Exposure to hyperbaric oxygen leads to increased amount of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that are derived from various sources. After the discovery that ROS can function as signaling molecules, the idea of ROS being hazardous to biological tissues has been challenged. The aim of this study was to examine the changes in oxidative stress parameters in diabetics undergoing hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) due to foot ulcers. Twenty patients, who received HBOT for diabetic foot ulcers, were included in the study. Blood samples were taken before HBOT and 30 min after exit from the chamber, on the day of the first and the 15th HBOT sessions. They were used for the determinations of malondialdehyde (MDA), 8-isoprostane and advanced oxidation protein products (AOPPs). 8-Isoprostane and AOPP levels were not altered significantly after the first HBOT session, while both were increased on the fifteenth day (p<0.05). MDA was significantly increased only after the first HBOT session, and remained unchanged on the fifteenth day (within-day variations). Plasma AOPP levels were lowered significantly after fifteen consecutive HBOT sessions (between-day variations). Decreased AOPP levels suggest that increased oxygenation of tissues due to HBO therapy may activate some endogenous factors that prevent hazardous effects of the disease itself., F. Gürdöl, M. Cimşit, Y. Öner-İyidoğan, Ş. Körpinar, S. Yalçinkaya, H. Koçak., and Obsahuje bibliografii a bibliografické odkazy
Anthracycline cardiotoxicity represents a serious risk of anticancer chemotherapy. The aim of the present pilot study was to compare the potential of both the left ventricular (LV) filling pattern evaluation and cardiac troponin T (cTnT) plasma levels determination for the early detection of daunorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity in rabbits. The echocardiographic measurements of transmitral LV inflow as well as cTnT determinations were performed weekly for 10 weeks in daunorubicin (3 mg/kg weekly) and control groups (n=5, each). Surprisingly, no significant changes in LV-filling pattern were observed through the study, most likely due to the xylazine-containing anesthesia, necessary for appropriate resolving of the E and A waves. In contrast to the echographic measurement, the dP/dt min index obtained invasively at the end of the study revealed a significant im pairment in LV relaxation, which was further supported by observed disturbances in myocardial collagen content and calcium homeostasis. However, at the same time cTnT plasma levels were progressively rising in the daunorubicin-treated animals from the 5th week (0.024±0.008 μg/l) until the end of the experiment (0.186±0.055 μg/l). Therefore, in contrast to complicated non-invasive evaluation of diastolic function, cTnT is shown to be an early and sensitive marker of anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity in the rabbit model., M. Štěrba, T. Šimůnek, O. Popelová, A. Potáčová, M. Adamcová, Y. Mazurová, M. Holečková, V. Geršl., and Obsahuje bibliografii a bibliografické odkazy
Efficient degradation of damaged D1 during the repair of PSII is carried out by a set of dedicated FtsH proteases in the thylakoid membrane. Here we investigated whether the evolution of FtsH could hold clues to the origin of oxygenic photosynthesis. A phylogenetic analysis of over 6000 FtsH protease sequences revealed that there are three major groups of FtsH proteases originating from gene duplication events in the last common ancestor of bacteria, and that the FtsH proteases involved in PSII repair form a distinct clade branching out before the divergence of FtsH proteases found in all groups of anoxygenic phototrophic bacteria. Furthermore, we showed that the phylogenetic tree of FtsH proteases in phototrophic bacteria is similar to that for Type I and Type II reaction centre proteins. We conclude that the phylogeny of FtsH proteases is consistent with an early origin of photosynthetic water oxidation chemistry., S. Shao, T. Cardona, P. J. Nixon., and Obsahuje bibliografické odkazy
Early development of the coccidium Sarcocystis muriviperae Matuschka, Heydom, Mehlhom, Abd-Al-Aal, Diesing et Bichler, 1987 is described from experimentally infected white mice fed sporocysts from naturally infected Vipera palaestinae and Coluber jugularis. Although the course of infection was similar, mice infected with the sporocysts from the first host survived an inoculum of up to 200,000 sporocysts, while others infected with the second, succumbed to inocula exceeding 40,000 sporocysts in 7-10 days post infection (p,i,). Histological and ultrastructural studies revealed merogony in the hepatocytes during days 7-10 p.i. and onset of sarcocyst development by days 19-21 p.i. The livers of infected mice are grossly enlarged and of a mottled whitish colour due to severe neutrophil inflammatory infiltration, apparently stimulated by host cell residues or from defunct disaggregating meronts at the end of the merogony cycle. Early sarcocysts undergo a further division by endopolygeny before proceeding to division by endodyogeny.
Přirozená teologie se dá defi novat jako pokus o dokázání existence Boha pozorováním přírodního světa a užíváním rozumu, aniž by bylo bráno v potaz zjevení. Mnoho teologů si patrně myslí, že rané luteránství úplně popíralo možnost přirozené teologie, a opírají se v tom o názor samotného Luthera, podle nějž lidská přirozenost byla bytostně porušena hříchem a může se naučit vědět o Bohu pouze vírou. Ani Luther, ani jeho následovníci ovšem nebyli přesvědčeni, že je třeba zcela zavrhnout přirozenou teologii. Luther si je jist, že „všichni lidé přirozeně chápou a uznávají, že Bůh je nějakým druhem dobročinné božské moci.“ Přirozené vědění získávané rozumem je porušené hříchem a je pouze „zákonným“ věděním, ale toto vědění přesto odhaluje existenci Boha a vede nás k hledání spasitelského vědění, jehož může být dosaženo vírou poskytnutou Bohem., Natural theology can be defined as an attempt of proving the existence of God through the observation of the natural world and the use of reason, without appealing to divine revelation. Many theologians seem to think that early Lutheranism completely rejected the possibility of natural theology, based largely on the view of Luther himself that the human nature has been totally corrupted by sin and can only learn to know God through faith. It was, however, neither the understanding of Luther nor his successors to completely dismiss natural theology. Indeed, Luther is sure that “all men naturally understand and come to the conclusion that God is some kind of beneficent divine power.” Surely, the natural knowledge acquired by reason is distorted by sin and is only “legal” knowledge, but this knowledge still reveals the existence of God and leads us to look for the saving knowledge that can only be attained by faith bestowed by God., and Juuso Loikkanen.
Renal sympathetic hyperactivity is critically involved in hypertension pathophysiology; renal denervation (RDN) presents a novel strategy for treatment of resistant hypertension cases. This study assessed effects of two RDN systems to detect acute intravascular, vascular and peri-vascular changes in the renal artery, and renal nerve alterations, in the sheep. The procedures using a single-point or multi-point ablation catheters, Symplicity FlexTM, Medtronic versus EnligHTNTM, St. Jude Medical were compared; the intact contralateral kidneys served as controls. Histopathological and immunohistochemical assessments were performed 48 h after RDN procedures; the kidney and suprarenal gland morphology was also evaluated. Special staining methods were applied for histologic analysis, to adequately score the injury of renal artery and adjacent renal nerves. These were more pronounced in the animals treated with the multi-point compared with the single-point catheter. However, neither RDN procedure led to complete renal nerve ablation. Forty-eight hours after the procedure no significant changes in plasma and renal tissue catecholamines were detected. The morphologic changes elicited by application of both RDN systems appeared to be dependent on individual anatomical variability of renal nerves in the sheep. Similar variability in humans may limit the therapeutic effectiveness of RDN procedures used in patients with resistant hypertension., M. Táborský, D. Richter, Z. Tonar, T. Kubíková, A. Herman, J. Peregrin, L. Červenková, Z. Husková, L. Kopkan., and Obsahuje bibliografii
This study used an experimental early rehabilitation model combining an enriched environment, multisensory (visual, acoustic and olfactory) stimulation and motor training after traumatic brain injury (via fluid-percussion model) to simulate early multisensory rehabilitation. This therapy will be used by brain injured patients to improve neural plasticity and to restore brain integration functions. Motor dysfunction was evaluated using a composite neuroscore test. Direct structural effects of traumatic brain injury were examined using Fluoro-Jade staining, which allows identification of degenerating neural cell bodies and processes. Animals in the rehabilitation model group performed significantly better when tested for neuromotor function than the animals in standard housing in the 7-day and 15-day interval after injury (7d: p=0.005; 15d: p<0.05). Statistical analysis revealed significantly lower numbers of Fluoro-Jade positive cells (degenerating neurons) in the rehabilitation model group (n=5: mean 13.4) compared to the standard housing group (n=6: mean 123.8) (p<0.005). It appears that the housing of animals in the rehabilitation model led to a clear functional increase in neuromotor functions and to reduced neural loss compared with the animal group in standard housing., M. Lippert-Grüner. M. Maegele, J. Pokorný, D. N. Angelov, O. Švestková, M. Wittner, S. Trojan., and Obsahuje bibliografii a bibliografické odkazy
Úvod: Léčba intratékálním baklofenem (ITB) kontinuálně pomocí pumpových systémů je důležitou léčebnou modalitou u nemocných s těžkou spasticitou, která již nezabírá na perorální léky nebo když se objeví výrazné nežádoucí účinky. Tato metoda je relativně velmi bezpečná, přesto se ale mohou vyskytnout komplikace spojené s touto léčbou. Nejčastěji se objevují komplikace spojené s implantací systému. Jde zejména o problémy s katétrem. Rotace pumpy je extrémně vzácnou komplikací a její výskyt je méně než 0,3 %. Kazuistika: U 74leté ženy s těžkou spasticitou po chronickém míšním poranění ve výši Th9 byla úspěšné provedena implantace baklofenové pumpy (Medtronic, Synchromed II). Pacienka měla bezprostřední úlevu se snížením spasticity již na dávce baklofenu 100 ?g/den. Na první ambulantní kontrole se opakovaně nezdařilo doplnit rezervoár pumpy. Bylo vysloveno podezření na její rotaci. Pacientka byla okamžitě odeslána na rentgenologické vyšetření, kde bylo potvrzeno přetočení pumpy o 180 stupňů. Tentýž den byla pacienta v lokální anestezii operována, pumpa byla otočena a důkladně zafixována stehy. Vzhledem k rychlé revizi se u pacientky nerozvinul syndrom z náhlého odnětí baklofenu při prázdném rezervoáru pumpy. Závěr: Rotace pumpy je vzácná komplikace léčby ITB. Je nutné okamžité vyřešení tohoto problému, neboť hrozí rozvoj abstinenčního syndromu z náhlého odnětí baklofenu. Léčbu ITB je třeba provádět v centrech se specializovanou péčí o tyto pacienty. Klíčová slova: spasticita – intratékální baklofen – pumpové systémy – komplikace – selhání pumpy – abstinenční syndrom – kazuistika Autoři deklarují, že v souvislosti s předmětem studie nemají žádné komerční zájmy. Redakční rada potvrzuje, že rukopis práce splnil ICMJE kritéria pro publikace zasílané do biomedicínských časopisů., Background: Intrathecal baclofen (ITB) delivered by programmable pump devices represents an important modality for long‑term treatment of severe spasticity when resistance to oral drugs and/or their severe side effects may occur. Despite generally favorable outcomes and relative safety of this method, complications associated with ITB can be observed. The most common problems include surgery‑related complications resulting from system implantation, including catheter failure. Pump rotation is a rare complication with incidence less than 0.3%. Case report: Seventy‑four‑years‑old female suffered from spasticity after chronic spinal cord injury at T9 level. e underwent successful implantation of ITB pump (Medtronic, Synchromed II) with prompt spasticity relief on baclofen dose of 100 ?g/day. During the first outpatient appointment, it was difficult to puncture and fill the reservoir with baclofen. Plain x‑ray revealed rotation of the pump with reservoir in downright position. On the same day, the patient underwent emergency surgical revision with correction of the pump position and refill of the reservoir. No baclofen withdrawal syndrome or other complications occurred and the patient recovered well. Conclusion: Pump rotation is a very unusual and rare complication of ITB treatment. Its prompt management in specialized centers can prevent an urgent situation such as acute withdrawal syndrome after sudden interruption of baclofen delive, and I. Stetkarova, L. Mencl
The long water-tube tiltmeter observations of the plumb line variations were begun about four years ago. Since 2001, twice, the instrument registered strong plumb line variations associated with earthquake. Earthquake in September 2003 made opportunity for verification of hydrodynamic system of tiltmeter. We obtained in observations large number of cycle-slip effects, which made impossible correct interpretation of data during main phase of phenomenon. Results of tests of dumping system of water waving helped us to introduce some improvements in hydrodynamic system of instrument. Catastrophic earthquake with magnitude 9.1 which took place in the area of Indian Ocean on 26th December 2004 generated phenomenon of the Earth free oscillations associated with anomalous plumb line variations of the order of single milliseconds of arc (mas). The effects of surface waves passing associated with Earth free oscillations were registered by the tiltmeter as series of anomalous plumb line variations. Surface waves produced several milliseconds of arc amplitude of plumb line variations. Results of observations showed that low-pass filters considerably reduce contribution of short-period effects and effectively protect hydrodynamic system of instrument against resonance. Nevertheless during first two hours of phenomenon cycle-slip effects occurred several times. Plot of plumb line variations in space from 26th December 2004 showed us large complication of tilt signals as well as dominated role of tidal signal. Spectral analysis of the time series of the plumb line variations obtained with help of the long water-tube tiltmeter on 26 December 2004 appeared existing fundamental modes (n = 0) in the Earth free oscillations didn’t exceed 0.2 mas., Marek Kaczorowski., and Obsahuje bibliografii