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J Varga

Publications and source records attributed to J Varga.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

[Study of the virulence of coagulase-negative staphylococci in experimental infections].

The pathogenicity and virulence of 3 strains of Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus haemolyticus and Staphylococcus saprophyticus, respectively were studied in BALB/c mice by intraperitoneal (ip) challenge using 4 bacterial suspensions of different colony forming units (CFU) of each strain. Strains were isolated from wound, blood, and urine of inpatients. On the base of the lethality rates, S. saprophyticus proved to be the most virulent (LD50 = 2.7-2.9 x 10(7) CFU/g body wt), while the S. epidermidis species was the least virulent (LD50 = 6-8 x 10(7) CFU/g body wt). The lethality rate of male mice was higher than that of the female ones at the same challenge bacterium concentration. Mice of higher body weight were generally more sensitive to a quality of bacteria calculated to 1 g of mice than the lighter mice. The 245 mice surviving the challenge were dissected at the 10th day of infection. Splenomegaly was found to be the most frequent macroscopic pathological alteration. There appeared kidney abscesses, liver abscesses, and rarely peritoneal abscess. The frequency of pathological findings were directly proportional to the amount of bacteria injected. The results indicate that clinical strains of coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) examined were pathogenic and virulent for BALB/c mice they are invasive after ip injection and can cause macroscopic pathological changes in parenchymal organs. Thus, ip CNS challenge in mice may be a model to imitate and study infections caused by CNS in human.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

[Laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Initial experiences].

Between February 1991 and July 1991, 74 laparoscopic cholecystectomies were performed. The number of all cholecystectomies during this period was 168. Two surgeons performed the operations. Stone in the common bile duct, old age, acute cholecystitis, severe obesity and heart rhythm disorders were regarded as contraindications. The duration of the operation was 45-210 min. (mean 127 min). The intervention was diverted to open cholecystectomy in 2 instances (2.7%). Early postoperative complications were observed in 2 cases (2.7%): biliary discharge and bleeding. Reoperation was necessary in one patient (1.3%) because of bleeding. There was no operative mortality. The mean duration of hospitalization was 5.6 days, and the mean postoperative period was 2.7 days. It is considered that, laporoscopic cholecystectomy can be carried out only by specialists in both bile surgery and laparoscopic techniques, provided that all the personal and technical conditions necessary for traditional cholecystectomies are at hand. Both medically and economically, the laparoscopic cholecystectomy results attain or even exceed those of the traditional open technique.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

[Accurate assessment of myocardial viability: complementation of Thallium-201 scintigraphy with a subsequent reinjection study].

Persistent myocardial thallium perfusion defects 3 to 4 hours after stress do not represent irreversible ischemia in every case. In many instances signs of reversibility show up 8-72 hours later or after rest reinjection. Authors performed additional investigations of redistribution in 64 patients with persistent defects. Rest reinjection was given to 11 patients and delayed redistribution was followed in the others. Persistent perfusion defects improved or disappeared in 13 percent of myocardial segments and 38 percent of patients. In 18% of segments late reverse redistribution was observed. The assessment of patients' state was significantly influenced by the results of the additional investigations in 19% of cases. Authors suggest that important information can be obtained about the viability of the myocardium by the extended studies even with the common planar method.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

The cause and pathogenesis of the eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To review recent advances in the understanding of the cause and pathogenesis of the eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome associated with ingestion of L-tryptophan. DATA SOURCES: Studies published from 1989 to 1991 were identified using a MEDLINE literature search. Additional references were selected from the bibliographies of identified articles. DATA SYNTHESIS: The eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome was epidemiologically associated with ingestion of L-tryptophan-containing preparations. Analysis of case-associated lots of L-tryptophan has revealed several chemical impurities. One of these, labeled "peak E," is an unusual dimeric form of L-tryptophan (1,1'-ethylidenebis[tryptophan]), and its presence is associated with the eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome (P = 0.022). Evidence of abnormal metabolism of tryptophan has been found in some patients with the syndrome. Eosinophil activation and the release of major basic protein and other eosinophil-derived toxic proteins into the extracellular space is a striking feature in the eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome and implicates eosinophils or their products in the pathogenesis. Mononuclear cell activation and infiltration of various affected tissues as well as fibrosis of the integument and of the connective tissue components of blood vessels, nerves, and muscles are additional frequent findings. CONCLUSIONS: Current evidence suggests that the epidemic of the eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome was caused by contaminated L-tryptophan preparations originating from a single manufacturer. Peak E or other, as yet unidentified, contaminants may trigger activation of eosinophils and inflammatory cells and increase biosynthesis of connective tissue components, resulting in the clinical and pathologic manifestations of the eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome. Further studies of the interaction of eosinophils, inflammatory cells, and fibroblasts may increase the understanding of the pathogenesis of the eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome. The insights gained from the epidemic may be applicable to more common idiopathic diseases associated with eosinophilia and fibrosis.

Drug Contamination↗
PubMed1992

Autoantibodies to nuclear lamin C in the eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome associated with L-tryptophan ingestion.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the autoantibodies (antinuclear antibodies [ANA]) present in serum from a patient with eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome (EMS). METHODS: Sera obtained during the early phase of EMS and following therapy with prednisone were screened by indirect immunofluorescence on HEp-2 cells, and ANA were characterized by immunoblotting on a purified nuclear lamin fraction. RESULTS: ANA with a ring-like pattern of nuclear staining were identified at high titer by immunofluorescence, and immunoblotting experiments showed them to be directed against lamin C. The antibody titer declined dramatically after discontinuation of L-tryptophan and therapy with prednisone. CONCLUSION: This is the first characterization of an antigen/autoantibody system associated with EMS. The findings indicate that this EMS-associated autoantibody recognizes epitopes localized in the carboxyterminal region of lamin C. The occurrence of anti-lamin C autoantibodies in one EMS patient expands the spectrum of clinical conditions associated with these antibodies, and provides evidence for an autoimmune response in EMS.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1992

Technetium-99m diethylene triamine penta-acetic acid and dimercaptosuccinic acid in the detection of a segmental branch stenosis of the renal artery by captopril renography.

We present a case in which a 39-year-old woman with correctable bilateral renovascular hypertension did not show abnormality during post-captopril technetium-99m dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) study. Post-captopril 99mTc-diethylene triamine penta-acetic acid (DTPA) scintigraphy revealed the adverse effect of a stenosis of the artery supplying the upper part of her left kidney but failed to uncover the existence of severe multiple narrowings of the right renal artery. After bilateral renovascular reconstructive surgery, the hypertension completely disappeared. This case illustrates that DTPA may be more efficacious than DMSA in the detection of segmental loss of renal function induced by angiotensin converting enzyme inhibition.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Effects of brain natriuretic peptide-32 on the extinction of active avoidance behavior in rats. Transmitter-mediated action.

Three doses of porcine brain natriuretic peptide (pBNP-32) were tested in regards to the extinction of active avoidance behavior following injection into the lateral brain ventricle in rats. This peptide delayed the extinction of the active avoidance reflex in a dose-dependent manner. To clarify the involvement of transmitters in the action of the peptide, the animals were pretreated with different receptor blockers in doses that did not affect the behavior of the animals in this learning paradigm. Dopaminergic, cholinergic, and alpha- and beta-adrenergic blockers effectively blocked the delaying action of pBNP-32, whereas GABAergic, serotoninergic, and opiateergic blockers were ineffective. The data suggest that the delaying action of pBNP-32 on the extinction of active avoidance behavior is mediated via dopaminergic and alpha- and beta-adrenergic neuromediations.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Structure-activity studies on the effects of atrial natriuretic peptide, brain natriuretic peptide and their analogs on fear-motivated learning behavior in rats.

Our previous studies have demonstrated that rat atrial natriuretic peptide (rANP 1-28) and porcine brain natriuretic peptide (pBNP 1-32) administered into the lateral brain facilitate the consolidation of a passive avoidance response and delay the extinction of an active avoidance response in fear-motivated learning in rats. To study the structure-activity relationships in the same learning processes, the effects of several fragments related to ANP and BNP were investigated following their intracerebroventricular administration to rats. The following peptides were studied: rANP 1-28, rANP 5-28, rANP 5-27, rANP 7-23 (ring), rANP 17-23, hANP 10-28, hANP 15-28, hANP 20-28, hANP 1-28, pBNP 1-32 and pBNP 7-32. The peptides were used in equimolar concentration. Two of the peptides studied, ANP 20-28 and ANP 17-23, were ineffective on the extinction of active avoidance behavior and on the consolidation of passive avoidance learning. They exhibited similar actions. The results showed that small fragments of ANP and BNP can carry the biological activity of ANP and BNP on the central nervous system (CNS). It is likely that the biological active center for ANP lies between amino acids 15 and 23 and it is suspected that the ring structure is not absolutely important for the CNS activity.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1992

Papular mucinosis (scleromyxoedema) complicating diffuse systemic sclerosis: clinical features and electron microscope observations.

Papular mucinosis (scleromyxoedema) is an uncommon disorder characterized by generalized papular eruption and cutaneous induration, which may be associated with a variety of extracutaneous manifestations. Although scleroderma and papular mucinosis share many features, they are clinically and histologically distinct entities. We report here a patient with diffuse scleroderma who developed superimposed papular mucinosis. Degranulating mast cells were a prominent ultrastructural finding in the involved skin. The occurrence of scleroderma and papular mucinosis, two uncommon cutaneous indurative diseases, in the same patient has not been described previously.

Biopsy↗
PubMed1992

Behavioral effects of atrial and brain natriuretic peptides in rats.

The effects of intracerebroventricular administration of rat atrial natriuretic peptide (rANP-1-28) and porcine brain natriuretic peptide-32 (pBNP-32) on passive and active avoidance behavior and on electroconvulsive shock-induced amnesia were studied in rats. The dose range for both peptides was selected to lie between 0.016 and 0.32 nmol. The two peptides were found to facilitate consolidation of the passive avoidance response, to delay extinction of the active avoidance response, and to prevent electroconvulsive shock-induced amnesia in a similar way. It is suggested that some modulatory functions in the central nervous system of the rat, so far attributed to ANP, may in fact involve a dual control by both ANP and BNP, and there is no difference in the biological activity of the two peptides as far as fear-motivated learning behavior is concerned.

Amnesia↗
PubMed1992

[Clinical manifestations of spinal lesions in dysraphic malformations of the caudal neuropore in children].

Disorders in the development of the spine and the spinal cord in the caudal neuroporus region significantly contribute to the morbidity and the lasting invalidity of children. Clinical investigations of the malformations manifest through different forms of body abnormalities, ranging from asymptomatic forms of "spina bifida occultae" to the severe forms of open "meningomyelocele". The nature and the level often cannot be detected before the development of the structural changes in the course of growth and development of the child, which can hardly be treated later. At the Department of Child Surgery in Novi Sad 12 infants were surgically treated in the last 5 years, while 30 children were surgically and conservatively treated after the detection of the clinical and subclinical manifestations of dysraphism. The indications for the surgical treatment were open meningomyelocele as well as those subclinical forms indicating the development of the tethered corn syndrome, hydrocephalus and tumefactions in the lumbosacral region. Moreover the study points to the significance of certain clinical features and investigations in the diagnosis of spinal dysraphism.

Cauda Equina↗
PubMed1992

Muscle relaxation with Norcuron in patients undergoing obstetrical-gynaecological operation.

The observations with Norcuron (Richter) injection used for muscle relaxation in the course of 204 obstetrical-gynaecological operations have been discussed. In the majority of cases Caesarean section was performed, the other interventions were major operations. Norcuron proved to be a neuro-muscular blocking agent which has no cardiovascular side-effects, has a medium duration of action, and may be repeatedly administered according to requirement without risk of cumulation. It may be combined with other anaesthetics, its action may be successfully antagonized, and the drug has no postoperative after-effects. The Apgar scores of the newborns remained within the normal ranges.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

[Supplementary feeding--additional food in daily infant nutrition].

A group of 707 children aged 1 to 24 months from the territory of Vojvodina (10 rural and urban settlements) was examined regarding additional food (nonmilk and milk food), time of introduction, infant's age and frequency of consumption. It has been concluded that supplementary feeding, including all food, starts early. Fruit and vegetable are introduced at the age of 34 months. As for the introduction of yolk (first given at about 4 months) it differs from the modern attitudes regarding the intake of this food. Milk formulae, meat and chicken liver are usually introduced about the fifth month. Analyses of the type of food and the way of preparation point to some extremities. Special emphasis is given to the environmental specificities which determine the recommendations.

Humans↗
PubMed1992

Treatment of systemic sclerosis with extracorporeal photochemotherapy. Results of a multicenter trial.

BACKGROUND AND DESIGN: In a pilot study of extracorporeal photochemotherapy, two patients with systemic sclerosis who received this therapy experienced significant clinical improvement. These results prompted the development of a multicenter trial to examine the benefit of extracorporeal photochemotherapy in the treatment of systemic sclerosis. Seventy-nine patients with systemic sclerosis of recent onset (mean symptom duration, 1.83 years) and progressive skin involvement during the preceding 6 months entered a randomized, parallel-group, single-blinded clinical trial comparing extracorporeal photochemotherapy treatments given on 2 consecutive days monthly with treatment with D-penicillamine at a maximum dose of 750 mg/d. Blinded clinical examiners evaluated skin severity score (thickness), percent surface area involvement, oral aperture, and hand closure. Serial skin biopsies and pulmonary function studies were also performed. RESULTS: Following 6 months of treatment, significant improvement in skin severity score occurred in 21 (68%) of 31 patients receiving photochemotherapy and in eight (32%) of 25 receiving D-penicillamine treatment, while significant worsening occurred in three (10%) of 31 receiving photochemotherapy and in eight (32%) of 25 receiving penicillamine treatment, thus indicating a significantly higher response rate for individuals who received photochemotherapy (P = .02). At both the 6- and 10-month evaluation points, the mean skin severity score, mean percent skin involvement, and mean oral aperture measurements were significantly improved from baseline among those who received photochemotherapy. Mean right and left hand closure measurements had also improved significantly by 10 months of therapy. By comparison, among the patients treated with D-penicillamine, none of the parameters of cutaneous disease had improved significantly after 6 months of therapy, although for those individuals in whom treatment was continued, the mean skin severity score and mean percent skin involvement had improved by 10 months. Skin biopsy studies revealed a correlation between clinical improvement and decreased thickness of the dermal layer. Adverse effects of extracorporeal photochemotherapy were minimal and did not require discontinuation of treatment in any of the patients receiving this therapy; six patients permanently discontinued the use of D-penicillamine treatment due to adverse effects. CONCLUSIONS: For patients with systemic sclerosis of recent onset, extracorporeal photochemotherapy is a well-tolerated treatment that may partially reverse the process that results in cutaneous sclerosis.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Exaggerated radiation-induced fibrosis in patients with systemic sclerosis.

Four patients with stable systemic sclerosis and limited skin involvement received radiation for the treatment of solid malignant neoplasms. Following localized irradiation, each patient developed an exaggerated cutaneous and internal fibrotic reaction in the irradiated areas. The surface area of fibrosis extended beyond the radiation portals employed, and the fibrotic process was poorly responsive to antifibrotic therapy. Three of the patients died of complications caused by fibrous encasement of internal organs. The extent and severity of postradiation fibrosis in these patients was distinctly unusual. These observations suggest that patients with systemic sclerosis are particularly susceptible to developing excessive radiation-induced fibrosis.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

The eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome and eosinophilic fasciitis.

The scientific excitement that follows the recognition of a new disease has been reflected in the numerous publications describing the clinical, histopathologic, and pathogenetic aspects of the eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome (EMS) during the period covered by this review. The clinical picture that has emerged during the past 2 years indicates that EMS is a multisystemic disease with prominent cutaneous, hematologic, and visceral manifestations that frequently evolves into a chronic course and can occasionally be fatal. Considerable progress has been made toward understanding the etiology and pathogenesis of EMS. The demonstration of an association with the ingestion of L-tryptophan-containing products originating from a single source has led to the identification and characterization of a putative etiologic agent present as a contaminant in these preparations. Although the accumulation of eosinophils, lymphocytes, macrophages, and fibroblasts in the affected tissues suggests that these cells play important roles in the pathogenesis of EMS, the precise mechanisms of their involvement have not been established. Several studies have demonstrated the activation of eosinophils and the deposition of eosinophil-derived toxic proteins in affected tissues. Fibroblast activation and increased expression of genes coding for various connective tissue macromolecules have been demonstrated employing in situ hybridizations with complementary DNAs. Furthermore, interleukin-5 and transforming growth factor-beta have been implicated as potential mediators in the pathogenesis of EMS. The explosive epidemic of EMS has emphasized the importance of chemical and environmental factors in the development of systemic disorders characterized by chronic inflammation and fibrosis. It is expected that further study of the pathogenesis of EMS will provide valuable information regarding the mechanisms responsible for these obscure disorders.

Eosinophilia↗