: Recent research has shown that highly reactive oxygen species may take part in pathogenesis of many diseases, in particular chronic inflammatory processes. It was demonstrated that the activation of the inflammatory process is linked with generation of significant quantities of free radicals. This may lead to uncontrolled free radical reactions, particularly in case of antioxidant barrier insufficiency. THE AIM OF THE STUDY: To assess the biochemical parameters of oxidative stress, activation of glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and superoxide dismutase (SOD1) in erythrocytes of children with chronic hepatitis B (CBH). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Group of 47 children aged from 7 to 18 years with histopathologically confirmed CBH was studied. The content of carbonyl groups in plasma proteins and activity of SOD1 and GPX in the erythrocytes was evaluated. The control group consisted of 61 healthy children aged from 7 to 18 years. RESULTS: Verified statistically with Mann-Whitney U test. Significantly higher content of plasma proteins' carbonyl groups was found in the study group (1.07 +/- 0.33 nmol/mg protein) than in the control group (0.86 +/- 0.2, p < 0,001). The activity of GPX [U/gHb] was lower in group of children with CBH (18.7 +/- 9.7) than in healthy children (26.1 +/- 0.2, p =0.005). A significantly higher activity or SOD1 [U/gHb] was found in children with CBH (2470+/- 714) as compared with healthy controls (1857+/- 782, p =0.006). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with CBH the intensification of free radicals' reactions can be observed, which confirms the role of ROS in its pathogenesis. One of the reasons for this phenomenon may be due to the inappropriate activity of antioxidant barrier enzymes. The elevation of SOD activity seems to be a response to increased oxidative stress.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Superoxide dismutase in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis].

UNLABELLED: The use or antioxidants as drugs that may control the inflammatory process recently has become widely studied in adults. One of the most important components or antioxidant barrier in humans is enzyme superoxide dismutase. Experimental treatment with superoxide dismutase proved to be effective in animals. THE AIM of the present study was to estimate the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in patients with rheumatoid disease of childhood -- juvenile idiopathic arthritis and to analyse it in different clinical aspects of the disease including its activity, course and time of duration. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A group of 70 children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis, age from 3 to 18 years, patients of Rheumatologic Hospital in Sopot was examined in years 1996-2001. Juvenile idiopathic arthritis was diagnosed according to the International League Against Rheumatism classification (Durban 1997). The control group consisted of 29 healthy children age from 3 to 18 years. Superoxide dismutase activity was determined in full, heparinised blood with the use of spectrophotometric method or Randox. The study was accepted by the Local Committee of Ethics. RESULTS: A statistically significant increase in superoxide dismutase activity was found in group of children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis compared to the control group. In the polyarticular form of disease the activity of superoxide dismutase was also significantly higher than in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: In course of juvenile idiopathic arthritis, differently from rheumatoid arthritis of adults, superoxide dismutase activity seems to be stimulated in the majority of cases, so the treatment with exogenous superoxide dismutase may not be effective.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Assessment of treatment results in children with malignant liver tumours in own experience].

AIM: The assessment of malignant liver tumours in children treated in our centre between years 1985-2004 has been made in order to analyze the prognostic factors and improvement in survival rate. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 17 patients with malignant liver tumours were followed-up. There were 10 (58,8%) patients with hepatoblastomas, 5 (29,4%) hepatocarcinomas, 1 (5,9%) undifferentiated embryonal sarcoma and 1 (5,9%) rhabdomyosarcoma. Primary metastatic disease was recognized in 3 cases as: hepatic vascular involvement, lungs, femoral bone and lymph nodes of liver hilus metastases. All patients underwent preoperative chemotherapy. Tumour resection was attempted in 13 (76,5%) cases; it was complete within adequate resection margins in 11 (64 7%). In 3 cases biliary fistulas occurred after surgery. Secondary metastases appeared in lungs, lymph nodes of liver hilus and central nervous system in 4 cases. RESULTS: Twelve patients are alive with median follow-up 34,0 mths, five died with median survival time 16,0 mths. Total excision of liver tumour had no statistical significance in lifetime prolongation (p =0,12). Survival rate was statistically longer in patients without metastatic disease (p=0,028). CONCLUSIONS: Complete surgical excision had no statistical significance in increasing survival time in liver tumour patients. Metastatic disease had statistical significance in shortening overall survival of patients with liver tumours. Unsatisfactory results in hepatocarcinoma treatment in children dramatically demonstrate the need for new treatment approaches.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Total antioxidative status in colostrum. The influence of maternal smoking].

UNLABELLED: Oxidative stress is implicated in the pathogenesis of many diseases. The purpose of the antioxidative defense is to inactivate reactive oxygen particles. Human milk has antioxidative properties. The antioxidative barrier is impaired in smokers. THE AIM of the study was to evaluate the influence of maternal smoking during pregnancy and lactation on total antioxidative status (TAS) in colostrum. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 57 healthy women after natural delivery were included in the study. Group I - consisted of non-smokers (median 29 years; range 22-36 yrs), group 11-25 smokers (median 25 years; range 18-31 yrs). Milk samples were collected between 2nd and 4th day after delivery. RESULTS: Total antioxidative status in milk of non-smoking group (group I) was 4.55 mmol/l (range: 1.5-19.0) and 2.61 mmol/l (range: 1-23.9) in milk of smoking group (group II). Total antioxidative status was significantly decreased in milk of smoking mothers (group II) (test U; U=249; p<0.015). TAS in milk of smoking mothers is decreased by 11.9%. CONCLUSION: Smoking during pregnancy and lactation decreases the antioxidative properties of colostrum.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Tryptase activity in colon mucosal samples of children with inflammatory bowel disease].

INTRODUCTION: mast cells are dispersed in many tissues, especially in the digestive and respiratory system mucosal membranes. Tryptase is the most important proteinase released from mast cells after degranulation. It influences strongly the cells and tissues by activating the inflammatory process. THE AIM OF THE STUDY: was to assess the activity of tryptase in colon mucosa samples in children with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) and in children with bleedings from lower part of gastrointestinal tract (GTB), without inflammation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: a group of 30 children with IBD was analyzed in the study. IBD is formed by three disease entities: ulcerative colitis (UC) - 14 patients, Crohn's disease (CD) - 9 patients and non-specific colitis (NSC) - 7 patients. Moreover, a group of 18 children with bleeding from lower part of gastrointestinal tract was studied. The activity of tryptase in homogenates of colon mucosal samples was estimated fluoroimmunoenzymatically. RESULTS: the results of our analysis showed no statistically important difference between the mean activity of tryptase in groups of children with IBD and GTB (31442 +/- 1304 vs 31868 +/- 775 ug/l). The study of tryptase activities in different disease entities of IBD group showed, that its value in ulcerative colitis group was 31382 +/- 1170 ug/l, in Crohn's disease group it was 31536 +/- 1120 ug/l; in non-specific colitis group the tryptase activity was 32277 +/- 498 ug/l. The analysis with Kruskal-Wallis Anova test revealed that the differences are statistically significant (p = 0.034). In post hoc test the outstanding value is the tryptase activity in children with NSC. Activity of tryptase in colon in much higher than its activity in plasma (normal range 1-19 ug/l). CONCLUSIONS: the activity of tryptase in mucosal membrane samples is much higher than in blood. The extent of mast cells degranulation may be dependent on the form of IBD.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Bone mineral density in inflammatory bowel diseases in children].

OBJECTIVE: determination of bone mineral density in children treated because of inflammatory bowel diseases. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 42 patients were included: 21 with ulcerative colitis and 21 with Crohn's disease. The duration of illness was from 2.0-24.0 months. Glucocorticoid therapy was applied in 92.9% of patients with the duration from 4-1680 days. The cumulative doses of glucocorticoids were from 160 to 25900 mg. Bone mineral density (BMD) and z-score of L1-L4 were assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). The mean BMD of L1-L4 were measured in g/cm2 and compared with referential values for gender and age. Osteopenia (ope) mean z-score from -1 to -2 SD, osteoporosis (opo) < -2 SD were accepted. RESULTS: BMD values varied from 0.531 to 1.301 g/cm. Z-score values varied from 0.9 to -5.6 SD. Bone mineral disturbances occurred in 57.2% of cases and it was equally both in 28.6% of cases osteoporosis and osteopenia. In ulcerative colitis osteopenia was predominant (23.8%), while in Crohn's disease osteoporosis occurred more often (23.8%). There was no significance in the duration time of the disease and BMD and z-score. The significant difference was found in the duration of steroid therapy and z-score. No association was found among cumulative dose of steroids and z-score. No significant differences were found in BMD and z-score of lumbar spine in ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. CONCLUSIONS: 1. Bone mineral disturbances often complicate inflammatory bowel diseases in children. 2. The association among the duration time of steroid therapy and bone mineral density was confirmed. 3. No significant differences were found in bone mineral density among colitis ulcerasa and Crohn's disease cases.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Changes in the number of neuroprotective transmitter containing mucosal nerve fibres in children with ulcerative colitis].

INTRODUCTION: Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease are two main disease entities that belong to the group of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). Chronic inflammatory process concerning intestinal mucosal membrane causes structural and functional changes of intestinal nervous system. This phenomenon is called the plasticity of the nervous system and is due to the ability of nerve cells to adapt to changing environmental conditions. The resulting alterations of intestinal neurons' chemical code are augmentation, inhibition or initiation of the neurotransmitters' synthesis (synthesis "de novo"). The role of neuroprotective transmitters - galanine (GAL), vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and pituitary adenosine cyclase activating peptide (PACAP) seems to be important in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel diseases. They are responsible for the regulation of intestinal contraction and modification of ions' transport in the intestinal epithelium. They also diminuate the inflammation by modulation of the proinflammatory chemokines and cytokines production. THE AIM: of the study was to analyse the changes in the nerve fibres' containing GAL, VIP and/or PACAP, density in the mucosal membrane of children with ulcerative colitis (UC) with different Clinical activity index. MATERIAL AND METHODS: the study included 33 children hospitalised due to UC with different activity and 9 children in the control group, after exclusion of IBD. All the studied patients underwent colonoscopic examination with colon mucosa biopsies. Histology and immunochemistry of mucosal samples were analysed. Those studies helped to assess the changes in the number of nerve fibres containing analysed transmitter substances in the mucosal membrane of the colon. RESULTS: the results showed a statistically significant diminuation of nerve fibres containing analysed neurotransmitters number in colon mucosa samples of children with UC. There were no statistically significant changes in number of nerve fibres dependent on the clinical activity index of UC. CONCLUSIONS: the process of degradation present in UC is accompanied by the important diminuation on neurotransmitter containing fibres number. However, their density is not dependent of the clinical activity of the disease.

Adolescent↗