Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

J Mazur

Publications and source records attributed to J Mazur.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

High natural radiation exposure in radon spa areas: a detailed field investigation in Niska Banja (Balkan region).

The measurement campaigns have been done in the rural community of Niska Banja, a spa town located in southern Serbia, to evaluate population exposure to natural radioactivity. After a screening survey in 200 houses, annual radon and thoron concentrations were measured in 34 houses, and in 2004 a detailed investigation was carried out at six houses with elevated indoor radon concentrations. The paper presents the results of these detailed measurements. The complementary techniques were applied to determine radon and thoron concentrations in indoor air, in soil gas, radon exhalation from soil, soil permeability, and indoor and outdoor gamma doses. Soil and water samples were collected and analysed in the laboratory. Indoor radon and thoron concentrations were found to be more than 1kBqm(-3) and 200Bqm(-3), respectively. Extremely high concentrations of soil-gas radon (>2000kBqm(-3)) and radon exhalation rates (1.5mBqm(-2)s(-1)) were observed. These results will be utilised to set up the methodology for a more systematic investigation.

Air Pollution, Indoor↗
PubMed2005

Radon concentration in soil gas around local disjunctive tectonic zones in the Krakow area.

The purpose of this study was to investigate radon in the vicinity of geologic fault zones within the Krakow region of Poland, and to determine the influence of such formations on enhanced radon concentrations in soil. Radon ((222)Rn and (220)Rn) concentration measurements in soil gas (using ionization chamber AlphaGUARD PQ2000 PRO and diffusion chambers with CR-39 detectors), as well as radioactive natural isotopes of radium, thorium and potassium in soil samples (using gamma ray spectrometry with NaI(Tl) and HPGe detectors), were performed. Site selection was based on a geological map of Krakow. Geophysical methods (ground penetrating radar and shallow acoustic seismic) were applied to recognize the geological structure of the area and to locate the predicted courses of faults. Elevated levels of radon and thoron in soil gas were found in the study area when compared with those observed in an earlier survey covering Krakow agglomeration. For (222)Rn, the arithmetic mean of registered concentration values was 39 kBq/m(3) (median: 35.5 kBq/m(3)). For (220)Rn, the arithmetic mean was 10.8 kBq/m(3) and median 11.8 kBq/m(3).

Geological Phenomena↗
PubMed2005

Cross national study of injury and social determinants in adolescents.

OBJECTIVES: To compare estimates of the prevalence of injury among adolescents in 35 countries, and to examine the consistency of associations cross nationally between socioeconomic status then drunkenness and the occurrence of adolescent injury. DESIGN: Cross sectional surveys were obtained from national samples of students in 35 countries. Eight countries asked supplemental questions about injury. SETTING: Surveys administered in classrooms. SUBJECTS: Consenting students (n = 146 440; average ages 11-15 years) in sampled classrooms. 37 878 students (eight countries) provided supplemental injury data.Exposure measures: Socioeconomic status (material wealth, poverty) and social risk taking (drunkenness). OUTCOME MEASURES: Specific types and locations of medically treated injury. RESULTS: By country, reports of medically treated injuries ranged from 33% (1060/3173) to 64% (1811/2833) of boys and 23% (740/3172) to 51% (1485/2929) of girls, annually. Sports and recreation were the most common activities associated with injury. High material wealth was positively (OR>1.0; p<0.05) and consistently (6/8 countries) associated with medically treated and sports related injuries. Poverty was positively associated with fighting injuries (6/8 countries). Drunkenness (social risk taking) was positively (p<0.01) and consistently (8/8 countries) associated with medically treated, street, and fighting injuries, but not school and sports related injuries. CONCLUSION: The high prevalence of adolescent injury confirms its importance as a health problem. Social gradients in risk for adolescent injury were illustrated cross nationally for some but not all types of adolescent injury. These gradients were most evident when the etiologies of specific types of adolescent injury were examined. Prevention initiatives should focus upon the etiologies of specific injury types, as well as risk oriented social contexts.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Analysis of minimal residual disease in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia: comparison between RQ-PCR analysis of Ig/TcR gene rearrangements and multicolor flow cytometric immunophenotyping.

Detection of minimal residual disease (MRD) in follow-up samples from patients with ALL is essential for evaluation of treatment response. We applied multicolor flow cytometry and real-time quantitative PCR (RQ-PCR) to compare MRD results in 71 follow-up samples from 22 children treated for ALL. When results obtained by flow cytometry and RQ-PCR were grouped into positive-negative categories, a significant level of agreement was found in 72% of samples (P<0.001). However, if a cutoff level of 0.01% was applied, the concordance was 89%. MRD could be quantified in 19 samples by both methods, showing a strong correlation (P<0.01). Nevertheless, MRD levels differed more than five-fold between both methods in 4/19 samples. In 20 (28%) samples, the two techniques showed discordant results. Most discordant results (17/20) were due to the limited sensitivity of flow cytometry analysis within the range 0.01-0.001%; remaining discordant results were due to the instable or subclonal IG/TCR gene rearrangements or a limited quantitative range of the applied RQ-PCR targets. Although concordant results could be obtained by flow cytometry and RQ-PCR analysis, MRD levels may differ. Therefore, MRD data obtained by these two techniques are not yet easily exchangeable.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Flow cytometric follow-up of minimal residual disease in bone marrow gives prognostic information in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Using flow cytometry (FC) and live gate (LG) analysis we have followed levels of minimal residual disease (MRD) in the bone marrow (BM) of 70 consecutive patients with childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (59 B precursor ALL and 11 T-ALL) treated according to the Nordic (NOPHO-92) protocols. Thorough studies of B and T cell antigen expression patterns in normal BM performed during BIOMED 1 Concerted Action on MRD, made it possible to tailor individual protocols of marker combinations for follow-up in 97% of patients. In 12% of LG analyses, the numbers of cells exceeded 10(6) and in 82% exceeded 10(5), giving the sensitivity level of MRD detection 10(-5) and 10(-4), respectively. The median follow-up time was 53 months. Patients with MRD levels > or = 0.01% at follow-up time-points during and after first induction, and at the end of treatment had significantly lower disease-free survival by comparison to patients with MRD values <0.01%. Seven of nine patient with recurrence in the BM showed under treatment persisting MRD levels > or = 0.01% of BM cells. This was also observed in another two patients with infant leukemia who relapsed. In conclusion, the investigation of levels and the dynamics of MRD by sensitive and quantitative FC can provide a basis for further clinical studies for at least upgrading of therapy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Effect of early skin-to-skin contact after delivery on duration of breastfeeding: a prospective cohort study.

AIM: To study the influence on breastfeeding of skin-to-skin contact after birth. METHODS: Using a prospective cohort study design, a group of 1250 Polish children was investigated with 3 y follow-up. RESULTS: The implementation of the practice significantly increased mean duration of exclusive breastfeeding by 0.39 mo and overall breastfeeding duration by 1.43 mo. The infants kept with the mothers for at least 20 min were exclusively breastfed for 1.35 mo longer and weaned 2.10 mo later than those who had no skin-to-skin contact after delivery. The skin-to-skin contact after birth significantly coexisted with the other hospital practices supportive to breastfeeding, especially rooming-in without separation longer than 1 h per 24 h [relative risk (RR) = 3.18, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 2.34-4.31] and first breastfeeding within 2 h after birth (RR = 2.94, 95% CI: 2.36-3.67. Multivariate analysis performed by a general linear model with duration of exclusive breastfeeding as the dependent variable indicated skin-to-skin contact and mother education as two independent variables influencing the duration of exclusive breastfeeding. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that extensive mother-infant skin-to-skin contact lasting for longer than 20 min after birth increases the duration of exclusive breastfeeding.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

MCP-N (LiF:Mg,Cu,P) TLDs for radon measurements with charcoal canisters.

A method of measurement of radon concentration in air was developed, based on high-sensitivity LiF:Mg,Cu,P (MCP-N, TLD Poland) thermoluminescent detectors installed in charcoal canisters. The canisters were exposed typically for 72 h in a calibration chamber with a radon concentration ranging from 100 Bq x m(-3) to 87 kBq x m(-3). It was found that in these conditions the signal registered by the TL detectors was proportional to the 222Rn concentration and the lowest limit of detection (LLD) was at a level of 100 Bq x m(-3). The proposed method can be used in large-scale, multi-site surveys aimed at screening for high levels of indoor radon concentration or for measuring ground radon exhalation rates.

Charcoal↗
PubMed2001

Flow cytometry and allele-specific oligonucleotide PCR are equally effective in detection of minimal residual disease in ALL.

The analysis of minimal residual disease (MRD) has assumed a growing role in the follow-up of patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). We have applied multiparameter flow cytometry (FC) with 'live-gate' analysis and allele-specific oligonucleotide (ASO)-PCR detecting leukemia-specific T cell receptor gamma and delta gene rearrangements for MRD follow-up in 30 ALL patients. The comparison of results obtained in 89 follow-up samples from 23 patients showed significantly consistent results in 70 samples (78%); (P < 0.001). Bone marrow samples taken during the first phase of treatment (during or immediately after induction) showed a lower level of consistency when compared to samples taken during later phases of treatment (69% vs 85% consistent results, respectively). Some of the discrepant results were due to low cellularity of the samples obtained for FC and some due to the presence of PCR inhibitors. Of 29 patients evaluated at the end of the induction treatment, 18 (62%) had detectable levels of MRD and six of these patients suffered relapse. In all these patients MRD levels by FC increased preceding relapse. Our results suggest that FC offers a MRD detection tool that can be easily applied in clinical practice and is as informative as molecular methods.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Telomerase activity in relation to pro- and anti-apoptotic protein expression in high grade non-Hodgkin's lymphomas.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Telomerase activity (TA) is determined by the catalytic unit telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT). In vitro studies show that hTERT is downregulated by wild type p53 and TA is upregulated by BCL-2 expression. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship of TA and mRNA expression of hTERT, telomerase RNA (hTER) and Tankyrase in 31 samples from patients with high-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (HG-NHL). The results were then related to apoptosis and proliferation and the expression of p53 and BCL-2 family member proteins. DESIGN AND METHODS: The telomeric repeat amplification protocol (TRAP) assay and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were used to quantify TA, and hTERT, hTER and Tankyrase mRNA expression. Proliferation (Ki67), p53, BCL-2, MCL-1, BAX and BAK protein expression were evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Apoptosis was evaluated by TUNEL staining. RESULTS: TA was detected in 93% of HG-NHL and tended to be higher in p53+ lymphomas. A positive correlation existed between mRNA expression of hTERT, hTER and Tankyrase. hTERT mRNA expression tended to be higher with increasing levels of apoptosis and proliferation, in HG-NHL samples lacking BAX expression and in samples from patients with survival shorter than 3.5 years. hTER mRNA expression was significantly higher in BAX and BAK negative samples. INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSIONS: Telomerase is activated or upregulated in the majority of HG-NHL. Enhanced TA combined with deregulation of the factors responsible for cell survival and proliferation may contribute to the development and progression of lymphomas. Observation that high hTERT mRNA expression may be related to shorter survival should prompt further investigation of the clinical significance of TA and its components in HG-NHL.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

BIOMED-1 concerted action report: flow cytometric characterization of CD7+ cell subsets in normal bone marrow as a basis for the diagnosis and follow-up of T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL).

The European BIOMED-1 Concerted Action was initiated in 1994 to improve and standardize the flow cytometric detection of minimal residual disease (MRD) in acute leukemia (AL). Three different protocols were defined to identify the normal subsets of B, T and myeloid cells in bone marrow (BM), and were applied to the different types of AL in order to study aberrant immunophenotypes. Using sensitive acquisition methods ('live gate') T cell subsets in normal BM could be identified with five triple-stains: CD7/CD5/CD3, CD7/CD4/CD8, CD7/CD2/CD3, CD7/CD38/CD34 and TdT/CD7/surface or cytoplasmic (cy)CD3 (antibodies conjugated with FITC/PE/PECy5 or PerCP, respectively). The identification of T cell subsets in BM allowed definition of 'empty spaces' (ie areas of flow cytometric plots where normally no cells are found). All studied T-ALL cases (n = 65) were located in 'empty spaces' and could be discriminated from normal T cells. The most informative triple staining was TdT/CD7/cyCD3, which was aberrant in 91% of T-ALL cases. In most cases, two or more aberrant patterns were found. Apparently the immunophenotypes of T-ALL differ significantly from normal BM T cells. This is mostly caused by their thymocytic origin, but also the neoplastic transformation might have affected antigen expression patterns. Application of the five proposed marker combinations in T-ALL contributes to standardized detection of MRD, since cells persistent or reappearing in the 'empty spaces' can be easily identified in follow-up BM samples during and after treatment.

Antigens, CD↗
PubMed2000

Hemodynamic effects of epoprostenol in patients with systemic sclerosis and pulmonary hypertension.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: To determine the cause of pulmonary hypertension (PH) in systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients since PH can occur because of pulmonary arteriopathy, pulmonary parenchymal destruction, and left ventricular cardiac dysfunction. DESIGN AND SETTING: Consecutive case series in a university hospital. PATIENTS: Nine SSc patients with PH (mean pulmonary artery pressure, 41 mm Hg), with (n = 6) or without (n = 3) concomitant interstitial lung disease (ILD). METHODS: Acute infusion of epoprostenol was begun at 2 ng/kg/min and was titrated upward at a rate of 2 ng/kg/min every 30 min until symptomatic complications developed or pulmonary artery vascular resistance (PVR) was reduced by 50%. RESULTS: Eight of nine patients demonstrated a reduction of > or = 20% in PVR, suggesting that vasoreactivity is common despite the presence of significant ILD. A single patient had no response to infusion with unchanged hemodynamics and oxygenation. One patient developed hypoxemia as cardiac output increased, suggesting a worsening of ventilation/perfusion matching or the presence of an anatomic shunt. Acute pulmonary edema developed in one patient at an infusion rate of 6 ng/kg/min. The results of cardiac catheterization suggested that pulmonary edema was caused by SSc heart disease. CONCLUSION: SSc patients with ILD have diverse and sometimes multiple causes of PH that can be determined by short-term epoprostenol infusion. Beneficial effects can be obtained from epoprostenol despite extensive ILD.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

[Preliminary assessment of felbamate effect on the cerebral bioelectrical activity in children with refractory epilepsy].

Influence Felbamate on the cerebral bioelectric activity (EEG) in the group of 31 children (18 with syndrome Lennox-Gastaut, 13 with partial epilepsy) with refractory epilepsy was investigated. In the waking EEG was visually analysed: 1. Abnormalities distribution and morphology with special consideration of slow waves, sharp elements and paroxysmal character of discharges. 2. Influence of Felbamate on the duration time of discharges. 3. Range dominant frequency and length of segments (with non-disturbed topographic differentiation) of background activity EEG. During therapy the results showed more often EEG improvement among children with syndrome Lennox-Gastaut (near 70%) than in children with partial refractory epilepsy (near 30%). The EEG results correlated positively with the clinical improvement. In the both group of epilepsy background activity improvement had a statistical significance. In sleep EEG any influence of Felbamate on the sleep spindles was observed. No observation about increase beta activity in waking and sleep EEG records was noted.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

[Determinants of newborn feeding in maternity hospital care. Part II: factors associated with exclusive breast feeding].

OBJECTIVES: To study the effects of newborn status and hospital practices on exclusive breast-feeding in a maternity ward. DESIGN: National survey conducted in January 1995 in 427 hospitals. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data on 11,422 newborns obtained from hospital staff. Statistical analysis was performed using odds ratios (OR), population attributable risks (PAR%) and logistic regression method. RESULTS: The most important factors for supplementation were: caesarean section (OR = 5.3; PAR = 19.0%), first breastfeeding later than 2 h after birth (OR = 5.2; PAR = 41.3%), mother and newborn separation longer than 1 h/24 h (OR = 3.4; PAR = 44.9%). Logistic regression analysis showed that first feeding in 2 hours is the main prognostic factor for exclusive breastfeeding in a maternity ward. CONCLUSIONS: Changes in hospital practices increase the proportion of exclusively breastfeeding infants during stay in the maternity ward.

Breast Feeding↗
PubMed2000

[Factors associated with exclusive breastfeeding of infants in Poland].

Factors associated with cessation of exclusive breastfeeding in Poland were studied in 10156 randomly selected infants aged 1-6 months. They were breastfed at the time of data collection. Among them, 4929 (48.5%) infants were exclusively breastfed. In multiple logistic regression analysis, the factors associated with cessation of exclusive breastfeeding were: use of a pacifier, short duration of total breastfeeding and exclusive breastfeeding accepted by mothers, first child in the family, primary education of parents, mother working in farming and non-employed father, maternal smoking and maternal age over 34 years.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

[Health promotion indicators - selected model approaches].

The aim of the paper is to present the problem, how to find the optimal set of indicators necessary in the different phases of planning, programming and evaluation of health promotion programmes. In health promotion the application of classic health measurements is limited, because they are not related to "positive health". Moreover, time perspective when effects of promotion could appear is difficult to define. Some model approaches are presented. The PRECEDE-PROCEED model is recognised as a robust framework in health promotion. This model provides a continuous series of steps and phases in planning, implementation and evaluation process. Some authors recommend already in the early phase of programming to draw a diagram showing a relationship between the objectives, activities, indicators and resources. In the process of evaluation it seems very important for health promotion initiatives to focus on the changes in human knowledge, attitudes and behaviours. For that reason models like KAP analysis (knowledge, attitudes, practice), HBM (Health Belief Model) and TTM (Transtheoretical Prochaska's model) are commonly applied. However, the- re is still a need to develop and choose indicators, which would consider environmental aspects of health promotion and link local actions with national health promotion policy.

Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice↗
PubMed2000

[Principles of economic evaluation in intervention programmes].

Since human and financial resources are limited there is a need to use them for justified health care projects. Cost-effectiveness is one, but not the only criterion which health care system may be asked to respect. This paper presents the principles of economic analysis as a tool of evaluation in intervention programmes. It describes the three most commonly used methods: cost-effectiveness, cost-utility and cost-benefit analysis. An overview of concepts, calculation techniques and real applications of economic evaluation are presented. A review of the literature showed, that cost-utility and cost-benefit methods are developing very fast, and that is an increasing interest in knowledge and attitudes of decision-makers towards economic evaluation.

Cost-Benefit Analysis↗
PubMed2000

[Basic principles of evaluation of neural tube defects primary prevention programme].

Neural Tube Defects (NTD) Primary Prevention Programme has been developed in Poland since 1997. The Programme directed by Professor Z. J. Brzezinski is based on an information and education campaign directed at health professionals, women in childbearing age and high school students. The Central Programme Office has been directing the development and implementation of the Programme through a network of provincial programmes. In the present paper the main principles of NTD primary prevention were presented as well as some principles of Programme building and evaluation. Due to the relatively short period of Programme implementation, it is too early to perform the full evaluation. However, some examples were presented including process evaluation and testing the main tools (questionnaires, school programme project). It was assumed that the effectiveness of NTD Primary Prevention Programme in Poland will be assessed by: 1) changes in women's knowledge, attitude and behaviour concerning folic acid supplementation, 2) changes in NTD mortality and morbidity rates, 3) changes in the amount of sold tablets containing 0.4 mg of folic acid. For each of these indicators some international results and Polish baseline results were discussed.

Adolescent↗