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Biomedical subjects

J Prokopowicz

Publications and source records attributed to J Prokopowicz.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Changes in some hemostatic parameters in patients with infections treated with ceftazidime and latamoxef.

In comparative studies made in patients with pneumonia we have treated 14 cases with Latamoxef and 16 cases with Ceftazidime. We have concentrated our attention on the side effects of these drugs on hemostasis. In 8 patients treated with Latamoxef we have found a prolongation bleeding time, moderate hypoprothrombinemia, thrombocytopenia and nearly no normalization of APTT and plasma euglobulin fibrinolysis. In one patient treated with Ceftazidime only slight effect of this drug on hemostasis was observed. Crucial reason for coagulopathy is probably due to impaired synthesis of vitamin K by diminished gut flora conditioned by antibiotics treatment. In the case of Ceftazidime mentioned there seem to be minimal side effects.

Bacterial Infections↗

Nitroblue tetrazolium test in patients with Hodgkin's disease in the course of chemotherapy.

In 41 patients with Hodgkin's disease nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) dye reduction with resting and stimulated granulocytes, before, in the course and after chemotherapy was examined. Twofold decrease of the capability of NBT reduction test with stimulated granulocytes was found, whereas with resting granulocytes only slight diminution was noted. Chemotherapy did not improve the tested parameters. No relationship was observed between the stage of disease and the presence of systemic symptoms and the NBT dye reduction. It can be assumed that granulocytes from patients with Hodgkin's disease are resistant to stimulation. The observations suggest that NBT test may be useful for evaluation of the function of granulocytes and to some extent for monitoring of the chemotherapy.

Adolescent↗

Does heparin modify protease-antiprotease balance in acute experimental pancreatitis in rats.

A rat model of taurocholate-induced acute pancreatitis has been employed to investigate the effect of heparin on the protease-antiprotease balance. Heparin was applied intraperitoneally at a dose of 6 mg/kg body weight during 24 hrs. At 24 and 48 hours of acute pancreatitis, heparin evidently diminished the consumption of trypsinogen in pancreatic tissue and decreased trypsin generation. The use of heparin prevented the consumption of alpha 1 anti-chymotrypsin, alpha 1-anti-trypsin and AT-III in pancreatic tissue, whereas in plasma the concentration of the mentioned inhibitors was restored or even increased. Heparin does not affect evidently lowered alpha 2-macroglobulin concentration, either in pancreatic tissue or in plasma. We conclude that heparin applied in acute pancreatitis markedly moderates the dysfunction of protease-antiprotease balance both in plasma and in pancreatic tissue.

Acute Disease↗

System for testing the phagocytic capacity of human blood platelets.

We have elaborated a system for testing the phagocytic activity of human blood platelets. Blood was sampled to heparin and ACD and centrifuged. This procedure yields platelet rich plasma (PRP). As a substrate for phagocytosis we used Staphylococcus aureus 209P. The ratio of platelets to bacteria is 1:1. Incubation of bacteria and platelets continued up to 10 minutes. Lysostaphine was introduced to the phagocytic system to destroy all bacteria outside the blood platelets. The maximal values for the percentage of phagocytizing blood platelets were 0.7% and the phagocytosis index of 1.0 was reached at 6 minutes with incubation of bacteria and platelets. The authors pay attention to the role of blood platelets in antibacterial mechanisms.

Blood Platelets↗

Does the blood platelet phagocytic capacity depend on the sex and plasma thrombopoietic activity?

In 16 men and 25 women we tested the phagocytic activity of blood platelets. In women a higher phagocytosis index, increased blood platelet count and lower percentage of phagocytizing cells could be noted in comparison to men. Blood platelet count was significantly higher in women than in men. From this group we chose 10 men and 10 women and determined the plasma thrombopoietic activity. The results obtained were divided into two subgroups A with high and B low plasma thrombopoietic activity. In subgroup A a higher blood platelet count and phagocytosis index and a decreased percentage of phagocytizing platelets in relation to subgroup B could be found. The phagocytic activity of blood platelets in relation to sex and plasma thrombopoietic activity is briefly discussed. The role of blood platelets in antibacterial mechanisms is emphasized.

Adult↗

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↗

Serum levels of immunoglobulins IgA and IgM in patients with renal cancer subjected to arterial embolization and nephrectomy.

In 30 patients with kidney cancer the serum concentrations of immunoglobulins IgG, IgA and IgM were determined. Blood was sampled before embolization and then before and 14, 30, 90, 180 and 360 days after nephrectomy, respectively. Statistically significant increases of IgG and IgM concentrations were found immediately after nephrectomy and were more evident later on. Only a minimal increase of IgA concentration was found. Our findings may be explained by the regression of tumour due to embolization. Persisting elevation of IgG and IgM may join the stimulation of the B-cell system by cancer antigen. Such a clinical procedure may be recommended because it may favourably influence the immunological system.

Adult↗

Nitroblue tetrazolium test in patients with breast cancer undergoing mastectomy and radiotherapy.

The reduction of nitrotetrazolium blue with stimulated and unstimulated granulocytes was performed in 40 patients with breast cancer. Blood was collected from peripheral vein before surgical intervention, during surgery from vein draining of tumor, two weeks after surgery and three months after surgery when radiotherapy was finished. In parallel experiments the NBT test was made in the peripheral blood of 20 healthy individuals. We have observed decreased reduction of nitrotetrazolium blue in stimulated granulocytes, which may indicate that granulocytes from these patients are unable for efficient stimulation. No evident effect concerning the advancement of disease and applied therapy could be found. The importance of determining the NBT test in cancer patients is briefly discussed.

Breast↗

Cytochemical indices of leukocytes in patients with diabetes mellitus.

Cytochemical indices of leukocytes were determined in 16 patients with diabetes mellitus in the period of unbalancing and balancing. The following tests were made: content of glycogen and lipids, acid phosphatase (AP), alkaline phosphatase (AIP), myeloperoxidase (MPO) and nonspecific alpha-naphtol acetate esterase (NANAE) activity. In unbalanced diabetics an evident decrease in the activity of AP and MPO could be noted as well as a decrease of glycogen content and an increase of lipid content. An insignificant decrease could be observed in the activity of ALP and NANAE in granulocytes. A slight increase in the activity of NANAE in monocytes would be found. Balancing this disease induced the increase of all parameters in granulocytes except MPO activity. It is interesting to note that balancing diabetes mellitus deepened the observed changes in the decrease or increase of tested parameters. The presented findings clearly indicate the role of metabolic disorders in diabetes mellitus on the activity of some neutrophilic enzymes and the glycogen and the content of lipids in neutrophils.

Acid Phosphatase↗

Serum lysozyme activity in patients with lung carcinoma subjected to radiotherapy.

Lysozyme activity was determined in undiluted and diluted sera of 30 patients with lung carcinoma and of 40 healthy individuals. Blood was collected before radiotherapy, in half of its course, just after completion of radiotherapy, and three weeks and three months later. In the controls the same time spacing was kept. Lysozyme was found to be increased both in undiluted and diluted sera. Enhancement of the lysozyme activity may be due to the presence of immune complexes (antigen--antibody) which are probably responsible for the release of the enzyme from the viable neutrophils. High activity in diluted sera indicates an increase of lysozyme inhibitors in sera of cancer patients. Radiotherapy has not induced significant changes in the enzyme, either during its course of after its completion as confirmed by three-month observation. Taking into consideration the role of the lysozyme in anticancer mechanisms it appears that determination of its activity may be of value in the course of cancer disease.

Adult↗