Biomedical subjects

K Kowalska

Publications and source records attributed to K Kowalska.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2004

Pulmonary function after surfactant lung lavage followed by surfactant administration in infants with severe meconium aspiration syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: The effect of surfactant lung lavage (SLL) on pulmonary function was examined in neonates with severe form of meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS) (mean +/- standard deviation: birth weight, 3178.1 +/- 237.6 g; gestational age, 37.7 +/- 1.8 weeks). METHODS: The infants were on mechanical ventilation and were subjected to SLL with Survanta. Dynamic compliance (Cdyn), airway resistance (Raw) and mean airway pressure (MAP) were obtained with use of the pneumotachometric method. Measurements of Cdyn, Raw, MAP and time constant (Tc) were compared in the study and control groups and between the groups before SLL and 24 and 48 h after SLL. RESULTS: A significant increase in Cdyn (from 1.06 +/- 0.23 to 2.12 +/- 0.99 (ml/cmH(2)O)/kg) (p < 0.05) and a drop in both Raw (from 264.7 +/- 41.5 to 146.6 +/- 39.4 (cmH(2)O/l)/s) and MAP (from 12.4 +/- 3.6 to 5.4 +/- 2.1 cmH(2)O) were observed 48 hours after SLL. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that SLL is associated with a rapid and significant improvement in pulmonary mechanics, together with an improvement in oxygenation, in newborns with severe MAS. We found that the beneficial effects of SLL on pulmonary mechanics persisted for at least 48 h after introduction of the procedure.

Bronchoalveolar Lavage↗

PubMed2002

Stages of the rat thymic medulla development in foetal period.

Development of thymic medulla was examined on consecutive gestational days (GD) in Wistar rats. Medullary thymic epithelial cells (TEC) were identified by immunocytochemical localisation of neuron-specific enolase (NSE). Organisation of thymic medullary architecture was determined by interaction of thymocytes with NSE-positive TEC, that led to formation of lymphoepithelial complexes (GD 19), in which the cells exhibited proliferative activity or traits of apoptosis. The studies indicated that differentiation events and organisation of thymic medulla require stage-specific interactions between TEC and thymocytes.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Age-related changes in rat thymic epithelial cells.

We investigated age-related changes in immunocytochemical localisation of cytokeratin 16 (CK16) in thymuses of female Wistar rats at various stages of adult life (months 1, 3, 6, 12). Within the 1 st month of life, distribution of CK typical for individual subsets of thymic epithelial cells (TEC) was observed. The most numerous CK16+ TEC were observed in the outer region of medulla, in the outer cells of Hassall's corpuscles and in the superficial epithelial layer neighbouring the connective tissue of the capsule, septa and vessels of the thymus. In the 3rd month of life, increased intensity of CK16 reaction in superficial TEC was accompanied by increased numbers of CK 16+ TEC in the outer region of the medulla. Age-related alterations in the distribution of the studied markers were evident beginning from the 6th month of life and involved increased expression of CK16 in the superficial layer of TEC, which at the interface with the septa formed stratified epithelium. In parallel, decreased numbers of CK16+ TEC were observed in the outer region of the medulla. Changes in CK16+ TEC distribution of a similar type developed in 12-month old rats and they probably reflected altered functions of some TEC populations and decreased or increased biological activity of other TEC populations.

Aging↗

PubMed2002

Lympho-epithelial interactions in rat thymus during pregnancy.

Alterations in the thymic epithelial cell activity were analysed during pregnancy and lactation in Wistar rats by examining the presence and in situ distribution of lymphoepithelial complexes formed by thymic nurse cells (TNC). TNC were identified in paraffin sections by their expression of MHC class II antigens, CD54 molecule and a neuromarker, protein gene product 9.5 (PGP9.5). On the first days of pregnancy (gestational days, GD) the number of PGP9.5+ TNC was found to decrease abruptly. On GD 14, a transient increase was noted in the number of PGP9.5+, MHC+, CD54+ TNC. Another increase was observed in the course of lactation, when the weight of the thymus reached the lowest values. While the increase in TNC numbers during lactation may be linked to the process of reconstruction of the thymic lymphoid population, the augmented activity of lymphoepithelial interactions on GD14 may be associated with thymic engagement in pregnancy-induced immune processes.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Evidence for the presence of 5'-deiodinase in mammalian seminal plasma and for the increase in enzyme activity in the prepubertal testis.

Thyroid hormones are critical for structural and functional development of the testis and Sertoli cells are considered true target cells for triiodothyronine (T3). However, the role of thyroid hormones in the adult testis seems to be minimal and the mechanism by which they affect testicular function is not known. Due to the existing blood-testis barrier the concentration of thyroid hormones in seminal plasma is kept lower than in blood plasma. We have found that T3 may reach the testis not only from the circulation but also from local enzymic conversion of thyroxine to T3. The presence of the enzymic activity responsible for thyroxine 5'deiodination and for generating T3 locally was also found in boar's seminal plasma. The seminal plasma 5'-deiodinase (5'-D) appeared to be predominantly the propylthiouracil (PTU)-insensitive type II isoenzyme found, so far, in tissues where it plays a role in paracrine signalling. It contains selenocysteine in its molecule (inhibition by aurothioglucose), and has an apparent Km for reverse-T3 as substrate of 0.36 nM and a Vmax 23.8 fmol I-/mg protein/min. Because the seminal plasma 5'-D is partially, but uncompetitively, inhibited by PTU, the presence in seminal plasma of two 5'-D isoenzymes (type I and II) cannot be excluded. The 5'-D activity in testes increased significantly between week 3 and 4, and this increase was concomitant with increase in testicular size. The relationship between testicular weight gain and age showed a similar characteristic change and corresponded to the change in 5'-D activity. Unlike in rodents, the testis of the prepubertal pig has thyroid hormone receptors in Sertoli cells, and suggests that in growing piglets, testicular 5'-D is a key factor regulating local supply of biologically active T3, and is an essential factor in testicular paracrine function. The present results are the first demonstration and characterization of the 5'-deiodinase in seminal plasma.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

Adhesion of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to collagen biomaterials: effect of amikacin and ciprofloxacin on the colonization and survival of the adherent organisms.

The adherence of P. aeruginosa to collagen membrane, sponge, and to a new anti-infective COLL dressing and the susceptibility of the organisms attached to the biomaterials to amikacin were investigated in vitro. After 17 h of attachment, the bacteria demonstrated an increased resistance to amikacin compared with their free-floating counterparts. Amikacin, even at a concentration exceeding 150 times the minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) for the strain tested, did not eradicate the attached bacteria from the surface of collagen membrane. However, when the drug at a high concentration (over 16 times the minimal inhibitory concentration, MIC) was present in the incubation medium before it had been inoculated with P. aeruginosa, a reduction of 2 log10 units in the organisms adherent to the surface of collagen membrane was observed. We conclude that slow release of the antibiotic from the COLL dressing could control the bacterial colonization on the surface. In fact, the released amikacin at the final concentration of 32 times the MBC reduced the number of adherent bacteria by 6 log10 units. In contrast, ciprofloxacin at the same final bactericidal concentration completely eradicated the bacteria from the surface of COLL dressing. However, as ciprofloxacin is not recommended for use as a topical antimicrobial agent, a further search is needed to find an agent with a similar anticolonization activity.

Amikacin↗

PubMed1995

[Serum concentration of prolactin, gastrin and glycocholic acid in patient with peptic ulcer treated with ranitidine].

In 66 patients with peptic ulcer (11 with gastric ulcer, 55 with duodenal ulcer, 19 women, 47 men) the serum concentrations of prolactin, dehydrocholic acid and gastrin were determined. The studies were repeated after treatment with ranitidine: in 50 patients after three weeks and in 40 patients after another 30 days. During the first period ranitidine 2 x 150 mg was administered, while during the second period the dose was 1 x 150 mg. The results were compared with those obtained from 120 healthy subjects. Before starting the treatment prolactin levels were significantly higher than those in the control group. During the treatment a significant decrease of the levels was observed. Similar changes of prolactin concentrations were found in the group of 39 men with duodenal ulcer isolated from the studied patients, who were compared with a group of 50 healthy men. It was not found that the development of peptic ulcer and the treatment with ranitidine exerted and effect on the changes of gastrin and dehydrocholic acid concentrations.

Adult↗

PubMed1995

[Level of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) in plasma of patients with chronic renal failure during hemodialysis].

UNLABELLED: Two groups of subjects (uraemic and control) were studied. The group A consisted of 20 patients treated by HD (haemodialysis). The mean age was x +/- SD--36.6 +/- 7.3 years, duration of haemodialysis treatment 32.8 +/- 7.7 months, cuprophan dialyzers and acetate containing solution--35 mEq/l--were used, time of HD--4 hours 3 times weekly, predialysis serum creatinine was 876 +/- 189 mumol/l (9.8 +/- 2.1 mg%). This group of patients was subdivided in two groups. The group I comprised 9 patients with hypotensive episodes that occurred during HD (systolic blood pressure < 90 mmHg), and the group II comprised 11 patients without hypotensive episodes. The control group comprised 20 healthy subjects (mean age 36.7 +/- 12.1 years, serum creatinine level 77 +/- 16 mumol/l (0.9 +/- 0.2 mg%). In all examined subjects the following experimental protocol was used. Blood pressure (BP) was determined at about 8 a.m. after an overnight rest. Then blood samples were withdrawn for estimation of ANP, haematocrit value (Ht), haemoglobin (Hb) and creatinine concentrations. Between 8 and 12 a.m. all examined uraemic subjects were dialyzed. After each hour of dialysis BP was measured and blood samples were taken. ANP (Peninsula Lab.Kids.) was measured using RIA method, and other biochemical parameters using routine methods. Serum creatinine and plasma ANP levels significantly decreased after HD. No significant differences were seen between the both uraemic groups. No significant correlations between systolic blood pressure, ANP level in examined group were observed. CONCLUSIONS: 1. In all uraemic subjects, plasma ANP level was significantly higher than in control subjects.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

PubMed1994

[Level of endothelin-1 and 2 in plasma of patients with chronic renal failure].

The aim of the study was to answer 3 questions: 1. does plasma endothelin level differ in patients with chronic renal failure from that of healthy subjects. 2. does plasma endothelin level differ in patients with chronic renal failure treated with haemodialysis from those treated without dialysis. 3. does plasma endothelin level change during haemodialysis. 63 patients with chronic renal failure (pnn, 23 treated without dialyses and 40 with dialyses) as well as 20 healthy subjects were studied. Plasma endothelin and creatinine were estimated under basal conditions and in the dialysed patients--immediately after dialysis. Plasma endothelin level was higher in patients with pnn than in normals, regardless to dialysotherapy. It rose after dialysis. Plasma creatinine fell after dialysis. Positive significant correlation was found between the levels of creatinine and endothelin in the whole group studied.

Adult↗

PubMed1994

[Changes in levels of glucose, insulin, c-peptide, glucagon and potassium in serum of patients with bronchial asthma during stimulation with b2-adrenergic fenoterol].

The study was carried out on 40 patients with bronchial asthma (20 with atopic and 20 with non-atopic) and 20 healthy subjects as controls. After fenoterol stimulation in asthmatic and control groups an increase of glucose level and decrease of potassium concentration were documented. Moreover, a slight increase of insulin, C-peptide and glucogene++ release was suggested.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1993

[Levels of endothelin and atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) in plasma of patients with chronic renal failure treated by hemodialysis].

Two groups of subjects were studied. The group A consisted of 40 patients treated by HD (haemodialysis) (mean age--x +/- SEM 38.6 +/- 1.47 years, duration of haemodialysis treatment 36.8 +/- 3.7 months, cuprophan dialyzers and acetate containing solution--38 mEg/l--were used, time of HD--4 hours 3 times weekly, predialysis serum creatinine was 900.8 +/- 32.1 mumol/l (10.2 +/- 0.4 mg%) postdialysis serum creatinine was 467.8 +/- 28.3 mumol/l (5.3 +/- 0.3 mg%). Patients were not treated with erythropoietin. The control group comprised 20 healthy subjects (mean age 36.7 +/- 2.7 years and serum creatinine level 76.7 +/- 3.5 mumol/l (0.9 +/- 0.1 mg%). In all examined subjects the following experimental protocol was used. In both group blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) were determined at about 8 a.m. after an overnight rest. Then blood samples were withdrawn for estimation of ANP, endothelin, haematocrit value (Ht), haemoglobin (Hb) and creatinine concentrations. Between 8 and 12 a.m. all examined subjects of the group A were dialysed. After each hour of dialysis BP and HR were measured and blood samples were withdrawn ANP (Peninsula Lab.Kids.) and endothelin (Amersham Kids) were measured using RIA methods, but other biochemical parameters using routine methods. Serum creatinine and plasma ANP levels significantly decreased after HD. Plasma endothelin level was significantly higher than in the control subjects. After first hour of HD a significant decrease of plasma endothelin was observed and than plasma endothelin level started to increase. No significant correalations between creatinine, ANP and endothelin levels in examined group was observed.

Adult↗

PubMed1991

[Behavior of thyrotropic, triiodothyronine, thyroxine and cortisol hormone levels in blood serum of patients with duodenal ulcer treated with ranitidine].

Blood serum concentrations of thyrotropic hormone (TSH), triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4) and cortisol have been measured in 50 patients with duodenal ulcer. The determinations were repeated after a specific time of treatment with ranitidine: in 45 patients after 3 weeks and in 37 after additional 30 days of treatment. During the first period of treatment ranitidine was administered at a dose of 300 mg divided into two daily doses and during the second period of treatment at a single daily dose of 150 mg. A small but statistically significant changes, an increase in T3 and a decrease in TSH concentration, were observed before the treatment. No changes concerning these two parameters were found as an effect of the treatment. A decrease in the concentration of T4 was found, on the other hand, after three weeks of ranitidine administration. This decrease persisted after further 30 days of chronic treatment with ranitidine. No significant changes concerning blood serum cortisol concentration were found in any of the studied groups.

Adult↗

PubMed1989

[Parathyroid hormone and blood pressure in patients with chronic renal failure treated by repeated hemodialysis].

In 36 patients with chronic renal failure treated with repeated haemodialyses the relationship was studied between the level of the C-terminal fragment of the parathyroid hormone in the serum and arterial blood pressure. Depending on the value of the concentration of this C-fragment the patients were divided into three groups: I with concentration below 200 pg/ml, II with concentration 2000-5000 pg/ml, III over 500 pg/ml. In the first group a statistically significant correlation was found between the concentration of the C-terminal fragment of the hormone in the serum and the values of systolic arterial pressure (r = 0.687; p less than 0.05) and diastlic pressure (0 = 0.637; p less than 0.05).

Blood Pressure↗

PubMed1989

[Usefulness of determining serum levels of prolactin in women with menstruation disorders].

In 173 women with oligomenorrhea or amenorrhea, serum level of prolactin (PRL) was determined by radioimmunoassay method. In 22 cases (12.7%) the concentration of PRL was above 15 ng/ml. From the above women in 9 cases (5.2%) of all examined patients pituitary microadenoma was diagnosed. In 1 patient with pituitary microadenoma, coexisting partially empty sella was diagnosed. The mean basal PRL concentration in women with menstruation disturbances without hyperprolactinemia (group I) was found to be 7.1 +/- 3.1 ng/ml while the women with hyperprolactinemia without pituitary microadenoma (group II) was 32.9 +/- 5.8 ng/ml. In women with diagnosed pituitary microadenoma (group III) PRL concentration was 131.8 +/- 47.7 ng/ml. The group II and III demonstrated statistically significant increase of serum prolactin level in comparison to group I. Moreover in comparison with group I, statistically significant reduction of serum level of FSH, LH and estradiol 17 beta was confirmed in group with pituitary microadenoma. In group II significant decrease of serum concentration of LH and estradiol 17 beta was stated as well as lack of significant difference in serum level of FSH, in comparison to group I.

Adenoma↗

PubMed1988