Annales Universitatis Mariae Curie-Sklodowska. Sectio D: Medicina最新文献

The present study was aimed at determining all indispensable conditions required to detect heme oxygenase (HO) with western blot technique. Our modified immunoblotting method allowed the detection of HO after 2 hours of electro-transferring onto nitrocellulose membranes that evidently shortened the time of research study without any loss of sensitivity and specificity to detect HO in various tissues and organs of experimental animals. HO was detected in the brain, heart, kidney, liver, lung, spleen, testis, and thymus of the examined mouse and rat, in a quantity for providing evidence that this modified immunoblotting technique is sensitive enough to elicit the existence of this enzyme in various animals' tissues and organs. In conclusion, our modified western blot method permits the fast detection of HO that may be useful in further more advanced quantitative studies.

The most frequent first symptoms of multiple sclerosis are the following: sensory symptoms, optic neuritis, motor and cerebellar syndromes. Three female patients have been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis on the basis of Poser's criteria. The onset of the disease was manifested in these cases with non-typical and rare symptoms. Patient 1, a woman, aged 24. The first symptom of the disease was an isolated lesion of nerve VI on the right side. Patient 2, a women, aged 30. The first symptom of the disease was acute pain localised within the area of the lumbar-sacral spine. Patient 3, a woman, aged 43. The first symptom of the disease was loss of taste and smell.

The health of an individual and of the community depends on many interrelated factors, including health behaviours which are one of the most important of these factors. The aim of the paper was to analyze the selected pro-health behaviours of 14-year old students. The research was carried out by means of a self-made questionnaire. The survey was conducted in the city of Lublin among 250 students of Lublin schools selected at random. The results of the survey were the basis for the following conclusions: self-evaluation of health and physical activity is perceived as good or very good; analysis of pro-health behaviours revealed insufficient knowledge among the majority of students; proper pro-health education and health promotion plays an essential role in changing such negative behaviours.

The investigation was carried out on 15 Wistar rats--males weighing about 200 mg each. The animals were divided into three groups: one control group and two experimental groups, with five animals in each. In experimental group I the animals received emulsion of Atorvastatin in distilled water at the therapeutical dose of 80 mg/kg of body mass, by stomach tube for 6 weeks. In experimental group II the animals received atorvastatin at the maximal dose of 800 mg/kg of body mass. Skeletal muscles of experimental animals (rats) after 6 weeks' administration of atorvastatin in therapeutical and maximal dosages did not show any essential differences in comparison with the control group, when examined under light microscope. Degenerative changes were observed after Atorvastatin administration, when examined under electron microscope. These changes were dependent upon dosage and were directly proportional to dosage rate. Six-week administration of Atorvastatin in the therapeutical dose (80 mg/kg b. m.) produced invagination of the nuclear envelope into the cell nucleus, and within the cytoplasm, numerous vacuoles, some of which included the myelin structures, were evident. Atorvastatin administration in maximal dosage (800 mg/kg) under electron microscope examination, showed the following differences: the appearance of numerous vacuoles in the perinuclear spaces, and between myofibrils; dilation of mitochondria; disintegration of sacomers; fibrinosis within the intercellular spaces.

Lichen planus (LP) is a chronic dermatosis whose clinical features include mildly erythematous to violaceous flat-topped, polygonal papules. The etiology of lichen planus is unknown, but it has been postulated that immune mechanism is important. Although it is of importance to monitor the course of immune-mediated diseases, there is a limited number of reliable biomarkers which can be used for lichen planus. Neopterin (NP), a 2-amino-4-hydroxy-(1'2'3'-trihydroxypropyl)-pteridine, is secreted by monocytes and macrophages, mainly as a response to INF-gamma secretion by activated T-lymphocytes. Therefore NP may be a sensitive marker of T-cell mediated immunity. The aim of the presented study was to assess the serum levels of neopterin in patients with lichen planus and to investigate whether serum neopterin levels reflect extensive lesions and progression of this disease. We studied 66 patients with lichen planus who were classified into one of two diagnostic groups: Group I comprised 33 patients with generalized lesions; group II comprised 33 patients with circumscribed lesions. The control group consisted of 30 healthy sex- and age-matched individuals. The serum neopterin concentrations were measured with a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. The results of our study are summarized in Table 1. In our study, the serum neopterin levels in the patients with lichen planus classified to group I (9.12 +/- 4.39 ng/mL) and group II (3.80 +/- 0.68 ng/mL) as well as in the whole collection of patients (group I and group II; 6.55 +/- 2.30 ng/mL) were significantly higher than those of the control subjects (2.55 +/- 0.34 ng/mL). Our findings confirm a role for enhanced cellular immunity as well as macrophages activation observed in lichen planus. It seems to us that evaluation of serum neopterin levels, despite the relatively low specificity, reflects extensive lesions and lichen planus progression.

Fungal infections have substantially increased in incidence over the past two decades, especially among patients with cancer who have received high doses of chemotherapy. Diagnosis is based on clinical observations, radiological and laboratory methods and molecular biological techniques. Early diagnosis is important and increases overall response rates, so high-risk patients should be treated empirically, based on the clinical picture and radiologic findings alone. The aim of the study was the analysis of the early clinical picture and radiologic findings of systemic fungal infections. The subjects of this study were patients with childhood cancers and fungal systemic infections. The early symptoms of fungal infection and the radiologic findings were analyzed. The systemic fungal infections were recognized in eight children, treated due to ALL--in four patients, AML--in two and NHL--in two. In all, manifestations of fungal infection were observed during bone marrow suppression secondary to chemotherapy treatment of neoplasm. In all, X-ray examination was normal. Radiological pulmonary changes were found in CT scans in seven patients, in one MRI showed marked abnormnalities of the brain. All patients received intensive antifungal drugs, six patients had a complete or partial response and they were able to continue chemotherapy for treatment of neoplasm. The regression of pulmonary nodules was observed-in the control CT scans. Progression of fungal infection was noticed in two patients, these children died, Conclusions: The early diagnosis of fungal infection in neutropenic patients is important and increases overall response rates. The pulmonary fungal infection should be considered in the differential diagnosis of solitary or multiple pulmonary nodules, particularly in immunocompromised patients.

The aim of this paper is to evaluate whether carbamazepine (CBZ) may influence in vitro cytokine and superoxide anion (O2-) production by blood leukocytes of healthy volunteers. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were induced in vitro with phytohemagglutinin (PHA) + lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in the absence or presence of CBZ. Cytokine concentration in culture media was measured by ELISA method. The influence of CBZ on resting (not induced) and phorbol ester (PMA)-induced O2- production by neutrophils isolated from the blood of healthy volunteers was also examined. CBZ at 1 microM concentration caused a significant decrease in IL-2, IL-4 and lymphotoxin, but enhanced IL-10 and TGF-beta production. CBZ also stimulated PMA-induced O2- production. In conclusion, the in vitro study revealed that CBZ may exert immunoregulatory activity inhibiting "stimulatory" cytokines, enhancing the production of "inhibitory" ones and enhancing the "oxidative burst" of neutrophils.

The aim of the research was histological assessment of the influence of MK-801 (NMDA receptor antagonist) and dexamethasone on the liver. The experiment was carried out on adult Albino-Swiss mouse males. MK-801 was administered in the dose of 0.3 mg/kg/24 h for 8 days, dexamethasone--in the toxic dose of 120 mg/kg/24 h. Liver slices stained with hematoxylin and eosin were examined with light microscope. The performed experiments revealed that MK-801 can cause morphological changes of the liver in the shape of increased transparence of hepatocyte cytoplasm and narrowing of the liver sinusoids. MK-801 intensifies liver damage induced by toxic doses of dexamethasone leading to focal necrosis of hepatocytes.

The proximal convoluted tubules of the kidney of the white Wistar rats were examined. The animals were given Cladribine (2-CdA) sub-cutaneously at the dose: 0.07 mg/kg b.w./24 h for 7 days and 0.1 mg/kg b.w./24 h for 6 days in 3 courses, with 5 weeks' break between each. The animals were killed in each instance 24 hours after the last dose of the drug, and 4 weeks after the last dose. The kidney's samples were taken for histological and histochemical examination and were stained with hematoxylin and eosin, using the Masson's, the PAS's, and the Feulgen's method. In experimental group I, we observed few changes (in comparison to the control group): cells of the epithelium of some of the proximal convoluted tubules were however, puffy. In a few tubules we observed some unknown substance and the lumen of some of these tubules was narrowed. In experimental group II, a few proximal convoluted tubules and their lumen were wider with an unknown substance within. We also observed hydropic degeneration. The brush border of these tubules was a little lower than in control group. In experimental group III, the cells of the epithelium of proximal convoluted tubules rested on a thicker basement membrane, the lumen of most of the proximal convoluted tubules being narrow and filled with some unknown substance. In experimental group IV, the lumen of the tubules was a little wider, and the epithelial cells were smaller than in the control group, thus the lumen of the tubules was wider. In the cytoplasm of epithelial cells we observed numerous PAS(+) granules. The low brush border appeared damaged.

Magnesium is one of the four major cations in the human body and the second most abundant within the cell. Observational studies have shown the fundamental role of magnesium in treatment of different cardiovascular disorders, connected with magnesium deficiency. As co-factor of many enzymes, especially those involved in phosphate transfer, it plays a role in regulation of intracellular reactions in the organism. By influence on sodium pump and calcium pump, it regulates flowing of Na+, Ca2+, K+ ions through channels in cell membrane and therefore: decreases lack of K+ ions, protects the cell from Ca2+ ions overloading, inhibits sodium influx into the cell, equalizes pH of cell by maintaining the correct level of acidosis, increases bioelectrical potential and supplies energy for calcium pump and sodium pump. Moreover, magnesium controls the level of triglycerides (rebuilds integration of cell membrane), attends in local autonomic control of circulation, which helps to maintain the balance of peripheral movement, corrects activity of conduction and stimulogenic system of the heart. Still carried out intensive research into the influence of magnesium on the human organism function may show unknown so far aspects of this element action on the cardiovascular system.