Soluble endoglin as a biomarker of successful rheopheresis treatment in patients with age-related macular degeneration.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a progressive chronic disease causing visual impairment or central vision loss in the elderly. We hypothesized that successful rheopheresis would be associated with positive changes in soluble endoglin (sENG), PSCK9, alpha-2-macroglobulin (A2M), and hs-CRP levels. 31 elderly patients with the dry form of AMD, treated with rheopheresis with a follow-up period of at least 5 years and an average age of 68 ± 4 years, were evaluated.

The world apheresis association registry, 2023 update.

The WAA apheresis registry contains data on more than 140,000 apheresis procedures conducted in 12 different countries. The aim is to give an update of indications, type and number of procedures and adverse events (AEs). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The WAA-registry is used for registration of apheresis procedures and is free of charge.

Early-onset pancreatic cancer: A national cancer registry study from the Czech Republic and review of the literature.

Background: The aim of this study was to compare trends in mortality and incidence, clinicopathological features and survival of patients diagnosed with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma under 50 years of age (early-onset pancreatic cancer [EOPC]) with patients diagnosed over 50 years of age (late-onset pancreatic cancer [LOPC]).

Methods: The national oncological registry of the Czech Republic was reviewed to identify all patients with histologically confirmed pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma diagnosed between the years 1985 and 2015. Incidence, mortality, clinicopathological and survival data were analyzed and compared between patients with EOPC and LOPC.

Long-Term LDL-Apheresis Treatment and Dynamics of Circulating miRNAs in Patients with Severe Familial Hypercholesterolemia.

Lipoprotein apheresis (LA) is a therapeutic option for patients with severe hypercholesterolemia who have persistently elevated LDL-C levels despite attempts at drug therapy. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), important posttranscriptional gene regulators, are involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Our study aimed to monitor the dynamics of twenty preselected circulating miRNAs in patients under long-term apheresis treatment.

The Impact of Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin Type 9 Monoclonal Antibodies with and without Apheresis on Platelet Aggregation in Familial Hypercholesterolemia.

Background And Aims: It is well known that elevated cholesterol is associated with enhanced platelet aggregation and patients suffering from familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) have a high risk of thrombotic cardiovascular events. Although decreasing cholesterol level is associated with attenuation of platelet hyperactivity, there are currently no data on the effect of convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 monoclonal antibodies (PCSK9ab) on platelet reactivity in FH. The aim of the study was to analyse the impact of different therapies including PCSK9ab on platelet aggregation in FH.

The Effect of 4-Methylcatechol on Platelets in Familial Hypercholesterolemic Patients Treated with Lipid Apheresis and/or Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin Kexin 9 Monoclonal Antibodies.

Elevated low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels lead to atherosclerosis and platelet hyperaggregability, both of which are known culprits of arterial thrombosis. Normalization of LDL cholesterol in familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is not an easy task and frequently requires specific treatment, such as regularly performed lipid apheresis and/or novel drugs such as proprotein convertase subtilisin kexin 9 monoclonal antibodies (PCSK9Ab). Moreover, a high resistance rate to the first-line antiplatelet drug acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) stimulated research of novel antiplatelet drugs.

Pregnancy in homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia-A case series.

Introduction: Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is an autosomal codominant lipid metabolism disorder. It results in lifelong elevation of plasmatic low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels, followed by premature atherosclerosis. In women, pregnancy and lactation represent an additional risk due to association of physiological changes, pre-existing dyslipidemia, and limited therapeutic possibilities and experiences.

Sharing datasets of the COVID-19 epidemic in the Czech Republic.

At the time of the COVID-19 pandemic, providing access to data (properly optimised regarding personal data protection) plays a crucial role in providing the general public and media with up-to-date information. Open datasets also represent one of the means for evaluation of the pandemic on a global level. The primary aim of this paper is to describe the methodological and technical framework for publishing datasets describing characteristics related to the COVID-19 epidemic in the Czech Republic (epidemiology, hospital-based care, vaccination), including the use of these datasets in practice.

Multiplex Protein Biomarker Profiling in Patients with Familial Hypercholesterolemia.

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH), is an autosomal dominant disorder caused by mutations in the , , , and genes and is characterized by high plasma levels of total and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. Our study aimed to analyze the influences of two different therapies on a wide spectrum of plasma protein biomarkers of cardiovascular diseases. Plasma from FH patients under hypolipidemic therapy ( = 18; men = 8, age 55.

Erratum: Filip, S.; et al. Therapeutic Apheresis, Circulating PLD, and Mucocutaneous Toxicity: Our Clinical Experience through Four Years. 2020, , 940.

The following correction has been made to this paper [...

Therapeutic Apheresis, Circulating PLD, and Mucocutaneous Toxicity: Our Clinical Experience through Four Years.

Cancer treatment has been greatly improved by the combined use of targeted therapies and novel biotechnological methods. Regarding the former, pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD) has a preferential accumulation within cancer tumors, thus having lower toxicity on healthy cells. PLD has been implemented in the targeted treatment of sarcoma, ovarian, breast, and lung cancer.

Systematic COronary Risk Evaluation (SCORE) and 20-year risk of cardiovascular mortality and cancer.

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) followed by cancer are the two leading causes of death worldwide. SCORE charts have been recommended in Europe to identify individuals at increased CVD risk. However, the SCORE ability to identify individuals at increased risk of cancer has not yet been evaluated.

Which serum uric acid levels are associated with increased cardiovascular risk in the general adult population?

Our aim was to determine the serum uric acid (SUA) levels associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular (CV) and all-cause death in the general adult population. We analyzed data obtained in two independent cross-sectional surveys performed in the Czech Republic in 2006-09 and 2015-18, involving 1% population random samples in nine districts, aged 25-64 years, stratified by age and gender. Ten-year mortality data were obtained in a cohort with examination in 2006-09.

Significance of postoperative follow-up of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer using circulating tumor DNA.

Background: One of the most notable applications for circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) detection in peripheral blood of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) is a long-term postoperative follow-up. Sometimes referred to as a "liquid (re)biopsy" it is a minimally invasive procedure and can be performed repeatedly at relatively short intervals (months or even weeks). The presence of the disease and the actual extent of the tumor burden (tumor mass) within the patient's body can be monitored.

Plasmafiltration as an effective method in the removal of circulating pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD) and the reduction of mucocutaneous toxicity during the treatment of advanced platinum-resistant ovarian cancer.

Purpose: The present study evaluates the safety and efficacy of double-plasma filtration (PF) to remove the exceeding pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD) in circulation, thus reducing mucocutaneous toxicity.

Methods: A total of 16 patients with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer were treated with 50 mg/m PLD applied in 1-h IV infusion every 28 days. PF was scheduled at 44-46 h post-infusion.

Is colorectal cancer a more aggressive disease in young patients? A population-based study from the Czech Republic.

Introduction: The incidence of colorectal cancer in young patients is increasing. The goal of this study was to investigate whether clinicopathological features and survival differed between young, middle-aged and elderly patients.

Methods: The Czech National Cancer Registry was searched to identify all cases of colorectal cancer between 1982 and 2014.

The serine protease inhibitors and SERPINE1/2 disrupt prostaglandin E2 production and hyaluronic acid retention in FSH-stimulated pig cumulus-oocyte complexes.

The serine proteases, tissue- and urokinase-type plasminogen activators (PLAT and PLAU) and their inhibitors SERPINE1/2 are regulators of plasminogen to plasmin conversion. They are widely expressed in ovarian tissues, including granulosa and cumulus cells, and their expression is regulated by gonadotropins. The aim of this work was to assess the effect of serine protease inhibitors (aprotinin and AEBSF) and SERPINE1/2 on FSH-induced cumulus cell expansion, the production of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and retention of hyaluronic acid (HA) in expanding cumulus.

Early weight gain after stopping smoking: a predictor of overall large weight gain? A single-site retrospective cohort study.

Objectives: Most people gain weight on stopping smoking but the extent of weight gain varies greatly. Interventions aimed at all quitters to prevent weight gain on cessation have proven unpopular but targeting people who have gained excess weight immediately after quitting may improve uptake and cost-effectiveness. We examined whether early large postcessation weight gain predicts overall large weight gain.

[The role of PCSK9-inhibitors and of lipoprotein apheresis in the treatment of homozygous and severe heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia: A rivalry, or are things quite different?].

PCSK9-inhibitors belong to the new class of hypolipidemic agents. They enhance catabolism of low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) through inhibiting activity of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9). They are monoclonal antibodies (alirocumab, evolocumab etc).

Analysis of circulating miRNAs in patients with familial hypercholesterolaemia treated by LDL/Lp(a) apheresis.

Background: LDL/Lp(a) apheresis therapy is a well-established method of aggressively lowering LDL and Lp(a). Recently, miRNAs have been discussed as markers of vascular status including atherosclerosis. MiRNAs inhibit post-transcriptional processes through RNA duplex formation resulting in gene silencing or regulation of gene expression.

Significance of epidermal growth factor receptor signaling for acquisition of meiotic and developmental competence in mammalian oocytes.

The surge in luteinizing hormone (LH) in preovulatory ovarian follicles triggers the resumption of oocyte meiosis accompanied by expansion of surrounding cumulus cells and ovulation of cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) into the oviduct. Over the last 15 years, substantial progress has been made in elucidating the key pathways by which the LH signal spreads within the preovulatory follicle and in identifying the molecules responsible for maintaining oocyte arrest and meiosis resumption. It is now clear that the adenylcyclase-mediated rise in intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate leads to activation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) network in granulosa and cumulus cells.

Radial artery neointimal hyperplasia after transradial PCI-Serial optical coherence tomography volumetric study.

Aims: Transradial catheterization (TRC) is a dominant access site for coronary catheterization and percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) in many centers. Previous studies reported higher intimal thickness of the radial artery (RA) wall in patients with a previous history of TRC. In this investigation the aim was to assess the intimal changes of RA using the optical coherence tomography (OCT) intravascular imaging in a serial manner.

Rheopheresis in treatment of idiopathic sensorineural sudden hearing loss.

Backround: Only few therapeutic options exist for patients with refractory sudden idiopathic sensorineural hearing loss (SISHL). Little is known about the efficacy of second-line therapies. Rheopheresis seems to be an effective therapeutic possibility.

Colorectal cancer in patients under the age of 40 years: experience from a tertiary care centre in the Czech Republic.

Introduction: Colorectal cancer (CRC) in young patients is not an uncommon disease. Reports on its behaviour in young patients are conflicting. The aim of this study was to investigate patient and tumour characteristics, treatment and prognosis of this disease.