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Biomedical subjects

A Kukwa

Publications and source records attributed to A Kukwa.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Taste responses in patients with Parkinson's disease.

OBJECTIVE: Preclinical studies indicate that dopaminergic transmission in the basal ganglia may be involved in processing of both pleasant and unpleasant stimuli. Given this, the aim of the present study was to assess taste responses to sweet, bitter, sour, and salty substances in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). METHODS: Rated intensity and pleasantness of filter paper discs soaked in sucrose (10-60%), quinine (0.025-0.5%), citric acid (0.25-4.0%), or sodium chloride (1.25-20%) solutions was evaluated in 30 patients with PD and in 33 healthy controls. Paper discs soaked in deionised water served as control stimuli. In addition, reactivity to 100 ml samples of chocolate and vanilla milk was assessed in both groups. Taste detection thresholds were assessed by means of electrogustometry. Sociodemographic and neuropsychiatric data, including cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, tea and coffee drinking, depressive symptoms, and cognitive functioning were collected. RESULTS: In general, perceived intensity, pleasantness, and identification of the sucrose, quinine, citric acid, or sodium chloride samples did not differ between the PD patients and controls. Intensity ratings of the filter papers soaked in 0.025% quinine were significantly higher in the PD patients compared with the control group. No inter-group differences were found in taste responses to chocolate and vanilla milk. Electrogustometric thresholds were significantly (p = 0.001) more sensitive in the PD patients. CONCLUSIONS: PD is not associated with any major alterations in responses to pleasant or unpleasant taste stimuli. Patients with PD may present enhanced taste acuity in terms of electrogustometric threshold.

Aged↗
PubMed2002

[A case of partial hearing recovery after ablation of cerebello-pontine angle neurinoma].

A case of a 44 year-old woman farmer with a total deafness and lack of vestibular function on the left side operated upon the cerebello-pontine cystic neuroma 2.5 x 2.0 x 1.5 cm large via the retromastoidal craniectomy is presented. Despite of the negative audiological tests' results the cochlear nerve flatten on the tumor was cautiously separated. Some time after surgery, she observed "a partial recovery of hearing" in the operated ear confirmed by the tonal (mean 0.5-2 kHz 36 dBHL) vocal SRT 70 dB), BERA and EOAEs tests. The paralysis of the left vestibular function did not recover. In consecutive audiogram a notch at 6 kHz 15 dB deep appeared in the operated ear and one can presume an increased vulnerability of this ear to the noise of the agricultural machines used by then by the patient.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Bitter and sweet components of ethanol taste in humans.

This study examined taste descriptions elicited by ethanol and by other tastants in humans. All subjects described 10% ethanol as bitter and approximately 30% of the subjects described it as sweet and/or sour. Highly significant correlations were found between sweetness of some sucrose solutions (0.6-1%) and intensity of the taste of ethanol. In another experiment, quinine (bitter) solutions were rated as similar to 10% ethanol taste and this effect was potentiated by the addition of sucrose. In contrast, citric acid (sour) tended to decrease similarity ratings when added to the quinine solutions. Taken together, these findings suggest that: (1) in humans ethanol tastes both bitter and sweet; and (2) the relationship between sucrose and ethanol intakes previously found in animals and humans may result, at least partially, from similar taste responses elicited by sucrose and ethanol.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

[Ototoxic mechanism of aminoglycoside antibiotics--role of glutaminergic NMDA receptors].

Recent studies have indicated that glutamatergic NMDA receptors in the cochlea may be involved in ototoxic effects of aminoglycosides in animal subjects. Aminoglycoside antibiotics enhance the function of NMDA receptors by interaction with a polyamine modulatory site. Accordingly, high doses of aminoglycosides may increase calcium entry through the NMDA receptor-associated channel and promote degeneration of hair cells and cochlear nerve fibers. In line with the above, a polyamine site antagonist, ifenprodil as well as a high-affinity channel blocker, dizocilpine (MK-801) attenuates ototoxic effects of aminoglycosides in rats. Notably, ifenprodil as well as low-affinity channel blockers (e.g. memantine and amantadine) may be safely used in humans. Taken together, the above findings seem to open new avenues of research on selective pharmacotherapy of aminoglycosides-induced ototoxicity in humans.

Aminoglycosides↗
PubMed1999

Infratentorial approach to internal acoustic meatus.

Surgical exposure of internal acoustic meatus via typical suboccipital retrosigmoid craniotomy is limited by inner ear structures that should remain intact if hearing preservation is attempted. Feasibility of supracerebellar-infratentorial approach to the meatus with more medial angle of exposure and with preservation of inner ear structures was studied on fresh cadavers and on computed tomography pictures of temporal bones. Anatomical relationships of internal acoustic meatus and adjacent structures show marked individual variability. When typical retrosigmoid craniotomy is used to expose meatal fundus, significant medial retraction of cerebellar hemisphere is required in 47% of the patients to avoid opening endolymphatic spaces. Internal acoustic foramen and meatus can be exposed via craniotomy situated under transverse sinus, with 10-15 mm downward retraction of cerebellum. Medial extent of craniotomy can be planned on preoperative imaging studies. Infratentorial supracerebellar exposure of internal acoustic meatus allows for more medial angle of surgical approach than standard retrosigmold craniotomy. It can be used when preoperative imaging studies show that anatomical relationships between internal acoustic meatus and inner ear structures would require excessive cerebellar retraction to visualize a whole tumor inside meatus.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1997

[Results of surgical treatment of impaired nasal patency evaluated by rhinomanometry and self-assessment by patients].

20 patients suffering from nasal potency disturbances were carefully clinically (including self-assessment) and rhinomanometrically evaluated before and after surgical treatment. Surgery brought sufficient improvement in nasal potency and long term relief in clinical symptoms in most of the patients. Cases with only temporal release were strictly analysed. We would like to emphasize the importance to employ both surgery and accompanying conservative treatment to cure these patients with significant functional contribution.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

[Branchial carcinoma in material from a neck cyst].

The neck cysts are the most common congenital malformation in the head and neck area. In these cases the diagnosis is established on clinical examination, the results of USG and the aspiration biopsy. The problem of malignancy was very rare, but nowadays there is much more in literature about these. The criteria of cancer diagnosis in the neck cysts metaplasia of ephitelium are mentioned. In the ENT Department in Warsaw between September 1989 until December 1994 were treated 29 patients with the neck cyst. Four of them had diagnosed as cancer in histopathological examination. Improvement of some non-invasive technique let us to use them more extensive, especially USG. The examination can be repeated many times, especially in cases when the primary neck tumor was treated using conservative methods.

Aged↗
PubMed1995

[Diagnosis and treatment of parotid tumors].

This study is a review of 69 patients with tumours in the parotid glands who underwent diagnosis and surgery, at the ORL Clinic in Warsaw during the years 1990-1994. 20% of all tumours were malignant; the dominant type in this group was mucoepidermale carcinoma. Pleomorphic adenomas were the most common benign tumours. The role of thin needle aspiration biopsy in diagnosis of parotid tumours was performed. In 85%, of cases the results were confirmed by histopathology. Methods and results of treatment are presented.

Adenoma↗
PubMed1995

[Monitoring of a patient with nasal papilloma].

Papilloma of the nose requires radical, surgical procedure, because may occur of the recurrences and metaplasia. The lateral rhinotomy is the most recommended technique as good total and radical for excision of the tumor. We present 25 cases of papilloma treated in the Otolaryngological Department in Warsaw. The new methods of the pre-, intra- and post-operative evaluation using endoscopy, especially microscope endoscopy has been used. Endoscopy is also very valid methods for post-operative monitoring follow-up.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

[Functional reconstruction after partial laryngectomy for laryngeal cancer].

Partial laryngectomy of larynx cancer are limited by difficulties in reconstruction at the same time the anatomical way of the upper respiratory tract with secure maintenances defence and phonation functions. Authors present their own way of reconstructive surgery which can allow to make good condition for the comfortable life.

Glottis↗
PubMed1995

[Complications after partial surgery for laryngeal cancer].

We present 45 patients with laryngeal carcinoma after partial various type laryngectomy results in 1989-1995. Frequency occurrence complication was dependent on localisation and expations. The most often complications after operation are; dyspnea which needs tracheotomy done and nor radicality in histopathological example which press the surgeon to make total laryngectomy. Authors present the types of conservative and surgical treatment of anatomical and functional reconstruction of larynx.

Dyspnea↗
PubMed1995

[Multifocus or recurrent carcinoma adenoides cysticum].

Authors present the case of carcinoma adenoides cysticum, which was located in small salivary glands of palatum. After surgical treatment and radiotherapy during 3 years observation of the patient two new ca adenoides cysticum focus were noticed. It can give evidence of cancer multifocus of cancer recurrents.

Carcinoma, Adenoid Cystic↗
PubMed1994

Reanimation of the face after facial nerve palsy resulting from resection of a cerebellopontine angle tumour.

Twenty-three patients with facial nerve paralysis following surgery for a cerebellopontine angle tumour had a facial-hypoglossal anastomosis and simultaneous anastomosis of the cervical ansa with the distal stump of the hypoglossal nerve. In 18 patients, simultaneously with the neural anastomoses, additional transpositions of the temporalis and masseter muscles were performed. At follow-up examination 3-87 months after reconstructive surgery, eight patients had House grade II, ten grade III and five grade IV outcome. The EMG evidence of reinnervation was observed 5-11 months after anastomosis. Combination of the facial-hypoglossal anastomosis with simultaneous myoplasty and with anastomosis of the distal hypoglossal nerve stump to the ansa cervicalis provides the advantage of immediate protection against ophthalmic complications, prevents hemiatrophy of the tongue and gives good functional results when reinnervation of the facial muscles takes place.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Horseradish peroxidase localization of the mylohyoid motoneurones in the rabbit.

Experiments were performed with anaesthetized (urethan and chloralose) spontaneously breathing rabbits. Horseradish peroxidase (HRP) was injected (1 mg) with a Hamilton syringe into the end of the sectioned mylohyoid nerve. The HRP-labelled neurones could be localized in the motor nucleus of the trigeminal nerve (N.V.mt.). It was found that the labelled neurones are present in the caudal and intermediate part of the nucleus. However, their largest agglomerations were noted in the caudal part, where they occupied the entire frontal section of the nucleus. It is assumed that the N.V.mt. directing their axons to the muscles of the upper respiratory airways, simultaneously send collaterals to the central respiratory neurones participating in the regulation of the respiratory rhythm. According to this hypothesis the neurones of the N.V.mt. may ensure synchronisation between the upper and lower respiratory system.

Animals↗