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Volume 102 / No. 6 / 2001
Pavel J, Lukacova N, Marsala J
Institute of Neurobiology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Košice, Slovakia.
pavel@saske.sk
Background: The activation of the soluble guanylate cyclase and the
production of cyclic 3',5'-guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) have been reported as
the primary cellular response to nitric oxide (NO) in the nervous system.
Previous results indicated, that three-fold sublethal ischemia repeated at 1-h
intervals induces damage in gray matter of the spinal cord. However, little is
known about the changes of NO/cGMP signal transduction system in gray matter of
the spinal cord under conditions of repeated sublethal ischemia.
Main purpose: The aim of this study was to compare the catalytic NOS
activity and cGMP concentration in the gray matter regions of lumbosacral spinal
cord segments (dorsal horn, zona intermedia, ventral horn) after three (8-, 8-,
9-min) sublethal occlusions repeated at 1-h intervals.
Methods: Twenty male rabbits, weighing 2.5—3.5 kg were used in the
experiments. They were divided into two experimental groups: (1) control animals
(n=10); (2) animals subjected to three brief (8-, 8-, 9-min) occlusions, each
time repeated by reperfusion lasting for 1 h (n=10). Ischemia of lumbosacral
segments was induced by ligation of the abdominal aorta just below the left
renal artery (DeGirolami and Zivin, 1982). The catalytic NOS activity was
determined by conversion of [3H]-L-arginine to [3H]-L-citrulline
according to the method of Bredt and Snyder (1990) slightly modified by
Strosznajder and Chalimoniuk (1996). cGMP concentration was assessed by
radioimmunoassay method (RIA).
Results: Repeated sublethal ischemia evoked a slight increase in
catalytic NOS activity over control values in all gray matter regions. On the
other hand, cGMP concentration in gray matter regions has a decreasing
character, in a descending order: dorsal horn > zona intermedia >
ventral horn. A significant impairment of NO-cGMP signal transduction was
detected in the intermediate zone and ventral horns.
Conclusions: Our results indicate that threefold (8-, 8-, 9-min)
sublethal ischemia repeated in 1 h intervals of reperfusion causes the
impairment of NO/cGMP signal transduction system in gray matter of lumbosacral
spinal cord segments and the extent of impairment is region-specific. This
finding correlates with the neurological hindlimbs impairment in experimental
animals. (Tab. 1, Fig. 2, Ref. 39.)
Key words: repeated sublethal ischemia, catalytic NOS activity, cyclic GMP,
gray matter regions, spinal cord.
Bratisl Lek Listy 2001; 102 (6): 273–277
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Simkova I, Urbanova J
Department of Cardiology, Slovak Institute of Heart and Cardiovascular Diseases,
Bratislava, Slovakia.
simkova@susch.sk
The aims of the study is to demonstrate the degree of pulmonary function
reversibility after successful corretion of mitral stenosis, transvenous as well
as surgical. Before and in the short- and long-term follow-up after mitral
stenosis correction (mitral valve replacement and percutaneous balloon mitral
valvuloplasty) echocardiographic and pulmonary function studies were performed
in 125 patients with pure or dominant mitral stenosis in order to investigate
the influence of hemodynamic changes on pulmonary function. Immediately after
procedure moderation of bronchial obstruction could be detected although only in
balloon valvuloplasty group. In pts after surgery dramatic decline of pulmonary
function due to thoracotomy was found. In the long-term follow-up substantial
improvement of all ventilatory parameters in both groups was revealed, diffusing
capacity remained unchanged. The favourable evolution was comparable in both
groups. The explanation are time consuming benefitial peripheral metabolic,
circulatory and organic pulmonary changes, what implies also irrelevant changes
of PF in the early phase and unalterable diffusing capacity. (Tab. 1, Fig. 4,
Ref. 15.)
Key words: pulmonary function, mitral valve replacement, mitral balloon
valvuloplasty.
Bratisl Lek Listy 2001; 102 (6): 278–281
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Matejcik V
Neurosurgical Clinic, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Bratislava,
Slovakia.
bll@fmed.uniba.sk
Outline: Present study reports the results of 48 operations performed on
48 nerves of lower extremities in 48 patients during the period of 15 years from
1985 to 1999. Basic lines of surgical treatment of various injuries of nerves in
lower extremities are presented in the study.
Patient population and methods: 24 patients were treated by external
neurolysis, 24 patients were treated by reconstruction operations.
Reconstruction operations were performed either by suture of peripheral nerve
(10 cases) or more frequently, by neural graft (14 cases). Complete and
persisting neurological deficit and the absence of nerve action potentials were
the indications for the surgical repair. The absence of nerve electrical
properties potentials was an important criterion for the determination of the
type of surgical intervention. Analysis of the effectiveness of surgical
treatment was performed with respect to following parameters: period between the
injury and operation, patient age, character of the injury, type of injured
nerve, type of surgical intervention.
Results: The best results were observed for external neurolyses. Improved
results of reconstruction operations were achieved for operation by suture
compared to operations by nerve graft. Good and excellent results (not dependent
on the character of surgical treatment, character and location of the injury,
time period between the injury and surgical repair and on the age of the
patient) were typical for treatment of n. tibialis.
Conclusion: Early surgical revision associated with neurolysis and
eventually with reconstruction surgery is very important in indicated cases. (Tab.
5, Ref. 10.)
Key words: lower extremity nerve lesions, neurolysis, nerve suture, nerve
graft.
Bratisl Lek Listy 2001; 102 (6): 282–285
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Staffa R, Leypold J, Vlachovsky R
The IInd Department of Surgery, Medical Faculty, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech
Republic.
r.staffa@email.cz
In 1990, the vascular prosthesis of RaK type (collagen-impregnated knitted
prosthesis), produced by the Research Institute of Hosiery in Brno, was
introduced into clinical practice. In 1998, we published our experience with
this type of prosthesis in form of a clinical evaluating study performed
according to the methods of the EN 540 European Norm.
Now we inform about the results of the studed group followed during 3 years. The
long-term patency of the prosthesis in the aortic-phemoral part is 88.8 %; the
incidence of infection of the vascular prosthesis in our group studed in the
3-year period is 2.5 %.
Thus we can say that even long-term results confirm our previous good experience
with this vascular prosthesis produced in Brno. (Tab. 8, Fig. 1, Ref. 11.)
Key words: collagen impregnated vascular prosthesis, clinical study,
long-term patency.
Bratisl Lek Listy 2001; 102 (6): 286–289
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Kokavec R, Hedera J, Fedeles J, Janovic J, Kratka E, Klimova I
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius
University, Bratislava, Slovakia.
kokavec@nspr.sk
The last decade of the second millenium has brought some major changes into
the concept of comprehensive treatment of the cleft lip and palate patients
commonly accepted by the cleft center in Bratislava. Important events occurred,
which surely had and in future they probably still would have an important
impact on the comprehensive medical care of children with cleft lip and palate.
There is beyond any doubt that an ongoing application of new trends in such
fields as plastic surgery, anesthesiology, maxillofacial surgery, orthodontics,
phonetics, speech therapy, paediatrics, human genetics or teratology will
contribute to the progress and improvement of functional and aesthetic results
and to better social adaptation of the cleft lip and palate patients.
The study focuses on the following issues: cleft incidence, timing of the
primary surgical repair, as well as the need of secondary operations (closures
of communications, bone grafts, pharyngeal flaps, corrections of the lip and
nose) and the achieved standard of speech quality and articulation, as well as
on the early and late otological states and phonation. (Tab. 7, Fig. 3, Ref.
8.)
Key words: cleft lip and palate, incidence, lip repair, palatal closure.
Bratisl Lek Listy 2001; 102 (6): 290–293
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Rudinsky B, Gubric J, Gubricova M, Rudinska L
Department of Neurosurgery, Hospital Nove Zamky, Slovakia.
b.rudinsky@er-slovakia.net
The transportation of patients, the speed of stating the diagnosis and fast
commencement of adequate treatment are the most problematic moments. We see the
solution to this problem in the shortening of time between accident and
admission of the patient at the neurosurgical center. We would like to underline
that no matter how important is the connection between the hospitals, it
represents only one technical aspect of communication. The software module for
fast, comfortable and safe transmission of data was developed by experts of f.
West Trend Encore Inc. in cooperation with the medical expert group and in our
region it is referred to as ER-Slovakia, with the access to Internet.
Our experience has proved definitely that the time between the accident and the
admission of the patient at the neurosurgical center can be shortened. According
to our experiences the time of 6—8 hours, could be possibly reduced into
2—2.5 hours. The process of mailing the request for consultation with picture
documentation to and receiving a qualified evaluation from a distant
center takes about 10—15 minutes. From September 1, 1999 to December 31, 2000
we have 244 consultations among the hospitals and the neurocenter.
We have focused our consultations on acceleration of the correct diagnosis
statement, early commencement of sufficient treatment and at last but not at
least, on providing of qualified evaluation of treatment by the specialized
center. On the basis of consultations, a conservative way of treatment was
used in 100 patients, further diagnostic evaluation was necessary in 32
patients, and 77 patients were hospitalized in the neurosurgical center. 47
patients of the given number (19 % of total number), needed an urgent
transportation to different hospitals were they were subdued to operations. (Tab.
2, Fig. 1, Ref. 6.)
Key words: telemedicine, neurosurgery.
Bratisl Lek Listy 2001; 102 (6): 294–297
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Baska T, Madar R, Straka S, Kavcova E
Institute of Epidemiology, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University,
Martin, Slovakia.
baska@jfmed.uniba.sk
The authors reviewed literature on nicotine replacement therapy and bupropion in smoking cessation.
Nicotine replacement therapy increases the quit rate in smoking cessation;
however, its efficacy is influenced by numerous factors. Bupropion, particularly
combined with nicotine replacement therapy, reaches even higher efficacy.
Behavioural therapy as well as individualised approach during the cessation
process are beneficial. Beside from this, these agents help to avoid excessive
weight gain after quitting. If properly used, they have minimal side effects,
and, if not contraindicated, they should be included into standard smoking
cessation programs. (Ref. 74.)
Key words: smoking cessation, nicotine replacement therapy, bupropion.
Bratisl Lek Listy 2001; 102 (6): 298–301
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Pereszlenyi A Jr, Harustiak S, Benej R, Bohucky S
Department of Thoracosurgery, National Institute of Tuberculosis and Respiratory
Diseases, Bratislava, Slovakia.
Arpad_pp@hotmail.com
This article discusses the complications of the pulmonary resection treatment
in lung cancer. A significant decrease in incidence of cardiovasculary and
respiratory complications has already been achieved during the last decades.
However, infectious complications, mainly pneumonias and postpneumonectomy
empyemas still remain and belong among treacherous complications which are often
associated with significant mortality.
This article devotes special attention to the possibilities of influencing and
decreasing the incidence of these complications. (Short communication)
Bratisl Lek Listy 2001; 102 (6): 302–306
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Janik M, Harustiak S, Benej R., Bohucky S, Krajc T
Department of Thoracosurgery, National Institute of Tuberculosis and Respiratory
Diseases, Bratislava, Slovakia.
bll@fmed.uniba.sk
Pleural effusions are the oldest indication of the thoracoscopic treatment. They represent the terminal state of malignancy and the aim of the treatment is palliative. The most effective is the thoracoscopic procedure in general anaesthesia with one lung ventilation and application of talc powder. We have been using videothoracoscopy in such cases since 1993 and we have treated more than 700 patients. The thoracoscopic procedure was successful in 70 % of cases. (Short communication)
Bratisl Lek Listy 2001; 102 (6): 302–306
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Lassanova M, Tisonova J, Bozekova L, Kriska M
Department of Pharmacology, Medical Faculty, Comenius University, Bratislava,
Slovakia.
bll@fmed.uniba.sk
One of the most important prerequisities concerning the process of selecting drugs for rational pharmacotherapy is the availability of independent information about them. The first self-existent Drug Information Center (DIC) in Slovakia was established in May 1997 at the Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava. The organization of DIC and its activities are similar to other analogous centers in other countries. DIC provides free drugs information to all medical professionals. The majority of inquiries are from hospital physicians followed by general practitioners and staff of the University. The most frequent questions involve basic information about drugs, pharmacotherapy during pregnancy and lactation, adverse drug reactions, registration of new drugs, drug action etc. (Short communication)
Bratisl Lek Listy 2001; 102 (6): 302–306
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Electronic Library of Scientific Literature - © Academic Electronic Press