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Biomedical subjects

J Sokol

Publications and source records attributed to J Sokol.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1998

ECLS in pertussis: does it have a role?

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the value of extracorporeal circulatory life support (ECLS) in paediatric patients with severe Bordetella pertussis infection. DESIGN: Single case report and a review of the ECLS database. SETTING: Tertiary referral hospital paediatric intensive care unit. PATIENTS AND PARTICIPANTS: A single case report of an infant with B. pertussis infection is described. Despite receiving ECLS, this infant died from overwhelming cardiac and cerebral insults. Outcome for children receiving ECLS registered on the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization database is reviewed. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: The mortality of infants receiving ECLS for B. pertussis infection is high, with only 5 survivors reported among 22 registered cases. The majority of nonsurvivors had evidence of circulatory collapse in addition to severe respiratory failure, and these patients commonly died of hypoxic-ischaemic cerebral insult. These data suggest the existence of a subgroup of patients with respiratory failure only, who may benefit from ECLS, and a larger subgroup who suffer ischaemic cardiac and cerebral insults which are unlikely to be improved by ECLS. CONCLUSIONS: The value of ECLS in patients with B. pertussis infection who present with major cardiac dysfunction is questionable. Such patients almost invariably have a poor outcome despite maximal therapy.

Diseases in Twins↗
PubMed1997

Niemann-Pick C1 disease gene: homology to mediators of cholesterol homeostasis.

Niemann-Pick type C (NP-C) disease, a fatal neurovisceral disorder, is characterized by lysosomal accumulation of low density lipoprotein (LDL)-derived cholesterol. By positional cloning methods, a gene (NPC1) with insertion, deletion, and missense mutations has been identified in NP-C patients. Transfection of NP-C fibroblasts with wild-type NPC1 cDNA resulted in correction of their excessive lysosomal storage of LDL cholesterol, thereby defining the critical role of NPC1 in regulation of intracellular cholesterol trafficking. The 1278-amino acid NPC1 protein has sequence similarity to the morphogen receptor PATCHED and the putative sterol-sensing regions of SREBP cleavage-activating protein (SCAP) and 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1997

Gender-related differences exist in cortical [3H]nisoxetine binding and are not affected by prenatal morphine exposure.

The present study was designed to test the hypothesis that prenatal morphine, which differentially affects hypothalamic norepinephrine content and turnover in male and female rats, has sexually dimorphic effects on the density of hypothalamic norepinephrine uptake sites in adult offspring. The binding characteristics of norepinephrine transporters were examined in the hypothalamus, preoptic area and frontal cortex of adult male and female rats exposed to morphine (5-10 mg/kg, twice daily) or saline on gestation days 11-18. There was a gender-related difference in the density of norepinephrine uptake sites measured by [3H]nisoxetine binding in the frontal cortex of saline controls, with control males having significantly fewer binding sites than control females. Prenatal morphine administration did not reverse or eliminate this difference. Additionally, prenatal morphine exposure had no effects on either the binding capacity or the affinity of norepinephrine uptake sites in the hypothalamus, preoptic area or frontal cortex of adult progeny. Thus, alterations in hypothalamic norepinephrine content and turnover following prenatal morphine exposure are not reflected in alterations in norepinephrine uptake sites. However, recent immunocytochemical work in our laboratory correlated reductions in hypothalamic norepinephrine content and turnover rate with reductions in tyrosine hydroxylase and dopamine-beta-hydroxylase fiber density in the hypothalamus of morphine-exposed female rats. Therefore, the present results may suggest that compensatory mechanisms increase the density of norepinephrine uptake sites in hypothalamic terminal fields of morphine-exposed females.

Analgesics, Opioid↗
PubMed1997

[Spongiform encephalopathies (prionoses) in animals].

Spongiform encephalopathies constitute a growing group of diseases of the central nervous system which, contrary to other neurodegenerative processes, can be transferred experimentally from one animal species to another. They can develop spontaneously on a hereditary familial basis, the conform prion protein developing in the posttranslation process having the character of in infectious agent initiating the degeneration of nerve cells. The mechanism of such as infection differs from other infectious diseases. The bovine spongiform encephalopathy agent, discovered in Great Britain in 1985 has an extensive zoonosis potential and has overcome the interspecies barriers. The key problem in spongiform encephalopathies of animals is the definitive explanation of their etiology, pathogenesis, intravital diagnosis as well as interspecies relationships. (Tab. 5, Ref. 11.)

Animals↗
PubMed1997

[Determination of tetracycline in bones, mechanically separated bones and meat using HPLC and microbiological plating methods].

HPLC method with solid phase extraction, and microbiological agar diffusion tests for determination of oxytetracycline (OTC), tetracycline (TC) and chlortetracycline (CTC) in bones, mechanically separated beef and bones were developed. Both mechanically separated bones and bovine flat bones showed the highest yield of tetracyclines by HPLC method. Among tetracyclines, the highest yield was determined in chlortetracycline. The strains of Bacillus subtilis (PH 6.0) and B. stearothermophilus showed the highest sensitivity to the presence of tetracyclines.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Reduced trabecular meshwork height in juvenile primary open-angle glaucoma.

OBJECTIVE: To compare trabecular meshwork height in a series of patients with juvenile primary open-angle glaucoma (JPOAG) with that in normal control patients. METHODS: Ultrasound biomicroscopy and A-scan biometry were performed on 16 eyes with JPOAG and 24 normal eyes. A radial, perpendicular image in the horizontal temporal meridian detailing the line of Schwalbe, scleral spur, and angle anatomy was obtained for each eye by a single examiner. Trabecular meshwork height was defined as the distance from the scleral spur to the Schwalbe line. RESULTS: Mean patient age (P = .85, t test), refractive error (P = .68), sex distribution (P = .26, Fisher exact test) and axial length (P = .39) were similar between the groups. Mean +/- SE trabecular meshwork heights were 0.36 +/- 0.03 mm (range, 0.19-0.53 mm) for JPOAG and 0.58 +/- 0.02 mm (range, 0.40-0.80 mm) for controls (P < .001). Eyes with greater axial length tended to have larger trabecular meshworks in both groups (P = .012, multivariate regression). A trabecular meshwork height-axial length ratio of 0.021 or less was associated with a significantly increased risk for JPOAG being present (odds ratio, 57; 95% confidence interval, 6.0-541). CONCLUSIONS: The trabecular meshwork is smaller in eyes with JPOAG compared with that in normal eyes. This finding suggests a structural abnormality that may underlie the reduced outflow.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Increase in iris-lens contact after laser iridotomy for pupillary block angle closure.

PURPOSE: To quantitate changes in anterior ocular segment anatomy after laser iridotomy for pupillary block angle closure. METHODS: We prospectively performed ultrasound biomicroscopy and A-scan biometry in 13 eyes of 13 consecutive untreated patients with relative pupillary block and appositional angle closure, without peripheral anterior synechiae on indentation gonioscopy. A radial, perpendicular image in the horizontal temporal meridian was obtained with ultrasound biomicroscopy before and one week after laser iridotomy in each eye. RESULTS: Mean age of the 13 patients was 69.3 +/- 1.8 (S.E.) years, mean refractive error was +1.37 +/- 0.39 diopters, and mean axial length was 22.54 +/- 0.20 mm. In 13 eyes, before and after laser iridotomy measurements of angle-opening distance (0.11 +/- 0.02 vs. 0.18 +/- 0.02 mm) (P = .0004; paired t test), angle aperture (8.3 +/- 1.3 vs 18.6 +/- 2.8 degrees) (P = .0003) and iris-lens contact distance (0.58 +/- 0.06 vs 1.18 +/- 0.14 mm) (P = .0003) were greater postoperatively, but anterior chamber depth was unchanged (P = .7). CONCLUSIONS: Flattening of the iris after laser iridotomy for pupillary block causes an increase in iris-lens contact. The change in angle configuration after iridotomy results more from an alteration in aqueous pressure gradients across the iris rather than from posterior lens movement.

Aged↗
PubMed1996

Location of the iris insertion in pigment dispersion syndrome.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the position of the iris insertion into the ciliary body in persons with pigment dispersion syndrome (PDS) and control subjects. METHODS: Ultrasound biomicroscopy was performed on 19 eyes with PDS and on 21 eyes of control subjects. A radial, perpendicular image in the temporal meridian detailing Schwalbe line (SL), scleral spur (SS), and iris root insertion (IR) was obtained for each eye by a single examiner. The distances between these structures then was measured. RESULTS: There were no differences between the groups in refractive error (mean +/- standard error, -2.8 +/- 0.7 diopters for PDS eyes versus -2.2 +/- 0.6 for control subjects) (P=0.46), sex distribution (P=0.49), and trabecular meshwork height (SL to SS) (0.63 +/- 0.03 mm [PDS eyes] versus 0.59 +/- 0.03 [control eyes]; P = 0.24). The SS-to-IR distance was significantly greater in PDS eyes (0.04 +/- 0.04 mm) than in control eyes (0.28 +/- 0.04 mm) (P=0.01) as was the overall distance from SL to IR (0.98 +/- 0.04 mm versus +/- 0.04 mm) (P = 0.003). CONCLUSION: The insertion of the iris into the ciliary body is more posterior in PDS eyes than in control eyes. This anatomic variation places the iris pigment epithelium proximal to the zonular apparatus and may increase the likelihood of iridozonular contact and zonular pigment dispersion.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Survival of model bacterial strains and helminth eggs in the course of mesophilic anaerobic digestion of pig slurry.

The effect of methanogenesis on the survival of model bacterial strains (Escherichia coli EC 5, Staphylococcus aureus SA 11, Enterococcus faecium CCM 4231) and non-embryonated helminth eggs (Ascaris suum) was investigated in pig slurry. Two pilot-plant experiments were carried out in two anaerobic digesters (800 and 1,000 litre) in a mesophilic thermal range (35-37 degrees C). The mean hydraulic retention time of the digesters was 20 days. The methanogenesis process was monitored by determining the following chemical parameters: pH, N-NH3, total dry matter (kg/day), organic matter (kg/day) production of methane by supplied and degraded organic matter (m3/kg). The results obtained allow us to state that the anaerobic stabilization of pig slurry in the mesophilic temperature range resulted in total devitalization of model bacterial strains E. coli EC 5 and Ent. faecium CCM 4231. St. aureus SA 11 cells, exposed to the above mentioned conditions, were also reduced in their number from 10.04 to 3.27 and from 8.69 to 2.77 log cfu/ml. It is assumed that the longer retention time of excrements in the digester could also result in total devitalization of St. aureus SA 11 cells. From the microbiological point of view, the above mentioned facts indicate a sufficient hygienization effect of the anaerobic fermentation on the contaminated pig excrements. The survival of A. suum eggs was little affected by the 20-day anaerobic mesophilic digestion of pig slurry. Only 17 or 18% (F1, F2) of the non-embryonated A. suum eggs were damaged after the 20-day exposure.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

[Oxytetracycline in the milk of dairy cows with clinical signs of mastitis during the lactation period].

The objective of this study was to determine the oxytetracycline residues in milk from cows with clinical mastitis dosed with two extra-label routes of oxytetracycline administration not only during antibiotic's treatment (5 days), but also six days after treatment by use of a liquid chromatography method of testing with a detection limit of 20 ppb. Both groups of animals were treated once daily for five milkings at 24-hour intervals following morning milkings. Composite milk samples (equal volumes of foremilk from each quarter) were collected during morning and afternoon milkings, mixed together (1:1), and stored until analyzed. Milk samples were analyzed just before the first treatment (0 hour) and ten times at 24-hour intervals. Residue studies in milk cows indicate that oxytetracycline passes into milk. Residues in milk were higher for the cows receiving oxytetracycline by intramammary route (Tab. I) than for the cows receiving oxytetracycline intramuscularly (Tab. II). The highest mean data were 195.68 mg/kg after intramammary infusion (Fig. 2) and 2.74 mg/kg after intramuscular injection (Fig. 3) on the 5th day of the treatment beginning. The analysis data showed that oxytetracycline persisted in milk for as long as two days after both treatments at the concentration 0.03 mg/kg versus 0.02 mg/kg, respectively. No residues were detected in milk of any animal from the 4th day of the cessation of the therapy (Fig. 1) as detected by the HPLC method.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Chronic influence of pyrethroid supermethrin on some reproductive features in Japanese quail (140 days long avian reproduction test).

We observed the influence of chronic effect of pyrethroid supermethrin on some reproduction features in Japanese quails. They received 3 different doses (P1 10.7 mg.kg-1.day-1; P2 21.4 mg.kg-1.day-1 and P3 35.7 mg.kg-1.day-1) of the tested substance during 20 weeks. The total health status, reproduction of Japanese quails, the damage rate (degree) of the organs and tissues as well as the determination of residue in the eggs and muscles of the experimental birds showed that pyrethroid insecticide supermethrin can be considered a safe pesticide.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Determination of tetracycline antibiotics in animal tissues of food-producing animals by high-performance liquid chromatography using solid-phase extraction.

A high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method was developed for the determination of oxytetracycline (OTC), tetracycline (TC) and chlortetracycline (CTC) residues in bovine and porcine muscles. The method involved the homogenization of the sample in EDTA-McIlvaine buffer with added n-hexane and dichloromethane, centrifugation, precipitation of the supernatant using trichloroacetic acid and filtration. Preconcentration on Separcol SI C18 cartridges improved the clean-up and the recovery of tetracyclines that were separated by HPLC using the optimized mobile phase of 0.01 M oxalic acid-acetonitrile-methanol (45:35:20) on a Spherisorb ODS 2 column (250 x 4 mm I.D.). UV detection at 360 nm was applied with a detection limit of about 50 ng/g. The diode-array spectra confirmed the applicability of this method to the study of tetracycline residues in carcasses.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

[Study of the efficacy of sewage treatment systems for fluid waste on pig farms in Slovakia].

Bacteriological, helminthological and physico-chemical examinations were carried out to investigate the technological procedure in three water treatment plants treating slurry from large-capacity pig farms (Kosická Polianka, Spisské Vlachy, Vel'ký Dur). Our investigations were focused on the testing of effectiveness of mechanical, chemical and biological treatment system most frequently used in Slovakia. Our investigations revealed that water-treatment plants, operating on pig farms, fulfil only the supplies management requirements concerning the treated water, discharged into the recipient. From the hygienic viewpoint further processing or utilization of the solid fraction remains unsolved. This fraction contains considerable concentrations of bacteria and parasitic germs (Ascaris suum, Trichuris suis, Isospora sp., Eimeria sp.) most of which exhibit high tenacity in the environment. It is recommended to process this solid fraction by composting before it is applied as a manure. However, the measured values did not exceed the reference hygienic limits. The technological stage of chemical treatment, which follows after the separation and utilizes some coagulants (aluminium sulphate, ferrous sulphate), can increase the chemical load of water stripped of crude organic pollutants, by some undesirable chemical elements.

Animal Husbandry↗
PubMed1994

Evaluation of acid-base disorders in dairy cows using principal component analysis and empiric equations.

Acid-base disorders were studied in two groups of dairy cows. According to conventional interpretation in the 1st group of dairy cows (n = 10) the results of the acid-base parameters indicated respiratory alkalosis and in the 2nd group (n = 10) metabolic acidosis. The data of the two groups were examined using principal component analysis. So called "reduced variables"--principal components for each animal were calculated. Each experimental animal was projected in the coordinates of 3 principal components K1, K2 and K3. The components K1, K2 and K3 comprised a 90% data variability. The importance of variables for a dividing of groups (1 and 2) was quantified. The most important were pCO2, (HCO3)' and BE. It was proved according to mathematico-empiric equations that dairy cows of 1st group suffered from acute respiratory alkalosis. In the 2nd group of dairy cows the combined acid-base disorder was confirmed using the equations for metabolic acidosis and chronic respiratory acidosis. The use of PCA method and empiric equations for acid-base imbalances shows the possibilities for gaining new knowledge how to make the diagnostic process more exact.

Acid-Base Imbalance↗
PubMed1992

[The effect of bentazone manufactured in Czechoslovakia on the synthesis of bacterial proteins in the rumen of sheep].

The effect of the perorally ingested pesticide bentazone (195 mg.kg-1) of Czechoslovak origin on the amino acid composition of proteins of bacteria adhering to the ventral and dorsal ruminal wall investigated in six sheep. Proteosynthesis of adherent bacteria was studied by a modified and quantified elution method (elution of bacteria by an isotonic buffered solution at 4 degrees C). By the latter, a concentrate of undamaged bacteria a adhering to the sheep ruminal epithelium could be obtained. The yield of the method was estimated by scanning electrone microscopy and it was 93.3% (Legáth et al., 1990). The high correlation coefficient (r = 0.94, p < 0.01) suggested that in comparison with the control group of sheep, bentazone in the diet did not have a marked effect on the amount of amino acids in hydrolyzates of bacteria adhering to the dorsal and ventral ruminal epithelium. From the analysis of the single amino acids, it however follows that bentazone in the feeding ration caused significant changes in the concentrations of some amino acids in the proteins of bacteria adhering to the epithelium in the ventral and dorsal part of the rumen (p < 0.05) (Tab. I, II). In both topographico-anatomical parts of the rumen phenylalanine levels significantly increased whereas those of alanine and glycine decreased (Fig. 1). Pesticides can be one of the factors that negatively affect the biosynthetic processes in the rumen of ruminants.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Amino Acids↗