AIM: The purpose of this study was to develop a revised version of the Brief Bedside Dysphagia Screening Test for determining penetration/aspiration risk in patients prone to dysphagia. The priority was to achieve high sensitivity and negative predictive value. METHODS: The study screeners conducted bedside assessment of the swallowing function in 157 patients with a neurological (mainly stroke) or an ear, nose, and throat diagnosis (mainly head and neck cancer). The results were compared with a gold standard, flexible endoscopic examination of swallowing. RESULTS: For the neurological subgroup (N = 106), eight statistically significant bedside assessment items were combined into the Brief Bedside Dysphagia Screening Test-Revised (BBDST-R). Cut-off score 1 produced the highest sensitivity (95.5%; 95% confidence interval CI [CI]: 84.9-98.7%) and negative predictive value (88.9%; 95% CI 67.2-96.9%). CONCLUSION: The BBDST-R is suitable for dysphagia screening in departments caring for patients with neurological conditions. and P. Mandysová, E. Ehler, J. Škvrňáková, M. Černý, I. Bártová, A. Pellant
Inhibitory neurotransmission plays a substantial role in encoding of auditory cues relevant for so und localization in vertebrates. While the anatomical organization of the respective afferent auditory brainstem circuits shows remarkable similarities between mammals and birds, the properties of inhibitory neurotransmission in these neural circuits are strikingly different. In mammals, inhibition is predom inantly glyciner gic and endowed with fast kinetics. In birds, inhibition is mediated by γ - Aminobutiric acid (GABA) and too slow to convey temporal information. A further prominent difference lies in the mechanism of inhibition in the respective systems. In auditory brainstem neurons of mammals, [Cl-] i undergoes a developmental shift causing the actions of GABA and glycine to gradually change from depolarization to the ‘classic’ hyperpolarizing-inhibition before hearing onset. Contrary to this, in the mature avian auditory brainstem Cl - homeostasis mechanisms accurately adjust the Cl - gradient to enable depolarizing, but still very efficient, shunting inhibition. The present review considers the mechanisms underlying development of the Cl - homeostasis in the auditory system of mammals and birds and discusses some open issues that require closer attention in future studies., I. Milenković, R. Rübsamen., and Obsahuje bibliografii a bibliografické odkazy
The aim of the study was to assess the impact of preweaning overnutrition upon the ontogeny of intestinal microbiota, alkaline phosphatase activity (AP) and pa rameters of growth and obesity in male Sprague-Dawley rats. We tested whether intestinal characteristics acquired in suckling pups could programme the development of enhanced fat deposition during normalized nutrition beyond weaning. Postnatal nutrition was manipulated by adjusting the number of pups in the nest to 4 (small litters - SL) and 10 (normal litters - NL). In the postweaning period both groups were fed with a standard diet. The jejunal and colonic Lactobacillus/Enterococcus (LAB) and the Bacteroides/Prevotella (BAC) were determined using the FISH technique, and the jejunal AP activity was assayed histochemically. At 15 and 20 days of age the SL pups became heavier, displayed increased adiposity accompanied by significantly higher LAB and lower numbers of BAC and with higher AP activity in comparison with rats nursed in NL nests. These differences pers isted to day 40 and withdrawal of the previous causal dietary influence did not prevent the post-weaning fat accretion. These results reveal the significance of early nutritional imprint upon the gut microbial/functional development and allow better unde rstanding of their involvement in the control of obesity., Z. Šefčíková ... [et al.]., and Obsahuje bibliografii a bibliografické odkazy
F.xcept other functions, surface saccharide residues on trematode larvae are supposed either to be the targets of the intermediate (molluscan) and final host immune systems, or to represent candidates for molecular mimicry. Therefore, changes in surface saccharide patterns during the development of the avian schistosome Trichobilharzia szidati were characterized. Whole parasite larval stages and their tissue sections were examined using FITC-conjugated lectins. Marked surface differences were found among larval stages (miracidia, mother sporocysts, daughter sporocysts, cercariae, schistosomula). Staining by some lectins reflected known ultrastructural changes of the outer tegument. Reaction of lectins with cercarial embryos was almost negative. In case of other developmental stages, binding of at least one member from each carbohydrate-specificity group of lectins (Man/Glc-, GIcNAc-, Gal/GalNAc- and Fuc-specific) occurred. One exception is represented by mother and daughter sporocysts which practically failed to react with Fuc-specific lectins. Besides other lectins which recognized larval surfaces, a-L-fucose-specific lectins (LTA, UEA-I) and (GlcNAcfll —>4)„-spccific WGA bound very strong to certain stages. The comparison of mature intrasporocystic cercariae with those emerged from snails brought the indication that some snail glycosylated molecules adhere to the surface of schistosome larvae or that emerged cercariae express some new carbohydrate epitopes under changed environmental conditions. The result partially supports the theory of parasite mimicry/masking strategies and immune evasion in the host.
The fads2 gene encoding Δ6-desaturase, the rate-limiting enzyme of the LCPUFA biosynthesis is expressed in astrocytes. Dietary fatty acids, which cross the blood-brain barrier, may regulate the transcription of lipogenic enzymes through activation of transcription factors such as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs). The PPARs form the transcription complex with retinoid X receptors (RXRs) that are activated by 9-cis retinoic acid, a metabolite of vitamin A (VA). The study examines whether challenge of astrocytes with VA, prior 24-h treatment with palmitic acid (PA), α-linolenic acid (ALA) or docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) has the effect on the FADS2 expression. RT-qPCR showed that in astrocytes not challenged with VA, PA increased fads2 gene expression and DHA decreased it. However, in VA-primed astrocytes, PA doubled the FADS2 mRNA levels, while DHA increased fads2 gene expression, oppositely to non-primed cells. Furthermore, similar changes were seen in VA-primed astrocytes with regard to Δ6-desaturase protein levels following PA and DHA treatment. ALA did not have any effect on the FADS2 mRNA and protein levels in either VA-primed or non-primed astrocytes. These findings indicate that in the presence of vitamin A, DHA upregulates fads2 gene expression in astrocytes., B. Dziedzic, D. Bewicz-Binkowska, E. Zgorzynska, D. Stulczewski, L. Wieteska, B. Kaza, A.Walczewska., and Obsahuje bibliografii
The aim of our work was to provide data from women of fertile age with type 1 diabetes mellitus about the endogenous androgens and on their relations to the parameters of diabetes control. Forty-two women were examined, they did not use contraceptives for at least three months prior to the examination. A multivariate regression analysis showed that the daily insulin dose, the fasting glycemia and the HbA1c values and patient´s age correlated negatively with dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, dehydroepiandrosterone and prolactin levels. The testosterone/ dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate ratio correlated positively with daily insulin dose and patient´s age. In contrast to adrenal androgens the values of other hormones, including total and free testosterone, androstenedione, dihydrotestosterone, estradiol, LH, FSH, 17-OH-P, progesterone and cortisol revealed no significant correlation. To conclude, significant relations between the glucose control parameters and the adrenal androgens and prolactin were demonstrated. These relationships should be considered as an important factor influencing diabetes control so the additional cardiovascular risk in women with DM1., H. Kvasnickova, R. Hampl, K. Vondra., and Obsahuje bibliografii
We have examined the changes of intercellular electrical coupling protein connexin-43 (Cx43) and of PKC-ε in heart atria of diabetic rats and/or after the treatment with triiodothyronine (T3 ). Diabetes was induced in Wistar-Kyoto rats by streptozotocin (50 mg/kg, i.v.) and atria were examined after 5 (acute stage) and 10 (chronic stage) weeks. T 3 (10 μg/100 g/day) was applied via a gastric tube for the last 10 days prior to the end of the experiments to non-diabetic and to the half of diabetic rats. Expression and phosphorylated status of Cx43, as well as expression of PKC-ε , were analyzed by Western blots using mouse monoclonal anti-Cx43 and rabbit polyclonal anti-PKC-ε antibodies. We found that the Cx43 expression was significantly increased after the treatment with T3 and in the acute diabetes. Both in diabetes and after T3 treatment the phosphorylation of Cx43 isoforms was markedly suppressed compared to the non-diabetic and T3-untreated controls. Such a down-regulation was less pronounced in diabetic rats after the T3-treatment. The expression of atrial PKC-ε was increased in diabetic rats. This increase was suppressed after T3 administration and the expression was decreased in T3-treated non-diabetic rats. We suggest that the reduced Cx43 phosphorylation in diabetic and hyperthyroid rats can deteriorate a cell-to-cell coupling and consequently facilitate a development of atrial tachyarrhythmia in diabetic or hyperthyroid animals., M. Mitašíková ... [et al.]., and Obsahuje seznam literatury
Diabetes mellitus a karcinom pankreatu vytvářejí oboustranný vztah, přičemž jedno primární onemocnění může ovlivnit rozvoj druhého. V přehledu jsou uvedeny patogenetické mechanizmy, které se podílejí na jejich vzájemném působení. Časná diagnostika je cestou ke zlepšení prognózy pacientů s maligním nádorem. Léčba diabetu antidiabetiky poskytuje rozdílná rizika rozvoje karcinomu pankreatu, ale mnoho poznatků stále ještě chybí., Diabetes mellitus and pancreatic cancer establish both-side relationship, one disease may have influence a development of the other. Pathogenic mechanisms sharing their relationship are overviewed. Early diagnosis may contribute to better prognosis of the patients with malign tumor. The treatment by antidiabetic drugs offer to diabetic patients different risks of pancreatic cancer but lots of data are still lacking., and Jan Škrha, Pavel Škrha, Přemysl Frič
Karcinom pankreatu je nádorové onemocnění se špatnou prognózou. V minulosti byl pozorován jeho zvýšený výskyt u pacientů s diabetes mellitus. Nicméně dosud není zcela jasné, jestli je diabetes rizikovým faktorem nádorové transformace nebo jestli vzniká až druhotně v souvislosti s nádorem. Klíčem úspěchu onkologické léčby je časná detekce karcinomu k provedení pankreatektomie – dosud jediné možné kurativní terapie. K tomu je potřeba časných diagnostických markerů. Klíčová slova: diabetes mellitus – karcinom pankreatu – pankreatektomie, Pancreatic cancer is a malignancy with a poor prognosis. Its increased incidence was observed in diabetic patients in the past. However, there is no evidence, whether diabetes is a risk factor for neoplastic transformation, or if it arises secondarily as a result of the tumor. The key is an early detection of cancer to perform pancreatectomy – the only possible curative therapy yet. This requires early diagnostic markers. Key words: diabetes mellitus – pancreatectomy – pancreatic cancer, and Pavel Škrha