Modeling of Arterial Stiffness using Variations of Pulse Transit Time

In this paper, a finite element (FE) modeling is used to model effects of the arterial stiffness on the different signal patterns of the pulse transit time (PTT). Several different breathing patterns of the three subjects are measured with PTT signal and corresponding finite element model of the straight elastic artery is applied. The computational fluid-structure model provides arterial elastic behavior and fitting procedure was applied in order to estimate Young's module of stiffness of the artery. It was found that approximately same elastic Young's module can be fitted for specific subject with different breathing patterns which validate this methodology for possible noninvasive determination of the arterial stiffness

Galectin-3 Involvement in Cognitive Processes for New Therapeutic Considerations

Cognitive impairment may be a consequence of the normal aging process, but it may also be the hallmark of various neurodegenerative and psychiatric diseases. Early identification of individuals at particular risk for cognitive decline is critical, as it is imperative to maintain a cognitive reserve in these neuropsychiatric entities. In recent years, galectin-3 (Gal-3), a member of the galectin family, has received considerable attention with respect to aspects of neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration. The mechanisms behind the putative relationship between Gal-3 and cognitive impairment are not yet clear. Intrigued by this versatile molecule and its unique modular architecture, the latest data on this relationship are presented here. This mini-review summarizes recent findings on the mechanisms by which Gal-3 affects cognitive functioning in both animal and human models. Particular emphasis is placed on the role of Gal-3 in modulating the inflammatory response as a fine-tuner of microglia morphology and phenotype. A review of recent literature on the utility of Gal-3 as a biomarker is provided, and approaches to strategically exploit Gal-3 activities with therapeutic intentions in neuropsychiatric diseases are outlined

Clinical and laboratory parameters associated with death in acute pancreatitis

© 2017, Institut za Vojnomedicinske Naucne Informacije/Documentaciju. All rights reserved. Background/Aim. Acute pancreatitis is an inflammatory condition having the significant mortality rate in the case of severe forms of the disease. The aim of this study was to investigate putative factors of increased mortality in patients with acute pancreatitis with contradictory prior evidence, and to reveal factors that were insufficiently explored previously. Methods. This prospective cohort study with nested case/control design included all adult patients treated for acute pancreatitis in the Clinical Center of Kragujevac, Serbia, during the 3-year period (from October 2011 to December 2014). The cases (n = 19) were patients who died, while the controls (n = 113) were patients who survived. The associations between putative risk factors and the study outcomes were tested by univariate and multivariate logistic regressions, and expressed as crude and adjusted odds ratios (OR) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results. Significant association with the lethal outcome in acute pancreatitis was found for advanced age (adjusted OR 1.12, 95%CI 1.02-1.23), presence of significant comorbidities (adjusted OR 10.62, 95%CI 1.01-111.39), higher interleukin-8 (IL-8) value on third day from onset of symptoms (adjusted OR 1.05, 95%CI 1.02-1.08), use of tramadol and/or mor-phine (adjusted OR 47.34, 95%CI 3.21-699.08), the Bedside index for severity in acute pancreatitis (BISAP) score ≥ 3 in the first 24 hours (adjusted OR 48.11, 95%CI 3.14-736.29), and prophylactic use of antibiotics (adjusted OR 0.07, 95%CI 0.01-0.85). Conclusion. Advanced age, significant comorbidities, use of tramadol and/or morphine and more severe disease as assessed by BISAP score can increase the risk of death in acute pancreatitis, while prophylactic use of antibiotics may have a protective role

Lack of PRSS1 and SPINK1 polymorphisms in Serbian acute pancreatitis patients

© 2015 University of Kragujevac, Faculty of Science. All rights reserved. Acute pancreatitis represents an acute nonbacterial inflammation of the pancreas caused by a premature and ectopic activation of pancreatic digestive enzymes. Two of the most important genes in pancreatic autodigestion, PRSS1 and SPINK1, were implicated in the earliest discoveries of the genetic background of pancreatitis. However, the distribution of their variations displays interethnic variability, which could significantly affect the magnitude of their proposed effects on this disease worldwide. The aim of the present study was to investigate the distribution of the most important functional variations of PRSS1 (86A>T and 365G>A) and SPINK1 (101A>G), and their influence on the clinical course of acute pancreatitis in Serbian patients. The study enrolled 81 subjects, the severity of disease course was determined using the Atlanta Classification system, and the genotyping was conducted using a PCR-RFLP method. PRSS1 86A>T and 365G>A SNPs were not observed in the study population, while SPINK1 101A>G was present with the frequency of 0.62% (95% CI: 0.00, 3.83%). Due to extremely low frequencies or absences of examined variations, the proposed effect of these SNPs on the severity of acute pancreatitis could not be confirmed. The results do not support routine genotyping of either PRSS1 or SPINK1 in Serbs