Genetic diversity of 15 STR loci in a population of Montenegro

Genetic diversity and forensic parameters based on 15AmpFlSTR Identifiler short tandem repeat (STR) loci (D8S1179, D21S11, D7S820, CSF1PO, D3S1358, TH01, D13S317, D16S539, D2S1338, D19S433, vWA, TPOX, D18S51, D5S818 and FGA) were evaluated in a sample of 101 unrelated, autochthonous adults from Montenegro. After applying Bonferroni correction, the agreement with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) was confirmed for all loci with the exception of D5S818 (chi2 test) and D21S11 (exact test). The combined power of discrimination (PD) and the combined power of exclusion (PE) for the 15 studied loci were 0.9999999999999999844 and 0.99999382, respectively. According to measures of within-population genetic diversity, D2S1338, D18S51 and FGA may be considered as the most variable and most informative markers for forensic testing and population genetic analyses out of the 15 analysed loci in a population of Montenegro. D5S818 showed to be the least variable and together with TPOX, the least informative. Interpopulation comparisons were carried out and levels of genetic differentiation between population of Montenegro and five South-eastern European populations (Kosovo Albanians, Serbians from Vojvodina province, Macedonians, Bosnians and Croatians) were evaluated. The most differentiated population in relation to Montenegro is a population of Kosovo Albanians as suggested by both AMOVA and coefficients of genetic differentiation (F(ST) and R(ST)).     

Propane-associated autoerotic asphyxiation: accident or suicide?

Autoerotic fatalities refer to a death resulting from the participation in a sex-related activity designed to heighten sexual arousal. The overwhelming majority of these deaths are due to asphyxia, most often by hanging or ligature compression of the neck. Here we report a case of "atypical" autoerotic fatality in which death was not induced by ligature compression. Unusual death of a 24-year-old man, involving propane inhalation and plastic bag suffocation, is described. The special characteristics of propane gas as an asphyxiant agent are discussed, as well as its effect on the human body.     

Atherosclerotic lesions of supra-aortic arteries in diabetic patients

The aim of this prospective study was to determine the prevalence and localization of stenotic atherosclerotic lesions of supra-aortic arteries in diabetic patients according to age and sex. Angiograms obtained by digital subtraction angiography were analyzed in 150 diabetic patients (study group) and 150 non-diabetic patients (control group) with symptoms of cerebral ischemia. Diabetic patients were found to have a significantly higher prevalence of stenotic atherosclerotic lesions of the internal carotid artery. Lesions of the large supra-aortic arteries were significantly more common in the left than in the right side of the neck (p < 0.001), but the difference between the diabetic and the non-diabetic group did not reach statistical significance. Hemodynamic conditions were found to be more important than diabetes for the occurrence of atherosclerotic lesions in these arteries. Changes in the proximal segment of the left common carotid artery were the most common finding in diabetic patients, hence attention should be paid to this localization on control examinations.     

Cremated human and animal remains of the Roman period--microscopic method of analysis (Sepkovcica, Croatia)

Human and animal cremated osteological remains from twelve graves of Roman Period from archaeological site Sepkovcica near Velika Gorica (Turopolje region, NW Croatia) were analysed. Beside the content of urns and grave pits, fillings of grave vessels like bowls, pots and amphoras from twentytwo grave samples were included in this study. The preservation of osteological and dental remains of human and animal origin was very poor, majority of fragments hardly reach lengths of 10 mm. Weight of each specimen barely exceeds 100 g per person. Apart from traditional macroscopic methods of analysing cremated remains, microscopic method for determination of age at death was also tested. Fragments of femoral bone diaphysis of eighteen persons whose remains had been found on the site were analysed. Person's age at death was presented in the range of five or ten years, and the long bone fragments of a child (infants) were detected. Taxonomic position for each analysed specimen was determined by microscopic analysis of animal cremated bones. Analysis results confirm validity of microscopic method in determination of age at death for human remains and taxonomic qualification of cremated animal remains from archaeological sites.     

Anthropological analysis of neolithic and Early Bronze Age skeletons--a classical and molecular approach (East Slavonia, Croatia)

Theories about the first Indo-European migration are numerous. Significant contribution in attempt to resolve these theories is given by analysing skeletal material from two biggest prehistoric archaeological sites from N-E Croatia. Eight skeletons of Starcevo culture from sites "Nama" and "Hotel" at Vinkovci (6100-5500 BC) and seven skeletons of Vucedol culture from the site Vineyard Streim at Vucedol near Vukovar (3000-2500 BC) were analysed. Methods of classical anthropological analysis tried to distinguish the differences among members of both populations, while the methods of molecular genetics were used in defining possible genetic structure of both ancient populations. Established differences speak on the behalf of the theory of Maria Gimbutas about the first Indo-European migration with a cattle breeding population from the east around 3500 BC.     

Intercostal catheter analgesia is more efficient vs. intercostal nerve blockade for post-thoracotomy pain relief

A pain after thoracotomy may result in a postoperative hypoventilation and lead to atelectases and pneumonia. This study was aimed to compare two analgesic regimens after posterolateral thoracotomy. 80 patients (40-70 years) undergoing thoracotomy were randomized to intercostal catheter analgesia (group A, n = 40) and intercostal nerve block (group B, n = 40). Patients in group A were given 20 mL of 0.5% bupivacaine injections twice a day by intercostal catheter. Intercostal nerve blockade was performed using 5 mL of 0.5% bupivacaine. Intercostal nerve in thoracotomy wound, nerves below and above thoracotomy wound was also injected. PaO2, PaCO2, FVC, FEV1 and visual analog pain scale (VAS) were obtained preoperatively, 24, 48 and 72 hours after operation. Postoperative complications were recorded at the patient discharge. Differences between groups were calculated using Mann-Whitney, KW test and chi square test. The arterial blood gas analyses did not show statistically significant change in any group and time according to the baseline values. FVC and FEV1 decreased significantly in both groups at first postoperative day according to baseline measurements. Patients in B group had significantly higher FEV1 values in the third postoperative day (73.05 +/- 11.25 in A vs. 83.50 +/- 9.17 in B group, p < 0.05). Intercostal catheter analgesia resulted in significantly lower postoperative VAS scores and reduced opioid requirement as compared to intercostal nerve blockade. No differences in the postoperative complications were observed between groups.     

Laporovaginal surgery in cervical cancer: a Croatian experience

With correct staging a large number of patients with cervical cancer FIGO stages IA2 and IB can be spared of unnecessary radiation therapy by laparoscopic assisted vaginal radical hysterectomy (LAVRH) as an option of radical surgical treatment in such patients. The development of laparovaginal surgery, indication and contraindication were presented. Also, the surgical technique was described in detail. Fifty-two patients were followed up in 2003 after LAVRH or open surgery, performed in our single center. Only 5 (14%) patients died from cervical cancer within 3 years following the treatment. They were all clinical stage IB treated with open surgery. There were 4 (11%) complications following treatment and they were all in patients with clinical stage IB, also treated with open surgery. There was no complication in LAVRH treated patients. The results and complications of the sole Croatian center performing LAVRH or open surgery in patients with cervical cancer FIGO stages IA and IB were similar to those in centers across the world.     

Interphase microtubules determine the initial alignment of the mitotic spindle

In the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe, interphase microtubules (MTs) position the nucleus [1, 2], which in turn positions the cell-division plane [1, 3]. It is unclear how the spindle orients, with respect to the predetermined division plane, to ensure that the chromosomes are segregated across this plane. It has been proposed that, during prometaphase, the astral MT interaction with the cell cortex aligns the spindle with the cell axis [4] and also participates in a spindle orientation checkpoint (SOC), which delays entry into anaphase as long as the spindle is misaligned [5-7]. Here, we trace the position of the spindle throughout mitosis in a single-cell assay. We find no evidence for the SOC. We show that the spindle is remarkably well aligned with the cell longitudinal axis at the onset of mitosis, by growing along the axis of the adjacent interphase MT. Misalignment of nascent spindles can give rise to anucleate cells when spindle elongation is impaired. We propose a new role for interphase microtubules: through interaction with the spindle pole body, interphase microtubules determine the initial alignment of the spindle in the subsequent cell division.     

Metal binding of metallothioneins in human astrocytomas (U87 MG,IPDDC-2A)

Astroglia cells structurally and nutritionally support neurons in the central nervous system. They play an important role in guiding the construction of the nervous system and controlling the chemical and ionic environment of neurons. They also represent the major sites for accumulation and immobilisation of toxic metal ions most probably connected with metallothioneins. For this reason astroglia cells possess high cytosolic levels of metallothioneins I, II and III (MT-I,II,III). Our aim was to establish the inducibility and metal binding of MTs in two human astrocytoma cell lines, U87 MG (astrocytoma–glioblastoma, grade IV) and IPDDC-2A (astrocytoma, grade II), on exposure to cadmium chloride (1 μM). MTs were identified by molecular weight (size exclusion chromatography) and their metal content (Cd, Zn and Cu) to follow the interactions between metals. We showed that MTs are constitutively expressed in both human astrocytoma cell lines. In accordance with the higher malignancy grade of U87 MG, the amount of MTs was higher in U87 MG than in IPDDC-2A cells. After 24 hours of exposure to Cd their expression greatly increased in both cell lines and they were capable of immobilising almost all water soluble Cd. Induction of MTs in U87 MG cells was additionally followed up to 48 hours with exposure to different concentrations of CdCl₂ (1, 10 μM). Induction was a time dependent process throughout the period. Isoform III (identified by chromatographic separation of isoform III from I/II) was present at all exposure times, but only in traces with respect to the prevailing amounts of MT-I/II isoforms. So induction can be attributed to isoform I/II only.     

1-Acylthiosemicarbazides, 1,2,4-triazole-5(4H)-thiones, 1,3,4-thiadiazoles and hydrazones containing 5-methyl-2-benzoxazolinones: synthesis, analgesic-anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activities

Acetic acid hydrazide containing 5-methyl-2-benzoxazolinone (4) was synthesized by the condensation of 2-(5-methyl-2-benzoxazolinone-3-yl)acetate with hydrazine hydrate. Thiosemicarbazide derivatives (5a-5d) were afforded by the reaction of corresponding compound 4 with substituted isothiocyanates. The cyclization of compounds 5a-5d in the presence of triethylamine resulted in the formation of compounds 6a-6d containing 1,2,4-triazole ring. On the other hand, the treatment of compounds 5a-5d with orthophosphoric acid caused the conversion of side chain of compounds 5a-5d into 1,3,4-thiadiazole ring: thus, compounds 7a-7c were obtained. The treatment of compound 4 with aromatic aldehydes resulted in the formation of arylidene hydrazides as cis-trans conformers (8a-8e). The structures of the compounds were elucidated by spectral and elemental analysis. While most compounds were exhibiting high activity in the analgesic-anti-inflammatory field, most of them were found to be inactive against bacteria and fungi.