Epigenetic Modulating Chemicals Significantly Affect the Virulence and Genetic Characteristics of the Bacterial Plant Pathogen pv. .

Epigenetics is the study of heritable alterations in phenotypes that are not caused by changes in DNA sequence. In the present study, we characterized the genetic and phenotypic alterations of the bacterial plant pathogen   pv. () under different treatments with several epigenetic modulating chemicals.

Persistence of pv. in Field Soil in Central Europe.

pv. () is a bacterium that causes black rot of crucifers. The greatest losses of brassica crop production usually result from seed-borne infection, but carry-over of inoculum in field soil may also be possible.

Assessment of Antioxidants in Selected Plant Rootstocks.

The service tree () is a wild fruit tree with immense medicinal and industrial value. This study aimed at determining the four major groups of antioxidants (flavonoids, phenolic acids and aldehydes, catechin and procyanidin) in rootstocks of (genotypes O-LE-14 and O-LE-21), (genotypes O-LE-14 and O-LE-21), (genotype O-LE-9) and (BA 29) (genotypes O-LE-14 and O-LE-21). Hyperoside (Quercetin 3-D-galactoside) was the most abundant flavonoid compound, since its average content in the rootstocks of (O-LE-21) was 180.

[The seroprevalence of HCV among injecting drug users in the years 2004-2008 in Slovakia].

Introduction: Virus of hepatitis C (HCV) is the leading cause of chronic liver disease, including cirrhosis and cancer, and the most common indication for liver transplantation. In industrialised countries, injecting drug use is currently the most important risk factor for infection with hepatitis C, resulting in high prevalence of hepatitis C among injecting drug users (IDUs). The aim of the study was to assess the seroprevalence of HCV infection and distribution of genotypes among IDUs in the years 2004-2008.

[Virological sustained response to former young intravenous drug abusers with chronic hepatitis C treated by pegylated interferon-α plus ribavirin].

Introduction: The most risk group with high rate of infection of viral hepatitis C represents the former drug abusers (IDUs).

Objectives: The objectives of the clinical study were to assess the sustained virological response (SVR) in the group of former IDUs with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) treated with pegylated interferon-α and ribavirin.

Patients And Methods: Of 293 previously untreated (naive) former IDUs with CHC who have started treatment, we assessed 239 (69 women, 170 men) with an average age of 27 years who completed treatment and received a follow-up examination after 24 weeks.

High virologic sustained response for former young intravenous drug users with chronic hepatitis C treated by pegylated interferon-alpha plus ribavirin.

Aims: The aim of this clinical study was to assess virological response at end-of -treatment (ETR), sustained virological (SVR) and biochemical response in former drug users with chronic hepatitis C treated with PEG-IFN-alpha and R.

Patients: Ninety two former drug users (21 F, 71 M) average age 27 years (18 to 41 years) and previously not treated with IFN-alpha and R (naive patients, pts) were evaluated for their virological and biochemical response. Standard treatment regimen of either 24 or 48 weeks was applied in patients with genotype 3 or genotype 1, respectively.

Coenzyme Q10 supplementation reduces corticosteroids dosage in patients with bronchial asthma.

Unlabelled: Bronchial asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of respiratory system, with disturbances in the dynamic balance of oxidant-antioxidant capacity of the lungs. Long-term administration of corticosteroids has been shown to result in mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative damage of mitochondrial and nuclear DNAs. We previously documented decreased coenzyme Q(10) (CoQ(10)) and alpha-tocopherol concentrations in plasma and blood in corticosteroid-dependent bronchial asthma patients.

Dilemmas regarding the proper route of adrenaline administration in anaphylaxis.

The authors outline current practice regarding the pre-hospital use of adrenaline. They conclude that intramuscular adrenaline recommended in the current European guidelines may not be the only correct route of administration. Both intradermal and intravenous routes may be more appropriate in certain situations.

Antiasthmatic effects of nedocromil sodium.

Accumulating data indicate that bronchial asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease. Airway inflammation and it's control became a principal focus in asthma treatment. Nedocromil sodium is chemically nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agent for the treatment of mild to moderate asthma.

Pharmacoeconomic aspects of patients treated by hemodialysis.

Hemodialysis as a therapeutic procedure in patients being in the end-stage of renal failure has been used since the sixties of the 20th century. Generally speaking, the conservative drug therapy in patients treated by hemodialysis is complex, and economically it consummes as great proportion of financial expenses. The aim of the study was to perform an economic analysis of 101 patients, both sexes (37 females and 64 males, aged from 22 to 81 years) treated by hemodialysis, in respect of drug treatment costs.

[Bartter's syndrome--hypokalemic renal tubular syndrome].

Hypokalemia is associated with some renal diseases manifested by renal tubular acidosis (type I and II) or by renal tubular syndrome (Bartter's, Gitelman's and Liddle's syndrome). Bartter's syndrome, originally described by Batter and colleagues in 1962, is a set of closely related renal tubular disorders characterized by hypokalemia, hypochloremia, metabolic alkalosis and hyperreninemia with normal blood pressure. The underlying renal abnormality results in excessive urinary losses of sodium, chloride, potassium and calcium.

[Biological properties of coenzyme Q10 and its effects on immunity].

Coenzyme Q10, a vitamin-like substance, represents a components of the complex antioxidant system of the human organism. The paper presents its structure, physiological function and the role in the disease pathogenesis with the accent on the supplementation therapy during human immune system disturbances, including infectious and oncological diseases.

Efficacy and tolerability of piroxicam-beta-cyclodextrin in the outpatient management of chronic back pain.

Background: Piroxicam-beta-cyclodextrin (PBC) is the first nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), in which the active substance is complexed with the cyclic oligosaccharide cyclodextrin, which acts as an artificial receptor. This complex allows single molecules of the NSAID to be released adjacent to the gastrointestinal mucosa, instead of crystals. Since the piroxicam is immediately bioavailable in this formulation, the onset of action is similar to that of a parenteral drug.

Levels of coenzyme Q10 in asthmatics.

Background: The contribution of free oxygen radicals in the pathogenesis of bronchial asthma is generally accepted. The modulation of antioxidative defence by supplementation with antioxidants represents additive approach in complex management of the disease. The aim of the study was to assess the levels of coenzyme Q10, alpha-tocopherol, beta-carotene and malondialdehyde (end-stage parameter of lipid peroxidation) in asthmatics (As).

[Analysis of the present status of conservative therapy of nephropathies].

Treatment by dialyzing represents an important contribution to the therapy of nephropathic patients. On the other hand, besides high financial costs it is not possible to forger significant social and psychic consequences of this therapy. The present paper aimed at a pharmacoeconomic evaluation of the costs of conservative treatment of nephropathic patients.

Pharmacoeconomic analysis of conservatively treated patients with nephropathies in western Slovakia regions.

Unlabelled: The prevalence of patients with chronic nephropathies leading to the end stage of renal failure (ESRF) is increased. The conservative therapy of patients in the phase of ESRF as well as the performance of hemodialysis represent an extensive burden on health care budgets.

Aim: The aim of the study was to evaluate the financial expenses for medications in group of conservatively treated patients with nephropathies.

[Treatment of allergic rhinitis in clinical practice and its pharmacoeconomic aspects].

The present paper aims to analyze therapeutic trends in allergic rhinitis and their relationships to selected pharmacoeconomic parameters. Health and Disease out-patient records from three out-patient allergologic-immunologic surgeries in the towns of Trencín, Nové Zámky, and Bratislava were surveyed. The analysis is based on the recorded prescription of drugs prescribed to the patients in the period of his or her "most recent season" in the years 1999-2000.

Decreased levels of coenzyme Q(10) in patients with bronchial asthma.

Background: The contribution of free oxygen radicals in the pathogenesis of bronchial asthma is generally accepted. The modulation of antioxidative defence by supplementation with antioxidants represents additive therapy in complex management of disease. The aim of the study was to assess the levels of coenzyme Q10, alpha-tocopherol, and beta-carotene both in plasma and whole blood, and malondialdehyde (MDA) and eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) in plasma of asthmatics (As).

Decreased consumption of corticosteroids after selenium supplementation in corticoid-dependent asthmatics.

Selenium represents a trace element comprised in enzyme glutathion-peroxidase. It is anti-inflammatory activity is based on the elimination of hydroperoxides produced in the site of inflammation (scavenger of free oxygen radicals). The authors report the results of a pilot study with 17 corticodependent asthmatics (7 females, 10 males) aged 30-74 years, supplemented with the preparation of selenium (Se), in a daily dose of 200 micrograms during the follow-up lasting 96 weeks.