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
Cíl práce: Lipoperoxidace je dávána do příčinné souvislosti s rozvojem nejdůležitějších rizikových faktorů kardiovaskulárních onemocnění. Lipoperoxidační procesy jsou důsledkem reakcí lipidů s volnými radikály bez ohledu na jejich původ. Vztah mezi triacylglyceroly (TAG) a volnými radikály (VR) není zcela jasný. Může se dokonce stát, že hypertriacylglycerolémie je doprovázena nízkými koncentracemi VR a naopak. Jedno z možných vysvětlení spočívá ve vztahu lipoperoxidace a složení mastných kyselin v molekulách TAG. Cílem této studie bylo analyzovat vztah složení mastných kyselin v TAG a produkci VR u pacientů trpících diabetes mellitus 2. typu. Typ studie: observační s kontrolní skupinou Materiál a metody: Studie zahrnovala 18 normotriacylglycerolemických (NTG) jedinců (M/F 12/6) a 24 hypertriacylglycerolemických (HTG) jedinců (M/F 16/8). Pacienti v obou skupinách byli diabetici 2. typu. Analýzu mastných kyselin v triacylglycerolech plazmy jsme provedli kapilární plynovou chromatografií a koncentrace volných radikálů byly změřeny přímou spektrofotometrií. Statistické analýzy (parametrické i neparametrické) byly provedeny pomocí statistického software STATISTICA pro Windows. Výsledky: Ve skupině HTG jsme pozorovali nižší zastoupení kyseliny myristové (14:0) (1.62 [1.23-2.07] vs. 1.90 [1.72-2.79], p = 0.022, [medián (1.-3. kvartil]) a vyšší poměr alfa-linolenové kyseliny (18:3n-3) (1.51 [1.21-1.86] vs 1.16 [1.02-1.42], p = 0.021). Poměr kyselin arachidonové/eikosapentaenové byl ve skupině HTG nižší (5.54 [3.62-7.98] vs 7.25 [5.98-15.12], p = 0.027). Když jsme HTG skupinu dále rozdělili podle koncentrací VR na tercily, prokázali jsme nižší hodnoty poměru kyseliny arachidonová/eikosapentaenová ve druhém tercilu (4.05 [2.66-4.67] vs 7.64 [5.83-11.00], 1. tercil, a 6.21 [3.20-8.31], 3. tercil p = 0.019). V spojených HTG+NTG skupinách jsme zaznamenali negativní korelaci mezi MA a TAG (r = -0.3153, p = 0.045). V triaclylglycerolech jsme prokázali pozitivní korelace VR a kyseliny stearové (p < 0.001) spolu s negativní korelací některých n-6 vícenenasycených mastných kyselin (18:3n-6, p < 0.05, 22:5n-6, p < 0.01). Závěr: Zastoupení mastných kyselin v molekulách TAG je spojeno s tvorbou VR. Nicméně do tohoto vztahu vstupují i jiné faktory., Objective: The lipoperoxidation plays a causal role in the development of most important risk factors of cardiovascular disease. The lipoperoxidation results from the reaction of lipid molecules with free radicals, regardless of their origin. The relationship between triacylglycerols (TAG) and the free radicals (FR) amount is not clear. Thus, it can turn up that the hypertriacylglyceridaemia is accompanied with the low values of FR, or vice versa. One possible explanation of this phenomenon is that the degree of lipoperoxidation of TAG is dependent on the composition of fatty acids (FA) in their molecule. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyze FA composition in TAG and its relationship to FR production in type 2 diabetes mellitus. Design: observational study with internal control group Material and Methods: 18 normotriacylglycerolemic (NTG) individuals (12M/6F) and 24 hypertriacylglycerolemic (HTG) patients (16M/8F). Patients in both groups were persons, suffering from type 2 diabetes mellitus. Fatty acid analysis of plasma triacylglycerols was performed by gas chromatography and free radicals were determined by direct spectrophotometric method. Statistical analyses (both parametric and non-parametric) were performed with the statistical software STATISTICA for Windows. Results: We found lower content of myristic acid (14:0) (1.62 [1.23-2.07] vs. 1.90 [1.72-2.79], p = 0.022, [median (1st-3rd quartile)]) and higher content of alpha-linolenic acid (18:3n-3) (1.51 [1.21-1.86] vs. 1.16 [1.02-1.42], p = 0.021) in HTG group. The ratio of arachidonic/eicosapentaenoic acid was in HTG group lower (5.54 [3.62-7.98] vs. 7.25 [5.98-15.12], p = 0.027). When the HTG group was stratified into the tertiles by the FR concentrations, we observed lower values in the second tertile for ratios based on arachidonic acid (20:4n-6) and eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5n-3) (4.05 [2.66-4.67] vs. 7.64 [5.83-11.00], 1st tertile, and 6.21 [3.20-8.31], 3rd tertile, p = 0.019). In pooled groups, we proved negative correlation between MA and TAG (r = -0.3153, p = 0.045) and the link between FR and FA composition of TAG expressed as positive relationship of FR with content of stearic acid (p < 0.001) and negative correlation with some n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (18:3n-6, p < 0.05, 22:5n-6, p < 0.01). Conclusion: The composition of FA in TAG molecules has undoubtedly some relationship to the FR generation. However, the other factors seem to play a role, since the relationship is not straightforward within entire FR range., and Vecka M., Tvrzická E., Votruba M.
Wound healing is a complex physiological process important for tissue homeostasis. An acute injury initiates massive cell migration, proliferation and differentiation, synthesis of extracellular matrix components, scar formation and remodelling. Blood flow and tissue oxygenation are parts of the complex regulation of healing. Higher organisms utilize molecular oxygen as a terminal oxidant. This way of gaining energy for vital processes such as healing leads to the production of a number of oxygen compounds that may have a defensive or informatory role. They may be harmful when present in high concentrations. Both the lack and the excess of reactive oxygen species may influence healing negatively., Jiří Kanta, and Literatura 6
Cíl studie: Cílem studie bylo zjištění vztahů mezi manifestací tinnitu, nálezem na sluchových evokovaných potenciálech a genetickým pozadím u receptoru pro gamaaminomáselnou kyselinu typu A (GABA(A) receptor), podporující desinhibiční hypotézu vzniku tinnitu. Soubor a metodika: Bylo vyšetřeno 131 pacientů z hlediska sluchové ztráty, provedena kvantifikace tinnitu, sluchové evokované potenciály střední latence (MLR) a kmenové sluchové evokované potenciály (BAEP) a dále stanovení genotypu (CA)n repetitivní sekvence pro beta‑3 podjednotku GABA(A) receptoru. Následně byly hledány vztahy mezi jednotlivými výsledky a manifestací tinnitu. Výsledky: Byla nalezena korelace tinnitus skóre s amplitudovým poměrem vln V/III v BAEP (R = 0,22, p < 0,001) a s průměrným sluchovým prahem (R = 0,22, p = 0,17). Rovněž byla nalezena korelace tinnitus skóre s amplitudou vlny PA v MLR (R = 0,31–0,37; p < 0,001). Výsledky MLR neukázaly žádný vztah k průměrnému sluchovému prahu. U skupiny s kratší anamnézou tinnitu (méně než devět měsíců) byl prokázán rozdíl v manifestaci tinnitu na genotypu pro (CA)n repetitivní sekvenci genu pro beta‑3 podjednotku GABA(A) receptoru (p = 0,002). Tento výsledek byl rovněž konzistentní s rozložením amplitudy vlny PA v dané subpopulaci. Závěr: Tyto výsledky svědčí o existenci dvou hlavních regulačních mechanizmů vzniku tinnitu: první, který je závislý na velikosti sluchové ztráty, je na úrovni mozkového kmene, zatímco druhý je na úrovni korové s možnou souvislostí s genotypem (CA)n repetitivní sekvence pro beta‑3 podjednotku GABA(A) receptoru., Study aim:Study objective was to explore associations between manifestation of tinnitus, auditory evoked potentials and genetic background of gamma‑aminobutyric acid type A (GABA(A) receptors) to support the disinhibited feedback hypothesis of tinnitus generation. Materials and methods: A population of 131 patients was assessed for severity of hearing loss, quantification of tinnitus, mid‑latency responses (MLR) and brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAEP), and (CA)n tandem repeat polymorphism in GABA(A) Beta‑3 subunit gene to establish any correlation with manifestation of tinnitus. Results: It was observed that tinnitus score correlates with V/III amplitude ratio in BAEP (R = 0.22, p < 0.001) and with mean pure tone audiometry (PTA) threshold (R = 0.22, p = 0.017). Analysis of the MLR results showed a significant correlation between the PA wave amplitude and the tinnitus score (R = 0.31–0.37; p < 0.001). MLR result analysis showed no statistically significant correlation between the wave amplitudes and the mean auditory threshold. An analysis of a subgroup with shorter clinical history (less than nine months) revealed a statistically significant difference in the tinnitus score in relation to the genotype of (CA)n tandem repeat of the GABRß3 receptor subunit gene (p = 0.002). This result was also consistent with the distribution of the PA wave amplitude in the given subpopulation. Conclusion: Our findings indicate existence of two main regulatory mechanisms of tinnitus generation: first, the brainstem mechanism is dependent on the severity of the hearing loss; second, the cortical mechanism is likely to be dependent on the genotype of (CA)n tandem repeat in GABA(A) beta‑3 subunit gene., and J. Rottenberg, M. Zallmann, R. Kostrica, M. Jurajda, T. Talach
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
Cíl: Cílem práce bylo vyhledat důkazy na podporu intervence žvýkaní žvýkačky v pooperační péči u pacientů podstupujících operační výkon v břišní dutině ke snížení rizika paralytického pooperačního ileu, a to snížením času do prvního odchodu větrů a času do první stolice. Metodika: Za účelem nalezení důkazů pro použití žvýkaní žvýkačky v pooperační péči u pacientů podstupujících operační výkon v břišní dutině jako strategie na snižení rizika paralytického pooperačního ileu (snížením času do prvního odchodu větrů a času do první stolice) byl proveden přehled vybraných metaanalýz a randomizovaných kontrolovaných studií (RCT). Vyhledávání probíhalo v následujících databázích: OVID Medline®, CINAHL, and PubMed. Vyhledávání se zaměřilo na publikace v anglickém jazyce v recenzovaných časopisech v období 2002 až 2012. Z metaanalýz byl abstrahován rozdíl vážených průměrů (weighted mean difference) jako míra účinku (effect size) žvýkaní žvýkačky na čas do prvního odchodu větrů a na čas do první stolice. Z výsledků randomizovaných kontrolovaných studií bylo vypočítáno Cohenovo d (effect sizes) na určení míry účinku (effect size) žvýkání žvýkačky na čas do prvního odchodu větrů a na čas do první stolice. Na znázornění míry účinku (effect size) z RTC byly vytvořeny grafy (forest plots). Výsledky: Ke kritickému zhodnocení byly vybrány čtyři randomizované kontrolované studie a dvě metaanalýzy. Všech šest studií prokázalo statisticky významný a velmi velký až střední učinek na čas do prvního odchodu větrů a na čas do první stolice. Na základě míry ůčinků (effect sizes) byl vyvozen závěr, že žvýkaní žvýkačky v pooperačním období klinicky významně zkracuje čas do prvního odchodu větrů a čas do první stolice. Závěr: Silné důkazy podporují žvýkaní žvýkačky v pooperační péči u pacientů podstupujících operační výkon v břišní dutině, co vede ke snížení rizika paralytického pooperačního ileu, a to snížením času do prvního odchodu větrů a času do první stolice., Aim: The aim of the paper was to search for evidence that the use of gum chewing in the postoperative care of patients who had undergone abdominal surgery decreases the risk of paralytic postoperative ileus by significantly reducing the time to first flatus and time to first bowel movement. Methods: A literature review of selected meta-analyses and randomized control trials (RCT) was conducted to find the evidence that the use of gum chewing in the postoperative care of patients who had undergone abdominal surgery decreases the risk of paralytic postoperative ileus expressed as the time to first flatus and time to first bowel movement. The following databases were searched: OVID Medline®, CINAHL, and PubMed. The search focused on material published in English in peer-reviewed journals between the years 2002 and 2012. Weighted mean difference was the effect size abstracted from the meta-analyses of gum chewing on time to first flatus and time to first bowel movement. From the RCT, Cohen’s d effect sizes were calculated to determine the strength of the gum chewing intervention on time to first flatus and time to first bowel movement. Forest plots were created to present the effect sizes from the RCT. Results: Four randomized controlled trials and two meta-analyses were selected and critically appraised. All six studies concluded that gum chewing has a statistically significant and very large to medium effect on time to first flatus and time to first bowel movement. Based on the effect sizes, the conclusion was drawn that chewing gum during the postoperative period leads to a clinically significant reduction in time to passage of first flatus and time to first bowel movement. Conclusion: Strong evidence supports the use of gum chewing in postoperative care of patients who have undergone abdominal surgery to reduce the risk of paralytic postoperative ileus., and Renáta Zeleníková, Anthony Chao, Gloria Enright, Mary Rogers Schubert, Kaitlin Shotsberger, Cecelia Wise, Elizabeth A. Schlenk
Rubber dam is considered an ideal device for tooth isolation. Nevertheless, its usage is quite rare in the Czech Republic. The aim of this study was: firstly, to gather and evaluate information regarding the use of rubber dam by dentists in the Czech Republic and to compare it with other countries; secondly to find out whether there are any influencing factors as to rubber dam usage; and finally to find out frequency of rubber dam use separately in endodontic treatment and in placing fillings of different materials. A questionnaire-based survey was conducted. Dentists filled in the questionnaires during dental conventions, educational events, conferences and congresses. Rubber dam was routinely used by less than eight per cent of the respondents (n = 35); less than twenty-two per cent of the respondents (n = 97) used rubber dam occasionally, and more than seventy per cent of the respondents (n = 317) has never use it. The results showed that rubber dam is not used frequently in the Czech Republic. If rubber dam is used, then it is typically for endodontic treatment or composite fillings. There were several factors with a statistically significant influence on the usage of rubber dam, such as gender, length of professional career, percentage of direct payments, previous experience in using rubber dam, and undergraduate training in rubber dam use., Martin Kapitán, Zdeňka Šustová, and Literatura 22
Introduction: Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is an inflammatory rheumatic disease characterized by the development of osteoproductive changes in the spine which could possibly result in ankylosis. Treatment with tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) inhibitors has proved to be an important step forward in the treatment of this disease, but for the time being it is not clear whether it favourably influences radiographic progression of the disease. Vascular endothelial growth factor most probably plays a role in the development of osteoproductive changes and recently its predictive influence on radiographic progression has been demonstrated. Bone morphogenic protein 2 (BMP-2) participates in the regulation of bone proliferation and its increased serum level has been demonstrated in patients with advanced AS and correlated with the degree of radiographic changes. Aim: The study aims to evaluate the VEGF and BMP-2 levels in patients with ankylosing spondylitis and how these levels relate to the concurrent treatment with TNFα inhibitors. Methods: Sera were evaluated from patients at the Rheumatologic Clinic of the Hradec Králové Faculty Hospital who fulfilled the modified New York Criteria for AS (n = 55). In these patients, the parameters of the activity of the disease (BASDAI = Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index, CRP = C-reactive protein) and the concurrent therapy (TNFα inhibitors, n = 21, vs. non-anti TNFα, n = 34) were recorded. The levels of VEGF and BMP-2 were analyzed using the ELISA method. Results: In patients treated with TNFα inhibitors, a significantly lower VEGF level was found when compared to untreated patients (140.3 (109.4; 262.2) vs. 261 (172.4; 396.6) pg/ml; p = 0.02). No difference was found between BMP-2 levels in both groups (treated vs. untreated patients) (254.8 (2301; 267.3) vs. 261.1 (248.6; 273.5) pg/ml; p = 0.24). A correlation analysis did not reveal any relationship between VEG F and BMP-2 (r = 0.057; p = 0.68). Serum levels of VEGF correlated with serum levels of CRP (r = 0.56; p = 0.00001) and the BASDAI value (r = 0.33; p = 0.015). Conclusion: Significantly lower VEGF levels were found in patients treated with TNFα inhibitors versus the untreated patients. These findings are in harmony with some hitherto published analyses and may give evidence of a favourable effect of TNFα inhibitors on radiographic progression. Neither influence on the BMP-2 level by treatment with TNFα inhibitors nor correlation with VEGF levels was demonstrated. and M. Tošovský, P. Bradna, C. Andrýs, K. Andrýsová, E. Čermáková, T. Soukup
BACKGROUND: The current treatment of hereditary hemochromatosis (HH) consists of performing periodic whole blood phlebotomies. Erythrocytapheresis (EA) can remove up to three times more red blood cells per single procedure and could thus have a clinical benefit. A prospective study of 30 consecutive cases of HH were included in a periodic EA program. METHODS AND PATIENTS: EA were performed using a discontinuous flow cell separators. The protocol consisted of a bimonthly EA until normalization of the serum ferritin was reached. The aim was to reduce the total erythrocyte volume by 25-35%, eventually, to adjust the amount so that hematocrit would not drop below 0.25. RESULTS: 530 +/- 101 ml of erythrocytes were removed (median 517, range 116-761 ml). Iron depletion (ferritin < 20 microg/l) was achieved in all patients after a mean 6.9 +/- 7.6 months, median 5 months, range 1-36 months and a mean 14 EA sessions. The procedures were well tolerated and there were no severe side-effects. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that HH patients treated with EA achieved iron depletion quickly under good conditions of tolerance. The efficacy, speed, tolerability, and more favorable schedule of an EA program facilitate treatment of HH. and V. Rehácek, M. Bláha, H. Jirousová, J. Cernohorská, P. Papousek