Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

Z Nagy

Publications and source records attributed to Z Nagy.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Thermodynamic, kinetic and structural studies on the ternary palladium(II) complexes of thioether ligands.

Potentiometric, calorimetric, NMR and stopped-flow kinetic studies were performed on the palladium(II) complexes of thioether and/or nitrogen donor ligands. The ternary systems always contained a tridentate ligand (dien, terpy and dianions of dipeptides, GlyGly, GlyAla and GlyMet) and a monodentate thioether (AcMet). The stability constants of thioether complexes were obtained by indirect potentiometric measurements using uridine as a competitive ligand. The thermodynamic parameters revealed that selectivity of palladium(II) for thioether binding can be significantly influenced by the other donor atoms around the metal ion. [Pd(terpy)]2+ and [Pd(GlyMet)] had the lowest affinity for thioether binding and it was explained by steric and electronic effects. Ternary complexes of nitrogen donors have higher thermodynamic stability constants than the thioether complexes, but rate constants of the substitution reactions revealed that formation of thioether complexes is the faster reaction. As a consequence, the thermodynamic equilibrium state of a multicomponent system is characterized by the coordination of N-donors, which are formed via the existence of thioether-bonded intermediates.

Calorimetry↗

Lack of association between interleukin-1 receptor antagonist protein gene polymorphism and bone mineral density in Hungarian postmenopausal women.

The major determinant for risk of osteoporosis in later life is bone mineral density (BMD) attained during early adulthood. Bone mineral density is a complex trait that is presumably influenced by multiple genes. Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist protein (IL-1RN) is an attractive candidate gene for osteoporosis susceptibility, because IL-1RN completely inhibits the stimulatory effects of interleukin-1 (IL-1) on bone resorption in organ cultures and has been implicated in the pathogenesis of osteoporosis. In addition, the IL-1RN gene contains a variable-number tandem repeat polymorphism (VNTR) in intron 2 with three potential protein-binding sites. Recently, an association has been found between this polymorphism and postmenopausal bone loss in the spine. In this study, we use the previously described IL-1RN polymorphism to test for an association between this polymorphism and bone mineral density in our population of postmenopausal women. There was no correlation between alleles or genotypes and BMD in the 286 subjects. Dividing subjects into osteoporotic and healthy groups (osteoporotics and controls), we found no difference in the distribution of alleles or genotypes between groups. We found no association between IL-1RN alleles or genotypes and BMD either at the lumbar spine or the femoral neck within groups. Our data do not support the hypothesis that this IL-1RN gene VNTR polymorphism has an impact on bone mass in postmenopausal women.

Adult↗

Expression analysis of cyclins in pituitary adenomas and the normal pituitary gland.

OBJECTIVES: The molecular events involved in pituitary tumour development are still poorly understood. The cyclins play an important role in the control of the cell cycle during cell proliferation and over-expression of the cyclins has been shown in many different tumour types. The aim of this study was to investigate whether, in comparison to the normal gland, ectopic expression of cyclins occurs in pituitary tumours, and whether differences in cyclin expression are seen with different pituitary tumour types or in association with different tumour behaviour. In contrast to work on cyclin D there are no published data on cyclin B, A and E in human pituitary tumours. METHODS: Sixty-seven surgically removed pituitary tumours and 10 specimens of normal human anterior gland were studied using immunohistochemistry to detect the nuclear expression of cyclin A, B, D and E. The microvascular density (as a measure of angiogenesis), Ki-67 labelling index (to assess cell proliferation) and bcl-2 expression had previously been investigated in this cohort. RESULTS: All tumours studied contained cells that immunostained positively for cyclin A, B, D and E. However the proportion of positive cells in each tumour type was different. In contrast, there were no cyclin D positive cells in the normal anterior pituitary gland studied, and labelling indices (LI) for cyclins A, B and E were significantly lower in the normal gland than in pituitary adenomas. The cyclin LIs for A, B, D and E were significantly higher in macroadenomas when compared to microadenomas. Non-functioning pituitary tumours (NFA) generally showed the highest cyclin LI. In particular, both recurrent and nonrecurrent NFA showed significantly higher cyclin D LI than other tumours. The ratio of cells expressing cyclin B compared to those expressing cyclin A was significantly higher in functionless tumours that regrew when compared to NFAs that did not (P<0.05). Cyclin D LI and the overall Ki-67 LI as a measure of cell proliferation were related (R2 = 11.4, P = 0.0033) and bcl-2 positive tumours had significantly higher cyclin D LI compared with bcl-2 negative tumours. There was a weak relationship between angiogenesis and the relative proportion of cells expressing D when compared to those in S phase (D/A ratio) (r2 = 10.5, P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: We have demonstrated that ectopic expression of cyclin D and over-expression of cyclins A, B and E, regulating different stages of the cell cycle is common in pituitary adenomas. In addition, cyclin expression was related to size and to pituitary tumour regrowth. The differences between functionless tumours that regrow and those that do not, may be due to reduced bcl-2 expression, increased cell proliferation, more cells at the G2/M stage (B/A ratio) and reduced cell differentiation with more aggressive subsequent tumour behaviour. Cyclin D expression and cell proliferation were related indicating that the cells entering the cycle become 'committed' to cell cycle progression. There was no relative over-expression of individual cyclins, and therefore no evidence of relative increase in cell cycle phase, indicating that the increased cyclin expression is more likely to be due to constant mitogenic stimulation rather than cell cycle regulatory failure. Although nuclear cyclin expression is a good marker of tumour growth and aggressive behaviour, the growth signal that leads to cyclin expression remains to be identified.

Adenoma↗

Analysis of the genetic variability of the 1st (CCC/ACC, P52T) and the 10th exons (bp 1012-1704) of the TSH receptor gene in Graves' disease.

We determined the genetic variability of the 1st (CCC/ACC, P52T polymorphic variant) and 10th exons (bp 1012-1704) of the TSH receptor (TSHR) gene in Graves' disease. A total of 101 Graves' patients and 163 control subjects were screened. The A253 mutant allele was carried by nine patients with Graves' disease (8.91%) and 13 control subjects (7.98%) in heterozygous genotype. No significant difference in the frequency of the mutant allele was found between Graves' patients and control subjects. These results provide evidence that the A253 polymorphism has no genetic relevance in Graves' disease. Moreover, the DNA nucleotide sequence of 693 bp of the 10th exon (bp 1012-1704) of the TSHR gene was determined in 15 Graves' patients. Six patients were homozygous for the wild-type allele and nine were heterozygous for the mutant allele at the 253rd nucleotide of the first exon. No polymorphism was found in the DNA sequences obtained from leukocytes of Graves' patients, similarly to the sequences obtained from the nine control subjects. None of the nine patients carrying the A253 polymorphism in the 1st exon of the TSHR had polymorphism in the examined part of the 10th exon, including two additional patients whose thyroid tissue was directly analysed. In all likelihood, the polymorphisms of the examined regions of either the 1st or the 10th exon of the THSR gene do not contribute to the genetic susceptibility to Graves' disease.

Adolescent↗

Proliferation, bcl-2 expression and angiogenesis in pituitary adenomas: relationship to tumour behaviour.

The prediction of pituitary tumour behaviour, in terms of response to treatment from which can be derived optimal management strategies, is a challenge that has been approached using several different means. Angiogenesis in other tumour types has been shown to be correlated with poor response to treatment and tumour recurrence. The aim of this paper is to assess the role of measurements of cell proliferation and angiogenesis in predicting pituitary tumour behaviour. The proliferative capacity of the tumour was assessed using the Ki-67 labelling index (LI) while bcl-2 expression was used to assess anti-apoptotic pathways. The microvessel density (MVD) was assessed using antibodies to CD31 and factor VIII-related antigen, and with biotinylated ulex europaeus agglutinin I. There was no difference between Ki-67 LI and MVD of functionless tumours that recurred and those that did not, but bcl-2 expression was significantly lower in tumours that subsequently regrew. Macroprolactinomas had significantly higher LI than microprolactinomas and than all other tumours. Cell proliferation and angiogenesis were not related, showing that both processes are under different control mechanisms in pituitary tumours. In contrast there was a positive relationship between markers of angiogenesis and bcl-2 expression in prolactinomas, GH-secreting tumours and non-recurrent functionless tumours with higher levels of bcl-2 expression being found in the more vascular tumours. These findings may suggest that angiogenesis is related to the ability of tumour cells to survive rather than their proliferative activity.

Adenoma↗

Serum insulin-like growth factor-I, insulin-like growth factor binding proteins, and bone mineral content in hyperthyroidism.

The mechanism by which thyroid hormones promote bone growth has not yet been elucidated. In vitro, thyroid hormones stimulate insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) production by osteoblasts, which is important for the anabolic effects of the hormone on bone. To determine whether the IGF-I/IGF binding protein (IGFBP) profile is affected when thyroid hormone production is altered in vivo, we studied 36 women who had recently been diagnosed with hyperthyroidism (age: 29-67 years; 19 with Graves' disease, 17 with toxic nodular goiter) and 36 age-matched healthy women as controls. Serum IGF-I, and its binding proteins (IGFBP-3, IGFBP-4, and IGFBP-5), as well as bone mineral density (BMD) at the lumbar spine, femoral neck, and radius midshaft were measured before and 1 year after antithyroid (methimazole) treatment. Serum IGF-I levels were significantly increased in the hyperthyroid patients before treatment (214 +/- 18.2 ng/mL vs. 145 +/- 21.3 ng/mL; p < 0.05). There was no difference in IGF-I levels of patients with Graves' disease and toxic nodular goiter. Serum IGF-I concentrations returned to normal after treatment with methimazole. Serum IGFBP-3 and IGFBP-4 values were significantly elevated in the hyperthyroid group before treatment (3960 +/- 220 ng/mL and 749.7 +/- 53.1 ng/mL vs. 2701 +/- 180 ng/mL and 489.9 +/- 32.4 ng/mL; p < 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively) and were reduced to those of controls after treatment. Serum IGFBP-5 of hyperthyroid subjects was not different from that of controls either before or after therapy. Serum free thyroxine showed a positive correlation with serum levels of IGF-I (r = 0.73, p < 0.05), IGFBP-3 (r = 0.59, p < 0.05), and IGFBP-4 (r = 0.67, p < 0.05) but not IGFBP-5. BMD at the radius midshaft was significantly lower in hyperthyroid patients at the start of the study and showed a positive correlation with serum IGF-I (r = 0.58; p < 0.001) and a negative correlation with IGFBP-4 (r = -0.61; p < 0.05). Radius BMD showed a 7.2% increase in the hyperthyroid group after 1 year of methimazole treatment, and the correlation between BMD and serum IGF-I disappeared. Our data indicate that thyroid hormones may influence the IGF-I/IGFBP system in vivo in hyperthyroidism. The anabolic effects of increased levels of IGF-I may be limited in hyperthyroidism due to the increases of inhibitory IGFBPs that can counteract the anabolic effects and contribute to the observed net bone loss.

Adult↗

Streptokinase does not activate the complement system.

Streptokinase is an extensively used thrombolytic agent. However, different preparations cause severe hypotension during therapy, partially related to the complement cascade activation. In four ischaemic stroke patients treated with Streptase, an increased level of soluble terminal complement complex (SC5b-9) was measured. In the sera of normal subjects, the increase in SC5b-9 induced by Streptase, Kabikinase and Calbiochem streptokinases was highly significant (P < 0.005). Sigma streptokinase did not activate the complement system. Sigma streptokinase analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed a homogeneous band. The other three preparations were contaminated with albumin and other proteins. Based on our in vivo and in vitro data, we conclude that complement activation is related to contamination of different streptokinase products rather than the streptokinase itself.

Acute Disease↗

Vitamin D receptor gene BsmI polymorphism correlates with erbB-2/HER-2 expression in human rectal cancer.

Apart from the regulation of calcium metabolism, 1, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) plays an essential role in cell proliferation and differentiation in several tissues. The vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene shows polymorphisms in humans that appear to be clinically significant in some pathological conditions. In the present study, the BsmI polymorphism of the VDR gene was studied in 59 Caucasian patients with rectal cancer (mean follow-up: 48 months). The relationship between VDR genotypes and the expression of oncogenes as well as their influence on survival were also investigated. VDR polymorphism was examined in tumor and normal mucosa cells by PCR technique. The expression of erbB-2/HER-2, p53, ras and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) was also detected by immunohistochemistry and protein blotting. The presence of the VDR B allele significantly correlated with the overexpression of the erbB-2 oncogene. There was no difference in the VDR genotype between cancer and normal mucosal cells. Coexpression of erbB-2, pan-ras, p53 and EGFR internal and external domains was significantly higher in cancer cells than in normal mucosa. There was no significant correlation between VDR genotypes and age, gender, tumor infiltration depth, number and site of lymph node metastases and lymphatic or blood vessel infiltration. The VDR genotype alone did not influence survival. Overexpression of erbB-2 and EGFR was associated with a poor prognosis. In patients expressing only one oncogene in cancer cells, the presence of the VDR B allele showed a tendency to a poor prognosis. In conclusion, VDR gene BsmI polymorphism might affect the development and prognosis of rectal cancer by influencing erbB-2 oncogene expression.

Adult↗

Angiogenesis in pituitary adenomas and the normal pituitary gland.

Angiogenesis is essential for tumor growth beyond a few millimeters in diameter, and the intratumoral microvessel count that represents a measure of angiogenesis has been correlated with tumor behavior in a variety of different tumor types. To date no systematic study has assessed pituitary tumors of different secretory types, correlating vascular count with tumor size. The vascular densities of pituitary tumors and normal anterior pituitary were therefore assessed by counting vessels labeled using the vascular markers CD31 and ulex europaeus agglutinin I. One hundred and twelve surgically removed pituitary adenomas (30 GH-secreting, 25 prolactinomas, 15 ACTH-secreting, and 42 nonfunctioning tumors) were compared with 13 specimens of normal anterior pituitary gland. The vascular counts in the normal anterior pituitary gland were significantly higher (P < 0.05) than those in the tumors using both CD31 and ulex europaeus agglutinin I. In addition, microprolactinomas were significantly less vascular (P < 0.05) than macroprolactinomas, although there was no such difference between vascular densities of microadenomas and macroadenomas producing GH. ACTH-secreting tumors were, like microprolactinomas, of much lower vascular density than the normal pituitary and other secreting and nonsecreting tumor types. In marked contrast to other tumors, pituitary adenomas are less vascular than the normal pituitary gland, suggesting that there may be inhibitors of angiogenesis that play an important role in the behavior of these tumors.

Adenoma↗

Role of matrix metalloproteinase 9 in pituitary tumor behavior.

The matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of zinc-containing endopeptidases that are able to degrade the extracellular matrix and allow angiogenesis and tumor invasion. The vast majority of pituitary tumors are benign and do not metastasize to distant sites, although they may invade locally. The aim of this study was to determine whether expression of the collagenase MMP-9 may play a role in allowing angiogenesis and invasion by different pituitary tumor types. Tumor expression of MMP-9 was investigated using a monoclonal antibody on a series of well-characterized paraffin-embedded sections of pituitary tumors. Invasive macroprolactinomas (n = 11) were significantly more likely to express MMP-9 than noninvasive macroprolactinomas (n = 8) (P = 0.003). Invasive macroprolactinomas showed higher-density MMP-9 staining than noninvasive tumors (P < 0.05). MMP-9 expression did not differ between noninvasive tumors and normal pituitary gland, or between different sized prolactinomas. MMP-9 expression was related to aggressive tumor behavior. It was higher in invasive macroprolactinomas (P = 0.003) when compared with noninvasive macroprolactinomas or the normal anterior pituitary gland. In addition, although there was no difference in whether MMP-9 was present or not when nonfunctioning adenomas that recurred were compared with those that did not, samples of recurrent tumor at the second presentation were more likely to express MMP-9 (P = 0.01). Pituitary carcinomas were significantly more likely to be MMP-9 positive compared with normal anterior pituitary gland (P = 0.05), but there was no difference from invasive adenomas. Angiogenesis assessed by vascular density was related to MMP-9 expression (P < 0.05). In summary, we have shown the presence of MMP-9 expression in some invasive and recurrent pituitary adenomas, and in the majority of pituitary carcinoma. The mechanisms whereby MMP-9 expression influences tumor recurrence and invasiveness, and its association with angiogenesis, remains to be elucidated. However, these observations suggest that a future potential therapeutic strategy for some pituitary tumors may be administration of a synthetic MMP-9 inhibitor.

Adenoma↗

Angiogenesis in pituitary adenomas - relationship to endocrine function, treatment and outcome.

Angiogenesis has been shown to be related to tumour behaviour, prognosis and response to treatment in many different tumour types. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between angiogenesis and tumour behaviour and response to treatment in pituitary adenomas. The microvessel density (MVD) of pituitary tumours was assessed by counting blood vessels labelled with 3 different endothelial markers using antibodies to CD31, factor eight-related antigen and biotinylated Ulex europaeus (agglutinin I UEAI). One hundred and forty-two surgically removed pituitary adenomas (46 GH secreting, 6 microprolactinomas, 19 macroprolactinomas, 18 ACTH secreting and 53 functionless tumours) were carefully characterized and assessed. There was a significant negative correlation between age and MVD of GH secreting tumours (R(2)=33.8, P=0.005). Age was not related to MVD in other tumour types. Pre-treatment hormone production by the adenomas was related to MVD in prolactinomas (P<0.05), but not in GH secreting tumours. Invasive prolactinomas were significantly more vascular than non-invasive tumours (P<0.05). Drug treatment with metyrapone or bromocriptine did not appear to influence tumour angiogenesis. Surgical cure was more likely in macroprolactinomas and in ACTH secreting tumours with lower MVD. These results show that factors related to angiogenesis are very important in determining a number of clinical features of pituitary tumours, in particular the invasiveness of macroprolactinomas, the effect of age in tumours secreting GH and the outcome of surgical treatment in macroprolactinomas and ACTH secreting tumours.

Adenoma↗

[Role of surgery, its results and complications, in the combined treatment of primary gastric non-Hodgkin lymphoma].

During ten years 580 patients have been treated for gastric tumour in our department, 510 of them were operated on. Resection could be performed in 296 cases. 17 resections, 5.7 per cent of all were performed because of primary non-Hodgkin gastric lymphoma. No gastric lymphoma was found among the non-resected patients. The preoperative histological diagnosis was correct only in 8 cases. MALT origin could be proved in 5 patients. Synchronous adenocarcinoma and lymphoma was diagnosed in 2 patients. Staging was decided according to Lugano classification. There were six stage I, four stage II, and seven stage IV patients. 8 subtotal and 9 total gastrectomy was performed, 5 were extended and 2 were combined. R0 resection could be carried out in five stage I, two stage II and in one stage IV patient. We lost 2 patients in the postoperative period. Patients were treated with adjuvant chemotherapy (VEP, CHOP) except for 2 patients with low grade MALT lymphoma. The likelihood of one-year survival is 73 per cent, average two-year survival is 63 per cent. When the tumour is operable by total gastrectomy we suggest to perform splenectomy as well, despite of the fact that some postoperative complications can be related to it. We think it is reasonable to perform palliative resection in cases of locally extended stage IV tumours, which affect the patient's quality of life: to cease the pain, passage troubles, bleeding and to improve the conditions for adjuvant treatment.

Aged↗

[Successful surgical treatment of a multiple ruptured true saphenous vein aneurysm after an anterior femoro-tibial bypass].

Despite the fact, that we have been using the saphena magna as an autolog transplantatum for femoro-popliteal bypass since more than 50 years, the true aneurysma of the saphena graft is rare. Generally the aneurysma formations are detectable years after the primary operation, often in a life or limb threatening form. In our publication we report a successfully operated case of ruptured true saphena aneurysma. The multiplex aneurysma was operated on after a femoro-tibial anterior bypass operation, performed seven years earlier. The patient was normotensiv, without any laboratory sign of hyperlipidaemia. For the reconstruction we used autolog vein, from the upper limb.

Aged↗

[Reduced utilization of antibiotics in Swedish hospitals. Considerable variations between hospitals concerning choice and use of preparations].

Defined daily dose (DDD) consumption of antibiotics in 26 Swedish hospitals decreased by an average of 25% from 1990 to 1998, according to statistics from Apoteket AB. In one hospital, the decrease was 61%. Average consumption of tetracyclines and penicillins, expressed as percentage of total antibiotics consumption, decreased by 5% and 7% respectively, while quinolones and cephalosporins increased by 4% and 7% respectively. Consumption of tetracyclines and quinolones varied between individual hospitals by a factor of four.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

Cell cycle-related protein expression in vascular dementia and Alzheimer's disease.

Recent findings from our and other laboratories indicate that cell cycle-related phenomena may play a key role in the formation of Alzheimer-type pathology and neuronal cell death in both Alzheimer's and cerebro-vascular diseases. In this study we examine the expression patterns of cyclins A, B1, D1 and E in neuronal nuclei in the hippocampus in autopsied healthy elderly individuals, Alzheimer's disease patients and subjects suffering from cerebrovascular disease with and without co-existing Alzheimer's disease. Nuclear cyclin B1 and cyclin E expression was detected in hippocampal neurones in each subject category. However, cyclin B1 expression was significantly elevated in the CA1 of patients suffering from cerebro-vascular disease alone, while cyclin E expression was significantly higher in the CA4 subfield in patients suffering from mixed Alzheimer's and cerebro-vascular diseases compared to subjects in other categories. We hypothesize that cell cycle re-entry may occur in healthy elderly people leading to age-related cell death and mild Alzheimer-type pathology in the hippocampus. However, in pathological conditions, the cell cycle arrest may lead either to the development of severe Alzheimer-related pathology or to excess apoptotic cell death as in vascular dementia.

Aged↗

A 3-year randomized trial of ropinirole and bromocriptine in early Parkinson's disease. The 053 Study Group.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the long-term efficacy and safety of ropinirole with bromocriptine over 3 years in patients with early PD with limited or no previous dopaminergic therapy. METHODS: In this prospective, double-blind, parallel-group study, 335 patients were randomized to 0.75 mg ropinirole or 1.25 mg bromocriptine titrated upward at weekly intervals--maximum permitted daily doses were 24 mg ropinirole, 40 mg bromocriptine. RESULTS: Approximately one third of patients in each group withdrew prematurely, mostly because of adverse experiences; 61/102 (60%) of ropinirole-treated and 59/112 (53%) of bromocriptine-treated patients completed the study on the dopamine agonist alone. Mean doses for all patients at completion were 12 mg (SD 6) ropinirole and 24 mg (SD 8) bromocriptine. Occurrence of adverse experiences in both groups was similar. Emergence of dyskinesias was low. Both treatments induced marked improvements in Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale activities of daily living (ADL, Part II) and motor (Part III) scores over the first 12 weeks, which were maintained during the study. After 3 years, patients in the ropinirole group had a mean improvement in motor score of 31% compared with 22% in the bromocriptine group (p = 0.086) and a significantly better ADL score (treatment difference 1.46 points, p = 0.009) [corrected]. CONCLUSIONS: Both dopamine agonists are effective in the early treatment of a high proportion of PD patients; effectiveness persists for at least 3 years. Those who completed the study had a significantly better functional status on ropinirole than on bromocriptine.

Activities of Daily Living↗