Vnitr̆ní lékar̆ství
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The paper describes specific aspects of work of a scientific expedition doctor and the stay and life at a polar research station in Antarctica. Apart from the outline of everyday problems, the first named author also learns about the history of medical practitioners working in Antarctica, writes about the results of the biomedical research activities conducted in the period of 2011-2014 and briefly describes the daily routine at a scientific polar station in Antarctica.
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Vnitr̆ní lékar̆ství · Dec 2015
Randomized Controlled Trial[PATHWAY-2 Study: spironolactone vs placebo, bisoprolol and doxazosin to determine optimal treatment of resistant hypertension. Spironolactone high effective in lowering blood pressure in drug resistant hypertension].
The PATHWAY-2 study, funded by the British Heart Foundation, randomised 335 patients with resistant hypertension (already treated according to guidelines) to sequentially receive 12 weeks of spironolactone (25-50 mg), bisoprolol (5-10 mg), doxazosin (4-8 mg modified release) and placebo. The study design allowed drug comparisons in each patient, with 230 patients completing all cycles. ⋯ By the end of the trial, there would only be 15 patients considered eligible for renal denervation trials in uncontrolled hypertension. PATHWAY-2 will have significant implications for patient recruitment in to other trials.
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Vnitr̆ní lékar̆ství · Dec 2015
Case Reports[Monoclonal immunoglobulin (M-Ig) and skin diseases from the group of mucinoses--scleredema adultorum Buschke and scleromyxedema. Description of four cases and an overview of therapies].
The mucinoses of the type of scleredema and scleromyxedema are diseases marked by excessive production of mucin deposits in the skin and subcutaneous tissue, which causes skin hardening. The skin and subcutaneous deposits hamper the movement of limbs, the thorax as well as mouth. The same mechanism also damages other organs (the heart, lungs, oesophagus). It is probably caused by the stimulation of mucin production in fibroblasts by immunoglobulins, frequently monoclonal immunoglobulin. Therefore these diseases are typically associated with monoclonal gammopathy. ⋯ It is possible to use chemotherapy and high-dose chemotherapy in the treatment of mucinosis associated with monoclonal gammopathy, as in the treatment of multiple myeloma. If such treatment is not possible or it has not attained disappearance of monoclonal immunoglobulin, improvement can be achieved through repeated application of intravenous immunoglobulins. The treatment with intravenous immunoglobulins in an immunomodulation dose of 2 g/per 1 kg of weight effects the moderation of skin manifestations, but it does not lead to the decrease in monoclonal immunoglobulin.