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Volume 102 / No. 7 / 2001
Franova S
Department of Pharmacology, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University,
Martin, Slovakia.
franova@jfmed.uniba.sk
Background: A persistent, chronic dry cough is the most common
adverse effect of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors therapy. The
mechanism of this respiratory adverse effect is related to the inhibition of ACE
and the accumulation of bradykinin, substance P, prostanoids and inflammatory
neuropeptides in the airways.
Main purpose: The aim of this study was to follow the relationship
between 15-days administration of enalapril and the defence reflexes of the
airways of experimental animals and possibility of pharmacological restriction
with inhaled furosemide.
Methods: From the defence reflexes of the airways the changes of the
parameters of a mechanically induced cough in nonanaesthetized cats were
measured. The reactivity of the smooth muscle of the airways to the
bronchoconstrictor mediator was evaluated by in vitro method. The enalapril was
administered for 15-days in the dosage of 5 mg/kg b.w. p.o., inhaled furosemide
for 15-days in the dosage 10 mg/kg b.w.
Results: The results suggested that long-lasting administration of
enalapril resulted in a significant increase of measured cough parameters
and increased reactivity of tracheal smooth muscle to the histamine. The
reactivity of the lung smooth muscle was not influenced significantly after
enalapril treatment. Inhaled furosemide administered with enalapril
significantly decreased the enalapril induced cough and decreased enalapril
potentiated reactivity of the tracheal smooth muscle to the histamine.
Conclusion: The results showed the protective effect of inhaled
furosemide against the respiratory adverse effects induced by ACE-inhibitors
administration. (Fig. 5, Ref. 20.)
Key words: cough, bronchoconstriction, enalapril, furosemide.
Bratisl Lek Listy 2001; 102 (7): 309–313
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Bukovsky M, Koscova H, Dubnickova M, Sirotkova L
Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology of Drugs, Faculty of Pharmacy,
Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia.
bukovsky@fpharm.uniba.sk
The study presents comparison of immunomodulatory effects of Staphylococcus
aureus, Escherichia coli and Candida albicans disintegrated
cells on selected immune mechanisms of human and mouse leukocytes. We measured
their phagocytic activity, phagocytic index and microbicidal activity against Staphylococcus
aureus, Escherichia coli and Candida albicans cells as well as
peroxidase and lysozyme activities of human and mouse leukocytes. Our results
revealed predominantly inhibitory effect of disintegrated microorganisms on
nonspecific immune functions of human leukocytes, but mainly stimulatory effect
on mouse leukocytes monitored immune functions. (Tab. 7, Ref. 7.)
Key words: immunomodulatory activity, phagocytic activity, microbicidal
activity.
Bratisl Lek Listy 2001; 102 (7): 314-317
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Simkova I, Kozlovsky M, Riecansky I, Fridrich V
Slovak Postgraduate Medical Academy, Div. Cardiology, Department of Cardiology,
Slovak Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Bratislava, Slovakia.
simkova@susch.sk
Transcatheter closure of secundum atrial septal defect using Amplatzer
occluder is accepted treatment modality. Transthoracic (TTE) and
transoesophageal (TEE) echocardiography provides indispensable informations in
the selection of eligible atrial septal defects, evaluates the exact size,
location and morphology of the defect. In the closure procedure assistance of
TEE enables precise determination of device size, correct placement of the
device and immediate and follow-up closure results assessment. The present
prospective study was performed in order to investigate the value of both
approaches — TTE and TEE in the intermediate-term follow-up. Before, during
transcatheter defect closure and in the follow-up echocardiography studies [TTE
and TEE] were performed in 33 adult patients with secundum atrial septal defect
with fulfiled TEE criteria. Correct placement of the device without interference
with surrounding structures under TEE monitoring was possible in all patients.
Immediate complete closure was achieved in 49 % of patients, after 3 months in
94 %. TEE findings corresponded well with TTE. In the follow-up
echocardiographic signs of right ventricle overload retreated. Results indicate
that TEE provides valued data for the selection and closure procedure. TTE is a sufficient
reliable approach for results evaluation in intermediate follow-up.
Echocardiography plays crucial role in the safety and efficacy assessment of
transcatheter treatment of secundum atrial septal defect. (Fig. 4, Ref. 16.)
Key words: echocardiography, secundum atrial septal defect, Amplatzer
occluder.
Bratisl Lek Listy 2001; 102 (7): 318-321
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Chalupa P, Kubek J, Hejlova A
Clinic of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital, Brno, Czech Republic.
pchalupa@fnbrno.cz
Background: Dengue fever has become, in Western Europe, the second most
frequently imported disease after viral hepatitis A.
Objectives: Dengue fever was diagnosed at the Department of Infectious
Disease, University Hospital in Brno, so the authors decided to make local
physicians aware of the possibility of the disease being contracted by Czech
travelers.
Methods: The first two cases of dengue fever, with the patients
hospitalized at the Department of Infectious Disease, University Hospital in
Brno, Czech Republic, are described.
Results: A young couple contracted this infection in a region
usually visited by tourists in Thailand. The disease broke out 12 hours after
their return home. The clinical and laboratory pictures of the disease and the
kinetics of serological responses are described in detail.
Conclusion: The chief diagnostic clue with this disease, beside a visit
to a high-risk area, can be considered a sudden onset of fever
accompanied by marked fatigue, myalgia, and arthralgia. Laboratory tests showed
characteristic thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, and pathological values of AST and
ALT. The clinical picture is characterized by symptoms of persisting fatigue and
exhaustion, even after the fever has subsided. (Tab. 3, Ref. 23.)
Key words: dengue, dengue fever, dengue hemorrhagic fever.
Bratisl Lek Listy 2001; 102 (7): 322-325
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Gavornik P, Galbavy S
IInd Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University,
Bratislava, Slovakia.
bll@fmed.uniba.sk
Arteriolosclerosis is a generalised systemic vascular disease which is
characterised by hyalinisation of intima (hyalinosis) as well as proliferation
and hypertrophy of the media in the arteriolar part of the arterial system
(so-called benign arteriolosclerosis). However, the patients suffering from
accelerated and malign hypertension develop also fibrinoid necrosis (so-called
malign arteriolosclerosis, arteriolonecrosis). Arteriolosclerosis as well as
other similar stenotic (obliterating, obstructive, occlusive) diseases of the
arterial system, have one single common consequence — ischemia.
Currently, angio-organic ischemic syndromes in the whole world most frequently
result from atherosclerosis which, however, is not the only nosologic unit of
the group of arterial diseases having the tendency to develop arterial wall
sclerosis. The latter group is briefly referred to as arteriosclerosis. In
addition to atherosclerosis, this group includes also Mönckeberg’s medial
arteriosclerosis, diabetic angiopathy and arteriolosclerosis.
The authors of this study, on the basis of their analysis of their own large set
of patients (71,662 angiologic consultant examinations performed during the
period of 25 years of the existence of the Angiologic Department of the Medical
Faculty Hospital of Comenius University in Bratislava) attract attention to the
fact that the clinical picture of this disease is multiform, and that it occurs
frequently in clinical practice. Therefore, angiology is a separate
specialisation which is above the structure of internal medicine. (Tab. 5,
Fig. 3, Ref. 46.)
Key words: arteriolosclerosis, arteriosclerosis, angio-organic ischemic
syndromes, internal medicine, angiology.
Bratisl Lek Listy 2001; 102 (7): 326-331
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Sleiman OI, Murin J, Ghanem WM
Ist Department of Internal Medicine, Medical Faculty, Comenius University and
University Hospital, Bratislava, Slovakia.
Ossamasleiman@hotmail.com
The problem of heart failure (HF) has become a topic of great interest.
Until recently, the use of beta-blockers in patients with HF was considered as
one of the contraindications which were taught to medical students as realities
with a strict policy to avoid them in HF patients. Times have changed and
the contraindicated drug is now an advised and prefered one to be used in HF
patients with certain advised recommendations for its use in a safe and
beneficial way.
Even though the use of beta-blockers in HF patients is an important and
neccessary step towards an optimal treatment of these patients as most of the
big studies have proved, still we need to emphasize these benefits in order to
achieve more application of these agents in HF patients. Here we analyse the
major studies which used beta-blockers in HF patients. It seems that
beta-blockers have to be used in all patients with HF with reduced ejection
fraction unless a real contraindication exists as they bring up a great
benefit towards decreasing mortality and morbidity. (Ref. 44.)
Key words: heart failure, beta-blockers, mortality, sudden death.
Bratisl Lek Listy 2001; 102 (7): 332-337
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Mesko D, Bernadic M
Jessenius Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Martin, Slovakia.
Dusan.Mesko@jfmed.uniba.sk
The authors deal with the problem of evaluation of undergraduate education at
universities and tasks of university teachers and students. The quality of
education determines the success of teachers and graduates in their future
medical practice. The evaluation of education carried out by teachers, students
and graduates in practice can provide a useful informational feedback as to
the quality of education. The evaluation of undergraduate medical education has
changed significantly — from simple to combined methods of evaluation, from
evaluation of knowledge to evaluation of competence, from written tests to
performance tests, from normative ”passed or failed” to standard evaluation,
from examination of knowledge to examination of its reflection in practice. The
main mutual task of education at medical faculties should reside in the
preparation of a generally educated graduate with an internationally
accepted medical diploma. After obtaining the licence, the graduates of all
universities should be able to continue the process of their postgraduate
specialisation in compliance with traditions of the appropriate institution. The
students represent their ”Alma Mater” and their knowledges represent the
level of tuition. (Ref. 24.)
Key words: evaluation of study, university, faculty of medicine,
feedback, graduate, undergraduate education, postgraduate education, education.
Bratisl Lek Listy 2001; 102 (7): 338-342
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Electronic Library of Scientific Literature - © Academic Electronic Press