Multiple respiratory bursts as a response to veratrate stress in Rhodococcus erythropolis cells.

Although Rhodococcus spp. strains are able to degrade methoxyphenols by enzymatic means, the contact with veratric acid (3, 4-dimethoxybenzoic acid, hereafter called veratrate) is very stressful for the cells of Rhodococcus erythropolis DSM 1069 (Rh). Within 5 min of contact veratrate in phosphate buffer, the emergence of many vacuoles was observed in the cell body and respiratory bursts, with violent endogenous oxygen uptake, took place several times during the 24 h incubation. During these peaks (where the cells were in their MAX states), increased activity of NADH oxidase was noted, accompanied by maximal accumulation of vanillic and isovanillic acids (3-methoxy-4-hydroxybenzoic acid and 4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzoic acid respectively, hereafter called vanillates) in the incubation medium, which appeared to be products of veratrate demethylation. At the troughs (cell in their MIN state), the vacuoles disappeared from the cell body, oxygen uptake was normal, and the pool of vanillates decreased while the veratrate level in the medium increased. The cells from MAX and MIN states reacted in opposite ways in the presence of either formaldehyde and GSH, or paraquate and cAMP. The NADH oxidase activity, measured as oxygen uptake against NADH in the membrane pellets of MAX and MIN stage cells, differed in their response to the exogenous presence of FAD, ATP, cAMP, catalase, GSH, H(2)O(2)and methoxyphenolic substrates. The periodic character of these events is described here. Co-operation between two multiprotein membrane complexes (NAD(P)H oxidase and 3-O/4-O-demethylases) in Rhodococcus erythropolis cells and their competition for two common substrates-NAD(P)H and O(2)-is proposed as an explanation for rhythmical nature of these reactions.

Relationships between demethylase activity, formaldehyde and oxygen during incubation of Rhodococcus erythropolis with veratrate.

Relationships between demethylase activity, formaldehyde and oxygen were investigated. Demethylase activity was measured against the following substrates: veratric, vanillic, and isovanillic acids, as well as in the presence of guaiacol. The influence of ATP and GTP on demethylase activity was also checked. Demethylase activity was found to be dependent on the capability of the cells for endogenous oxygen uptake. In some cases ATP produced the opposite effect: instead of being taken up, oxygen was released, which suggested a reversibility of the demethylation reaction. Curiously enough, GTP demonstrated the same effect. Changes in enzyme activity were correlated with those occurring in the level of formaldehyde. The latter increased after addition of ATP, but decreased after addition of GTP.

[Theories of intracranial aneurysm etiology]. / Teorie powstawania tetniaków wewnatrzczaszkowych.

The main theories of the origin of intracranial aneurysms as the most common vascular malformations are presented. Three main theories maintain that they are either the congenital, acquire or both of those defects. The presence of aneurysms in the bifurcations of the arteries with the loss of the muscle layer and the coexistence with other vascular malformations of the arteries and their rareness in children give the evidence of the acquire origin. The present theories join this two positions and take into consideration also the hemodynamic and inflammation as well as degeneration, atheromatosis, toxic and traumatic factors.

[Biological and clinical significance of acute phase proteins with particular emphasis on the role of C-reactive protein]. / Biologiczne i kliniczne znaczenie bialek ostrej fazy ze szczególnym uwzglednieniem roli bialka C-reaktywnego.

The acute phase response is a non-specific, early phenomenon, in which the concentration of a number of plasma proteins is increased following most forms of tissue injury, bacterial infection, inflammation, malignant neoplasia and surgical procedures. These plasma proteins are collectively termed acute-phase proteins. Their most important role is to restore the homeostasis of human organism. C-reactive protein (CRP) regarding his dynamic reaction, is one of the best non-specific biochemical indicators of most disorders. The multiple quantitative measurement of CRP is usefull in the diagnosis, differentiation, the assessment of treatment effectiveness and patient's prognosis, additionally to other clinical parameters.

[Spontaneous intracerebral hematomas in the material of the Department of Neurosurgery of Medical Academy in Lublin]. / Krwiaki sródmózgowe w materiale Kliniki Neurochirurgii AM w Lublinie.

Between 1972 and 1991, 170 patients with spontaneous nontraumatic intracerebral haematomas were treated in the Neurosurgical Department of Medical Academy in Lublin. In 89 (52.5%) patients, the haematomas were caused by ruptured aneurysms; in 14 (8%), by angiomas; 67 (39.5%) haematomas had other etiology. Within the latter group of patients, 27% suffered from hypertension. Hypertension was also found in 15% of the patients with aneurysms and in 7% of the ones with angiomas. 34% of the haematomas were localized in the temporal lobe, 28%-in the frontal lobe, 3%-in parital lobe, 2%-in occipital lobe, 23% of haematomas were multi-lobal, 8% were found in deep brain structures, and in 2% haematomas were found in cerebellum. 128 patients underwent operative treatment, with a mortality rate of 26%, while 42 patients were treated conservatively, with a mortality rate of 19%. Basing on this material, the authors discuss indications for operative treatment of the haematomas.

[Direct effects of the intrathecal administration of normal saline for the brain expansion after the removal of subdural hematoma]. / Bezposrednie skutki dokanalowego podawania fizjologicznego roztworu soli w celu rozprezenia mózgu po usunieciu krwiaka podtwardówkowego.

In a group of 360 patients the effects were studied of various management methods in case of lacking expansion of the brain after removal of chronic subdural haematoma on the therapeutic results. It was found that intrathecal infusion of normal saline was an effective procedure, with small frequency of transient complications, and was followed by a considerably lower number of re-operations than after external or internal drainage of haematoma cavity.

[A case of multiple vascular malformations of brain and liver]. / Przypadek mnogich malformacji naczyniowych mózgu i watroby.

In a woman aged 45 years after a generalized epileptic seizure CT and MRI demonstrated a lesion of the type of vascular malformation of the brain diagnosed as a haemangioma by angiography which demonstrated also presence of an aneurysm of the left pericallosal artery. Abdominal ultrasonography and tomography found also hepatic haemangioma. Both cerebral vascular lesions were managed successfully in one-step operation. The hypotheses for explaining the coexistence of haemangiomas and aneurysms are discussed.

[Vasoactive neuropeptides CGRP (calcitonin gene-related peptide) and vasospasm during subarachnoid hemorrhage from ruptured intracranial aneurysm]. / Naczynioaktywne neuropeptydy CGRP (calcitonin gene-related peptide) i VIP (vasoactive intestinal polypeptide) a skurcz naczyniowy w przebiegu krwawienia podpajeczynówkowego z peknietego tetniaka wewnatrzczaszkowego.

The authors discuss the role of active neuropeptides Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide (CGRP) and Vasoactive Intestinal Polypeptide (VIP) in the arterial spasm caused by haemorrhage from ruptured intracranial aneurysm. These substances act as vasodilators on brain vessels. Between the first and the second week after subarachnoid haemorrhage their concentration in the periarterial nerve fibres of the big vessels is significantly low. According to the experiments, the erythrocytes are this component of the blood which causes the decrease of the number of nerve fibres containing CGRP and VIP. The clinical tests of CGRP and VIP in the treatment of the vascular spasm after subarachnoid haemorrhage are being continued.

[Familial occurrence of intracranial aneurysms]. / Rodzinne wystepowanie tetniaków wewnatrzczaszkowych.

Four cases of intracranial aneurysms are reported found in two families. They accounted for 1% of all patients with these aneurysms treated in that time period. The aetiology of the aneurysms, the most frequent locations in familial cases and the risk of occurrence of asymptomatic aneurysms in such families are discussed.

[Aneurysm of the azygos anterior cerebral artery]. / Tetniak tetnicy przedniej mózgu nieparzystej.

A case of aneurysm associated with the anterior cerebral artery is described. The authors stress diagnostic difficulties in such cases and discuss the coexistence of vascular anomalies and cerebral aneurysms.

[Brachytherapy of brain gliomas]. / Brachyterapia glejopochodnych nowotworów mózgu.

Radiotherapy is considered presently the most advantageous supplementary method after surgical treatment for gliomas. The limitations of classical teletherapy cause that interstitial radiation may become preferable. The authors present the theoretical principles and practical application of brachytherapy in 10 cases of glioma. Closed radioactive sources were used in form of I125 implanted stereotactically into brain tumours for a period sufficient for providing therapeutic radiation dose to the border of the tumour. The doses received by tumour borders ranged from 812 to 4560 cGy, and the mean dose was 2064 cGy. Five patients were given additionally 6000 cGy by teleradiotherapy.

[Brain abscesses of unknown etiology]. / Ropnie mózgu nieznanego pochodzenia.

On the basis of literature data and own material of 18 cases of cerebral abscesses of unknown origin the authors discuss their incidence, most frequent locations, diagnostic difficulties and results of surgical treatment in relation to remaining groups of cerebral abscesses of known aetiology.

[Results of surgical treatment of aneurysms of the middle cerebral artery]. / Wyniki leczenia operacyjnego tetniaków tetnicy srodkowej mózgu.

The authors present a group of 38 patients with middle cerebral artery aneurysms in whom 48 aneurysms were excluded from the cerebral circulation by microsurgical techniques. In 11 cases multiple aneurysms were found. In 2 cases the wall of the aneurysm was strengthened. In the light of this material and a survey of the pertinent literature the authors analyse the relationship between the results of surgical treatment and various factors. A significant increase in postoperative mortality was found with more severe condition of the patients by the Botterell scale. The factors worsening the prognosis were also: presence of intracerebral haematoma and aneurysm location in the bifurcation of an artery. Arteriospasm increased the incidence of neurological deficits.

[Case of aneurysm of the anterior communicating artery visualized by vertebral angiography]. / Przypadek tetniaka tetnicy laczacej przedniej uwidoczniony droga angiografii tetnic kregowych.

The authors present a case of an aneurysm of the anterior communicating artery which was contrast-filled only from the vertebral artery. The pathogenesis of intracranial aneurysms in cases of developmental anomalies of cerebral arteries is discussed.

[Surgical treatment results in intracranial aneurysms]. / Wyniki leczenia operacyjnego tetniaków wewnatrzczaskowych.

Therapeutic results are reported in 115 patients operated upon for intracranial aneurysms using the microsurgical technique from Yasargil's approach. Elimination of the aneurysm from the circulation by clipping its pedicle was done in 94 cases (82%), trapping of the afferent artery (12%), in 7 cases (6%) only the wall of the aneurysmatic sac was strengthened by wrapping. A good therapeutic result was obtained in 68 patients (59.1%), satisfactory in 6 (5.2%), poor in 13 (11.3%). The overall mortality was 24.4% (28 cases) but after taking into account 4 patients dying due to extracerebral causes, the mortality caused by complications related to exclusion of the aneurysm from cerebral circulation was 20%. The factors influencing the results of surgical treatment of cerebral aneurysms are discussed in the light of the own material.