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Nodular sclerosis classical Hodgkin lymphoma, clinical stage IIB with cervical and axillar lymph node involvement was histologically proven in a 47-year-old male patient with a long-lasting history of ichthyosis. Skin histology revealed only nonspecific lichenoid inflammatory changes. Patient was treated with six cycles of combined chemotherapy: doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine and dacarbazine. 15 months after initial treatment the first relapse of Hodgkin lymphoma was histologically confirmed and involvement of lymph nodes was identical with initial staging. Patient was successfully treated with six cycles of chemotherapy: ifosfamide, carboplatinum and etoposide followed by radiotherapy. The above mentioned chemotherapies did not cause serious cutaneous toxicity. 4 years after previous therapy the second relapse of Hodgkin lymphoma occurred with axillar and inguinal lymph node involvement. Skin histology confirmed nonspecific lichenoid inflammatory changes. Patient was treated with three cycles of combined chemotherapy: ifosfamide, gemcitabine, vinorelbine and prednisone. This chemotherapy caused neutropenia WHO grade 4 after each cycle and a serious diffuse toxoallergic cutaneous reaction with bullous erythema developed. Several skin lesions fulfilled criteria for cutaneous WHO grade 3 and 4 toxicity. We assumed that combined toxic effect of gemcitabine and vinorelbine resulted in serious cutaneous toxicity under pre-existing condition of diffuse ichthyosis. The cutaneous toxicity subsequently resolved and residual lymph nodes were irradiated.

In the introductory part of this article the history/legend of coffee as well as its spread to different parts of the world including Europe is discussed. Data sofar available in literature do not give any convincing evidence regarding clear relationship between coffee and the etiopathogenesis of several diseases including diabetes mellitus type 2, cardiovascular diseases, gout, osteoporosis, neurologic disorders and colorectal cancer. Favorable (protective) effects of coffee consumption against hepatocellular cancer have been repeatedly described. The autors discuss on todate findings about relationship between blood cholesterol and uric acid in literature and remind their own experience with different population groups in Harar, Ethiopia, where consumption of coffee is habitual in daily life of the inhabitants.

Background: The number of notified tuberculosis cases in the Czech Republic decreased in the year 2007. 871 new tuberculosis cases and relapses were reported in the year 2007 (8.4/100 000 inhabitants)., Methods and Results: 744 cases were pulmonary tuberculosis (7.2/100 000) and from them 506 were definite pulmonary cases (4.9/100 000). In 2007 266 smear-positive cases of pulmonary tuberculosis were diagnosed. The decreasing trend in tuberculosis incidence reported since 1998 has continued. Only 14.7% of new cases of pulmonary tuberculosis were discovered by active case-finding., Conclusions: Next targets of tuberculosis control in the Czech Republic must be an active case-finding in high-risk groups and monitoring of latent tuberculosis infection.

During the last twenty years, a cluster of risk factors called metabolic syndrome (MetS) attracts interest in preventive medicine. According to the prevailing notion, which evolved from clinical observations, the core of the MetS consists of visceral obesity, impaired metabolism of glucose, atherogenic dyslipidemia, and arterial hypertension. These risk factors tend to cluster and are believed to be causally associated with insulin resistance. Components of the MetS are to a various degree involved in chronic inflammation, prothrombotic state, endothelial dysfunction, and oxidative stress. Supporters of the concept of MetS as a physiological and clinical entity believe that systems approach can help in understanding pathogenesis, improve prediction of cardiovascular risk, and increase motivation for prevention and treatment. On the other hand, serious criticisms emerged, which concern insufficient experimental evidence, imprecise diagnostic criteria, and questionable justification in general practice. To clarify unresolved problems which evolved in the ongoing debate, further research is needed.

Wilson's disease is an inherited disorder leading to accumulation of copper in tissues, mainly in the liver and brain. Genetic defect is in the gene coding ATPase type P (ATP7B). The inheritance is autosomal recessive. Up to now, more then 500 mutations causing Wilson's disease were described. The most frequent mutation in Central Europe is mutation H1069Q. The manifestation of Wilson's disease is usually hepatic or neurologic. Hepatic form is manifested by acute or chronic hepatitis, steatosis or cirrhosis. Neurologic involvement is manifested usually after 20 year of age by motor disturbances (tremor, disturbed speech, problems with writing), which could progress into severe extrapyramidal syndrome with tremor, rigidity, dysartria, dysfagia and muscle contracture. Diagnosis is based on clinical and laboratory examinations (neurologic symptoms, liver disease, low serum ceruloplasmin levels, elevated free copper concentration in serum, high urine copper excretion, and presence of Kayser-Fleischer rings). Confirmation of diagnosis is done by hepatic copper concentration in liver biopsy or by genetic examination. Untreated disease leads to the death of a patient. Treatment is based on chelating agents decreasing the copper content by excretion into urine (D-penicillamine, trientine) or on agents preventing absorption of copper from food (zinc, ammonium-tetrahiomolybdene). Patients with asymptomatic Wilson's disease have to be treated as well. In Czech Republic either penicillamine or zinc are used. Liver transplantation is indicated in patients with fulminant liver failure or decompensated cirrhosis. Screening in families of affected patients (all siblings) is obvious.

The examination of fat tissue distribution has considerably refined the relationship between obesity and the overall and cardiovascular mortality. The identification of the abdominal (central) obesity by the waist circumference measurement is easy accessible and should become the obligatory part of any physical examination. Abdominal (central) obesity is a mandatory component for the diagnosis of the metabolic syndrome, and represents major risk factor of cardiovascular mortality.

Selected topics in the contemporary clinical medicine are reflected. The main fields of interest and characteristic features unifying theory and praxis are outlined; specificities of clinical thinking and decision making, and conception of clinical medicine as a scientific discipline are presented. Author deals with assurances, various forms of irresolution in clinical medicine and with problems resulting from the scientific progress.

This overview describes actual status of education in specialties for physicians, stomatologists and pharmacists who may be trained in ground specialties and subspecialties, as well. Resident positions becoming available just in this year were created as a part of the education system. Final design and stabilization of the whole system structure including financial support is proposed in the future.

An overview of the use of Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis within medicine is provided. A survey of the theory behind the analysis is offered together with a presentation on how to create a ROC curve and how to use Cost--Benefit analysis to determine the optimal cut-off point or threshold. The use of ROC analysis is exemplified in the "Cost--Benefit analysis" section of the paper. In these examples, it can be seen that the determination of the optimal cut-off point is mainly influenced by the prevalence and the severity of the disease, by the risks and adverse events of treatment or the diagnostic testing, by the overall costs of treating true and false positives (TP and FP), and by the risk of deficient or non-treatment of false negative (FN) cases.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to summarize the published data on the fetal thymus, the fetal thymic involution and the possible use of the measurement of the fetal thymus in the clinical practice., Design: Review., Setting: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Medical Faculty Charles University Hradec Kralove., Methods: We summarized published data on the fetal thymic involution and relationship between the sonographic fetal thymus size and the presence of an intrauterinne infection in patiens with preterm labor or preterm prelabour rupture of membranes., Conclusion: The present review summarizes the results of clinical and experimental research on the fetal thymic involution.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to summarize the published data on the anatomical structure of the ductus venosus, the mechanism of regulation of the ductus venosus shunting and its role in the fetal survival and the possible use of the measurement of the ductus venosus shunting in the clinical practice., Design: Review., Setting: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Medical Faculty Charles University Hradec Králové., Methods: We summarized published data on the ductus venosus shunting in the fetal venosus circulation with the regulatory mechanisms, doppler ultrasound diagnostic methods and the medical importance., Conclusion: The present review summarizes the results of clinical and experimental research on the ductus venosus in the fetal circulation.

The authors focused on relapses and transplantation treatment in APL. The incidence of relapses, their risk factors, and extramedullary relapses are reviewed. Considering treatment of relapses in APL, arsenic trioxide is now the standard treatment of APL relapse, however, treatment with gentuzumab ozogamicin should be considered when only a molecular relapse is detected. The following part of the issue is focused on the current status of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in APL and on indications of transplantations from a modern APL therapy point of view.

Objective: A case report describing postpartal nontraumatic sacral fracture., Design: A case report and biomechanical commment., Setting: Institute of anatomy, 2nd Medical faculty, Charles University at Prague., Summary: Nontrauma--related stress fractures of the sacrum are rare complications of the pregnancy and postpartal period. We report a new case of nontrauma-related postpartal sacral fracture. A 36-year-old woman after second delivery presented symptoms of left L 5 radiculopathy. MRI of the lumbar spine and pelvis demonstrated a vertical fracture through the left sacral wing, paralel to the left sacroiliac joint (type Denis I). Fracture was surrounded by prominent bone marrow oedema. Biomechanical factors contributing to the stress fractures of the pelvic girdle in pregnancy and post partum are discussed.

In the last two decades, radiolabelled receptor-specific peptides have profiled themselves as excellent tools that have expressively increased the diagnostic and therapeutical possibilities of tumours predominantly of neuroendocrine origin. The aim of this review paper is to transparently inform the Czech scientific fraternity about the significance and limitations of the use of this group of radiopharmaceuticals in clinical practice.

Nonapeptide oxytocin (OT) is known primarily as an inducer of uterine contraction and milk ejection. Recently, there have been described its regulatory actions on various brain functions and on many peripheral actions including regulation of cell growth. The diversity of OT actions produced by the stimulation of OT receptors (OTR) is paralleled by a diversity of its signaling pathways. OTR belongs to the G-protein coupled receptors (GPCR) and unlike the receptors for vasopressin its actions are mediated by only one type of receptor. However, its actions are influenced by the location of OTR in the plasma membrane and its relationship to the membraneous lipid rafts. The occupation of OTR in different locations in plasma membrane determines the signaling pathway. Persistent activation of MAP kinases leads through nuclear mechanisms to the inhibition of cell growth while the transient activation is responsible for stimulation of cell growth. The review covers many areas of OTR signaling, including activation of orthosteric and allosteric sites on receptors, new signaling pathway utilizing various MAP kinases, stimulation of prostaglandine synthesis etc. The elucidation of the novel signaling pathways will help to develop new drugs influencing specific sites on OT signaling that may be used as agonists or antagonists in clinical therapy. Moreover, these new discoveries may represent a contribution for the knowledge of physiology and pharmacology not only of oxytocin receptor but also other GPCR.

Free radicals in otorhinolaryngology participate in the pathogenesis of many diseases. Antioxidants can act or preventively or ameliorate the diseases. Oxidative stress, in which is the predominance of free radicals to antioxidants, is present in many states like inflammation, atherosclerosis or tumors. Antioxidant capacity is increased not only by the application of antioxidants, but also due to positive emotions. In nasal and paranasal diseases is the role of the nitroxide radical very important. Vasocontrictive drugs decrease its level, pathologically increased levels are observed in asthma, allergic rhinitis and in sinusitis. Nitroxide protects organism against microorganisms and viruses. Oxidative stress supports the origin of nasal polyposis, takes part in disturbances of the hearing. Increased reactive oxygen species are engaged in tinnitus. In otitis media the level of lipoperoxides may be the marker of the severity of the disease. In Ménicre's syndrome the total antioxidant capacity is decreased. It is possible to conclude, that free radicals and antioxidants play an important role in otorhinolaryngological diseases.

The Experta Company, specializing in scientific evaluation of medicaments, was founded in the city of Brno in 1933. Its main task was to control medicaments and mass-produced medicinal preparations, the so-called specialties, offered for their evaluation by pharmaceutical factories. The specialties were analysed using chemical, pharmacological, pharmaceutical, and biological methods. The analyses took place in the laboratories of the Medical Faculty and the Faculty of Natural Sciences, Masaryk University in Brno, and also at the College of Veterinary Surgeons in Brno. The main aim of Experta was to confirm and openly show that the composition of specialties is safe and that the medicaments could be trusted by doctors once evaluated and marked by an Experta mark. The company also made an attempt to prove that medicaments produced in our homeland are equal to those produced abroad, and hereby to support medical prescriptions of Czechoslovak remedies. All the steps taken by Experta were to contribute to economic cost savings of not only our state and health insurance companies but also to those of the patients themselves. Officially the Experta Company came to an end of its existence in 1948; however, the clouds over it darkened earlier, before the Second World War broke out. Despite the fact that Experta existed for only a relatively short period of time and that it did not implement all its aims, its conception and attempts to create in Czechoslovakia in 1934-1948 an independent controlling institute for medical specialties were remarkable and progressive (especially the emphasis on biological control of specialties).

The paper aims to describe a new method for the evaluation of mechanical strength of tablets. The classic pharmacopoeial method of measurement of strength of tablets examines the strength at which the tablet breaks, the found strength being expressed in N. The proposed method of measurement of tablet strength is based on the strength-coutse record, determined during the process of crushing. This method determines not only the crushing force (DS) in N and the radial strength (RP) in MPa calculated from it, but also other parameters, such as the course of crushing d in mm, the rate constant of crushing process in kNmm(-1), the deformation energy DE in mJ, and the volume deformation energy ODE in MJ.m3. The new parameters are illustrated on tablets from the microcrystalline cellulose Avicel PH 102.

Hyaluronic acid represents one of the main components of the extracellular matrices. Its physical-chemical and biological properties offer a wide spectrum of use of this molecule, both in industry and medical sciences. The review paper presents our contemporary knowledge gained in the research of hyaluronic acid, describing its principal behaviour in physiological and pathological processes as well as its principal pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties.

Insufficient elimination of free radicals can induce a number of harmful effects including a damage of important molecules, injury of genetic information and failure of the control and regulatory processes, and even may contribute to malignancy. Free radicals probably participate in various respiratory diseases (e.g. adult respiratory distress syndrome, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic bronchitis, asthma). Antioxidants, as substances neutralizing effect of free radical, contribute to the protection of organism. Both many exogenous substances, e.g. enzymes, and exogenous substances, e.g. vitamins and some medicaments, have antioxidant properties. An efficacious supplementation is conditioned by an appropriate knowledge of health state and of needs of organism and also by understanding of the oxidative-antioxidative system and its equilibrium.

The authors' communication deals with standard cases of the application of thoracoscopy in the diagnostics and treatment. On the Cardiological Clinic of the Medical School of the Charles University and University Hospital in Hradec Králové they performed in the period 2000-2004 153 out of 837 operations using thoracoscopy (18.3%) and 22 using video assisted thoracoscopy (2.6%). Apart from the standard indications the authors mention two rare thoracoscopies when extracting a foreign body from the thorax and lungs.

Objectives: To propose and verify a PCR assay for detecting Escherichia coli, Haemophilus influenzae, Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus species, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Neisseria meningitidis serogroups B and C in a single sample of the cerebrospinal fluid of patients with purulent meningitis., Material and Methods: DNA from the cerebrospinal fluid was isolated using the QIAamp DNA Mini Kit. PCR was performed as two-step amplification (nested PCR). For E. coli, H. influenzae, L. monocytogenes, S. species and S. pneumoniae, universal and species-specific primers encoding bacterial 16S rDNA were used in the first and second reaction, respectively. For N. meningitidis serogroups B and C, an amplification system with primers for the SiaD gene was utilized., Results: Of 25 patients examined at the beginning of their treatment, bacterial DNA was detected in the cerebrospinal fluid of 17 (68 %) of them. Those were six cases of N. meningitidis serogroup B, four of N. meningitidis serogroup C, five of S. pneumoniae, one of H. influenzae and one of L. monocytogenes. Of 7 patients in whom antibiotic therapy was initiated prior to diagnostic lumbar puncture, PCR was positive in four cases., Conclusions: The proposed nested PCR approach is faster than traditional culture methods and suitable for early laboratory diagnosis of infectious agents. When compared to culture methods, the technique offers slightly higher positivity (by 16 %). This is similar in samples analyzed after the initiation of antibiotic therapy. The PCR method never detected other bacteria than the cultured ones.

Antioxidants perform an important role in the maintenance of the integrity of the living organisms. Recently, great attention has been given to antioxidants by a reason of their medical use. It is due to the association of many human diseases with oxidative stress. The present study briefly surveys the types of antioxidants, reactive oxygen and nitrogen species and describes the basic mechanisms of their activity. The application of antioxidants in the therapy of the injury caused by sulfur mustard, a vesicant type chemical warfare agent introduced in World War I, is also given.

Trends in antiepileptic drug (AEDs) consumption in the period from 1999 to 2004 in the Czech Republic were assessed in this study. The data from extramurally prescribed, reimbursed AEDs were obtained from the Czech Health Insurance Company Skoda Mladá Boleslav. The AEDs utilization was assessed according to ATC/DDD methodology on the fourth and fifth level of the ATC classification and expressed as the number of defined daily doses per 1000 insured per day (DDD/TID). During the study period, the AEDs consumption increased by 130%; 76% of which consisted of new AEDs. The most frequently prescribed drugs were carbamazepine and valproate. It correlates well with recent guidelines, where carbamazepine and valproate are licensed as the first line therapy in the treatment of epilepsy. The utilization of barbiturates and hydantoines is decreasing. Gabapentin, lamotrigine and topiramate were the most frequently prescribed new AEDs. The total cost of AEDs increased three times, 84.5% of this increase accounted for new AEDs. The outcomes are in agreement with current recommendations. The AEDs consumption follows trends similar to those in other countries with a fast shift to new antiepileptic drugs.

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.

Objective: The study describes a method of quantitatively examining vascular catheters with the aid of hemocultural devices BacT/Alert., Material and Methods: The amount of bacteria present on the surface of the vascular catheters was determined based on the time to detection (TTD) in hemocultural vials inoculated with bacterial suspension stirred off the catheter surface., Results: A total number of 348 vascular catheters was examined with this new method. Positive cultures were detected in 26 (7.5 %) catheters. Accordance to the results of microbiological catheter examination with clinical condition of the patient was found in 93.1 %. False positivity occurred in 1.1 % (4) and false negativity in 5.7 % (20) of cases. On the basis of clinical symptoms 42 cases of catheter sepsis were diagnosed out of which 22 (52.4 %) positive microbiological quantitative examinations of vascular catheters were established. The most frequent pathogen was coagulase negative staphylococci., Conclusions: The new method, when compared with present methods, is simpler, faster and able to detect the most frequent agent of catheter infection.

Adhesive force of branched oligoesters under the in vitro conditions was studied by measuring the maximal force necessary to separate the tested sample from the base (F(max)) under different testing conditions. Branched oligoesters were synthesized from lactic and glycolic acids in the molar ratio 1:1, and from mannitol or dipentaery thritol as the branching components in concentrations of 3%, 5% or 8%. To decrease viscosity and thus to facilitate the workability and administration, triethyl citrate (TEC) in a concentration of 30% was employed. Polymeric systems for adhesive force measurements were prepared by melting oligoesters in a micro oven and by homogenization with TEC. Adhesive force was measured on a material testing device T1-FR050TH.A1K Zwick/Roell at the set rate of separation 10 mm/min or 100 mm/min, contact force 10 N or 20 N, and a period of contact of the sample with the base of 5 s or 10 s. The adhesive force of branched oligoesters was found to be significantly higher than the adhesive force of gelatine gels, methylcellulose, carmelose sodium salt or sodium carbomer salt. Dipentaerythritol-branched oligoesters exerted higher adhesive force than mannitol-branched oligoesters. The value of adhesive force was increased with growing concentration of the branching component in the oligoester. Of the experimental parameters tested, a statistically significant influence of the separation rate of the sample from the base on the magnitude of F(max) was observed. The influence of different periods of contacts was manifested only in some samples, and the influence of different contact forces on F(max) value was not demonstrated in any sample.

The paper studies the strength and disintegration time of compacts made from directly compressible Starch 1500 and its mixtures with directly compressible lactose Pharmatosa DCL 15 in different relative proportions in dependence on the added lubricant magnesium stearate and the model active ingredient ascorbic acid. The dry binders under study differ in their mechanisms of compression and thus in their sensitivity to the addition of the lubricant, which is manifested in decreased strengths of the compacts as well as the mechanism of disintegration of the compacts. The mixtures of substances under study were in the relative representations of 1:3, 1:1 and 3:1. The employed concentration of the lubricant magnesium stearate was 0.4%, that of ascorbic acid, 50%. The study has confirmed and quantitatively evaluated the sensitivity of directly compressible starch to the addition of magnesium stearate. A higher share of directly compressible lactose in the mixture decreased the sensitivity of tableting material to the addition of the lubricant and shortened disintegration time. The presence of stearate did not negatively influence disintegration time, with an exception of the mixture of Starch 1500 and Pharmatosa DCL 15 1:3. An addition of the model active ingredient ascorbic acid decreased the strength of the compacts and shortened the disintegration time in all tableting materials tested.

Nowadays several millions of people suffer from Alzheimer's disease and other types of dementia. Etiology of these diseases is not known very well. There occur different levels of neurotransmitters, the level of acetylcholine in the brain is decreased and pathological changes affect the brain tissue. Organic and toxic damage of the brain, free radicals, and other changes participate in the development of these diseases. Drugs as nootropics, cognitives, and neuroprotectives are commonly used to treat these diseases. Some of these drugs have often side and undesirable effects. In recent years some natural substances (galanthamine, huperzine A, vinpocetine), and standardized plant extracts (Ginkgo biloba L., Centella asiatica L.) Urban, Bacopa monniera L., Evolvulus alsinoides L.) are often used. These plant preparations produce fewer undesirable effects and the same effectiveness as the classic therapy, or these preparations are used as a supplement to the classic therapy.

The study tested the effect of abiotic elicitor, AgNO3, in different concentrations, on the production of flavonoids in the callus culture Ononis arvensis L. The use of this abiotic elicitor proved to be good to increase the production of flavonoids in in vitro culture. The maximal production was achieved after a 24-hour elicitation with AgNO3 in a concentration c1 (0.5 mg/1)--an increase by 934% versus the control (without the elicitor's action).

Insecticides (e.g., parathion, chlorpyrifos, methylchlorpyrifos) and nerve agents (e.g.. soman, sarin, tabun, VX) belong to the group of organophosphates. They are able to irreversibly inhibit the enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE). Three new reactivators with a 3-oxapentane connecting chain were prepared. The ability of the new compounds to reactivate AChE inhibited by pesticides was tested in vitro and compared to known oxime 10(-3) M which is unfortunately not applicable to in vivo experiments. All tested compounds are practically ineffective for methylchlorpyrifos-inhibited AChE at the physiological concentration (10(-5) M). On the other hand, the known reactivators surpass new substances in the case of chlorpyrifos-inhibited AChE at both concentrations.

The paper examines the strength and disintegration time of compacts from the mixtures of two types of Tablettosas. Tablettosa 70 and Tablettosa 100 with microcrystalline cellulose represented by Vivapur 102. The mixtures of dry binders were prepared in the ratios of 3:1, 1:1, and 1:3. The effect of two concentrations of the lubricant magnesium stearate on the strength and disintegration time of compacts was also examined. Tablet strength increased with higher representation of microcrystalline cellulose in the mixture, and decreased with higher stearate concentration. The compacts from the mixtures with Tablettosa 100 showed higher strength. Disintegration time was highest in the compacts with the largest perccintage of microcrystalline cellulose, and longer in the case of the mixtures with Tablettosa 100. Stearate did not exert a negative effect on disintegration time. In the mixtures of Tablettosas with Vivapur 102 in a ratio of 1:1, the effect of the model active ingredient acetylsalicylic acid on the above-mentioned properties of tablets was tested. acetylsalicylic acid produced a further decrease in the strength of compacts and shortened the disintegration time in more instances in the cased of the mixtures with Tahlettosa 100.

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 liver is a common target of toxic effect of a number of xenobiotics, which is in particular a result of its central role in intermediary and energetic metabolism and in biotransformation processes. Ethical, economic, legislative, research and other reasons do not allow testing all of newly-synthesized compounds in in vivo conditions. Hence new methods and approaches for hepatotoxicity testing in vitro have been developing. The most important systems for study of toxicity and metabolic activity in vitro are isolated perfused liver, liver slices, isolated liver cells in suspensions or in primary cultures including co-culture methods and special 3D techniques, various subcellular fractions and stabilised cell lines. These models can be used for cytotoxicity and genotoxicity screening, evaluation of potential hepatoprotective capacity of different compounds, study of toxic injury and characterization of hepatotoxicity mechanisms. Currently there is no an ideal in vitro liver model system for testing of hepatotoxic substances in vitro, nevertheless use of these model systems reduces economic costs and ethic and legislative problems. Model systems in vitro afford opportunity to study in detail mechanisms of hepatotoxicity in comparison with in vivo conditions. Definition of their actual advantages and disadvantages allows choosing a suitable model system for study of particular problem. We cannot imagine current research of liver toxicity without using these model sytems.

Functional state of extremities of players is important for performance of complex movements. We tested subsequent hypothesis: The technique of the overhead passing depends on the functional state of the upper extremities of volleyball players. We tested 10 young (15 - 16 year old) female players. All of them were from the same team. The players underwent physical medical examination. Special attention was paid to manual examination of upper extremities. Then we performed computer assisted 3-dimensional kinematic analysis of the overhead passing of the ball. The medical examination showed that 80 % of players exhibited some functional derangements of joints of upper extremities. Surprisingly these findings did not correlate with 3D kinematic analysis of the overhead passing. Our hypothesis was not confirmed. The results of medical examination depict the importance of systematic medical care.

This paper aims to compare the price development of oral contraceptives registered in the territory of the Czech Republic from 1 January 2001 to 1 January 2005. By means of prospective analysis of minimal costs, elaborated from the viewpoint of the economist, in all oral contraceptives which were in the portfolio of Czech preparations in the period under study the average price of one tablet was calculated from the data in the lists of VZP (General Health Insurance Company). The obtained results were processed and statistically evaluated, and the price development was compared. In the period from 1 January 2001 to I January 2005 in the territory of the Czech Republic altogether 84 oral contraceptives were registered. Their average price was increased by 23% in the period. Out of the total number of 84 preparations, 46 preparations were registered for the whole period under study. A detailed analysis of the development of their prices reveals that from 1 January 2001 to 1 October 2002 their price was decreased by 3.6%. On 1 February 2004, 91% of these preparations did not change or increased their prices in comparison with the preceding period. On I January 2005 these 91% of preparations increased their prices. A similar price development is evident also in the individual pharmacological groups of these preparations. Price increase is a trend which began on 1 February 2004 and continued on 1 January 2005. It was just between these dates that, on 1 May 2004, the Czech Republic entered the European Union and changed its VAT rates. Though it is the field of the health service, it is evident that the price-fixing process in oral contraceptives mimics the economic laws as well as the economic and political situation of the state.

A large survey carried out from June to September 2002 in the territory of the Czech Republic found and analyzed the knowledge of the population of the Czech Republic in relation to self-medication and o-t-c drugs and revealed the main problematic areas from the viewpoint of the public. The survey was particularly focused on the behaviour of people in relation to packaging of OTC drugs and drug information sheets, expiration period of medicaments-advertisements for OTC drugs in the media, most frequently selected indications for self-medication, self-medication in small children, financial participation in self-medication and the resultant compliance or non-compliance, and the price of the OTC drug and dosage. The results show that 68% of respondents are able to take a medicine after its expiration period. An o-t-c drug would be bought just on the basis of television advertising by 7% of respondents, and more than a half of the respondents (57%) stated they would first consult their physician or pharmacist. In the case of a sudden ailment of a one-year-old child, 80% of respondents stated that they would contact the physician, 8% opted for self-medication. Under the assumption that an OTC drug is covered by health insurance, 27% of respondents would go to the physician, though they could buy it themselves.

A large survey carried out from June to September 2002 in the territory of the Czech Republic found and analyzed the knowledge of the population of the Czech Republic in relation to self-medication and o-t-c drugs and revealed the main problematic areas from the viewpoint of the public. The survey was particularly focused on the attitudes to the extending assortment of OTC drugs, self-medication in pregnancy, keeping drug records in pharmacies, and the introduction of basic, general advice on medicaments to the education in elementary schools. The results reveal that 36% of respondents think that the assortment of OTC drugs should be extended. There is also a highly alarming finding that for 36% of respondents the use of common OTC drugs during pregnancy represents a small risk and for approximately 5% it is completely riskless. Only 19% confirmed a great risk and 41% do not know. Drug records have won support of 31% of respondents, and 76% of respondents lend support to the inclusion of instruction on medicament to school education.

Penetrometry through a cone is a standardized method of comparing the consistence of semisolid systems. For the time being, this arrangement is only of marginal importance for the evaluation of flow ability of powders. For this purpose it is recommended to use penetrometry by means of a ball, which is significantly connected with the volume flow rate. The present original paper attempts to find the regression dependence suitable for the estimation of the flow rate of size fractions by means of powdered auxiliary substances. This solution replaces the traditional penetrometric degrees (unit of length) with volume or weight of freely layered powder pushed out by the penetrating ball. The optimal method is the transformation of penetrometric degrees to the weight of the powder, which makes it possible to estimate the weight rate of pouring with the use of an exponential equation elucidating 97.4% of total dispersion. Penetrometry with the use of a ball could be included into the group of tests for the evaluation of flow ability and structure of powdered auxiliary substances.

A large survey carried out from June to September 2002 in the territory of the Czech Republic found and analyzed the knowledge of the population of the Czech Republic in relation to self-medication and o-t-c drugs and revealed the main problematic areas from the viewpoint of the public. The survey was particularly focused on the comprehensibility of information in drug information sheets, potential habit-formation, possible misuse and overdose of o-t-c drugs, safety of natural remedies, and possible interactions between o-t-c and prescription drugs. It is obvious that people continue to be afraid of possible undesirable effects of drugs. More than one third of responders consider o-t-c drugs safe from the viewpoint of habit-formation, more than 75% of responders are aware of a risk of misuse and overdose, 79% of responders view natural drugs as safer than the synthetic ones, and 73% of responders are completely sure that there exist possible interactions between drugs.

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 deals with the isolation of the constituents of Xanthium spinosum L. and the determination of its biological activity (toxicity). The taxon which is found also in our flora has not been studied from this aspect yet. The used methodology is of a bioassay-guided separation character. The Tubifex tubifex test (TT test) served as the basic biological test. From the methanol extract of the aerial part, ent-kaurane diterpene atractyloside was isolated, from the acetone extract of the aerial part, xanthumin and deacetylxanthumin, two derivatives of xanthanolides--sesquiterpene lactones, were isolated, and from the ethanol extract, phytosterols--beta-sitosterol and stigmasterol. From the acetone extract of fruits, fatty acids were obtained.

The paper studies the tensile strength and disintegration time of compacts from the mixed dry binder MicroceLac 100. Tensile strength and disintegration time of tablets were tested in connection with the following factors: compression force, compression rate, addition of magnesium stearate, addition of ascorbic acid, the model active principle. The compression forces employed were 5, 6, and 7 kN, compression rates, 20 and 40 mm/min, stearate concentration 0, 0.4, and 0.8%, ascorbic acid concentration, 25 and 50%. With increasing addition of the stearate, the strength of compacts from MicroceLacu 100 was decreased for both compression rates, but with a higher rate, in a concentration of 0.4%, the decrease in strength was more marked. Disintegration time was increased with compression force and the addition of the stearate, but in all cases it was very short. Increased addition of ascorbic acid further intensified the decrease in the strength of compacts and decreased the disintegration time and the effect of the stearate on it. Disintegration time of compacts with ascorbic acid in a concentration of 50% did not increase with compression force.

A case history and the steps taken in diagnosing congenital toxoplasmosis in a child whose mother experienced asymptomatic infection with the protozoon Toxoplasma gondii are presented. At pregnancy week 35, amniocentesis was performed because of fetal hydrops, ascites, hepatosplenomegaly and dilated left lateral brain ventricle on sonography. Laboratory tests showed high titers of IgM, IgE and IgA antibodies (acute infection markers) against Toxoplasma gondii in serum of the pregnant woman. Congenital toxoplasmosis in the new-born spontaneously delivered at week 41 was confirmed by detection of Toxoplasma gondii DNA in blood, acute infection markers in serum and hydrocephalus and calcifications on brain sonography. The woman received intensive treatment for toxoplasmosis during the last pregnancy trimester and her new-born child's treatment started immediately after delivery. The accurate diagnosis and early institution of therapy in both the pregnant woman and her child led to progressive normalization of laboratory tests (decreased titers of antibodies and Toxoplasma gondii DNA negativity) and significant regression of the brain lesions in the child.

The application of 2,4-dinitrophenol and 2,6-dinitrophenol as reagents for a ion pair extraction spectrophotometry was tested. The ion pair extraction spectrophotometry experiments were carried out using a simplified procedure (test tube method). Four cationic tensides were used as model analytes. After the optimal conditions of the assay were being determined, the influence of the concentration excess of the reagents on the absorbance of the chloroform extract was investigated. Calibration curves were constructed; an estimation of limits of quantitation was performed and apparent molar absorption coefficients were determined. The obtained results show that both investigated dinitrophenols are suitable for the studied purpose.

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.

Ossification of costal cartilages is one of many changes reflecting their ageing. It is found only in a limited percentage of population and used to begin at various ages. Shape of these ossification changes is different in men and women. Due to heterogeneity of data in literature and scarce amount of information, we decided to evaluate the occurrence of costal cartilage ossifications in a sample of Czech population. Use of roentgenograms of ossification focuses was based on their contrast in x-rays. We have studied altogether 1044 X-rays archived by Department of Radiology at the Teaching Hospital in Hradec Kráov'e. This set comprised roentgenograms of both men and women in age range from 10 to 95 years. Ossification changes of costal cartilages were described on 18 roentgenograms from dissection material as well. These rtg pictures were taken from chest plates and costal cartilages which were obtained from Department of Anatomy and Department of Forensic Medicine at Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Králové. In this sample of Czech population we confirmed an occurrence of sexual dimorphism of ossified costal cartilages. Statistical evaluation revealed that beginning of these changes depends on the age and sex.

Prognostics in idiopathic scoliosis is aimed at finding rules for predicting the progression of the curve. The authors report certain prognostic methods as well as the result of the latest Japanese method applied to our own group of patients. The calculated prediction was true in 50 % of the cases. Therefore, the tested Yamauchi's prognostic system proves to be reliable only to a small extent.