We assessed the intensive care unit (ICU) patients for Invasive aspergillosis (IA) with culture and non-culture based diagnostic methods from Iran. Thirty-six ICU patients with underlying predisposing conditions for IA were enrolled in the study. Sixty eight Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) samples were collected by bronchoscope twice a weekly. BAL samples were analyzed by microscopic examination, fungal culture and galactomannan (GM) detection. The Platelia Aspergillus GM EIA was used to quantify GM indices. Samples with a BAL GM index > or = 1 were considered as positive for GM. Patients were classified as having probable or possible IA. Out of 36 suspected patients to IA, 36.1% of cases showed IA which were categorized as: 4 cases of possible IA and 9 of probable IA. 76.2% of BAL samples were positive for GM. From 13 patients with IA, 11 (84.6%) had at least one positive BAL GM index. Of these patients, 9 (81.8%) showed probable IA. The main underlying predisposing conditions were neutropenia (53.8%) and COPD (30.8%). Our study has indicated that COPD must be considered as one of the main predisposing condition for occurrence of aspergillosis in ICU patients. Our data have also revealed that GM detection in BAL samples play a significant role to IA diagnosis. and MT. Hedayati, S. Khodavaisy, M. Alialy, SM. Omran, MR. Habibi
Carnosine is a dipeptide formed of the amino acids β-alanine and histidine. Only a limited number of studies have examined the effects of carnosine on sympathetic nerve activation and anxiety. The present study was undertaken to determine the dose-related effects of carnosine on anxiety in the elevated T-maze test (ETM) with electrodermal activity (EDA). Carnosine was injected in three groups of rats with doses of 10 (low dose), 100 (medium dose) and 1000 (high dose) mg/kg i.p. Physiological saline was injected in the sham group. The anxiety scores of the rats were measured with ETM 20 minutes after injection. Then, SCL was measured. The decreased number of entries into the open arm (NEOA), the percentage of time spent in the open arm (% TSOA) and higher EDA [shown by skin conductance level (SCL)] indicate higher anxiety. The NEOA and % TSOA were lower in the high-dose group than in the other groups. SCL was lower in the medium-dose carnosine group than in the high-dose carnosine and sham groups. SCL was higher in the high-dose group than in the medium-dose and sham groups. Our results suggest that high-dose carnosine produced anxiety-like effects as assessed in the SCL and ETM. Medium-dose carnosine acted as an anxiolytic. The anxiety-related responses of carnosine depend on its dose-related effect. and N. Dolu, H. Acer, A. Y. Kara
Diagnosis of nerve agent intoxication is based on anamnestic data, clinical signs and laboratory examination. For acute poisoning, cholinesterase activity in the blood (erythrocyte AChE, plasma/serum BuChE) is sensitive, simple and most frequent laboratory examination performed in biochemical laboratories. Specialized examinations to precise treatment (reactivation test) or to make retrospective diagnosis (fluoride induced reactivation etc.) can be conducted. Other sophisticated methods are available, too. and J. Bajgar
Low-grade myofibroblastic sarcoma (LGMS) is a very rare, atypical myofibroblastic tumor with fibromatosis-like features with predilection mostly in head and neck region. LGMS occurs primarily in adult patients with a slight male predominance. Only few cases of LGMS affecting the larynx have been reported in literature to this date. We describe a case of low-grade myofibroblastic sarcoma of the larynx in a 40-year-old male patient. The clinicopathological characteristics, immunohistochemical findings and treatment are discussed. and P. Kordač, D. H. Nikolov, K. Smatanová, D. Kalfeřt
High grade gliomas are some of the deadliest human tumours. Conventional treatments such as surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy have only a limited effect. Nowadays, resection is the common treatment of choice and although new approaches, such as perioperative magnetic resonance imaging or fluorescent microscopy have been developed, the survival rate of diagnosed patients is still very low. The inefficacy of conventional methods has led to the development of new strategies and the significant progress of nanotechnology in recent years. These platforms can be used either as novel imaging tools or to improve anticancer drug delivery into tumours while minimizing its distribution and toxicity in healthy tissues. Amongst the new nanotechnology platforms used for delivery into the brain tissue are: polymeric nanoparticles, liposomes, dendrimers, nanoshells, carbon nanotubes, superparamagnetic nanoparticles and nucleic acid based nanoparticles (DNA, RNA interference [RNAi] and antisense oligonucleotides [ASO]). These nanoparticles have been applied in the delivery of small molecular weight drugs as well as macromolecules - proteins, peptides and genes. The unique properties of these nanoparticles, such as surface charge, particle size, composition and ability to modify their surface with tissue recognition ligands and antibodies, improve their biodistribution and pharmacokinetics. All of the above mentioned characteristics make of nanoplatforms a very suitable tool for its use in targeted, personalized medicine, where they could possibly carry large doses of therapeutic agents specifically into malignant cells while avoiding healthy cells. This review poses new possibilities in the large field of nanotechnology with special interest in the treatment of high grade brain tumours. and P. Krůpa, S. Řehák, D. Diaz-Garcia, S. Filip
BACKGROUND: The method of continual determination of the rat blood cholinesterase activity was developed to study the changes of the blood cholinesterases following different intervetions. AIMS: The aim of this study is registration of cholinesterase activity in the rat blood and its changes to demonstrate detoxification capacity of rats to inactivate sarin or VX in vivo. METHODS: The groups of female rats were premedicated (ketamine and xylazine) and cannulated to a. femoralis. Continual blood sampling (0.02 ml/min) and monitoring of the circulating blood cholinesterase activity were performed. Normal activity was monitored 1-2 min and then the nerve agent was administered i.m. (2×LD50). Using different time intervals of the leg compression and relaxation following the agent injection, cholinesterase activity was monitored and according to the inhibition obtained, detoxification capacity was assessed. RESULTS: Administration of sarin to the leg, then 1 and 5 min compression and 20 min later relaxation showed that further inhibition in the blood was not observed. On the other hand, VX was able to inhibit blood cholinesterases after this intervention. CONCLUSIONS: The results demonstrated that sarin can be naturally detoxified on the contrary to VX. Described method can be used as model for other studies dealing with changes of cholinesterases in the blood following different factors. and J. Bajgar, J. Cabal, J. Kassa, M. Pavlík
The aim of this study project was to prepare our own method of porcine oesophageal manometry. Ten mature experimental pigs entered the study. Conventional water-perfused system was decided for manometry. Porcine resting and relaxed pressures of the lower oesophageal sphincter are fully comparable with healthy human subjects. Evocable swallowing is doable and oesophageal peristalsis is quantifiable. Basic manometric parameters were different in male and female animals. Oesophageal manometry in experimental pigs is feasible. Porcine oesophageal manometry will be usable for preclinical studies in future. and I. Tachecí, V. Radochová, J. Květina, S. Rejchrt, M. Kopáčová, J. Bureš
Oncocytic Schneiderian papilloma (OSP) is one of the three morphologically distinct tumors that arise from Schneiderian membrane (the others include exophytic papilloma and inverted papilloma). OSP almost always occurs unilaterally in the paranasal sinuses, usually in the maxillary sinus, ethmoid cells or sphenoid sinus. We report a case of a 64-year-old woman with OSP arising from the left frontal sinus. In the report herein, we describe an OSP originating in the region of frontal sinus, which, to the best of our knowledge, represents the first documented example in English literature of OSP developing in this anatomical site. and D. Kalfert, J. Laco, P. Celakovský, K. Smatanová, M. Ludvíková
Osteochondritis dissecans(OCD) of the knee is identified with increasing frequency in the adolescent patient. Left untreated, OCD can cause significant impairment and restriction in physical activity and development of osteoarthritis at an early age. The diagnosis of lesions of OCD can be confirmed on plain radiographs. MRI has emerged as the gold standard to evaluate the stability of the lesion and the integrity of the overlying articular cartilage. Treatment of OCD lesions depend on the stability of the lesion. Stable lesions can be treated conservatively by physical activity modification and immobilization. Unstable lesions and stable lesions not responding to conservative measures should be treated surgically. Surgical options range from arthroscopic drilling, either transarticular or extra-articular drilling for stable lesions or salvage procedures such as autologous chondrocyte transplantation (ACT), mosaicplasty to restore joint and cartilage congruency. and H. H. Shaikh, J. Vícha, T. Proček, J. Pavlata, T. Kučera
BACKGROUND: Though mid-term survival rates of over 95% in several series have been published, there is still a paucity of related literature regarding the role of vertical stem instability in the osteointegration of fluted tapered stems. This paper presents a comprehensive and prospective assessment on short-term experiences with uncemented modular femoral stem in the treatment of defective femur during revision surgery of total hip replacement. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Clinical and radiological monitoring of 20 consecutive patients with implanted tapered fluted revision stem (Lima Corporate, Udine, Italy) was of 27 months in average (20-35 months). The average pre-operative Merle d'Aubigné and Postel method score was 6.3 points (3-10 points). The frequency of femur defects, classified according to Paprosky, was IIIA = 9 and IIIB = 11. RESULTS: During last follow-up, the Merle d'Aubigné and Postel hip score was on average 11.7 (6-16 points). Compared to post-operation radiograph, stem migration of 1.9 mm (0-11 mm) on average was found. This vertical stem migration was observed only when comparing hip radiographs immediately after surgery, and at 6 weeks post-surgery. The Paprosky IIIA defects group, presented a subsided stem by an average of 1.5 mm. In the group of Paprosky IIIB defects, the stem subsidence was on average 2.3 mm. All 20 patients in the study showed excellent osteointegration of the uncemented revision modular stem. CONCLUSIONS: This study found and excellent osteointegration of the Lima uncemented tapered fluted revision modular stem in defective femur with a cortical bone segment present in the diaphyseal isthmus area. The initial vertical instability leading to stem migrating during the first six weeks following surgery did not, however, affect its osteointegration. and P. Šponer, T. Kučera, K. Urban, D. Zítko, D. Diaz-Garcia, M. Grinac