Biomedical subjects

J Kowalczyk

Publications and source records attributed to J Kowalczyk.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

PubMed1998

[The analysis of failures in the treatment of children with non-B non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Polish pediatric leukemia/lymphoma study group report].

The aim of the study was to evaluate the results of treatment of 46 children with non B non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma registered in 7 centers of Polish Paediatric Leukaemia/Lymphoma Study Group from 1993 to 1998. The patients were treated according to BFM-90 protocol based on German regimen. The overall probability of event-free survival for the all children after 4 years of follow-up was 71%, for patients in stage III--65%, stage IV--70%. The achieved results were not as positive as in the BFM Study Group, what was related to: the great number of children with advanced stage of disease (54.3%), the late final diagnosis, the great number of recurrences (22.5%) and deaths caused by the toxicity of medication (6.5%) (infections, drug toxicity).

Adolescent↗

PubMed1998

[The efficacy of BFM-90 program in the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children in the studies of Polish pediatric leukemia/lymphoma group].

Between years 1993 and 1998, 113 children aged from 6 months to 18 years (41 girls and 72 boys) with first relapse of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) were included in the study. All children were treated according to BFM-90 relapse protocol. Thirty-two cases were classified as very early relapses, 56 as early and 25 as late relapses. Sixty-one children had isolated bone marrow relapse, in 30 children extramedullary relapse occurred (in 21 children in central nervous system and in 16 children in testes). There were 23 combined relapses. Remission was achieved in 12 children with very early relapse (78.12%), 32 children with early relapse (85.71) and 19 children with late relapse (96%). Event-free survival in 30 months of follow-up was 29.2%, 59.0% and 73.2% for very early, early and late relapses, respectively. Sixteen children with relapsed ALL after chemotherapy according to BFM-90 relapse protocol underwent high-dose therapy with hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (in 3 cases autologous and in 13 cases allogeneic). In 6 children isolated bone marrow relapse occurred after transplantation, all of them died during subsequent chemotherapy. Ten children is alive and well from 2 to 43 months after transplantation. The results obtained with BFM-90 chemotherapy in children with first early relapses are not acceptable. Such patients require high-dose chemotherapy and transplantation of hematopoietic progenitor cells.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1998

[The analysis of failures in the treatment of children with chronic myelocytic leukemia in the studies of Polish pediatric leukemia/ lymphoma group].

94 children with chronic myelocytic leukaemia--CML treated in period 1975-1998 were included in the study. Twenty seven of 60 children were treated with hydroxyurea or busulfan with 6 MP. In 33 children aged 1, 5-17 years IFN (Interferon alfa) was applied at the dose of 3 millions units every second day subcutaneously. Our data showed that IFN alfa could be applied as an alternative treatment in children with CML, who have not a donor for allogenic BMT (bone marrow transplantation).

Adolescent↗

PubMed1998

[The analysis of failures in therapy of osteosarcoma in children treated according to SFOP-94 protocol in the studies of Polish pediatric solid tumors treatment group].

Between December 1989 and April 1998 twenty eight children aged from 5 to 20 years (18 female and 10 male) suffering from osteosarcoma were treated according to the OS-SFOP-94 protocol. Twenty four patients presented with localized tumor of extremities and four with pulmonary metastases. The majority of primary tumors exceeded 150 ml of volume. The primary preoperative chemotherapy consisted of adriamycin (70 mg/m2 every four weeks) and high-dose methotrexate (12 g/m2 every week). In 20 patients limb-salvage surgery was applied, in three children--amputation and in one child tibia resection with genu arthrodesis was applied. Five of 28 patients died, one because of treatment related infection, 2 non-responders with metastatic osteosarcoma due to progressive disease, and one because of local relapse with pulmonary metastasis non-responding to therapy, one because of treatment refusal. Twenty one from 25 children are alive from 5 to 51 months. Event frae survival of children with localized disease calculated according to Kaplan-Meier analysis was 64.17% in the 51st month. The main cause of failure in the treatment of osteosarcoma in children is primary and secondary progression of disease. The toleration and results of treatment for osteosarcoma in children according to the OS-SFOP-94 is satisfactory.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1998

[How to improve the results of treatment of myelodysplastic syndromes in the studies of Polish pediatric leukemia/lymphoma group].

Fourty two children with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) treated in seven centres of The Polish Paediatric Leukaemia/Lymphoma Study Group in period 1975-1998 were included in the study. In 16 children RAEB-T, in 3 CMML, in 10 RA and in 13 RAEB were diagnosed. BMT is the best therapy for children with MDS. For children, who have not a donor for BMT, Roacutan therapy seems to be the most effective.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1998

[Results of the treatment for infant acute lymphoblastic leukemia treated in the program Dana-Faber Cancer Institute. Report of Polish Pediatric Study Group for Leukemia and Lymphoma].

We present courses and treatment's results in 8 infants with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) treated according Dana-Faber Cancer Institute protocol between 1994-1998 year. Complete remission (RC) was achieved in 8 children. Relapses were diagnosed between 6 to 20 month, only one achieved II RC. Four children are alive: in I RC-2, in II RC-1, in partial remission 1 and the treatment was ended in one. Treatment's results in infants with ALL are still unsatisfactory.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

PubMed1998

[The efficacy of G-CSF and GM-CSF in the adjunctive treatment of infections complicating chemotherapy of solid tumors in children. Report of Polish Pediatric Leukemia/Lymphoma Treatment Group].

Total number of 306 cycles of GM-CSF-Leucomax Sandoz (5 mg/kg/day s.c.) and/or G-CSF Filgrastim Hoffmann-La Roche (5-10 mg/kg/day s.c.) was applied in 146 children aged from 0.5-18 years during neutropenia associated with chemotherapy of solid tumours. Seventeen children with malignancies served as a historical control group. Our study have demonstrated after both G- and GM-CSF therapy shorter period of neutropenia, reduction of the number of febrile days and a decreased frequency of infectious complications and infection's duration.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

PubMed1998

[The effectiveness of G-CSF and GM-CSF in the adjunctive treatment of infections complicating chemotherapy of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in children. Report of Polish Pediatric Leukemia/Lymphoma Treatment Group].

Total number of 252 cycles of GM-CSF-Leucomax Sandoz (5 mg/kg/day s.c.) and/or G-CSF Filgrastim Hoffmann-La Roche (5-10 mg/kg/day s.c.) was applied in 124 children aged from 0.5-20 years during neutropenia associated with chemotherapy of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). Twenty four children with NHL treated according to the same chemotherapy protocol but without G-CSF and GM-CSF served as a control group. Our study have demonstrated the good efficacy of both G-CSF and GM-CSF therapy. They shortened the period of neutropenia, reduced the number of febrile days, infection's duration and decreased the frequency of infectious complications.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

PubMed1998

[Treatment outcome for myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) obtained by the Polish Children's Leukemia/Lymphoma Study Group].

Fourty children with MDS treated in seven centres of The Polish Children's Leukemia Lymphoma Study Group in period 1975-1998y were included to the study. In 16 children RAEB-T, in 2 CMML in 10 RA and in 12 RAEB were diagnosed. Our and literature data showed that BMT is the best therapy for children with MDS. For children, who don't have a donor for BMT. Roacutan therapy seems to be the most effective.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗

PubMed1997

Simultaneous measurement of allantoin, uric acid, xanthine and hypoxanthine in blood by high-performance liquid chromatography.

A high-performance liquid chromatographic method for determining catabolism products of nucleic acids and purines, such as oxypurines (i.e. uric acid, xanthine and hypoxanthine) and allantoin in the blood plasma of ruminants was developed. The plasma was deproteinized with 10% trichloroacetic acid. The method enabled determination of oxypurines without derivatization. Allantoin was determined after conversion with 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine to a hydrazone (GLX-DNPH). Separation of converted allantoin, uric acid, xanthine and hypoxanthine derivatives was carried out using two reversed-phase C18 columns. The combination of pre-column derivatization and gradient elution with monitoring of the effluent at 205, 254 and 360 nm provides a simple and selective analytical tool for studying oxypurines and allantoin in plasma. The total run time of the HPLC analysis was 60 min. The recovery of the purine derivatives (i.e. oxypurines and allantoin) added to the plasma was between 95 and 106%. Purine derivatives were stable when the processed samples were stored for 7 days at -10 degrees C. The low values of the intra-assay coefficient of variations (2.5-4.6%) and the low values of the detection limits (0.187-0.004 nmol) point to the satisfactory precision and sensitivity of the method.

Allantoin↗

PubMed1996

Asymptomatic and late-onset ornithine transcarbamylase (OTC) deficiency in males of a five-generation family, caused by an A208T mutation.

In a large five-generation Polish family, late-onset ornithine transcarbamylase (OTC) deficiency in males segregated with the missense mutation Ala208Thr (A208T), and all heterozygous females were asymptomatic. No other mutations were found in the coding sequences and intron-exon boundaries of the OTC gene. Surprisingly, the mutation originated from the great-grandfather of the index patient who died at age 59 of liver carcinoma. He never had dietary restrictions or hyperammonemic spells throughout life and appears to be the oldest male reported with OTC deficiency. The index patient had a severe OTC deficiency (3% of normal). Eight males died suddenly at ages 4 months to 23 years (average 14 years) after a foudroyant episode triggered by a common infection. The patients remained undiagnosed for 28 years because a metabolic defect was not considered to be the cause of the acute episodes. Recognition of the familial pattern of inheritance was initially unnoticed since the patients were admitted to eight different hospitals. DNA analysis predicted that two 'healthy' boys also had OTC deficiency, which was confirmed by abnormal results of allopurinol challenge tests. Initial suspicion of OTC deficiency in such families is complicated, since symptoms can develop at any age, or even remain absent. This obscures the typical pattern of X-linked inheritance in small families.

Age of Onset↗

PubMed1995

Standard and intermediate risk acute lymphoblastic leukemia in Poland: a report of the Polish Children's Leukemia/Lymphoma Study Group.

A total of 527 children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) from the most frequent risk groups: standard risk group (SRG) and intermediate risk group (IRG) were treated between 1987 and 1991 according to an intensified treatment program (based on the BFM protocol) including the use of an intermediate dose of methotrexate in the IRG. A comparison of the treatment results in this group from 513 children treated between 1981 and 1987 indicates that the chance for a 6 year event-free survival has increased to 73% (previously 55%).

Antineoplastic Agents↗

PubMed1995

[Infection with HCV in patients hospitalized for various causes. I. Prevalence of anti-HCV antibodies in selected groups of patients].

Using the third generation ELISA test UBI HCV (Organon Teknika) we studied the prevalence of anti HCV antibodies among 980 patients (hospitalized of various diseases) in 4 hospitals in district Lublin. The results indicated that 22.3% of patients were positive for anti HCV. The presence of anti HCV in the high-risk group was higher, in hemophiliacs-59% and in hemodialysis patients-57%. The prevalence of anti HCV is closely correlated with age (19.2% in children and 24.4% in adults). This difference was statistically significant (p < 0.001). As nosocomial infections was probably 70% of cases.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1995

[Results of treatment for severe acquired aplastic anemia in children].

The authors evaluated results of treatment of 106 children with acquired aplastic anemia. The patients were divided into 3 groups depending on the severity of their disease. Thirty-nine patients were classified as very severe, 30 as severe and 37 as non-severe according to the modified Camitta criteria. Among them, 47 children were treated with oxymetholone and prednisolone. In this group 32 died. Antilymphocyte globulin (ALG) was given to 48 patients and 20 received cyclosporin A (CsA). The results obtained by these two methods are nearly the same and 5 year survival was 61% and 59% respectively. Bone marrow was transplanted in only one child, who is still in complete remission. Statistical analysis showed a steady increase in incidence of aplastic anemia in the years 1987-1989, which might coincide with the Czarnobyl explosion. However, further research is required to prove this point.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1995

Prevalence of food allergy and intolerance in children based on MAST CLA and ALCAT tests.

Investigations were performed on 56 children (23 girls, 33 boys), aged 0.5-16.0 (mean 7.2 years). After comparison of the ALCAT cytotoxic test results and the provocation diet results using a single blind trial, over two thirds consistency was obtained, which justified the use of the test for further analysis. The high consistency of MAST CLA and SPT suggests that in the investigated group of children IgE specific for nuts, grain, carrot, and soyabean prevailed. Comparison of these data to the ALCAT cytotoxic test gives a different view of products customarily given to allergic children. Tea, apple, coca-cola, and barley proved to be the most frequent cause of food intolerance in children investigated with the ALCAT test.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1995

Allergy to food in children with pollinosis.

The investigated group consisted of 56 children with hay fever. The method of evaluation included interview, skin prick tests and elimination-exposure diets. Our data showed that more than half of the examined children were potentially sensitive to basic corn allergens. Currently in about one third of them clinical food allergy symptoms appeared.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1994

Chloride ion independence of the Bohr effect in a mutant human hemoglobin beta (V1M+H2deleted).

A mutant human hemoglobin, beta (V1M+H2 delta), has been constructed. Analysis of the oxygen binding curves obtained at pH 8.3, where the Bohr effect is inoperative, indicates that this mutation results in an additional stabilization of the T-state conformation by 0.9 kcal/mol. The crystal structure of deoxy-beta (V1M+H2 delta) has been determined to 2.2-A resolution and compared with the deoxy structure of human hemoglobin at the same resolution. In human hemoglobin, a sulfate anion is anchored to the beta-chains by a complex network of H-bonds and electrostatic interactions with the amino terminus and Lys beta 82. In the mutant hemoglobin, the shortening of the amino-terminal region of the A helix by 1 residue results in the formation of an intrachain electrostatic interaction between the amino-terminal amino and Asp beta 79. This eliminates the sulfate binding site, and the sulfate is replaced by two water molecules. At variance with human hemoglobin, the alkaline Bohr effect for beta (V1M+H2 delta) is not sensitive to the presence of Cl-. This indicates that the sulfate binding site in human hemoglobin also serves as a Cl- binding site, and that the amino-terminal Val beta 1 is essential for oxygen-linked Cl- binding to hemoglobin as well as the Cl(-)-dependent Bohr effect. Analysis of the oxygen binding curves indicates that the oxygen-linked Cl- ions are released upon binding of the first oxygen molecule.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1994

Chromatographic studies of the enantiomeric composition of some therapeutic compositions applied in the treatment of liver and kidney diseases.

A gas-liquid chromatographic system with alpha-cyclodextrin in formamide medium (coated on Chromosorb) was used for the separation of enantiomers of alpha-pinene, beta-pinene, limonene and camphene in medicines applied in the therapy of liver and kidney diseases. The drugs under investigation were produced in Poland (Terpichol and Terpinex), in Germany (Rowachol and Rowatinex) and in Slovenia (Uroterp). It was found that, depending on the manufacturer, medicines possessing similar chemical compositions differ considerably from one another regarding the content of enantiomers, mainly those of alpha-pinene.

Bicyclic Monoterpenes↗