Title: An electromyographical analysis of the influence of water environment on the rehabilitation of patients with Parkinson's disease Aims: The main aim of this Master's thesis was to compare electrical activity of selected muscles of patients with Parkinson's disease via electromyography during gate aground and in water environment. Furhter aim was to determine co-contraction level of leg muscles of patients with Parkinson's disease during gait aground and in water environment. Methods: This thesis is a case study, which was conducted on five probands, two of which were men and three women of age 67,4±7,1. With the use of surface electromyography, an activity was evaluated of m.tibialis anterior, m.gastrocnemius, m. rectus femoris, m. biceps femoris and mm. erectores spinae in place of Th -L junction. Acquired EMG signal was analized and then a standarized level of muscle activity during gait in different environments was evaluated, aground and in water, and afterward a dynamic co-contraction level was evaluated. Results: The results show consistent standardized activity of monitored muscles in water environment, which describes a chronic influence of pathological central program accompanying Parkinson's disease, where a change in coordination pattern is not observed, typical for movement in...

Polzerová, I: Use of kinase modulation in the Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis. Diploma thesis, Charles University in Prague, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, Department of Pharmaceutical Botany and Ecology, Hradec Králové 2016, 91 p. Data used in this Diploma Thesis have been taken from foreigner scientific literary sources. It provides the summary of the not yet explored natural compounds from marine organisms with kinase inhibitory activity. The first chapter Alzheimer's disease describes a characteristic of the disease, its etiopathogenesis, risk factors and currently available treatment. At the beginning of the second chapter are mentioned new perspective approaches to treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Most of this chapter deals with kinases as potential therapeutic targets in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. In the chapter, physiologic and pathophysiologic functions of GSK-3β and CK-1δ are described in the organism, and also, other kinases are mentioned which are involved in the pathogenesis of the disease. Next part dedicates analytical methods suitable for testing activity and inhibition of kinases in vitro and in silico, also deals with summary of the synthetic kinase inhibitors and characterizes an their properties. In this chapter is also described main part of this work - the...

DOCTORAL THESIS 2012 POKORNA Abstract We have used a well characterized transplantable transgenic mouse model which mimics human acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL), both in its biological characteristics and its response to conventional therapeutic drugs. The aim of our study was to better characterize the efficacy of the combined treatment and to determine molecular markers of clinical outcome. We established a minimal residual disease monitoring based on the high sensitivity of detection of PML-RAR transcripts by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology in APL mice. We showed that oncogene-specific PCR-based assays allow, like in patients, the diagnosis, follow-up and prediction of disease evolution. Furthermore, PCR assay was used to assess various tissues and organs for the presence of PML-RAR-positive cells in minimal residual disease free long-term survivors. As expected, majority of mice had no measurable tissue level of PML-RAR demonstrating the efficacy of immunotherapy. However, tracking the oncogene-positive cells reveals for the first time that extramedullary PML-RAR-positive cell reservoirs such as the brain may persist and be involved in the leukemia relapse. We aimed at investigating the immune responses involved in the anti-leukemic effect of the combined immutherapy. To evaluate the...

Genetic causes of medullary thyroid carcinoma and Hirschsprung's disease Abstract Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) and Hirschsprung's disease (HSCR) are classified as simple neurocristopathies, i.e. diseases linked to neural crest-derived cells. MTC is derived from parafollicular cells of the thyroid and HSCR is characterized by absence of enteric ganglia in the gastrointestinal tract. The RET proto-oncogene is only expressed in neural crest-derived cells, including parafollicular cells and enteric neurons. The RET encodes a transmembrane tyrosinekinase receptor that plays an important role during proliferation, differentiation and cell survival, and activates many signaling pathways. If the strictly regulated activation fails, e.g. due to mutations in the specific gene locations, the RET becomes a highly effective oncogene. Activating germline mutations in the RET proto- oncogene lead to hereditary forms of MTC, whereas sporadic forms of MTC are caused by somatic mutations in the tumor tissue. On the contrary, inactivating mutations induce migration failure of ganglion cell precursors during the development of enteric nervous system and result in the development of HSCR. In rare cases, the coexistence of both diseases is caused by mutations with a dual gain-of-function and loss-of-function character....

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are an autoimmune illnesses affecting gastrointestinal tract. The main types include ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. Recently, primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) has also been associated with IBD. PSC is a chronic liver disease associated with bile duct stenosis. The exact pathogenesis and etiology of these diseases is not clear, despite the great efforts of the scientific community. They are multifactorial diseases that are associated with dysbiosis of intestinal microbiota. Their diagnosis is based on for patients unpleasant endoscopic examinations and therefore the search for new serum biomarkers is needed and appreciated target of scientific interest. In the first part of diploma thesis, we focused on the reactivity of peripheral blood cells of IBD patients to 10 selected representatives of typical intestinal microbiota: Lactobacillus plantarum, Bifidobacterium adolescentis, Blautia coccoides, Roseburia intestinalis, Eubacterium rectale, Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, Ruminococcus flavefaciens, Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron, Prevotella ruminicola and Escherichia coli. Reactivity of CD, UC and PSC- IBD patients was increased after stimulation with Faecalibacterium, Lactobacillus and Prevotella. However, we got low percentage of cytokine-producing cells,...

Theoretical foundation Crohn's disease is a chronical autoimmune disease categorized, together with ulcerative colitis, in the group of idiopatic intestinal inflammations. But in spite of this categorization, Crohn's disease may not be found only in the intestines but anywhere in the gastrointestinal tract. However, the intestinal localization is most frequent and is related with numerous manifestations like stomachake, diarrhoea, bloating, flatulence, belching, loss of weight, etc. The pathogenetic cause of those discomforts consists in disorder of autoimmunity, when the body starts producing antibodies against its own tissues. But the cause of start of that pathogenetic mechanism has not been clarified so far. Experts speak about influence of infections, food, psychosomatics, smoking, genetic perceptiveness, etc. The hope of the patients is pinned on the continuously improving treatment, culminating by biological preparations that have most influenced the health condition of those persons so far. But in spite of the modern therapy, all characteristics of the disease can have negative impact on the quality of life of the patients. Goal of the thesis The goal of this thesis consists in ascertaining the quality of life of Crohn's disease patients. Hypotheses H1: Crohn's disease patients have problems in physical area. H2: Crohn's disease patients have problems in psychic area. H3: Crohn's disease patients have problems in social area. Methodology The practical part of the thesis was implemented based on quantitative inquiry within the grant Project No. 120/2012/S ?Reflection of life quality in nursing?. Two standardized questionnaires were used for the inquiry: the WHOQOL-100 general questionnaire and the IBDQ specific questionnaire, distributed among Crohn's disease patients. Valid licence was bought for both questionnaires. The size of the research set was determined at 100 Crohn's disease patients, the Crohn's disease diagnosis being the only criterion for selection of the respondents. The distribution of the questionnaires among the respondents took place with the help of gastroenterological centres. Results All data obtained were statistically processed in the SASD (Statistical Analysis of Social Data) program. The results of the processing can be divided into three areas, by the three main hypotheses verified. The first area of results provided information on the problems confronted by Crohn's disease patients in physical area. Only one problem was confirmed here: the Crohn's disease patients feel fatigue. All the remaining problems under verification in this area were refused. The second area brought information on psychical problems of the patients. Similarly to the preceding case, only one problem troubling the Crohn's disease patients was found here: feeling of irritation. The occurrence of the remaining psychical problems under verification was not confirmed. The last area of results found out the problems of the patients in social area. The results were the most positive in this case, as none of the problems under verification in this area was confirmed. Based on all results stated above, the hypotheses were evaluated as follows: H1 Crohn's disease patients have problems in physical area - refused; H2 Crohn's disease patients have problems in psychic area - refused and H3 Crohn's disease patients have problems in social area - refused. Conclusion The thesis provides comprehensive view on the issue of quality of life of Crohn's disease patients. The results may be used particularly in the work of so called IBD nurses, endoscopic nurses, but also general nurses working with the patients. The thesis can be also used as study material or as foundation for further research.

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a disease which may cause gradual narrowing and possibly congestion of arteries that are responsible for nourishing the lower limbs. Most often this condition develops consequently with atherosclerosis. The most advanced stage of PAD is called critical limb ischemia. The changes induced by atherosclerosis affect not only the lower limb arteries, but at the time of the diagnosis of PAD all arteries in the body are already affected. Therefore PAD belongs among cardiovascular diseases and its diagnosis is a negative prognostic factor of the overall cardiovascular risk. The aim of treatment interventions is to reduce complications that accompany this ailment and their impact on the patient's life. The aim of the thesis was to find out to what extend the patients are informed about the causes of PAD, options of its treatment and the impact of prevention and life style on the overall prognosis of the disease. The first objective of the thesis is to find out if patients are aware of the risks of PAD treatment, one of which is leg amputation. The second objective is to find out whether the patients are sufficiently informed about their condition. The third objective is to evaluate whether patients follow the prescribed treatment. The fourth objective is to find out whether patients are willing to change their life style in order to eliminate the risk of lower limb amputation. A part of interviews with patients was to educate them about their condition, the necessity of following the treatment regimen and the impact of lifestyle on the affected leg prognosis. At the end, the interviewed received educational handouts with information about the most important suggested procedures to follow. The practical part of the thesis is based on qualitative research. The data was collected in semi-structured interviews. The interviews were conducted in two steps. The first step was to educate patients about PAD and distribute informational handouts. The second round of interviews took place intentionally several months after the first ones. Their purpose was to assess the impact of education on patients' compliance with treatment and regimen. The research shows the majority of the interviewed were well-informed about the crucial aspects of their condition and treatment procedures. The participants understood the given information and considered it satisfactory. However, it was surprising that patients had not looked for information themselves. Simultaneously, it was ascertained that most of the respondents were aware of the prognosis and risks related to the treatment. The two-step interviews showed some respondents were not aware of the causes of their disease. It can be therefore assumed that their ignorance of the risk factors and their impact on the development of the disease is the reason why patients do not give enough importance to the suggested treatment regimen. Furthermore, it was found out that they had not look for a substitute solution if they are not able to follow the recommended treatment regimen. The results of this thesis show that although the elimination of the risk factors is crucial for patients' future they do not pay enough attention to them. There are two aspects to it; either patients trivialize the potential risks or are apathetic or are not sufficiently informed. It is hard to have some impact on patients' apathy and trivialization of their condition. Nevertheless, it is possible to influence the second aspect, which is the subject of the final part of the thesis and the educational handout. As was discovered during the interviews, the information provided by doctors during ambulatory treatment is not thorough and does not include practical advice how to follow treatment regimen. Patients should be informed by nurse either personally or during the sessions. In this way the patient should be also selfmotivated in their treatment.

Free radicals are highly reactive species with one unpaired electron in orbital. Reactive oxygen and nitrogen species count among important biologic molecules of radical nature. It is very important to fix a concentration of free radicals in cell on non-toxic limits. Products of radical damage are cumulated extra or intracellulary and they are main components of lipofuscin-like pigments. Lipofuscin-like pigments contains in their molecular structure fluorofores, so they are good substrates for fluorescent analysis. Alzheimer's disease is a very actual social and economical problem. Etiology of Alzheimer's disease is still unknown. Histologically, the characteristic presence of Alzheimer's disease is a senil plaques of amyloide ?. ROS and RNS diffuse through hematoencephalic barrier in vessel's lumen and attacks red blood cells. Radical damage of erythrocytes is associated with an increase of concentration of oxidative stress products in cytosol. Sample for fluorescent analysis has been prepared from a red-blood cell extract from 30 patients and 8 healthy controls. Fluorescent spectra of healthy controls have emission maxima in area 327-343nm. In compare with controls, spectra of pacients were more heterogenous in area upon 380nm. The study of oxidative cell damage is important for understanding of...

This thesis focuses on the importance of intermediate products of biosynthetic and catabolic pathway of cholesterol. The aim of the first part of the thesis is mainly to investigate, whether statins (HMG- CoA reductase inhibitors) possess antitumor properties and to compare the differences in antitumor potential of individual statins. The other part of the thesis aims at the utilization of 7α-hydroxycholest-4-en-3-one (C4), a promising marker of cholesterol 7α-monooxygenase (CYP7A1) activity and bile acid malabsorption. We demonstrated antitumor effect of statins on an experimental model of pancreatic cancer. Individual statins, however, differed significantly in their efficacy, depending on their physico-chemical properties. Our data suggests, that the most likely (but not the only) mechanism of antitumor effect of statins is decreased prenylation of signaling proteins, especially Ras protooncogene. We set up a reliable method for measurement of C4, which facilitated our research in CYP7A1 regulation. We demonstrated, that promoter polymorphism -203A>C might affect CYP7A1 activity, that diurnal variability of CYP7A1 activity might be triggered by insulin, and that insulin resistance in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease impedes the feedback regulation of CYP7A1, which may lead to disease...

Ischemic heart disease belongs to the most frequent diseases in developed countries. I have chosen this topic not only because I am interested in this issue but also because I work at emergency ward of internal medicine and majority of patients there suffer from this disease. There are two parts in my thesis {--} the theoretical and the research part. The theoretical part deals with heart anatomy and physiology, with epidemiology and aetiology, with risk factors, with classification, clinical picture, diagnostics, with treatment and prevention of ischemic heart disease. Further, the thesis survey educational process, roles, mission, function and competences of a nurse. The first objective of the thesis was to find out the awareness of nurses´ competences in the area of secondary preventive care in patients with ischemic heart disease. The second objective was to find out, whether nurses are able to apply their competences in the area of secondary preventive care in patients with ischemic heart disease. The third objective was to find out involvement of management (head nurses, departmental nurses, shift nurses) in the secondary preventive care in patients with ischemic heart disease. The fourth objective of the thesis was to find out whether nurses use their knowledge of secondary prevention in patients with ischemic heart disease. Four hypotheses were set for the above mentioned objectives. H1: Nurses are aware of their competences in the area of secondary preventive care in patients with IHD. H2: Nurses are able to apply their competences in the area of secondary preventive care in patients with IHD. H3: Shift nurses, motivated by head nurses, are more involved in the secondary prevention in patients with IHD. H4: Nurses use their knowledge in the area of secondary prevention in patients with IHD. A questionnaire was made up to achieve the objectives and to prove or to disprove the hypotheses of this research. The questionnaire contained 24 questions {--} closed and semi-closed. The research sample was formed from nurses from South Bohemian and central-Bohemian regions. 377 questionnaires were handed out. 242 questionnaires returned and 230 of them were applicable to the research. The first, second and fourth hypotheses were proved. Shift nurses are more involved in secondary prevention in patients with IHD, however, not on the basis of motivation by head nurses, thus, the fourth hypothesis was not proved. I also revealed that nurses do not have sufficient knowledge in the area of secondary preventive care in patients with IHD. On the grounds of these results we created mental maps on ischemic heart disease and its prevention. These maps might enhance nurses´ knowledge and improve the life of patients with ischemic heart disease.