[Phagocytic activity of blood platelets before and after renal artery embolization in patients with renal cancer]. / Aktywnosc fagocytarna plytek krwi przed i po embolizacji tetnicy nerkowej u chorych z rakiem nerki.

Embolization consists in the occlusion of renal artery and its ramifications, which induces acute renal infarction. Renal artery embolization, causing necrosis, stimulates cellular reactions within and around the neoplasm. The interaction of neoplastic cells with blood platelets is of great importance in the development of neoplastic disease. Neoplastic cells exert a stimulatory effect on blood platelets. During activation, platelets change in shape and secrete certain substances. We conducted this study measuring the phagocytic activity of blood platelets. 45 patients suffering from renal cancer were examined (22 women and 23 men) before and after embolization. Diagnosis was established basing on the patients' history, clinical picture, and ultrasonographic, urographic and angiographic examinations. The study demonstrated that embolization led to an increase in platelet count and decrease of phagocytic index.

alpha1-microglobulin as a marker of proximal tubular damage in urinary tract infection in children.

The urinary alpha1-microglobulin (alpha1-M) as a marker of proximal tubular damage was measured in 86 children, aged 3/12 to 12 years, with a diagnosis of urinary tract infection (UTI) and fever. All patients had normal glomerular filtration rates (GFR). They were divided into 2 groups: A: with UTI and etiological factor E. coli, B: with UTI and etiological factor Proteus sp. Similar measurements of alpha1-M were obtained for a control group of healthy children. An increased mean level serum alpha1-M was observed in patients with UTI and fever compared to control group (p < 0.001). Urinary alpha1-M as the alpha1-microglobulin/creatinine ratio was higher in both tested group of patients with UTI and fever. Those found in group A1 and B1 before treatment were the highest and statistically significantly elevated after treatment (group A2 and B2: p < 0.001). Our results indicate the usefulness of the urinary alpha-microglobulin/creatinine ratio as a marker of proximal kidney tubule damage in children with E. coli and Proteus sp. infections. Additionally, it seems to be associated with the humoral and cellular immune response.

The concentration of alpha 1-antitrypsin in the maternal serum after delivery of normal and small for gestational age infants.

BACKGROUND: alpha 1-antitrypsin (A-1-AT) is an acute-phase protein. It is present in plasma and other extracellular fluids and in human trophoblastic tissue. It accounts for 80 to 90 per cent of antiprotease reactions occurring in plasma. It has the ability to greatly affect enzyme activity and plays an important role in immunomodulatory processes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The purpose of the study was to determine the plasma concentration of A-1-AT in mothers giving birth to hypotrophic (small for gestational age, SGA), and eutrophic (appropriate for gestational age, AGA) infants. 33 women who gave birth to SGA infants and 36 women who gave birth to AGA infants participated in the study. The control group consisted of 30 non-pregnant women who were of reproductive age. All women gave birth at term. To measure A-1-AT concentration, we used the diffusion method described by Mancini et al. RESULTS: The highest concentration of A-1-AT (379 mg/dl) was found in women giving birth to SGA infants, compared with 345 mg/dl for women giving birth to AGA infants. In the control group, the concentration was found to be 270 mg/dl. CONCLUSIONS: Statistical analysis of the results showed a significant difference between the two groups of women gave birth and between each parturient compared with control subjects. Increasing concentration of A-1-AT in the plasma of women in labor may be the result of an acute phase reaction triggered by the stress during parturition. Additionally, increased concentrations of A-1-AT in women who gave birth to SGA rather than AGA infants suggest that it may play a role in the processes of intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR).

Perioperative management of a post heart transplantation patient with renal failure qualified to lung resection.

Since the first heart transplantation (1967, Christian Bernard), hundreds of similar procedures have been performed all over the world. Considerable advance made in immunosuppressive treatment improved survival rate and long-term efficiency of treatment improved survival rate and long-term efficiency of treatment. Many of these patients suffer from ailments requiring operations which are not connected with the transplanted organ. The present study describes a case of a post heart transplantation patient qualified to lung resection, in whom renal insufficiency occurred in the course of immunosuppressive therapy.

[Levels of alpha-2-macroglobulin in blood serum of women giving birth to hypotrophic and eutrophic newborns]. / Stezenie alfa-2-makroglobuliny w surowicy krwi kobiet rodzacych noworodki hipotroficzne i eutroficzne.

We tested the concentration of alpha-2-macroglobulin in sera of 33 women bearing eutrophic newborns, 36 women bearing hypotrophic newborns and 30 healthy not pregnant women in reproductive age. The concentration of this inhibitor was measured using radial immunodiffusion method according to Mancini et al. We found distinct decrease of alpha-2-macroglobulin concentration in sera of bearing women. In women bearing eutrophic newborns we found 154 mg/dl, in women bearing hypo-trophic newborns 171 mg/dl whereas in controls 250 mg/dl. We have noted statistically significant differences between tested groups to controls and between investigated groups. Taking under consideration the role of alpha-2-macroglobulin as the modulator of immune system as well as the activity of several cytokins, therefore one can suppose that alpha-2-M may affect on cellular growth developed foetus in intrauterine.

[The concentration of alpha-2-antiplasmin in sera of women in post partum]. / Stezenie alfa-2-antyplazminy w surowicy krwi rodzacych kobiet.

Alpha-2-antiplasmin is a main inhibitor of plasmin and play a crucial role in regulation of intravascular fibrinolysis. It is important to know, in pregnant women as well in the immediate post partum period the activation of hemostasis takes place and is observed thrombotic incidences. In our studies we have included 33 pregnant women whose delivered eutrophic newborns alpha-2-AP 7.79 mg/dl and 36 pregnant women whose delivered small-for-date newborns, alpha-2-AP 7.49 mg/dl. We found no significant statistically differences between tested groups and in comparison to control group 6.0 mg/dl. The presented results seems to indicate, the determination of concentration of alpha-2-AP in sera of women in immediate post partum period does not reflect the changes in the mechanisms of fibrinolytic system in the course of the partum.

The concentration of alpha-1-antichymotrypsin in blood serum of women in labour.

Concentration of alpha-1-antichymotrypsin (A-1-ACT) in blood serum of parturient women was determined. The investigation was conducted in 33 women bearing eutrophic newborns and 36 women bearing hypotrophic newborns. The control group consisted of 30 healthy non-pregnant women in reproductive age. Concentrations of A-1-ACT were determined using the radial immunodiffusion method according to Mancini et al. Maximal concentration of A-1-ACT determined in group I was three times higher than minimal concentration. Maximal concentration of A-1-ACT determined in group II was two times higher than minimal concentration. In the control group, the difference between minimal and maximal concentrations of A-1-ACT was inconsiderable. The lack of statistically significant differences between these three groups suggests that labour stress does not influence serum concentrations of this inhibitor. The importance of A-1-ACT in the placental tissue may be connected with immunological mechanisms that assure development and maintenance of pregnancy.

Phagocytic activity of platelets in patients with myocardial infarction.

The aim of our present study was to analyse the dynamics of changes in the phagocytic activity of platelets with myocardial infarction according to the treatment applied. Twenty patients with acute myocardial infarction and thirty healthy subjects were examined. Platelet count, phagocytic activity of platelets and the phagocytic index were determined. We observed reduced phagocytic activity of platelets in the first 24 hours of infarction, which may be due to exhaustion of most active platelets in a thrombus and microaggregates. A transitory increase in the phagocytosis activity of platelets observed on the third day of infarction may be caused by the release of large, more active platelets from splenic pool. On the eight day of infarction, the phagocytic activity of platelets became normalized in both experimental groups. Our study indicates that together with platelet activation the phagocytic activity gets reduced being a likely response to the thrombocytopenic factor. This can be confirmed by the increased number of platelets on the 8th day. Our results suggest a slightly attenuated phagocytic ability of platelets, irrespective of the treatment applied. The reduction seems to result from the effect of platelets exhaustion on the procoagulative activity in patients with myocardial infarction.

[Serine protease inhibitors in newborns. IV. Levels of alpha-2-macroglobulin in serum of eutrophic and hypotrophic newborns and their mothers]. / Inhibitory proteaz serynowych u noworodków. IV. Stezenie alfa-2-makroglobuliny w surowicy krwi noworodków eutroficznych i hipotroficznych oraz ich matek.

It is accepted that alpha-2-M may serve as an important factor for the regulation of homeostasis. For these reasons it is valuable to determine its concentration in some clinical conditions. We have found that the level of alpha-2-M is evidently higher in hypotrophic newborns than in neutrophic newborns. It is interesting to note that the mothers of hypotrophic newborns also exhibit increased concentration of alpha-2-M in comparison to the mothers of eutrophic newborns. No differences were observed in concentration of this inhibitor between mothers and this newborns in both groups. Taking under consideration these findings it seems there is an inverse relationship between cord serum alpha-2-M concentrations and birth weight of newborns. Probably the increase of this inhibitor may reflect in some extent its function as moderating factor high susceptibility hypotrophic newborns for infections since alpha-2-M plays so crucial role in inflammatory processes.

Embolization and serum lysozyme activity in renal cancer.

The aim of the study was to determine the effect of renal tumor embolization on nonspecific immunity by evaluating lysozyme activity and leucocytosis in 45 patients and 40 healthy people. Lysozyme activity was assessed in the non-diluted serum (A1) and in the tenfold diluted serum (B1) prior to embolization and after embolization (A2, B2) and in control group. Prior to embolization, lysozyme activity was lower in the experimental group (A1 and B1), compared to the control groups, the differences being statistically significant (p < 0.05). After embolization, the activity became normalized (A2), reaching the control value and even exceeding it (C) in the diluted serum (B2). Leucocytosis prior to embolization (L1) resembled that of control group, increasing slightly after embolization (L2). The differences observed in the changes in lysozyme activity and leucocytosis were statistically significant (p < 0.05). Our findings indicate an inhibitory effect of the neoplastic process on nonspecific immunity. Embolization causes ischemic necrosis of tumor and products of neoplastic tissue disintegration exert a stimulating effect on granulopoiesis, by increasing the turnover of neutrophilic granulocytes. Granulocytic-monocytic infiltrations in tumor stroma are the source of lysozyme, enhancing not only local but also systemic immunity, which is manifested in the increased lysozyme activity in blood serum.

The activity of neutrophil myeloperoxidase in patients with renal cancer before and after embolization.

The activity of granulocytic myeloperoxidase (MPO) was investigated in 45 patients with renal cancer before and 14 days after renal artery embolization in comparison with control group of 40 healthy people. The group examined showed lower MPO activity before embolization, as compared to controls. The differences being statistical insignificant (p > 0.05). After embolization the activity MPO was normalized, reaching the mean value of control group. The findings revealed reduced granulocytic MPO activity in patients with renal cancer.

Nitroblue tetrazolium test in patients with renal tumor in the course of embolization.

The main role of neutrophilic granulocytes is phagocytosis and destruction of phagocytized bacteria. The nitroblue tetrazolium test (NBT), used to evaluate the bactericidal function of granulocytes, was assessed in 45 patients with renal tumour before and 14 days after renal artery embolization. No statistically significant spontaneous test NBT differences were found, compared with control group both before and 14 days after embolization. Following stimulation granulocytes in vitro by LPS of E. coli the ability of granulocytes to reduce NBT was lowered. The differences, as compared with control group, were statistically significant (p < 0.05). Our results indicates considerable impairment of lower metabolic reserve in patients with renal tumour necessary for maximum stimulation.

[Usefulness of C-reactive protein (CRP) detection for early diagnosis of infectious postoperative complications after gynecologic surgery]. / Przydatnosc oznaczania bialka C-reaktywnego (CRP) we wczesnej diagnostyce powiklan infekcyjnych po operacjach ginekologicznych.

Immunoturbidimetric method was applied to estimate C-reactive protein concentration in blood serum in 32 women aged 47.8 (+/-6.3) years in whom abdominal hysterectomy had been performed. On the 3rd day after the surgery in 11 (34.4%) patients there occurred inflammatory complications followed by evaluated body temperature (38 degrees C and higher), abdominal wound and/or parametrium inflammatory infiltrations. 21 patients recovered without side effects. In the group of patients in whom on the 3rd day or later infection manifestation appeared, greater difference of CRP concentration was detected in 24th hour after operation. These findings are suggestive of the usefulness of estimating blood serum CRP as en early and preclinical marker of postsurgery inflammation process.

Does the concentration of alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor reflect the transformation of liver cirrhosis to liver carcinoma?

Serum concentration of alpha1-proteinase inhibitor (alpha1-PI) was determined by nephelometric method in forty seven patients with liver cirrhosis (LC) and fifteen patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Our data show an increase in the concentration of alpha1-PI in the group with decompensated LC by 17% and in HCC by 29%. The level of alpha1-PI higher than (220 mg%) may be indicative of the disease progression towards decompensated LC or HCC. In the conclusion, an increase in alpha1-PI concentration in patients with LC may be considered as an alarming factor, but is not sufficiently specific to become a diagnostic tool for the detection of HCC development.

[Morphologic parameters of blood platelets and dysmorphic erythrocyturia in chronic glomerulonephritis]. / Parametry morfologiczne plytek krwi a erytrocyturia dysmorficzna w przewleklym klebuszkowym zapaleniu nerek.

Dysmorphic erythrocyturia is known as an attribute of glomerular bleeding. During chronic glomerulonephritis the morphological changes of blood platelets were also observed. The subject of our study was to indicate if the common mechanism leading to blood platelets polymorphology and dysmorphic erythrocytes origination in chronic glomerulonephritis is possible. We estimate the count of blood platelets (PLT), mean platelets volume (MPV), platelet distribution weight (PDW) and platelets crit (PCT) in peripheral blood of 46 patients with chronic glomerulonephritis with dysmorphic erythrocyturia (26 with renal sufficiency and 20 with renal insufficiency) and 32 healthy volunteers. The dysmorphic erythrocyturic erythrocytes were examined in first morning urine. We have not demonstrated the correlation of changes in blood platelets morphology with percent dysmorphic erythrocytes in urine. The results of our investigations do not confirm exactly the common mechanism of the morphological changes which were observed. Minimal changes of the blood platelets parameters may be the results of changes in structure of phospholipids platelets membrane as well as less activation of platelets membrane receptors-GP Ia/IIb and GP Ic/IIa.

[Concentration of the complement component (C3) in blood sera of small-for-gestational age newborns and their mothers]. / Stezenie trzeciego skladnika dopelniacza (C3) w surowicy krwi noworodków hipotroficznych i ich matek.

36 small-for-dates newborn were introduced to our studies. The concentrations of C3 in sera of newborns were at 65% mean values found in sera their mothers. We have compared the concentrations of C3 in sera of newborns and their mothers and did not find no correlation. These data may indicate this component does not penetrate through placenta.

Bactericidal capability of blood platelets in eutrophic newborns.

Bactericidal activity of the blood platelets from cord blood of 69 eutrophic newborns differed in relation to sex. In female newborns we noted 8.13% killed Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538 P, whereas in male newborns only 2.92%. These data point to the role of platelets in unspecific defense against infections.

The assessment of functional status of blood platelets in patients infected with Giardia intestinalis after anti-parasitic treatment.

Platelets are involved in anti-parasitic mechanisms. This question is poorly recognized. Platelets may exhibit this function only after activation. Therefore we conducted this study measuring some morphological parameters of these cells which reflect activation of platelets. The experiments were done on 30 patients infected with Giardia intestinalis. Diagnosis was supported on finding trophozoits in bile, cysts and GSA 65-protein in feces. We have found some decrease of blood platelets count and normalization after anti-parasitic treatment. In the line with this observation is platelet crit. A slight change was noted in mean platelet volume before and after treatment if we compare to controls. The same observation concern platelet anisocytosis index. Nearly two-fold decrease in the count of large platelets was observed before and after treatment 3.77% and 2.07%. Our general conclusion is, the parasite is able to activate the platelets and anti-parasitic treatment normalize these changes.

[Morphologic changes of erythrocytes in blood and dysmorphic erythrocyturia]. / Zmiany morfologicze w krwi obwodowej a erytrocyturia dysmorficzna.

In chronic glomerulonephritis dysmorphic erythrocytes appear in urine sediment. In the same cases we have found changes in the morphology of erythrocytes of peripheral blood expressed in their size and colouring. In the control group, of non-renal hypertension we didn't notice any dysmorphic erythrocytes in urine as well as any changes in the morphology of erythrocytes in blood. It seems to be possible that there is common mechanism leading to dysmorphic erythrocyturia and to changes in morphology of erythrocytes in peripheral blood in chronic glomerulonephritis.

[Activity of acidic granulocyte phosphatase and myeloperoxidase among women with EPH gestosis]. / Aktywnosc granulocytarnej fosfatazy kwasnej i mieloperoksydazy u kobiet ciezarnych z EPH-gestoza.

Among 30 pregnant women with EPH-gestosis activity of myeloperoxidase was significantly decreased and activity of acid phosphatase was not much increased. Results of scientific researches can confirm the fact of weakness of anti-infection immunity among women with EPH-gestosis in compare with healthy pregnant women.