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V Palicka

Publications and source records attributed to V Palicka.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2001

[Prevalence of viral hepatitis G infection in hemodialysis patients and coinfection with viral hepatitis B and C].

The group of infectious agents causing viral hepatitis was extended by another virus the detection of which was published in 1995. This virus is described as virus of hepatitis G (HGV) or GBV-C virus and is included among RNA viruses family Flaviviridae. Detection of HGV is based on reverse transcription with subsequent amplification of the viral nucleic acid by means of a polymerase chain reaction. The authors examined sera of 82 chronically haemodialyzed patients incl. 22 (26.8%) HGV RNA positive ones, whereby coinfection with HBV was proved in 3 specimens (13%). In 6 HGV RNA positive samples anti-HCV positivity was found (27%), incl. one sample where HCV RNA positivity was proved (4.5%). Raised transaminase activity was found only in three patients with HGV RNA positivity (13.6%). From the presented results ensues that haemodialyzed patients are a high risk group for HGV infection.

Flaviviridae Infections↗
PubMed2000

[Diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori with the 13C-labeled urea breath test: study methodology].

Helicobacter pylori is one of the most common causes of chronic bacterial infection in humans, and it is associated with many diseases of the upper gastrointestinal tract. The 13C urea breath test (13C-UBT) is a simple, non-invasive and global test for Helicobacter pylori detection. The test reflects the hydrolysis of 13C-labelled urea by Helicobacter pylori urease. The 13C-UBT is the gold standard test for Helicobacter pylori infection. Since the original description (in 1987) several modifications of 13C-UBT have been published to simplify and optimise the test. However, neither Standardised European Protocol nor Standard US Protocol were accepted. This paper gives the methodology of the 13C-UBT based on eur own study and on the review of the literature.

Breath Tests↗
PubMed2000

Cardiac troponin T in neonates after acute and long-term tocolysis.

The present study was designed to determine the levels of cardiac troponin T (cTnT) in cord blood of neonates exposed in utero to tocolytic therapy by beta-sympathomimetics. cTnT in 40 neonates after acute tocolysis (0.24 +/- 0.05 microg/l) was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in comparison with the control group (0.05 +/- 0.01 microg/l). The maximal values were reached in about the 3rd day of therapy (0.39 +/- 0.11 microg/l). cTnT in 30 neonates after long-term tocolysis was 0.12 +/- 0.03 microg/l. No correlation was found between cTnT and CK and its isoenzyme CK-MB or ECG. CK, unlike cTnT, significantly correlated with gestational age (r = 0.57, p < 0.05) and birth weight (r = 0.55, p < 0.05). It is possible to conclude that acute tocolytic therapy by beta-sympathomimetics increases the cTnT levels in cord blood and cardiac troponin T is more useful for the laboratory diagnosis of neonatal myocardial injury than CK-MB.

Adrenergic beta-Agonists↗
PubMed2000

FESCC survey on accreditation and post-graduate training in clinical chemistry in European countries. Federation of European Societies of Clinical Chemistry.

Promotion of the professional growth and development of specialists in the field of clinical chemistry in European countries, and harmonisation of quality assessment and accreditation procedures are listed among the main goals and activities of Federation of European Societies of Clinical Chemistry (FESCC), according to its 1999-2000 strategic plan. The European countries that are members of the European Union are in the process of establishing the "European Register for Clinical Chemists", based on minimum standards of education, training and experience as defined by the European Communities Confederation of Clinical Chemists (EC4). Many other European countries would like to adapt their system of professional education to this model. Data on post-graduate training in EC4 FESCC members have already been gathered in 1998. However, at the present time, there is no detailed knowledge of pre- and post-graduate professional education of specialists in clinical chemistry in the non-EC4 European countries. FESCC launched a survey in July 1998 in order to gather this information with the hope to start a database about existing systems. All FESCC members received the same questionnaire on accreditation (seven questions) and non-EC4 FESCC members received an additional questionnaire with 11 questions related to post-graduate training in clinical chemistry. The response rate of the 35 FESCC member countries was 93% from the 15 EC4 members (14 responses/15 countries) and 80% from the 20-non-EC4 (16 responses/20 countries). The heterogeneity of the data on post-graduate training in clinical chemistry indicates that a great effort will be needed before harmonisation is reached. These results, however, will provide an interesting basis for further discussion and promotion of post-graduate training in clinical chemistry. The data provided on accreditation show that the total number of accredited laboratories was relatively low in EC4 countries and even lower in non-EC4 members. It was not surprising to see that the number of accredited laboratories was the highest in the two countries which started accreditation the earliest (i.e. Sweden and UK, 1992). This situation, however, is changing at a fast rate in most countries and the number of the accredited sites is expected to increase rapidly in the next few years.

Accreditation↗
PubMed1999

[Heterogeneity of the frequency of the apolipoprotein E-epsilon 4 allele in the European population].

BACKGROUND: Apolipoprotein E (apo E) is one of the most important constituents of plasma lipoproteins. A genetic polymorphism in the 4th exon of the apo E gene determines the existence of epsilon 2, epsilon 3 and epsilon 4 alleles in human population coding for three common isoforms of apo E: apo E2, apo E3, and apo E4. The aim of the study is to present the heterogeneity of the epsilon 4 allele frequency in the European region. METHODS AND RESULTS: The mean frequency of the epsilon 4 allele is 13.6% in the whole European population (95%) confidence interval: 7.2-20.0%; 45 evaluated studies, 19940 subjects). Frequency of the epsilon 4 is 17.7% in Northern Europe (12.0-23.4%; 11 studies, 4564 subjects), 15.5% in Western Europe (10.9-20.0%; 21 studies, 11,615 subjects), 12.8% in Central Europe (9.1-16.5%; 5 studies, 939 subjects), and 8.0% in Southern Europe (3.2-12.8%; 8 studies, 2822 subjects). The mean frequency of epsilon 4 allele established preliminary in two localities (Prague, Hradec Králové) in the Czech Republic is 15.7% (15.5-15.9; 2 studies, 95 subjects). CONCLUSIONS: The study confirmed an apo E-epsilon 4 frequency heterogeneity in the European population. The occurrence of epsilon 4 allele decreases from the North to the South in Europe. The highest frequency of epsilon 4 allele is in Finland (mean 22.1%), the lowest in Sardinia (5.2%).

Alleles↗
PubMed1999

Cardiac troponin T in pregnant women having intravenous tocolytic therapy.

We studied drug-induced cardiotoxic effects in 22 pregnant women having tocolysis with intravenous fenoterol and verapamil. Because CK-MB is released from the uterus and placenta, we used the determination of cardiac troponin T (cTnT) as it is one of the most sensitive and specific indicators of myocardial necrosis. Cardiac troponin T levels were within physiological range (0.08 +/- 0.01 microgram/l) in all healthy pregnant women tested between 32 and 36 weeks of gestation (control group). In the pregnant women having tocolysis cTnT levels started to increase slightly during the first day of treatment (0.10 +/- 0.03 microgram/l) and were significantly higher (p < 0.05) during the third day (0.35 +/- 0.14 microgram/l) of tocolytic therapy. The cTnT levels in cord blood (0.13 +/- 0.03 microgram/l) did not correspond with maternal cTnT concentrations.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Cardiac troponin T as a marker of myocardial damage caused by antineoplastic drugs in rabbits.

Anthracycline derivatives are among the most effective antineoplastic drugs but their therapeutic use is limited by their adverse effects. The cardiac side-effects of antineoplastic drugs were investigated in rabbits in vivo from the viewpoint of release of cardiac troponin T (cTnT) measured by Elecsys Troponin T STAT immunoassay (Boehringer Mannheim, Germany). No increase in cTnT was found following administration of a single dose of daunorubicin (3 mg/kg i.v., n = 4). During development of daunorubicin-induced cardiomyopathy (daunorubicin 3 mg/kg i.v., once a week; maximum nine administrations, n = 7), the levels of cTnT were within the physiological range (i.e. cTnT <0.1 microg/l) at the beginning of the experiment and before and after the 5th administration, but the pathological values of cTnT after the 8th administration in 43% animals (0.22+/-0.08 microg/l) correlated with their premature death. In the control group, the levels of cTnT were always lower than 0.1 microg/l during the experiment. Following administration of a new antineoplastic drug - Oracin [6-[2-(2-hydroxyethyl) aminoethyl]-5,11-dioxo-5,6-dihydro-11H-indeno [1,2-c]-isoquinoline hydrochloride, 10 mg/kg i.v., once weekly, ten administrations, n = 7], there was no increase in cTnT levels. These findings correlated with the PEP: LVET index, histological examination and no animal succumbing to premature death. It is possible to conclude that cTnT is a useful marker for the prediction of experimentally induced anthracycline cardiomyopathy and for the evaluation of cardiotoxic (and, possibly, cardioprotective) effects of new drugs in rabbits.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Survey of serum potassium reference measurements.

We compared the quality of reference measurements for serum potassium in four reference laboratories from three different European countries, using a panel of 60 native patients' samples. The reference methods were based on either ion chromatography (one laboratory) or flame atomic emission spectrometry (three laboratories). Performance specifications for serum potassium measurements were defined as a maximum overall coefficient of variation (CV) of 1.5%, a maximum bias of 0.65% and a maximum total error of 3.0%. The overall imprecision for all laboratories was in the range of 0.7 to 1.3%, and was thus below the proposed specification of 1.5%. However, two laboratories reported 12 and 13 quadruplicates with CVs exceeding this limit. The mean bias (expressed as deviation from the overall mean of all laboratories) for all reference laboratories was < 0.65%. In the lower concentration range, however, one laboratory exceeded this limit. No laboratory measured samples with a total error above 3.0%. From these results, it can be concluded that the reference measurements, and, thus, also the reference methodologies, based on ion chromatography and flame atomic emission spectrometry were equivalent, and able to satisfy current analytical specifications for serum potassium measurements.

Chromatography, Liquid↗
PubMed1999

A relationship between K-ras gene mutations and some clinical and histologic variables in patients with primary colorectal carcinoma.

Mutations in the Kirsten ras 2 (K-ras) gene were described as early events in the process of colorectal carcinogenesis. The aim of this study was to find a possible relationship between the presence of K-ras mutation in samples of primary colorectal carcinomas and the clinico-pathological data of the investigated patients. Mutation in codon 12 of the K-ras gene was determined in 18 of 53 colorectal carcinomas (34%) in our group of patients. The presence of K-ras gene mutations was not related to gender, age of subject at diagnosis, staging or cancer location (p > 0.05). Sixteen of the 42 (38%) moderately differentiated carcinomas, and two of the eight (25%) well differentiated carcinomas contained K-ras mutation in codon 12, but none of the three poorly differentiated carcinomas contained the mutation. Moderately differentiated tumours contained an aspartate code GAT (in eight cases), a valine code GTT (in six cases), an alanine code GCT (in one case) and a serine code AGT (in one case) in codon 12. Well differentiated tumours contained only the valine code GTT (two cases). Our results show that the frequency of mutations in the K-ras gene in carcinomas in Central Europe is not different from the frequencies found in other parts of the world. The homogeneous incidence of K-ras mutation does not seem to be related to ethnic factors, dietary habits, or the composition of the diet.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

The influence of dimethoxybenfluron on biochemical and haematological parameters in rabbits.

The influence of repeated i.v. administration of dimethoxybenfluron (NO-1-B) (12 or 24 mg base/kg once weekly, 10 weeks) on biochemical and haematological parameters were studied in rabbits in vivo. No significant changes were mostly found in the serum ion levels between the dimethoxybenfluron and the control groups, as well as in most of other biochemical parameters (including total protein and albumin levels). Nevertheless, the lower dose of dimethoxybenfluron caused an increase in the glucose level. Furthermore, no significant changes were mostly present also in haematological parameters in the dimethoxybenfluron groups of rabbits (a mild decrease in thrombocytes and leucocytes). The results of our study support an assumption of good tolerance of dimethoxybenfluron from the viewpoint of its influence on biochemical and haematological parameters in rabbits and may be considered of importance for a possible therapeutic use of the derivatives.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

[Thyrotoxicosis due to long-term therapy with interferon alpha in the patient with mixed chronic active hepatitis B and C].

The authors describe a case report of 48-year-old woman treated with Interferon alpha for the chronic active hepatitis B and C. During this therapy thyrotoxicosis occurred. It disappeared after the withdrawal of Interferon alpha and administration of strumigens. Immediately after stopping of the administration of Interferon alpha and three month later antibodies against the thyroid epithelium were found.

Antiviral Agents↗
PubMed1998

[Economic aspects of osteoporosis].

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to evaluate expenditures and efficacy of osteoporosis treatment in the Czech Republic (CZ) (1.38 million women and 0.99 million men > 55 years of age). METHODS AND RESULTS: Demographic data, incidence of hip fractures and prevalence of osteoporosis and osteopenia in Czech women and men, cost burden to healthcare agencies due to hip fractures and costs of diagnostic procedures, preventive measures and therapies of osteoporosis were obtained from published data and from database of the main health insurance agency (VZP) and the State Institute for Drug Control. The direct costs for treatment of hip fractures in the CZ in 1997 averaged Kc (Czech Crown) 2.5 billion, diagnosis of osteoporosis, Kc 150 million, prevention of osteoporosis using hormone replacement therapy, Kc 66 million, and treatments of osteoporosis which has been applied to less than 5% of osteoporosis patients, 482 million. However, despite the continuously increasing expenditures for treatments of osteoporosis, the incidence of hip fractures doubled in the last 10 years. This is mainly due to increased life expectancy in Czech women and men. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this first economic evaluation of diagnosis, treatment and consequences of osteoporosis in the CZ indicate a need for conceptual decisions in both treatment and prevention of osteoporosis.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

Myocardial elements content and cardiac function after repeated i.v. administration of DMPS in rabbits.

1. A dithiol chelating agent--2,3-dimercapto-1-propanesulphonate (DMPS)--may be administered in acute or chronic intoxication with certain heavy metals (e.g. cadmium, cobalt, lead) that may cause cardiotoxicity. 2. DMPS can act as a depleter of physiologically important elements (e.g. potassium, magnesium, calcium) in various tissues including cardiac one. The possibility of subsequent alteration in cardiac function cannot be excluded. 3. Changes in the myocardial concentration of the above mentioned elements at the end of the experiment and cardiac function were studied during repeated i.v. administration of DMPS as single doses of 50 mg/kg/ week for 10 weeks in rabbits. Biochemical, haematological and histological examinations were also performed. 4. Most of the measured parameters were not affected by the repeated administration of DMPS. A significant decrease in magnesium and a near significant decrease in calcium in cardiac muscle was not accompanied by functional or morphological changes. It is still suggested, however, that care should be taken in using DMPS for treating patients with cardiotoxicity as a result of poisoning with heavy metals.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

[Pharmacologic importance of glycation of plasma proteins].

A short review provides basic information about the influence of glycation of plasma proteins, as a complication of uncompensated diabetes mellitus, on binding parameters of drugs from various pharmacological groups. There are many facts about the influence of diabetes on binding sites of plasma proteins, but only a relation between the free fraction of sulphonamides and the degree of albumin glycation was described. Observed changes of free fractions of other drugs in diabetic patients are related rather to a competition of these drugs with free fatty acids or other endogenic metabolites for albumin binding sites than to glycation reaction itself. A current clinical status and results of biochemical and pharmacokinetic analyses are necessary for an objective survey of efficiency of pharmacological treatment in diabetic patients.

Blood Proteins↗
PubMed1997

Effects of repeated administration of dithiol chelating agent--sodium 2,3-dimercapto-1-propanesulphonate (DMPS)--on biochemical and haematological parameters in rabbits.

The effects of weekly intravenously administered a dithiol chelating agent-sodium 2,3-dimercaptopropane-sulphonate (DMPS)-in a single dose of 50 mg/kg/week for 10 weeks on biochemical and haematological parameters were studied in rabbits. DMPS was well tolerated, an increase in body weight was similar in the DMPS-treated and control animals. DMPS caused significant decrease in plasma calcium and vitamin E concentrations at the end of the experiment. No significant differences in haematological parameters between the DMPS and control groups were observed. A significant decrease in magnesium content in myocardial tissue was observed in the DMPS-treated rabbits. The above-mentioned biochemical changes should be taken into account in studies of possible chelating and radical scavenging effects of DMPS in various pathological conditions.

Animals↗