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1.
J Chromatogr A ; 1678: 463340, 2022 Aug 16.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35905682

ABSTRACT

The experimental design methodology based on central composite design of experiments was applied to compare the retention mechanisms in supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) and non-aqueous hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (NA-HILIC). The selected set consists of 26 compounds that belong to imidazoline and serotonin receptor ligands. The different chemometric tools (multiple linear regression, principal component analysis, parallel factor analysis) were used to examine the retention, as well as to identify the most significant retention mechanisms. The retention mechanism was investigated on two different stationary phases (diol, and mixed-mode diol). In NA-HILIC, the mobile phase contains acetonitrile as a main component, and methanolic solution of ammonium formate (+ 0.1% of formic acid) as a modifier. The same mobile phase modifier was used in SFC, with a difference in the main component of the mobile phase which was CO2. The retention behaviour differs significantly between HILIC and SFC conditions. The retention pattern in HILIC mode was more partition-like, while in SFC the solute-sorbent interactions allowed retention. The retention mechanism between mixed-mode diol and the diol phases varies depending on the applied chromatographic mode, e.g., in HILIC the type of stationary phase significantly affects the elution order, while in SFC this was not the case. The HILIC retention behaviour was influenced by the number of tertiary amines-aliphatic, and N atom-centred fragments in tested compounds. On the other hand, the number of pyrrole and pyridine rings in the structure of the compound showed correlation with their SFC retention, simultaneously increasing the molecular weight and rapid elution of larger compounds. It was found that temperature surprisingly plays a major role in SFC mode. The increase in temperature reduces the relative contribution of enthalpy factors to total retention, so the separation in SFC was more entropy-controlled. For further pharmaceutical research and optimization, the SFC would be considered more beneficial compared to HILIC since it gives good selectivity in separation of chosen impurities.


Subject(s)
Chromatography, Supercritical Fluid , Imidazolines , Alcohols , Chemometrics , Chromatography, Supercritical Fluid/methods , Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions , Piperazine
2.
SAR QSAR Environ Res ; 28(3): 235-252, 2017 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28332439

ABSTRACT

For this study, 31 compounds, including 16 imidazoline/α-adrenergic receptor (IRs/α-ARs) ligands and 15 central nervous system (CNS) drugs, were characterized in terms of the retention factors (k) obtained using biopartitioning micellar and classical reversed phase chromatography (log kBMC and log kwRP, respectively). Based on the retention factor (log kwRP) and slope of the linear curve (S) the isocratic parameter (φ0) was calculated. Obtained retention factors were correlated with experimental log BB values for the group of examined compounds. High correlations were obtained between logarithm of biopartitioning micellar chromatography (BMC) retention factor and effective permeability (r(log kBMC/log BB): 0.77), while for RP-HPLC system the correlations were lower (r(log kwRP/log BB): 0.58; r(S/log BB): -0.50; r(φ0/Pe): 0.61). Based on the log kBMC retention data and calculated molecular parameters of the examined compounds, quantitative structure-permeability relationship (QSPR) models were developed using partial least squares, stepwise multiple linear regression, support vector machine and artificial neural network methodologies. A high degree of structural diversity of the analysed IRs/α-ARs ligands and CNS drugs provides wide applicability domain of the QSPR models for estimation of blood-brain barrier penetration of the related compounds.


Subject(s)
Adrenergic alpha-Agonists/pharmacokinetics , Blood-Brain Barrier/metabolism , Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid , Chromatography , Imidazoline Receptors/agonists , Imidazolines/pharmacokinetics , Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship
3.
Thorax ; 71(12): 1110-1118, 2016 12.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27516225

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Bronchiectasis is a multidimensional disease associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. Two disease-specific clinical prediction tools have been developed, the Bronchiectasis Severity Index (BSI) and the FACED score, both of which stratify patients into severity risk categories to predict the probability of mortality. METHODS: We aimed to compare the predictive utility of BSI and FACED in assessing clinically relevant disease outcomes across seven European cohorts independent of their original validation studies. RESULTS: The combined cohorts totalled 1612. Pooled analysis showed that both scores had a good discriminatory predictive value for mortality (pooled area under the curve (AUC) 0.76, 95% CI 0.74 to 0.78 for both scores) with the BSI demonstrating a higher sensitivity (65% vs 28%) but lower specificity (70% vs 93%) compared with the FACED score. Calibration analysis suggested that the BSI performed consistently well across all cohorts, while FACED consistently overestimated mortality in 'severe' patients (pooled OR 0.33 (0.23 to 0.48), p<0.0001). The BSI accurately predicted hospitalisations (pooled AUC 0.82, 95% CI 0.78 to 0.84), exacerbations, quality of life (QoL) and respiratory symptoms across all risk categories. FACED had poor discrimination for hospital admissions (pooled AUC 0.65, 95% CI 0.63 to 0.67) with low sensitivity at 16% and did not consistently predict future risk of exacerbations, QoL or respiratory symptoms. No association was observed with FACED and 6 min walk distance (6MWD) or lung function decline. CONCLUSION: The BSI accurately predicts mortality, hospital admissions, exacerbations, QoL, respiratory symptoms, 6MWD and lung function decline in bronchiectasis, providing a clinically relevant evaluation of disease severity.


Subject(s)
Bronchiectasis/diagnosis , Severity of Illness Index , Aged , Bronchiectasis/mortality , Bronchiectasis/physiopathology , Disease Progression , Europe/epidemiology , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Forced Expiratory Volume/physiology , Hospitalization/statistics & numerical data , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Predictive Value of Tests , Prognosis , Quality of Life , Risk Assessment/methods
4.
Neurol Sci ; 33(6): 1369-74, 2012 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22552866

ABSTRACT

Cognitive impairment is present in up to 65 % of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. The Brief Repeatable Battery of neuropsychological tests (BRB) is one of the most used neuropsychological tools for cognitive assessment in MS. However, relative lack of normative data limits its application in research and clinical practice. In order to obtain normative data for a Serbian population, we administered the BRB version A to 140 healthy subjects and assessed the influence of demographic factors such as gender, age, and education on the tests' scores. We also calculated corrections for these factors. Higher education was associated with better performance on all the tests. Age influenced all the tests, except the word list generation, higher age being associated with worse performance on all other tests. Women performed worse on the paced auditory serial addition test 2, no other gender differences were observed. Our data obtained for the Serbian population could further improve use of the BRB in clinical practice and for the research purposes, establishing cognitive evaluation as a part of standard neurological examination of MS patients.


Subject(s)
Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale/standards , Multiple Sclerosis/epidemiology , Multiple Sclerosis/psychology , Neuropsychological Tests/standards , Adult , Age Factors , Educational Status , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Multiple Sclerosis/diagnosis , Psychometrics , Serbia/epidemiology , Sex Factors
5.
Mikrobiologiia ; 79(6): 819-23, 2010.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-21446634

ABSTRACT

There are two approaches in detection of bacterium Erwinia amylovora by PCR. One is based on detection of plasmid pEA29 and the other is based on detection of a chromosomal DNA sequence, specific for E. amylovora, in a sample. Since pathogenic strains without pEA29 have been isolated from the environment, methods based on this plasmid have been compromised and PCR methods based on chromosomal DNA species specific sequences became only reliable methods. PCR method with chromosomal primers FER1-F and FER1-R is currently the most reliable method due to its high sensitivity and specificity. The goal of this research is to make a significant improvement of the method by optimization of PCR in application of hot start DNA Taq polymerase, instead of wax, to obtain a hot start reaction. This enzyme, which is currently widely applied, can provide simpler achievement of hot start, saving labor and time and decreasing possibility of cross contamination of samples. Experiments showed that simple replacement of a regular recombinant Taq DNA polymerase by a hot start Taq DNA polymerase leads to complete failure of the reaction. Many optimization experiments had to be carried out to obtain an operational and reliable PCR which simultaneously has high sensitivity and specificity. Content of the reaction mixture, as well as temperature and time parameters of PCR, were significantly changed to achieve proper optimization.


Subject(s)
DNA Primers/chemistry , DNA, Bacterial/analysis , Erwinia amylovora/chemistry , Erwinia amylovora/genetics , Polymerase Chain Reaction/methods , Base Sequence , DNA Primers/genetics , DNA, Bacterial/genetics , Equipment Failure Analysis , Erwinia amylovora/isolation & purification , Glycerol/chemistry , Hot Temperature , Plant Diseases/microbiology , Plants/microbiology , Plasmids , Polymerase Chain Reaction/instrumentation , Polysorbates/chemistry , Sensitivity and Specificity , Taq Polymerase/genetics
6.
J Neurol Sci ; 257(1-2): 174-6, 2007 Jun 15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-17391706

ABSTRACT

Strategic lesions of the thalamus interfere with cognitive functions and produce complex neuropsychological symptoms. Bilateral, simultaneous thalamic hemorrhages are unusual causes of thalamic dementia. We present clinical, neuropsychological and structural neuroimaging data of a 12-month follow-up period of a patient with bilateral thalamic hemorrhages. After the operation of pancreatitis acuta hemorrhagico-necroticans, the patient developed coma. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) of the brain showed medially situated bithalamic hematomas. During the follow-up period, patient's level of consciousness has improved. Moderate dementia (MMSE 20/30) was found with severe temporal and spatial disorientation. Neuropsychological tests showed that attention and concentration were prominently impaired; there were severe verbal and less prominent, visual memory deficits, with anterograde and retrograde amnesia, accompanied by confabulations. Loss of cognitive flexibility and dysexecutive syndrome were also demonstrated. Dynamic apraxia, visual organization and visual construction deficit and impairment of categorial and phonemic fluency were noted. Language was only moderately impaired (anomia). A year later, neuropsychological profile was similar with moderate improvement of retrograde amnesia, whereas anterograde deficits persisted. Neuropsychological syndrome in our patient with bilateral thalamic hemorrhages was characteristic for subcortico-cortical cognitive deficit and was caused by disruption of the cortico-thalamic circuitry.


Subject(s)
Cerebral Hemorrhage/complications , Cerebral Hemorrhage/psychology , Dementia/etiology , Thalamic Diseases/complications , Thalamic Diseases/psychology , Thalamus/physiopathology , Amnesia/etiology , Amnesia/physiopathology , Apraxias/etiology , Apraxias/physiopathology , Cerebral Hemorrhage/physiopathology , Cognition Disorders/etiology , Cognition Disorders/physiopathology , Dementia/physiopathology , Frontal Lobe/physiopathology , Functional Laterality/physiology , Humans , Language Disorders/etiology , Language Disorders/physiopathology , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Male , Middle Aged , Neural Pathways/blood supply , Neural Pathways/pathology , Neural Pathways/physiopathology , Neuropsychological Tests , Personality Disorders/etiology , Personality Disorders/physiopathology , Thalamic Diseases/physiopathology , Thalamus/blood supply , Thalamus/pathology , Tomography, X-Ray Computed
7.
Mikrobiologiia ; 76(6): 844-52, 2007.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-18297877

ABSTRACT

A new sensitive and specific method for the detection of Erwinia amylovora was developed. The method is based on the detection of a chromosomal DNA sequence specific for this bacterial species and enables the detection of E. amylovora pathogenic strains, including the recent isolates that lack plasmid pEA29 and thus cannot be detected by the previously popular PCR methods based on the detection of this plasmid. Species-specific random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) marker was identified, cloned, and sequenced, and sequence characterized amplified region (SCAR) primers for specific PCR were developed. The E. amylovora specific sequence, 1269 bp long, was amplified in polymerase chain reaction and detected with electrophoresis in agarose gel stained with ethidium bromide. Amplification with other bacterial species did not produce any PCR product detectable by electrophoresis. Belonging of the E. amylovora specific sequence to chromosomal DNA was confirmed by computer analysis of the E. amylovora genome. A consistent sensitivity limit of the method was 3 CFU/reaction, and in some cases it was possible to detect 0.6 CFU/reaction. Due to its high sensitivity and specificity, our method of E. amylovora detection is currently the most reliable, taking into account that the reliability of PCR methods based on plasmid pEA29 has been compromised by the isolation of pathogenic E. amylovora strains that lack this plasmid.


Subject(s)
Chromosomes, Bacterial/genetics , DNA Primers , Erwinia amylovora/isolation & purification , Polymerase Chain Reaction/methods , Base Sequence , Erwinia amylovora/genetics , Molecular Sequence Data , Sensitivity and Specificity
8.
Mol Pharmacol ; 65(3): 761-9, 2004 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-14978255

ABSTRACT

Mineralocorticoid (MR) and glucocorticoid (GR) receptors are two closely-related members of the steroid nuclear receptor family of transcription factors that bind common ligands in the brain (corticosterone and cortisol) and supposedly have identical hormone response elements. This raises the important question of how they can elicit differential biological actions in neurons in which they are often colocalized. One plausible explanation is that they differentially recruit proteins (coregulators or other receptor-interacting factors) through cell-specific interactions with regions that diverge between MR and GR to modulate target gene transcription in a receptor-specific manner. We therefore performed a yeast-two-hybrid screening of a human brain cDNA library with an AF1-containing region of the human MR as bait. This screening revealed several potential MR-interacting partners; among them were several clones bearing homology to DAXX, FLASH, and FAF-1, all previously implicated in apoptosis. Coexpression of candidate clones in a mouse hippocampal cell line confirmed these interactions in a mammalian neural cell environment as well. In transient transactivation assays, DAXX and FLASH influenced MR- and GR-driven transcription of the MMTV-Luc reporter similarly; in contrast, although FAF-1 did not transactivate GR, it did selectively stimulate MR-mediated transcription. Thus, the present findings, that 1) DAXX, FLASH, and FAF-1 modulate the transcriptional activities of MR and GR and that 2) FAF-1 selectively coactivates only MR, provide possible clues for how these closely related receptors might differentially influence neuronal function.


Subject(s)
Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins , Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear/metabolism , Receptors, Glucocorticoid/metabolism , Receptors, Mineralocorticoid/metabolism , Transcription Factors/physiology , Transcription, Genetic/physiology , Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing , Animals , Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins , Calcium-Binding Proteins/genetics , Calcium-Binding Proteins/physiology , Carrier Proteins/genetics , Carrier Proteins/physiology , Co-Repressor Proteins , Hippocampus/cytology , Humans , Hybridomas , Male , Mice , Mineralocorticoids/metabolism , Molecular Chaperones , Nuclear Proteins/genetics , Nuclear Proteins/physiology , RNA, Messenger/biosynthesis , Rats , Rats, Wistar , Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear/genetics , Receptors, Glucocorticoid/genetics , Receptors, Mineralocorticoid/genetics , Transcriptional Activation , Transfection
9.
Eur J Neurol ; 10(4): 445-8, 2003 Jul.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-12823499

ABSTRACT

The study analyses clinical presentation of language functions of 32 patients with subcortical aphasia induced by stroke. The patients have been divided into three groups according to neuroanatomic localization of the lesion, defined by CT and MRI examination (striato-capsular aphasia, aphasia associated with white matter paraventricular lesions and thalamic aphasia). The following batteries and tests were used: the neurologic examination, CT scan, MRI, Doppler ultrasound, Mini Mental State Examination, Boston Diagnostic Aphasia Examination (BDAE), Boston Naming Test (BNT), Token Test and Verbal Fluency Test. Clinical presentation of subcortical aphasias is characterized with preserved repetition, however, some groups differ by certain specific features of language impairment. Striato-capsular aphasia and aphasia associated with white matter paraventricular lesions are characterized with lack of speech fluency, occurrence of literary paraphasias, mainly preserved comprehension and naming. Thalamic aphasia, however, is characterized with fluent output, impaired comprehension and naming with predominant verbal paraphasias. The specific features of language impairment suggest that subcortical structures contribute to language organization. Considering the results of language tests we presume that the most prominent feature in striato-capsular aphasia is phonetic impairment of language, opposite to thalamic aphasia where lexical-sematic processing seems to be affected.


Subject(s)
Aphasia/etiology , Stroke/complications , Adult , Aged , Analysis of Variance , Aphasia/classification , Aphasia/diagnosis , Corpus Striatum/blood supply , Corpus Striatum/diagnostic imaging , Corpus Striatum/pathology , Diagnostic Imaging/methods , Female , Humans , Language Tests , Male , Middle Aged , Neurologic Examination/methods , Neuropsychological Tests , Paraventricular Hypothalamic Nucleus/blood supply , Paraventricular Hypothalamic Nucleus/diagnostic imaging , Paraventricular Hypothalamic Nucleus/pathology , Psychiatric Status Rating Scales , Radiography , Thalamus/blood supply , Thalamus/diagnostic imaging , Thalamus/pathology
10.
Perit Dial Int ; 21 Suppl 3: S54-7, 2001.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-11887864

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Uremia is known to be followed by changes in the serous membranes of pleura, pericardium, and peritoneum. During continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD), the peritoneum is exposed to altered body conditions as well as to the influence of dialysate. The aim of the present study was to examine the ultrastructure of the mesothelial cells in CAPD patients, and to compare the findings with those from studies of the peritoneum in uremic controls. Paracrystalline intracytoplasmic inclusions in mesothelial cells were objects of special interest. METHODS: Biopsies of human parietal peritoneum were studied. These were taken from 12 uremic patients during catheter implantation before the start of CAPD, and from 7 CAPD patients during catheter removal for infection or malfunction. The samples were prepared in the standard way to be studied by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). RESULTS: Paracrystalline intracytoplasmic inclusions were seen in mesothelial cells only by TEM. They appear as filamentous structures at the outer part of the inclusions, and as pearl-like structures at the core of the inclusions. Sacculate dilatations of rough endoplasmic reticulum cisternae with partly destroyed membranes and only few ribosomes were also seen, with and without densely osmiophilic filaments within the cisternae. We have found paracrystalline intracytoplasmic inclusions in mesothelial cells from uremic and CAPD patients both. According to the literature, these changes are present in one third of biopsies from uremic patients. Until now, however, they have not been mentioned in CAPD patients.


Subject(s)
Inclusion Bodies/ultrastructure , Peritoneal Dialysis, Continuous Ambulatory , Peritoneum/ultrastructure , Crystallization , Endoplasmic Reticulum, Rough/ultrastructure , Epithelium/ultrastructure , Female , Humans , Male , Microscopy, Electron , Middle Aged , Uremia/pathology , Uremia/therapy
11.
Med Pregl ; 54(5-6): 219-23, 2001.
Article in Croatian | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-11759215

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Some thirty years ago peritoneal dialysis (PD) became a respectable modality of renal replacement therapy. That is why peritoneal membrane attracted interest of investigators. Certain changes, known as uremic serositis, appear in morphology of serous membranes in end stage kidney disease (ESKD). The aim of our investigation was to examine the morphology of peritoneal lining cells in control group of healthy persons and morphology of peritoneal lining cells in patients on PD. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Peritoneal biopsies were taken in 10 healthy volunteers during the kidney donation and in 15 patients on PD during clinically indicated extirpation. Biopsy samples were prepared for standard routine HE staining and for plastic embedded fine sections studying. Sections were mounted in an ultramicrotome, stained with Toluidine blue (TB) and studied by light microscope (SM), while fine sections were mounted in an ultramicrotome and studied by transmission electron microscope (TEM). RESULTS: One layer mesothelium of the cuboidal or flattened lining cells were present over the lamina propria connective tissue. Mesothelial cells were overlapped like tiles on the roof. These cells were interconnected with different types of cell junctions (unpermeable, adhesion and communication junctions) positioned on lateral parts of the interdigitated cell membranes. A great number of microvilli were often present on the appical surface, as well as a kinocilia and lamellar bodies. Nuclei were euchromatic with well developed nucleoli. Many ribosomes, mitochondria, cisternae of rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) and Golgi apparatus, lamellar bodies and lipid inclusions were present in the cytoplasm. Using TEM in analyzing fine sections of biopsies of patients on PD, characteristic ultrastructural changes including epithelial defects with only remaining parts of destroyed cells were established, as well as significantly greater number of rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) cisternae and immature mesothelial cells in lamina propria indicating intensive regeneration of this epithelium. The cytoplasm of new mesothelial cells were of less electron density on TEM photomicrographs, whereas the nuclei of mesothelial cells in these patients were euchromatic with prominent nucleoli and numerous perichromatic granules and fibrogranular nuclear bodies, indicating cells of great activity. Cytoplasmic protrusions of different shape and content were often recognized on the apical surface of cells. Lamellar bodies were also present in this group of patients within the mesothelial cells, as well as between two mesothelial cells or on their apical surface. Mitochondria were picnotic in many of the mesothelial cells of peritoneum in this patient group. In these mesothelial cells intracytoplasmic paracrystaline inclusions were established. TEM photomicrographs showed basal lamina multiplication in this epithelium. CONCLUSION: Our findings comply with reports of other authors. It should be stressed that TEM examination detects characteristic ultrastructural changes in mesothelial lining cells of peritoneum in patients on PD, which could compromise the function of peritoneum as a membrane for dialysis.


Subject(s)
Peritoneal Dialysis , Peritoneum/ultrastructure , Epithelium/ultrastructure , Humans , Kidney Failure, Chronic/pathology , Kidney Failure, Chronic/therapy , Microscopy, Electron
12.
Srp Arh Celok Lek ; 129(7-8): 175-9, 2001.
Article in Serbian | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-11797446

ABSTRACT

The introduction of peritoneal dialysis (PD) as a respectable modality of renal replacement therapy some three decades ago, suddenly drew attention of many authors to peritoneal membrane as insufficiently investigated structure. In order to explain the pathological changes in peritoneum due to renal diseases, it became necessary to explore the normal peritoneal structure. The aim of this study was to examine the morphology of peritoneal lining cells in healthy persons. Biopsies of the peritoneum were performed on 20 volunteer kidney donors. Tissue samples were taken during renal transplantation. Special care was taken in getting appropriate samples without artificial damage because of the extreme fragility of the peritoneal tissue. The preparing procedure was standard for routine HE staining and for plastic embedded semifine and fine sections studies. Semifine sections were made on ultramicrotome, stained with Toluidin blue and studied by light microscope, while fine sections were made by ultramicrotome and studied by transmission electron microscope. One layer of cuboidal or flattened lining cells present over the lamina propria connective tissue presented mesothelium. The cells were overlapped like tiles on the roof. Lateral parts of their interdigitated membranes were interconnected with different types of cell junctions: unpermeable, adhesion and communication junctions; inhibiting intercellular transport. Cell surface was often covered with great number of microvilli and lamellar bodies. A single kinocilia was also often present on apical cell surface. Nuclei were euchromatic with well developed nucleoli. Cytoplasm was filled with a great number of ribosomes, mitochondria, cisterns of rough endoplasmatic reticulum and Golgi apparatus, lamellar bodies and lipid inclusions. Numerous pinocytic vesicles on all parts of the membrane as well as in the cytoplasm indicating active endocytosis, egsocytosis and transcytosys in the process of secretion and reabsorption of serous liquid in peritoneal cavity, were visible. Euchromatic nuclei with prominent nucleoli and numerous mitochondria indicate cells of great metabolic activity.


Subject(s)
Epithelial Cells/ultrastructure , Peritoneum/ultrastructure , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged
13.
Adv Perit Dial ; 16: 26-30, 2000.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-11045256

ABSTRACT

Some thirty years ago, peritoneal dialysis (PD) became a respectable modality of renal replacement therapy. That is why peritoneal membrane attracted the interest of investigators. Uremia is followed by changes in the morphology of serous membranes (uremic serositis). Uremic effects on pleura and pericardia have been studied for a long time, but the peritoneum is affected as well. The aim of our study was to examine the morphology of the peritoneum in uremic patients before the start of PD and to compare the findings with those from examinations of peritoneum in healthy controls. We examined 12 uremic patients and 10 healthy controls (kidney donors). Biopsies were taken from parietal peritoneum. The samples were prepared in the standard way for study by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Certain pathological changes--deformation of mesothelial cells, their detachment from the basement membrane, and unusual bulging of apical surface--were identified at the light microscopy level on semi-fine sections. Paracrystalline intracytoplasmic inclusions were seen in mesothelial cells only by TEM. We hypothesize that the inclusions were causing deformation of the mesothelial cells and detachment of those cells from the basement membrane. Sacculate dilatations of rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) cisternae with partly destroyed membranes and few ribosomes were also seen, with and without densely osmiophilic filaments within cisternae. Although these changes are mentioned in the literature, the exact reason for their appearance remains unknown.


Subject(s)
Peritoneum/ultrastructure , Uremia/pathology , Biopsy , Epithelium/ultrastructure , Female , Humans , Inclusion Bodies/ultrastructure , Male , Microscopy, Electron , Middle Aged
14.
Neural Comput ; 10(8): 2085-101, 1998 Nov 15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-9804672

ABSTRACT

This article provides a detailed and rigorous analysis of the two commonly used methods for redundancy reduction: linear independent component analysis (ICA) posed as a direct minimization of a suitably chosen redundancy measure and information maximization (InfoMax) of a continuous stochastic signal transmitted through an appropriate nonlinear network. The article shows analytically that ICA based on the Kullback-Leibler information as a redundancy measure and InfoMax lead to the same solution if the parameterization of the output nonlinear functions in the latter method is sufficiently rich. Furthermore, this work discusses the alternative redundancy measures not based on the Kullback-Leibler information distance. The practical issues of applying ICA and InfoMax are also discussed and illustrated on the problem of extracting statistically independent factors from a linear, pixel-by-pixel mixture of images.


Subject(s)
Neural Networks, Computer , Algorithms , Humans , Models, Neurological , Pattern Recognition, Automated , Pattern Recognition, Visual , Probability , Visual Perception
15.
Br J Rheumatol ; 37(7): 729-32, 1998 Jul.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-9714347

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of chronic arthritis with special reference to rheumatoid arthritis. METHOD: A cross-sectional study was performed during the years 1990 and 1991 in a randomly selected sample of the urban population of Belgrade. RESULTS: Out of 2184 participants, > or = 20 yr old, surveyed by questionnaire, 756 (34.6%) reported peripheral joint complaints. Of those with complaints, 621 (82.1%) agreed to undergo detailed examination. Arthritis was diagnosed in four men (one had rheumatoid arthritis and three had spondylarthropathy with peripheral arthritis) and 11 women (three had rheumatoid arthritis, one had B27-positive polyarthritis and seven had undifferentiated chronic arthritis). The prevalence of chronic arthritis in the adult population was 0.69% (0.35% for men and 1.05% for women). The prevalence for rheumatoid arthritis was 0.18% (0.09% for men and 0.29% for women). Re-examination of 15 individuals with chronic arthritis 3 yr later showed changes in diagnosis only in those patients who at baseline examination had undifferentiated chronic arthritis. CONCLUSION: According to the results obtained, the urban population of Belgrade is among populations with a low prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis.


Subject(s)
Arthritis, Rheumatoid/epidemiology , Adult , Age Distribution , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Arthritis, Rheumatoid/pathology , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Humans , Joints/pathology , Male , Middle Aged , Prevalence , Sex Distribution , Surveys and Questionnaires , Yugoslavia/epidemiology
16.
IEEE Trans Neural Netw ; 7(1): 222-8, 1996.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-18255574

ABSTRACT

This paper presents an online procedure for training dynamic neural networks with input-output recurrences whose topology is continuously adjusted to the complexity of the target system dynamics. This is accomplished by changing the number of the elements of the network hidden layer whenever the existing topology cannot capture the dynamics presented by the new data. The training mechanism is based on the suitably altered extended Kalman filter (EKF) algorithm which is simultaneously used for the network parameter adjustment and for its state estimation. The network consists of a single hidden layer with Gaussian radial basis functions (GRBF), and a linear output layer. The choice of the GRBF is induced by the requirements of the online learning. The latter implies the network architecture which permits only local influence of the new data point in order not to forget the previously learned dynamics. The continuous topology adaptation is implemented in our algorithm to avoid memory and computational problems of using a regular grid of GRBF'S which covers the network input space. Furthermore, we show that the resulting parameter increase can be handled "smoothly" without interfering with the already acquired information. If the target system dynamics are changing over time, we show that a suitable forgetting factor can be used to "unlearn" the no longer-relevant dynamics. The quality of the recurrent network training algorithm is demonstrated on the identification of nonlinear dynamic systems.

18.
Mol Gen Genet ; 247(6): 742-8, 1995 Jun 25.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-7616966

ABSTRACT

The human genome contains multiple copies of sequences related to the HERV-K family of endogenous retroviruses, homologous to the B-type mouse mammary tumour virus. A DNA fragment closely resembling an HERV-K long tandem repeat (LTR) was detected in a library of hncDNA clones enriched for sequences from human chromosome 19. Sites showing homology to the sequence of this fragment have been identified on human chromosome 19 by hybridization to previously mapped chromosome 19 cosmids. Thus the distribution of LTR sequences on a specific human chromosome has been mapped for the first time. We estimate the total number of such sites on human chromosome 19 to be at least 110. Many of these sites are located in the vicinity of known genes. The precise localizations (to specific cosmids) of LTR-homologous sequences on chromosome 19 can serve as a reference source and will automatically provide further insight into LTR-gene relationships as new genes are mapped onto the chromosome.


Subject(s)
Chromosomes, Human, Pair 19 , DNA, Viral/analysis , Repetitive Sequences, Nucleic Acid/genetics , Retroviridae/genetics , Animals , Base Sequence , Chromosome Mapping , Cricetinae , Humans , Hybrid Cells , Molecular Sequence Data , Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid
19.
Med Pregl ; 47(3-4): 79-81, 1994.
Article in Croatian | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-7739448

ABSTRACT

Laboratory rats were exposed to influence of intermittent hypoxia every other day during the period of 11 days. Conditions similar to those of 7000 meters above sea level were imitated. Using the method of indirect immunofluorescence the state of serotonin immunoreactivity of the adrenal glands medulla was analyzed. After exposure of animals to influence of hypoxia serotonin decreased in the adrenal glands medulla, which is in harmony with the realization concerning adrenomedullar regulatory mechanisms as a response to hypoxia.


Subject(s)
Adrenal Medulla/chemistry , Hypoxia/metabolism , Serotonin/analysis , Altitude , Animals , Immunohistochemistry , Rats , Rats, Wistar
20.
Med Pregl ; 47(5-6): 157-9, 1994.
Article in Croatian | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-7739454

ABSTRACT

Laboratory rats were exposed to influence of intermittent hypoxia every other day during the period of 11 days. Conditions similar to those of 7000 meters above sea level were imitated. Using the method of indirect immunofluorescence the state of noradrenal, adrenal and serotonin immunoreactivity of adrenal glands medulla were analyzed. After exposure of animals to influence of hypoxia adrenalin and serotonin are decreased in adrenal glands medulla, while noradrenal cells get totally emptied. The decrease of adrenal and noradrenal contents in the adrenal glands is in harmony with the knowledge about involvement of sympathoadrenal regulatory mechanisms as a response to hypoxia. The finding of decreased serotonin is explained by its simultaneous release with adrenalin from of adrenal glands medulla.


Subject(s)
Adrenal Medulla/metabolism , Hypoxia/metabolism , Altitude , Animals , Catecholamines/analysis , Immunohistochemistry , Rats , Rats, Wistar , Serotonin/analysis
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