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Biomedical subjects

W Czech

Publications and source records attributed to W Czech.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

High-dose UVA1 therapy in the treatment of patients with atopic dermatitis.

BACKGROUND: Besides glucocorticosteroids, there is currently no known effective therapy for patients with acute atopic dermatitis. OBJECTIVE: The therapeutic effectiveness of high-dose UVA1 irradiation in the management of patients with acute exacerbation of atopic dermatitis was examined. METHODS: Patients in the high-dose UVA1 group (n = 15) were irradiated with 130 joules/cm2 UVA1; the control group (n = 10) was treated with UVA-UVB therapy in a minimal erythema dose-dependent manner (total number of treatments 15). RESULTS: High-dose UVA1 irradiation was found to induce a significant clinical improvement of atopic dermatitis (p less than 0.001). In comparison with UVA-UVB therapy, significant differences in favor of high-dose UVA1 were observed (p less than 0.01). High-dose UVA1, but not UVA-UVB treatment, significantly reduced the elevated serum level of eosinophil cationic protein in patients with atopic dermatitis (p less than 0.003). CONCLUSION: These studies indicate that high-dose UVA1 irradiation may represent a novel phototherapeutic modality for the treatment of patients with an acute exacerbation of atopic dermatitis.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Ultraviolet radiation effects on human keratinocyte ICAM-1 expression: UV-induced inhibition of cytokine-induced ICAM-1 mRNA expression is transient, differentially restored for IFN gamma versus TNF alpha, and followed by ICAM-1 induction via a TNF alpha-like pathway.

Human keratinocytes (KC) during the course of inflammatory dermatoses strongly express the surface molecule ICAM-1, which plays an important role in the generation of the epidermal inflammatory infiltrate by mediating leukocyte-keratinocyte interactions. Accordingly, KC ICAM-1 expression is known to be induced in vivo and in vitro by cytokines either via the TNF alpha/TNF beta or via the IFN gamma-mediated pathway. In contrast, ultraviolet (UV) radiation previously has been found to potently inhibit cytokine-induced KC ICAM-1 surface expression by a sublethal mechanism. In order to further define this novel immunosuppressive effect of UV light, the effects of in vitro UV radiation on ICAM-1 mRNA expression in transformed human KC (KB cells) were examined. Accordingly, UV light (0-100 J/m2) inhibited IFN gamma- as well as TNF alpha-induced ICAM-1 mRNA expression, if KC were cytokine stimulated immediately after irradiation. After a 12-h incubation period, however, IFN gamma responsiveness was found to be restored in irradiated cells, whereas restoration of responsiveness to TNF alpha required at least a 24-h recovery phase. Moreover, UV light alone did not alter ICAM-1 mRNA levels after 4, 12, or 24 h. After 48 h, however, a significant increase in ICAM-1 mRNA and surface expression in UV-irradiated KC could be observed. In addition, this increase could be superinduced by stimulation of irradiated KC with IFN gamma, but not with TNF alpha. UV-induced upregulation of ICAM-1 expression could be mimicked by stimulating unirradiated cells with supernatants derived from UV-irradiated cells. Addition of biologically active anti-TNF alpha antibodies to UV-irradiated cells or to supernatants derived from UV-irradiated KC, however, did not even partially abolish this ICAM-1-inducing activity. UV light thus seems to affect KC ICAM-1 mRNA expression in a biphasic manner: an early period of inhibition of cytokine-induced ICAM-1 expression is transient and followed by restoration of responsiveness to ICAM-1-inducing cytokines. Moreover, UV itself is able to induce ICAM-1 mRNA expression at this later time point via a TNF alpha-like pathway. These studies identify UV irradiation as a potent modulator of cytokine regulated ICAM-1 gene transcription with the capacity to induce both inhibitory as well as enhancing effects.

Blotting, Northern↗
PubMed1992

Serum eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) is a sensitive measure for disease activity in atopic dermatitis.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is characterized by alterations in cellular and humoral immunity including elevated serum levels of IgE, IL-2 receptor (IL-2R) and eosinophil cationic protein (ECP). In order to evaluate the relevance of these serum parameters as indicators of disease activity, the concentrations of IgE, IL-2R and ECP were measured in serum samples of patients with an acute exacerbation of AD (n = 19) on admission to hospital and every 6 days up to discharge, and compared with those from normal non-atopic controls (n = 15). The severity of the disease in the AD patients was examined using an established clinical scoring system. On admission, AD patients showed significantly elevated serum levels of IgE, IL-2R and ECP compared with normal controls (P less than or equal to 0.0001). Clinical improvement was associated with a decrease of both the clinical score (P less than or equal to 0.001) and serum ECP levels (P less than or equal to 0.005). No significant changes in serum IgE and serum IL-2R were observed. In addition, there was a significant correlation between serum ECP and the clinical score (R = 0.67, P less than or equal to 0.001). These data indicate that serum ECP may be a helpful tool for monitoring disease activity in AD.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1991

Association of Addison's disease with autoimmune disorders--a long-term observation of 180 patients.

This study aimed at evaluating the frequency of autoimmune disorders in Addison's disease. We have observed 180 patients (113 females, 67 males, aged 9-74 years) for 1 to 26 years. Tuberculosis was noted in 54 patients. Autoimmune disorders were found in 80 patients (44%); however, 125 (69%) patients were believed to have an autoimmune origin of adrenocortical insufficiency. In 20 patients two or more autoimmune disorders were found to coexist with Addison's disease.

Addison Disease↗
PubMed1979

[Diagnostic relevance of thermography in renal transplantation (author's transl)].

During a followup period of 18 months 75 renal transplant recipients were examined by thermography according to Tricoire. Thermography is a not invasive, quickly available and reproduceable method. Because of the high incidence of 85% exact diagnoses this investigation is a helpful additional test in kidney transplantation for evaluation of graft function as well as for diagnosis for evaluation of graft function as well as for diagnosis of pathological intrarenal or perirenal disorders. Thermography is especially recommendable for transplant patients, if postoperative haemodialysis is necessary. In these cases information can easily be obtained whether postoperative olig-anuria is caused by acute tubular necrosis or by primary insufficient vascularisation of the transplant.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1979

Use of thermography in kidney transplantation: two year follow up study in 75 cases.

During a period of 24 months 75 renal transplant recipients were examined by thermography according to Tricoire. Thermography is a non-invasive, quickly available and reproducible method. Because of the 92% incidence of exact diagnosis this investigation is a helpful additional test in kidney transplantation for evaluation of graft function as well as for diagnosis of pathological intrarenal or perirenal disorders. Thermography is especially recommended for patients if postoperative haemodialysis is necessary. In these cases information can easily be achieved whether postoperative oligo-anuria is caused by acute tubular necrosis or by primary vascular insufficiency of the transplant.

Abscess↗
PubMed1979

[Quality criteria in Mammography (author's transl)].

Definite quality criteria must be observed to achieve optimum diagnostic success in mammography. These criteria refer to the apparatus, film, development of film, method and interpretation of findings. Cooperation with a mamma centre is discussed in case extended diagnosis of breast findings is required, or in case it becomes necessary to mark any non-palpable changes.

Breast Neoplasms↗
PubMed1979

Endocrinology of pregnancy. I. Denominations of concentrations of triiodothyronine, thyroxine, effective thyroxine, thyreotrophin and growth hormone in normal pregnancy, labour and in cord blood.

Concentrations and activities of the following agents were estimated: triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), effective thyroxine (ETR), thyreotrophin (TSH), and growth hormone (HGH). Blood samples were collected in pregnancy, labour and from the umbilical cord of the newborns. It was demonstrated that in normal pregnancy the concentrations of T3, ETR, and TSH did not differ significantly from the values considered as normal in non-pregnant women. The concentration of T4 was distinctly higher in the course of pregnancy (139 to 157 nmol/l versus 110 nmol/l in non-pregnant subjects). The HGH concentration increased during pregnancy from 5.6 to 14.3 micrograms/l. The cord blood demonstrated comparable values of ETR and HGH and in half of the cases of TSH also with those observed in the mothers. In the other one half of the cases, TSH activity was fourtimes higher than the material value. The T3 and T4 were lower than values in the mothers. The results presented are the normal values for further planned investigations of endocrinology of pregnancy, especially for studies into course of pregnancy in women who work in noxious conditions.

Female↗
PubMed1978

[Clinical evaluation of the antioestrogenic agent tamoxifen in the treatment of metastatic breast cancer (author's transl)].

The endocrine management of advanced breast cancer is of great clinical importance. Apart from the known therapeutic approach with oestrogens, androgens, gestagens and steroids, the oestrogen antagonist, tamoxifen appears to be a promising therapeutic agent. In this study from October 1st, 1975, to October 1st, 1976, the value of tamoxifen was examined in a controlled clinical trial. An objective remission after 3 months' treatment was achieved in 41% of the cases. The criteria of Karnofsky were used to evaluate clinical success. The median time of remission was 5,5 months. The determination of oestrogen receptors could provide a better selection of patients and, hence, help to achieve an increase in the remission rate. An interesting observation was a probably immunostimulative effect, but further investigations are necessary. The side-effects of treatment are detailed and the indications for the use of tamoxifen are discussed. More astonishing than the objective remission was the subjective improvement with relief of pain due to generalized bone metastases. On the basis of our observations it is concluded, that the use of the oestrogen antagonist, tamoxifen presents a potent alternative in the treatment of advanced and incurable breast cancer, especially in postmenopausal patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1978

[Remarks on the paper: present means of lokalising intra-ocular foreign bodies, by M. Severin (author's transl)].

It is pointed out that the technique of Holzknecht can and should be considered one of the most important routine-measures for measuring radiologically visible foreign bodies in the eyes. This technique is as good as that of Comberg and has the great advantage that it only needs a ruler and compass, no other aids. It can be carried out by all radiologists. The technique of exposure and of measurement are discussed.

Eye Foreign Bodies↗