Serum testosterone and short-term mortality in men with acute myocardial infarction

Background: A significant and independent association between testosterone levels and coronary events in men and women has not been confirmed in large prospective studies, although some reports have shown that endogenous testosterone concentrations in men are inversely related to cardiovascular and general mortality. Methods: We aimed to assess the relationship between serum testosterone level and short-time (30-day) mortality in men with acute myocardial infarction. Results: We included 126 consecutive male patients admitted with acute myocardial infarction. The mean age was 62 ± 13 years. We determined, at admission, serum free testosterone (T) level (using a chemoluminiscence assay), high sensitivity C-reactive protein, N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide, and glycated hemoglobin level. We analyzed the 30-day mortality. Conclusions: The mean level of serum T was 4.1 ± 2.9 ng/mL. All non-survivors had T level ≤ 3 ng/mL. A low level of T was independently related to total short-term mortality. (Cardiol J 2010; 17, 3: 249-253

Preliminary Investigation of Experimental Research on Savory (Satureja hortensis L.) In Vitro Modeling Possibility Using the Calogenesis Technique

Investigating the possibilities for in vitro plant modeling by using the calogenesis technique is one of the ways to exploit cell plasticity – the vegetable type, which plant biotechnology now offers an alternative for obtaining biomass as a source of raw material in various industries. One of the known plants cultivated by humans since ancient time, and recognized in the contemporary period as a dedicated source of plant material for different industries, because it has properties that recommend its use in food, medicine and beekeeping, is savory (Satureja hortensis L.). Our preliminary experimental research aimed at investigating the possibility of in vitro modeling of savory (Satureja hortensis L.) by using the calogenesis technique. This paper presents the experimental results which have been achieved by investigating the possibility of practical achievement, both by establishing aseptic cultures using savory (Satureja hortensis L.) seeds, and also by in vitro modeling of savory (Satureja hortensis L.) explants, considering the leaf, cotyledon, epicotyl, hypocotyl and radicle, in under to obtain callus by the influence of exogenous phytohormones (BA, TDZ and 2,4-D)

Intake of Plant Based Foods and Colorectal Cancer. A Case-Control Study in Romania

Colorectal cancer (CRC) represents the third most common type of cancer worldwide with high incidence rates in our country as well. Both dietary habits and lifestyle factors have a strong contribution in preventing colorectal cancer. A healthy dietary pattern based on adequate intake of fruit, non-starchy vegetables, and whole grains is associated with positive outcomes regarding CRC development. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the dietary intake of plant-based food and food groups, along with lifestyle habits of CRC patients. A case-control study was conducted during April 2015 – October 2017. Patients (n=151) recently diagnosed with CRC and undergoing conventional treatment were recruited from Medisprof Oncology Hospital. Controls (n=151) were selected randomly from generally healthy adults. Dietary and lifestyle data were collected during a face to face interview and the applied lifestyle questionnaire included 74 items. The results showed that intake of specific food groups with high content of bioactive components was significantly higher in the control group compared to the CRC group (p<0.05), even though overall vegetable intake was similar between groups (p=0.51). Results also showed significant lower intakes of fiber-rich foods such as whole grains, nuts and legumes in the CRC group

Inferring fine-scale spatial structure of the brown bear (Ursus arctos) population in the Carpathians prior to infrastructure development

Landscape genetics is increasingly being used in landscape planning for biodiversity conservation by assessing habitat connectivity and identifying landscape barriers, using intraspecific genetic data and quantification of landscape heterogeneity to statistically test the link between genetic variation and landscape variability. In this study we used genetic data to understand how landscape features and environmental factors influence demographic connectedness in Europe’s largest brown bear population and to assist in mitigating planned infrastructure development in Romania. Model-based clustering inferred one large and continuous bear population across the Carpathians suggesting that suitable bear habitat has not become sufficiently fragmented to restrict movement of individuals. However, at a finer scale, large rivers, often located alongside large roads with heavy traffic, were found to restrict gene flow significantly, while eastern facing slopes promoted genetic exchange. Since the proposed highway infrastructure development threatens to fragment regions of the Carpathians where brown bears occur, we develop a decision support tool based on models that assess the landscape configuration needed for brown bear conservation using wildlife corridor parameters. Critical brown bear corridors were identified through spatial mapping and connectivity models, which may be negatively influenced by infrastructure development and which therefore require mitigation. We recommend that current and proposed infrastructure developments incorporate these findings into their design and where possible avoid construction measures that may further fragment Romania’s brown bear population or include mitigation measures where alternative routes are not feasible

Molecular Docking Evaluation of (E)-5-arylidene-2-thioxothiazolidin-4-one Derivatives as Selective Bacterial Adenylate Kinase Inhibitors

Multi-drug resistant microorganism infections with emerging problems that require not only a prevention strategy, but also the development of new inhibitory compounds. Six previously synthesized 5-arylidene-2-thioxothiazolidin-4-one derivatives 1a&ndash;f, were screened for inhibitory activity on adenylate kinases of different origins by molecular docking. The compounds 1c and 1d were the most efficient inhibitors of bacterial and some archean adenylate kinases. Hydrogen bond interactions were observed with the residues belonging to the ATP binding site. Moreover human adenylate kinases are poor targets, suggesting that this selectivity offers promising prospectives for refining the structure of our compounds

POSSIBLE TRADE EFFECTS OF THE NEXT EUROPEAN UNION ENLARGEMENT

The European Union next enlargement will constitute a significant qualitative change in the structure of the current Union, as the accession of the Western Balkan countries and of Turkey in particular will bring a brand new set of economic problems. It is expected that this enlargement to have a considerable effect for the new entrants, as well as for the European Union as a whole.\r\nConsidering some of the aspects raised by a new extension, this article aims to observe the trade impact of a new enlargement with the membership of the Western Balkan countries and Turkey, as this new growth is expected to have a considerable effect for the new entrants and for the European Union as a whole.\r\nThis study is based on the compare of the potential trade creation effects with the trade diversion effects resulting from the removal of trade restrictions for Western Balkan countries and Turkey and the European Union, by using the revealed comparative advantage index.\r\nThe analyze objective was to estimate the degree of trade creation and trade diversion outcome on the EU countries when Western Balkan countries and Turkey are included into the Union market.\r\nThe obtained results suggest that the export structures differ significantly among Western Balkan countries and Turkey and the European Union. Based on the revealed comparative advantage indexes, the authors would expect an intra-regional trade creation effect, but also we expect a risk for the Eastern European countries trade with European Union, especially as a result of Turkey\\\'s accession into the European markets without any trade barriers.\r\nAs far as trade creation and trade diversion effects are concerned, they observed that Western Balkan countries and Turkey, probably, do not change the European Union position significantly because of their lower trade volume comparing with the one of the EU-27