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Biomedical subjects

H Nowak

Publications and source records attributed to H Nowak.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

[Primary liver cell carcinoma among the population of Białystok in 1975-1988 in relation to hepatitis B virus infection].

In presented study, retrospective epidemiological analysis was performed in 84 patients dead due primary hepatocellular carcinoma, selected from among 17,973 persons dead in Białystok hospitals from 1975 till 1988. In the part from among these patients was estimated prevalence of serological markers of Hepatitis B virus infection, as a potential oncogenic factor. Analysis of this carcinoma diagnosis frequency in particular years showed rising tendency: from 1975 till 1979 number of PHC diagnosis was from 0 to 5 a year, whereas in 1988 it was 13. Percentage of necropsy diagnosed PHC was similar and increased to over 1% of all necropsies in 1988. Mean age of patients dead due PHC was 65, and 71.4% were men. Serological markers of HBV infection were observed in 50% and HBsAg in 34.6% from among PHC-dead patients. These percentage values were significantly higher, than observed in control group of Białystok population, which indicate possibility of association between HBV infection and PHC development.

Adult↗

Long-term multicentric study with azelastine in patients with intrinsic asthma.

Efficacy and tolerance of azelastine (A 5610; CAS 58581-89-8), a new antiallergic compound with a unique structure, were investigated over up to one year of treatment in 225 male and female out-patients (age mean +/- s = 48 +/- 13 years) suffering from chronified intrinsic asthma. The trial was conducted by 24 German and Austrian consulting physicians of pneumology. Plasma levels indicated sufficient compliance in almost 90% of the patients. Tablets containing 4.4 mg azelastine HCl were administered b.i.d. in addition to the pre-existing antiasthmatic medication. Only other antiallergic agents were excluded. Adverse events, vital parameters and laboratory tests on safety were tightly assessed. Eighteen patients dropped out because of adverse events, 78 reported adverse experiences under therapy, normally mild and "vegetative" symptoms. No indicative findings regarding blood pressure, heart rate and laboratory tests were seen. The most frequent observations were taste disorders, asthenia and weight gain. No serious side effects at all were reported. The results on efficacy obtained from this non-controlled study may be predicative due to a baseline validation by an initial single blind placebo controlled run-in phase. Statistically significant improvements were seen for FEV1 and for the physicians' and the patients' rating on efficacy. To a lesser extent peak flow and airway resistance were improved, too. Thus, azelastine was safely tolerated over one year and might be effective in intrinsic asthma.

Adolescent↗

[Biochemical aspects of the evaluation of fixed drug combinations].

Various disciplines have to contribute to the general problem of the evaluation of fixed dose combination drugs, as for instance (clinical) pharmacology, biometry, scientific drug regulations and public health officials. The EC guideline 75/318/EWG and its eludications as well as the German "Arzneimittelprüfrichtlinien" of Dec. 14, 1989 (as referred to in the "Arzneimittelgesetz" of 1986) required that such issues concerning fixed dosage combination drugs must be considered and taken into account. In this framework it is the responsibility of biometry to both to guarantee the use of a valid study design to assure interpretation of the results and to quantify the reliability of pharmacological and clinical considerations. The following paper is concerned with biometrical aspects of the combination drug problem. Basic considerations from a clinical or a pharmacological point of view with respect to the question of whether fixed combination drugs are reasonable or not are not discussed. To support the use of combinations of drugs, a central argument is the improvement of the benefit risk relation compared with that of an adequate monotherapy. Beyond this the fixed combination drugs require additional arguments regarding the enhencement of the safety or the simplicity of the therapy fixing the ratio. It follows that fixed combination drugs have to be supported twice, first with respect to the combination itself, and second with respect to the fixed mixing ratio of its components. The biometrical aspects of the assessment of the gains from (fixed) drug combinations are related to the kind of benefit/risk improvement that is expected. In the first section we discuss some possible types of benefit and risk.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

[A grenade splinter as the cause of cholangitis and icterus].

Forty five years after being injured by a grenade splinter a now 74-year old man suddenly developed colicky pain in the right upper abdomen, accompanied by colourless stools, jaundice and fever. The white cell count was 21,000/microliters, bilirubin was raised to 10.9 mg/dl, and ultrasound examination revealed a sharply circumscribed echo in the distal choledochal duct. Retrograde endoscopic cholangiography revealed a metal-dense concrement, presumably the nidus of gallstone formation. After endoscopic emptying of the bile duct the patient quickly improved so that cholecystectomy could be performed. The long symptom-free interval was most likely due to an at first peripheral position of the splinter in liver tissue. The secretory pressure of the liver cells then probably caused a slow migration into the choledochal duct.

Aged↗

[Studies of the effect of a protein-free diet and branched-chain amino acids (preparation Aminosteril-Hepa) on selected biochemical indicators in chronic experimental hepatic encephalopathy].

The latest observations suggest that a decreased level of serum branched-chain amino acids plays a role in the pathogenesis of liver encephalopathy. In this study we analysed the behaviour of the serum concentrations of: ammonia, phenols, alpha-amino nitrogen, tyrosine, phenylalanine and tryptophan in rats with thioacetamide-induced liver encephalopathy. The first group of rats was on protein-free diet and Aminosteril-Hepa (Fresenius FRG)--an amino acids solution with predominance of branched-chain amino acids. The second group of rats received a diet with 1 g/kg b.w. of protein daily. The levels of biochemical indices were analysed 0, 3, 5 and 7 days after liver encephalopathy development. The results of our study indicate a favourable influence of infusion a branched-chain amino acids solution (Aminosteril-Hepa) on the biochemical indices, particularly phenols and alpha-amino nitrogen in experimental liver encephalopathy.

Amino Acids↗

The distribution of peroxidase in phagocytizing human blood platelets, electron microscopy findings.

On the basis of a previously elaborated method for testing the phagocytic ability of human blood platelets we have undertaken studies for testing the distribution of peroxidase in phagocytizing platelets. Our findings confirmed the distribution of peroxidase in the dense tubular system and in granules in regular blood platelets. In the course of phagocytosis we noted the presence of peroxidase less evidently in both subcellular structures during the first of 5 minutes. In the next steps we observed the localization of this enzyme mainly near the phagolysosome. The change of this localization and the role of this enzyme in unspecific immunity against bacteria and neoplasia is briefly discussed.

Blood Platelets↗

[Lung injuries caused by explosion in rabbits. 1. The experimental model of the injury].

A model for producing blasts of medium strength was developed. The injuries lead to the death of 25 to 50% of the experimental rabbits. The injuries were tested physically by direct measurements. The explosion of 225 g TNT in the air in 110 cm distance killed 35% of the rabbits. The corpus of the rabbit absorbed 67% of the energy of the blast in 0.46 ms in average. The average of the maximum positive pressure in the blast was 25.4 +/- 3.1 bar.

Animals↗

A new medical approach to the treatment of osteoarthritis. Report of an open phase IV study with ademetionine (Gumbaral).

A non-controlled clinical phase IV trial was carried out involving 20,641 patients with osteoarthritis of the knee, the hip, and the spine and also with osteoarthritic polyarthritis of the fingers, who were treated with ademetionine tablets given in a fixed dosage schedule for eight weeks. No additional analgesic/antirheumatic treatment was allowed. Nevertheless, concomitant medication for other diseases was permissible. The efficacy was described as "very good" or "good" in 71 percent of cases, as "moderate" in 21 percent, and as "poor" in 9 percent of cases. The tolerance was assessed as very good or good in 87 percent, as moderate in 8 percent, and as poor in 5 percent of cases. The trial therapy was discontinued prematurely because of symptoms of intolerance in 5 percent of the patients and because of a lack of efficacy in 2.3 percent of cases.

Adult↗

Pharmacological profile of tazasubrate, a new cholesterol-lowering agent.

The properties of tazasubrate (2-phenyl-2-[(6-ethoxy-2-benzothiazolyl)thio]propionic acid), a potent hypocholesterolemic agent, were studied in rats. Tazasubrate was found to be a reliable and highly effective hypocholesterolemic agent. There was a marked and reproducible reduction of serum cholesterol in various rat models differing in age, sex and diet, an improvement of the pathological lipoprotein pattern, slight but variable effects on serum triglycerides and phospholipids, no accumulation of intermediates of cholesterol biosynthesis, no inhibition of phospholipid metabolism (i.e. no induction of phospholipidosis), no interaction with the thyroid gland, and in contrast to fibrates, only minimal induction of peroxisomes in hepatocytes.

Animals↗

Mechanism of the plasma cholesterol lowering effect of tazasubrate in rats: accelerated plasma cholesterol transport with increased liver lipoprotein receptor activity.

Tazasubrate (30 mg/kg/day) a new lipid lowering agent, chemically unrelated to fibrates, reduces plasma cholesterol in rats within 2-3 days to 50% of controls. During the early rapid decrease of plasma cholesterol, increased liver cholesterol concentrations are observed. These return to normal, once the new steady state of plasma cholesterol (at 50% of controls) has been reached. Radiotracer studies with 3H-cholesterol labelled plasma very low density lipoproteins are consistent with an accelerated plasma cholesterol turnover. Analysis of the binding to liver membranes of 125I labelled cholesterol rich very low density lipoproteins (beta-VLDL) shows a marked increase in the total binding (Bmax rising from 106 ng/mg of protein 378 ng/mg), without significant alterations in the receptor affinity.

Animals↗

Phagocytic activity of human blood platelets examined by electron microscopy.

On the basis of a previously elaborated system for testing the phagocytic ability of the human blood platelets we have undertaken studies of testing the interaction between platelet and bacteria during phagocytosis examined by the electron microscope. We have found that during phagocytosis platelets lose their discoid shape and demonstrate numerous pseudopods. During 2 min a complete engulfment of the bacterium could be observed. 10 min after starting phagocytosis it is possible to note partially destroyed bacteria. The role of human blood platelets in the antibacterial mechanisms is briefly discussed.

Blood Platelets↗

[Rheography of the upper extremity in the diagnosis of vibration-induced vascular disorders].

The possibilities of impedance rheography in the diagnosis of the vascular form of the vibration syndrome have been presented. Three groups have been covered by the investigation: controls, subjects in occupational significant exposure to local vibration and subjects with the diagnosed vascular vibration syndrome. The rheographic investigations have been carried out synchronically from the area of hand fingers and forearms as well as under a positional test (arm elevation). Analysis of the relative pulse rate accounts for differentiating workers in the test groups. The findings confirm that the methods applied in the rheographic investigations may be a practical importance in the diagnosis of the vibration syndrome.

Adult↗

[Use of impedance rheography in the diagnosis of the vibration syndrome].

Each new method of studies yielding objective information on functioning disorders of those organs that get disturbed earliest is valuable for early diagnosis of vibration disease. The paper is an attempt of evaluating the usefulness of impedance reography in the diagnosis of the vibration syndrome. Analysis of basic reographic indices performed after examinations of fingers implies statistically significant differences between controls and those occupationally exposed to vibration transmitted to upper limbs.

Adult↗