Biomedical subjects

M Bartos

Publications and source records attributed to M Bartos.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed2001

Rapid signaling at inhibitory synapses in a dentate gyrus interneuron network.

Mutual synaptic interactions between GABAergic interneurons are thought to be of critical importance for the generation of network oscillations and for temporal encoding of information in the hippocampus. However, the functional properties of synaptic transmission between hippocampal interneurons are largely unknown. We have made paired recordings from basket cells (BCs) in the dentate gyrus of rat hippocampal slices, followed by correlated light and electron microscopical analysis. Unitary GABA(A) receptor-mediated IPSCs at BC-BC synapses recorded at the soma showed a fast rise and decay, with a mean decay time constant of 2.5 +/- 0.2 msec (32 degrees C). Synaptic transmission at BC-BC synapses showed paired-pulse depression (PPD) (32 +/- 5% for 10 msec interpulse intervals) and multiple-pulse depression during repetitive stimulation. Detailed passive cable model simulations based on somatodendritic morphology and localization of synaptic contacts further indicated that the conductance change at the postsynaptic site was even faster, decaying with a mean time constant of 1.8 +/- 0.6 msec. Sequential triple recordings revealed that the decay time course of IPSCs at BC-BC synapses was approximately twofold faster than that at BC-granule cell synapses, whereas the extent of PPD was comparable. To examine the consequences of the fast postsynaptic conductance change for the generation of oscillatory activity, we developed a computational model of an interneuron network. The model showed robust oscillations at frequencies >60 Hz if the excitatory drive was sufficiently large. Thus the fast conductance change at interneuron-interneuron synapses may promote the generation of high-frequency oscillations observed in the dentate gyrus in vivo.

Action Potentials↗

PubMed2001

Australian women living with HIV/AIDS are more sceptical than men about antiretroviral treatment.

A national survey of 925 people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in Australia conducted in the second half of 1997 showed that the proportion of HIV-positive women (61%) reporting they currently used antiretroviral treatment was significantly lower than that of men (79%). Women (37%) were also significantly less likely than men (59%) to report that they believe new treatments have brought hope and better prospects for PLWHA. Thirteen women and 63 men who completed the survey also participated in an in-depth interview which further explored the use of, and attitudes to, antiretroviral drugs for HIV/AIDS and their impact on personal relationships and work-related issues. Taken together, the survey and interview data suggest that male PLWHA have positive albeit qualified views about antiretrovirals and believe their health and future prospects have been improved by advances in treatments. In contrast, female PLWHA were sceptical about treatments and were unwilling to link their future prospects to the outcomes of antiretroviral therapy. Multivariate analysis of the correlates of attitudes to treatments revealed gender to be a significant independent predictor of more positive attitudes. These results are important considerations for health care workers in ensuring that HIV treatment services become more acceptable to HIV-positive women.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2001

More cautious, more optimistic: Australian people living with HIV/AIDS, 1997-1999.

The aim of this study was to assess whether the lives of Australian people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) have improved to the extent hoped for following the introduction of new antiretroviral (ARV) drugs for HIV. In 1997, 925 Australian PLWHA completed the first national survey of the social impacts of HIV/AIDS. In 1999, 924 Australian PLWHA were recruited for a repeat of the survey. Study participants completed an anonymous self-administered questionnaire. The data revealed that although new ARV drugs have improved the clinical profiles of many PLWHA, there have not been corresponding improvements in the physical well-being, levels of employment, or financial circumstances of many PLWHA. Nevertheless, PLWHA express favourable attitudes toward ARV drugs. Australian PLWHA have a complex relationship with their ARV medication that is likely to change over time as their HIV disease progresses and new treatments become available.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

Usefulness of VEGF, MMP-2, MMP-3 and TIMP-2 serum level evaluation in patients with adrenal tumours.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate serum levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), metalloproteases MMP-2 (gelatinase A), MMP-3 (stromyelisine 1) and metalloprotease tissue inhibitors (TIMP-2) in patients with various benign and malignant adrenal tumours before and after surgery, as well as to evaluate if there is a correlation between serum levels of these agents and tumour types. METHODS: Serum levels of VEGF, MMP-2, -3 and TIMP-2 were estimated in 43 patients with adrenal tumour at the admission and, in case of surgery, again one month after surgery. The patients were divided into 6 groups according to the type of the tumour (I - patients with adrenal cortex carcinoma, II - with benign hormonally active adrenocortical adenomas, III - with benign, hormonally inactive adenocortical adenomas (incidentaloma), IV - with benign, hormonally active phaeochromocytomas, V - with hormonally quiescent phaeochromocytomas, VI - hormonally inactive adrenal tumours of extraglandular origin. The control group consisted of 10 healthy individuals. RESULTS: There was no correlation between MMP-2 serum levels and tumour types and no significant difference between MMP-2 level before and after surgery. There were no significant differences between TIMP-2 serum levels in patients with adrenal tumours and the control values. Significant increase of serum MMP-3 level was found in patients with cortex cancer and hormonally active benign adrenocortical tumours. The MMP-3 mean serum level was also significantly higher in patients with malignant incidentalomas than in those with benign ones. In all groups of patients with adrenal tumours the means serum VEGF level was significantly higher than in control patients, and it was also significantly higher in patients with malignant incidantalomas than in those with benign ones. After surgery the VEGF level decreased significantly in patients with extraglandular tumours and cortex cancers who had no recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Since MMP-3 and VEGF serum levels were found significantly higher in patients with malignant adrenal incidentalomas than in those with benign ones, they might be applied as markers of malignancy of incidentalomas. VEGF and MMP-3 levels decreased after tumour resection in all patients with malignant tumors and increased significantly in patients with recurrence. Therefore, they are supposed to be of prognostic value in these patients.

Adenoma↗

PubMed2001

Evaluation of MMP-1, MMP-8, MMP-9 serum levels in patients with adrenal tumors prior to and after surgery.

The aim of the study is to evaluate MMP-1, MMP-8 and MMP-9 serum levels in patients with adrenal tumors prior to and after surgery. Metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1), MMP-8 and MMP-9 serum levels were evaluated in 43 patients operated on at our clinic between 1997-1999. Forty-one (95.3%) patients underwent adrenalectomy. Two (4.7%) patients were disqualified from surgery due to infiltration of adjacent tissues. MMP-1, MMP-8 and MMP-9 serum levels were determined at the admission and in case of surgery again one month after the operation. ELISA assay (K&D) was applied. Tumor type was determined on the basis of clinical, hormonal and histopathological examination. The correlation between MMP levels and tumor sizes was also evaluated. Patients were divided into 6 groups. Group I included 11 patients with adrenocortical carcinoma (4 with Cushing's syndrome and 7 with incidentalomas); group II--6 patients with benign hormonally active adrenocortical adenoma (4 with Cushing's syndrome and 2 with Conn's syndrome); group III--patients with benign, hormonally inactive adenocortical adenoma; group IV--6 patients with benign, hormonally active phaeochromocytoma; group V--4 patients with hormonally inactive phaeochromocytoma; group VI--5 patients with hormonally inactive adrenal tumors of extraglandular origin (2 myolipomas, 2 fibrolipomas, 1 hammartoma). The control group comprised 10 healthy individuals. Increased MMP-8 and MMP-9 levels were noted in patients with benign and malignant adrenal tumors. No increase of MMP levels was found in patients with tumors of extraglandular origin. The increased MMP-8 and MMP-9 levels occurred most frequently in patients with adrenocortical and hormonally active adrenomedullar cancer, and most rarely in patients with hormonally active adrenocortical tumors. MMP-8 and MMP-9 serum levels did not significantly differ between patients with adrenocortical incidentaloma cancers and in patients with benign incidentalomas. MMP-8 and MMP-9 levels were not increased in patients with inoperable adrenocortical cancers. Serum MMP-1 levels were not increased in patients with benign and malignant adrenal tumors. After surgery, MMP-8 and MMP-9 levels decreased significantly in patients with adrenocortical cancers, whereas the decrease of these MMPs in patients with benign tumors, although noticeable, was not statistically significant. MMP-8 and MMP-9 levels decreased significantly in all patients with increased preoperative levels, although they remained higher than the maximum normal values only in few patients (in 7 and 2 patients, respectively). No correlation between the levels of evaluated MMPs and tumor sizes were found.

Adenoma↗

PubMed2001

[The influence of thyroidectomy of serum VEGF levels in patients with Graves disease].

Angiogenic cytokines, including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), play an important role in patients after surgery because they facilitate proper wound healing. The aim of the paper was the comparison of serum VEGF levels in patients before and after thyroidectomy due to Graves disease (Gd). A serum VEGF level was determined by means of ELISA method before the operation as well as 3 and 7 days after it in 24 patients. The mean serum VEGF level was 61.2 pg/ml (range, 33.7-105.0 pg/ml) before the operation and increased after the operation to 115.6 pg/ml (range, 36.3-214.2 pg/ml). After thyroidectomy, the mean level of serum VEGF level in all patients rose by for 79.5% (range, 7.7-115.4%). These results suggest that serum VEGF level increases in patients with Gd after subtotal thyroidectomy, although disorder in secreting cytokines is observed in Gd patients and they were administered thyrostatics up to the operation, which have an immunosuppressive activity.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Thyroid cryotherapy in an experimental rat model-topography of temperature during therapy and functional results.

The aim of this study was to investigate post cryotherapy thyroid function status of normal rat thyroid tissue and to determine the topography of temperature of cryotreated tissues and of tissues adjacent to them. Nitrous oxide cryotherapy was performed in 40 male Wistar rats. They were divided into four groups of 10. In group I, the right thyroid lobe was subjected to cryotherapy and the left lobe was not frozen. In group II, both thyroid lobes were cryotreated. In group III, the right lobe was frozen and the left lobe was excised. In group IV, the thyroid was subjected to neither cryotherapy nor surgery. During cryotherapy, the temperature in various places of the thyroid and in the surrounding tissues was measured. Serum thyrotropin concentrations were determined before an experiment and 4 weeks after in all rats. The results of temperature measurements proved that it is possible to limit cryotherapy to certain areas of thyroid tissue and to spare the neighboring tissues, because they are not subjected to temperatures that are damaging. The effectiveness of cryotherapy was confirmed by functional effect. Cryotherapy changed function of thyroid tissue. There was a statistically significant difference between mean baseline and follow-up concentrations in rats of groups II and III. In both groups hypothyroidism occurred post cryotherapy.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

HIV as identity, experience or career.

Issues of treatment compliance and the relationship between treatments, optimism and sexual practice are best understood when living with HIV is conceptualized as a dynamic process requiring individuals to work on their subjectivity. In an interview study of 76 people living with HIV/AIDS in Australia, three 'modes of subjectification' were identified: HIV as identity, HIV as experience and HIV as career. The impact of treatments on individuals was mediated by the relationship of HIV to selfhood and to community, and took different forms under each mode of subjectification. HIV as identity was most characteristic of gay men and resulted in failures of compliance or of safe sex being felt as failures of the self. HIV as experience was particularly characteristic of women and heterosexual men and was associated with a less regimented view of treatment compliance and no association between treatments optimism and sexual practice. HIV as career, characteristic of both gay men and others, was associated with hyper-compliant treatment practice and context-dependent sexual practice.

Female↗

PubMed2000

The influence of a single ethanol injection on normal thyroid tissue of the rat.

Macro- and microscopic changes in the normal thyroid gland of rats, and in the surrounding tissues 2 and 4 weeks after a single intrathyroidal ethanol injection (IEI), together with the influence of such treatment on the function of the recurrent laryngeal nerves and of the parathyroid glands, were assessed. The intraoperative macroscopic evaluation at 2 weeks (20 rats) and 4 weeks (20 rats) after IEI revealed the presence of a scar at the site of the IEI-treated lobe in seven (35%) and six (30%) rats, respectively, and the reduction of lobe dimensions in thirteen (65%) and fourteen (70%) rats, respectively. The microscopic evaluation of the lobe after IEI showed coagulative necrosis, reduction in thyroid follicle volume, disturbance of follicle structure, haemorrhage, haemosiderin deposits, inflammatory infiltration and fibrosis. No microscopic changes were observed in the tissues surrounding the thyroid, nor in the parathyroid glands located extrathyroidally or in the second thyroid lobe. No vocal cord dysfunction or significant changes in serum calcium levels after IEI were detected.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

[Treatment of solitary toxic thyroid nodules with the use of percutaneous ethanol injections].

Twenty women aged 18-76 years (mean 42 +/- 23 years) with solitary benign toxic thyroid nodule were treated with intranodular percutaneous 96%-ethanol injection, performed under ultrasound guidance. 1 ml of ethanol was instilled per 1 cm3 of nodule tissue. 2-5 (mean 3.1) sessions were conducted every month. The early follow-up evaluation of the results (the evaluation of nodule size by means of clinical and ultrasound examination) was performed in 6 months, and the long-term one in 2 years after last injection. A morphological evaluation was conducted according to the following scale: 1--nodule disappearance, 2--cicatricial nodule (solid structure and less than 0.5 cm in diameter), 3--nodule smaller by [symbol: see text] 50% of its initial dimensions, 4--nodule smaller by < 50% of its initial dimensions. A functional evaluation was carried out according to the following scale: I--permanent euthyroidism, II--permanent decrease of hyperthyroidism, III--no functional effect. A final follow-up evaluation revealed: nodule disappearance in 2 (10%) patients (Group 1), cicatricial nodule in 8 (40%) patients (Group 2), nodules smaller by [symbol: see text] 50% of its initial dimensions in 2 (10%) patients (Group 3) and nodules smaller by < 50% of initial dimensions in 8 (40%) patients (Group 4). The results in Group 1 and 2 were defined as good (50%), in Group 3 as satisfactory (10%) and in Group 4 as bad; and I--permanent euthyroidism in 16 (80%) patients, II--permanent decrease of hyperthyroidism in 1 (5%) patient, III--no functional effect in 3 (15%) patients. 2 patients in whom new nodules appeared and 1 patient with bad morphological and no functional treatment effects were operated on. A histological examination revealed haemorrhagic necrosis surrounded by fibrous tissue in removed nodules. The following complications were observed: 1) pain during and after the injection in 15 (75%) patients, 2) subfebrile body temperature in 3 (15%) patients and fever up to 39 degrees C on the 1-st day after the injection in 1 (5%) patient, 3) local ecchymosis in 1 (5%) patient, 4) temporary dysphonia in 1 (5%) patient. It seems that percutaneous ethanol injection treatment can be an useful treatment method of solitary benign toxic thyroid nodules in patients who do not give their consent to surgical or 131I treatment or with contraindications to an operation or radioiodine therapy.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2000

[The diagnosis and operative treatment of solitary thyroid nodule: a prospective study].

The aim of the paper is to evaluate the usefulness of pre- and intraoperative examination methods in the diagnostics of solitary thyroid nodules, as well as the assessment of the histologic structure of these nodules. From 1.12.1997 to 15.06.1998 in the Clinic of Endocrinological and General Surgery at the Medical University of Lodz, 102 patients were operated for a solitary nodule. The solitary nodule was diagnosed on the basis of the clinical and ultrasound examination. A fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) was performed in all patients. During the operation the presence of the solitary nodule was confirmed on the basis of macroscopic examination. If malignancy was suspected on intraoperative macroscopic examination, intraoperative histologic examination was carried out. In 82 patients with the solitary nodule, the benign nodule was diagnosed on the basis of FNAB in 45 (54.9%) patients and malignant one in 8 (9.7%). Malignancy in the nodule (follicular tumour, Hürthle cell tumour, cellulae suspectae) was suspected in 29 (35.4%) patients--in this group the intraoperative histologic examination was conducted. On the basis of postoperative histologic examination a thyroid malignant neoplasm was detected in 18 (21.9%) of 82 patients with the solitary nodule. Finally, out of 18 thyroid cancers, 8 (44.4%) were recognised preoperatively (FNAB), 3 (16.7%) intraoperatively and 7 postoperatively. Since the incidence of malignancy in solitary thyroid nodules is high the authors suggest that their precise pre- and intraoperative diagnostics is necessary. The use of described diagnostic methods enabled to recognise malignancy in the solitary nodule and to perform a primary radical operation in 61.1% patients. On the basis of the obtained results it seems justifiable to search new diagnostic methods which enable better pre- and intraoperative differentiation of benign and malignant thyroid nodules.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2000

Pregnancy following operative and complementary treatment of thyroid cancer.

In 1974-1998, 18,602 patients were operated on due to goitre, including 16,575 (89.1%) women and 2,027 (10.9%) men. Thyroid cancer was diagnosed in 975 (5.2%) by histopathologic examination. According to the WHO classification, there were 449 (46.1%) patients with papillary carcinoma, 309 (31.7%) with follicular, 54 (5.5%) with medullary, 106 (10.9%) with anaplastic, and 57 (5.8%) with other types of thyroid malignant neoplasms. Among them, there were 812 (83.3%) women and 163 (16.7%) men. Out of 758 patients with differentiated thyroid cancer, 545 (71.8%) were treated complementarily with 131I. After surgery and complementary treatment, 23 (3%) thyroid cancer women (19 with papillary cancer and 4 with follicular one) became pregnant. Seven (30.5%) women were treated complementarily with 131I and levothyroxine, 3 (13.0%) with teleradiotherapy, 131I and levothyroxine, 1 (4.3%) with teleradiotherapy and thyroxine, and 12 (52.2%) only with levothyroxine. All women gave birth to healthy children. None of them developed recurrence before, during and after pregnancy. On the basis of the results obtained and the literature data one can conclude that it is possible to give birth to a healthy child after thyroidectomy and complementary treatment due to thyroid cancer, and that conception should occur after remission is confirmed and not earlier than 1 year after 131I treatment.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Alternative or complementary? Nonallopathic therapies for HIV/AIDS.

CONTEXT: Many people with HIV/AIDS use alternative therapies. Do they choose alternative therapies instead of allopathic therapies? OBJECTIVE: To examine patterns of use of allopathic therapies and alternative therapies among people living with HIV/AIDS. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey of convenience sample. SETTING: Nonclinical setting in Australia. PARTICIPANTS: 925 men and women living with HIV/AIDS in Australia. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Correlates of choice of therapy included demographic variables, sources of information about treatment, and attitudes toward treatments and health management. RESULTS: 56% of people living with HIV/AIDS in Australia use alternative therapies. Attitudes toward both allopathic and alternative therapies were positive. The choice of allopathic and/or alternative therapies was related to disease progression. Choice of therapy was also related to attitudes toward allopathic and alternative therapies. Many users of alternative therapies believe that such therapies can alleviate the side effects of antiretroviral drugs. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that rather than being used as an alternative to allopathic medicine, nonallopathic therapies are used by people living with HIV/AIDS as complementary therapies.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC)--clinical and molecular aspects on the basis of own experience.

In our clinic 19615 patients were operated over 25 years on for goiter. Malignant thyroid neoplasms were found in 1049 (5.3%) patients including 875 (83.4%) women and 174 (16.6%) men. Sixty two adult patients (42 women and 20 men were operated on for medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC). Thyroid cancer was diagnosed in this group pre or intraoperatively in 44 (71%) patients and postoperatively, on histologic examination, in 18 (29%) patients. These patients were reoperated. Radical operations (total thyroidectomy with regional lymph node removal) were conducted in 43 (69.3%) patients and palliative ones in 19 (30.7%) patients. After MTC surgery, MEN 2A (MTC and an adrenal tumor) were diagnosed by means of imaging techniques (USG, CT) in 6 (9.7%) patients. All adrenal tumors were unilateral. Five of these patients were operated, and pheochromocytoma was confirmed by histopathologic examination. Two years after the MTC operation, 1 women was lost to follow-up. After a year, she was admitted to hospital for severe hypertension and died of cerebral hemorrhagia. Pheochromocytoma was revealed by autopsy. All patients were treated complementarily after the MTC operation. Different combinations of teleradiotherapy, chemotherapy and substitutive doses of levothyroxine were used. Ten (23.2%) of 43 patients operated radically were reoperated 1-3 years after the first operation due to loco-regional tumor recurrence. Radical reoperations were performed in 4 patients, and palliative ones in 6. Over a 0.5-23-year follow-up period, 26 (41.9%) patients died, including 20 of cancer, and 6 of other reasons. Four out of 36 living patients have clinical or biochemical symptoms of neoplastic disease. The follow-up period of MEN 2 patients operated on ranged from 1 to 6 years. Up to now, no tumor in the second adrenal gland has been diagnosed in any of these patients. Genetic (molecular) tests performed in 31 out of 36 living patients revealed mutations of RET gene in 4 (12.9%).

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms↗

PubMed2000

Colorectal carcinoid tumors--own experience.

Symptomatology, diagnostics and treatment problems in 5 patients with colorectal carcinoid are presented. From 1974 to 1999 in the Clinic of Endocrinological and General Surgery of the Medical University of Lódź, 3001 patients underwent surgery due to acute appendicitis and 431 for colorectal cancer. Among them, there were 5 patients in whom the histological examination revealed colorectal carcinoid. The carcinoids were localized in the appendix in 4 patients and in the left colon flexure in 1 patient. The mean age of these 5 carcinoid patients at the time of diagnosis was 38.4 years (range 18-72 yr). The female-to-male ratio amounted to 4:1. The symptoms of all 5 patients was not typical for carcinoid of the colon. In four surgery was performed for acute appendicitis and one patient complained of chronic obstipation and pain in the left epi- and mesogastrium. The double-contrast examination of the large intestine revealed tumor of the left colon flexure. Four carcinoid patients with the signs of acute appendicitis had emergency surgery. The carcinoid tumors were diagnosed microscopically after surgery only. In 3 of them the tumor extended beyond the appendix and a reoperation was performed. In one patient with the tumor of small diameter (5 mm) involving only the mucosa and submucosa a reoperation was not indicated. In 3 reoperated patients right hemicolectomy with regional lymphadenectomy was performed. The patient with the tumor of the left colon flexure diagnosed preoperatively underwent radical surgery with regional lymphadenectomy. The postoperative histological examination of the tumor confirmed carcinoid. No carcinoid metastases were found in lymph nodes of all studied cases. Until today, all 5 carcinoid patients are alive with no signs of local reccurrence or distant metastases over the 1-20 year follow-up period.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1999

Coordination of fast and slow rhythmic neuronal circuits.

Interactions among rhythmically active neuronal circuits that oscillate at different frequencies are important for generating complex behaviors, yet little is known about the underlying cellular mechanisms. We addressed this issue in the crab stomatogastric ganglion (STG), which contains two distinct but interacting circuits. These circuits generate the gastric mill rhythm (cycle period, approximately 10 sec) and the pyloric rhythm (cycle period, approximately 1 sec). When the identified modulatory projection neuron named modulatory commissural neuron 1 (MCN1) is activated, the gastric mill motor pattern is generated by interactions among MCN1 and two STG neurons [the lateral gastric (LG) neuron and interneuron 1]. We show that, during MCN1 stimulation, an identified synapse from the pyloric circuit onto the gastric mill circuit is pivotal for determining the gastric mill cycle period and the gastric-pyloric rhythm coordination. To examine the role of this intercircuit synapse, we replaced it with a computational equivalent via the dynamic-clamp technique. This enabled us to manipulate better the timing and strength of this synapse. We found this synapse to be necessary for production of the normal gastric mill cycle period. The synapse acts, during each LG neuron interburst, to boost rhythmically the influence of the modulatory input from MCN1 to LG and thereby to hasten LG neuron burst onset. The two rhythms become coordinated because LG burst onset occurs with a constant latency after the onset of the triggering pyloric input. These results indicate that intercircuit synapses can enable an oscillatory circuit to control the speed of a slower oscillatory circuit, as well as provide a mechanism for intercircuit coordination.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Thyroid cryotherapy in an experimental rat model.

In recent years cryotherapy has been more and more frequently used for the treatment of tumors of different organs. Until now, the use of cryotherapy for the treatment of thyroid lesions, as well as histopathologic changes in thyroid tissue after cryotherapy, has not been described. Nitrous oxide cryotherapy of one thyroid lobe in twenty 12-week male Wistar rats was performed. After 2 and 4 weeks, the cryotreated thyroid lobe and the second lobe along with a part of the trachea, esophagus, and the subhyoid muscles adhering to the thyroid were excised and assessed macro- and microscopically. The macroscopic evaluation, performed 2 and 4 weeks postcryotherapy, revealed atrophy of the cryotreated lobe in 4 and 3 rats, respectively, and reduction of the cryotreated lobe dimensions in 6 and 7 rats, respectively. In the specimens of the lobes excised 2 weeks following cryotherapy, examined microscopically, necrosis, granulomatous inflammation, hemorrhages, and hemosiderin deposits were found most often, whereas in the specimens of the lobe excised after 4 weeks lymphocytic inflammation and fibrosis were mainly observed. No microscopic changes were observed in the thyroid lobes that were not frozen or in the parathyroid glands located inside these lobes or extrathyroidally, either ipsilaterally or contralaterally to the cryotreated thyroid lobes. There was no microscopic damage to other tissues adjacent to the thyroid gland. No rat developed vocal cord dysfunction after cryotherapy and no significant changes in serum calcium level before and after cryotherapy were observed. The results obtained show that it is possible to cryoblate thyroid tissue without damaging the tissues adjacent to the thyroid, as well as to spare function of the recurrent laryngeal nerves and parathyroid glands.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Poverty, disease progression and employment among people living with HIV/AIDS in Australia.

A national survey of 925 people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in Australia is used to examine the relationship between disease progression, employment status, poverty and economic hardship. While disease progression has some impact on economic hardship, employment status is found to be the strongest determinant of both poverty and economic hardship. The most commonly cited reasons for leaving work were psychosocial (71%), with declining health cited by half of respondents. It is therefore argued that psychosocial issues are at least as important as changes in health in causing unemployment and therefore poverty and economic hardship among PLWHA in Australia.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗