Are ovine and porcine carotid arteries equivalent animal models for experimental cardiac surgery: A quantitative histological comparison.

Background: Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is a common cardiac surgery. Manufacturing small-diameter (2-5 mm) vascular grafts for CABG is important for patients who lack first-choice autologous arterial, or venous conduits. Ovine and porcine common carotid arteries (CCAs) are used as large animal models for in vivo testing of newly developed tissue-engineered arterial grafts.

Increased Collagen Crosslinking in Stiff Clubfoot Tissue: Implications for the Improvement of Therapeutic Strategies.

Congenital clubfoot is a complex musculoskeletal deformity, in which a stiff, contracted tissue forms in the medial part of the foot. Fibrotic changes are associated with increased collagen deposition and lysyl oxidase (LOX)-mediated crosslinking, which impair collagen degradation and increase the tissue stiffness. First, we studied collagen deposition, as well as the expression of collagen and the amount of pyridinoline and deoxypyridinoline crosslinks in the tissue of relapsed clubfoot by immunohistochemistry, real-time PCR, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

The Influence of High and Low Negative Pressure Liposuction and Various Harvesting Techniques on the Viability and Function of Harvested Cells-a Systematic Review of Animal and Human Studies.

Background: An understanding of fat grafting methodology, techniques and patient-related factors is crucial when considering fat grafting. Multiple factors can influence the success of a fat graft and consequently the outcome of the procedure. The aim of this systematic review is to elucidate the influence of negative pressure and various techniques of fat harvesting on the viability and function of cells, particularly adipocytes and adipose-derived stem cells.

The use of sentinel skin islands for monitoring buried and semi-buried micro-vascular flaps. Part II: Clinical application.

Despite the high success rate of micro-vascular flaps, anastomosis compromise occurs in 5-10% and that can lead to flap failure. Reliable monitoring of the flap is therefore of similar importance to that of the precise surgical procedure itself. Multiple methods have been reported for monitoring of the flap vitality, the first one being direct visual monitoring.

The use of sentinel skin islands for monitoring buried and semi-buried micro-vascular flaps. Part I: Summary and brief description of monitoring methods.

Micro-vascular flaps have been used for the repair of challenging defects for over 45 years. The risk of failure is reported to be around 5-10% which despite medical and technical advances in recent years remains essentially unchanged. Precise, continuous, sensitive and specific monitoring together with prompt notification of vascular compromise is crucial for the success of the procedure.

Minoxidil decreases collagen I deposition and tissue-like contraction in clubfoot-derived cells: a way to improve conservative treatment of relapsed clubfoot?

Aim: Clubfoot is a congenital deformity affecting the musculoskeletal system, resulting in contracted and stiff tissue in the medial part of the foot. Minoxidil (MXD) has an inhibitory effect on lysyl hydroxylase, which influences the quality of extracellular matrix crosslinking, and could therefore be used to reduce the stiffness and to improve the flexibility of the tissue. We assessed the antifibrotic effects of minoxidil on clubfoot-derived cells.

Improved survival in patients with FDG-PET/CT-based radiotherapy treatment planning for squamous cell anal cancer.

The aim of this retrospective analysis was to evaluate the impact of FDG-PET/CT-based target volume definition on locoregional control and survival, compared to conventional CT-based target volume definition and dose prescription. One hundred and twenty-two patients with squamous cell anal cancer were treated with curative radiotherapy (RT) alone (27%) or with RT with concurrent chemotherapy (73%) and analyzed. Forty-six percent had the early disease (stage I+II) and 54% were stage III.

Frequent Recurrences of Genital Herpes Are Associated with Enhanced Systemic HSV-Specific T Cell Response.

Objectives: Genital herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection is controlled by HSV-specific T cells in the genital tract, and the role of systemic T cell responses is not fully understood. Thus, we analysed T cell responses in patients with recurrent genital herpes (GH).

Methods: T cell responses to HSV-1 and HSV-2 native antigens and the expression of HLA-DR and CD38 molecules on circulating CD8+ T cells were analysed in adults with high frequency of GH recurrences (19 patients) and low frequency of GH recurrences (7 patients) and 12 HSV-2 seronegative healthy controls.

Histological mapping of porcine carotid arteries - An animal model for the assessment of artificial conduits suitable for coronary bypass grafting in humans.

Background: Using animal models in experimental medicine requires mapping of their anatomical variability. Porcine common carotid arteries (CCA) are often preferred for the preclinical testing of vascular grafts due to their anatomical and physiological similarity to human small-diameter arteries. Comparing the microscopic structure of animal model organs to their human counterparts reveals the benefits and limitations of translational medicine.

Cross-sectional study on vaccination coverage in newly diagnosed HIV-infected persons in the Czech Republic.

Objectives: Individuals with HIV infection are at an increased risk for a number of infectious diseases, some of which are preventable by vaccination. Unfortunately, little is known about the attitudes of this population group to vaccination, therefore, we decided to find out vaccination coverage against 5 infections among newly diagnosed HIV-infected patients in the Czech Republic.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on newly diagnosed patients who started their follow-up care at the HIV Clinic of Na Bulovce Hospital during the two following years.

The CD34+ Cell Number Alone Predicts Retention of the Human Fat-Graft Volume in a Nude Mouse Model.

Prediction of the final transferred fat volume is essential for the success of fat grafting, but remains elusive. Between 20 and 80 % of the initial transplanted volume can be reabsorbed. Although graft survival has many determinants, CD34+ progenitor cells from the vascular stroma of adipose tissue play a central role by promoting growth of blood vessels and adipocytes.

AURIEL-PsO: a randomized, double-blind phase III equivalence trial to demonstrate the clinical similarity of the proposed biosimilar MSB11022 to reference adalimumab in patients with moderate-to-severe chronic plaque-type psoriasis.

Background: MSB11022 is a proposed adalimumab biosimilar.

Objectives: To compare the efficacy, safety and immunogenicity of MSB11022 with reference adalimumab.

Methods: AURIEL-PsO was a double-blind randomized controlled equivalence trial, in which patients with moderate-to-severe chronic plaque-type psoriasis were randomized 1 : 1 to MSB11022 or reference adalimumab.

Antithrombin as a marker of severe acute hepatitis B.

Background: Acute hepatitis B (AHB) can run a severe course, which sometimes leads to a fulminant disease with acute liver failure (ALF). Pro-coagulation factors are well-established markers of AHB severity, but less is known about the levels of anti-coagulation parameters in AHB.

Methods: In this study, we demonstrate that antithrombin (AT) plasma levels were associated with AHB severity in 161 patients.

Switching to biosimilars: current perspectives in immune-mediated inflammatory diseases.

: The expiry of patents for biologics has led to the introduction of biosimilars for the treatment of immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs). These treatment alternatives may allow earlier and wider access to appropriate therapy for patients without increasing the economic burden on health-care systems. Prescription of biosimilars to treatment-naïve patients is well accepted; however, additional considerations must be taken into account when switching clinically stable patients from reference products to biosimilars.

The Effect of Sensory Innervation on the Inorganic Component of Bones and Teeth; Experimental Denervation - Review.

The effect of the nervous system on bone remodelling has been described by many studies. Sensory and autonomic nerves are present in the bone. Immunohistochemical analysis of the bone have indicated the presence of neuropeptides and neurotransmitters that act on bone cells through receptors.

Multielemental Chemical Analysis of Elements in Mandibular Bone and Teeth in the Rat.

The original article was published in Folia Biologica (Praha) Volume 64, No. 3 (2018), 84-96.

Multielemental Chemical Analysis of Elements in Mandibular Bone and Teeth in the Rat.

The purpose of the study was to test the hypothesis of different distribution spaces of elements in the rat mandibular bone and teeth. We used six adult males of Wistar laboratory rats for the study. After killing the animals, we extracted the molars and removed incisor crowns.

Serological Diagnostics of Lyme Borreliosis: Comparison of Universal and Borrelia Species-Specific Tests Based on Whole-Cell and Recombinant Antigens.

The study compares diagnostic parameters of different commercial serological kits based on three different antigen types and correlates test results with the status of the patient's infection. In total, 8 IgM and 8 IgG kits were tested, as follows: enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) (Euroimmun) based on whole-cell antigen, 3 species-specific enzyme immunoassays (EIAs) (TestLine), Liaison chemiluminescence (DiaSorin), ELISA-Viditest (Vidia), EIA, and Blot-Line (TestLine) using recombinant antigens. All tests were performed on a panel of 90 samples from patients with clinically characterized borreliosis (53 with neuroborreliosis, 32 with erythema migrans, and 5 with arthritis) plus 70 controls from blood donors and syphilis patients.

Range of motion after total knee arthroplasty in hemophilic arthropathy.

Background: Outcomes of total knee replacement in cases of hemophilic patients are worse than in patients who undergo operations due to osteoarthritis. Previous publications have reported varying rates of complications in hemophilic patients, such as infection and an unsatisfactory range of motion, which have influenced the survival of prostheses. Our retrospective study evaluated the data of hemophilic patients regarding changes in the development of the range of motion.

HIV care in Central and Eastern Europe: How close are we to the target?

Objectives: The aim of this survey was to describe the current status of HIV care in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe and to investigate how close the region is to achieving the UNAIDS 2020 target of 90-90-90.

Methods: In 2014, data were collected from 24 Central and Eastern European countries using a 38-item questionnaire.

Results: All countries reported mandatory screening of blood and organ donors for HIV.

Incidence of cancer and overall risk of mortality in individuals treated with raltegravir-based and non-raltegravir-based combination antiretroviral therapy regimens.

Objectives: There are currently few data on the long-term risk of cancer and death in individuals taking raltegravir (RAL). The aim of this analysis was to evaluate whether there is evidence for an association.

Methods: The EuroSIDA cohort was divided into three groups: those starting RAL-based combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) on or after 21 December 2007 (RAL); a historical cohort (HIST) of individuals adding a new antiretroviral (ARV) drug (not RAL) to their cART between 1 January 2005 and 20 December 2007, and a concurrent cohort (CONC) of individuals adding a new ARV drug (not RAL) to their cART on or after 21 December 2007.

Hereditary Multiple Exostoses: Clinical, Molecular and Radiologic Survey in 9 Families.

Hereditary multiple exostoses (HME) represents a heterogeneous group of diseases often associated with progressive skeletal deformities. Most frequently, mutations in EXT1 and EXT2 genes with autosomal dominant inheritance are responsible for HME. In our group of 9 families with HME we evaluated the clinical course of the disease and analysed molecular background using Sanger sequencing and MLPA in EXT1 and EXT2 genes.

Multiplex PCR and NGS-based identification of mRNA splicing variants: Analysis of BRCA1 splicing pattern as a model.

Alternative pre-mRNA splicing increases transcriptome plasticity by forming naturally-occurring alternative splicing variants (ASVs). Alterations of splicing processes, caused by DNA mutations, result in aberrant splicing and the formation of aberrant mRNA isoforms. Analyses of hereditary cancer predisposition genes reveal many DNA variants with unknown clinical significance (VUS) that potentially affect pre-mRNA splicing.