Biomedical subjects

V Nagy

Publications and source records attributed to V Nagy.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Sarcomatous dedifferentiated renal cell carcinoma mimicking a severe purulent kidney infection.

Sarcomatous renal cell carcinomas (SRCCs) originate from a dedifferentiation of renal cell carcinoma (RCC). They are characterized by an aggressive course and very poor prognosis. Less known is their ability to imitate inflammatory diseases of the kidney. The aim of the study was to outline the less usual symptoms of SRCCs in a retrospective analysis of 180 patients operated for RCC in 1997-2001. In 11 (6.1%) patients (8 men and 3 women, age 40-76 years, mean age 60 years) SRCC was present. The pTNM classification, results of histological examination, the stage of RCC dedifferentiation and survival after the operation are presented. In almost every patient SRCC was diagnosed at a late stage with combined histological variants of RCC. Survival of the patients after the operation ranged from 1 to 19 (average 8.8) months. In 2 patients an atypical clinical picture imitated abscess of the kidney and calculous pyonephrosis. The authors warn that in spite of the clinical signs of inflammatory disease of the kidneys, a tumorous origin should be excluded. In doubtful cases a quick peroperative biopsy and histology should be performed. Sometimes only a definitive histological examination can reveal the tumorous origin of the disease.

Abscess↗

PubMed2005

l-leucine aminopeptidase production by filamentous Aspergillus fungi.

AIMS: To screen various filamentous fungi belonging to Aspergillus spp. producing leucine and methionine aminopeptidases. METHODS AND RESULTS: Twenty-eight Aspergillus strains representing 14 species within the genus were screened for L-leucine aminopeptidase (LAP) production in two media in shake flask fermentation. Two Aspergillus sojae (NRRL 1988 and NRRL 6271) and one Aspergillus oryzae (NRRL 6270) strains were selected as the best producers for further studies. The peak LAP activities were 2.61, 2.59 and 1.30 IU ml(-1) for the three fungi on days 2, 5 and 4 respectively. In addition to LAP, L-methionine aminopeptidase (MAP) activity was also detected. Apart from submerged fermentation, the highest LAP yields by solid-state fermentation were 11.39, 17.40 and 13.02 IU g(-1) dry matter for the above fungi. The temperature and pH optimum of the enzyme was found to be in the range of 65-75 degrees C at pH 8.0-9.0 for all three fungi. Metal ions, Co(2+) and Fe(2+) in 2 mmol l(-1) concentration apparently enhanced the relative enzyme activity and heat stability. CONCLUSIONS: Two A. sojae (NRRL 1988 and NRRL 6271) and one A. oryzae (NRRL 6270) strains were found to be the best producers of LAP and MAP. The preliminary characterization studies revealed that the enzyme is considerably thermostable and belongs to the class metalloenzymes. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: A good number of aspergilli were screened and the ability of the fungal aminopeptidase to release a particular N-terminal amino acid along with its high thermal stability, makes them interesting for controlling the degree of hydrolysis and flavour development for a wide range of substrate.

Aspergillus↗

PubMed2003

[Effect of acute urological complications on the course of pregnancy].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate influence of acute urological cases (AUC) on course and results of pregnancies. DESIGN: Retrospective clinical study. SETTING: 1st Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Department Urology Faculty Hospital, Kosice, Slovakia. METHODS: 40 pregnant women with AUC aged 15-34 years (average 24) which delivered at our Department. RESULTS: The most often occurrence of AUC was in the 2nd and 3rd trimester of pregnancies. 62.5% women were primiparas. The most frequent urological complication was acute pyelonephritis (APNP)-23 (57%) patients, more often on the right side 4.75: 1. 27 patients (67.5%) had renal colic, more often presents on the right side (6:1). 83% women had infection of urinary tract (IUT). 34 (85%) women were treated by antibiotics or urodesinficiens. 70% pregnancies were closed as intact pregnancies without intrauterine risk of the fetus. Signs of premature labour had 8 patients (20%), hypotrophy of the fetus was evaluated in two patients (5%) and 2 pregnancies were terminated by caesarean section due to intrauterine asphyxia of the fetus. We identified nearly double increase of premature labours in the group of women with AUC in opposition to average in 1998 at Kosice district. Risk of newborn early asphyxia syndrome at the 1. minute is important (12.5%). CONCLUSION: Almost 1/3 pregnancies with AUC have obstetrical complication. Most common incidence of AUC is at the first gravidity, at the right side. AUC require complete obstetrical and urological examination with adequate therapy. We can reduce incidence by careful prenatal care and therapy.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed2001

[Left ventricular hypertrophy: pathogenesis, diagnosis and therapy].

The life expectancy of hypertonic patients is basically determined by the complications of their disease. The increasing hypertension induces compensated processes in cardiovascular system, however, these alterations further worsen the mortality rates. It is evident that left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) should be prevented. If it is the case, it has to be moderated among the possible circumstances. To regression of LVH produced by hypertony the decrease of hypertension is not enough, while the process is rather complex. Because the structural changes in the interstitial tissue followed by the alterations of heart myocytes hypertrophy, hyperplasy and apoptosis of myocytes, as well as the interstitial and perivascular fibrosis, coronary remodelling and necrosis in the consequence of insufficient blood circulation can be widely observed. The individual prognosis of LVH can be determined by echocardiography, while the concentric remodelling the development of excentric and concentric hypertrophy is strictly parallel with the increase in the mortality and morbidity rates. According to the evidences the treatment consists of life mode controlling and suitable drug therapy. First line medicines are the ACE-inhibitors and indapamides, later on these drugs can be further combined with calcium antagonists and beta-blockers, if necessary.

Antihypertensive Agents↗

PubMed2001

Monte Carlo calculations of the dose distribution in teeth due to internal exposure from 90Sr: application to EPR tooth dosimetry.

This paper addresses issues in the application of the electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) retrospective dosimetry with dental tissues exposed by radionuclides accumulated in the dentin. A simple dosimetric model of a tooth incorporating 90Sr is presented. The tooth is modelled as two concentric cylinders: the inner cylinder composed of dentin, and the outer cylindrical shell of enamel. Extensive Monte Carlo calculations were done to obtain the distributions of absorbed dose in dentin and enamel for teeth of different sizes. The results were used to calculate the mean absorbed doses in enamel that are directly measurable by EPR. A relationship between such measured doses and the specific activity of 90Sr in dentin was derived based on a simple model of 90Sr accumulation. The roles of different tooth tissues as dose detectors are analysed, and the importance of dentin as a dosimetric material for internal exposure is pointed out.

Absorption↗

PubMed2001

Individual biodosimetry at the natural radiation background level.

The present note describes new advancements to a valued tool in retrospective biodosimetry that lower the threshold of detection of radiation dose to 29 mGy. The advanced method is based on the electron paramagnetic resonance measurements of stable radiation-induced radicals in tooth enamel. Earlier this method had been used only for reconstruction of high radiation doses obtained accidentally. New opportunity of reconstruction of doses lower than 100 mGy opens a new realm of possibilities for assessing the health effects of ionizing radiation at the natural radiation background level.

Background Radiation↗

PubMed2000

Heterodimerization of mu and delta opioid receptors: A role in opiate synergy.

Opiate analgesics are widely used in the treatment of severe pain. Because of their importance in therapy, different strategies have been considered for making opiates more effective while curbing their liability to be abused. Although most opiates exert their analgesic effects primarily via mu opioid receptors, a number of studies have shown that delta receptor-selective drugs can enhance their potency. The molecular basis for these findings has not been elucidated previously. In the present study, we examined whether heterodimerization of mu and delta receptors could account for the cross-modulation previously observed between these two receptors. We find that co-expression of mu and delta receptors in heterologous cells followed by selective immunoprecipitation results in the isolation of mu-delta heterodimers. Treatment of these cells with extremely low doses of certain delta-selective ligands results in a significant increase in the binding of a mu receptor agonist. Similarly, treatment with mu-selective ligands results in a significant increase in the binding of a delta receptor agonist. This robust increase is also seen in SKNSH cells that endogenously express both mu and delta receptors. Furthermore, we find that a delta receptor antagonist enhances both the potency and efficacy of the mu receptor signaling; likewise a mu antagonist enhances the potency and efficacy of the delta receptor signaling. A combination of agonists (mu and delta receptor selective) also synergistically binds and potentiates signaling by activating the mu-delta heterodimer. Taken together, these studies show that heterodimers exhibit distinct ligand binding and signaling characteristics. These findings have important clinical ramifications and may provide new foundations for more effective therapies.

Analgesics, Opioid↗

PubMed2000

Ovariectomy and 17beta-estradiol modulate the levels of Alzheimer's amyloid beta peptides in brain.

OBJECTIVE: To test whether female gonadal hormone status and estrogen modulate the metabolism of Abeta peptides in vivo. BACKGROUND: AD is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by accumulation of aggregated forms of the 40- and 42-amino acid Abeta peptides (Abeta40 and Abeta42). Estrogen replacement therapy in postmenopausal women is associated with decreased risk for AD or delay in disease onset or both. The mechanism by which estrogen exerts this neuroprotective effect is elusive. 17beta-estradiol (E2) was shown to reduce the release of Abeta peptides by primary neuronal cultures of murine and human origin. METHODS: For this purpose, four experimental sets of guinea pigs were used: intact animals, ovariectomized animals (ovx), and ovariectomized animals that received E2 at two different doses (ovx+low-dose E2 and ovx+high-dose E2). Brain Abeta40 and Abeta42 levels were assessed using Abeta40 and Abeta42-specific ELISA assays. RESULTS: Prolonged ovariectomy resulted in uterine atrophy and decreased serum E2 levels and was associated with a pronounced increase in brain Abeta levels. Total brain Abeta in the ovx animals was increased by 1. 5-fold on average as compared to intact controls. E2 treatment of ovariectomized animals led to uterine hypertrophy and a dose-dependent increase in serum E2 levels. In addition, both doses of E2 significantly reversed the ovariectomy-induced increase in brain Abeta levels. The high-dose E2 treatment did not lead to a further decrease in brain Abeta beyond that observed with the low-dose E2 treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Our results infer that cessation of ovarian estrogen production in postmenopausal women might facilitate Abeta deposition by increasing the local concentrations of Abeta40 and Abeta42 peptides in brain. In addition, our finding that E2 treatment is associated with diminution of brain Abeta levels suggests that modulation of Abeta metabolism may be one of the ways by which estrogen replacement therapy prevents or delays the onset of AD or both in postmenopausal women.

Amyloid beta-Peptides↗

PubMed2000

Ovariectomy and 17beta-estradiol modulate the levels of Alzheimer's amyloid beta peptides in brain.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by accumulation of aggregated forms of the 40- and 42-amino acid Abeta peptides (Abeta40 and Abeta42). Estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) in postmenopausal women is associated with decreased risk for AD and/or delay in disease onset. The mechanism by which estrogen exerts this neuroprotective effect is elusive. 17beta-estradiol (E2) was shown to reduce the release of Abeta peptides by primary neuronal cultures of murine and human origin. To test whether estrogen can modulate the metabolism of Abeta peptides in vivo, four experimental sets of guinea pigs were used: intact animals, ovariectomized animals, and ovariectomized animals that received E2 at two different doses. Ovariectomy was associated with a 1.5-fold average increase in total brain Abeta levels as compared to intact controls. E2 treatment significantly reversed the ovariectomy-induced increase in brain Abeta levels. The high-dose E2 treatment did not lead to further decrease in brain Abeta beyond the one observed with the low-dose E2 treatment. Our results infer that cessation of ovarian estrogen production in postmenopausal women might facilitate Abeta deposition by increasing the local concentrations of Abeta40 and Abeta42 peptides in brain and suggest that modulation of Abeta metabolism may be one of the ways by which ERT prevents and/or delays the onset of AD in postmenopausal women.

Amyloid beta-Peptides↗

PubMed2000

Accuracy considerations in EPR dosimetry

A brief overview of some of the potential sources of inaccuracies that are common to all kinds of electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) dosimetry is given. The instrumental sources discussed are inaccuracies of receiver gain calibration, instability of the spectrometer sensitivity, and neglect of inhomogeneity of the fields in the resonators. The discussed sources of inaccuracies related to data processing are violations of basic assumptions of the used version of the least-squares technique, incorrect model selection for fitting the data, and nonoptimal design of the calibration experiment. Methods for detecting and correcting such inaccuracies are briefly discussed and references to the original literature are given.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2000

Temperature stabilization of alanine dosimeters used for food processing and sterilization

The International Atomic Energy Agency has established a dose quality audit service for radiation processing facilities. The objective of the service is to provide an independent check on the routine dosimetry system in use at the facility. The audit service is based on the use of alanine EPR dosimetry. Generally, alanine dosimeters are irradiated at the facility together with a product, and the response is then analyzed at the IAEA laboratory. Practice of the audit service has shown that the main uncertainty in alanine dosimetry is due to absence of temperature control at the irradiation facilities. Here, a method for stabilizing the temperature of the dosimeter during irradiation is proposed.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2000

Occurrence and treatment of Mycoplasma genitalium in patients visiting STD clinics in Sweden.

Two hundred and thirty-three men and 85 women visiting STD clinics in western Sweden between April 1997 and March 1998 were examined for Mycoplasma genitalium and Chlamydia trachomatis. The bacteria were identified by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. Three women (3.5%) and 18 men (7%) were positive for M. genitalium. Seventeen (14%) of the 115 men with urethritis were infected but only one of the men was without urethritis. After treatment with tetracyclines for 10 days, one woman and 8 of the 13 men still harboured M. genitalium. M. genitalium-infected men did not have more life-time partners than other men visiting STD clinics. More men positive for M. genitalium gave a history of previous urethritis but the difference was not significant.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

PubMed1998

Diurnal blood pressure variation and albuminuria in normotensive patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND: Abnormalities of the systemic blood pressure are closely associated with the development of diabetic nephropathy. Our aim was to examine the relationship between diurnal blood pressure pattern and albuminuria in insulin-dependent normotensive diabetic patients before the development of overt nephropathy. METHODS: Urinary albumin excretion rates were determined by radioimmunoassay, and 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring was performed. Means and diurnal index was calculated for systolic, diastolic and mean arterial blood pressure, for day-time, night-time, and the whole day. The results of the normoalbuminuric (n = 39) and microalbuminuric (n = 29) groups are compared, and correlation of the blood pressure parameters with albuminuria is analysed. RESULTS: Twenty-four hours and night-time mean blood pressures were significantly higher, diurnal indices characterizing the night-time blood pressure drop were smaller in the microalbuminuric group. With multiple regression analysis a significant positive correlation was found between albumin excretion rates and 24-h mean systolic blood pressure and a significant negative correlation between albumin excretion rates and the diurnal index of mean arterial pressure (r2= 0.40, P<0.0001). In the normoalbuminuric group 1 (2.6%) patient, in the microalbuminuric group 7 (24.1%/) were 'non-dippers'. CONCLUSION: We conclude that in normotensive insulin-dependent diabetic patients the night-time decrease of blood pressure is smaller if microalbuminuria is present. Higher nocturnal blood pressure load is associated with the increase of albuminuria, even before the onset of overt diabetic nephropathy or hypertension.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

[Urologic complications of gynecologic surgery and their treatment in our clinical data].

In 19 women (aged 27-66 years, mean 44.6 years) a retrospective analysis of the urological complications suffered during gynecological surgery was performed. 14 (73.6%) patients had ureteral injuries with concomitant bladder lesions in two. In the remaining 4 (21%) bladder injury only was present including a woman with a simultaneous urethral lesion. In the postoperative period 3 ureteric, 5 vesicovaginal, and one vesicouterine fistula developed. Intraoperative diagnosis followed by immediate surgical repair of the ureteric and bladder lesions was performed in 2 (10.5%) patients only. Except one case ureteral injury was unilateral, and predominantly right-sided (10:5). One patient suffered injury of one of the ureters in a complete ureteral duplication. The most frequent side of ureteral injury was at the level of the uterine artery with complete ligature of the ureter in 10 (71.4%), and partial in 4 (28.6%) patients. Percutaneous nephrostomy as a temporary diversion was performed in 8 (57.1%) patients. Definitive treatment involved simple Paquin ureteral reimplantation in 5 patients, Boari's procedure in 3, and psoas hitch technique once. Ureteral lysis only was sufficient in 3 patients. The surgical treatment including repair of vesical fistulas was in all cases successful.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

Actinomycosis of the urachus persistens penetrating into the ileum.

A 16-year-old boy is presented with the problem of free micturition, having a palpable, painless tumour spreading from the symphysis to the umbilicus. Cystoscopy revealed an impression in the vertex of the urinary bladder covered by the inflamed mucous membrane with a bulbar oedema. Fistulography showed transitional urachus persistens communicating with the terminal loops of the ileum. During surgery, a solid, fan-like fibrous connective tissue was removed, together with the vertex of the urinary bladder and peritoneum. Adhering loops of the terminal ileum were sharply separated and sutured. Histopathological examination confirmed actinomycosis of the urachus persistens penetrating into the ileum.

Actinomycosis↗

PubMed1996

[Emergency situations in hypertension].

Hypertensive emergency is an acute, perilous state connected with a marked increase of peripheral vascular resistance and the decrease of tissue perfusion. Its development depends on the rate of blood pressure elevation, on the severity of developed hypertension and the state of the vascular system. Although hypertensive emergencies can be grouped also on symptomatological and etiological basis, regarding the therapeutic measures to be taken, they appear in two well distinguishable forms. In case of hypertensive crisis treatment has to be started without delay, possibly in a few minutes, in states involving the risk of hypertensive crisis treatment has to be initiated within a few hours to avoid extensive damage of the vital organs or fatal outcome. The acute, but controlled reduction of blood pressure must not surpass 15-25% of the medium value. In hypertensive crisis, if possible, parenteral medication--as first aid--urapidil, verapamil, in states with endangering hypertensive crisis sublingual nifedipine, captopril, nitroglycerin may be applied, however in the different emergency states therapeutic intervention has to be individually determined.

Administration, Sublingual↗

PubMed1996

[Prostate cancer: palpation versus ultrasonography].

The authors compared in a group of 273 symptomatic patients the effectiveness of palpation and transabdominal USG of the prostate and in a group of 162 patients palpation and transrectal USG of the prostate in diagnosing of prostate carcinoma. Histopathological correlation was available in 203 (74.4%) patients, all of them examined by transrectal USG. From the whole group of 273 patients prostate carcinoma was confirmed in 69 (25.3%). Based on USG examination alone prostate cancer was proved by histopathological methods in three (4.3%) patients with a negative finding on palpation. A disappointment of the USG method was that it did not prove possible to diagnose before operation incidental cancer in 14 (20.3%) patients with BPH. USG made it possible to define more accurately the stage of cancer in groups T2 and T3. The effectiveness was assessed as follows: sensitivity, specificity and total accuracy during palpation was 75.4%, 88.8%, 84.2%, in transabdominal USG: 78.3%, 91.8%, 87.2% and in transrectal USG of the prostated 97.7%, 90.7% and the overall accuracy 92.6%. Despite these results for screening of patients with prostate cancer USG of the prostate can be recommended only after palpation and PSA examination.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1994

[Urologic complications in sacrococcygeal agenesis].

In 11 children with partial sacrococcygeal agenesis without concurrent patent cystic myelomeningocele clinical symptoms were analyzed as well as the character of dysfunction of the bladder and therapeutic results. The cause of urinary incontinence, which was a constant symptom, was not diagnosed correctly in six children. Due to impaired innervation, mostly of the supranuclear type, the bladder dysfunction had more frequently the character of impaired evacuation (8 children) always with obstruction of the flow at the level of the external sphincter. Areflexia of the detrusor was found in three children. In this group changes of the upper urinary pathways were found in four children (three times unilateral reflux, twice dilated ureters, twice also pyelonephritis), always in conjunction with a bladder of low compliance. The impaired storage of urine found in three children was due to hyperreflexia of the bladder. After surgery (three children), conservative treatment (8 children) and their combination progression of changes of the upper urinary pathways was arrested and the degree of incontinence improved or was completed relieved during the 18-78-month follow-up of all patients. Extirpation of the associated subcutaneous lipomyelomeningocele and release of the attached spinal cord in three children aged 5, 10 and 12 years did not lead to improvement of the nervous lesion in any of the patients.

Adolescent↗