[Ethical problems in molecular genetics and their reflection in clinical medicine].

There are at least two groups of issues connected with an impact of a realization of the "Human Genome Project": a) philosophical; b) ethical, which can be divided into four groups: 1) the influence of DNA technologies on everyday applications of bioethical principles; 2) ethical aspects of genetic diversity; 3) ethical aspects of genetic screening; 4) somatic and germ-cell gene therapy; Unlike essential philosophical issues practical realization of issues in question can be largely expressed as only revitalization of old ones and concerns: the principle of justice-equal access and priorities; protection of reproductive choices; disclosure to patients and to relatives at genetic risk (disclosure and exclusion tests); prenatal diagnosis for "mild to moderate" diseases with and without genetic indication-commercialization; insurance policy; non-directive and directive genetic counseling. Maybe there are regional and other differences, but in practice, the main ethical issues are likely to involve screening for genetic risk of common diseases of adult life e.g.

[General therapeutic approaches in systemic vasculitides].

The paper presents general therapeutic principles applied in systemic vasculitis. Several factors may help to contain the clinical activity, such as the location and extent of the inflammatory process affecting the vascular system, the ultimate narrowing of the vascular lumen with subsequent ischemia of the affected tissue and organ. Treatment of vasculitis involves besides glucocorticoids not only cytotoxic drugs (cyclophosphamide, chlorambucil, methotrexate), and immunomodulatory therapeutic agents with immunosuppressive action (cyclosporin A) but also other immunomodulatory drugs, as e.

[Lyme borreliosis--the great imitator].

Three different pathomorphological findings were presented in patients with seropositive borreliosis. Skin biopsy, cytology of joint synovial fluid and imprint cytology of bulbar conjunctiva were included. Skin vasculitis as well as pleocytosis of synovial fluid were found in accordance with literature, the inclusions in conjunctival imprint were unusual.

[Beta-2-microglobulin and ankylosing spondylitis].

Serum beta-2-microglobulin was examined by radioimmunoassay in 103 patients with ankylosing spondylitis and 111 healthy blood-donors. Statistically significant difference between the group of patients and healthy individuals was found related to increased levels of this protein in patients with ankylosing spondylitis. Furthers correlation analysis of beta-2-microglobulin in patients with ankylosing spondylitis and chosen clinical and humoral parameters of the disease activity was performed.

[Antibodies to Klebsiella pneumoniae in ankylosing spondylitis].

The authors investigated the incidence of antibodies against Klebsiella pneumoniae and E. coli in a group of patients with ankylosing spondylitis and in a group of healthy controls in all main immunoglobulin classes. The results revealed that in patients with ankylosing spondylitis there is a significantly higher incidence of specific antibodies of class IgA against Klebsiella pneumoniae and E.

The effect of allopurinol on lysosomal enzyme release.

Values of released enzymes from PMNL under resting conditions and after phagocytic stimulation in non-treated patients with gout were increased in comparison with healthy controls and hyperuricemic patients without joint involvement. Allopurinol, given to gout-patients for 3 weeks, had an inhibitory effect on PMNL lysosomal enzyme release from which was also observable after stimulation by opsonized zymosan. Similar results were obtained in experiments in vitro.

Some aspects of epidemiology and surveillance of rheumatic Fever.

The aim of the study was to find the most reliable and precise incidence of rheumatic fever attacks in the general population. All new cases of rheumatic fever were recorded in an area of 100, 000 population. The frequency of first attacks and recurrences decreased from 53 per 100, 000 inhabitants to 15 in 1968.

[Uric acid levels of the serum of healthy persons and patients with various rheumatic diseases].

Serum uric acid levels were investigated in a series of 1715 subjects. Of them 596 were patients with inflammatory rheumatic disorders, 162 gout patients, 236 with osteoarthrosis, 79 with systemic lupus erythematosus or diffuse scleroderma and 642 healthy subjects. On analyzing the results, very high uricemia values were found in the gout patients.

[Evaluation of Panergon therapy in Raynaud syndrome within the scope of progressive scleroderma].

In 15 patients with progressive systemic sclerosis with Raynaud's phenomenon Papaverin hydrochloride retard (Panergon) therapy was used. The average age of 14 females and 1 male was 42 years (26-55). Panergon therapy lasted for 4 weeks, the daily dose being 450 mg.

[Streptococcus antibodies in a rural population and in patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases].

An account is given of assessed titres of anti-streptolysin O (ASO) and antihyaluronidase (AH) in rheumatic fever, in rheumatic patients of inactive phase and in tonsillitis. The ASO titre was examined in 1739 members of the general public and in 360 patients with chronic rheumatic diseases. The author analyses 6235 examinations of ASO titres and 1210 AH examinations.

[Serum uric acid levels in disorders of the rheumatic type].

Serum uric acid levels were investigated in a series of 1715 subjects. Of these 596 were patients suffering from inflammatory rheumatic disorders, 162 patients with gout, 236 with osteoarthrosis and 79 with systemic lupus erythematosus or diffuse scleroderma. 642 healthy subjects completed the series.

Psoriasis and gout: report of 4 cases.

Four patients with a simultaneous occurrence of psoriasis and gout are described. These cases were selected out of a group of 108 gouty in-patients. Clinical and laboratory findings in the reported patients are briefly outlined and this association of diseases is described from the viewpoint of differential diagnosis.

A retrospective analysis of drug therapy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

A retrospective analysis of the pharmacotherapy used in 100 patients during their illness was performed. The method was that of a standardized interview based on a questionnaire. Analysis of the data showed that salicylates still dominate among the first-line antirheumatic drugs, but are gradually being replaced by newer antirheumatic agents.