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The study of blood biomarkers can offer new possibilities in diagnostics, prognostication, determination of etiology, and management of spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage. The aim of our study was to assess the relationship between a panel of selected blood biomarkers and clinical and radiodiagnostic parameters in patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage. Primarily, the aim was to find a prognostic biomarker which could help in deciding on the optimal categorization of treatment. A total of 70 patients were prospectively included in this study. As shown by our findings, higher levels of S100B protein are associated with larger hematoma volume. They predict hematoma progression and an unfavorable outcome. One other positive correlation was found between hematoma volume and interleukin 6, interleukin 10 and blood glucose. Lower levels of matrix metalloproteinase 9 are an independent prognostic factor for hematoma progression in patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage.

Palliative care is focused on enhancing quality of life for seriously ill. Hospice care is a comprehensive care provided by an interdisciplinary team for patients whose diseases cannot be cured and are approaching the end of life. To be eligible for admission to hospice care is required to be terminally ill with a life expectancy of 6 months or less. Currently, hospices are the main providers of specialized palliative care in the Czech Republic. This article is focused on the current state of palliative care and specifically on hospice care in the Czech Republic. This article should eliminate the myths associated with the hospice. It could also help physicians to better understand the role of hospice in delivering effective care for patients in the final stages of life.

The authors analyzed the incidence of cerebrovascular diseases (dg. 430-438) in an industrial population in 1982-1986. The morbidity from cerebrovascular diseases associated with temporary or permanent work incapacity had during the investigation period a slightly rising trend which was more marked in manual male workers above 50 years of age. Strokes are the cause for granting invalidity pensions in cca 4%. In general cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases account for cca 21% of invalidity pensions. In the register of cerebrovascular attacks the incidence of strokes was roughly double in men as compared with women; it was on average 30 patients per year per 36,000 employees, i.e. cca 0.8%. Cerebrovascular attacks are in cca 70% associated with hypertension and the basis of almost three quarters of strokes is cerebral ischaemia. The trend of cerebrovascular diseases is unfavourable and depends above all on the control of hypertension in the population.