The article gives an overview of the circumstances-eating habits, disorders of absorption in the intestinal and other disease, certain drugs and substances occurring in nature affecting the metabolism of thyroid hormones on many levels, thyroid disruptors, for which compensation may be healing broken thyroid function to be unsatisfactory in spite of following the rules of substitution treatment. Knowledge of these conditions and adapting to them timely by adjusting either the eating habits or thyroid hormone by adjusting benefits, allowing the patient to improve his subjective feelings from treatment and improving compliance.

Determination of the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus means a radical life change for a patient. Education of a patient with diabetes means the provision of essential information and practical guidance for linkage of the disease with the life style of the patient for the purpose of providing the required control of the disease, to gain the necessary knowledge for self-care management of the disease in collaboration with the education team. Education is a permanent integral part of the complex therapy of diabetes, adaptation to the phases of the disease, targeting not only the patient but immediate family. The fundamental aim is improvement of the state of health and the ensuring of life quality.

Growth hormone is a hormone of anterior lobe of pituitary gland which possesses besides its growth promoting effects also many other various physiological effects including its regulatory influences on metabolism with glucose metabolism belonging to most important ones. The present article summarizes basic information about metabolic consequences of disturbed growth hormone secretion and their importance for clinical presentation and management.

The article surveys the fascinating historical milestones of the diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy. In the context of the discovery then it represents some of the famous characters of ophthalmology and documents the evolution of diagnostics, conservative treatment, as well as laser and surgical therapy for this serious disease

Multiple myeloma associated with an increased FLC production causes renal failure (cast nephropathy) requiring dialysis. Theralite is a dialyser with a high cut-off membrane (HCO) - with large size pores that allow permeability for substances of molecular masses up to 45 kDa. The FLC concentrations over hemodialysis will significantly decrease and if hematological treatment is also effective, the FLC production will significantly fall as well. The aim of this comprehensive therapy is to improve the renal functions to such an extent that a substantial removal of FLC (70-90 %) is reached in patients and even interruption of dialysis therapy (50-75 %). The number of HD with this membrane rather varies in individual patients according to the literature (e.g. an average of 12 HDs/per 1 patient - 3-45). Our cohort comprised 17 patients aged 38-71 years, with 9 HDs per 1 patient, 10 patients (59 %) stopped the dialysis therapy and 7 remained on the dialysis programme. FLC removal reached 87 % in the whole cohort after the completed HDs with Theralite, but it specifically reached 93 % in the patients without further dialysis therapy, as opposed to 75 % in those who continued to undergo HD. No patient died when receiving HD with Theralite, in 4 complications occurred without causing interruption of the therapy. We assume that monitoring FLC concentrations before each dialysis may be of prognostic significance for patients including the length of treatment with an HCO membrane. Close cooperation with a hematologist is necessary.

Severe damage to the heart caused by AL amyloid deposits is a contraindication of high-dose chemotherapy with autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Severe heart damage caused by AL amyloid results in frequent life-threatening complications, even during the course of the classical chemotherapy treatment and it often makes keeping to the treatment schedule impossible. Scheduling heart transplantation before the treatment of AL amyloidosis will significantly improve the patients' overall condition and enable them to undergo the intensive AL amyloidosis treatment with the hope that a long-term complete remission may be achieved. Case descriptions: Transplantations of heart damaged by AL amyloid deposits were conducted in three patients; two men, age 48 and 54, and one woman, age 63. In the interval of 3-6 months from the heart transplantation before the scheduled AL amyloidosis treatment was initiated, an examination of bone marrow, the concentration of monoclonal immunoglobulin and free light chains was carried out. Both men had more than 10% of plasma cells in the bone marrow after the heart transplantation and the concentrations of the λ free light chains were pathologically increased. During the first-line therapy, autologous haematopoietic stem cells were harvested from peripheral blood after mobilizaton with granulocyte growth factor (filgrastim) at the dose of 5 μg/kg twice a day. During the administration of filgrastim until the end of the haematopoietic stem cell harvest, the combined immunosuppressive treatment was reduced and a corticosteroid dose was compensatory increased. The prophylactic antiviral drug valganciclovir was discontinued during the haematopoietic stem cell harvest. High-dose chemotherapy (melphalan 100 mg/m²) with autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation followed. In the interval from administering melphalan until the rise in neutrophil count over 2 x 10⁹/l, antiviral prophylaxis was discontinued again, the immunosuppressive drug doses were reduced and corticoid doses were slightly increased. High-dose chemotherapy with melphalan at the of 100 mg/m² was tolerated without major complications and without mucositis; however, in neither of the male patients did it lead to a complete haematological remission. Consequently, the second-line therapy followed using bortezomib combined with dexamethasone and also with cyclophosphamide or doxorubicin. One of these two patients reached a complete haematological remission after the bortezomib therapy; the values of free light chains were normal, immunofixation was negative, and clonal plasma cells were absent in the bone marrow. In the case of the other patient, the bortezomib therapy only induced partial remission. In this case, the third-line therapy followed, applying a combination of lenalidomide, dexamethasone and cyclophosphamide. This therapy significantly reduced the values of free light chains; however, their ratio remained pathological. To conclude, the latter response can be described as a very good partial remission. Both men currently show no signs of disease activity and are in a good clinical condition 28 and 30 months after the heart transplantation. The third heart transplantation, due to severe heart damage by AL amyloi

According to the criteria for multiple myeloma, systemic AL-amyloidosis may be divided into primary systemic AL-amyloidosis, where monoclonal gametopathy is present but the criteria for multiple myeloma are not satisfied, and systemic AL-amyloidosis with underlying multiple myeloma. There is a continuous transition between the two units. The present paper describes treatment of patients with established systemic AL-amyloidosis who satisfy the 2003 International Myeloma Working Group's criteria for symptomatic multiple myeloma (confirmed monoclonal immunoglobulin, clonal plasmocytes confirmed in the bone marrow and at least one clinical symptom of myeloma - confirmed amyloid). From 2009, a total of 10 patients with AL-amyloidosis and underlying multiple myeloma have been treated at our centre with combined bortezomib-containing regimens. The cohort includes 5 women and 5 men. Median age of these AL-amyloidosis patients at the diagnosis was 65.5 years. All 10 patients were treated with a combination of 3 drugs, bortezomib, cyclophosphamide and dexamethasone or bortezomib, doxorubicin a dexamethasone. Two of the 10 patients died during the first month of treatment. Treatment response cannot be evaluated in these patients. Haematological treatment response was evaluable in 8 patients only. Monoclonal immunoglobulin disappearance with negative urine and serum immunofixation and normalization of free light chain immunoglobulins was observed in six of the 8 patients. Treatment response according to the current IMWG was evaluated as very good partial remission (VGPR) as we did not perform bone marrow testing after the treatment to confirm complete remission according to the current criteria. One of the 8 evaluated patients died due to disease progression in the third month of treatment and there was no haematological treatment response in one who was considered to have a stable disease. Organ treatment response was evaluated in patients who were followed up for longer than 3 months of treatment only. Organ treatment response (reduced cardiac impairment) was not evaluable in a patient who had heart transplantation and then received chemotherapy. A total of 5 (83%) of the 6 evaluated patients fulfilled the criteria of organ treatment response.
Conclusion:
Our small cohort showed a high number of haematological treatment responses (VGPR in 75% of patients) as well as organ treatment response in patients with systemic AL-amyloidosis who were treated with bortezomib-containing treatment regimens.

Introduction:
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common endocrinopathies in women of fertile age and lately there is a discussion about its possible association with autoimmune diseases.
The aim of the study
was to examine incidence of autoimmune thyreoiditis (AIT) in PCOS women.
Patients and methods:
64 PCOS patients were enrolled and 68 healthy menstruating women served as controls. All subjects were examined for thyrotropin (TSH), free thyroxin (fT₄) and the presence as well as titers of antithyroid antibodies aTG (anti-thyreoglobulin) and aTPO (anti-thyreoperoxidase).
Results:
There was no difference between PCOS and controls in average TSH levels (2.37 ± 1.46 mIU/l vs 2.37 ± 1.46 mIU/l) (p = 0.953), and fT₄ levels (16.36 ± 5.34 pmol/l vs 16.49 ± 2.32 pmol/l) (p = 0.852). Autoantibodies titers were also non-significant aTG (53.09 ± 157.07 IU/ml vs 29.8 ± 100.77 IU/ml, p = 0.386) and aTPO (59.74 ± 149.03 IU/ml vs 45 ± 204.77 IU/ml, p = 0.805). However, PCOS women had significantly higher prevalence of aTPO (18.75 vs 7.35%, p = 0.045). On the other hand, the overall prevalence of AIT was similar in both groups.
Conclusion:
Our results show PCOS patients have slightly but significantly higher positivity of aTPO antibodies but the prevalence of AIT was insignificant.

22 experts from the fields of gynecology and obstetrics, anesthesiology and resuscitation, intensive care, hematology and transfusion medicine has developed recommendations for diagnosis and procedure for life-threatening peripartum haemorrhage, which is still one of the most common causes of maternal mortality in childbirth. This guidelines, which is valid for the Czech Republic, supported by a total of 10 professional medical societies. There are based on new knowledge applicable at this time and is focused mainly on eliminating the most common causes of bleeding during delivery and prevention of haemorrhagic shock.

Free intracellular calcium represents a critical signaling mediator in a number of biological systems. Calcium cations (Ca²⁺) are an important ubiquitous messenger, controlling a broad range of cellular processes. Free cytosolic calcium concentration ([Ca²⁺]_i) is controlled by mechanisms that regulate Ca²⁺ entry from the extracellular space and Ca²⁺ release from intracellular stores, and by the activity of ATP-dependent Ca²⁺ pumps and antiporters that move Ca²⁺ back into stores or out of cells. Chronic kidney disease is associated with a significant elevation in [Ca²⁺]_i which is toxic to the cells and may be responsible for a multiple organ dysfunction. Disturbances in cellular calcium homeostasis in patients with chronic kidney disease represent a complex process. Our studies elucidate pathophysiological mechanisms of altered cellular calcium homeostasis in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells which represent the model of nonexcitable cells in patients with chronic kidney disease. The results demonstrate that [Ca²⁺]_i is significantly increased in peripheral blood mononuclear cells already in early stages of chronic kidney disease. The calcium concentration of intracellular stores and the capacitative calcium entry into the cells of these patients are significantly higher in comparison with healthy volunteers. Also the pore-forming P2X₇ receptors participate in increased [Ca²⁺]_i in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with chronic kidney disease. An altered P2X₇ receptor function and increased P2X₇ receptor expression may contribute to the complex disturbances in intracellular calcium homeostasis in chronic kidney disease. On the other hand, the activity of plasmatic membrane Ca²⁺-ATPases which is responsible for removing excessive calcium out of the cell, was found to be decreased by 25 % when compared to healthy subjects. It means that not only the mechanisms of entry, but also of the removal are impaired by the disease. All these alterations in calcium signaling are contributing very likely to the elevated [Ca²⁺]_i from early stages of chronic kidney disease.

Critical disorders of haemostasis occur mostly in hospitalized patients; they are usually associated with a serious illness. However, a patient with an early phase of such disorder can visit the office of the general practitioner, hematologist or internist. Every patient with newly emerging bleeding symptoms should be thoroughly investigated with the aim of early detecting of developing critical disorder of haemostasis. The disseminated intravascular coagulation, microangiopathic hemolytic anemia (thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, hemolytic-uremic syndrome, pre-eclampsia, HELLP syndrome and catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome), acute leukemia and heparin induced thrombocytopenia are the most important emergent haemostasis disturbances. In patients suffering from these disorders the bleeding tendency is often combined with thrombotic process affecting dominantly the microcirculation. Severe bleeding can be caused also by overdose of anticoagulants or by acquired inhibitors of coagulation factors.

Adult Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) usually follows a favorable course. Very rarely, however, multi-system (multi-organ) LCH difficult to manage either with traditional first line treatment (vinblastine, mercaptopurine, prednisone or etoposide) or 2-chlorodeoxyadenosine occurs. In these patients, other treatment modalities have to be used. We describe a patient with LCH manifesting with generalized lymphadenopathy and infiltrating the pulmonary parenchyma and skin. The disease activity was always associated with B-symptoms (weight loss, subfebrile states, night sweats). Histological investigations repeatedly showed higher proliferation activity than that usual in adult patients with LCH. Expression of Ki-67 proliferation marker was up to 30% and there were 8-10 cells in mitosis in the microscope viewing field. Therefore, therapy started with the application of stimulation regimen (cyclophosphamide 2 g/m² on day 1 and etoposide 200 mg/m² on days 1-3) followed by collection of peripheral blood stem cells. Then, treatment with 2-chlorodeoxyadenosine, the first 3 cycles as monotherapy of 5 mg/m² SC on days 1-5 in 28-day cycles, the next 3 cycles in combination with cyclophosphamide 150 mg/m² on days 1-5 and methylprednisolone 250 mg on days 1-5, was used. However, the disease relapsed 2 months after completion of the therapy. This early relapse was treated with 4 cycles of CHOEP chemotherapy (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, etoposide, prednisone). Following the 4th cycle of CHOEP, high-dose BEAM chemotherapy (carmustine, etoposide, cytarabine, melphalan) with autologous stem cell transplantation were administered. According to the follow-up PET-CT examination, this treatment resulted in complete disease remission. However, the disease relapsed again in the lymph nodes, lungs, skin and bones 5 months after the high-dose chemotherapy. The progression was documented on PET-CT scanning. Lenalidomide 25 mg daily for 21 days in 28-day cycles with dexamethasone 20 mg once a week were administered as the 4th line treatment. After the 4th cycle of lenalidomide, PET-CT was performed, where the CT component suggested a significant reduction (more than 50%) in the size of the lymph nodes and the PET component showed substantial reduction in fluorodeoxyglucose accumulation in the affected lymph nodes as well as in the bone lesions. HRCT showed disappearance of pulmonary nodules. During the treatment, CRP levels declined and hemoglobin rose from 110 to 141 g/l, i.e. partial remission was achieved after 4 cycles. Etoposide (100 mg IV) was added to lenalidomide and dexamethasone on days 22, 23 and 24 of the above mentioned 28-day cycle. The added etoposide further intensified treatment response. In all, 11 cycles of this chemotherapy were given, resulting in complete remission confirmed by follow-up PET-CT. The achieved remission was consolidated using allogeneic bone marrow transplantation after FLAMSA reduced intensity conditioning without amsacrine. Four months after allogeneic transplantation, the patient has been relapse free. Herein we presented treatment response of highly aggressive LCH to lenalidomide. The used four cycles led to partial remission only and with the combination of lenalidomide, dexamethasone and etoposide t

Purpose:
The aim was to characterize the coronary sinus (CS)-related tachycardia that occurred as the last residual arrhythmia and required ablation within the CS or great cardiac vein to restore sinus rhythm (SR) in patients with primary longstanding persistent AF.
Methods:
The study included 23 patients in whom stable SR was restored by ablation inside the vein during the first or repeat ablation.
Results:
The 23 subjects represented 23% of the 99 patients in whom SR was restored by ablation. A reentry tachycardia confined to the CS musculature was suggested in 8 (35%) patients, and a peri-mitral reentry circuit was present in 14 (61%) patients. Twenty (87%) patients have remained free from arrhythmia and class I or III antiarrhythmic drugs for 33 ± 10 (12-53) months.
Conclusion:
A majority of the residual CS-related tachycardias exhibit properties of reentry, one third utilizing the CS musculature as a reentry substrate independent of the atrial myocardium.

Free radicals (FR), highly reactive substances with an unpaired electron in the outer orbital attack lipids, proteins and nucleic acids and alter the structure and function of these macromolecules. Against the negative effects of FR during evolution various defense mechanisms developed described comprehensively as antioxidant defense. Under physiological conditions in the organism equilibrium is established between free radical production and antioxidant defense factors. Extracorporeal renal replacement mechanisms can interfere in a negative way with this equilibrium. They provoke the formation of FR and at the same time they weaken the antioxidant defense e.g. by elimination of substances with antioxidant properties. Impairement of the equilibrium between FR production and antioxidant mechanisms to the disadvantage of antioxidant defense in patients with chronic renal failure was proved and is described as oxidative stress. Oxidative stress threatens dialyzed patients with serious clinical complications e.g. accelerated atherosclerosis, amyloidosis, haemolysis and the development of a state of chronic inflammation. Reduction of oxidative stress can be achieved by reducing FR production by using biocompatible dialyzation membranes, proper correction of acid-base disorders, by preventing an iron overload of the organism. The second approach is to foster the antioxidant defense by supplementation with antioxidants. Final recommendations as regards selection of the optimal dialyzation membrane, type of extracorporeal renal replacement and the amount and composition of antioxidant supplements have not yet been established and the problem is the subject of intense research.

Iron is an indispensable element. As a catalytical center in many Fe metalloproteins it participates in almost all biochemical pathways. This element, however is able to initiate the generation of toxic free radicals. This review article summarizes the available knowledge on the mechanisms, regulations and disorders of iron absorption, transport and storage.

Living donor AB0 incompatible kidney transplantation represents a new tool how to improve the access to transplantation. Majority of European protocols are based on desensitization with rituximab, triple drug immunosuppression, intravenous immunoglobulins and specific immunoadsoption (IA) which eliminates isohaemaglutinins. AB0i kidney transplant program was initiated in our centre in 2011 and 21 patients have received grafts from incompatible donors until recently. Highest accepted isohaemaglutinins titers before rituximab were 1 : 64 and corresponding pretransplant immunoadsorption procedures varied from 2 to 9. In 5 patients 1-2 IA procedures were performed also after transplantation. With the advent of paired exchange program the AB0i transplantation is offered to patients with unsuccessful matching run or with aim to improve HLA match between donor and recipient. The main complications were postoperative bleeding and urinary tract infections in patients at risk. Majority of protocol biopsies exhibited positivity of C4d staining. Neither graft loss nor patient death were noticed.

The musculoskeletal system is one of the major regions, where changes caused by diabetes mellitus (DM) are often encountered causing severe impairment of the quality of patients' lives. These changes have therefore become an important focus of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, with imaging methods - both plain radiography, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and to a lesser extent ultrasound (US), being their cornerstones. In the article the images of musculoskeletal (MSK) manifestations of diabetes mellitus are presented, structured into changes directly caused by DM, metabolic consequences of DM, syndromes with increased coincidence with DM and septic complications. The CT, MRI and radiographic images of both initial and extensive changes are being displayed as well as evolution of the changes in a radiographic series. The concerning pathophysiologic remarks are only basic, as they are not the primary focus of radiodiagnostics. In conclusion it is stated, that imaging of the MSK system in diabetic patients is a large issue in radiologic units serving internal medicine departments, that the imaging methods should be applied specifically and that the radiologic findings influence further management of the patients in many respects, but also, that in some diagnostic questions, namely concerning septic complications of the diabetic foot, a fully reliable and unequivocal interpretation is not always possible.

The basic prerequisite for the successful treatment of the diabetic foot is a multidisciplinary approach. Ideally, the diagnosis and treatment is managed by a podiatrist, who is also responsible for a cost-effective and well-managed setting. General concern of diabetics is the fear of losing a limb. On the basis of multidisciplinary approach is possible to prevent major amputations in many cases, or in case of them to ensure the prosthetic and rehabilitation care. New possibilities of revascularization and cooperation with antibiotic centers increase the success of surgical treatment of diabetic foot syndrome. Surgical procedures could be divided into four classes: elective, prophylactic, curative, emergent. The aim of elective operations is the correction of painful deformities that are at risk for the formation of ulcers. Surgical procedures are the same as in non-diabetics. Prophylactic procedures comprises reconstruction of Charcot foot. Special surgical procedures described the concept of "superconstruct". Curative procedures help to heal ulcers when conservative treatment fails. Type of procedure is planned with regard of the extent of osteomyelitis and of the intervention in architectonics of the foot to prevent a recurrence of the ulcer. Emergent procedures are performed in case of acute infection. Radical revision of all affected compartments with evacuation of the abscesses, adequate antibiotic therapy and revascularization are essential.

The microbial flora in the digestive tract has been recently studied in relation to metabolic diseases. There are relations to both type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes. The intestinal flora is affected by diet, physical exercise and it significantly changes after bariatric surgeries. Giving birth by caesarean section affects the gut flora development and increases the risk of type 1 diabetes in further life of the child. Obese patients with type 2 diabetes may lack protective microbes which improve glucoregulation in the experiment or on the contrary their patogenous microbes may grow which have been proven to even be able to penetrate into abdominal adipose tissue and play a role, inter alia, in the hepatic impairment and systemic inflammation. Also vaccination against these microbes is under consideration. Microbiome can be also positively affected by metformin treatment. The transfer of intestinal flora by means of fecal transplantation can improve glucoregulation. The influencing of intestinal flora is likely to become a new mechanism of diabetes treatment.

Aminoglycosides constitute one of the oldest classes of antimicrobials. Despite their relative toxicity, mainly nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity, aminoglycosides are valuable in current clinical practice. They are bactericidal agents with activity against aerobic gram-negative infections and against gram-positive cocci when added to a cell wall active antimicrobial-based regimen (e.g. betalactams). Aminoglycosides have a concentration-dependent bactericidal effect and a long post antibiotic effect. There is accumulating evidence to show that large, single, daily doses (or more correctly, extended interval dosing) of aminoglycosides is associated with less nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity and comparable, if not superior clinical outcomes than the same total dose administered in small, multiple doses. The efficacy and toxicity of aminoglycosides show a strong direct positive relationship with blood drug concentrations. A key strategy in minimizing toxicity and optimizing therapy is therapeutic drug monitoring.

Introduction:
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is one of the most common complications following heart surgery. The aim of this work was to verify the relationship between inflammatory markers, oxidative stress and postoperative arrhythmia.
Methods:
45 patients with ischemic heart disease (12 women and 33 men, mean age 62.3 ± 9.4 years) underwent surgical myocardial revascularization. The extracorporeal circulation (ECC) was used in 30 patients, without ECC was 15 patients. During the first 3 postoperative days was determining the incidence and duration of the AF, laboratory markers of inflammation (CRP, leukocytes, TNFα), malondialdehyde (MDA).
Results:
Demographic data and associated disease were in this patients similar. The incidence of AF we documented in 30 patients (66.7%). In patients with postoperative AF were significantly higher levels of inflammatory markers (leukocytes 13.6 ± 3.6 vs 11.3 ± 3.6; 14.7 ± 3.9 vs 12.5 ± 2.9; 13.7 ± 4.1 vs 11.4 ± 13.7; p ≤ 0.05; CRP 138.1 ± 41.1 vs 69.9 ± 25.8; p ≤ 0.001; TNFα 11.3 ± 14.3 vs 8.7 ± 3.6; 12.1 ± 14.5 vs 8.7 ± 3.1; p ≤ 0.05) compared with patients who were free from AF. Values of MDA were not significantly different.
Conclusion:
Patients with post-operative atrial fibrillation were higher levels of inflammatory markers compared with patients with sinus rhythm but no significant differences in the levels of oxidative stress.

Background:
Poor blood pressure control in chronically haemodialysed patients leads to increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Information on valid values of blood pressure during haemodialysis and out of office is very important in order to set up adequate treatment.
Aim:
To measure blood pressure during the haemodialysis and the subsequent 24-hour period using an ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) in patients with normal blood pressure (BP) and patients with high normal BP and hypertension. Relationship between time-dependent blood pressure changes, ultrafiltration (UF) and interdialytic weight gain (IDWG) was analysed.
Patients and methods:
Fifty chronically haemodialysed (> 3 months) patients (males/females 33/18) aged 57.5 (53-63; median, interquartile interval) years were studied. Systolic and diastolic pressures (SP, DP) were measured during haemodialysis every hour (H0-H4) and over following 24 hours using Spacelab 90217 monitor. Pulse pressure (PP) values were calculated as a difference between SP and DP. The patients were stratified into two groups based on the cut-off-point calculated as the mean of two mean arterial pressure (MAP) values obtained at the beginning and after the first hour of HD: Group A (n = 25), MAP < 100 mm Hg; Group B (n = 25), MAP ≥ 100 mm Hg. Interdialytic weight gain was measured before HD (IDWG1) and after the ABPM (IDWG2); also ultrafiltration (UF) was obtained. The post-dialysis 24-h ABPM period was divided into eight 3-hour intervals (M1-8).
Results:
During HD no significant change in SP, DP or PP was found in both group, but there was a significant difference (p = 0.01) between both groups in SP, DP and PP.
Values of BP at the end of dialysis were in group A:
SP 125 (120-130) mm Hg, DP 75 (60-80) mm Hg and PP 50 (40-60) mm Hg in group B: SP 150 (140-160) mm Hg, DP 80 (80-90) mm Hg a PP 60 (60-70) mm Hg. We did not find any influence of IDWG1 or IDWG2 on SP or DP in both groups. Relationship between UF 3 000 (2 500-4 300) ml and SP (Δ sTK -5 mm Hg) was confirmed only in group A (p = 0.04). In group A, we found a decrease in SP during the third and sixth 3-hour interval (p = 0.01; p = 0.02) including sleeping period, all compared to the end of HD (H4). In group B, such a decrease in SP was found only in the second sleep interval (p = 0.01) and in the sixth 3-hour interval (p = 0.03), all compared to the end of HD (H4). As to DP at the end of dialysis (H4) in group A, it differed only in the third 3-hour interval (p = 0.02), but not during the sleeping period. In group B, the decrease of DP compared to the end HD (H4) was recorded during the two sleep intervals (p = 0.01), and also in the sixth and seventh 3-hour intervals (p = 0.01; p = 0.03). In group A, PP was compared to the end of HD (PPH4) significantly decreased in the first 3-hour interval (p = 0.02) and in seventh and eight 3-hour interval (p = 0.03; p = 0.04). In group B, PP did not significant change from the end of HD. Difference in SP between both groups was maintained over the entire course of ABPM (p = 0.01). However, DP values in both groups were different in the first and third 3-hour intervals (p = 0.01) but in following intervals DP in group B decreased to the level of t

Depending on the extent of organism affected, there is a systemic (amyloid is deposited in the interstitial space of multiple tissues and organs) and localized (amyloid is deposited in one or a few solitary lesions) form of amyloidosis. Localized forms of amyloidosis have a significantly better prognosis than the systemic ones. The respiratory tract might be affected by diffuse interstitial involvement, associated with systemic AL-amyloidosis, as well as localised involvement of respiratory tract (localised laryngotracheobronchial amyloidosis) or pulmonary parenchyma called nodular form of localized pulmonary amyloidosis. Tracheobronchial form may affect larynx and bronchial tree, and forms plaques or nodules in the epithelium of the respiratory tract. Nodular form causes spherical or irregular lesions in the pulmonary parenchyma, indistinguishable from pulmonary parenchyma metastases. We describe a two-year follow up of a patient with nodular form of pulmonary amyloidosis. The patient had multiple lesions in both lungs, clearly visible on HRCT (High Resolution Computer Tomography) that intensively accumulated fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) during the first PET-CT. At the time of diagnosis, the largest lesion SUV for FDG accumulation was 8.2. Histochemical analysis showed that amyloid consisted of the light λ chains, i.e. AL-amyloid. Investigations to detect a systemic form of amyloidosis, if present, were negative. The patient had no monoclonal immunoglobulin either in the urine or serum (negative immunofixation) and had normal levels of free light chains in the serum. Her symptoms were previously suggestive of the Sjögren's syndrome. However, the rheumatologist consulted at the time of diagnosis of the nodular form of pulmonary amyloidosis did not find any signs of an active systemic connective tissue disorder. CRP was repeatedly normal. When systemic AL-amyloidosis was excluded, we decided to only monitor lesion development with no treatment intervention. The patient had 3 PET-CTs. CT showed that no lesions enlarged, some lesions decreased in size slightly. It should be emphasized that follow-up PET-CTs did not show increased FDG accumulation. We assume that the increased FDG accumulation in pulmonary lesions seen during the first PET-CT was due to the activity of the cells that formed this amyloid and that this activity spontaneously ceased, leading to normalization of FDG accumulation in pulmonary nodules. PET-CT is useful for monitoring of the development of pulmonary nodular amyloidosis. Normalization of originally increased FDG accumulation in amyloid lesions suggests cessation of the process of amyloid formation and is a positive prognostic sign.

The celiac disease is traditionally viewed as the children's disease with a typical form accompanied mainly by intestinal symptoms and malabsorption. This opinion is still generally accepted by the medical community. Findings based on the area-wide screening show that the prevalence has risen from the original 1 : 1 000-1 500 to 1 : 70-550. The average prevalence in the western countries is nearly 1 : 100. The prevalence of the celiac disease in the Czech republic is estimated to be approximately 1 : 200-250. It means that the number of people in the Czech republic who are likely to be affected is about 40,000-50,000 people. Currently only 10-15% of the total number of the ill people are diagnosed and monitored. Adult patients represent the main diagnostic problem because their clinical pictures are individual and the main symptoms are atypical (nonenteral). These are anaemia (mainly sideropnic), early/premature osteoporosis, herpetiformic (Duhring) dermatitis, polyneurititis, ataxia, depression, behavioural disorders, menstrual cycle disorders and infertility. Therefore our attention is currently focused on the screening of these groups of subjects. The purpose of our study was to check the frequency of the celiac disease with patients with diagnosed osteoporosis and osteopenia. In our study we have confirmed the assumption that the prevalence of the celiac disease in the group of subjects was 1 : 50, which means that 2.2% of patients with osteoporosis and osteopenia are affected by celiac sprue and therefore screening examination of these patients with the subsequent causal treatment (gluten-free diet) is recommended.

Introduction:
Treatment with agents neutral to lipid metabolism but with a positive effect on glucose metabolism might significantly improve the long-term prognosis of patients with metabolic syndrome and hypertension. The aim of our non-interventional observational clinical study was to evaluate the safety of treatment with moxonidine and to assess changes to the metabolic syndrome-related laboratory parameters.
Materials and methods:
A total of 748 patients over 18 years of age (22-87; mean 59; median 60) were included in a 6-month evaluation (two 3-monthly study visits). There were slightly more female patients (n = 401, 54%) with metabolic syndrome (≥ 3 NCE ATP III risk factors) and poorly controlled hypertension. A standardized data collection form was used, blood pressure measurement was standardized as per the guidelines and laboratory samples were assessed in a certified laboratory. The study medication (moxonidine, Cynt®) was prescribed to patients with newly diagnosed hypertension and/or patients with hypertension poorly controlled at an initial visit.
Results:
The majority of patients (98.8%) completed the study. No adverse effects were reported during the study. Moxonidine was mostly prescribed as an add-on treatment to other antihypertensives (81.1% patients) due to the lack of efficacy of the present antihypertensive treatment. The most frequent dose was 0.4 mg/day as monotherapy (44.9% of patients) as well as add on treatment (59.8% of patients). A change to the treatment was performed in 142 (19.2%) of patients during the follow up visit and in 57 (7.7%) of patients during the last study visit. All parameters (blood pressure, body weight, waist circumference, total cholesterol, LDL- and HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, glycaemia and pulse) have changed highly significantly (p < 0,001).
Conclusion:
Over the 6-month follow up, a highly significant change was observed to all monitored parameters. An addition of monoxidine (Cynt®) to an existing treatment resulted not only in a reduction to blood pressure but also in highly significant changes to metabolic parameters without any significant modifications of the treatment. Treatment with monoxidine can be considered as metabolically neutral with an added value of positive effect on metabolic parameters. This is in line with the results of other studies.

Blood pressure variability in hypertension is an independent risk factor of cardiovascular complications, especially of stroke. Antihypertensive drugs/classes with powerful antihypertensive effect and suppression of blood pressure variability might have additional impact on the cardiovascular risk in clinical practice. Current evidence suggests that calcium channel blockers (CCB) decrease blood pressure variability more than all other antihypertensive classes. Combination of CCB with ACE-inhibitors suppresses blood pressure variability more than diuretics plus beta-blockers. Within-visit blood pressure variability (measured as coeficient of standard deviation) seems to be relatively simple and strong predictor of stroke and cardiovascular events.