Cerebral angiogenesis and expression of VEGF after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) in rats.

Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) leads to the development of vasospasm in which endothelin-1 plays a very important role. The effect of its vasoconstricting action is hypoxia of the nervous tissue, which stimulates the release of growth factors. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) released in excessive amounts from hypoxically altered cerebrovascular endothelial cells is the most potent angiogenic factor and may enhance angiogenesis after SAH.

Arterial hypertension in children treated at the Katowice Department of Pediatric Cardiology between 1993-2000.

In the literature, one can find a common opinion that 1-3% of the children population suffers from arterial hypertension. This rate depends on the diagnostic criterion and the studied population (age, sex, race etc.).

Time and frequency analysis of beat-to-beat R-T interval variability in patients with ischaemic left ventricular dysfunction providing evidence for non-neural control of ventricular repolarisation.

Background: Determinants of temporal lability in ventricular repolarisation are not fully recognised. We aimed to analyse the sources of RT variability by comparing normal subjects and patients after myocardial infarction (MI) with either depressed or preserved left ventricular (LV) function.

Methods: One hundred and nine patients (27 women, 82 men, aged 51 +/- 9 years) were divided into three groups: 24 patients (pts) with an uncomplicated angiographically proven coronary heart disease (CHD-group), 59 post-MI pts with preserved LV function (LVEF > 40%, PMI-N-group) and 26 post-MI pts with depressed LV function (LVEF < 40%, PMI-L-group).

Age-adjustment of HRV measures and its prognostic value for risk assessment in patients late after myocardial infarction.

The Aims Of Our Study Were: (1) to establish the normal limit of the heart rate variability (HRV) indices in a healthy population and in its four age-related subgroups, including a new HRV index, HRV fraction; and (2) to analyse the frequency and predictive value of abnormally low HRV in a population of post-infarction patients in respect to the cut-points chosen (raw or age-adjusted).

Methods: Normal population of 296 healthy subjects (81 f, 215 m, aged 47+/-10 years) and post-infarction population of 298 patients (>3 months after acute MI, 65 f, 233 m, aged 56+/-10) were examined. The normal population was divided into 4 subsets based on age at entry: <35, 35-44, 45-54 and >54 years.

Inflammatory components in endarterectomy lesions: an immunohistological study.

The aim of this study was to characterize the immunohistological components of chronic inflammation in endarterectomy lesions. Therefore, in 24 patients endarterectomy specimens were obtained from coronary arteries during CABG surgery (16 from RCA and 8 from LCA) and immunohistologically analyzed using avidin-biotin method (LSAB(R)/AP) with monoclonal antibodies. Macrophages and CD3 lymphocytes were counted under 200x magnification but MHC class II and ICAM-1 adhesion molecules were analyzed semi-quantitatively (scale from 0 to 3+).

Severe hepatic involvement in visceral larva migrans.

Because of its anatomical position, the liver may be involved in many protozoan and helminthic gastrointestinal infections. Visceral larva migrans caused by Toxocara canis is rarely taken into account in adult patients with cholestatic syndrome, especially when liver disease is not associated with hypereosinophilic reaction. We report on a 74-year-old immunocompetent woman who presented with fever, bronchospasm, erythema nodosum, weight loss and progressive jaundice.

Studies on the synthesis of 1,2-cis pentofuranosides from S-glycofuranosyl dithiocarbamates, dithiocarbonates and phosphorodithioates.

The selectivity in the synthesis of 1,2-cis glycofuranosides from dithiocarbonates, dithiocarbamates and phosphorodithioates is improved by combined use of silver triflate and catalytic amount of hexamethylphosphoramide (HMPA) under mild conditions.

Usefulness of thoracic electrical bioimpedance in detection of ejection fraction changes.

The aim of this study was to evaluate a usefulness of thoracic electrical bioimpedance (TEB) in following adaptive haemodynamic adjustments to postural change and isometric exercise. Sixteen subjects with intact cardiovascular system took part in this study. Haemodynamic parameters were obtained in recumbency and after taking up erect posture.

Application of liquid separation techniques to the determination of the main urinary nicotine metabolites.

A rapid procedure for the analysis of the main nicotine metabolites (cotinine, trans-3'-hydroxycotinine) in urine has been worked out. The procedure includes isolation of nicotine and its metabolites from urine by means solid-liquid extraction technique using resin Amberlite XAD-2 and then quantitation by the use of thin-layer chromatography with densitometry (in reflection mode). GC-MS was applied to confirm the results obtained by TLC.

Acute cholestatic hepatitis associated with pravastatin.

A 57-yr-old man presented with clinical and laboratory signs of acute cholestatic hepatitis. Symptoms had appeared 7 wk after he was started on pravastatin 20 mg/day for hypercholesterolemia. A full evaluation including ultrasound, computed tomography, endoscopic cholangiography, and liver biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of intrahepatic nonobstructive jaundice.

Smear technique in the intra-operative brain tumor diagnosis: its advantages and limitations.

The role of intra-operative pathological diagnosis increases along with a development of minimally invasive neurosurgery, especially stereotactic and endoscopic techniques. The authors present their own experience with the cytological method and evaluate its usefulness in intra-operative diagnosis of brain tumors. Brain tumor biopsy specimens obtained during craniotomy from 217 patients were examined.

Possible biological indicators of the response to recombinant tumour necrosis factor alpha in patients with advanced neoplasms.

Tumour Necrosis Factor alpha (TNF alpha) immunotherapy, in addition to that of Interleukin-2 immunotherapy, represents one of the most promising biotherapies for human neoplasms. In order to identify immunological parameters of prognostic value we studied changes in immune response during first cycle of treatment with hree TNF alpha. The study included 21 locally advanced or metastatic solid tumor patients (M/F:12/9 median age: 57 years, range 38-65) for whom no other standard therapy was available.

Genetic testing for breast cancer susceptibility: Polish women's attitudes.

The aim of our study was to assess Polish women's attitudes and possible acceptance of genetic tests for breast cancer susceptibility. The research was carried out in 1995-1996 and enrolled 200 women of different age, education and professional status who were asked to answer the questions included in a questionnaire. We estimate the percentage of women presenting different attitudes towards breast cancer genetic testing: 77% of women accepted genetic tests for breast cancer (BRCA) and 48% of women accepted informing their close relatives of the genetic tests results.

Coronary artery bypass grafting without cardiopulmonary bypass--initial experience of 50 cases.

This study was undertaken to assess our experience with the first 50 patients who underwent CABG without cardiopulmonary bypass. In seven patients left internal mammary artery to left anterior descending artery (LIMA-LAD) grafting was performed through a short left anterior thoracotomy. In 43 other patients median sternotomy was used.

The role of nitric oxide in portal hypertensive systemic and portal vascular pathology.

Hypotension, low systemic vascular resistance and reduced sensitivity to vasoconstrictor are features of hyperdynamic syndrome in portal hypertension (PH) and are pathogenetic factors triggering most serious clinical complications of liver cirrhosis. Nitric oxide (NO) is a powerful vasodilating agent, released from vascular endothelium cell and effecting relaxation of vascular smooth muscle. An increased release of NO has been proposed to play a role in the pathogenesis of vasodilation and vascular hypocontractility associated with PH.

Circulatory system in children with localized scleroderma.

The circulatory system was studied in 43 children (ages 3-18 years, mean 10.6 years; 32 girls, 11 boys) suffering from localized cutaneous forms of scleroderma. The following studies were undertaken: general pediatric examination, cardiologic examination including routine electrocardiogram (ECG), 24-h Holter ECG monitoring, echocardiography plus Doppler study, and a treadmill exercise test.

Autologous connective tissue bars as vehicles for the administration of growth-influencing substances to the brain.

One of the main problems in the introduction of growth factors or other substances into the CNS is that most of these do not pass the blood-brain barrier, and so they have to be delivered directly to the target cells. Recently, different methods of intracerebral administration have been introduced such as release of drugs from polymer matrix or hollow polymer fibres, implantation of solution-soaked gel foam pieces or genetically modified cells secreting growth factors. In our studies on regeneration in CNS, the problem of introducing active substances into the brain arose.

Cardiovascular status after postural change in compensated cirrhosis: an argument for vasodilatory concept.

It seems that hypervolemia and vasodilatation coincide in compensated cirrhosis, but neither rank nor importance of these factors has been fully clarified in adaptive response to postural change. We studied, with gated equilibrium radionuclide angiography and thoracic electrical bioimpedance the hemodynamic status of 19 patients with compensated cirrhosis and 18 healthy subjects in upright and supine positions. In the upright position, the cirrhotic patients were hypotensive and had decreased peripheral vascular resistance despite increased cardiac output.

Squamous cell carcinoma antigen levels in patients with different stages of laryngeal cancer.

An attempt was undertaken to evaluate the usefulness of squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCC Ag) in different stages of squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx. Antigen levels were determined in blood serum before treatment in 25 patients with laryngeal cancer treated at the II ENT Department, Silesian Medical School in Zabrze. Ages were 39-65 years (mean, 56.

Surgical treatment of atrial septal aneurysm.

The atrial septal aneurysm (ASA) is a morphologic abnormality known to cause peripheral and pulmonary embolism. 28-52% patients with ASA have embolic events. However ASA -- with no other concomittant cardiac patology has rarely been reported as the indication for open heart surgery.

Results of mechanical prosthetic valve replacement in active valvular endocarditis.

Unlabelled: To evaluate the results of mechanical prosthetic valve replacement for active endocarditis 71 patients were reviewed. They were treated surgically between 1988 and 1993 in our institution. Mechanical valves were used in 54 patients (group 1) and bioprosthetic valves were used in 17 patients (group 2).