Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)1-3 enhances bone repair

Small molecules that exhibit biological activity have contributed to the understanding of the molecular mechanisms of various biological phenomena. 5-Bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) is a thymidine analogue that modulates various biological phenomena such as cellular differentiation and cellular senescence in cultured mammalian cells. Although BrdU is thought to function through changing chromatin structure and gene expression, its precise molecular mechanisms are not understood. To study the molecular mechanism for the action of BrdU, we have employed the yeast Saccharomycescerevisiae as a model system, and screened multi-copy suppressor genes that confer resistance to BrdU. Our genetic screen has revealed that expression of the N-terminal short fragment of TUP1, and also disruption of HDA1 or HOS1, histone deacetylases that interact with TUP1, conferred resistance to BrdU. These results suggest the implication of the chromatin proteins in the function of BrdU, and would provide novel clues to answer the old question of how BrdU modulates various biological phenomena.     

Coexistence of ochronosis and B 27 positive ankylosing spondylitis

We describe a 49-year-old man with coexistence of ochronosis and B27 positive ankylosing spondylitis. This is the first report documenting the simultaneous occurrence of ochronosis and B27 positive ankylosing spondylitis, with no positive familiar history for seronegative spondylarthropathies. The relations of these rheumatic diseases are discussed.     

The rational strategies for detecting developmental dysplasia of the hip at the age of 4-6 months old infants: a prospective study

Using ultrasound in evaluation of infant's hip development can reduce surgical procedures, hospitalization and late presentation of developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH). The increasing incidence of DDH after ultrasound examination is observed and published by many authors. In a prospective study, radiograph of every single ultrasonographic positive hip in infants older than three months, was taken and analyzed in order to see whether it affects infants splintage rate in treating DDH. In a period of 30 months, clinical and simple static ultrasonographic examinations according to Graf were performed on 1430 consecutive infant hips in patients aged between 4 and 6 months. Sonographic positive hips were radiographed and acetabular index (AI) values on simple AP radiographs were analyzed. The sonographic DDH incidence was 51.75 per 1000 hips (51.75 per thousand). After X-ray examination of all 74 ultrasonographic positive hips, only 44 remained abnormal and required treatment indicating a true DDH incidence of 30.77 per 1000 hips (30.77 per thousand). The difference in incidence per ultrasonographic and X-ray positive hips is statistically significant p < 0.01 (t = 5,536). The rational approach in detection of DDH in a child more than 3 months old is to do radiographic assessment of every sonographic positive hip.     

The prevalence of cardiovascular disease risk factors in patients from Croatian Zagorje County treated at Department of Medicine, Zabok General Hospital from 2000 to 2006

The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of risk factors for cardiovascular disease in patients treated for coronary heart disease (CHD) at Department of Medicine, Zabok General Hospital during the 2000-2006 period. Cardiovascular diseases are a group of diseases that occur due to arterial. The risk factors that lead to the development and occurrence of cardiovascular disease are hypertension, cigarette smoking, hyperholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, diabetes mellitus and positive family history. Additional factors favoring the occurrence of cardiovascular disease include overweight, inadequate physical activity, and emotional stress. Data on all patients hospitalized and diagnosed with CHD at Department of Medicine, Zabok General Hospital during the 2000-2006 period were analyzed for the prevalence of risk factors for CHD, i.e. hypertension, cigarette smoking, hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, diabetes mellitus and positive family history of cardiovascular disease. Hypercholesterolemia was defined by a cholesterol level higher than 5.1 mmol/L, hypertension from history data and blood pressure measurement on admission greater than 140/90 mmHg, diabetes mellitus from history data, and hypertriglyceridemia by a triglyceride level greater than 1.7 mmol/L. Information on heredity and cigarette smoking was collected from history and a questionnaire filled out on admission. All laboratory values were determined on patient admission to the hospital. Analysis of the risk factors for CHD recorded in patients from Zagorje County during the 2000-2006 period revealed hypertension to be the most common risk factor in our patients. According to sex, CHD was found to show a male preponderance. According to age at admission, CHD predominated in the > 70 age group, which accounted for one third of all patients, followed by a comparable proportion of the 50-60 and 60-70 age groups, i.e. still active population groups. As CHD is one of the leading health threats worldwide, estimated to remain so at least by 2020, it is fully justified to invest all efforts in the study of cardiovascular disease. New research projects should be focused on the prevention and early detection of the disease, improvement of diagnosis procedures, introduction of novel therapeutic options, use of new concepts, and due survey of the measures taken. CHD poses great socioeconomic burden upon every community in industrialized societies because of the ever younger age at onset. Actions should be taken to improve awareness of the CHD risks and morbidity in the population at large, stimulating favorable lifestyle and dietary modifications, and one's own health awareness, in order to upgrade the control of risk factors for and morbidity of cardiovascular disease.     

Stomata in some species of genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Arum</Emphasis> from the Eastern Slavonia and Baranya region

Types and the number of stomata in the following Arum species: Arum italicum Mill., Arum maculatum var. maculatum L. and Arum maculatum var. immaculatum L., Arum alpinum var. pannonicum Terpo. and Arum alpinum var. intermedium Schur. in three different locations in Zablaće, Normanci and Bilje were investigated. The most prevalent stomata type at both upper and lower epidermis for each Arum species was mostly stomata type paracytic, followed by hexacytic, tetracytic or brachyparacytic as far as locality is concerned. Helicocytic type was more prevalent in Arum alpinum var. pannonicum Terpo. and Arum alpinum var. intermedium Schur. at Bilje. Other stomata types were very rare. A striking regularity in the occurrence of stomata types was not found within a single species. Some stomata types, however, were found either at adaxial or abaxial epidermis or were not present at all. The number of stomata per square mm varied from 25 to 651. A statistically significant difference in the number of stomata per square mm at upper and lower epidermis among Arum species was determined in locations Zablaće and Normanci, whereas no statistically significant differences were found in location Bilje.     

A Novel Bipartite Nuclear Localization Signal Guides BPM1 Protein to Nucleolus Suggesting Its Cullin3 Independent Function

BPM1 belongs to the MATH-BTB family of proteins, which act as substrate-binding adaptors for the Cullin3-based E3 ubiquitin ligase. MATH-BTB proteins associate with Cullin3 via the BTB domain and with the substrate protein via the MATH domain. Few BPM1-interacting proteins with different functions are recognized, however, specific roles of BPM1, depending on its cellular localization have not been studied so far. Here, we found a novel bipartite nuclear localization signal at the C-terminus of the BPM1 protein, responsible for its nuclear and nucleolar localization and sufficient to drive the green fluorescent protein and cytoplasmic BPM4 protein into the nucleus. Co-localization analysis in live Nicotiana tabacum BY2 cells indicates a Cullin3 independent function since BPM1 localization is predominantly nucleolar and thus devoid of Cullin3. Treatment of BY2 cells with the proteasome inhibitor MG132 blocks BPM1 and Cullin3 degradation, suggesting turnover of both proteins through the ubiquitin–proteasome pathway. Possible roles of BPM1 in relation to its in vivo localization are discussed.     

Repetitive sequences in Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx L.) mitochondrial DNA control region

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region (CR) of numerous species is known to include up to five different repetitive sequences (RS1-RS5) that are found at various locations, involving motifs of different length and extensive length heteroplasmy. Two repetitive sequences (RS2 and RS3) on opposite sides of mtDNA central conserved region have been described in domestic cat (Felis catus) and some other felid species. However, the presence of repetitive sequence RS3 has not been detected in Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) yet. We analyzed mtDNA CR of 35 Eurasian lynx (L. lynx L.) samples to characterize repetitive sequences and to compare them with those found in other felid species. We confirmed the presence of 80 base pairs (bp) repetitive sequence (RS2) at the 5' end of the Eurasian lynx mtDNA CR L strand and for the first time we described RS3 repetitive sequence at its 3' end, consisting of an array of tandem repeats five to ten bp long. We found that felid species share similar RS3 repetitive pattern and fundamental repeat motif TACAC.     

Prostaglandin treatment is associated with a withdrawal of progesterone and androgen at the receptor level in the uterine cervix

Treatment with prostaglandin(PG)-E₂ is clinically efficient for cervical priming. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of PG-E₂ on the expression of the progesterone (PR), androgen (AR) and glucocorticoid (GR) receptors in human uterine cervix in prolonged pregnancy.