[Quantitative analysis of sigma genes expression in Mycobacterium tuberculosis cultures exposed to rifampicin and isoniazid].

The aim of the study was quantitative analysis of five genes encoding Mycobacterium tuberculosis sigma factors sigA, sigE, sigF, sigH, and sigI as well as the 85B reference gene known as the mycobacterial viability marker, in cultures exposed to rifampicin and isoniazid. The mRN levels were assessed using QRT-PCR technique, in the automated system of real time quantification with the ABI PRISM 7700 Sequence Detector System (TaqMan). The number of each analyzed gene transcript copies was expressed as a number of mRNA per 1 eg of isolated total RNA.

PCR-RFLP analysis of a point mutation in codons 315 and 463 of the katG gene of Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolated from patients in Silesia, Poland.

Resistance to antituberculous agents is an important cause of ineffectiveness of antimicrobial therapy. The resistance of M. tuberculosis to antituberculous agents is a result of mutations in genes participating in those agent's action.

[Detection of 85B mRNA in Mycobacterium tuberculosis cultures using the quantitative QRT-PCR (TaqMan) method].

The paper presents the in-house method of quantitative analysis of 85 B mRNA in Mycobacterium tuberculosis cultures coming from seeded biological material taken from tuberculosis patients. After the proper culture time, the total RNA was isolated. Than, a one-step QRT-PCR was performed.

[Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in inhabitants of Zabrze].

In 2001 a modified MRC questionnaire and spirometry were performed in the inhabitants of Zabrze (Poland). Two hundred and thirty-nine men and 320 women aged 19-69 years were studied. Forty percent of men and 23% of women were smokers.

Human cytomegalovirus serological status in patients with interstitial lung diseases.

Recent data, especially from immunocompromised patients, suggest that human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) plays an important role in lung pathology. In this study the serological status of HCMV infection and characteristic of the HCMV infected patients with interstitial lung diseases were determined. The subjects were enrolled prior to immunosuppression therapy introduction.

[VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) concentration in serum and pleural fluid of patients with pleural malignancy and pleural tuberculosis].

The purpose of this study was comparison of VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) levels in serum and pleural fluid and estimation of this test usefulness in diagnosis of pleural effusions. VEGF levels were measured by ELISA method in 68 patients (45 males and 23 females) aged 19-81 years. By Light's criteria in 16 cases transudate and in 52 cases exudate was recognized.

Chemiluminescence of pulmonary macrophages from patients with inactive sarcoidosis, in different radiological stages.

Luminol-amplified chemiluminescence was generated by alveolar macrophages, harvested from the bronchoalveolar lavages of 16 patients with different radiological stages of non-invasive (asymptomatic) sarcoidosis. None of the patients received any steroid therapy during this study. The mean duration of the disease in these patients was 8 months, with a duration time range of 6-14 months.

[Lung function tests and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) findings in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis].

Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is a rare cholestatic liver disease with an autoimmune etiology. The present study was done to estimate the frequency of occurrence of pulmonary disturbances and to analyse the results of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) findings in patients with PBC. Thirteen patients (only women) aged 50.

[Transbronchial needle aspiration biopsy in the diagnosis of peripheral lung lesions].

In 1996-2000 in 55 patients (16 females, 39 males) admitted to Department of Phtisiopneumonology in Zabrze because of peripheral lung lesions (diameter 2.5-9.5 cm mean 4.

[Plasma erythropoietin concentration in lung cancer patients].

Unlabelled: The goal of this study was to evaluate serum level of EPO in 32 men with lung cancer (Squamous cell lung cancer N = 11, Adenocarcinoma N = 10, Small cell lung cancer N = 11) in relation to the degree of anemia, stage of disease and the regimen of anticancer therapy. The control group consisted of 29 men, among whom were 15 patients with posthemorrhagic anemia. Blood samples were withdrawn for assessment of blood count, serum concentration of EPO, iron, total iron binding capacity (TIBC) and ferritin.

Comparative study of cefaclor AF vs. cefuroxime axetil in acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis.

Background: Acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis (AECB) are the most common complication of chronic bronchitis. The majority of AECB are caused by infection. The choice of appropriate antibacterial therapy for AECB is becoming more difficult and is usually empirically.