[Polo-like Kinase 1 as a Target for Anti-tumor Therapy]. / Polo-like kináza 1 jako cíl protinádorové terapie.

Individual proteins from polo-like kinase (Plk) family fulfil different but critical functions in regulating cell cycle and coordinate cell response to DNA  damage. The most studied one from this five  member family is Plk1. It is a serine/ threonine kinase that plays a pivotal role in many aspects of mitosis and its deregulation is common in various tumor types where the elevated level is mostly associated with worse prognosis. From the therapeutical point of view, intertwined relationship between Plk1 and p53 protein is very interesting and will be discussed. Not only for these reasons, Plk1 has become an attractive target for antitumor drug development. The most promising seems to be ATP binding site inhibitor Volasertib (BI 6727) which provided a survival benefit for patients with acute myeloid leukemia and is now tested in phase III clinical trial. A new generation of Plk1 inhibitors that target the second druggable domain of Plk1, the polo- box domain, is currently being tested preclinically and are believed to improve Plk1 specificity.

[Ten years of endovenous ablation - achievements, failures and future]. / Deset let endovenózní ablace varixu, úspechy, neúspechy a budoucnost.

Endovenous ablation of varicose veins is a very frequent treatment method which has more or less replaced the classic stripping method. It has its limitations, advantages as well as disadvantages. The authors present a summarizing article and their own experience with these methods. Histology examinations performed prove differences in the reaction of the endothelium to the individual types of endovenous therapy. Causes of varicose veins treatment failures are discussed.

The system approach to the identification of aflatoxigenic fungi in foodstuffs and feedstuffs.

Aspergillus flavus, A parasiticus, A nomius, A tamarii andA pseudotamarii are important microorganisms capable of producing aflatoxins and further mycotoxins. Aflatoxigenic Aspergillus species are morphologically similar species belonging to the Aspergillus section Flavi. The aflatoxigenic fungal strains were isolated from foods (cereals, pulses, oilseeds, dried fruit, spices), soil, air and water. Mycological analyses are based on valid standards and recommendations of the International Commission for Food Mycology (ICFM). The identification of isolated aflatoxigenic fungi in foodstuffs and feedstuffs can be proved by using classical mycological cultivation methods, diagnostic nutrient media, chemotaxonomy and molecular biological methods (PCR). The system approach to the identification of aflatoxigenic fungi combines these four methods. Thirty strains of the aflatoxigenic fungi were tested.

Occurrence of the toxigenic fungi (producers of aflatoxins and ochratoxin A) in foodstuffs in the Czech Republic 1999-2000.

The occurrence of toxigenic fungi producing aflatoxins and ochratoxin A in foodstuffs was studied in the Czech Republic. Twenty five commodities were collected at twelve collection places in the Czech Republic (300 food samples). The presence of potentially toxigenicAspergillus flavus was observed in 28% of the sampled foods (black pepper, caraway seeds, fruit tea, black tea, oat flakes, fine flour, rolled oat flakes and semolina) in the year 1999, and in 25% of the sampled foods (black pepper, black tea, fine flour) in the year 2000.A tamarii (aflatoxins producer) was found in 3 black pepper samples (25%) in both years. Aflatoxins were detected in black pepper and caraway seed samples in the year 1999 and in sweet red pepper in the year 2000.A parasiticus andA nomius were not isolated. Aspergillus section Nigri (potential producer of ochratoxin A) was detected in some foodstuffs. Ochratoxin A was detected in raisins.Penicillium verrucosum andA ochraceus were not isolated from foodstuffs.

[Virologic and morphologic study in sudden and unexpected death in children]. / Virologická a morfologická studie u náhle a neocekávane zemrelých detí.

The authors examined a group of 47 children who died at the age of 1-9 months, incl. 19 female and 28 male children. In 23 the death was described as sudden and in 24 as unexpected. From 19 dead children a virus was isolated: in 14 one or two serotypes of enterovirus were found, in two the virus of parainfluenza 3 in two adenoviruses (type 2, 7). A total of 46 viral strains were isolated. By immunofluorescence in tissues antigens of the parainfluenza virus 3 and adenovirus were detected. Immune complexes were not detected in tissues. The distribution of vaccination polioviruses in organs and tissues after a known interval following vaccination was recognized. In some of the infants a possible causal relationship between the virological and morphological findings was found and the authors discuss the possible pathogenetic role of the revealed changes in sudden death.

Cephalometric analysis of reverse overjet in patients with total unilateral cleft lip and palate.

The study presents a craniometric analysis of facial morphology in patients with complete unilateral cleft lip and palate with reverse overjet well developed. The aim was to find out which structures are responsible for the incidence of reverse overjet. Examined were: 30 patients, aged 12-15, with this affection and 30 age-matched persons with the same type of cleft defect but without reverse overjet. The findings showed that in most cases reverse overjet in clefts is not caused by any greater maxillary retrusion than that found in patients without reverse overjet but by mandibular overjet. An analysis of data confirmed that the overjet is due to the loss of overbite and its non-restoration. With regard to medical practice, immediately after the permanent teeth eruption, it is advisable to restore the overbite in the anterior teeth in order to prevent the development of reverse overjet.

Prevalence of infection with nonpolio enteroviruses among healthy children from a children's home and in a summer camp.

The sera obtained at 6 samplings between June 1981 and May 1982 from 30 children in a children's home were tested for neutralizing antibodies to coxsackieviruses B1 through B5, echovirus serotypes 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 11, 19, 24, 30 and to enterovirus type 71. Another group of examined children comprised 19 individuals from the children's home and 63 children from families who enrolled as participants of a summer camp recreation. Samples of their sera were obtained at the beginning and the end of camping in July and August of 1981. Virus isolations were attempted in 150 stool specimens collected at various times during the observation period, and in specimens of summer camp swimming pool water collected 2-3 times a week. Overall, 10 strains of enterovirus (CB2, E2, E19, E24) were isolated from stool, but none from swimming pool water. Serologically, fourfold or greater increases in titre of antibody to at least one of the enteroviruses tested were observed 17 children, of whom 4 children showed antibody titre increases simultaneously to two enterovirus serotypes. None of the present viruses showed a tendency to mass spread. Some of the examined children showed the presence of serum antibody to enterovirus before its isolation from stool. Eight of the ten children positive for enterovirus in stool did not react by significant increases in titre of antibodies. Enteroviruses were more frequently isolated in children's home in autumn than in summer camp. Clinically, all virologically or serologically demonstrated enteroviral infections were asymptomatic. Children's home children had a significantly higher prevalence of antibodies to enteroviruses than children from families. Presumably, asymptomatic infections with nonpolio enteroviruses among children appear to be far more frequent than the results of neutralization tests in the study indicated. Moreover, enteroviruses may apparently circulate among humans who are seropositive for the respective enterovirus serotype.

The oxidation of organic substances by compounds of tervalent manganese-I Oxidation of mandelic acid, ethylene glycol, glycerol and d-mannitol by the pyrophosphate complex of manganese(III) and by manganese(III) sulphate.

The oxidation of mandelic acid, ethylene glycol, glycerol and d-mannitol by the pyrophosphate complex of manganese(III) and with manganese(III) sulphate was studied. It was shown that benzaldehyde is formed by oxidation of mandelic acid, which undergoes no further oxidation. In the case of ethylene glycol, glycerol and d-mannitol the reactions do not follow a simple course and therefore are not of analytical utility. The effect of acidity and time on the course of the reactions was found and a procedure for the indirect titrimetric determination of mandelic acid with both reagents proposed.