Biomedical subjects

Małgorzata Kowalska

Publications and source records attributed to Małgorzata Kowalska.

16 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

[Gene expression of metalloproteinase 11, claudin 1 and selected adhesion related genes in papillary thyroid cancer].

INTRODUCTION: Metastasis and invasiveness of thyroid carcinoma might be correlated with over-expression of genes which encode proteins responsible for cellular adhesion. The aim of our study was to compare by means of real-time Q-PCR expression levels of chosen genes in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) with respect to normal thyroid tissues. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Total RNA was isolated from 38 paired normal and PTC samples. 0.5 mug of RNA was used in the reverse transcription reaction. cDNA was further used in Q-PCR reaction. As endogenous control we used GUS gene, as its expression was stable in all analysed samples. RESULTS: The analyzed genes were found by microarray studies as characteristic in differentiated papillary carcinoma and normal tissue. The levels of gene expression, estimated by quantitative analysis of particular transcripts were increased in papillary thyroid carcinoma with the following average values: 0.76 for MMP11; 1.08 for CLDN1; 3.98 for LRP4; 4.57 for FLRT3; 26.6 for MRC2; 2.76 for NRCAM; and 1.35 for EVA1 (arbitrary units), whereas in normal thyroid tissues treated as control the respective values were: 0.09; 0.145; 0.7; 0.74; 7.9; 0.85 and 0.396 units. To confirm the overexpression of mentioned genes the conservative Kolmogorov- Smirnov test was used. Differences in expression between normal thyroid tissue and PTC were statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Among the analyzed genes two show the largest difference in expression between papillary thyroid cancer and normal tissue: MMP11 (metalloproteinase 11) and CLDN1 (claudin 1). The MMP11 gene can be characteristic for various malignant thyroid carcinomas, because its increased levels are present also in medullary thyroid carcinomas. It appears that claudin 1 may be used as a marker of PTC, however a verification on independent collection of tumors of this result is required.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

[Long-term results of transtympanic gentamicin treatment in Meniere's disease].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the long-term hearing and vestibular outcomes in patients with intractable vertigo caused by unilateral Meniere's disease, who were treated with transtympanic injection of gentamicin. STUDY DESIGN: the study was a long-term analysis of hearing and control of vertigo in patients with unilateral Meniere's disease who received transtympanic gentamicin. METHODS: Pure-tone thresholds and ENG, along with the control of vertigo. Criteria described in 1995 by the American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery were used. Patients treated with transtympanic gentamicin had definite Meniere's disease and had intractable vertigo despite optimal medical therapy, no symptoms suggestive of Meniere's disease in the contralateral ear, and serviceable hearing in the contralateral ear. The study analyzed the outcomes of 9 patients for whom follow-up data were available for periods greater than 24 months after transtympanic gentamicin. RESULTS: Complete control of vertigo was obtained in all 9 patients. Profound sensorineural hearing loss occurred only in 1 patient. Hearing was improved in 6 patients, and in 2 was unchanged. CONCLUSIONS: Transtympanic gentamicin therapy is a good method of controlling vertigo and the risk of hearing loss is low.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

[Sudden deafness as a presentation of acoustic neuroma].

Sudden deafness (SD) is thought to be a heterogenic group of disorders as to etiopathogenesis. Acoustic neuroma should always be considered in the differential diagnosis. The authors analysed symptoms occurring in the group of 89 patients, diagnosed with acoustic neuroma. A special attention was paid to the role of sudden deafness as a clinical manifestation of the VIIIth nerve pathology. Progressive hearing loss, tinnitus, headache and sudden deafness were the most common complaints. Sudden deafness was developed by approximately 1 of the investigated patients (24.7%). Progressive hearing loss, tinnitus and sudden deafness were also dominating initial signs. The sudden deafness onset was preceded by the period of progressive hearing loss in 3 patients. In one case episode of SD occurred twice.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

[Viral hepatitis type C among medical workers in Silesian voivodeship in years 1996-2003].

Viral hepatitis is the most frequent occupational disease among medical workers in Poland. It has been estimated on 72% of all work-related infection diseases diagnosed in the year 2001, and was hepatitis C. The aim of the study was to estimate incidence of viral hepatitis type C among medical workers in Silesian voivodeship in years 1996 to 2003. The source of our data was standardized documents of occupational diseases collected in sanitary-epidemiological centers in the voivodeship. The highest incidence was reported among auxiliary workers (48/10,000) and laboratory staff (46/10,000). The smallest incidence of hepatitis type C was achieved for nurses and midwives (18/10,000). Obtained results revealed a large county-to-county variation in HCV incidence and simultanously increase of incidence.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

[Assessment of the occurrence and basic determinants of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection among medical students in Silesian voivodeship].

HCV infection may result in serious health consequences such as chronic hepatitis C and liver cancer. In Poland, the data on the prevalence of HCV infection is limited and available information suggests an increased risk among young males. The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection between medical and non medical students, and to explore probable routes of HCV transmission. The project was conducted as a cross-sectional study. The study group included medical students (IV, V and VI year) and non medical students as a control group. The subjects were examined in the period from November 2002 to January 2003, (study group: n = 221; control group: n = 129). Serum samples were tested for antibody to HCV by ELISA method and anti-HCV positive samples were verified using Western Blot Line technique. Probable routes of infection were assessed by questionnaire. Preliminary results obtained in 29% of the target group suggested, that the prevalence of positive anti-HCV among students was 2.6% (95% PU: 1.2%-4.8%). It was higher among non medical than medical students (4.7% vs 1.4%). Anti-hepatitis C virus seropositivity was associated with a history of hepatitis. Verification of 9 positive anti-HCV cases proved only 1 HCV infection. Results presented in this paper are preliminary and will be verified after obtaining data for 600 medical students and for 600 subjects in the control group.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

[Incidence of hepatitis C in the Silesian voivodeship in the years 1997-2002].

The aim of the study was to examine the incidence of viral hepatitis type C (HCV) in the general population of Silesian voivodeship (Poland), in the years 1997-2002. Since 1997 HCV is a notifiable disease in Poland, reported by diagnosing physicians to local sanitary-epidemiological centers. Analysis included the total of 875 records collected in 1997-2002 by all sanitary-epidemiological centers in the Voivodeship. In that period the voivodeship annual incidence varied between 2.2/100000 and 2.9/100000. Most of the incidence cases were urban dwellers (82.5%), compared to rural dwellers (17.5%), and the age-structure was dominated by people above 65 years (13.%) as well as young persons aged 20-24 years (9.8%). The results revealed a large county-to-county variation in incidence. This finding could be hardly explained on the ground of available data--there are no major between-county differences in terms of health care quality, provision and availability of health care services, demographic or socio-economic factors in Silesian voivodeship. The likely explanation points to unequal or even questionable functioning of the HCV reporting scheme that--on a voivodeship level--could result in an underestimation of incidence of the disease. This hampers a possibility of specific analyses based on the existing, secondary data and justifies a need for improvement of the register. The necessary action should involve subject-oriented training of all participants of the reporting system, as well as health professionals engaged in diagnosing and treatment of infectious diseases.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2004

[Childhood immunization rate in families of various socioeconomic status in the town of Bytom].

The project of the study was to find out if the childhood immunization rate depends on the social economical status (SES) of the families. The analyzed data were obtained in a population based study performed in 2002 in the town Bytom. Data set included to the health questionnaire provided by families of 13998 children aged from 6-17 years (68% of eligible population. Almost all children (98.5%) attended obligatory vaccination in early childhood. Non-immunization rate (NIR) was associated with self reported SES ("poor": 2.7% NIR, "good": 0.7% NIR; p < 0.0001). Other correlates included family income (p < 0.0001), maternal education (p < 0.0001), and family size (p < 0.0001). The multivariate logistic analysis confirms the effect of SES variables on the childhood immunization rate.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2003

Dysfunction of peripheral blood granulocyte oxidative metabolism in children with recurrent upper respiratory tract infections.

Granulocytes play a key role in the defence against bacterial infections. Their dysfunction may both predispose to and result from infections. The oxidative metabolism of peripheral blood granulocytes was studied in 50 children aged from 1 to 10 years, with recurrent upper respiratory tract infections and/or tonsillar hypertrophy. Four groups of patients were recruited: 15 healthy controls, seven patients with idiopathic tonsillar hypertrophy, 12 patients with upper respiratory tract infections and 16 patients with upper respiratory tract infections with concurrent tonsillar hypertrophy. The ability of granulocytes to produce reactive oxygen species was assessed by nFMLP-induced chemiluminescence. Both increased and depressed granulocyte activity was observed in all studied groups, with the exception of controls. Altered granulocyte function was observed in 30% of patients in the idiopathic tonsillar hypertrophy group. In children with recurrent infections abnormal chemiluminescence results were found in from 75% to nearly 90% of patients. This preliminary study demonstrates the possible relationship between recurrent upper respiratory tract infections, tonsillar hypertrophy and impaired peripheral blood granulocyte chemiluminescence.

Child↗

PubMed2003

Changes in lymphocyte subsets in children with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes mellitus.

UNLABELLED: The aim of this study was to assess changes in selected peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets in children and adolescents with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM) and determine the correlation between these changes and other immunological markers. The study involved a group of 39 patients aged 2-14 years and a control group. The number of T- and B-lymphocytes and the number of CD4, CD8, CD4/HLA-DR, CD8/HLA-DR, CD5/CD20 subsets were measured by flow-cytometry using monoclonal antibodies. Islet cell antibodies (ICA) and antibodies to glutamic acid decarboxylase (GADA) were assessed. In both the diabetic and control groups the number of T-and B-lymphocytes were within normal limits. In patients with DM, the percentage of CD5+/CD20+ cells was significantly increased compared with the control group (p < 0.0001). ICA were positive in 80% of patients and GADA in nearly 65%. A positive correlation between the CD5/CD20 subset and ICA and GADA was found. In patients with a high percentage of CD5+/CD20+ lymphocytes, a higher percentage of activated subsets (CD4/HLA DR and CD8/ HLA DR) was detected. IN CONCLUSION: CD5/ CD20 lymphocyte subsets are a good additional marker of autoimmunological processes in DM.

Antigens, CD19↗

PubMed2003

[Transtympanic steroid application in sudden deafness].

The paper presents the results of transtympanic steroid therapy for sadden sensorineural hearing loss in 20 patients. All patients previously underwent a full conventional treatment, without the beneficial effect. Patients were classified into two groups: the first one consisted of 16 patients who received intratympanic Dexaven application just after termination of conventional treatment. The second group received intratympanic treatment 1 or more months after the conventional therapy had been finished. The pattern of intratympanic Dexaven application is presented. The results of treatment are promising (hearing improvement in 7 cases) and the method is both minimally invasive and inexpensive.

Administration, Topical↗

PubMed2003

[Overview of new methods of operating field visualization in inner ear surgery].

New methods of 3D visualization in operating field give better possibilities in different surgical specialties. Authors analyzed current optical systems for choosing assumption of the method to better visualize the inner ear intraoperatively. For practical clinical reasons optimal imaging of the inner ear is possible with additional digital processing on the display fitted to the head of the operating microscope.

Ear, Inner↗

PubMed2003

Variability of spectra of laser-induced fluorescence of colonic mucosa: its significance for fluorescence detection of colonic neoplasia.

To determine the extent of a natural variability of the spectra of the autofluorescence and its significance for a reproducibility of different approaches typically used in studies on fluorescence detection of colonic lesions. Two independent series of experiments have been conducted during three years in the same laboratory. Macroscopic tissue specimens obtained during operations of patients with colonic cancers were studied in vitro. The tissues were excited using UV lines of c.w. He-Cd laser and pulsed nitrogen laser and the autofluorescence spectra were recorded for areas visually diagnosed as normal or pathologically changed mucosa. Natural variability of the autofluorescence spectra of colonic tissues seems to be most important factor limiting sensitivity and specificity of the diagnostic algorithms. The mean fluorescence spectra obtained for normal mucosa and its neoplastic lesions differ significantly but the differences are difficult to observe because of the high natural variability among the individual spectra. Further studies of biological basis of the colonic autofluorescence are necessary for a progress in the field of fluorescence detection of colonic neoplastic lesions.

Colon↗

PubMed2002

[The role of immunological factors in Meniere's disease].

Involvement of the immunological mechanisms in the pathogenesis of Meniere's disease has been discussed over the past two decades. Nevertheless, we lack well-defined laboratory tests that might confirm the autoimmune background of the disorder. Therefore the diagnosis is often based solely on the patient's clinical profile and the positive response to the immunosuppressive therapy. In this article we present a case of 44 year-old woman with Meniere's disease successfully treated with systemic glucocorticoids. The pathogenesis, diagnosis and management of immune-mediated cases of Meniere's disease are reviewed.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

[Epidemiology of HCV infection in Poland and the world].

The WHO data indicate HCV infection as a very important problem for public health. About 3.1% of world population was infected in the years 1975-1980. According to WHO prognosis number of infected persons is still growing. The importance of this problem is illustrated by the fact of its priority range of WHO, European Union Health programs as well as National Health Program in Poland. Clinical picture and lack of epidemiological data make the data about real endanger incomplete. The prevalence of HCV infection have never been established unequivocally, and available data are different. Current (1999) PZH register gives the number of hepatitis C cases as 1988, and incidence rate was 5.1 per 100,000. Epidemiology of HCV infection is basically shaped by the way of infection. Infection by blood and blood products did not tested for anti-HCV antibodies as well as using infected medical instruments are well documented. There are also possibilities of sexual, perinatal and household infections. Acupuncture, tattoo and other manipulations living to skin discontinue also favour the HCV infection. The risk of infection connected with health care serving is the most important for patients as well as for healthcare professionals.

Age Distribution↗

PubMed2002

[Perception of environmental health risk among inhabitants of Katowice Urban Area].

The risk communication is very important for environmental health risk management and for need of credible and trustworthy sources of information. The aim of the study was to describe how occupational contact with chemicals affect to public risk perception among inhabitants of Katowice Urban Area. In 2000/2001 a cross-sectional questionnaire survey was carried out among 1984 respondents of whom, 532 respondents had an occupational contact with chemicals (28.1%). The results of this study will be helpful for rationalization of environmental health risk communication over employer as a credible source of information. Perception of environmental health risks is similar among people, who have contact with chemicals in the work-place and the others. The differences concerned the opinions on exposition in a work-place the awareness of occupational hazards and belief that harmful neighborhood of industrial investments were higher in people who have contact with chemicals than others (chi 2 = 26.91; p < 0.001 and chi 2 = 16.75; p < 0.001). Additionally it is necessary to notice that an employer is more credible for people who have occupational contact with chemicals than others (51.9% vs 48.1%).

Adult↗

PubMed2002

[Prevention of childhood bronchial asthma--needs, abilities, limitations].

Through lack of effective primary prevention of childhood asthma, good secondary prevention program by early detection of the disease, is needed. Therefore we sought to estimate sensitivity, specificity and predictive values of asthma symptoms questionnaire. In Mikołów District 899 school children, aged 8-9 years were screened using respiratory symptoms questionnaire (80% of all in that age group). Question on "attacks of dyspnea" had the best positive predictive value (28%), high specificity (61%) and sensitivity (92%). Positive predictive values for other single symptoms were lower, but comparable values had "attacks of dyspnea with wheezing" (25%), with lower specificity (35%) and high sensitivity (95%). These findings confirm that standard questionnaire is a useful instrument for the childhood asthma screening. Until design and validation of more advanced screening tools, early identification children with asthma by questionnaire should be basic in prevention programs of the disease.

Asthma↗