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S Sikora

Publications and source records attributed to S Sikora.

13 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Fentanyl-augmented MRCP.

BACKGROUND: Drugs such as secretin and morphine have been used to augment the visualization of magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP). This study investigated the effectiveness of intravenous administration of a synthetic opioid, fentanyl, in improving the MRCP image quality. METHODS: Thirty consecutive patients with a provisional diagnosis of benign biliary and/or pancreatic disease underwent MRCP. Coronal single-shot fast spin-echo heavily T2-weighted dynamic MRCP images were generated before and at every minute for 10 min after intravenous administration of fentanyl citrate at a dose of 1.0 mug/kg. Pre- and postinjection images were compared and analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively. RESULTS: Qualitatively, visualization of intrahepatic bile ducts, common bile duct, and main pancreatic duct improved after fentanyl injection in five (16%), 11 (37%), and 19 (63%) patients, respectively. The pancreatobiliary junction and common channel were visualized better after fentanyl injection in eight of the 18 patients (44%). Quantitatively, signal intensity and diameters of the intrahepatic ducts, common bile duct, and main pancreatic duct measured at corresponding points on pre- and postinjection images showed an increase above preinjection values in 28 (93%), 27 (90%), and 21 (70%) and in 18 (60%), 26 (86%), and 22 (73%), respectively, and these changes were highly significant at all sites (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Intravenous administration of fentanyl before MRCP improves qualitative and quantitative visualization of the ductal system anatomy that may be of value in clinical diagnosis and management.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Identification and characterization of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Saccharomyces paradoxus strains isolated from Croatian vineyards.

AIMS: The identification, differentiation and characterization of indigenous Saccharomyces sensu stricto strains isolated from Croatian vineyards and the evaluation of their oenological potential. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 47 Saccharomyces sensu stricto strains were isolated from Chardonnay grapes and identified by physiological and molecular genetic methods. By using the standard physiological and biochemical tests, six isolates were identified as Saccharomyces cerevisiae and 41 as Saccharomyces paradoxus. However, PCR-RFLP analyses of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS1) region of the 18S ribosomal DNA identified 12 of the isolates as S.cerevisiae and 35 as S. paradoxus. Fermentation trials in a grape juice medium showed that these isolates ferment vigorously at 18 degrees C and display tolerance to high levels of ethanol. None of these isolates appeared to produce either hydrogen sulphide or killer toxins. CONCLUSION: Saccharomyces paradoxus, possessing potentially important oenological characteristics, occurs in much higher numbers than S. cerevisiae in the indigenous population of Saccharomyces sensu stricto strains in Croatian vineyards. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This study forms an essential step towards the preservation and exploitation of the hidden oenological potential of the untapped wealth of yeast biodiversity in the Croatian grape-growing regions. The results obtained demonstrate the value of using molecular genetic methods, such as PCR-RFLP analyses, in conjunction with the traditional taxonomic methods based on phenotypic characteristics in such ecotaxonomic surveys. The results also shed some light on the ecology and oenological potential of S.paradoxus, which is considered to be the natural parent species of the domesticated species of the Saccharomyces sensu stricto group.

Croatia↗
PubMed2002

Application of RAPD analysis for identification of Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris strains isolated from artisanal cultures.

Randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) was used for identification of Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris strains isolated 40 years ago from various dairy homemade products. Total genomic DNAs from six randomly chosen isolates and the reference strain Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris NIZO B64 were amplified using four different 10-mer primers. Although most RAPD fragments were common to all six isolates, a sufficient number of polymorphic fragments were also detected that allowed clear distinction of the isolates and the reference strain. The results indicate that RAPD analysis could be a useful and efficient method to distinguish Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris at the strain level and to detect genetic diversity.

DNA, Bacterial↗
PubMed1999

[LEEP in gynecologic practice].

The experience in performing LEEP electroconisation, the gaining popularity method of treatment in preneoplastic lesions of the uterine cervix was presented. The simplicity, safety and low number of complications of this out patient procedure was stressed. The attention was paid on diagnostic-therapeutic aspect of the procedure, the adequacy of histological specimen assessment, as well as on the excellent patient's toleration. The weak impact on anatomy and physiology of the uterine cervix was also pointed. The introduction of LEEP conisation to gynecological clinic bears in author's opinion simplification and cost effectiveness of diagnosis and treatment in selected cervical lesions.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

[Pregnancy in a case with vesical exstrophy and renal insufficiency].

Pregnancy, delivery and puerperium in primigravida after surgical correction of vesical exstrophy and reconstruction of vagina with chronic renal insufficiency was presented. Both pregnancy and delivery were successful. Vesical exstrophy the rare congenital malformation in aspect of obstetrical-gynaecological treatment were discussed. Conduction of pregnancy with chronic renal disease was briefly reviewed.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

[Factor VIII inhibitor appearing in women during delivery].

Factor VIII inhibitor is rare, but very serious postpartum complication. Bleeding diathesis caused by this inhibitor is called acquired haemophilia. Three women with postpartum inhibitor to factor VIII and life threatening bleeding were described. In two patients bleeding was controlled by treatment with high doses of human and porcine factor VIII concentrates. One patient died presenting uncontrolled haemorrhagic diathesis. This work presents the problems of the diagnosis, treatment and also the elimination of the factor VIII inhibitor.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Evaluation of capnography in nonintubated emergency department patients with respiratory distress.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the ability of noninvasive capnographic measurement of end-tidal CO2 tension (PetCO2) to predict arterial CO2 tension (PaCO2) in nonintubated ED patients with respiratory distress. METHODS: A prospective, nonblind study was performed in a level I trauma center/community teaching hospital ED. Participants included all nonintubated adult patients with respiratory distress requiring measurement of arterial blood gases (ABGs); 29 patients were enrolled. PetCO2 was measured with a capnography monitor, using both baseline tidal volumes and forced expiratory volumes. The bias between PetCO2 values and simultaneous measurements of PaCO2 by ABG was assessed. RESULTS: PetCO2, measured with forced expiration, and PaCO2 agreed well, with bias (i.e., average difference) = 0.44 +/- 0.52 kPa (3.3 +/- 3.9 torr). PetCO2 measured with the tidal volume breath produced an unacceptably high bias of 0.82 +/- 0.70 kPa (6.1 +/- 5.2 torr). Levels of agreement between PaCO2 were similar for smokers and nonsmokers and for men and women. The arterial-end-tidal CO2 tension (Pa-etCO2) difference was not related to PaCO2. Pa-etCO2 correlated with age (r = 0.473; p = 0.01), and was significantly higher in patients with pulmonary disease (1.32 +/- 0.56 kPa; 9.9 +/- 4.2 torr) than it was in those without pulmonary disease (0.46 +/- 0.55 kPa; 3.5 +/- 4.1 torr; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Noninvasive PetCO2 monitoring may adequately predict PaCO2 in nonintubated ED patients with respiratory distress who are able to produce a forced expiration. PetCO2 is less accurate for PaCO2 with tidal volume breathing and in patients with pulmonary disease.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Room temperature trapping of rhodopsin photointermediates.

By suspending bovine rhodopsin in trehalose-water glass films, it is possible to trap photostates in the light-activation process. Because of the unusually high vitrification temperature of trehalose-water mixtures, this trapping can be accomplished at room temperature. This allows for a facile investigation of the spectroscopic properties of rhodopsin's photointermediates. Depending on experimental conditions, it is possible to trap photolysis products that have visible absorbance spectra closely resembling the two different photointermediates, metarhodopsin I and metarhodopsin II. When rhodopsin is maintained in the native rod outer segment membrane, the photolysis product has the spectral properties of metarhodopsin I. Upon detergent solubilization, the photolysis product closely resembles metarhodopsin II. Ultraviolet circular dichroism spectra show that the metarhodopsin I product had no change in secondary structure compared with unbleached rhodopsin. The metarhodopsin II product did show a significant decrease in alpha-helical content. Resonance energy transfer was measured from extrinsic probes located on each of the cytoplasmic cysteine residues to the retinal in the trapped photoproducts. It is seen that these distances are the same for rhodopsin and metarhodopsin I while metarhodopsin II shows considerably shorter distances. Metarhodopsin II is intimately associated with the signal transduction process, and the present results suggest that large structural changes have occurred in the transition to this state. These results demonstrate the utility of room temperature trapping of photostates in trehalose-water glasses.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Macronodular adrenal hyperplasia causing Cushing's syndrome: report of two cases and an overview.

Of the various entities producing adrenal hyperfunction, nodular adrenal hyperplasia is rarely described, however, recent reports have established it as a distinct cause of Cushing's syndrome. Although the etiology of this disease remains uncertain, two distinct forms are recognised, namely: macronodular hyperplasia and micronodular dysplasia. Establishing the diagnosis preoperatively is difficult but essential to ensure the correct treatment is performed. Two cases of macronodular hyperplasia are reported herein followed by a review of the available literature on this subject.

Adrenal Glands↗
PubMed1991

Generalized peritonitis in India--the tropical spectrum.

Generalized peritonitis is a common surgical emergency in India, the 'Tropical Spectrum' of generalized peritonitis being different from the western spectrum. A total 155 cases of generalized peritonitis were surgically treated at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences between 1981 and 1987, all patients undergoing peritoneal toilet with drainage after the cause of their peritonitis had been treated. The most common cause of peritonitis was peptic ulcer perforation, with simple closure being associated with a 2 per cent mortality, while typhoid perforation was the second most common cause. The diagnosis was clinical, supported by the operative findings of a terminal ileal perforation while bacteriological, serological and histopathological confirmation was retrospective. Appendicular perforations were less common than in the west but the clinical picture was the same. Tubercular perforations were not uncommon with a previous history of subacute intestinal obstruction and evidence of tuberculosis on chest X-ray suggesting the diagnosis. Ruptured amebic liver abscess was the most common hepatobiliary cause of generalized peritonitis with drainage of the abscess producing good results. The average hospital stay was 15 days with an overall mortality of 8 per cent.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Pilonidal disease of the umbilicus--a report of two cases.

Two cases of umbilical pilonidal sinus are reported herein. Both patients were young adult males aged 21 and 27 years, respectively. The predisposing factors are briefly discussed, however, the exact etiology of this disease remains unknown. Umbilectomy is the most commonly offered treatment and although it is rare, this entity probably goes undiagnosed in the majority of cases.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The clinical spectrum of fibrocalculous pancreatic diabetes in north India.

BACKGROUND: Fibrocalculous pancreatic diabetes (FCPD) is a secondary form of diabetes, unique to tropical countries. In earlier reports, patients with FCPD had severe insulin-requiring diabetes, malnutrition and a dismal prognosis. With Improvements in nutrition and medical care, the presentation and prognosis of FCPD may have changed. We report on the clinical profile and prognosis of a cohort of FCPD patients from north India and compare our findings with earlier reports. METHODS: Eighty consecutive FCPD patients who presented to the Diabetes, Gastroenterology and Surgical Gastroenterology services were evaluated for their nutritional status, clinical presentation, beta-cell function (fasting C-peptide) and exocrine function (faecal chymotrypsin). All patients diagnosed between 1994 and 2000 (n = 32) were followed prospectively for weight gain and glycaemic control. RESULTS: Only 55% of FCPD patients had a low body mass index (< 18 kg/m2). At the time of diagnosis of diabetes, only 26 (33%) patients presented with severe insulin-requiring diabetes; these patients were younger [23.7 (8.3) years v. 28.7 (10.6) years, p = 0.04], and had higher haemoglobin A1c [9.7 (3.8)% v. 7.3 (2.6)%, p = 0.005] than those requiring diet control or oral hypoglycaemic agents. FCPD patients had a wide range of fasting serum C-peptide (0.03-0.76 nmol/L). C-peptide was negatively associated with increasing duration of diabetes (r = -0.48, p = 0.001), but there was no correlation with faecal chymotrypsin. On prospective follow up (mean 2.3 years), there was significant improvement in body mass index [19.4 (2.9) kg/m2 v. 17.0 (3.7) kg/m2, p < 0.01] and haemoglobin A,c [6.4 (1.6)% v. 8.0 (3.0)%, p < 0.001]. CONCLUSION: FCPD patients differed from those described in earlier reports in many respects, Including improved nutritional status, a wide range of 3cell function and a more favourable prognosis.

Adolescent↗