Biomedical papers, 2024 (vol. 168), issue 1

Reviews

Catheter ablation for non-paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. A review

Sabri Hassouna, Pavel Osmancik

Biomed Pap Med Fac Univ Palacky Olomouc Czech Repub. 2024, 168(1):1-14 | DOI: 10.5507/bp.2023.053  

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia and it is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Catheter ablation is currently the most effective treatment for AF. PVI as a treatment for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with a high success rate; however, outcomes for treating persistent and long-standing persistent AF with PVI alone are substantially lower. Since pulmonary vein isolation by itself is rarely sufficient in the treatment of non-paroxysmal AF, a variety of techniques have been developed to increase the efficacy of CA for non-paroxysmal AF. Different approaches include PVI-only, PVI + linear ablations, and a stepwise approach, depending on the surgeon's skills, preference, and experience. New methods such as pulsed-field ablation, using ultra-short electrical pulses, appear to be very promising.

DNA damage and arterial hypertension. A systematic review and meta-analysis

Radka Hazukova, Martina Rezacova, Miloslav Pleskot, Zdenek Zadak, Eva Cermakova, Milos Taborsky

Biomed Pap Med Fac Univ Palacky Olomouc Czech Repub. 2024, 168(1):15-24 | DOI: 10.5507/bp.2023.044  

DNA damage is increased in hypertensive pts compared with healthy controls and this is confirmed with meta-analysis (comet: 26.6±11.0 vs 11.7±4.07; P<0.05; 8OHdG: 13.1±4.12 vs 6.97±2,67; P<0.05, gammaH2AX: no data available). Greater DNA damage is identified in more adverse cases. DNA damage correlates strongly with serum glycosylated haemoglobin (r=0.670; P<0.05) and total antioxidant status (r=-0.670 to -0.933; P<0.05). This is the first systematic review with meta-analysis showing that oxidative DNA damage is increased in humans with arterial hypertension.

Original papers

The inhibitory effects of Xiao-Gao-Jiang-Zhuo-containing serum on adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes

Liang Chen, Yu Han, Jing Li, Chunpeng Feng, Chen Chen, Ting Ye

Biomed Pap Med Fac Univ Palacky Olomouc Czech Repub. 2024, 168(1):25-34 | DOI: 10.5507/bp.2023.016  

XGJZ-containing serum was obtained from obese rats treated with the XGJZ formula. The authors confirmed that XGJZ-containing serum can inhibit the differentiation of 3T3-L1 adipocytes, reduce the expression of lipogenic transcription factors, lipid accumulation, and lipid metabolism-related enzyme activity in differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes, thereby improving the risk of obesity and obesity-related diseases. It provides evidence for the mechanism of obesity

Mortality of hospitalized patients with COVID-19: Effects of treatment options (vitamin D, anticoagulation, isoprinosine, ivermectin) assessed by propensity score matching, retrospective analysis

Jiri Plasek, Jozef Dodulik, Petr Gai, Barbora Hrstkova, Jan Skrha, Lukas Zlatohlavek, Renata Vlasakova, Peter Danko, Petr Ondracek, Eva Cubova, Bronislav Capek, Marie Kollarova, Tomas Furst, Jan Vaclavik

Biomed Pap Med Fac Univ Palacky Olomouc Czech Repub. 2024, 168(1):35-43 | DOI: 10.5507/bp.2023.045  

The main findings of this retrospective analysis on 790 unvaccinated patients with COVID-19 respiratory infection may be summarized as follows: Vitamin D supplementation had no meaningful effect on in-hospital mortality. Neither isoprinosine nor ivermectin had any effect on in-hospital mortality either. Prophylactic anticoagulation treatment was to some degree beneficial compared with the full dose anticoagulation. 35.7% of patients died in the hospital: 37.7% males and 33.3% females, and the difference between sexes was not significant (except for the age group 61-70 years)

Hypertension, hyperlipidaemia and thrombophilia as the most common risk factors for retinal vein occlusion in patients under 50 years

Zuzana Schreiberova, Jiri Rehak, Barbora Babkova, Martin Sin, Martina Rybarikova, Barbora Paskova, Irena Sinova, Petra Hubnerova, Miroslava Maluskova, Klara Maresova, Marta Karhanova

Biomed Pap Med Fac Univ Palacky Olomouc Czech Repub. 2024, 168(1):44-49 | DOI: 10.5507/bp.2022.036  

The authors confirmed that the most common abnormalities leading to retinal vein occlusion (RVO) in patients under 50 years were systemic cardiovascular diseases, particularly arterial hypertension and hyperlipidaemia, and we found out that the risk factors for central RVO (CRVO), hemi-central RVO (HRVO) and branch RVO (BRVO) were similar. To the best of our knowledge, this is the only study to date which has examined the difference between RF presence in CRVO and HRVO patients compared to BRVO patients under the age of 50.

Immunoablative therapy followed by autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation as the first-line disease-modifying therapy in patients with multiple sclerosis

Martin Lachnit, Kamila Zondra Revendova, Pavel Hradilek, Radovan Bunganic, Zdenek Koristek, Tomas Jelinek, Monika Skutova, Radim Piza, Ondrej Volny, Roman Hajek, Michal Bar

Biomed Pap Med Fac Univ Palacky Olomouc Czech Repub. 2024, 168(1):50-54 | DOI: 10.5507/bp.2023.023  

Six multiple sclerosis (MS) patients with a rapid progression of disability underwent immunoablative therapy followed by autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT) as the first-line disease-modifying therapy, between 2018 and 2021. Four out of six patients showed disability progression after AHSCT, so the rapid progression of MS was just slowed down by AHSCT. One patient developed activity on magnetic resonance imaging and two patients experienced mild relapses after AHSCT. None of the patients developed grade 4 non-hematological toxicity.

Corneal stromal lenticule transplantation for the treatment of corneal ulcers

Yun Min Klimesova, Martina Nemcokova, Magdalena Netukova, Alina-Dana Baxant, Marcela Hlavackova, Jana Kacerovska, Pavel Studeny

Biomed Pap Med Fac Univ Palacky Olomouc Czech Repub. 2024, 168(1):55-61 | DOI: 10.5507/bp.2023.004  

The possibility of using deep-frozen corneal stromal lenticules could significantly help in the treatment of corneal ulcers or even perforations, which is currently difficult due to the relative unavailability of corneal tissue donors, especially in developing countries.

The nociceptive response during adult cardiac surgery measured by the qNOX index: A feasibility study

Vladislav Rogozov, Tomas Vanek, Marek Maly, Jan Rocek, Petr Kacer

Biomed Pap Med Fac Univ Palacky Olomouc Czech Repub. 2024, 168(1):62-67 | DOI: 10.5507/bp.2022.045  

The "qNOX" index for the Conox monitor was predicted to be responsive to the probability of reaction to nociceptive stimulation during general anaesthesia. The results show that the qNOX index does not reflect development of detectable signs related to nociceptive stimulation during adult cardiac surgery and could be affected by simultaneous use of muscle relaxants.

DNA methylation of selected tumor suppressor genes in endometrial hyperplasia

Ondrej Dvorak, Munachiso Ndukwe, Marcela Slavickova, Jan Laco, Jiri Spacek

Biomed Pap Med Fac Univ Palacky Olomouc Czech Repub. 2024, 168(1):68-73 | DOI: 10.5507/bp.2022.053  

This research study was focused on changes in DNA methylation in specific tumor supressor genes in endometrial hyperplasia. The authors performed a retrospective study of endometrial tissue of 164 patients treated in their department from 2007 to 2014 dividing them into three subsets: atypical hyperplasia, hyperplasia without atypia and a control group with normal endometrial tissue. 25 selected genes using the methylation-specific multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MS-MLPA) probe set were tested. Differences in DNA methylation among the groups were found in PTEN, CDH13, and MSH6 promoters. These genes appear to be involved in different stages of the development of endometrial hyperplasia.

Prediction of live birth - selection of embryos using morphokinetic parameters

Katerina Tvrdonova, Silvie Belaskova, Tatana Rumpikova, David Rumpik, Alena Myslivcova Fucikova, Frantisek Malir

Biomed Pap Med Fac Univ Palacky Olomouc Czech Repub. 2024, 168(1):74-80 | DOI: 10.5507/bp.2022.052  

The goal of this study was to use time-lapse monitoring to find key morphokinetic parameters in pre-implantation human embryos, which are essential for the identification of embryos with high developmental potential, specifically embryos leading to the birth of a healthy child.

Case reports

Disposition of levobupivacaine during intraoperative continuous caudal epidural analgesia in a preterm neonate

Jan Sipek, Pavla Pokorna, Martin Sima, Jitka Styblova, Vladimir Mixa

Biomed Pap Med Fac Univ Palacky Olomouc Czech Repub. 2024, 168(1):81-84 | DOI: 10.5507/bp.2023.047  

The use of epidural analgesia in neonates raises concerns due to possible drug cumulation and toxicity. In general, studying PK and modelling using plasma concentrations of the used local anaesthetic (LA) in neonates is applicable in daily clinical practice because the intravenous blood volume is small, and the number of samples does not have to be large. To the best of their knowledge, this is the first case report of the pharmacokinetic profile of levobupivacaine (LA) achieving pharmacotherapy goals during epidural use in preterm neonates. A special adjustment of the laboratory method reduced the blood samples to 0.2-0.5 mL each. Although elimination of levobupivacaine was prolonged, no accumulation occurred and concentrations of total and free levobupivacaine were well below the toxicity threshold. Epidural analgesia at this age should be monitored and used with caution.

Pediatric Cushing's disease: Case reports and retrospective review

Renata Pomahacova, Petra Paterova, Eva Nykodymova, Josef Sykora, Michal Krsek

Biomed Pap Med Fac Univ Palacky Olomouc Czech Repub. 2024, 168(1):85-91 | DOI: 10.5507/bp.2022.049  

This article describes growth retardation and change in facial appearance with development of moon face as the first symptoms of CS. Growth retardation is prior to development of moon face. CRH test and BIPSS contribute to confirming the diagnosis of CD and excluding ectopic ACTH syndrome in children with invisible adenoma on MRI.

Endoscopic treatment of pancreatic fluid collection in gastric heterotopic pancreas. A case report

Ivana Mikoviny Kajzrlikova, Jan Kuchar, Petr Vitek, Barbora Horavova, Hana Vankova, Martin Chrostek

Biomed Pap Med Fac Univ Palacky Olomouc Czech Repub. 2024, 168(1):92-96 | DOI: 10.5507/bp.2022.043  

This case report details the diagnostic work-up in a young woman with clinical presentation of heterotopic pancreas. Here, imaging and endoscopic findings of a newly diagnosed submucosal mass in the gastric antrum are well described. Technical issues of endosonographically-navigated drainage of symptomatic fluid collection in heterotopic pancreas with a plastic double pigtail stent under fluoroscopic control are also presented. Fluid collections after acute pancreatitis in heterotopic pancreas can be successfully managed by endoscopy.