Folia medica Cracoviensia (Folia Med Cracov)

Publications in this journal

• Article: Increased c-Fos expression in nodose ganglion in rats with electrical vagus nerve stimulation.

  Krzysztof Gil, Andrzej Bugajski, Beata Skowron, Piotr Thor
  [show abstract] [hide abstract]
  ABSTRACT: Central nervous system receives information from the gut and modifies food intake mainly by vagus nerves. Some our data show that long-term electrical vagus nerve stimulation (VNS), which "mimics" satiety signal from gut, may cause reduction of body mass and decrease in food intake. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of chronic vagal stimulation on neurons in the nodose ganglions of vagus nerves, analyzed by c-Fos expression and image analysis. Male Wistar rats (n = 24) were implanted with microstimulator (MS) and kept during the whole study (3 months) on high calorie diet. Sub-diaphragmatic left vagal nerve was stimulated by electrical rectangular pulses duration 10 ms, amplitude 200 mV, frequency 0.05 Hz generated by MS. Twelve rats (6--control and 6--MS implanted) were used for 3-week and 3-month experiments respectively. At the end of experiments the nodose ganglions of both vagus nerves (left and right) were taken, formalin fixed and paraffin-embedded specimens were made. The nodose ganglions neurons were identified by immunochemistry (PGP 9.5 as a marker) and the percentage of c-Fos positive neurons (anti c-Fos as a marker) were evaluated. Assessment of c-Fos positive neurons in nodose ganglia of vagal nerve showed significant increase in percentage of positive cells in the left nodose ganglion (4.19%) and non significant in the right nodose ganglion (2.64 %) compared to control (1.44%) in 3-week experiment. Data obtained from 3-month experiment were similar: (4.97%; 2.66% and 1.68%) for left, right and control respectively. In both experiments number of c-Fos positive neurons was higher in left vagal ganglion compared to the right ganglion and control. There were no significant differences between 3-week and 3-month experimental groups. Increase in c-Fos expression in left nodose ganglion neurons confirms the afferent transmission of the signal (generated by MS) from periphery to the brain by the vagal nerves.
  Folia medica Cracoviensia 01/2011; 51(1-4):45-58.
• Article: [Electric activity of vagus nerve in rats according to satiety].

  Krzysztof Zaraska, Agata Ziomber, Katarzyna Ciesielczyk, Andrzej Bugajski, Olga Wiśniewska, Beata Skowron, Kajetan Juszczak, Wiesław Zaraska, Piotr J Thor
  [show abstract] [hide abstract]
  ABSTRACT: Vagus nerve as a part of brain-gut axis transmits peripheral information to the brain via vagovagal reflexes. Electric properties of the vagus are not exactly known. Analysis of electric changes in vagal nerves evoked by physiologic impulse such as stomach distention by food would facilitate applying better documented and therefore safer vagal neuromodulation. The aim of our study was analysis and interpretation of electric properties of the left vagus in vivo in fasted and satiated Wistar rats. Silver measuring electrodes connected to analog amplifier (A-M Systems 3000) were attached to the nerve in the neck region. The signal was filtered and probing by computer recording system (ADInstruments Power Lab) and additional analyses were performed using GNU Octave programme. Our resuts have shown that the higher amplitude the smaller number of counted impulses in the vagus was detected. This relationship was true only till the maximum level typical for each recording (about 15-20 dB). We note that observed inter spike interval can be approximated with log-normal distribution, and that its mu parameter is enough to characterize a particular recording. Satiated rats were characterized by higher number of spikes per second in the nerve than fasted ones (0.9 vs 0.26) indicating that food intake increased nervous activity 3-4 times comparing to fasted state. The outcomes encourage us to state that good quality characteristic of the left vagus nerve activity provides an effective tool for detection of peripheral signals which are transmitting via vagal afferents to the higher centres. Target vagal neuromodulation to obtain certain terapeutic effects may be possible.
  Folia medica Cracoviensia 01/2011; 51(1-4):5-17.
• Article: Pathophysiology advances in the treatment of pulmonary hypertension.

  Łukasz Dobrek, Piotr Thor
  [show abstract] [hide abstract]
  ABSTRACT: The pulmonary hypertension (PH) is the disease with still not clear pathophysiology. The possibilities of current pharmacological treatment of this disorder are unfortunately relatively small, thus the advances in searching of new agents effective in this disease are in progress. The article briefly discusses the present PH classification, its basic etiopathogenesis description and the current and potential possibilities of the pharmacological intervention.
  Folia medica Cracoviensia 01/2011; 51(1-4):107-20.
• Article: [The perception of the purpose and sense of life among cystic fibrosis patients after lung transplantation].

  Grazyna Debska, Grazyna Cepuch, Lidia Pawlik
  [show abstract] [hide abstract]
  ABSTRACT: Patients with cystic fibrosis keep struggling with their disease despite the improvement of their lung function after lung transplantation. Also, they often have to define and verify their purpose and sense of life once again. Therefore, an attempt to search answers to the questions: what health is, what one is expecting form his/her life, and what value this life after lung transplantation has for him/her; seems significant.
  Folia medica Cracoviensia 01/2011; 51(1-4):19-28.
• Article: The effects of salsolinol on the mucosal mast cells in the rat gut.

  Krzysztof Gil, Magdalena Kurnik, Joanna Szmigiel, Andrzej Bugajski, Piotr Thor
  [show abstract] [hide abstract]
  ABSTRACT: Mast cells in the gastrointestinal tract have been found in close spatial contact with the regulatory cells of gastrointestinal motility: interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) and myenteric neurons, suggesting their functional interaction. Because of the regulatory role of mast cells even the slight damage or change in activity of these cells may cause considerable disorder of the gut motility. The catechol isoquinoline derivatives are endogenous compounds present in the mammalian brain and the representative one is referred to as salsolinol. Increased salsolinol levels are detected in the cerebrospinal fluid of Parkinson's disease patients. Gastrointestinal dysmotility in those patients has been associated with peripheral action of salsolinol. The aim of this study was to evaluate effects of exogenous salsolinol on mast cells in the gastrointestinal tract of rats. Male Wistar rats (n = 8) were injected intraperitoneally with salsolinol (50 mg/kg/day) for 3 weeks and the equal group served as a control. On the last day the animals were sacrificed, stomachs, small and large intestines were removed, and paraffin embedded specimens were prepared. Slides were toluidine blue stained and the total number and percentage of degranulated mast cells in gastric antral, duodenal and ascending colon wall were assessed by image analysis. The number of mast cells in the gastrointestinal wall was decreased in the salsolinol group compared to the control--in the stomach 98.7 +/- 53.3 vs. 156.7 +/- 45.8, in the duodenum 2.6 +/- 2.1 vs. 7.83 +/- 7.8 and in colon 12.8 +/- 14 vs. 10.7 +/- 17.1 (salsolinol treated vs. control group). Carried out examinations showed the destructive action of salsolinol on the mast cells in all segments examined of gastrointestinal tract.
  Folia medica Cracoviensia 01/2011; 51(1-4):59-70.
• Article: [Drug induced man infertility].

  Beata Skowron, Kajetan Juszczak, Piotr J Thor
  [show abstract] [hide abstract]
  ABSTRACT: Infertility is defined as the inability to conceive in a given pair, despite regular sexual intercourse for at least 12 months. In 2004, the World Health Organization has recognized infertility as a social disease. Nowadays, the problem of infertility, meets 1 to 6 pairs, which affects approximately 13-15% of couples the world's population. In Poland, this problem affects between 700 thousand to a million pairs. Male infertility may arise from the use of pharmacotherapy and adverse drug reactions. This publication provides an overview of the type of drugs impairing function of male genitalia and to discuss mechanisms for their action on the process of spermatogenesis.
  Folia medica Cracoviensia 01/2011; 51(1-4):99-106.
• Article: Amlodipine affects endogenous hydrogen sulfide tissue concentrations in different mouse organs.

  Bogdan Wiliński, Jerzy Wiliński, Eugeniusz Somogyi, Joanna Piotrowska, Marta Góralska
  [show abstract] [hide abstract]
  ABSTRACT: The interactions between calcium channel blockers' action and the endogenous hydrogen sulfide (H2S) biology are unknown. CBA strain mice were administered intraperitoneally 3 mg/kg b.w. per day or 10 mg/kg b.w. per day of amlodipine. The control group received physiological saline. The measurements of the free H2S tissue concentrations were performed with Siegel spectrophotometric modified method. There was as significant fall of H2S level in the brain and the liver in both groups. The lower amlodipine dose increased the H2S concentrations in the heart and kidneys while the higher one decreased H2S accumulation in those organs. Our experiment has shown that amlodipine interferes with H2S biology and affects its tissue concentrations in different mouse tissues.
  Folia medica Cracoviensia 01/2011; 51(1-4):29-35.
• Article: [Augmented reality for image guided therapy (ARIGT) of kidney tumor during nephron sparing surgery (NSS): animal model and clinical approach].

  Tomasz Drewniak, Maciej Rzepecki, Kajetan Juszczak, Wojciech Kwiatek, Jakub Bielecki, Krzysztof Zieliński, Andrzej Ruta, Łukasz Czekierda, Zbigniew Moczulskis
  [show abstract] [hide abstract]
  ABSTRACT: The main problem in nephron sparing surgery (NSS) is to preserve renal tumors oncological purity during the removal of the tumor with a margin of macroscopically unchanged kidney tissue while keeping the largest possible amount of normal parenchyma of the operated kidney. The development of imaging techniques, in particular IGT (Image Guided Therapy) allows precise imaging of the surgical field and, therefore, is essential in improving the effectiveness of NSS (increase of nephron sparing with the optimal radicality). The aim of this study was to develop a method of the three-dimensional (3D) imaging of the kidney tumor and its lodge in the operated kidney using 3D laser scanner during NSS procedure. Additionally, the animal model of visualization was developed. The porcine kidney model was used to test the set built up with HD cameras and linear laser scanner connected to a laptop with graphic software (David Laser Scanner, Germany) showing the surface of the kidney and the lodge after removal the chunk of renal parenchyma. Additionally, the visualization and reconstruction was performed on animal porcine model. Moreover, 5 patients (3 women, 2 men) aged from 37 to 68 years (mean 56), diagnosed with kidney tumors in CT scans with a diameter of 3.7-6.9 cm (mean 4.9) were operated in our Department this year, scanning the surface during the treatment with the kidney tumor and kidney tumor after it is removed with a margin of renal tissue. In one case, the lodge of removed tumor was scanned. Dimensions in 3D reconstruction images of laser scans in the study of animal model and the images obtained intraoperatively were compared with the dimensions evaluated during preoperative CT scans, intraoperative measurements. Three-dimensional imaging laser scanner operating field loge resected tumor and the tumor on the kidney of animal models and during NSS treatments for patients with kidney tumors is possible in real time with an accuracy of -2 mm do +9 mm (+/- 3 mm). The duration of data acquisition by laser scanner and obtain three-dimensional image of the operating field takes an average of 13 seconds +/- 2 seconds. Movements associated with breathing and heart rate did not affect on the quality of the reconstruction. The imposition of the scanned surface texture occurs in real time, allowing you to identify renal parenchymal structures such as renal cortex, pyramids, pyelo-calices complex. Imaging control of NSS procedures is possible in animal models and in real time intraoperatively. The comparison of tumor size and the tumor lodge obtained in preoperative CT scans with the measurements during NSS procedure provide the surgeon to assess the extent of macroscopic estimation of the resection. This procedure helps the surgeon in obtaining oncological radicality with saving as much normal tissue kidney as possible. Performance of the imaging methods should be evaluated on a larger group of patients with kidney tumors eligible for NSS treatment.
  Folia medica Cracoviensia 01/2011; 51(1-4):77-90.
• Article: [Simultaneous repair of aortic aneurysm and removal of renal tumor--a report of two cases].

  Adam Kwinta, Tomasz Mrowiecki, Tomasz Aleksiejew-Kleszczyński, Zbigniew Ulatowski
  [show abstract] [hide abstract]
  ABSTRACT: We report two cases of simultaneous operations for abdominal aortic aneurysm and renal tumor. It appears that one-stage surgery does not increase the surgical injury and more importantly, does not increase the risk of graft infection. We believe that the increasing number of diagnosed aneurysms and renal malignancies will increase the number of one-stage operations.
  Folia medica Cracoviensia 01/2011; 51(1-4):71-5.
• Article: Hypotensive effects of statins. A place for hydrogen sulfide in the puzzle?

  Bogdan Wiliński, Jerzy Wiliński, Eugeniusz Somogyi
  [show abstract] [hide abstract]
  ABSTRACT: Lipid lowering 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors--statins--significantly diminish the risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in patients with cardiovascular diseases. Moreover, some clinical trials results indicate that this group of drugs reduces blood pressure, especially in patients with hypertension. In the article pleiotropic effects of statins that might have influence on blood pressure are discussed. Recent data on the role of gaseous messenger hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in cardiovascular biology and kidney physiology are presented with the focus on the latest findings of atorvastatin increasing H2S tissue concentration in kidneys.
  Folia medica Cracoviensia 01/2011; 51(1-4):37-43.
• Article: [Capsaicin and lidocaine usage in functional disorders of urinary bladder].

  Kajetan Juszczak, Piotr J Thor
  [show abstract] [hide abstract]
  ABSTRACT: Most of the drugs in the treatment of functional disorders of the urinary bladder has a peripheral effect. Their work consists mainly in reducing detrusor contractility of the bladder, or effects on the afferent innervation. Anticholinergics are the first drugs of choice. An alternative pharmacological treatment is to eliminate the overactivity by acting on the bladder afferent innervation, while not inhibiting its contractility. One option is to modulate the pharmacological activity of sensory mechanisms governing the functioning of the bladder via the vanilloid receptor (TRPV1) and ancyrin (TRPA1). Intravesical treatment with capsaicin or lidocaine only partially reduces bladder sensation. Furthermore, clinical use of lidocaine in the treatment of overactive bladder (OAB) is reduced to intravesical supply before capsaicin instillation to reduce the symptoms associated with initial phase of C-fibres sensitization. This paper presents the current state of knowledge regarding the use of capsaicin and lidocaine in functional disorders of the urinary bladder, as well as discusses the impact of these substances on afferent C-fibres and the activity of the urinary bladder. Based on previous studies intravesical capsaicin and lidocaine therapy is one of the alternative treatment options in selected patients with functional disorders of the urinary bladder (in particular OAB) in addition to standard anticholinergics therapy or the newer generation of therapies using botulinum toxin.
  Folia medica Cracoviensia 01/2011; 51(1-4):91-8.
• Article: [Effect of lipopolysaccharide and hypoxia on rat neutrophils in vitro].

  Magdalena Salwińska, Danuta Uracz, Wojciech Uracz
  [show abstract] [hide abstract]
  ABSTRACT: The main aim of this study was to examine the role of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and hypoxia on respiratory burst in rat neutrophils in vitro. Hypoxia (2% oxygen tension) inhibited respiratory burst of neutrophils in response to phorbol ester. Neutrophils treatment by LPS and hypoxia resulted in significant augmentation respiratory burst via NADPH oxidase activity in luminol chemiluminescence. This paper suggests that induction of iNOS was responsible for this effect.
  Folia medica Cracoviensia 01/2009; 50(3-4):5-20.
• Article: The elemental composition of renal and ureteral stones determined with the energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence method (ED-XRF).

  Kajetan Juszczak, Andrzej Wróbel, Marek Wyczółkowski, Eugeniusz Rokita, Piotr J Thor
  [show abstract] [hide abstract]
  ABSTRACT: Many theories describe the lithogenesis within urinary tract. In addition, trace amounts of some heavy metals have been found in urinary calculi. However, their role in lithogenesis is still debated. Trace and heavy metals may be involved in induction of crystallization, depending on the relationships between metals and solutes able to crystallize in urine. Many papers have evaluated the elemental concentration of kidney stones, however there are still less data concerning the elemental composition of kidney and ureteral stones.
  Folia medica Cracoviensia 01/2009; 50(3-4):77-83.
• Article: Intestinal mucosal mast cells and vagal nerve stimulation.

  Magdalena Kurnik, Krzysztof Gil
  [show abstract] [hide abstract]
  ABSTRACT: Vagal nerve stimulation, because of its involvement in the short- and long-term regulation of food intake, might become a useful tool in the treatment of obesity. However, both peripheral and central mechanisms of its action are still poorly understood. There is a strong evidence that intestinal mucosal mast cells play a general transduction role between the gastrointestinal tract and the central nervous system.
  Folia medica Cracoviensia 01/2009; 50(3-4):55-62.
• Article: [Diagnostic and prognostic value of atherosclerosis risk factors for predicting 1 year outcome in patients with acute myocardial infarction and in patients with stable coronary artery disease receiving percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty].

  Dominika Drobniak-Hełdak, Władysława Kolasińska-Kloch, Renata Rajtar-Salwa
  [show abstract] [hide abstract]
  ABSTRACT: Acute coronary syndrome as unstable angina and myocardial infarction are the clinical manifestations of destabilization of coronary atherosclerotic plaques. Optimal medical treatment (OMT) in addition to percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) with stent implantation decreased risk of cardiovascular mortality. This study was undertaken for searching the new cardiac risk factors to assess the clinical outcome in patients with acute myocardial infarct and stable angina receiving PTCA with stent implantation. The study included a sort group of 68 men, 26 with acute myocardial infarct (AMI), 29 with stable angina (SA) and 13 healthy men (K). Patients were treated with transluminal coronary angioplasty with stent implantation and continued standard pharmacological treatment. Measurements were taken at admission (baseline) and at 7 and 28 days (post-stress) after successful PTCA. Levels of IMA/ALB, hsCRP, CK, CK-MB, Troponin I, albumin, antioxidant potency parameters (FRAP, SH) and oxidative stress parameters (LOOH, IMA) were analyzed in serum from all patients. Our study demonstrated significantly higher serum IMA/ALB ratio in AMI group in comparison to SA group and controls. Categorized histogram revealed the highest IMA frequency in patients with angiographically confirmed stenosis compared to examined control subjects. IMA value tended to decrease in post-stress period but still remained the highest in AMI group as compared to controls. IMA concentrations were inversely correlated with heart ejection fraction, plasma antioxidant potential parameters (FRAP, SH) and positively correlated with CK and CKMB values. The comparative 1 year outcomes documented clinical failure in 19% vs. 52% of patients in AMI and SA groups respectively. The overweight and low antioxidant potency reached the statistical significance relevant to restenosis and cardiovascular events in SA group. Our data suggest that IMA levels in the course of myocardial ischemia treatment by PTCA may be useful as a discriminating marker for definition of the high risk group of patients with suspected cardiovascular complications.
  Folia medica Cracoviensia 01/2009; 50(3-4):43-54.
• Article: [Abstract: case report of isolated metastasis to the spleen in a patient operated due to cancer of the sigmoid colon].

  Jan Kulig, Andrzej Matyja, Maciej Kowalewski, Marian Kratochwil
  [show abstract] [hide abstract]
  ABSTRACT: Isolated metastatic tumor of the spleen is rare and usually encompass the presence of neoplasmatic dissemination. The most frequent location of metastasis is right lobe of the liver, however solitaire secondary tumor to distant organ such as brain, lung, bone marrow or other might be discovered. This report refers to the 15th case of isolated intrasplenic metastasis from colon and rectal cancer. Splenectomy is a method of choice therefore may be justified in presence of isolated metastatic disease, because of low complication rate, providing potential long-term survival.
  Folia medica Cracoviensia 01/2009; 50(3-4):71-6.
• Article: The natriuretic peptide neurohormonal system modulation by vasopeptidase inhibitors--the novel therapeutical approach of hypertension treatment.

  Anna Machowska, Kajetan Juszczak, Paweł Novak, Piotr Thor
  [show abstract] [hide abstract]
  ABSTRACT: Vasopeptidase inhibitors (VPI) are a new promising class of drugs, that simultaneously inhibit Angiotensin - Converting Enzyme (ACE) and an enzyme Neutral Endopeptidase (NEP), that cleaves the natriuretic peptides. These drugs, such as omapatrilat, sampatrilat, fasidotrilat, by combined inhibition of ACE and degradation of natriuretic peptides and in turn by inhibiting the Renin - Angiotensin - Aldosterone system and potentiating the Natriuretic Peptide system and Kinin system should decrease the mortality rate in the group of patients with hypertension being not adequately controlled with ACE inhibitors. Thus, finding the new therapeutic strategy using drugs that act on the hormonal systems other than Renin - Angiotensin - Aldosterone system seems to be crucial. The aim of the study was to compare the molecular aspects of the conventional schemes that are being used in the antihypertension therapy to the new drugs from the vasopeptidase inhibitors group--with focusing on the natriuretic peptide system (NPS)--and, taking these considerations, making clues about therapeutical implications to reveal promising results in antihypertension treatment.
  Folia medica Cracoviensia 01/2009; 50(3-4):35-42.
• Article: Long QT and Brugada syndromes: a new insight into arrhythmogenesis and sudden death.

  Andrzej Kwiatkowski
  Folia medica Cracoviensia 01/2009; 50(1-2):5-119.
• Article: [Social functioning adolescents with nocturnal enuresis problems].

  Grazyna Cepuch, Paulina Pieprzyca
  [show abstract] [hide abstract]
  ABSTRACT: Nocturnal enuresis co-exists with various emotional disturbances. Adolescents with bed-wetting problems often demonstrate a lowered self-esteem and self-acceptance. Most adolescents who struggle with this unpleasant condition come from incomplete, dysfunctional families. The illness does not allow the teenager to function comfortably in society and it may lead to increased emotional problems in the psyche of an adolescent person. Sickness does not allow free social functioning teenager and it can be problems in emotive sphere reason of deepening growing person.
  Folia medica Cracoviensia 01/2009; 50(3-4):95-105.
• Article: [Metformin--an inhibitor of early stages of protein glycation].

  Beata Bujak-Gizycka, Maciej Suski, Rafał Olszanecki, Józef Madej, Ryszard Korbut
  [show abstract] [hide abstract]
  ABSTRACT: Nonenzymatic glycation of proteins is associated with the long-term diabetes complication. The aim of this work was to examine in vitro the infuence of metformin on glycated proteins formation by mass spectrometry (ESI/MS, LC/MS/MS) and spectrofluorimetric method. Obtained results suggest that metformin dose-dependently inhibits early stage of Maillard reaction, although with the weaker potency than known glycation inhibitor aminoguanidine.
  Folia medica Cracoviensia 01/2009; 50(3-4):21-33.