Clinical characteristics and outcomes in risk-stratified patients with smoldering multiple myeloma: data from the Czech Republic Registry of Monoclonal Gammopathies.

Smoldering multiple myeloma (SMM) is an asymptomatic precursor to active multiple myeloma (MM). The aim of this study was to report clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with SMM stratified based on their risk of progression to MM using the Mayo 20/2/20 criteria. Data were leveraged from the Czech Myeloma Group Registry of Monoclonal Gammopathies (RMG).

Safety and Efficacy of Baseline Antiplatelet Treatment in Patients Undergoing Mechanical Thrombectomy for Ischemic Stroke: Antiplatelets Before Mechanical Thrombectomy.

Purpose: To investigate the safety and efficacy of baseline antiplatelet treatment in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) undergoing mechanical thrombectomy (MT).

Materials And Methods: Baseline use of antiplatelet medication before MT for (AIS) may provide benefit on reperfusion and clinical outcome but could also carry an increased risk of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH). All consecutive patients with AIS and treated with MT with and without intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) between January 2012 and December 2019 in all centers performing MT nationwide were reviewed.

Patient Characteristics, Treatment Patterns, and Outcomes in Triple-Class Exposed Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma Patients, a Retrospective Observational Study Using Czech Registry Data.

Background: Although novel therapies improved prognosis of multiple myeloma (MM) patients, clinical outcomes in the multi-refractory population are still poor.

Patients And Methods: We reviewed data from the Czech Registry of Monoclonal Gammopathies, identified and characterized triple-class exposed (3CE) relapsed/refractory MM patients, treatment patterns after 3CE, assessed overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), time to next treatment (TTNT), explored cohorts with and without triple- and penta-refractoriness.

Results: In 83 3CE patients who started subsequent therapies, the median OS was 14.

Differential adsorption of an analyte and its D, D and C labeled analogues combined with instrument-specific carry-over issues: The Achilles' heel of ibrutinib TDM.

At present, therapeutic drug monitoring is the standard in pharmacotherapy using medications with a narrow therapeutic index or showing serious adverse effects, such as in the case of ibrutinib. A technique commonly used for this purpose is liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry combined with isotope dilution in sample processing. Although this method provides a high degree of reliability, its use can be complicated with some specific factors and does not guarantee trouble-free analysis.

Calcifying pseudoneoplasm of neuroaxis (CAPNON): a comprehensive immunohistochemical and morphological characterization of five cases.

Calcifying pseudoneoplasm of neuroaxis (CAPNON) is a rare lesion of the central nervous system with uncertain histogenesis. We further explored phenotypic spectrum of the entity with respect to possible histogenesis. We collected 5 cases of CAPNONs, performed a detailed morphological assessment, and performed an extensive immunohistochemical analysis (EMA, progesterone receptors, MUC4, SSTR2A, cytokeratin AE1/3, cytokeratin 18, GFAP, neurofilaments, desmin, nestin, synaptophysin, S100 protein, SOX10, CD56, Podoplanin, SATB2, ERG, CD45, and CD163) to elucidate the histogenesis.

Hirata's Disease: Rare Cause of Hypoglycaemia in Caucasian Male.

Insulin autoimmune syndrome or Hirata's disease is an extremely rare condition leading to hypoglycaemia of variable severity due to autoantibodies against insulin. We present the first case documented in the Czech Republic.

Interaction of Cucurbit[7]uril with Oxime K027, Atropine, and Paraoxon: Risky or Advantageous Delivery System?

Antidotes against organophosphates often possess physicochemical properties that mitigate their passage across the blood-brain barrier. Cucurbit[7]urils may be successfully used as a drug delivery system for bisquaternary oximes and improve central nervous system targeting. The main aim of these studies was to elucidate the relationship between cucurbit[7]uril, oxime K027, atropine, and paraoxon to define potential risks or advantages of this delivery system in a complex in vivo system.

In vitro and in vivo metabolism of 3-quinuclidinyl benzilate by high-resolution mass spectrometry.

3-Quinuclidinyl benzilate (QNB) is an anticholinergic compound that affects the nervous system. Its hallucinogenic action has led to its potential utility as an incapacitating warfare agent, and it is listed in Schedule 2 by the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. Although this compound has been known for a long time, limited information is available regarding its metabolism and mass spectrometric data of the metabolites, the information that could facilitate the identification of QNB in case of suspected intoxication.

Prediction of long-term prognosis of age-related macular degeneration treated by hemorheologic therapy using baseline laboratory indicators - Experimental-clinical model.

Unlabelled: BACKGROUND + OBJECTIVE:Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the most common cause of practical blindness in people over 60 years of age in industrialised countries. We formulated a hypothesis that a group of initial laboratory parameters would be suitable for prediction of prognosis of AMD, allowing for individual modifications in treatment intensity.

Patients And Methods: 66 patients with dry form of AMD were treated using rheohaemapheresis with an individual follow-up period of more than 5 years.

Stem Cell Transcription Factor Sox2 Is Expressed in a Subset of Folliculo-stellate Cells of Growth Hormone-Producing Pituitary Neuroendocrine Tumours and Its Expression Shows No Association with Tumour Size or IGF1 Levels: a Clinicopathological Study of 109 Cases.

Sox2 is one of the transcription factors responsible for the maintenance of stem cell phenotype. It has been implicated as a marker of stem cells in normal pituitaries and pituitary neuroendocrine tumours. To explore the clinical significance of Sox2 expression in histological sections, we performed immunohistochemical detection of Sox2 in 113 pituitary neuroendocrine tumours from 109 patients with acromegaly.

Development and validation of a novel risk stratification algorithm for relapsed multiple myeloma.

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a malignancy with varying survival outcomes and drivers of disease progression. Existing MM staging tools were developed using data from newly diagnosed patients. As patient characteristics and disease-related factors change between diagnosis and the initiation of second-line (2L) treatment, an unmet need exists for a tool that can evaluate risk of death at first relapse.

UHPLC-HRMS study of anti-Alzheimer's drug candidates: metabolism of 7-MEOTA-tryptophan hybrids hampers their passage into brain.

Being among the top five causes of death in the developed world, Alzheimer's disease represents a major socio-economic issue. We administered a single intramuscular dose of two new hybrid anti-Alzheimer's compounds, with 7-methoxytacrine (7-MEOTA; acetylcholinesterase inhibitor) and tryptophan (inhibitor of amyloid accumulation) in their structure, to rats. Using validated ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-HRMS) methods, we uncovered their inability to enter the site of action - the brain.

Fungal Keratitis Caused by Colletotrichum dematium: Case Study and Review.

Colletotrichum species are known as important pathogens of plants with an impact on crop production. Some of these species are also known as a cause of rare ophthalmic infections in humans. A case of keratitis caused by Colletotrichum dematium after corneal trauma in a 56-year-old woman is presented.

Current vascular allograft procurement, cryopreservation and transplantation techniques in the Czech Republic.

Background: Vascular allotransplantations are performed worldwide in selected patients suffering from vascular prosthesis infection or critical limb ischemia. Either fresh or cryopreserved vascular allograft may be used.

Objectives: In various points, we address several aspects (allograft procurement, cryopreservation and transplantation technique) of the program of vascular allotransplantations in the Czech Republic.

Evaluation of expression of somatostatin receptor 1, 2, 3, 5 and dopamine D2 receptor in spindle cell oncocytomas of posterior pituitary.

Purpose: Spindle cell oncocytomas (SCOs) are very rare tumors of the posterior pituitary with potential for locally aggressive behaviour. Their treatment includes surgery and possibly radiotherapy, however other options are lacking. Somatostatin receptors (SSTs) are a possible therapeutic target for somatostatin analogues and their expression has been demonstrated recently in closely related pituicytomas, but there are no data about their presence in SCOs.

Organization model for allotransplantations of cryopreserved vascular grafts in Czech Republic.

The transplantation of fresh or cryopreserved vascular allografts in patients with a prosthetic graft infection or critical limb ischemia is necessary for their limb salvage and, in many cases, represents a lifesaving procedure. While transplantation of fresh allografts has a long history in the Czech Republic, the standard use of cryopreserved vascular allografts was introduced into the clinical practice in 2011 as a result of the implementation of EU Directive 2004/23/EC into national legislation (Human Cell and Tissue Act No. 296/2008 Coll.

Emergent Carotid Thromboendarterectomy for Acute Symptomatic Occlusion of the Extracranial Internal Carotid Artery.

Background: Strokes secondary to acute internal carotid artery (ICA) occlusion are associated with an extremely poor prognosis. The best treatment approach in this setting is still unknown. The aim of our study was to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and outcomes of emergent surgical revascularization of acute extracranial ICA occlusion in patients with minor to severe ischemic stroke.

Laparoscopic Left Renal Vein Transposition for Nutcracker Syndrome.

The left renal vein (LRV) reimplantation into the distal inferior vena cava is considered to be the gold standard of care for symptomatic nutcracker syndrome (NCS). The vast majority of these surgical procedures are performed by open surgery. Experiences with minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery in this field are very limited.

[Ocular toxoplasmosis - seeking a strategy for treatment].

Aim: To compare the effectiveness of treatment for ocular toxoplasmosis with pyrimethamine + clindamycin (or sulfadiazine) + a corticoid (Group 1), or azithromycin or a combination of azithromycin with a corticoid or a corticoid alone (Group 2). To determine the relapse rate depending on the treatment approach.

Material And Methods: A total of 25 patients treated for ocular toxoplasmosis over the last five years (2008-2013) were analyzed.

The impact and safety of preoperative oral or intravenous carbohydrate administration versus fasting in colorectal surgery--a randomized controlled trial.

Background And Aims: Increasing evidence suggests that preoperative fasting, as was the clinical practice for many decades, might be associated with untoward consequences and that a standardized preoperative intake of nutrients might be advantageous; this is a component of the enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) concept. Thus, in a randomized controlled trial we compared preoperative fasting with preoperative preparation with either oral or intravenous intake of carbohydrates, minerals and water. Biochemical, psychosomatic, echocardiographic and muscle-power parameters were assessed in surgical patients with colorectal diseases during the short-term perioperative period.