Acta Medica Martiniana最新文献

{"title":"Fractured Exhaled Nitric Oxide and Biologic Therapies for Paediatric Asthma","authors":"P. Kunč, J. Fábry, Peter Ferenc, Zuzana Hribikova, Michaela Matiščáková, R. Péčová","doi":"10.2478/acm-2023-0011","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/acm-2023-0011","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Bronchial asthma is the most frequently diagnosed chronic respiratory disease in children. Treatment approaches should aim to achieve the disease control, reduce limiting symptoms, and improve the quality of life. Routine treatment of patients with asthma relies on assessment of symptoms and spirometry results. These diagnostic and therapeutic strategies do not consider the level of inflammation in the airways as a fundamental pathognomonic feature of the disease. The use of biomarkers is increasing in the context of efforts to better understand individual asthma pathways (asthma endotyping), with the potential for personalized treatment with innovative biologics. Elevated levels of exhaled nitric oxide (FENO) represent an indirect marker of T2 inflammation in airways. FENO is one of the few biomarkers that have been applied in routine clinical practice. High levels predict a good therapeutic response to treatment with corticosteroids and selected biologics (Omalizumab, Dupilumab, Mepolizumab, Tezepelumab), or an increased risk of asthma exacerbation. The aim of this review is to evaluate the advantages, disadvantages, and potential applications of this test in relation to new treatment options using biologics for asthma.","PeriodicalId":30233,"journal":{"name":"Acta Medica Martiniana","volume":"23 1","pages":"74 - 83"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41931786","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Delivery Mode Affects the Sympathetic Nervous System in Healthy Term Newborns","authors":"M. Kozar, Z. Kuderava, N. Ferencova, Z. Visnovcova, M. Zibolen, I. Tonhajzerova","doi":"10.2478/acm-2023-0010","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/acm-2023-0010","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Background Spontaneous delivery represents an important way triggering the physiological mechanisms essential for a proper postnatal adaptation of a newborn. Autonomic nervous system (ANS) plays a crucial role in this process. There is insufficient data concerning the impact of different delivery mode on ANS in newborns. Therefore, we aimed to study the effect of delivery mode on sympathetic nervous system (SNS) in healthy term newborns measured by electrodermal activity (EDA). Material & Methods The study conducted 50 healthy full – term newborns divided into two groups: the spontaneous delivery group (SD, n=27) and the caesarean section group (CS, n=23). EDA parameters (SCL – tonic level of skin conductance; NS.SCRs – non – specific phasic responses of skin conductance) were evaluated during three measurements: 2nd (M1), 24th (M2), and 72nd (M3) hours of life. Results SCL significantly decreased during the first day of life (M1 vs. M2 – p < 0.001). The lowest NS.SCRs values were demonstrated in M1 in both groups with significant differences in CS group between measurements – M1 vs. M2 (p=0.001) and M1 vs. M3 (p=0.005). However, a significantly lower NS.SCRs was found in CS group (p=0.01) early after birth (M1). Conclusion Our findings revealed a reduced NS.SCRs indicating potential decreased „arousal“ in CS group – it seems that the attenuated „arousal“ could reflect the absence of physiological labor mechanisms as well as the effect of anesthesia leading to discrete early functional abnormalities in CS group. Further research is needed to validate these findings.","PeriodicalId":30233,"journal":{"name":"Acta Medica Martiniana","volume":"23 1","pages":"68 - 73"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49281917","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Platelet miRNA Expression in Patients with Sticky Platelet Syndrome","authors":"K. M. Běláková, J. Žolková, Ľ. Vádelová, M. Škereňová, J. Ivankova, L. Lisá, J. Sokol, J. Staško","doi":"10.2478/acm-2023-0009","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/acm-2023-0009","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Sticky platelet syndrome (SPS) is a disorder with familial occurrence and autosomal dominant trait characterized by platelet hyperaggregability in response to a low concentration of adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and/or epinephrine (EPI). The etiology of SPS may be associated with platelet microRNAs (miRNAs), which are considered as potential biomarkers of platelet function and antiplatelet therapy. We were monitoring the expression of platelet miRNAs in patients with laboratory diagnosed SPS and healthy controls. We have found a statistically significant increased expression of both miR-423-5p and miR-338-3p as well as a statistically significant decreased expression of miR-425-5p between the group of patients with diagnosed SPS type II and the group of healthy controls, which seems to be an interesting issue for a further research.","PeriodicalId":30233,"journal":{"name":"Acta Medica Martiniana","volume":"23 1","pages":"64 - 67"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43243240","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Anatomical and Ultrasound Study of the Mid-Femoral Sciatic Nerve and Its Division","authors":"M. Vrzgula, V. Hudák, K. Lovásová, J. Vecanová, N. Hvizdošová, J. Mihalik, I. Hodorová","doi":"10.2478/acm-2023-0007","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/acm-2023-0007","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract OBJECTIVES Anatomical variations of the sciatic nerve were supposed as potential causes for incomplete blocks at the level of the popliteal fossa. Therefore, we aimed to conduct an anatomical and ultrasound survey of the mid-femoral sciatic nerve and its division. BACKGROUND A regional block of the sciatic nerve is a procedure for analgesia and anaesthesia of the lower extremity. Various approaches to the sciatic nerve are used in clinical practice. However, the sciatic nerve demonstrates several variations regarding its topography and division. MATERIALS AND METHODS The anatomical study included twenty lower limbs of ten adult cadavers. The ultrasound study involved ten upper legs of five healthy volunteers RESULTS The sciatic nerve was found distally to the piriformis muscle in all our cadaveric specimens. It was divided into two major branches (common peroneal nerve and tibial nerve) at a mean distance of 68.1 ± 19.3 mm above the popliteal crease. The observed distances ranged widely from 35 to 113 mm. The mid-femoral sciatic nerve and its division were entirely revealed using ultrasound in all volunteers. CONCLUSION The sciatic nerve presents significant anatomical variations, which may cause an incomplete block. Understanding ultrasound anatomy and ultrasound appearance of the sciatic nerve is essential for performing ultrasound-guided sciatic blocks.","PeriodicalId":30233,"journal":{"name":"Acta Medica Martiniana","volume":"23 1","pages":"51 - 57"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45593165","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Capillaroscopy and Endopat – Helpful Methods for the Early Assessment of Increased Cardiovascular Risk in Anorexia Nervosa?","authors":"N. Ferencova, Z. Visnovcova, I. Ondrejka, I. Tonhajzerova","doi":"10.2478/acm-2023-0008","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/acm-2023-0008","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Anorexia nervosa (AN) as a life-threatening eating disorder is linked to a high mortality risk with many deaths attributable to cardiovascular etiology. Cardiovascular complications in AN include structural as well as functional cardiac alterations, hemodynamic changes, and peripheral vascular abnormalities. Despite the fact that peripheral vascular abnormalities are not identified as a major AN complication, several manifestations of peripheral vascular dysregulation including Raynaud's phenomenon and endothelial dysfunction have been described and, therefore, warrant attention. This article briefly summarizes so far findings of microvascular alterations in AN patients and presents easily accessible and non-invasive procedures for a microvascular evaluation such as capillaroscopy and endothelium-related peripheral arterial tone (EndoPAT) which could be involved in the clinical diagnostic process for the earliest identification of an increased risk of later cardiovascular complications.","PeriodicalId":30233,"journal":{"name":"Acta Medica Martiniana","volume":"23 1","pages":"58 - 63"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42636241","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Clinico-Etiological and Clinico-Haematological Study of Patients with Pancytopenia in Rural Area","authors":"Shilpa Karamchedu, M. Pramod Kumar Reddy, R. Fatima, P. Chaturya Kalanidhi, Shafaq Baseer, Sunada Kadali, D. Sagarika, F. Nightingale, K. Suresh","doi":"10.2478/acm-2023-0005","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/acm-2023-0005","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Background Pancytopenia is a manifestation of other underlying conditions, commonly associated with multiple benign and malignant conditions. Any patient presenting with pancytopenia requires a thorough evaluation to identify the underlying aetiology. Aim This current evaluates various hematological parameters including bone marrow aspiration (where ever feasible) in pancytopenia in adult group. Study also correlates clinico-haematological profile. Method Fifty patients with a hematological diagnosis of pancytopenia were studied during the period August 2020 to August 2022. The study included adult patients of both sexes having the age of 18 years and above. Tests for complete blood count, reticulocyte count, peripheral smear, bone marrow aspiration, and trephine biopsy were done. Results Various etiological factors were identified in which majority were of megaloblastic anaemia (48.9%), followed by mixed nutritional anaemia (22.2%), hypersplenism (13.3%), aplastic anaemia (8.9%), malignant conditions (6.7%), myelodysplastic syndromes (2%), and others (4%) respectively. Megaloblastic anaemia cases observed in the age group of 31–50 years with male preponderance. Hemoglobin, TLC, Platelet count, and Reticulocyte count ranged from 2 g% - 10g%, 500–4000 cells/cumm, 24,000–1.5 lakh cells/cumm, and 0.1% – 2%. MCV was higher than 100 fl in 57.5% of cases. Majority of the patients had macrocytic and dimorphic anaemia. Hypersegmented neutrophils were present in all the patients. Bone marrow of Megaloblastic anaemia was hypercellular. Megaloblastic erythropoiesis with giant meta- myelocytes and band forms were seen. Nutritional anaemia seen in the age group of 51-60 years. Haemoglobin, TLC, Platelet count, and Reticulocyte count ranges from 2.3 g%–7.8 g%, 1000–4000 cells/cumm, 5000–1.4 lakh cells/cumm, and 0.1–8%. Two cases had microcytic hypochromic anaemia in Nutritional anaemia. Bone marrow was hypercellular with a reversal of M:E ratio in 93.8% of cases. In hypersplenism seen in the age group of 51–60 years. Haemoglobin, TLC, Platelet count, and Reticulocyte count ranges from 3.8 g% – 10 g%, 1700–3800 cells/cumm, 26000-1.4 lakh cells/cumm, and 0.6–2% respectilvey in hypersplenism. 40% of hypersplenism patients had microcytic hypochromic anaemia. Bone marrow was hypercellular with a reversal of M:E ratio in 70% of hypersplenism cases. Aplastic anaemia seen in the age group of 41–50 years. Haemoglobin, TLC, Platelet count, and Reticulocyte count ranges from 3.1–10 g%, 1100–4000 cells/cumm, 51000–1.5lakh cells/cumm, and 0.2%–1.8%. Aplastic anaemia (35.8%) cases showed macrocytosis. Bone marrow was hypocellular with an increase in marrow fat and Lymphocytes and plasma cells were prominent in Aplastic anaemia cases. Leukaemia commonly seen in the age group of 31–40 years with male predominance. Hemoglobin, TLC, and Reticulocyte count ranges from 5.1–9.8%, 1100–4000 cells/cumm, and 0.6–2% respectively. Bone marrow was hypercellular with a reversal ","PeriodicalId":30233,"journal":{"name":"Acta Medica Martiniana","volume":"23 1","pages":"32 - 44"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46964343","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Fish Bone as a Cause of Retropharyngeal Abscess","authors":"Cerenská Kristina, Hajtman Andrej, Čalkovský Vladimír, Hanzel Pavel","doi":"10.2478/acm-2023-0006","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/acm-2023-0006","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract In this work, we describe the case of a 68-year-old female patient with an injury to the back wall of the pharynx by a foreign body and its atypical placement in the retropharyngeal space, causing a retropharyngeal abscess. The foreign body was extracted during a transorally direct pharyngolaryngoscopy under general anesthesia. The symptomatology, diagnosis, and therapy of retropharyngeal abscess are the topics of discussion. We emphasize the necessity of timely and thorough localization of the foreign body and its extraction.","PeriodicalId":30233,"journal":{"name":"Acta Medica Martiniana","volume":"23 1","pages":"45 - 50"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42950624","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Volumetric Absorptive Microsampling Technique in the LC-MS Determination of Direct Oral Anticoagulants","authors":"Zidekova Nela, Prso Kristian, Babalova Lucia, Sivák Štefan, Kurča Egon, Mokry Juraj, Nosáľ Vladimír, Kertys Martin","doi":"10.2478/acm-2023-0004","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/acm-2023-0004","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Direct oral anticoagulants represent a significant group of drugs used in the prevention or treatment of venous thromboembolic events and stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation. Although routine therapy monitoring is not required, there is an increasing evidence that plasma levels may vary between individuals, suggesting the benefit of plasma levels measurement in some situations. Therapeutic drug monitoring is becoming more popular and accessible to the broader population. Introducing microsampling techniques for the quantitative collection of blood samples has arisen nowadays. The volumetric absorptive microsampling approach using a commercially available device such as a Mitra stick overcomes the hematocrit effect present in the dry blood spot technique. This review discusses the possible application of the volumetric absorptive microsampling approach in monitoring direct oral anticoagulant therapy efficacy.","PeriodicalId":30233,"journal":{"name":"Acta Medica Martiniana","volume":"23 1","pages":"23 - 31"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47327513","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Search for Molecular Biomarkers of Parkinson’s Disease. New Tissues and Methods","authors":"Racay Peter","doi":"10.2478/acm-2023-0003","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/acm-2023-0003","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a chronic neurodegenerative disorder that is clinically manifested by motor and non-motor symptoms. At the early stage of the disease, it can be misdiagnosed with some neurologic disorders due to overlapping or similar clinical features. In addition, the pathogenesis of this disease is initiated several years prior to the appearance of classical motor symptoms. This latent phase of neurodegeneration in PD characterised at cellular level by preservation of significant fraction of dopaminergic neurones is of particular interest with respect to the development of disease-modifying or neuroprotective therapies which would require intervention at the earliest stages of disease with an aim to slow down or reverse the disease progression. Therefore, huge effort was performed in order to find and validate a biomarker that would reliably differentiate PD from other neurologic diseases as well as a biomarker that would reveal preclinical/prodromal stage of PD. This short review summarises a recent progress in validation of molecular biomarkers of PD, distinct from genetic markers of PD, with some focus on new analysed tissues and new methods.","PeriodicalId":30233,"journal":{"name":"Acta Medica Martiniana","volume":"23 1","pages":"15 - 22"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44993709","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Is Nasal Nitric Oxide Measurement an Useful Diagnostic Tool in Respiratory Diseases?","authors":"Lucanska Miroslava, Kunc Peter, Pecova Renata","doi":"10.2478/acm-2023-0002","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/acm-2023-0002","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Nasal nitric oxide (nNO), discovered in exhaled air in 1991, is produced in the nose and paranasal sinuses. This small gaseous molecule plays various roles in the organism, e.g. the first line defense through its antiviral and antimicrobial activity, stimulation of ciliary motility, regulation of pulmonary function. The measurement of nNO has become a diagnostic tool in various diagnoses, such as primary ciliary dyskinesia, allergic rhinitis, chronic rhinosinusitis, and others. In this article, we discuss the potential benefit of nNO measurement in diagnosis and monitoring of various respiratory diseases.","PeriodicalId":30233,"journal":{"name":"Acta Medica Martiniana","volume":"23 1","pages":"8 - 14"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42417929","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}