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Biomedical subjects

J Beran

Publications and source records attributed to J Beran.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

Evidence for in vivo high-frequency periodicity of plasma beta-endorphin in humans.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether high-frequency periodic fluctuation in the release of plasma immunoreactive (ir)-beta-endorphin occurs in humans. DESIGN, PATIENTS AND MEASUREMENTS: Blood was collected at 90-sec intervals for 1 hour from the forearm vein of four healthy women and subsequently analysed for ir-beta-endorphin by radioimmunoassay. RESULTS: In all women circulating beta-endorphin release followed a high-frequency periodic rhythm pattern. The estimated spectral densities within the four subjects varied between 3.6 min to 4.9 min. CONCLUSIONS: Our results provide the first in vivo evidence that fluctuations in the release of beta-endorphin in humans cannot only be characterized by low-frequency pulses, but also by a high frequency periodic rhythm.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

[CT-guided pelvic osteosynthesis. Preliminary report on a new operative technic].

The authors proposed new method for surgical treatment of slightly dislocated fractures of the sacrum and acetabulum and also small traumatic dislocations in the sacroiliac joint. Cannulated screws were used for percutaneous osteosynthesis under guidance of computerised tomography. CT guided surgery enables to choose the correct direction and length of introduced screws with regard to the shape and localisation of the fracture. During the step by step procedure the reduction effect can be directly checked and the surgical strategy immediately modified. The advantages of this method are minimal invasiveness, high accuracy and possibility of rapid mobilisation of treated patient.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

[Epidemiology of noninfectious diseases--principles and methodology].

Contemporary epidemiology as a science extends considerably its object of research interest. Originally it was interested in the prevalence of communicable diseases in the population and investigated all the factors, which affected this distribution. In the last few decades, epidemiology passed from following-up of communicable diseases to the description and the analysis of all diseases, which occur on our planet. Because of interest in the diseases, which endanger civilization as a result of its development, is the epidemiology with this target is called sometimes the epidemiology of non-communicable diseases. Traditional and the historical experience of communicable diseases epidemiology, methods of the classic statistics and the epidemiological working method are its basic principles. Adequate design of epidemiological studies and modern indicators for evaluation of the health status are used. Epidemiology does not investigate the disease and the risk factor separately, but they are analyzed mutually at three levels as a relation, association and causality. Emphasis is laid on minimalization or complete elimination of confounding and bias.

Epidemiologic Methods↗
PubMed1995

[Seroprevalence of anti-hepatitis A antibodies in Czech soldiers serving in U.N. forces--suggestions for a hepatitis A vaccination schedule].

Viral hepatitis A is a frequent disease particularly in developing countries. All workers and UN forces (UNO) are vaccinated against VHA with Havrix vaccine. The Czech units which were and are engaged on the territory of former Jugoslavia are not yet vaccinated against this contagious disease. The main purpose of the present study was to assess the immunity rate of VHA among Czech soldiers of the UN forces before their departure to the site of action. Another objective was to assess a suitable vaccination procedure. Sera were examined by the MEIA method (Microparticle Enzyme Immunoassay) in a fully automated IMx system in the Military Health Institute, Ceské Budĕjovice. For investigation HAVAB kits of Abbott Co. were used. A total of 667 serum samples were assembled, 19 had to be discarded because of small amounts (less than 50 microliters or because of haemolysis. The positive titre of "total" antibodies was set at 35 mIU anti-HAV; thus a total of 648 specimens were examined in 1991 - 1994 (1991 - 65, 1992 - 296, 1993 - 265, 1994 - 22). Of these 249 (38.4%) were positive and 399 (61.6%) were negative. The examined subjects were divided into four age groups (20 - 29, 30 - 39, 40 - 49, 50 - 59), the approximate distribution being 23%, 50%, 25%, 2%. The ratio of negative and positive specimens in different age groups was 1:0.3, 1:0.6, 1:1, 1:2.7. The seroprevalence of anti-HAV antibody increases from 25.3% in the first age group, in the second one it is 37.9%, in the third one 49.5% and 72.7% in the last age group, i.e. in the age bracket of 50 - 59 years. The results indicate a very low immunity rate in the lower age brackets and the necessity to vaccinate them before they depart. It is beyond doubt that it pays to examine the soldiers for the presence of total anti-HAV and immunize only subjects with a negative antibody titre. The vaccination approach Havrix 2 x 720 EU was recommended.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Plasma triglycerides and three lipoprotein cholesterol fractions are independent predictors of the extent of coronary atherosclerosis.

BACKGROUND: The lipoprotein system has manifold links to atherosclerotic disease. LDL cholesterol is related to lesion formation and growth. The cholesterol of HDLs is indicative of protection against atherosclerosis. The status of triglycerides and of subfractions of high-density lipoproteins as risk factors is less certain. Also, the magnitude of the atherogenic/protective power of these factors is not known. METHODS AND RESULTS: Five hundred patients (418 men and 82 women) were enrolled in an angiographic study. A total of 1006 coronary lesions with > or = 50% narrowing were recorded as study end points. By extent of atherosclerosis, defined as the number of > or = 50% lesions, the study subjects were allocated to one of four ordered categories with 0, 1 to 3, 4 to 6, or 7 to 10 lesions, respectively. Subfractions of HDL cholesterol were determined by a dual precipitation method. By a polychotomous logistic regression model, it was found that, besides age and sex, LDL cholesterol, HDL2 cholesterol, HDL3 cholesterol, and triglycerides were independently predictive (P < .05) of the extent of coronary atherosclerosis. An increase in age by 10 years was associated with an increase of the odds ratio for falling into a higher-extent category by a factor of 1.64, and the same increase of the odds ratio was obtained by increasing LDL cholesterol by 0.92 mmol/L or triglycerides by 1.01 mmol/L and by decreasing HDL2 cholesterol by 0.20 mmol/L or HDL3 cholesterol by 0.46 mmol/L. The less sensitive coronary end point, presence of atherosclerosis (ie, observation of > or = 1 lesion of > or = 50%) depended significantly on age, sex, LDL cholesterol, and HDL2 cholesterol, but not on HDL3 cholesterol or triglycerides. CONCLUSIONS: In addition to LDL, HDL2, and HDL3 cholesterol, triglycerides also proved independently predictive of the extent of coronary atherosclerosis.

Cholesterol, HDL↗
PubMed1994

[Analysis of prevention of an epidemic of viral hepatitis A in the Czech army 1970-1989].

Viral hepatitis is a serious medical and economic problem. By far the most frequent viral hepatitis occurring in Czechoslovak army is viral hepatitis A. Although the trends of the global incidence of hepatitis A in the Czech Army are identical with the trends in the civilian sector and thus descending, the great danger for the military sector arises specially from specific conditions of organized life. Screening and postexposure gammaglobulin prophylaxis with 70% protection are proved most effective. The protection is lower than the values published by authors abroad, but this is connected with the time of gammaglobulin administration. Norga prophylaxis is quite justified, in indicated cases, i.e. in contacts and in time.

Czech Republic↗
PubMed1993

[Effects of group psychotherapy].

Using questionnaires SCL 90 and PFI, the author investigated in 1989-1990 the effect of group psychotherapy provided at the psychotherapeutic department of the psychiatric sanatorium in Kromĕríz. The group comprised 40 men and 60 women with neurotic complaints. The control group was formed by 45 men and 193 women without neurotic complaints. The questionnaire SCL90 recorded positive changes after group psychotherapy in the therapeutic community, in particular in female patients. A catamnestic examination made after one year, using the same questionnaire, suggests that the therapeutic results have a permanent character. Conversely the PFI questionnaire recorded few significant changes. The problem of assessment of the effect of psychotherapy is discussed also on a more general level.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

[The anamnestic interview focusing on the psychological problems of patients].

The article extends the usual view concerning selection and scope of anamnestic data. Attention is drawn to some generally valid psychological factors which are used in anamnestically oriented interviews and which are important also for the later creation of the doctor-patient relationship. The anamnestic interview is important for inducing confidence in the doctor and for the patient's motivation for further cooperation during therapy. The author mentions some actual examples of questions whereby he emphasizes the importance of so-called open questions. The doctor should, however, not restrict himself to putting questions but should provide also a certain space for the patient's spontaneous expression. He should also provide some information to the patient. Based on the anamnestic interview focused on psychological problems the doctor should obtain a more concrete idea on the patient's life not only from a purely factographic aspect but also from the aspect how the patient experienced individual events. The anamnestically oriented interview should have a calming effect on the patient, it should be the basis for the development of confidence in the doctor and a certain degree of self-respect.

Humans↗
PubMed1991

[Basic communication skills].

Communication skills comprises components of interpersonal activities which have as a rule are favourably affected. They include listening, which means to perceive sensitively all components of the patient's verbal manifestations; the ability of empathy is very important. We characterize it in Rogers sense i.e. trying to understand the mental state of the other subjects. The fundamental communication skill of the doctor is manifested understanding. Some skills are to a certain extent non-verbal such as interest in the patient or respect of him. Finally the author deals with the role of specific advice given to the patient when psychological problems have to be resolved.

Communication↗
PubMed1990

[Suggestions for criteria for uniform evaluation of changes in the spine in vertebral dysostosis of the Scheuermann type].

The author recommends in his proposal of uniform criteria to evaluate pathological changes of the spine according to a pattern where the first place is held by morphological changes (unevenness of the covering plates, changes in the shape of bodies of the vertebrae, changes in the height of disc and changes in the curvature of the spine). The second place in held by functional changes and the third one by the general extent and quality of pathological changes. In the latter group the author draws attention to the appearance of a stigmatized spine. It is essentially an abortive form of vertebral dysostosis with frust not very marked morphological symptoms. He draws attention to the importance of this form for explanation of an obscure vertebral algic syndrome, in particular in children. The unform evaluation of these pathological changes should help to establish order in the hitherto controversial problem of evaluation of vertebral dysostosis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

[Postgraduate education in psychotherapy].

In the first part the author summarizes views of 95 Czechoslovak psychiatrists as regards the position of psychotherapy in the Czechoslovak health services and the position as regards psychotherapeutic training. From the summary ensues that the number of specialized departments does not correspond to the needs of our health services and the author emphasizes the need of better organization of psychotherapy in practice. At present there are opportunities of training in psychotherapy in particular in the psychotherapeutic section of the Psychiatric Society of the Czech Medical Society and in the Institute for Postgraduate Medical and Pharmaceutical Training in Prague. Both alternatives comprise compulsory participation in psychotherapeutic training groups. To make psychotherapeutic training more available, the author informs in the subsequent part of the paper on the possibility of education and training of health workers in psychotherapy. In this connection the author emphasizes the selection of participants, the principles of group psychotherapy training and the demand of selection of experienced supervisors and tutors. Training in psychotherapy should be differentiated to make differently oriented programmes possible; e.g. the programme for specialists in psychotherapy and another programme for doctors working in clinical medical branches. Finally the author deals with the perspective problem of specialization examinations in psychotherapy and indicates problems associated with institutionalization of psychotherapy.

Czechoslovakia↗
PubMed1989

[Diagnosis of subjective physical complaints. I].

The author draw attention to psychological aspects of subjective somatic complaints of neither functional nor organic origin. They stress the role of subjective somatic complaints played in the patient's life. The process of somatization is clarified. It is difficult for the doctor to understand subjective somatic complaints as he is predominantly used to diagnose diseases from the biological viewpoint. The paper gives more detailed characterization of hypochondria using alternative theories to explain it. It also briefly mentions essential characteristics of larvate depression and somatized anxiety.

Humans↗
PubMed1989

[Diagnosis of subjective physical complaints. II].

The paper discusses further cases of somatization (somatization disease, conversion, chronic pains) as distinct from simulation. Views of the somatization disease and conversion are based on a classification of psychopathology which has not been generally used in Czechoslovakia. The paper gives a hypothetical explanation of today's more frequent occurrence of somatization. It describes a simple screening test used for diagnosing somatization (hysteria), and suggests principles of elementary procedure to be applied in patients with subjective somatic complaints.

Factitious Disorders↗
PubMed1989

Periosteal Ewing's sarcoma.

Periosteal Ewing's sarcoma is an uncommon, but well documented origin of this malignant condition with radiographic signs, different from intramedullary growing tumours. Imaging modalities like CT or MRI supply proof of macroscopically intact endosteal cortical surface and free medullary cavity in long bones affected by this periosteal type of malignancy. Definite confirmation is valid after a careful microscopic investigation of the resected specimen. The prognosis of this type of Ewing's sarcoma may be more favourable than that of the central type. Early diagnosis and therapy are thus essential. A clinical survey of six observations is given.

Bone Neoplasms↗
PubMed1989

[Extramedullary Ewing's sarcoma].

The authors refer to six observations of periostal Ewing's sarcoma and describe its X-ray symptomatology. It differs considerably from the commonly known picture of centrally, intramedullar-originated Ewing sarcomas and tumours, diagnosed at considerable advanced stage. The possibility of periosteal origin of Ewing's sarcoma must be considered in differential diagnosis of periostoses and the patients must be examined in a complex way, particularly by computer tomography (and in the future also by MR tomography) in order to demonstrate that the medullar space of the bone is not affected by the tumour. This enables a more considerate resection during the operation. Histological verification of the nature of the tumour and excluding presence of the tumour cells in bone marrow dissection material is necessary. It may be expected that prognosis of this form of Ewing's sarcoma while treated in a modern combined way is more favourable than in the central forms.

Adolescent↗