Circadian leptin concentration changes in critically ill heart failure patients.

Physiologically, leptin concentration is controlled by circadian rhythm. However, in critically ill patients, circadian rhythm is disrupted. Thus we hypothesized that circadian leptin concentration changes are not preserved in critically ill patients. Ten consecutive critically ill heart failure patients with the clinical indication for mechanical ventilation and sedation were included into our study. Plasma leptin concentration was measured every 4 h during the first day (0-24 h) and during the third day (48-72 h) after admission. During the first day, there were significant leptin concentration changes (ANOVA, p<0.05), characterized by an increase in concentration by 44 % (16-58 %); p=0.02 around noon (10 am-2 pm) and then a decrease in concentration by 7 % (1-27 %); p=0.04 in the morning (2 am-6 am). In contrast, there was no significant change in leptin concentration during the third day after admission (ANOVA, p=0.79). Based on our preliminary results, we concluded that in critically ill heart failure patients, the circadian rhythm of plasma leptin concentration seems to be preserved during the first but not during the third day after admission.

[Cost analysis of radiotherapy provided in inpatient setting -  testing potential predictors for a new prospective payment system]. / Analýza nákladu na radioterapii v luzkové péci - hledání vhodných prediktoru pro potreby nového prospektivního úhradového modelu.

BACKGROUND: As a part of the development of a new prospective payment model for radiotherapy we analyzed data on costs of care provided by three comprehensive cancer centers in the Czech Republic. Our aim was to find a combination of variables (predictors) which could be used to sort hospitalization cases into groups according to their costs, with each group having the same reimbursement rate. We tested four variables as possible predictors -  number of fractions, stage of disease, radiotherapy technique and diagnostic group. METHODS: We analyzed 7,440 hospitalization cases treated in three comprehensive cancer centers from 2007 to 2011. We acquired data from the I COP database developed by Institute of Biostatistics and Analyses of Masaryk University in cooperation with oncology centers that contains records from the National Oncological Registry along with data supplied by healthcare providers to insurance companies for the purpose of retrospective reimbursement. RESULTS: When comparing the four variables mentioned above we found that number of fractions and radiotherapy technique were much stronger predictors than the other two variables. Stage of disease did not prove to be a relevant indicator of cost distinction. There were significant differences in costs among diagnostic groups but these were mostly driven by the technique of radiotherapy and the number of fractions. Within the diagnostic groups, the distribution of costs was too heterogeneous for the purpose of the new payment model. CONCLUSION: The combination of number of fractions and radiotherapy technique appears to be the most appropriate cost predictors to be involved in the prospective payment model proposal. Further analysis is planned to test the predictive value of intention of radiotherapy in order to determine differences in costs between palliative and curative treatment.

[Continuing progress in withdrawal of axillary dissection in early stage breast cancer]. / Dalsí postupný ústup od axilární disekce u casného karcinomu prsu.

For a long period of time, axillary dissection represented a standard approach for axillary node management in the case of sentinel node biopsy positivity during early stage breast cancer treatment. In recent years, there has been a trend to highlight the morbidity of such an axillary procedure considering longterm survival of early stage breast cancer patients. Two big trials, AMAROS and Z0011, were initiated to answer the question whether axillary dissection should be performed in the case of positivity of axillary sentinel node considering the fact that more than 70% of these patients will have no metastasis found during the axillary dissection and such a procedure only increases the morbidity of the surgery. Considering the results of the above mentioned trials, axillary dissection may be avoided in the case of fulfilling of inclusion criteria of these trials without any impact on the patient survival. IBCSG 23- 01 study brought similar conclusion in the case of micrometastasis in axillary sentinel node.

[Serious sepsis treatment in intensive care departments in the Czech Republic -  EPOSS Project pilot results]. / Lécba tezké sepse na pracovistích intenzivní péce v Ceské republice -  pilotní výsledky projektu EPOSS.

INTRODUCTION: Severe sepsis is still associated with significant morbidity and mortality, which is however different, as well as its management, depending on the region. What is the situation in the Czech Republic and what is the character of patients with severe sepsis is currently not known. The aim of the project is to describe the processes of care, outcome and characteristics of patients with severe sepsis admitted to the intensive care department of the Czech Republic. METHODS: This is a multicentre and observational project with retrospective enrollment of patients who meet the criteria for severe sepsis before or within 24 hours after admission to selected intensive care units (ICU EPOSS). RESULTS: 394 patients were analyzed. Median age at admission was 66 (56- 76) years, males predominated (58.9%) and the median APACHE II score on admission was 25 (19- 32). Patients were predominantly medical (56.9%) and most were secondary admitted from other ICU (53.6%). Meeting the criteria of severe sepsis was most frequently within the period (± 4 hours) of admission the EPOSS ICU (77.6%). Median total fluid intake during the first 24 hours was 6,680 (4,840- 9,450) ml. Most patients required mechanical ventilation (58.4%). Compliance with the resuscitation bundle of severe sepsis in our group was very good and was associated with lower mortality of patients. Most frequently, the EPOSS ICU length of stay (LOS) was 7 (3- 15) days and median hospital LOS was 13 (8- 28) days. Hospital mortality in our cohort was 35.8%. CONCLUSION: Introducing the project, which in its first stage obtained valuable and internationally comparable data about patients with severe sepsis admitted to the involved ICU in the Czech Republic.

Impaired bioavailability and antiplatelet effect of high-dose clopidogrel in patients after cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

PURPOSE: Bioavailability of clopidogrel in the form of crushed tablets administered via nasogastric tube (NGT) has not been established in patients after cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Therefore, we performed a study comparing pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic response to high loading dose of clopidogrel in critically ill patients after cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) with patients scheduled for elective coronary angiography with stent implantation. METHODS: In the NGT group (nine patients, after cardiopulmonary resuscitation, mechanically ventilated, therapeutic hypothermia), clopidogrel was administered in the form of crushed tablets via NGT. Ten patients undergoing elective coronary artery stenting took clopidogrel per os (po) in the form of intact tablets. Pharmacokinetics of clopidogrel was measured with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) before and at 0.5, 1, 6, 12, 24 h after administration of a loading dose of 600 mg. In five patients in each group, antiplatelet effect was measured with thrombelastography (TEG; Platelet Mapping) before and 24 h after administration. RESULTS: The carboxylic acid metabolite of clopidogrel was detected in all patients in the po group. In eight patients, the maximum concentration was measured in the range of 0.5-1 h after the initial dose. In four patients in the of NGT group, the carboxylic acid metabolite of clopidogrel was undetectable and in the remaining patients was significantly delayed (peak values at 12 h). All patients in the po group reached clinically relevant (>50 %) inhibition of thrombocyte adenosine diphosphate (ADP) receptor after 24 h compared with only two in the NGT group (p = 0.012). There was a close correlation between peak of inactive clopidogrel metabolite plasmatic concentration and inhibition of the ADP receptor (r = 0.79; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The bioavailability of clopidogrel in critically ill patients after cardiopulmonary resuscitation is significantly impaired compared with stable patients. Therefore, other drugs, preferentially administered intravenously, should be considered.

Porcine model of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm repair.

OBJECTIVES: To validate a porcine model of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (rAAA) repair. DESIGN: Experimental study. METHODS: Ten experimental and five sham-operated pigs were studied. Instrumentation for cardiac output (CO) measurement, regional blood flow (renal-REN and portal-PORT) and blood sampling (inferior vena cava (IVC), renal and portal vein) was done. Microcirculation was visualised sublingually and in ileostoma. PROTOCOL: simulation of rAAA with bleeding (mean arterial pressure (MAP) 45 mmHg) and increased abdominal pressure (25 mmHg) for 4 h; 2 h of infrarenal clamp with shed blood retransfusion; 11 h of post-surgery care. RESULTS: Six experimental pigs completed the protocol and are presented. Bleeding decreased CO to 95%, PORT to 80% and REN to 10% of baseline. From clamping on CO and PORT increased above baseline whereas REN (47%) with creatinine clearance remained compromised till the end. Microcirculation was affected more in ileum than sublingually. Approximately threefold increase in cytokines (tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-alpha), interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-10) and oxidative stress markers (thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARs) and 4-hydroxy-2-trans-nonenal (HNE) was observed. Only mild increase in IL-6 and TBARs was observed in sham-operated animals. Organ histology did not reveal differences between groups. CONCLUSIONS: This near-lethal model of rAAA induced expected severe deterioration of haemodynamics and metabolism accompanied with a moderate inflammatory and oxidative stress response.

Repeated chemosensitivity testing in patients with epithelial ovarian carcinoma.

Epithelial ovarian carcinoma (EOC) is a highly chemosensitive tumor, but most patients with advanced EOC initially responding to first-line chemotherapy will eventually relapse. Chemosensitivity testing may offer an opportunity for the optimal selection of chemotherapeutic agents for individual patients. In the present retrospective analysis we have examined the changes in chemosensitivity profiles during the course of the disease. Chemosensitivity was determined using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) test. Two or more samples at least 14 days apart were obtained from 34 patients with ovarian cancer. Chemoresistance increased significantly at the second measurement only for paclitaxel and carboplatin, the most frequently used cytotoxic drugs. No significant difference compared to baseline was observed at subsequent measurements for any other cytotoxic agent studied, although a non-significant trend for increased chemoresistance was observed. In conclusion, in the present cohort only paclitaxel and carboplatin chemosensitivity changed significantly, although to a limited extent, during the course of the disease. In contrast to a limited increase of paclitaxel and carboplatin chemoresistance, no significant changes were observed for other cytotoxic agents examined. The present data indicate that chemoresistance increases, to a modest extent, against the drug most frequently used, but remains relatively stable during the course of disease, especially for agents that are not used in the therapeutic regimen.

[Immodin in the treatment of immunoparalysis in intensive care patients]. / Immodin v lécbe imunoparalýzy nemocných v intenzivní péci.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of administration of the immunoregulating preparation Immodin (Sevapharma, CZ) to influence immunoparalysis in intensive care unit patients. METHOD: A double blind, randomised clinical study was designed for the above purpose. The patients in whom immunoparalysis was detected during monitoring (CD14+ HLA-DR+ < or = 40 %) were randomised for the administration of Immodin (IM) or placebo (PL); the treatment lasted for 5 days. 45 (25% of all monitored) patients - the men/women ratio being 29/16, 60 (54; 65) years of age - were enrolled in the study (of which 25 IM and 20 PL). RESULTS: The patients did not show differences in ICU mortality - 23 IM patients survived, 2 IM patients died; 15 PL patients survived and 5 PL patients died (p = 0.214). The time of ICU hospitalisation did not differ, either - 11.6 days for IM patients (8.2; 14.9), 12.6 days for PL patients (9.1; 16.1) (P = 0.659) - nor did the number of nosocomial infections - 4 out of 25 IM patients and 4 out of 20 PL patients (p = 0.776). No difference was observed between the patient groups during a 5 day intervention period in terms of SOFA score development (p = 0.954), SIRS days (p = 0.614), sepsis or severe sepsis (respectively p = 0.451 and p = 0.250). No difference was recorded in the trends of basic immunologic parameters, either (CD14+ HLA-DR+ - p = 0.460, production of TNFalpha - p = 0.802, IL-6 - p = 0.335 , IL-10 - p = 0.226). The trend of inflammation parameters was also identical (CRP - p = 0.673, PCT - p = 0.711 ). CONCLUSION: The effect of 5 day administration of Immodin to ICU patients with symptoms of immunoparalysis does not differ from that of placebo.

Continuous venovenous hemofiltration: effects on monocyte and lymphocyte immunophenotype in critically ill patients.

The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that continuous venovenous hemofiltration (CVVH) increases HLA-DR expression on monocytes and T lymphocytes in critically ill patients. 24 septic (SP) and 10 non-septic (NSP) medical ICU patients with acute renal failure were studied prospectively. The ultrafiltration rate was 20-30 ml.kg(-1).h(-1). The total and differential white cell counts were measured and CD3+ lymphocyte count, HLA-DR expression on CD14+ monocytes and CD3+ lymphocytes were analysed by two-colour flow cytometry before, 4 and 24 h after CVVH initiation, respectively. CVVH did not influence leukocyte, granulocyte, total lymphocyte and CD3+ lymphocyte counts in both groups of patients. The percentage of HLA-DR+/CD14+ monocytes in SP revealed no changes, whereas it decreased after 4 h of CWH in NSP (p < 0.05). The percentage of HLA-DR+/CD3+ lymphocytes in SP decreased after 24 h (p < 0.05), whereas it remained unchanged in NSP. We conclude that CWH initiation is not associated with the increase of HLA-DR expression on CD14+ monocytes and T lymphocytes in critically ill patients with acute renal failure.

Submaximal exercise in healthy volunteers: the relationship between gastric mucosal and systemic energy status.

The effect of exercise on gastric mucosal energy status has not been fully elucidated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of submaximal cycling on gastric mucosal energy balance and its relationship to changes in systemic energy status. Ten healthy volunteers (age 20-40 years) were investigated at rest (BL), during 30 min of submaximal exercise (E) on bicycle ergometry and during the 30 min after the completion of cycling. Gastric mucosal PCO(2) ( P(gm)CO(2)) was measured by air tonometry at 10-min intervals and the gastric mucosal-arterial PCO(2) difference ( PCO(2)gap) was calculated. Hemodynamics, arterial blood gases, lactate and pyruvate were also measured. PCO(2)gap significantly increased throughout exercise [BL: 0.2 kPa (median), -0.1-0.6 kPa (25th-75th percentiles); E(10 min): 1.0 kPa, 0.8-1.7 kPa; E(20 min): 1.35 kPa, 0.8-1.8 kPa; E(30 min): 1.5 kPa, 0.9-2.0 kPa]. The early changes in PCO(2)gap ( PCO(2)gap at E(10 min) minus PCO(2)gap at BL) correlated significantly and positively with corresponding changes in arterial lactate ( r(2)=0.58, P<0.05) and lactate-to-pyruvate ratio ( r(2)=0.72, P<0.05). On recovery, all metabolic parameters normalized within 30 min. We conclude that submaximal cycling in volunteers leads to the early derangement of gastric mucosal energy balance. The time course of PCO(2)gap parallels changes in systemic energy status.

Impact of enteral feeding on gastric tonometry in healthy volunteers and critically ill patients.

BACKGROUND: Enteral feeding may interfere with gastric tonometry measurement. The effect of enteral nutrition on gastric tonometry has not been fully documented. METHODS: Seven healthy volunteers and nine stable intensive care unit (ICU) patients with poor tolerance of gastric feeding were investigated. Consecutive continuous postpyloric and gastric feeding, both at two different rates (40 and 100 ml. h-1, respectively), and an intragastric 200 ml nutrition bolus were studied. Gastric intramucosal PCO2 (PiCO2) was measured by air tonometry and in patients a gastric intramucosal-arterial PCO2 difference (PCO2 gap) was calculated. Hemodynamics and blood gases were also measured. RESULTS: In volunteers, PiCO2 remained stable during the postpyloric phase. During continuous gastric feeding PiCO2 did not change significantly, although in 4 volunteers PiCO2 increased >0.5 kPa. PiCO2 decreased significantly after gastric bolus from 6.9+/-0.4 to 6.1+/-0.5 kPa (P<0.05). Eight patients had an increased PCO2 gap (>1 kPa) at baseline (1.8+/-0.6 kPa). PCO2 gap changes during the whole study were not statistically significant. However, during the postpyloric phase (or immediately afterwards), the PCO2 gap increased by more than 0.5 kPa in 5 patients. After gastric bolus, a decrease in PCO2 gap >0.5 kPa was seen in 5 patients. CONCLUSION: In volunteers, postpyloric feeding does not interfere with gastric tonometry measurement and gastric bolus leads to a PiCO2 decrease. The impact of postpyloric and gastric feeding on gastric tonometry in ICU patients with compromised gut is variable.

Effects of ultrafiltration, dialysis, and temperature on gas exchange during hemodiafiltration: a laboratory experiment.

To study gas exchange in the filter during continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration (CVVHDF), an air-tight heated mixing chamber with adjustable CO2 supply was constructed and connected to a CVVHDF monitor. Bicarbonate-free crystalloid (Part 1) and packed red blood cell (Part 2) solutions were circulated at 150 ml x min(-1). Gas exchange expressed as pre-postfilter difference in CO2 and O2 contents was measured at different CVVHDF settings and temperatures of circulating and dialysis solutions. Ultrafiltration was most efficacious for CO2 removal (at 1,000 ml x h(-1) ultrafiltration CO2 losses reached 13% of prefilter CO2 content). Addition of dialysis (1,000 ml x h(-1)) increased CO2 loss to 17% and at maximal parameters (filtration 3,000 ml x h(-1), dialysis 2,500 ml x h(-1)), the loss of CO2 amounted to 35% of prefilter content. Temperature changes of circulating and/or dialysis fluids had no significant impact on CO2 losses. The O2 exchange during CVVHDF was negligible. Currently used CVVHDF is only marginally effective in CO2 removal. Higher volume ultrafiltration combined with dialysis can be expected to reach clinical significance.

Effect of dopexamine on outcome after major abdominal surgery: a prospective, randomized, controlled multicenter study. European Multicenter Study Group on Dopexamine in Major Abdominal Surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that dopexamine reduces postoperative mortality and morbidity in high-risk, major abdominal surgery patients, when given to fluid-resuscitated patients starting before the operation and continued for 24 hrs after surgery. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, controlled, double-blind multicenter trial. SETTING: Intensive care units in 13 hospitals from six European countries. PATIENTS: A total of 412 patients with predefined high-risk criteria, undergoing major abdominal surgery with an expected duration of at least 1.5 hrs. INTERVENTIONS: The patients received placebo (n = 140), dopexamine at 0.5 microg/kg/min (n = 135), or dopexamine at 2.0 microg/kg/ min (n = 137) starting after preoperative hemodynamic stabilization and continued for 24 hrs after surgery. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The primary outcome variable was mortality at 28 days. Analysis was by intention to treat. Dopexamine had no effect on mortality (at 28 days, 13%, 7%, and 15%, for the groups receiving placebo, dopexamine at 0.5 microg/kg/ min, and dopexamine at 2.0 microg/kg/min, respectively), despite the expected dose-dependent hemodynamic responses. No effect was observed on the occurrence of organ dysfunction, duration of intensive care unit stay, or length of hospital stay. CONCLUSION: We conclude that dopexamine in doses that result in increased cardiac output and oxygen delivery after preoperative stabilization with fluids does not improve outcome after major abdominal surgery compared with fluids alone. Based on post hoc subgroup analysis and stratification according to the number of risk factors, we suggest that the concept should be further tested in patients at higher risk of complications or undergoing emergency surgery.

[Acute respiratory distress syndrome]. / Akutní respiracní distress syndrom.

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is the general term used for severe acute respiratory failure of diverse aetiology. It is associated with a high morbidity, mortality (50-70%), and financial costs. Regardless of aetiology, the basic pathogenesis of ARDS is a systemic inflammatory response leading to a diffuse inflammatory process that involves both lungs, thus causing diffuse alveolar and endothelial damage with increased pulmonary capillary permeability and excessive extravascular lung water accumulation. ARDS is commonly associated with sepsis and multiple organ failure. The clinical picture involves progressive hypoxaemia, radiographic evidence of pulmonary oedema, decreased lung compliance and pulmonary hypertension. Despite the scientific and technological progress in critical care medicine, there is no specific ARDS therapy available at the moment and its management remains supportive. Therapeutic goals include resolution of underlying conditions, maintenance of acceptable gas exchange and tissue oxygenation and prevention of iatrogenic lung injury. Many new specific therapeutic strategies have been developed, however, most of them require further scientific evaluation. The paper reviews definition, basic pathogenesis and pathophysiology of ARDS and discusses current concepts of therapeutic possibilities of ARDS.

Continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration (CVVHDF) with citrate anticoagulation in the treatment of a patient with acute renal failure, hypercalcemia, and thrombocytopenia.

A 72-year-old patient with multiple myeloma was admitted to the intensive care unit because of hypercalcemic crisis and acute renal failure. After 7 days of comprehensive therapy including diuretics steroids, calcitonin, and intermittent hemodialysis (IHD) with low-calcium dialysate, calcium still reached high levels between IHD treatments and thrombocytopenia developed after chemotherapy. CVVHDF with calcium-free bicarbonate dialysate was started. Anticoagulation with 2.2% citrate was performed in order to chelate calcium, and thus treat the hypercalcemia, and to provide regional anticoagulation, and thus reduce the risk of bleeding due to thrombocytopenia. CVVHDF with citrate anticoagulation was continued for 6 days, and standard heparin anticoagulation was started when the hypercalcemia and thrombocytopenia abated.

Glutamine and other amino acid losses during continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration.

Serum amino grams and daily losses of glutamine (Gln) and other amino acids (AAs) into diafiltrate were measured during the first 5 days of continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration (CVVHDF) in 6 ICU patients with acute renal failure (ARF). Four patients had ARF as a part of multiple organ failure (MOF) of septic origin, and 2 patients had isolated ARF because of primary renal disease. During the study, all the patients received defined total parenteral nutrition (TPN). The mean daily AA losses into dialysate were relatively low (0.61 +/- 0.1 gN) and reached 4.5% of the daily AA substitution. Gln represented 32.7 +/- 5.9% of the total AA losses (0.19 +/- 0.04 gN). Serum levels of Gln (p = 0.002) and of most other AAs were significantly lower in the patients than in the control subjects (AA analysis in 16 healthy volunteers). Phenylalanine (Phe) was the only AA that was increased significantly (p < 0.01) in the patients. The mean patient serum concentrations of Phe and tyrosine were significantly higher (p < 0.03) than the correspondent concentrations in dialysate, but the lysine concentration was higher in dialysate (p < 0.03). The serum and dialysate concentrations of other AAs did not differ. Gln in serum decreased significantly (p < 0.03) on the second day of CVVHDF but returned to the baseline levels subsequently. Serum concentrations of Phe increased on the second day of CVVHDF (p < 0.05). Serum concentrations of other AAs remained stable during the whole study. We conclude that Gln losses into dialysate during CVVHDF are relatively low, but CVVHDF itself may induce changes in Gln metabolism and distribution that are reflected by a decrease of serum Gln levels at the institution of this treatment. Therefore, the need for Gln supplementation in ICU patients is even greater in the first days of CVVHDF.

[Temporal relationship between food intake, administration of insulin and physical loading in type I diabetics treated with an intensified insulin regimen]. / Casový vztah príjmu potravy, aplikace inzulinu a fyzické záteze u diabetiku I. typu lécených intenzifikovanými inzulinovými rezimy.

BACKGROUND: Although there is no doubt about the benefit of physical exercise in diabetic patients, risks of exercise are known in particular in type 1 diabetics. The purpose of the investigation was to assess the optimal time of exercise in relation to food intake and insulin administration in type 1 diabetics treated by intensified insulin regimens. METHODS AND RESULTS: The group comprised 31 type 1 diabetic patients without complications (21 women, 11 men) mean age 26 years, range 18-32 years with a mean duration of diabetes of 9 +/- 5.3 years and a BMI of 24.7 +/- 2.3. The patients were treated by intensified insulin regimens. In order to evaluate the blood sugar reaction they were subjected to a physical load amounting to 50% of the maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) after exercise in the morning on fasting (state I), after administration of an insulin bolus and after breakfast (stage II) and after administration of a snack containing 20 g carbohydrate without insulin administration (stage III). The results of the blood sugar level during the 30th minute and during the fourth hour of the investigation are presented as per cent of the initial blood sugar level. Stage I ((10.1 mmol/l, SD = 5.2, 94%, SD = 54, 107%, SD = 50), stage II (9.16 mmol/l, SD = 5.1, 131%, SD = 86, 135%, SD = 97) and stage III (7.66 mmol/l, SD = 3.9, 189%, SD = 150, 153%, SD = 97). Processing of the results by Wilcoxon's test revealed a statistically significant difference of the blood sugar level after the load only between stages I and III (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: In type 1 diabetics treated by intensified insulin regimens the authors did not reveal a different response of the blood sugar level to loads on fasting or after a meal and insulin. Thus it is not necessary to respect previous recommendations: to take exercise 30-60 minutes after a meal, but according to individual needs of the patients.

[Comparison of the effect of continuous and intermittent physical loading in type I diabetics]. / Srovnání úcinku kontinuální a intervalové záteze u diabetiku I. typu.

In order to evaluate the optimal mode of physical loads the authors examined 19 diabetics type I without secondary complications. On the second day of an educational-rehabilitation camp the authors subjected the patients to a continuous load-a 40-minute endurance run at a heart rate equal to 60% of the maximal oxygen requirement. On the fifth day an intermittent load with a maximal intensity--training of 4 x 10 minutes with 5-minute intervals was administered. At the onset, during the 20th and 40th minute of the load the titrable acidity, lactate and blood sugar level were assessed. The intermittent load led already after 20 minutes to marked acidosis (titrable acidity = 12) which did not increase after 40 minutes of the load. The authors recorded a statistically significant rise of the lactate level (4.57 mmol/l) which after 40 minutes of the load rose further to 12.3 mmol/l, as compared with values of titrable acidity during the 20th and 40th minute (0.44 and 1.14) and lactate during the 20th and 40th minute (4.57 and 3.86 mmol/l) during a continuous load. After evaluation by the test of linear correlation it appears with regard to the stability of the blood sugar level during a load that an intermittent load is more favourable. The drop of the blood sugar level in time during a continuous load was at the 1 level of significance, in intermittent loads at the 5% of significance. Both types of loads did not lead to hypoglycaemia or other complications and thus both can be used in diabetics type I.

[Does reconditioning improve compensation in diabetics?]. / Zlepsuje rekondice kompenzaci diabetu?

The authors evaluate the short-term and long-term effect of a ten-day educational camp on metabolic compensation, the physical and mental state and knowledge of the disease in 30 diabetics type I, mean age 29 years (range 17-45 years) with a duration of diabetes of 6.3 years (plus minus 5.6). After processing of individual parameters at the onset, after termination of reconditioning and after two subsequent months the authors revealed after evaluation by the paired t-test a statistically insignificant drop of the mean blood sugar level after reconditioning. After two months the mean blood sugar level rose again insignificantly and an insignificant decline of glycosylated haemoglobin occurred. After reconditioning a statistically significant decline of insulin consumption occurred (p < 0.01) but after two months the consumption returned to the original level. A significant increase was recorded in the knowledge of the disease (p < 0.05) and an increase in physical fitness (p < 0.01). The authors consider thus that the positive effect of reconditioning is mainly in training of a proper lifestyle, learning of self-monitoring and psychic improvement.