AIM:Тo examine the effects of nitroglycerine on portal vein haemodynamics and oxidative stress in patients with portal hypertension.METHODS:Thirty healthy controls and 39 patients with clinically verified portal hype...AIM:Тo examine the effects of nitroglycerine on portal vein haemodynamics and oxidative stress in patients with portal hypertension.METHODS:Thirty healthy controls and 39 patients with clinically verified portal hypertension and increasedvascular resistance participated in the study.Liver di-ameters,portal diameters and portal flow velocities were recorded using color flow imaging/pulsed Doppler detection.Cross-section area,portal flow and index of vascular resistance were calculated.In collected blood samples,superoxide anion radical (O 2-),hydrogen per-oxide (H 2 O 2),index of lipid peroxidation (measured as TBARS) and nitric oxide (NO) as a marker of endothelial response (measured as nitrite-NO 2-) were determined.Time-dependent analysis was performed at basal state and in 10th and 15th min after nitroglycerine (sublingual 0.5 mg) administration.RESULTS:Oxidative stress parameters changed sig-nificantly during the study.H 2 O 2 decreased at the end of study,probably via O 2-mediated disassembling in Haber Weiss and Fenton reaction;O 2-increased signifi-cantly probably due to increased diameter and tension and decreased shear rate level.Consequently O 2-and H 2 O 2 degradation products,like hydroxyl radical,initi-ated lipid peroxidation.Increased blood flow was to some extent lower in patients than in controls due to double paradoxes,flow velocity decreased,shear rate decreased significantly indicating non Newtonian char-acteristics of portal blood flow.CONCLUSION:This pilot study could be a starting point for further investigation and possible implemen-tation of some antioxidants in the treatment of portal hypertension.展开更多
BACKGROUND Rectal cancer(RC)is one of the most common diagnosed cancers,and one of the major causes of cancer-related death nowadays.Majority of the current guidelines rely on TNM classification regarding therapy regi...BACKGROUND Rectal cancer(RC)is one of the most common diagnosed cancers,and one of the major causes of cancer-related death nowadays.Majority of the current guidelines rely on TNM classification regarding therapy regiments,however recent studies suggest that additional histopathological findings could affect the disease course.AIM To determine whether perineural invasion alone or in combination with lymphovascular invasion have an effect on 5-years overall survival(OS)of RC patients.METHODS A prospective study included newly diagnosed stage I-III RC patients treated and followed at the Digestive Surgery Clinic,Clinical Center of Serbia,between the years of 2014–2016.All patients had their diagnosis histologically confirmed in accordance with both TMN and Dukes classification.In addition,the patient’s demographics,surgical details,postoperative pathological details,differentiation degree and their correlation with OS was investigated.RESULTS Of 245 included patients with stage Ⅰ-Ⅲ RC,lymphovascular invasion(LVI)was identified in 92 patients(38%),whereas perineural invasion(PNI)was present in 46 patients(19%).Using Kaplan-Meier analysis for overall survival rate,we have found that both LVI and PNI were associated with lower survival rates(P<0.01).Moreover when Cox multiple regression model was used,LVI,PNI,older age,male gender were predictors of poor prognosis(HR=5.49;95%CI:2.889-10.429;P<0.05).CONCLUSION LVI and PNI were significant factors predicting worse prognosis in early and intermediate RC patients,hence more aggressive therapy should be reserved for these patients after curative resection.展开更多
Currently,flight delays are common and they propagate from an originating flight to connecting flights,leading to large disruptions in the overall schedule.These disruptions cause massive economic losses,affect airli...Currently,flight delays are common and they propagate from an originating flight to connecting flights,leading to large disruptions in the overall schedule.These disruptions cause massive economic losses,affect airlines’reputations,waste passengers’time and money,and directly impact the environment.This study adopts a network science approach for solving the delay propagation problem by modeling and analyzing the flight schedules and historical operational data of an airline.We aim to determine the most disruptive airports,flights,flightconnections,and connection types in an airline network.Disruptive elements are influential or critical entities in an airline network.They are the elements that can either cause(airline schedules)or have caused(historical data)the largest disturbances in the network.An airline can improve its operations by avoiding delays caused by the most disruptive elements.The proposed network science approach for disruptive element analysis was validated using a case study of an operating airline.The analysis indicates that potential disruptive elements in a schedule of an airline are also actual disruptive elements in the historical data and they should be considered to improve operations.The airline network exhibits small-world effects and delays can propagate to any part of the network with a minimum of four delayed flights.Finally,we observed that passenger connections between flights are the most disruptive connection type.Therefore,the proposed methodology provides a tool for airlines to build robust flight schedules that reduce delays and propagation.展开更多
AIMTo assess the development and implementation of the Integrated Rapid Assessment and Treatment (IRAT) pathway for the management of patients with fecal incontinence and measure its impact on patients’ care. METHODS...AIMTo assess the development and implementation of the Integrated Rapid Assessment and Treatment (IRAT) pathway for the management of patients with fecal incontinence and measure its impact on patients’ care. METHODSPatients referred to the colorectal unit in our hospital for the management of faecal incontinence were randomised to either the Standard Care pathway or the newly developed IRAT pathway in this feasibility study. The IRAT pathway is designed to provide a seamless multidisciplinary care to patients with faecal incontinence in a timely fashion. On the other hand, patients in the Standard Pathway were managed in the general colorectal clinic. Percentage improvements in St. Marks Incontinence Score, Cleveland Clinic Incontinence Score and Rockwood Faecal Incontinence Quality of Life Scale after completion of treatment in both groups were the primary outcome measures. Secondary endpoints were the time required to complete the management and patients’ satisfaction score. χ<sup>2</sup>, Mann-Whitney-U and Kendall tau-c correlation coefficient tests were used for comparison of outcomes of the two study groups. A P value of 0.05 or less was considered significant. RESULTSThirty-nine patients, 34 females, consented to participate. Thirty-one (79.5%) patients completed the final assessment and were included in the outcome analysis. There was no significant difference in the quality of life scales and incontinence scores. Patients in the IRAT pathway were more satisfied with the time required to complete management (P = 0.033) and had stronger agreement that all aspects of their problem were covered (P = 0.006). CONCLUSIONDespite of the lack of significant difference in outcome measures, the new pathway has positively influenced patient’s mindset, which was reflected in a higher satisfaction score.展开更多
In power systems, a large number of OPLs （overhead power lines） are more than 40 years old and some even exceed 50 years old. The key issue for power systems managers, public utilities companies and electrical engin...In power systems, a large number of OPLs （overhead power lines） are more than 40 years old and some even exceed 50 years old. The key issue for power systems managers, public utilities companies and electrical engineers today concerns the manner in which available financial resources should be invested in these OPLs to provide the greatest impact on the power system as a whole and to address the OPLs that require urgent revitalization. This paper presents the application of the software tool RevOPL, developed using Microsoft Access utilizing the ＂methodology for revitalization of high-voltage OPLs＂. The aim is to present both the methodology and software to objectively evaluate the condition of an OPL and determine its remaining service life. The application of this software tool provides a proposal for the scheduling and scope of planned revitalization activities, which are obtained through the optimization of the technical characteristics while remaining within the available budget.展开更多
Dear editor,Foreign body ingestion and food bolus impaction are frequent emergency cases in clinical practice.[1] The majority of foreign body ingestion cases occur in the pediatric population, while individuals with ...Dear editor,Foreign body ingestion and food bolus impaction are frequent emergency cases in clinical practice.[1] The majority of foreign body ingestion cases occur in the pediatric population, while individuals with mental illness,neurodevelopmental disorders, alcohol intoxication, and prisoners are recognized as a high-risk adult population for foreign body ingestion.展开更多
Introduction. Acute or sub- acute pure dysautonomia is uncommon.We report a case of sub- acute pure pandysautonomia with favorable outcome after intravenous immunoglobulin therapy.Case report. A 29- year- old right- h...Introduction. Acute or sub- acute pure dysautonomia is uncommon.We report a case of sub- acute pure pandysautonomia with favorable outcome after intravenous immunoglobulin therapy.Case report. A 29- year- old right- handed student, with an uneventful medical history presented, for one month, bilateral loss of visual acuity and digestive disorders, associating diarrhea,vomiting and anorexia. Physical examination revealed bilateral intrinsec oculomotor nerve palsy, a dryness syndrome and severe orthostatic hypotension. Ophthalmologic examination showed bilateral diffuse parasympathic impairment associating an Argyll Robertson pupil and full pupil light reflex abolition. Elevated protein level (0.93g/l)was the only cerebrospinal fluid anomaly. Serum tests were negative for anti- gangliosides antibodies. The patient improved slowly after two series of intravenous immunoglobulin infusions. Conclusion. Clinical course and laboratory findings suggest that acute or sub- acute pure pandysautonomia events are likely to be related to acute polyradiculoneuritis. Therefore intravenous polyvalent immunoglobulin infusions should be attempted, even if their efficacy needs to be confirmed.展开更多
Continuous biodiesel production from a waste pig-roasting lard,methanol and KOH was carried out in a reciprocating plate reactor(RPR)using a factorial design containing three process factors,namely methanol/lard molar...Continuous biodiesel production from a waste pig-roasting lard,methanol and KOH was carried out in a reciprocating plate reactor(RPR)using a factorial design containing three process factors,namely methanol/lard molar ratio,catalyst loading,and normalized height of the reactor.The main goals were to optimize the influential process factors with respect to biodiesel purity using the response surface methodology and to model the kinetics of the transesterification reaction in order to describe the change of triacylglycerols(TAG)and fatty acid methyl esters(FAME)concentrations along the RPR height.The first-order rate law was proved for both the reaction and the mass transfer.The model of the changing reaction mechanism and mass transfer of TAG was also applicable.Both kinetic models agreed with the experimental concentrations of TAG and FAME determined along the RPR height.展开更多
We tested mutation accumulation hypothesis for the evolution of senescence using short-lived and long-lived populations of the seed-feeding beetle, Acanthoscelides obtectus （Say）, obtained by selection on early- and...We tested mutation accumulation hypothesis for the evolution of senescence using short-lived and long-lived populations of the seed-feeding beetle, Acanthoscelides obtectus （Say）, obtained by selection on early- and late-life for many generations. The expected consequence of the mutation accumulation hypothesis is that in short-lived pop- ulations, where the force of natural selection is the strongest early in life, the late-life fitness traits should decline due to genetic drift which increases the frequency of mutations with deleterious effects in later adult stages. Since it is unlikely that identical deleterious mutations will increase in several independent populations, hybrid vigor for late-life fit- ness is expected in offspring obtained in crosses among populations selected for early-life fitness traits. We tested longevity of both sexes, female fecundity and male reproductive behavior for hybrid vigor by comparing hybrid and nonhybrid short-lived populations. Hybrid vigor was confirmed for male virility, mating speed and copulation duration, and longevity of both sexes at late ages. In contrast to males, the results on female fecundity in short-lived populations did not support mutation accumulation as a genetic mechanism for the evolution of this trait. Contrary to the prediction of this hypothesis, male mating ability indices and female fecundity in long-lived populations exhibited hybrid vigor at all assayed age classes. We demonstrate that nonhybrid long-lived populations diverged randomly regarding female and male reproductive fitness, indicating that sexually antag- onistic selection, when accompanied with genetic drift for female fecundity and male virility, might be responsible for overriding natural selection in the independently evolving long-lived populations.展开更多
One of the most significant health issues is the disorders of mood according to the fact that they have a significant effect on the quality of life of the patients, their families, their working and wider social surro...One of the most significant health issues is the disorders of mood according to the fact that they have a significant effect on the quality of life of the patients, their families, their working and wider social surroundings. According to the World Health Organization, mood disorders are the fourth cause of morbidity and mortality with a tendency to move to the second place by the 2020. The prediction of higher number of patients diagnosed with depression in the future comes from the facts that the main factor of risk, like stress, is in constant rise. Furthermore, the demographic image （ageing of the population） is changing, associated with the effect of comorbidity of depression, also attributed with increase of the number of genetically predisposed patients with this mood disorder. The aim of this study is to define, describe and question the role of pharmacists in the treatment of patients suffering from depression. Therefore, we measured the impact of pharmaceutical care on significant parameters in treatment of depression due to the selection of appropriate therapy according to the guidelines, adherence of the patient, quality of life, work capability, anxiety, side effects and interactions with other medicines.展开更多
Objective: To investigate histopathologic alterations of eyelid biopsy specime ns from patients with floppy eyelid syndrome (FES) with special regard to elasti c fiber content and ultrastructure as well as to the expr...Objective: To investigate histopathologic alterations of eyelid biopsy specime ns from patients with floppy eyelid syndrome (FES) with special regard to elasti c fiber content and ultrastructure as well as to the expression of elastin-degr ading enzymes to elucidate the pathogenesis of this disorder. Design: Retrospect ive, interventional case series. Participants and Controls: Eleven consecutive p atients with FES and 10 age-matched control patients with basal cell carcinoma of the eyelid. Methods: Horizontal pentagonal eyelid resections of 16 upper lids were performed in 11 patientswith FES. Full-thickness eyelid biopsy specimens from study and control patients were examined by light and transmission electron microscopy, semiquantitative morphometry, and immunohistochemistry using antibo dies against matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, MMP-7, MMP-9, and MMP-12 and neutrophil elastase. Results: All patients treated with surgical horizontal eyel id shortening were asymptomatic at follow-up. Histopa- thologic analysis of the surgical specimens showed, apart from unspecific sign s of chronic in-flammation, a significant decrease in the amount of elastin wit hin the tarsal plate and eyelid skin as compared with controls. Residual elastic fibers revealed an abnormal ultrastructure with a diminished elastin core. Immu nohistochemistry demonstrated an increased immunoreactivity for elastolytic prot eases, particularly MMP-7 and MMP-9, in areas of elastin depletion in FES spec imens as compared with controls. Conclusions: The findings indicate that upregul ation of elastolytic enzymes, most probably induced by repeated mechanical stres s, participates in elastic fiber degradation and subsequent tarsal laxity and ey elash ptosis in FES.展开更多
Introduction. Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) is generally related to perip heral nervous system involvement, but certain variants with central nervous syst em manifestations have been described. Case report. In th...Introduction. Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) is generally related to perip heral nervous system involvement, but certain variants with central nervous syst em manifestations have been described. Case report. In the present study we repo rt 2 patients with GBS associated with hallucinations and onirism. Two men (age 64 and 49 years) presented GBS without proven infectious origin who required int ensive care because of respiratory problems. The disease progressed and manifest ations of encephalitis (hallucinations and onirism) appeared. The sensorimotor s igns and encephalitis manifestations evolved in parallel with full recovery in t he first patient and death after 11 months of intensive care in the second. Conc lusion. GBS may be associated with stereotypic central nervous system symptoms, mimicking delirium tremens. The manifestations would be related to the severity of the initial period, but not to long-term prognosis.展开更多
Introduction. Polyneuropathies associated with IgM monoclonal gammopathy were recently recognized. Antibodies can react with glycoproteins such as myelin asso ciated glycoprotein (MAG), or gangliosides containing one ...Introduction. Polyneuropathies associated with IgM monoclonal gammopathy were recently recognized. Antibodies can react with glycoproteins such as myelin asso ciated glycoprotein (MAG), or gangliosides containing one sialosyl epitope such as GM1 or several sialosyl epitopes (polysialyted gangliosides) including GD2, G D3, GT1b, GT1a, GQ1b. Methods. We report on three patients presenting oculomotor dysfunction, chronic sensitive ataxic polyneuropathy, high sedimentation rate, IgM monoclonal paraprotein of unknown signification and antidisialosyl IgM antib odies and for two of them cold agglutinins. Such features have been previously d escribed under the acronym “CANOMAD”(chronic ataxic neuropathy with ophthalmop legia, M protein, agglutination and disialosyl antibodies). Results. One of the patients presents extra membranous glomerulopathy and severe motor disability as sociated with this syndrome. The pathophysiology of the glomerulopathy seems to be linked with the polyneuropathy. Patients were treated either by intravenous i mmunoglobulin, corticosteroids or cyclophosphamid. Response to treatment differs in the three cases and there is currently no consensus. Conclusion. Our study d emonstrates that spectrum of polyneuropathy associated with monoclonal polyneuro pathy may be larger than originally described.展开更多
基金Supported by The Grant from the Ministry of Science and Technical Development of the Republic of Serbia,No.175043
文摘AIM:Тo examine the effects of nitroglycerine on portal vein haemodynamics and oxidative stress in patients with portal hypertension.METHODS:Thirty healthy controls and 39 patients with clinically verified portal hypertension and increasedvascular resistance participated in the study.Liver di-ameters,portal diameters and portal flow velocities were recorded using color flow imaging/pulsed Doppler detection.Cross-section area,portal flow and index of vascular resistance were calculated.In collected blood samples,superoxide anion radical (O 2-),hydrogen per-oxide (H 2 O 2),index of lipid peroxidation (measured as TBARS) and nitric oxide (NO) as a marker of endothelial response (measured as nitrite-NO 2-) were determined.Time-dependent analysis was performed at basal state and in 10th and 15th min after nitroglycerine (sublingual 0.5 mg) administration.RESULTS:Oxidative stress parameters changed sig-nificantly during the study.H 2 O 2 decreased at the end of study,probably via O 2-mediated disassembling in Haber Weiss and Fenton reaction;O 2-increased signifi-cantly probably due to increased diameter and tension and decreased shear rate level.Consequently O 2-and H 2 O 2 degradation products,like hydroxyl radical,initi-ated lipid peroxidation.Increased blood flow was to some extent lower in patients than in controls due to double paradoxes,flow velocity decreased,shear rate decreased significantly indicating non Newtonian char-acteristics of portal blood flow.CONCLUSION:This pilot study could be a starting point for further investigation and possible implemen-tation of some antioxidants in the treatment of portal hypertension.
文摘BACKGROUND Rectal cancer(RC)is one of the most common diagnosed cancers,and one of the major causes of cancer-related death nowadays.Majority of the current guidelines rely on TNM classification regarding therapy regiments,however recent studies suggest that additional histopathological findings could affect the disease course.AIM To determine whether perineural invasion alone or in combination with lymphovascular invasion have an effect on 5-years overall survival(OS)of RC patients.METHODS A prospective study included newly diagnosed stage I-III RC patients treated and followed at the Digestive Surgery Clinic,Clinical Center of Serbia,between the years of 2014–2016.All patients had their diagnosis histologically confirmed in accordance with both TMN and Dukes classification.In addition,the patient’s demographics,surgical details,postoperative pathological details,differentiation degree and their correlation with OS was investigated.RESULTS Of 245 included patients with stage Ⅰ-Ⅲ RC,lymphovascular invasion(LVI)was identified in 92 patients(38%),whereas perineural invasion(PNI)was present in 46 patients(19%).Using Kaplan-Meier analysis for overall survival rate,we have found that both LVI and PNI were associated with lower survival rates(P<0.01).Moreover when Cox multiple regression model was used,LVI,PNI,older age,male gender were predictors of poor prognosis(HR=5.49;95%CI:2.889-10.429;P<0.05).CONCLUSION LVI and PNI were significant factors predicting worse prognosis in early and intermediate RC patients,hence more aggressive therapy should be reserved for these patients after curative resection.
基金part of a BOEING project“Airline Performance and Disruption Management Across Extended Networks(APEMEN)”funded with research(Grant No.:46599).
文摘Currently,flight delays are common and they propagate from an originating flight to connecting flights,leading to large disruptions in the overall schedule.These disruptions cause massive economic losses,affect airlines’reputations,waste passengers’time and money,and directly impact the environment.This study adopts a network science approach for solving the delay propagation problem by modeling and analyzing the flight schedules and historical operational data of an airline.We aim to determine the most disruptive airports,flights,flightconnections,and connection types in an airline network.Disruptive elements are influential or critical entities in an airline network.They are the elements that can either cause(airline schedules)or have caused(historical data)the largest disturbances in the network.An airline can improve its operations by avoiding delays caused by the most disruptive elements.The proposed network science approach for disruptive element analysis was validated using a case study of an operating airline.The analysis indicates that potential disruptive elements in a schedule of an airline are also actual disruptive elements in the historical data and they should be considered to improve operations.The airline network exhibits small-world effects and delays can propagate to any part of the network with a minimum of four delayed flights.Finally,we observed that passenger connections between flights are the most disruptive connection type.Therefore,the proposed methodology provides a tool for airlines to build robust flight schedules that reduce delays and propagation.
文摘AIMTo assess the development and implementation of the Integrated Rapid Assessment and Treatment (IRAT) pathway for the management of patients with fecal incontinence and measure its impact on patients’ care. METHODSPatients referred to the colorectal unit in our hospital for the management of faecal incontinence were randomised to either the Standard Care pathway or the newly developed IRAT pathway in this feasibility study. The IRAT pathway is designed to provide a seamless multidisciplinary care to patients with faecal incontinence in a timely fashion. On the other hand, patients in the Standard Pathway were managed in the general colorectal clinic. Percentage improvements in St. Marks Incontinence Score, Cleveland Clinic Incontinence Score and Rockwood Faecal Incontinence Quality of Life Scale after completion of treatment in both groups were the primary outcome measures. Secondary endpoints were the time required to complete the management and patients’ satisfaction score. χ<sup>2</sup>, Mann-Whitney-U and Kendall tau-c correlation coefficient tests were used for comparison of outcomes of the two study groups. A P value of 0.05 or less was considered significant. RESULTSThirty-nine patients, 34 females, consented to participate. Thirty-one (79.5%) patients completed the final assessment and were included in the outcome analysis. There was no significant difference in the quality of life scales and incontinence scores. Patients in the IRAT pathway were more satisfied with the time required to complete management (P = 0.033) and had stronger agreement that all aspects of their problem were covered (P = 0.006). CONCLUSIONDespite of the lack of significant difference in outcome measures, the new pathway has positively influenced patient’s mindset, which was reflected in a higher satisfaction score.
文摘In power systems, a large number of OPLs （overhead power lines） are more than 40 years old and some even exceed 50 years old. The key issue for power systems managers, public utilities companies and electrical engineers today concerns the manner in which available financial resources should be invested in these OPLs to provide the greatest impact on the power system as a whole and to address the OPLs that require urgent revitalization. This paper presents the application of the software tool RevOPL, developed using Microsoft Access utilizing the ＂methodology for revitalization of high-voltage OPLs＂. The aim is to present both the methodology and software to objectively evaluate the condition of an OPL and determine its remaining service life. The application of this software tool provides a proposal for the scheduling and scope of planned revitalization activities, which are obtained through the optimization of the technical characteristics while remaining within the available budget.
文摘Dear editor,Foreign body ingestion and food bolus impaction are frequent emergency cases in clinical practice.[1] The majority of foreign body ingestion cases occur in the pediatric population, while individuals with mental illness,neurodevelopmental disorders, alcohol intoxication, and prisoners are recognized as a high-risk adult population for foreign body ingestion.
文摘Introduction. Acute or sub- acute pure dysautonomia is uncommon.We report a case of sub- acute pure pandysautonomia with favorable outcome after intravenous immunoglobulin therapy.Case report. A 29- year- old right- handed student, with an uneventful medical history presented, for one month, bilateral loss of visual acuity and digestive disorders, associating diarrhea,vomiting and anorexia. Physical examination revealed bilateral intrinsec oculomotor nerve palsy, a dryness syndrome and severe orthostatic hypotension. Ophthalmologic examination showed bilateral diffuse parasympathic impairment associating an Argyll Robertson pupil and full pupil light reflex abolition. Elevated protein level (0.93g/l)was the only cerebrospinal fluid anomaly. Serum tests were negative for anti- gangliosides antibodies. The patient improved slowly after two series of intravenous immunoglobulin infusions. Conclusion. Clinical course and laboratory findings suggest that acute or sub- acute pure pandysautonomia events are likely to be related to acute polyradiculoneuritis. Therefore intravenous polyvalent immunoglobulin infusions should be attempted, even if their efficacy needs to be confirmed.
基金Supported by the Ministry of Education,Science and Technological Development of the Republic of Serbia(ProjectⅢ45001)the Project 0-14-18 of the SASA Branch in Nis,Serbia.
文摘Continuous biodiesel production from a waste pig-roasting lard,methanol and KOH was carried out in a reciprocating plate reactor(RPR)using a factorial design containing three process factors,namely methanol/lard molar ratio,catalyst loading,and normalized height of the reactor.The main goals were to optimize the influential process factors with respect to biodiesel purity using the response surface methodology and to model the kinetics of the transesterification reaction in order to describe the change of triacylglycerols(TAG)and fatty acid methyl esters(FAME)concentrations along the RPR height.The first-order rate law was proved for both the reaction and the mass transfer.The model of the changing reaction mechanism and mass transfer of TAG was also applicable.Both kinetic models agreed with the experimental concentrations of TAG and FAME determined along the RPR height.
文摘We tested mutation accumulation hypothesis for the evolution of senescence using short-lived and long-lived populations of the seed-feeding beetle, Acanthoscelides obtectus （Say）, obtained by selection on early- and late-life for many generations. The expected consequence of the mutation accumulation hypothesis is that in short-lived pop- ulations, where the force of natural selection is the strongest early in life, the late-life fitness traits should decline due to genetic drift which increases the frequency of mutations with deleterious effects in later adult stages. Since it is unlikely that identical deleterious mutations will increase in several independent populations, hybrid vigor for late-life fit- ness is expected in offspring obtained in crosses among populations selected for early-life fitness traits. We tested longevity of both sexes, female fecundity and male reproductive behavior for hybrid vigor by comparing hybrid and nonhybrid short-lived populations. Hybrid vigor was confirmed for male virility, mating speed and copulation duration, and longevity of both sexes at late ages. In contrast to males, the results on female fecundity in short-lived populations did not support mutation accumulation as a genetic mechanism for the evolution of this trait. Contrary to the prediction of this hypothesis, male mating ability indices and female fecundity in long-lived populations exhibited hybrid vigor at all assayed age classes. We demonstrate that nonhybrid long-lived populations diverged randomly regarding female and male reproductive fitness, indicating that sexually antag- onistic selection, when accompanied with genetic drift for female fecundity and male virility, might be responsible for overriding natural selection in the independently evolving long-lived populations.
文摘One of the most significant health issues is the disorders of mood according to the fact that they have a significant effect on the quality of life of the patients, their families, their working and wider social surroundings. According to the World Health Organization, mood disorders are the fourth cause of morbidity and mortality with a tendency to move to the second place by the 2020. The prediction of higher number of patients diagnosed with depression in the future comes from the facts that the main factor of risk, like stress, is in constant rise. Furthermore, the demographic image （ageing of the population） is changing, associated with the effect of comorbidity of depression, also attributed with increase of the number of genetically predisposed patients with this mood disorder. The aim of this study is to define, describe and question the role of pharmacists in the treatment of patients suffering from depression. Therefore, we measured the impact of pharmaceutical care on significant parameters in treatment of depression due to the selection of appropriate therapy according to the guidelines, adherence of the patient, quality of life, work capability, anxiety, side effects and interactions with other medicines.
文摘Objective: To investigate histopathologic alterations of eyelid biopsy specime ns from patients with floppy eyelid syndrome (FES) with special regard to elasti c fiber content and ultrastructure as well as to the expression of elastin-degr ading enzymes to elucidate the pathogenesis of this disorder. Design: Retrospect ive, interventional case series. Participants and Controls: Eleven consecutive p atients with FES and 10 age-matched control patients with basal cell carcinoma of the eyelid. Methods: Horizontal pentagonal eyelid resections of 16 upper lids were performed in 11 patientswith FES. Full-thickness eyelid biopsy specimens from study and control patients were examined by light and transmission electron microscopy, semiquantitative morphometry, and immunohistochemistry using antibo dies against matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, MMP-7, MMP-9, and MMP-12 and neutrophil elastase. Results: All patients treated with surgical horizontal eyel id shortening were asymptomatic at follow-up. Histopa- thologic analysis of the surgical specimens showed, apart from unspecific sign s of chronic in-flammation, a significant decrease in the amount of elastin wit hin the tarsal plate and eyelid skin as compared with controls. Residual elastic fibers revealed an abnormal ultrastructure with a diminished elastin core. Immu nohistochemistry demonstrated an increased immunoreactivity for elastolytic prot eases, particularly MMP-7 and MMP-9, in areas of elastin depletion in FES spec imens as compared with controls. Conclusions: The findings indicate that upregul ation of elastolytic enzymes, most probably induced by repeated mechanical stres s, participates in elastic fiber degradation and subsequent tarsal laxity and ey elash ptosis in FES.
文摘Introduction. Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) is generally related to perip heral nervous system involvement, but certain variants with central nervous syst em manifestations have been described. Case report. In the present study we repo rt 2 patients with GBS associated with hallucinations and onirism. Two men (age 64 and 49 years) presented GBS without proven infectious origin who required int ensive care because of respiratory problems. The disease progressed and manifest ations of encephalitis (hallucinations and onirism) appeared. The sensorimotor s igns and encephalitis manifestations evolved in parallel with full recovery in t he first patient and death after 11 months of intensive care in the second. Conc lusion. GBS may be associated with stereotypic central nervous system symptoms, mimicking delirium tremens. The manifestations would be related to the severity of the initial period, but not to long-term prognosis.
文摘Introduction. Polyneuropathies associated with IgM monoclonal gammopathy were recently recognized. Antibodies can react with glycoproteins such as myelin asso ciated glycoprotein (MAG), or gangliosides containing one sialosyl epitope such as GM1 or several sialosyl epitopes (polysialyted gangliosides) including GD2, G D3, GT1b, GT1a, GQ1b. Methods. We report on three patients presenting oculomotor dysfunction, chronic sensitive ataxic polyneuropathy, high sedimentation rate, IgM monoclonal paraprotein of unknown signification and antidisialosyl IgM antib odies and for two of them cold agglutinins. Such features have been previously d escribed under the acronym “CANOMAD”(chronic ataxic neuropathy with ophthalmop legia, M protein, agglutination and disialosyl antibodies). Results. One of the patients presents extra membranous glomerulopathy and severe motor disability as sociated with this syndrome. The pathophysiology of the glomerulopathy seems to be linked with the polyneuropathy. Patients were treated either by intravenous i mmunoglobulin, corticosteroids or cyclophosphamid. Response to treatment differs in the three cases and there is currently no consensus. Conclusion. Our study d emonstrates that spectrum of polyneuropathy associated with monoclonal polyneuro pathy may be larger than originally described.
