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Copyright of Česká a Slovenská Neurologie a Neurochirurgie is the property of Czech Medical Association of JE Purkyne and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Interest in non-pharmacological treatment of MS is considerable among doctors and patients. In the light of new scientific findings, dietary intervention appears to be a promising adjunctive treatment to established pharmacotherapy. In patients with MS, the diet can lead to suppression of autoimmune inflammation, neurodegeneration and support of remyelination. Several possible specific nutritional directions are now being discussed in professional and patient circles. Thus, it is necessary to focus on the evidence behind them, so that the physician can report to the patient the possible benefits and risks associated with them. At first glance, different dietary approaches in the form of a low-fat or high-fat diet may have similar benefits on the course of MS. However, in the overall approach to the diet of patients with MS, we should continue to adhere to the rules of a rational diet with an emphasis on a high intake of vegetables, fruits and healthy fats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Česká a Slovenská Neurologie a Neurochirurgie is the property of Czech Medical Association of JE Purkyne and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Czech Radiology / Ceska Radiologie is the property of Czech Medical Association of JE Purkyne and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Purpose: The purpose of this study was a retrospective cross-sectional study of the Polish subpopulation, performed to evaluate the quality of endodontic treatment (ET) and the condition of the periapical tissues of permanent teeth based on cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images., Material and Methods: The retrospective study included a group of patients who underwent CBCT at the University Dental Clinic of the Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin. An endodontically treated tooth index (ETTI) was used to evaluate ET. Once apical periodontitis was recognised, the size, extent, and ratio of adjacent anatomical structures were assessed using the complex periapical index (COPI)., Results: Analysis of the CBCT images showed that ET was performed in 9.9% of the teeth examined, of which 52.7% of the canals were treated correctly, while 28.1% of the root canals were found to be underfilled, 6.8% were overfilled, 9.3% of the root canals were not obturated at all, and in 3.1% of the teeth examined, the filling material was only visible in the pulp chamber. Apical periodontitis was observed in 6% of all teeth examined, while the percentage of teeth following ET was 38.5%., Conclusions: The quality of the ET provided to the Polish subpopulation is unsatisfactory. Lack of root canal filling homogeneity is a significant risk factor for ET failure. Improper ET and poor quality of crown restoration after ET have an impact on the increased risk of occurrence, size, degree of root coverage, and extent of inflammatory periapical lesions in relation to adjacent anatomical structures., (© Pol J Radiol 2024.)

Background: With the aim to show the feasibility of early tumor shrinkage (ETS) concept implementation into daily clinical practice in the Czech Republic, a non-interventional, multicentric, single arm, prospective study in real world set-up was performed., Material and Methods: The study objectives were to explore the time interval from the treatment starting date to the date of the first radiographic control (TFRC) and evaluate the proportion of patients who achieved ≥ 20% tumor regression within the first 8 weeks of first-line therapy, in the real-world settings., Results: The medians of TFRC in all individual participating centers were > 12 weeks (range 14.0-36.4 weeks). TFRC ≤ 8 weeks was reported for only 3% of patients in the cohort with first-line therapy, and there were only 3 patients (1%) who achieved tumor regression of ≥ 20% by day 60 (8.6 weeks)., Conclusion: These findings indicate that the basic time parameter of ETS could not realistically be employed in routine oncology care of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) in the Czech Republic, unless there would be a strict request to perform TRFC by week 8 since the initiation of the therapy. In addition, the frequency of objective tumor response to first-line therapy with cetuximab + chemotherapy was evaluated. Based on the relative regression in the sum of diameters of measurable metastatic lesions, unconfirmed partial responses were achieved in 42.4 % and unconfirmed complete response in 8.6% of patients, altogether corresponding to the overall response rate of 51% with first-line therapy. The frequency of responses was higher among patients with left than right sided primary tumors. It seems that the regimen of cetuximab/FOLFOX might be more active in frontline therapy of right sided RAS wild type mCRC than cetuximab/FOLFIRI.

Aim of the Study: To evaluate the role of hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) measurement in patients with resectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) we describe our experience with the procedure as part of our hospital standard preoperative algorithm. We present our protocol for this situation, the HVPG measurement procedure, and the results of our cohort., Material and Methods: We performed a retrospective statistical analysis of all patients who underwent planned hepatic resection for HCC with HVPG measurement between 1/2016 and 1/2023. The cohort included 35 patients (30 males, mean age 69.5 years) who underwent HVPG measurement before liver resection for HCC., Results: The success rate of measurement was 91.4%, with serious complications in 2.9% of cases. Due to the clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH) 31.3% of patients were rejected for resection. Seventeen patients with excluded CSPH underwent resection with one case of a postoperative liver event, liver decompensation, representing 5.9% of them. One patient (5.9%) had a complicated postoperative course with fasciitis. None of the patients who underwent resection (88.2%) was readmitted to the hospital due to surgical complications or a liver event during 90 days of follow-up, and no death was reported. The median overall survival (OS) in the resected subgroup was 70 months (95% CI: 52-86), and in patients rejected for surgery (resection and transplantation) 35 months (95% CI: 13-48)., Conclusions: HVPG measurement is the gold standard for the quantification of portal hypertension. Hepatic vein catheterization is invasive, but a safe procedure, with a clear impact on the management of resectable HCC., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Clinical and Experimental Hepatology.)

Temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD) is not a single diagnosis, but a term covering a group of conditions that involve pain and dysfunction of the masticatory muscles within the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and associated structures. It is a set of disease entities comprising various ailments and clinical symptoms. One of the most distressing symptoms for TMD patients is pain. Pain is subjective and always unpleasant. The VAS (visual analogue scale) was used in this research. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of physical stimuli, namely extremely low frequency magnetic field (ELF-MF) and LED light, on the experience of pain caused by increased tension in the masticatory muscles in adults. Out of 150 people examined, 104 were enrolled in the study after meeting the eligibility criteria. The study group was divided into 4 subgroups. Each subgroup received physical therapy treatment using a different physical stimulus. The effects of four therapeutic modalities were compared. In terms of VAS scores, pain attenuation was observed in all subgroups. The study confirmed the analgesic effect of the selected physical therapy methods. The authors focused on the analysis of the results obtained for each subgroup, comparing the effects of individual modalities on pain intensity (according to VAS scores). After the treatment, pain relief was observed in each of the studied subgroups. Treatment using ELF-MF and ELF-MF in combination with LED light in the course of TMD brings about a significant improvement in the subjective pain experience expressed in VAS pain scores. The use of selected physical stimuli and their beneficial effect on pain symptoms during mandibular movements has important implications for patients' daily life and work. Incorporation of therapeutic methods can help enhance patient satisfaction and comfort during manual TMJ therapy and lengthy dental procedures., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest regarding the publication of this paper., (Copyright © 2022 Elżbieta Kubala et al.)

Reduced friction and wear of materials after the use of the carbon nanomaterials including nanodiamonds (NDs) have been confirmed by several studies in material engineering. Mechanical cleaning of the tooth surface by brush bristles should leave as little tissue roughened as possible. Higher surface roughness increases the tissue's wear and encourages the redeposition of the bacteria and the colouring agents present in the diet. Therefore, we evaluated the tooth tissues' surface's morphological changes after brushing them with the NDs suspension. Ten human teeth were brushed with the NDs aqueous suspension. The surfaces were observed using an Atomic Force Microscope (AFM). We found that the nature of the tissue surface became milder and smoother. A number of selected profilometric parameters were compared before and after brushing. We observed that brushing with the suspension of NDs resulted in a significant reduction in the enamel and dentine's surface roughness both in the range of the average parameters (Ra; p-0,0019) and in the detailed parameters (Rsk; p-0,048 and Rku; p-0,036). We concluded that the NDs used in the oral hygiene applications have a potentially protective effect on the enamel and the dentine's surfaces.

Physiological whole saliva is a unique body fluid constantly washing the mucous membranes of the mouth, throat, and larynx. Saliva is a clear, slightly acidic mucinous-serous secretion, composed of various electrolytes, small organic substances, proteins, peptides, and polynucleotides. There are many ways to use saliva as a biological fluid (biofluid). The significant advantages of saliva as a unique diagnostic material are its availability and the noninvasive method of collection. The aim of this review is to emphasize the diagnostic value of saliva as a research material in the configuration of its structure and secretion disorders. The data were obtained using the MEDLINE (PubMed) search engine, as well as an additional manual search. The analysis covered 77 articles selected from a group of 1986 publications and initially qualified for devising. The results were evaluated and checked for the correctness of qualifying in accordance with inclusion and exclusion criteria. The diagnostic use of saliva has attracted the attention of many researchers due to its noninvasive nature and relative simplicity of collection. In addition, it should be noted that the determination of chemical and physical saliva parameters can be effectively performed in the patient's presence in the dental office.

Osteoporosis is a chronic, systemic skeletal disorder characterised by decreased bone density. It leads to an increased risk of bone fractures - one of the major causes of disability in modern societies. Bisphosphonates are the most commonly used medications in the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis. Denosumab, a new approach to fracture prevention, is a fully human monoclonal antibody that targets nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL), an important cytokine regulating formation and function of osteoclasts. Generally, denosumab is not used as initial therapy; however, in some cases it should be considered. It concerns patients at high risk of fracture, such as older patients who have difficulty with the dosing requirements of oral bisphosphonates or who have markedly impaired renal function. Denosumab can be also considered in patients who present intolerance or unresponsiveness to other therapies. Clinical studies have shown that denosumab is highly effective in increasing bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal women regardless of the site analysed, as well as reducing the risk of bone fractures. The risk of developing antiresorptive, agent-induced osteonecrosis of the jaw related to denosumab therapy is low.

Background: This phase I study investigated the safety and the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of the oral fluoropyrimidine S-1 when combined with epirubicin and oxaliplatin (EOS)., Methods: Patients aged ≥18 years with advanced or metastatic solid tumors were enrolled in a 3 + 3 design with S-1 dose escalation (two planned cohorts) performed according to the occurrence of dose-limiting toxicity (DLT). On day 1 of each 21-day cycle, patients received epirubicin 50 mg/m 2 followed by oxaliplatin 130 mg/m 2 (maximum 8 cycles) and then S-1 [20 mg/m 2 (cohort 1) or 25 mg/m 2 (cohort 2), twice daily]: first dose, evening of day 1; subsequent administration on days 2-14, twice daily; last dose, morning of day 15 (unlimited number of S-1 cycles). After protocol amendment, enrollment in a third cohort was restricted to patients with chemotherapy-naïve advanced or metastatic esophagogastric cancer., Results: DLT was reported for two of the five patients in cohort 2, defining 20 mg/m 2 twice daily as the MTD of S-1 combined with epirubicin and oxaliplatin in heavily pretreated patients. Thirteen patients with chemotherapy-naïve advanced or metastatic esophagogastric cancer were subsequently enrolled and treated at an S-1 dose level of 25 mg/m 2 twice daily; no DLTs were reported; median overall survival was 13.1 months. Of the 11 evaluable patients, three (27 %) had partial responses and seven (64 %) had stable disease. The safety profile was in line with expectations., Conclusions: The promising activity of EOS (S-1 dose level, 25 mg/m 2 twice daily) and acceptable safety profile support further clinical development of this combination for the first-line treatment of patients with advanced or metastatic esophagogastric cancer.

In the past decades, new methods for tumor staging, restaging, treatment response monitoring, and recurrence detection of a variety of cancers have emerged in conjunction with the state-of-the-art positron emission tomography with 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose ([ 18 F]-FDG PET). 13 C magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging ( 13 CMRSI) is a minimally invasive imaging method that enables the monitoring of metabolism in vivo and in real time. As with any other method based on 13 C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), it faces the challenge of low thermal polarization and a subsequent low signal-to-noise ratio due to the relatively low gyromagnetic ratio of 13 C and its low natural abundance in biological samples. By overcoming these limitations, dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) with subsequent sample dissolution has recently enabled commonly used NMR and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems to measure, study, and image key metabolic pathways in various biological systems. A particularly interesting and promising molecule used in 13 CMRSI is [1- 13 C]pyruvate, which, in the last ten years, has been widely used for in vitro, preclinical, and, more recently, clinical studies to investigate the cellular energy metabolism in cancer and other diseases. In this article, we outline the technique of dissolution DNP using a 3.35 T preclinical DNP hyperpolarizer and demonstrate its usage in in vitro studies. A similar protocol for hyperpolarization may be applied for the most part in in vivo studies as well. To do so, we used lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and catalyzed the metabolic reaction of [1- 13 C]pyruvate to [1- 13 C]lactate in a prostate carcinoma cell line, PC3, in vitro using 13 CMRSI.

Aim: Evaluation of efficacy and safety of ipilimumab in patients with advanced, refractory melanoma enrolled into a national ipilimumab Expanded Access Program., Patients and Methods: Adult patients with advanced/metastatic refractory melanoma were eligible for study inclusion. Ipilimumab was administered up to a total of four doses., Results: One hundred and ninety-six patients were analyzed. Full ipilimumab induction was administered to 66.8% of patients. Median overall survival (OS) in the entire cohort was 7.5 months. Median OS for patients after four doses of ipilimumab was significantly longer than for patients with fewer doses (12.3 months vs. 2.0 months respectively; p<0.001). Median OS for patients with objective tumor response was 42.3 months. Normal baseline serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, and the number of affected organs correlated with improved OS., Conclusion: The number of affected organs and combination of baseline LDH and CRP levels could potentially serve as predictors for both treatment response and OS., (Copyright© 2015 International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. John G. Delinassios), All rights reserved.)

Background: Malignant melanoma belongs to the most deadly human tumours and despite all preventive programs its incidence continues to rise. Until 2011, chemotherapy was the only therapeutic option for inoperable or metastatic disease in the Czech Republic. However, new treatment modalities (e. g. targeted therapy) have been introduced recently., Aim: Since most of the modern drugs are still available only in clinical trials, the aim of this article is to provide a brief and comprehensive review of current treatment options for metastatic disease. The attention is focused on their potential side effects, so that doctors who do not usually deal with these drugs would get acquainted with them. This could contribute to a prompt management of associated symptoms or an early referral of the patient to an appropriate clinical centre without undue delay.

Scalar coupling relaxation, which is usually only associated with closely resonant nuclei (e.g., (79)Br-(13)C), can be a very effective relaxation mechanism. While working on hyperpolarized [5-(13)C]glutamine, fast liquid-state polarization decay during transfer to the MRI scanner was observed. This behavior could hypothetically be explained by substantial T(1) shortening due to a scalar coupling contribution (type II) to the relaxation caused by the fast-relaxing quadrupolar (14)N adjacent to the (13)C nucleus in the amide group. This contribution is only effective in low magnetic fields (i.e., less than 800 μT) and prevents the use of molecules bearing the (13)C-amide group as hyperpolarized MRS/MRI probes. In the present work, this hypothesis is explored both theoretically and experimentally. The results show that high hyperpolarization levels can be retained using either a (15)N-labeled amide or by applying a magnetic field during transfer of the sample from the polarizer to the MRI scanner., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Backgrounds: The incidence of malignant melanoma is increasing by about 2-5% per year, exceeding an incidence of all other tumors. Adjuvant immunotherapy with high-dose interferon (HDI) as per the ECOG 1684 trial Kirkwood's schema is still recommended as a standard. HDI should be started within 60 days after a surgical procedure. Meaningful adjuvant immunotherapy is based on radical surgical excision, an investigation of the sentinel node and regional lymph node dissection, if indicated. Current research aims to utilize routinely usable biomarkers in order to define patients who would explicitly profit from HDI., Design: The authors present a review of HDI trials, focusing on the management of adverse effects of HDI and on biomarkers. This review also discusses the initial own experiences at the Oncology Centre in Hradec Králové., Conclusion: Malignant melanoma is a very immunogenic tumour. Immunotherapy with HDI is considered to be the only therapeutic modality so far that has been proven to prolong relapse-free survival and overall survival (in short-time criterion) in adjuvant setting. However, the results of these trials are inconsistent and particular biomarkers of therapeutic response have not been defined yet.

The colorectal cancer treatment has significantly changed in last few years. Use of new drugs such as oxaliplatin, irinotecan, or capecitabine improved long term survival of patient with this disease. Research of biologic and genetic behavior of CRC has brought new ways in therapy called "biologic therapy". Standard today's treatment consist of three drugs: bevacizumab (antiVEGF antibody), cetuximab and panitumimab (anti EGFR antibodies). Biology therapy should be used simultaneously with chemotherapy only and after genetic examination of the cancer (K ras mutation). For patients with stage III the adjuvant therapy with combination of FOLFOX (oxaliplatin, fluorouracil, and leukovorin) is recommended to reduce the probability of recurrence and improve survival. In stage IIB there is a clear need to determine further risks which classify the high risk patients who should be enrolled in adjuvant chemotherapy. In palliative treatment of colorectal cancer there are several chemotherapy combinations (FUFA, FOLFOX, FOLFIRI, XELOX, XELIRI) used with biologic therapy. International recommendation for the biologic therapy is in the first line treatment bevacizumab and cetuximab or panitumumab in the second line is recommended. The new discoveries in biology of colorectal cancer show the need of tailoring.

Objectives: Resistance of tumor cells to multiple cytostatic agents is one of the major impediments of successful cancer chemotherapy. A large part of resistance of tumors to chemotherapy is caused by the ABC transporter P-glycoprotein encoded by the ABCB1 gene. The main aim of this study was to assess the prognostic value of ABCB1 genotype and phenotype in breast cancer., Methods: Six ABCB1 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were determined in 90 Czech breast cancer patients by a novel method that allows simultaneous assessment of multiple polymorphisms on a single electronic microarray. Expression levels of ABCB1 were quantified in tumor and nontumor samples of breast cancer patients by real-time PCR. T-test, analysis of variance and Fisher's exact test were used to analyze the effect of ABCB1 polymorphisms on ABCB1 expression levels and for the analysis of associations between ABCB1 expression, genotype and clinical and pathological characteristics., Results: ABCB1 was expressed in 98.9% of the tumor and in 97.5% of the nontumor samples. ABCB1 was downregulated in 79.5% of tumors compared with the nontumor samples. No significant correlation was observed between ABCB1 mRNA expression levels and clinical and pathological characteristics. High frequencies of the variant alleles in ABCB1 exon 12 (1236C>T, 38.3%) and exon 26 (3435C>T, 54.0%) were observed. Individuals with variant alleles in exons 12 and 26 had significantly lower ABCB1 expression levels in their tumors. SNPs in exons 12 and 26 also correlated with estrogen receptor status of patients., Conclusion: ABCB1 SNPs may affect function of P-glycoprotein by influencing the expression level and modify breast cancer prognosis.

Authors offer the case report of a patient with metastatic non differentiated carcinoma of sternum simultaneously suffering from ischemic heart disease. The patient underwent actinotherapy & hyperthermia followed by resection of sternum and coronary artery bypass grafting in one session. Chest wall defect was closed by means of latissimus dorsi muscle rotation. Postoperative palliative chemotherapy started 16 weeks postoperatively. Primary tumor was not found, neither preoperatively nor during the 36 months' postoperative remission.

The aim of presented study was to evaluate the impact of different factors on survival, local recurrence and development of metastatic disease in patients with rectal cancer treated with preoperative radiotherapy or 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) based concurrent chemoradiation. Retrospective clinical evaluation was performed in 165 patients (33% women and 67% men) with locally advanced rectal adenocarcinoma treated with preoperative radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy in the period January 1998 - March 2003. Tumor extent was evaluated by CT and/or MRI and/or TRUS examination and tumor biopsy was performed during colonoscopy. The median follow up is 21 month. All patients received preoperative external beam radiation to primary tumor, adjacent lymphnodes and presacral region. Computed tomography localisation of target volume was used for 3D radiotherapy treatment planning. Accelerated short term regimen (25 Gy/5 fraction/1 week) was performed in 14% of patients especially in year 1998-2000 and normofractionated regimen (40-50 Gy/20-25 fractions/4-5 weeks) was performed in 86% of patients. Chemoradiotherapy with 5-FU was carried out in 22% of patients. Radical resection underwent 85% of patients, inoperable tumor persisted in 7% and distant metastases were detected peroperatively in 8%. The 2-year overall survival (OS) was 84% and 5-year OS was 60% following radical resection. The important prognostic factors affecting survival were postradiotherapy determined pathological staging (p=0.005), postradiotherapy tumor grade (p<0.001) and the presence of angioinvasion and/or perineural spread (p=0.023). Prognostic factors for disease-free survival were identical with those for OS. Higher local recurrence rate was associated in preradiotherapy tumor staged T4 (p=0.048) and in presence of angioinvasion and/or perineural spread (0.049). Age, tumor location, histological grade before radiotherapy and tumor downstaging were not statistically significant for survival and/or for local recurrence rate. The best survival rates were obtained in patients with postradiotherapy grade 1 tumors (5-years survival 100%), tumors without angioinvasion and perineural spread (5-years survival 65%) and in patients who obtained complete remission after preoperative radiotherapy (5-years survival 86%).

Background: Introducing irinotecan and oxaliplatin in to the treatment of advanced colorectal cancer substantially improved the therapeutic results for this malignancy. The first results of clinical trials with these two drugs were published in 2000., Methods and Results: Between 1999 to 2004 we treated 51 patients with the combination of irinotecan 180mg/m2 on day 1 and two hour infusion of leucovorin 200mg/m2 and 5-FU push of 400mg/m2 followed by infusion of 5- FU for 22 hours on days 1 and 2 every 2 weeks. Six patients (11.7%) achieved complete response, 11 (21.57%) partial response, stabilisation was observed by 23 patients (45.1%) and 21 patients were progressive (21.5%). The median survival time was 18 months (95% CI, 16.93-19.7), median duration of response was 9 months (Cl 95% 8.25-11.5)., Conclusions: The combination of FOLFIRI is an effective and tolerable treatment of advanced colorectal cancer. However new treatment modalities to improve further the results of the treatment are still warranted.

Newborn male rats were subjected to a mechanical lesion of the left cerebral hemisphere. Thereafter, a single dose 5 or 500 units (U) of recombinant rat interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) was injected into the lesion cavity. One or 2 days after the injury, the rats were injected with 3H-thymidine to label dividing cells. Brain sections were subjected to GFAP immunocytochemistry or BSI-B4 lectin histochemistry to visualise astrocytes or macrophages, respectively. Autoradiography was used to detect cells proliferating within the region of injury in the immunocytochemically stained brain sections. The strongest mitogenic effect of IL-1beta on astrocytes (labeling index) was observed on day 1 after injury while a dose-dependent increase in their GFAP-immunoreactivity occurred on day 2. At 500U dose, IL-1beta significantly reduced infiltration of macrophages on posttraumatic days 1 and 2 but did not influence their proliferation. Thus, effects of IL-1beta on the occurrence of macrophages were opposite to those on the GFAP-immunoreactivity of astrocytes and their proliferation. It appears to suggest existence of different mechanisms controlling reactive behaviors of the two cell populations.

The authors summarize the recent findings obtained in the field of inflammatory cytokines with particular attention on interleukin-6 (IL-6). After a short review of the molecular biology and of the cellular effects of IL-6, the most important clinical relations of IL-6 in hepatic diseases, in non-specific inflammatory bowel diseases (Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis) and in certain autoimmune diseases are provided. The simultaneous discussion of molecular and clinical data contribute to the understanding of pathomechanisms.

Twenty coded strains of the following species: Mycobacterium avium, M. fortuitum, M. gordonae, M. chelonei, M. intracellulare, M. kansasii, M. nonchromogenicum, M. scrofulaceum, M. terrae, M. triviale and M. xenopi, were subjected to identification in a co-operative study undertaken by seven laboratories of four countries (CSSR, GDR, PRP and USSR). Three of these laboratories recognized 18-19 (90-95%) of the strains, three others 15-17 (75-85%) and one laboratory recognized 8 (40%) strains. In the correctly identified species, agreement between the tests used by all participants was evaluated. The highest rates of agreement in positive or negative results (04-100%) were obtained for nitrate reduction, detection of arylsulphatase, urease and nicotinamidase in M. kansasii, M. avium-intracellulare and M. fortuitum.

A co-operative taxonomic study has been performed on slowly growing photochromogenic mycobacteria (Runyon Group I) and closely related organisms. Phenetic data on 54 strains, studied in seven laboratories, were collected and analysed by numerical taxonomic methods. Immunological properties and phage susceptibility patterns were analysed independently to establish correlation with numerical classification. Mycobacterium gastri, M. kansasii and M. marinum appeared as distinct well-defined clusters and the serological and phage data supported the resolution of these three species. A table of definitive properties is presented. Two strains each of M. simiae and M. asiaticum formed a loose cluster which was clearly separated from the previously mentioned three species; the small number of strains examined precluded the establishment of a list of definitive properties of these two species. It is concluded that the Runyon Groups, which provided a practical though arbitrary basis for establishment of a series of co-operative studies, have served their purpose and should now be supplanted by classification and nomenclature based on species.