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Biomedical subjects

K Sułek

Publications and source records attributed to K Sułek.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Second malignancies and Richter's syndrome in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia treated with cladribine.

The increased frequency of second malignancies in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) is well known. Moreover, antineoplastic therapy additionally increases the risk of secondary cancers. In this study, we analysed whether treatment with cladribine (2-chlorodeoxyadenosine, 2-CdA) during the course of CLL had an impact on the subsequent occurrence of either secondary solid tumours or Richter's syndrome. There were 1487 eligible patients, 251 treated with 2-CdA alone, 913 treated with alkylating agents (AA)-based regimens alone and 323 treated with both 2-CdA and AA. Median time from the start of CLL treatment to the diagnosis of secondary malignancy was 1.9 years (0.5-5.1 years) for the 2-CdA group, 1.8 years (0.3-7.9 years) for the AA group and 3.9 years (0.3-8.4 years) for the 2-CdA+AA group. A total of 68 malignancies were reported in 65 patients. Ten events were non-melanotic skin cancers and were excluded from the analysis, leaving 58 events in 58 patients. In the group of patients treated with 2-CdA alone, there were 15 (6.0%) cases, in the group of patients treated with AA alone there were 26 (2.8%) cases, and in the group treated with 2-CdA+AA there were 17 (5.3%) cases of secondary malignancies. The differences between the frequency of secondary malignancies in the 2-CdA and 2-CdA+AA versus AA alone groups were not significant (P=0.05 and P=0.06, respectively). Only lung cancers occurred significantly more frequently in the 2-CdA (2.8%) and 2-CdA+AA (2.2%) treated groups compared with the AA patients (0.3%) (P<0.001 and P<0.01, respectively). In conclusion, 2-CdA in CLL patients does not seem to increase the risk of secondary malignancies except for lung cancers. However, further studies are necessary to establish the real risk of lung cancer in CLL patients treated with 2-CdA.

Adult↗

High-dose chemotherapy with autologous stem cell transplantation is an effective treatment of primary refractory Hodgkin's disease. Retrospective study of the Polish Lymphoma Research Group.

We analysed the treatment outcome of primary refractory HD patients managed with high-dose chemotherapy and haematopoietic cell transplantation. Data of 65 adult patients who underwent HDC/ASCT in nine Polish centres for primary resistant Hodgkin's disease between June 1991 and July 2000 were collected retrospectively. Response rate to HDC/ASC: CR, 54%; PR, 20%; less than PR, 15%; early deaths, 11%. Actuarial 3-year OS and PFS were 55% and 36%, respectively. In multivariate analysis, lack of bulky lymph nodes and use of immunotherapy were favourable factors for both OS and PFS. IPF <3 at the time of transplantation was predictive for PFS. However, the prognostic impact of immunotherapy should be interpreted with caution since this group included more patients who achieved CR after HDC/ASCT. The results of HDC/ASCT are encouraging and confirm earlier findings. The role of immunotherapy should be further investigated in prospective trials.

Adolescent↗

First cases of acute human granulocytic ehrlichiosis in Poland.

The first three cases of acute human granulocytic ehrlichiosis in Poland are described. Blood samples were tested by an indirect immunofluorescence method to detect specific serum antibodies, and the polymerase chain reaction was used to detect ehrlichial DNA. Additionally, peripheral blood smears were examined for the presence of morulae. According to criteria of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, all three cases can be classified as confirmed granulocytic ehrlichiosis. Using the criteria recommended by a consensus group, however, two cases can be classified as confirmed granulocytic ehrlichiosis and one case as probable granulocytic ehrlichiosis.

Acute Disease↗

[Evaluation of nephrologic "risk" in a newly diagnosed case of plasma cell dyscrasias from personal material (1994-2000)].

UNLABELLED: Among 149 patients with recently recognized plasma cell dyscrasia (PCD) in years 1994-2000 72 persons with serologically and nephrologically documented diagnostic profile were selected. In this group of pts we assessed dependence between degree of reduced glomerular filtration rate (GFR), evaluated by serum creatinine concentration and calculated with Barasckay's formula and hypercalcemia, hyperuricemia as well as type of monoclonal protein in urine. RESULTS: We revealed statistically significant higher values of calcium (p = 0.005), uric acid (p = 0.000001) concentrations and higher occurrence of Bence-Jones proteinuria (mainly kappa) in 22 patients with serum creatinine > 1.5 mg/dl in comparison with 50 patients with serum creatinine < or = 1.5 mg/dl. Among 72 patients, GFR > 90 ml/min, calculated with Barasckay's formula, was stated only in 9 patients (12.5%). There was no difference in nephrotoxity between kappa and lambda light chains with reference to serum creatinine concentration and GFR. The group of 12 patients with light chain dyscrasia (LCD) had higher degree of nephrotoxicity in comparison with other forms of PCD. On the basis of our study we concluded that patients with clinical suspicion of PCD, especially those with LCD are referred to a special Protein Laboratory too late, it means at the time of significant nephrological risk in the form of low glomerular filtration rate, hypercalcemia and hyperuricemia.

Adult↗

[Examination of skin microcirculation with laser-Doppler flowmetry in patients with essential hypertension].

The estimation of microcirculatory parameters in patients with essential hypertension and in normotensic control group was the aim of this study. The study group consisted of 14 patients with essential hypertension confirmed by 24-hours ABP. 10 healthy patients served as control group. The flow in the skin microcirculation was measured by laser-Doppler flowmeter (PF-3, PERIMED) on dorsal part of the palm. Microcirculatory indices were registered in resting conditions, during one-minute occlusion reaction and during reactive hyperemia. The following indices were calculated: resting flow, biological zero, maximal flow, time to maximal flow, ratio of maximal to resting flow, ratio of resting flow to biological zero and ratio of maximal flow to biological zero. Skin microcirculation was highly disturbed in patients with essential hypertension. It was expressed by significantly higher biological zero and longer time to maximal flow.

Adult↗

[Diagnosis of the increase of lymph nodes in the abdominal cavity].

Isolated abdominal lymphadenopathy is not such a common but a real diagnostic problem. Widespread prevalence of ultrasonography in routine diagnostics has been contributed to its greater recognition. In the first part of the article examinations which lead to the diagnosis (such as: microbiological examination, ultrasonography, CT, MRI, lymphography, histopathological examination) are discussed basing on the literature. The potential etiology of abdominal lymphadenopathy is described in the second part of the article. The characteristic changes are discussed for mentioned disease entities.

Abdomen↗

Impaired skin microcirculation and blood rheology in patients with monoclonal gammapathy.

Hemorheological disturbances in patients with monoclonal gammapathies are widely known, but there is little information about microcirculation in these patients. The following study was performed to examine skin microcirculation and its relationship with blood rheology. We analysed both haematological and hemorheological parameters (blood and plasma viscosity, aggregation index and filterability of 1 ml of whole blood) and skin microcirculation in 46 patients with monoclonal gammapathy and 22 healthy controls. Microcirculation on dorsal aspect of the hand was examined with laser Doppler flowmeter. We measured resting flow and biological zero and maximal flow during postischemic hyperaemic reaction after one minute occlusion on the arm. The same parameters were estimated for CMBC (concentration of moving blood cells). Patients with monoclonal gammapathy are characterised by statistically higher whole blood and plasma viscosities and other hemorheological parameters and disturbed skin microcirculation expressed as statistically significant lower resting flux and impaired reaction for temporary occlusion.

Adult↗

[Five cases of acquired pure red cell aplasia].

Acquired pure red cell aplasia is rare disorder of hematopoiesis. Because of the variety of reasons for PRCA optimal treatment is based on highly specialistic diagnostics. Both humoral and cellular mechanisms are involved in the pathogenesis of PRCA. Corticosteroids, cyclosporin A, high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin therapy are recommended in PRCA. Treatment failures may be successfully managed with antihuman thymocyte globulin, cyclophosphamide or azathioprine. We describe also the lots of five patients with this disorder.

Adolescent↗

[Changes in the quality of life influenced by treatment of primary arterial hypertension].

The quality of life (QL) in 90 male patients (age 41.2 +/- 41) suffering from Ist IInd hemodynamic WHO-stage of essential arterial hypertension has been studied during 3 months therapy. The patients have been divided into 3 groups treated with enalapril, atenolol and verapamil respectively. The Sickness Impact Profile, Bulpitt's test and Spitzer's test were used for evaluation of QL. Significant reduction in diastolic arterial blood pressure has been achieved during the treatment period. In the same time improvement in QL indices was observed, most evident in group of enalapril, moderate in group of verapamil and the minor in atenolol group. It is concluded that these three QL test (SIP, Bulpit, Spitzer) are very useful in monitoring of treatment of the essential arterial hypertension.

Adult↗

[Laser Doppler flowmetry--a new promising technique for assessment of the microcirculation].

The laser Doppler flowmetry is a new technique for evaluating microcirculation. It is based on the Doppler phenomenon-reflected light changes its frequency when it interacts with moving objects such as red blood cells. The source of light is 2 mW He-Ne laser. The light penetrates into the tissue to the depth of 1 mm, and measures microvascular blood flow throughout it. This technique is objective, harmless even during prolonged exposition, repeatable, and very sensitive even to small changes in the blood flow. Because of difficulties with determination of the perfusion normal values and several factors disturbing microcirculation, the most objective results are obtained with dynamic tests. They measure a response of microcirculation to local ischemia, cooling or given medicines. A disadvantage is its high sensitivity to motion-produced disturbances. Laser Doppler flowmetry may be used not only in scientific investigations. It is of diagnostic value in plastic surgery, vascular surgery, dermatology, internal medicine, dentistry, and neurology.

Equipment Design↗

[Anxiety and depression during chemotherapy for lymphoproliferative diseases].

In order to analyse anxiety and depression states observed during the treatment of lymphoproliferative diseases, a group of 23 patients were studied. For assessment of the variables the following was used: history taking, psychological observation and psychometric techniques. The obtained results point to various dynamics of anxiety and depression. The intensity of anxiety states decreases during single as well as successive courses of chemotherapy. Depression states intensify during one course with a tendency for mood lowering with prolonged treatment duration. Therapeutic conclusions: 1. It is necessary to minimize anxiety attitudes, particularly during the first phase of the treatment (cognitive psychotherapy). 2. In deep depression it is indicated to use antidepressants and supportive psychotherapy.

Adolescent↗

[Effect of erythropoietin on some rheological and biochemical properties of blood in dialysed patients with irreversible kidney failure. Preliminary results].

6 patients with symptomatic renal anaemia treated with haemodialysis (3F, 3M, aged 41 +/- 17 years) were given r-Hu EPO in initial dose of 50 U/kg, modified during the treatment, according to the Hkt, and Hgb values. Some biochemical and rheological properties of blood taken before treatment showed: normochromic and normocytic anemia with Hkt 22.7 +/- 1.7% Hgb 6.81 +/- 1.6 g% and normal reticulocytosis: significant (p less than 0.001) decrease of whole blood viscosity (WBV) at low shear rate (2.25 x sec-1) and high shear rate (225 x sec-1) related to Hkt values, and significant increase of red celles aggregation (RCA) (p less than 0.02) in comparison to healthy persons. Plasma viscosity (PV), serum fibrinogen, protein and albumin were normal. In 4 patients treated with r-Hu EPO for 12 weeks at least, we observed an increase Hkt to 36.7 +/- 2% and Hgb to 11.2 +/- 1.2 g% and a significant increase of WBV at high shear rate (p less than 0.05), normalization of RCA and improvement of the filtrability of whole blood. No side effects were observed, especially insufficient control of blood pressure. Our preliminary results indicate that our treatment of renal anemia with r-Hu EPO was clinically effective, safe and had positive influence on blood rheology.

Adult↗