Dysplasia epiphysealis hemimelica: A case report

© 2014, Institut za Vojnomedicinske Naucne Informacije/Documentaciju. All rights reserved. Introduction. Dysplasia epiphysealis hemimelica, also known as Trevor’s disease, is an extremely rare skeletal developmental disorder of unknown etiology, characterized by an osteocarti-laginous outgrowth of one or more epiphyses or of a tarsal bone during childhood. Case report. We presented a sporadic case of dysplasia epiphysealis hemimelica developed in the talus. A 6-year-old boy complained of swelling of his right ankle joint, with painful and reduced movements. Radiographies suggested excessive overgrowth of the dorsomedial aspect of the talus. The tumor was surgically excised and the gross and histological findings were consistent with those of osteochondroma. Conclusion. Dysplasia epiphysealis hemimelica is diagnosed by clinical, radiographic and histopathological examination. Early diagnosis is important for the condition to be treated before the deformity becomes disabling

Sojne razlike u toksičnosti antagoniste vitamina K varfarina kod pacova

Warfarin (3-(alpha-acetonylbenzy1)-4-hydroxy coumarin) is a vitamin K (VK) antagonist that inhibits vitamin K-dependent (VKD) processes, such as blood coagulation. It also exerts an influence on some non-VKD-related activities. In this study, the effect of sub-acute (30-day) oral warfarin (2 and 1 mg L-1) intake on hematological parameters was examined in two rat strains, Albino Oxford (AO) and Dark Agouti (DA), that differ in their sensitivity to certain chemicals. Greater susceptibility to the anticoagulant effect of 2 mg L-1 of warfarin was observed in AO rats and was associated with an increase in the relevant hematological parameters in this strain. Although both strains responded to 2 mg L-1 of warfarin with quantitative changes in the peripheral blood leukocytes, differential bone marrow and lung responses were observed. Strain-related differences in the pro-inflammatory activity of peripheral blood granulocytes and in mononuclear cell IFN-gamma production were observed. Recognition of differences in quantitative and qualitative effects of oral warfarin on processes other than hemostasis might be of relevance for those humans who are on warfarin therapy.Varfarin (3-α-acetonilbenzil)-4–hidroksikumarin) je antagonist vitamina K (VK) koji inhibira procese zavisne od ovog vitamina, uključujući koagulaciju krvi. Osim toga, on ispoljava i aktivnosti koje ne zavise od vitamina K kao što su anti-tumorska i imunomodulatorna aktivnost. U ovom radu je ispitan efekat subakutnog (30 dana) oralnog unosa varfarina na hematološke parametre i aktivnost leukocita periferne krvi kod dva soja pacova Albino Oxford (AO) i Dark Agouti (DA) koji se raz- likuju u osetljivosti na iste hemijske agense. Kod jedinki AO soja zapažena je veća smrtnost nakon konzumiranja doze od 4 mg L–1 kao i veća osetljivost na antikoagulantno dejstvo varfarina pri nižim dozama (2 mg L–1) koje je praćeno povećanjem nekih hematoloških parametara. Iako kod jedinki oba soja dolazi do povećanja broja neutrofilnih leukocita periferne krvi pri dozi od 2 mg L–1, promene u osnovnim proinflamatornim aktivnostima ovih ćelija su zapažene samo kod jedinki DA soja. Promene u broju neutrofilnih leukocita u krvi DA jedinki su praćene povećanjem broja granulocitnih prekursora u koštanoj srži, dok prisustvo neutrofila u plućima AO jedinki ukazuje na razmenu ćelija između periferne krvi i plućnog intravaskularnog pula ćelija. Diferencijalne sojno–zavisne promene u aktivnosti mononuklearnih ćelija periferne krvi su takođe zapažene. Razlike u efektu oralno unetog varfarina mogu da imaju implikacije za osobe na oralnoj varfarinskoj terapiji

Dysplasia epiphysealis hemimelica: A case report

© 2014, Institut za Vojnomedicinske Naucne Informacije/Documentaciju. All rights reserved. Introduction. Dysplasia epiphysealis hemimelica, also known as Trevor’s disease, is an extremely rare skeletal developmental disorder of unknown etiology, characterized by an osteocarti-laginous outgrowth of one or more epiphyses or of a tarsal bone during childhood. Case report. We presented a sporadic case of dysplasia epiphysealis hemimelica developed in the talus. A 6-year-old boy complained of swelling of his right ankle joint, with painful and reduced movements. Radiographies suggested excessive overgrowth of the dorsomedial aspect of the talus. The tumor was surgically excised and the gross and histological findings were consistent with those of osteochondroma. Conclusion. Dysplasia epiphysealis hemimelica is diagnosed by clinical, radiographic and histopathological examination. Early diagnosis is important for the condition to be treated before the deformity becomes disabling

Effects of pedunculate oak tree vitality on gypsy moth preference and performance

Gypsy moths and powdery mildew play a significant role in oak decline processes. However, information is lacking on the effects on the gypsy moth of impaired tree vitality caused by defoliation or parasite infection. We assessed how pedunculate oak leaves collected from vigorous, declining, and infected trees influenced gypsy moth preference and performance (growth and nutritional indices). We found a negative effect of powdery mildew-infected leaves on gypsy moth performance, while declining trees had positive effects on gypsy moth performance and preference. All examined parameters of larvae fed declining oak leaves were higher than those of larvae fed vigorous oak leaves. Increased growth on declining oak leaves was caused by both higher consumption and more efficient food utilization. The results of this research could help us to better understand multitrophic interactions in complex communities such as oak forests.Postdocs in the field of biological sciences at Mendel University {[}CZ.1.07/2.3.00/30.0017]; European Social Fund; state budget of the Czech Republic; project ``Studying climate change and its influence on the environment: impacts, adaptation and mitigation{''} - Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Serbia {[}43007

Risk Factors of Adverse Maternal Outcome among SARS-CoV-2 Infected Critically Ill Pregnant Women in Serbia

Background and Objectives: During the COVID-19 pandemic, Serbia has faced devastating losses related to increased mortality rates among men and women of all ages. With 14 registered cases of maternal death in 2021, it became obvious that pregnant women are faced with a serious threat that jeopardises their life as well as the life of their unborn child. Studying the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on maternal outcomes is vivifying and stimulating for many professionals and decision-makers, and knowing the contextual characteristics can facilitate the application of literature findings in practice. Therefore, the aim of this study was to present findings of maternal mortality in Serbia associated with SARS-CoV-2 infected and critically ill pregnant women. Methods: Clinical status and pregnancy-related features were analysed for a series of 192 critically ill pregnant women with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. According to the treatment outcome, pregnant women were divided in two study groups: a group of survivors and a group of deceased patients. Results: A lethal outcome was recorded in seven cases. Pregnant women in the deceased group were presenting at admission more commonly with X-ray–confirmed pneumonia, a body temperature of >38 °C, cough, dyspnea, and fatigue. They were more likely to have a progression of the disease, to be admitted to intensive care unit, and be dependent from mechanical ventilation, as well as to have nosocomial infection, pulmonary embolism, and postpartum haemorrhage. On average, they were in their early third trimester of pregnancy, presenting more commonly with gestational hypertension and preeclampsia. Conclusions: Initial clinical manifestations of SARS-CoV-2 infection, such as dyspnea, cough, fatigue, and fever, could be a potent factors in risk stratification and outcome prediction. Prolonged hospitalization, ICU admission, and associated risk of hospital-acquired infections require strict microbiological surveillance and should be a constant reminder of rational antibiotics use. Understanding and identification of risk factors associated with poor maternal outcomes among pregnant women infected with SARS-CoV-2 should warn medical professionals of potentially unwanted outcomes and can be used for organising an individualised treatment for a pregnant patient’s specific needs, including a guide to necessary consultations with medical specialists in various fields

Hydrothermal carbonization of spent mushroom substrate: Physicochemical characterization, combustion behavior, kinetic and thermodynamic study

Hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) was employed for the conversion of the spent mushroom substrate (SMS) into a carbonaceous hydrochar. The effect of operating temperature (180, 200, 220, 240, and 260 ?C) on the physicochemical, structural, and combustion properties of the obtained hydrochars was analyzed. The HTC treatment caused the increase of the higher heating value (HHV) and the lower heating value (LHV) of hydrochars for 58 % and 65 % in comparison with SMS, respectively. Analysis of morphology and functional groups showed the formation of microspheres and cracks on the hydrochar surface, which are predominantly dominated by aromatic and oxygen-rich functional groups. Thermal and kinetics analysis showed that HTC treatment improves the combustion behavior of the obtained solids. Combustion kinetic parameters of SMS and hydrochars were determined by the methods of Kissenger-Akahira-Sunose (KAS) and Flynn-Wall-Ozawa (FWO). The thermodynamic parameters and pre-exponential factors reveal a complex mechanism of SMS and hydrochars decomposition process

Recognizing the Frequency of Exposure to Cyberbullying in Children: The Results of the National HBSC Study in Serbia

Nowadays, children are able to enrich their reality via the Internet. Unfortunately, this may increase their risk of becoming victims of cyberbullying. We analyzed the health characteristics and risk behavior of two cohorts of children in Serbia; those who reported being exposed to cyberbullying and those who did not. The statistical differences and logistic regression models were applied to the data on 3267 students collected from 64 schools participating in the 2017 Serbian Study on health behavior in school-age children (HBSC). Children exposed to cyberbullying reported having the following health problems on a daily basis: headache (18.5%), back pain (19.5%), depression (21.6%), irritability or bad mood (17.7%), nervousness (16.0%), sleep problems (16.1%), and dizziness (21.2%). As for the different types of risk behavior, cigarette smoking ranging from six to nine days ever was the most prevalent (26.9%). It was followed closely by getting drunk more than 10 times ever (24.1%). Compared to non-victims, victims were found to be at a higher risk of perceived back pain (OR = 2.27), depression (OR = 1.43), irritability or bad mood (OR = 2.07), nervousness (OR = 2.23), and dizziness (OR = 2.43) as well as being injured once or twice (OR = 1.98) or three or more times (OR = 4.09). Victims were associated with further risk factors: having smoked more than five cigarettes ever in life (OR = 1.73) and having gotten drunk two to three times (OR = 1.71) or four or more times (OR = 1.65). As the number of school-age children using social media continues to rise, we must prioritize educating them about self-help and community resources for addressing related health issues with greater speed and intensity. The findings from Serbia suggest that while children may be aware of their health issues, they may be unaware of their link to cyberbullying, which could hinder their ability to address these issues promptly. The respondents’ attention to the health implications of cyberbullying could be increased by reformulating the survey questions used in the HBSC study

Expression of kisspeptin and KISS1 receptor in pituitary neuroendocrine tumours — an immunohistochemical study

Introduction: Pituitary neuroendocrine tumours (PitNETs), traditionally designated as pituitary adenomas, show  elatively frequent invasive growth with exceptional metastatic potential, the causes of which are not entirely elucidated. Kisspeptins, which perform their activity through KISS1 receptor (KISS1R), are recognised as metastatic suppressors in many malignant tumours. This study aimed to investigate the immunohistochemical expression of kisspeptin and KISS1R in different types of PitNETs and to compare it with the expression in the normal anterior pituitary, using tissue microarray. Material and methods: The experimental group consisted of 101 patients with PitNETs, with 45 (37.3%) being of gonadotroph, 40 (33.9%) somatotroph, 4 (3.4%) corticotroph, 4 (3.4%) thyrotroph, 3 (2.5%) lactotroph, and 6 (5.1%) null-cell type. The control group consisted of anterior pituitary tissue accidentally removed during the surgery for PitNETs in 17 patients. Results: Kisspeptin expression was observed in both experimental and control groups, without statistically significant differences in the staining intensity. Negative kisspeptin staining was detected in 10 (9.9%), weak in 79 (78.2%), and moderate in 12 tumours (11.9%); none of the tumours had strong staining intensity. The weak staining intensity was predominant in all PitNET types except thyrotroph tumours. Significant statistical difference in terms of kisspeptin expression between types of PitNET and the control group was not observed. Immunohistochemical expression of KISS1R was not observed in the control group or in the experimental group. Conclusions: We conclude that immunohistochemistry, as a method, cannot confirm the involvement of kisspeptin in tumourigenesis and aggressiveness of PitNETs, but potentially supports its antimetastatic role. The absence of KISS1R immunohistochemical expression in all anterior pituitaries and PitNETs in our cohort needs verification through the use of different procedures designed for the detection of the presence and localisation of proteins in the cell

The Enhanced Effects of Swimming and Running Preconditioning in an Experimental Model of Myocardial Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury

Background and Objectives: This study was conducted to examine the influence of different swimming and running protocols as forms of physiological preconditioning on an isolated rat heart’s ischemia/reperfusion injury. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted on 60 male Wistar albino rats (6 weeks old, bw: 200 ± 20 g), divided into: CTRL group—a sedentary control group; sAeT—a group that underwent aerobic swimming conditioning using a swimming protocol for 8 weeks; sAnT—a group that underwent anaerobic swimming conditioning; rAeT—a group that underwent aerobic running conditioning; and rAnT—a group that underwent anaerobic running conditioning. After the preconditioning protocols, ex vivo estimating of myocardial function according to the Langendorff technique was performed. Results: The anaerobic running training decreased heart rate and the anaerobic swimming training reduced coronary flow, demonstrating the difference in the physiological heart response of aerobic/anaerobic physical training (p p p Conclusions: The data from this experimental study support many protective training effects, i.e., improved contractility, improved resting heart rate, and increased physical work capacity and exercise tolerance. Physical training in the form of anaerobic running induces greater heart preconditioning for reperfusion injury in comparison with anaerobic swimming training