Smoking habits, signs of chronic diseases and survival in inland and coastal regions of Croatia: a follow-up study

Aim of the study was to estimate, the relationship between survival, smoking habits, and the results of medical examinations in inland and coastal regions of Croatia. Age and sex stratified sample of general population (1,571 men and 1,793 women, 37-56 years old in 1972; followed in 1982: N = 1,090 men; 1,325 women and/or 1972-1999 controlling vital status). Relative risks and 95% confidence limits were estimated using Cox regression in the model with time dependent covariates, separately by sex. In all regions, the proportion of male smokers decreased between 1972 and 1982. The proportion of female smokers increased, differently in urban and rural regions. During the follow-up between 1972 and 1999, 568 deaths were recorded among men and 382 among women. In men, in addition to age, significant hazards of death were the number of smoked cigarettes per day, body mass index, sedative intake, vital lung capacity (FVC), 100FEV1/VC, systolic blood pressure, electrocardiogram, history of heart attack, and region. In women, in addition to age, significant predictors were the number of smoked cigarettes per day, systolic blood pressure, electrocardiogram, history of heart disease (excluding coronary diseases), and region. Survival relative risk increased with each additional smoked pack of cigarettes by 2.4% in women and 1.3% in men. Regional differences vs. smoking habit were observed. These data emphasize the need for prevention of smoking.     

Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry of oleanane- and ursane-type triterpenes—application to Chenopodium quinoa triterpenes

Nine trimethylsilylated pentacyclic triterpenes were separated by GLC on an OV-101 column employing temperature programming. Characteristic retro-Diels-Alder fragmentation was observed in their mass spectra. The fragmentation patterns allowed individual characterization except for certain isomers which, nevertheless, were resolved by GLC, thus permitting their identification. Oleanolic acid and hederagenin were confirmed to be major triterpenes of Chenopodium quinoa seed saponins.     

Modulation of granulocyte functions by peptide YY in the rat: Age-related differences in Y receptors expression and plasma dipeptidyl peptidase 4 activity

It has been acknowledged that aging exerts detrimental effects on cells of the innate immune system and that neuropeptides, including neuropeptide Y (NPY) and NPY-related peptides fine-tune the activity of these cells through a receptor specific mechanism. The present study investigated the age-dependent potential of peptide YY (PYY) to modulate different granulocyte functions. The PYY reduced the carrageenan-elicited granulocyte accumulation into the air-pouch of aged (24 months) rats, and markedly decreased the phagocytosis of zymosan, as well as the H₂O₂ production, when applied in vivo (20 μg/air-pouch). The anti-inflammatory effect of PYY was less prominent in adult (8 months) and young (3 months) rats. However, the proportions of granulocytes expressing Y1, Y2 and Y5 receptor subtypes were significantly lower in both aged and young rats when compared to adult rats. Furthermore, the aging was found to be associated with the diminished dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DP4, an enzyme converting the NPY and PYY to Y2/Y5 receptor selective agonists) activity in plasma. In conclusion, the diverse age-related anti-inflammatory effect of PYY in rats originates from different expression levels of Y1, Y2, and Y5 receptor subtypes in addition to different plasma DP4 activity.     

Protective effects of flavonoids and two metabolites against oxidative stress in neuronal PC12 cells

AimsRecent interest has focused on plant antioxidants as potentially useful neuroprotective agents. In most studies only the genuine forms of flavonoids were used, although they are rapidly metabolized. Therefore, we have compared protective activities of two flavonoids (luteolin, quercetin) and two of their bioavailable metabolites (3,4-DHPAA and 3,4-DHT) against oxidative stress, induced by peroxides (t-BHP, H₂O₂) and iron (FeSO₄), in neuronal PC12 cells.Main methodsWe have measured their effect on the prevention of cell death (MTT assay), glutathione depletion (GSH assay), lipid peroxidation (MDA assay) and production of ROS (DCF assay). Differentiated PC12 cells were used as a model system of neuronal cells. The compounds (concentration range 6–25 µmol/L) were tested in preincubation and coincubation experiments.Key findingsIn MTT and DCF assays all tested compounds showed excellent protection. When cells were exposed to peroxides, both metabolites increased GSH levels less efficiently than their parent flavonoids in both types of incubations. Following exposure to iron, only coincubation significantly prevented GSH depletion and the metabolites surprisingly mimicked the suppressive effect of flavonoids. MDA levels induced by all stressors were reduced more potently during coincubation than during preincubation with polyphenols. While the lipophilic metabolite 3,4-DHT exerted excellent antilipoperoxidant activity, the hydrophilic metabolite 3,4-DHPAA was less effective.SignificanceThese results demonstrate that most of the protective effects of flavonoids against oxidative stress in PC12 cells are continued despite biodegradation of the parent flavonoids. In general, the lipophilic metabolite 3,4-DHT was more active than the hydrophilic 3,4-DHPAA.     

The case of asymptomatic primary actinomycosis of the greater omentum in the patient with intrauterine contraceptive device

This paper describes a case of asymptomatic multifocal actinomycosis of the greater omentum which was detected accidentally in a patient who was suspected of uterus myoma. The patient was a 40 year old woman who had a copper intrauterine contraceptive device (IUCD) for three years. After the gynecological examination and pelvic ultrasound she was diagnosed with sub serous myoma of uterus. Since she did not give a birth it was suggested to have myoma enucleating. However during the surgery a dermoid teratoma of the right ovary was detected so it was removed together with tumor and there were two thickenings on the greater omentum, suspicious of inflammation, whereas one grew together with the front abdominal wall. Due to these conditions, she had partial omentectomy done and omentum was sent for path histological examination. The path histological examination confirmed it to be actinomycosis. The patient had an intensive antibiotic therapy prescribed (Penicillin) in order to prevent a disease relapse because we could not be sure whether the remaining part of omentum was affected by microscopic actinomycosis.     

The genetic structure of cattle populations (Bos taurus) in northern Eurasia and the neighbouring Near Eastern regions: implications for breeding strategies and conservation

We investigated the genetic structure and variation of 21 populations of cattle (Bos taurus) in northern Eurasia and the neighbouring Near Eastern regions of the Balkan, the Caucasus and Ukraine employing 30 microsatellite markers. By analyses of population relationships, as well as by a Bayesian-based clustering approach, we identified a genetic distinctness between populations of modern commercial origin and those of native origin. Our data suggested that northern European Russia represents the most heavily colonized area by modern commercial cattle. Further genetic mixture analyses based on individual assignment tests found that native Red Steppe cattle were also employed in the historical breeding practices in Eastern Europe, most probably for incorporating their strong and extensive adaptability. In analysis of molecular variance, within-population differences accounted for approximately 90% of the genetic variation. Despite some correspondence between geographical proximity and genetic similarity, genetic differentiation was observed to be significantly associated with the difference in breeding purpose among the European populations (percentage of variance among groups and significance: 2.99%, P = 0.02). Our findings give unique genetic insight into the historical patterns of cattle breeding practices in the former Soviet Union. The results identify the neighbouring Near Eastern regions such as the Balkan, the Caucasus and Ukraine, and the isolated Far Eastern Siberia as areas of 'genetic endemism', where cattle populations should be given conservation priority. The results will also be of importance for cost-effective management of their future utilization.     

Local sensitivity analysis and metabolic control analysis of the biological part of the BTEX bioremediation model

Environmental distribution and bioremediation of hydrocarbon pollutants is described in the literature with complex mathematical models. Better understanding and easier model application require detailed model analysis. In this work, local sensitivity analysis of the kinetic parameters and metabolic control analysis of the biological part of the integrated BTEX bioremediation model were performed. Local sensitivity analysis revealed that the dissolved oxygen concentration (S _O) and particulate iron (III) oxide concentration (S _Fe) were the most sensitive to both positive and negative parameter value perturbations. In the case of model reactions, aerobic growth (r1) and aerobic growth on acetate (r13) were observed to be the most sensitive. The elasticity, flux control, and concentration control coefficients were estimated by applying the metabolic control analysis methodology. Metabolic control analysis revealed a positive effect of ammonium on all analysed model reactions. The results also indicated the importance of perturbation of the enzyme level catalysing iron reduction on acetate on model fluxes, as well as the importance of enzyme level catalysing aerobic growth on model metabolite concentration. These results can be used in planning optimal operating strategy for BTEX bioremediation.     

An Investigation into the Influence of Experimental Conditions on <Emphasis Type="Italic">In Vitro</Emphasis> Drug Release from Immediate-Release Tablets of Levothyroxine Sodium and Its Relation to Oral Bioavailability

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of experimental conditions on levothyroxine sodium release from two immediate-release tablet formulations which narrowly passed the standard requirements for bioequivalence studies. The in vivo study was conducted as randomised, single-dose, two-way cross-over pharmacokinetic study in 24 healthy subjects. The in vitro study was performed using various dissolution media, and obtained dissolution profiles were compared using the similarity factor value. Drug solubility in different media was also determined. The in vivo results showed narrowly passing bioequivalence. Considering that levothyroxine sodium is classified as Class III drug according to the Biopharmaceutics Classification System, drug bioavailability will be less sensitive to the variation in its dissolution characteristics and it can be assumed that the differences observed in vitro in some of investigated media probably do not have significant influence on the absorption process, as long as rapid and complete dissolution exists. The study results indicate that the current regulatory criteria for the value of similarity factor in comparative dissolution testing, as well as request for very rapid dissolution (more than 85% of drug dissolved in 15 min), are very restricted for immediate-release dosage forms containing highly soluble drug substance and need further investigation. The obtained results also add to the existing debate on the appropriateness of the current bioequivalence standards for levothyroxine sodium products.