Diffusion-weighted MRI of kidneys in healthy volunteers and living kidney donors.

AIM: To establish the normal apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values in healthy kidneys, comparing them with the literature, and assessing the correlation between ADC values, creatinine blood level, and glomerular filtration rate (GFR). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-four healthy volunteers and 26 living kidney donors were examined on a 1.5 T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) unit. Two diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) sequences were included in the study protocol (protocol 1 with 16 b-values, protocol 2 with 10 b-values) before the examination blood and urine samples were collected. The GFR was calculated using Cockcroft & Gault and MDRD (Modification of Diet In Renal Disease) formulas and the ADC values were measured separately for the cortex and medulla of each kidney by two independent observers. All statistical analyses were performed using the STATISTICA (version 10.0) software package. Data were analysed using an unpaired t-test; p < 0.05 indicated a statistically significant difference. RESULTS: The average ADC value for protocol 1 for the cortex was 2.26 × 10(-3) mm(2)/s, for the medulla 2.21 × 10(-3) mm(2)/s. In protocol 2, the respective values were 2.13 × 10(-3) mm(2)/s and 2.06 × 10(-3) mm(2)/s. Neither statistically significant interobserver differences nor correlation between ADC values, GFR, and creatinine serum level were observed. CONCLUSION: The reference ADC values were established. The measurements show high interobserver consistency. The differences in ADC values reported in the literature suggest dependence on the equipment and methodology and point to the necessity of obtaining ADC norms for each MRI unit.

Lipid peroxidation stimulated by Solvesso, Bawanol and methanol, and its counteraction by antioxidants in human placental mitochondria.

The influence of some solvents used in the paint and lacquer industry, Solvesso 100, 150 and Bawanol, on the process of lipid peroxidation was evaluated. The interactions of the solvents with methanol and the antioxidative effect of coenzyme Q(10) (CoQ(10)) and vitamin E were also examined. The mitochondria isolated from human placenta were used as a model for investigation. The level of peroxidation was evaluated by malonodialdehyde (MDA) measurement. It was observed that Solvesso 150, Bawanol and methanol caused a statistically significant increase of MDA concentration and that the examined solvents had an antagonistic interaction with methanol. Solvesso 100 does not influence on MDA concentration but gives the same type of interaction with methanol as Solvesso 150. CoQ(10) and vitamin E proved to be effective antioxidants to counteract oxidative stress caused by the studied solvents, lowering lipid peroxidation expressed by MDA concentration.

Antioxidative properties of coenzyme Q10 and vitamin E in exposure to xylene and gasoline and their mixture with methanol.

Exposure to a mixture of solvents in industry is still a problem particularly in industrial laboratories. In the paint and laquer industry the employees are exposed to xylene (Rx) and gasoline (Rg). The influence of xylene and gasoline or their mixture with methanol on lipid peroxidation was evaluated in the presented paper. Antioxidative properties of CoQ10 or vitamin E were also tested. It was observed that xylene caused an increase of lipid peroxidation measured as a MDA level in all used concentrations, but gasoline only in very high doses. The mixture of xylene with methanol increased significantly MDA level, whereas gasoline with methanol did not influence lipid peroxidation. The character of interaction depends on hydrocarbons dose. CoQ10 and vitamin E are effective antioxidants lowering the increased MDA level caused by xylene, gasoline or their mixture with methanol, however the dose of CoQ10 should be adjusted to the strength of oxidative stress in order to avoid disadvantageous effect. CoQ10 is a more effective antioxidant in exposure to xylene rather than gasoline, but vitamin E acts better in exposure to gasoline decreasing the MDA level.

The research on antioxidative properties of TOLPA Peat Preparation and its fractions.

The protective and therapeutic role of TPP and its fractions against lipid peroxidation in the mitochondria from human placenta as a model for experiments was evaluated. Both TPP and its fractions cause the decrease in MDA production. The antioxidant force of TPP and its fractions with antioxidant force of vitamin E was compared.

Observations on the symptoms and signs of "early" rheumatoid arthritis in a prospective study.

The authors have made a detailed study of 202 cases recognized as early RA. All of them were referred to the Institute for thorough examination and were afterwards followed up for two to six years. The observation of the course of the disease revealed four groups: 1. Cases where development of bone erosions proved the diagnosis of RA, 2. Cases in whom all previous symptoms and signs disappeared, 3. Cases in whom diagnosis could not be established after follow-up, 4. Cases in whom other diseases were manifest. The first two groups were analysed retrospectively to find the characteristic features in the early stages of RA.