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The aim of our study is to examine if the dissociation can influence the intensity of psychopathology in patients suffering from obsessive compulsive disorder and to compare the levels of dissociation in the groups of the patients and healthy subjects. Method: Fifty five patients suffering from obsessive compulsive disorder and 123 healthy controls were included into the study. The patients were psychiatrically assessed. The diagnosis was made using ICD-10 research criteria confirmed with structured interview MINI. The subjective intensity of anxiety and depressive symptoms was evaluated using Beck Anxiety Inventory and Beck Depression Inventory. The intensity of obsessions and compulsions was evaluated using Yale Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale. All participants were assessed with the Dissociative Experiences Scale (DES). Results: Level of the psychological dissociation assessed with the DES was correlated with the severity of subjective anxiety (p<0.0001), depression (p<0.0001), and with the severity of obsessive-compulsive symptoms (p<0.005). Patients have significantly lower mean score on the DES than healthy controls (p<0.0001). Conclusion: Our results suggest that the level of psychological dissociation in OCD patients is lower than in healthy controls, and is associated with the severity of anxiety, depression and obsessive compulsive symptoms.

Aim: To determine the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), identify risk factors, assess treatment and its effectiveness. Design: A prospective, observational, questionnaire- and interview-based study. Setting. Standard and intensive care units of the following university hospital departments: abdominal, thoracic and vascular surgery; gynecology; plastic and esthetic surgery; urology; and traumatology. Material and methods: Adult patients scheduled for elective surgery who gave informed consent were enrolled. A questionnaire-based study was performed on the first postoperative day. The collected data relevant to PONV were statistically analyzed. Conclusion: The incidence of PONV was significantly lower than generally presumed and was related to the patient gender, type of surgery and overall health status. PONV was more frequent in obese patients and when drugs antagonizing opioids or muscle relaxants were used. Early administration of antiemetic agents led to considerably less discomfort.

Background: Both patients and psychotherapists can experience strong emotional reactions towards each other in what are termed transference and countertransference within therapy. In the first part of this review, we discuss transference issues. Although not usually part of the obvious language of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), examination of the cognitions related to the therapist, is an integral part of CBT, especially in working with difficult patients. In the second part, we cover counter-transference issues. We describe schematic issues that give rise to therapist counter-transference and explain how this interacts in different types of patient therapist encounter. We also examine ways in which the therapist can use CT to help him/her modify the countertransference and, in the process, assist the patient. Methods: PUBMED data base was searched for articles using the key words "therapeutic relations", "transference", "countertransference", "cognitive behavioral therapy", "cognitive therapy", "schema therapy", "dialectical behavioral therapy". The search was repeated by changing the key word. No language or time constraints were applied. The lists of references of articles detected by this computer data base search were examined manually to find additional articles. We also used the original texts of A. T. Beck, J. Beck, M. Linehan, R. Leahy, J. Young and others. Basically this is a review with conclusions about how therapists can manage transference issues. Results: Transference. The therapist should pay attention to negative or positive reactions towards him/ her but should not deliberately provoke or ignore them. He/she should be vigilant for signs of strong negative emotions, such as a disappointment, anger, and frustration experienced in the therapeutic relationship by the patient. Similarly he/ she should be alert to exaggerated positive emotions such as love, excessive idealization, praise or attempts to divert the attention of therapy onto the therapist. These reactions open space for understanding the patient's past and actual relations outside the therapy. Countertransference. The therapist should be aware of countertransference schemas as they apply to him/her. He/she should monitor his/her own feelings that indicate countertransference. Further, the assistance of and discussion with supervisors and colleagues is useful in regard to countertransference even in experienced therapists. Countertransference can be used as an open window into the interpersonal relations of the patient. Conclusions: Both the literature and our experience underscore the importance of careful and open examination of both transference and counter-transference issues in CBT and their necessary incorporation in the complete management of all patients undergoing CBT.

The paper presents findings of an experiment the participants of which were native Czech speakers (L1 ) possessed of perfect knowledge of English (L2). We assumed that the subjects could process differently each of the three types of English and Czech sentences; the first type represented correct sentences, the other two violated sentences. Violated sentences differed in the precise relationship between the verbs, their preceding noun phrases, and their preceding context. ERPs to critical verbs, the accuracy rate for both English and Czech sentences processing and decision time for each were evaluated. Participants' personality traits were assessed too. It has been shown that our subjects, who learned English after the age of 15, displayed significant differences in all measured parameters. It was especially the longer latency N400, the lower accuracy rate of English sentence processing, the longer decision time, and the same dynamics of all measured ERPs parameters. Possible causes of these differences are discussed.

Background: Lonicera caerulea L. (blueberry honeysuckle, Caprifoliaceae) is a traditional crop in northern Russia, China, and Japan. Its fruits are little known as edible berries in North America and Europe. This review deals with the botany and chemical composition of L. caerulea and the biological activity of its main constituents, focusing on the potential health benefits of the berries. Methods and Results: PubMed, Science Direct and ISI Web of Knowledge^SM databases were used for this paper. Literature sources include the period 1935-2007. L. caerulea berries a are rich source of phenolic compounds such as phenolic acids as well as anthocyanins, proanthocyanidins and other flavonoids, which display potential health promoting effects. Chemopreventive, antimicrobial, anti-adherence and antioxidant benefits, among others are described for these compounds. Conclusions: The potential of L. caerulea berries to prevent chronic diseases such as diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases and cancer seems to be related above all to their phenolic content.

This review summarizes recent knowledge on the efficacy of glucosamine (GS) and/or chondroitin sulfate (CS) in the therapy of mild to moderate osteoarthritis (OA). OA, the most common joint disease is a significant source of disability, quality of life impairment and a considerable burden to any health care system. In the Czech Republic, glucosamine sulfate (GS) and chondroitin sulfate (CS) are available both as prescription drugs and as foof supplements. Based on available data both are useful in the earlier stages of OA when combined with other modalities such as weight loss and exercises. They appear to relieve pain and improve range of the joint motion. In addition, they also display mild anti-inflammatory effects. However, controversy still exists over their ability to change significantly the natural history of the osteoarthritic joint. This effect is not easy to demonstrate for any other treatment modalities apart from joint replacement. Monitoring the cure efficacy by X-ray has been recently criticised and hence future techniques are anticipated for this reason. Further, long-term oral administration is required to obtain slightly increased levels of GS and/or CS in human blood. Both reviewed saccharides are well tolerated with negligible adverse reactions. In conclusion, the authors suggest that GS and CS should be classified as food supplements only.

The study of the biotransformation of a new synthetic drug 2,5-dimethoxy-4-bromamphetamine (DOB) and identification of its metabolites in urine of a poisoned person is described using gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) with various ways of derivatization. It has been confirmed that one of its metabolic pathways leads to the corresponding 2-O-desmethyl and 5-O-desmethyl metabolites when the latter is prevailing. It is important to know the metabolism of this neurotoxic and hallucinogenic substance as it is a prerequisite for developing reliable toxicological diagnostic procedures and for assessment of toxicological risks.

Background: The most important quality of β-glucans and the reason why so much attention has been devoted to them are their physiological effects. They are typical biological response modifiers with pronounced immunomodulating activity. However, some questions about possible side effects remain. Aim: Several papers reported the lethal side effects of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in glucan-treated mice, probably due to the peritonitis by enteric bacteria. However, these results were never independently confirmed. The purpose of this study is to evaluate these claims using several different types of glucans. Methods: Effects of combined treatment with four different types of glucans and indomethacin were measured by evaluation of phagocytosis of HEMA particles by peripheral blood leukocytes and production of IL-6 in mouse serum. In addition, the level of blood glucose, colon length and survival after 30 days of treatment was measured. Results: Our finding showed that simultaneous treatment with glucan and indomethacin caused a small decrease of phagocytic activity and IL-2 production. Two other tested parameters-blood glucose levels and colon length-that had been found to be significantly affected by this treatment, were virtually unchanged. In the final, yet most important part of the study, we found absolutely no mortality, regardless of the type of glucan or the routes of glucan administration. Conclusion: No adverse negative effects due to simultaneous treatment with glucan and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug dose was found, despite testing two different routes of glucan administration and four different types of glucan.

Background: We analyzed data gathered from initial and repeated prostate biopsies at the University Hospital in Olomouc, Czech Republic. We evaluated the diagnostic yield of repeated transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) guided biopsies. We also assessed whether the result of the repeated biopsy depended on the benign diagnosis of the previous biopsy. Methods: From June 2006 till December 2008, the total of 794 men underwent a TRUS guided biopsy. The following parameters were recorded for each patient: age, total Prostatic Specific Antigen (PSA) level, free PSA level, digital rectal examination record, total prostate volume, and the histo-pathological evaluation. For patients undergoing a repeated biopsy, the histo-pathological result of the previous biopsy was also available, as well as the total number of previous biopsies and the time since the last biopsy. These data were analyzed using standard statistical methods. Results: Initial biopsy was positive for prostate cancer in 157 out of 566 men (27.7%). The total PSA level was confirmed to be a significant (P < 0.001) predictor of prostate cancer. The ratio of free PSA to total PSA (the socalled PSA index) was found to be significantly lower (P < 0.001) for patients suffering from adenocarcinoma. A total of 191 men underwent a repeated biopsy. The repeated biopsy was positive for adenocarcinoma in 39 cases (20.4%). Although this yield is lower, the significance is at the threshold (P = 0.04700). In the group of rebiopted men, total PSA level and PSA index were again significant (P = 0.0024 and P = 0.0015 respectively) predictive factors for prostate carcinoma. The diagnostic yield of repeated biopsy was assessed with respect to the most common types of the benign findings in the previous biopsy - adenomyomatous hyperplasia, inflammation, high grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia, and suspected adenocarcinoma. No significant difference in the diagnostic yield was found (P = 0.38431). Conclusions: Total PSA level and PSA index are the most significant precursors of adenocarcinoma in both initial and repeated biopsy. The histo-pathological result of a repeated biopsy was found to be independent of the type of benign diagnosis of the previous biopsy. A substantial number of prostate cancer is diagnosed in repeated biopsies which advocates for the indication of a repeated biopsy in case of a negative result of the initial one.

Aims: Stuttering is a serious health and social problem that can distinctively affect not only the mental development of an individual but also his life possibilities, including social fulfilment and his general life prospects. The etiology of stuttering is however unknown and that is why it is not possible to treat it causally. This pilot study takes into account the hypothesis of bronchial constriction as a negative factor in stuttering and investigates the effect of the long-acting bronchodilator formoterol fumarate on stuttering in 42 patients. Methods: Patients were divided in 2 groups - A (school children and juveniles) and B (adults 18-25 resistant to other treatment). The medicine was administered once a day in the morning in a dose of 12 µg for the total period of 6 months. The prime outcome parameter - severity of stuttering - was evaluated using the ordinary scale (McGill Pain Questionnaire). The evaluation was done by an examining physician during visits to the centres and by the patients themselves (in cases of the youngest with the assistance of a parent) in a daily diary. Results: A non-parametric pair test (Wilcoxon signed rank test) was used to compare the average marks in the whole set of patients. During the six moth period of administration of Foradil® the speech fluency improved. The average number of dysfluent words decreased from 10.5 ± 1.3 to 6.6 ±0.97. Conclusion: The average mark of speech fluency evaluated by the physicians between the period of non use of Foradil® and the six month period after the use of Foradil® improved from 2.95 ± 0.76 to 1.95 ± 0.56 (as proved by the chi-square test, p<0.0001). The evaluation of speech fluency of balbuties uses the logopedic practices. Other clinical evaluations of speech fluency are not known.

Aims: To assess the impact of cognitive task solving on respiratory and cardiovascular parameters. Methods: The ML870B80 Exercise Physiology System was used to record concurrently with EEG, the cardiorespiratory and metabolic functions of subjects during cognitive activity. The Expired Minute Ventilation (V_E), Oxygen Consumption (V_O2), Carbon Dioxide Production (V_CO2) and Average Heart Rate (BPM) were ascertained for four periods: (1) rest or starting period, (2) reference period, (3) cognitive task solving period and (4) recovery period. Each period was defined by the type of presented visual stimuli and by the prearranged cognitive activity related to visual stimuli. The personality traits of participants were also determined. Results: The momentary functional state of subject's brain (i.e. the period of the experiment) determined the average values of all measured parameters. During the cognitive task solving period the average V_E, V_O2 and V_CO2 reached the lowest values while the HR behaved reversely - it was the highest in the cognitive task solving period. Further, the average V_E, V_CO2 and HR values but not V_O2 value differed significantly from average values for the same variable measured in the rest period. Conclusion: The changes in respiratory variables during the cognitive task solving period predicate the whole-body metabolic rate rather than the energy metabolism of the brain alone. However, the heart rate related to some personality traits of the subject has a tighter relation to brain's energy metabolic rate during the cognitive task solving - it affects the oxygen supply of the brain.

Aims and methods: In our work we present and describe the variation of the course of the median nerve found in both upper limbs of one of the cadavers in our Institute of Anatomy (Medical Faculty, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia) during the students dissection of the peripheral nerves and vessels. Results and conclusion: This non-standard course of the median nerve was compared with a standard course described in the anatomical literature and atlases, and confronted with the variations of the median nerve found and its course described in the available literature. We also provide some clinical implications of such peripheral nerve variability because understanding such anomalies is important in the diagnosis of unexplained clinical signs and symptoms as well as during nerve blocks and certain surgical procedures around the neck and proximal arm.

Objectives: The purpose of this prospective controlled trial was to assess the efficacy of three commercially available glucose products, (1) buccal glucose spray, (2) liquid sugars, and (3) dextrose tablet, on the evolution of plasma glucose concentration (PG). Methods: Sixteen healthy volunteers aged 21.8 ± 0.78 y (mean ± SE), BMI 23.5 ± 0.84 kg/m², tested their PG over the course of 3 sets of 4 sessions (S) each: S₀-control fasting, S₁-buccal administration of 10 glucose spray-doses (0.84 g of glucose) without swallowing; S_2- consumption of 1 sachet (13 ml) of liquid sugar (ca. 5.2 g glucose, 5.2 g fructose, 5.2 g sucrose); S_3- consumption of one dextrose tablet (6 g). PG was tested in finger-prick capillary blood using a personal glucometer Linus at the start, and at 5, 10, 15, 20 and 30 min. The means of 3 respective sessions for each of the 16 subjects were analyzed. Results: The Wilcoxon signed rank test revealed no significant differences between changes in the mean PG at the start vs. 5-minute interval either in control, or any intervention sessions. Analysis of regression coefficients after 30 min compared to the control session, demonstrated an increase in PG with the sachet of liquid sugars (0.068 mmol/l/min, p = 0.001) which was greater than a single dextrose tablet (0.052 mmol/l/min, p = 0.002), but no significant PG increase was found after buccal glucose spray. Conclusion: Liquid sugars or dextrose tablets, but not the buccal glucose spray, are effective means to increase PG within 10 minutes after ingestion.

Background and Aims: Coffee irritates the gastric mucosa disrupting its barrier and increasing the risk of peptic ulcers. However, caffeine's contribution to these effects has not yet been elucidated. In this study we looked at the local effect of caffeine on the microcirculation and nitric oxide production in rats together with systemic marker of oxidative stress malondialdehyde as possible mechanisms whereby caffeine might participate in mucosal barrier impairment. Materials and Methods: Four groups of rats were anesthetized and administered as a bolus four different intraperitoneal doses of caffeine (0, 1, 10 and 50 mg kg^-1 b.wt.). The gastric submucosal microcirculation and nitric oxide production were then recorded for 2.5 hours by in situ microdialysis using the flow marker ethanol. At the completion of the experiments, plasma caffeine and malondialdehyde levels as well as morphological mucosal injury were determined. Results: There were no major differences in the macro- or microscopic pictures of the mucosa among the groups. Local microcirculatory (ethanol out/in ratio) and nitric oxide monitoring failed to demonstrate statistically significant changes as did measurement of plasma malondialdehyde in response to caffeine injections. Conclusions: Caffeine per se seems unlikely to contribute to the gastric mucosal barrier injury associated with coffee consumption by alterations in nutritive blood flow, nitric oxide production or aggravation of systemic oxidative stress. This information is relevant for better understanding of the mechanisms involved in caffeine-mediated influences on gastric physiology in relation to the irritant effects of coffee.

Background: Anatomical terminology serves as a basic communication tool in all the medical fields. Therefore Latin anatomical nomenclature has been repetitively issued and revised from 1895 (Basiliensia Nomina Anatomica) until 1998, when the last version was approved and published as the Terminologia Anatomica (International Anatomical Terminology) by the Federative Committee on Anatomical Terminology. Methods and results: A brief history of the terminology and nomenclature development is mentioned, along with the concept and contributions of the Terminologia Anatomica including the employed abbreviations. Examples of obsolete anatomical terms and their current synonyms are listed. Clinicians entered the process of the nomenclature revision and this aspect is demonstrated with several examples of terms used in clinical fields only, some already incorporated in the Terminologia Anatomica and a few obsolete terms still alive in non-theoretical communication. Frequent mistakes in grammar and orthography are stated as well. Conclusion: Authors of the article strongly recommend the use of the recent revision of the Latin anatomical nomenclature both in theoretical and clinical medicine.

Aims: To determine whether simple linear measurements can be used as an accurate and reproducible replacement of the volumetric ones. Methods: We measured the cella media distance (CM1) and the distance between the right and left human brain surfaces (CM2) - measured along the CM1 line - in the groups of women (F) and men (M) who were divided according to diagnoses into three subgroups (F1-3 and M1-3). Examinations were carried out under standardized conditions: axial serial CT (Computed Tomography) images, in 4 mm layers (333 patients). Measured values were detected by Osiris Software. Recorded values were statistically analysed. Results: We found very highly significant (subgroups M1, M3), and significant (subgroups F1, F2, F3, M2) associations between the cella media distance and the decade of age. There were only non-significant differences in CM1 distances between men and women and between the diagnoses groups as well. Correlation between cella media distance and volume of lateral ventricles was greater in men in both, subgroup M1 (r = 0.659, P < 0.0001) and in a mixed group where all the three male subgroups M1-3 were combined into one group (r = 0.675, P < 0.0001). Among women the correlation was lower, however still significant (r = 0.357, P < 0.0001 for F1 and r = 0.465, P < 0.0001 for F1-3). Conclusions: The cella media distance is much better predictor of brain lateral ventricular volume in men than in women.

Background: The aim of the present paper was to examine the correlation between serum concentrations of 12 soluble biological markers and stages of myeloma evaluated according to the Durie-Salmon (D-S) and International Prognostic Index (IPI) stratification systems. Methods: We analyzed a non-pretreated group of 179 patients with MM stratified according to D-S and IPI. Serum levels of soluble biological markers were evaluated using ELISA, REA and quantitative sandwich enzymatic immunoassays. The data were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests. Results: The staging system according to D-S revealed a highly significant relationship between all stages (I-III) in case of β₂-m (p<0.0001) and sTK (p<0.001), in sICTP a significant difference was found only in stages II vs III (p<0.001) and I vs III (p<0.001), in case of sCD₁₃₈ (syndecan-1) in stages I vs II (p = 0.006) and I vs III (p<0.001), in sVEGF only in stages I vs III (p = 0.006). In substages A vs B we found a significant difference in case of β2-m (p<0.0001), sTK (p = 0.041), sICTP (p 0.0001), sOSP (p = 0.008), sHGF (p<0.001), sCD138 (p = 0.001) and sFas (p= 0.001). The relationship between other factors and stages and substages according to D-S appeared nonsignificant. The IPI system showed a highly significant relationship between all 3 categories (1-3) in case of β₂-m (p<0.001), sTK (p<0.0001) and sICTP (p<0.0001), while in sHGF only in stages 2 vs 3 (p<0.0001) and 1 vs 3 (p<0.0001). In 4 parameters there were only discrete differences in 1 vs 3: sPINP (p= 0.036), sOSP (p= 0.002), sCD₁₃₈ (p = 0.03) and sFas (p=0.012), in the remaining markers the analysis was negative. Conclusions: A highly convincing relationship between myeloma stages and serum levels was found only in β₂-m, sTK, sICTP and partly also in sCD₁₃₈ (syndecan-1) and sHGF. More favourable was the IPI stratification system.

BACKGROUND: Ingestion of aristolochic acid (AA) is associated with the development of aristolochic acid nephropathy (AAN), which is characterized by chronic renal failure, tubulointerstitial fibrosis and urothelial cancer. AA may also cause another type of kidney fibrosis with malignant transformation of the urothelium, called Balkan Endemic Nephropathy (BEN). The compound predominantly responsible for the nephropathy and urothelial cancer of AA, is aristolochic acid I (AAI) which is a genotoxic mutagen after metabolic activation The activation pathway involves reduction of the nitro group to a cyclic N-acylnitrenium ion that can form covalent DNA adducts. These specific DNA adducts have been detected in experimental animals exposed to AAI, and in urothelial tissues from AAN patients. In rodent tumours induced by AAI, 7-(deoxyadenosin-N⁶-yl)aristolactam I was the most abundant DNA adduct formed and associated with activation of ras oncogenes through a characteristic transversion mutation. Such A:T→T:A mutations have been identified in TP53 of urothelial tumour DNA of an AAN patient and in several patients suffering from BEN along with specific AA-DNA adducts. Understanding which enzymes are involved in AAI activation to species forming DNA adducts and/or detoxification to its O-demethylated metabolite aristolochic acid Ia (AAIa) is important in order to assess susceptibility to this carcinogen. METHODS AND RESULTS: A literature search. CONCLUSIONS: The most important human enzymes activating AAI by simple nitroreduction in vitro are hepatic and renal cytosolic NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase, hepatic microsomal cytochrome P450 (CYP) 1A2 and renal microsomal NADPH:CYP reductase as well as cyclooxygenase which is highly expressed in urothelial tissue. However, the contribution of most of these enzymes to the development of AAN and BEN diseases is still unclear. Hepatic CYP enzymes were found to detoxify AAI to AAIa in mice, and thereby protect the kidney from injury. CYP enzymes of the 1A subfamily seem to play a major role in this process in mouse liver. Likewise, among human CYP enzymes, CYP1A1 and 1A2 were found to be the most efficient enzymes participating in AAI oxidation to AAIa in vitro. Nevertheless, which CYPs are the most important in this process in both animal models and in humans have not been entirely resolved as yet. In addition, the relative contribution of enzymes found to activate AAI to species responsible for induction of urothelial cancer in humans remains still to be resolved.

Aim: Prolonged temporary implantation of retrievable vena cava filter is little discussed in literature. The aim of our article is to present our experience with a new type of retrievable "Recovery IVC Filter(TM)" with prolonged period of placement in the inferior vena cava (IVC). Materials and methods: "Recovery IVC Filter(TM)" was implanted in another department for a 27 year old patient with congenital deficiency of anti thrombin III with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) complicated by pulmonary embolism (PE). After 383 days from implantation of vena cava filter, the patient was indicated for removal of the filter from the right jugular vein access. Results: Filter was removed with the help of a special extraction system without significant technical complications in our department. On control phlebography after extraction of cava filter, there were no signs of injury to the wall of inferior vena cava, extravasation or stenosis. Conclusion: Removal of "Recovery IVC Filter(TM)" after long term temporary implantation is possible and safe.

Background: The fine balance in cellular life and death is affected by a number of tightly regulated, direct signals that can help to turn the balance either in favor of or against the ultimate fate. Among the most prominent players in the field of the extracellular signals leading to cell death, preferentially through induction of apoptosis belong several receptors from so-called Death Receptors group of the Tumour Necrosis Factors Receptors (TNFR) family. Methods and results: Over 15 years of the research on activation and regulation of the most prominent member of this group - receptors for the ligands TRAIL, FasL and TNFα brought not only a detail (and still refining) mechanism of these receptors activation and downstream signaling, but also connected them with the ultimate apoptotic gatekeeper - mitochondria. Mitochondria are, in addition to their essential role as the energy factories also repositories of a cavalry of apoptosis-inducing as well as regulatory proteins. However, in addition to the pro-death signaling, these receptors were also shown under certain circumstances to activate an opposite, pro-proliferative signaling as well as to participate in pro-inflammatory responses. Conclusions: Thus despite the concerned effort of a number of groups and thousands of published papers, novel roles for the intriguing group of these receptors and their ligands and fine tuning of their signaling still await to be uncovered. This cut-through review will be mainly focused on the prominent death-inducing members of this group - TNFR1, Fas/CD95 and TRAIL receptors.

Myrrh and opopanax has been used throughout history in incense and as a perfume. Since Bible times it has been used for the treatment of wounds. The first attempts to identify content compounds were almost 100 years ago. In this review we discuss the present state of knowledge in the chemistry of substances of Commiphora spp.

Aromatic cytokinins (ortho-topolin riboside, 6-benzylaminopurine riboside and 6-(2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzyla mino)purine riboside) were tested for their possible interaction with human liver microsomal cytochromes P450 by absorption difference spectroscopy. All three compounds were shown to bind to the CYP enzymes producing a high to low spin shift of the heme iron yielding a Soret absorption band shift to approximately 425 nm. As this type of spectral change means that the substance is able to bind directly to the heme iron, the results obtained open the possibility of an interaction of these compounds with metabolism of other drugs or, in general, with other substrates of cytochromes P450.

The artificial neural networks (ANN) are very often applied in many areas of toxicology for the solving of complex problems, such as the prediction of chemical compound properties and quantitative structure-activity relationship. The aim of this contribution is to give the basic knowledge about conception of ANN, theirs division and finally, the typical application of ANN will be discussed. Due to the diversity of architectures and adaptation algorithms, the ANNs are used in the broad spectrum of applications from the environmental processes modeling, through the optimization to quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) methods. In addition, especially ANNs with Kohonen learning are very effective classification tool. The ANNs are mostly applied in cases, where the commonly used methods does not work.

Natural opium is a popular seasonal alternation for substance dependent people. Its processing, way of using, experience and change of habits was the aim of our study carried out via anonymous questionnaire and directed interview. 47 questionnaires were obtained. According to our results natural opium has been abused by people 19-42 years old, more than a half of them were male. Basic drug were pervitin in 57 %, marihuana in 33 %, a considerable part (30 %) was natural opium. Each grower produced approximately 35 g of raw opium in one season. The most frequent way of application was smoking, injecting and "opium tea" drinking. Almost a half of the clients (40 %) felt attenuation after application; relaxation, hallucination and central stimulation admitted 25 % of respondents. Health troubles had majority of the users. Combinations of natural opium with other drugs (alcohol, marihuana, pervitin) declared 45 % respondents, the effects of the combinations admitted one third of users. The examination for viral hepatitis confirmed more than a half of the clients; the major part of users from Olomouc, but only 25 % of users from Prostějov were tested for HIV. Opium consumption influenced habits of personal hygiene of more than a half of the users (57 %). Routine servicing of the spot of the needle insertion practiced a half of the responders. Majority of the abusers (79 %) obtained and closed out paraphernalia throw to the "harm reduction" program.

7-Methoxytacrine (7-MEOTA) is an acetylcholine-esterase inhibitor that is potentially useful in the therapy of some neurodegenerative disorders. L-carnitine (CRT) is a naturally occuring compound that is known to increase penetration of some compounds through biological barriers. Aim of this study was how CRT influenced transintestinal absorption transport 7-MEOTA in rat using single-pass intestinal in situ perfusion method. The rate of absorption of 7-MEOTA during luminal perfusion with single 7-MEOTA was compared with rate of absorption during simultaneous perfusion with 7-MEOTA and CRT and with absorption rate after the premedication with CRT for period of three days before beginning of perfusion. The methodical system was the perfusion of mesenterial bed (from arteria mesenterica superior to vena portae) and intestinal luminal perfusion (from duodenum to ileum). The lower transintestinal absorption in the course of simultaneously administration of CRT than just in case of perfusion with single 7-MEOTA has been found. On the contrary a significantly higher absorption of 7-MEOTA has been noted in group of rats premedicated with CRT for three consecutive days. The interpretation suggested that molecules of CRT incorporated into the metabolism of intestinal cells facilitated transport of 7-MEOTA (as a representative substance which is at least partly transferred by carrier mechanism). In case of simultaneous luminal perfusion with CRT and 7-MEOTA competitive over-saturation of carrier systems is probably.

Chewing the leaves of the khat shrub is common in certain countries of East Africa and Arabian Peninsula mainly Yemen. It has been established that a khat plant leaves contain an active psycho-stimulant substance known as cathinone that is similar in structure and pharmacological activity to amphetamine in affecting the CNS. Intoxication with khat is self-limiting but chronic consumption can cause certain health disturbances in the user and also lead to social and economic damage to the individual and the community. In recent years, several cases of intoxication have been observed outside the area of its use. In this view, the khat habit, its health effects and socioeconomic aspects are described with the political issue they imply.

Background: Cardiotrophin-1 is newly discovered chemokin with a lot of functions. Aim of our work was to describe most important of them. Methods: systematically scan of available scientific resources. Results: Cardiotrophin-1 stimulates the proliferation of cardiomyocytes. Cardiotrophin-1 expression and plasma values are elevated in individuals with heart failure and have high diagnostic efficacy for the heart failure. Plasma values are also an independent prognostic factor. Preliminary findings suggest that the determination of plasma cardiotrophin-1 may be useful for the follow-up of hypertensive heart disease in routine clinical practice. Cardiotrophin-1 also plays an important cardioprotective effect on myocardial damage, is a potent regulator of signaling in adipocytes in vitro and in vivo and potentiates the elevation the acute-phase proteins. Cardiotrophin-1 may play also an important protective role in other organ systems (such as hematopoietic, neuronal, developmental). Conclusion: Cardiotrophin is a newly discovered chemokin with a lot of system effects and is stable in system circulation hence permitting its development in the routine clinical investigation.

AIMS: To judge whether and how the character of the visual stimulus and type of cognitive task affects brain event-related potentials (ERPs). METHODS: ERPs to three types of visual stimuli (white blank oval on a dark background, unfolded cube and net of sixteen small squares) were recorded from nine scalp sites and saved on a computer. Special software was used for off-line analysis of the ERPs. RESULTS: The presentation of each of the three visual stimuli used was followed by ERPs consisting of two negative (N160, N340) and one positive (P220) components. The character of the stimulus did not affect the latency of ERPs components. However, the type of visual stimuli affected the amplitude. The most conspicuous changes were shown by the N340 ERPs component. Its average amplitude in comparison with reference amplitude was always significantly higher during the first cognitive task ("Choose the cube that can be folded up from the unfolded cube!") and significantly lower than reference amplitude during the second cognitive task ("Complete the missing part of a figure with the appropriate item!"). It was also shown that subjective personality traits such as nervousness, spontaneous aggressivity and emotional lability had an influence on the recovery phase of the experiment affecting the average amplitude of N340 CONCLUSION: The results revealed that the cognitive processes underlying successful resolution of two pictorial cognitive tasks affected differently the activity of systems giving rise to visual ERPs.

AIMS: This work focuses on the morphological and mechanical changes in the wall of the subrenal aorta in rats suffering from arterial hypertension and chronic renal failure induced by subtotal nephrectomy (NX). METHODS: The quantitative structural parameters were assessed using stereological methods. The mechanical properties were determined using uniaxial tensile tests. RESULTS: Morphological results showed no significant differences in the wall structure of NX rats ten days following the subtotal nephrectomy in comparison with the control animals. Pronounced structural changes appeared ten weeks after the nephrectomy. The area of the profile of the arterial lumen, the volume fraction of elastin, and the elastin lamellar number in the tunica media were significantly higher in the NX rats than in the control animals. The values of the volume fraction of the smooth muscle cells in the tunica media and the lamellar unit thickness were significantly lower for the NX animals. Mechanical results showed that both kinds of tissues were characterized by a non-linear response when subjected to the tensile test. The moduli of elasticity of subrenal aortas in control and NX animals were different only for large deformations: NX samples had higher stiffness. The cyclic loading resulted in a time-dependent response for both tissue types. CONCLUSIONS: The results obtained from the NX rats ten days as well as ten weeks after operation suggested an outward hypertrophy of the aorta. The subrenal aortas of the NX animals had less strength and were less extensible than those of the control animals.

Aims: To evaluate the role of dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the diagnosis of BI-RADS-5 type of microcalcifications of the breast, to compare the size of the microcalcification lesions using mammography (MG) and MRI, and to determine the value of MRI in surgery for microcalcifications. The study also determines the morphology of microcalcification lesions, assesses kinetic curves and compare MRI features of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) for different histopathological grades. Methods: Our group consisted of 32 patients with mammographically detected BI-RADS 5 microcalcifications. The MRI was done in this group of women which was later followed by stereotactic vaccum-assisted biopsy (SVAB). Surgery was performed on all patients with a biopsy that resulted in a diagnosis of breast cancer or atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH). Results: Of our group of 32 patients, there were 35 mammograhically detected microcalcification lesions, 32 DCIS, one ADH and two benign findings according to the final histology. The microcalcification lesions were larger using MRI than in MG in 10 women. We diagnosed DCIS multifocality in 6 women and bilateral carcinoma in one woman. As with kinetic curve assessment, we found in 67 % of DCIS a rapid rise, 27 % a moderate and in 6 % a slow initial rise. With the pattern of enhancement in the delayed phase, we found in 30 % of DCIS a washout pattern, 67 % a plateau and in 3 % a persistent pattern. Noted difference between high and low grade DCIS was confirmed. Conclusions: MRI sensitivity in the detection of DCIS was 94 % in our group of patients and was the sole evidence for detection of multifocality and bilateral incidence of carcinoma. In 26 % of women the outcome of MRI was the most important for converting breast conserving surgery to mastectomy.