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Biomedical subjects

J Kopec

Publications and source records attributed to J Kopec.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

In situ RT-PCR can distinguish between productive and latent cytomegalovirus infection in the blood cells of bone marrow transplant recipients.

Thirty-four peripheral blood leukocyte samples from bone marrow transplant (BMT) recipients were examined for Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) phosphoprotein 65 (pp65), DNA and late transcripts. Twenty seven samples were positive for pp65 in the cytoplasm by immunofluorescent assay (IFA). Viral DNA was confirmed in 26 samples by nested PCR (nPCR). Using in situ RT-PCR, viral late transcripts were found in 19 samples, positive also by IFA and nPCR; these samples were considered indicative of productive viral infection. Five samples, positive by nPCR but negative by IFA and in situ RT-PCR, were considered to represent latent viral infection. In 8 samples, positive by IFA and nPCR but negative by in situ RT-PCR, apparently phagocytosis of viral particles took place.

Bone Marrow Transplantation↗
PubMed2004

The impact of low family income on self-reported health outcomes in patients with rheumatoid arthritis within a publicly funded health-care environment.

OBJECTIVE: Self-rated health (SRH) is an independent, strong predictor of morbidity and mortality. Socio-economic status (SES) is strongly associated with SRH. This study investigated the relationship between SES and SRH outcomes in a sample of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in Canada. METHODS: Both generic preference-based [Health Utilities Index Mark 3 (HUI3) and Short Form 6D (SF-6D)] and non-preference-based [disease-specific (Rheumatoid Arthritis Quality of Life, RAQoL) and a functional status (Health Assessment Questionnaire, HAQ)] SRH questionnaires were administered to 313 RA patients. Both proximate (education and annual household income) and contextual (neighbourhood income, education and unemployment) measures of SES were captured. Ordinary least squares (OLS) regression was used to adjust for RA severity while assessing the relationship between SRH and SES measures. Two-stage least-squares (TSLS) regression was used to determine if there was an inter-relationship between SES and SRH measures. RESULTS: The sample was well distributed across RA severity and SES measures. Contextual and proximate measures of SES were poorly correlated. Lower levels of proximate SES measures (but not contextual) were associated with poorer SRH outcomes. The OLS regressions showed significant associations between the HUI3 and the SF-6D overall scores and the HAQ for self-reported income. The RAQoL did not differ significantly across SES. TSLS regression confirmed the finding that self-reported income was similarly associated with the SRH measures. CONCLUSIONS: Even in a country with universal access to health-care, the impact of a chronic disease such as RA on SRH is associated with self-reported income. The finding that preference-based measures vary with income independently of RA severity could bias economic evaluation.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Rasch analysis of the Western Ontario McMaster (WOMAC) Osteoarthritis Index: results from community and arthroplasty samples.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: This study is based on secondary analysis of Western Ontario McMaster Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) data from a community sample over 55 years and total hip or knee arthroplasty samples presurgery and 1-year postoperative. METHODS: The WOMAC data were evaluated by Rasch analysis. Data were considered to fit the Rasch mathematical model for the pain and physical dimensions of the WOMAC if unidimensionality was confirmed by principle component analysis of the subscale and the residuals from the Rasch analysis, infit and outfit statistics were in the range of 0.80 to 1.20; if there was no differential item functioning based on gender or hip vs. knee subjects; and, if there was stability of the item logits across the three data samples. RESULTS: A three-item pain dimension (excluding night pain and pain on standing) and a 14-item physical dimension (excluding heavy domestic duties, getting in and out of the bath and getting on and off the toilet) fit the Rasch model based on these criteria. CONCLUSION: In evaluating existing health status questionnaires using Rasch methodology, it is important to evaluate relevant patient samples and longitudinal data when the measure is intended to evaluate change in status. By these criteria, a modified WOMAC questionnaire fits the Rasch model and has interval-level scaling properties.

Aged↗
PubMed2002

"Functional-QEMG" a new reliable method in daily routine investigation.

In classical quantitative analysis motor unit action potentials (MUAPs) parameters are useful in establishing diagnosis, but not in monitoring the functional status as expressed by clinical sings. This drawback is overcome by our new method called "Functional-QEMG", where the analysis is based on structural and functional changes of all acting motor units (MUs). The automatic classification of normal versus myogenic or neurogenic disorder together with the assessment of their severity is performed by special computer-assisted diagnostic procedures. The classification is based on individual MUAPs size (structure) and their functional properties determined in unique "Mapping-MUAP" program. This classification is further confirmed by the adequate to a given pathology the structural reorganisation of all acting MUs. In consequence theirs functional properties are changing as the compensatory mechanisms to generate the optimal force in structurally changed acting MUs. Thus, the effectiveness of compensatory process is used for quantitative assessment of severity of the disease from simultaneously recorded maximal effort pattern. Our experience during last ten years shown that such dynamical analysis is very useful in correlation with the clinical picture of examined patient to make the final conclusion of EMG investigation.

Action Potentials↗
PubMed1989

Role of aggressive intracranial pressure control in management of pediatric craniocerebral gunshot wounds with unfavorable features.

During a 6-year period, 14 consecutive children with penetrating craniocerebral gunshot wounds (GSW) were studied. Eleven patients were comatose on admission. Five had an admission Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score of 4 or less and developed clinical signs of brain death within 12 hours despite maximum therapeutic efforts. The remaining six patients, all of whom had three or more of the previously described unfavorable prognostic features, were aggressively managed with prophylaxis and treatment of intracranial hypertension. Intracranial pressure (ICP) was controlled with mechanical hyperventilation, mannitol osmotherapy, pentobarbital, and surgical decompression. Substantial intracranial hypertension occurred for up to 10 days after admission. There were four survivors. Neurobehavioral and intellectual functions were evaluated over a period of 1 to 2 years. Although serious cognitive deficits were noted, all survivors had sufficient functional recovery to warrant aggressive cardiopulmonary resuscitation and measures to control ICP in the management of comatose victims of craniocerebral GSW.

Brain Injuries↗
PubMed1983

[Computer analysis of the EMG and clinical results].

The diagnostic yield obtained by automatic analysis is reliable and is immediately available because the results are obtained on line. The diagnostic yield in a range of 80-90% was based on single mean parameter criteria. The histogram shape was analyzed by discrimination analysis and gave similar results. In clinical routine examination where only the mean values are considered using criteria of 2 parameters change gives greater confidence. 1. The method we are using offers a complex record evaluation used in quantitative electromyography and could be obtained on line. 2. It is possible to examine on many muscles and necessary for reliable diagnosis without special devices for monitoring the force of the examined muscle. 3. The mean values from 5 parameters are sufficient for clinical evaluations. 4. The obtained data could also be taken in digital form for further statistical processing.

Computers↗
PubMed1978

Refractory period studies in a human neuromuscular preparation.

A subtraction technique has been employed to study refractoriness in the median nerve and thenar muscles in man. The absolutely refractory periods of the distal motor nerve branches and of the muscle fibres were found to be similar, the majority being within the 2.5--3.0 ms range; the values were distributed in a unimodal manner. The relatively refractory periods of the motor nerve terminals were about 5 ms. In some experiments it was possible to record non-propagated potentials at the endplate zones of the muscle fibres.

Adult↗
PubMed1978

Effects of age, temperature, and disease on the refractoriness of human nerve and muscle.

Absolutely and relatively refractory periods have been investigated in terminal median nerve axons and in thenar muscle fibres in a variety of pathophysiological conditions. Marked increased in refractoriness were produced by cooling to 20 degrees C. Nerve fibre refractoriness was more pronounced in older subjects and diminished in myotonic dystrophy. In contrast, no significant changes in muscle fibre excitability could be demonstrated in either condition or in patients with renal failure or motor neuropathies.

Adult↗