Range of motion in the joints of the upper extremity at different stages of sympathetic reflex dystrophy (SRD)]

Sympathetic reflex dystrophy of the upper extremity is among the most serious complications of trauma injuries. The aim of this paper was to assess the effectiveness of mobilization treatment, augmented by cryogenic temperatures of post trauma SRD of the upper extremity. The material comprised 113 patients treated at the Orthopedic Outpatient Clinic of the J. Babiński Hospital in Breslau during the years 1987-1995. All patients underwent conservative treatment because of post trauma SRD. The effectiveness of cryo-therapy was based on pre- and post-therapy ROM examination. These results were compared to the ROM of the healthy extremity and the degree of ROM limitation was hence calculated. Limitation of ROM was found in all joints of the upper extremity regardless to the stage of the disease. The greatest limitations were found in the joints directly adjacent to the area were the disease was most pronounced. The applied therapy in these cases was found to increase ROM in all patients, with the greatest increase of ROM during stage I and II of the disease.     

Prothrombogenic factors and reduced antioxidative defense in children and adolescents with pre-metabolic and metabolic syndrome.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to examine prothrombogenic factors and antioxidative defense in obese children and adolescents with pre-metabolic and metabolic syndrome, and to analyze insulin secretion and resistance, early glycoregulation disorders and lipid status. METHODS: Insulin sensitivity was determined using the homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), while insulin secretion was determined using the homeostasis model assessment beta (HOMA-beta). Prothrombogenic factors analyzed were plasma plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) and fibrinogen. Superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase were measured as markers of antioxidative defense. RESULTS: Patients with metabolic syndrome were characterized with increased body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, and HOMA-IR and HOMA-beta levels, and all had increased blood pressure and triglyceride levels, low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, increased PAI-1 levels and reduced antioxidative defense levels. Patients with pre-metabolic syndrome had higher levels of basal and mean insulinemia during an oral glucose tolerance test, higher levels of HOMA-beta and lower levels of antioxidative defense compared to patients with metabolic syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: Negative correlations between antioxidative defense parameters and BMI, abdominal obesity, insulin secretion, systolic blood pressure and atherogenic lipid factors, as well as correlations between PAI-1 and insulin resistance and basal glycemia in the metabolic syndrome group contribute to accelerated atherosclerosis. Positive correlations between PAI-1 and waist circumference and BMI, and negative correlations between BMI and antioxidative defense in the pre-metabolic syndrome patients show that this early stage preceding the metabolic syndrome is also characterized by atherosclerotic complication risks and evident hyperinsulinism and insulin resistance.     

It is Not (Always) the Mismatch That Beats You—On the Relationship Between Interaction of Early and Recent Life Stress and Emotion Regulation,an fMRI Study

Brain Topography - Stress may impact the ability to effectively regulate emotions. To study the impact of stressful experiences in early and recent life on emotion regulation, we examined the...     

Endothelial NOS G894 T and MMP-3 5A/6A gene polymorphisms and hypertension in Serbian population

The incidence of hypertension is increasing and it is more common in man than in women. Up to date, MMP-3 5A/6A polymorphism has been associated with artery stiffening and elevated blood pressure, whereas results considering association of endothelial NOS (eNOS) G894 T polymorphism with hypertension are controversial. The aim of our study was to analyze the possible association of eNOS G894 T and MMP-3 5A/6A gene polymorphisms with hypertension in Serbian population. Study sample consisted of 172 hypertensive and 200 normotensive subjects divided by gender. Both female and male group was truncated according to age. All subjects were genotyped for MMP-3 5A/6A and eNOS G894 T polymorphism. There was a significantly higher (P < 0.05) prevalence of 5A/5A genotype in hypertensive females compared to normotensive ones (19.30 % vs. 10.84%) even more pronounced in group > or =50 years, according to its recessive effect. In young males (<40 years), we found 3.7-fold increased risk for hypertension associated with allele 6A (P < 0.01), and 8.1-fold with genotype 6A/6A (P = 0.01) according to recessive model. We found no association of eNOS G894 T polymorphism with hypertension. These results indicate that there were gender- and age-specific differences in association of MMP-3 5A/6A polymorphism with hypertension in Serbian population.     

A balance between positive and negative signals in cytotoxic lymphocytes regulates the polarization of lipid rafts during the development of cell-mediated killing

Plasma membrane microdomains containing sphingolipids and cholesterol (lipid rafts) are enriched in signaling molecules. The cross-linking of certain types of cell surface receptors initiates the redistribution of these lipid rafts, resulting in the formation of signaling complexes. However, little is known about the regulation of the initial raft redistribution and whether negative regulatory signaling pathways target this phase of cellular activation. We used natural killer (NK) cells as a model to investigate the regulation of raft redistribution, as both positive and negative signals have been implicated in the development of their cellular function. Here we show that after NK cells form conjugates with sensitive tumor cells, rafts become polarized to the site of target recognition. This redistribution of lipid rafts requires the activation of both Src and Syk family protein tyrosine kinases. In contrast, engagement of major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-recognizing killer cell inhibitory receptors (KIRs) on NK cells by resistant, MHC-bearing tumor targets blocks raft redistribution. This inhibition is dependent on the catalytic activity of KIR-associated SHP-1, a Src homology 2 (SH2) domain containing tyrosine phosphatase. These results suggest that the influence of integrated positive and negative signals on raft redistribution critically influences the development of cell-mediated cytotoxicity.     

Mediterranean and central-eastern European countries host viruses of two different clades of plum pox virus strain M

The genetic diversity of plum pox virus strain M (PPV-M) was assessed by analyzing 28 isolates collected in 8 European countries. Two genomic fragments spanning the (Cter)P3-6K1-(Nter)CI coding region as well as the full coat protein coding region were sequenced directly from PCR products. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the geographical origin of the collected isolates was clearly associated with two different PPV-M clades. Moreover, the pattern of substitutions in the CP gene shed light on the evolutionary relationships between PPV-M and the recombinant strains PPV-Rec and PPV-T.     

Forensic DNA databases in Western Balkan region: retrospectives, perspectives, and initiatives

The European Network of Forensic Science Institutes (ENFSI) recommended the establishment of forensic DNA databases and specific implementation and management legislations for all EU/ENFSI members. Therefore, forensic institutions from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, and Macedonia launched a wide set of activities to support these recommendations. To assess the current state, a regional expert team completed detailed screening and investigation of the existing forensic DNA data repositories and associated legislation in these countries. The scope also included relevant concurrent projects and a wide spectrum of different activities in relation to forensics DNA use. The state of forensic DNA analysis was also determined in the neighboring Slovenia and Croatia, which already have functional national DNA databases. There is a need for a 'regional supplement' to the current documentation and standards pertaining to forensic application of DNA databases, which should include regional-specific preliminary aims and recommendations.     

Anti-ganglioside antibodies-mediated leptospiral meningomyeloencephalopolyneuritis

A case of leptospirosis complicated with meningo-myelo-encephalo-polyneuritis and nephrotic syndrome is presented. Anti-ganglioside antibodies were detected for the first time in a patient with neurological complications of leptospirosis. Possible pathogenic mechanisms and treatment options of these rare manifestations are discussed.