Involvement of the Renin‐Angiotensin System in Atherosclerosis

The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) is a well known for its role in the regulation of the blood pressure (BP). Angiotensin II (Ang II), the main mediator of the RAS, may act either, as a systemic molecule or a locally produced factor. Within the vessel wall it has significant proinflammatory role by inducing the oxidative stress, secretion of inflammatory cytokines and adhesion molecules. Ang II could trigger proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) and its migration to the outer layer of the vessel wall. It could induce the release of matrix metalloproteinase (MMPs), from human VSMC and thus increase susceptibility to rupture of atherosclerotic lesions. Binding of Ang II to AT1R/AT2R could have opposing actions in vascular injury. The ACE2/Ang (1-7)/Mas axis of the RAS also opposes the unfavourable actions of ACE/Ang II/ATR1 axis. Inhibition of RAS could reduce inflammation-associated processes in vasculature, independently of lowering BP. RAS is significantly modulated by the genes coding for this system. Certain genetic variants (SNPs) in the RAS genes have been denoted as the functional ones and have been associated with hypertension, cardiovascular phenotypes and atherosclerosis. Also, the genetic components of the RAS interfere with the regulators of gene expression by microRNAs (miRs)

ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGE RESISTANCE: EXPERIENCE FROM PUBLIC SECTOR

The study described in the paper aimed to measure the level of resistance of public sector employees to organizational changes, in order to draw a conclusion on whether the level of resistance is a risk to the successful implementation of change or not. The differences between the resistance of several categories of employees were observed, depending on age, education and satisfaction with personal monthly income. In addition, the most important causes of resistance to change within the sample were determined, such as: lack of involvement of employees in the process of planning change, conviction of employees about non-existence of adequate rewards for the accomplishment of change and high levels of stress at work. The findings indicate that the level of change resistance in public sector is within moderate limits, which means that this issue needs further attention in planning and management of organizational change, but, on the other hand, the situation can not be characterized as highly risky for the process of change implementation. The paper also provides a brief theoretical overview of the most important findings in the field of organizational changes in the public sector

Genetic Factors Underlying Susceptibility to Acute Pyelonephritis and Post-infectious Renal Damage

Chapter of the book "Recent Advances in the Field of Urinary Tract Infections" [https://doi.org/10.5772/46044

LINE-1 DNA METHYLATION AND CONGENITAL HEART DEFECTS IN DOWN SYNDROME

DNA methylation is a key epigenetic mechanism that plays a significant role in regulating gene activity during cardiac development. Congenital heart defects (CHD) are one of the most common abnormalities occurring in 40% -60% of cases with Down syndrome (DS). The main aim of this study was to establish the association of long interspersed nucleotide element-1 (LINE-1) DNA methylation in children with DS and the presence of CHD. The LINE-1 DNA methylation was investigated in peripheral blood lymphocytes on a sample of 42 people with DS by quantification of LINE-1 methylation using the MethyLight method. No significant differences in global DNA methylation were found according to the presence of CHD (P=1.000), but values of LINE-1 DNA methylation were significantly influenced by gender (R2=19.1%; P=0.025). Significant probability of 19.1% was found in women with DS who had lower LINE-1 DNA methylation values than DS male. Gender was a statistically significant predictor of LINE-1 DNA methylation, although the difference was not statistically significant, female subjects had lower LINE-1 DNA methylation values (P=0.068). Further research will clarify the role of lower LINE-1 DNA methylation in the formation of CHD among DS females

LINE-1 DNA METHYLATION AND CONGENITAL HEART DEFECTS IN DOWN SYNDROME

DNA methylation is a key epigenetic mechanism that plays a significant role in regulating gene activity during cardiac development. Congenital heart defects (CHD) are one of the most common abnormalities occurring in 40% -60% of cases with Down syndrome (DS). The main aim of this study was to establish the association of long interspersed nucleotide element-1 (LINE-1) DNA methylation in children with DS and the presence of CHD. The LINE-1 DNA methylation was investigated in peripheral blood lymphocytes on a sample of 42 people with DS by quantification of LINE-1 methylation using the MethyLight method. No significant differences in global DNA methylation were found according to the presence of CHD (P=1.000), but values of LINE-1 DNA methylation were significantly influenced by gender (R2=19.1%; P=0.025). Significant probability of 19.1% was found in women with DS who had lower LINE-1 DNA methylation values than DS male. Gender was a statistically significant predictor of LINE-1 DNA methylation, although the difference was not statistically significant, female subjects had lower LINE-1 DNA methylation values (P=0.068). Further research will clarify the role of lower LINE-1 DNA methylation in the formation of CHD among DS females

SURGICAL TREATMENT OF COMPLEX CROUZON SYNDROME CRANIOSYNOSTOSIS

Crouzon syndrome is one of the most common syndromic craniosynostosis. We present complex course of treatment in a child with Crouzon syndrome presented with multisuture craniosynostosis and hydrocephalus. A 3-months-old boy was admitted with clinical signs of hydrocephalus and turribrachycephaly. Firstly, the hydrocephalus was addressed. The ventriculoperitoneal shunt with programmable valve was implanted. Secondly, in May 2017, posterior calvarial remodeling was done. Finally, after the child recovered, anterior calvarial remodeling with fronto-orbital advancement was performed.  This completed the calvarial remodeling in this patient. Child is doing well, so far completing milestones of child development in time. This case presents an extremely complex case of syndromic multisuture craniosynostosis, in which it was necessary to perform the entire calvarial remodeling to correct the deformity and to provide a chance to the brain to grow and develop without constrictions

Intenzitet sila pri ručnoj rezidbi makazama različitih marki i modela

The goal our investigation was to investigated several the scissors for pruning, to show which models have less opperation force at pruning of twigs apple, plum, peach and sour cherry. Investigation in show to investigated scissors cut easily twigs the sour cherry, peach, plum and apple. At the apple, for diametar of twigs 6,9 mm the best shows scissors Platinium 11/23, for diametar of twigs higher 7,00 mm the best was scissors Kuker. At the sour cherry was like, but for diametar twigs higher 8 mm was better the scissors kuker. At the plum and the peach the best showed the scissors Kuker.Istraživanje je pokazalo da se ispitivanim makazama najlakše režu grančice višnje, breskve, šljive i jabuke. Kod jabuke, za prečnike grančica do 6,9 mm najbolje su se pokazale makaze platinium 11/23, a za prečnike grančica veće od 7,00 mm najbolje su bile makaze kuker. Slično je bilo i kod višnje s tim što su makaze kuker bile bolje za dijametar grančica većih od 8,00 mm. Kod šljive i breskve najbolje su se pokazale makaze kuker

Glucagon Effects on Ischemic Vasodilatation in the Isolated Rat Heart

The myocardial reperfusion following ischemia leads to the ischemic vasodilation by affecting the release of various vasoactive substances, such as free radicals, NO, and histamine. In addition, some evidences suggest that glucagon itself may alter the release of those substances. In this study, we investigated the ischemic vasodilation of the isolated rat heart, as well as the concentrations of NO, TBARS, and histamine in the coronary venous effluent either in the presence or in the absence of glucagon. Our results showed that in the presence of glucagon, there was a faster restoration of coronary perfusion pressure during ischemic vasodilation compared to the absence of glucagon (124 ± 5.6 versus 81 ± 5.2 s) with no apparent changes in TBARS concentration. The glucagon's administration leads to the decreased release of histamine by approximately 35%. Biphasic release of NO in the presence of glucagon initially showed augmentation by 60%, followed by the significant attenuation of 45%

Exploration of factors driving incorporation of unnatural dNTPS into DNA by Klenow fragment (DNA polymerase I) and DNA polymerase α

In order to further understand how DNA polymerases discriminate against incorrect dNTPs, we synthesized two sets of dNTP analogues and tested them as substrates for DNA polymerase α (pol α) and Klenow fragment (exo(−)) of DNA polymerase I (Escherichia coli). One set of analogues was designed to test the importance of the electronic nature of the base. The bases consisted of a benzimidazole ring with one or two exocyclic substituent(s) that are either electron-donating (methyl and methoxy) or electron-withdrawing (trifluoromethyl and dinitro). Both pol α and Klenow fragment exhibit a remarkable inability to discriminate against these analogues as compared to their ability to discriminate against incorrect natural dNTPs. Neither polymerase shows any distinct electronic or steric preferences for analogue incorporation. The other set of analogues, designed to examine the importance of hydrophobicity in dNTP incorporation, consists of a set of four regioisomers of trifluoromethyl benzimidazole. Whereas pol α and Klenow fragment exhibited minimal discrimination against the 5- and 6-regioisomers, they discriminated much more effectively against the 4- and 7-regioisomers. Since all four of these analogues will have similar hydrophobicity and stacking ability, these data indicate that hydrophobicity and stacking ability alone cannot account for the inability of pol α and Klenow fragment to discriminate against unnatural bases. After incorporation, however, both sets of analogues were not efficiently elongated. These results suggest that factors other than hydrophobicity, sterics and electronics govern the incorporation of dNTPs into DNA by pol α and Klenow fragment