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J Homolka

Publications and source records attributed to J Homolka.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Evaluation of soluble CD 14 and neopterin as serum parameters of the inflammatory activity of pulmonary sarcoidosis.

CD14 represents the most specific marker for monocytes/macrophages. It has been demonstrated in vitro that monocytes/macrophages lose this antigen upon activation. Results of studies investigating the expression of membrane-bound CD14 on the surface of monocytes/macrophages in sarcoidosis patients are controversial. To investigate whether the soluble form of CD14 reflects monocyte/macrophage activation in sarcoidosis, serum levels of soluble CD14 were determined concurrently with other serum markers of monocyte/macrophage activation (neopterin, angiotensin-converting enzyme) in 50 consecutive patients with bioptically confirmed sarcoidosis. The patients were allocated to three groups according to disease activity and therapy. The soluble interleukin-2 receptor in serum and the CD4/CD8 ratio in lavage fluid were used to monitor T-lymphocyte activation. No significant differences in serum or bronchoalveolar lavage levels of soluble CD14 were observed in patients with active or inactive sarcoidosis. Despite the presence of normal soluble CD14 serum concentrations a correlation with serum neopterin and angiotensin-converting enzyme was found in active sarcoidosis (soluble CD14 versus neopterin, rs = 0.61 and 0.65, P < 0.05 and 0.01, respectively; soluble CD14 versus angiotensin-converting enzyme, rs = 0.6 and 0.72, P < 0.02 and 0.003, respectively). A correlation between soluble CD14 and parameters of T-cell activity was not demonstrated. We therefore conclude that soluble CD14 in serum is not a useful clinical parameter in establishing disease activity in sarcoidosis. Neopterin and angiotensin-converting enzyme serum concentrations are parameters with higher sensitivity, although specificity remains very low. The exact role of CD14 antigen in sarcoidosis requires further investigation.

Antigens, CD↗
PubMed1991

[Symptoms of diseases of the respiratory system and their importance in diagnosis. Summary and conclusions of research].

The status in the sphere of diagnosis of respiratory diseases and the revealed shortcomings in this area stimulated workers of the First Clinic for TB and Respiratory Diseases to elaborate two investigations, the aim of which was to reveal in the course of the eighties (1983-1988) the most important problems in the diagnostic process and thus contribute to the improvement of the present state. Another task was to record developmental trends as regards the contents of the discipline of pneumology. A relatively large number of patients (2207 subjects) and the period of investigation made it possible to draw some general conclusions. The results proved persisting shortcomings, in particular a slow diagnostic process which e.g. in bronchogenic carcinoma and some other diseases very much restricts effective treatment and in TB there is the danger of infection of the healthy population. From this ensue necessary provisions at all levels of medical care (in particular comprehensive examinations of patients, interdisciplinary collaboration, improved preventive provisions and attention paid to changes in the frequency and clinical picture of lung diseases as a result of different factors).

Aged↗
PubMed1989

[The significance of oxygen radicals in the pathogenesis of interstitial pulmonary processes].

The author assessed the production of superoxide anion radical (O2-) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) by monocytes in blood and by alveolar macrophages in five healthy non-smokers and in four non-smokers with a bioptically confirmed cryptogenic fibrotizing alveolitis under basal conditions and after stimulation of the cells with 25 microM forbol myristate acetate. For assessment of the production of O2- and H2O2 he used the colorimetric method described by Pick and Keisari. Alveolar macrophages of patients with cryptogenic fibrotizing alveolitis produce increased amounts of O2- and H2O2 (33.4 +/- 6.7 and 36.2 +/- 7.6 nmol/10(6) cells/hour resp.), as compared with alveolar macrophages of healthy volunteers (5.8 +/- 2.3 and 6.23 +/- 2.7 nmol/10(6) cells/hour resp.). Blood monocytes of patients with cryptogenic fibrotizing alveolitis do not have an increased production of these radicals, as compared with healthy non-smokers (3.97 +/- 1.4 and 4.26 +/- 1.7 resp., as compared with 3.79 +/- 1.2 and 3.87 +/- 1.1 nmol/10(6) cells/hour resp.). After stimulation with forbol myristate acetate alveolar macrophages in patients with cryptogenic fibrotizing alveolitis increase the output of oxide radicals only slightly.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

[The clinical picture of pulmonary tuberculosis over the past 40 years].

Most patients with pulmonary tuberculosis present to their physician because of the symptoms of this disease. This study was aimed at finding out how the clinical picture of pulmonary tuberculosis diagnosed for the first time changes in the patients hospitalized at our department in the years 1948-1986. Furthermore, the percentage of asymptomatic patients, the frequency of detectable cavern and mycobacteria tuberculosis were established. During the time period studied a change in clinical picture of the disease occurred as seen on the 13 symptoms followed. The previously common haemoptysis is a rarer symptom of tuberculosis at present (17.5% in the 1948-1950 population compared to 5.0% in the 1983-1986 population). There is an increasing number of patients in which tuberculosis manifests itself by breathlessness (2.3% of the 1948-1950 population compared to 10.9% in the years 1979-1981). In the whole period studied patients with symptoms prevail, the difference between the 1948-1950 period (71.1%) and that of 1979-1986 (67.0%) is not statistically significant. The number of patients with cavernous tuberculosis is decreasing (75% of patients in the years 1948-1950, 37% of patients in the years 1983-1986), there is an increase in bacteriologically proven diseases (33.9% of the 1948-1950 population, 73.0% of that of 1983-1986). The change in the clinical picture of tuberculosis is connected with the improvement of social conditions of the whole population, introduction of compulsory BCG vaccination and effective therapy, as well as bovine tuberculosis elimination. The change in the clinical picture of the disease is also influenced by the ever increasing mean age of the patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

[The clinical picture of pulmonary tuberculosis during the course of 39 years].

The change of signs and symptoms of pulmonary tuberculosis detected for the first time during the years 1948 through 1986 is analysed. During the entire period, the majority of patients attended the physician because of symptoms. Between 13 different evaluated symptoms cough was permanently most frequent. The other symptoms changed in their prevalence. The mean age of the patients increased from 29.7 to 59.0 years. The proportion of patients with cavities decreased from 75% to 37%. The increase of the proportion of patients in whom M. tuberculosis was detected, from 33.9 to 73.0%, is explained by the growing intensity of bacteriological examinations. To provide early case finding, health education of the population and appropriate qualification of physicians and other health providers are required at present as well as in the past.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: a historical review.

Hamman and Rich are generally considered to have been the first to describe idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) as a new clinical and pathological entity. However, several earlier reports in the German-language literature described autopsy findings consistent with IPF from a contemporary point of view. The author discusses these and later reports in a review of the history, diagnosis and treatment of the disease.

History, 18th Century↗
PubMed1987

New system of continuous monitoring of enzyme activities and determination of some substrates.

The proposed system of continuous monitoring of enzyme activities is based primarily on the electrochemical behaviour of thiol compounds, and the experimental equipment is extremely simple. The determination of cholinesterase (EC 3.1.1.8) activity is described. The normal values obtained for men (73.9, s +/- 10.3 microkat/l) and for women (71.1, s +/- 10.2 microkat/l), lie within the usual range of analogous photometric methods. Systems for determination of the activities of alkaline phosphatase (EC 3.1.3.1) and adenosylhomocysteinase (EC 3.3.1.1) are described. The activity of aspartate aminotransferase (EC 2.6.1.1) is determined by a combination of enzyme reactions, in which CoA is released from acetyl-CoA. Analogous procedures are discussed for determinations of alanine aminotransferase (EC 2.6.1.2), lactate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.27), lipase (EC 3.1.1.2), and phospholipase A2 (EC 3.1.1.4) activities, and for determination of substrates, e.g., acetate and carnitine. Possible determinations of an additional 199 enzyme activities and of some of substrates are suggested. By determining electrochemically active groups other than thiols this method becomes almost universally applicable.

Adenosylhomocysteinase↗
PubMed1987

[Significance of alpha-1-antitrypsin and alpha-2-pregnancy-associated glycoprotein in the serum of patients with bronchial carcinoma].

The authors investigated alpha-1-antitrypsin and pregnancy associated alpha-2-glycoprotein at diagnosis and follow-up of patients with bronchogenic carcinoma. Both proteins were determined by single radial immunodiffusion according to Mancini in 60 patients with bronchogenic carcinoma, in 31 patients with nontumorous respiratory diseases, and in 10 patients with tumour metastases in the lungs. The statistical significance of differences was evaluated using Student's t-test. None of the determined proteins was found to be a specific and sensitive marker of bronchogenic carcinoma. The concentration of alpha-1-antitrypsin is increasing with the growth of the tumour, and the values of pregnancy associated alpha-2-glycoproteins are decreasing at the same time. Alpha-1-antitrypsin can be used in follow-up after tumour resection, where recurrent increase of its concentration may indicate a relapse of the tumour.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

[Tuberculous pneumonia, complicated by tuberculosis of the middle ear].

The authors report on a rare localization of tuberculosis in a young foreigner. Tuberculous otitis media developed secondarily via Eustachian tube in far advanced pulmonary tuberculosis. Anti-tuberculous chemotherapy resulted in recovery. Even in the present favourable epidemiological situation of tuberculosis the possibility of tuberculous otitis media should be considered in patients under care because of advanced tuberculosis of different localization.

Adult↗