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News Analysis of the Benefits of Combining Enalapril/Bisoprolol in Patients with Acute MI
A recently published retrospective analysis compared the outcomes achieved by administering enalapril alone and in combination with bisoprolol in patients after acute myocardial infarction over a period of 1 year.
News Biocompatibility of 3D Printed Materials – Their Comparison, Legislation, and Practice
Printing three-dimensional (3D) objects brings new possibilities for producing personalized implants, prosthetics, and other medical devices in healthcare. One area where this technology can improve current practice is the printing of tracheostomy tubes for use in patients after laryngectomy. However, it is crucial to ensure the biocompatibility of the materials used for printing. In November 2023, a study comparing 3D printer materials in terms of their susceptibility to the growth of bacterial biofilms from Staphylococcus aureus was published in the journal 3D Printing in Medicine.
News Pegylated Liposomal Irinotecan + 5-FU/LV in the Treatment of mPDAC in Czech Clinical Practice – Results from the VILP Registry
At last year's annual congress of the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) and this year's 15th PragueONCO, results from the Czech VILP registry were presented. This registry collected data on patients with metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (mPDAC) treated with pegylated liposomal irinotecan (nal-IRI) in combination with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and leucovorin (LV). The efficacy and safety of nal-IRI + 5-FU/LV in patients with mPDAC after failure or intolerance to gemcitabine-based chemotherapy, as found in the randomized controlled study NAPOLI-1, are thus confirmed in real clinical practice in the Czech Republic.
News Bimekizumab in 3rd Line Biological Treatment After Risankizumab Failure – Case Study
The possibilities of biological therapy for severe forms of psoriasis are very broad today. Achieving remission or reducing disease activity by 90-100% from the baseline state (PASI 90-100) is highly probable, especially when using biological drugs from the IL-17 or IL-23 inhibitor groups. However, individually, patients may exhibit primary or secondary resistance even when using these preparations, necessitating a change in biological treatment. The following case study presents the case of a young man who achieved complete disease remission with bimekizumab after the previous failure of ixekizumab and risankizumab.
News Wireless Smart Devices Monitor Health by Detecting Sounds
The human body continuously emits various forms of acoustic-mechanical signals that can provide important information about its health. Researchers from Northwestern University in the USA have developed miniature wearable devices (wearables) capable of simultaneously detecting sounds from multiple locations on the body, thereby continuously monitoring the health of the wearer. In a pilot project, the devices were tested on prematurely born infants with breathing and intestinal motility disorders and on adults with chronic lung diseases.
News Economic Burden and Loss of Quality of Life as a Consequence of Dry Eye Syndrome
Canadian authors evaluated the direct and indirect financial costs associated with dry eye syndrome (DED − dry eye disease) and the impact of this condition on the quality of life (QoL) of patients. The results were stratified according to the severity of the condition. The most significant was the loss of work productivity, highlighting the need for adequate solutions for DED.
News Prof. Miloš Broďák: Introduction of new drugs has significantly improved results even in progressive and recurrent prostate cancers
The prognosis and treatment outcomes for patients with various stages of prostate cancer have significantly improved over the past two decades thanks to a number of new or improved modalities of diagnosis and therapy. We should soon benefit from newly introduced screening, or early detection programs, for these tumors. We briefly speak with Prof. MUDr. Miloš Broďák, Ph.D., head of the Urology Clinic of the Medical Faculty of Charles University and University Hospital Hradec Králové, about the latest advancements and challenges in this field, and comprehensively summarize the current options and procedures available today.
News FDA Warns Against Self-Monitoring Glucose Using Smartwatches. What About in Czechia?
On February 21st, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning aimed at diabetic patients who measure their blood glucose levels (or are considering doing so) using smartwatches or rings. The warning naturally also targeted attending physicians who might encounter this method of non-invasive measurement in their patients. The Czech diabetologists we spoke to have only come across a few cases of this so far. Nevertheless, many of them believe it is necessary to discuss the topic with diabetics preventively and to actively work with those who decide to use such methods.
News Where radical surgery cannot be performed in the subhepatic region or liver, there is room for radiation treatment
Proton radiotherapy continues to expand its indications in the treatment of oncological diseases. In the following interview, we focus on its role in treating tumors in the subhepatic region. MUDr. Pavel Vítek, Ph.D., MBA, from the Proton Center Prague (PTC), shared his perspective on this modality and his experiences at his workplace.
News Artificial Intelligence Helps in Selecting Influenza Strains for Vaccine Production
Vaccination is one of the most important and effective preventive measures in the fight against seasonal epidemics caused by influenza viruses each year. For vaccines to work, they must match the currently circulating influenza strains. The timely selection of appropriate influenza strains, which will be the most widespread in the population in the upcoming period, and their yield are crucial for vaccine development. The new MAIVeSS (Machine-learning Assisted Influenza Vaccine Strain Selection) method, which uses artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms for direct analysis of clinical samples, could help with this process.
News Central European Expert Consensus on the Treatment of ITP in Adult Patients
In a recently published consensus, experts from Central Europe evaluate the current treatment options for immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) in adult patients and issue 7 recommendations for the administration of thrombopoietin receptor agonists (TPO-RA) in the 2nd line treatment of ITP, based on an analysis of 31 randomized controlled trials.
News How do patients perceive the treatment of ITP with romiplostim?
Romiplostim, along with eltrombopag and avatrombopag, belongs to the group of thrombopoietin receptor agonists (TPO-RA) used in the second line of treatment for immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). Its efficacy and safety are confirmed by numerous studies, but how do patients perceive its use and to what extent does it improve their quality of life? This was the focus of a review article by authors from the American Baylor College of Medicine.
News Under the Microscope: How is Patient Care for Heart Failure in the Czech Republic in Real Practice?
The journal Vnitřní lékařství recently published the results of a survey conducted among outpatient cardiologists and internists. The aim was to determine the level of diagnosis and treatment of patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) in real-life practice in the Czech Republic, with a special focus on the presence of symptoms in patients who have not yet been diagnosed. We briefly summarize the key findings from this survey.
News Ultrasound in a Patch – Smart System Capable of Monitoring Patient During Regular Activities
A team of scientists from the University of California, San Diego, has developed a miniature autonomous ultrasound system that, when attached to the skin, can visualize tissue located deep beneath the body’s surface. It could be used for continuous monitoring of blood pressure, heart activity, and respiratory parameters in real time, whether during regular activities or intense physical exertion.