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Biomedical subjects

M Nowak

Publications and source records attributed to M Nowak.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

Gender differences in food-related concerns, beliefs and behaviours of north Queensland adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the beliefs, attitudes, behaviours and knowledge of North Queensland adolescents about food and nutrition. METHODOLOGY: A questionnaire surveyed 791 Year 8 students from private schools. RESULTS: More girls than boys felt guilt about food, sometimes ate from boredom, reported trying to select foods that were good for them and were concerned about the fat content of food; 30% of boys and 17% of girls thought they should be concerned about their food intake only when overweight. Low daily dietary intakes were reported for bread, fruit, vegetables and dairy products with only 24% eating at least one fruit, one vegetable, one dairy product and one core cereal food daily. Fat and sugar intake was high: 41% students ate high fat savoury foods and 53% ate high sugar foods at least seven times during the week. Parents, television and school provided information about food and nutrition to 70-80% of these students, followed by friends and magazines with doctors and teachers providing information on weight and weight loss to 10% of students. CONCLUSIONS: Doctors should be aware of the low intake of recommended foods as well as the high intakes of fat and sugar among adolescents and the gender differences in food related beliefs and behaviours when treating nutrition related diseases and providing guidance for their prevention.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Circadian oscillation of melatonin, gonadotropins, sex hormones and SHBG in post-menopausal women showing android and gynoid type obesity.

Many clinical manifestations shown by obese women point to the disturbances of secretory activity of hypothalamus-pituitary-ovary axis (h-p-o). Because of antigonadotropic activity of melatonin (MEL) it is essential to define this hormone participation in inducing the disturbances of the h-p-o axis. We evaluated the relationship between MEL secretion and circadian concentrations of LH, FSH, E[_2], P, TT, FT, SHBG as measured at 3 h intervals, in 9 obese women showing android type of adipose tissue distribution (BMI > 30 kg/m[^2]; WHR > 0.8) and in 6 women showing gynoid type of adipose tissue distribution (BMI > 30 kg/m[^2]; WHR < 0.8). All patients were between 55 and 62 years of age. A considerable increase of circadian MEL secretion was observed in all obese patients. Suppression of MEL rhythmicity was observed in all patients, while nocturnal phase shift of MEL occurred only in women showing android type of adipose tissue distribution. Significant decrease of circadian LH, P and SHBG values which was accompanied by the elevation of E[_2], TT and FT levels was observed in women with a disturbed rhythmicity of MEL secretion (particularly in case of androidal-type obesity). Based on these results it is suggested that MEL participates in inducing h-p-o axis disturbances in obese women of post-menopausal age.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1996

[Infection with parvovirus B19 in pregnant women].

The viral infection caused by Parvovirus B19 which occurs at pregnant women may be reason of many different kinds of complications during pregnancy. Until this time it is not known the frequency of the Parvovirus infections at pregnant women in Poland. We have based our studies on a group of 78 pregnant women with symptoms of a abortion, a premature imminent labour, premature labor and intrauterine death of foetus. In 10 cases (12.8%) we have confirmed a presence of antibodies IgM class antiparvovirus B19 at patients serum. It seems that the Parvovirus infection is one of most often reasons of unsuccessful pregnant.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗
PubMed1996

[C-reactive protein in normal pregnancy].

Serum C-reactive protein levels (CRP) were measured by means of the immunoturbidimetric assay technique in 33 healthy pregnant women (38-42 week of gestation) and 32 healthy women in labour at term. CRP values for pregnant women ranged from 0.15 to 1.5 mg/dl with the median value 0.2 mg/dl. The 95th percentile for CRP in these pregnant women was 1.2 mg/dl. CRP values for women in labour at term ranged from 0.15 to 2.7 mg/dl. The median CRP value for these women was 0.8 mg/dl; the 95th percentile was 1.9 mg/dl. CRP values for women in labour at term were significantly higher than CRP values for pregnant women (p < 0.001). C-reactive protein levels in normal pregnancies appear to be higher than standardized values for nonpregnant individuals, and CRP values are further elevated in labour.

C-Reactive Protein↗
PubMed1996

Relation between infection with human papilloma viruses and expression of p21 and p53 oncoproteins in patients with cancer of the uterine cervix.

Infection with HPV type 16 was demonstrated in 54% of the cases and infection with HPV type 18 in 36.5% of the cases of uterine cervix carcinoma. Both types of viruses were present in 24.3% of the patients. P53 protein accumulation in cell nuclei was observed in 12.2% of the cases of uterine cervix carcinomas and the cases were mostly HPV negative while the cytoplasmic expression of p53 protein was present in 39% of the cases and was frequently accompanied by HPV infection. Presence of p21 protein was detected in 85.3% of the cases, independently of HPV infection or expression of p53 protein.

Female↗
PubMed1996

The role of neuromedin B in the regulation of rat pituitary-adrenocortical function.

The effects of a 7-day administration of neuromedin B (NMB) and/or (Tyr4, D-Phe12)-bombesin, an NMB-receptor antagonist (NMB-A) on the function of pituitary-adrenocortical axis were investigated in the rat. NMB raised the plasma concentration of aldosterone, without affecting that of ACTH or corticosterone; the simultaneous administration of NMB-A prevented the effect of NMB. Neither NMB nor NMB-A treatments induced significant changes in adenohypophysis and adrenal weights, nor in the average volume of zona glomerulosa and zona reticularis cells. NMB-A administration lowered the volume of zona fasciculata cells, an effect annulled by the concomitant NMB administration. Our results suggest that NMB specifically stimulates aldosterone secretion, and that endogenous NMB or NMB-like peptides exert a tonic stimulating action on the growth of zona fasciculata cells.

Adrenal Cortex↗
PubMed1996

Studies on tumor proliferation using monoclonal antibody, Ki 67 and expression of p53 in cancer of the uterine cervix.

The analyzed material included 41 sections originating from patients with squamous cell carcinoma at the III stage of clinical advancement. Size of tumor growth fractions and expression of p53 were evaluated using immunohistochemical methods. In most of cases, the Ki 67 index for uterine cervix carcinoma at the III stage of clinical advancement ranged between 5 and 30%. The p53 protein could seldom be detected, indicating infrequent p53 mutations in uterine cervix carcinoma. In cases exhibiting nuclear accumulation of p53 the proliferative index was high and ranged between 50% and 80%.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1996

Activity of liver cytochrome P-450-dependent monooxygenase system in morphine-dependent rats.

Young female Wistar rats were injected intraperitoneally with increasing doses of morphine (9-45 mg/kg b.w. twice a day) for 14 days. The activities of the cytochrome P-450-dependent monooxygenase system and microsomal electron transport chain I were determined. Long-term morphine treatment decreased significantly cytochrome P-450 content, while it did not affect microsomal electron transport chain I. A decrease in cytochrome b5 content was accompanied by a compensatory increase in the activity of NADH-cytochrome b5 reductase. Both 4-aminopyrine N-demethylase activity and aniline hydroxylase activity decreased after morphine treatment (48% and 70%, respectively, when compared with controls).

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Estradiol and progesterone release form biodegradable d,l-lactide and epsilon-caprolactone copolymer.

A study on the release of 17 beta-estradiol and progesterone from d,l-lactide and epsilon-caprolactone copolymer was performed. The copolymer was used in the form of microsphere, d,l-lactide content in the copolymer was 83%. It was found that nearly constant rate of hormone release during 100 days of experiment can be achieved by using this biodegradable material as a drug carrier.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Investigations on the acute effects of neuropeptides on the pituitary-adrenocortical function in normal and cold-stressed rats. II. Neurotensin and neuromedin N.

The effects of a subcutaneous bolus injection of 2 micrograms neurotensin (NT) or neuromedin N (NMN) on the function of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenocortical axis were investigated in both normal and cold-stressed rats. The blood concentrations of ACTH, corticosterone (B) and aldosterone (ALDO) were measured by specific radioimmunoassays 1, 2 or 4 h after the neuropeptide administration. Cold stress enhanced plasma levels of ACTH, B and ALDO, and these rises lasted unchanged until 4 h. NT did not affect either basal or stress-stimulated plasma levels of ACTH and B, while it lowered the plasma ALDO concentration at 4 h in normal rats and increased it at 1 h in stressed animals. NMN did not change the basal plasma level of ACTH, but it did markedly raise blood levels of both B and ALDO; on the other hand, in cold-stressed rats NMN strongly depressed ACTH response and decreased B plasma concentration at 2 h, without evoking apparent changes in ALDO response. In light of these findings the following conclusions and hypotheses can be drawn and suggested: (i) NT and NMN, when administered at a relatively high dose, do not affect ACTH release in rats under basal conditions; (ii) NMN, but not NT, is able to prevent cold stress-induced stimulation of ACTH secretion, probably by inhibiting hypothalamic thermoregulatory centers; and (iii) NT and NMN exert direct adrenocortical antisecretagogue and secretagogue effects, respectively, which could explain the evident lack of correlation between the levels of circulating ACTH and the plasma concentrations of the main adrenal steroid hormones in both normal and stressed rats after neuropeptide administration.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗
PubMed1995

Effects of neurokinin-A on the rat hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis.

The effects of neurokinin-A (NKA) on the rat hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis were studied in vivo and in vitro. A subcutaneous injection of 1 or 3 nmol/100 g NKA did not alter plasma ACTH concentration. The lower dose of NKA evoked a transient rise in plasma corticosterone (B) concentration (PBC) at 30 min, and did not change plasma aldosterone (ALDO) concentration (PAC). The higher dose of NKA increased PBC at 30 and 60 min, and PAC at 30, 60 and 120 min. NKA did not affect basal ALDO secretion of dispersed zona glomerulosa (ZG) cells, but it markedly enhanced basal B production by dispersed zona fasciculata/reticularis (ZF/R) cells (minimal and maximal effective concentrations were 10(-9) M and 10(-6) M). Video-imaging analysis showed that 10(-6) M NKA increased intracellular Ca2+ concentration in dispersed ZF/R cells, but not in ZG ones. These findings indicate that NKA exerts a stimulatory action on the rat adrenal secretory activity, which is independent of any effect on the pituitary ACTH release: the B secretagogue action seems to be due to a direct effect of NKA on ZF/R cells, while the ALDO secretagogue action is not direct. but probably mediated by factor(s) other than ACTH.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗
PubMed1995

Central adrenergic system does not contribute to morphine stimulated pineal secretion of melatonin.

The effect of long-term morphine treatment of rats subjected to central chemical sympathectomy (CCS) was studied. The experiment was performed on 7-week-old male Wistar rats. CCS was performed with 6-hydroxydopamine injected into the lateral ventricle of the brain. The serum concentration of melatonin was assayed by specific RIA. The study showed that morphine alone significantly increased melatonin concentrations in serum. CCS alone significantly decreased melatonin concentrations in serum at the time of highest secretory activity of the pineal gland. Long-term morphine treatment of rats subjected to CCS significantly increased the serum concentration of melatonin. Therefore, it may be concluded that the central adrenergic system does not take part in the morphine-stimulated secretion of melatonin.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1995

Expression of p53 and coexistence of HPV in premalignant lesions and in cervical cancer.

Fifty-four paraffin embedded tissue sections from patients with dysplasia (21 cases) and with cervical cancer (33 cases) were analysed. HPV was detected and identified in two stages. Firstly, using mixed starters, chosen genomic DNA sequences were amplified; secondly the material thus obtained was analyzed by hybridization method using oligonucleotyde 31-P labelled probe. HPVs of type 6, 11, 16, 18, 33 were identified. The p-53 expression was assayed by immunohistochemical method. HPV infection was often associated with dysplasia and cervical cancer. In cervical cancer mainly HPV 16 and 18 with high oncogenic potential were found. The p-53 was present rarely, and in minute quantities. No correlation was observed between presence of p-53 and HPVs DNA.

DNA Probes, HPV↗
PubMed1995

[Evaluation of selected parameters of collagen metabolism in rats after implantation of copolymer d,l-lactide and E-caprolacton with cortisol and progesterone].

Tests were carried out on the possibility of biodegradable copolymer d, l-lactide and E-caprolacton as a carrier system for a long-term substitution of progesterone and cortisole. During 120 days of the experiment almost linear profile of freeing of progesterone with average rate 0.5% of the initial amount of hormone (24 hours, what indicates a practical possibility of its application in hormonal substitution) was obtained. Simultaneously the influence of copolymer implants on the metabolism of collagen was tested marking the concentrations P I CP and P III NP in particular periods of the experiment. We did not notice any permanent changes of metabolism of collagen under the influence of the tested carrier system of the hormonal medicaments and the obtained changes of concentrations P I CP and P III NP are probably caused by the hormones freeing from the subgrade.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Effects of neuromedin U-8 on the secretory activity of the rat adrenal cortex: evidence for an indirect action requiring the presence of the zona medullaris.

The acute effect of increasing concentrations (from 10(-8) to 10(-6) M) of neuromedin U-8 (NMU-8) on steroid secretion of rat adrenal gland was investigated in vitro by high-pressure liquid chromatography. The production of the following steroids was measured: pregnenolone (PREG), progesterone (PROG), 11-deoxycorticosterone (DOC), corticosterone (B), 18-hydroxy-11-deoxycorticosterone (18OH-DOC), 18-hydroxycorticosterone (18OH-B) and aldosterone (ALDO). NMU-8 had no effects on either dispersed adrenocortical cells or fragments of adrenocortical autotransplants lacking medullary chromaffin cells. Conversely, NMU-8 exerted concentration-dependent secretagogue effects on adrenal slices, including both cortex and medulla. At all concentrations tested, NMU-8 increased the production of both PREG and total post-PREG steroids. The increase in total post-PREG steroid output induced by low concentrations of NMU-8 (10(-8) M) was due to similar rises in the production of non-18-hydroxylated steroids (PROG, DOC and B) and 18-hydroxylated hormones (18OH-DOC, 18OH-B and ALDO); conversely, that provoked by higher concentrations of the neuropeptide (10(-7) to 10(-6) M) was almost exclusively caused by the rise in the yield of 18-hydroxylated steroids. The stimulating effect of NMU-8 on PREG output was blocked by both alpha-helical-CRH and corticotropin-inhibiting peptide, which are competitive inhibitors of CRH and ACTH, respectively. The following conclusions have been drawn: (1) NMU-8 affects adrenal steroid secretion indirectly by acting on the medullary chromaffin cells, which in turn may paracrinally stimulate the cortical ones; (2) at all concentrations tested, NMU-8, by stimulating the intramedullary CRH/ACTH system, causes a net rise in the activity of the early rate-limiting step of steroidogenesis, with the consequent increase in the output of the entire spectrum of post-PREG steroids; and (3) at higher concentrations (over 10(-8) M), NMU-8 also elicits the release from chromaffin cells of a factor (not yet known) that specifically enhances 18-hydroxylase activity.

Adrenal Cortex↗
PubMed1994

Effects of neuromedin U (NMU)-8 on the rat hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis. Evidence of a direct effect of NMU-8 on the adrenal gland.

A 6-day subcutaneous (s.c.) treatment of adult rats with NMU-8 (1.5 or 6 micrograms/100 g/day) increased the average volume of zona fasciculata cells and decreased the number of zona reticularis cells in the adrenal cortex. The lower dose of NMU-8 did not change blood ACTH concentration and adrenal weight, but it notably enhanced serum corticosterone level and basal corticosterone output by adrenal slices. ACTH blood level increased after ether stress in both control and NMU-8-treated rats, but stress-evoked rise in serum corticosterone was observed only in control rats. The higher dose of NMU-8 increased the level of circulating ACTH; however, it decreased adrenal weight and had no effect on serum corticosterone concentration and basal corticosterone output by adrenal slices. NMU-8 (10(-10)/10(-6) M) did not affect basal and ACTH-stimulated corticosterone yield by isolated adrenocortical cells, nor did it change their cytosolic Ca2+ concentration. NMU-8 (10(-8) M) markedly raised basal corticosterone secretion by adrenal slices (including cortex and medulla); higher concentrations of NMU-8 (10(-7)/10(-6) M) were ineffective on basal corticosterone secretion, but strongly inhibited the response to ACTH stimulation. On the ground of these findings it seems reasonable to suggest that NMU-8 exerts a biphasic effect on the function of the peripheral branch of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis in rats: NMU-8 at low doses directly stimulates the function and growth of the adrenal cortex, while at high doses exerts a direct inhibitory action.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adrenal Glands↗
PubMed1994

Evidence that endogenous vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) is involved in the regulation of rat pituitary-adrenocortical function: in vivo studies with a VIP antagonist.

The effect of a subcutaneous bolus injection of 2 micrograms magnitude of Ac,Tyr1,D-Phe2-GRF(1-29) amide, a specific VIP antagonist (VIP-A), on the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) axis were investigated in both normal and ether- or cold-stressed rats. Blood concentrations of ACTH, aldosterone (ALDO) and corticosterone (B) were measured by specific RIA 1, 2 or 4 h after VIP-A injection. VIP-A administration to normal rats strikingly lowered the plasma concentration of ALDO, without significantly affecting those of ACTH and B. Ether and cold stresses notably raised the blood levels of ACTH, ALDO and B, and these rises lasted unchanged until 4 h. VIP-A did not affect the response of HPA axis to ether stress, but provoked a marked depression of that to cold stress. In light of these findings the following conclusions can be drawn: (i) endogenous VIP does not regulate HPA-axis function under basal conditions, but it plays a pivotal role in the mechanisms involved in the activation of HPA axis induced by cold exposure; and (ii) endogenous VIP exerts a tonic stimulatory action on ALDO secretion, probably by acting directly on the adrenal zona glomerulosa.

Adrenal Cortex↗