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Biomedical subjects

Roman Junik

Publications and source records attributed to Roman Junik.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

[BRAF gene mutation in thyroid cancer].

Mutations of genes coding effectors of signaling pathway RET/PTC-RAS-RAF-MEK-ERK, involved in cell growth and proliferation, are important in papillary thyroid cancer development. To earlier discovered mutations of RAS and RET/PTC genes, BRAF gene mutation has been recently added. Mutation of BRAF gene appears in various types of carcinomas, but most frequently in malignant melanomas (66%) and papillary thyroid cancer (average 44%). The BRAF gene protein product belongs to the serine-threonine kinase family and to the RAF proteins subfamily, among which it is the strongest activator of MAP kinases cascade. The most frequently mutation of BRAF gene is thymine to adenine transversion at nucleotide position 1796 (T1796A). This point mutation causes valine to glutamic acid substitution at residue 599 (V599E), that results in constitutive and oncogenic activation of BRAF kinase. The relation between mutations of BRAF, RAS and RET/PTC genes has not been found, although they together exist in two thirds of papillary thyroid cancers. BRAF(TI796A) oncogene appears in papillary thyroid cancer, whereas it has not been found in follicular thyroid cancer and benign thyroid adenomas. For this reason mutated BRAF gene could be specific molecular marker, with relatively high sensitivity in diagnostics of papillary thyroid cancer. In addition, BRAF gene has been demonstrated as a novel prognostic biomarker, which correlates with unfavorable clinicopathological factors, such as extrathyroidal invasion and distant metastasis.

Carcinoma, Papillary↗
PubMed2006

The role of radioisotopic methods in imaging of intervertebral disc inflammation in children.

The authors present the case of a 17-year-old girl, with pain over lumbar spine area, treated by paediatricians and rehabilitation specialists, discussing diagnostic imaging and laboratory examinations together with clinical observations. Spondylodiscitis was diagnosed after bone scintigraphy with 99mTc-MDP, the course of disease was monitored by immunoscintigraphy amongst other techniques.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Radioiodine treatment of hyperthyroidism in patients with low thyroid uptake.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to analyze the effectiveness of radioactive 131I in hyperthyroid patients with confirmed lowered iodine uptake as compared to patients with an uptake of over 30%. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 53 consecutive patients aged from 29 to 84 (mean age 60 years) suffering from hyperthyroidism caused by Graves' disease or toxic nodular goitre. The patients were divided into 2 sub-groups: the 1st with a maximum iodine uptake of 18.7 +/- 3.2% (range, 11-23%) - 24 patients; the 2nd with a maximum iodine uptake of 27.1 +/- 2.1% (range, 24-30%) - 29 patients. The control group consisted of 50 patients treated with 131I with an iodine uptake of over 30%. Each patient was evaluated before, and 6 months after, treatment for fT3, fT4 and TSH with ECLIA; TRAb with RIA; ultrasound with a 7.5 MHz linear probe. The volume of the thyroid gland was determined using the Gutekunst method. All these factors underwent statistical analysis and were considered along with the results of clinical examinations. RESULTS: Clinical remission of hyperthyroidism was evident in 79.3% of both sub-groups, in total (83.3% and 75.3%, respectively). TSH was normalized in 62.3% of these patients (54.2% and 69.0%, respectively). The mean range of TSH levels increased from 0.081 microU/ml to 4.0 microU/ml after therapy; that is, from 0.087 microU/ml to 4.97 microU/ml in the 1st sub-group and from 0.076 microU/ml to 3.3 microU/ml in the 2nd sub-group. The volume of the thyroid gland was uniformly significantly lower, with a mean range of 40.5 ml before treatment and 21.7 ml afterwards. The results seen in both sub-groups were similar; only age and dose of radioiodine were slightly higher in the 1st, while mean uptake was higher in the 2nd. By comparison of these results to those of the control patients, we observed that the values of TSH, as well as thyroid volume and evidence of clinical remission, reflected those found in the control group. The mean dose of 131I was lower in the control group, that is 11.3 m Ci, as compared to the sub-groups as a whole, specifically, 15.7 mCi. The mean age of patients in the control group was slightly less than that of the study group (50.8 and 60, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: 1. The results of the treatment of patients with a low iodine uptake are similar to the results obtained in the group of patients with iodine uptake above 30% and therefore low iodine uptake should not be a contraindication for isotope I-131 therapy. 2. Additionally, we have demonstrated that a statistically significant decrease in thyroid volume is observed in all patients after the iodine isotope treatment which indirectly proves the effectiveness of the prescribed treatment, and that low thyroid iodine uptake is more frequently observed in elderly patients and in patients treated with iodine or anti-thyroid drugs.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Reduced brain perfusion and neurocranial shape abnormalities of the temporal regions in patients with Klinefelter syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: In patients with Klinefelter syndrome dissocial behaviour, learning difficulties and low intelligence are common. Thus, the aim of our study was to perform brain perfusion studies and cranial cephalometry in 27 cases of Klinefelter syndrome and compare the results with those in a group of 26 healthy subjects. METHODS: Single photon emission tomography (SPECT) was performed after injection of 20 mCi 99mTc-HMPAO and the data from transaxial slices were analyzed for 46 regions of interest in the cerebellar, thalamic, ventricular and parietal planes. Right/ left ratios were calculated and differences above 10 per cent were considered abnormal. Skull radiographs in frontal and lateral view were taken and measurements of the cerebral part were made. RESULTS: SPECT imaging in 27 Klinefelter patients revealed 82 hypoperfusion foci, most frequently in temporal regions, less frequently in temporoparietal and frontal regions, whereas only 11 hypoperfusion foci in 6 of the 26 control subjects were found. Skull radiography revealed the following abnormalities : flattening of the temporal regions, reduced width of the vault, shortening of the anterior cranial fossa and definitely reduced angle of the cranial base; all these anomalies differed significantly from those in the skulls of the control subjects. CONCLUSIONS: The high coincidence of the location on the temporal regions of brain perfusion defects and the neurocranial shape anomalies indicate that an extra X chromosome in Klinefelter patients has detrimental effects on the temporal lobe development and function.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

The case of Cushing's disease imaging by SPECT examination without manifestation of pituitary adenoma in MRI examination.

BACKGROUND: The aim of our study was to evaluate the possibility of imaging the pathological accumulation of (99m)Tc-MIBI in the pituitary gland in patients with Cushing's disease when MRI examination does not show microadenomas. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cushing's disease was diagnosed in a 27 year old male on the basis of clinical and biochemical findings. The blood cortisol level of the patient was elevated (the average level was 47 ug/dl) and it showed no changeability of day and night rhythm. RESULTS: In the patient with Cushing's disease, during the SPECT examination, an increased accumulation of (99m)Tc-MIBI in the pituitary gland was noticed. MRI scanning was negative. CONCLUSION: Single photon emission computed tomography using (99m)Tc-MIBI is a useful and sensitive means of pituitary gland microadenoma detection in patients with Cushing's disease when microadenoma is not detected during MRI scanning and when the results of dexamethasone suppression test is positive.

Adenoma↗
PubMed2005

[Assessment of selected factors influencing birthweight in pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus].

OBJECTIVES: Giving birth to a chi;d with an excessive brithweight is one of the most common neonate complications observed in the pregnant women with gestation diabetes (GDM). DESIGN: The aim of the study was an evaluation of selected factors affecting birthweight in the GDM. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data from 867 pregnant women were analysed. The influence of: age, height, place of living and mother's educational background and BMI before pregnancy and weight gain during pregnancy and also HbA1c, triglycerides (TG) and total cholesterol (TC) values in the 3rd term of pregnancy (T3) were determined. The TC and TG were assessed by the enzymatic method by means of the Bio Merieux firm set--France, HbA1c by means of the immunoturbidimetric method using the Roche firm sets--France. RESULTS: Statistically significant birthweight differences were affirmed according to: mother's height (respectively the groups: < or = 155 vs 156-169 vs > or = 170 cm), BMI before pregnancy (< 25 vs 25-29.9 vs > or = 30 kg/m2), weight gain in pregnancy (< 12 vs > or = 12 kg), TG (< 2.7 vs > 2.7 mmol/l) and HbA1c in T3. No influence of mother's age, her place of living, educational background, HbA1c at admission and TC values in T3 on the neonates birthweight was observed. CONCLUSIONS: The anthropometric and environmental factors (mother's height, weight, weight gain in pregnancy) have a more significant influence on the neonates birthweight of the mothers with GDM, than social-demographic factors (age, educational background, place of living), the way of treatment of GDM and TC in T3. The TG level in T3, beside HbA1c is an independent, prognostic factor of birthweight in GDM.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

[Early development of Charcot neuroarthropathy in the course of compensated diabetes mellitus--case report].

Charcot neuroarthropathy (CN)--chronic and progressive, destructive disease of bones and joints, which develops on the background of neuropathy, is late and uncommon complication of diabetes. It occurs almost exclusively in patients with a mean duration of diabetes at least 10 years. We report the case of woman, who developed an acute phase of CN 11 months after recognition of diabetes. Because of recent recognition of diabetes and good glycaemic control, CN wasn't considered in the differential diagnosis of swelling, pain and warmth of feet. The initial diagnosis was missed, leading in few months, to development of irreversible deformity of both feet.

Arthropathy, Neurogenic↗
PubMed2004

[Parameters of lipid peroxidation and low density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation in the course of hyperthyroidism].

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of hyperthyroidism on lipid peroxidation and oxidative modification of low density lipoprotein (LDL). Twenty patients with hyperthyroidism due to Graves' disease or toxic multinodular goitre and 17 healthy subjects as the control group were investigated. Lipid peroxidation was measured by the serum level of malondialdehyde and 4-hydroxynonenal (MDA+4-HNE) whereas the oxidative modification of LDL was determined by measuring the serum levels of antibodies against oxidized LDL (anti-oxLDL). Ratios, which were evaluated as proportions of lipid peroxidation products level or anti-oxLDL level to the LDL-cholesterol level (LDL-C) were also determined: MDA+4-HNE/LDL-C and anti-oxLDL/LDL-C. The patients with hyperthyroidism displayed a significant elevation of the MDA+4-HNE/LDL-C ratio. The level of anti-oxLDL and anti-oxLD/LDL-C ratio were positively correlated with FT4 level and inversely correlated with HDL-cholesterol. These data suggest that the intensification of lipid peroxidation and oxidative modification of plasma lipoprotein is affected by changes in the level of thyroid hormones.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

[Nuclear medicine imaging methods in thyroid associated ophthalmopathy].

The evaluation of inflammation activity is one of the more important problems in the diagnosis of thyroid associated ophthalmopathy (TAO). It is connected with response to immunosuppresive treatment. Some of the radiolabelled tracers used in nuclear medicine are collected selectively in inflammatory foci and are also accumulated in inflammable retrobulbar tissue present in the active phase of TAO. This enables an evaluation of the inflammatory process activity and concerns especially such tracers as OctreoScan, Ga-67, Tc-99m-DTPA. This article presents a short review of current knowledge on the role of nuclear medicine methods in thyroid associated ophthalmopathy imaging.

Citrates↗
PubMed2004

Langerhans' cell histiocytosis of the mandible in bone scintigraphy and CT.

UNLABELLED: The authors present a case of a 4-year old boy with a quickly growing tumor of the jaw. The CT examination revealed a destructive tumor in the body of the mandible involving soft tissues. A diagnosis of eosinophilic granuloma of the mandible was confirmed by a biopsy of the tumor. Skeletal scintigraphy showed areas of increased and decreased radiotracer uptake. The fusion of CT and scintigraphy images showed that the "cold" focus corresponds with the osteolytic area and the "hot" focuses are larger than the areas of osseous reconstruction shown in CT. CONCLUSION: In cases of histiocytosis skeletal scintigraphy and CT are complementary methods that enable one to make an assessment of the extent of the disease.

Child, Preschool↗
PubMed2003

Influence of hormonal replacement therapy on the regional cerebral blood flow in postmenopausal women.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was evaluation of the influence of hormonal replacement therapy (HRT) on the regional cerebral blood flow in postmenopausal women. METHODS: The study group were 20 postmenopausal women, mean age 48.7 years (S.D. +/- 4.9 years). The control group were ten regularly menstruating women, mean age 32.6 years (S.D. +/- 13.2 years). In the studied group we measured the severity of climacteric syndrome with the use of Kupperman index and serum FSH and 17beta-estradiol level with the use of radioimmunological method. Cerebral blood flow was measured at rest using Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT). Tracer accumulation evaluation was performed in three slices defined as: cerebellar slice, thalamic slice and ventricular slice, the reference region was delineated in the cerebellum. In ten women with an impairment in the cerebral blood flow at the beginning of the study all the tests were repeated after 12 months of HRT. RESULTS: Before HRT mean value of the Kupperman index in the study group was 29.8 points (S.D. +/- 7.1 points); 17beta-estradiol 27 pg/ml (S.D. +/- 2 pg/ml); FSH 56 IU/l (S.D. +/- 49.5 IU/l); SPECT study revealed cerebral blood flow impairment in ten women. In all the studied slices cerebral blood flow was lower in the study group than in the controls. After 12 months of HRT the mean value of the Kupperman index in the study group was 13.2 points (S.D. +/- 2.1 points) (P < 0.05); 17beta-estradiol 44 pg/ml (S.D. +/- 25 pg/ml); FSH 36.4 IU/l (S.D. +/- 57.3 ng/ml); we found cerebral blood flow increase in all studied slices: right cerebellar slice: 5.2%; left cerebellar slice: 4.1%; right thalamic slice: 3.8%; left thalamic slice: 3.3%; right ventricular slice: 7.5%*; left ventricular slice: 6.7%* (* P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Cerebral blood flow is lower in the postmenopausal women than in regularly menstruating women. HRT increases regional cerebral blood flow and this improvement coexists with an increase of serum 17beta-estradiol level.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

[Urinary iodine excretion and thyroid function in pregnant women of Bydgoszcz District prior to and after the introduction of iodized salt].

INTRODUCTION: Before the introduction of the kitchen iodized salt in 1997 Poland was an area of mild and moderate iodine deficiency. AIM: The aim of the study was to determine the degree of iodine deficiency and thyroid function in pregnant women prior to and after the introduction of iodized salt. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Iodine urinary excretion and serum levels of TSH, fT3 and fT4 were determined in pregnant women divided into the two groups--with and without iodine supplementation. RESULTS: Before the introduction of the kitchen iodized salt iodine urinary excretion in pregnant women was 70.46 +/- 43.99 micrograms/l. The introduction of kitchen iodized salt increased iodine urinary excretion to 92.23 +/- 42.14 micrograms/l (p < 0.01). In pregnant women with iodine supplementation serum levels of TSH and fT3 were reduced. CONCLUSIONS: 1. There was a mild iodine deficiency in pregnant women before the introduction of the kitchen iodized salt programme. 2. The kitchen iodized salt increased iodine urinary excretion rates, 3. Reduced levels of serum TSH and fT3 after the introduction of iodized salt indicate diminished thyroid stimulation in pregnant women with higher iodine intake.

Adult↗