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Multiple sclerosis is often accompanied by cognitive defi cits that occur in all stages and subtypes of the dis ease. Given the signifi cantly negative impact of cognitive impairment on the over all quality of life of patients, we need to ask which factors help maintain cognitive function. The cur rent review addres ses the protective role of the brain reserve and, in particular, the cognitive reserve built by lifetime intel lectual enrichment. We sum marize recent fi ndings based on these factors, such as verbal intel ligence, education, occupation attainment or participation in cognitively stimulat - ing leisure activities that may contribute to a better neuropsychological prognosis. The studies show that not only hereditary factors and premorbid behavior but even ongo ing participation in cognitively stimulat ing activities may attenuate the negative eff ects of the dis ease on cognitive status. Limitations of the cur rent research and its future directions are discus sed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: AMETYST, a prospective, non-interventional phase IV clinical study, evaluating subjective and objective parameters of 3-year intramuscular interferon beta-1a therapy in patients with clinically isolated syndrome or clinically defi nite multiple sclerosis. Aim: The primary objective of the study was to evaluate the impact of the study treatment on quality of life assessed by the patient using the visual analogue scale (VAS) and 36-item Short Form Health Survey. Secondary objectives included quality of life assessed using the VAS by the physician, assessment of cognitive functions by the physician using the PASAT test, the occurrence of relapses in the course of the study and the development of clinically defi nite multiple sclerosis in patients with clinically isolated syndrome, and the evaluation of weekly intramuscular injection administration by patient. Material and methods: The study was conducted in centres specialized in the treatment of multiple sclerosis - 14 sites in the Czech Republic and 10 sites in Slovakia. A total of 559 patients were enrolled in the study. Clinical parameters were assessed every six months, the other parameters every 12 months. An analysis of data was performed using descriptive statistic methods. To eliminate the impact of prematurely withdrawn patients on the study results, the data of patients who completed all study visits were analysed separately. Results: An improvement of the quality of life was detected during the study treatment; however, this improvement was only mild or unconvincing. The quality of life assessed by patient corresponded very well to the quality of life assessed by the physician. Conclusion: It was confi rmed that the treatment has an important eff ect on relapse rate reduction and stabilization of patients' clinical status, including their cognitive functions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the current view of the Section for obstetric anaesthesia and analgesia ČSARIM (SPAA ČSARIM) on the organization of interdisciplinary collaboration during the provision of anaesthesiology care in the delivery room on the basis of the results of studies Obstetric Anaesthesia and Analgesia Month Attributes 2011 and 2015 (OBAAMA-CZ and OBAAMA-INT). The issue is often seen as a marginal one, yet in our opinion it is the key factor for expansion of modern anaesthetic methods into the daily routine in the delivery room and ensuring maximum safety of care for the parturient [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Anaesthesiology & Intensive Medicine / Anesteziologie a Intenzivní Medicína is the property of Czech Medical Association of JE Purkyne and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Anaesthesiology & Intensive Medicine / Anesteziologie a Intenzivní Medicína is the property of Czech Medical Association of JE Purkyne and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The article presents the current view of the Section for Obstetric Anaesthesia and Analgesia of ČSARIM (SPAA ČSARIM) on non-obstetric anaesthesia during pregnancy. The article first discusses the various risks associated with the administration of anaesthesia in pregnant women. Then we describe the various stages of the perioperative process in relation to non-obstetric anaesthesia in pregnant women. At the end we present examples of the anaesthetic management of specific types of procedures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Anaesthesiology & Intensive Medicine / Anesteziologie a Intenzivní Medicína is the property of Czech Medical Association of JE Purkyne and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Management of the critical patient in the undergraduate teaching of medicine is an important part of first aid, intensive care medicine and anaesthesiology. The aim of this paper is to present an overview of the interactive learning opportunities which are offered to students at the Medical Faculty of Masaryk University (MF MU): the use of the virtual patient (interactive algorithms, clinical scenarios), the standardised patient, skills training on patient models, simulators with an embedded computer model or videoconference streaming from operating theatres. These teaching methods have become part of undergraduate teaching of medicine, dentistry and nursing. Since the year 2007,43 interactive learning algorithms have been created at MF MU in the Czech-English version. The process of creation takes two semesters and is performed by groups of 2-3 students of medicine under the supervision of a physician. The created algorithm is in the form of a Flash object freely accessible online through the AKUTNE.CZ portal (www.akutne.eu). The clinical scenarios represent real cases of patients with severe sepsis hospitalized on ICUs participating in EPOSS (eposs.registry.cz; Data-based evaluation and prediction of outcome in severe sepsis). Videoconference streaming from operating theatres to teaching rooms enables a large number of students to watch a rare surgical procedure without entering the operating theatre. Advanced patient simulator by CAE Healthcare® has been used for four years at MF MU to practice team leadership and communication skills in the subjects of first aid, intensive care medicine and emergency medicine. We present an overview of methods that can enrich undergraduate education of acute medicine, along with instructions for their implementation into the curriculum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Anaesthesiology & Intensive Medicine / Anesteziologie a Intenzivní Medicína is the property of Czech Medical Association of JE Purkyne and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Nitrous oxide is a gaseous inhalational anesthetic. It has been used for anesthesia since the second half of the 19th century. Its advantage is the analgetic and anxiolytic effect. Nitrous oxide does not produce sufficient anesthetic effect when is used alone. It is mainly used as an adjuvant anesthetic in combination with other inhalation anesthetics. It reduces the effect of other anesthetics and reduces their consumption. It is not metabolised, but it interferes with the metabolism of vitamin B 12- dependent enzymes. It is eliminated mainly by the lungs. The mechanism of action is inhibitory interaction with GABA and NMDA receptors. It is especially suitable for pain reduction during delivery or the sedation in minor surgical procedures. The most common side effects are postoperative nausea and vomiting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]