Correlations among the components of human somatotype and some anthropological parameters in female patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

The aim of the present study was to determine and compare the correlative relations between the components of somatotype and some anthropological parameters in Bulgarian women with type 2 diabetes mellitus (N=212). They were divided by age into two groups: a 40–60 years group - 92 subjects and a 61–80 years group - 120 subjects. Eighty healthy women-controls were also examined and they were divided into two groups. In order to calculate the components of the human somatotype and Body Mass Index (BMI) we measured the following height, weight, biepicondylar breadth of the humerus, biepicondylar breadth of the femur; the circumferences of the: upper arm relaxed, upper arm flexed and tense, forearm, waist, hip and calf and the following skinfolds: subscapular, chest, suprailiac, abdominal, triceps brachii, forearm, thigh and medial calf. Calculated parameters were: a) Components of human somatotype according to the criteria of Heath-Carter [2]; b) BMI. In subjects with DM aged 40–60 years the endomorphic component of somatotype demonstrated weak (P > 0.05) or strong (P < 0.0001) correlation with the parameters characterizing adipose tissue accumulation, while the mesomorphic component showed moderate (P < 0.01) to strong (P < 0.0001) correlation with the same parameters. In subjects with DM aged 61–80 years there was moderate (P < 0.01) to strong (P < 0.0001) correlations between endomorphy and the parameters which characterize adipose tissue accumulation and weak (P > 0.05) correlations between them and the mesomorphic component. Negative correlative relation was found between the ectomorphic component and the circumferences of the waist, hip and thigh and ВМІ in diabetic patients from both aged groups.

     

Value of indocyanine green pelvic lymph node mapping in the surgical approach of cervical cancer

Lymph node metastasis is a significant predictive factor for disease recurrence and survival in cervical cancer patients and relevant for therapeutic strategies. We evaluated the clinical value of indocyanine green (ICG) by measuring the sensitivity and negative predictive value of sentinel lymph node mapping compared with the gold standard of complete lymphadenectomy in detecting lymph node metastases for cervical cancer. We utilized the near-infrared imaging agent ICG to detect tumor-infested lymph nodes in the pelvis analogue to a classical sentinel lymph node procedure by analyzing data from 20 patients who had undergone surgery for cervical cancer at our institution. A laparoscopic lymph node mapping procedure by means of ICG, followed by a complete pelvic lymphadenectomy with or without paraaortic lymphadenectomy was done in all patients. Histological examination identified seven patients with tumor-positive pelvic nodes, whereas mapping with ICG identified only five of these patients. Detection rate of positive nodes by ICG mapping and false negative rate was 71.4% and 28.6%, respectively; bilateral detection rate was 83.3%. One of the two false negative patients additionally suffered from deep infiltrating endometriosis. Our results indicate that ICG can identify the relevant pelvic nodes independent of tumor size, provided bilateral detection is achieved and additional, related diseases are excluded. This trial is registered within the German Clinical Trial Register (DRKS-ID: DRKS00014692).     

Effect of the water extract of Galega officinalis L. on human platelet aggregation in vitro

Galega officinalis L. is a traditional medicinal plant from Bulgaria. It was found that the aqueous extract of Herba Galegae suppressed platelet aggregation in vitro induced by adenosine diphosphate, epinephrine, thrombin and collagen. The compounds with antiaggregating action have not as yet been isolated from Galega officinalis.     

Anti-platelet fraction from Galega officinalis L. inhibits platelet aggregation

A fraction from crude extract of Galega officinalis L. was purified by gel filtration on Sephadex G-25, Sepharose 4B, and ion-exchange chromatography on diethylaminoethyl (DEAE)-cellulose. The fraction with molecular weight 100-140 kDa appears to have a polysaccharide nature, including protein. The fraction inhibits platelet aggregation initiated by 25 microM adenosine 5'-diphosphate (ADP), 100 microg/ml collagen, and 0.8 U/ml thrombin with the 50% inhibiting concentration (IC(50)) being 11.2 microg/ml for ADP, and the IC(100) being 15.1 microg/ml for collagen and IC(100) 19.6 microg/ml for thrombin.     

Molecular cell biology and molecular genetics of Histoplasma capsulatum

Histoplasma capsulatum is a dimorphic ascomycete which is capable of producing a broad spectrum of disease ranging from mild asymptomatic, pulmonary illness to severe, life-threatening systemic mycosis. Regulatory mechanisms that use temperature and other environmental cues are paramount to the successful adaptation of the organism as an effective intracellular pathogenic yeast. Although the biochemistry and phenomenology of reversible morphogenesis have been well examined in Histoplasma, the identification and functional characterization of genes and their products that are required for early establishment or maintenance of the parasitic yeast phase in intracellular host compartments have only recently been fruitful. Advances in the molecular biology of Histoplasma, including approaches to introduce telomeric plasmids, reporter fusion constructs, and gene disruption cassettes into the fungus are poised to solidify the pre-eminence of this fungus as a model system which can be applied to other dimorphic fungal pathogens that exhibit similar cellular and immunological complexities. This review centers on recent developments in the molecular cell biology and molecular genetics of Histoplasma capsulatum that provide important new avenues for examining the mold-to-yeast phase transition beyond the historical, binary view of dimorphism and the implications that these successful approaches may have on seminal issues in fungal pathogenesis.     

Patient-tailored aortic root repair in adult marfanoid patients: Surgical considerations and outcomes

Objective

The aim of the study was to evaluate the operative and functional results after individual, patient-tailored aortic root repair in marfanoid patients.

Reconstructive aortic valve surgery in the elderly: Techniques and outcomes

Objectives

The aim of the study was to evaluate operative techniques and long-term results after aortic valve or root repair in patients aged 75 years or more.

A family study of complex chromosome rearrangement involving chromosomes 1, 8, and 11 and its reproductive consequences

Complex chromosome translocations are structural chromosomal rearrangements involving three or more chromosomes and more than two breakpoints. A complex chromosome rearrangement was detected in a phenotypically normal female patient that was referred to the hospital for genetic counseling due to reproductive failure. A cytogenetic evaluation was performed, according to standard method of chromosomal analysis, using G-banding technique. The patient’s karyotype showed a balanced complex chromosome rearrangement (BCCR) involving chromosomes 1, 8, and 11 with three breakpoints 1p31, 8q13, and 11q23. The karyotype designed according to ISCN (2013), is 46,XX,t(1;8;11)(p31;q13;q23) (8qter→8q13::1p31→1qter;8pter→8q13::11q23→11qter;11pter→11q23::1p31→1pter). Additionally, the proband’s mother and brother were tested, resulting in the same exact translocation. In this study, we describe all possible meiotic segregations regarding this translocation, as well as the clinical phenotypes which could arise, if unbalanced products of conception survive. This is a rare case of familial complex chromosome rearrangement, giving a view for its reproductive consequences.