The incidence of stroke in Baranya county (east Croatia)

The aim of this retrospective study was to provide a survey of the incidence of stroke in Baranya, Croatia, on patients examined at Beli Manastir Health Center Department of Emergency from November 1, 1997 (the time of Baranya reintegration into the legal system of the Republic of Croatia after the war) till December 31, 2001. A total of 513 patients with symptoms of cerebrovascular diseases, or one patient every third day on an average, were examined. Total incidence of stroke was 16.09 per 10,000 population. The majority of patients were in the 61-80 age group with an incidence of 46.94/10,000 after the age of 60, 15-fold that was recorded in younger age groups. The most common risk factors recorded in examined group included hypertension, heart diseases, hyperlipidemia and diabetes mellitus. Total stroke mortality was 38.38%, whereas mortality in patients with hemorrhagic and ischemic stroke was 62.85% and 33.52%, respectively. The ratio of ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke in study subjects was 5:1, and in the causes of death 2.5:1. Out of 81 deceased stroke patients, 96.3% died within first 28 of admission. All of the patients with hemorrhagic stroke died within first 28 days, most within first 7 days (81.8%), whereas 94.9% of patients with ischemic stroke died within first 28 days.     

Bone microarchitecture at muscle attachment sites: The relationship between macroscopic scores of entheses and their cortical and trabecular microstructural design

The studies of entheses in bioarchaeology attempted to reconstruct the habitual physical activities of past populations. However, the studies of microarchitecture of the underlying bone are still lacking despite well‐known potential of bone internal microarchitecture to reflect mechanical loading. It is unknown whether different morphological expressions of entheseal changes (ECs) correlate with the microstructural characteristics of the underlining bone. This study analyzed bone microstructural characteristics at the entheses. Our focus was on examining the possible successive nature of the three‐stage scale of entheseal macroscopic changes by comparing EC scores with the microarchitectural features at the attachment sites. The study was based on the hypothesis that mechanical loading influences the microarchitecture of the bone at the attachment site. The bone samples were taken from 24 adult male skeletons from medieval cemeteries in Serbia, with different macroscopic expression score of EC. We evaluated the macroscopic and microscopic appearance of four entheses of the lower limbs (origin of the soleus muscle and the insertions of the adductor magnus, gluteus maximus, and iliopsoas muscles). The specimens were scanned using microcomputed tomography (Scanco µCT 40). Our data showed a lack of consistent correlation between stages of the macroscopic scoring systems with microarchitecture at the entheses, only cortical thickness was significantly different between EC stages. Analyzing relationship between trabecular and cortical bone microstructure we found correlations between cortical and trabecular variables only in Stage C. Results of our study suggest that macroscopic EC might not represent distinct successive phases in bone adaptation to mechanical loading. Am J Phys Anthropol 157:81–93, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

RecA protein assures fidelity of DNA repair and genome stability in Deinococcus radiodurans

Deinococcus radiodurans is one of the most radiation-resistant organisms known. It can repair hundreds of radiation-induced double-strand DNA breaks without loss of viability. Genome reassembly in heavily irradiated D. radiodurans is considered to be an error-free process since no genome rearrangements were detected after post-irradiation repair. Here, we describe for the first time conditions that frequently cause erroneous chromosomal assemblies. Gross chromosomal rearrangements have been detected in recA mutant cells that survived exposure to 5 kGy γ-radiation. The recA mutants are prone also to spontaneous DNA rearrangements during normal exponential growth. Some insertion sequences have been identified as dispersed genomic homology blocks that can mediate DNA rearrangements. Whereas the wild-type D. radiodurans appears to repair accurately its genome shattered by 5 kGy γ-radiation, extremely high γ-doses, e.g., 25 kGy, produce frequent genome rearrangements among survivors. Our results show that the RecA protein is quintessential for the fidelity of repair of both spontaneous and γ-radiation-induced DNA breaks and, consequently, for genome stability in D. radiodurans. The mechanisms of decreased genome stability in the absence of RecA are discussed.     

Genetically different wine yeasts isolated from Austrian vine-growing regions influence wine aroma differently and contain putative hybrids between Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Saccharomyces kudriavzevii

To evaluate the influence of the genomic properties of yeasts on the formation of wine flavour, genotypic diversity among natural Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains originating from grapes collected in four localities of three Austrian vine-growing areas (Thermenregion: locations Perchtoldsdorf and Pfaffst?tten, Neusiedlersee-Hügelland: location Eisenstadt, Neusiedlersee: location Halbturn) was investigated and the aroma compounds produced during fermentation of the grape must of 'Grüner Veltliner' were identified. Amplified fragment length polymorphism analysis (AFLP) showed that the yeast strains cluster in four groups corresponding to their geographical origin. The genotypic analysis and sequencing of the D1/D2 domain of 26S rRNA encoding gene and ITS1/ITS2 regions indicated that the Perchtoldsdorf strains were putative interspecies hybrids between S. cerevisiae and Saccharomyces kudriavzevii. Analysis of the aroma compounds by GS/MS indicated a region-specific influence of the yeasts on the chemical composition of the wines. The aroma compound profiles generated by the Perchtoldsdorf strains were more related to those produced by the Pfaffst?tten strains than by the Eisenstadt and Halbturn strains. Similar to the Pfaffst?tten yeasts, the putative hybrid strains were good ester producers, suggesting that they may influence the wine quality favourably.     

Characteristics and transferability of new apple EST-derived SSRs to other Rosaceae species

Genic microsatellites or simple sequence repeat markers derived from expressed sequence tags (ESTs), referred to as EST–SSRs, are inexpensive to develop, represent transcribed genes, and often have assigned putative function. The large apple (Malus × domestica) EST database (over 300,000 sequences) provides a valuable resource for developing well-characterized DNA molecular markers. In this study, we have investigated the level of transferability of 68 apple EST–SSRs in 50 individual members of the Rosaceae family, representing three genera and 14 species. These representatives included pear (Pyrus communis), apricot (Prunus armeniaca), European plum (P. domestica), Japanese plum (P. salicina), almond (P. dulcis), peach (P. persica), sour cherry (P. cerasus), sweet cherry (P. avium), strawberry (Fragaria vesca, F. moschata, F. virginiana, F. nipponica, and F. pentaphylla), and rose (Rosa hybrida). All 68 primer pairs gave an amplification product when tested on eight apple cultivars, and for most, the genomic DNA-derived amplification product matched the expected size based on EST (in silico) data. When tested across members of the Rosaceae, 75% of these primer pairs produced amplification products. Transferability of apple EST–SSRs across the Rosaceae ranged from 25% in apricot to 59% in the closely related pear. Besides pear, the highest transferability of these apple EST–SSRs, at the genus level, was observed for strawberry and peach/almond, 49 and 38%, respectively. Three markers amplified in at least one genotype within all tested species, while eight additional markers amplified in all species, except for cherry. These 11 markers are deemed good candidates for a widely transferable Rosaceae marker set provided their level of polymorphism is adequate. Overall, these findings suggest that transferability of apple EST–SSRs across Rosaceae is varied, yet valuable, thereby providing additional markers for comparative mapping and for carrying out evolutionary studies.     

Acute zinc deficiency and trabecular bone loss in rats with talc granulomatosis

Subcutaneous inflammation induced by magnesium silicate (talc) leads to the suppression of bone elongation, osteoblast insufficiency, and subsequent bone loss in rats. Since bone and immunological changes in talc granulomatosis are similar to those observed in zinc deficiency, we investigated the kinetics of zinc tissue distribution and the effects of zinc supplementation on the development of bone loss in rats with talc-induced inflammation. Decrease in serum zinc concentration was observed between 5 and 15 h in rats with talc granulomatosis. It was paralleled by the accumulation of zinc in the liver and rapid disappearance of osteoblasts from the trabecular bone surfaces. However, talc-injected rats supplemented parenterally and orally with zinc sulfate exhibited a decrease in osteoblast trabecular surface comparable to that of unsupplemented rats bearing granulomas despite normalized serum zinc concentrations. Zinc supplementation slightly increased osteoblast trabecular surface in all supplemented groups, but this effect was not significant. We conclude that zinc is the earliest indicator of the acute-phase response in rats with talc granulomatosis. Although zinc appears to be important for the normal function of bone cells, there is no causative relationship between acute zinc deficiency and decreased osteoblast number and activity in rats with talc granulomatosis.     

Mapping quantitative trait loci associated with resistance to bacterial spot (Xanthomonas arboricola pv. pruni) in peach

Bacterial spot, caused by Xanthomonas arboricola pv. pruni (Xap), is a serious disease that can affect peach fruit quality and production worldwide. This disease causes severe defoliation and blemishing of fruit, particularly in areas with high rainfall, strong winds, high humidity, and sandy soil. The molecular basis of its tolerance and susceptibility in peach is yet to be understood. An F₂ population of 63 genotypes derived from a cross between peaches “O’Henry” (susceptible) and “Clayton” (resistant) has been used for linkage map construction and quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping. Phenotypic data for leaf and fruit response to Xap infection were collected over 2 years at two locations. A high-density genetic linkage map that covers a genetic distance of 421.4 cM with an average spacing between markers of 1.6 cM was developed using the International Peach Single Nucleotide Polymorphism Consortium (IPSC) 9K array v1. Fourteen QTLs with an additive effect on Xap resistance were detected, including four major QTLs on linkage groups (LG) 1, 4, 5, and 6. Major QTLs, Xap.Pp.OC-4.1 and Xap.Pp.OC-4.2, on LG4 were associated with Xap resistance in leaf; Xap.Pp.OC-5.1 on LG5 was associated with Xap resistance in both leaf and fruit, while Xap.Pp.OC-1.2 and Xap.Pp.OC-6.1 on LG1 and LG6, respectively, were associated with Xap resistance in fruit. This suggested separate regulation of leaf and fruit resistance for Xap in peach as well as participation of genes involved in general plant response to biotic stress. The potential for marker-assisted selection for Xap resistance in peach is discussed.     

Make love to forget: two cases of transient global amnesia triggered by sexual intercourse

Transient global amnesia (TGA) is characterized by a sudden onset and by a typical resolution within several hours. Several precipitating events have been proposed: physical exertion, emotional experiences, etc. The aim of this paper was to present two cases of TGA triggered by sexual intercourse and to suggest a possible mechanism for the development of TGA. In both patients, clinical examination revealed elevated blood pressure. Laboratory examinations and brain CTs were normal. EEG demonstrated diffuse dysrhythmia and slow spike-waves, respectively. SPECT revealed hypoperfusion in the left frontal and right medial temporal regions. Various explanations of the mechanism of TGA are discussed. Based on the observed hypoperfusion in the medial temporal regions, a new hypothesis is advanced, suggesting the possibility that TGA occurs due to a pathologically changed or less adaptable anterior chorioid artery, initially constricted by hypotension following a blood shift from the center towards periphery.     

Patients review: drug-induced movement disorders

Objective of this paper is to review drug-induced movement disorders (D-IMD) treated patients on Department of Neurology in University Hospital Osijek. We reviewed patients treated during 10 years period (from 1992 to 2002). Analysed group consisted of 14 patients. Reasons for hospitalisation were swallowing problems in 6 patients, neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) in 3 patients, stroke in 2 patients, bolus choking in 2 patients, and speech disturbance in 1 patient. Working diagnosis for most of our patients was neurological disease, yet only later D-IMD diagnosis was established excluding primary neurological disease, or as associated disease to basic neurological disorder. Nine patients have diagnosed as Parkinson syndrome, 3 patients as NMS, and 4 as orolingual dyskinesia, either autonomously, or in combination with Parkinson syndrome. D-IMD was most frequently caused by neuroleptics. Thus the small number of patients hospitalised regarding this syndrome on Department of Neurology.     

Richness and diversity of Pontic flora on serpentine of Serbia

Serpentine substrate in Serbia covers wide areas mainly in Kosovo and in central, western and south-western part of the country. On the serpentines of Serbia, particularly on the skeleton soils of hills and on lower elevation mountain slopes, there are some xerophilous and steppe-like vegetations. These xerophilous grasslands include mostly Pontic, Pontic-Submediterranean and/or Mediterranean-Submediterranean-Pontic plants. The distribution of 161 taxa of Pontic, Pontic-Submediterranean and Mediterranean-Submediterranean-Pontic areal — types on serpentinites of Serbia was analyzed in order to distinguish centers of richness and diversity. The distribution of taxa was analyzed with respect to geographic, ecological and climatic factors. The qualitative composition of Pontic flora on the serpentine areas was also compared. The greatest floristic richness and the center of diversity of Pontic flora on serpentine of Serbia was recorded in central part of the area investigated.