Biomedical papers, 2017 (vol. 161), issue 1

From the Editor’s Desk

Alexander Oulton

Biomed Pap Med Fac Univ Palacky Olomouc Czech Repub. 2017, 161(1)  

Models for the study of skin wound healing. The role of Nrf2 and NF-κB

Nikola Ambrozova, Jitka Ulrichova, Adela Galandakova

Biomed Pap Med Fac Univ Palacky Olomouc Czech Repub. 2017, 161(1):1-13 | DOI: 10.5507/bp.2016.063  

This review covers the role of Nrf2 and NF-κB during the skin restoration process and evaluates whether they can be used as markers.

Acute aorta, overview of acute CT findings and endovascular treatment options

Marie Cerna, Martin Kocher, Rohit Philip Thomas

Biomed Pap Med Fac Univ Palacky Olomouc Czech Repub. 2017, 161(1):14-23 | DOI: 10.5507/bp.2016.060  

Acute aortic syndrome (aortic dissection, intramural hematoma, penetrating aortic ulcer), impending rupture, aortic aneurysm rupture and aortic trauma are life- threatening conditions that require immediate diagnosis and treatment. The basic diagnostic method is CT angiography with typical findings. Endovascular treatment is increasingly indicated for acute aortic pathologies.

Ischemic stroke in paediatrics - narrative review of the literature and two cases

Jozef Klucka, Petr Stourac, Roman Stoudek, Michaela Toukalkova, Hana Harazim, Martina Kosinova, Alena Stouracova, Andrej Mrlian, Petr Suk, Jan Malaska

Biomed Pap Med Fac Univ Palacky Olomouc Czech Repub. 2017, 161(1):24-30 | DOI: 10.5507/bp.2016.053  

Although intravenous and mechanical thrombectomy are currently not recommended as a standard treatment for paediatric patients with stroke, increasing evidence shows that in selected cases these therapeutic options can reduce morbidity and mortality.

Adipokines and cardiovascular disease: A comprehensive review

Ales Smekal, Jan Vaclavik

Biomed Pap Med Fac Univ Palacky Olomouc Czech Repub. 2017, 161(1):31-40 | DOI: 10.5507/bp.2017.002  

This is a review of the cardiovascular effects of adipokines with a focus on both the positive and negative actions of omentin, apelin, adiponectin, leptin, visfatin, resistin and adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein.

Chemokines in tumor proximal fluids

Jaromír Kotyza

Biomed Pap Med Fac Univ Palacky Olomouc Czech Repub. 2017, 161(1):41-49 | DOI: 10.5507/bp.2016.062  

Specific chemotactic cytokines implicated in the pathogenesis of malignant processes are also detected in tumor-adjoining fluids in concentrations reflecting disease severity. Tumor-specific chemokines and their cognate receptors represent potential targets for antitumor therapy.

Thrombin generation - a potentially useful biomarker of thrombotic risk in Philadelphia-negative myeloproliferative neoplasms

Romeo-Gabriel Mihaila

Biomed Pap Med Fac Univ Palacky Olomouc Czech Repub. 2017, 161(1):50-53 | DOI: 10.5507/bp.2016.064  

Philadelphia-negative chronic myeloproliferative neoplasia patients have an increased risk of thrombotic events. The risk is assessed using various scoring systems but these are far from ideal. Thrombin generation reflects more accurately the balance between pro- and anti-coagulant factors in these patients compared to routine tests for coagulation.

A patient called Medical Research

Tomas Furst, Jan Strojil

Biomed Pap Med Fac Univ Palacky Olomouc Czech Repub. 2017, 161(1):54-57 | DOI: 10.5507/bp.2017.005  

The authors argue that a significant reproducibility crisis is under way in medical research. Two causes are discussed, perverse incentives and inapropriate statistics, and a way forward is offered.

Starvation- and antibiotics-induced formation of persister cells in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Patrik Mlynarcik, Milan Kolar

Biomed Pap Med Fac Univ Palacky Olomouc Czech Repub. 2017, 161(1):58-67 | DOI: 10.5507/bp.2016.057  

This papers provides insight into the persister formation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa which is an important nosocomial pathogen. The study confirms that this phenotype can be affected by stringent response, nutrient deprivation (serine starvation) and general stress response.

Clinical correlates of B-type natriuretic peptide monitoring in outpatients with left ventricular assist device

Marketa Hegarova, Milos Kubanek, Ivan Netuka, Jiri Maly, Zora Dorazilova, Tomas Gazdic, Janka Franekova, Vera Lanska, Vojtech Melenovsky, Josef Kautzner, Ivan Malek

Biomed Pap Med Fac Univ Palacky Olomouc Czech Repub. 2017, 161(1):68-74 | DOI: 10.5507/bp.2017.003  

The first report on serial BNP monitoring in out-patients with a continuous-flow LVAD. BNP changes allow identification of clinical events with the need for further diagnostic and therapeutic interventions.

Quality of life in patients with gastroschisis is comparable with the general population: A questionnaire survey

Barbora Frybova, Alena Kokesova, Daniela Zemkova, Vladimir Mixa, Radovan Vlk, Michal Rygl

Biomed Pap Med Fac Univ Palacky Olomouc Czech Repub. 2017, 161(1):75-79 | DOI: 10.5507/bp.2016.059  

A survey questionnaire study of neonates with gastroschisis gives unique feedback on their somatic growth and quality of life.

Prospective study of hypothalamo-hypophyseal dysfunction in children and adolescents following traumatic brain injury

David Krahulik, Darina Aleksijevic, Vratislav Smolka, Eva Klaskova, Petra Venhacova, Miroslav Vaverka, Vladimir Mihal, Jirina Zapletalova

Biomed Pap Med Fac Univ Palacky Olomouc Czech Repub. 2017, 161(1):80-85 | DOI: 10.5507/bp.2016.047  

This article is on risk factors associated with hormone dysfunction after traumatic brain injury in children.

Vaginal use of micronized progesterone for luteal support.A randomized study comparing Utrogestan® and Crinone® 8%

Lucie Michnova, Jiri Dostal, Milan Kudela, Petr Hamal, Katerina Langova

Biomed Pap Med Fac Univ Palacky Olomouc Czech Repub. 2017, 161(1):86-91 | DOI: 10.5507/bp.2017.007  

The authors compared the efficiency, safety and tolerance of two types of vaginal micronized progesterone for luteal phase support in a randomized prospective study. The efficacy of Utrogestan and Crinone 8% for luteal support was evaluated by fertilization, implantation, pregnancy and take-home baby rate. The safety of the medicaments was compared through the results of vaginal findings and vaginal inflammation markers before and after the treatment.

Serum levels of soluble adhesion molecules in newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia and in complete remission suggest endothelial cell activation by myeloblasts

Tomas Kupsa, Jan Vanek, Pavel Zak, Ladislav Jebavy, Jan M. Horacek

Biomed Pap Med Fac Univ Palacky Olomouc Czech Repub. 2017, 161(1):92-99 | DOI: 10.5507/bp.2016.054  

Cytokine and soluble adhesion molecule levels correlate in active AML and in remission. Some correlations were restricted to active AML, some were ubiquitous and some were found in remission. In active AML, the correlations of E-SEL and VCAM-1 with leukocyte count and correlation of E-SEL and P-SEL suggest activation of endothelial cells in the presence of myeloblasts. Adhesion of myeloblasts to marrow stromal cells or activated endothelial cells contributes significantly to resistance to common therapies.

The natural evolution of idiophatic epimacular membrane

Libor Hejsek, Alexandr Stepanov, Alena Dohnalova, Tereza Rehakova, Nada Jiraskova

Biomed Pap Med Fac Univ Palacky Olomouc Czech Repub. 2017, 161(1):100-106 | DOI: 10.5507/bp.2016.065  

In this study we evaluated the natural course of idiopathic epimacular membranes in 49 patients (53 eyes) and in the absence of any clear signs of ERM progression. The conclusion is that one can safely postpone the decision whether to perform PPV.

Novel missense variant of CACNA1A gene in a Slovak family with episodic ataxia type 2

Andrea Petrovicova, Miroslav Brozman, Egon Kurca, Tibor Gobo, Jana Dluha, Klaudia Kalmarova, Vladimir Nosal, Martina Hikkelova, Adriana Krajciova, Tatiana Burjanivova, Stefan Sivak

Biomed Pap Med Fac Univ Palacky Olomouc Czech Repub. 2017, 161(1):107-110 | DOI: 10.5507/bp.2016.066  

The authors describe a novel variant p.Glu1755Gly of alpha-1A subunit of the voltage-dependent P/Q-type calcium channel in a Slovak three-generation family with recurrent episodes of ataxia.

Evaluation of the WinROP system for identifying retinopathy of prematurity in Czech preterm infants

Juraj Timkovic, Martina Pokryvkova, Katerina Janurova, Denisa Barinova, Renata Polackova, Petr Masek

Biomed Pap Med Fac Univ Palacky Olomouc Czech Repub. 2017, 161(1):111-116 | DOI: 10.5507/bp.2016.061  

The effectiveness of the WinROP system was tested in a population of 445 prematurely born infants from the Czech Republic. WinROP proved to be a valuable tool as it correctly identified all 24 patients who developed Type 1 or Type 2 ROP requiring or potentially requiring intervention.