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Biomedical subjects

R Vlaicu

Publications and source records attributed to R Vlaicu.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Immunohistochemical localization of the terminal C5b-9 complement complexes associated to S-protein and macrophage immunoreactive deposits in human damaged myocardial areas.

The indirect and double-labelling immunoperoxidase techniques were used to localize the C5b-9 neoantigens, S-protein and macrophage immunoreactive deposits in myocardial areas with necrosis and sclerosis. Granular masses of C5b-9 neoantigens, diffuse areas of S-protein and nucleated and anucleated immunoreactive deposits of macrophage origin were localized in damaged myocardial areas but not in areas free of lesion. The presence of C5b-9 neoantigens associated to S-protein and macrophage deposits is suggestive for a local complement activation in the complex heterolytic events of myocardial injury.

Complement Membrane Attack Complex↗
PubMedDate not supplied

His-Purkinje waveforms on externally recorded averaged unfiltered electrocardiograms.

Electrocardiographic signal recorded in right unipolar leads (2V1, 3V1, V1) was amplified (up to 500,000 times) averaged (256 or 512 cardiac cycles) and finally digitally filtered, in order to record His-Purkinje (HP) activity. A group of 41 patients with sinus rhythm and PR intervals ranging between 100 and 250 ms was repeatedly investigated. Distinct and highly reproducible waveforms located in the PR segment, attributable to HP activity, were recorded on the averaged unfiltered traces in 14 patients (34%). Waveforms, with an amplitude ranging between 4 and 80 microV, were positive in 13 patients and negative in one. In one patient, with atrial tachycardia with 2:1 atrioventricular block, two positive successive deflections suggested the possibility of recording the proximal and distal His activity. Externally recorded averaged unfiltered traces could be useful for the investigation of HP activity in a relatively large proportion of patients.

Angina Pectoris↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Quantitative determinations of immunoglobulins and complement components in human aortic atherosclerotic wall.

Saline and acid eluates of intima with only fatty streaks, fibrous plaque and intima surrounding the fibrous plaque were obtained from 42 human aortae. IgG, IgA, IgM, C1q, C3c, C4, C9, C3A, C-reactive protein, alpha-1-antitrypsin, alpha-2-macroglobulin, albumin, transferrin and fibrinogen were quantitatively determined in these eluates using the radial immunodiffusion technique. Saline extracted IgG and IgA were significantly higher in the fibrous plaque and adjacent tissue than in the fatty streak intima, where IgM was the highest. IgG and IgA were only present in acid eluates. The complement components were present in all saline eluates, but only traces of C3c and C1q in some acid eluates. Statistically significant differences were found for C1q and C9. C-reactive protein was present in 23 samples. The results could suggest an involvement of immune mechanisms in the progression of the atherosclerotic lesion.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Observations on the diagnostic criteria of the "nontransmural" acute myocardial infarction.

In 15 patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) lacking Q waves ("nontransmural"), selected from 317 patients with AMI, successively observed, diagnostic criteria and evolution were analysed. Clinical and enzymatic diagnostic criteria of the "nontransmural" AMI indicated a significant myocardial necrosis. Anginal pain was particularly recurrent. Various and variable electrocardiographic signs (ST--T changes, arrhythmias, etc.) suggested a significant, extensive, myocardial damage. Complications (heart pump failure, arrhythmias, peripheral and cerebral ischemic attacks), frequently severe, occurred in the majority of the patients. "Nontransmural" AMI occurred mainly in patients older than 60, with systemic arterial involvement. Four of the patients died (two during the acute phase); in one of them, transmural AMI, suggested by a complicating pericarditis, was confirmed by necropsy. The so-called "nontransmural" AMI proved to be an actual or potentially severe condition. Its differentiation from the "transmural" AMI on the basis of electrocardiographic criteria is artificial and unjustified.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Behaviour of gamma-glutamyltransferase in chronic consumers of alcohol.

Results obtained in three successive investigations involving various groups of population are presented. In a first study gamma-glutamyltransferase (gammaGT) activity was found to exceed the upper limit of the normal in 70% of the 36 subjects from a rural community in Northern Transylvania who were known by the local physician as being addicted to alcohol since at least five years. In a subsequent study gammaGT activity was determined in 86 patients seeking psychiatric help for a drinking problem. Only 55% of these patients were presenting increased gammaGT values and this finding could be explained by the fact that some of the psychiatric patients were admitted to the clinic for pathological bouts of dipsomania and not because of longstanding chronic intake of alcohol. When studied in connexion with the behaviour of serum triglyceride and alanineaminotransferase (GPT) levels, gammaGT activity was found to be particularly high in hypertriglyceridemic alcoholics and in those presenting a moderate increase of serum transaminases. Population studies emphasized that gammaGT activity exceeded the upper normal limit in 49.2% of the men and in 21.6% of the women working for more than five years in the industry of alcoholic beverages, while an increased activity of this enzyme was detected only in 19% of the men and in 1.7% of the women in a random population.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[The effect of some beta-blocking drugs on plasma renin activity, platelet adhesiveness and dilute blood clot lysis time in patients with essential arterial hypertension].

Propranolol (160--240 mg/24 h) and Oxprenolol (80--240 mg/24 h) were given for different periods of time to 13 and, respectively, 7 patients with essential arterial hypertension stage II. Both these beta-blocking drugs induced a significant fall in plasma renin activity : after ten days of treatment, platelet adhesiveness decreased in the patients with a basal level over 50% and increased in those with basal level below 30% (p < 0.01). When this treatment was given for 30 consecutive days, platelet adhesiveness decreased even in the latter patients. The drugs were also found to accelerate dilute blood clot lysis time in patients who presented a delayed lysis time before therapy. Thus, it is inferred that both propranolol and oxprenolol eliminate, at least partly, several factors involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, a frequent complication of essential arterial hypertension.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Value of gamma-glutamyltransferase in the diagnosis of liver metastases.

Gamma-glutamyltransferase (gamma-GT) was found to exceed the upper normal limit in 31 of the 32 patients with liver metastases verified during surgery or at autopsy, while the level of this enzyme was normal in 25 of the 28 patients with proven neoplasma but without evidence of metastatic involvement of the liver. Particularly high values of gamma-GT activity were noted in 9 patients in whom liver metastases were accompanied by clinical jaundice. A similar behaviour was noted for alkaline phosphatase but changes affecting this enzyme were less obvious. Thus, for a mean increase of gamma-GT to levels up to seven times the upper normal limit, the level of alkaline phosphatase increased only three times. A decrease of serum pseudocholinesterase occurred in most patients with neoplasma, the process being more evident when liver metastases were present. It is concluded that an increase of gamma-GT in a patient with neoplasma could be considered as a marker of hepatic metastases, if chronic alcoholism or hepatobiliary disease can be excluded.

Clinical Enzyme Tests↗