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Biomedical subjects

Zygmunt Chodorowski

Publications and source records attributed to Zygmunt Chodorowski.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2005

Do pancreatic endocrine stem cells exist?

After the transplantation of hearts from female donors into male recipients, cells migrating from the host to the transplanted heart demonstrate the presence of the Y chromosome (up to 18 percent of all cardiomyocytes). Most probably, this kind of migration occurs in all transplantations. However, postnatal origins of pancreatic beta-cells remain still controversial. The extensive experiments on mice question the existence of adult pancreatic endocrine stem cells. In our opinion one of the methods to elucidate this still open problem is carrying out the similar investigation in sex-mismatched transplanted pancreas. The finding of the chromosome Y in Langerhans islets taken from a male recipient's pancreas which has been transplanted from a female donor can confirm the existence of pancreatic endocrine stem cells.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

AMP-deaminase from normal and cirrhotic human liver: a comparative study.

AMP-deaminase (EC 3.5.4.6) is an enzyme of nucleotide breakdown involved in regulation of adenine nucleotide pool in mammalian cells. Reaction catalysed by AMP-deaminase constitutes a rate-limiting step in adenine nucleotide catabolism in liver. In this study kinetic and regulatory properties of AMP-deaminase purified from normal and cirrhotic human liver were investigated. In comparison to AMP-deaminase extracted from the normal human liver, AMP-deaminase extracted from the cirrhotic liver was less sensitive towards substrate analogues, and only a very limited response towards pH and adenylate energy charge changes tested for enzyme isolated from this tissue source had been observed. At physiological pH 7.0, in the absence and in the presence of important allosteric effectors (ATP, ADP, GTP and orthophosphate), AMP-deaminases from the two sources studied manifested different regulatory profiles, with half-saturation constant (S0.5) values being distinctly higher for the enzyme extracted from the pathological organ. In contrast to AMP-deaminase isolated from the normal, healthy liver, where presence of relatively large (68 kDa) protein fragment was also detected, only smaller protein fragments were identified, while SDS-PAG electrophoresis of AMP-deaminase isolated from the cirrhotic liver was performed. The obtained results indicate clearly that advanced proteolytic processes occurring in the cirrhotic liver may affect structural integrity of AMP-deaminase studied, making enzyme less active and less sensitive to regulatory action of important allosteric effectors.

AMP Deaminase↗
PubMed2004

Accidental dermal and inhalation exposure with fipronil--a case report.

BACKGROUND: Fipronil which has initiated the new generation of insecticides and possesses greater affinity at GABA receptors in insects than humans is supposed to be safer than the old generation of insecticides. Dermal and inhalation exposure to fipronil has not been reported in the literature. CASE REPORT: A 50-year-old male was admitted to the Clinic after 5h of spraying his field with the solution of fipronil. The patient was fully conscious with the BP and HR within normal range. There were no seizures, other neurological deficits, signs of conjunctivitis or skin irritation. Physical examinations and biochemical results were normal. The patient complained of a headache, nausea, vertigo and weakness. All symptoms resolved spontaneously after about 5h. During hospitalization and the follow up after three weeks he was asymptomatic. CONCLUSIONS: Further investigations should be carried on to evaluate the risk of fipronil in humans. The benzodiazepines are drugs of choice during seizures, B1 agonists and steroids may be useful during severe inhalation exposure.

Accidents, Occupational↗
PubMed2004

[Alcohol dependent patients in family doctor's practice in Gdańsk].

Polish family doctors have been given legal rights to diagnose and treat patients with alcohol dependency. Unfortunately, majority of general practitioners do not have proper knowledge and motivation required for this kind of treatment. The aim of the study was to evaluate the preparedness of family doctors in Gdańsk to diagnose and treat patients with alcohol dependency. Fifty family doctors from Gdańsk were included in the study. Forty five agreed to answer the anonymous questionnaire. Forty two out of 45 family doctors did not know the basic notions connected with diagnosis and therapy of alcohol dependency. The screening tests, helpful in the diagnosis of alcohol dependency, were not used by general practitioners--42 of them (almost 94%) did not treat alcohol abusers pharmacologically, and 18 (aprox. 40%) did not have time for such patients. It seems that there is an urgent need to provide further education for general practitioners and make better use of the existing structures engaged in the diagnosis and therapy of alcohol abusers.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

[Clinical aspects of acute intoxication with ethanol].

UNLABELLED: Acute ethanol intoxication and pathologies resulting from its chronic usage are among the most common causes of hospitalization in many countries, affecting all age groups, both genders and almost all social groups. The aim of the study was to evaluate chosen clinical aspects of acute intoxication with ethanol among patients admitted to the Department of Toxicology from 2002 to 2003. Data of 180 patients with acute ethanol poisoning were analyzed. There were 29 women aged from 15 to 65 (mean 33.9 +/- 15.7) years and 151 men aged from 13 to 75 (mean 39.3 +/- 14.8) years in the group. The alcohol addiction was the most common among men (68.9%), and the people over 30 years old (53.9%). In the adolescents (up to 18 yrs. old) the serum ethanol level was significantly lower but the coma grade was higher then in the adult group. There were 20 patients in deep coma (IV grade according to Matthew scale), 6 of whom (3.3% of the intoxicated persons) had acute respiratory failure with the necessity of invasive mechanical ventilation. There were 95 (52.8%) patients with transient elevation of creatine kinase activity from 191 to 14,616 (mean 1056.4 +/- 2604.3) U/L, and 18 (10%) patients with transient serum creatinine concentration elevation (max. 1.8 mg/dl). CONCLUSIONS: The percentage of the addicted to ethanol were significantly higher among men (male to female 1:8.7), and patients over 30 years old. Despite the significantly lower serum alcohol level in adolescents the grade of coma was higher than in the adult group. There were 6 patients in deep coma and acute respiratory failure who required invasive mechanical ventilation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

[Psychoactive drug dependent patients in family doctor's practice in Gdańsk].

Recently the number of drug addicts has increased considerably in the whole world as well as in Poland. Since this phenomenon's growing tendency, health service management would like general practitioners to take more active part in dealing with drug addicts. The aim of the study was to evaluate the preparedness of family doctors in Gdańsk to diagnose and treat drug addicts. Fifty family doctors from Gdańsk were included in the study. Forty five agreed to answer the anonymous questionnaire. Twenty one family doctors (46.7%) considered their knowledge about diagnosis and therapy of drug addicts as insufficient. There were only 8 family doctors (17.8%) routinely asked patients about drug abuse. The quick intervention was not used by any of general practitioners. It seems that there is an urgent need to provide further education for general practitioners concerning drug abusers.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

[Tricholoma equestre--animal toxicity study].

UNLABELLED: Animal toxicity study of Tricholoma equestre mushrooms stored for 12 months at (-)20 degrees C was performed using 30 male BALB/c mice. Three groups of 5 mice each were given suspension of T. equestre powder in water, boiled aqueous extract and chloroform-methanol extract dissolved in Miglyol 812 by gavage for three consecutive days. Mice in control groups were given water, Miglyol 812 and p-phenylenediamine (CAS 106-50-3). Creatine kinase activity was determined in serum collected 72 hours after the final dose. Mean activity of serum creatine kinase in mice treated with T. equestre powder, aqueous extract, chloroform-methanol extract and Miglyol 812 were 157 +/- 93, 129 +/- 30, 96 +/- 38, 111 +/- 66 U/L respectively and did not differ significantly from mean activity in mice which were given water (107 +/- 38 U/L). Mean serum creatine kinase activity in p-phenylenediamine group (265 +/- 63 U/L) was significantly higher than in group treated with water (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: Extracts of Tricholoma equestre mushrooms stored for 12 months at (-)20 degrees C did not cause rhabdomyolysis in male BALB/c mice.

Agaricales↗
PubMed2004

[Monitoring of tracheal tube cuff pressure in patients treated in intensive therapy unit and intensive care units].

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: Proper tracheal tube cuff pressure (CP) can diminish the risk of side effects. Excessive tracheal tube cuff pressure can cause ischaemic changes in the tracheal mucosa, decubitation, granuloma, rupture of a trachea, tracheo-oesophageal fistulae or tracheal stenosis. Too low CP is also undesirable, because it can increase the leakage of colonized subglottic secretions around the tracheal tube cuff, which is the risk factor of ventilatory associated pneumonia. Accidental extubation may also occur. The aim of the study was to find out if there are any differences in maintenance of the proper CP between the staff of intensive therapy unit (ITU) under the supervision of anaesthesiologists and staff of intensive care units (ICU) led by non-anaesthesiologists. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We measured the CP in 219 intubated patients. There were 107 patients hospitalized in ITU, under anaesthesiologists's surveillance, the other 112 patients in ICUs were supervised by non-anaesthesiologists. The patients were intubated with Portex Profile Soft-Seal Cuff and Mallinckrodt Hi-Lo with low-pressure and high-volume cuffs. The manometer PORTEX with the recommended range of CP 16-26 cm H2O (1.56-2.54 kPa). The teams were unaware that the audit was taking place. If the CP was out of range, it was corrected to the proper values. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The data analysis did not reveal any differences between values of CP in both groups of subjects. Over-inflation was more frequent than under-inflation in both groups of patients. Regular measurement of tracheal cuff pressure was not a routine procedure in the controlled units.

Anesthesiology↗
PubMed2004

[Preparedness of Pomeranian Region hospitals for a possible attack with chemical weapons].

UNLABELLED: The aim of this study was to find out whether the medical staff in the emergency units in all Pomeranian Region hospitals were prepared for possible chemical weapon attack. Key medical personnel, senior doctors and nurses, in 24 hospitals were interviewed by the authors. None of the medical staff have received training in self-protection and management of mass casualties after accidental or terroristic chemical release. There were only four hospitals which had adequate space and special chambers for decontamination. None of the emergency units had special equipment needed for self-protection. The majority of the staff did not know their tasks and individual roles in the case of chemical contamination. None of the personnel had information about antidotes and place of their storage. Only 16.7% of the staff knew the source of quick information about specific treatment of casualties. CONCLUSIONS: The emergency departments in Pomeranian Region hospitals are not prepared for a possible terroristic chemical attack. There is an urgent need for training the medical staff in self-protection and management of mass casualties after accidental or terroristic chemical release. It is important to make bank of antidotes which could be placed in the regional poison control centres. All these procedures could be carried out without too much expenditure.

Chemical Warfare↗
PubMed2004

[Acute intoxication with baclofen].

UNLABELLED: Many authors have noticed an increase in suicidal intoxication with baclofen, a lipophilic analog of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Although morbidity and mortality is low in baclofen overdosage however may cause serious respiratory failure as also cardiac and neurological system disturbances. The aim of the study was to evaluate some clinical aspects of acute intoxication with baclofen. We analyzed 18 patients (8 females and 10 males) aged from 15 to 58 (mean 33+/-15.4) years. Patients were admitted to the Department of Toxicology in the years 1996-2003 because of suicidal intoxication with baclofen. Number of patients intoxicated with baclofen during the last four years of analysis was two times more than in the first four years. The doses of baclofen were from 150 to 1500 (mean 388) mg. There were twelve patients (66%) admitted to the Clinic in deep coma (III and IV grade of Matthew scale) with the hyporeflexia and low muscle tone. Acute respiratory failure which required mechanical ventilation (6 to 96--mean 53.2 hours) was observed in 10 cases (55.5%). Cardiac abnormalities included bradycardia (44.4%), hypertension (33.0%) and hypotension (5.5%). Toxic psychoses were observed in 6 cases (33.3%). Flumazenil administration had no impact on clinical advancement of coma. An increase in creatine kinase activity was observed in 12 patients (66.6%). CONCLUSIONS: There was no correlation between the dosage of baclofen and the clinical outcome. Baclofen poisoned patients should be admitted to hospitals with adequate medical equipment, especially respirators.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2004

[Air embolus as a complication of a haemoperfusion catheter removal after iatrogenic intoxication with doxorubicin--a case report].

UNLABELLED: The case of a 67-year-old patient, treated for melanoma, who was given a toxic dose of doxorubicin (600 mg/m2), was described. The haemoperfusion was performed a short time after intoxication. No toxic effects were seen during the observation for three weeks. The catheter was removed from the sitting patient by an oncologist. The patient abruptly lost consciousness, there were also cyanosis, loss of muscle tone and apnea. The reanimation was unsuccessful. The air embolism was probably the cause of death. The diagnosis was confirmed by the sudden attack, wide duct after the removal of catheter, sitting position of the patient and the presence of foramen ovale found during autopsy. CONCLUSIONS: Cannulation as well as decannulation of the central vessels should be performed by experienced doctors. Decannulation should always be done in the Trendelenburg position.

Aged↗
PubMed2004

[Fatal suicidal intoxication with cetirizine in patient with anorexia--a case report].

According to the best of our knowledge this is the first case of acute fatal intoxication with cetirizine published in medical literature. We have described the case of a 18-year-old female with the history of anorexia for 2 years, who was admitted to Clinic of Toxicology because of suicidal attempt with use of cetirizine. The laboratory results revealed metabolic acidosis with the pH 7.13; pO2 88 mm Hg; pCO2 36 mm Hg; HCO3 12.0 mmol/L; BE (-)17 mmol/L; SO2 100% and hypokalemia (K+ 3.1 mmol/L). On physical examination blood pressure was 70/40 mm Hg, heart rate was 36-40 beats/min. Convulsions were observed. After about two hours of intensive treatment there was a cardiac arrest in the form of ventricular fibrillation. The resuscitation procedures which lasted for over 2.5 hours were ineffective. The high dose (270 mg) of cetirizine as well as anorexia and hypokalemia could have been the cause of the unique character of the symptoms in this case. Further investigations should be carried out to confirm the safety of cetirizine in the conditions of massive intoxication and with coexistence of other risk factors.

Acidosis↗
PubMed2004

[Acute intoxication with fenspiride].

UNLABELLED: According to the best of our knowledge this is the first publication in medical literature about the acute intoxication with fenspiride. The two cases of a young female patients, intoxicated with Eurespal, were described. The orthostatic hypotonia with the blood pressure about 105-115/70 mm Hg in the horizontal position and 70-80/40 mm Hg in the sitting position was dominating. The heart rate was 100-110/min. when lying and 130-140/min. when sitting. The main symptoms were probably caused by inhibition of alpha1 adrenergic receptors. CONCLUSION: Main clinical manifestations make us reconsider the opinion about safety of fenspiride especially after acute intoxication.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2004

[Acute oral suicidal intoxication with captan--a case report].

According to the best of our knowledge the second case of acute intoxication with captan was described. In this paper a 22-year old female was admitted to the Department of Toxicology with a nausea, weakness, numbness of upper limbs and substernal pain. She said that these symptoms began two hours after suicidal ingestion of 5.0 g of captan. At admission the patient was alert. Temperature was 37 degrees C, heart rate 100-120 b/min., BP 100-120/60-70 mm Hg and breathing rate 17/min. WBC were slightly elevated 12.4 x 10(3)/microl as well as the creatine kinase activity 329 U/L. ECG showed inversion of a T segment in V1-V4 leads. ECHO-sound made in 4th and 120th day after the onset of intoxication showed no changes, with EF--70%. Temporary increase of creatine kinase activity as well as the presence of inverted T segment in V1-V4 leads may suggest cardiotoxic effects of captan during acute intoxication.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

[Lipoproteins HDL and coronary artery disease: a molecular mechanism of fibrate].

The importance of dyslipidemia in the development of cardiovascular disease is now recognized as a central factor of equal, if not greater significance than any other risk factor. Although correction of high level of low-density lipoproteins (LDL) has been regarded now as the main goal of therapy, it has now been reaffirmed that the contribution of low level of high-density lipoproteins (HDL) to the risk of ischaemic heart disease should also be considered. In the therapy of dislipidemias with hipertriglyceridemia and decreased level of HDL lipoprotein fibrates play an especially important role. In the article the molecular mechanism of fibrates action is presented.

Bezafibrate↗
PubMed2003

[Suicidal poisoning with antihypertensive drugs].

In the period from 1990 to 2002, 201 patients with suicidal antihypertensive drugs poisoning were treated, including 138 women and 63 men from 15 to 84 (mean 36) years old. The main causes of suicides were various kinds of depression (63%) as well as psychopathy and/or sociopathy (16%) and schizophrenia (10%). Twenty eight patients attempted repeatedly to commit suicide. Thirty six persons were poisoned by only antihypertensive drugs, in 165 remaining cases intoxications were mixed including antihypertensive and other different medications. beta-blockers (38.3%), calcium channel blockers (34.8%), angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (24.3%) and diuretics (2.5%) were used in suicidal attempts. There were no suicidal poisonings with angiotensin II AT1 receptor antagonists, alpha 1-blockers and imidazole receptor agonists. In the examined group three patients died of cardiogenic shock, electromechanical dissociation and secondary acute respiratory failure resistant to therapy. The drugs used in these cases were propranolol, amlodipine, theophylline, captopril, doxepine, propafenone, furosemide, methimazole and alcohol. Mortality rate in antihypertensive drug poisonings was 1.5%.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

[Longevity of physicians and medical scientists born from 1880 to 1904].

Analysis of biographies of 319 physicians (302 men and 17 women) born from 1880 to 1904, who died from natural causes, was carried out on the basis of annals of medical universities in Poland. Due to small number of women they were excluded from further analysis. There were no statistically significant differences in duration of life between medical scientists- professors, Ph.D. (n = 212, mean = 73.9 +/- 10 yrs) and physicians with the doctor's degree or without any scientific degrees (n = 90, mean = 72.6 +/- 11.4) and among medical scientists working in different fields--basic research (n = 42, mean = 75.1 +/- 9.7), non-invasive disciplines (n = 64, mean = 72.0 +/- 9.9), surgical disciplines (n = 89, mean = 74.4 +/- 11.0), disciplines with limited contact with patients (n = 17, mean = 75.8 +/- 9.0). Average life expectancy at the age of sixty in the whole examined group (16.1 +/- 8.6 yrs) was not statistically different from the general population of men born in the same period (15.1 yrs).

Female↗