Immunohistochemical Analysis of the Human Psoas Major Muscle with Regards to the Body Side and Aging

The aim of our study was to explore the age related changes of the fibre type composition of the human psoas major muscle. Moreover, we wanted to compare the fibre type composition of the left and right muscle. Muscle samples were collected from 15 young and 15 old males. Type I, IIA and IIX muscle fibres were typed using myosin heavy chain identification. The serial transverse sections were analysed using a light microscope. Results of our study showed that the age-related atrophy affected all three fibre types. Type IIA fibres were affected most profoundly while type I fibres were affected most weakly. The percentage of the different fibre types did not change during aging. There were no differences in the fibre type composition between the left and right muscle. Human psoas major muscle undergoes normal aging changes with the atrophy of all three fibre types, whereas atrophy most profoundly affects type IIA fibres. No differences in the fibre type composition between the left and right muscle point to the equal engagement of both legs in normal everyday activities of human

Use of cerebrospinal fluid biomarker analysis for improving Alzheimer's disease diagnosis in a non-specialized setting

Low levels of amyloid-β42 (Aβ42) and high total-tau (t-tau) or phosphorylated-tau (p181-tau) levels in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were shown to be characteristic for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) patients and for mildly cognitively impaired (MCI) or non-demented individuals who will progress to AD. The goal of this study was to evaluate the benefit of CSF biomarker testing in a setting with no specialized dementia centers, in order to improve the accuracy of AD diagnosis and to identify individuals with incipient AD. Using ELISA assay we analyzed CSF Aβ42, t-tau and p181-tau levels among clinically diagnosed non-demented individuals, AD patients and individuals with uncertain dementia (n=36). CSF cut-off values of low Aβ42 (≤530 pg/mL) and high t-tau (≥350 pg/mL) or p181-tau (≥52 pg/mL) were used to identify individuals with AD/ MCI-CSF profile, regardless of clinical diagnosis. APOE genotyping was performed using PCR-RFLP method. In accord with previous studies we detected significantly decreased levels of CSF Aβ42 and increased tau and p181-tau levels in clinically diagnosed AD group vs. non-demented controls. CSF profiling identified individuals with a typical AD/MCI-CSF pattern in clinically referred non-demented group (9%) and among patients with uncertain dementia (41.7%). APOE ε4-allele was associated with the CSF biomarker changes typical for AD. This study shows that in a non-specialized setting CSF biomarker testing may be used as a screening tool for improving the accuracy of AD diagnosis and for predicting individuals with incipient Alzheimer’s disease who need to receive further clinical follow-up

Use of cerebrospinal fluid biomarker analysis for improving Alzheimer's disease diagnosis in a non-specialized setting

Low levels of amyloid-β42 (Aβ42) and high total-tau (t-tau) or phosphorylated-tau (p181-tau) levels in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were shown to be characteristic for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) patients and for mildly cognitively impaired (MCI) or non-demented individuals who will progress to AD. The goal of this study was to evaluate the benefit of CSF biomarker testing in a setting with no specialized dementia centers, in order to improve the accuracy of AD diagnosis and to identify individuals with incipient AD. Using ELISA assay we analyzed CSF Aβ42, t-tau and p181-tau levels among clinically diagnosed non-demented individuals, AD patients and individuals with uncertain dementia (n=36). CSF cut-off values of low Aβ42 (≤530 pg/mL) and high t-tau (≥350 pg/mL) or p181-tau (≥52 pg/mL) were used to identify individuals with AD/ MCI-CSF profile, regardless of clinical diagnosis. APOE genotyping was performed using PCR-RFLP method. In accord with previous studies we detected significantly decreased levels of CSF Aβ42 and increased tau and p181-tau levels in clinically diagnosed AD group vs. non-demented controls. CSF profiling identified individuals with a typical AD/MCI-CSF pattern in clinically referred non-demented group (9%) and among patients with uncertain dementia (41.7%). APOE ε4-allele was associated with the CSF biomarker changes typical for AD. This study shows that in a non-specialized setting CSF biomarker testing may be used as a screening tool for improving the accuracy of AD diagnosis and for predicting individuals with incipient Alzheimer’s disease who need to receive further clinical follow-up

Kroz prostor i vrijeme: Zbornik u čast Miri Menac-Mihalić

Zbornik Kroz prostor i vrijeme posvećen je prof. dr. sc. Miri Menac-Mihalić, dugogodišnjoj profesorici Filozofskog fakulteta Sveučilišta u Zagreba te članici suradnici Hrvatske akademije znanosti i umjetnosti. Prof. dr. sc. Mira Menac-Mihalić iznimno je plodna znanstvenica koja se, uz veliki broj radova iz dijalektologije, smatra i začetnicom hrvatske dijalektne frazeologije. U zborniku posvećenom njezinu radu i djelovanju objavljeni su prilozi koji su grupirani u dvije glavne tematske cjeline (dijalektologija/povijest jezika "O govorima kroz vrijeme" i frazeologija "Živost frazema"). Radovi predstavljaju izniman znanstveni doprinos hrvatskoj filologiji. Velikim su dijelom rezultat terenskih istraživanja kojima se prikupljala građa za obradu. Donose precizne rezultate o fonološkim/morfološkim/leksičkim značajkama hrvatskih mjesnih govora, a istražuju se i frazemi potvrđeni u hrvatskoj nacionalnoj ili dijalektnoj frazeologiji. Dio građe koji se opisuje ekscerpiran je iz postojeće literature te pomno i iscrpno analiziran

Kroz prostor i vrijeme: Zbornik u čast Miri Menac-Mihalić

Zbornik Kroz prostor i vrijeme posvećen je prof. dr. sc. Miri Menac-Mihalić, dugogodišnjoj profesorici Filozofskog fakulteta Sveučilišta u Zagreba te članici suradnici Hrvatske akademije znanosti i umjetnosti. Prof. dr. sc. Mira Menac-Mihalić iznimno je plodna znanstvenica koja se, uz veliki broj radova iz dijalektologije, smatra i začetnicom hrvatske dijalektne frazeologije. U zborniku posvećenom njezinu radu i djelovanju objavljeni su prilozi koji su grupirani u dvije glavne tematske cjeline (dijalektologija/povijest jezika "O govorima kroz vrijeme" i frazeologija "Živost frazema"). Radovi predstavljaju izniman znanstveni doprinos hrvatskoj filologiji. Velikim su dijelom rezultat terenskih istraživanja kojima se prikupljala građa za obradu. Donose precizne rezultate o fonološkim/morfološkim/leksičkim značajkama hrvatskih mjesnih govora, a istražuju se i frazemi potvrđeni u hrvatskoj nacionalnoj ili dijalektnoj frazeologiji. Dio građe koji se opisuje ekscerpiran je iz postojeće literature te pomno i iscrpno analiziran

Immunohistochemical visualization of SOX2, SOX17 and CALCA proteins in human testicular germ cell tumor

Tumori sjemenika su najčešći tumori koji pogađaju muškarce u najreproduktivnijoj dobi od 15 do 45 godina. Tumori zametnih stanica sjemenika (engl. testicular germ cell tumor, TGCT) dijagnosticiraju se u oko 95 % slučajeva, što ih čini najčešćim oblikom tumora sjemenika. Kao vrlo heterogena skupina neoplazija, ugrubo se dijele na seminome i neseminome, a nerijetko se javljaju u obliku miješanih tumora zametnih stanica. Geni SOX2 i SOX17 su uključeni u regulaciju diferencijacije embrionalnih stanica i danas se koriste kao tkivni biomarkeri u dijagnostici embrionalnog karcinoma i seminoma. CALCA je gen supresor tumora, čija je ekspresija poremećena u nekoliko vrsta tumora. U ovom je istraživanju metodom imunohistokemije istražena količina i lokalizacija proteina SOX2, SOX17 i CALCA u tkivu sjemenika ljudi s TGCT-om (N=38), kao i u tkivu sjemenika bez neoplastičnih promjena (N=20). Protein CALCA je pokazao veliki dijagnostički potencijal za otkrivanje koriokarcinoma, koji je najagresivniji tip TGCT-a. Koekspresija SOX17 i CALCA, a odsutstvo proteina SOX2, se pokazala potencijalnim biomarkerom u dijagnosticiranju neoplazije zametnih stanica in situ koja je preteča zloćudnih TGCT-a.Testicular tumors are the most common type of tumors affecting men in their most reproductive ages, from 15 to 45 years. Testicular germ cell tumors (TGCTs) are diagnosed in about 95 % of cases, making them the most common form of testicular tumors. As a very heterogeneus group of neoplasms, they are roughly divided into seminomas and nonseminomas, and often occur in the form of mixed germ cell tumors. The SOX2 and SOX17 genes are involved in the regulation of embryonic cell differentiation and they are used as tissue biomarkers in current diagnosis of embryonal carcinoma and seminoma. CALCA gene is a tumor suppressor gene whose expression is disrupted in several types of tumors. In this study, the amount and localization of SOX2, SOX17 and CALCA proteins were investigated by immunohistochemical method in testicular tissue of people with TGCT (N=38) and in testicular tissue without neoplastic changes (N=20). The CALCA protein has shown great diagnostic potential for detecting choriocarcinoma, which is the most aggressive type of TGCT. Coexpression of SOX17 and CALCA proteins, with the absence of SOX2 protein, may be used as a potential biomarkers in the diagnosis of germ cell neoplasia in situ considered as a precursor of malignant TGCTs

Immunohistochemical visualization of SOX2, SOX17 and CALCA proteins in human testicular germ cell tumor

Tumori sjemenika su najčešći tumori koji pogađaju muškarce u najreproduktivnijoj dobi od 15 do 45 godina. Tumori zametnih stanica sjemenika (engl. testicular germ cell tumor, TGCT) dijagnosticiraju se u oko 95 % slučajeva, što ih čini najčešćim oblikom tumora sjemenika. Kao vrlo heterogena skupina neoplazija, ugrubo se dijele na seminome i neseminome, a nerijetko se javljaju u obliku miješanih tumora zametnih stanica. Geni SOX2 i SOX17 su uključeni u regulaciju diferencijacije embrionalnih stanica i danas se koriste kao tkivni biomarkeri u dijagnostici embrionalnog karcinoma i seminoma. CALCA je gen supresor tumora, čija je ekspresija poremećena u nekoliko vrsta tumora. U ovom je istraživanju metodom imunohistokemije istražena količina i lokalizacija proteina SOX2, SOX17 i CALCA u tkivu sjemenika ljudi s TGCT-om (N=38), kao i u tkivu sjemenika bez neoplastičnih promjena (N=20). Protein CALCA je pokazao veliki dijagnostički potencijal za otkrivanje koriokarcinoma, koji je najagresivniji tip TGCT-a. Koekspresija SOX17 i CALCA, a odsutstvo proteina SOX2, se pokazala potencijalnim biomarkerom u dijagnosticiranju neoplazije zametnih stanica in situ koja je preteča zloćudnih TGCT-a.Testicular tumors are the most common type of tumors affecting men in their most reproductive ages, from 15 to 45 years. Testicular germ cell tumors (TGCTs) are diagnosed in about 95 % of cases, making them the most common form of testicular tumors. As a very heterogeneus group of neoplasms, they are roughly divided into seminomas and nonseminomas, and often occur in the form of mixed germ cell tumors. The SOX2 and SOX17 genes are involved in the regulation of embryonic cell differentiation and they are used as tissue biomarkers in current diagnosis of embryonal carcinoma and seminoma. CALCA gene is a tumor suppressor gene whose expression is disrupted in several types of tumors. In this study, the amount and localization of SOX2, SOX17 and CALCA proteins were investigated by immunohistochemical method in testicular tissue of people with TGCT (N=38) and in testicular tissue without neoplastic changes (N=20). The CALCA protein has shown great diagnostic potential for detecting choriocarcinoma, which is the most aggressive type of TGCT. Coexpression of SOX17 and CALCA proteins, with the absence of SOX2 protein, may be used as a potential biomarkers in the diagnosis of germ cell neoplasia in situ considered as a precursor of malignant TGCTs

Immunohistochemical visualization of SOX2, SOX17 and CALCA proteins in human testicular germ cell tumor

Tumori sjemenika su najčešći tumori koji pogađaju muškarce u najreproduktivnijoj dobi od 15 do 45 godina. Tumori zametnih stanica sjemenika (engl. testicular germ cell tumor, TGCT) dijagnosticiraju se u oko 95 % slučajeva, što ih čini najčešćim oblikom tumora sjemenika. Kao vrlo heterogena skupina neoplazija, ugrubo se dijele na seminome i neseminome, a nerijetko se javljaju u obliku miješanih tumora zametnih stanica. Geni SOX2 i SOX17 su uključeni u regulaciju diferencijacije embrionalnih stanica i danas se koriste kao tkivni biomarkeri u dijagnostici embrionalnog karcinoma i seminoma. CALCA je gen supresor tumora, čija je ekspresija poremećena u nekoliko vrsta tumora. U ovom je istraživanju metodom imunohistokemije istražena količina i lokalizacija proteina SOX2, SOX17 i CALCA u tkivu sjemenika ljudi s TGCT-om (N=38), kao i u tkivu sjemenika bez neoplastičnih promjena (N=20). Protein CALCA je pokazao veliki dijagnostički potencijal za otkrivanje koriokarcinoma, koji je najagresivniji tip TGCT-a. Koekspresija SOX17 i CALCA, a odsutstvo proteina SOX2, se pokazala potencijalnim biomarkerom u dijagnosticiranju neoplazije zametnih stanica in situ koja je preteča zloćudnih TGCT-a.Testicular tumors are the most common type of tumors affecting men in their most reproductive ages, from 15 to 45 years. Testicular germ cell tumors (TGCTs) are diagnosed in about 95 % of cases, making them the most common form of testicular tumors. As a very heterogeneus group of neoplasms, they are roughly divided into seminomas and nonseminomas, and often occur in the form of mixed germ cell tumors. The SOX2 and SOX17 genes are involved in the regulation of embryonic cell differentiation and they are used as tissue biomarkers in current diagnosis of embryonal carcinoma and seminoma. CALCA gene is a tumor suppressor gene whose expression is disrupted in several types of tumors. In this study, the amount and localization of SOX2, SOX17 and CALCA proteins were investigated by immunohistochemical method in testicular tissue of people with TGCT (N=38) and in testicular tissue without neoplastic changes (N=20). The CALCA protein has shown great diagnostic potential for detecting choriocarcinoma, which is the most aggressive type of TGCT. Coexpression of SOX17 and CALCA proteins, with the absence of SOX2 protein, may be used as a potential biomarkers in the diagnosis of germ cell neoplasia in situ considered as a precursor of malignant TGCTs

Structure and conformational analysis of spiroketals from 6-O-methyl-9(E)-hydroxyiminoerythronolide A

Three novel spiroketals were prepared by a one-pot transformation of 6-O-methyl-9(E)-hydroxyiminoerythronolide A. We present the formation of a [4.5]spiroketal moiety within the macrolide lactone ring, but also the unexpected formation of a 10-C=11-C double bond and spontaneous change of stereochemistry at position 8-C. As a result, a thermodynamically stable structure was obtained. The structures of two new diastereomeric, unsaturated spiroketals, their configurations and conformations, were determined by means of NMR spectroscopy and molecular modelling. The reaction kinetics and mechanistic aspects of this transformation are discussed. These rearrangements provide a facile synthesis of novel macrolide scaffolds

A Combination of Ultrasound Characteristics with Macroscopic and Biochemical Features to Diagnose the Etiology of Lymphocytic Pleural Effusions

Objectives: The primary aim of this study was to improve the diagnosis of lymphocytic pleural effusions (LPEs) by combining their ultrasound characteristics with their macroscopic and biochemical features. Methods: This prospective, single-center, clinical observational study was conducted over a period of three years. The possible malignant etiology of LPEs was assessed using several diagnostic criteria: 1. ultrasound characteristics of the LPEs; 2. typical combinations of macroscopic and ultrasound features; and 3. the logistic regression method with three parameters—pleural nodularity, absence of fibrin, and serum protein concentration. Results: Eighty-four patients with LPEs were included in this study. Pleural nodularity (first criterion) was an ultrasound characteristic that yielded the best individual results (p < 0.001) in the differentiation of malignant and nonmalignant etiologies of LPEs (accuracy 73.81%). The combination of the second and third criteria yielded the best results in the prediction of a malignant etiology of LPEs (sensitivity 90.48%, specificity 83.33%, PPV 84.44%, NPV 89.74%, accuracy 86.90%). Based on the results of this prospective study, a protocol for the diagnostic procedure of lymphocytic pleural effusions without a definitive fluid diagnosis has been proposed. Conclusions: A combination of the ultrasound characteristics of LPEs and their macroscopic and biochemical features has improved the predictive accuracy for the malignant etiology of LPEs