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Results 91 to 120 of 844:

ATOPIC DERMATITIS MODEL OF HUMAN KERATINOCYTES  IN VITRO

Meeting abstracts

Jiří Hanyk, Alena Rajnochová Svobodová, Jitka Vostálová

MMSL 2022, 91(88):32

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease, which is still not fully understood. Crucial roles in the pathogenesis play Th2 immune response dysregulation and epidermal barrier alterations. Defects of this skin barrier have been considered in the initial step of AD development. Inflammatory skin conditions AD have a negative wide-ranging impact on a patient’s life quality. However, testing methods and/or treatment options for this disease are unsatisfactory nowadays.
To study the anti-inflammatory effect of substances on AD pathogenesis we established inflammatory models by stimulating HaCaT cells with tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ). We designed two different treatment models (pre- and post-treatment) to mimic keratinocytes ̓ inflammatory conditions of AD that simulate relapse and therapy. HaCaT cells are a suitable model to follow the release of inflammatory mediators interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) in response to TNF-α and IFN-γ treatment. The AD-like models were verified by using natural flavonoid quercetin and synthetic glucocorticoid dexamethasone. Both substances should be associated with the inhibition of inflammatory cytokines production in the skin. Based on the data obtained, these models could open the way for screening of new preventive or therapeutic AD agents. The details of the experiments will be discussed in our poster contribution.

PREMENSTRUAL SYMPTOMS SCREENING AND SELF-MEDICATION AMONG WOMEN IN RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA

Original article

Elham Alshammari, Khlood Aldossary

MMSL 2022, 91(4):274-281 | DOI: 10.31482/mmsl.2022.002

Most women experience some premenstrual symptoms regularly. Because of this, PMS/ PMDD has emerged as a 20th century phenomenon, mostly since women now have better control over reproduction. The symptoms associated with these conditions may be minimal, moderate, or severe depending on the ratings of the symptoms recorded daily. Women also continue to report lower levels of productivity in the 5 to 10 days after the start of menses. As part of exploring these conditions, the study sought to examine the screening of premenstrual symptoms and self-medication acts among women in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The findings were as follows. There were 56 participants in the study, with their ages ranging between 18 and 54. Most of the participants were also either working or students. Regarding diagnosis, nearly half of the sample (n=27, 48.2 %) were diagnosed as normal, while 4 out of 10 study participants (n=23, 41.1 %) had PMS. Additionally, 10.7 % were diagnosed as having both PMDD and PMS. On self-medication, the findings revealed that 1 out of every 2 study participants (n=28, 50 %) self-medicated to ease PMS/PMDD. Among the 28 persons, only 17 (60.17 %) had PMS/PMDD. These findings suggest that nearly half of persons who did not have PMS/PMDD self-medicated themselves thinking that they had PMS/PMDD. The findings of this study provide government and other policymakers with the data required to inform debate and to increase access to public health. Having established a sensible belief that PMS may substantially affect women in Saudi Arabia, further studies might estimate the magnitude of the problem.

PEDIATRIC SUBTYPES OF VENTRICULAR SEPTAL DEFECTS WITH PERCENT CLOSURE AT IBN-SENA TEACHING HOSPITAL IN THE CITY OF MOSUL – IRAQ

Original article

Bashar Sh. Mustafa, Ayoub A. Al-bayati, Ghayth M Abdulrazzaq, Marwan M. Merkhan

MMSL 2022, 91(2):82-88 | DOI: 10.31482/mmsl.2021.036

The ventricular septal defect (VSD) is a congenital lesion characterized by the presence of an opening between cardiac chambers. The treatment might involve medical therapy to control symptoms or in certain cases, surgical resuscitation might be required.Objectives: The study was conducted to establish a database about the prevalence and pattern of VSD and their prognosis in children referred to by echocardiography in Ibn-Sena Teaching Hospital over the period of March 2019 to January 2020. Method: The present study is a prospective descriptive study conducted on all patients diagnosed with cardiac lesions revealed by echocardiography. The sample included in the study involves newborns (day 1) to 14-years-old children.Result: Out of 500 children included in the study; most of these cases were cyanotic congenital heart lesions and out of which two-third were perimembranous defects.Conclusion: The study concluded a higher prevalence of non-cyanotic lesions and peri-membranous type is the commonest VSD lesion.

MOLECULAR CHARACTERIZATION OF ALCOHOL–ETHER EXTRACT FROM BOVINE TISSUE

Original article

Klara Kubelkova, Martin Hubalek, Pavel Rehulka, Helena Rehulkova, David Friedecky, Jitka Zakova, Ales Macela

MMSL 2021, 90(3):120-136 | DOI: 10.31482/mmsl.2021.012

It is usual for information to be unavailable regarding the molecular composition of extracts from herbs or animal tissues that are popular in folk medicine. Here, we present analysis of the alcohol–ether extract from bovine tissue analogous to the basic substance used in such commercial products as Retisin, Imuregen, Actovegin, and Solcoseryl. The tested extract contains a whole spectrum of free amino acids, small proteins and oligopeptides of molecular weight up to 10 kDa, various nucleotides, and a small amount of phospholipids. Among the molecules that can explain some biological activities of the extract were identified those of taurine (2-aminoethanesulfonic acid, a derivative of the amino acid cysteine), several defensins, and bactericidal hemoglobin fragments known as hemocidins. All those molecules identified are natural components of bovine tissues, and a substantial number of them might be biologically active in vivo. Others are sources of readily available nutrients.

THE EFFECT OF CYCLOPHOSPHAMIDE ON HIPPOCAMPAL STRUCTURE OF ADULT MALE RATS (ROLE OF ROSUVASTATIN)

Original article

Luma I Al-Allaf, Rana KA Attarbashee, Jawnaa K Mammdoh

MMSL 2022, 91(3):256-264 | DOI: 10.31482/mmsl.2022.022

Background: Limited researchs were noticed on the histological impact of cyclophosphamide on rats’ brains and the reports on the effects of antioxidants to protect these harmful effects are scanty. Trials have assessed the effect of statins in cancer regarding the association between statins use and cancer incidence.Aim: To investigate the protective and ameliorative effects of rosuvastatin on the brain toxicity induced by a single dose of cyclophosphamide in male rats.Materials and methods: Twenty-four rats were divided into 3 groups (n=8 for each). The control group includes animals which were received no treatment for 15 days. The cyclophosphamide group includes rats which were received a single dose of 150 mg/kg cyclophosphamide intraperitoneally on day 8 of the experiment, then left for 7 days without treatment. The rosuvastatin+ cyclophosphamide group enrolled rats which were gavaged with rosuvastatin (20 mg/kg/day) for 7 days and then they have received an injection of cyclophosphamide and gavaged with the same dose of rosuvastatin for other 7 days. All rats were subjected to euthanasia. Brain from each case was extracted and prepared for histological examination.Results: The hippocampal sections of rats which were belonged to group 2 showed some alterations including the presence of cells with ghost appearance and damaged neurons. Features of dense nuclei of damaged hilar cells were manifested with evidence of extracellular vacuoles besides some pyknotic nuclei in these sections. Hippocampal sections of rats of group 3 showed that the majority of pyramidal cells and granule cells manifested seminormal appearance with improvement in the thickness of both granule and pyramidal cell layers.Conclusions: Rosuvastatin has a protective and ameliorative role against the adverse effect of cyclophosphamide on rat hippocampus which may be useful in clinical practice of cancer treatment.

THERAPEUTIC USE OF METFORMIN IN THYROID CANCER

Review article

Fatimah Haitham Fathi, Ammar A.Y. Almulathanon, Jehan A. Mohammad

MMSL 2022, 91(4):348-360 | DOI: 10.31482/mmsl.2022.020

Thyroid cancer is a rare type of malignancy. However, thyroid cancer constitutes more than 90 % of endocrine tumors. Metformin (N’, N’-dimethybiguanide) is the most commonly prescribed drug in the world, and the annual number of prescriptions for this drug exceeds 120 million. Metformin is the first-line oral treatment for patients with type II diabetes. Metformin has recently been investigated for potential anti-cancer activity in patients with thyroid cancer by stimulating the Adenosine Mono-Phosphate-Activated Protein Kinase (AMPK) pathway in some types of tumors. In general, the anti-cancer mechanism of metformin acts directly by blocking mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation through down-regulation of mitochondrial complex I and mitochondrial glycerophosphate dehydrogenase. This leads to a state of metabolic stress that in turn stimulates the AMPK pathway due to ATP reduction, and leads to inhibition of the mechanical (mammalian) target of the rapamycin (mTOR) pathway, which subsequently inhibits cancer cell proliferation and stimulates apoptosis and autophagy with cell cycle perturbation. Metformin also acts in an independent manner, in addition to its indirect actions that target insulin resistance. In this review, we reviewed 21 studies on the use of metformin in thyroid cancer, which showed that administration of metformin in diabetic patients is associated with a reduced incidence of thyroid cancer. On the other hand, the use of metformin enhances the response to anticancer drugs in thyroid cancer. Overall, we need further prospective studies to elucidate the synergistic mechanism of metformin when it is used to treat thyroid cancer as adjuvant therapy with anticancer drugs.

CHEMICAL WARFARE: PERSPECTIVES ON REACTIVATING THE ENZYME ACETYLCHOLINESTERASE INHIBITED BY ORGANOPHOSPHATES

Original article

Juliana de O. S. Giacoppo, Willian E. A. de Lima, Kamil Kuča, Elaine F. F. da Cunha, Tanos C. C. França, Teodorico de C. Ramalho

MMSL 2014, 83(4):165-177 | DOI: 10.31482/mmsl.2014.027

It is known that nerve agents are potent inhibitors of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), the enzyme responsible for the hydrolysis of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine and, thus, transmission of nerve impulses. The process of AChE inhibition by nerve agents can be reversed by a nucleophile able to dephosphorylate the enzyme. In this sense, oximes exhibit this characteristic and are able to remove the neurotoxic and reactivate AChE. Here, we review experimental and theoretical results involving docking and quantum mechanical-molecular mechanics hybrid methods (QM/MM), using Molegro® and Spartan® softwares to analyze the interaction of different nerve agents and oximes with AChE and to evaluate kinetic constants of reactivation.

PUBLIC LEADERSHIP’S MESSAGING DURING PUBLIC HEALTH CRISES – CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES FROM MASK-WEARING MESSAGING DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Review article

Zhayra Geraldine Garcia Escalona, Vanda Bostik

MMSL 2022, 91(3):182-190 | DOI: 10.31482/mmsl.2021.040

Given their primacy in discussions over public health measures throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, this paper focuses on leadership’s messages around masks and mask-wearing, aiming to emphasise the responsibility of leadership in the formation of norms during public health crises. It argues for the importance of robust messaging as a key factor in confidence building and public abidance to health measures, using the shortcomings in mask-wearing communication as a case study. For this purpose, the paper first discusses securitization theory and places it in the context of health to build on risk communication framework. Secondly, it examines the role of leadership and meaning-making in that process by discussing the WHO’s early mask guidance and consequent challenges at the state-level by political and health leadership. Lastly, the paper confirms the importance of citizenry’s successful reception of health guidance and outlines potential tactics to do so. Having discussed that, the paper addresses other hindrances to public health messaging and confidence-building that rest outside official communication, namely disinformation and misinformation but also negative non-discursive messaging. This, with the aim of building on available literature on the development of epidemiological response and management from a security lens.

USUTU VIRUS, ANOTHER EMERGING MOSQUITO-BORNE PATHOGEN IN CENTRAL EUROPE

Review article

Jakub Vojtíšek, Radek Pečta, Romana Kejíková, Zdeněk Hubálek, Silvie Šikutová, Ivo Rudolf

MMSL 2022, 91(1):51-64 | DOI: 10.31482/mmsl.2021.031

Usutu virus (USUV) is an emerging mosquito-borne pathogen belonging to the genus Flavivirus and family Flaviviridae. This African arbovirus caused a large bird die-off near Vienna in 2001. Since then the virus spread in Central, Southern and Western Europe. USUV is a primarily pathogen of birds, highly pathogenic especially for blackbirds (Turdus merula), but with proven pathogenicity for other bird species, mainly from orders Accipitriformes and Strigiformes. However, the number of human cases of USUV infection has increased recently. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on USUV taxonomy, its genome, transmission cycle involving mosquitoes as vectors and vertebrate hosts, endemic occurrence in Africa and expansive spread in Europe, surveillance in individual European countries, pathology and clinical manifestations in vertebrates, laboratory diagnosis of infection and available treatment.

INHIBITION OF CHOLINESTERASES FOLLOWING PERCUTANEOUS INTOXICATION WITH V AGENTS IN RATS

Meeting abstracts

*Jiri Bajgar, Kamil Kuca, Jiri Kassa

MMSL 2018, 87(88):98

Female Wistar rats were percutaneously (p.c.) intoxicated (1xLD50) with VX and its two derivatives differing in their substitution on nitrogen (diethyl- and dibutyl- derivatives). Blood cholinesterase activity was continuously monitored; 100 min after the intoxication (or after death), acetylcholinesterase (AChE)  activity was determined in diaphragm and brain parts (pontomedullar area - PM, frontal cortex - FC and basal ganglia – BG). Blood ChE activity remains unchanged at very short interval (5 min) after VX administration; this interval was prolonged for diethyl- and dibutyl derivatives. AChE activity was decreased to 20-30% of control values in diaphragm, then in FC (60-70%) and PM (54-74%). AChE activity in BG was relatively resistant (cca 80%). When the AChE activity was compared for all three agents in relationship to survival (11 animals) or death (7 animals), significant differences between the activities in survived (32%) and died (13%) rats were demonstrated in diaphragm but not in the blood. This tendency (higher AChE activity in survived animals) was also observed in PM and FC, however, not statistically significant. It is concluded that substitution on nitrogen atom probably influences penetration through the skin; the rest of agent molecule (phosphorus head) probably influences AChE inhibition. As hypothesis, AChE activity in diaphragm could be important for survival  or death in case of p.c. intoxication with these types of V agents.

ANTIOXIDANTS IN PATIENTS LIVING WITH HIV ON ANTIRETROVIRALS

Original article

Katerina Havlickova, Svatava Snopkova, Miroslav Pohanka, Radek Svacinka, Petr Husa j., Filip Zlamal, Lenka Fabianova, Petr Husa

MMSL 2021, 90(2):54-60 | DOI: 10.31482/mmsl.2021.005

Oxidative stress is considered predictors of diseases associated with aging (cardiovascular disease, neurodegenerative disease, malignancies, and others) in HIV-negative general population. Antioxidants were investigated in people living with HIV on antiretroviral treatment to determine whether they had an immunosenescent phenotype that might predispose to the development of premature age-related diseases. Clinical studies in this population are controversial.Methods: The study was conducted among 213 subjects with HIV, including 172 subjects on antiretro-virals and 41 subjects before the initiation of treatment. The control group consisted of healthy HIV-negative adults. We compared the reduced glutathione and ferric reducing antioxidant power levels in HIV untreated and treated patients and controls. Significant differences were determined by appropriate statistical tests (t - test, Mann–Whitney U test, Kolmogorov–Smirnov test, ANOVA, Kruskal–Wallis test). Relationships between continuous variables were quantified using Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient.Results: Glutathione levels were significantly lower in the treated group compared with the untreated group and controls (P ˂ 0.001). Differences in total antioxidant levels between groups were not found.Conclusions: Significant decrease of antioxidants was found independent of the virologic status of HIV patients on antiretroviral treatment. Persistence of these abnormal parameters may contribute and predispose to the premature development of diseases associated with aging.

CAN BAICALEIN BECOME A NEW DRUG FOR COVID-19?

Review article

Jiří Patočka, Zdeňka Navrátilová, Kamil Kuča, Patrik Olekšák, Uday Kumar Killi

MMSL 2021, 90(4):198-207 | DOI: 10.31482/mmsl.2021.020

The ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has become a global health crisis. Flavon baicalein, a major bioactive molecule of Scutellaria baicalensis, inhibits the replication of SARS-CoV-2 which causes severe acute respiratory syndrome in humans. Animal experiments show that baicalein has the character of a broad-spectrum coronavirus drug. It is non-toxic and can inhibit SARS-CoV-2-induced damage. Baicalein may therefore be a promising therapeutic drug for the treatment of COVID-19.

GUT MICROBIOTA ALTERATIONS BY NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENT IMUREGEN

Original article

Klara Kubelkova, Ivan Rychlik, Magdalena Crhanova, Daniela Karasova, Dasa Slizova, Jitka Zakova, Lenka Luksikova, Ales Macela

MMSL 2020, 89(3):114-125 | DOI: 10.31482/mmsl.2020.008

The gut microbiota is one of the modulators influencing its host’s development, metabolism, as well as immunological, psychological, and cognitive abilities. The gut microbiota consortium influences enteroendocrine regulation, neurohormonal regulation, as well as natural immune regulation. Disruptions occurring in life can lead to dysbiosis that in turn influences the host homeostasis and/or disease. Targeted modulation of microbiota composition thus appears to be an appropriate intervention strategy in cases of certain specific health problems. Here, we demonstrate that application of the nutritional supplement Imuregen, which is a natural immune booster, modulates the Bacteroidetes/Firmicutes ratio in favor of the Bacteroidetes genera and causes no pathological changes to intestinal epithelium.

CLIMATE CHANGE AND HUMAN SECURITY - THE PROLIFERATION OF VECTOR-BORNE DISEASES DUE TO CLIMATE CHANGE

Review article

Martina Benito Olmos, Vanda Bostik

MMSL 2021, 90(2):100-106 | DOI: 10.31482/mmsl.2021.011

Human activity has had severe effects on the changes in climate over the last decades affecting, as a consequence, human security overall. The importance of changes in climate and their consequent effects have been long overlooked to the point that nowadays human health is being threatened by sea rise, extreme weather events, lack of adequate basic resources, and the spread of numerous diseases, to name some. This article aims to demonstrate how these variations have promoted the spread of vector-borne diseases (VBD). More specifically, it follows the developments of Dengue fever (DENV) as a result of higher temperatures and abundant precipitations, with a particular focus on the effects of humidity and a warm environment on the proliferation of VBD. To provide evidence of these climate consequences, two empirical cases are analysed and explained, one in Bangladesh and another in Ecuador. Overall, the analysis shows a positive correlation between the increase in temperatures and the changes in the weather and the proliferation of DENV in the above-mentioned territories. This article concludes that the increased temperatures, together with the evolution of extreme weather events have facilitated the reproduction of mosquitoes carrying DENV, and have enlarged the geographic and temporal distribution in which they inhabit. On this basis, the importance of climate change and its effects on human health should be tagged as a primary concern when facing challenges over human security.

THE EFFECT OF FLAVONOIDS EXTRACTS FROM HAWTHORN (CRATAGUS OXYACANTHUS) AGAINST SOME GRAM-POSITIVE AND GRAM-NEGATIVE BACTERIA SPECIES

Original article

Farah H. Omer, Khadeeja Y. Abid, Manal F. Mohammed

MMSL 2021, 90(4):158-164 | DOI: 10.31482/mmsl.2021.025

The present study has shown the screening test of Hawthorn fruits (Crataegus spp.) using crude hydro-alcoholic extract and in vitro antimicrobial activity of extracted flavonoid which has shown more antibacterial activity than crude extract with minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) values ranged from 5% to 2.5%. The amount of total flavonoid and antioxidant activity of Hawthorn fruits (Crataegus spp) in various concentration extracts and antioxidant activities of different concentration extracts were determined by radical scavenging by 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH•). The output showed that the contents of flavonoid were found to be 0.386 mg quercet in equivalents (QUE/g). Dried extract displayed remarkable antioxidant activity according to (DPPH•) assays.

IN MEMORIAM: JÁN CAPKO, MD

Letter to the editor

Leo Klein

MMSL 2021, 90(2):107-108

PHYSICAL, MOTORIC AND CARDIOVASCULAR STATUS IN SELECTED GROUPS OF FIREFIGHTERS IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC - CASE STUDY

Original article

Martina Hrušková, Štěpán Kavan, Petra Mráčková, Veronika Bublíková

MMSL 2021, 90(3):110-119 | DOI: 10.31482/mmsl.2021.007

The aim of this study is to evaluate and compare the physical, motoric and cardiovascular status of selected Czech professional and volunteer firefighters aged 25 to 35 years. Firefighters (especially professionals) were chosen as a template for Czech male population because they are considered the most physically fit among the adult population. Moreover, physical training is a part of the job description for professionals, their motoric performance is regularly checked, and a decline in fitness is grounds for termination of employment. Since volunteer firefighters assist professionals in emergencies, they tend to be under the same physical and mental stress and their motivation to maintain excellent physical condition is considerable. The somatic characteristics, body composition, motoric performance tests as an indicator of the level of speed, power and endurance abilities, blood pressure and heart rate measurements and the Ruffier test as an information about the status of the cardiovascular system were performed. This study used hand-grip dynamometry to determine muscle strength as well. The results of our investigation showed that professional and volunteer firefighters have good physical, motoric and cardiovascular status and do not differ significantly in body height and adiposity, in body composition, in motoric performance, in cardiovascular characteristics, but do differ significantly only in hand-grip dynamometry (higher mean values in professionals).

THE EFFECT OF HYPERBARIC OXYGEN THERAPY ON ACUTE WOUND HEALING IN RABBITS: AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY AND HISTOPATHOLOGICAL ANALYSIS

Original article

Jakub Tlapák, Petr Chmátal, Jaroslav Pejchal, Boris Oniščenko, Věra Radochová, Petr Došel, Jiří Páral, Petr Lochman

MMSL 2021, 90(1):2-11 | DOI: 10.31482/mmsl.2021.001

Background: The goal of our research is to show the effects and impacts of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) on acute model wounds in animal subjects. Methods: Three experimental groups were created using injured rabbits (N=36)—randomly divided into three groups (N=12 per group). One group was treated only with standard wound care management. Two groups were additionally treated with HBOT either once or twice a day. The wounds were surgical, uninfected, and in healthy animal test subjects. We compared the immunohistochemical and histological parameters in 4-, 7- and 10-day intervals.Results: The detection of epidermal leaf parameters, the number of microabscesses, the Histopathological Superficial Epithelium Healing Score, Connective Tissue Healing Score, Histopathological Acute Inflammation Score and Total Histopathological Wound Healing Score all showed significant changes between time intervals within the individual groups.Conclusion: The results did not show that HBOT had a significant effect on the healing process of uncomplicated acute wounds.

THE PROTEINS OF SARS- CoV-2 AND THEIR FUNCTIONS

Review article

Zohreh Taheri Kangarshahi, Shermin Lak, Mona Ghadam, Nasrin Motamed, Sorosh Sardari, Samin Rahimi

MMSL 2021, 90(4):172-190 | DOI: 10.31482/mmsl.2021.018

Coronavirus 2 (SARS- CoV-2) leads to Coronavirus disease 2019, is recognized as a lethal epidemic in 2020. SARS-CoV-2 is an enveloped, non-segmented, positive sense RNA virus that belongs to the beta-corona family of viruses. The genome of this virus is about 30 kb representing 16 non-structural proteins (Nsp1-16), four structural proteins (N, M, E, S) and nine accessory proteins are encoded by its genome, which are involved in survival and pathogenesis the viruses. In order to produce medicines and vaccines for SARS-CoV-2, it is essential to fully understand the genomic structure of the virus and function of its proteins. This review collects and investigates the functional properties of SARS-CoV-2 proteins that have been reported to date.

CLINICAL USE OF HYPERBARIC OXYGEN IN DIABETIC FOOT SYNDROME AND OTHER DIFFICULT-TO-HEAL WOUNDS

Review article

Michal Hájek, Dittmar Chmelař, Miroslav Rozložník, Jozef Kuzma, Alexandra Lochmanová, Jitka Klugarová, Miloslav Klugar, Boris Oniščenko, Jakub Tlapák

MMSL 2021, 90(1):33-42 | DOI: 10.31482/mmsl.2020.020

One of the major economical expense for health providers in wound care management are patients with diabetic foot ulcer or a chronic lower limb ischemia. Main treatment goal in theese patients is usually reduction in a number of amputations, especially high-ones, deeply affecting quality of life of patients. Hyperbaric medicine is already estabilished as an adjuvant method in some of these indications. In some cases it is already part of the national recomendations for diabetic foot ulcer treatment. The aim of this work is to present recent clinical systematic reviews and currently valid recommendations for the treatment of difficult-to-heal ulcers according to the 10th European Consensus Conference ECHM (European Commission for Hyperbaric Medicine) from 2016. Part of the work is an overview of pharmacoeconomic studies, summary of treatment costs for diabetes, its complications, in patients after amputations as well as costs of HBOT. Finally, the principle and significance of the method of transcutaneous oximetry and the so-called oxygen challenge in relation to HBOT in patients with critical ischemia and diabetic foot syndrome are explained.

VANGUARD IN GLOBAL HEALTH – HELPING NURSES IN COMBATING GLOBAL HEALTH CHALLENGES

Review article

Valentín Pecuch, Vanda Bostik

MMSL 2021, 90(4):191-197 | DOI: 10.31482/mmsl.2021.021

While everyone has differences in priorities, one aspect which people usually put onto top positions is our health. As the most numerous group among medical professionals, nurses are usually among the first in which people seeking medical help come into contact with. As such, they are an essential asset, though their contributions are often not valued enough. With the world becoming more and more connected, national health issues such as climate change, maternal health or human trafficking, or transmissible diseases are taking on a global scale, with the COVID-19 pandemic highlighting such developments. To provide healthcare for the people affected, nurses need to have the best conditions possible, which requires the challenges in the nursing field to be addressed as soon as possible. These challenges include nursing shortages, inequalities or education which is not able to keep up with globalizing. The possible policy solutions include raising salaries or providing social securities, which could address nursing shortages, and implementing global health concepts in nursing curricula, connected to more possibilities for nursing students to experience healthcare in other countries. Such solutions, coupled with boosting the status of the nursing profession and giving nurses bigger voice in policymaking can result in bigger numbers of well-educated nursing professionals, which will strongly improve overall global health prospects.

TERRORIST ATTACKS BY LONELY WOLFS AND ITS PREVENTION

Review article

Miroslav Pohanka, Jan Břeň

MMSL 2020, 89(4):215-220 | DOI: 10.31482/mmsl.2020.017

The issue of lone wolfs or a lone-actor terrorists become a serious and actual security problem that does not have an easy solution. The non-organized attackers are able to target any site at any time and they can become indoctrinated by internet and a contact with a terrorist group is not a condition of their activity. Currently, all countries over the world has to prepare for an eventuality of an attack. Some regions are hardly burdened by the attackers and preparation of countermeasures is a crucial task for law enforcement units. This review paper summarizes basic knowledge in the field of lone wolfs regarding to psychological and social aspects, distinguishes basic types of attacks and discuses effectivity of countermeasures.

IN VITRO ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF NATURAL SUBSTANCES CONVENIENT FOR USE IN ANIMAL BREEDING INSTEAD OF ANTIBIOTICS

Original article

Rudolf Kukla, Jaroslava Mazurova, Ilona Krovakova, Eva Slehova, Radek Sleha, Miroslav Rozkot, Lubomir Opletal

MMSL 2020, 89(1):2-13 | DOI: 10.31482/mmsl.2019.018

The increasing antibiotic resistance of microbial pathogens isolated from farm animals tissues and the environment has been the one of the most important challenges associated with the use of antibiotics. In order to achieve better production on a farm, animal feed is enriched with antibiotics often originally intended for therapeutic purposes, which may lead to notable increases in microbial resistance. One possible approach to decreasing the excessive use of antibiotics in livestock as well as antimicrobial resistance is utilizing the antimicrobial properties of natural substances.The aim of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of natural substances including carvacrol, thymol, eugenol, gallic acid, octyl gallate, cnicin and usnic acid against a wide spectrum of microorganisms. Cnicin was the only compound which was isolated from the plant with use of column chromatography. The antimicrobial activities of these natural substances were determined on the basis of their minimum inhibitory, minimum bactericidal and minimum fungicidal concentrations using the microdilution method.This determination of antimicrobial activity revealed thymol and cnicin to be effective natural substances against all tested microorganisms. Octyl gallate had a strong inhibitory and bactericidal effect against gram-positive bacteria and was the most effective against Candida strains. Usnic acid was shown to have the lowest minimum inhibitory concentrations for gram-positive bacteria. These results suggest the possible incorporation of natural substances in animal rearing in order to reduce the high amount of antibiotics which are not used directly to treat animal diseases.

SEARCHING FOR NEW ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS BY TARGETING BACTERIAL NAD METABOLISM: EVALUATION OF FRENTIZOLE DERIVATIVES SELECTED BY MOLECULAR DOCKING

Original article

Michaela Hympanova, Tomas Kucera, Ondrej Benek, Jan Korabecny, Jan Marek

MMSL 2020, 89(2):66-73 | DOI: 10.31482/mmsl.2020.005

Growing evidence of antibiotic-resistant pathogens is a serious medical issue that has to be addressed. Our antimicrobial research is focused on searching for novel small molecules that differ from the most clinically used antibiotics by chemical structure and mechanism. However, this fundamental research is like looking for a needle in a haystack. In addition, in vitro methods are time-consuming and expensive to screen large number of compounds in reasonable time. Off-target screening can represent a solution to find novel and effective antimicrobial agents that can eliminate these problems. Accordingly, molecular docking in the family of selected frentizole derivatives predicted their potential to inhibit bacterial nicotinate mononucleotide adenylyltransferase (NadD). This bacterial-essential specific enzyme has an important role in NAD metabolism. Thus, underlying mechanism of antimicrobials derived from frentizole would be interference with this biochemical process. Unfortunately, broth microdilution assay did not display any antimicrobial activity of tested compounds. On the other hand, herein we propose that off-target screening can facilitate searching for new drugs and that NadD could be a relevant target for antimicrobials.

TELEMEDICINE AND OBESITY TREATMENT

Review article

Miroslav Urban, Ondřej Kádě, Vladimír Pavlík, Václav Šafka, Petr Lašák, Lucie Pravdová, Martin Matoulek

MMSL 2020, 89(2):74-79 | DOI: 10.31482/mmsl.2020.007

The telemedicine shows rapid development in the past decades of 20th century. It’s principally based on the transmission of sound, pictures and other kind of data using wireless technology. The establishing of the telemedicine in the obezitology begins at die end of 20th century. That time shows the technique a rapidly development, but even more, there were first menus made and shared trough the PCs. All the mend facts are connected due to rapidly increased amount of the people with obesity. In the Czech Republic, approximately 60 % of the adult population suffer obesity or overweight.  The telemedicine would applied specially for the cases as collecting a data about energetically receive, monitoring of physical activity, glycaemia records and the communication between the therapist and the patient. The telemedicine should change the motivation and the adherence of the obesity patients during the treatment in upcoming future. The results of the patients are better than in the group without telemedicine support. The telemedicine, using and analysing dates, it’s the method that could rapidly decrease a costs of the diagnostic and the treatment.

FROM DUAL BINDING SITE AChE INHIBITORS TO CHAMELEON MOLECULES: DISCOVERY OF POTENT BuChE INHIBITORS

Meeting abstracts

Carlos Roca, Talita P.C. Chierrito, Concepción Perez, Loreto Martinez, Nuria Campillo, Ana Martinez

MMSL 2018, 87(88):62

Current pharmacotherapy for Alzheimer's disease (AD) involves compounds aimed at increasing the levels of acetylcholine in the brain through inhibition of AChE. These drugs, known as acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, have been shown to improve cognition and global functions but have little impact on improving the eventual progression of the disease. However, there are evidences that other cholinesterases such as butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) can play an important role in cholinergic function in the brain, and the long-suspected non-cholinergic actions of acetylcholinesterase, mainly the interference with the beta-amyloid protein cascade, have recently driven a profound revolution in cholinesterase drug research [1-2]. We will present our journey from dual binding site AChE inhibitors as potent beta-amyloid modulators to the more recent serie of indolylpiperidines hybrids with an unexpected and very potent hBuChE inhibition. Experimental and computational studies have revealed the chameleon behavior of these molecules able to change their bioactive conformation depending on the cholinesterase binding site. Based on the potent activity of these compounds targeting BuChE, the low cellular toxicity and the in vivo target engagement, we can propose these indolylpiperidine derivatives as valuable tools for the study of the role of BuChE in AD and probably as potential drugs candidates for its future pharmacotherapy.

DUAL BINDING SITE INHIBITORS OF ACETYLCHOLINESTERASE
AS THERAPEUTIC TREATMENTS FOR ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE: ANY NEED FOR AN UPDATE?

Meeting abstracts

K. Petrov, I. Zueva, J. Dias, S. Lushchekina, V. Semenov, F. Nachon, E. Nikolsky, P. Masson

MMSL 2018, 87(88):125

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a broadly spread neurodegenerative disorder of ageing population manifesting itself in progressing loss of cognitive functions down to total demolition of intellect and disability. Profound synaptic dysfunction contributes to early loss of short-term memory in Alzheimer’s disease. Here we show the protective effects against amyloid-induced synaptic toxicity of C-35, a potent reversible inhibitor of acetylcholinesterase (AChE). Crystal structure of the complex between human AChE and C-35 revealed tight contacts of ligand along the enzyme active site gorge. Molecular dynamics simulations indicated that the external flexible part of the ligand establishes multiple transient interactions with the enzyme peripheral anionic site. Thus, C-35 is a dual binding site inhibitor of AChE. In amyloid-transgenic mice, C-35, when administered after disease onset, reversed synapse loss, decreased the number of amyloid plaques and restored learning and memory. When administration of C-35 and the clinically relevant AChE dual inhibitor donepezil was terminated three weeks after the trial started, animals, that were receiving C-35 showed a much better ability to learn than those who received physiological saline or donepezil. Our results provide evidence that C-35 has a more pronounced Alzheimer’s disease-modifying action than donepezil.

THE IMPACT OF CATERING ON THE HEALTH AND LIFE SATISFACTION OF COALITION SOLDIERS DURING THEIR DEPLOYMENT ON A MILITARY OPERATION

Review article

Tomas Vasek, Jaroslav Zdara, Zbynek Suchanek, Petr Lasak, Jana Fajfrova

MMSL 2019, 88(4):188-194 | DOI: 10.31482/mmsl.2019.021

The following thesis focuses on the issues regarding catering and food and its impact on health and life satisfaction of coalition soldiers during their deployment on a military operation in the Middle East area. Obviously, food is a part of our lifestyle and it is certainly an area affecting our life satisfaction, all the more affecting the life satisfaction of soldiers specifically in an armed conflict environment where they are exposed to higher stress conditions. Furthermore, life satisfaction is one of the variables influencing the work itself. And work influences our lifestyle and vice versa. It can be also said that life satisfaction influenced by the working environment also affects the health of soldiers. It turns out that work satisfaction has a very strong and lasting relationship with life satisfaction, as work is a central factor for most people, influencing their identity Firstly, it was necessary to find out and describe information from the area of catering of troops in field conditions and fighting food rations which can be provided to deployed soldiers. The authors’ fundamen-tal research question is how the catering and food in the military operational environment affects the life satisfaction and health of deployed soldiers. To obtain the data, a standardized method, Life satisfaction question-naire (authors: J. Fahrenberg, M. Myrtek, J. Schumacher and E. Brähler, 2001), was used. Food and catering play a very high role in our lifestyle, affects our health and furthermore, the quality of life in any situation. In life satisfaction, Danish soldiers have higher values, followed by American soldiers, and British men are the least satisfied during the foreign operation. The reasons for differences and their clarification corespondes with the last published “Happines Index” which is investigated annually by the United Nations agency.

CHITOSAN - PROTOTYPE POLYMER NANOPARTICLES WITH TRANSPORT CAPACITY

Review article

Klára Kubelková, Simona Frydrychová, Jaroslav Pejchal

MMSL 2018, 87(2):82-91 | DOI: 10.31482/mmsl.2018.014

Chitosan is low toxic, non-immunogenic and biodegradable natural biopolymer. As the deacetylated form of chitin, it is extensively used in medicine, agriculture and industry for easy production, biocompatibility and antimicrobial activity. Chitosan is also widely studied as the main structural unit of nanomaterials. Numerous studies have shown the strong antimicrobial activity of chitosan including its efficacy as an adjuvant for construction of new vaccines. In this overview, we present the basic information on chitosan nanopar-ticles, their preparation, purification, and  characterization as well as the new data on their utilization for the construction of targetted drugs based on nanotechnologies.

CRYSTAL STRUCTURES OF HUMAN CHOLINESTERASES IN COMPLEX WITH SUPRAMOLECULAR LIGANDS

Meeting abstracts

José Dias, Xavier Brazzolotto, Xiao-Yu Cao, Artur Stefankiewicz, Jean-Marie Lehn, Florian Nachon

MMSL 2018, 87(88):50

Human acetylcholinesterase (hAChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (hBChE) are related enzymes. hAChE plays a key role in neurotransmission and is the target of organophosphorus nerve agents. hBChE is good a natural stoichiometric scavenger of nerve agents, preventing their diffusion to the central and peripheral nervous system where they inhibit hAChE. hAChE and hBChE display different specificities for substrates and ligands due to differences in the number of aromatic residues lining the active site gorge. These aromatic residues are essential for the binding of quaternary and aromatic ligands. Some molecules containing quaternary and/or aromatic moieties form supramolecular structures by chelating Zinc. The nature of these molecules suggested that they could have affinity for the aromatic residues in the active site gorge of human cholinesterases. It was confirmed by determining their inhibition properties. A key question was whether these supramolecular ligands bind to human cholinesterases as their Zn-complex or monomeric form? The X-ray structures of two supramolecular complexes binding to the gorge of the hAChE and the hBChE reported herein showed that either cases are possible. These structural data on two new types of ligand can be used to design original cholinesterases inhibitors or reactivators.

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