Sex steroids level in blood plasma and ovarian follicles of the chimeric chicken.

The study was performed to determine the hormonal status of mature germline chimeras obtained by blastodermal cell transfer from chicken embryos of a donor breed [Green-legged Partridgelike breed (GP) x Araucana (AR)] to those of a recipient breed [White Leghorn (WL)] being at the same stage of embryonic development. The egg-laying chimeras and WL hens (control) of the same age were used in the experiment. At first, blood samples were taken from each bird at 0.5, 5, 12.5 and 18.5 h following oviposition. Subsequently, the chimeras and the WL hens were decapitated 1-2 h after ovulation. A stroma and the following follicles were isolated from the ovary: white normal (1-4, 4-6 and 6-8 mm), white atretic and yellow preovulatory follicles (F4-F1). Sex hormones, progesterone (P4), testosterone (T) and oestradiol (E2) in blood plasma and ovarian follicles were determined radioimmunologically. The activity of the 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3beta-HSD) in the granulosa and theca layers of the follicles was analysed histochemically. In chimeric chickens, a higher level of T in blood plasma during the ovulatory cycle was noticed. However, in the stroma, white prehierarchical and medium-size preovulatory ovarian follicles the level of T was significantly lower. With respect to E2, its elevated levels were found both in blood and in the ovarian follicles. There were no significant differences in P4 concentrations in blood plasma while in ovarian follicles a higher level was observed only in white 6-8 mm follicles. 3beta-HSD activity in granulosa and theca layers of the ovarian follicles in chimeras was not different from that in the WL hens. In conclusion, the results obtained indicate that germline chimeras exhibit significant alterations in sex hormone levels in the ovary and blood plasma, which in turn may affect their reproductive abilities.

Reconstitution of a chicken breed by inter se mating of germline chimeric birds.

Blastoderm cells from chicken embryos of a donor breed (Green-legged Partridgelike; GP) were transferred to embryos of a recipient breed (White Leghorn; WL) to form chimeric progeny that, after inter se mating, permitted successful reconstitution of the donor breed. Among 23 chimeric chicks hatched from WL embryos injected with GP cells, 20 (87%) were raised until maturity, and progeny were tested by mating with GP birds to determine the ability of blastodermal cells to form germline chimeras. Six of the tested birds (30%) produced recipient-derived and donor-derived offspring, indicating that they were germline chimeras. The mean percentages of donor-derived germ cells in these birds were 21.1 (17.6 to 50.0%) and 16.9 (5.3 to 23.1%) in males and females, respectively. Among 477 chicks, resulting from mating the germline chimeric male with four germline chimeric females, 10 chicks (2.1%) exhibited a GP phenotype, indicating that the original donor stock had been reconstituted. Only one germline chimeric hen produced GP offspring, but the expected and calculated percentages of GP offspring were similar (2.99 and 2.08, respectively). Two methods of DNA analyses (RFLP and PCR amplification of polymorphic microsatellite loci) of chimeras and their offspring indicated that through mating of a relatively small number of chimeras it is possible to reconstitute a highly diverse population.

[Proinflammatory cytokines with free oxygen radicals in septic syndrome]. / Wspóldzialanie cytokin prozapalnych z wolnymi rodnikami tlenowymi w zespole septycznym.

In this paper authors presented the advantages of measuring the fibronectin levels in several diseases occurring during the pregnancy. They established usefulness of evaluating the fibronectin concentration in premature rupture of the amniotic membranes, preterm delivery, postdate pregnancy, preeclampsia, and intrauterine growth retardation.

[The effect of new diagnostic and treatment methods on the course and prognosis of pancreatic pseudocysts]. / Wplyw nowych metod diagnostycznych i leczniczych na przebieg i rokowanie w rzekomych torbielach trzustki.

We performed a retrospective analysis of 672 patients treated because of acute pancreatitis (AP) in the years 1962-1996. In 95 of them (14%) pancreatic pseudocysts (PP) were diagnosed. Two patient groups were compared: Ist (1962-1985), which consisted of 320 patients with acute pancreatitis, including 20 PP with IInd (1986-1996), comprising 322 patients with AP, including 75 PP. Pancreatic pseudocysts are diagnosed much more frequently nowadays (6-23%), especially in men with AP of alcohol etiology. Ultrasound CAT guided percutaneous drainage of PP proved to be an effective method of treatment in 64% of patients. Indications and complications of this method were discussed. Thirty-three patients underwent primary operative treatment. The indications were complications of PP and pathologic ER CP findings in pancreatic ducts. Secondary operative treatment was indicated in patients, where percutaneous procedure failed. Pancreatic pseudocysts produce complications much less frequently and the death rate decreased from initial 35 to 5% nowadays. It is mainly due to early diagnosis, monitoring and treatment after introduction of ultrasound and CAT.

[Usefulness of enteral feeding in surgery]. / Przydatnosc zywienia dojelitowego w chirurgii.

Eighty malnourished patients with neoplasms, enteric fistulae, multiorgan trauma and septic complications administered food by means of enteral feeding (EF). It was found that EF prevents weight loss and even causes weight gain in patients, increases total protein and albumin concentrations and decreases urea and creatinine levels in blood which is a proof of catabolism fall. Patient condition improvement and healing of the majority of enteric fistulae was achieved after EF. Factory diet intolerance affected 5% of patients and diarrhoea-6%. Investigations prove that enteral feeding is a good alternative to parenteral nutrition. If enteral feeding follows proper indications, technique and route of administration are chosen the right way, it allows the surgeon to perform operation, decreases the number of complications and enables the patient's organism fight septic syndrome. Enteral feeding is a state of the art method of severely ill patient nutrition.

[Results of abdominal operations in patients with liver cirrhosis]. / Wyniki operacji brzusznych u chorych z marskoscia watroby.

A retrospective analysis was done of 45 patients with cirrhosis who were operated on for abdominal diseases and their complications, mainly cholelithiasis. Out of seven studied risk factors, of greatest importance were serum albumin deficiency which appeared in 45% of patients and was fraught with 100% mortality, prothrombin time (in 40%-89% mortality), and jaundice (25%-82% mortality). Postoperative complications occurred in 71% of patients with cirrhosis, mainly hepatic coma (22%), sepsis (35%), haemorrhage (18%), and eventration (22%). Postoperative mortality was 64.5%, including 76% after emergency operations, and 54% after elective surgery. After operations on the bile ducts 55% patients died. So the operations should not be performed in asymptomatic cholelithiasis during cirrhosis since there is no evidence that it deteriorates the patients' condition, and the mortality is very high. The causes are discussed of poor prognosis after surgery in cirrhosis, as well as the principles of management which may contribute to reduction of the number of complications and to a drop in mortality.