[Vulvar melanoma]. / Melanom vulvy.

OBJECTIVE: Malignant melanoma of the vulva is the second commonest vulval malignancy. This article will focus on three cases of vulvar melanoma which have been solved surgically with wide excision, sentinel lymph node biopsy and radical lymphadenectomy. DESIGN: Case report. SETTING: Department of Dermatovenerology 3rd Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Faculty Hospital Královské Vinohrady, Prague. METHODS: Biopsy of the lesion creates a reliable diagnostic procedure. More frequently digital dermoscopy is used for the precise primary diagnostics and follow-up of pigment vulvar lesions. RESULTS: Vulvar melanoma has been variously estimated to account for between 3.6 and 10% of malignant vulvar neoplasms. An epidemiologic study revealed ratio of vulvar to skin melanoma 1:71. CONCLUSION: New diagnostic methods such as digital dermoscopy or sentinel node biopsy bringing ever greater progress in precise diagnosis of patients with vulvar melanoma.

Macrophage gene expression is related to obesity and the metabolic syndrome in human subcutaneous fat as well as in visceral fat.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Our goal was to identify a set of human adipose tissue macrophage (ATM)-specific markers and investigate whether their gene expression in subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) as well as in visceral adipose tissue (VAT) is related to obesity and to the occurrence of the metabolic syndrome. METHODS: ATM-specific markers were identified by DNA microarray analysis of adipose tissue cell types isolated from SAT of lean and obese individuals. We then analysed gene expression of these markers by reverse transcription quantitative PCR in paired samples of SAT and VAT from 53 women stratified into four groups (lean, overweight, obese and obese with the metabolic syndrome). Anthropometric measurements, euglycaemic-hyperinsulinaemic clamp, blood analysis and computed tomography scans were performed. RESULTS: A panel of 24 genes was selected as ATM-specific markers based on overexpression in ATM compared with other adipose tissue cell types. In SAT and VAT, gene expression of ATM markers was lowest in lean and highest in the metabolic syndrome group. mRNA levels in the two fat depots were negatively correlated with glucose disposal rate and positively associated with indices of adiposity and the metabolic syndrome. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: In humans, expression of ATM-specific genes increases with the degree of adiposity and correlates with markers of insulin resistance and the metabolic syndrome to a similar degree in SAT and in VAT.

Adiponectin inhibits spontaneous and catecholamine-induced lipolysis in human adipocytes of non-obese subjects through AMPK-dependent mechanisms.

Adiponectin is an adipokine increasing glucose and fatty acid metabolism and improving insulin sensitivity. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of adiponectin in the regulation of adipocyte lipolysis. Human adipocytes isolated from biopsies obtained during surgical operations from 16 non-obese and 17 obese subjects were incubated with 1) human adiponectin (20 microg/ml) or 2) 0.5 mM AICAR - activator of AMPK (adenosine monophosphate activated protein kinase). Following these incubations, isoprenaline was added (10(-6) M) to investigate the influence of adiponectin and AICAR on catecholamine-induced lipolysis. Glycerol concentration was measured as lipolysis marker. We observed that adiponectin suppressed spontaneous lipolysis by 21 % and isoprenaline-induced lipolysis by 14 % in non-obese subjects. These effects were not detectable in obese individuals, but statistically significant differences in the effect of adiponectin between obese and non-obese were not revealed by two way ANOVA test. The inhibitory effect of AICAR and adiponectin on lipolysis was reversed by Compound C. Our results suggest, that adiponectin in physiological concentrations inhibits spontaneous as well as catecholamine-induced lipolysis. This effect might be lower in obese individuals and this regulation seems to involve AMPK.

[Malignant melanoma: standards and innovation in diagnostics and therapy]. / Maligní melanom: standardy a inovace v diagnostice a terapii.

Cutaneous malignant melanoma originates from neoplastic proliferation of melanocytes. Due to its early lymphogenic and haematogenic metastazing, melanoma belongs to the most malignant tumours. The disease occurs quite early; one quarter of patients with melanoma is younger than 40 years and the mean age of a melanoma patient is 54 years. The incidence of this tumour is growing constantly, about 4% per year. In the central Europe the current incidence is approximately 14 cases per 100,000 inhabitants per year, in the USA it represents 10 to 25 cases and the highest incidence of 50-60 new cases is reported from Australia. The patient's prognosis depends on the tumour thickness and the early diagnostics is therefore essential for the favourable disease outcome. The accuracy of the melanoma clinical diagnostics has been enhanced by introduction of dermoscopy, particularly by its digital form. For the trained dermatologist it improves the accuracy of the clinical decision from usual 70 to more than 95%. The malignant melanoma mortality rate remains constant since the eighties of the 20th century. Exploration of new substances which should be able to prolong the patient's survival in metastatic stage is therefore in progress.

[Relation between insulin resistance and amount of visceral adipose tissue]. / Vztah inzulíinové rezistence a mnozství viscerálního tuku.

BACKGROUND: Association of obesity with metabolic and cardiovascular complications depends on the adipose tissue distribution. The role of intraabdominal, i.e. visceral, adipose tissue in pathogenesis of insulin resistance is still not elucidated. The aim of this study was to investigate the relation between insulin resistance and contribution of visceral and subcutaneous fat in a group of women with a wide range of body weight. METHODS AND RESULTS: 62 women (age 21-66 years) among which 32 were non-obese and 30 obese (BMI > 30 kg/m2) were examined. The amount of visceral and subcutaneous fat was evaluated using computerized tomography, total body fat evaluated using bioimpedance, and the degree of insulin resistance was evaluated using glucose disposal (M) during euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp. Obese women had lower insulin sensitivity than non-obese (5.88 +/- 2.17 vs 3.32 +/- 1.44 mg/min/kg, p <0.001) and higher absolute amount of visceral fat. However, the relative amount of visceral fat (related to total body fat or subcutaneous fat) was not different between the two groups. In the entire study group, the magnitude of insulin sensitivity did correlate with absolute amount of total and visceral fat, but no correlation with relative amount of visceral fat was found. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that the absolute amount of fat, either total or visceral, is a stronger predictor of the degree of insulin resistance than the relative contribution of visceral fat.

Retinol-binding protein 4 expression in visceral and subcutaneous fat in human obesity.

Retinol binding protein 4 (RBP4) is a novel adipokine which might be involved in the development of insulin resistance. The aim of the study was to investigate the expression of RBP4 mRNA in subcutaneous and visceral fat depots and the relationship between RBP4 plasma and mRNA levels relative to indices of adiposity and insulin resistance. In 59 Caucasian women (BMI 20 to 49 kg/m(2)) paired samples of subcutaneous and visceral fat were obtained for RBP4, leptin and GLUT 4 mRNA analysis using reverse transcription-quantitative PCR. Euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp and computed tomography scans were performed. RBP4 mRNA levels as well as GLUT 4 mRNA and leptin mRNA levels were lower (P<0.001, P<0.01 and P<0.001, respectively) in visceral compared to subcutaneous fat. No differences were found in RBP4 mRNA expression in the two fat depots or in RBP4 plasma levels between subgroups of non-obese subjects (n=26), obese subjects without metabolic syndrome (n=17) and with metabolic syndrome (n=16). No correlations between RBP4 mRNA or plasma levels relative to adiposity, glucose disposal rate and GLUT 4 mRNA expression in adipose tissue were found. There was a weak positive correlation between plasma RBP4 and plasma triglycerides (r = 0.30, p<0.05) and between plasma RBP4 and blood glucose (r = 0.26, p<0.05). Regardless of the state of adiposity or insulin resistance, RBP4 expression in humans was lower in visceral than in subcutaneous fat. We found no direct relationship between either RBP4 mRNA or its plasma levels and the adiposity or insulin resistance.

[Chronic post-mastectomy pain]. / Chronická bolest po operaci prsu.

BACKGROUND: Surgery results in chronic pain in 7-80 percent. One of the most studied is chronic post-mastectomy pain. The prevalence was 40-50 percent in studies performed abroad. As this problem has not yet been studied in the Czech Republic, a retrospective prevalence study was performed to asses the extent of the problem and risk factors for development of chronic post-mastectomy pain. METHODS AND RESULTS: After ethic committee approval an anonymous questionnaire was developed and distributed in various oncology department and patients'organisations. Response rate was 100 percent, 330 questionnaires were processed. Chronic post-mastectomy pain (lasting longer than 3 months after surgery) was described by 69 (20.9 per cent) women. The pain was permanent in 17 and transient in 46 cases, not specified in 6 cases. The pain intensity was predominantly mild or moderate. Risk factors were younger age (below 55-60 years, p=0.0098), less extensive surgery (tumourectomy vs. mastectomy, p=0.0017), intensive post operative pain (p=0.0002) and radiotherapy (p=0.0174). Trend in chemotherapy (p=0.0778) was observed. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of chronic post-mastectomy pain was lower in our study comparing to studies in other countries. The reason remains obscure in spite of detailed analysis.

[Progress in surgical treatment may improve the quality of life in patients with breast surgery for malignant tumors]. / Pokroky v chirurgické lécbe mohou zlepsovat kvalitu zivota pacientek po operaci prsu pro zhoubný nádor.

Breast cancer surgery (BCS) is a common procedure performed in women. Chronic postmastectomy pain (PMP) has been reported in as many as 22-72 percent of patients. There are no published reports in Czech Republic. This study was performed to evaluate the prevalence and risk factors of PMP. An anonymous questionnaire was given to women after attending oncology departments in various hospitals during 3-month period. All 176 questionnaires have returned. The average age was 63.6 (SD 11.2) years, BMI 26.3 (SD 4.0). There was 23.6% of PMP prevalence in our group. The risk factors were younger age (below 60, p < 0.001, below 65, p < 0.01 resp.) and type of surgery (total mastectomy vs. tumour removal, p < 0.01). The prevalence of PMP in our study was significantly lower than in other studies. The age of our group was higher, than in other studies, but it does not explain the difference. We can hypothesise the reason is improved surgical technique.

[Use of collagen with gentamycin in abdominal and thoracic surgery]. / Pouzití kolagenu s gentamycinem v brisní a hrudní chirurgii.

Based on an analysis of a group of 16 patients operated at the Surgical Clinic of the Third Medical Faculty, Charles University Prague the indication of collagen with gentamycin was established. Collagen with gentamycin is used locally for prophylaxis and treatment of intraabdominal and intrathoracic infections. In a group of patients it was used for prophylaxis of postoperative infections in elective abdominal operations such as plastic operations of the abdominal wall, anastomoses in the aboral part of the GIT, in operations of fistulae as part of treatment of intraabdominal abscesses and advanced cholecystitis and appendicitis. In thoracic surgery for prophylaxis of postoperative infections in plastic operations of the thoracic wall and also after surgery on account of inflammatory complications (lung abscess, bronchopleural fistula).

[Intensive care in patients with intra-abdominal septic complications]. / Intenzívní péce o nemocné s nitrobrisními septickými komplikacemi.

The authors investigated diagnostic and therapeutic possibilities of intensive care units when treating septic conditions in intraabdominal surgery. The authors emphasize the comprehensive and systematic character of the follow up of patients who are threatened by sepsis. Care involves in particular aimed antimicrobial therapy, immunotherapy, normalization of haemodynamics and the acid-base balance and rational parenteral nutrition. Only a thus conceived therapeutic regime makes it possible to control such serious conditions as sepsis.

[Cefuroxime axetil (Zinnat)--laboratory and clinical study]. / Axetil cefuroxim (Zinnat)--laboratorní a klinické studie.

The authors investigated the antibacterial action of cefuroxim in vitro and proved its relatively broad spectrum of action. Administration of the esterified form, Zinnat, produced very satisfactory therapeutic concentrations of cefuroxim in serum, bile tissue of operated gallbladders. The prophylactic administration of the combined parenteral and oral form of cefuroxim proved excellent in biliary surgery in twenty patients.