Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to R Rutkowski.
In our review article we intend to show the importance of IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, IL-10, IFN gamma and IL-12 in pathomechanism of allergic inflammatory process, especially in bronchial asthma. We also want to illustrate the relationships between lymphocytes T, monocytes, macrophages, eosinophils and other inflammatory cells which take part in allergic inflammation.
The ability of mononuclear blood cells (PBMC), derived from patients with cancer of the larynx, to produce IFN-gamma in vitro was assessed in this paper. Thirty patients (27 male, 3 female) were qualified to the study. Their mean age was 65 (range: 41 to 78 years), tumour sizes found in the group were from T2 to T4, levels of pathologic malignancy G2 or G3. The percentage rates different blood cells phenotypes (CD3+, CD3+ HLADR+, CD4+, CD8+, CD14+ HLADR+, CD19+, CD56+) were evaluated by means of flow cytometry (Coulter EPICS XL). The control group consisted of 20 healthy blood donors. PBMC were derived by centrifugation of heparinized venous blood on Lymphoprep gradient according to Boyum method. Double cell cultures were performed for 24 hours with antibody anti-CD3 or recombinant interleukins 12 (rhIL-12) or 18 (rhIL-18). The statistic analysis was based on Student t and Mann-Whitney's test with significancy at p<0.05. A significant decrease in the production of IFN-gamma by PBMC in patients with laryngeal cancer after stimulation with antiCD3 (p=0.018), rhIL-12 (p=0.027), rhIL-18 (p=0.016) was found in comparison with the controls. The results suggest a decreased production of IFN-gamma in patients with cancer of the larynx.
The paper presents 170 cases of patients with the larynx carcinoma after the partial laryngectomy. According to the procedure which we used, vertical, horizontal and subtotal supraglottis laryngectomies were distinguished. Voice pattern was analysed with the use of subjective and objective spectrography. The lowest degree of dysphonia was found in patients after the horizontal laryngectomy, while the highest degree dysphonia in those after subtotal supraglottis laryngectomy.
Voice quality was analysed in 39 patients with the larynx carcinoma after the supraglottis subtotal laryngectomy. Voice pattern was analysed with the use of subjective and objective spectrography before and after the surgery. A deteriorated voice quality was found after the surgery. The spectrographic examination revealed decreased frequency levels of the formants F3 and F4 and the presence of a noise component generated in the glottis area.
The effects of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) on family functioning are described from two perspectives, cohesiveness and organization. These concepts are believed to be essential for assessing levels of family stability following the onset of a life crisis. In this study we characterized the ways in which families organize their daily activities and achieve family cohesiveness. Fifteen families participated in the study. The data showed family members have positive perceptions about their family cohesiveness and organizational behaviors, which were characterized in personal interviews. Families also discussed active and passive coping styles in response to RA. Implications for social work practice and issues for future research are presented.
There were analysed prognostic factors in endometrial carcinomas. To essential prognostic factors were counted; proportion of cells in S-phase, DNA ploidy, proportion of Ki-67 positive cells and vascular invasion by cancer cells. All above-mentioned factors were not correlated to either the stage or the histopathologic subtype of the cancers. Application of proliferating markers may be useful for selecting a subgroup of patients for adjuvant therapy.
The determination of DNA content in human cancers is the subject of increasing interest, particularly in view of its potential clinical applications. There are relatively few studies which describe DNA content of skin neoplasms and pigmented nevi. These studies have shown conflicting results. In the present investigation the authors measured DNA ploidy using flow and video-imaging cytometry in 51 malignant melanomas, 20 skin cancers and 48 pigmented nevi. For DNA measurement paraffin embedded tissues and fresh cell smears were used. Clinical and histological data of malignant melanomas were recorded and correlated with DNA ploidy. DNA histograms were examined for DNA aneuploidy by DNA Index. DNA ploidy in primary lesions of melanomas and their metastases were compared. The aneuploidy rate, found in our observation, was significantly higher in whole malignant melanoma group, in clinical Stage II and III, in tumors with thickness greater then 1.5 mm, tumors with Clark level III, IV and V. Another clinical and histological factors did not show significant correlation with ploidy. Aneuploidy was found in 8 of 20 (45.0%) skin cancers. In the whole population of pigmented nevi aneuploid DNA content was identified in 10 nevi (20.1%). The results of this study suggest that aneuploidy seems to be connected with advanced stage of malignant melanoma but it does not replace other prognostic factors. Both cytometric methods can be used for routine DNA ploidy analysis. Ploidy studies are not useful for predicting metastatic potential of primary melanoma. Results obtained from fresh cell smears and paraffin embedded tissues were identical.
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Total lymphocytes number, proportions of T lymphocyte subset, nonspecific suppressor activity induced by Con A and T-lymphocytes ability for IL-2 production were assessed. Group of 46 patients with intrinsic asthma (24 females and 22 males) including 20 asthmatics treated during 5-7 years with glucocorticosteroids were studied. Control group consisted of 12 healthy persons. Statistically significant reduction of total T cells, T-suppressor and T-helper subpopulations, ability for IL-2 production and nonspecific suppressor activity was found.
In 16 patients with nonallergic bronchial asthma treated with Broncho-vaxom and 10 healthy persons the mononuclear peripheral blood cells ability for IL-1 beta, IL-2, IL-4 and IL-6 production were studied. Nonallergic asthmatics were characterised by increased levels of IL-1 beta and IL-6 produced by monocytes. After Broncho-vaxom therapy a decreased for IL-1 beta and IL-6, and an increased production of IL-2 were observed. These findings indicate that orally administered Broncho-vaxom affects on biological activity of mononuclear peripheral blood cells.
In a group of 14 patients with nonatopic bronchial asthma, with recurrent infections of airways (approximately 5 - 10 episodes/year) and in 9 healthy persons the effect of Ribomunyl on IL-1 beta, IL-2, IL-4 and IL-6 production by mononuclear peripheral blood cells were assessed. After Ribomunyl treatment in asthmatics the significant decrease in IL-1 beta and IL-6 production by monocytes stimulated with lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and significant increase in IL-2 production by lymphocytes were observed.
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The examination were carried out in a group of 14 patients with mild bronchial asthma. The effect of Berodual (1 dose = 0.02 mg ipratropium bromide + 0.05 mg fenoterol), ipratropium bromide (Atrovent, 1 dose = 0.02 mg) and fenoterol (Berotec, 1 dose = 0.2 mg) were assessed. All the drugs were administered 3 x 2 doses/daily, except Berotec--3 x 1 dose/daily--during 14 days. Dyspnoea, cough, sputum scores were calculated and values of FEV1, FVC, FEF25-75 and PC20 (mg/ml metacholine) were measured. All this drugs after 2 weeks therapy statistically significantly reduced dyspnoea, cough and sputum. The best bronchodilating and protective effect were observed after Berodual compare with Atrovent or Berotec.
The effect of 12 weeks therapy with nedocromil sodium given as MDI-aerosol, 8 mg/daily in a group of 20 atopic asthmatic patients was studied. The selected spirometric parameters (PEF, FEV1, FVC, FEF25-75%, Raw) and clinical symptoms of bronchial asthma (dyspnoea, cough, sputum) were assessed. Additionally the percentage reduction of bronchodilators usage was obtained. A significant improvement was observed in spirometric parameters. A statistically significant reduction in clinical symptoms of bronchial asthma and bronchodilators usage was noted.
In a group of 14 patients with non-atopic asthma the effect on nedocromil sodium (8 mg/day) on bronchial reactivity, lung function parameters and doses of glucocorticosteroid in inhalation was studied. There was the significant reduction in beclomethasone doses, a rise in FEV1, FEF25-75 and decrease of PC20 histamine during 6 weeks of nedocromil therapy.
NMR experiments show that a stable complex can be formed between a 14-base-pair oligonucleotide and a disulfide-bonded dimer of a peptide containing 27 residues of the basic region of the yeast transcriptional activator GCN4; the complex is in slow exchange on the NMR time scale. In contrast, a nonspecific complex is in fast exchange on the NMR time scale. DNase I footprinting experiments show that dimers of peptides containing as few as 20 residues of GCN4 bind DNA with sequence specificity similar to that of the intact protein. Circular dichroism experiments suggest that specific binding involves only 15 residues, corresponding to residues 231-245 of GCN4, in an alpha-helical conformation. These results limit substantially the region of GCN4 involved in sequence-specific DNA contacts and provide a uniquely simple model for studying protein-DNA interactions in detail.
Fos and Jun, the protein products of the nuclear proto-oncogenes c-fos and c-jun, associate preferentially to form a heterodimer that binds to DNA and modulates transcription of a wide variety of genes in response to mitogenic stimuli. Both Fos and Jun contain a single leucine zipper region. Previous studies have shown that the leucine zippers of Fos and Jun are necessary and sufficient to mediate preferential heterodimer formation. The leucine zipper regions from Fos and Jun are also known to fold autonomously, most likely as two-stranded, parallel coiled coils. We show here that 8 amino acids from Fos and from Jun are sufficient to mediate preferential heterodimer formation in a background of the GCN4 leucine zipper sequence. Using pH titration and amino acid replacements, we also show that destabilization of the Fos homodimer by acidic residues provides a major thermodynamic driving force for preferential heterodimer formation.