The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of musculoskeletal problems among Czech dentists and to analyze the factors that affect these disorders. Information was gathered through questionnaire completed by 581 physicians. The questionnaire ascertained general information about physicians including their work habits and the characteristics of their work environment along with the occurrence of musculoskeletal problems as well as their intensity. In the past year the occurrence of at least mild difficulties associated with the locomotive system was reported by 96.9% of dentists surveyed (n = 557), with 66.3% of respondents (n = 381) reporting difficulties ofa moderate or major nature. Most respondents of both sexes indicated neck pain. A statistically significant correlation with the occurrence of musculoskeletal complaints of medium and major intensity was demonstrated for the following factors: sex, age, running a private practice, past injury or musculoskeletal diseases, and the perception of work as psychologically demanding. Musculoskeletal disorders in dentists in Czech Republic are relatively frequent and serious health problem. The causes of these diseases must be identified and appropriate preventive interventions undertaken that will contribute to a reduction in the incidence of these problems. and Z. Sustová, L. Hodacová, M. Kapitán
BACKGROUND: The presence of several risk factors (genetic and non-genetic) has greater impact on the risk of premature coronary artery disease (CAD) than single risk factor. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to establish possible relations between genotypes and alleles of 677C>T polymorphism of MTHFR gene and some traditional risk factors e.g. elevated levels of lipid parameters and smoking in development of premature CAD. METHODS: The groups comprised 152 patients with angiographically documented premature CAD (aged 42.9 +/- 5.5) and 121 age-matched blood donors (aged 42.3 +/- 6.5) were studied. The MTHFR 677C>T polymorphism was genotyped with Polymerase Chain Reaction-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. RESULTS: Patients with TT genotype who simultaneously smoked had increased risk of premature CAD compared to non-smoking cases with CC genotype (OR = 24.62). We also found that individuals with TT genotype and elevated LDL-cholesterol (LDL-chol.) level had significantly higher risk of CAD (OR = 9.92) than individuals with normal LDL-chol. level and CC genotype. CONCLUSIONS: The present study shows that simultaneous presence of MTHFR TT genotype and smoking or elevated levels of LDL-chol. influences the risk of premature CAD. This findings give interesting contribution to gene-environment interaction problem that may have clinical implications in the future. and B. Sarecka-Hujar, I. Zak, J. Krauze
INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to find out the impact of degradation and regeneration of force over time at NiTi springs on the value and course of the final acting force and to verify the possibility of using these phenomena for a directed transition to the reverse plateau and its maintaining. METHODS: Static and cyclic mechanical loadings were performed. At first unused springs were tested. Afterwards the springs were mechanically stabilized by stress cycling and finally tested again. The difference in shape of the working curves was assessed. For simulation and description of the force degradation the modified Voight model was used. RESULTS: New springs, mainly those with large hysteresis, showed a significant stress-strain curve movement and shape changes during the cycling. The effect of the stress-strain curve course change disappeared fully in the stabilized springs. Multiple loading led to an overall decrease of force value during the measurement. The effect of force degradation and regeneration over time by simple static loading varies in the range of percentage of the nominal force in the plateau area. The transition between stress-strain curve phases caused by the degradation or regeneration of the force wasn't observed in case of mechanically stabilized springs. CONCLUSIONS: Springs should be mechanically stabilized before their application. The degree of force degradation over time is insignificant for mechanically stabilized springs. Degradation or regeneration of force over time, mechanical stabilization or micromovements in the mouth don't cause any transition between individual stress-strain curve phases. and A. Bezrouk, L. Balský, M. Smutný, T. Nosek, J. Záhora, J. Hanus, R. Polma
Cardiac surgery is inseparably linked to the activation of innate immunity cells recognizing danger signals of both endogenous and exogenous origin via pattern recognition receptors such as TLR receptors. Therefore, we followed by flow cytometry TLR2 and TLR4 expression on blood monocytes and granulocytes of patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting using beating heart surgery (off-pump, n = 34), with use of standard cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), (on-pump, n = 30), and miniinvasive CPB (mini on-pump, n = 25), respectively, before, during surgery, and up to 7th postoperative day. TLR2 and TLR4 expression both on monocytes and granulocytes was significantly diminished already at the end of CPB being highly significantly decreased at the end of surgery in all patients' groups. TLR2 and TLR4 expression reached preoperative value at the 1st postoperative day being significantly higher at the 3rd postoperative day. Using intracellular staining we found the peak of TLR2 and TLR4 expression inside of monocytes and granulocytes at the first postoperative day in a subgroup of on-pump patients. In conclusion, TLR2 and TLR4 expression is significantly modulated in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting as a part of adaptive homeostatic mechanisms induced by major surgery. The very surgical trauma is responsible for TLR2 and TLR4 modulation. Surprisingly, cardiopulmonary bypass itself was little contributing to the modulation of TLR2 and TLR4 expression. and J. Krejsek, M. Kolácková, J. Mand'ák, P. Kunes, Z. Holubcová, D. Holmannová, M. AbuAttieh, C. Andrýs
The aim of this study is to evaluate the results of total hip arthroplasty in patients with Parkinson's disease during a period of five years, focusing on the assessment of the risks and benefits of surgery. During this period we performed total hip arthroplasty in 14 patients (15 hips) with Parkinson's disease. Patients were evaluated by subjective symptoms and objective findings, with a focus on the use of support while walking and walking distance, severity of Parkinson's disease before surgery and at the time of the last follow-up. During the postoperative period, the following parameters were assessed: length of ICU stay, mobilization, complications, the total duration of hospitalization and follow-up care after discharge. Of the 11 patients (12 hips) followed-up 1-5 years with an average of 3 years after operation 8 cases showed progression of neurological disability. 5 patients (6 hips) showed an increased dependence on the use of support when walking and reduced distance that the patient was able to walk. Subjectively, 10 hip joints were completely painless and 2 patients complained of only occasional mild pain in the operated hip. Complications that were encountered were urinary tract infection (5 patients), cognitive impairment (3 patients) and pressure ulcer (2 patients). We did not observe any infection or dislocation of the prosthesis. Three patients fell and fractured the femur and 3 patients in our cohort died during follow up. Implantation of total replacement is possible with judicious indication after careful evaluation of neurological finding in patients with minimal or mild functional impairment of the locomotor system. Prerequisite for a good result is precise surgical technique and optimal implant position with balanced tension of the muscles and other soft tissues around the hip. and PG. Mathew, P. Sponer, T. Kucera, M. Grinac, J. Knízek
Gastrointestinal lipomas are usually asymptomatic, detected incidentally. However, they can cause severe symptoms such as obstruction, invagination, and bleeding. The transsection of an infarcted or large lipoma by needle sphincterotome (needle knife) and/or snare polypectomy of the upper part of the tumour is an option for the endoscopy treatment of giant infarcted lipomas. Cutting a top of lipoma (unroofing technique) allowed flow out of adipose tissue from the lipoma. and M. Kopáčová, S. Rejchrt, J. Bureš
This cross sectional study focused on how Postural Stability (PS) indicators: body sway deviation (BSD) and body sway velocity (BSV), change with age and their association with levels of social and physical activity. Observational study: 80 older adults (aged: 60-96) were purposefully recruited from two sources: the University of the Third Age (TAU) (n = 35) and a residential care home (CH) (n = 45). Differences in the indicators of PS, approximated through Centre of Pressure (COP) measurements, were assessed by the Romberg Stance Test (Test A) subsequently repeated on 10 cm foam surface (Test B), using a Kistler Dynamometric Platform. The RCH Group was older, had higher BMI and was less socially and physically active, showed more body sway in all indicators compared to TAU group. For all participants body sway velocity (BSV) was significantly correlated with age. The strength of correlation of body sway deviation (BSD) with age was also significant but not as strong. The findings indicate in line with previous studies that deterioration in BSV is associated with poor PS more than deterioration in BSD. and J. Jančová Všetečková, N. Drey