INTRODUCTION: The use of signal dogs for cancer detection is not yet routinely performed,but dogs and their powerful olfactory system have proven to be a unique and valuable tool for many lineages and are beginning to be incorporated into medical practice. This method has great advantages; the dog can detect a tumour in the human body already in preclinical stages, when the patient has no symptoms yet. The identification of cancer biomarkers to enable early diagnosis is a need for many types of cancer, whose prognosis is strongly dependent on the stage of the disease. However, this method also has its various pitfalls that must be taken into account. AIM: The aim of the study was to identify and highlight the factors that affect the level of detection accuracy, but also the conditions associated with olfactometric diagnosis. METHODS: The study included 48 dogs and 48 handlers, that were part of the training between 2016 and 2023.All those who started olfactometry training and remained in training for at least one year were included in the study. The dogs ranged in age from 8 months to 12 years and were of different races and sexes. After long-term observation, a qualitative analysis was performed and factors that may play a role in the early detection of the disease were listed. RESULTS: The results of the search for the different factors have been compiled into two groups, focussing on the actual handling of the patient biological sample from collection, processing, storage until transport, preparation of the sample,and detection. Focus on the actual work and behaviour of the dog and handler. CONCLUSION: There are many factors; however, it is worth addressing them because the canine sense of smell is one of the possible uses as a diagnostic method.
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
BACKGROUND: To predict worsening heart failure hospitalizations (WHFHs), the HeartInsight multiparametric algorithm calculates a heart failure (HF) Score based on temporal trends of physiologic parameters obtained through automatic daily remote monitoring of implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs). OBJECTIVE: We studied the association of the baseline HF Score, determined at algorithm activation, with long-term patient outcomes. METHODS: Data from 9 clinical trials were pooled, including 1841 ICD patients with a preimplantation ejection fraction ≤35%, New York Heart Association class II/III, and no long-standing atrial fibrillation. The primary end point was a composite of death or WHFH. RESULTS: After a median follow-up of 631 days (interquartile range, 385-865 days), there were 243 WHFHs in 173 patients (9.4%) and 122 deaths (6.6%), 52 of which (42.6%) were cardiovascular. The primary end point occurred in 265 patients (14.4%). A multivariable time-to-first-event analysis showed that a high baseline HF Score (>23, as determined by a time-dependent receiver operating characteristics curve analysis) was significantly associated with the occurrence of the primary end point (adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 2.05; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.54-2.71; P < .0001), all-cause death (HR, 2.37; CI, 1.56-3.58; P < .0001), cardiovascular death (HR, 2.19; CI, 1.14-4.22; P = .019), and WHFH (HR, 1.91; CI, 1.35-2.71; P = .0003). In a hierarchical event analysis of all-cause death as the outcome with highest priority and WHFHs as repeated event outcomes, the win ratio was 2.47 (CI, 1.89-3.24; P < .0001). CONCLUSION: Based on a retrospective analysis of clinical trial data with adjudicated events, baseline HF Score derived from device-monitored variables was able to stratify patients at higher long-term risk of death or WHFH.
- MeSH
- Algorithms MeSH
- Time Factors MeSH
- Defibrillators, Implantable * MeSH
- Clinical Trials as Topic MeSH
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Follow-Up Studies MeSH
- Aged MeSH
- Heart Failure * therapy physiopathology mortality MeSH
- Remote Sensing Technology methods MeSH
- Stroke Volume physiology MeSH
- Check Tag
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Male MeSH
- Aged MeSH
- Female MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
The clinical assessment of microvascular pathologies (in diabetes and in inflammatory skin diseases, for example) requires the visualization of superficial vascular anatomy. Photoacoustic tomography (PAT) scanners based on an all-optical Fabry-Perot ultrasound sensor can provide highly detailed 3D microvascular images, but minutes-long acquisition times have precluded their clinical use. Here we show that scan times can be reduced to a few seconds and even hundreds of milliseconds by parallelizing the optical architecture of the sensor readout, by using excitation lasers with high pulse-repetition frequencies and by exploiting compressed sensing. A PAT scanner with such fast acquisition minimizes motion-related artefacts and allows for the volumetric visualization of individual arterioles, venules, venous valves and millimetre-scale arteries and veins to depths approaching 15 mm, as well as for dynamic 3D images of time-varying tissue perfusion and other haemodynamic events. In exploratory case studies, we used the scanner to visualize and quantify microvascular changes associated with peripheral vascular disease, skin inflammation and rheumatoid arthritis. Fast all-optical PAT may prove useful in cardiovascular medicine, oncology, dermatology and rheumatology.
Lidské tělo je schopno odolávat škodlivým účinkům stresu, čímž podporuje nebo obnovuje normální fyziologické fungování. Tato jeho schopnost je podporována činností adaptogenů, což jsou netoxické látky, zejména rostlinné extrakty. Působí tak, že pozitivní ovlivňují prakticky všechny orgány a dokážou zlepšit veškeré smysly. Mají neuroprotektivní, hepatoprotektivní, kardioprotektivní, protizánětlivé, antioxidační a antimikrobiální účinky. Působí proti kašli, průjmu, stresu, rakovině, dermatitidám a různým nemocem. Laboratorně není jednoduché tyto účinky prokázat, proto se k jejich hodnocení využívá řada testů. Mezi takové testy patří hodnocení antimikrobiální, antioxidační, antidiabetické, cytotoxické, protizánětlivé aktivity a stanovení inhibice acetylcholinesterové aktivity.
The human body is able to resist the harmful effects of stress, thereby supporting or restoring normal physiological functioning. This ability is supported by the activity of adaptogens, which are non ‐toxic substances, especially plant extracts. They act in such a way that they positively affect virtually all organs and can improve all the senses. They have neuroprotective, hepatoprotective, cardioprotective, anti ‐inflammatory, antioxidant and antimicrobial effects. They act against cough, diarrhea, stress, cancer, dermatitis and various diseases. It is not easy to prove these effects in the laboratory, so a number of tests are used to evaluate them. Such tests include evaluation of antimicrobial, antioxidant, antidiabetic, cytotoxic, anti ‐inflammatory activity and determination of acetylcholinesterase inhibition.
- Keywords
- adaptogeny,
- MeSH
- Phytotherapy history MeSH
- Stress, Physiological * drug effects MeSH
- Plants, Medicinal MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Plant Extracts * pharmacology therapeutic use MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
Moderní medicína disponuje silnými nástroji k záchraně a udržení života. Přesto je každý lidský život konečný, a ne vždy je udržování života za každou cenu přijatelné ve smyslu zajištění jeho přijatelné kvality. Obecně uznávaným pravidlem ve společnosti je, že by žádný zdravotník neměl rozhodovat o životě a smrti pacienta. Navzdory tomu jsou ale zdravotníci často ve svém rozhodování postaveni do situací, kdy jejich postoj o životě rozhoduje, byť je to v kategorii zachránit, či nechat zemřít, nebo v aplikaci léků na tlumení bolesti či neklidu vysoko převyšující dávkovací limity uvedené v SPC, nebo dokonce při vysazování život udržující orgánové podpory. Jde o závažná rozhodnutí, pro něž zdravotníci potřebují pravidla a návody, které obecně zpracovává etika a v praxi jsou determinovány právními předpisy a morálními principy konkrétní společnosti. Jedním z pomáhajících etických pravidel je úcta k životu, jejímž praktickým vyjádřením v naší společnosti jsou i pravidla pro nezahajování kardiopulmonální resuscitace, omezování zdravotní péče v situaci nepomáhající léčby, přijetí paliativní péče, postoj k eutanazii a respektování dříve vyslovených přání pacienta. Z pohledu úcty k životu zaujímá článek přístup k těmto medicínským postupům s cílem povzbudit vzdělání a diskusi k etickým tématům, která mají stejný význam pro úroveň kvality zdravotnictví jako odborná úroveň aplikace nových vědeckých poznatků. Orientace v etických principech zdravotnictví se týká všech občanů společnosti, tedy nejen zdravotníků. Řada stížností v situacích zdravotní péče vyplývá z nedostatků v aplikaci morálních principů, a to na straně zdravotníků, pacientů a často též pacientovi blízkých osob. Stejně tak různé patologické psychické stavy u zdravotníků ve škále od přecitlivělého úzkostného jednání až po bezcitnost a cynismus mají původ v nezvládnutí etických principů. Odpovědnost za život je vztahována ke konkrétní osobě a společnosti, v náboženském prostředí též k nadpřirozené autoritě. Individuální život je vnímán v celistvosti vlastní i v začlenění do konkrétní společenské skupiny. Eutanazie, dystanazie a marná léčba jsou hodnoceny jako negativní jevy v chápání úcty k životu.
Modern medicine has powerful tools to save and sustain life. Nevertheless, every human life is finite, and maintaining life at any cost is not always acceptable in the sense of ensuring its acceptable quality. It is a generally accepted rule in society that no health care professional should decide the life and death of a patient. Despite this, however, in their decision-making, medical professionals are often put in situations where their attitude decides about life, even if it is in the category of saving or letting die, or in the application of drugs to reduce pain or restlessness that greatly exceed the dosage limits specified in the Summary of Product Characteristics, or even when withdrawing life-sustaining organ support. These are serious decisions for which health professionals need rules and instructions, which are generally processed by ethics and in practice are determined by legal regulations and moral principles of a particular society. One of the helping ethical rules is respect for life, the practical expression of which in our society are also the rules for not starting cardiopulmonary resuscitation, limiting health care in a situation of non-helpful treatment, accepting palliative care, the attitude towards euthanasia and respecting the previously expressed wishes of the patient. From the point of view of respect for life, the article takes an approach to these medical procedures with the aim of encouraging education and discussion on ethical topics that are as important to the level of quality of health care as the professional level of the application of new scientific knowledge. Orientation in the ethical principles of health care concerns all citizens of society, i.e. not only health professionals. Anumber of complaints in health care situations result from shortcomings in the application of moral principles, on the part of health professionals, patients and often also patients ́ relatives. In the same way, various psychological pathological conditions in health professionals ranging from oversensitive, anxious actions to callousness and cynicism have their origin in failure to master ethical principles. Responsibility for life is related to a specific person and society, in a religious environment also to a supernatural authority. Individual life is perceived both in its own integrity and in its integration into a specific social group. Euthanasia, distanasia and futile treatment are evaluated as negative phenomena in the understanding of respect for life.
A ubiquitous property of bacteria is their ability to move toward more suitable environments, which can also facilitate host-associated activities like colonization and offer the cell several benefits such as bacteria moving towards a favorable gradient or away from a harmful gradient is known as chemotaxis. Bacteria achieve this by rotating flagella in clockwise and anticlockwise directions resulting in "run" and "tumble." This ability of bacteria to sense and respond to any type of change in the environmental factors like pH, osmolarity, redox potential, and temperature is a standard signal transduction system that depends on coupling proteins, which is the bacterial chemotaxis system. There are two architectures for the coupling proteins in the chemotaxis system: CheW and CheV. Typically, a signal transduction system for chemotaxis to form a core signaling complex couples CheA activity to chemoreceptor control: two CheW coupling protein molecules span a histidine kinase CheA dimer and two chemoreceptors (also known as methyl-accepting chemotaxis protein, MCP) trimers of dimers which further transfer the signal to the flagellar motor through CheY. The current review summarizes and highlights the molecular mechanism involved in bacterial chemotaxis, its physiological benefits such as locating suitable nutrients and niches for bacterial growth, and various assay techniques used for the detection of chemotactic motility.
- MeSH
- Bacteria * metabolism genetics MeSH
- Bacterial Proteins metabolism genetics MeSH
- Chemotaxis * physiology MeSH
- Flagella physiology MeSH
- Bacterial Physiological Phenomena * MeSH
- Methyl-Accepting Chemotaxis Proteins metabolism MeSH
- Signal Transduction MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Review MeSH
Conflict deeply affects human experiences, frequently testing individual resilience to its breaking point and leaving enduring psychological and societal wounds. The current conflict in Ukraine, initiated by Russia's invasion in 2022, illustrates this phenomenon by altering regional relationships and triggering a major humanitarian crisis marked by extensive displacement, loss of life, and emotional turmoil. This study explores the factors influencing hope and distress in Ukraine alongside six nearby European countries during the ongoing conflict. A cross-sectional survey collected data primarily via internet panel samples from the Czech Republic, Georgia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and Ukraine in the second year since the war's initiation. The current study utilised validated instruments, collecting data on levels of hope, distress, individual resilience, community resilience, societal resilience, morale, sense of danger, perceived security threats, and demographic characteristics. Hope and distress levels differ across countries, with Ukraine exhibiting the highest levels of both (3.74 ± 1.02 and 2.89 ± 0.87, respectively). Overall, average scores of hope were higher than average distress levels. Across the regression models for the seven countries, hope showed strong associations with individual (between β = 0.089 and β = 0.327) and societal resilience (between β = 0.206 and β = 0.514), while morale (between β = -0.104 and β = -0.479) and individual resilience (between β = -0.077 and β = -0.335) displayed a protective relationship against distress (all β values were significant, p < 0.01). Monitoring hope and distress is crucial during the Russian-Ukrainian war and other adversities, as these factors give insight into the current and future psychological states of affected populations. The results offer valuable information that can guide the development of tailored strategies to enhance hope and buffer distress in war-impacted countries, as well as those experiencing its broader effects. Fostering individual and societal resilience, alongside enhancing morale, may strengthen hope and mitigate distress amid adversity. Developing targeted interventions that address each population's unique needs, as well as their sociocultural and geopolitical contexts can enhance efficacy.
- MeSH
- Adult MeSH
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Young Adult MeSH
- Hope * MeSH
- Armed Conflicts * psychology MeSH
- Cross-Sectional Studies MeSH
- Resilience, Psychological * MeSH
- Psychological Distress * MeSH
- Stress, Psychological * psychology MeSH
- Check Tag
- Adult MeSH
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Young Adult MeSH
- Male MeSH
- Female MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Geographicals
- Russia MeSH
- Ukraine MeSH
Introduction: Shame is defined as a negative emotion associated with intense distress and self-blame. It strongly manifests in conditions such as urinary or fecal incontinence. This study aimed to explore the feeling of shame experienced by individuals with incontinence when discussing their condition with others. Additionally, the study sought to identify factors associated with this emotion. Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted with 220 patients with incontinence who filled in a 17-item online survey. Multivariate linear regression analysis was used to identify factors related to shame. Results: A significant sense of shame was reported by 39.1% of participants when discussing their incontinence. The highest levels of shame were observed among women with poorer health status who initially sought advice from general practitioners, had limited knowledge of incontinence, and relied primarily on the internet for information. Conclusion: This study highlights the importance of adopting a comprehensive approach that includes incontinence's emotional and psychological aspects. Educational and awareness interventions are crucial to enhance understanding, provide reliable information, and reduce social stigma. Creating a trusting environment is essential to enable individuals with incontinence to feel comfortable discussing their condition with healthcare professionals, promoting open and supportive communication.
- MeSH
- Adult MeSH
- Fecal Incontinence * psychology MeSH
- Shame MeSH
- Urinary Incontinence * psychology MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Prospective Studies MeSH
- Regression Analysis MeSH
- Aged MeSH
- Statistics as Topic MeSH
- Self Report MeSH
- Check Tag
- Adult MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Male MeSH
- Aged MeSH
- Female MeSH
- Publication type
- Observational Study MeSH
Current antibiotics and chemotherapeutics are becoming ineffective because pathogenic bacteria and tumor cells have developed multiple drug resistance. Therefore, it is necessary to find new substances that can be used in treatment, either alone or as sensitizing molecules in combination with existing drugs. Peptaibols are bioactive, membrane-active peptides of non-ribosomal origin, mainly produced by filamentous fungi such as Trichoderma spp. This study focused on producing peptaibol-rich extracts from Trichoderma atroviride O1, cultivated on malt extract agar (MA) under circadian and constant darkness conditions for 13 days. Peptaibol production was detected by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry after six days of cultivation. The extracts demonstrated antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus strains, particularly the methicillin-resistant variant, but not against the Gram-negative Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Quorum sensing interference revealed that a peptaibol-rich extract suppressed Vibrio campbellii BAA-1119's AI-2 signaling system to a degree comparable with gentamycin. Beyond antibacterial properties, the extracts exhibited notable antiproliferative activity against human ovarian cancer cells and their adriamycin-resistant subline in both 2D and 3D models. Specifically, MA-derived extracts reduced ovarian cancer cell viability by 70% at 50 μg/mL, especially under light/dark regime of cultivation. Compared to previously published results for PDA-based extracts, MA cultivation shifted the biological effects of peptaibol-containing extracts toward anticancer potential. These findings support the idea that modifying fungal cultivation parameters, the bioactivity of secondary metabolite mixtures can be tailored for specific therapeutic applications.
- MeSH
- Agar * chemistry MeSH
- Anti-Bacterial Agents * pharmacology metabolism MeSH
- Hypocreales MeSH
- Culture Media chemistry MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Microbial Sensitivity Tests MeSH
- Cell Line, Tumor MeSH
- Peptaibols * pharmacology metabolism biosynthesis chemistry MeSH
- Cell Proliferation drug effects MeSH
- Antineoplastic Agents * pharmacology metabolism MeSH
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa drug effects MeSH
- Staphylococcus aureus drug effects MeSH
- Trichoderma * metabolism growth & development chemistry MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
