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Biomedical subjects

Z Vacek

Publications and source records attributed to Z Vacek.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

[Immunologic follow-up of HIV-positive patients. C3, C4 complement components during HIV infection].

Investigations of the authors' patients with HIV infection revealed marked changes in the C3 and C4 components of complement. Of 61 investigated patients with HIV infection only 23 patients (37.7%) had values of the C3 component at the level recorded in controls. Values of the C4 component comparable with the control group were recorded in 24 patients (39.3%). From figures 1 and 2 it apparent that in the investigated group there is a striking hypercomplementaemia of both components, as compared with hypocomplementaemia.

AIDS-Related Complex↗

[Immunologic study in HIV-positive patients. Hypergammaglobulinemia in HIV infection].

In all groups of patients--HIV, ARC, AIDS carriers--elevated serum concentration of IgG, IgA, IgM were found. In the group of HIV carriers a significant increase of the serum concentration of IgG at the 5% level was observed and of IgM at the 1% level. In patients with ARC a significant increase of IgG and IgA was found at the 5% level and of IgM at the 1% level. In patients with AIDS significantly raised IgG values at the 5% level were recorded, and of IgA and IgM at the 1% level. In IgA a permanent increase of values occurs in AIDS carriers. In the AIDS stage 86% of the patients have values higher than mean +/- SD of controls. In all three stages of HIV infection a rise of concentrations of circulating immunocomplexes was observed (p < 0.01). The highest levels were recorded in patients with AIDS. In none of the patients the presence of antinuclear antibodies was detected. The authors discuss also possible causes of hypergammaglobulinaemia in HIV infection.

AIDS-Related Complex↗

[Immunologic monitoring of HIV-positive patients. T-lymphocytes and their subpopulations in various clinical stages of HIV infection].

The authors evaluate T-lymphocytes and their sub-populations, the immunoregulating index and white cell haemogram in patients in different clinical stages of HIV infection. They discuss the importance of the investigated parameters, in particular the number of CD4+ T-lymphocytes in the peripheral blood stream as a laboratory criterium for the development of the disease. From the paper ensues that evaluation of the number of CD4+ T-lymphocytes in the peripheral blood stream can help to estimate the time of the primary infection and the selection of an optimal time for starting azidothymidine therapy, but alone it does not suffice for establishment of the prognosis of the development of the HIV infection.

Adolescent↗

Cyanoacrylates: an ideal agent for intravascular embolotherapy?

From a large number of various embolic agents introduced in interventional radiology in last two decades it seems that an ideal embolic agent for intravascular embolization has not been found yet. The favourable properties of one of these agents - n-butyl 2-cyanoacrylate are presented by authors. It is concluded that the intravascular embolotherapy with n-butyl 2-cyanoacrylate performed in a strict accordance with the technical demands has proved to be efficient in the management of symptomatic arteriovenous malformations, in the percutaneous transhepatic embolization of gastroesophageal varices and in palliative embolization of renal tumors.

Arteriovenous Malformations↗

[The significance of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in the diagnosis of pancreatic injuries in children].

The condition of the main pancreatic duct determines very probably in a decisive way the fate of posttraumatic pancreatic pseudocysts and acute pancreatic injuries. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography is the only diagnostic method which makes possible to evaluate the condition of this duct. The authors performed ERCP in three children, in two of them an internal drainage of the pseudocyst was carried out on account of verified ductal rupture. In the third girl, after evidence of an intact main pancreatic duct, conservative therapy was successfully applied. In the discussion the authors summarize data from the literature regarding the use of ERCP in the preoperative diagnosis of posttraumatic pancreatic pseudocysts and acute pancreatic injuries. The authors consider ERCP a method which renders the diagnosis of posttraumatic pancreatic pseudocysts and acute pancreatic injuries more accurate.

Adolescent↗

[Submicroscopic structure of amniotic fluid cells].

Submicroscopic examination of amniotic fluid cells in the second trimester of pregnancy revealed that the cells are from the morphological aspect a very heterogeneous population, comprising vital and degenerated cells the ultrastructure of which rules out the possibility of cultivation of cells of foetal as well as of maternal origin. As to degenerated cells, the authors identified circular cells with a granular cytoplasm and nucleus originating from the urogenital or digestive tract of the foetus. Furthermore cells with a process and segmented or fragmented pycnotic nucleus derived from granulocytes and macrophages of maternal origin. Also circular cells of the periderm with short microvilli and advanced regressive changes of the nucleus and cytoplasm are degenerated. Among non-vital elements also anuclear completely keratinized cells of the stratum corneum originating from the skin of the maternal abdomen can be included. As to vital elements, the amniotic fluid contains cells of the amniotic ectoderm which are large, have numerous microvilli, a dense margin and a network of filaments in the cytoplasm. They are the most numerous cells. Other vital elements in amniotic fluid include granulocytes and macrophages with a typical ratio of lyzosomes. Both are considered elements of maternal origin. Maternal origin is assumed also in fibroblasts which along with collagen particles may penetrate into the aspirating needle. From the results ensues that the cells in amniotic fluid are not a homogeneous population of unequivocally foetal origin and that a better technique of collection of samples and cultivation must be developed.

Amniotic Fluid↗

An immunological study of Lyme disease.

84 patients in the second or third stages of serologically diagnosed Lyme disease suffering from different forms of central as well as peripheral nervous system involvement were tested for the participation of autoimmune mechanisms. Cell hypersensitivity to the encephalitogenic basic protein and to antigens from peripheral myelin was evaluated on an Opton cytopherometer according to the effect of the macrophage slowing factor--liberated during short-term incubation of sensibilized lymphocytes by the respective antigen--on the mobility of tannin-treated sheep red blood cells in an electric field. Judged by the presence of autoimmune reactions. Lyme disease has come to occupy a prominent position compared with previously examined other types of neuroinfections. An explanation can be sought in disordered immunoregulating mechanisms, even though the changes in total and active T lymphocytes were not statistically significant. Data on immunological changes are relevant for the indication of immunomodulating therapy as a suitable complement to antibiotic treatment.

Adolescent↗

[Immunologic study of Lyme borreliosis].

In 84 patients in the second or third stage of serologically proved Lyme borreliosis suffering from different forms of central and/or peripheral nervous system involvement the participation of autoimmunological mechanisms was investigated. The cellular hypersensitivity to encephalitogenic basic protein and to antigens from peripheral myelin was evaluated on the cytopherometer Opton according to the influence of macrophage slowing factor--liberated during the short-term incubation of the sensibilized lymphocytes with specific antigen--on the mobility of tanned sheep red blood cells in the electrical field. The frequency of positive findings in comparison with the results in other types of neuroinfections, examined previously, put the Lyme borreliosis on the first place. The explanation of this fact may be seen in the immunoregulatory disturbances, even though the changes of the total and active T lymphocytes were not significant. The knowledge of immunological changes is very important for the indication of immunomodulating procedures suitably complementing the treatment by antibiotics.

Adolescent↗

Some immunological characteristics of subjects suffering from frequent herpes simplex virus recrudescences.

Some parameters of specific and non-specific immunity were tested in a group of 44 subjects suffering from frequent herpes simplex type 1 (HSV-1) or herpes simplex type 2 (HSV-2) recrudescences. The tests performed included determinations of (i) HSV complement-independent and complement-dependent neutralizing antibodies, (ii) antibodies to glycoprotein C of HSV-1 and glycoprotein G of HSV-2, (iii) antibodies to viral capsid and early antigens of Epstein-Barr virus, (iv) antibodies to tetanus toxoid, (v) serum levels of IgM, IgG, IgA, transferrin, prealbumin and C'3 and C'4 components of complement, (vi) active and total T lymphocytes, (vii) phagocyting activity of polymorphonuclear neutrophils, eosinophils and mononuclear cells, (viii) skin reactivity to tuberculin, toxoplasmin, candidin, tetanus and diphtheria toxoids. In the patients the following deviations from the control groups were noted: (i) Antibody levels to homotypic but not to heterotypic HSV were enhanced, (ii) serum IgM levels were elevated, (iii) percentages and numbers of active and total T lymphocytes were decreased, (iv) phagocyting activity of neutrophils was depressed but that of eosinophils was increased.

Adolescent↗

[The significance of mediastinoscopy in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the lungs and mediastinum].

A total of 299 patients is presented in them the mediastinoscopy has been performed from 1970 up to 1987. The indications and examination technique are also reported. Its significance is evaluated in recognizing the individual groups of diseases of lung and mediastinum. Comparing this method with other techniques, its advantages are referred to as for its precision a good tolerance by patients. The relatively small rate of complications is stated which represented 1.33 per cent in total proposed.

Adult↗

[Morphologic changes in the heart atrium in frogs after extinction of current due to suction electrode induced damage].

In biological model experiments in frog heart morphological substrate was observed in current extinction due to damage under suction electrode. After short-term suction discharge monophase recording disappeared without demonstrable myocyte ultrastructure changes by means of reparation ad integrum. Monophase recording spontaneously disappeared in distinct changes of monocyte structure with enlarged spaces in between myofibrils, with breakdown of cristae in mitochondria and with dilatation of tubules and cisternae of the endoplasmic reticulum. This tissue disintegration leads to demarcation and forming of new cellular surfaces on the border with the healthy tissue so that the damaged area turns into a mere electric conductor.

Animals↗

[Treatment of pyogenic liver abscesses using percutaneous transparietal drainage].

Authors present their own experience with the method of external transparietal drainage of pyogenic hepatic abscesses. It is both effective and available method with minimum complications if performed in time. Mortality rate is much lower than in surgical drainage. Percutaneous drainage of hepatic abscesses depends on the possibility of their diagnostics by means of ultrasonography or computer tomography and access to special instruments.

Drainage↗