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Biomedical subjects

Z Pospísil

Publications and source records attributed to Z Pospísil.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Pulse cyclophosphamide for corticosteroid-refractory graft-versus-host disease.

Corticosteroid-resistant GVHD is difficult to manage and is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Cyclophosphamide (Cy) is an established immunosuppressive and cytotoxic drug widely used as part of pretransplant conditioning regimens. In a retrospective study of 15 patients who had not responded to corticosteroids (nine with acute GVHD, three with GVHD after donor leukocyte infusion, and three progressive chronic GVHD), pulse Cy at a median dose of 1 g/m(2) was very effective in the treatment of skin (100% response), liver (70% response), and the oral cavity (100% response). Severe intestinal GVHD responded poorly. The toxicity profile was acceptable, with manageable, short-term myelosuppression in some patients. The risk of opportunistic infections, mixed chimerism, relapses, or post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease was not increased. Overall survival was 57%, with median and maximum follow-up of 9 and 37 months, respectively. The cost of the drug was negligible, especially when compared to monoclonal antibodies. Pulse Cy requires further investigation in corticosteroid-resistant GVHD.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Mathematical model of peripheral blood stem cell harvest kinetics.

A mathematical model of peripheral blood stem cell harvests was developed, taking two new parameters R (number of recruited cells/minute) and E(f) (efficiency of collection) into consideration in addition to concentrations and collected amounts of cells. This model was tested on 241 harvest procedures in cancer patients (chemotherapy+G-CSF stimulation), donors of allogeneic PBSC, and platelet donors, using different collection procedures, with a Cobe Spectra Cell separator. The relationships between preapheresis concentrations, R, E(f) and harvested amounts of cells were complex, and different for different harvest procedures and populations of donors. However, invariably, recruitment played an important role and contributed significantly to the final harvest in all types of cells studied. For example, for the patient group, mean recruitment was 1.3 x 10(6) CD34+ cells/min and the amount of recruited cells corresponded to 65% of all collected cells. Recruitment was significantly influenced by pretreatment with chemo-therapy and/or radiotherapy. The mean recruitment values for the subgroups with limited, moderate, and extensive pretreatment were 1.65 x 10(6), 0.87 x 10(6), and 0.32 x 10(6) CD34+ cells released per minute, respectively. The finding of a quick and massive recruitment phenomenon may stimulate further research into hematopoiesis in order to maximize harvested cells.

Blood Component Removal↗
PubMed2001

[Collection of peripheral hematopoietic stem cells for transplantation from volunteer donors--siblings of the patients].

Peripheral stem cells obtained by stimulation of haematopoiesis by administration of so-called growth factors are used for allogenic transplantations of haematopoietic cells only since the mid-nineties of the 20th century. So far however not all potential undesirable effects of growth factor administration to healthy subjects are known. The authors present the results of a programme of allogene transplantation of peripheral blood stem cells from related donors which was started in their department in 1996. From 11/1996 till 8/2000 the authors started 55 mobilizations of peripheral stem cells in donors before transplantation. The mobilization growth factor G-CSF was used for in a total dose of 16 micrograms/kg/day s.c. administered in two daily doses. During administration of G-CSF 19 donors had no complaints, 34 donors (64%) had pain in their bones, subfebrile temperatures and/or symptoms of flu. G-CSF produced dramatic changes in the haemogram--massive leucocytosis with dominant neutrophilia, after collection of the transplant thrombocytopenia developed. The changes of some biochemical parameters were also marked. A peripheral venous approach for collection of the transplant was applied in 23 instances (43%), in the remainder cannulation of a central vein was used. A total of 121 leukaophereses was performed in 53 donors (separator COBE Spectra) which were started on the 4th day of G-CSF administration. An automatic operation of PBSC collection was used in 28 leukaphereses, an operation of mononuclear collection in 93 leukaphereses. In leukaphereses only mild symptoms of hypocalcaemia were observed in 26 donors (48%). The mean total yield of leukaphereses was 9.39 x 10(6) CD34+ cells/kg of the recipient (3.48-23.13) and 76.54 x 10(4) CFU-GM/kg of the recipient (10.02-238.78), no mobilization failed. Of 36 donors 25 (69%) came for a check-up one year after collection of the transplant. No changes in the haemogram nor in biochemical parameters were recorded. In donors with hepatopathies pathological findings persisted in biochemical examinations without a deteriorating trend. Administration of G-CSF to healthy subjects is a new technology associated with certain advantages as well as some questions. Safety of donors holds the first place, detailed information is essential as well as examination and follow up not only on a short-term but also on a long-term basis.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

[Kinetics of hematopoiesis after high-dose chemotherapy and autologous peripheral stem cell transplantation].

BACKGROUND: Autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (APBSCT) is gradually replacing autologous bone marrow transplantation in many clinical settings. The key question is how to evaluate the quality of grafts. We analyzed the relationship between hematopoietic reconstitution and characteristics of patients and grafts. METHODS AND RESULTS: Data from 95 APBSCTs were analyzed. Peripheral stem cells were obtained after mobilization using anti-neoplastic chemotherapy followed by Neupogen (G-CSF). After high dose chemotherapy and APBSCT, patients received Leucomax (GM-CSF). Patients were reinfused with a median of 6.1 x 10(6) (range 0.83-29.3) CD34+ cells/kg, and 25.1 x 10(4) (range 1.0-167.0) CFU-GM/kg of body weight. The median time to engraftment was 12 days (both for granulocytes 1 x 10(9)/l and platelets 50 x 10(9)/l). We found a significant correlation between the number of CD34+ cells and CFU-GM reinfused and also between their respective graft sizes and time to leukocytes, platelets, and granulocytes recovery. We did not find a significant correlation between the number of mononuclear cells reinfused and any analyzed parameter (time to engraftment, age, diagnosis, number of previous chemotherapies, type of mobilization or high-dose regimen). However, administration of preparative high-dose chemotherapy consisted of busulphan and cyclophosphamide was associated with the risk of a transient secondary graft failure. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that the content of progenitors in PBSC grafts and time to booth leukocyte and platelet recovery are best estimated by the number of CD34+ cells (not less than 1 x 10(6)/kg) and CFU-GM (not less than 1 x 10(4)/kg). The number of mononuclear cells in an autologous PBSC graft is not suitable and useful for prediction of engraftment rate. There is probably no additional benefit of reinfusion of more than 8-10 x 10(6) CD34+ cells/kg and/or 50 x 10(4) CFU-GM/kg, because hematopoietic recovery is not more rapid.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Single photon bone densitometry in multiple myeloma.

The study was performed in 45 patients with multiple myeloma. There was found significant correlation between diminished bone mineral density of forearm and duration of the disease. No correlation between bone mineral density and biochemical markers of osteolysis (pyridinoline and deoxypyridinoline in urine) and serum levels of cytokines was found.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗
PubMed1998

[The importance of determination of interleukin-10 in the blood of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus].

BACKGROUND: Hitherto, not very numerous investigations provided so far only few often controversial findings on the importance of interleukin-10 (IL-10) in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The objective of the present investigation was to assess whether there exist practically applicable relations between the serum level of IL-10, clinical and laboratory indicators of activity of the disease and serum levels of selected cytokines or their soluble receptors. METHODS AND RESULTS: The authors analyzed a group of 23 patients with SLE (23 women and 1 man, median age 37 years). Interleukin-10 and other cytokines were examined by the ELISA method, the clinical activity of the disease was evaluated by the ECLAM system (European Consensus Lupus Activity Measurement). Elevated IL-10 values (> 5 pg/ml) were assessed in 10 (43%) patients. Correlation analysis (Pearson's test, p < 0.05) revealed statistically significant relations between IL-10 levels and the activity of the disease, values of antibody levels against dsDNA and levels of the soluble receptor IL-2 (sIL-2R) in serum. Conversely, no relationship was revealed between values of IL-10 and values of C3 and C4 complement components, IL-1, IL-2, IL-6, sIL-6R, TNF-alpha, sTNFR-alpha and INF-gamma. CONCLUSIONS: Elevated IL-10 serum levels in patients with SLE did not have, with the exception of the index of clinical activity of the disease, antibodies against dsDNA and sIL-2R any statistically significant relations to laboratory indicators of disease activity and levels of selected cytokines and their soluble receptors.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Restriction fragment length polymorphism and virulence of Czech Toxoplasma gondii strains.

Restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of chromosomal DNA from 22 strains of Toxoplasma gondii were characterised using SalI and PstI restriction endonucleases and the TGR1E specific repetitive sequence as a probe. Two virulent strains, RH and P-CZ, had previously been isolated from humans, the remaining 20 strains were isolated from animals in the Czech Republic in 1994 and 1995. Among the 20 recently isolated strains, 19 belonged to an avirulent lineage and only one strain from the wild cat Felis silvestris belonged to a virulent lineage.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

[An epizootiologic study of an outbreak of equine influenza in the Czech Republic in the fall of 1995].

A mild outbreak of acute respiratory infection was reported in racing horses in the fall of 1995. Four studs were investigated for the sources and routes of infection. In five horses from two herds, virus isolates were obtained which, in preliminary typing experiments, were identified as the influenza A/equi 2 virus. The presence of this illness in all the examined herds was confirmed by a rise in specific antibody titres. The affected animals included both older vaccinated horses and young horses not yet vaccinated. Epidemiological studies suggested that the spread of infection occurred in situations where infected and non-infected horses were together, most frequently at races. Newly infected horses brought the infection back to their studs where further animals became infected. Some of them, still being in the incubation period without any clinical signs, may have taken part in another race and passed the infection onto healthy animals from other studs. Since the races usually took place in 7-day intervals, the epidemiological chain remained continuous. The causes of the outbreak of infection in vaccinated horses are analysed. The length of post-vaccination immunity, the antigenic composition of vaccines and their completion with new strains of the influenza virus are discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

[Vascular intercellular adhesive molecule-1 (VCAM-1)--a new indicator of activity in systemic lupus erythematosus?].

The objective of the submitted study was to evaluate the role of the serum level of the soluble form of the vascular adhesive molecule-1(VCAM-1) in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and to evaluate the possible relation to selected clinical and laboratory indicators of activity of the disease and cytokine serum levels. The analyzed group comprised 20 women, median age 37 years (range 18-65 years). Elevated VACM-1 serum levels were detected in 18 subjects (90%). Statistical analysis (Pearson's test, p < 0.05) revealed a significant relationship between serum levels of VCAM-1 and the index of clinical activity of SLE evaluated by the ECLAM system (European Consensus Lupus Activity Measurement), values of the C3 complement component, the level of antibodies against dsDNA and serum levels of IL-10. No significant correlation was found with levels of the soluble receptor IL-2 (sIL-2R) and the C4 complement component in serum. From the investigation ensues that investigation of serum levels of the adhesive molecule of the VCAM-1 type is a promising method which makes early diagnosis of exacerbation of the disease possible. However, for evaluation of its real asset in clinical practice a more widely conceived longitudinal investigation is needed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

[The autoantibody profile and disease activity in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus].

Antinuclear antibodies are a group of autoantibodies which are typical for collagenous diseases. By means of the autoantibody profile different sub-groups of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) can be identified. This can serve as a certain prognostic factor of the affection. Patients with a negative antibody profile have fewer clinical and laboratory manifestations of SLE. Profile A (anti-dsDNA and/or anti-Sm has, as compared with patients with a negative antibody profile, more frequent organ manifestations. Patients with profile B (anti-RNP) have a higher frequency of Raynaud's phenomenon. Profile C (anti-Ro, anti-La) is characterized in particular by photosensitivity of the skin and secondary Sjögren's syndrome. Profile D (antibodies against centromeres and/or Scl-70) are found in subjects with SLE with traits of scleroderma. Finally profile E (antibodies against histones) are found in SLE induced by drugs. In the submitted study in 28 patients with SLE autoantibodies anti-dsDNA, anti-DNP, extracted nuclear antibodies (ENA-Sm,Ro,La, histones, Sm/RNP, Scl-70) were evaluated and different subgroups of SLE were assessed. Attention was paid to their common characteristics and the activity of the disease. Associations of clinical activity of the disease expressed by the ECLAM index (European Consensus Lupus Activity Measurement) were tested as well as anti-dsDNA levels and also the association of the disease activity with C3 and C4 constituents of complement, CRP and circulating immunocomplexes in serum. Positivity of the antinuclear factor (ANF) was found in 21 patients, while in 7 subjects who were in clinical and laboratory remission, ANF was negative. A negative antibody profile was recorded in 9 patients, profile A was found in 13, 1 patient had profile B, and 4 patients had profile C. Antibody profile D was not found in the group. When using regression analysis and Pearson s correlation coefficient, correlations were found between anti-dsDNA values and the system ECLAM (r = 0.72, p < 0.01), anti-dsDNA and C3 levels (r = -0.59, p < 0.01), C4 (r = -0.50,, p < 0.01), and between the ECLAM system and C3 (r = -0.60, p 0.01) and C4 (r = -0.52, p < 0.01) and also between C3 and C4 mutually (r = 0.72, p < 0.01). From the submitted investigation ensues that investigation of antinuclear antibody levels in SLE is important not only for assessment of the diagnosis of the disease and its activity but also for assessment of the subgroups of the disease and for prediction of its development. As to other indicators of activity, assessment of the C3 and C4 constituents of complement is still important.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Development of a disease control programme based on the use of an inactivated vaccine against infectious bovine rhinotracheitis.

Studies to investigate the efficacy of an inactivated vaccine against infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR) suggest that this vaccine can prevent the in utero infection of calves from experimentally infected dams. In an experimental herd the inactivated vaccine induced a humoral immune response in both seropositive and seronegative cattle and, after subsequent intratracheal infection with IBR (BHV-1) virus, prevented development of symptoms in the cows and protected their fetuses against infection. The calves were all healthy and were born at term. The non-vaccinated, seronegative cows responded to the experimental infection with mild respiratory disease and abortion of 4 out of 10 fetuses. All organs from the aborted fetuses were found to have IBR virus. Through the use of this vaccine, the nucleus of a seronegative, virus-free breeding herd can be established. Thus, valuable genetic material can be preserved and the eradication of IBR becomes a realistic prospect. From our initially strictly controlled experiments producing 234 healthy calves, our programme was expanded into farm practice where 1001 calves were reared free from IBR virus.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

The efficacy of an inactivated IBR vaccine in the prevention of intra-uterine infection and its use in a disease-control programme.

The effects of administration of an established, inactivated IBR vaccine were studied in 30 cows from two herds (one seropositive and one seronegative). All acquired immunity which, after subsequent intratracheal infection with IBR virus, prevented development of symptoms in the cows and protected their foetuses against viral infection in utero. The calves were all healthy and were born at normal term. Ten non-vaccinated cows from the seronegative herd responded to the experimental infection with mild respiratory disease and abortion of four out of 10 foetuses. Organs from the aborted foetuses were found to have IBR virus. In a breeding herd, without clinical signs of disease but with 40% of cows tested as seropositive, a 2-year disease-control programme was initiated. A total of 234 newborn calves were examined and it was shown that immunization of their dams with an inactivated vaccine conferred full in utero protection against IBR-virus infection. When such calves are reared in isolation they can be used as the nucleus for a seronegative breeding herd.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

[Detection of herpesvirus serum antibodies in red deer (Cervus elaphus) imported into the Czech Republic].

Antibodies reacting in the virus-neutralisation test with bovine herpesvirus (BHV-1), the causative agent of infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR), were demonstrated in a herd of red deer (Cervus elaphus) imported into the Czech Republic. Sera from the same collection were later tested against a homologous virus, termed herpesvirus cervidae 1 (HVC-1), isolated from red deer in Scotland. Out of 165 imported animals, antibodies to BHV-1 were found in 68% and to HVC-1 in 71% of the animals. Titres of antibodies to the two viruses ranged from 1 : 2 to 1 : 4 or were occasionally greater. As documented by several experimental studies carried out abroad, the HVC-1 virus, though antigenically closely related to BHV-1 virus, is not pathogenic to cattle under natural conditions. Antibodies which reacted with both BHV-1 and HVC-1 were also demonstrated in 3 out of 7 roebucks randomly shot in this territory.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

[Mechanisms of erythrocyte sedimentation. Do we know more today than Robin Fahraeus?].

The authors analyze in detail all substantial factors which influence the red cell sedimentation. They express this one a function of time, hematocrit, hemoglobin concentration, concentration of some plasma proteins, citrate density and viscosity. These values serve to describe the plasma and red cell density, plasma viscosity, red cell aggregation and to express the influence of the hematocrit on the red cell sedimentation. The authors try to quantify all influences in order to differentiate important factors from less important ones. Finally they demonstrate on several case-histories the necessity of a rational analytical attitude to values of the red cell sedimentation rate.

Blood Sedimentation↗
PubMed1992

[Plasma viscosity. The effect of plasma proteins].

The authors assessed the plasma viscosity by means of a capillary viscosimeter of their own design and assessed at the same time the concentration of 22 plasma proteins or lipids. Based on the results of these examinations it proved possible to elaborate an original equation which describes the plasma viscosity as a function of the concentration of fibrinogen, alpha-2-globulins (and among them most probably haptoglobin), gammaglobulins, IgA and IgM. The authors discuss in detail the importance of this finding for clinical haemorheology.

Blood Proteins↗
PubMed1989

[Importance of type I hypersensitivity to molds in autumnal respiratory allergies].

The authors examined by means of skin tests for moulds 108 patients with the diagnosis of pollen rhinitis and/or pollen bronchial asthma. All had maximum complaints at the end of summer and in autumn and were formerly hyposensitized only by pollen allergens. Sensitization to fungi and its polyvalent character was significantly greater in subjects unsuccessfully treated by pollen hyposensitization, as moulds acted obviously as an important allergen. The authors found a low sensitivity and specificity of USOL screening preparations "Outdoor moulds" (76% and 81%) and "Indoor moulds" (74% and 93%).

Adult↗
PubMed1986

[The effect of short-term isolation of vaccinated chicks on the incidence of Marek's disease].

In chickens immunized by normal and tenfold doses of MARVAK vaccine (100 and 1,000 PFU) we investigated protective effects against the natural contact infection of chickens that were exposed to the infection immediately after vaccination, or at the intervals of 48 and 72 hours, and 7 and 14 days. Studying the elimination of Marek's disease virus by feather follicles, the health condition of chickens, tumor frequency and mortality rate we demonstrated that neither of these doses could protect the chickens from the disease if they were exposed to contact infection just after vaccination. An expressive protective effect was observed in chickens isolated for 7-14 days and there was not recorded any difference in the protection against the disease after the doses of 100 and 1,000 PFU. The main and feasible measure against MD is to prevent an early infection of newborn chickens by improving the zoohygienic conditions.

Animals↗