[Effect of environmental and individual factors in renal lithiasis]. / Studiu privind influenta factorilor de mediu si individuali in litiaza renala.

The large number of cases with renal lithiasis occurring in the population of the south-east region of Iasi county has determined us to make a study in this region for the identification of environmental and individual factors involved in the etiopathogenesis of this disease. This study is performed to assert the corelation between the clinical and paraclinical patients data with those obtained through water and soil chemical analisys for identification of determinant environmental and individual factors involved in etiopathogenesis of this disease. This study indicates that the environment factors (water, soil) correlated with personal factors, especially the diet and standard of living are the favouring factors of renal lithiasis.

[Blood detoxification using superparamagnetic nanoparticles (magnetic hemodialysis)]. / Detoxifierea sângelui cu nanoparticule superparamagnetice (hemodializa magnetica).

UNLABELLED: The authors present an experimental study realized in order to simulate blood detoxification with the help of supermagnetic nanoparticles. The particles used are red oxide nanoparticles which are considered to be equivalent from a magnetic susceptibility and dynamic diameter point of view to the complex structures of magnetite nanoparticles. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Two types of custom HGMS matrices have been used--a threaded one and a micro-spheres one. For testing red oxide particles have been purposefully created to have a lower magnetic susceptibility than magnetite or iron-carbon particles used in other experimental studies. Different concentrations of iron oxide, glycerine and water have been prepared, creating a 3.5 cP viscosity (equivalent to the one of the blood); the concentrations of the prepared solutions varied between 0.16 mg/mL and 2 mg/mL, with the background magnetic field value ranging from 0.25 T to 0.9 T, in order to observer the effectiveness of filtering at different intensities. RESULTS: The efficiency of HGMS filtering in experimental conditions was almost completely successful (99.99%) in all experimental conditions, both with the threaded and micro-spheres matrices. CONCLUSIONS: The high gradient magnetic separation system of nanoparticles has maximum efficiency and has the potential of being implemented in a medical blood detoxification device.

[Changes of spirographic parameters in type 2 diabetes mellitus]. / Modificarile parametrilor spirografici in diabetul zaharat tip 2.

UNLABELLED: Diabetes mellitus (DM), metabolic disease with chronic evolution, affects various organs through its macro- and micro-angiopathic complications which it causes, one of this target organs for diabetes being the lungs. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study is to evaluate the relationship between type 2 diabetes mellitus and the pulmonary function. MATERIAL AND METHOD: 50 non-smoking patients diagnosed with type 2 DM, without respiratory problems were included in this study. The control group consisted of 50 healthy volunteers with same age and height as those with diabetes. For all patients there were measured: height, weight, body mass index, plasma glucose, serum cholesterol, trigycerides. Then there were determined by computerized spirometry: forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), peak expiratory flow (PEF), maximal expiratory flow at 50% from vital capacity (MEF50). These patients were re-evaluated after a 3-year period measuring the same parameters. RESULTS: The study has shown a statistically significant decrease of spirographic parameters (FVC, FEV1, PEF, MEF50) in patients with over 5 years of evolution of type 2 DM, by comparison with the control group. The higher the metabolic unbalance, the lower were these parameters. CONCLUSIONS: Type 2 DM has long-term effects and determines disfunctions and deficiencies of various organs. Our study shows that the lung is a target organ for type 2 DM as well.

[Considerations on in vitro and in vivo magnetic nanoparticles hemocompatibility testing]. / O evaluare asupra metodelor de apreciere a hemocompatibilitatii nanoparticulelor magnetice.

The aim of this paper is to summarize few aspects and underline some difficulties that hemocompatibility testing come up. The purpose of hemocompatibility testing is to look for possible undesirable changes in the blood caused directly by a medical device, by chemicals leaching from a device or biomaterials. Undesirable effects of device materials on the blood may include alterations in coagulation parameters, thrombus formation, hemolysis, and immunological changes. For each different event the literature is rich in showing tests, not different in principle, but in testing conditions. ISO 10993-4 describes hemocompatibility tests in five different categories (thrombosis, coagulation, platelets, hematology, and immunology). Here we put together the tests that ISO 10993 and/or American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) suggest to evaluate hemocompatibility and we emphases on their utility for magnetic nanoparticules testing. The individual tests are not discussed in detail; they may be performed either in vivo or, preferably, in vitro. For each test we made few considerations with criticism. There is still some uncertainty with respect to what is actually required by the regulatory authorities for the hemocompatibility test, and there is still no harmony between ASTM and ISO 10993 regulations regarding some aspects to be standardised.

[Production of chemoattractant-induced reactive oxygen species in human neutrophils--role of protein kinase C isoforms]. / Productia de specii reactive ale oxigenului indusa de chemoatractanti in neutrofile umane. Rolul isoformelor protein-kinazei C.

UNLABELLED: The aim of our study was to characterize the priming effect of extracellular nucleotides on reactive oxygen species (ROS) production induced by formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP), interleukin-8 (IL-8), leukotriene B4 (LTB4), and platelet activating factor (PAF). Also, we investigated the roles played by different protein kinase C (PKC) isoforms in nucleotide-induced priming. ROS production was determined by an isoluminol-based assay. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Nucleotide-induced priming was concentration- and time-dependent. The concentration of UTP able to cause maximal priming was 10 microM. When UTP (10 microM) was administered prior the agonist, the increase of the amplitude of the response reached the maximum at 1 minute of preincubation with the nucleotide. RESULTS: Calcium depletion of neutrophil caused significant inhibition of ROS production induced by all agonists tested, but did not affect the priming effect of the nucleotides. We tested the effect of several PKC inhibitors on the nucleotide-induced priming. GF 109203X (5 microM), an inhibitor of all neutrophil's PKC isoforms, or RO 31-8220 (5uM), an inhibitor of classical and novel PKC isoforms, abolished the responses induced by fMLP (10 nM) IL-8 (10 nM), LTB4 (100 nM) or PAF (100 nM). Go 6976 (100 nM), a selective inhibitor of classical PKC isoforms, had no effect on nucleotide-induced priming, suggesting that activation of these PKC isoforms does not play a role in the priming effect. Rottlerin (5 microM), a PKC delta inhibitor, almost abolished the effect of fMLP in the absence or in the presence of UTP, indicating that PKC delta is essential for the fMLP-induced effect; rottlerin also caused inhibition of ROS production induced by IL-8, LTB4 or PAF, however the priming effect of UTP was not affected for these chemoattractants. Our data suggest that classical PKC isoforms do not play a role in chemoattractant-induced ROS production. CONCLUSION: Although fMLP induced effect appears to be highly dependent on PKC delta activation, other chemoattractants are able to cause ROS production through PKC delta-independent mechanisms.

[The neutrophil in human pathology]. / Neutrofilul in patologia umana.

The aim of this paper is to present few aspects of neutrophil role in some human diseases. New clinical and experimental findings and challenging hypothesis are briefly reviewed. The major role of neutrophils in host defense is a rapid response to invading microorganisms. To select their targets, neutrophils do not differentiate well between strange and host antigens without the support of soluble components of the immune system. The powerful weapons of neutrophils and the nonspecific response are the two major mechanisms by which they may damage normal tissue. The host-harming potential of the neutrophils is restricted by elimination of the primary event that initiates inflammatory response and by means that inactivate neutrophils. Inactivation of mediators and temporal adjustment in the pattern of chemokines production lowers the neutrophil influx; apoptosis provide safe clearance of dying neutrophils from the inflammatory site. Neutrophils become the major factor for tissue injury if these regulatory mechanisms are disturbed or if the acute episode cannot be resolved.

[Voice exploratory methods into professional vocal singers]. / Metode de explorare a vocii la solistii profesionisti.

The aims of this study was to evaluated methods of voice explored to professional vocal singers. The modern methods microlaryngoscopy, stroboscopy, electroglottography are presented and comparatively evaluated with classic explorations, as direct and indirect laryngoscopy.

[Biofeedback in young singer vocal training]. / Biofeedback-ul in antrenamentul vocal al tinerilor cântareti.

UNLABELLED: Biofeedback therapy is a learning process that is based on "operant conditioning" techniques. AIM: To estimate the significance of biofeedback to an accurate and faster control of singing voice emission. RESULTS: Significantly, it was discovered that professional singers active in performing of both classical and music theatre repertoire with regard to the visual-kinesthetic effect of melodic contour in musical notation as it affect vocal timbre. The results of the study also indicate that the development of new technology for youth singer vocal training, may be useful to these singers.

[The gastro-esophageal reflux disease and its psycho-somatic component]. / Boala de reflux gastroesofagian si componenta psihosomatica.

Different factors may be involved in the occurrence of gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms. This review presents the importance of psychic factors in GERD symptom genesis, especially in patients with no esophagitis. In addition, these factors could be involved in the pharmacological therapy, with educational and behavioral implications increasing the cost-efficacy of the therapy.

[Functional characteristics of nucleotide-receptors in human neutrophils]. / Caracteristici functionale ale receptorilor pentru nucleotide în neutrofilele umane.

Nucleotides are important extracellular signaling molecules. It has been established that nucleotides are released from damaged cells, activated platelets and endothelial cells. Thus, at the site of vascular injury, the concentrations of extracellular nucleotides can become elevated. Nucleotides have been shown to cause mobilization of intracellular calcium, upregulation of Mac-1 (CD11b/CD18), degranulation, and chemotaxis in human neutrophils. The goal of this work is to investigate the functional characteristics of nucleotide-receptors in human neutrophils. Nucleotides (ATP and UTP), caused intracellular calcium mobilization in a dose dependent manner. Pharmacological characterization using selective agonists (ATP, UTP), pertussis toxin in human neutrophils and human astrocytoma cells 1321N1 stably expressing P2Y2 or P2Y4 receptors, revealed that human neutrophils express only functional P2Y2 receptors. Treatment of neutrophils with pertussis toxin causes a partial inhibition of nucleotide-induced calcium mobilization. Similarly, by using 1321N astrocytoma cells expressing the P2Y2 receptor we confirmed that calcium mobilization is only partially inhibited by pertussis toxin. The partial resistance of P2Y2-mediated intracellular calcium mobilization suggests that this receptor subtype is coupled not only to a Gi protein, but also to a protein belonging to the Gq-family (most likely G16). In conclusion, we have shown that human neutrophils express functional P2Y2 receptors and all the nucleotide responses are mediated by P2Y2 receptor subtype and that P2Y2 receptors are the functional able to trigger intracellular signaling event in human neutrophils through dual activation of different G proteins.

[Experimental modeling of the blood vessels magnetic embolization]. / Modelare experimentala a embolizarii vaselor sangvine pe cale magnetica.

The embolization of blood vessels is used on a large scale: the method is applied in different diseases, in the ablation of organs, but especially in tumor necrosis. The embolization can be also magnetic, if the embolus is obtained through the deposit in the vessel of magnetic nano or microparticles in the presence of an external magnetic field. The objective of our study was the modeling of the magnetic embolization using amorphous magnetic microspheres that have strong magnetic properties and are biocompatible. Experimental tests were made in order to observe the building of the magnetic embolus inside a thin spiral tube and to determine the influence of some parameters on the efficiency of occlusions: the dimensions of magnetic microspheres (1-300 mm), the debit of the liquid (4.66 - 16.5 ml/min), the viscosity of the carrier liquid (1.007 - 7.34 cSt), the direction and the intensity of the external magnetic field (340 - 600 Gs), the shape of the tube and the linear length of the deposit (5 - 50 mm). Under pre-established experimental conditions the efficiencies of occlusions were between 67% and 100%.

[Significance of auditory and kinesthetic feedback in vocal training of young professional singers (students)]. / Importanta feedback-ului auditiv si a celui kinestezic în antrenamentul vocal al tinerilor artisti lirici.

The study was to estimate the significance of auditory and kinesthetic feedback to an accurate control of fundamental frequency (F0) in 18 students beginning a professional singing education. The students sing an ascending and descending triad pattern covering their entire pitch range with and without making noise in legato and staccato and in a slow and fast tempo. F0 was measured by a computer program. The interval sizes between adjacent tones were determined and their departures from equally tempered tuning were calculated, the deviation from this tuning were used as a measure of the accuracy of intonation. Intonation accuracy was reduced by masking noise, by staccato as opposed to legato singing, and by fast as opposed to slow performance. The contribution of the auditory feedback to pitch control was not significantly improved after education, whereas the kinesthetic feedback circuit was improved in slow legato and slow staccato tasks. The results support the assumption that the kinesthetic feedback contributes substantially to intonation accuracy.

[Consideration on high gradient magnetic separation of red cells]. / Consideratii asupra separarii eritrocitelor în gradient înalt de câmp magnetic.

The red cells exhibit a proper magnetism due to hemoglobin. In a prototype of high gradient magnetic separator equipped with an ordered ferromagnetic matrix, a set of experiments with blood to determine the influence of the process parameters on the efficiency of the erythrocytes capture was realized. Dependent on the values of the magnetic induction (1.76-2.01 T), average blood flow velocity through the matrix (0.55-1.1 mm/s), and stationary time in the matrix, different values of concentration for the red cells in the matrix were obtained. For tests realized with integral blood, the concentration was approximately 20%, while for tests with diluted blood the concentration fluctuated from 14.51% to 29.90%. A blood recirculation through the matrix led to a concentration of 37.86%. The magnetic separation method permits an acceptable red cells concentration, without apparent destructive effects on the cells.

[Alcohol intake assessment in a group of hypertensive adults]. / Investigarea consumului de alcool la un lot de adulti hipertensivi.

The assessment was realised in order to obtain data for a local intervention program for preventing primary hypertension in young adults through an education program. 269 persons, of both sexes, were investigated. The frequency of elevated blood pressure values is 11.2% and the prevalence of arterial hypertension is 8.73%. The frequency of alcohol consumers is different according to gender (18.6% for male and 3.4% for female).

[Video-stroboscopy, a method for exploration of laryngeal pathology]. / Videostroboscopia, metoda de explorare în afectiunile laringiene.

The authors present the importance of stroboscopy in the larynx examination. They insist to prove the functional modifies of the voice specially at the singers also all patients who use the voice more frequently. This method permits to make a differential diagnosis between the inflammatory and tumoral diseases of the larynx.

[Functional digestive disorders and the relationship with psychiatric diseases]. / Afectiunile digestive functionale si relatia lor cu antecedentele psihiatrice.

UNLABELLED: Functional gastrointestinal disorders are frequent causes for medical consultations. Features related to disease, patient or the environment could influence the medical referral. The aim of the study was to estimate the importance of psychiatric disorders in patients with functional gastrointestinal disorders. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The study was designed to have two phases. Phase I consisted in studying the prevalence of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and psychiatric past history in a random sample of 338 from an urban community of 18000 people. Phase II consisted in studying the presence of psychiatric history in patients referred for IBS symptoms. RESULTS: The prevalence of IBS symptoms in the general population was: 14.4% (8.4% in males and 17.7% in females). Psychiatric positive history was present in 6.2% of the general population and in 6.1% of IBS subjects (p > 0.05). Psychiatric disorders were more common in the IBS subjects who were seeking medical assistance (18%) than in subjects with same symptoms from the general population (6.2%) (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Psychiatric disorders may influence the medial referral for patients with IBS.

[Preclinical assay on a magnetic carrier type ferrofluid]. / Studiu preclinic asupra unui purtator magnetic tip ferofluid.

UNLABELLED: The aim of the study was to determine the acute toxicity and the antimicrobial actions of an original magnetic carrier, type ferrofluid. The hydrophilic ferrofluid was prepared by covering the Fe3O4 nannoparticles with ammoniumoleate. The absolute amount of iron was of 40 mg/ml ferrofluid. METHODS: Acute toxicity was evaluated on five groups of Swiss male mice, after a single intraperitoneal administration of 1, 0.75, 0.5, 0.25 and 0.125 ml dose of pure ferrofluid/100 g body weight (b.w.), using step-level toxicity method. The study groups of mice were follow-up for 10 days. We did not use the same volume of solution for all the study groups because we were concerned about not to modify the behavior of the ferrofluid (but for each group we used the same volume of solution). The tasks of this part of the study were: 1) the record of the mice death in the first 10 days after intraperitoneal administration of ferrofluid; 2) the behavior of the animal subjects; 3) the morphopathologic examination of kidney, lung, heart, liver and peritoneum samples from the death mice and from the after ten days survivors which were sacrificed. We also investigated the possible antibacterial actions of the ferrofluid on E. coli spp., Klebsiella spp., Staphylococcus aureus Streptococcus group D., in the second part of the study, using standard lab kit. The validation of the results was performed using controls for E. colli and Staphylococcus aureus. RESULTS: The death of the mice was registered between 24 and finished after 96 hours. The maximum tolerated dose (MTD), was of 0.25 ml (10 mg iron/100 g b.w.) and the lethal dose hundred percent (LD100) was of 0.75 ml/(30 mg iron/100 b.w.). In our study we did not determined any kind of antibacterial action of the ferrofluid. CONCLUSIONS: 1) LD100, in our study, was of 30 mg iron/100 g b.w., and DMT of 10 mg iron/100 g b.w. 2) The death of the mice may be due to toxic aggression of ammonium ions released, in vivo, from the ammoniumoleate coverage of magnetite nannoparticles. 3) There were no in vitro antibacterial actions for this ferrofluid.