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Biomedical subjects

J Kucera

Publications and source records attributed to J Kucera.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1999

[Laparoscopic salpingectomy in heterotopic pregnancy after fertilization in vitro and embryo transfer].

A case report of a patient with tubal infertility treated by in vitro fertilisation and embryo transfer (IVF + ET) of 4 embryos is described. The patient presented with vaginal bleeding and lower abdominal pain and during emergency laparoscopy tubal heterotopic pregnancy was eliminated. The patient did well till term and delivered a 3450 g and 50 cm newborn with congenital valvular pulmonal artery stenosis. The incidence and treatment options of heterotopic pregnancies and influences of foetal outcome concerning congenital anomalies are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

[Liberation of drugs from impregnated wound dressings].

The present paper investigates drugs and polymers intended for the impregnation of textile carriers intended for use as wound covers. Their suitability was evaluated on the basis of the evaluation of the antimicrobial efficacy of a combination of trimetoprim and sulfadimidine with the local anaesthetics carbizocaine and lidocaine, and the immunomodulating substance fungal glucan. A greater inhibitory effect on the growth of microorganisms was shown by a combination of antimicrobial substances with carbizocaine. In the study of liberation of chlorohexidine from hydrophilic macromolecular dispersions its bond to glucan was confirmed. Dispersions of Natrosol proved to be more advantageous; chlorohexidine as well as local anaesthetics were released from them more rapidly than from methylcellulose gels. The dispersions under study are of a non-Newton character with pseudoplastic flow, glucan-containing gels are thixotropic.

Anesthetics, Local↗
PubMed1999

[Health status of persons occupationally exposed to chromium, nickel, manganese and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons].

Occupational environment monitoring and biological-medical monitoring of persons professionally exposed to welding fumes have been performed. Chromium, manganese and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in welding fumes represents an important health risk. Pollutant concentrations found in metal welding fumes represented only fractions of those acceptable ones. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons have been reached the concentration found in a busy road crossing in Hradec Králové (compared with these as in Czech Republic no maximum acceptable levels for PAHs having been declared). Family, personal and occupational history have been taken. Health state including total haematological count, biochemical and cytogenetical changes of 19 stainless steel welders were checked-up. The level of mercapturates in urine were examined as well. The data were statistically compared with those of non exposed (control group). No changes witnessing the above mentioned risk factors influence on the haematological, biochemical and cytogenetical findings were ever proved. In conclusion, our results did not confirm an increased professional risk in this group of welders.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

[Biological monitoring of occupational exposure in welders of stainless steel. Immunologic methods].

Biological monitoring of occupational exposure to toxic compounds enables an early detection of adverse health effects. Apart from the standard biological monitoring methods of occupational exposure represented by metabolites and enzymes activities analysis also immunological detection methods seem to be promising. The changes of immunological system are demonstrable extraordinary sensitive markers of load of organism. The process of welding belongs between important sources of pollution of working environment with heavy metals and other harmful compounds including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. According to IARC classification the welding fumes are included into group 2B and are supposed as possible human carcinogens. Numbers of different epidemiological studies have proved relationship between welding and serious health disorders namely malignancies. We recorded a number of changes in immunological parameters when compared with those in control group in our study. The results of analysis were statistically evaluated. The statistically significant reduction of number of phagocytosis capable cells was found in the group of welders when compared with the control group. The levels of neopterin, beta-2-microglobulin and IL-1 beta have indirectly monitored cell component of immunological response. In the case of these markers a statistically significant increases were found in the group of welders. We found statistically significant IgM decrease and statistically significant IgA increase in humoral responses with the same group when compared with control group.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Development of fusimotor innervation correlates with group Ia afferents but is independent of neurotrophin-3.

Fusimotor neurons, group Ia afferents and muscle spindles are absent in mutant mice lacking the gene for neurotrophin-3 (NT3). To partition the effect of Ia afferent or spindle absence from that of NT3 deprivation on fusimotor neuron development, we examined the fusimotor system in a mutant mouse (NesPIXpNT3) that lacks Ia afferents and spindles, but has normal or elevated tissue levels of NT3 during embryogenesis. Fusimotor fibers were absent in lumbar ventral spinal roots, and limb muscles were devoid of Ia afferents and spindles in adult NesPIXpNT3 mice. In contrast, no deficiency in motoneuron numbers was observed in the trigeminal nucleus which contains cell bodies of motor axons innervating muscles of mastication. Spindles and Ia afferents were also present in the masticatory muscles. Thus, the development and/or survival of fusimotor neurons correlates with the presence of Ia afferents and/or spindles, and not with the amount of NT3 in the spinal cord or muscle.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Neurotrophin-3 and trkC in muscle are non-essential for the development of mouse muscle spindles.

Neurotrophin-3 (NT3) or TrkC null mutant mice were examined for the presence of muscle spindles. Muscles of mastication, but not limbs, contained spindles in newborn and adolescent mutants. The intramuscular distribution and morphological properties of spindles in mutant masticatory muscles were indistinguishable from those of wild-type spindles. Intrafusal fibers of NT3- or trkC-deficient spindles-expressed the slow-tonic isoform of myosin heavy chains, characteristic of wild-type spindles. Sensory nerve endings were observed in spindles of mutants by electron microscopy. Thus, NT3 or trkC, which is expressed in wild-type spindles, may serve functions other than those related to spindle assembly. Presumably, proprioceptive neurons innervating jaw muscles are dependent on factors other than NT3 for survival and maintenance.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Microsurgical reconstruction during treatment of oncological diseases of head and neck.

In 37 oncological patients where extensive resections of the face, maxilla, mandible or calva were necessary, microsurgical reconstructions were used in 27 cases as primary operations at the time of resection, and in 10 cases delayed or secondary operations were made. 49 flaps were used. In five cases two flaps were used in a single stage reconstruction, i.e. one flap for reconstruction of the mandible or buccal and on the other for facial side of the face. During operations a multidisciplinary approach of the surgical team comprising a maxillofacial surgeon, ENT and plastic surgeon is preferred.

Head and Neck Neoplasms↗
PubMed1998

[Topical preparations for burns and their evaluation].

The study focused on some problems connected with the formulation of the topical preparation of the hydrocream type, intended for the treatment of dermal burns. Seven cream bases containing Emulgator E 2155, Polysorbate 80 and silicone oils were evaluated. The employed drugs included carbizocaine, lidocaine, chlorohexidine, and the immunomodulating substance glucan. A measurement of the surface tension of chlorohexidine and carbizocaine did not reveal interaction between these two drugs. Liberation tests confirmed a higher release of lidocaine in comparison with carbizocaine and chlorohexidine. The silicone oil present did not influence the release of carbizocaine, but it promoted the release of lidocaine and chlorohexidine. The determination of rheological parameters revealed that an addition of drugs influenced the flow properties of creams. The suitability of cream ointments was evaluated on the basis of their drying.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed1997

Environmental specimen banking in the Czech Republic: a pilot study.

In recognition of the importance of environmental specimen banking (ESB) as an important component of the described ongoing real-time environmental and health-related monitoring programmes, a proposal for a planned ESB pilot study in the Czech Republic is presented. Selection of biomonitors, analytes, sampling techniques and sites is discussed, especially with regard to the possible harmonization with ESB already operational abroad. Availability of validated analytical techniques for determination of up to 30 elements using nuclear and spectroscopic techniques, including speciation of several metals, and of the most important organic pollutants employing various chromatographic techniques in biological and environmental samples is demonstrated.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMed1997

Introduction of a neurotrophin-3 transgene into muscle selectively rescues proprioceptive neurons in mice lacking endogenous neurotrophin-3.

To clarify the role of muscle-derived neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) in the development of sensory neurons, we generated transgenic mice selectively overexpressing NT-3 in skeletal muscles under the control of a myogenin promoter (myo-NT-3 mice). The myo-NT-3 transgene was then bred into an NT-3 null mutant (-/-) line to generate myo-NT-3, NT-3(-/-) mice in which NT-3 was expressed in muscles, but not elsewhere. Transient overexpression of NT-3 in developing muscles increased the number of proprioceptive neurons as well as the density of both their central and peripheral projections, resulting in more Ia afferents in spinal cord and more spindles (end organs of Ia afferents) in muscles. NT-3 expression restricted to muscles was sufficient to secure the development of proprioceptive neurons and their central and peripheral projections in myo-NT-3, NT-3(-/-) mice. The loss of nonproprioceptive neurons observed in NT-3(-/-) mice was not reversed by the transgene, suggesting that these neurons are regulated by NT-3 from sources other than muscle. We conclude that target-derived rather than intraganglionic NT-3 is preeminent in supporting the development of proprioceptive neurons. The level of NT-3 in developing muscles may be the principal factor determining the number of proprioceptive neurons in dorsal root ganglions and spindles in skeletal muscles of adults.

Afferent Pathways↗
PubMed1997

Brown recluse spider bite: a case study.

The case of a young man with a chronic, resistant, and unpredictable wound is described. The wound is believed to have been caused by the bite of a brown recluse spider. This article presents a brief overview of the potential sequelae of brown recluse spider bite and a pictorial review of this young man's wound during a 22-month period.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Bilateral xanthine nephrolithiasis in a dog.

Xanthinuria is an uncommon metabolic disorder clinically manifested as urolithiasis. There are two forms of the disease, congenital and iatrogenic. The former was diagnosed in a four-year-old dachshund bitch. The patient was presented with signs of terminal chronic renal failure. Urine was bacteriologically sterile with massive amorphous crystalluria. Bilateral nephrolithiasis was diagnosed at necropsy. The kidneys were shrunken with marked atrophy of the renal cortex and medulla. Infrared spectrometry revealed that the stones comprised 100 per cent xanthine. Later, two of the patient's siblings were examined for urine xanthine content; both showed higher concentrations of xanthine than a control dog. The described case is compared with seven known published cases of congenital xanthinuria.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Limb proprioceptive deficits without neuronal loss in transgenic mice overexpressing neurotrophin-3 in the developing nervous system.

The role of neurotrophin-3 (NT3) during sensory neuron development was investigated in transgenic mice overexpressing NT3 under the control of the promoter and enhancer regions of the nestin gene, an intermediate filament gene widely expressed in the developing nervous system. Most of these mice died during the first postnatal day, and all showed severe limb ataxia suggestive of limb proprioceptive dysfunction. Tracing and histological analyses revealed a complete loss of spindles in limb muscles, absence of peripheral and central Ia projections, and lack of cells immunoreactive to parvalbumin in the dorsal root ganglion (DRG). Despite these deficits, there was no neuronal loss in the DRG of these mice. At birth, transgenic DRG showed increased neuron numbers, and displayed a normal proportion of neurons expressing substance P, calcitonin gene-related peptide and the NT3 receptor trkC. Transgenic dorsal roots exhibited an increased number of axons at birth, indicating that all sensory neurons in transgenic mice projected to the dorsal spinal cord. Despite the absence of central Ia afferents reaching motorneurons, several sensory fibers were seen projecting towards ectopic high levels of NT3 in the midline of transgenic spinal cords. These findings suggest novel roles for NT3 in differentiation of proprioceptive neurons, target invasion and formation of Ia projections which are independent from its effects on neuronal survival.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Assessment of metals and metalloids in skin derivatives of volunteers from capital city of Prague, Czech Republic.

Instrumental neutron activation was employed to determine 12 elements (Al, As, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Mo, Sb, V, Zn) in derivatives of the epidermis (human scalp hair, public hairs and toenails) from 188 women and 74 men of the population of the Capital City of Prague. Statistically significant differences are discussed, occurring during the comparison of groups arranged in terms of various factors (type of material analyzed, age, sex, environmental exposure of the dwelling and/or occupation locality, type of occupation--mental or manual, smoking, alcohol consumption, allergy, hysterectomy and selected diseases). Statistically significantly increased levels of elements in materials coming from Prague areas with higher environmental burden are considered as the most valuable result.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

[Transdermal administration of drugs. XI. Formulation of polymeric matrices with metoprolol in transdermal therapeutic systems].

The paper is concerned with formulation studies of the transdermal therapeutic system of the matrix type with beta-adrenolytic drug metoprolol. The base of the hydrophobic matrix is the biocompatible polymer-silicone rubber, and the hydrophilic matrix was prepared from the polyacrylate polymer of the Eudragit type. The properties of the silicone matrix were modified by the additive Methocel F 4M, macrogol 600, copolymer p (HEMA) with methacrylic acid and polyacrylamide. The matrices were evaluated on the basis of the results of in vitro liberation of the drug at 32 degrees C. The liberation profiles of metoprolol were evaluated by means of the parameters of Tornquist hyperbolic function calculated by nonlinear regression. Of the composite ingredients of the silicone matrix, Methocel F 4M proved to be the best. Metoprolol was released most from the hydrophilic matrix prepared from Eudragit NE 30D. It released 12.32 mg.cm(-2).24 h-1 of metoprolol.

Acrylates↗
PubMed1996

[Physiology and pathophysiology of cardiac impulse conduction].

Representation of cardiac tissue by a continuous electrical cable provides a simple tool to explain impulse propagation and to make a comparison between heart, skeletal muscle and nerve. Recent experimental and theoretical studies have shown, however, that the process of electrical impulse propagation in heart is complex, due to the presence of cell borders and septa of connective tissue. At sites where propagation deviates from a linear profile, action potential generation gets delayed, and in cases of decreased excitability, unidirectional block may occur. At such sites, propagation is carried by the slow Ca++ inward current, in addition to the rapid Na+ inward current. As a consequence, local propagation may become sensitive to inhibition of Ca++ channels. Moreover, computer simulations have shown that electrical cell-to-cell uncoupling an gap junctions can reverse unidirectional block at such sites to bidirectional conduction. This complex interaction between function and structure which is likely to play a major role in remodeled tissue (hypertrophy, chronic infarction) has to be taken into account in the evaluation of the mechanisms of action of antiarrhythmic drugs.

Arrhythmias, Cardiac↗