Most common skin tumours in correlation with solar ultraviolet radiation in the area of West Herzegovina

Incidence rate of skin tumours, both, non-melanoma and melanoma, is increasing nowadays. Various etiological factors are of relevance for the occurrence of the diseases. The solar radiation, as well, long-term exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, have the greatest impact on development of these skin tumours. Non-melanoma skin tumours, Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) and Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC), are the most common skin tumours in humans, and usually develop on the chronically photo-exposed areas. As for the Malignant Melanoma (MM), one of the most aggressive skin tumours, the exposure to solar radiation also plays an important role. This study investigates the correlation between the skin tumours and UV radiation in the area of West Herzegovina, on the sample of 1676 patients. It presents the occurrence of skin tumours in the period from 1997 to 2003. The study investigates the incidence and the risk factors separately for every skin tumour which can be etiologically related to the occurrence of skin tumours and UV radiation: occupation, exposure to UV radiation, skin type, and family history on malignan tumours within the patient's family. The exact incidence rate of non-melanoma and melanoma skin tumours in Bosnia and Herzegovina is still unknown, for the reason that the united National Cancer Register does not exist yet.     

Genome-wide meta-analysis identifies novel gender specific loci associated with thyroid antibodies level in Croatians

Autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITD) are multifactorial endocrine diseases most frequently accompanied by Tg and TPO autoantibodies. Both antibodies have a higher prevalence in females and act under a strong genetic influence.To identify novel variants underlying thyroid antibody levels, we performed GWAS meta-analysis on the plasma levels of TgAb and TPOAb in three Croatian cohorts, as well as gender specific GWAS and a bivariate analysis.No significant association was detected with the level of TgAb and TPOAb in the meta-analysis of GWAS or bivariate results for all individuals. The bivariate analysis in females only revealed a genome-wide significant association for the locus near GRIN3A (rs4457391, P = 7.76 × 10^?9). The same locus had borderline association with TPOAb levels in females (rs1935377, P = 8.58 × 10^?8).In conclusion, we identified a novel gender specific locus associated with TgAb and TPOAb levels. Our findings provide a novel insight into genetic and gender differences associated with thyroid antibodies.     

Patients in cardiac rehabilitation programme--where we were in 1999 and where 10 years later

The aim of this study was to find out and compare characteristics of cardiac patients who, after hospital treatment, participated in cardiac rehabilitation programmes at the Polyclinic for Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation in Zagreb during 1999 and 2009. The results show an increase in mean patients' age (men: 55.5 to 61.53; p = 0.000 and women: 58.95 to 62.66; p = 0.01), an increase of the proportion of those +/- 65 years by 23% in both genders (men: 17% to 40%; women: 27% to 50%), an increase in the proportion of women (21.16% to 28.22%), a marked increase in the proportion of post - PCI patients with stenting (men: 15.58% to 61.92%; women: 9.68% to 62.20%), reduction of patients with BMI < 25.00 kg/m2 (men: 47.19% to 13.93%; women: 54.84% to 24.41%) and a constantly high proportion of patients with hypercholesterolemia (above 85%). It is obvious that systematic action is required to improve awareness of risk factors and desirable health behaviour.     

Differences in eating and lifestyle habits between first- and sixth-year medical students from Zagreb

Eating and lifestyle habits of first (n=169) and sixth (n=272) year students, aged 18 to 26 years, attending a Medical School in Zagreb, were compared related to the years of study. A self-administered questionnaire created for this study incorporated a food frequency questionnaire. Both year students reported similar number of meals per day, irregular consumption of meals, skipping breakfast, frequency of vegetables, fruits, cereals, sweets, milk and dairy products consumption, body mass index (BMI) calculated from self-reported weight and height and alcohol consumption. Significant differences between groups were observed in consuming supper (p = 0.001), being on diet (p = 0.032), intake of supplements (p = 0.041), meat (p < 0.001), dried meat (p = 0.027), coffee and tea consumption (p = 0.016), physical activity (p = 0.041; p = 0.016), and smoking (p = 0.029). This study showed non-healthy eating arid lifestyle behavior among Medical School students. We observed association between the year of study, and some of the eating habits and lifestyle factors.     

A 10-year experience in the treatment of intraabdominal cerebrospinal fluid pseudocysts

The aim of this retrospective study was to assess a ten-year experience in the treatment of rare complications of ventriculoperitoneal shunting--intraabdominal cerebrospinal fluid pseudocysts. At this time there are no data about incidence, clinical course and treatment of these complications in Croatia. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) abdominal pseudocyst is an uncommon but important complication of ventriculoperitoneal shunts. Retrospective data were obtained from 5 children with abdominal CSF pseudocysts, treated between 1996 and 2007. The incidence of intraabdominal CSF pseudocysts in our study is 2.9%. All patients were girls ranged in age from 4 to 12 years old (mean 8.8 years). In most cases etiology of hydrocephalus was congenital, idiopathic. Abdominal pain and distension were the most frequent clinical finding (4/5). Although infection has been reported as responsible for pseudocyst formation, we did not found it in our series. Laparotomy with cyst wall excision and catheter replacement was performed in 2/5 cases, and only cyst fluid aspiration with catheter replacement in 3/5 cases. Recurrence of the abdominal cyst was observed in one girl who was in terminal stadium of anaplastic ependymoma. It is our opinion that only catheter replacement and cyst fluid evacuation, as one of the treatment modalities, may be successful, even in large CSF intraperitoneal pseudocysts.     

Histomorphological analysis of the osteophytic appositions in patients with lumbar lateral recess syndrome

Patients with lumbar lateral recess syndrome (LRS) can be successfully cured by removing osseous excrescences that grow on the peripheral edge of articular surface of the facet joint. They cause narrowing of the lateral recess and compress a root of the spinal nerve. Their appearance is related to the instability of respective dynamic vertebral segment. The aim of this study was to analyze the osteophytic composition morphohistochemically and elucidate cellular processes that lead to this new formation appearance. It is necessary to find a possible causative-consequential relation between the osteophyte and instability. The ideal object to explore was the osteophyte in the lateral recess because it had to be removed during operative treatment. The group of 30 patients with clinical feature of LRS was chosen. Each patient had clinically verified LRS with consequential radiculopathy. Bony outgrowths were removed surgically and analyzed by histological and immunohistochemical methods: toluidine blue, Goldner trichrome, TRAP, indirect peroxidase with antibodies against BMP 3 and BMP 7. The outgrowths that caused lateral recess stenosis were composed of fibrous and hyaline cartilage and cancellous bone. The changes in cartilage and bone, and occurrence of intramembranous bone formation in sense of enlargement of trabeculae, leads to the conclusion that marginal osteophytic formations could be an adaptation to changed conditions in the dynamic vertebral segment and an attempt to stabilize this segment by enlargement of articular surface.     

Drug-induced aseptic meningitis, sensorineural hearing loss and vestibulopaty

We report clinically rare and serious adverse reactions that occurred after the co-administration of ranitidine, ibuprofen and ciprofloxacin: completely reversible aseptic meningitis and irreversible bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, tinnitus, and vestibulopathy. Recurrent urinary inflammations treated with antibacterials, classic familial migraine, and allergy to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and chromium were favourable predisposing factors for the adverse event in this patient. A close chronological relation between administration of drugs (especially ibuprofen) and adverse reactions was noted. No evidence of infection and/or autoimmune disease was found. The mechanism of these serious events may be explained as a hypersensitive reaction affecting the meninges and, partially, cochlea.     

Dietary habits and folate status in women of childbearing age in Croatia

Folic acid and folates have an important role in prevention of neural tube defect that appears in the first weeks of pregnancy, when women are still not aware of their pregnancy, especially when pregnancy is not planned. Since ensuring sufficient quantities of folates and folic acid in this period is essential, dietary habits of childbearing age women are very important. In line with that the intake of folates and folic acid in nutrition of women age group 20-30 years is examined, as well as the frequency of consumption of foodstuffs rich in vitamins and folic acid supplements. Values of folates in serum are presented, dependent on their nutritional habits. Obtained results indicate that in spite of inadequate intake of folates and folic acid from foodstuffs, clinical deficit is not recorded, which is the result of frequent consumption of dietary supplements. In accordance with these dietary habits, differences in the folates status of examinees were observed.     

Dual role of MutS glutamate 38 in DNA mismatch discrimination and in the authorization of repair

MutS plays a critical role in DNA mismatch repair in Escherichia coli by binding to mismatches and initiating repair in an ATP-dependent manner. Mutational analysis of a highly conserved glutamate, Glu38, has revealed its role in mismatch recognition by enabling MutS to discriminate between homoduplex and mismatched DNA. Crystal structures of MutS have shown that Glu38 forms a hydrogen bond to one of the mismatched bases. In this study, we have analyzed the crystal structures, DNA binding and the response to ATP binding of three Glu38 mutants. While confirming the role of the negative charge in initial discrimination, we show that in vivo mismatch repair can proceed even when discrimination is low. We demonstrate that the formation of a hydrogen bond by residue 38 to the mismatched base authorizes repair by inducing intramolecular signaling, which results in the inhibition of rapid hydrolysis of distally bound ATP. This allows formation of the stable MutS-ATP-DNA clamp, a key intermediate in triggering downstream repair events.     

The effects of zolpidem treatment on GABA(A) receptors in cultured cerebellar granule cells: changes in functional coupling

AimsHypnotic zolpidem is a positive allosteric modulator of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) action, with preferential although not exclusive binding for α1 subunit-containing GABA_A receptors. The pharmacological profile of this drug is different from that of classical benzodiazepines, although it acts through benzodiazepine binding sites at GABA_A receptors. The aim of this study was to further explore the molecular mechanisms of GABA_A receptor induction by zolpidem.Main methodsIn the present study, we explored the effects of two-day zolpidem (10 μM) treatment on GABA_A receptors on the membranes of rat cerebellar granule cells (CGCs) using [³H]flunitrazepam binding and semi-quantitative PCR analysis.Key findingsTwo-day zolpidem treatment of CGCs did not significantly affect the maximum number (B_max) of [³H]flunitrazepam binding sites or the expression of α1 subunit mRNA. However, as shown by decreased GABA [³H]flunitrazepam binding, two-day exposure of CGCs to zolpidem caused functional uncoupling of GABA and benzodiazepine binding sites at GABA_A receptor complexes.SignificanceIf functional uncoupling of GABA and benzodiazepine binding sites at GABA_A receptors is the mechanism responsible for the development of tolerance following long-term administration of classical benzodiazepines, chronic zolpidem treatment may induce tolerance.