-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: The incidence and mortality of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) in the Czech Republic are among the highest in the world. Several targeted agents have been recently approved for the treatment of advanced/metastatic RCC. Objective: Presentation of a national clinical database for monitoring and assessment of patients with advanced/metastatic RCC treated with targeted therapy. The RenIS (RENal Information System, http://renis.registry.cz ) registry is a non-interventional post-registration database of epidemiological and clinical data of patients with RCC treated with targeted therapies in the Czech Republic. Twenty cancer centres eligible for targeted therapy administration participate in the project. As of November 2011, six agents were approved and reimbursed from public health insurance, including bevacizumab, everolimus, pazopanib, sorafenib, sunitinib, and temsirolimus. As of 10 October 2011, 1,541 patients with valid records were entered into the database. Comparison with population-based data from the Czech National Cancer Registry revealed that RCC patients treated with targeted therapy are significantly younger (median age at diagnosis 59 vs. 66 years). Most RenIS registry patients were treated with sorafenib and sunitinib, many patients sequentially with both agents. Over 10 % of patients were also treated with everolimus in the second or third line. Progression-free survival times achieved were comparable to phase III clinical trials. The RenIS registry has become an important tool and source of information for the management of cancer care and clinical practice, providing comprehensive data on monitoring and assessment of RCC targeted therapy on a national level.
Medical Oncology 06/2012; · 2.14 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Effective planning of clinical trials requires an appropriate number of patients who fulfil given inclusion criteria. In the case of so called "orphan" diseases, such as Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy (DMD/BMD), the number of suitable patients within one country is usually limited. We developed a detailed registry of Czech and Slovak DMD/BMD patients which may contribute to cooperation on the European level. The registry uses internet and database technologies with a multilevel architecture. Patients may view their own data. As of May 2008, 163 patients have been registered in the database. The registry provides a detailed phenotypic and genotypic description of patients. The main purpose of such a registry is the time-effective recruitment of eligible patients for a clinical trial or therapy and may allow the anticipation of possible future effects of appropriate therapy on individual patients. The importance of the DMD/BMD patient registries has recently also been rising with new clinical trials focused on mutation-specific approaches. Other outputs include assessment of epidemiology, phenotype and genotype relationships, or standards of care.
Neuromuscular Disorders 04/2009; 19(4):250-4. · 2.80 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: A growth toxicity assay with mixed cultures of cyanobacteria and algae using in vivo fluorescence is presented. Test organisms (the green alga Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata and the cyanobacterium Aphanothece clathrata) growing alone and in a mixture were exposed to selected chemicals. P. subcapitata featured a higher sensitivity to toxicants in the presence of A. clathrata compared to the single species assay. On the other hand, growth of a cyanobacterium was not affected by the presence or absence of the green alga. The proposed method seems to be suitable for pre-screening studies of toxicants (algistatic agents, herbicides) applied into the aquatic environment and for the assessment of their impact on natural phytoplankton communities.
Chemosphere 03/2008; 70(10):1873-8. · 3.21 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: The effects of aqueous root extracts from five species of the family Papaveraceae on the growth of cyanobacteria, algae, and other non-target aquatic organisms were investigated to evaluate their potential use as algicides or cyanocides in the aquatic environment. Dicranostigma lactucoides and Sanguinaria canadensis featured the highest toxicity while Macleaya microcarpa was found to be the least toxic to all aquatic organisms tested. The Chelidonium majus extract had the best properties as a potential algicide or cyanocide because of its significant toxicity to phytoplankton and lower toxicity to non-target aquatic organisms as compared with the other Papaveraceae family members. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 22: 480–486, 2007.
Environmental Toxicology 09/2007; 22(5):480 - 486. · 2.41 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: In vivo fluorescence methods have been accepted as a quick, simple, and useful tool for quantification of phytoplankton organisms. In this paper, we present a case study in which fluorescence methods were employed for the selective detection of potentially toxic cyanobacteria in raw water at the drinking water treatment plant. The occurrence of cyanobacteria in the drinking water reservoir and in raw water was monitored by phycocyanin fluorescence measurements and by standard methods for phytoplankton quantification (cell counts, chlorophyll a). A special attention was paid to the most critical parts of the season -- spring recruitment of cyanobacteria from sediment to water column and autumn bloom collapse. All methods showed similar patterns within the season. Phycocyanin fluorescence was found to be a simple and sensitive indicator of cyanobacteria in water and can serve as a tool that can provide an early warning about the presence of potentially toxic cyanobacterial metabolites in water.
Water Research 02/2007; 41(1):228-34. · 4.86 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: A submersible in situ spectrofluorometer, which permits the differentiation of four algal groups (green algae, diatoms, cryptophytes and cyanobacteria), was used for phytoplankton monitoring in five reservoirs with varying levels of eutrophication and composition of their phytoplankton communities. Data obtained in situ were compared to standard laboratory methods for phytoplankton quantification; concentration of chlorophyll a and microscopy analysis. A high correlation (r=0.95, n=96) between chlorophyll a levels using different methods was found in all types of phytoplankton community. Taxonomic analyses and cell counts were closely related to the ratio of algal classes measured by the in situ spectrofluorometer. The submersible device used in the study measures in a continuous mode, which is advantageous in comparison with discrete sampling. This method appears to be a good tool for water quality management and can be used in the detection of natural horizontal and vertical variability in phytoplankton communities or for the early detection of cyanobacterial blooms. The device used in this study is recommended as a screening tool that enables more effective sampling that can be focused on the localities and depths where changes in phytoplankton composition occur.
Hydrobiologia 09/2005; 548(1):141-151. · 1.78 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: A method for the rapid detection of cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) and their differentiation from eukaryotic algae in natural phytoplankton assemblages is presented. Fluorescence emission of photosynthetic pigments at 670 nm was measured using a microplate fluorescence reader when excited at two different wavelengths – 485 nm and 590 nm. The ratio of fluorescence excited at these wavelengths (590 nm/485 nm) was proportional to the ratio of cyanobacteria and eukaryotic algae, which was determined by the in situ spectrofluorometer for the phytoplankton quantification. The fluorescence intensity was equal to the total chlorophyll-a content. These two fluorescence values can provide the first warning on a development of potentially toxic cyanobacteria in water.Eine einfache In-vivo-Fluoreszenz-Methode zur selektiven Detektion und Quantifizierung von Süßwasser-Cyanobakterien und eukaryotischen AlgenVorgestellt wird eine einfache Methode zur schnellen Detektion von Cyanobakterien (Blaualgen) und ihrer Differenzierung von eukaryotischen Algen in natürlichen Phytoplankton-Gesellschaften. Gemessen wird die Fluoreszenzemission bei 670 nm nach Anregung bei zwei verschiedenen Wellenlängen – 485 nm und 590 nm. Das Verhältnis der Fluoreszenz nach Anregung mit diesen Wellenlängen (590 nm/485 nm) erweist sich als proportional zum Verhältnis von Cyanobakterien (Phycocyanin) und eukaryotischen Algen (Chlorophyll und Carotinoide) und ist bestimmbar mit einem In-situ-Spektrofluorometer zur Quantifizierung des Phytoplanktons. Die Fluoreszenzintensität ist dem Gesamtgehalt an Chlorophyll-a proportional. Diese Art der fluorometrischen Messung bietet eine sichere Methode zur einfachen Warnung vor einer beginnenden Entwicklung potentiell toxischer Cyanobakterien im Gewässer.
Acta Hydrochimica et Hydrobiologica 05/2005; 33(2):142 - 148. · 0.89 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: In vivo fluorescence methods have been accepted as a quick, simple, and useful tool for quantification of phytoplankton organisms. In this paper, we present a case study in which fluorescence methods were employed for the selective detection of potentially toxic cyanobacteria in raw water at the drinking water treatment plant. The occurrence of cyanobacteria in the drinking water reservoir and in raw water was monitored by phycocyanin fluorescence measurements and by standard methods for phytoplankton quantification (cell counts, chlorophyll a). A special attention was paid to the most critical parts of the season — spring recruitment of cyanobacteria from sediment to water column and autumn bloom collapse. All methods showed similar patterns within the season. Phycocyanin fluorescence was found to be a simple and sensitive indicator of cyanobacteria in water and can serve as a tool that can provide an early warning about the presence of potentially toxic cyanobacterial metabolites in water.
Water Research.
