Nonterrorist suicides using hand grenades on the territory of the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina, Serbia, from 1990 to 2009

Suicides using hand grenades are very rare. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the cases of nonterrorist suicides using hand grenades according to the number of cases per year, sex, age categories, season of the year, day of the week, ethanol blood level, type of hand grenade, pattern of injuries, risk factors, and suicide place over a 20-year period, from 1990 to 2009 in Vojvodina, Serbia. The total number of the cases in this period was 81, with the highest number of cases in 1997 and 2002. Twelwe victims were part of six double suicides, where one grenade was used to commit suicide to both victims. The results highlighted male predominance of the victims, sober state, the use of military hand grenades (M75 and M52 type), posttraumatic stress disorder due to participation in military clashes as the main risk factor, and countryside as the place of suicide.     

Bilateral fused pelvic kidney ectopia with a single draining ureter solved by craniolateral displacement of the kidney and Boari-modified bladder–calyceal anastomosis with bladder augmentation

Abstract:   A pelvic cake kidney with hydronephrosis and renal failure with the single draining ureter was reported. Frequent urination related to compression of the bladder was the most important symptom. The kidney was craniolaterally displaced, the malfunctioning ureter was replaced with the Boari-like tubularization of the bladder, and the neoureter was anastomosed with the calyx. The bladder was enlarged by intestinal augmentation.     

Risk factors of atherosclerosis: A review of genetic epidemiology data from a Serbian population

Determining common risk factors for the onset and progression of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases, which are known to be multi-factorial and polygenic diseases, represents a challenge for medicine in the future. In recent years, there have been breakthroughs in the determination of pathogenesis, risk estimating methodologies, modifications of genetic risk in prophylaxis and in establishing new therapeutic targets in pharmacology. The role of genetic epidemiology is to provide necessary data about genetic characteristics of different populations, as well as gene-gene and gene-environment interactions, that lead to the development of diseases. The aim is to define high-risk haplotypes and primary targets for a new generation of pharmaceutical products and tools designed for the diagnosis and therapy of these disorders. The present review provides examples from the authors' genetic epidemiology studies regarding the association of candidate genes with risk factors of atherosclerosis, such as dyslipidemias, hypertension and diabetes mellitus, in a Serbian population, along with basic assumptions that come with this type of research. The main results of these studies are discussed, as well as problems that should be taken into consideration in future evaluations of disease risk in a population.     

Y-chromosomal evidence of the cultural diffusion of agriculture in southeast Europe

The debate concerning the mechanisms underlying the prehistoric spread of farming to Southeast Europe is framed around the opposing roles of population movement and cultural diffusion. To investigate the possible involvement of local people during the transition of agriculture in the Balkans, we analysed patterns of Y-chromosome diversity in 1206 subjects from 17 population samples, mainly from Southeast Europe. Evidence from three Y-chromosome lineages, I-M423, E-V13 and J-M241, make it possible to distinguish between Holocene Mesolithic forager and subsequent Neolithic range expansions from the eastern Sahara and the Near East, respectively. In particular, whereas the Balkan microsatellite variation associated to J-M241 correlates with the Neolithic period, those related to E-V13 and I-M423 Balkan Y chromosomes are consistent with a late Mesolithic time frame. In addition, the low frequency and variance associated to I-M423 and E-V13 in Anatolia and the Middle East, support an European Mesolithic origin of these two clades. Thus, these Balkan Mesolithic foragers with their own autochthonous genetic signatures, were destined to become the earliest to adopt farming, when it was subsequently introduced by a cadre of migrating farmers from the Near East. These initial local converted farmers became the principal agents spreading this economy using maritime leapfrog colonization strategies in the Adriatic and transmitting the Neolithic cultural package to other adjacent Mesolithic populations. The ensuing range expansions of E-V13 and I-M423 parallel in space and time the diffusion of Neolithic Impressed Ware, thereby supporting a case of cultural diffusion using genetic evidence.     

Variations of pulmonary vessels: Some practical implications for lung resections

Anatomical variations of the bronchi and lung vessels may be important obstacles during lung resection if overlooked. We designed this study to determine the frequency and types of variations of lung vessels during lung resections. In a 3[1/2]‐year‐period, anatomical variations were recorded and registered by digital photography at the hilar and/or interlobar areas during lung resection surgery on 140 patients. Variations of the pulmonary blood vessels were observed in 23 patients. Of these, 12 patients had variations of the middle lobe vessels. Middle lobe veins emptying into the right inferior pulmonary vein, and middle lobe arteries originating from the artery for the basal segments, were observed in four patients each; two separate middle lobe arteries and a low origin of the middle lobe artery existed in three and one patient, respectively. Among seven patients with variations of the lingular vessels, the lingular artery originating from the artery for the basal segments was found in three patients; the remaining variations referred to absent or low origin of the lingular artery (in one patient each), and to an aberrant lingular vein, separate from the upper lobe vein (two patients). A single unilateral pulmonary vein and a left‐sided bronchial tree completely behind the pulmonary artery existed in three and one patient, respectively. Potential problems related to these variations during resectional lung surgery are discussed. Awareness of the most frequent variations is of utmost importance for safe lung resections. Clin. Anat. 22:698–705, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Allergic contact dermatitis from temporary henna tattoo

Temporary henna tattooing has been very popular during recent years. Henna ( Lawsonia inermis ) is a plant from the Lythraceae family. For henna tattooing, henna dye is used. It is a dark green powder, made from the leaves of the plant, used for hair dyeing and body tattooing. Very often, para-phenylenediamine (PPD) is added to henna dye to make color blacker and to speed up dyeing. PPD may be a very potent contact sensitizer. We report a 9-year-old boy with allergic contact dermatitis due to temporary henna tattooing. Patch testing showed a positive reaction to PPD. After the treatment with topical corticosteroid and oral antihistamines, the lesion cleared with discrete residual hypopigmentation.