23 research outputs found
IMMUNE INDEXES IN PATIENTS WITH PROGRESSIVE FIBROUS-CAVERNOUS TUBERCULOSIS DEPENDENT ON SEVERITY OF DESTRUCTIVE CHANGES IN THE LUNGS
No full textAbstract. We have studied cellular immune state in patients with progressive fibrous cavernous tuberculosis (FCT) with varying severity of lung destructive changes. It was found that increasing number of specific cytotoxic lymphocytes, NK-, NKT-, CD95-cells and activated T-lymphocytes, accompanied by a significant decrease of T-helper cells, B cells, CD25-cells, is a sign of destruction, along with inhibition of antigen-specific cellular response and functional insufficiency of T-helper and cytotoxic lymphocytes. Increased severity of the disease is consistent with activation of B cell compartment and weaker phagocytic function of neutrophils.Significant differences were revealed in spontaneous and induced production of IFNγ, IL-2 and IL-8 between various groups of patients with FCT. The alterations of immune and cytokine status in a certain clinical subgroup with progressing FCT were indicative for depletion of immune system potential. As based on these data, we have established some criteria in order to assess severity of immune pathology in the patients with progressing FCT which may be of predictive value for evaluating trends in development of the specific process and feasibility of immune correction therapy
FEATURES OF SPECIFIC IMMUNE RESPONSE IN THE PATIENTS WITH FIBROUS/CAVERNOUS TUBERCULOSIS OF LUNGS
No full textAbstract. The aim of the present study was to determine the different profiles of the immune responsiveness of the patients with fibro-cavernous pulmonary tuberculosis to PPD from M.tuberculosis in comparison with their response to standart mitogen and IFNγ. A pronounced specific Th1 response was found, evidenced by the enhanced proliferation and IL-2 and IFNγ production after contact of their peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) with PPD. At the same time a high frequency of PPD-anergy was shown: сonsiderable proportion of TB patients was characterized by low proliferative response to PPD coupled with the low levels of IL-2 and IFNγ. Most of the patients revealed failure of monocyte/macrophage oxidative burst in response to PPD. Additionally a positive correlation was found between the levels of their PBMC’s oxidative burst and IL-4 production
IMPACT OF MEDICAL AND SOCIAL FACTORS ON SURGICAL OUTCOMES OF PULMONARY TUBERCULOSIS IN HIV POSITIVE PATIENTS
No full textThe Institutionalisation of Political Risk Assessment in Central and Eastern European International Firms
No full textCharacteristics of Complications after Pulmonary Tuberculosis Surgery in HIV-Infected Patients with Different CD4+ Levels and Viral Load
No full textThe objective: to study postoperative complications in pulmonary tuberculosis HIV positive patients with the relevance to CD4+ count and viral load before surgery.Subjects and methods. The results of planned lung resections of various extent for tuberculosis in 139 HIV positive patients were analyzed.Results. There was no statistically significant correlation between baseline CD4+ count and viral load and the development of postoperative complications in the investigated cases
The Empirical Determinants of the Adoption of a Political Risk Assessment Function in International Firms
No full textThis paper seeks to conceptualise a new approach to the identification of the factors influencing the adoption of a political risk assessment (PRA) function. The research population will comprise a convenience sample of Czech and Slovak international firms. The information whether or not a firm has set up a PRA function will be obtained via a questionnaire survey. By making use of firm value maximization and risk aversion and considering the rationale for risk management activities: (i) reducing the expected costs of financial distress; (ii) reducing the risk premiums payable to various partners; (iii) increasing investment possibilities; and (iv) reducing expected tax payments, we develop a number of determinants to be employed in PRA studies; and we propose a model for predicting the PRA adoption decision
A New Approach to Designing a Political Risk Assessment Survey in International Firms in the Context of Czech International Firms
No full textThis paper seeks to resolve a conceptual dilemma in the field of political risk assessment in firms‟ international business activities in the context of the Czech Republic. Exploratory interviews were conducted which were designed on basis of a solid body of literature on political risk, international business, political risk assessment, risk management and assessment, and enterprise risk management. The results obtained via these interviews suggest that this PRA function is almost non-existent in Czech international firms, i.e. suggest that findings of previous studies do not apply. Since previous studies of PRA identified a PRA function in the majority of firms involved in international business the results of the exploratory research suggest a novel and different approach needs to be adopted in order to analyse the nature of treatment of host-country political risk in Czech-specific context, and the factors influencing the choice whether or not to adopt a PRA functio
Results of Thoracic Surgery in HIV-infected Patients
No full textThe objective: substantiation of the possibility of surgical treatment of various lung diseases in HIV-infected patients.Subjects and Methods. Comorbidities, medical history, bad habits, ongoing antiretroviral therapy (ARVT), viral load and CD4+count before and after lung surgery were assessed. Blood loss during the operation, intra- and postoperative complications was analyzed. Causes of postoperative lethality were analyzed.Results. According to results of the study, planned surgical treatment for chronic abscess, tuberculosis, cancer, mycotic pulmonary lesions and cicatricial stenosis of the trachea in HIV-infected patients is justified, and should be performed based on indications common for these diseases. This is confirmed by the level of postoperative complications in HIV-negative patients. The vast majority of complications were temporary, not severe, and were resolved by conservative treatment. Achievment of the best results is facilitated by ongoing ART
Indications for Extrapleural Thoracoplasty in HIV-Positive Patients with Destructive Pulmonary Tuberculosis
No full textThe objective: to specify indications for extrapleural thoracoplasty in patients with destructive pulmonary tuberculosis and comorbid HIV infection.Subjects and Methods. Results of surgical treatment of 78 destructive pulmonary tuberculosis patients were studied. Those patients underwent extrapleural thoracoplasty in Pulmonary Tuberculosis Surgery Unit of City Tuberculosis Hospital No. 2 in St. Petersburg from 2009 to 2022.Results. The article clarifies the indications for extrapleural thoracoplasty in patients with destructive pulmonary tuberculosis and comorbid HIV infection, in whom contraindications to pulmonary resections have been identified. Medical records of 78 patients with destructive tuberculosis were retrospectively analyzed, the patients were divided into two groups according to their HIV status. It has been established that with combination of adequate preoperative preparation and postoperative management, rational anti-tuberculosis chemotherapy and ART, extrapleural thoracoplasty for HIV-positive patients can be performed in accordance with general practice
