Ciliary beat frequency of biopsy samples taken from normal persons and patients with various lung diseases.

Ciliary beat frequency from human tracheobronchial mucosa was measured in vitro. Biopsy samples were taken during bronchoscopy and beat frequency measured with a phase contrast microscope and a photosensitive cell. In 20 healthy volunteers the mean ciliary beat frequency in the trachea was 12.5 +/- 2.8 Hz at 37 degrees C with a wide interindividual range (4.9 to 17.4 Hz), but a good intraindividual reproducibility (+/- 7 percent). There was a slight increase in frequency down the tracheobronchial tree and a decrease at lower temperatures. With some exceptions, no disease-specific correlation in beat frequency seems to exist in different bacterial and malignant bronchopulmonary conditions. However the quantity and quality of ciliated cells brushed from the mucosa does appear to be disease-related.

[Treatment of lipid metabolism disorders in the elderly]. / Leczenie zaburzen gospodarki lipidowej u ludzi w podeszlym wieku.

Positive correlation between cholesterol concentration and morbidity of circulatory system diseases is not questioned and has a large evidence in literature. Aging is associated with increasing mean concentration of serum lipids, especially LDL cholesterol fraction. But the risk of coronary heart disease in patients at advanced age with hypercholesterolemia is less significant than in younger ones. In the therapy of hyperlipidemia the usage of hypolipemic drugs (statin) is not practical recommended in the elderly. Possible usage of these drugs should not reduce the comfort of life. Diet is an alternative and also effective method of lipid-lowering therapy.

[Method of photometric measurement of ciliary beat frequency from human tracheobronchial epithelium (author's transl)]. / Eine Methode zur Messung der Ziliarfrequenz aus Bürstenbiopsien der menschlichen Bronchialschleimhaut.

A method of photometric measurement of ciliary beat frequency is described. Brush biopsies of human bronchial epithelium were obtained. Twenty healthy persons were investigated, sampling brush biopsies from trachea, main bronchus and segmental bronchus. Ciliary beat frequency was measured over a period of time at 37 degrees C as well as under increasing temperature from 20 degrees C to 40 degrees C. Mean ciliary beat frequency in the trachea is 12.5 Hz +/- 2.8 at 37 degrees C, slightly increasing ciliary beat frequency towards the periphery of the bronchial tree. Ciliary beat frequency found at 20 degrees C is almost exactly half the frequency found at 37 degrees C. When rising the temperature from 30 degrees C to 40 degrees C, ciliary beat frequency increases nearly in a linear line. A well reproducible method is used to measure ciliary beat frequency in vitro under different conditions.

Influence of reproterol on ciliary beat frequency of human bronchial epithelium in vitro.

With a recently developed method it is possible to measure ciliary beat frequency of human bronchial epithelium in vitro. By means of brush biopsy, mucosa is taken from a region of the tracheo-bronchial tree and is then put into nutrient solution. Action of the cilia can be observed under a phase contrast microscope and is transferred by a photocell onto an oscillograph. The study was performed in 15 patients; mucosal samples were taken from both the trachea and the main bronchus. It proved that the beat frequency of cilia obtained from both the trachea and the main bronchus was significantly increased by 7-[3-(beta, 3,5-trihydroxyphenethylamino)-propyl]-theophylline (reproterol, Bronchospasmin), as compared to those samples without reproterol.

[Secretion of atrial natriuretic peptide and vasopressin during hemodialysis in patients with chronic renal failure]. / Wydzielanie przedsionkowego peptydu natriuretycznego oraz wazopresyny w czasie hemodializy u chorych z przewlekla niewydolnoscia nerek.

UNLABELLED: Two groups of subjects (uraemic and control) were studied. The uraemic group consisted of 30 patients treated by HD (haemodialysis). The mean age was x +/- SD-35.4 +/- 8.4 years, duration of haemodialysis treatment 42.8 +/- 12.1 months, cuprophan dialyzers and acetate containing solution--35 mEq/l--were used, duration of HD-4 hours 3 times weekly, predialysis serum creatinine was 1060 +/- 218 mumol/l (12.8 +/- 2.5 mg%). The control group comprised 23 healthy subjects (mean age 33.0 +/- 8.0 years, serum creatinine level 88.4 +/- 14 mumol/l (1.0 +/- 0.16 mg%). In all examined subjects the following experimental protocol was used. Blood pressure (BP) was determined at about 8 a.m. after an overnight rest. Then blood samples were withdrawn for estimation of ANP, AVP, sodium and potassium, protein, osmolality and creatinine concentrations. Between 8 and 12 a.m. all examined uraemic subjects were dialysed. After each hour of dialysis BP was measured and blood samples were taken. ANP (Peninsula Lab. Kids.) and AVP (DRG) were measured using RIA method, and other biochemical parameters using routine methods. Plasma creatinine and plasma ANP levels significantly decreased, but AVP significantly increased after HD. CONCLUSIONS: 1. In all uraemic subjects, plasma ANP and AVP levels were significantly higher than in control subjects; 2. During haemodialysis with ultrafiltration a significant increase AVP level and decrease ANP level was observed; 3. A significant correlation between ANP concentration and blood pressure may suggest participation of above mentioned hormone in pathogenesis of hypertension in patients with uraemia; 4. It's possible, in pathogenesis plasma AVP increase takes part plasma ANP decrease, too.