The protective effect of serum antibodies in preventing SARS-CoV-2 virus entry into cardiac muscle.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been associated with significant cardiovascular complications, including myocardial infection and pulmonary embolism. This study aims to elucidate the relationship between the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in the myocardium of the left ventricle and the levels of IgG and IgM antibodies against the SARS-CoV-2 virus in deceased COVID-19 patients. We conducted a post-mortem examination on 91 individuals who succumbed to COVID-19-related complications.

Pre-implantation Scalp EEG Can Predict VNS Efficacy in Children.

Vagal nerve stimulation (VNS) is a therapeutical option for the treatment of drug-resistant epileptic patients. The response to VNS varies from patient to patient and is difficult to predict. The proposed study is based on our previous work, identifying relative mean power in pre-implantation EEG as a reliable marker for VNS efficacy prediction in adult patients.

Association between polymorphism rs2421943 of the insulin-degrading enzyme and schizophrenia: Preliminary report.

Background: Insulin-degrading enzyme (IDE) is an important gene in studies of the pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Recent studies have suggested a possible link between type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and the pathophysiology of schizophrenia (SZ). At the same time, significant changes in insulin-degrading enzyme (IDE) gene expression have been found in the brains of people with schizophrenia.

Single-center long-term results of vagus nerve stimulation for pediatric epilepsy: a 10-17-year follow-up study.

Purpose: A retrospective study, based on a prospectively built database, presents the results of long-term follow-up care of pediatric vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) patients in terms of seizure outcome, surgical aspects, the potential impact of maturation, and medication changes.

Methods: From a prospectively built database, 16 VNS patients (median age 12.0 years, range 6.

Vagus nerve stimulation outcome prediction: from simple parameters to advanced models.

Since its approval as an adjunct treatment for refractory partial epilepsy, the positive effects of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) on seizure frequency and severity have been supported by many studies. Seizure reduction of more than 50 % can be expected in at least 50 % of patients. However, a complete post-VNS seizure freedom is rarely achieved and 25 % of patients do not benefit from VNS.

WNT10A variants: following the pattern of inheritance in tooth agenesis and self-reported family history of cancer.

Objectives: The aim of this study was the analysis of WNT10A variants in seven families of probands with various forms of tooth agenesis and self-reported family history of cancer.

Materials And Methods: We enrolled 60 young subjects (aged 13 to 17) from the Czech Republic with various forms of tooth agenesis. Dental phenotypes were assessed using Planmeca ProMax 3D (Planmeca Oy, Finland) with Planmeca Romexis software (version 2.

Six genetically linked mutations in the CD36 gene significantly delay the onset of Alzheimer's disease.

The risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD) has a strong genetic component, also in the case of late-onset AD (LOAD). Attempts to sequence whole genome in large populations of subjects have identified only a few mutations common to most of the patients with AD. Targeting smaller well-characterized groups of subjects where specific genetic variations in selected genes could be related to precisely defined psychological traits typical of dementia is needed to better understand the heritability of AD.

Polymorphism Rs2421943 of the Insulin-Degrading Enzyme Gene and the Risk of Late-Onset Alzheimer's Disease.

Background: Insulin-degrading enzyme (IDE) is a widely distributed Zn2+-binding metalloprotease that cleaves multiple short and medium-sized peptides prone to form β-structures. These include insulin and amyloid-β peptides. Accumulation and fibrillation of amyloid-β peptides leading to the formation of amyloid plaques is a characteristic sign of Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology.

Single Nucleotide Polymorphism rs11136000 of CLU Gene (Clusterin, ApoJ) and the Risk of Late-Onset Alzheimer's Disease in a Central European Population.

Clusterin (CLU; also known as apolipoprotein J, ApoJ) is a protein of inconstant structure known to be involved in diverse processes inside and outside of brain cells. CLU can act as a protein chaperon or protein solubilizer, lipid transporter as well as redox sensor and be anti- or proapoptotic, depending on context. Primary structure of CLU is encoded by CLU gene which contains single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP's) associated with the risk of late-onset Alzheimer's disease (LOAD).

Polymorphism rs11867353 of Tyrosine Kinase Non-Receptor 1 (TNK1) Gene Is a Novel Genetic Marker for Alzheimer's Disease.

Several single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and rare variants of non-receptor tyrosine kinase 1 gene (TNK1) have been associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD). To date, none of the associations have proven to be of practical importance in predicting the risk of AD either because the evidence is not conclusive, or the risk alleles occur at very low frequency. In the present study, we are evaluating the associations between rs11867353 polymorphism of TNK1 gene and both AD and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in a group of 1656 persons.

Subchronic continuous inhalation exposure to zinc oxide nanoparticles induces pulmonary cell response in mice.

Objectives: We used mice as an animal model to investigate the entry of ZnO nanoparticles from the ambient air into the lungs and other organs, subsequent changes in Zn levels and the impact on the transcription of Zn homeostasis-related genes in the lungs.

Methods: The mice were exposed to two concentrations of ZnO nanoparticles; lower (6.46 × 10 particles/cm) and higher (1.

An association of neovascular age-related macular degeneration with polymorphisms of CFH, ARMS2, HTRA1 and C3 genes in Czech population.

Purpose: We investigated associations between neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and rs10490924 polymorphism of ARMS2 gene (age-related maculopathy susceptibility 2), rs1061170 polymorphism of gene for complement factor H (CFH), rs2230199 polymorphism of gene for complement component C3 and rs11200638 polymorphism of gene for serine protease high-temperature requirement A1 (HTRA1) in the Czech population.

Methods: We analysed samples of DNA from 307 patients diagnosed with neovascular form of late AMD (average age: 73.7 ± 7.

Family effects on the digit ratio (2D:4D): The role of the interbirth interval.

Objectives: Family represents the closest social environment that immediately affects human ontogeny from an early prenatal period. This study aimed to assess sibship influences on the second-to-fourth digit length ratio (2D:4D ratio).

Methods: The source sample represented 329 children aged 6.

Reoperations after surgery for acute subdural hematoma: reasons, risk factors, and effects.

Purpose: To analyze the reasons and patient-related and injury-related risk factors for reoperation after surgery for acute subdural hematoma (SDH) and the effects of reoperation on treatment outcome.

Methods: Among adult patients operated on for acute SDH between 2013 and 2017, patients reoperated within 14 days after the primary surgery were identified. In all patients, parameters were identified that related to the patient (age, anticoagulation, antiplatelet, and antiepileptic treatment, and alcohol intoxication), trauma (Glasgow Coma Score, SDH thickness, midline shift, midline shift /hematoma thickness rate, other surgical lesion, primary surgery-trephination, craniotomy, or decompressive craniotomy), and Glasgow Outcome Score (GOS).

Next generation sequencing reveals a novel nonsense mutation in MSX1 gene related to oligodontia.

Tooth agenesis is one of the most common craniofacial disorders in humans. More than 350 genes have been associated with teeth development. In this study, we enrolled 60 child patients (age 13 to 17) with various types of tooth agenesis.

Penetration, distribution and brain toxicity of titanium nanoparticles in rodents' body: a review.

Titanium dioxide (TiO) has been vastly used commercially, especially as white pigment in paints, colorants, plastics, coatings, cosmetics. Certain industrial uses TiO in diameter <100 nm. There are three common exposure routes for TiO: (i) inhalation exposure, (ii) exposure via gastrointestinal tract, (iii) dermal exposure.

CHAT gene polymorphism rs3810950 is associated with the risk of Alzheimer's disease in the Czech population.

Background: Cholinergic hypothesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is based on the findings that a reduced and/or perturbed cholinergic activity in the central nervous system correlates with cognitive decline in patients with Alzheimer's disease. The hypothesis resulted in the development of centrally-acting agents potentiating cholinergic neurotransmission; these drugs, however, only slowed down the cognitive decline and could not prevent it. Consequently, the perturbation of the central cholinergic signalling has been accepted as a part of the Alzheimer's aetiology but not necessarily the primary cause of the disease.

Single-center long-term results of vagus nerve stimulation for epilepsy: A 10-17 year follow-up study.

Purpose: The paper presents a long-term follow-up study of VNS patients, analyzing seizure outcome, medication changes, and surgical problems.

Method: 74 adults with VNS for 10 to 17 years were evaluated yearly as: non-responder - NR (seizure frequency reduction <50%), responder - R (reduction ≥ 50% and <90%), and 90% responder - 90R (reduction ≥ 90%). Delayed R or 90R (≥ 4 years after surgery), patients with antiepileptic medication changes and battery or complete system replacement were identified.

The Results of Neuroendoscopic Surgery in Patients with Posttraumatic and Posthemorrhagic Hydrocephalus.

Background: Posttraumatic hydrocephalus (PTH) and posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus (PHH) were previously considered not suitable for neuroendoscopic treatment. New hydrocephalus theories support possible successful neuroendoscopy in such patients.

Methods: This study presents the results of neuroendoscopy in PTH and PHH with a background analysis.

CD36 gene is associated with intraocular pressure elevation after intravitreal application of anti-VEGF agents in patients with age-related macular degeneration: Implications for the safety of the therapy.

Background: The wet form of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is characterized by pathological vascularization of the outer retinal layers. The condition responds to treatment with antibodies against vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), but the patients receiving such anti-VEGF therapy sometimes show undesirable acute short-term increases in the intraocular pressure (IOP). The cause of this adverse effect is unknown, and here, we are testing a hypothesis that it is related to CD36 gene polymorphisms.

Comparison of Suitability of the Most Common Ancient DNA Quantification Methods.

Aims: Ancient DNA (aDNA) extracted from historical bones is damaged and fragmented into short segments, present in low quantity, and usually copurified with microbial DNA. A wide range of DNA quantification methods are available. The aim of this study was to compare the five most common DNA quantification methods for aDNA.

Epidemiology and risk factors of schizophrenia.

Schizophrenia is a severe mental disorder that affects approximately one percent of the general population. The pathogenesis of schizophrenia is influenced by many risk factors, both environmental and genetic. The environmental factors include the date of birth, place of birth and seasonal effects, infectious diseases, complications during pregnancy and delivery, substance abuse and stress.