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Biomedical subjects

M Nowak

Publications and source records attributed to M Nowak.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed2001

[Analysis of urinary tract injury during gynecological surgery performed with preoperative ureter catheterization or intraoperative ureter control].

DESIGN: To analyze urinary tract injuries during gynecological surgery performed with preoperative ureter catheterization or intraoperative ureter control. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 1986 chosen gynecological operations performed between 1990-1998 in Dept. of Gynecological Surgery Polish Mother's Health Center Institute. RESULTS: The overall frequency of urinary injuries was 2.15%. It was less during gynecological surgery performed with ureter catheterization compared to intraoperative ureter control only (ureter: 0.30% vs. 0.55%, p = 0.22; urinary bladder: 0.40% vs. 0.90%, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: 1/ urinary injury was twice as frequent during ureter control than during ureter catheterization, 2/ urinary injury was the most frequent complication during hysterectomy with adnexa, 3/ the results of our analysis should be treated as a vote "for" ureter catheterization before gynecological surgery.

Female↗
PubMed2001

[Colposuspension during abdominal hysterectomy--own modification].

OBJECTIVES: The aim of our study was to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of own modification of colposuspension using the musculofascial flap during abdominal hysterectomy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study group consisted of 57 patients operated on uterine and/or vaginal prolapse; 45 of them had also others pelvic gynecological disorders. Prolapsed or lowered vaginal walls were corrected by colposuspension or cervical suspension using musculofascial flap (made of the rectus abdominis muscle sheet and pyramidal muscle). The flap was sharply separated from the anterior wall of rectus abdominis muscle sheet going up from pyramidal muscle to umbilical region where it ended. Its end was sutured to vaginal vault and uterosacral ligaments. This gave a flattening of rectovaginal pouch and shortage of rectovaginal distance. RESULTS: The incidence of usual complaints as: hypogastric pain, uterine/vaginal prolapse feeling and vaginal dryness was significantly decreased after the operation. The quality of sexual functions was also improved. The incidence of urine incontinence and polyuria didn't change after the operation. CONCLUSION: The own modification of colposuspension during abdominal hysterectomy is an effective method of treatment in cases of uterine/vaginal prolapse with other pelvic gynecological disorders.

Abdominal Muscles↗
PubMed2000

Comparison of on-line coupling of ion-chromatography with atmospheric pressure ionization mass spectrometry and with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry as tools for the ultra-trace analysis of bromate in surface water samples.

Ion chromatography in combination with atmospheric pressure ionization mass spectrometry (API-MS) as well as with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) had been compared for trace analysis of bromate. The results indicate that both techniques yield comparable results, which are in excellent agreement with standard methods for bromate determination. Furthermore, both techniques showed almost equal absolute detection limits (approximately 50 pg bromate injected). Contrary to IC-API-MS, IC-ICP-MS can tolerate a higher salt concentration in the mobile phase. This allows the use of high-capacity columns combined with large sample volumes. This lowered the concentration based detection limits by one order of magnitude for IC-ICP-MS compared to IC-API-MS (0.06 microg/l vs. 0.5 microg/l). On the other hand, IC-API-MS is able to allow a positive identification of bromate even in cases when IC does not fully separate bromate from other bromine-containing species. The performance data of both IC-MS techniques have been established by participation in an international round robin test.

Atmospheric Pressure↗
PubMed2000

Spacer-modified stationary phases for anion chromatography: alkyl- and carbonylalkylspacers--a comparison.

A comparison of two separation columns for high-capacity anion chromatography is presented. The distinctive feature of both packing materials is the structure of the alkyl-chain (spacer-group) between the polymer-backbone and the functional group. All other parameters, e.g. exchange capacity, functionality and length of the spacer-arm, are identical. The retention behavior of the so-called standard-anions is investigated on both columns under identical chromatographic conditions using an experimental design technique in the course of which the composition of the elution system applied is varied. The statistical treatment of the retention data offers the possibility to explain the different chromatographic behavior of both stationary phases, at least qualitatively.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2000

Hormone replacement therapy in postmenopausal asthmatic women.

OBJECTIVES: Assessment of mean 24 h oestradiol (E2) and oestrone (E1) concentration and basic FSH secretion in postmenopausal asthmatic women, before and after HRT use, and to identify any connections between changes in hormone concentrations and patients' clinical state. SUBJECTS: Postmenopausal women (55 asthmatic and 20 healthy, aged 48-60 years). METHOD: Serum hormone concentration was assessed by radioimmunoassay before HRT and after 6 months of transdermal 17beta-E2 and medroxyprogesterone acetate treatment (cyclical method). Intensification of menopausal symptoms was assessed by Kupperman's index. RESULTS: Secretion of oestrogens was lower in postmenopausal women asthmatic women than in postmenopausal healthy women. HRT caused an increase in oestrogen concentration. The 24-h fluctuations of E1 and E2 in all studied groups before and after HRT did not differ significantly. A statistically significant decrease in the number of menopausal symptoms was found during the course of HRT. During the period of HRT, there was a reduction in the number of patients in whom it was necessary to use oral glucocorticoid therapy during exacerbation of asthma. CONCLUSION: A greater reduction in oestrogen secretion was found in postmenopausal asthmatic women than in postmenopausal healthy women. HRT resulted in normalization of serum oestrogen concentration in asthmatic women and diminishing psychosomatic symptoms of the menopause and symptoms of asthma.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

LPS-induced liver injury in D-galactosamine-sensitized mice requires secreted TNF-alpha and the TNF-p55 receptor.

Lipopolysaccharide and D-galactosamine induced lethality and apoptotic liver injury is dependent on endogenously produced tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha. The present study was undertaken to determine whether membrane-associated or secreted TNF-alpha signaling through the p55 or p75 receptor was responsible for survival and hepatic injury after lipopolysaccharide administration in D-galactosamine-sensitized mice. Transgenic mice expressing null forms of TNF-alpha, the p55 and p75 receptor, and mice expressing only a cell-associated form of TNF-alpha were challenged with 8 mg D-galactosamine and 100 ng lipopolysaccharide. Mortality and apoptotic liver injury were only seen in wild-type and p75 knockout mice. p75 Knockout mice had significantly higher concentrations of plasma TNF-alpha than any other experimental group (P </= 0.05) and tended to have the highest mortality and liver injury. In contrast, p55 and TNF-alpha knockout mice and animals expressing only a cell-associated form of TNF-alpha exhibited no mortality or liver injury. We conclude that survival and apoptotic liver injury in response to lipopolysaccharide and D-galactosamine are dependent exclusively on secreted TNF-alpha signaling through the p55 receptor.

Alanine Transaminase↗
PubMed2000

Regional blood flow during exercise in humans measured by near-infrared spectroscopy and indocyanine green.

Using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) and the tracer indocyanine green (ICG), we quantified blood flow in calf muscle and around the Achilles tendon during plantar flexion (1-9 W). For comparison, blood flow in calf muscle was determined by dye dilution in combination with magnetic resonance imaging measures of muscle volume, and, for the peritendon region, blood flow was measured by (133)Xe washout. From rest to a peak load of 9 W, NIRS-ICG blood flow in calf muscle increased from 2.4+/-0.2 to 74+/-5 ml x 100 ml tissue(-1) x min(-1), similar to that measured by reverse dye (77+/-6 ml x 100 ml tissue(-1) x min(-1)). Achilles peritendon blood flow measured by NIRS-ICG rose with exercise from 2.2+/-0.5 to 15.1+/-0.2 ml x 100 ml(-1) x min(-1), which was similar to that determined by (133)Xe washout (2.0+/-0.6 to 14.6+/-0.3 ml x 100 ml tissue(-1) x min(-1)). This is the first study using NIRS and ICG to quantify regional tissue blood flow during exercise in humans. Due to its high spatial and temporal resolution, the technique may be useful for determining regional blood flow distribution and regulation during exercise in humans.

Coloring Agents↗
PubMed2000

[Hormonal changes in male patients with primary open angle glaucoma].

INTRODUCTION: Primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) is the most common type of glaucoma, pathogenesis of which is not completely known. Several clinical studies show that glucocorticoid hormones may be implicated in the pathogenesis of POAG and ocular hypertension. Glucocorticoid receptors have been identified in human outflow tissue of the eye. AIMS: The purpose of this study, therefore, was to evaluate the serum concentration of total cortisol (TF), total testosterone (TT), free testosterone (FT), FSH (follitropin), LH (lutropin), ACTH (adrenocorticotropin), SHBG (sex hormone-binding globulin), DHEA-SO4 (dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate) as well as free cortisol (UFF) and 17-OHCS in 24 hours urinary samples in patients treated because of POAG. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Studies were performed in the group of 30 male patients, aged 55 +/- 13 years, treated because of glaucoma for more than two years. Serum and urinary concentration of hormones were studied using RIA methods (DPC). RESULTS: The serum concentration of TF (652.03 +/- 315.43 nmol/l), UFF (248.75 +/- 99.39 nmol/l) and 17-OHCS (5.47 +/- 2.64 mg/24 h) in urine was increased compared with control group. There was not significant difference in concentration of pituitary-gonadal axis hormones in glaucomatous and control groups of patients. CONCLUSION: The results could point to the fact that changes in the endocrine system are one of the factors involved in the pathogenesis of POAG. We conclude that an elevated level of cortisol, free cortisol and its metabolites is closely related to the POAG.

Glaucoma, Open-Angle↗
PubMed2000

[Growth hormone and its interactions with chosen parameters of hormonal state in pre-menopausal women after mastectomy for breast cancer on adjuvant chemotherapy].

It seems, that quantitative changes of growth hormone (GH) in blood and imbalance between GH and hormones can influence the breast cancer cells proliferation, and can be a favourable element in breast cancer progression. The procedure to normalize hormonal system can have a therapeutic action. The aim of the presented work is to asses the plasma GH levels in 24 pre-menopausal women after mastectomy for breast cancer on adjuvant chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, 5-fluorouracil (CMF). In this study interactions between GH and insulin like growth factor-I, prolactin, estradiol, progesterone (P), melatonin, cortisol and met-enkephalin were assessed. The control group was consisted of 16 healthy women. Plasma GH concentration and interactions between GH and studied parameters in women with breast cancer did not differ from healthy women. Highly significant positive correlation between GH and P after administration CMF was shown. CMF did not influence the interactions between GH and other studied parameters.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

[Antiphospholipid autoantibodies in women treated for infertility].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate an occurrence of selected antiphospholipid antibodies (APL) in infertility women. STUDY DESIGN: An enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay (ELISA) has been used to determine a titre of anticardiolipin antibodies (ACA). APTT (activated partial thromboplastin time) and PT (prothrombin time) measurements and direct commercial assay have been also used to study occurrence of LAC (lupus anticoagulant antibodies). The group of 268 observed women has been divided into five subgroups according to the cause of infertility: I-endometriosis, II-tubal occlusion caused by others diseases than endometriosis, III-occurrence of antisperm antibodies (ASA), IV-polycystic ovariorum syndrome (PCOS) and V-unexplained etiology. Results have been compared to 44 healthy controls. RESULTS: Occurrence of ACA has been found statistically more often in patients suffering from infertility than in controls (17.9% vs 4.5%, p < 0.05). Moreover ACA have been statistically more often observed in patients with endometriosis (21 from 44, 47.7%). ACA were more common in patients with other cause of infertility (except PCOS) compared to controls, though statistically this was not significant. Frequency of ACA was also more common than LAC (17.9% vs 13.6%). Compared to controls LAC tests were more often positive in infertile women with endometriosis (I), tubal occlusion (II) and with the occurrence of antisperm antibodies (III) but results were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Antiphospholipid antibodies are observed more often in patients suffering from infertility compared to women with a regular fertility. This suggests a role of APL in etiology of infertility. The occurrence of anticardiolipin antibodies in almost every second woman suffering from endometriosis suggests existing of autoimmunologic disturbances in this disease.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

[Laparoscopy and laparotomy in the operative treatment of ovarian cysts].

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of our study was to compare operative procedures, histologic types of tumours, and intra- and postoperative complications of patients operated for benign ovarian cysts by laparotomy or laparoscopy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 257 patients with different types of ovarian cysts underwent operations by laparoscopy (51 cases) or laparotomy (206 cases). Careful selection for operative treatment was made on the basis of clinical findings, ultrasound scans (using colour Doppler), patient's age and history. Operative laparoscopies were performed in patients with "unsuspected" ovarian cysts with diameter < or = 8 cm. During every operation, a histologic examination of tumour was performed. RESULTS: In 42 patients the cysts were found in both ovaries. Remaining 215 women had unilateral ovarian tumours. Adnexectomy was carried out in 142 cases, cystectomy in 131, ovariectomy in 18, and aspiration and electrocoagulation of ovarian cysts in 8 cases. The most common laparoscopic procedures were cystectomy (41) and aspiration and electrocoagulation of ovarian cysts (8); while by laparotomy: adnexectomy (142) and cystectomy (131); p < 0.0001. The histopathological assessment showed as follows: serous cysts in 98 cases, dermoid cysts in 75, endometrial cysts in 63, mucous cyst in 23, and others (mainly haemorrhagic, functional cysts and fibrothecomas) in 40 cases. The incidence of operative complications (3/257--all due to insufficient hemostasis) and postoperative complications (infection--7/257, anaemia--4/257, peritonitis--1/257) was rather low and similar in patients operated by laparoscopy and laparotomy. Patients were generally discharged from the hospital on the fourth (median) postoperative day after laparoscopies and the seventh (median) day after laparotomies (p < 0.0005). CONCLUSIONS: Operative treatment of ovarian benign cysts is connected with a very low risk for intra- and postoperative complications. The operative laparoscopy brings better cosmetic effects and seems to be safe and effective method of treatment of ovarian benign cysts.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

[Ovarian cancer. I. Epidemiology, symptoms, FIGO staging].

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of our study was to analyse the epidemiological data, signs and symptoms, FIGO staging in patients operated for the first time for ovarian cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of patients' charts with ovarian cancer operated at the Department of Gynaecological Surgery of Polish Mother's Memorial Hospital-Research Institute in 1990-1999 was conducted. We analysed the data of women operated for the first time for this disease. FIGO staging was performed due to operational and histologic findings. RESULTS: Between January 1990 and December 1999, 107 patients were operated for the first time for ovarian cancer. The mean patients' age was 54 years (range: 25-82); 31.8% of patients were aged from 41 to 50 years, 24.8% 51-60, 27.1% 61-70%, 7.5% above 70 years, and 9.3% were below 40 years. The main symptoms were: abdominal pain (61.7%), increasing abdominal circumference (35.5%), urination and bowel problems (14.0%), weight loss (8.4%), dyspeptic problems (7.5%), slightly elevated temperature (4.7%) and abnormal vaginal bleeding (3.7%). No symptoms were reported by 16.8% of patients (frequency similar in I/II and III/IV stage by FIGO). There were no statistical differences in the incidence of reported symptoms in I/II vs III/IV FIGO stage. FIGO staging was as follows: I--13.1%, II--14.95%, III--59.8%, IV--12.15%. CONCLUSIONS: Our data showed that ovarian cancer is very rare below the age of 40 and above 70 years. There is a great need to improve screening for ovarian cancer because the development of the disease is clinically silent or nonspecific and almost 70% of patients with ovarian cancer is diagnosed in the late stages of illness.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

[Ovarian cancer. II. Procedures, histology, and complications].

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of our study was to analyse the operative procedures and complications in patients operated for the first time for ovarian cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of patients' charts with ovarian cancer operated at the Department of Gynaecological Surgery of Polish Mother's Memorial Hospital-Research Institute in 1990-1999 was conducted. We analysed the data of women operated for the first time for this disease. In every case we tried to perform radical operation consisted of hysterectomy with bilateral adnexectomy, omentectomy, appendectomy (if needed), and additionally optimal debulking in advanced cancer. RESULTS: Between January 1990 and December 1999, 107 patients were operated for the first time for ovarian cancer. FIGO staging was as follows: I--13.1%, II--14.95%, III--59.8%, IV--12.15%. The most frequent findings on histology were serous (39.3%), endometrioid (26.2%), undifferentiated (11.2%) and clear cell cancers (10.7%). In 60.7% of cases we performed hysterectomy with bilateral adnexectomy, in 15.0% bilateral adnexectomy, in 4.7% of patients cytoreductive tumorectomy, and in 19.6% of cases only excisions for histology were taken. 69.0% of patients underwent also omentectomy and 42.6% appendectomy. In 58.9% of patients we performed radical operation; its incidence significantly decreased with the increase of FIGO staging: I--100%, II--87.5%, III--51.6%, IV--15.4% (p < 0.0005). We noted 5 cases of intraoperative complications, all in patients with the stage III, connected with intestinal or urinary bladder lesions. The most common postoperative complication was anaemia (23.4%) and fever (4.7%). Four patients died in 8-27 postoperative day due to circulatory insufficiency. CONCLUSIONS: The most common was serous and endometrioid ovarian cancer. The great majority of patients was diagnosed to late and operated in III and IV stage of the disease, but in almost 60% of cases radical operation was performed.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

[Evaluation of selected parameters of collagen metabolism in patients with myopia].

INTRODUCTION: Myopia is a common condition of vision deprivation characterized by the excessive lengthening of the eye axis. There are hypotheses that the elongation of the eye is connected with the connective tissue disorder in which the scleral collagens are inappropriately remodelled. The most common type of collagen and the first to be discovered is type I and it is the dominating one in cornea and sclera. Type III is always found in coexistence with type I. AIMS: The aim of the study was to evaluate the serum concentration of carboxyterminal propeptyde of procollagen type I (P I CP), aminoterminal propeptyde of procollagen type III (P III NP) (markers of collagen synthesis) and carboxyterminal telopeptyde of collagen type I (I CTP) (marker of collagen disintegration) as markers of the connective tissue metabolism in patients with myopia. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Serum concentration of P I CP, P III NP and I CTP were studied in 25 (15 female and 10 male) patients with myopia and in 15 emmetropic subjects using the RIA method (Orion Diagnostica). RESULTS: The serum concentration of P I CP and P III NP increased significantly in patients with myopia when compared with the control group. There was no significant difference in the concentration of both of them among patients with various degrees of myopia, although the concentration of P I CP and P III NP increased with the increase of myopia. The was no statistical difference in the concentration of I CTP in low and medium myopia but we found increased concentration of I CTP in high myopia comparing with control group. CONCLUSION: The mechanical properties as well as the increased remodelling of the collagen could be some of the factors involved in myopia pathogenesis. Changes in the collagen metabolism concern not only the eye tissue, but probably also disorders of the systemic connective tissue turnover.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Application of experimental design for the characterisation of a novel elution system for high-capacity anion chromatography with suppressed conductivity detection.

A novel elution system for the application of high-capacity anion exchangers with suppressed conductivity detection in ion chromatography is presented. The ternary elution system is based on perchloric acid, sodium hydroxide and sodium carbonate. The novel elution system was applied to a self-made high-capacity anion-exchange column (Q = 453 mu equiv. Cl-). A central composite design with 20 experiments was used to investigate the influence of the eluent compounds, which varied from 0.2 to 1.0 mM HClO4, 20 to 100 mM NaOH and 0 to 20 mM Na2CO3, on the retention factor k' of seven common anions. A quadratic model including interactions was postulated. The model equations were used to estimate retention factors at known eluent compositions. No significant differences of calculated and experimental retention factors were found. Further statistical analysis was done by analysis of variance. The results showed that the three eluent compounds have completely different effects on the retention behaviour of the anions investigated. The elution of soft and weakly hydrated anions like bromide and nitrate is strongly influenced by the content of perchloric acid, whereas strongly hydrated anions like fluoride and sulphate are mainly affected by the hydroxide or carbonate content of the eluent. The results can qualitatively be explained comparing the relation of ionic radii to charge for eluent and analyte anions. As a consequence, the retention of the anions investigated can easily be manipulated by varying the contents of the eluent compounds. The usefulness of the novel elution system and high-capacity anion chromatography is demonstrated by the determination of trace anions in phosphate and fluoride matrices.

Anion Exchange Resins↗
PubMed1999

T-cell induced pathogenesis in HIV: bystander effects and latent infection.

The progress of HIV is accompanied by the infection and decline of the population of CD4+ cells. This reduction in cells results from both cytolytic influences of the virus and virus-specific cytotoxic T-cell (CTL) responses. We seek to characterize the extent of CD4+ reduction caused by HIV-specific CTLs at equilibrium. Here we show that intermediate levels of cytotoxic killing of infected cells can be inferior to both strong and weak or absent immune responses. We further show that the deleterious effects of the CTL response are made worse by a slow immune response. Bystander effects in which uninfected cells are thought to be eliminated by non-specific CTL activation lead to small or negligible reductions in uninfected CD4+ cells. Latently infected cells containing pro-viral DNA and which become activated at a constant rate ensure that the immune response is more effective for a larger range of CTL activities and reduces T-cell associated pathology.

Apoptosis↗
PubMed1999

[Changes in the alveolar ridge level in implantation using the osteotomy technic. Retrospective studies].

Due to a configuration defect, the use of membrane-guided bone regeneration or alveolar ridge extension is required. The bone splitting and bone spreading technique was modified by developing the osteotome technique and the osteotome kit (Summers 1994). Lateral and apical bone displacement and condensation are the principles of this nonablative implant bed preparation technique. Estimation of the periimplant bone level is one of the important prognostic parameters for estimating implant survival. The level of the alveolar crest near implants which were inserted using the osteotome technique was investigated by measuring the differences between the alveolar crest and the implant shoulder in postoperative radiographs after implant insertion and after uncovering the implants in 17 patients. The osteotome technique was used in bone quality D2 and D3 according to the classification by Misch (1993). Significant differences were found between the bone levels after implant insertion and implant uncovering. A significant correlation (r = 0.5466; P = 0.023) was calculated between the differences of the marginal bone level at implantation and uncovering time and the bone quality. There should be strict indications for using the osteotome technique for evaluating the bone quality found at the implant site to optimize the long-term prognosis of the implants.

Alveolar Ridge Augmentation↗