<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Upper airways (UA) are an organic component of the respiratory tract, they serve to respiration, respiratory tract protection and defense, phonation, deglutition, etc. The functions of UA are regulated by motor control of the oral, pharyngeal, and laryngeal muscles.UA typically stiffen and widen during inspiration mainly due to the activation of the alae nasi, genioglossus m., pharyngeal dilators, and laryngeal abductors. These and other UA muscles (e.g. laryngeal and pharyngeal constrictors) may express varoius activity patterns, actively shaping UA depending on species, arousal, respiratory drive, and behavior being executed. E.g. during coughing and sneezing laryngeal movement consists of abductions in inspiration and expiration and adductions in compression and subsequent constriction phase. The cricopharyngeus m., in cough expiration the superior pharyngeal constrictor and in the sneeze expiration the styloglossus and levator veli palatini m. are activated. Unlike in breathing or coughing, where UA serve to respiration-protection-defense, the pharyngeal phase of swallowing is essentially made by the coordinated action of a number of UA muscles.Motoneurons driving the UA muscles are located primarily in the hypoglossal and ambigual nuclei. Motor pattern of individual motoneuronal pools is determined by activation-inhibition-modulation from pre-motoneurons and other upstream neurons of the reflex circuits. Laryngeal and hypoglossal nerve activity is during breathing under command of respiratory central pattern generator. UA muscles are driven in inspiration primarily from augmenting, less from decrementing and constant inspiratory neurons. Number of additional inputs is involved in UA regulation during expirations and other motor behaviors. Anatomical and functional studies pointed out number of brainstem areas, such as the regions of solitary tract nucleus, hypoglossal ncl., trigeminal ncl., lateral tegmental field, raphé, the ventral and ventrolateral medulla, pontine parabrachial region, etc. with neurons related to UA motor control.Abundant connectivity of the neuronal network that controls UA patency employs almost all kind of receptors and neurotransmitter/neuromodulator systems. Among large number of diseases and disorders that relate to UA, primarily cholinergic, norepinephrine, and serotonergic tonic drives are implicated in those resulted from the reduced UA tone. Pharmacological and frequently simple surgical interventions may improve these conditions (snore, obturation) in patients. Recently, besides medicinal treatment, conditional procedures incorporating an exercise and practice, stimulation of appropriate afferent pathways, and combining reflex responses may offer promising therapies.</abstract>

Institute of Medical Biophysics, Comenius University in Bratislava, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin and University Hospital, Martin, Slovakia

Clinic of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Comenius University in Bratislava, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin and University Hospital, Martin, Slovakia

Upper Airway Control in Airway Defense

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><bold>Introduction:</bold> A clonal population of B-cells is defined as those cells arising from the mitotic division of a single somatic cell with the same rearrangement of immunoglobulin genes. This gives rise to DNA markers for each individual lymphoid cell and its progenies and enables us to study clonality in different B-cell malignancies using multiplex polymerase chain reaction - PCR. The BIOMED-2 protocol has been implemented for clonality detection in lymphoproliferative diseases and exploits multiplex PCR reaction, subsequently analyzed by heteroduplex analysis (HDA) using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE). With the advent of miniaturization and automation of molecular biology methods, lab-on-chip technologies were developed and replace partially the conventional approaches. We tested device for microfluidic chip, which is used for B-cells clonality analysis, using a PCR reaction for three subregions called frameworks (FR) of the immunoglobulin heavy locus (IGH) gene.<bold>Material and Methods:</bold> For the implementation and comparison of the two methods we analyzed three unknown B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) samples. As positive control (PK) we used one formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) sample from B-CLL lymph node. The DNA was extracted from FFPE sections and multiplex PCR was used to amplify IGH gene segments. After PCR, the HDA was performed, the DNA fragments were evaluated on the PAGE and the microfluidic chip electrophoresis as well, and the results were compared.<bold>Results:</bold> Using HDA with subsequent PAGE, we were able to confirm the clonality of the positive control and the tested samples. The same results were obtained by the Bioanalyzer 2100. The microfluidic chip electrophoresis was persuasive in all tested samples.<bold>Conclusion:</bold> The implementation of microfluidic chip electrophoresis for detection of B-cell clonality by BIOMED-2 protocol on the device Agilent 2100 Bioanalyzer was successful and yielded the same results as the HDA - PAGE. Moreover, chip electrophoresis system is faster for preparation and less laborious than the conventional HDA - PAGE method.</abstract>

Biomedical Center Martin, Division Oncology, Comenius University in Bratislava, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin

Department of Molecular Biology, Comenius University in Bratislava, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin

Department of Pathological Anatomy, Comenius University in Bratislava, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin

Clinic of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Comenius University in Bratislava, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin

Implementation of Microfluidic Chip Electrophoresis for the Detection of B-cell Clonality

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><bold>Introduction:</bold> Heavy working conditions and many unpropitious factors influencing workers health participate in development of various health disorders, among other autonomic cardiovascular regulation malfunction. The aim of this study is to draw a comparison of autonomic nervous system functional age and heart rate variability changes between workers with and without mining occupational exposure.<bold>Material and methods:</bold> Short term HRV was measured by DiANS PF8 device in men with and without occupational mining exposure (exposure for 10 years at least) using standard orthoclinostathic protocol (each phase 300 sec or 300 heartbeats if heart rate under 60 bpm), excluding those with severe cardiovascular, metabolic, or psychiatric diseases, nicotine and other drugs abuse, as well as those, who underwent heavy stress situation during last year.<bold>Results:</bold> Evaluating 41 HRV records among miners (n=24, age 47.9 ± 6.1 years, exposure 22.5 ± 5 years) and non-miners (n=17, age 48.5 ± 6.9 years) we found significantly increased difference between functional age of ANS and calendar age in miners group (+7.2 ± 7.3 years) over against the non-miners group (−1.6 ± 6.5 years). No correlation was found between exposure duration and functional age of ANS difference. Analysis of HRV parameters show significant reduction in total spectral power, LF, HF and rMSSD in mine workers above 48 years of age.<bold>Discussion and conclusion:</bold> Our results show that influence of occupational work factors from mining exposure can clearly take part in worsening the reactivity of ANS, which can be associated with greater risk of developing mostly cardiovascular diseases. It is important to think of non-occupational factors improving or deteriorating ANS reactivity and of individual sensitivity to other external factors.</abstract>

Analysis of Autonomic Nervous System Functional Age and Heart Rate Variability in Mine Workers

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><bold>Objectives:</bold> Bilateral carotid artery stenting (BCAS) in one session is relatively rare procedure. However, clear recommendations still do not exist. The aim of our study was to analyze efficacy and safety of the BCAS performed by single operator in our center.<bold>Material and Methods:</bold> A retrospective analysis of 95 carotid angioplasty with stent implantation (CAS) patients performed in our center, totally 9 patients (8 males and 1 female, age 59-83, average 69) was identified where simultaneous BCAS was performed. All patients had bilateral hemodynamic significant stenosis (≥ 70 %), and all patients had symptomatic stenosis.<bold>Results:</bold> Only 1 patient was without any complication. The most frequent complications were arterial hypotension. However, duration of stay on the Intensive Care Unit, or hospitalisation was not prolonged. From serious complications we noticed one case of periprocedural filter occlusion and one patient died 30 days after procedure. No other serious complications were in the BCAS group noticed.<bold>Conclusion:</bold> Because of limited data it is not possible to make any clear conclusions or recommendations from the results of our study. Our data show that probably BCAS appears to be safe and effective way in the treatment of bilateral carotid artery stenosis in high-risk population.</abstract>

Neurology Clinic, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin, Comenius University in Bratislava, Slovak Republic

Radiology Clinic, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin, Comenius University in Bratislava, Slovak Republic

Institute of Pathological Physiology, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin, Comenius University in Bratislava, Slovak Republic

One Session Bilateral Carotid Stenting – Experience from Slovakian Center

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">The introduction of new pharmacotherapy entities in the last decade accentuate the necessity to set up treatment guidelines based on real life evidence. Randomized controlled trials remain golden standard of a research. Data derived from studies aiming on daily clinical practice should bring needed, added value. Disease prevalence growth, due to increased life expectancy, better diagnostic procedures and earlier medical intervention, as well as ever growing demand for highly priced, sophistically produced drugs put stress on healthcare budgets even in developed countries. Large databases commonly called - therapy registries are implemented to collect data on therapy effectivity in terms of effectiveness, safety and patient long-term on therapy survival. Registries importance rose together with biological therapies introduction. New in class molecules entered the market conditionally being obliged to provide additional e.g. safety data. Such procedures require involvement of many different professionals, e.g. physicians, professional medical bodies, IT experts, database administrators, statisticians and government institutions. Paper based, followed by computer based forms were distributed among physicians to collect these data. eHealth technologies provide physicians with centralized, more intuitive applications. The particularities of different diagnosis caused great variations within each specific registry launched. Important information was missing since they were pointed out as optional and many were redundant causing frustration among physicians due to inadequate administrative workload. The main objective of this work was to set up the therapy registry standards and procedures. Methodology of „ideal“ moderate to severe plaque psoriasis biology therapy registry development, introduction, administration and evaluation was prepared to assist any government institution or professional body when planning registry deployment. Electronic application based on widely used MS Excel platform was developed and installed in the biological therapy centers as a standalone application for the pilot use.</abstract>

Centralised Biological Therapy Registry for Moderate to Severe Plaque Psoriasis – Overview and Methodology

AHEAD OF PRINT

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Acta Medica Martiniana

 Acta Medica Martiniana is a medical scientific journal, first published in print form in December 2001. It is a continuation of the journal / almanac Folia Medica Martiniana (1971 - 1996). The journal‘s owner is the Jessenius Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Slovakia. The aims and scope of the AMM:   Dissemination of research results and scientific knowledge from all areas of medicine and nursing.  Stimulation, facilitation and supporting of publication activity for the young medical research and clinical generation. The contributions of young novice authors (PhD students and post-doctorials) are particularly welcome.   Acta Medica Martiniana (AMM) publishes, and here only in English, high quality original papers (in extenso and short-rapid communications), case reports as well as review articles.  Acta Medica Martiniana is an open-access journal, with a periodicity of publishing three times per year (Apr/Aug/Dec). It covers a wide range of basic medical disciplines, such as anatomy, histology, biochemistry, human physiology, pharmacology, etc., as well as all clinical areas incl. preventive medicine, public health and nursing. Interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary manuscripts, including papers from all areas of biomedical research, are welcome.  All articles are submitted to a peer-review process. They are peer-reviewed anonymously (double blind) by external experts pursuant to the standard evaluation criteria. Based on the reviewers opinions, the Editorial Board will decide whether a paper is to be included in the journal.  Rejection Rate:   15-30%   Archiving  Sciendo archives the contents of this journal in Portico - digital long-term preservation service of scholarly books, journals and collections.  Plagiarism Policy  The editorial board is participating in a growing community of Similarity Check System's users in order to ensure that the content published is original and trustworthy. Similarity Check is a medium that allows for comprehensive manuscripts screening, aimed to eliminate plagiarism and provide a high standard and quality peer-review process. 