PRES SYNDROME.

The aim of this review, as well as the case report, is to become familiar with the syndrome, although it is not very common, but may still be encountered by an ophthalmologist during clinical practice. It is also interesting to point out how the clinical unit can be independent and unchangeable in medicine and, on the other hand, in the context of the reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome (PRES syndrome), the name can be changed. As such, cortex blindness arises after complete destruction of the visual cortex of both occipital lobes, often as a result of vascular circulatory disorders. PRES syndrome is characterized by magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography, where bilateral irregular hypodensive arteries are present in the occipital lobes that cause transient cortex blindness within the syndrome, which in its name carries the word reversible. Case report: A patient who was hospitalized at the Pneumology Department in which PRES syndrome and transient cortex blindness were diagnosed.

[Early diagnosis of nephropathy in type I diabetics]. / Casná diagnostika nefropatie u diabetiku I. typu.

In 68 type I diabetics without permanent proteinuria, mean age 28 +/- 9 years, where diabetes was detected at the age of 14 +/- 7 years and persists for 14 +/- 8 years the urinary excretion of albumin and beta-2-microglobulin was assessed. The results were evaluated in relation to the persistence of diabetes, the blood pressure reading, family-history of diabetes and type of insulin therapy. In addition to microalbuminuria in 29% of the subjects which is a manifestation of glomerular damage, the authors detected in 58% elevated beta-2-microglobulin excretion indicating early changes of the proximal tubule. There was a relationship between microalbuminuria and "relative hypertension" which enhances albumin excretion and increases the risk of diabetic nephropathy. The relationship between microalbuminuria and a positive family-history of diabetes supports the hypothesis of a genetic background for the possible development of nephropathy. There was also a relationship with the duration of diabetes and the favourable effect of prolonged intensive insulin treatment. The clinical impact of beta-2-microglobulinuria in the diagnosis of the incipient stage of diabetic nephropathy must be tested in future investigations.

[Is the measurement of the pulse wave rate useful in the diagnosis of the early stages of arterial atherosclerosis of the lower extremities in type I diabetics?]. / Je merení rychlosti pulsové vlny prínosem pro diagnostiku casných stadií aterosklerózy tepen dolních koncetin u diabetiku I. typu?

The authors examined the rate of the pulse wave (RPW) on the arteries of the lower extremities in a group of 60 type I diabetics and in a control group of 60 subjects without diabetes. The aim of the examination was to find out whether in diabetes threatened by early development of atherosclerosis preclinical signs of stiffening of the arteries with a fast spread of the pulse wave are present. The authors found in diabetics significantly higher values of RPW, as compared with non-diabetics, starting from the fourth decade. In subjects under 30 years the RPW in the two groups did not differ. In diabetics significant linear correlations were revealed between RPW values and age and RPW values and the duration of diabetes--i.e. with advancing age and longer duration of diabetes RPW rises. In diabetics with peripheral neuropathy significantly higher RPW values were recorded, as compared with diabetics without this complication. Assessment of the RPW by ultrasound is a non-invasive useful examination which makes it possible to detect among type I diabetics subjects with preclinical signs of stiffening of the arteries of the lower extremities which is considered an initial stage of atherosclerosis.

The effect of short-term temperature changes on the adhesivity of nerve cells. Participation of DNA molecules on non-specific cellular adhesion.

Brain cells from 16 to 18-day-old mice embryos were dissociated by mild trypsinization and sieving. Immediately after dissociation the cells were preincubated in a PBS solution at -6 to +54 degrees C for 3 and 20 min. After this preincubation cells were rotated for 60 min at 37 degrees C in the PBS solution. Cellular adhesivity was estimated during this time period and EM pictures of organized in vitro aggregates after 24-28 h were taken. In a separate series of experiments, freshly dissociated were treated with DNAase before the rotation procedure. Preincubation in a cold or a warm medium did not alter the inhibition of cellular adhesivity significantly. Distinct inhibition of cellular adhesion was observed in cells preincubated above 53 degrees C. Adhesion was also inhibited below -5 degrees C, however, this effect was mainly dependent on the rate of freezing and thawing. Digestion of dissociated cells with DNAase (20 micrograms/ml) decreased cell adhesion. At 37 degrees C the adhesivity decreased by about 20%. Aggregates of cells preincubated at 0 degrees C for 20 min did not exhibit marked EM changes after 24-28 h in vitro. The present results have shown the rather high resistance of molecules responsible for cellular adhesion and its reversibility to temperature changes. Furthermore, non-specific cellular adhesion was shown on physically active DNA molecules.