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Biomedical subjects

M Jankowska

Publications and source records attributed to M Jankowska.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

[Opportunistic infections in HIV-positive patients hospitalized in the Clinic of Infectious Diseases AMG].

UNLABELLED: Opportunistic infections are one of the major problem among HIV infected patients still connected with high mortality. The aim of the investigation is to evaluate the incidence and mortality from opportunistic infections in HIV infected population in Pomeranian region of Poland. The paper presents analysis of incidence of opportunistic infections among 141 AIDS patients hospitalised in Clinic for Infectious Diseases in Gdańsk from 1988 to 2001/June/. In examined group 179 opportunistic infections were diagnosed. Most frequent was oesophageal candidiasis 58%, tuberculosis 29%, pneumocystis carinii pneumonia 21% and central nervous system toxoplasmosis 13%. The occurrence of opportunistic infections depends on CD4 count and rises with CD4 decline. Opportunistic infections were the reason of death in 33 from 74 cases/45%/. CONCLUSIONS: In examined group 28% of patients did not know about HIV infection when first opportunistic infection was diagnosed. Most frequent opportunistic infections in AIDS patients were oesophageal candidiasis, tuberculosis, pneumocystis carinii pneumonia and toxoplasmosis. In 98% of cases opportunistic infection developed when no HAART nor infection prophylaxis was administered. Opportunistic infection was the reason of death in 45% of cases, the most frequent were PCP and CNS toxoplasmosis.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗

[Sepsis in HIV-positive patients--own observation].

In the period of 1988-2001 (June) 24 HIV-positive patients with symptoms of sepsis were observed. Most of them (17 persons) were intravenous drug addicts, six patients were infected HIV trough sexual contact and one person-via blood transfusion. There were 26 cases analyzed (one of the patients went trough three episodes of sepsis). Bacterial sepsis dominated (22 cases). In three patients fungoid etiology was diagnosed, and one case was of mixed character. The highest risk factors of sepsis were: intravenous drug addiction and advanced stage of HIV infection.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗

Value of magnetic resonance cholangiography (MRC) in primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC).

BACKGROUND: Magnetic resonance cholangiography is a relatively new method, hence it has not gained a proper status yet in the diagnostic algorithm in patients with bile duct diseases. Many authors believe that MRC is an effective method for the visualisation of bile ducts. The aim of the study is to evaluate MRC usefulness in patients with PSC. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study material consisted of 4 patients with PSC (3 men and 1 woman) aged 23-50 years. Patients were subjected to liver MRI in transverse plane, and T1 and T2-weighted images were obtained. Additionally, magnetic resonance cholangiography was performed with Gyroscan 0.5 T unit and Magnevist contrast medium. RESULTS: The patients manifested cholestasis and hepatitis of different duration (range: 2-14 years). The biochemical analyses revealed FA ranging from 563 to 1114 IU/l, GGTP 157-1270 IU/L, AlAT 56-295 IU/L, AspAT 80-190 IU/L. Three out of four patients displayed significant increase in the level of ANCA antibodies. Histopathological investigation of the liver, conducted in 3 out of 4 patients, showed cholangitis et pericholangitis. ERCP was attempted in all the patients. In one case, irregular, overlapping and narrowed bile ducts were found, while in two cases it was impossible to fill intrahepatic ducts. ERCP was not performed due to technical obstacles encountered in one patient. All the subjects underwent MRC. In three cases, the segmental irregular dilatation of intrahepatic ducts was observed, while in one case intrahepatic ducts were poorly marked. The defect in the filling of initial segment of common bile duct was diagnosed in one patient. Another patient had a lesion adjacent to common bile duct--low signal intensity in T1 and the intensification after the administration of contrast medium indicate the presence of expansive process. CONCLUSIONS: 1. MRC is an accurate examination enabling the visualisation of all bile ducts in their natural size. 2. Simultaneous MRI of the liver allows for the diagnosis of focal lesions. 3. MRC may be used in those cases, where ERCP cannot be performed for technical reasons or when it is objected by the patient.

Adult↗

Isolation in cell culture of nodavirus from farmed Atlantic halibut Hippoglossus hippoglossus in Norway.

Isolation in cell culture of nodavirus from Atlantic halibut Hippoglossus hippoglossus suffering from viral encephalopathy and retinopathy (VER) is described. The cell line SSN-1 was inoculated with tissue material from affected juveniles (60 d after first feeding). Extensive cytopathic effects (CPE) developed approximately 5 d after inoculation, and were also observed after several passages in the same cell line. Cells from infected cultures showed reactivity with an antiserum against sea bass Dicentrarchus labrax nodavirus in an indirect immunofluorescence test. Analysis of infected cells with reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) resulted in a product of the predicted size using primers specific for striped jack Pseudocaranx dentex nodavirus. Electron micrographs of infected SSN-1 cells demonstrated virus particles that were approximately less than 30 nm. Challenge of Atlantic halibut larvae (4 d post-hatching) with supernatants from infected SSN-1 cells resulted in development of VER as verified by immunohistochemistry performed on larvae sampled from Day 9 after challenge. The present results show that a nodavirus from Atlantic halibut has been isolated using the SSN-1 cell line and that virus propagated in cell culture retained virulence.

Animals↗

Initial events in infectious salmon anemia virus infection: evidence for the requirement of a low-pH step.

We have investigated the initial steps in the interaction between infectious salmon anemia virus (ISAV) and cultured cells from Atlantic salmon (SHK-1 cell line). Using radioactively or fluorescently labelled viral particles we have studied the binding and fusion kinetics and the effect of pH on binding, uptake, and fusion of ISAV to SHK-1 cells and liposomes. As pH in the medium was reduced from 7.5 to 4.5, the association of virus to the cells was nearly doubled. The same effect of pH was observed when fusion between ISAV and liposomes was analyzed. In addition, the binding of ISAV to intact SHK-1 cells and to cell membrane proteins blotted onto filters was neuraminidase sensitive. However, the increased binding induced by low pH was not neuraminidase sensitive, probably reflecting activation of a fusion peptide at low pH. By using confocal fluorescence microscopy, the increased fusion of fluorescently labelled ISAV with the plasma membrane due to low pH could be demonstrated. When vacuolar pH in the cells was raised during inoculation with chloroquine or ammonium chloride, both electron and confocal microscopy showed accumulation of ISAV in endosomes and lysosomes. Production of infectious virus could be increased by lowering the extracellular pH during infection. Furthermore, chloroquine present during virus inoculation also caused a reduction in the synthesis of viral proteins in ISAV-infected cells as well as in the production of infective virus. These results indicate that ISAV binds to sialic acid residues on the cell surface and that the fusion between virus and cell membrane takes place in the acid environment of endosomes. This provides further evidence for a high degree of similarity between ISAV and influenza virus and extends the basis for the classification of this virus as a member of the Orthomyxoviridae family.

Ammonium Chloride↗

Fluorescence and NMR studies of intramolecular stacking of mRNA cap-analogues.

Intramolecular stacking of a series of new synthesized dinucleotide mRNA cap analogues has been investigated in aqueous buffers by means of fluorescence and 1H-NMR at various pH and temperatures, and compared with that for 7-methylguanosine(5')ppp(5')guanosine (m7GpppG), as well as its hypermethylated derivative m(3)2,2,7GpppG. Thermodynamic parameters for intramolecular self-association stabilized by stacking were established by temperature-dependent fluorescence quenching, taking into account collisional deactivation of the excited states. Relative orientations of the stacked bases in the cap analogues were determined with the aid of a program GEOSHIFT (Stolarski et al., Biochim. Biophys. Acta (1996) 1293, 97), based on ring-current anisotropy. 1D-soft-TOCSY experiments were applied to extract the exact values of vicinal coupling constants, and hence to resolve solution conformation of the cap molecules. Stacking interaction has been discussed in detail in terms of the cap structural features, e.g., types of bases and length of the 5',5'-phosphate bridges, and regarding the interactions stabilizing intramolecular stacking.

Hydrogen-Ion Concentration↗

1H-NMR studies on association of mRNA cap-analogues with tryptophan-containing peptides.

1H-NMR spectroscopy was applied to a study of the mode of interaction, in aqueous medium in the pH range 5.2-8.5 and at low and high temperatures, between several mono- and dinucleotide analogues of the mRNA cap m7GpppG and a selected tripeptide Trp-Leu-Glu, and a tetrapeptide Trp-Glu-Asp-Glu, the sequence of which corresponds to one of the suspected binding sites in the mRNA cap-binding protein (CBP). A program, GEOSHIFT, was developed, based on ring-current anisotropy theory, for analysis of experimentally observed changes in chemical shifts accompanying interactions between aromatic heterocyclic rings. This permitted quantitative evaluation of stacking interactions between the m7G cap and the tryptophan indole ring, and the relative orientations of the planes of the two rings, spaced about 3.2 angstroms apart. The structures of the stacked complexes were determined. In particular, stacking between m(2,2,7)3G (which has no free amino group for hydrogen bonding) and the indole ring is weaker and quite different from that between m7G and m(2,7)2G and indole. With the dinucleotide cap-analogues, only the m7G component stacks with the indole ring, without disruption of intramolecular stacking. In contrast to numerous earlier reports, the calculated stacking interactions are quantitatively in accord with the values derived from fluorescence measurements. It also has been shown that the positively charged (cationic) form of m7G stacks much more efficiently with the indole ring than the zwitterionic form resulting from dissociation of the guanine ring N1H (pKa approximately 7.3).

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Direct analysis of nematode cis- and trans-spliceosomes: a functional role for U5 snRNA in spliced leader addition trans-splicing and the identification of novel Sm snRNPs.

Most nuclear pre-mRNAs in nematodes are processed by both cis- and trans-splicing. In trans-splicing, the 5' terminal exon, the spliced leader sequence (SL), is derived from a trans-splicing specific Sm snRNP, the SL RNP. Because U snRNPs are required cofactors for trans-splicing, and because this processing reaction proceeds via a two-step reaction pathway identical to that of cis-splicing, it has long been assumed that trans-splicing is catalyzed in a complex analogous to the cis-spliceosome. However, similarities or differences between cis- and trans-spliceosomes have not been established. In particular, the role of U5 snRNP in trans-splicing has been unclear. Here, we have used affinity selection to analyze the U snRNA constituents of nematode cis- and trans-spliceosomes. We find that U5 snRNP is an integral component of the trans-spliceosome and, using site-specific crosslinking, we show that U5 snRNP establishes specific Interactions with the SL RNA exon. We also identify two novel Sm snRNPs that are enriched in both cis- and trans-spliceosomes. Finally, we provide evidence that a SL RNP-containing multi-snRNP (SL, U4, U5, and U6 RNPs) may be a functional precursor in trans-spliceosome assembly.

Animals↗

Fluorescence and absorption spectroscopic properties of RNA 5'-cap analogues derived from 7-methyl-, N2,7-dimethyl- and N2,N2,7-trimethyl-guanosines.

Absorption and fluorescence properties of several cap analogues, namely nucleosides, nucleoside 5'-monophosphates and P1,P3-dinucleoside triphosphates derived from 7-methylguanine, N2,7-dimethylguanine and N2,N2,7-trimethylguanine, have been studied. The data obtained include the absorption and fluorescence spectra of the cationic (N1-protonated) and zwitterionic (N1-deprotonated) species, the pKa values of the ground and excited states of the methylated base moiety and the effect of temperature and solvent composition (mixtures of water and 1,4-dioxane) on the fluorescence intensity. Furthermore, the fluorescence lifetimes of N2,N2,7-trimethylguanosine 5'-triphosphate and P1-guanosine(5')-P3-[N2,N2,7-trimethylguanosine(5')] triphosphate have been determined as a function of temperature. These data clearly indicate that dynamic quenching must be taken into account when the extent of the intramolecular stacking of the latter compound is estimated by fluorescence spectroscopy.

Guanosine↗

A nuclear cap binding protein complex involved in pre-mRNA splicing.

A cap-binding protein complex (CBC) present in the nuclei of HeLa cells has been characterized. Purified CBC consists of two previously identified proteins, CBP80 and CBP20. These proteins are shown to cofractionate to apparent homogeneity and to be coimmunoprecipitable with anti-CBP80 antibodies. Analysis of the inhibition of pre-mRNA splicing in vitro and in vivo by chemically modified analogs of the cap structure, and of the binding of these analogs to CBC in vitro, suggests a role for the complex in splicing. Extracts immunodepleted of CBC do not efficiently splice an adenoviral pre-mRNA owing to blockage of an early step in splicing complex formation. CBC may therefore play a role in pre-mRNA recognition.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

[HIV infections and their prophylaxis in the homosexual community of the Gdansk province].

From 1985 to the end of 1993, 15,000 investigations were performed in total, for HIV infection in the Province of Gdańsk. Positive results of the tests were found in 316 persons, over 60% of whom being intravenous drug-addicts. In the group of persons reporting the possibility of infection through sexual contacts, the infection was found only in 15 out of 1755 studied subjects. Among homosexuals the infection was found in four out of 167 persons who underwent the investigation. In the whole group of 316 infected subjects this accounted for 1.2%. The above mentioned numbers are certainly too low. The causes of this should be seen in generally low attendance rate to the tests connected with low social awareness. However, in persons with different sexual orientation this is caused also by the fear of manifestation of their pecularity. In the activities for the control of HIV epidemic spreading in Poland indispensable is multi-sided educational initiative including the whole population, in which great help may be provided by homosexuals themselves. An evidence of this may be the results as yet of the cooperation between representatives of health care and homosexuals, discussed in the present paper.

Adult↗

Vratizolin in treatment of mouth and ear herpetic infections: comparison with conventional therapy.

Vratizolin is a new non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug registered for use on humans in Poland. Published and unpublished data on Vratizolin showed that it has anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antibacterial, antimycotic, analgesic and immunomodulating activities. The purpose of these randomized, parallel-group studies was to compare Vratizolin with other standard drugs, used for the treatment of mouth and ear infections. The study involved 193 patients with recurrent Herpes simplex, Herpes zoster oticus, Stomatitis herpetica and infections of the external ear canal. Vratizolin was used topically, as 3% hydrophilic cream or ointment, four times daily. Standard treatment included zinc ointment, Aphtin (boric acid plus glycerin), Oxycort and Dicortinef. In almost all of the treated patients the efficacy of Vratizolin treatment was superior to the drugs mentioned above. It was assessed by measuring disappearance of both objective (edema, erythema, crusting) and subjective symptoms (pain, burning and itching).

Administration, Topical↗

Cardiovascular effects of Althesin. Changes in systolic time intervals and peripheral tissue blood flow.

Systolic time intervals were studied and peripheral blood flow measurements made in twelve healthy patients before and after intravenous induction of anaesthesia with Althesin 0.05 ml per kg. The changes in systolic time intervals observed were considered to reflect the cardio-depressive properties of the drug. The reduction in peripheral blood flow which occurs in Althesin anaesthesia was confirmed. Measurement of systolic time intervals and peripheral blood flow constitute a simple and sensitive method for the evaluation of the effects of drugs on the cardiovascular system.

Adult↗

Hydrolysis of some mRNA 5'-cap analogs catalyzed by the human Fhit protein--and lupin ApppA hydrolases.

Hydrolysis of the following four cap analogs: m7G(5')ppp(5')A, m7G(5')ppp(5')m6A, m7G(5')ppp(5')m2'OG and m7G(5')ppp(5')2'dG catalyzed by homogeneous human Fhit protein and yellow lupin Ap3A hydrolase has been investigated. The hydrolysis products were identified by HPLC analysis and the K(m) and Vmax values calculated based on the data obtained by the fluorimetric method.

Acid Anhydride Hydrolases↗

Fluorescence studies on association of human translation initiation factor eIF4E with mRNA cap-analogues.

Binding of a long series of mono- and dinucleotide analogues of the 7-methylguanosine containing 5'-mRNA-cap to human protein translation initiation factor eIF4E has been investigated by means of fluorescence. A new methodological approach in gathering and analysis of the fluorescence data provided us with very accurate values of the association equilibrium constant K and normalized, maximal quenching of the protein fluorescence delta Fmax, during titration of eIF4E by various cap-analogues. The results confirm participation of at least two conserved tryptophan residues of eIF4E in interaction with 7-methylguanine, as has been described recently for murine eIF4E, complexed with 7-methyl-GDP in crystal (Marcotrigiano et al., 1997, Cell 89, 951), and for yeast eIF4E, complexed with the same ligand in solution (Matsuo et al., 1997, Nature Struct. Biol. 4, 717). On the other hand binding by eIF4E of unmethylated guanine nucleotides and N2,N2,7-trimethylguanine containing nucleotides differ substantially from the way of binding of the regular mRNA-cap. Influence of the structural features of the cap-analogues, especially the type of the second nucleoside in the dinucleotide caps, on their association with eIF4E and biological activities in in vitro protein translation systems has been discussed in light of the known structures of the eIF4E-7-methyl-GDP complexes in crystal and solution.

Animals↗