Evaluation of Inflammatory Parameters Following Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL) and Ureteroscopy for the Treatment of Proximal Ureteral Stones.

Introduction Inflammation can arise as a consequence of both extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) and ureteroscopy (URS) treatments. Alterations in inflammatory parameters may serve as indicators of kidney injuries and the ensuing inflammation. This study aims to investigate the effects of ESWL and URS procedures on inflammatory parameters for proximal ureteral stone treatment. Materials and methods A prospective interventional study comprised 120 patients with confirmed stones measuring less than 10 mm in the upper half of the proximal ureter. These patients were randomly assigned to either the ESWL or URS treatment groups. Laboratory analyses encompassed interleukin-6 (IL-6), leukocyte count, fibrinogen levels, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), which were assessed prior to the intervention, on the first postoperative day, and six months later. IL-6 levels in the serum were determined using a chemiluminescence immunoassay (CLIA). Results There was no significant difference in IL-6 levels between pre-intervention and the first post-intervention day in patients treated with ESWL (1.8 (1.4-2.59) pg/mL vs. 2.33 (1.22-3.19) pg/mL). However, for patients treated with URS, the pre-intervention IL-6 value was 2.9 (1.9-3.34) pg/mL, and it increased significantly to 7.1 (3.85-28.07) pg/mL on the first post-intervention day (p<0.001). On the first post-intervention day, levels of IL-6, CRP, leukocyte count, and ESR were significantly higher in patients treated with URS compared to ESWL (p<0.001; p<0.001; p=0.03; p=0.03, respectively). Conclusion Our research findings suggest that monitoring IL-6 levels can offer valuable insights into the degree of inflammation and tissue damage during and following observed procedures, particularly among patients undergoing URS, even within the initial days post-procedure.

Genetically Homogeneous or Heterogeneous Population - Distribution of the Recessive Allele in Selected Qualitative Characteristics of Selected Working-Age Population Sample.

Background: The genetic structure of each population can be explained according to the frequency of genes and their allelic variants, genotypes, and phenotypes. Objective: To analyze the genetic heterogeneity of the working-age population from the area of Sarajevo Canton based on classic genetic markers. The studied parameters of genetic heterogeneity were assessed by the relative frequency of the recessive allele for static-morphological traits (earlobe shape, chin shape, hairiness of the middle digital phalanx, bending of the distal phalanx of the little finger and digital index) and dynamic-morphological traits (rolling of the tongue into a groove, extensibility of the proximal thumb knuckle, extensibility of the distal thumb knuckle, the way the forearms are crossed, and the way the fists are made). Results: The results of the t-test showed a significant difference in the manifestation of the recessive homozygote for the observed parameters of qualitative variation in the subsamples of men and women. Only for two traits (attached earlobe and hyperextensibility of the distal knuckle of the thumb). The selected sample represent a relatively genetically homogenous population. Conclusion: This study serves as a valuable source of data for future research and the formation of a genetic database in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Molecular-genetics analysis of 15 STR loci in sibship testing in isolated rural Bosnian population - the use of the grey zone.

Aim Examination of the effectiveness of STR loci in proving sibship of the Bosnian-Herzegovinian village of Orahovica and the formation of a "grey zone". Methods The probability of sibship was determined by calculating the likelihood ratio (LR) parameter for each of the 15 observed STR loci and for each of the pairs of relatives and non-relatives. Cumulative sibship index (CSI) was calculated for each of the pairs by multiplying the LR values of all 15 loci and obtained values are used as CSI limit for separating relatives from non-relatives. By creating a grey zone for local populations, an attempt was made to obtain a line of demarcation between siblings and non-siblings. Results An analysis of the origin of the respondents' relatives was performed, up to the level of sibship in the third generation. The results of the CSI for pairs of relatives from the village of Orahovica showed that the highest CSI value, and therefore the sibship probability was recorded among relatives from the village of Orahovica (CSI=534211727.203;SP=99.999999812%). On the contrary, incredibly low CSI value was recorded among non-relatives,ranging from CSI=0.0000001 to 0.5261434 (SP=0.000009999% to 34.475357951%). Conclusion For the threshold value CSI=1 and for CSI=3, this method determined sibship in 100% of pairs of relatives and the absence of biological sibship in 100% of pairs of non-relatives in the village of Orahovica. The STR system is proved to be a successful method in determining sibship or absence of sibship in small local populations.

Morphometric analysis of clinically significant parameters of the main trunk of the left coronary artery.

Aim To determine the value of angles between the left coronary artery main trunk (LMT) and its branches, the anterior interventricular branch (LAD) and the circumflex branch (CX), and their possible relationship with the LMT length. Methods A total of 29 cadaveric hearts were used. The left coronary artery and its branches were dissected. The hearts were then classified according to the number of branches. The LMT length was measured with a digital gauge, and the LAD-CX angle, LMTLAD angle and LMT-CX angle with a manual goniometer. Results The average value of the LMT length was 9.0 mm (6.0-13.5). In 20 (68.97%) samples, the LMT was divided into two terminal branches. There was no statistically significant difference (p=0.321) in LMT length between the hearts with a bifurcation and without it. The average value of the LAD-CX angle was 89.0° (74.5-93.0), with a statistically significant difference (p=0.020) comparing to hearts with trifurcation. The mean value of the LMT-LAD angle was 30.83±9.23° and it was significantly lower (p=0.006) in the group of hearts with bifurcation compared to the group with trifurcation of the main trunk. Conclusion The LMT length shows great variability and is not related to the LAD-CX, LMT-LAD or the LMT-CX angle. Knowledge of the left coronary variation is essential in order to avoid misinterpretation of arteriogram.

Time-dependent proregenerative effects of exogenous melatonin on the transected sciatic nerve / Efectos proregenerativos dependientes del tiempo de la melatonina exógena en el nervio ciático seccionado

SUMMARY: Microsurgical procedures are the treatment of choice of peripheral nerve injuries, but often fail to reach full functional recovery. Melatonin has neuroprotective actions and might be used as a possible proregenerative pharmacological support. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyze the time-dependence of the neuroprotective effect of melatonin on the overall fascicular structures of both ends of the transected nerve. Sciatic nerve transection was performed in 34 adult male Wistar rats divided in four groups: two vehicle groups (N=7) treated intraperitoneally for 7 (V7) or 21 (V21) consecutive days with vehicle (5 % ethanol in Ringer solution) and two melatonin groups (N=10) administered intraperitoneally 30 mg/kg of melatonin for 7 (M7) or 21 (M21) consecutive days. At the end of the experiment, proximal stump neuroma and distal stump fibroma were excised and processed for qualitative and quantitative histological analysis. Intrafascicular neural structures were better preserved and the collagen deposition was reduced in the melatonin treated groups than in the vehicle groups. Myelin sheath regeneration observed through its thickness measurement was statistically significantly (p<0,05) more pronounced in the M21 (1,23±0,18 µm) vs. V21 group (0,98±0,13 µm). The mean volume density of the endoneurium was lower in both melatonin treated groups in comparison to the matching vehicle treated groups. Although not statistically different, the endoneural tube diameter was larger in both melatonin groups vs. vehicle groups, and the effect of melatonin was more pronounced after 21 days (24,97 % increase) vs. 7 days of melatonin treatment (18,8 % increase). Melatonin exerts a time-dependent proregenerative effect on nerve fibers in the proximal stump and an anti-scarring effect in both stumps.

Los procedimientos microquirúrgicos son el tratamiento de elección de las lesiones de los nervios periféricos, pero a menudo no logran una recuperación funcional completa. La melatonina tiene acciones neuroprotectoras y podría ser utilizada como un posible apoyo farmacológico proregenerativo. Por lo tanto, el objetivo de este estudio fue analizar la dependencia del tiempo del efecto neuroprotector de la melatonina sobre las estructuras fasciculares generales de ambos extremos del nervio seccionado. La sección del nervio ciático se realizó en 34 ratas Wistar macho adultas divididas en cuatro grupos: dos grupos de vehículo (N=7) tratados por vía intraperitoneal durante 7 (V7) o 21 (V21) días consecutivos con vehículo (5 % de etanol en solución Ringer) y dos grupos grupos de melatonina (N=10) a los que se les administró por vía intraperitoneal 30 mg/kg de melatonina durante 7 (M7) o 21 (M21) días consecutivos. Al final del experimento, se extirparon y procesaron el neuroma del muñón proximal y el fibroma del muñón distal del nervio para un análisis histológico cualitativo y cuantitativo. Las estructuras neurales intrafasciculares se conservaron mejor y el depósito de colágeno se redujo en los grupos tratados con melatonina respecto a los grupos con vehículo. La regeneración de la vaina de mielina observada a través de la medición de su espesor fue estadísticamente significativa (p<0,05) más pronunciada en el grupo M21 (1,23±0,18 µm) vs V21 (0,98±0,13 µm). La densidad de volumen media del endoneuro fue menor en ambos grupos tratados con melatonina en comparación con los grupos tratados con vehículo equivalente. Aunque no fue estadísticamente diferente, el diámetro del tubo endoneural fue mayor en ambos grupos de melatonina frente a los grupos de vehículo, y el efecto de la melatonina fue más pronunciado después de 21 días (aumento del 24,97 %) frente a los 7 días de tratamiento con melatonina (18,8 % de aumento). La melatonina ejerce un efecto proregenerativo dependiente del tiempo sobre las fibras nerviosas del muñón proximal y un efecto anticicatricial en ambos muñones.

Qualitative and quantitative characteristics of the passive compartment underneath the myocardial bridge comprising the blood vessel adventitia and the perivascular connective tissue / Características cualitativas y cuantitativas del compartimento pasivo debajo del puente miocárdico que comprende la adventicia del vaso sanguíneo y el tejido conectivo perivascular

SUMMARY: Myocardial bridges are inborn anomalies frequently found in authopsies. Although tipically clinically silent, they are occasionally associated with severe clinical manifestations, e.g. myocardial ischemia or even sudden death. The pathophysiology and risk factors for these manifestations have not yet been completely elucidated. The connective tissue underneath the bridge has been considered as one of the factors the symptoms depend on. Thus, the aim of this research was to determine the histological characteristics of the connective tissue lying underneath the myocardial bridge and to contribute to a better understanding of the protective effects this passive compartment might have in prevention of severe clinical manifestations of myocardial bridging. The study was carried out on twenty hearts with myocardial bridges. Length of the bridge was determined using a precise electronic caliper. Sections of the myocardial bridges with the underlying connective tissue were obtained and prepared for qualitative and quantitative analysis. The connective tissue underneath the bridges was composed of adipose tissue and loose connective tissue in different ratios. The tissue underneath thin bridges was predominantly composed of adipose tissue, while loose connective tissue was the dominant component under thick bridges. The myocardial bridges had an average thickness of 0,98 ± 0.44 mm and an average length of 15,25±5,65 mm. We found a strong positive correlation between the myocardial bridge thickness and length (r = 0,860, p = 0,0001). The thickness of the passive connective tissue compartment under the myocardial bridges was 0,58±0,22 mm, and there was no correlation between this parameter and the myocardial bridge thickness (r = -0,011; p = 0,963). In the clinical evaluation of patients with these anomalies it is necessary to take into account independently the myocardial bridge thickness and length on one side and the thickness of the connective tissue lying underneath it on the other.

Los puentes miocárdicos son anomalías congénitas que se encuentran con frecuencia en las autopsias. Aunque típicamente éstos son clínicamente silenciosos, ocasionalmente se asocian con manifestaciones clínicas graves, como isquemia miocárdica o incluso muerte súbita. La fisiopatología y los factores de riesgo de estas manifestaciones aún no se han dilucidado por completo. El tejido conectivo debajo del puente se ha considerado como uno de los factores de los que dependen los síntomas. Por lo tanto, el objetivo de esta investigación fue determinar las características histológicas del tejido conectivo que se encuentra debajo del puente miocárdico y contribuir a una mejor comprensión de los efectos protectores que este compartimento pasivo podría tener en la prevención de manifestaciones clínicas graves de puente miocárdico. El estudio se llevó a cabo en veinte corazones con puentes miocárdicos. La longitud del puente se determinó utilizando un calibrador electrónico preciso. Se obtuvieron secciones de los puentes miocárdicos con el tejido conjuntivo subyacente y se prepararon para análisis cualitativo y cuantitativo. El tejido conectivo debajo de los puentes estaba compuesto de tejido adiposo y tejido conectivo laxo en diferentes proporciones. El tejido debajo de los puentes delgados estaba predominantemente compuesto de tejido adiposo, mientras que el tejido conectivo laxo era el componente dominante debajo de los puentes gruesos. Los puentes de miocardio tenían un espesor promedio de 0,98 ± 0,44 mm y una longitud promedio de 15,25 ± 5,65 mm. Encontramos una fuerte correlación positiva entre el grosor y la longitud del puente miocárdico (r = 0,860, p = 0,0001). El grosor del compartimiento de tejido conectivo pasivo debajo de los puentes miocárdicos era de 0,58±0,22 mm, y no hubo correlación entre este parámetro y el grosor del puente miocárdico (r = -0,011; p = 0,963). En la evaluación clínica de pacientes con estas anomalías es necesario tener en consideración de forma independiente el grosor y la longitud del puente de miocardio por un lado y el grosor del tejido conectivo que se encuentra debajo del mismo por el otro.

Serum Creatinine versus Corrected Cockcroft-Gault Equation According to Poggio Reference Values in Patients with Arterial Hypertension.

Introduction: Serum creatinine is not enough sensitive marker for the evaluation of glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Cockcroft-Gault (CG) formula is often used to assess GFR, but it is necessary to correct original one for body surface area (BSA), adipositas, and the creatinine tubular secretion. The values of the estimated creatinine clearance and GFR are considered to Poggio reference ones according to biological parameters (age and gender). The aim of the study was to determine the difference in renal function estimation between serum creatinine and corrected CG equation according to the Poggio reference values in the arterial hypertension patients. Materials and Methods: The research included 124 patients of both gender with arterial hypertension, excluding ones with the already verified chronic kidney disease. We estimated creatinine clearance and GFR by CG method corrected for the BSA, body mass index (BMI), and the creatinine tubular secretion according to Poggio reference values. Results: There was no significant difference in both age and gender groups among patients with physiological and pathological values of the renal function determined by the serum creatinine and estimated creatinine clearance by CG equation corrected for BMI, BSA. In both age and gender groups there was significant difference among subjects with physiological and pathological values of the renal function determined by serum creatinine and estimated GFR by CG method corrected for BMI, BSA, and creatinine tubular secretion. Conclusion: There is the most striking difference in the assessment of renal function between serum creatinine and estimated GFR by CG method with three corrections (BSA, BMI, the creatinine tubular secretion). Estimated GFR by CG method with three corrections can help in the early diagnosis of renal dysfunction and optimal treatment in patients with arterial hypertension.

Population-genetic Aspects of Breast Cancers and Association with Rh Factor in Selected Sample.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer in women is the second most common and accounts for approximately 18% of all malignant tumors in women worldwide. The etiology of breast cancer is not clear enough. Starting from the assumption that the manifestation of breast cancer may have a multifactorial model, this article compares the population-genetic structure of patients (experimental group) with the population-genetic structure of healthy population (control group). OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to examine the possible genetic basis of the Rh factor relationship with selected homozygous-recessive traits of females with breast cancer, and to diagnose the probability (assess the risk) of developing the disease in healthy women by analyzing homozygous-recessive traits (HRT). METHODS: This are an anthroposcopic-qualitative study that included two groups of subjects, experimental and control (a total of 80 subjects). An analysis of the percentages within each group was performed using the Chi-square test. The results are presented in tables, and the accepted level of significance is at the level of p <0.05. RESULTS: In the group of Rh+ subjects, the correlation of this type of Rh factor with the breast cancer was proven, given the frequency of the phenotype of homozygous-recessive traits in them. A statistically significant difference was found for 4 traits, and three are also close to the set significance level. In subjects with Rh- factor, a statistically significant difference was found for only one trait (absence of mallets on the phalanges). CONCLUSION: Although the number of subjects was relatively small, we can conclude that in the experimental group a higher frequency of recessive phenotypes for the examined traits was recorded, which indicates the genetic load of the subjects from this group. Correlation with Rh factor was observed in the case of subjects of the experimental group with Rh+ factor.

Digital dermatoglyphics in the evaluation of the genetic basis of breast cancer in Bosnian-Herzegovinian population - quantitative analysis.

Aim To determine differences in quantitative traits of digital dermatoglyphics between breast cancer women and the women in the control group (healthy women). Methods This case-control study included digital dermatoglyphics of 50 patients with confirmed breast cancer diagnosis compared with 50 healthy examinees with the absence of familial history of any type of cancer. Collecting samples was performed among Bosnian-Herzegovinian population by Printake method. The comparison of the mean values between the examined groups was made by the Student's t-test and Mann-Whitney U test. Results The results showed that, with regards to the pattern intensity, no statistically significant difference was detected between the two examined groups (p>0.05).The absence of any significant difference in the number of papillary ridges on an individual finger between the breast cancer patients and the control group was found (p>0.05), although the total number of papillary ridges on all ten fingers had somewhat lower values in the examined group. Conclusion This research confirms the existence of genetic predisposition for breast cancer development, emphasizing the relevance of hereditary factors in the ethiopathogenesis of this disease. The quantitative traits of digital dermatoglyphics were not a reliable and predictive tool for detecting a potential risk for breast cancer in small populations.

Predictive Analysis of Palmar Dermatoglyphics in Patients with Breast Cancer for Small Bosnian-Herzegovinian Population.

INTRODUCTION: Malignant breast cancer is the most common malignancy in women between 40 and 55 years of age. Dermatoglyphs are polygenetically determined properties, whose appearance and number are determined by a specific gene. They represent the skin reefs that are created by epidermis on the fingers or toes, palms and soles. Palmar dermatoglyphs have been used to estimate the hereditary basis of many diseases. AIM: The aim of the paper is to determine whether there is a statistically significant difference between the observed qualitative and quantitative parameters of both palms between the experimental and the control group. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A survey of the qualitative and quantitative properties of the palmar complex was carried out on a total of 100 female respondents. The first group included 50 women with breast cancer. Comparative data were used for the analysis of palmar dermatoglyphs in the second group of respondents, or 50 phenotypic healthy female subjects. The imprints of the palmar complex were taken using the printake ribbons, analyzed, and the data was then statistically processed and displayed in charts. An analysis of the number of reefs between two digital triradius was performed, followed by the determination of the axially triad position, as well as the ATD angle measurement. RESULTS: Quantitative analysis of ATD-angle showed statistically significant difference between the left and right palms of the analyzed groups. However, the analysis of the number of reefs between triradius A-B, B-C, C-D did not show statistically significant results for both the left and right hand between the analyzed groups. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that the quantitative palmar parameter, ATD-angle, can play a role in identifying women with increased risk of breast cancer.

Chromosomal and nuclear alterations in root tip cells of allium cepa L. Induced by alprazolam.

INTRODUCTION: Alprazolam is a triazolobenzodiazepine used in panic disorders and other anxiety states. Target organ of Alprazolam is CNS, causing depression of respiration and consciousness. AIM: This study aimed to estimate the genotoxic potential of Alprazolam using Allium cepa test. METHODS: Allium cepa is one of the most suitable plants for detecting different types of xenobiotics. The test enables the assessment of different genetic endpoints making possible damage to the DNA of humans to be predicted. RESULTS: Alprazolam induced chromosomal (anaphase bridges, breaks, lagging and stickiness, abnormal spiralisation, multipolarity and polyploidy) and cytological aberrations, especially nuclear alterations (nuclear buds, fragmented nucleus and apoptotic bodies, cells without nucleus, binucleated and micronucleated cells), morphological alterations in shape and size of cells, spindle disturbance and polar deviation in root tip meristem cells of Allium cepa at all tested concentrations. Alprazolam also caused significant inhibition of mitotic index in these cells. CONCLUSION: These changes in cells are indicators of genotoxic potential of Alprazolam suggesting a need for further in vitro studies on animal and human lymphocytes as well as in vivo studies.

Analysis of chromosome aberrations contained in vitro human peripheral blood lymphocytes after treatment with ceftriaxone.

INTRODUCTION: The invention and use of antibiotics in treating infections is one of the greatest achievements of the twentieth century medicine. Antibiotics are one of the categories of pharmaceuticals with a broad and increasing application. GOAL: The goal of this paper is to analyze the influence of different set of test concentrations of ceftriaxone antibiotics on the occurrence of chromosome aberrations after in vitro treatment with concentrations: 0.15 mg/ml, 0.25 mg/ml and 0.50 mg/ml. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the study was used the blood of healthy donors in vitro, treated with different concentrations of ceftriaxone. Ceftriaxone is a semisynthetic cephalosporine third generation antibiotic, with broad spectrum of activity and with specific characteristics (Nerlove et al. 1996). As a biomarker of genetic damage are used the methods of cultivation of peripheral blood lymphocytes and analysis of chromosome aberrations. Cytogenetic analysis of ceftriaxone genotoxicity was performed in 48-hour culture of human peripheral blood lymphocytes by test of standard chromosome aberration analysis according to Moorhead, with certain modifications. Insight into the frequency and type of chromosome aberrations is obtained by analyzing 100 metaphases per sample. RESULTS: By the analysis of 100 metaphases per sample was determined that the relative frequency of metaphases with chromosome aberrations is increased with increasing concentrations of ceftriaxone in lymphocyte culture. The increase in the frequency of structural aberrations was also positively correlated with the applied ceftriaxone concentrations. Metaphases with numerical and structural aberrations are registered in lymphocyte cultures treated with ceftriaxone concentration of 0.25 mg/ml and 0.50 mg/ml, but this increase was not significant compared to the control cells cultures. CONCLUSIONS: Significantly increased frequency of metaphases with structural chromosome aberrations in cultured human peripheral blood lymphocytes treated with concentrations of 0.25 mg/ml and 0.5 mg/ml compared to the control confirming clastogenic potential of this drug. Ceftriaxone also expressed aneugenic activity at the highest test concentration (0.50 mg/ml), confirming a statistically significant difference in the frequency of numerical aberrations in cultures treated with doses of 0.5 mg/ml.