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Biomedical subjects

J Varga

Publications and source records attributed to J Varga.

At least 181 records · Page 10Linked to original sources
PubMed1993

Treatment of calf pneumonia with tilmicosin.

The therapeutic effect of a single injection of tilmicosin (10 mg/kg body mass) against natural cases of pneumonia of calves, compared to other conventionally used antibiotics, was examined under field conditions. The trials were conducted in three cattle herds and included the treatment of 135 calves with 82 controls. The animals' age ranged from 1 week to 4 months. Prior to the treatment and in case of death bacteriological examinations from nasal swabs and from the lungs were carried out. Clinical signs were recorded in all groups and in one group body mass gains were also recorded. After tilmicosin treatment, the body temperature returned to the normal level within 24 h and the animals recovered within 1 to 2 days. Ten calves (7.41%) showed relapse during the 3rd and 4th week after treatment in contrast to 9 (10.98%) in the control group. Three calves (2.22%) died in the groups treated with tilmicosin and 6 calves (7.32%) among the controls. In one of the treated groups the body mass gain was 6.2% higher compared to the controls at the age of 3 months. These results suggest that treatment with a single dose of tilmicosin is effective in most cases of calf pneumonia caused by bacteria.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Increased type I collagen gene expression in L-tryptophan associated eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome skin fibroblasts.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the pathogenetic mechanisms responsible for the cutaneous fibrosis in eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome (EMS) associated with L-tryptophan ingestion. METHODS: Compare in vitro type I collagen production and steady state procollagen mRNA levels in cultured skin fibroblasts derived from healthy individuals and from 5 patients with EMS and diffuse cutaneous induration. RESULTS: Cell lines derived from the affected skin from patients with EMS exhibited greater collagen production and higher steady state levels of alpha 1(I) procollagen mRNA compared with fibroblasts from age and sex matched healthy individuals. Exposure to interferon gamma reduced collagen synthesis in the EMS fibroblast lines. The rate of in vitro transcription of the COL1A1 gene was 30% higher in nuclei isolated from collagen overproducer EMS fibroblasts than in nuclei from normal fibroblasts. CONCLUSION: Fibroblasts derived from the involved skin of patients with EMS show increased expression of the alpha 1(I) procollagen gene in vitro compared to normal skin fibroblasts. The biosynthetically activated phenotype exhibited by EMS fibroblasts appears to be due, at least in part, to transcriptional activation of type I collagen gene expression. These biochemical and molecular alterations may result in accumulation of collagen and lead to the cutaneous fibrosis in EMS.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Skin thickness score in systemic sclerosis: an assessment of interobserver variability in 3 independent studies.

OBJECTIVE: Using data from 3 independent studies, to quantify the interobserver reliability of semi-quantitative skin scoring methods (the original and the modified Rodnan skin thickness scores) used to assess the degree and extent of cutaneous thickening in systemic sclerosis (SSc). METHOD: Interobserver variability of the original Rodnan skin thickness score method (cutaneous thickness assessed in 26 body surface areas using a 0-4 scale) was evaluated in one study. The modified Rodnan method (cutaneous thickness assessed in 17 body surface areas using a 0-3 scale) was evaluated in 2 studies. In all 3 studies, each patient's skin thickness was assessed by 6 or 7 observers in a blinded fashion. RESULTS: The overall within patient standard deviations were not statistically different in all 3 studies (5.4, 4.6 and 4.6) irrespective of the overall mean skin thickness scores (26.6, 18.3 and 17.7). With the original Rodnan technique, the within patient standard deviation tended to be higher in patients with higher skin thickness scores. In the 2 studies which used the modified technique, no significant differences in within patient standard deviation were noted between high and low skin thickness scores. CONCLUSIONS: Three independent studies demonstrate that the Rodnan skin thickness scoring techniques are reproducible among different observers (the within patient standard deviation being consistently about 5 units). Our data provide valuable information needed for sample size calculations for SSc trials in which skin thickness score is an outcome variable.

Humans↗
PubMed1993

Demonstration of interleukin 8 and autoantibodies to interleukin 8 in the serum of patients with systemic sclerosis and related disorders.

BACKGROUND AND DESIGN: Interleukin 8 (IL-8), a chemotactic cytokine produced by various cell types, displays structural homology to the connective tissue-activating peptide III. Little is known of the possible role of IL-8 in connective tissue disorders. We therefore determined serum concentrations of IL-8 and autoantibodies to IL-8 in 134 patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and related connective tissue disorders, as well as in pooled serum from 28 healthy control subjects by a sensitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Interleukin 8 was undetectable in the pooled serum from 28 healthy controls, but detectable in serum samples from 24 of the 134 patients described above. It was detected in 13 of 60 patients with limited SSc and in eight of 48 patients with diffuse SSc. It was also detectable in one of three patients with eosinophilic fasciitis and in two of 10 patients with Raynaud's syndrome without skin involvement. In contrast, none of the three patients with morphea or the 10 patients with eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome had detectable IL-8 levels. We further determined the concentration of autoantibodies to IL-8 in the same serum samples. The values in healthy controls were 6.7 +/- 0.2 ng/mL (mean +/- SEM). Significantly elevated autoantibody levels were detected in patients with limited SSc (21.5 +/- 1.7), diffuse SSc (23.4 +/- 2.2), and Raynaud's syndrome (20.5 +/- 3.7). Elevated levels were also detected in patients with eosinophilic fasciitis (43.7 +/- 8.6) and morphea (14.7 +/- 3.2). Normal levels (7.5 +/- 2.0) were found in patients with eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome. Analysis of variance between the levels of autoantibodies to IL-8 and duration of the disease, extent of skin involvement, drug therapy, or serologic findings failed to show a significant correlation. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that increased production of IL-8 may relate to activation of mononuclear phagocytes, fibroblasts, or endothelial cells, among other cell types, in patients with SSc, but not in those with eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome. This activation could be related to the production of autoantibodies to IL-8.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Esophageal function in systemic sclerosis: a prospective evaluation of motility and acid reflux in 36 patients.

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a connective tissue disorder which frequently involves the esophagus, with severe gastroesophageal reflux (GER) and dysphagia as clinical consequences of esophageal dysmotility. The relationship between the severity and extent of esophageal acid exposure and the specific manometric disturbances has received little attention. Similarly, a paucity of manometric data exists regarding pharyngeal/upper esophageal sphincter (UES) function in SSc patients. We prospectively studied 36 SSc patients using computerized solid-state manometric and ambulatory dual-pH (upper and lower esophageal) monitoring, to define further the relationship between esophageal dysmotility and severity of GER in these patients. Patients were separated for analysis into two subgroups based on the absence (group 1, N = 25) or presence (group 2, N = 11) of distal esophageal peristalsis. SSc disease variant (diffuse vs. limited) and duration of illness were inaccurate predictors of the presence and severity of esophageal involvement. The mean lower esophageal sphincter (LES) pressure for the SSc patients (15.8 +/- 1.2 mm Hg, mean +/- SE) was significantly lower (p < 0.01) than that for a control group (26.0 +/- 2.1 mm Hg). There was no significant difference between the mean LES pressure for group 1 (15.0 +/- 1.6 mm Hg) and group 2 (17.5 +/- 1.6 mm Hg) patients. Although distal esophageal aperistalsis was noted in 70% of patients, normal proximal esophageal contraction pressures were documented in all cases. Mean UES pressure was significantly (p < 0.01) lower in group 1 (52.5 +/- 4.6 mm Hg) than in group 2 (80.5 +/- 10.6 mm Hg). The mean duration of UES relaxation and the mean time interval between the onset of UES relaxation and onset of pharyngeal contraction were significantly (p < 0.05) shorter for group 1 than group 2 patients. Pharyngeal pressures, peristalsis, and other aspects of pharyngeal/UES coordination were normal. Excessive distal esophageal acid exposure was often seen in patients in both subgroups, but it was significantly (p < 0.01) greater in group 1. Excessive proximal esophageal acid exposure was documented only in patients with absent distal peristalsis. Linear regression analysis revealed a poor correlation between the severity of esophageal acid exposure and the LES pressure. Thus, the severity and extent of GER in SSc is most closely related to the integrity of distal esophageal peristalsis.

Esophageal Motility Disorders↗
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↗