[The effect of various occupational exposures to microwave radiation on the concentrations of immunoglobulins and T lymphocyte subsets]. / Wplyw promieniowania mikrofalowego na stezenie immunoglobulin i subpopulacje limfocytów T w róznych ekspozycjach zawodowych.

The immunoglobulins' concentrations and T lymphocyte subsets during occupational exposures to microwave radiation were assessed. In the workers of retransmission TV center and center of satellite communications on increased IgG and IgA concentration and decreased count of lymphocytes and T8 cells was found. However, in the radar operators IgM concentration was elevated and a decrease in the total T8 cell count was observed. The different behaviour of examined immunological parameters indicate that the effect of microwave radiation on immune system depends on character of an exposure. Disorders in the immunoglobulins' concentrations and in the T8 cell count did not cause any clinical consequences.

[Ischemic cerebral stroke and anabolic steroids (case report)]. / Udar niedokrwienny mózgu a steroidy anaboliczne (opis przypadku).

Anabolic steroid use is widespread and has been associated with a variety of pathological conditions. The subject of this case is a 22 years old man with cerebral ischaemic stroke. He had no previous medical complaints but had a history of anabolic steroid abuse. This case presents a side effect of long term abuse of these drugs.

[Levels of interleukin-6 in cerebrospinal fluid of patients with meningitis]. / Stezenie interleukiny-6 w plynie mózgowo-rdzeniowym u chorych na zapalenie opon mózgowo-rdzeniowych.

UNLABELLED: Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a multifunctional cytokine that regulates the immune response, differentiation of B cells, activation of T lymphocytes and acute phase reactions. AIM OF THE STUDY: Quantitation of interleukin-6 in cerebrospinal fluid from patients with purulent bacterial meningitis (PBM) and viral meningitis (VM) on the first day of hospitalization. PATIENTS AND METHODS: IL-6 activity was measured in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of 15 children with VM (predominantly 13/15 caused by mumps virus) in age ranging from 2.5 to 15 years and 13 patients with PBM (age ranging from 18 to 52 years). The control group consisted of 10 patients with meningeal syndrome and normal laboratory estimation of CSF (white cells count, concentration of glucose and protein). The IL-6 assays were performed using immunoenzymatic method, ELISA (Amersham) technique. RESULTS: Increased levels of IL-6 were detected in the CSF of patients with bacterial meningitis and with viral meningitis. CSF IL-6 levels were 6 times greater in patients with purulent bacterial versus viral meningitis. The highest level of IL-6 was observed in a 18 years old patient with pneumococcal meningitis who died. CONCLUSION: We suggest that cytokine levels may be valuable in distinguishing patients with purulent bacterial meningitis from viral meningitis and may help in prognosis of patients with purulent meningitis.

[Chorea gravidarum--case report]. / Stan plasawiczy u ciezarnej--opis przypadku.

A case of a 19 years old pregnant girl with chorea gravidarum is described, the diagnosis assuming rheumatic background to be the direct cause of the disease. Administered were: relanium, penicillin, solu-medrol and encorton with a positive therapeutic outcome.

[Certain parameters of platelets oxygen metabolism in patients with multiple sclerosis]. / Wybrane parametry metabolizmu tlenowego plytek krwi u chorych na stwardnienie rozsiane.

The hypothesis of Mickel (1975) on multiple sclerosis suggested disturbances of lipid peroxidation in that disease. The purpose of this report was an analysis of oxygen metabolism in platelets in that disease, taking into account the peroxidation of lipids and antioxidant enzymatic protection against oxygen stress. In the reported study the concentration of malonyl dialdehyde (MDA) and the activity of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and superoxide dismutase (SOD-1) were determined in multiple sclerosis patients. The studied group comprised 20 non-smoking patients (9 men and 11 women) aged 21-61 years during disease exacerbation. The criteria of disease diagnosis were those suggested by Poser et al (1983). The obtained results may suggest abnormal acceleration of lipid peroxidation in platelets in this disease.

Activities of acetylcholinesterase and NA+, K+ -ATP-ase in human erythrocytes after ethanol consumption.

The influence of ethanol consumption on acetylcholinesterase (AchE) and Na+, K+ -ATP-ase activities was examined in 14 healthy volunteers after 30 minutes of ethanol treatment at a dose 0.6 g/kg of body weight. It was observed that the activity of both enzymes decreased. The activity of AchE was significantly lower, and that of Na+, K+ -ATP-ase tended to be lower, but the difference was not significant. In vitro experiments showed that ethanol inhibited the AchE and N+, K+ -ATP-ase activities immediately and in proportion to the concentration of ethanol used.

[Prognostic significance of some clinical and laboratory parameters in patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia]. / Znaczenie rokownicze niektórych wyjsciowych parametrów klinicznych i laboratoryjnych u chorych z bialaczka granulocytowa przewlekla.

The correlations between select clinical and laboratory data recorded at the time of diagnosis in 125 chronic myelogenous leukemia patients (60 men and 65 women) and survival time these patient was analysed. All patients were treated with similar methods. Characteristics for which there was evidence of associations with shorter survival outcome were older age, anemia, high percentage of peripheral and marrow blasts and thrombocytopenia or thrombocytosis. There was no evidence of statistically significant prognostic value such parameters as: sex, presence of symptoms, hepatosplenomegaly, high leukocytosis (WBC), high proportion of circulating promyelocytes, neutrophils and eosinophils and serum LDH or leukocyte alkaline phosphatase activity. Peripheral basophilia appeared to have advantage prognostic relevance to survival time. The median survival time observed patients was 38-65 months.

Combined treatment with antibiotic, heparin and streptokinase--a new approach to the therapy of bacterial osteomyelitis.

Combined treatment by continuous intravenous infusion of a selected antibiotic and heparin and/or streptokinase was elaborated as a method of causal, systemic treatment of bacterial osteomyelitis. The aim of the combined treatment was to overcome infection and disturbances in the coagulation and fibrinolysis system which lead to impairment of the bone blood supply and its subsequent necrosis as the main factor in the aetiopathology of osteomyelitis. Between 1969 and 1991, combined treatment was introduced in 63 patients with acute onset disease or with chronic osteomyelitis. Osteomyelitis was located in the mandible in 38 patients and in the long bones in 14 patients. Prior to combined treatment, moderate bone surgery was performed in 21 patients, while 31 patients were excluded from surgery. Combined treatment with an antibiotic and heparin (A+H) was performed in 43 patients, and the other 6 patients had infusion of an antibiotic, streptokinase and heparin (A+S+H). The authors' method of combined treatment offers a new approach and an alternative to routinely-ordered antibiotic therapy and radical surgery, which allow frequent recurrences of the disease, a long-lasting course and severe complications.

Immunotoxic and hematotoxic effects of occupational exposures.

The toxic effects of environmental factors at work places on the hematopoietic and immune systems are of basic importance due to the time of exposure, lasting on average 8 hours daily during one week. Porphyrinurias and porphyrias have been observed after exposure to hexachlorobenzene, chlorinated dibenzodioxins, polychlorinated biphenyls, polybrominated biphenyls, vinyl chloride and lead. Aplastic anemia may occur after exposure to benzene, pesticides, arsenic, cadmium and copper compounds. Megaloblastic anemia has been noted in subjects exposed to arsenic, chlordane, benzene and nitrous oxide. Methemoglobinemia is induced by aromatic nitro and amino compounds. Hemolytic reactions caused by arsenic, methyl chloride, naphthalene, lead, cadmium and mercury compounds represent a separate problem. Immunodeficiencies resulting in decreased antitumor and antiinfectious immunity have been reported in subjects exposed to asbestos, ozone, dimethylsulphoxide, vinilidene chloride, and benzene homologues. Lymphocytopenia may be induced by manganese, lead, toluene and industrial noise. Neutropenia was marked after exposure to carbon disulphide, arsenic compounds, benzene and electromagnetic fields. Only a few reports concern the lymphocyte T3, T4 and T8 subpopulations. Electromagnetic fields (microwaves) cause an imbalance of that subpopulation, consisting of a decrease in the T8 cell count. The neutrophil enzymes, such as myeloperoxidase and alkaline phosphatase, decrease in their activity after exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls, carbon disulphide, chlorobenzene and DDT. A majority of agents cited include genotoxic effects reflected in chromosome aberrations and increased sister chromatid exchange and abnormal unscheduled DNA synthesis. Leukemia or lymphoma risk is increased after exposure to pesticides, electromagnetic fields, benzene and irradiation.

[Qualitative determination of chemical compounds in the tissue of laryngeal cancer by x-ray microanalysis]. / Próba jakosciowej oceny skladu chemicznego tkanek raka plaskonablonkowego krtani przy uzyciu metody mikroanalizy rentgenowskiej.

The authors presented the results of chemical compounds in the laryngeal cancer tissue in 20 patients with clinically and histologically confirmed plano-epithelial carcinoma using own modification of x-ray microanalysis method. Comparison between the healthy and neoplasmatic tissue showed as follows: 1) both healthy and neoplasmatic tissue showed the presence of Cd, Zn, Fe, Mn, Mg and Si, P, S, Cl, K, Ca, Ti; 2) the neoplasmatic tissue showed the presence of Pb whereas it was not observed in the healthy tissue; 3) both Pb and Cl were irregularly concentrated in the neoplasmatic tissue while in the healthy tissue showed regular concentration. The authors discuss some methodological aspects and try to interpret the obtained data in the view of toxic, mutagenous and carcinogenous role of the Pb.

Activity of some lysosomal enzymes in peritoneal lymphocytes from patients with terminal renal failure treated by intermittent peritoneal dialysis.

Acid phosphatase (AcP), beta-glucuronidase (GR) and N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) activity was determined, using semiquantitative cytochemical methods, in the peritoneal fluid lymphocytes obtained from 50 patients with terminal renal failure treated by intermittent peritoneal dialysis. The control group included 30 subjects with normal renal function. The percentage of AcP and NAG-positive lymphocytes was significantly lower and that of the GR-positive cells significantly higher in dialysed patients than in the control group. A group of 22 dialysed patients with bacterial peritonitis showed a significant increase of the percentage of NAG-positive lymphocytes as compared with both the subjects in the control group and the peritonitis-free dialysed ones. Changes of the lymphocytes enzymatic activities were distinct in cells exhibiting the granular reaction type, and to a much lesser extent in those showing granular diffuse reaction.

[Activity of selected neutrophil enzymes of patients maintained on hemodialysis and treated with erythropoietin (rHu EPO)]. / Aktywnosc wybranych enzymów neutrofilów chorych przewlekle dializowanych leczonych erytropoetyna (rHu EPO).

The peroxidase, alkaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase, beta-glucuronidase and N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase activity was assessed using a semiquantitative cytochemical methods in peripheral blood neutrophils from 10 maintenance haemodialysed patients treated with recombinant human erythropoietin (rHu EPO) due to severe anaemia. The examination was performed immediately prior to rHu EPO treatment, after 10 weeks and 32 weeks of therapy. A statistically significant increase in the beta-glucuronidase and N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase activity was observed after 10 weeks, while all the enzymes studied except peroxidase showed a significant elevation of their activity after 32 weeks of the treatment as compared with the values obtained prior to therapy.

The trial of quantitative determination of the lead, chlorine, and sulfur content in the peripheral blood lymphocytes from patients with cancer of the larynx using the X-ray microanalysis method.

Using own modification of X-ray microanalysis method the authors evaluated the lead, chlorine, and sulfur content in the peripheral blood lymphocytes in 20 patients with laryngeal carcinoma in comparison with 20 healthy subjects of the control group. In patients with advanced clinical stages of that carcinoma the elevated lead and chlorine content has been stated in above cells whereas that of sulfur was decreased. According to the authors' opinion above changes reflect functional disturbances of lymphocytes in the patient with laryngeal carcinoma related to the decreased detoxicative properties, the intracellular electrolyte imbalance, and the enzymatic machinery alterations within that cells.

Effect of heparin and prostacyclin-heparin infusion on blood coagulation in haemodialysed patients.

In 10 patients (8 men and 2 women) aged 28 to 58 years (mean 44.4 years) treated by repeated haemodialysis due to end-stage renal failure, the bleeding time, whole-blood coagulation time, one-stage prothrombin time, thrombin time of plasma, activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), fibrinogen level and euglobulin lysis time have been determined (1) during a 4-hour haemodialysis using heparin as an antithrombotic agent, and (2) one week later in the course of another haemodialysis using prostacyclin-heparin. The values for any of the above parameters with both anticoagulant treatment types did not differ. Plasma fibrinogen level after haemodialysis was significantly lower after administration of heparin alone as compared with the group treated by prostacyclin-heparin infusion. During haemodialysis performed with prostacyclin-heparin infusion, activation of the blood fibrinolytic system was manifested by a significant shortening of euglobulin lysis time, observed after 1.5 hours and after the end of haemodialysis. The above phenomenon did not occur when haemodialysis was performed with heparin alone.

Acid phosphatase, beta-glucuronidase and N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase activity of peritoneal neutrophils in patients with terminal renal failure treated by intermittent peritoneal dialysis.

Acid phoshatase (AcP), beta-glucuronidase (GR) and N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) activity in neutrophils obtained from the peritoneal fluid of 50 patients with terminal renal failure treated by intermittent peritoneal dialysis, and of 30 control subjects with normal renal function was semiquantitatively scored using a cytochemical method. This study was repeated in 22 dialyzed patients during the course of bacterial peritonitis. A significant decrease in the AcP score and an increase in the GR score were found in the neutrophils from dialyzed patients. In dialyzed patients with peritonitis, the GR and NAG scores were higher that in those without this complication.

The serum immunoglobulins in workers after prolonged occupational exposure to the mercury vapors.

The mercury concentration in the blood and urine as well as the IgA, IgD, IgE, IgG, and IgM serum concentration was assayed in 89 men working during varying time intervals in a chlorine production plant using a mercury electrolysis method. In none of the workers studied the blood mercury concentration exceeded 50 micrograms x 1-1 and only in two cases the mercury excretion in the urine exceeded 200 micrograms x 1-1. Low levels of IgA and IgG were observed only in workers exposed to mercury vapors for more than 20 years.

Beta-glucuronidase activity in neutrophils of patients with malignancies.

The human neutrophils induce cytotoxic effects on mammalian tumor cells. Hence it may be expected that intracellular enzymatic deficiencies of neutrophils may represent another cancer risk factor. In 205 patients with various malignancies the neutrophil beta-glucuronidase activity has been determined using a semiquantitative cytochemical method. A statistically significant deficiency of this enzyme in neutrophils has been observed in patients with precancerous states of the larynx, cancer of the larynx after radiotherapy and patients with cancer of large intestine. Patients with cancer of the lung and cancer of the stomach showed no changes with that regard whereas those with cancer of the breast demonstrated an increased enzyme activity.

[Effect of electromagnetic radiation on T-lymphocyte subpopulations and immunoglobulin level in human blood serum after occupational exposure]. / Wplyw promieniowania elektromagnetycznego na subpopulacje limfocytów T oraz poziom immunoglobulin w surowicy krwi u czlowieka w warunkach ekspozycji zawodowej.

The study was aimed at evaluation of the total lymphocyte, the T lymphocyte (T3), the T helper (T4) and the T suppressor (T8) count in the peripheral blood as well as of the IgG, IgA and IgM level in sera of 39 radar operators aged from 20 to 22 years. The operators were exposed to electromagnetic radiation at frequencies ranging from 390 MHz to 10.96 GHz and power from 500 kW to 1.5 MW for a period from 720 to 7560 hours. As compared to the control group in the radar operators a statistically significant decrease in the total T8 cell count and a significant increase in the IgM level was found pointing to the radiation induced disorders in lymphocyte system.

[Hematotoxic and immunotoxic effects of nitrogen dioxide]. / Hematotoksyczne i immunotoksyczne dzialanie dwutlenku azotu.

The aim of the paper is to review hematological and immunological effects of experimental and occupational exposure to nitrogen dioxide (NO2). The NO2 exposure diminishes erythrocyte count, hemoglobin concentration and produces increased nitrosyl hemoglobin (NOHb) and methemoglobin (MetHb) concentrations in peripheral blood. The gas affects the activity of the membrane and glycolytic enzymes in erythrocytes. Experimental inhalation of NO2 results in an increased susceptibility to viral or bacterial infections. Moreover, the gas impairs phagocytic and bacteriocidal functions of alveolar macrophages. NO2 also causes lymphoid tissue damage reducing the thymus and spleen weight; it also diminishes specific antibody production and lymphocyte transformation in in vitro cultures with plant mitogens.