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Kamila Rasova,1 Patricia Martinkova,2 Jana Vyskotova,3 Michaela Sedova21Department of Rehabilitation, 3rd Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague and Faculty Hospital Královské Vinohrady, Prague, Czech Republic; 2Center of Biomedical Informatics and Department of Medical Informatics and Biostatistics, Institute of Computer Science, AS CR, Prague, Czech Republic; 3Faculty of Medicine, Ostrava University, Ostrava, Czech RepublicPurpose: Multiple sclerosis (MS) manifests itself in a wide range of symptoms. Physiotherapy plays an important role in the treatment of those symptoms connected with mobility. For this therapy to be at its most effective it should be based on a systematic examination that is able to describe and classify damaged clinical functions meaningfully. The purpose of this study was to develop and validate a battery of tests and composite tests that can be used to systematically evaluate clinical features of MS treatable by physiotherapy.Methods: The authors assembled a proposed battery of tests comprising known, standard, and validated assessments (low-contrast letter acuity testing; the Motricity Index; the Modified Ashworth Scale; the Berg Balance Scale; scales of postural reactions, tremor, dysdiadochokinesia, and dysmetria; the Nine-Hole Peg Test; the Timed 25-Foot Walk; and the 3-minute version of the Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test) and one test (knee hyperextension) of the authors’ own. Normalization was calculated and six composite assessments were measured. Seventeen ambulatory subjects with MS were tested twice with the assessment set before undergoing physiotherapy, and 12 were also tested with the assessment set after the physiotherapy. The test–retest reliability, stability, internal consistency of composite measurements, sensitivity to changes after therapy, and correlation between measurements and the Kurtzke Expanded Disability Status Scale score were evaluated for all tests in the assessment set.Results: A good internal consistency was confirmed for all tests in the proposed battery, and most of the tests also showed good test–retest reliability. While no significant changes occurred without treatment, significant posttreatment improvement was proved in all tests except for low-contrast letter acuity testing, where only a trend to improvement was proved.Conclusion: The proposed assessment set is a good tool for the evaluation of clinical features of MS treatable by physiotherapy. This battery of tests is applicable in both clinical practice and research.Keywords: outcome assessment, reproducibility of results, psychometric properties, test–retest reliability, internal consistency

Aims. Multiple sclerosis treatment strategies are changing in the Czech Republic. According to data from 2013–2021, the proportion of patients starting high-efficacy disease-modifying therapies is increasing. In this survey, we describe the actual data trends in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients beginning their first disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) from 2013 to 2021. The secondary objective was to present the history, data collection, and scientific potential of the Czech National MS registry (ReMuS). Methods. First, using descriptive statistics, we analysed the data for patients starting their first DMTs, either platform (including dimethyl fumarate) or high-efficacy DMTs (HE-DMTs), for each successive year. Second, a detailed description of the history, data collection, completeness, quality optimising procedures, and legal policies of ReMuS is provided. Results. Based on the dataset from December 31, 2021, the total number of monitored patients with MS in ReMuS increased from 9,019 in 2013 (referred from 7 of 15 MS centres) to 12,940 in 2016 (referred from all 15 Czech MS centres) to 17,478 in 2021. In these years, the percentage of patients treated with DMTs in the registry ranged from 76 to 83%, but the proportion of patients treated with HE-DMTs changed from 16.2% in 2013 to 37.1% in 2021. During the follow-up period, a total of 8,491 treatment-naive patients received DMTs. The proportion of patients (all MS phenotypes) starting HE-DMTs increased from 2.1% in 2013 to 18.5% in 2021. Conclusion. Patient registries, including ReMuS, provide an essential quality data source, especially in light of the increasing percentage of patients on HE-DMTs. Although early initiation of HE-DMT can provide considerable benefits, it also carries greater potential risks. Consistent long-term follow-up of patients in real-world clinical practice, which only registries allow, is therefore crucial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of therapeutic strategies, for epidemiological research and to assist decision making by healthcare providers and regulatory bodies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have created and validated a conceptual framework for the core physiology concept of "cell-cell communication." The conceptual framework is composed of 51 items arranged in a hierarchy that is, in some instances, four levels deep. We have validated it with input from faculty who teach at a wide variety of institutional types. All items making up the framework were deemed essential to moderately important. However, some of the main ideas were clearly judged to be more important than others. Furthermore, the lower in the hierarchy an item is, the less important it is thought to be. Finally, there was no significant difference in the ratings given by faculty at different types of institutions.

BackgroundStroke often impairs upper extremity motor function, with recovery in the sub-acute phase being crucial for regaining independence. This study examines changes in isometric muscle strength, dexterity, and self-care independence during this period, and evaluates the effects of a comprehensive intensive rehabilitation (COMIRESTROKE).MethodsIndividuals in sub-acute stroke recovery and age- and sex-matched controls were assessed for pre- and post-rehabilitation differences in primary outcomes (grip/pinch strength, Nine Hole Peg Test [NHPT], Action Research Arm Test [ARAT]). COMIRESTROKE’s effects on primary and secondary outcomes (National Institute of Health Stroke Scale [NIHSS], Modified Rankin Scale [MRS], Functional Independence Measure [FIM]) were evaluated. Outcomes were analyzed for dominant and non-dominant limbs, both regardless of impairment and with a focus on impaired limbs.ResultsFifty-two individuals with stroke (NIHSS 7.51 ± 5.71, age 70.25 ± 12.66 years, 21.36 ± 12.06 days post-stroke) and forty-six controls participated. At baseline, individuals with stroke showed significantly lower strength (dominant grip, key pinch, tip-tip pinch, padj

Metabolic flux investigations of cells and tissue samples are a rapidly advancing tool in diverse research areas. Reliable methods of data normalization are crucial for an adequate interpretation of results and to avoid a misinterpretation of experiments and incorrect conclusions. The most common methods for metabolic flux data normalization are to cell number, DNA and protein. Data normalization may be affected by a variety of factors, such as density, healthy state, adherence efficiency, or proportional seeding of cells. The mussel-derived adhesive Cell-Tak is often used to immobilize poorly adherent cells. Here we demonstrate that this coating strongly affects the fluorescent detection of DNA leading to an incorrect and highly variable normalization of metabolic flux data. Protein assays are much less affected and cell counting can virtually completely remove the effect of the coating. Cell-Tak coating also affects cell shape in a cell line-specific manner and may change cellular metabolism. Based on these observations we recommend cell counting as a gold standard normalization method for Seahorse metabolic flux measurements with protein content as a reasonable alternative. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Czech national registry ReMuS with description of availability of disease modifying drugs (DMD). • Higher EDSS at time of DMD initiation is connected with reoccurrence of relapse. • Multiple relapses prior DMD initiation increases chance of another relapse. • ReMuS registry shows trends in better management of MS for newly treated patients. : Proper management of multiple sclerosis (MS) requires feedback from clinical practice via registries. : To introduce the Czech national multiple sclerosis registry, ReMuS, and explore the availability and use of disease-modifying drugs (DMD). : The analysis focused on patients who started their first DMD, either with first-line or second-line medication and was based on reimbursement criteria set by Czech regulators. Baseline information was used to predict relapses after DMD initiation and to compare patients that started DMD in different years. : A total of 3,328 patients started DMD treatment for MS between 2013 and 2016; 3,203 on first-line and 125 on second-line medication. The proportion of patients starting on second-line drugs increased from 1.8% in 2013 to 4.7% in 2016. The occurrence of a relapse within one year of DMD initiation was significantly related to (1) the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score immediately prior to starting DMD and (2) the number of previous relapses. Both parameters were significantly lower in patients starting in later years of the explored interval. : Data from the ReMuS registry highlights improvements made in the management of MS in the Czech Republic. However, a relatively low percentage of patients started treatment using second-line drugs, in contrast to trends in other countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims. Critically ill patients undergoing aggressive fluid resuscitation and treated empirically with hydrosoluble timedependent beta-lactam antibiotics are at risk for sub-therapeutic plasma concentrations. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of two covariates . creatinine clearance (Clcr) and cumulative fluid balance (CFB) on pharmacokinetics/ pharmacodynamics (PK/PD) target attainment within a week of treatment with meropenem (ME) or piperacillin/ tazobactam (PIP/TZB). Methods. In this prospective observational pharmacokinetic (PK) study, 18 critically ill patients admitted to a surgical Intensive Care Unit (ICU) were enrolled. The primary PK/PD target was free antibiotic concentrations above MIC at 100% of the dosing interval (100%fT>MIC) to obtain maximum bactericidal activity. Drug concentration was measured using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Results. The treatment of both 8 septic patients with IV extended ME dosing 2 g/3 h q8 h and 10 polytraumatized patients with IV intermittent PIP/TZB dosing 4.0/0.5 g q8 h was monitored. 8/18 patients (44%) manifested augmented renal clearence (ARC) where Clcr ≥130 mL/min/1.73 m2. Maximum changes were reported on days 2.3: the median positive CFB followed by the large median volume of distribution: Vdme=70.3 L (41.9.101.5), Vdpip = 46.8 L (39.7.60.0). 100%fTme>MIC was achieved in all patients on ME (aged ≥60 years), and only in two patients (non-ARC, aged ≥65 years) out of 10 on PIP/TZB. A mixed model analysis revealed positive relationship of CFBpip with Vdpip (P=0.021). Conclusion. Assuming that the positive correlation between CFB and Vd exists for piperacillin in the setting of the pathological state, then CFB should predict Vdpip across subjects at each and every time point. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main purpose of this study is the data base creation of different textiles moisture management performance for design multilayer textile composites with predicted liquid moisture transport properties. In this paper are the results of studies the influence of fabrics structure and its raw composition on the liquid moisture transport performance of textiles. Moisture management property of the textiles was examined using MMT instrument. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]