Biomedical papers, 2014 (vol. 158), issue 4
Review articles
The role of miR-29 family members in malignant hematopoiesis
Sona Kollinerova, Stefano Vassanelli, Martin Modriansky
Biomed Pap Med Fac Univ Palacky Olomouc Czech Repub. 2014, 158(4):489-501 | DOI: 10.5507/bp.2014.029 
This is an overview of proteins and/or signaling pathways influenced by members of microRNA family hsa-miR-29. As the original report was based on leukemic cells, known targets are related to malignant hematopoiesis. The general features of miR-29 effects in hematopoietic malignancies, discussed, make the microRNA, a feasible target for therapy development.
TMPRSS2-ERG gene fusion in prostate cancer
Alena Burdova, Jan Bouchal, Spiros Tavandzis, Zdenek Kolar
Biomed Pap Med Fac Univ Palacky Olomouc Czech Repub. 2014, 158(4):502-510 | DOI: 10.5507/bp.2014.065
This is a review of recent data on the most widely-spread chromosomal rearrangements in human prostate carcinomas with focus on on the diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic implications of the TMPRSS2-ERG gene fusion.
Biomarkers for the early detection of anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity: current status
Jan M. Horacek, Martina Vasatova, Radek Pudil, Milos Tichy, Pavel Zak, Martin Jakl, Ladislav Jebavy, Jaroslav Maly
Biomed Pap Med Fac Univ Palacky Olomouc Czech Repub. 2014, 158(4):511-517 | DOI: 10.5507/bp.2014.004
The article reviews the current diagnostic methods in cardiotoxicity induced by chemotherapeutic agents with focus on the use of biomarkers of cardiac injury (cardiac troponins, natriuretic peptides, perspective markers such as glycogen phosphorylase BB). The article includes the authors' own long-term experience with multiple biomarkers in the detection of cardiotoxicity.
Interventional treatment of pain in refractory angina. A review
Milos Dobias, Pavel Michalek, Petr Neuzil, Martin Stritesky, Paul Johnston
Biomed Pap Med Fac Univ Palacky Olomouc Czech Repub. 2014, 158(4):518-527 | DOI: 10.5507/bp.2014.028
This review article highlights the available methods for interventional pain management in persistent cardiac pain. Spinal cord stimulation is the most studied technique, while other methods include thoracic sympathectomy, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation and neuraxial blocks.
Management of acute basilar artery occlusion: Should any treatment strategy prevail?
Tomas Dornak, Roman Herzig, Daniel Sanak, David Skoloudik
Biomed Pap Med Fac Univ Palacky Olomouc Czech Repub. 2014, 158(4):528-534 | DOI: 10.5507/bp.2013.075
This is a summary of the efficacy of treatment methods used in acute basilar artery occlusion, a relatively infrequent cause of acute ischemic stroke associated with severe and persisting neurologic deficit and high mortality rate. Anti-thrombotics are less effective than specific reperfusion therapies including intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) and various types of intra-arterial therapy (IAT) with recanalization rates of 52 - 78 % and up to 100 %, respectively. Nevertheless, the higher recanalization rate isnot necessarily associated with better outcome, as good clinical outcome is strongly dependent on recanalization time. This time can be shortened using a bridging therapy concept, combining widely available IVT with more effective IAT.
The etiology of occupational pulmonary aluminosis - the past and the present
Petra Smolkova, Marie Nakladalova
Biomed Pap Med Fac Univ Palacky Olomouc Czech Repub. 2014, 158(4):535-538 | DOI: 10.5507/bp.2014.017
This review covers information on pulmonary aluminosis, a rare condition occurring in relation to occupational exposure to aluminium-containing dust. Various sources of exposure including specific types of aluminium compounds are described with respect to the development of knowledge on pulmonary aluminosis. The importance of prevention and exposure monitoring is emphasized.
Original contributions
Preparing compound heterozygous reference material using gene synthesis technology: a model of thrombophilic mutations
Martin Beranek, Monika Drastikova, Petr Dulicek, Vladimir Palicka
Biomed Pap Med Fac Univ Palacky Olomouc Czech Repub. 2014, 158(4):539-543 | DOI: 10.5507/bp.2014.041
We describe a novel approach to preparing reference materials containing rare gene variants using the technology of gene synthesis. Especially in cases of very low frequency alleles, the technique offers the possibility of obtaining test DNA specimens with different genotypes in a short time (several weeks). The synthetically prepared specimens could serve to shorten validation cycles, calibration procedures, and to ensure regular internal and/or inter-laboratory quality control in clinical labs. Lengths of inserted fragments (several hundreds of base pairs) would be optimal for most routinely used laboratory methods (allele specific PCR, real-time PCR, hybridization methods, amplicons sequencing, etc.). One example of G20210A mutation in the FII gene and FV G1691A mutation the authors describe is the commutability and stability of synthetically prepared FII/FV reference materials with compound heterozygous genotype.
Preclinical evaluation of gastrin derivatives labelled with 111In: Radiolabelling, affinity profile and pharmacokinetics in rats
Ludmila Melicharova, Alice Laznickova, Milan Laznicek
Biomed Pap Med Fac Univ Palacky Olomouc Czech Repub. 2014, 158(4):544-551 | DOI: 10.5507/bp.2013.064
Radiolabelled gastrin derivatives have potential application in the diagnostics and targeted therapy of various tumours, overexpressing cholecystokinin receptor subtype 2 (CCK-2). This paper presents the results of receptor affinity and internalization studies of four gastrin analogues labelled with 111In (minigastrins) into CCK-2 receptor-rich cells and compares biodistribution profiles of these agents in rats. All compounds under study exhibit high CCK-2 receptor affinity both in vitro and in vivo but their biodistribution characteristics in rats are structure-dependent.
Retinal toxicity after repeated intravitreal carboplatin injection into rabbit eyes
Pavel Pochop, Denisa Darsova, Jiri Uhlik, Jan Lestak, Jiri Kukacka, Daniela Kodetova, Eva Klapkova, Josef Malis, Ludek Vajner
Biomed Pap Med Fac Univ Palacky Olomouc Czech Repub. 2014, 158(4):552-556 | DOI: 10.5507/bp.2012.106
The aim of this study was to assess the retinal toxicity of carboplatin in a rabbit model after repeated transcorneal intravitreal administration, in order to determine the highest possible safe dose for use in human retinoblastoma "seeding" tumor chemotherapy.
Organs of BALB/c mice can be injured in course of tularemia
Oto Pavlis, Eva Kusakova, Ladislav Novotny, Miroslav Pohanka
Biomed Pap Med Fac Univ Palacky Olomouc Czech Repub. 2014, 158(4):557-561 | DOI: 10.5507/bp.2013.006
Oxidative stress is a serious consequence of many pathological conditions including infectious diseases. In this paper, the development of oxidative stress in the course of tularemia was researched in a murine model. The authors found significant evidence of oxidative imbalance and the development of oxidative stress in the organs of laboratory animals. The importance of these findings is discussed in the article.
Evaluation of a novel vascular graft with a distal bifurcation designed to reduce the development of intimal hyperplasia. Experimental study in a porcine aorta model
Robert Vlachovsky, Robert Staffa, Martin Dvorak, Michal Vlasin, Marketa Hermanova, Thomas O'Brien, Timothy McGloughlin
Biomed Pap Med Fac Univ Palacky Olomouc Czech Repub. 2014, 158(4):562-568 | DOI: 10.5507/bp.2013.021
Abnormal hemodynamics and changes in wall shear stress are commonly agreed major contributors to the development of intimal hyperplasia in anastomosis. Computational and experimental studies led to the proposal of a new vascular graft and the author s hypothesis was that thisdevice would lead to significant decrease in intimal hyperplasia development and improve patency rates. They used a porcine model but the results showed that the device has no proven in vivo application despite in vitro results showing significant hemodynamic benefits.
Acute effects of right ventricular pacing on cardiac haemodynamics and transvalvular impedance
Milos Taborsky, Marian Fedorco, Tomas Skala, Eva Kocianova, Dalibor Pastucha, David Richter, Jana Petrkova, Franco Di Gregorio, Alberto Barbetta, Jan Vaclavik
Biomed Pap Med Fac Univ Palacky Olomouc Czech Repub. 2014, 158(4):569-576 | DOI: 10.5507/bp.2013.009
This clinical study assessed the acute hemodynamic and ECG effects of right ventricular (RV) stimulation in different RV locations. Apical RV stimulation led to a more severe left ventricular diastolic function impairment and a larger increase in the QRS duration compared to mid-septal stimulation. Fewer acute adverse effects of RV septal stimulation make this method preferable in clinical practice.
Long term visual outcome after arteriolar constriction in patients with branch retinal vein occlusion
Jiri Rehak, Ladislav Dusek, Martin Sin, Barbora Babkova, Zuzana Pracharova, Matus Rehak
Biomed Pap Med Fac Univ Palacky Olomouc Czech Repub. 2014, 158(4):577-582 | DOI: 10.5507/bp.2013.008
Laser induced arteriolar constriction used in early phase of branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) brings significantly better visual results if compared with standard grid photocoagulation. This study proved that initial visual acuity (VA) is a strong and independent prognostic factor; initial VA ≤ 0.1 and age over 70 years are strong predictors for poor final VA. Prognostically unfavorable BRVO is defined as an occlusion with an initial VA ≤ 0.25 and these BRVOs should be treated as soon as possible.
Outcomes of adrenalectomy in patients with primary hyperaldosteronism - a single centre experience
Igor Hartmann, Michal Grepl, Ales Vidlar, Oldrich Smakal, Jan Vaclavik, Zdenek Frysak, Martin Dolezel, Vladimir Student
Biomed Pap Med Fac Univ Palacky Olomouc Czech Repub. 2014, 158(4):583-590 | DOI: 10.5507/bp.2014.059
In patients with proven unilateral overproduction of aldosterone, adrenalectomy can cure the hyperaldosteronism with a high probability and a positive effect on hypertension. The main aim of this retrospective study was to determine the effects of unilateral adrenalectomy on blood pressure and laboratory parameters in a cohort of 51 patients. Unilateral adrenalectomy had a positive effect in 82% of the patients and led to either blood pressure normalization or reduction of the antihypertensive medication. This study demonstrated a better effect of surgery on blood pressure in younger patiens.
Skin conductance as a marker of pain in infants of different gestational age
Jozef Macko, Dagmar Moravcikova, Lumir Kantor, Martina Kotikova, Petr Humpolicek
Biomed Pap Med Fac Univ Palacky Olomouc Czech Repub. 2014, 158(4):591-595 | DOI: 10.5507/bp.2013.066
This paper evaluates fundamental aspects of electrical skin conductance as an objective parameter of measurements of pain perception in newborns, focusing on all gestational categories of newborns. It also describes the practical use of this method in daily routine practice in neonatal units. Measurement of parameters of electrical skin conductance is quick and non-invasive, does not affect significantly the staff or children and provides results immediately.
Re-operation of idiopathic macular hole after failed initial surgery
Libor Hejsek, Jaroslava Dusova, Alexandr Stepanov, Pavel Rozsival
Biomed Pap Med Fac Univ Palacky Olomouc Czech Repub. 2014, 158(4):596-599 | DOI: 10.5507/bp.2013.088
This article is a retrospective study of the anatomical and functional results of repeated surgeries for persistent idiopathic macular holes after failed initial pars plana vitrectomy. During a second operation, the ILM peeling area was enlarged. After the second surgery the macular holes closed in 100% of cases. This study confirms the importance of peeling the internal limiting membrane.
Pediatric parotideomasseteric pilomatrixoma in children
Richard Salzman, Ivo Starek, Hitari Faisal, Tomas Tichy
Biomed Pap Med Fac Univ Palacky Olomouc Czech Repub. 2014, 158(4):600-604 | DOI: 10.5507/bp.2013.063
The article describes the clinical investigation, imaging methods and fine needle aspiration cytology in 12 pediatric patients with great salivary gland tumors. Surprisingly, pilomatrixomas were found to be the most prevalent of benign lesions. For this reason, they should be included in the differential diagnosis of pediatric parotideomasseteric lumps.
The neonatal intubation causes defects in primary teeth of premature infants
Norma Suely Falcao de Oliveira Melo, Regina Paula Guimaraes Vieira Cavalcante da Silva, Antonio Adilson Soares de Lima
Biomed Pap Med Fac Univ Palacky Olomouc Czech Repub. 2014, 158(4):605-612 | DOI: 10.5507/bp.2013.004
This study evaluated the relationship between intubation during the neonatal period and enamel defects in the primary teeth of preterm infants. The frequency of enamel defects was much higher (86.3%) in intubated children than non-intubated children (13.7%). The time that children remained intubated statistically correlated with the enamel defects. The frequency of enamel defects in primary teeth, earlier in premature infants intubated in the neonatal period was associated with endotracheal intubation and intubation time.
Extrapulmonary involvement in patients with sarcoidosis and comparison of routine laboratory and clinical data to pulmonary involvement
Monika Zurkova, Vitezslav Kolek, Tereza Tomankova, Eva Kriegova
Biomed Pap Med Fac Univ Palacky Olomouc Czech Repub. 2014, 158(4):613-620 | DOI: 10.5507/bp.2014.026
This study expands current knowledge about extrapulmonary sarcoidosis and affected organs in Czech patients. It compares laboratory and clinical data for patients with sarcoidosis limited to the lungs and those with accompanying extrapulmonary involvement.
A new program for highly reproducible automatic evaluation of the substantia nigra from transcranial sonographic images
Jiri Blahuta, Tomas Soukup, Monika Jelinkova, Petra Bartova, Petr Cermak, Roman Herzig, David Skoloudik
Biomed Pap Med Fac Univ Palacky Olomouc Czech Repub. 2014, 158(4):621-627 | DOI: 10.5507/bp.2013.029
The experimental application B-Mode Assist with a graphical user interface (GUI) in MATLAB was developed for digital morphometric analysis of substantia nigra images using transcranial sonography. The aim of this study was to assess the utility of this experimental application. The observers demonstrated a high level of mutual agreement and each obtained highly consistent morphometric measurements over three successive repetitions. The agreement in the detection of substanita nigra pathology between visual and digital image analysis was 97.8% of the evaluated images. The present study demonstrates the high repeatability and reproducibility of substantia nigra measurements with "almost perfect" inter-observer and intra-observer agreement using the developed application B-Mode Assist.
Optical coherence tomography in progressive cone dystrophy
Jiri Zahlava, Jan Lestak, Ivan Karel
Biomed Pap Med Fac Univ Palacky Olomouc Czech Repub. 2014, 158(4):628-634 | DOI: 10.5507/bp.2013.017
The aim of the study was to assess the different clinical picture in patients with progressive cone dystrophy (PCD), to compare these with the results of optical coherence tomography (OCT) and to evaluate the benefits of this method for diagnosis. The results from 16 patients (32 eyes) with PCD showed that OCT provides new insight into PCD. It details the quantitative and qualitative changes in the macula and can significantly contribute to diagnosing PCD, especially in the early stages where it can be difficult to diagnose.
Metabolic disorders due to methanol poisoning
Tomas Salek, Petr Humpolicek, Petr Ponizil
Biomed Pap Med Fac Univ Palacky Olomouc Czech Repub. 2014, 158(4):635-640 | DOI: 10.5507/bp.2013.074
The article reports analysis of the differences in glomerular filtration rate in 13 methanol poisoned persons. Troponin I is used as a marker of cardiac damage. The aspects described have not been published to date.
Fomepizole in the treatment of acute methanol poisonings: Experience from the Czech mass methanol outbreak 2012-2013
Sergey Zakharov, Tomas Navratil, Daniela Pelclova
Biomed Pap Med Fac Univ Palacky Olomouc Czech Repub. 2014, 158(4):641-649 | DOI: 10.5507/bp.2014.056
Apropos the major methanol poisoning outbreak that occurred in the Czech Republic recently, though there is no evidence that fomepizole is a more efficient antidote than ethanol, the study showed the rate of mortality in the most severely poisoned patients treated with fomepizole was no higher than the total hospital mortality rate at the time. The benefits of fomepizole were the indirect : no need to thoroughly monitor serum ethanol levels during hemodialysis in severely poisoned patients and less working overload on ICU doctors treating several poisoned patients simultaneously. This allowed for managing the most severely poisoned patients through the most critical phases, including the dialysis sessions where ethanol dosing is especially difficult. The authorsfound no adverse effects attributable to fomepizole but the possibility of delirium tremens in patients with a history of chronic alcohol abuse has to be considered. The prevalence of visual and CNS sequelae of methanol poisonings can be underestimated due to the absence of follow-up prospective studies in patients who survive acute poisoning.
Effect of smoking on the survival of dental implants
Aline Satie Takamiya, Marcelo Coelho Goiato, Humberto Gennari Filho
Biomed Pap Med Fac Univ Palacky Olomouc Czech Repub. 2014, 158(4):650-653 | DOI: 10.5507/bp.2013.037
This article reinforces the caveat for dental professionals in regard to the negative impact of smoking on oral implantation and provides useful information for decision making about these procedures. The conclusion however is that smoking is not abolutely contraindicated for tooth implants.
Case reports
Dehiscent scar in the lower uterine segment after Caesarean section and IVF infertility treatment: A case report
Radka Filipcikova, Ivana Oborna, Jana Brezinova, Marcela Bezdickova, Stanislav Laichman, Martin Dobias, Zdenka Blazkova, Blazena Hladikova, Dalibor Pastucha
Biomed Pap Med Fac Univ Palacky Olomouc Czech Repub. 2014, 158(4):654-658 | DOI: 10.5507/bp.2013.001
Dehiscent scar is a serious surgical complication of Caesarean section which is the most common obstetric operation carried out. This case report describes 4 patients with dehiscent scar during in vitro fertilization with successful embryo-transfer and subsequent development of pregnancy. The results support the use of IVF treatment in patients with dehiscent scar in the lower uterine segment.
An unusual reason for severe bradycardia leading to cardiac arrest during general anaesthesia: A case report
Klara Struzkova, Petr Stourac, Jan Kanovsky, Ivo Krikava, Michaela Toukalkova, Pavel Sevcik
Biomed Pap Med Fac Univ Palacky Olomouc Czech Repub. 2014, 158(4):659-661 | DOI: 10.5507/bp.2013.005
Takotsubo cardiomyopathy also known as transient balooning syndrome is an increasingly reported phenomenon, characterized by acute reversible apical or midventricular dysfunction with no history of coronary artery disease. We report a case of a postmenopausal woman scheduled for elective cholecystectomy presenting perioperatively with Takotsubo cardiomyopathy by unique manifestation- asystoly. There was full recovery thanks to intensive management of related cardiogenic shock using the calcium sensitiser, levosimendan.
Neurosarcoidosis: Two case reports with multiple cranial nerve involvement and review of the literature
Milija Mijajlovic, Mihailo Mirkovic, Violeta Mihailovic-Vucinic, Vuk Aleksic, Nadezda Covickovic-Sternic
Biomed Pap Med Fac Univ Palacky Olomouc Czech Repub. 2014, 158(4):662-667 | DOI: 10.5507/bp.2013.047
Neurosarcoidosis is a relatively rare neurological condition and difficult to diagnose. This paper gives a detailed description of two neurosarcoidosis patients with multiple cranial nerve involvement as a rare clinical presentation. This is also a detailed review of the available literature on neurological manifestations, diagnostic protocols and possible differential diagnoses and treatment of neurosarcoidosis.