Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

K Wójcik

Publications and source records attributed to K Wójcik.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Coronary artery calcification, common carotid artery intima-media thickness and aortic pulse wave velocity in patients on peritoneal dialysis.

An increasing body of evidence suggests that atherosclerosis in patients with uremia differs from that found in general population in terms of advancement and localization of vascular lesions. It has also been suggested that different non-invasive techniques of vascular system evaluation are designed to show different types of lesions (i.e. vascular calcification, stiffness or 'classical' atherosclerosis). The aim of the study was to search for possible associations between results obtained with three different non-invasive methods of vascular system assessment in three different vascular sites in patients treated with peritoneal dialysis (PD). 61 patients (28 F, 33 M), mean age of 50.4+/-13.6 years, on maintenance PD for a median period of 10 months (range 1-96 months) were included. Coronary artery disease (CAD) was present in 21 subjects. In all subjects coronary artery calcification score (CaSc) using multi-row spiral computed tomography (MSCT), aortic pulse wave velocity (AoPWV) and ultrasound-based common carotid artery intima-media thickness (CCA-IMT) were performed as methods for assessing coronary calcium burden, arterial stiffness and atherosclerosis, respectively. Median value of CaSc equaled 11.5 Agatston units (range 0-5502.8 units). Median AoPWV was 10.4 m/s (range 7.56-18.1 m/s), and median CCA-IMT-0.6 mm (range 0.3-1.0 mm). In 16 patients (26.2%) at least one plaque in at least one common carotid artery was found on ultrasound. CaSc correlated with AoPWV (R=0.32, p<0.01) and with CCA-IMT (R=0.35, p<0.005), whereas no association was found between AoPWV and CCA-IMT. AoPWV, but not CaSc nor IMT correlated with blood pressure. The values of CCA-IMT and AoPWV increased together with consecutive Agatston categories (with p<0.001 for differences in AoPWV and p<0.05 for CCA-IMT). Patients with at least one plaque found in at least one CCA and patients with CAD were characterized with significantly higher values of CaSc, IMT and PWV, when compared to plaque-free and CAD- negative subjects, respectively. Association between CaSc and both IMT and PWV may suggest that the mechanism of three assessed vascular pathologies may be based, to some extent, on the process of pathologic calcium-phosphate deposition. Lack of correlation found between PWV and IMT may suggest that aortic stiffness and carotid atherosclerosis may partially differ in their pathologic background and/or are dissociated in time.

Aorta↗
PubMed2005

Persistent skin colonization with Staphylococcus aureus in atopic dermatitis: relationship to clinical and immunological parameters.

BACKGROUND: Staphylococcus aureus has important implications for the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis (AD). In some patients S. aureus can be eradicated from the skin during anti-inflammatory treatment, while in others bacterial colonization is persistent. Potential mechanisms and features of these two distinct groups of patients are not known. OBJECTIVE: Accordingly, we studied relationships between the ability to eliminate S. aureus during an anti-inflammatory treatment and selected clinical and immunological features. METHODS: Quantitative assessment of S. aureus on the skin, in nasal vestibule and throat, serum IgE levels, CD4/CD8 T-cell ratio, lymphocyte proliferation and phagocyte oxidative burst were determined during the exacerbation and after 4 and 12 weeks of the treatment using topical steroid and oral antihistamine in 34 patients with AD. RESULTS: S. aureus was found on the skin of all 34 patients during exacerbation. Disease severity scoring of atopic dermatitis (SCORAD) correlated with the density of bacteria. Treatment with oral antihistamine and topical steroid resulted in a significant alleviation of symptoms, which correlated with the elimination of S. aureus from the skin in 70% of patients. In the remaining 30% of patients, dense (more than 10(10)/cm2) S. aureus skin colonization, persisted despite the treatment. Patients with persistent S. aureus presented with higher serum IgE levels, lower lymphocyte proliferation in response to staphylococcal enterotoxin B, phytohaemagluttinin and anti-CD3. Persistence of S. aureus was more common in men. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with AD differ in the ability to clear S. aureus from the skin during anti-inflammatory treatment, which appears to be related to the abnormalities in immunological parameters. Local antibiotic therapy should be considered only in patients with persistent S. aureus colonization.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed2003

An association between aortic pulse wave velocity, blood pressure and chronic inflammation in ESRD patients on peritoneal dialysis.

Increased aortic pulse wave velocity (AoPWV) has been identified as a risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity in the general population and in patients on dialysis. Most of the studies in ESRD patients refer to subjects on hemodialysis. Influence of the inflammatory process on aortic stiffening remains largely unknown. The aim of the present study was to evaluate potential relationships between AoPWV and blood pressure, basic anthropometric parameters, selected growth factors and markers of the inflammatory process in ESRD patients treated with peritoneal dialysis. The study population consisted of 43 patients (19 F, 24 M) with a mean age of 50.6 +/- 13.4 years on PD for a mean period of 21.9 +/- 20.7 months. AoPWV was measured using two pressure transducers placed on the carotid and femoral arteries and connected to an automatic processor (Complion Colson AS, Paris, France). Serum levels of Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha (TNFalpha), interleukin 6 (IL-6) and plasma basic Fibroblast Growth Factor (bFGF) were measured with ELISA; C-reactive protein and fibrinogen with nephelometry. Serum lipid profile was also assessed. Blood pressure was measured in an outpatient department under standardized conditions. Mean aortic pulse wave velocity in the study population was 10.7 +/- 2.1 m/s. No difference in AoPWV was found between men and women. AoPWV correlated significantly with age (R = 0.41; p < 0.01) but not with time on dialysis. Positive relationship between AoPWV and body weight and BMI was shown (R = 0.31; p < 0.05 and R = 0.35; p < 0.05, respectively). AoPWV correlated significantly with systolic blood pressure (SBP), mean arterial pressure (MAP) and pulse pressure (PP) (R = 0.46, p < 0.005, R = 0.46, p < 0.005 and R = 0.43, p < 0.01, respectively). AoPWV correlated with serum IL-6 and plasma bFGF (R = 0.32, p < 0.05 and R = 0.4, p < 0.01; respectively). The correlation with serum CRP was borderline significant (p < 0.53). In multiple regression analysis age (beta 0.38; p < 0.005), plasma bFGF level (beta 0.3; p < 0.05), and systolic blood pressure (beta 0.29; p < 0.05) were independently associated with pulse wave velocity. Our results suggest that AoPWV values in patients on PD are associated with factors similar to those encountered in the general population. We suggest that increased aortic stiffening may also be related to the chronic inflammatory process in PD patients.

Acute-Phase Proteins↗
PubMed2001

Facile and sensitive method for the determination of mesna in plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection.

The use of 2-chloro-1-methylquinolinium tetrafluoroborate, an ultraviolet tagging reagent, for the ion-pair, reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography of mesna in human plasma is reported. In order to achieve this objective optimization of the two-step procedure, derivatization and separation of mesna S-quinolinium derivative from that of other thiols present in plasma and internal standard, was investigated. The derivatization was optimized in terms of pH, reagent excess and time of the reaction, and the mobile phase in terms of ion-pairing reagent concentration, pH, organic modifier content and temperature. Baseline separation was achieved on an analytical Waters Nova-Pak C18 (150x3.9 mm, 5 microm) column with a mobile phase consisting of pH 2.3 0.05 M trichloroacetic acid-acetonitrile (89:11, v/v) pumped at 1.2 ml/min. The peak height ratios of the mesna derivative to that of the internal standard (thiomalic acid) varied linearly with the concentration of the analyte added to normal plasma with a correlation coefficient of 0.9997. The lower limits of detection and quantitation were 40 pmol/ml (0.8 pmol on-column) and 160 pmol/ml (3.2 pmol on-column), respectively. The intra-run imprecision and inaccuracy were from 1.3 to 2.4 and from 1.3 to 2.0%, respectively.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗
PubMed2001

[Assessment of quadriceps muscle isometric strength following operative treatment of femoral shaft fractures].

The authors investigated quadriceps muscle strength following operative treatment of femoral shaft fractures in 135 patients. Patients were categorized according to the kind of procedure performed: open Kuntscher intramedullary nailing--30 cases; Zespol--30 cases; AO plate osteosynthesis--47 cases and closed intramedullary nailing 28 cases. Two groups of patients were formed according to surgical technique: open method--107 cases and closed method--28 cases. 39 patients treated with an open method required re-operation. The best results were obtained in cases treated with closed technique--79.6%. The worst results were noted in the group requiring re-operation: 56.7%. The worst results were found in cases with comminuted fractures, and those located in the distal third of the femoral shaft.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Antimicrobial peptides derived from heme-containing proteins: hemocidins.

Deprived of heme and partially unfolded hemoglobin, myoglobin and cytochrome c display microbicidal activity against a broad spectrum of microorganisms with half maximal lethal dose estimated at micromolar concentrations. The intact proteins were ineffective. Antibacterial activity of these apohemoproteins was also sustained after digestion to approximately 50 amino acids long peptides but further fragmentation abolished microbicidal properties. The most active fragment of apomyoglobin (corresponding to 56-131 region) showed a pronounced effect on the E. coli membrane permeabilization and its action was sensitive to salt as well as to divalent cations concentrations. The membrane-directed effect was specific toward bacteria but no lipopolysaccharide binding properties were observed. No hemolytic properties, even at high peptide concentrations were found; however, a slight but dose-independent cytotoxic effect was observed on fibroblasts and hepatoma cells. The presented data suggest a 'carpet-like' mechanism of the membrane-directed activity and may result from exceptional abilities of hemoprotein-derived peptides to form alpha-helical structures. We postulate that the antimicrobial peptides obtained from the heme-containing proteins should be named hemocidins, in contrast to, e.g., hemorphins displaying opioid-like activity.

Anti-Infective Agents↗
PubMed1999

[Functional assessment after operative treatment of femoral shaft fracture].

The paper presents results of treatment in 135 patients (aged 16-77 years) with fracture of the femoral shaft treated with one of the four techniques: open intramedullary Küntcher nailing, Zespol fixation, AO plating and closed locked and unlocked intramedullary nailing. The assessment has been based on authors' own 4-grade, 35-points scale involving 7 parameters. Closed intramedullary nailing proved to the most efficient. No reoperation in this group occurred. The percentage of excellent and good results was the highest--96.4% and such was the score--32.6 points. Open methods (Küntcher nailing, Zespol fixation, AO plating) rendered 88.2%, 31.7 points and 59% excellent and good results, 26.2 points in group without complication and reoperated one respectively.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

[Densitometry for assessment of periacetabular bony changes after Parhofer-Mönch total hip replacement].

Densitometry for assessment of mineral changes after Parhofer-Mönch total hip replacement 10 mm around the acetabular component has been done in 53 patients (31 females and 22 males, mean age 52.1 years) with unilateral hip arthritis. Lunar DPX apparatus has been used, "manual analysis" of "Orthopedic" software and modification of DeLee and Charnley zones for DEXA technique was employed. After 6 months follow-up BMC and BMD decreased in all zones analyzed, especially in zone 2. These values increased in next 6 and 12 months but did not compensate for the primary loss.

Acetabulum↗
PubMed1999

[Early results of densitometry around the cementless stem of the Parhofer-Mönch hip endoprosthesis].

Fifty-three patients with unilateral hip arthritis (31 females, 22 males) aged from 29 to 66 years (mean 52.1 years) after total hip replacement with cementless Parhofer-Mönch endoprosthesis underwent densitometry. The content (BMC) and mineral density (BMD) of calcium within proximal end of the femur was evaluated at 8-12 days postoperatively and at 6, 12 and 18 months follow-up. Early results show various mineral changes in Gruen zones around the stem. The greatest BMC and BMD decrease was found at 6 months follow-up in zones 1 and 7 as well as 2 and 6. The BMC and BMD tendency to decrease gradually ceased and slightly positive values were found in zone 3, 4 and 5 at the final evaluation.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗
PubMed1999

Changes in the activity of some lysosomal enzymes and in the fine structure of submandibular gland due to experimental diabetes.

The aim of this study was to establish and quantify changes in the activities of the some lysosomal enzymes and to determine the type of changes in the ultrastructure of the submandibular gland in rabbits caused during progression of diabetes. The experiment was conducted on 89 New Zealand rabbit males. Diabetes was induced by the intravenous administration of 10% alloxan solution at a dose of 10-mg/kg-body weight. On the seventh day after alloxan administration, the level of glucose in blood was determined. Rabbits were divided into five groups: intact (n=18), 21-day diabetes (n=18), 42-day diabetes (n=17), 90-day diabetes (n=19) and 180-day diabetes (n=17). From killed animals in each group, the submandibular glands were removed and fixed or stored. Enzyme activities were assayed by spectrophotometric methods using substrates (Sigma) which release 4-methyloumbeliferol when they react with the proteases. Fixation procedure was done according to standard methods. Semi-thin and ultra-thin specimens were prepared by use of clearly visible after 42 days of diabetes. Mitochondria were damaged, accumulation of large amounts of lipids in the intracellular spaces was observed. After 90 days the presence of vacuoli and swollen lysosomes were observed, some cells also contained myelin figures. After 180 days the greatest changes were observed in the blood vessels, which had thickened walls and were often occluded. We concluded that the total activity of acid phosphatase and beta-N-acetyl-glucosaminidase in the submandibular gland was correlated with the level of glucose but there was no correlation between total beta-galactosidase activity and the serum concentration level of glucose has been detected during course of diabetes. The activities of the free fractions of acid phosphatase, beta-galactosidase and beta-N-acetyl-glucosaminidase in the submandibular gland were higher than the bound fractions in all groups of rabbits. The changes in the ultrastructure of the submandibular gland were correlated with changes in serum glucose level and with lysosomal enzymes activities during progression of experimental diabetes in rabbits.

Acid Phosphatase↗
PubMed1999

[Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry in Ilizarov lower extremity lengthening: preliminary study].

Ilizarov method for lower extremity lengthening has been employed in 107 patients. Some 25% of numerous complications are bony union disturbances. Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) for assessment of new bone formation was introduced to reduce these problems. Detailed densitometry methodology developed on the ground of 93 measurements in 11 patients is presented. Pre-operative measurement was followed by subsequent evaluations done every 3 weeks after the onset of distraction. DEXA was capable of showing the callus 3-4 weeks earlier than conventional radiography. DEXA allows for adjusting the pace of lengthening to the extent of new bone mineralization, evaluation of lengthening achieved, determining the timing for safe removal of the apparatus. The need for temporary rearranging of the apparatus and troublesome image analysis are among the drawbacks of the method.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗
PubMed1998

[Surgical treatment for Salter-Harris type II distal femoral epiphysis injury].

Results of surgical treatment for Salter-Harris type II distal femoral epiphysis injury in 4 boys aged 10-16 are presented. In 3 cases the epiphysis was fixed with two screws introduced above the growth plate. Kirschner wires inserted through epiphysis were used in one case. Healing occurred in all cases. Shortening of the femur due to the injury to the distal growth plate was observed in 2 patients. In these cases surgery was preceded by two attempts to reduce displacement conservatively. MRI and CT studies are useful in diagnostics for epiphyseal injuries and their consequences.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

[Pathomechanics of spinal and rib cage deformity in idiopathic scoliosis].

Idiopathic scoliosis is a triplanar deformity associated with a rib hump. The quantitative assessment of the principal elements of spinal and rib cage deformity based on the chosen parameters measured on a-p radiographs and CT scans was done in a group of 89 children with idiopathic scoliosis. The average Cobb angle was 63 degrees. In regression and correlation analysis the statistically significant correlation among spinal lateral curve, axial rotation and kyphosis/lordosis index was found. Significant correlation between the elements of spinal deformity and the size of the rib hump were also found. The rib cage may play an important role in the pathogenesis of idiopathic scoliosis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Isolation, antimicrobial activities, and primary structures of hamster neutrophil defensins.

Hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) neutrophil granules contain at least four microbicidal peptides belonging to the defensin family. These compounds were purified from granule acid extracts by reverse-phase chromatography and termed HaNP-1 to -4 (hamster neutrophil peptide). HaNP-1 and HaNP-3 revealed the most bactericidal activity, with a 50% inhibitory concentration of 0.3 to 0.8 microg/ml for Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes strains. The HaNP-4 was always isolated in concentrations exceeding about 10 times the concentrations of other hamster peptides, but its antibacterial activity as well as that of HaNP-2 was relatively lower, probably as a result of conserved Arg residue substitutions. Other microorganisms were also tested, and generally, hamster defensins exhibited less potency against gram-negative bacteria. The amino acid sequence of hamster defensins showed a high percentage of identity to the sequence of mouse enteric defensins, reaching about 60% identical residues in the case of HaNP-3 and cryptdin 3.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1996

[Value of intraoperative diagnostic radiography in diagnosis of femoral head nail penetration].

Most of the complications of surgical treatment for slipped capital femoral epiphysis result from unrecognized joint penetration. Standard radiographic projections are unable to locate implants precisely since the tridimensional joint is viewed in one plane at a time. The use of a single screw placed in the center of the femoral head prevents unrecognized joint penetration.

Bone Nails↗
PubMed1996

[Surgical treatment for femoral shaft fracture in children and adolescents with multiple trauma].

Results of surgical treatment for 13 femoral shaft fractures in 12 children and adolescents with multitrauma have been presented. In 12 cases plate has been used, in one case Kuntcher nail was employed. Age of the patient at the trauma was 3 years 4 months on an average. There was no infection in postoperative period. The fracture healed after 8 weeks on an average. Anatomical reduction has been achieved in all cases. Some physical activity limitation (not related to the treatment) has been found in two patients. Surgical treatment for femoral shaft fracture in children and adolescents with multitrauma rendered good results.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

[Fixation of neck-head with a single cannulated screw for slipped capital femoral epiphysis--preliminary report].

Results of surgical treatment in 7 patients with slipped capital femoral epiphysis have been presented. Slip angle ranged from 12(to 42(. Closed, in situ neck-head fixation with a single cannulated screw was performed. The screw was introduced percutaneously, through the anterior surface of the femoral neck into the center of the head and perpendicularly to its base. The method employed rendered very good results. No head or neck perforation occurred. No progression of the slip was observed. Soft tissue trauma was only minimal; mobilization was commenced the first postoperative day.

Adolescent↗