Heart in anatomy history, radiology, anthropology and art

Background: Anthropologic, artistic and medical significance of heart inspired usto undertake this multidisciplinary study.Materials and methods: Amongst the 24 obtained echocardiograms and phonograms, 1 was used for a Photoshop processing. In addition, over 20,000 art work reproductions were examined in this study.Results: Artistic and symbolic presentation of heart started some 15,000 years ago. First heart models were made by the Egyptian and Olmec civilisations. Ancient cultures regarded heart as the seat of the soul, spirit and intelligence. First anatomical and artistic images of heart were created by Leonardo da Vinci in the15th century, and first wax models by the Italian anatomists in the 17th century. Mediaeval religious symbolism of heart was replaced in the Renaissance and later on mainly by its role in the romantic love. Anatomical heart art continued in the 18th and 19th centuries through the works of Sénac, Cloquet, Hirschfeldand Bourgery. Some modern artists, such as Dalí, Kahlo, Rivera, Warhol, Ivanjicki, Vital, Kober and Mastrlova, created the anatomical heart images or sculptures, whereas some others, such as Duchamp, Klee, Miró, Matisse and Dine, presented heart symbol in their artworks. New radiologic technologies produce fine images of heart, some of which are similar to the works of modern artists.Conclusions: Heart biology and symbolism have had a tremendous influence on our culture, including art and medical sciences. New radiologic techniques and computer technology have produced such images of heart, which substantially improved diagnosis, but also enhanced the heart aesthetics

Ultrastructural characteristics of the vascular wall components of ruptured atherosclerotic abdominal aortic aneurysm

The aim of this study was to determine the ultrastructural characteristics of cell populations and extracellular matrix components in the wall of ruptured atherosclerotic abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). We analyzed 20 samples of ruptured AAA. For orientation to the light microscopy, we used routine histochemical techniques by standard procedures. For ultrastructural analysis, we applied transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Our results have shown that ruptured AAA is characterized by the remains of an advanced atherosclerotic lesion in the intima followed by a complete absence of endothelial cells, the disruption of basal membrane and disruption of internal elastic lamina. On plaque margins as well as in the inner media we observed smooth muscle cells (SMCs) that posses a euchromatic nucleus, a well-developed granulated endoplasmic reticulum around the nucleus and reduced myofilaments. The remains of the ruptured lipid core were acellular in all samples; however, on the lateral sides of ruptured plaque we observed a presence of two types of foam cells (FCs), spindle- and star-shaped. Fusiform FCs possess a well-differentiated basal lamina, caveolae and electron dense bodies, followed by a small number of lipid droplets in the cytoplasm. Star-shaped FCs contain a large number of lipid droplets and do not possess basal lamina. On the inner margins of the plaque, we observed a large number of cells undergoing apoptosis and necrosis, extracellular lipid droplets as well as a large number of lymphocytes. The media was thinned out with disorganized elastic lamellas, while the adventitia exhibited leukocyte infiltration. The presented results suggest that atherosclerotic plaque in ruptured AAA contains vascular SMC synthetic phenotype and two different types of FCs: some were derived from monocyte/macrophage lineage, while others were derived from SMCs of synthetic phenotype. The striking plaque hypocellularity was the result of apoptosis and necrosis of different cell populations

Wine polyphenol resveratrol inhibits contractions of isolated rat uterus by activation of smooth muscle inwardly rectifying potassium channels

Resveratrol is a phytoalexin produced in a number of plant species including grapes. The benefit of resveratrol to health is widely reported. Resveratrol has been found to promote relaxation of non-pregnant and pregnant uterus, but its mechanism of action is unclear. The aims of our study were to investigate the involvement of inwardly rectifying potassium channels (Kir) in inhibitory effects of resveratrol on three models of contractions of non-pregnant rat uterus: the spontaneous rhythmic contractions (SRC), oxytocin-elicited phasic contractions and tonic oxytocin-elicited contractions. Uterine strips were obtained from virgin female Wistar rats in oestrus. Strips were mounted into organ bath for recording isometric tension in Krebs-Ringer solution. Experiments followed a multiple curve design. In order to test the involvement of Kirchannels in a mechanism of action of resveratrol (1-100 μM),BaCl2 (1 mM),a antagonist of inwardly rectifying potassium channels was used. Resveratrol induced a concentration-dependent relaxation of all models of contractions. BaCl2 antagonized the response to resveratrolon SRC and oxytocin-elicited phasic contractions. Relaxation achieved by resveratrolon tonic oxytocin-elicited concentrations was insensitive to BaCl2.The antagonism of resveratrol effects by inwardly rectifying potassium channels antagonist suggests that Kir channels are involved in resveratrol action on phasic contractions of rat uterus. Inhibitory effect of resveratrol on tonic contractions did not include Kir channels

PRVI NALAZ MLADICE Hucho hucho (Linnaeus, 1758) U RIJECI GRZI: ČOVJEKOV UTJECAJ NA ŠIRENJE OVE VRSTE IZVAN NJEZINOG PRIRODNOG HABITATA U SRBIJI

Huchen or Danube salmon Hucho hucho (Linnaeus 1758) is one of the largest salmonid species in the world and the largest species native to the Danube basin in Europe. In Serbia, this species inhabits the Drina river system, as well as the upper reaches of the River Ibar. It has already been introduced into the rivers Moravica and Đetinja, which are part of the Zapadna Morava catchment area. Most recently, huchen was stocked from its native habitat into the rivers Jerma and Nišava in the Južna Morava river system, and into the River Mlava which flows into the Danube. Huchen is listed as an endangered (EN) species on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species and is protected in Serbia, and a Conservation Action Plan has already been adopted. In this report, we present the first record of this species in the River Grza, which is a part of the Velika Morava river system, outside its native range. The ichthyofauna of this recipient river consists of brown trout Salmo trutta L. and Eurasian minnow Phoxinus phoxinus L. In a small river of a fragile ecosystem such as this, the introduction of huchen as an apex predator can seriously harm the species of the native fish community, which warns of the illegal stocking measures currently in process.Mladica ili dunavski losos, Hucho hucho (Linnaeus, 1758), jedna je od najvećih salmonidnih vrsta na svijetu i najveća vrsta koja potječe iz dunavskog sliva u Europi. U Srbiji ova vrsta nastanjuje sustav rijeke Drine, kao i gornji tok rijeke Ibar. Već je unesena u rijeke Moravicu i Đetinju, koje su dio slivnog područja Zapadne Morave. U posljednje vrijeme, mladice su poribljene iz svog izvornog područja rasprostranjenja u rijeke Jermu i Nišavu u sustavu rijeke Južne Morave, te u rijeku Mlavu koja se ulijeva u rijeku Dunav. Mladica je navedena kao ugrožena vrsta (EN) na Crvenom popisu ugroženih vrsta IUCN-a i zaštićena je u Srbiji, s već postavljenim Akcijskim planom zaštite. U ovom izvješću predstavljamo prvi nalaz ove vrste u rijeci Grzi, koja je dio sustava rijeke Velike Morave, izvan njezinog autohtonog areala. Ihtiofauna ovog recipijentskog potoka sastoji se od potočne pastrve Salmo trutta L. i pijora Phoxinus phoxinus L. U ovako malom potoku osjetljivog ekosustava, uvođenje mladice kao vrhunskog predatora može ozbiljno naštetiti vrstama izvorne riblje zajednice, što upozorava na trenutno aktualna ilegalna poribljavanja

The role of potassium channels in the relaxation of rat renal artery induced by resveratrol

Resveratrol, a polyphenol present in red wine, has been thought to be responsible for cardiovascular benefits associated with moderate wine consumption. The mechanism of cardiovascular benefits probably includes vasorelaxation, antioxidant and anti-platelet effects of resveratrol. The mechanisms by which resveratrol causes vasodilatation are uncertain. The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanism (s) of resveratrol-induced vasorelaxation in rat renal artery (RA) with endothelium. RA rings were precontracted with phenylephrine. Resveratrol induced relaxation of the RA rings. Highly selective blocker of ATP-sensitive K+ channels, glibenclamide as well as selective antagonist of voltage-gated K+ (Kv 1.1.-1.6) channels, margatoxin did not block resveratrol-induced relaxation of RA. A nonselective blocker of Kv channels, 4-aminopyridine and a blocker of big Ca-sensitive K+ (BKCa) channels, charybdotoxin inhibited endothelium-dependent relaxation of RA induced by resveratrol. Resveratrol (100 µM) completely relaxed renal artery precontracted with K+-rich solution. In conclusion, we have shown that resveratrol induces relaxation of RA with endothelium. The KV and BKCa channels are involved in this relaxation, but K+ channel- independent mechanism of action also take a part in its vasorelaxant effect

Relaxation of venous bypass graft induced by procyanidin B2

15th Congress of the European Association for Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics (EACPT), 25-28 June 2022, Athens, Greec

Antivazokonstriktorni efekt pinacidila na izolovanoj radijalnoj arteriji

Pinacidil, a previously studied potassium channel opener (PCO), is a potent antihypertensive agent in animals and humans. Its mechanism of action is not completly defined. The aim of our study was to investigate the antivasoconstricting effect of pinacidil on the isolated RA and to study whether this effect is endothelium-dependent. Contractions of isolated RA rings with intact endothelium were provoked by electrical field stimulation (EFS, 20 Hz) or exogenously applied noradrenaline (NA, 10 μM). Pinacidil (10 nM-0.1 mM) produced a concentration-dependent inhibition of both EFS- and NA-evoked contractions (p>0.05). NO synthesis inhibitor, L-NAME (10 μM) and the guanylate cyclase inhibitor, methylene blue (10 μM) did partly antagonize NA-evoked contractions and were without effect on EFSinduced contractions. Thus, the antivasoconstrictor effect of pinacidil on RA is partly endothelium-dependent and probably mediated via cGMP-dependent NO-pathway.Pinacidil je 'otvarač' kalijumovih kanala (OKK) koji ima snažno antihipertenzivno dejstvo na životinjama i ljudima. Mehanizam dejstva pinacidila još uvek nije u potpunosti definisan. Zato je cilj naše studije bio da ispitamo da li je antivazokonstriktorno dejstvo pinacidila na izolovanoj radijalnoj arteriji (RA) čoveka endotel zavisno. Kontrakcije prstenova RA sa očuvanim endotelom su prouzrokovane električnom stimulacijom (EFS, 20 Hz) ili spolja dodatim noradrenalinom (NA, 10 μM). Pinacidil (10 nM - 0.1 mM) je prouzrokovao koncentracijski-zavisnu inhibiciju EFS- i NA-kontrakcija bez značajne razlike u senzitivnosti (p>0.05). Inhibitor sinteze NO-a, L-NAME (10 μM) i inhibitor gvanilat ciklaze, metilensko plavo (10 μM) su delimično antagonizovali inhibitorni efekt pinacidila na NA-kontrakcije. Nasuprot ovome, oni nisu uticali na efekt pinacidila na EFS-kontrakcije. Možemo da zaključimo da pinacidil ima antivazokonstriktorni efekt na RA kada su kontrakcije izazvane električnom strujom ili noradrenalinom. Ovaj efekt pinacidila je delom endotel zavisan, ali samo kada su kontrakcije izazvane spolja dodatim noradrenalinom

Ultrastructural characteristics of the vascular wall components of ruptured atherosclerotic abdominal aortic aneurysm

The aim of this study was to determine the ultrastructural characteristics of cell populations and extracellular matrix components in the wall of ruptured atherosclerotic abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). We analyzed 20 samples of ruptured AAA. For orientation to the light microscopy, we used routine histochemical techniques by standard procedures. For ultrastructural analysis, we applied transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Our results have shown that ruptured AAA is characterized by the remains of an advanced atherosclerotic lesion in the intima followed by a complete absence of endothelial cells, the disruption of basal membrane and disruption of internal elastic lamina. On plaque margins as well as in the inner media we observed smooth muscle cells (SMCs) that posses a euchromatic nucleus, a well-developed granulated endoplasmic reticulum around the nucleus and reduced myofilaments. The remains of the ruptured lipid core were acellular in all samples; however, on the lateral sides of ruptured plaque we observed a presence of two types of foam cells (FCs), spindle- and star-shaped. Fusiform FCs possess a well-differentiated basal lamina, caveolae and electron dense bodies, followed by a small number of lipid droplets in the cytoplasm. Star-shaped FCs contain a large number of lipid droplets and do not possess basal lamina. On the inner margins of the plaque, we observed a large number of cells undergoing apoptosis and necrosis, extracellular lipid droplets as well as a large number of lymphocytes. The media was thinned out with disorganized elastic lamellas, while the adventitia exhibited leukocyte infiltration. The presented results suggest that atherosclerotic plaque in ruptured AAA contains vascular SMC synthetic phenotype and two different types of FCs: some were derived from monocyte/macrophage lineage, while others were derived from SMCs of synthetic phenotype. The striking plaque hypocellularity was the result of apoptosis and necrosis of different cell populations