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Biomedical subjects

P Vargha

Publications and source records attributed to P Vargha.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2000

Vitamin D receptor gene BsmI polymorphism correlates with erbB-2/HER-2 expression in human rectal cancer.

Apart from the regulation of calcium metabolism, 1, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) plays an essential role in cell proliferation and differentiation in several tissues. The vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene shows polymorphisms in humans that appear to be clinically significant in some pathological conditions. In the present study, the BsmI polymorphism of the VDR gene was studied in 59 Caucasian patients with rectal cancer (mean follow-up: 48 months). The relationship between VDR genotypes and the expression of oncogenes as well as their influence on survival were also investigated. VDR polymorphism was examined in tumor and normal mucosa cells by PCR technique. The expression of erbB-2/HER-2, p53, ras and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) was also detected by immunohistochemistry and protein blotting. The presence of the VDR B allele significantly correlated with the overexpression of the erbB-2 oncogene. There was no difference in the VDR genotype between cancer and normal mucosal cells. Coexpression of erbB-2, pan-ras, p53 and EGFR internal and external domains was significantly higher in cancer cells than in normal mucosa. There was no significant correlation between VDR genotypes and age, gender, tumor infiltration depth, number and site of lymph node metastases and lymphatic or blood vessel infiltration. The VDR genotype alone did not influence survival. Overexpression of erbB-2 and EGFR was associated with a poor prognosis. In patients expressing only one oncogene in cancer cells, the presence of the VDR B allele showed a tendency to a poor prognosis. In conclusion, VDR gene BsmI polymorphism might affect the development and prognosis of rectal cancer by influencing erbB-2 oncogene expression.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Immediate increase in aqueous humour endothelin 1 concentration and intra-ocular pressure after argon laser trabeculoplasty in the rabbit.

PURPOSE: To investigate the immediate changes of aqueous humour endothelin 1 (ET-1) concentration and intra-ocular pressure (IOP) after argon laser trabeculoplasty (ALT) in the rabbit. METHODS: Standard ALT was performed in one eye of 11 pigmented rabbits. IOP was measured with a Tono-Pen-2 tonometer before treatment, under general anaesthesia. Postlaser IOP measurements followed by aqueous humour aspiration were performed under general anaesthesia 30 and 60 min after treatment in 6 and in 5 animals, respectively. RESULTS: The aqueous humour ET-1 concentration was significantly higher (55.0 pg/ml) after ALT than in the contralateral eyes without laser treatment (8.2 pg/ml, p = 0.001). IOP increased significantly after ALT (p = 0.007) but remained unaltered (p = 0.10) in the contralateral eyes without treatment. No statistically significant difference was found either in postlaser IOP elevation or in interocular ET-1 difference between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that in the rabbit the increase in aqueous humour ET-1 concentration after ALT is immediate, detectable even 30 min after the laser treatment, followed by no further increase during the second 30-min period after ALT, and associated with an immediate postlaser IOP elevation within 1 h after ALT. These findings may suggest a similar response to ALT in the human eye, since a similar immediate IOP elevation is frequently observed after ALT in the clinical practice.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

[Morphological parameters of breast cancers detected by mammography with and without organized screening; a comparative study].

Some pathological findings and prognostic indices recorded in breast cancer cases, detected, on one hand, by a provider-initiated mammography screening program (Group 1), and, opportunistically, in self-referred symptomatic women (Group 2) on the other, are compared. In 8877 symptom-free women, aged 50-65 years, individually invited to attend the screening offered for the residents of the III., XII. and XIII. districts of Budapest, 67 cancer cases were detected (7.5 in 1000 screenees), in accordance with the cancer detection rate of the first, "prevalence" round of organised screening programmes. In the other group of 1593 symptomatic, self-referred women of the same age, 113 cancer cases were diagnosed by mammography. As far as the pathological parameters are concerned, the number of cases with invasive cancer less than 15 mm in diameter, and those with axillary nodes present was found to be significantly higher in the screened group as compared to the self-referred one (p < 0.01). In "small" cancers (i.e. less than 15 mm in diameter), no significant difference was found in the proportion of histologic grade III tumours among the two groups. In screen-detected cancers both the morphometric prognostic index (as calculated by Baak et al.) and the Nottingham Prognostic Index (NPI) proved to be more favourable, as compared to those in the self-referred group. The p-value as determined by Mann-Whithey test was 0.000003 in the screened group, and 0.000015 in the other one. These findings provide convincing evidence in support of the public health importance of provider-initiated, organised mammography screening for breast cancer, therefore, the introduction on service basis of organised breast screening into the health care system in Hungary is strongly recommended by the authors.

Breast Neoplasms↗
PubMed1999

Responses to single-dose thrombopoietin decrease with higher platelet counts in mice.

Since the description of human thrombopoietin (TPO) we investigated the thrombocytosis-inducing capacity of human serum samples derived from individuals with altered thrombocytopoiesis. Several times the degree of thrombocytosis developing in recipient mice differed markedly even when applying the same human material. In the last 2 years, we applied single doses of recombinant human TPO (rHuTPO) to random-bred CFLP mice, and the same observation was made. Taken together with previous information (before 1970) it was possible to select cases in which the percent increases in circulating platelet counts inversely correlated with the starting levels. It appears, however, that apart from the known absorbing role of platelets and megakaryocytes, the response to single doses of exogenous rHuTPO in mice depends, at least partially, on an unknown endogenous homeostatic mechanism. Mixing thrombopoietically active human sera with platelet-free normal serum in a 1:1 ratio remarkably reduced the thrombocytosis-inducing capacity. Repeated pharmacological doses of TPO, applied in the majority of the reported trials, however, easily obscure the physiological control mechanism.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Cold pressor test and retinal capillary perfusion in vasospastic subjects with and without capsular glaucoma (a preliminary study).

PURPOSE: Using the cold pressor test the authors investigated the change in retinal and neuroretinal capillary perfusion in vasospastic patients suffering from capsular glaucoma (CG) and in vasospastic control subjects. METHODS: Changes in retinal and optic nerve head capillary perfusion induced by the cold pressor test (one hand immersed in 4 degrees C water for 30 seconds, then in 30 degrees C water for 2 minutes) was measured using the Heidelberg Retina Flowmeter in 4 patients with CG and in 5 healthy control subjects. Previously all subjects showed a reduction of cutaneous capillary flow higher than 70% in the cold pressor test (vasospastic reaction). One eye per subject was investigated. Two images were obtained for each phase (baseline, cold phase and warm phase), and the better quality image from each phase was selected for the measurements. One location on the temporal neuroretinal rim and one location on the temporal retina outside the peripapillary area were selected for the HRF measurements. RESULTS: In the CG group neuroretinal rim "Volume" decreased by 26.05%, "Flow" by 25.82% and "Velocity" by 23.91% (p<0.05), retinal "Volume" decreased by 12.30% (p=0.051), and retinal "Flow" by 22.36% (p=0.01) in the cold phase. All these parameters returned to the corresponding baseline values in the warm phase. In the control group a significant decrease was observed in retinal "Volume" (15.96%), "Flow" (17.81%), and "Velocity" (16.11%) in the cold phase (p<0.05), which diminished in the warm phase but remained still significant for "Flow" and "Velocity". CONCLUSION: Cutaneous cold provocation can induce an immediate decrease in retinal and optic nerve head capillary perfusion at least in a part of the vasospastic subjects with or without capsular glaucoma. This decrease diminishes or disappears quickly when the hand is immersed in warm water. To evaluate the potential role of cold-induced retinal and optic nerve head vasoconstriction in the pathogenesis of capsular glaucoma further investigations are necessary since this reaction was also present in the vasospastic control subjects.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

Effect of diet and fluvastatin treatment on the serum lipid profile of kidney transplant, diabetic recipients: a 1-year follow up.

The effect of a cholesterol-lowering diet and subsequent fluvastatin treatment (Lescol, Novartis; 20 mg/day) on serum lipids and lipoproteins was investigated in 21 diabetic patients (eight women, 13 men, age range 31-63 years, BMI 25.9 +/- 4.5 kg/m2) who had undergone successful kidney transplantation. A cholesterol-lowering diet followed for 8 weeks had apparently no effect on serum lipid concentrations. Fluvastatin applied afterwards for 12 months significantly decreased the total cholesterol, triglyceride and LDL cholesterol levels from 7.7 +/- 0.94, 2.84 +/- 0.85 and 4.87 +/- 1.05 mmol/l to 6.40 +/- 0.74, 2.64 +/- 0.86 and 3.52 +/- 0.69 mmol/l, P < 0.001, < 0.05 and < 0.001, respectively, while the level of HDL cholesterol increased from 1.12 +/- 0.28 to 1.52 +/- 0.39 mmol/l, P < 0.001. Serum concentration of lipoprotein(a) remained unchanged. The serum level of apolipoprotein-A1 increased from 1.52 +/- 0.28 to 1.83 +/- 0.29 mmol/l (P < 0.01) and that of lipoprotein-B decreased from 1.37 +/- 0.20 to 1.20 +/- 0.36 mmol/l (P < 0.05). These maximum changes were achieved by the 12th week of fluvastatin treatment, and no further significant change was observed in the remaining part of the year. The other parameters that could have influenced lipid metabolism (doses of diuretics and steroid, daily dose and serum level of cyclosporin, kidney function, degree of proteinuria, HbA1c, etc.) remained unchanged throughout the study. Thus, the improvement in lipid concentrations can be ascribed exclusively to fluvastatin. No side effects were observed during the 1-year follow up. Liver enzymes and CPK remained within the normal reference limits. Fluvastatin proved to be an effective and safe drug for treating the dyslipidaemia of transplanted patients receiving steroid cyclosporin immunosuppression.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Scanning laser polarimetry of the retinal nerve fibre layer in primary open angle and capsular glaucoma.

AIMS: To evaluate the clinical value of scanning laser polarimetry with the nerve fibre analyser type II in primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) and capsular glaucoma. METHODS: Scanning laser polarimetry was performed on one eye of 30 patients suffering from POAG, 25 patients suffering from capsular glaucoma, and on 35 healthy control subjects. The retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) thickness values were compared among the groups. Reproducibility of the measurements was calculated and the influence of pilocarpine induced miosis on the results was investigated. RESULTS: RNFL thickness in the superior and inferior sectors, as well as along the total circumference was significantly lower in both glaucoma groups than in the control eyes (p < 0.05). None of the thickness values differed between the two glaucoma groups. Reproducibility was comparable in all groups; the coefficient of variation varied between 3.0% and 8.9% for the different sectors investigated. Miosis had no significant impact either on the thickness values or on the reproducibility (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The results suggest that scanning laser polarimetry is a useful method for nerve fibre layer analysis in glaucoma, and that it is not influenced by the pupil size.

Aged↗
PubMed1997

Scanning laser polarimetry in corneal haze after excimer laser refractive surgery.

PURPOSE: We evaluate the technique of retinal nerve fiber layer thickness measurement using scanning laser polarimetry in cases of central corneal haze due to photorefractive keratectomy. METHODS: Nerve fiber layer thickness was measured using a Nerve Fiber Analyzer II (Laser Diagnostic Technologies, Inc., San Diego, CA, U.S.A.) in eight eyes of eight individuals with mild to pronounced corneal haze owing to earlier excimer laser refractive surgery, and in nine eyes of nine control volunteers. RESULTS: Neither total and sectorial nerve fiber layer thickness values, nor superior/ inferior quadrant thickness ratio differed in a statistically significant manner between the two groups (unpaired t test, p > 0.05). Reproducibility in the "haze" and control groups was 4.3% and 3.4%, respectively, for mean nerve fiber layer thickness calculated from all quadrants around the disc. The figures were 4.9% and 5.2%, respectively, for the superior quadrant thickness; 8.2% and 8.8%, respectively, for the temporal thickness values; 5.4% and 4.6%, respectively, for the inferior thickness values; and 4.1% and 5.0%, respectively, for the nasal quadrant thickness values. For the superior/inferior quadrant thickness ratio the reproducibility was 4.4% and 6.8%, respectively. None of the corresponding values for reproducibility differed significantly between the two groups (F-test, p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Corneal haze did not cause an artificial increase of the thickness values measured with scanning laser polarimetry and did not diminish the reproducibility of the measurement. The results suggest that scanning laser polarimetry may be a suitable method for the precise measurement of the nerve fiber layer thickness even in eyes with persistent corneal haze after excimer laser refractive surgery.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Serum bone Gla protein in streak gonad syndrome.

Osteoporosis is one of the most common complications of streak gonad syndrome (SGS), however its pathogenesis is still unclear. Bone Gla protein (BGP) has been found to be a serum marker of bone turnover in various metabolic disease states. In the present study serum BGP and alkaline phosphatase (AP) were measured in 13 osteoporotic patients with SGS and in 56 healthy women. Mean (+/- SD) serum BGP levels were normal (7.5 +/- 2.0 ng/ml) in seven patients who had been on estrogen-progestin replacement therapy and became significantly elevated (P less than 0.001) 2 and 3 months after discontinuation of the treatment (15.3 +/- 2.3 and 13.2 +/- 1.0 ng/ml, respectively). Mean (+/- SD) serum AP (207 +/- 65 U/l) showed significant increases (P less than 0.05) 2 months after withdrawal of hormonal substitution (287 +/- 74 U/l). Mean (+/- SD) serum BGP (15.4 +/- 3.5) and AP (287 +/- 49) levels were significantly higher (P less than 0.001 and less than 0.05, respectively) in six patients with SGS who had not been on hormonal substitution. These findings are consistent with those obtained in postmenopausal women suffering from "high remodelling osteoporosis" and suggest that bone turnover in osteoporotic patients with SGS is increased and the skeletal loss is a consequence of accelerated bone loss rather than decreased bone formation.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

[The significance of hypocitruria in calcium oxalate induced nephrolithiasis].

The citrate concentration of the daily collected urine was measured by citrate lyase method in 25 untreated patients with recurrent calcium stone disease (10 hypercalciuric and 15 normocalciuric) and in 11 patients with stone disease treated with hydrochlorothiazide and in 16 healthy controls. We found a great variancy of the results what rather looks like biological than methodic type. The concentration (1.99 +/- 1.33 mmol/l in normocalciuric and 2.77 +/- 1.62 in hypercalciuric stone formers but 5.06 +/- 2.81 in controls) and the daily output of the urinary citrate (2.74 +/- 1.38 mmol/d and 4.24 +/- 1.69 vs. 4.41 +/- 1.85) but not the citrate/creatinine ratio was significantly less in about the half of stone formers. The hypocitraturia was frequent in the normocalciuric and very rare in the hypercalciuric group of the renal stone patients. Measurement of the urine citrate concentration is more sensitive tool in the diagnosis of hypocitraturic state than daily citrate output while the latter is more characteristic for the patient, so common study of the two parameters is recommended.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

[Serum osteocalcin levels in healthy males and females in relation to age].

The measurement of serum osteocalcin is a new sensitive and specific method in the evaluation of calcium metabolism disorders. We established the normal values of healthy adult Hungarian women (n = 111, age: 20-86 yrs, mean: 47 yrs) and men (n = 70, age: 20-88 yrs, mean: 42 yrs) by radioimmunoassay method developed at our institute. Serum osteocalcin levels are constant between 20-50 yrs (7,8 +/- 2,4 ng/ml) while the values are significantly higher after 50 yrs of age (11,0 +/- 4,6 ng/ml) and remain constant afterwards. A correlation might be supposed between this elevation around 50 and bone loss around menopause. Serum osteocalcin values of men are constant with aging (11,0 +/- 3,9 ng/ml).

Age Factors↗
PubMed1990

Development of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia after posttraumatic splenectomy.

In the course of a post-splenectomy follow-up study, 2 out of 102 patients who had been splenectomized after an abdominal trauma were found to have developed chronic lymphocytic leukaemia 5 and 31 years after splenectomy, respectively. The possible association between splenectomy and secondary leukaemia is discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Changes with aging in the bone mineral content of the lumbar spine and femoral neck in healthy women in Hungary.

The bone mineral content (BMC) of the lumbar spine and femoral neck was studied in relation to aging in healthy Hungarian women by duel photon-absorptiometric method. The data were compared with North-American and West-European values. The Hungarian values are lower than these for reported from North-America or France, but similar to the BMC values for Sweden. The observed vertebral and femoral bone loss could be well represented by cubic equations. The acceleration of bone loss seems to begin around 40 years. The rate of bone loss was similar to the published values but the decrease in bone loss in the 6th and 7th decades was more suggestive. With regard to the fracture-threshold below which the risk for non-traumatic fractures of vertebrae increases, about 60% of Hungarian women at age 50-59 and about 84% at age 60-69 are considered to be at risk. It is concluded that geographical and habitual differences might be important factors in the development and change of BMC for different populations.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Imprinting by non-signal protein molecule in Tetrahymena.

Bovine serum albumin (BSA) enhances the division of Tetrahymena and leaves negative imprinting. In consequence, a repeated meeting with BSA 1, 2 or 3 weeks after the first one is followed by a significantly reduced division rate of Tetrahymena cells. The imprinting is fairly specific for BSA; the division rate was not influenced significantly by either human serum albumin or an anti-rabbit sheep immunoglobulin.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Enhancement of cilia regeneration by hormone treatment of Tetrahymena.

Regeneration of cilia of deciliated Tetrahymena was modified by hormones added to the nutrient medium; it was enhanced by serotonin (an amino-acid type substance), insulin (a polypeptide-type hormone) and prednisolone (a steroid-type hormone). Diiodotyrosine, another amino-acid type hormone, did not influence regeneration. Prednisolone, a hormone morphogenetic in mammals appeared to be the most active in regenerating cilia.

Animals↗