The rate of drug release from polymer matrix-based sustained release formulations is often controlled by the thickness of a gel layer that forms upon contact with dissolution medium. The effect of formulation parameters on the kinetics of elementary rate processes that contribute to gel layer formation, such as water ingress, polymer swelling and erosion, is therefore of interest. In the present work, gel layer formation has been investigated by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which is a non-destructive method allowing direct visualization of effective water concentration inside the tablet and its surrounding. Using formulations with Levetiracetam as the active ingredient, HPMC as a hydrophilic matrix former and carnauba wax (CW) as a hydrophobic component in the matrix system, the effect of different ratios of these two ingredients on the kinetics of gel formation (MRI) and drug release (USP 4 like dissolution test) has been investigated and interpreted using a mathematical model.

• MeSH
• Hypromellose Derivatives chemistry   MeSH
• Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions MeSH
• Kinetics MeSH
• Delayed-Action Preparations chemistry   MeSH
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging MeSH
• Piracetam analogs & derivatives   chemistry   MeSH
• Solubility MeSH
• Tablets MeSH
• Models, Theoretical MeSH
• Drug Liberation MeSH
• Waxes chemistry   MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH

Non-invasive optical diagnostic methods allow important information about studied systems to be obtained in a non-destructive way. Complete diagnosis requires information about the chemical composition as well as the morphological structure of a sample. We report on the development of an opto-mechanical probe that combines Raman spectroscopy (RS) and optical coherence tomography (OCT), two methods that provide all the crucial information needed for a non-invasive diagnosis. The aim of this paper is to introduce the technical design, construction and optimization of a dual opto-mechanical probe combining two in-house developed devices for confocal RS and OCT. The unique benefit of the probe is a gradual acquisition of OCT and RS data, which allows to use the acquired OCT images to pinpoint locations of interest for RS measurements. The parameters and the correct functioning of the probe were verified by RS scanning of various samples (silicon wafer and ex vivo tissue) based on their OCT images - lateral as well as depth scanning was performed. Both the OCT and RS systems were developed, optimized and tested with the ultimate aim of verifying the functionality of the probe. Picture: Schematic illustration and visualization of the developed RS-OCT probe.

• MeSH
• Mechanical Phenomena * MeSH
• Tomography, Optical Coherence instrumentation   methods   MeSH
• Spectrum Analysis, Raman instrumentation   methods   MeSH
• Software MeSH
• Systems Integration MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

Using dedicated contrast agents high-quality X-ray imaging of soft tissue structures with isotropic micrometre resolution has become feasible. This technique is frequently titled as virtual histology as it allows production of slices of tissue without destroying the sample. The use of contrast agents is, however, often an irreversible time-consuming procedure and despite the non-destructive principle of X-ray imaging, the sample is usually no longer usable for other research methods. In this work we present the application of recently developed large-area photon counting detector for high resolution X-ray micro-radiography and micro-tomography of whole ex-vivo ethanol-preserved mouse organs. The photon counting detectors provide dark-current-free quantum-counting operation enabling acquisition of data with virtually unlimited contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR). Thanks to the very high CNR even ethanol-only preserved soft-tissue samples without addition of any contrast agent can be visualized in great detail. As ethanol preservation is one of the standard steps of tissue fixation for histology, the presented method can open a way for widespread use of micro-CT with all its advantages for routine 3D non-destructive soft-tissue visualisation.

• MeSH
• Ethanol chemistry   MeSH
• Photons * MeSH
• Kidney diagnostic imaging   MeSH
• Mice, Inbred C57BL MeSH
• Mice MeSH
• Lung diagnostic imaging   MeSH
• X-Ray Microtomography instrumentation   methods   MeSH
• Heart diagnostic imaging   MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Mice MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH

Spectropolarimetry of intact plant leaves allows to probe the molecular architecture of vegetation photosynthesis in a non-invasive and non-destructive way and, as such, can offer a wealth of physiological information. In addition to the molecular signals due to the photosynthetic machinery, the cell structure and its arrangement within a leaf can create and modify polarization signals. Using Mueller matrix polarimetry with rotating retarder modulation, we have visualized spatial variations in polarization in transmission around the chlorophyll a absorbance band from 650 nm to 710 nm. We show linear and circular polarization measurements of maple leaves and cultivated maize leaves and discuss the corresponding Mueller matrices and the Mueller matrix decompositions, which show distinct features in diattenuation, polarizance, retardance and depolarization. Importantly, while normal leaf tissue shows a typical split signal with both a negative and a positive peak in the induced fractional circular polarization and circular dichroism, the signals close to the veins only display a negative band. The results are similar to the negative band as reported earlier for single macrodomains. We discuss the possible role of the chloroplast orientation around the veins as a cause of this phenomenon. Systematic artefacts are ruled out as three independent measurements by different instruments gave similar results. These results provide better insight into circular polarization measurements on whole leaves and options for vegetation remote sensing using circular polarization.

• MeSH
• Algorithms * MeSH
• Photosynthesis * MeSH
• Zea mays growth & development   metabolism   MeSH
• Plant Leaves growth & development   metabolism   MeSH
• Image Processing, Computer-Assisted methods   MeSH
• Microscopy, Polarization methods   MeSH
• Refractometry methods   MeSH
• Light MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY The aim of the study was to present the surgical technique combining the interposition and suspension arthroplasty using the TIE-IN implant as a treatment option for advanced symptomatic to final stage rhizarthrosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS Since 2015 we have performed the interposition arthroplasty combined with suspension arthroplasty using the TIE-IN implant in 12 patients, mostly indicated for stage IV rhizarthrosis. In two cases stage III rhizarthrosis with concomitant trapezium destruction was present. In two other cases the patients suffered from secondary osteoarthrosis associated with rheumatoid arthritis. Pain under loads was present in all the patients, of whom in 10 patients also the pain at rest occurred. Preoperatively, a total of 10 patients showed subluxation of the first carpometacarpal joint of 50% of the articular surface width. The ratio between the dominant and non-dominant extremity was 1:1. As a part of the evaluation, correlation was established between the preoperative findings and the postoperative results at 3 months follow-up. The examination included the assessment of pain intensity by VAS scale, the range of motion measurement - by Kapandji thumb opposition test, handgrip strength test and functional evaluation using the scoring systems - DASH score, modified DASH score for thumb, and modified Wrightington score. RESULTS No intraoperative or postoperative complications such as infection, complex regional pain syndrome, implant failure or failed surgical procedure were reported in the given group of patients. The pain at rest ceased in all 12 patients. The VAS pain intensity score improved from the preoperative average of 5.8 to 0.8 postoperatively. The range of motion in all the patients with stage IV rhizarthrosis substantially improved. The average Kapandji thumb opposition score increased from 6.9 preoperatively to 9.5 postoperatively. DISCUSSION There are multiple surgical treatment options for advanced rhizarthrosis. Apart from the combination of interposition and suspension arthroplasty referred to above, it is trapeziometacarpal (TMC) arthrodesis on the one hand and carpometacarpal joint total arthroplasty on the other hand. The arthrodesis continues to be a fairly frequently used procedure, despite the final limitation of thumb movement. It is because of this loss of fine motor function why it is not the preferred technique for treating advanced rhizarthrosis at our department. On the very contrary, the total replacement of the TMC joint is at our department as well as at many other departments the treatment of choice for advanced symptomatic rhizarthrosis since in conservative resection of the articular surfaces the biomechanics of the carpometacarpal joint of the thumb is preserved. As an outcome, this technique combines the advantages of other surgical methods by ensuring full painless range of motion and strength of the joint as opposed to other techniques, which mostly result either in a limited movement, or in a loss of grip strength. There is a whole range of resection arthroplasty techniques available. From simple trapeziectomy, which leads to the radial column collapse and ultimately to a major functional deficit, up to various interposition or suspension arthroplasty techniques with the resulting range of motion, stability and thus grip strength depending on the technique applied. CONCLUSIONS By applying the combination of the interposition and suspension arthroplasty of the carpometacarpal joint of the thumb using the TIE-IN implant we preserve the length of the thumb, its stability, and thus achieve the recovery of adequate thumb range of motion and grip strength. Our conclusions are in correlation with the results obtained at reference centres. Key words:rhizarthrosis, trapeziometacarpal prosthesis, arthroplasty, trapezium implant.

• MeSH
• Arthroplasty, Replacement adverse effects   instrumentation   methods   MeSH
• Carpometacarpal Joints physiopathology   surgery   MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Pain Measurement MeSH
• Osteoarthritis physiopathology   surgery   MeSH
• Thumb surgery   MeSH
• Postoperative Complications MeSH
• Joint Prosthesis * MeSH
• Range of Motion, Articular MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• Hand Strength MeSH
• Trapezium Bone surgery   MeSH
• Check Tag
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

Epidemiologické studie ukazují stálý nárůst výskytu hyperurikemie a dny v populaci. V klinické praxi je dna často špatně diagnostikována. Proto jsou v první části publikace nejprve uvedena diagnostická kritéria American College of Rheumatology (ACR) i European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) pro diagnostiku dny. Důraz je kladen zvláště na krystalografickou analýzu a průkaz krystalů natrium urátu. Terapie dny je rozdělena na část, která se věnuje léčbě akutního dnavého záchvatu, a část, která se zabývá snížením urikemie. Každý akutní dnavý záchvat by měl být léčen farmakologicky a léčba by měla být zahájena okamžitě. Jako alternativu je možno použít kolchicin, nesteroidní antirevmatika a glukokortikoidy. U pacientů s těžkými refrakterními a častými záchvaty lze aplikovat inhibitor interleukinu 1 canakinumab. K hypourikemické léčbě jsou indikováni pacienti s častou frekvencí záchvatů, tofy a destrukcemi kloubů. Léčba hyperurikemie by měla být komplexní a skládat se z nefarmakologické a farmakologické části. Z medikamentů jsou k dispozici jednak urikostatika (allopurinol, febuxostat), jednak urikosurika (benzbromaron). Nově je do praxe zaváděn lesinurad, což je inhibitor transportéru URAT-1 v ledvinách.

Epidemiological studies show a steady increase in the occurrence of hyperuricaemia and gout in the population. In clinical practice, the gout is often poorly diagnosed. Therefore, the first part of the publication lists both ACR and EULAR diagnostic criteria for day diagnosis. Emphasis is placed on crystallographic analysis of urate sodium crystals. Gout therapy is divided into a part dedicated to the treatment of an acute gout attack and a reduction of uricemia. Any acute gout attack should be treated pharmacologically and treatment should be initiated immediately. As an alternative, colchicine, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and glucocorticoids may be used. Patients with severe refractory and frequent attacks can be given an interleukin 1 inhibitor canakinumab. Indicated patients for hyperuricemic treatment are both patients with frequent attacks, tophi and patients with joint destruction. Treatment of hyperuricaemia should be comprehensive and consist of a non-pharmacological and pharmacological part. Drugs available are uricostatic (allopurinol, febuxostat) and uricosuric (benzbromaron). The new drug lesinurad, a URAT-1 transporter inhibitor in the kidneys, is now being introduced into practice.

• Keywords
• tofy, canakinumab, lesinurad,
• MeSH
• Acute Disease therapy   MeSH
• Algorithms MeSH
• Allopurinol administration & dosage   pharmacology   adverse effects   therapeutic use   MeSH
• Antirheumatic Agents administration & dosage   classification   therapeutic use   MeSH
• Gout Suppressants * classification   therapeutic use   MeSH
• Biological Therapy MeSH
• Gout * diagnosis   classification   complications   pathology   MeSH
• Arthritis, Gouty * diagnosis   diet therapy   drug therapy   MeSH
• Febuxostat administration & dosage   therapeutic use   MeSH
• Adrenal Cortex Hormones administration & dosage   classification   therapeutic use   MeSH
• Hyperuricemia diagnosis   drug therapy   MeSH
• Colchicine pharmacology   therapeutic use   MeSH
• Uric Acid blood   MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Antibodies, Monoclonal therapeutic use   MeSH
• Sex Factors MeSH
• Practice Guidelines as Topic MeSH
• Uricosuric Agents pharmacology   classification   therapeutic use   MeSH
• Seizures drug therapy   therapy   MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Publication type
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Review MeSH

V uplynulých 25 letech se průměrná očekávaná délka života mužů prodloužila o čtyři roky, zatímco věk, kdy je u muže detekován karcinom prostaty, se snížil průměrně o deset let. Onemocnění je navíc stále častěji dia­gnostikováno v časném stadiu, kdy je stále možná kurativní léčba. Tyto změny ve věku a rozsahu maligního onemocnění v době dia­gnostikování poukázaly na limitace běžných terapeutických modalit pro léčbu karcinomu prostaty s kurativním záměrem, jako jsou např. významné riziko recidivy agresivního karcinomu nebo riziko dlouhodobé morbidity v močopohlavním systému a jejich významný dopad na kvalitu života pacienta (QoL). Větší povědomí o limitacích radikální prostatektomie, ozařování zevním paprskem i brachyterapie podnítilo vývoj alternativních terapií s kurativním záměrem, které by poskytovaly srovnatelnou kontrolu karcinomu při menší morbiditě, což by umožnilo lépe zachovat QoL. Cílený ultrazvuk o vysoké intenzitě (HIFU) disponuje vlastnostmi, které jej řadí mezi atraktivní kurativní terapeutické modality. HIFU je neinvazivní technika, při níž je pomocí přesně cílené ultrazvukové energie dosaženo nekrózy nádorových buněk bez nutnosti provádět ozařování nebo operační excizi. V současné době se v urologické onkologii HIFU využívá při léčbě karcinomu prostaty a v experimentálním stadiu probíhá testování tohoto přístupu u pacientů s karcinomy ledviny a prsu. Klinický výzkum v oblasti využití HIFU pro léčbu lokalizovaného karcinomu prostaty byl zahájen v 90. letech minulého století a v současné době již tuto léčbu podstoupilo přibližně 30 000 pacientů s karcinomem prostaty, ve většině případů pomocí zařízení Ablatherm (EDAP TMS, Lyon, Francie). Od roku 2000 se užívá kombinace transuretrální resekce prostaty a HIFU s cílem redukovat velikost prostaty, usnadnit destrukci tkáně a minimalizovat výskyt vedlejších účinků. Předpokládá se, že zdokonalení zobrazovacích technologií povede k dalšímu zlepšení vynikajících výsledků v oblasti účinnosti a bezpečnosti léčby. Probíhající výzkum testující využití HIFU v rámci fokální, záchranné i paliativní terapie pomůže rozšířit indikace HIFU jako univerzální neinvazivní modality pro léčbu karcinomu prostaty.

Over the past 25 years, the average life expectancy for men has increased by four years, and the age of prostate cancer detection has decreased an average of 10 years with dia­gnosis increasingly made at early‑stage disease where curative therapy is possible. These changing trends in the age and extent of malignancy at dia­gnosis have revealed limitations in conventional curative therapies for prostate cancer, including a significant risk of aggressive cancer recurrence, and the risk of long‑term genitourinary morbidity and its detrimental impact on patient quality of life (QoL). Greater awareness of the shortcomings in radical prostatectomy, external radiotherapy and brachytherapy have prompted the search for alternative curative therapies that offer comparable rates of cancer control and less treatment‑related morbidity to better preserve QoL. High‑intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) possesses characteristics that make it an attractive curative therapy option. HIFU is a non‑invasive approach that uses precisely‑delivered ultrasound energy to achieve tumor cell necrosis without radiation or surgical excision. In current urological oncology, HIFU is used clinically in the treatment of prostate cancer, and is under experimental investigation for therapeutic use in renal and breast malignancies. Clinical research on HIFU therapy for localized prostate cancer began in the 1990s, and there have now been approximately 30,000 prostate cancer patients treated with HIFU, predominantly with the Ablatherm (EDAP TMS, Lyon, France) device. Transurethral resection of the prostate has been combined with HIFU since 2000 to reduce prostate size, facilitate tissue destruction, and to minimize side effects. Advances in imaging technologies are expected to further improve the already superior efficacy and morbidity outcomes, and ongoing investigation of HIFU as a focal therapy and in salvage and palliative indications are serving to expand the role of HIFU as a highly versatile non‑invasive therapy for prostate cancer.

• Keywords
• neinvazivní cílená terapie rezistentní na hormonální léčbu, Ablatherm, Sonablate,
• MeSH
• Equipment Design MeSH
• Combined Modality Therapy MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Neoplasm Recurrence, Local therapy   MeSH
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging MeSH
• Survival Rate MeSH
• Prostatic Neoplasms * pathology   therapy   MeSH
• Retreatment MeSH
• Urination Disorders MeSH
• Disease-Free Survival MeSH
• Prognosis MeSH
• Prostate-Specific Antigen blood   MeSH
• Ultrasound, High-Intensity Focused, Transrectal * methods   instrumentation   adverse effects   MeSH
• Transurethral Resection of Prostate MeSH
• Patient Selection MeSH
• Treatment Outcome MeSH
• Salvage Therapy methods   MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Publication type
• Review MeSH

Leaf chlorophyll content is an important physiological parameter which can serve as an indicator of nutritional status, plant stress or senescence. Signals proportional to the chlorophyll content can be measured non-destructively with instruments detecting leaf transmittance (e.g., SPAD-502) or reflectance (e.g., showing normalized differential vegetation index, NDVI) in red and near infrared spectral regions. The measurements are based on the assumption that only chlorophylls absorb in the examined red regions. However, there is a question whether accumulation of other pigments (e.g., anthocyanins) could in some cases affect the chlorophyll meter readings. To answer this question, we cultivated tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum L.) for a long time under low light conditions and then exposed them for several weeks (4 h a day) to high sunlight containing the UV-A spectral region. The senescent leaves of these plants evolved a high relative content of anthocyanins and visually revealed a distinct blue color. The SPAD and NDVI data were collected and the spectra of diffusive transmittance and reflectance of the leaves were measured using an integration sphere. The content of anthocyanins and chlorophylls was measured analytically. Our results show that SPAD and NDVI measurement can be significantly affected by the accumulated anthocyanins in the leaves with relatively high anthocyanin content. To describe theoretically this effect of anthocyanins, concepts of a specific absorbance and a leaf spectral polarity were developed. Corrective procedures of the chlorophyll meter readings for the anthocyanin contribution are suggested both for the transmittance and reflectance mode.

• MeSH
• Algorithms MeSH
• Anthocyanins analysis   metabolism   MeSH
• Models, Chemical MeSH
• Chlorophyll analysis   metabolism   MeSH
• Chloroplasts metabolism   MeSH
• Plant Leaves metabolism   MeSH
• Computer Simulation MeSH
• Solanum lycopersicum chemistry   metabolism   radiation effects   MeSH
• Light MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH

• MeSH
• Hemic and Lymphatic Diseases MeSH
• Lymph MeSH
• Publication type
• Collected Work MeSH

• Conspectus
• Patologie. Klinická medicína
• NML Fields
• hematologie a transfuzní lékařství

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY The increasing prevalance of patients with metastatic bone cancer and their improved survival puts more emphasis on the quality of treatment of bone metastases. Although most pelvic lesions are treated non-operatively, extensive destruction of the acetabular segment poses a therapeutic challenge. A potential treatment option may be the modified Harrington procedure. MATERIAL AND METHODS At our department, this surgical procedure has been opted for in 14 patients (5 men and 9 women) since 2018. The mean age at the time of surgery was 59 years (range 42 to 73). Twelve patients suffered from metastatic cancer, one patient had a fibrosarcoma metastasis and one female patient presented with aggressive pseudotumor. Radiological and clinical followup of the patients was performed. Pain was assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale, and the Harris Hip Score and the MSTS score were used to evaluate the functional outcome. The paired samples Wilcoxon test was used to analyze the statistical significance of the difference. RESULTS The mean follow-up period was 25 months. At the time of assessment, ten patients were alive with the mean follow-up of 29 months (range 2 to 54 months) and four patients had died of cancer progression, with the mean follow-up being 16 months. No perioperative death or mechanical failure were reported. One female patient developed a hematogenous infection during febrile neutropenia, which was successfully managed with early revision and implant preservation. Statistically, a significant improvement in the MSTS (median 23) and HHS (median 86) functional scores compared to the preoperative values (MSTS median 2, p<0.01, r-effect size = 0.6; HHS preop median 0, p<0.005, r-effect size = -0.7) was observed. There was also a statistically significant reduction in pain (VAS postoperative median 1, VAS preoperative median 8, p<0.01, r-effect size = -0.6). All patients were capable of independent ambulation after the surgery, nine patients walked without support. DISCUSSION There are not many alternatives to this surgical procedure. Apart from non-operative palliative treatment, the options include ice cream cone prostheses or customized 3D implants which are, impractical in terms of time and cost. Our results are comparable to other studies, confirming the reproducibility and reliability of the method. CONCLUSIONS The Harrington procedure is an efective method for management of large acetabular tumor defects with good functional outcomes, an acceptable perioperative risk and a low risk of failure in the medium term, thus suitable also for patients with good cancer prognosis. Key words: umor, metastasis, acetabulum, pelvis, Harrington, reconstruction.

• MeSH
• Acetabulum surgery   MeSH
• Adult MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Bone Neoplasms * surgery   MeSH
• Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip * methods   MeSH
• Reproducibility of Results MeSH
• Retrospective Studies MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• Treatment Outcome MeSH
• Plastic Surgery Procedures * MeSH
• Check Tag
• Adult MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• English Abstract MeSH
• Journal Article MeSH