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Biomedical subjects

P Spasić

Publications and source records attributed to P Spasić.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Isolation of a coronavirus from kidney biopsies of endemic Balkan nephropathy patients.

Endemic Balkan nephropathy (EBN) is a kidney disease of unknown etiology limited to Bulgaria, Rumania and former Yugoslavia. Primary kidney tissue cultures were established as explants from tissue obtained at operations from 5 EBN patients with urinary tract tumors. Four out of the five biopsy specimens on extended culture incubation at 33 degrees C yielded a coronavirus virus (EBNV) which was cytopathogenic for human fibroblast and Vero cells. In cells inoculated with EBNV, cytoplasmic immunofluorescence was found using antisera for human coronaviruses OC43 and 229E as well as the porcine transmissible gastroenteric virus and avian (chicken) bronchitis virus. In neutralization tests, EBNV failed to react with antisera to these viruses. Using hyperimmune serum raised with EBNV, positive cytoplasmic immunofluorescence was seen with cells infected with OC43, 229E, TGV and significantly with the kidney tissue of the biopsy specimens from the EBN patients. A screen for neutralizing antibody using the EBN virus revealed that 87.2% of EBN patients on dialysis were positive, also 74% of people from an endemic area were also positive, while only 13.5% from outside were positive. It is suggested that a coronavirus is involved in the etiology of the disease and that humans are an incidental host of a coronavirus zoonosis.

Animals↗

[Pathologic changes in the interstitium in IgA nephropathy].

Some of tubulointerstitial changes are frequently found in glomerular disorders. A wide range of interstitial lesions have also been observed in patients with IgA nephropathy. Percutaneous biopsy specimens taken from 74 kidneys of IgA nephropathy patients have been analysed. Obtained tissues were examined by LM, If and EM. Light microscopy, immunofluorescence and electron microscopy Morphologic changes have been classified into 5 groups according to WHO classification. Interstitial changes, cellular infiltrations, fibrosis and other lesions from all renal tissues have been analysed and according to their intensity semiquantitatively graded into 4 groups. Histopathologic analysis has most frequently revealed interstitial fibrosis and less frequently mononuclear cellular infiltration particularly in patients with more prominent glomerular changes. Therefore, we have as well as other authors, confirmed that interstitial changes represent an important prognostic factor in the IgA nephropathy development. However, analysis of repeated biopsy specimens to confirm this hypothesis is necessary.

Glomerulonephritis, IGA↗

[Correlation of inflammatory cytokines in the urine and serum with clinico-laboratory and pathohistologic features in patients with IgA nephropathy].

Complete examination of 21 patients with IgA nephropathy included determination urine and serum IL-6, TNF alpha and INF gamma levels by ELISA (Luzernachen, Luzern Switzerland). Control group included 15 healthy volunteers. Urine IL-6 levels ranging 37-274.1 pg/ml were detected in 15 (71.2%) patients with IgA nephropathy. IL-6 serum levels were undetectable. In the control group serum and urine levels were also undetectable. Correlation between the IL-6 level and proteinuria degree and endogenous creatinine clearance rate has not revealed statistically significant relationship. In relation to histologic groups (minimal changes, focal glomerulonephritis, mesangial proliferative, diffuse sclerosing) patients with minimal changes had (statistically) significantly higher IL-6 urine levels than the third and fourth group. Average the urine levels were 145.8 +/- 166.6 pg/ml and the serum ones were 148 +/- 101 pg/ml. In relation to the control group (statistically) significant difference was not found. Correlation between TNF alpha level and proteinuria degree and creatinine clearance rate has revealed (statistically) significant relationship (p < 0.05). Average interferon gamma serum levels in lgA nephropathy patients were 312.0 +/- 111.8 and in comparison with the control group (statistically) significant difference was found (p < 0.01). The obtained results suggest the important role of cytokine production disregulation associated with the pathogenesis of IgA nephropathy.

Adolescent↗

[Ochronosis--an autopsy case report].

The authors have presented a case of ochronosis, as the incidental finding during the autopsy of a female patient, aged 59 years. It was the case of suicidal drug poisoning. Ochronosis is a rare disease, with chronic benign course, but frequently followed by complications. Histopathological criteria for the diagnosis of this disease are described in detail.

Diazepam↗

[Experimental study of the pathogenesis of frostbite. Part I. Pathohistologic and ultrastructural changes in tissues immediately after thawing].

Histopathologic and ultrastructural changes in the tissues of frozen extremities of Wistar rats were investigated immediately after thawing. Three experimental groups were formed: two were exposed to cryoinjuries of different intensity, while the third was the control one. Cryoinjury was caused by experimental model of local, controlled freezing of hind, right extremities. Immediately after thawing the tissue samples were taken from frozen right and unfrozen left extremities, in which histopathologic and ultrastructural changes were compared mutually and with control group, respectively. It was observed that the freezing directly caused ultrastructural and histopathologic damage of the tissues that were manifested immediately after thawing and were proportional to the intensity of freezing. Simultaneously, in the tissues existed complex circulatory disorders manifested in open arteriovenous shunts, venous congestion and microcirculatory insufficiency caused by evident spasm of arteriolae that could be considered to be very significant pathogenetic factor in ischemic damage of unfreezed tissues.

Animals↗

[Experimental study of the pathogenesis of frostbite. Part II. Role of the sympathetic-adrenergic system in tissue reperfusion immediately after thawing].

The authors have investigated the role of sympathetic-adrenergic system in reperfusion of muscular tissue of the feet of Wistar rats immediately after thawing using alpha adrenergic blocker phentolamine methanesulfonate (Regitin). Cryoinjury was applied over an experimental model of local, controlled freezing of different intensity for certain experimental groups. Blood flow through microcirculation was measured by scintigraphy, following Tc-99m-pertechnetate clearance that was given in muscular mass of frozen right, as well as unfrozen left feet of rats. Results obtained in some experimental groups were compared mutually, as well as with the control group that was not exposed to cryoinjury. The investigations have revealed that immediately after thawing existed significant reduction, non-dependent of the intensity of freezing, in blood flow in microcirculation of both frozen and unfrozen feet of rats compared to the control group. Significant increase of microcirculatory blood flow in unfrozen feet was caused by blockade of sympathetic-adrenergic system, while the blood flow remained unchanged in the frozen ones. The reduction of blood flow in microcirculation of frozen tissues immediately after thawing was not associated with sympathetic-adrenergic factor.

Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists↗