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News Effect of PCSK9 Inhibitors on Clinical Outcomes in Patients with Hypercholesterolemia – Meta-Analysis of 35 Randomized Controlled Trials
The authors from several American institutions examined the efficacy and safety of two proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9i) inhibitors, alirocumab and evolocumab, in their work. They conducted a systematic meta-analysis of randomized controlled clinical trials comparing the administration of these two PCSK9i with standard treatment.
News Perioperative Management of Bleeding in Patients with von Willebrand Disease Using Coagulation Factors
Von Willebrand disease is one of the most common congenital bleeding disorders. It is a heterogeneous group of diseases with varying severity of clinical manifestations. Some patients require pharmacological prevention or treatment of bleeding as part of perioperative care. The administration of concentrates containing coagulation factors is currently the gold standard for certain types of von Willebrand disease.
News If Suicides Were COVID-19... or Why We Still Overlook a Significant Cause of Premature Deaths?
More than a year since the start of the pandemic, the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus has claimed 2.8 million lives globally, with 127 million recorded cases of COVID-19 (as of March 29, 2021). According to World Health Organization (WHO) data, there are 800,000 suicides annually, with suicide attempts being up to 20 times more frequent, totaling over 16 million. Given our current focus on physical health, are we overlooking the extent and importance of mental health issues in the population? This question has been raised by several experts from different countries in their submission to the February issue of The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry.
News What Did 3 Years of Data from the Czech National COPD Database Reveal?
In December of last year, the Czech multicenter research database on COPD was completed. This was an extensive 5-year project in which researchers included 784 patients with significant chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (FEV1 ≤ 60%) from 14 centers. This represents approximately 1% of the total number of patients with this diagnosis in the Czech Republic, making the study sample fairly representative for obtaining data on treatment in Czech real practice. Three-year data are currently available. What have they shown so far? This was summarized during this year's Hradec Pulmonology Days by Dr. Jaromír Zatloukal, Ph.D., from the Clinic of Pulmonary Diseases and TB at the Faculty of Medicine, Palacký University and University Hospital Olomouc.
News Evaluation of Various VWF Concentrates Regarding Their Ability to Mediate Platelet Binding to Collagen
The study by London researchers on various VWF concentrates focused, among other things, on evaluating their ability to mediate platelet binding to collagen.
News The Importance of Early Diagnosis and Treatment of AATD in Preventing Pulmonary Emphysema
Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) is a risk factor for the development of various diseases, including pulmonary emphysema. Currently, it is significantly underdiagnosed, and the availability of effective treatment is a reason for conducting its screening. The Czech Pneumological and Phthisiological Society ČLS JEP (ČPFS) recommends examining AAT levels in all patients with irreversible obstructive ventilatory disorders of any origin, direct relatives of patients with AATD, and individuals with chronic liver disease of unclear origin. The RAPID-OLE study has shown that treatment of alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency modifies the course of this disease and underscores the importance of early intervention.
News Comparison of Efficacy and Safety of Unsaponifiable Soy and Avocado Oil and Chondroitin Sulfate in the Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is the most common joint disease in adult patients, with its prevalence increasing with age, and these issues most frequently affect the knee joint. In the treatment of knee osteoarthritis (gonarthrosis), the so-called symptomatically slow-acting drugs in the treatment of osteoarthritis (SYSADOA) are used, among which unsaponifiable soy and avocado oil or chondroitin sulfate are included. The study compared the efficacy and safety of these two drugs in a 6-month therapy of gonarthrosis.
News Is Baricitinib Suitable for Long-Term Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis?
The nature of rheumatoid arthritis requires effective and long-term treatment. The current analysis of data from the long-term extension RA-BEYOND reveals the potential of baricitinib in maintaining low disease activity and remission with long-term use.
News Transition of Hemophilia A Patients with a History of Coagulation Factor Inhibitor to Emicizumab
During the World Federation of Hemophilia (WFH) conference, held virtually in June 2020, interesting results were presented for patients with Hemophilia A who had a history of FVIII inhibitor and are now using Emicizumab.
News The Role of Probiotics in the Prevention of Childhood Infections
Although common acute respiratory and gastrointestinal infections are a part of childhood, they pose a significant burden on families and the healthcare and social care system. An unexpected role in their prevention can be played by the gut microbiome, specifically its support through certain probiotics. However, it is necessary to choose products supported by clinical studies.
News Brentuximab Vedotin as Another Therapeutic Option in Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma
Current systemic treatment for patients with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) unfortunately has limited efficacy, achieving low response rates and short-lasting remissions. Moreover, there is no curative therapy modality for advanced stages of CTCL. However, the results of the recently concluded ALCANZA clinical trial indicate the potential of brentuximab vedotin in this indication.
News The Future of Multiple Sclerosis – Time for a Change in Classification?
What are the latest findings on the etiopathogenesis of multiple sclerosis? Are they reflected in the current classification? And what will future therapy look like?
News Bacterial Biofilm as a Complication of Respiratory Disease Treatment
One of the unique characteristics of certain microorganisms is their ability to form organized communities enveloped in extracellular polymeric matrix and firmly attached to a solid surface or interphase or forming aggregates, collectively referred to as biofilm. Clinically, the major issue is the formation of pathogenic and conditionally pathogenic organisms' biofilm on tissues (such as respiratory tracts) or the surfaces of various medical devices (including catheters and implants), as it represents a dangerous complication leading to the development of chronic, recurrent, and scarcely treatable conditions.
News Targeted Treatment of Metastatic Breast Cancer in the 2nd Line – Experiences from Practice
The recommended treatment for metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer in the 1st line involves dual blockade of the HER2 signaling pathway using trastuzumab and pertuzumab in combination with a taxane cytostatic. After the failure of this therapy, treatment with trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1) is recommended. However, this recommendation is not supported by a prospectively designed controlled study examining the outcomes of this therapeutic sequence. Therefore, a group of Italian authors decided to publish the results of a patient cohort treated with this sequence in real clinical practice conditions.
News Inflammation, Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and Their Significance in the Development and Treatment of Depression
Depression is currently a highly discussed disease with a prevalence that is likely to rise. Therefore, scientists are focusing on potential causes and new treatment modalities. It has been shown that inflammation, which can be influenced by polyunsaturated fatty acids, likely plays a role in the development of the disease. Inflammation is also a possible explanation for the frequent coexistence of depression and metabolic syndrome.
News Are SGLT2 Inhibitors Only Suitable for the Treatment of Diabetes?
SGLT2 inhibitors, or gliflozins, are effective antidiabetic drugs that have shown nephroprotective and cardioprotective effects in diabetics, repeatedly demonstrated in clinical trials. At the European Cardiology Congress in September 2019 in Paris, results were presented from the DAPA-HF study, where dapagliflozin became the first SGLT2 inhibitor to show benefits in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction of the left ventricle, regardless of whether they had type 2 diabetes or not. The study thus offered a completely new perspective on the treatment of heart failure.
News CASE STUDY: Rocker who can enjoy life again thanks to DM2 compensation p.o. semaglutide and better lifestyle
Diabetologist MUDr. Lucie Radovnická from Masaryk Hospital in Ústí nad Labem illustrates the case of her patient − a sympathetic rocker who enjoys life including concerts, beer, and good food − demonstrating how modern antidiabetic treatment with oral semaglutide in combination with thorough lifestyle re-education can achieve very good diabetes compensation and overall health improvement. One of the many benefits of this modality was the possibility to discontinue sulfonylurea derivative medication, which previously caused severe hypoglycemia.
News Programmed Cell Death as a Therapeutic Target in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
One of the key steps in malignant transformation is the disruption of apoptosis. Tumor cells exploit a variety of mechanisms that allow them to evade programmed cell death. Among the drugs targeting apoptosis pathway regulators is venetoclax, a Bcl-2 protein inhibitor used in the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Since August 2021, venetoclax in combination with obinutuzumab can newly be used as a reimbursed therapy for previously untreated patients with CLL who are not suitable for fludarabine administration.
News Physiological and Clinical Effect of Romiplostim in the Treatment of ITP
Romiplostim in the treatment of immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) has demonstrated safety and the promise of long-term remission, enabling many pediatric and adult patients to discontinue treatment and maintain a drug-free state.
News The Anti-inflammatory and Renoprotective Effect of Candesartan May Be Independent of the AT1 Receptor
Candesartan belongs to the blockers of AT1 receptors (AT1R) for angiotensin II coupled with G protein. The authors of the presented study found that the anti-inflammatory and renoprotective effect of candesartan persists even when the receptor is completely blocked. The aim of the further study was to clarify this mechanism - independent of AT1R.
News Could candesartan counteract adverse intestinal changes induced by hypertension?
An experimental study published last year was the first to show that administration of candesartan may increase the tightness of epithelial junctions in the intestinal wall and positively affect the composition of the microflora. It expands the knowledge of recently described pathophysiological changes in the gut associated with hypertension.
News Interactive Case Study of a Patient with Severe Hemophilia A - Experience from Slovenia
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Irena Preložnik Zupan (University Medical Centre Ljubljana) describes an interactive case study of a patient with severe hemophilia A and progressive cataracts in both eyes.
News Lung screening in the Czech Republic has detected over a hundred cases of lung cancer
The purpose of lung screening, which has been ongoing in the Czech Republic since January 2022, is to detect early stages of lung cancer and increase awareness of this malignant disease in relation to smoking. Data analysis from health insurance companies through the National Registry of Paid Health Services (NRHZS) revealed that out of nearly 4,000 individuals who underwent low-dose CT as part of the screening examination, 116 were diagnosed with cancer.
News Evaluation of Joint Condition in Daily Practice in the Era of New Hemophilia Treatment
With the development of new treatment options for hemophilia, there has also been progress in methods for monitoring hemophilic arthropathy and identifying it in its early stages. In addition to classical X-rays, clinical scoring systems, and the gold standard of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the so-called POCUS – point-of-care ultrasound – has emerged as a quick and reliable method for assessing joint health. Potential biomarkers for osteochondral damage and synovial proliferation specific to hemophilia or for detecting joint bleeding are also being investigated, though their routine use is not anticipated in the near future.