Age-related metabolic disturbances in adult patients with acute ischemic stroke

INTRODUCTION. There is rising evidence of the role of hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia and dyslipidemia in the etiopathogenesis of acute ischemic stroke (AIS). There is a considerable risk for AIS in adult individuals in advanced and senile age with these abnormalities. Our purpose was to reveal the incidence rate of the disorders of glucose and lipid metabolism in the adult patients with AIS.Material and methods. We examined 129 male and 129 female AIS patients at a mean age of 71 years hospitalized in the First Clinic of Neurology, St. Marina University Hospital of Varna, in 2007-2013. The levels of blood glucose and of serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL- and LDL-cholesterol at admission were examined. Statistical data processing was performed by variation (ANOVA as t-criterion was considered significant if p<0.05) and correlation (Pearson`s coefficient) analyses.Results. Males aged ≤65 years and females aged 71-75 years presented with the highest mean blood glucose values. There are much more males with higher blood glucose concentrations than females aged ≤70 and 76-80 years. Both mean and maximal concentrations of total cholesterol were highest at the age 71-75 years, those of HDL-cholesterol - in males aged 66-70 years and those of LDL-cholesterol - in females aged 71-75 years. The differences between the mean levels of total cholesterol in males and females aged ≤65 years as well as those of LDL-cholesterol in males and females aged ≥81 years were statistically significant (p<0.01).Conclusion. A regular control of the parameters of glucose and lipid metabolism in adults is necessary. Keeping-up individual`s healthy life-style could ensure a more effective AIS prevention

Case report of a heart failure caused by dilated cardiomyopathy

Introduction: Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a progressive disease of the heart muscle that is characterized by ventricular chamber enlargement and contractile dysfunction. This condition is the third most common cause of heart failure and the most frequent reason for heart transplantation.Materials and methods: This is a clinical case of a 61 year old male diagnosed with DCM a few years ago with manifestations of heart failure. The patient is admitted with symptoms of easy fatigue, pro­gressive dyspnea, cough and paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea-orthopnea. He used to be a professional athlete. Present symptoms came up after a virus infection with fever up to 40°C.Results: On the physical examination he was with regular rhythm, frequent extrasystoles, tachycar­dia, S3 gallop. Echocardiogram showed dilated heart cavities, reduced ejection fraction of 34%. Ther­apy with diuretics, anticoagulants, beta-blockers, angiotensin II receptor blockers was started. Fif­teen days after dehospitalization the symptoms persisted. He was discussed for cardiac resynchro­nization therapy (CRT), but the QRS complex wasn`t widened enough. He met the criteria for ther­apy with a new drug class - angiotensin receptor neprilysin inhibitor. It combines the angiotensin II receptor blocker Valsartan and the neprilysin inhibitor prodrug Sacubitril in a 1:1 ratio. Sacubi­tril is converted by esterase, which inhibits neprilysin, the enzyme responsible for the degradation of the natriuretic peptides and many other vasoactive peptides. This combination addresses two of the pathophysiological mechanisms of heart failure: activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone sys­tem and decreased sensitivity to natriuretic peptides. Since then his general condition improved and the symptoms of the heart failure decreased.Conclusions: DCM is very common and irreversible disease. The clinical case is also an example of the good effect of this new class of drugs on patients with heart failure

Mixed Eccrine Cutaneous Tumor with Folliculo–Sebaceous Differentiation: Case Report and Literature Review

Background/Introduction: Cutaneous mixed tumor is a rare benign neoplasm that exhibits a wide range of metaplastic changes and differentiation in the epithelial, myoepithelial, and stromal components, which is often confused with various other skin lesions. Case report: We present an unusual case of a 58-year-old woman with a mixed tumor of the upper lip, previously misdiagnosed as adnexal carcinoma on a preoperative biopsy. The excision biopsy shows a well-circumscribed lesion composed of various cells and structures featuring folliculo–sebaceous differentiation embedded in a prominent chondromyxoid stroma. The immunohistochemical study proves the various lineages of differentiation and classifies the neoplasm as the less common eccrine subtype of cutaneous mixed tumor. Discussion: The common embryologic origin of the folliculo–sebaceous apocrine complex leads to a great histological variety of cellular components of mixed tumors and the formation of structures that resemble established types of adnexal neoplasms, which could be a diagnostic pitfall, especially on a small incision biopsy

MANAGEMENT OF COMPLEX RESERVOIRS UNDER EXTREME CONDITIONS

In terms of climate change and extreme events, the role of the complex water systems and dams management is increasing. Except for the preservation of stored water volumes to ensure reliable water supply and irrigation, maintaining high levels for effective power generation and to ensure the ecological minimum, the use of dams performs also the function for flood protection. In order to improve the complex and significant (Annex 1 of Water Law) reservoir management, in NIMH has initiated a phased development of a decision-making support system with the appropriate modules. The models, by assessing the current situation, needs and expectations of incoming runoff, enable to give relevant recommendations for solutions. Despite the diversity of situations, the recommendations for decision are synonymous to operate at expected high water as well as in drought conditions

Dielectric Properties of Phosphatidylcholine Membranes and the Effect of Sugars

Simple carbohydrates are associated with the enhanced risk of cardiovascular disease and adverse changes in lipoproteins in the organism. Conversely, sugars are known to exert a stabilizing effect on biological membranes, and this effect is widely exploited in medicine and industry for cryopreservation of tissues and materials. In view of elucidating molecular mechanisms involved in the interaction of mono- and disaccharides with biomimetic lipid systems, we study the alteration of dielectric properties, the degree of hydration, and the rotational order parameter and dipole potential of lipid bilayers in the presence of sugars. Frequency-dependent deformation of cell-size unilamellar lipid vesicles in alternating electric fields and fast Fourier transform electrochemical impedance spectroscopy are applied to measure the specific capacitance of phosphatidylcholine lipid bilayers in sucrose, glucose and fructose aqueous solutions. Alteration of membrane specific capacitance is reported in sucrose solutions, while preservation of membrane dielectric properties is established in the presence of glucose and fructose. We address the effect of sugars on the hydration and the rotational order parameter for 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3- phosphocholine (POPC) and 1-stearoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3- phosphocholine (SOPC). An increased degree of lipid packing is reported in sucrose solutions. The obtained results provide evidence that some small carbohydrates are able to change membrane dielectric properties, structure, and order related to membrane homeostasis. The reported data are also relevant to future developments based on the response of lipid bilayers to external physical stimuli such as electric fields and temperature changes

Myconoside Affects the Viability of Polarized Epithelial MDCKII Cell Line by Interacting with the Plasma Membrane and the Apical Junctional Complexes

The phenyl glycoside myconoside, extracted from Balkan endemic Haberlea rhodopensis, has a positive effect on human health, but the exact molecular mechanism of its action is still unknown. The cell membrane and its associated junctional complex are the first targets of exogenous compound action. We aimed to study the effect of myconoside on membrane organization and cytoskeleton components involved in the maintenance of cell polarity in the MDCKII cell line. By fluorescent spectroscopy and microscopy, we found that at low concentrations, myconoside increases the cell viability by enhancing membrane lipid order and adherent junctions. The opposite effect is observed in high myconoside doses. We hypothesized that the cell morphological and physicochemical changes of the analyzed cell compartments are directly related to cell viability and cell apical-basal polarity. Our finding contributes to a better understanding of the beneficial application of phytochemical myconoside in pharmacology and medicine