Structure and immunohistochemistry of the human lenticulostriate arteries

Background: Data about the structure and immunohistochemistry of the lenticulostriatearteries (LSAs), although very important for medical research and clinicalpractice, have been rarely reported in literature.Materials and methods: Fourty serially sectioned LSAs were stained with hematoxilinand eosin, and prepared for immunohistochemistry.Results: Our examination revealed a typical endothelial lining and a narrow subendothelialspace with subintimal smooth muscle cells occasionally. The internalelastic lamina was fragmented or absent in the smallest LSAs branches. The mediacoat, with a mean diameter of 148.5 μm, contained typical smooth muscle cellswhich formed 14.2 layers on average and showed a positive immune reactions foralfa-actin, desmine, laminin and collagen IV. The thin adventitial coat containedfibroblasts, collagen fibers, and nerve bundles, with the strongest immunopositivityto thyrosin hydroxilase. The immune reactions against CD31 and CD34 proteins,endothelial nitric oxide synthase, S 100 protein, neurofilament protein and synaptophysin,seem to be performed in the LSAs wall for the first time. Similarly,the thickness of the LSAs wall and its coats have never been reported, nor thenumber of the smooth muscle cell layers.Conclusions: Our results related to the structure and immunohistochemistry ofthe LSAs could be important in cerebrovascular pathology, neurology and neurosurgery

A 3 tesla magnetic resonance imaging volumetric analysis of the hippocampal formation: dependence on handedness and age

Background: The hippocampal formation (HF) is one of the most important parts of the brain in the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) volumetric analysis in various domains, but not completely from all aspects, including the handedness. The aim of our study was to evaluate the possible differences in the volume of the right and left HF among the healthy right-handed and left-handed subjects, and to determine whether the volume differences are age related. Materials and methods: The MRI of this prospective study was performed using T1 fast field echo (FFE) sequence. The 124 subsequent coronal slices (thickness 1.5 mm) were performed in each participant. The obtained HF volumes were normalised and statistically compared. Volunteers comprised 30 persons aged 22.0 years, 12 of whom were the left-handed, and 30 persons aged 75.2 years on average, 9 of whom were the left-handed. Results: The right and left HF volumes averaged 2.986 cm3 and 2.858 cm3 in the right-handed, and 2.879 cm3 and 3.020 cm3 in the left-handed young volunteers, as well as 2.728 cm3 and 2.650 cm3 in the right-handed, and 2.617 cm3 and 2.780 cm3 in the left-handed elderly persons. The HF volume ratios in the young left-handed participants showed a significant left-greater-than-right asymmetry. A significant difference was also noticed within the right-to-left volume ratios of the right- and left-handed young and elderly participants. The latter reduction in the HF volume within the aged group can be interpreted as a slight atrophy of the HF. Conclusions: There is a significant difference in the volumes of the left and right HF of the left-handed young participants. The age related HF volume differences were proven between the groups of the young and elderly volunteers. The obtained data should be included into the future MRI studies of the HF volumes in various clinical domains.

Influence of 4 Years of Ageing on Some Phenolic Compounds in Red Wines

Most of red wine's health benefits are attributed to polyphenols, which can express different biological effects. During ageing process, numerous chemical reactions occur, alternating phenolic composition of wine. Therefore, this paper focused on the influence of ageing on the evolution of wine phenolics (phenolic acids, flavonoids, stilbenes, and anthocyanins). Wines from 4 local grape varieties (Frankovka, Portugieser, Probus, and Rumenika) were analysed after 1 month and 4 years of ageing. Monomeric anthocyanin and total phenolic contents and antioxidative potential in aged wines were also determined. Among tested phenolics, main components in aged wines remained gallic acid (2.16–19.55 mg l−1) and catechin (8.39–37.21 mg l−1). The most prominent changes of analysed phenolic compounds during ageing were observed for p-coumaric acid (from +173.3% to +763.1%) and malvidin-3-glucoside (from +173.3% to +763.1%). Wine from Rumenika variety maintained the highest content of individual phenols after ageing. Additionally, aged wines had very low content of monomeric anthocyanins. Significant correlation (r= −0.93, P<0.05) between total phenolic content and IC50 values in aged wines was also noticed. Obtained results provide useful information about the quality preservation during aging and storage of these products

Chemical composition and in vitro antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities of plum (Prunus domestica L.) wine

© 2016 The Institute of Brewing & Distilling. A moderate intake of wine is associated with a positive impact on human health owing to the effects of important biologically active components present in the wine in large amounts. The aim of this study was to examine the chemical composition and to assess antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities of fruit wines produced from three plum varieties (Čačanska rana, Čačanska lepotica and Požegača) commonly grown in Serbia as an approach to assess the quality and acceptability of these wines as a functional food. Furthermore, the activity of a series of control samples was assessed in order to determine components from the wine that are responsible for its functional properties. The plum wines produced showed considerable antimicrobial activity against six bacterial and two yeast strains used in this study. In addition to antimicrobial activity, the plum wines showed a significant cytotoxic effect (IC50<50μgmL-1) on the growth of three tested cancer cell lines (Hep2c, RD and L2OB). Regarding the determined activities, Čačanska rana plum wine achieved the best results. The results indicated that the antimicrobial activity of the plum wines was, in large part, based on the effects of the total acids and the pH value, while the contribution of ethanol and the content of the phenolic compounds were not significant. Similar conclusions were drawn regarding the cytotoxic activity of this fruit wine. The results can be seen as a contribution to the global acceptance of fruit wines as a functional food, with the accent placed on moderate consumption. An important advantage of fruit wines (in particular plum wine), compared with traditional grape wine, is their lower alcohol content

Impact of the contact time of different oak wood chips on red wine phenolic composition evolution after bottling

The main object of the present work was to evaluate the potential influence of the oak wood chips-wines contact time (30 and 60 days) on the evolution of the red wine phenolic composition during storage in bottle. Thus, global phenolic composition, color parameters, and individual anthocyanins of bottled red wines that had previously been in contact with oak wood chips during different times were analyzed. The results obtained demonstrates that in general, after 6 months of bottle storage, red wines with a previous oak wood chips contact time showed a more evident decrease on anthocyanin content, independently of the oak wood chips species used and toasting level. This tendency was also confirmed by the decrease in the values obtained for color intensity and a∗ (redness) CIELab coordinate value. However, a positive impact of oak wood chips contact time on wine hue color and b∗ (yellowness) CIELab coordinate values, was detected. Thus, after 6 months of bottle storage, red wines that were in a previous contact with oak wood chips (particularly during 60 aging days), exhibited lower color hue and b∗ values compared with control wine (without any oak wood chips contact)

Structural features of arterial grafts important for surgical myocardial revascularization: Part II - Histology of the radial, inferior epigastric, and right gastroepiploic arteries

[Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. 175005, 175061, III41002, III45005 i 41022

Brain and heart in hyperhomocysteinemia induced by methionine nutritional overload

Date: October 8th – 10th, 2015, Belgrade

Myocardial Na+ K+-ATPase and SERCA: Clinical and Pathological Significance From a Cytological Perspective

Structure and functions of Na+/K+-ATPase and SERCA are described with details on their subunits, isoforms, and intracellular localization. Main regulatory mechanisms are summarized. Molecular mechanisms of cell death and heart failure are explained with the analysis of the role of Na+/K+-ATPase and SERCA in these processes. Facts are considered from a cytological, pathological, and clinical perspective with an accent to new therapeutic strategies. The aim of this contribution is an overview of functional results in a structural context.Part of the Advances in Biochemistry in Health and Disease book series (ABHD,volume 15)