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Amblyopia represents the most common cause of insufficient monocular visual acuity in productive age.To begin the treatment in the early childhood is understood as the fundamental anticipation to achieve the optimal result. The research work concerns about the development of screening methods. Our retrospective study was not focused toward the efficacy of the screening itself, but it had to establish, how the participation of the suckling babies in the screening program influences the chance of good vision. The data analyzed in this study were obtained from retrospective review of medical records of two groups of patients of the Center for functional visual disorders. Four hundred and nineteen (419) patients with positive finding in the photo screening, selected by chance, were included into the study (SC group). In the second group, there were included 263 randomly selected patients who did not pass the photo screening procedure and to the first examination were referred by the pediatrician (PLDD group).The average age at the time of the first examination was 13 months in children from the SC group and 23 months in children from the PLDD group respectively.The difference was statistically highly significant. In both groups, the severity of the amblyopia related to the comparable degree of anisometropia and the degree of the involvement of binocular functions in strabismus related to the comparable degree of hypemetropia were compared. The data were evaluated according to the age of the child patients at the time of the examination used for the purpose of this study as well. The obtained data show, that the decrease of the visual acuity of the amblyopic eye in case of equal anisometropia is significantly higher in two to three years old children who were not screened. In older children, the results in the in the SC and PLDD groups did not significantly differ. The results of our study indicate that later (before the age of three years) beginning of systematic pleoptic treatment related to the absence in the screening program is not worsening the chance to good visual acuity at the age of six years in case of moderate to mid-severe amblyopia. The first examination indicated by the pediatrician later, at the time of evident signs of strabismus, may decrease the chance to the good functional results of the complex strabological treatment at the age of six years.

The paper deals with the effects of different growth regulators on the growth of the culture and production of isoflavonoids in the cultivation of the callus culture Genista tinctoria on MS medium under varying light regimens. Of the regulators tested, the highest growth of the culture was found when using BAP 10 mg/l under continuous lighting. With the use of BAP 0.1 mg/l and under normal light regimen, the production of genistine and daidzenin was even higher than in the intact plant. Of the five isoflavonoids determined, four were demonstrated in the callus culture: genistine, genistein, daidzein, and formononetin. In the intact plant the authors managed to determine daidzein, genistein, and biochanin A.

The paper tested the effect of ultrasound of output density of 0.1 W/cm3 (stable frequency, 35 kHz) on the production of flavonoids in the suspension culture of Ononis arvensis L. The use of this abiotic elicitor was proved good to increase the production of secondary substances (flavonoids) in the culture of Ononis arvensis L. in vitro. The maximal production of flavonoids began after a 1 min action of ultrasound and immediate withdrawal of the culture--an increase by 677% in comparison with the control (without the action of ultrasound).

The red cloverl seems to be a prospective source of flavonoids and isoflavonoids with phytoestrogenic activity. Young seedlings of four different varieties of Trifolium pratense L. were employed to derive callus and suspension cultures. The optimal medium for cultivation is Gamborg's cultivating medium with an addition of 2 mg x l(-1) of 2,4-dichlorphenoxyacetic acid and 2 mg x l(-1) of 6-benzylaminopurine. On the basis of growth and production characteristics, subcultivating intervals of 29 to 43 days in callus culture and 16 to 23 days in suspension culture were determined. TLC and HPLC revealed that the explant culture of Trifolium pratense L. contains the isoflavonoid formononetin.

Background: Hypertension in patients after renal transplantation (RTx) is associated with impaired graft functions and graft survival. Control of hypertension in children after RTx is low--only 20-50 % of children have well controlled hypertension. The aim of this interventional study is to improve blood pressure control and to investigate whether the improved control will improve the graft survival., Methods and Results: 36 children after RTx (mean age 13.9 +/- 4.4 years, time after RTx 2.7 +/- 2.4) fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) and graft function were examined. In children with uncontrolled hypertension, the dose and number of antihypertensive drugs were increased to reach BP <95th centile. ABPM was repeated after 12 months. After 12 months day-time and night-time BP dropped non-significantly, however prevalence of uncontrolled hypertension improved significantly from 42 % to 34 % (p<0.05). Number of antihypertensive drugs increased from 2.1 +/- 0.9 to 2.4 +/- 0.8 drugs per patient (p<0.05), namely that of ACE-inhibitors (from 19% to 27%, p<0.05). Graft function decreased by 3.6 ml/min/1.73m2/year (p<0.05)., Conclusions: This 12 months interventional trial demonstrated that control of hypertension in children after RTx can be improved by increasing number of prescribed antihypertensive drugs. The decline of graft function was lower comparing with previous trials.

The study tested the effect of vanadyl (IV) sulfate (VOSO4) on the production of flavonoids in the callus and suspension culture of Ononis anrensis L. (Fabaceae). This substance proved to be a good abiotic elicitor for an increase in the production of secondary substances (flavonoids) in the culture of Ononis arvensis L. in vitro. The maximal increase in the formation of flavonoids took place in the callus culture after 24-hour elicitation with VOSO4 in a concentration of 1.227 .10-4 mol/l by 313% in comparison with the control and in the suspension culture in a concentration of 1.227 .10-6 mol/l after 48-hour action of the elicitor by 485% in comparison with the control.

The paper aimed to transform exogenous precursors with in vitro cultures of Datura meteloides, Coronilla varia, Leuzea carthamoides and Schisandra chinensis. These cultures were added the precursors of arbutin and salicin (phenylalanine, cinnamic, p-coumaric, p-anisoic, o-coumaric, salicylic acids, salicylaldehyde, helicin), not yet tested by the present authors. The culture of Schisandra chinensis was also added, besides the above-mentioned precursors, hydroquinone, because this culture had not been employed for biotransformation purposes yet. The precursors tested were used in a concentration of 100 mg x l(-1) and the period of their action was 6; 12; 24; 48, and 168 hours. Positive results (both TLC and HPLC) in arbutin production were obtained in the culture of Schisandra chinensis after an addition of hydroquinone. The largest amount of arbutin in callus cultures was measured after a week's cultivation with hydroquinone (5.08 %). In this experimental variant, arbutin was released also to the culture medium. Our results revealed salicylaldehyde to be the optimal precursor of salicin. It was transformed by the culture of Datura meteloides after 6; 24, and 168 hours and by the culture of Coronilla varia after 6 hours. In comparison with arbutin, its amount was smaller.

The Albumin Cobalt Binding Test is a quantitative in vitro diagnostic test used on human serum that detects ischemia-modified albumin by measuring the cobalt binding capacity of albumin in human serum. Ischemia modified albumin is intended for use in conjunction with ECG and cardiac troponin as an aid to short term risk stratification of patients presenting with chest pain suggestive of cardiac origin. Thus, in patients with chest pain or equivalent symptoms suggestive of cardiac origin, with non-diagnostic ECG and normal troponin, a negative IMA can be used as an aid to rule out acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in low risk patients.

Segments of sterile germinating plants were used to derive the tissue culture. Tests of the optimal hormonal composition of the medium from the standpoint of the growth of cultures revealed that the highest growth in biomass was achieved in the medium with an addition of 2.4-D (0.1, 1.0 mg.l-1), NAA (10.0 mg.l-1), and a combination of IAA (1.0 mg.l-1) + K (1.0 mg.l-1). The difference between these values was statistically insignificant. Other tested concentrations of growth regulators showed statistically significantly lower increases. The effects of different types of growth regulators and their concentrations on the production of selected metabolites in the tissue cultures were also examined and compared with the results obtained from the extract of the drug. Of alkaloids, stachydrine was demonstrated both in the extract of the drug and the extracts from all tested calluses regardless of the type and concentration of the growth regulator. Of flavonoid substances, two stains were demonstrated in the extract from the drug as well as in the extracts from all tested calluses. Neither of them was identical with the employed standards of rutin and quercetin. The results of TLC of iridoid substances were different in the extract from the drug (12 stains) and in the extracts from calluses (4 stains--3 identical with the stains in the extract from the drug). As to saccharides, three of them--glucose, fructose, and sucrose--were identified in the extract of the drug as well as in the extracts from all calluses.

Elicitation is based on signal (elicitor)-induced expression of genes, which subsequently results in increased synthesis of secondary metabolities in plants and in vitro cultures. Elicitors do not usually influence gene activity directly but by means of transmitters of the signal, which include primarily calcium ions. The paper examined the effect of four concentrations of calcium ions on the production of anthracene derivatives by means of the callus and suspension cultures of Rheum palmatum L. (Polygonaceae), which was elicited by an abiotic elicitor--a 20 microM solution of lead dichloride. The culture was cultivated on a Murashige-Skoog medium with an addition of 10 mg.l-1 of alpha-naphthylacetic acid. It follows from the results that the maximal content of anthracene derivatives, determined by the photometric determination according to PhBs 4, was demonstrated in the suspension culture after 24-hr administration of the elicitor and a 10 mM calcium chloride solution. In comparison with the control and elicited groups, the production was stimulated by 44% and 17%, respectively. After an addition of calcium ions to the elicited callus culture, no positive influence on the production was observed.

The cytological, histological and immunophenotypical markers of lymphoproliferative diseases are evaluated in the collection of 950 trepanobiopsies, and correlated with types of extramedullary malignant lymphoma. The diagnostic significance of tumor infiltrates topography and basic rules of the differential diagnoses of malignant lymphomas in the bone marrow biopsies are discussed.

The process of elicitation makes use of the capacity of plants and plant cells cultivated in vitro to react to various stress stimuli by a number of protective reactions leading to increased accumulation of secondary metabolites. The endogenic signal substances of plant protective reactions include jasminic acid, which in the case of exogenous application also acts as an elicitor. The paper examined the effect of four concentrations of jasminic acid on the production of anthracene derivatives by a three-year-old tissue culture, which was derived from the roots of a two-year-old intact plant Rheum palmatum L. (Polygonaceae). The culture was cultivated on Murashige-Skoog medium with an addition of 10 mg.l-1 of alpha-naphthylacetic acid. The results show that the optimal effect of jasminic acid on the production of callus culture was manifested after a 12-hour application of the strongest concentration of 5 mM, and on the production of suspension culture after a 48-hour application of a concentration of 0.05 mM, when the photometric determination according to PhBs 4 demonstrated the maximal content of anthracene derivatives (1.26%) and the production was stimulated by 109% in comparison with the control.

Fourty eight patients with cadaveric kidney allografts treated by cyclosporin A (CSA) or tacrolimus (FK506) underwent protocol graft biopsies at 1, 3 and 12 months after transplantation, and 110 biopsy specimens were obtained. Histologic diagnosis was made according to the Banff scheme. The main cause of the graft instability at 1 and 3 months was acute clinical rejection, these biopsies showed all known histological patterns of tubulointersticial and vascular rejection. Acute tubular nephropathy was found in 13% and borderline changes or nephrotoxicity in 8.7% of instable grafts. Specifically, we focused on the occurRence of subclinical rejection and toxic reactions in stable renal allografts. Of these, 36.1% showed histological patterns of acute tubulointersticial and vascular rejection. The Banff score of subclinical rejection was significantly lower than in clinically apparent rejection. CSA and tacrolimus nephrotoxicity were seen in 14.2%, 19.5% and 27.2% of specimens at 1, 3 and 12 months, respectively. In over one half of the identified cases of nephrotoxicity neither increased level of immunosuppression nor features of allograft dysfunction were found. At 12 months, 45.5% of specimens showed mild chronic transplant nephropathy and 18.1% moderate chronic transplant nephropathy. Normal morphology was found in 36.4% of biopsies. We found a high prevalence of subclinical rejection and nephrotoxicity in the studied cohort. We conclude that protocol biopsy is a reliable method in the diagnosis of clinically silent, as well as clinically apparent, disorders of the transplanted kidney.

The scullcap (Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi) is a medicinal plant of traditional Chinese medicine and the drug--Scutellariae radix--is, because of its antioxidant, antiviral, antibacterial, antiinflammatory, antiallergic, and sedative properties, the subject of intensive development. This paper reports the results of pharmacological-toxicological studies of this drug and its flavonids approximately from the year 1990 till the year 2001. The results confirm the validity of traditional use and at the same time indicate that some flavonoids have more utilizable therapeutic effects. Mainly baicalein seems to be a prospective medicine for the treatment of some kinds of cancer.

Resource: The subclinical rejection is defined as finding of histological signs of rejection on well functioning grafts. Its diagnostic domain remains protocol biopsy. The diagnostic value of ultrasound scaning in subclinical rejection has not been studied yet., Aim: The aim of our study was to detect the incidence of subclinical rejection in protocol biopsies in the first three months after kidney transplantation and to find out the ultrasound correlation to histological picture of subclinical rejection with special accent on ultrasound signs of parenchymal oedema, quantity and quality of perfusion emphasising their changes in process of time., Methods: Sixty six protocol graft biopsies were performed on 36 recipients of cadaveric renal transplants in Transplant Centrum Olomouc between July 1999 and September 2000. The biopsies were carried out 21 +/- 2 days and 90 +/- 5 days after transplantation. Subclinical rejection was defined as t2 i2 v0 (IA) rejection infiltrate by Banff 97 histological classification at the same time with serum creatinine in normal range and ultrasound signs of parenchymal oedema., Results: In the group of subclinical rejection the ultrasound findings of graft parenchymal oedema correlated with 81% sensitivity and 90 % specificity with histological diagnosis. The duplex picture of parenchymal hyperaemia blush - had 100 % specificity but low sensitivity. The resistive indices were in the wide range 0,61 - 0,80 without diagnostic value., Conclusion: The high sensitivity and specificity of ultrasound prospective follow up was found in the subclinical rejection diagnosis. Parenchymal hyperaemia indicated high specificity but low sensitivity in evaluation of subclinical rejection. No benefit of resistive indices was found. Larger sample of patients has to be established to gain more exact review anyway.

Eleven cases of metanephric adenoma are reported. The tumors were selected out of 6500 tumorous and pseudotumorous lesions of the kidney in our registry. Female to male ratio was 1:1.2. The average age of the patients was 48.3 years, with a range of 13-79 years. The mean size of the tumors was 7.2 cm. The tumors were spherical in shape, whitish to yellowish in colour. Histologically, they were arranged in a mainly tubular pattern with short pseudopapillae. The tumorous cells were deeply eosinophilic to basophilic with predominantly round nuclei. Psammomatous bodies were numerous. Immunohistochemically, they reacted positively with antibodies against cytokeratins, vimentin, and WT1. Ultrastructurally, the cytoplasm contained mitochondria, RER, and ribosomes. A collagenous spherulosis, identical with those in salivary gland and mammary tumors, was revealed in one case. The spherules were located mainly inside tubular structures. Ultrastructurally, they were composed of basement membrane-like material, which was surrounded by epithelial cells. Follow-up all of our patients was negative (if known) for 10 months to 4 years.

Herein we describe 7 cases of posttransplantation lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD), 5 in men and 2 in women (aged from 25 to 62 years), occurring from 4 months to 12 years (mean, 7 years) after transplantation. Our patients were recipients of kidney, kidney and pancreas, heart, and autologous peripheral haematopoetic stem cells. Four cases were diagnosed as monomorphic and three as polymorphic type of PTLD according to the WHO classification. Monoclonal immunoglobuline heavy chain gene rearrangement was detected in two monomorphic lesions and one polymorphic lesion by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). In the two cases of polymorphic and the one case of monomorphic PTLD, the presence of EBV was visualised by immunohistochemical staining of some transformed lymphoid cells for latent membrane protein (LMP) of EBV. The presence of type A EBV was demonstrated by PCR. The patients were treated by reduction or discontinuation of immunosuppression and by chemotherapy. In 2 cases, a part of the organ affected by lymphoma (sigmoid colon and pancreas) was surgically resected. Four patients died of causes related to PTLD (2 to 15 months after the diagnosis), mainly of infectious complications. Two other patients who achieved remission died of unrelated causes. Only the youngest man is alive and in the complete remission 10 months after the diagnosis of PTLD.

Sterile germinating plants were used to derive a tissue culture. The greatest stimulating effect on the growth of the culture was exerted by NAA cultures in all concentrations tested, by IAA in concentrations of 1.0 and 10.0 mg.l-1, by IBA in a concentration of 0.1 mg.l-1, and by the combination of IBA + K. The difference between the values of growth on these media was statistically insignificant. TLC analysis of callus extracts demonstrated the presence of bergenin, arbutin, hydroquinone, and methylarbutine. HPLC analysis confirmed the findings (arbutin 0.25%, hydroquinone 0.05%, methylarbutin 0.28%). The results of biotransformation tests show that the highest increase in arbutin took place after addition of 4-hydroxybenzoic acid and withdrawal of the sample after 24 hours (3.82%). No transformation of arbutin or 4-methoxyphenol to produce methylarbutin took place in the culture under the given conditions. The highest increase in the summary content of phenolic substances occurred with the use of the elicitor Pseudomonas aeruginosa--88% (conc. 0.0001 g/100 ml, 12-hour action).

On a series of thirty trephine bone marrow biopsies from patients with multiple myeloma, the authors evaluated expression of markers of cell proliferation or of its blockade (Ki-67, PCNA, topoisomerase IIa, cyclin D-1, AgNOR, and p27kip1) and markers indicating multidrug resistance (P-170 and Bcl-2). Expression of Ki-67 and of topoisomerase IIa was unfrequent. Marked positivity of PCNA was expressed in about one third of cases, negative staining was exceptional. No expression of cyclin D-1 was noted. Positivity of p27kip1 was frequent. P-170 was demonstrated in a small number of cases, Bcl-2 was strongly positive in most cases. The results characterise multiple myeloma as a tumour with low proliferation rate and, simultaneously, with high resistance to apoptosis.

The paper examines the effect of linoleic acid in various concentrations on the production of flavonoids in an Ononis arvensis culture in vitro and the production of anthracene derivatives in a Rheum palmatum culture in vitro. The content of the metabolites under study after elicitation with linoleic acid, which is the precursor of jasminic acid intervening into the course of elicitation, was examined after 12; 24; 48 and 168 hours. The maximal increase in the content of flavonoids (118%) was found after the application of linoleic acid in a concentration of 2 mg/ml after 48 hrs. In concentrations of 0.01; 0.20, and 1 mg/ml after 48 hours of application of the elicitor, the highest increase in the content of flavonoids was observed after 24 hrs in a concentration of 2.0 mg/ml. In the elicitation of the Rheum palmatum culture, the highest response (100%) in the production of anthracene derivatives was observed in linoleic acid in a concentration of 1 mg/ml.

An overview of immunohistological and molecular genetic methods for diagnosis of Alport syndrome (AS) is given with practical experience from groups of authors' observations. Immunofluorescent investigation using antibodies against alfa chains of collagen IV was performed on cryostat sections from 29 punction nephrobiopsies and 9 skin excisions taken for support of differential diagnosis of AS particularly against the thin membranes glomerulopathy. Alfa chains deviations in other renal diseases were followed in another 14 cases. Molecular genetical investigation of AS by an indirect DNA diagnostics was performed in 35 families with presumed AS and in 27 patients with probable mutation a mutation screening of COL4AS gene by a direct method SSCP was made. The mutation was proved in 10 cases. Because of genotypical and phenotypical variability of AS the diagnostic gain only increases when all the accessible methods are combined.

The authors present the characteristics of a group of 23 patients with mantle cell lymphoma. In the group only a slight predominance of men over women was found (1.1:1), the median age was 63 years. Twenty-one (91%) of the patients were diagnosed in stage IV (Ann Arbor). In all these patients the bone marrow was affected. In 19 of them immunoflowcytometric analysis revealed the typical clone of B lymphocytes (CD5 positive)/CD 23 negative). The majority of patients had at the time of diagnosis a large tumourous mass with massive splenomegaly (61%), hepatomegaly (57%) and bulky disease (52%). The node was excised in 17 patients, but in four patients (24%) during the first session the diagnosis was not assessed correctly. In the laboratory findings an inclination to anaemia, thrombocytopenia, lymphocytosis and in particular to high levels of serological indicators of activity of the disease dominated--lactate dehydrogenase, beta-2-microglobulin and serum thymidine kinase. All patients were treated by chemotherapy. Complete remission was achieved by the date of evaluation in one patient (4%), partial remission in seven patients (30%) but 48% patients did not respond to first line treatment. Nine patients of the group died, their median of survival was 14 months (0-24), the median of the follow up of the remaining patients was 133 months (2-31). Two female patients had large-dose treatment with subsequent administration of autologous stem cells. The first one is after 370 days of treatment in complete remission, the second one developed a relapse 100 days after the procedure. From the results and analysis of the literature ensues that mantle cell lymphoma is one of the aggressive malignant B-lymphoproliferations with a very adverse prognosis and it deserves therefore special diagnostic and intense therapeutic attention.

260 cases of women with epithelial neoplasias of the uterine cervix were studied: HPV infection was detected by DNA in situ hybridization and serology, simultaneously structure and intensity of stromal inflammatory reaction (SR) were evaluated (semiquantitatively) as well as standard clinical immunological parametres investigated by serology. Results proved the same character of SR in intraepithelial lesions and invasive carcinomas and the intensity of SR increasing in relation to the gravity of epithelial dysplasia. There was not found any significant difference in SR between cases with detected HPV infection and cases lacking it. Summarized immunological parametres were in limits of normal reference range.

The article explains some of the main characteristics of problem-based learning (PBL). Five-year experience with application of PBL in pathology is described. Student appreciation of PBL is complemented by assessment in the literature.

Mycosis fungoides and Sézary syndrome are typical representatives of malignant lymphomas of the T-series affecting the skin. Both affections have a varied clinical picture, a different spectrum of histological and laboratory findings and lack a uniform prognosis. In the submitted review the authors discuss in more detail all mentioned aspects of the disease and draw attention to new therapeutic possibilities.

The review summarizes information about natural substances of phenolic nature (flavonoids, hydroxycinnamic acids, tannins), in which antioxidant effects and ability to quench free radicals have been demonstrated. A number of substances seem to be perspective in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, cancer and liver diseases.

The present paper surveys natural substances with antitumour activity, particularly primary metabolites--polysaccharides, lectins and lipids tested in vitro or on laboratory animals. The presented data cover the period of 1990-1995.

The aim of the present paper was to study 24-h blood pressure profile in twenty patients with essential hypertension (mild to moderate) before and after treatment with ACE inhibitor enalapril in one day dose in the morning (15.6 +/- 6.1 mg). 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring was examined after 14 days of placebo administration and after one month of enalapril therapy. Enalapril treatment decreased systolic blood pressure of 11.3 mmHg during daytime and of 9.4 mmHg at night, diastolic blood pressure of 6.1 mmHg during daytime and 5.8 mmHg at night, all differences were significant in comparison to placebo (p < 0.01). The through-peak ratios were 63.2% for systolic blood pressure and 54.0% for diastolic blood pressure. We can conclude that enalapril treatment in one day morning dose is efficient to decrease blood pressure during 24-h span without altering the diurnal profile.

On the basis of the literature search from the journal Chemical Abstracts (1988-1992) the present paper processes the data about 142 plants from 49 families which are the causes of the development of contact dermatitides. The paper also lists the allergens responsible for the development of contact dermatitides.

In a 48-year-old woman investigated on account of congenital dyserythropoietic anaemia type II (HEMPAS) on the X-ray of the chest a polycystic sharply defined shadow in the posterior mediastinum was detected and extramedullary haematopoiesis was suspected. The diagnosis was confirmed cytologically. According to the authors' knowledge this is the second case of this rare complication in CDA-II in the world and the second case of EMH in the mediastinum in this country. In the discussion the authors summarize the diagnostics of congenital dyserythropoietic anaemias. They discuss also the pathogenesis of extramedullary haematopoiesis, diagnosis and differential diagnosis of EMH in the posterior mediastinum, possible complications and treatment.

Histological and ultrastructural characteristics in congenital dyserythropoetic anaemia are demonstrated on the basis of three observations. The limited diagnostic importance of isolated morphological abnormalities is stressed, with an exception of the sub-surface cistern. Morphological abnormalities vary in the percentage frequency of expression in various patients.

The paper outlines the historical milestones in the development of biotechnology in the Czech Republic in the fields of research, education and manufacture. The section dealing with the present state describes fundamental research carried out in the institutes of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic and the universities and technical colleges, the institutes of applied research subsidized by the pertinent ministries as well as privatized institutes. The numbers of institutes and researchers before and after the political changes in 1989 are compared and the grant agencies for support of science and research are listed. The section dealing with biotechnological industry characterizes the firms manufacturing the products and devices for pharmacy, agriculture, food industry and ecology.

Loeffler's endocarditis in a 47-year-old man was followed 5 years. He died of heart failure. His original diagnosis was eosinophilic leukaemia but cytogenetic investigation failed to show any chromosomal aberration and only mature eosinophilic leukocytes were present in peripheral blood. Relation between heart lesions and eosinophilic leukocyte factors (peroxidase, major basic protein, cationic protein, transforming growth factor beta) were discussed.

Autologous gut smooth muscle graft of two piglets was used for creating a ring in sigmoidostomy. The graft was investigated several times by histology and electron microscopy. A sort of myofibroblasts were observed the 7th day in the smooth muscle. Three months later the smooth muscle was completely transformed into a cellular connective tissue comprising myofibroblasts and fibroblasts. The experiment points to possible relation of smooth muscle cell, myofibroblast and fibroblast.

Patients with advanced achalasia, accompanied by severe complications can be seen only rarely today. In these patients, resection of the esophagus has to be considered. The modern technique of extirpation of the whole thoracic esophagus without thoracotomy is a sparing intervention capable to solve the problem of dysphagia as well as the complications of advanced achalasia. The authors describe their favourable experience with this technique in three patients. The evidence for such radical treatment appears from the clinical picture and the microscopical findings in the resected specimens.

The aim of the study was to determine the efficiency of enalapril therapy during 24-hours blood pressure monitoring. A group of healthy subjects (C, n = 11), a group of patients with essential hypertension without therapy (EH, n = 9) and a group of patients with essential hypertension II (WHO) treated with enalapril (Acepril Lachema) in once a day doses (13.0 +/- 2.1 mg per kg) during at least 10 months (EH A, n = 8). In all groups of patients and healthy subjects 24-hours blood pressure measurement was provided using Accutracker II equipment. The mean values of systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) from 24-hours measurement (+/- SD) were in the group of healthy subjects C 121.38 +/- 10.49/74.79 +/- 7.88 mmHg, in the group EH 146.58 +/- 12.20/88.0 +/- 8.97 mmHg, in the group EH A 127.38 +/- 8.36/74.71 +/- 6.08 mmHg. The differences between the maximum and minimum mean blood pressure values during 24 hours (SBP/DBP) were in the group C 33/27 mmHg, EH 37/29 mmHg, EH A 29/21 mmHg. The smaller difference in SBP and DBP in EH A patients was significant in comparison to C and EH (t-test, p < 0.05). Cosinor analysis proved the results. From our results we can conclude that the Acepril therapy decreases blood pressure more during the day-hours then during night and it is preferable in connection to the risk of night hypotension with hypoxia.

Fabry's disease (angiokeratoma corporis diffusum universale) is an inborn error of metabolism, which is based on a shortage in the cumulation of glycosphingolipids in endothelial and epithelial cells of glomeruli, vascular endothelia and in ganglion cells with subsequent severe organ damage. Heredity is X-linked recessive. In the submitted paper the authors present a case-history of a family where three men were affected and carriership was confirmed in five women. During the first pregnancy one of them a successful prenatal diagnosis was made from cultivated amniotic fluid cells. Chromosomal examination revealed female sex and the levels of the alpha-galactosidase A were established in cultivated cells. A healthy girl was delivered.

In a long-term experiment on dogs the lumen of the portal vein was reduced to one fifth by insertion of a metal spiral. The thus created disorder of the portal circulation was succeeded by the development of abundant hepatofugal collaterals and the development of mild portal overpressure without clinical manifestations. The altered portal circulation was followed up by dynamic hepatobiliary scintigraphy for a period up to 12 months. It was revealed that the curve of isotope movement through the liver was altered in a way suggesting slower perfusion of the liver by portal blood. This observation resembles those in patients with prehapatic portal hypertension and their confirmation. The investigation is documented by morphological, X-ray and isotope methods.

Further development of Czechoslovak pathology depends on the worldwide speed and direction of progress in pathology, on economical and political progress, and on transformation of the Czechoslovak health care system. Changing orientation of pathology in advanced countries predicts an increased importance of working qualities in the whole scope of pathologist. Intrinsic factors controlling progress in pathology are varied and can be partly influenced. Participation of pathology in the new system is to be actively prepared by mutual information and cooperation.

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are a group of heterogenous disorders of blood and of the haematopoeitic bone marrow which have been recently in the center of interest of both clinical haematologists and pathologists. The FAB classification is based on cytology; for histological assessment, a special histopathological classification appears to be more appropriate. The main histological findings in MDS and some ultrastructural changes are shown in 138 bone marrow biopsies from 81 patients with MDS. Histological examination brings some findings that cannot be obtained by cytology. Optimal samples well processed can give valuable information without need of special staining methods. The latter can complement the basic information with some additional data or compensate for some technical defects of the slides.

Based on the authors' own observation of a patient with pulmonary affection during amiodarone treatment, they demonstrate contemporary possibilities of early diagnosis of this potentially serious condition. They emphasize the importance of bronchoalveolar lavage, a non-invasive diagnostic method which provides information on the conditions in the peripheral portions of the lungs. The authors give an account of data in the literature on the pathogenesis of side effects of amiodarone in the lungs and draw attention to the need of systematic pneumological check-up examinations during treatment. If the drug is discontinued in time, all side-effects may recede spontaneously.