Showing papers by "University of Rijeka published in 1994"

Antibodies Are Not Essential for the Resolution of Primary Cytomegalovirus Infection but Limit Dissemination of Recurrent Virus

Abstract: Virus shedding from the epithelial cells of the serous acini of salivary glands is a major source for the horizontal transmission of cytomegalovirus. These cells are, different to other tissues, exempt from CD8 T lymphocyte control. CD4 T lymphocytes are essential to terminate the productive infection. Here, we prove that T-B cooperation and the production of antibodies are not required for this process. For the infection with murine cytomegalovirus, mutant mice were used which do not produce antibodies because of a disrupted membrane exon of the immunoglobulin mu chain gene. Also, in these mice the virus clearance from salivary glands is a function of CD4 T lymphocytes. However, these mice clear the virus and establish viral latency with a kinetics that is distinguishable from normal mice. Reactivation from virus latency is the only stage at which the absence of antibodies alters the phenotype of infection. In immunoglobulin-deficient mice, virus recurrence results in higher virus titers. The adoptive serum transfer proved that antibody is the limited factor that prevents virus dissemination in the immunodeficient host.

Prognostic significance of T-cell infiltrates, expression of β2-microglobulin and HLA-DR antigens in breast carcinoma

Abstract: In this study immunohistological staining was used to assess the presence of T-cell infiltrates and the expression of beta 2-microglobulin (beta 2-m) and HLA-DR antigens on tumor cells of 75 ductal invasive carcinomas. The results were compared with the morphometric prognostic index (MPI) that seems to be the most accurate prognostic predictor. The extent of T-cell infiltrates differed widely between tumors, but statistically significant correlation was found only with the lymph node status, namely, tumors with a high degree of infiltration had predominantly negative lymph nodes and vice versa (p < 0.05). Only 19 (25.3%) out of 75 carcinomas were beta 2-m+, 34 cases (45.3%) showed heterogeneous staining pattern and 22 tumors (29.3%) were completely negative. We could not find any significant correlation between beta 2-m expression and MPI or T-cell content. While normal breast epithelium was always HLA-DR negative, tumor cells displayed positivity in 25 cases (33.3%), 5 tumors (6.7%) were completely positive and 20 tumors (26.7%) displayed only focal expression of class II antigens. This expression did not correlate with any single prognostic parameter, nor with MPI. The results suggest that T-cell infiltrates and the expression of histocompatibility antigens can not be accepted as prognostic indicators in breast carcinoma.

Naphazoline nasal drops intoxication in children.

Abstract: Naphazoline, a sympathomimetic and an imidazoline derivative, is used as 0.05-0.1% solution for local decongestion of the nasal and ocular mucosa. In excessive dosage, or if ingested by accident, may cause depression of the central nervous system (disturbances of consciousness progressing to coma), hypothermia, bradycardia and sweating. These naphazoline effects are particularly strongly pronounced in children. Anglo-Saxon pharmacotherapy excludes the application of naphazoline nasal drops in children younger than six years, whereas the Croatian pharmacotherapeutic literature (and practice) allows its use even in infancy. At the Kantrida Paediatric Clinic, Clinical Hospital Centre in Rijeka, 11 children with signs of intoxication with naphazoline nasal drops were hospitalized from 1990 to 1992. The symptoms pertaining to the central nervous system i.e. disturbances of consciousness in the form of somnolence were clearly marked in all children. Some children developed skin pallor, bradycardia, bradypnoea and hypothermia. Resolution occurred within 24 hours and the findings returned to normal values. Clinical picture followed by rapid resolution and normal findings, with a personal history of drug taking, is a safe indication for diagnosis. There are several reasons to account for intoxication (drops difficult to use with children, containers inadequate for proper dosage), but the major factor is the age of the patient--all hospitalized children were younger than six years. It is pointed out that administration of naphazoline drops at an early age is not advisable.

Transition metal complexes of N,N-dimethylthreonine: Stability and UV/Vis spectra

Abstract: Acidity (dehydronation) constants of N,N-dimethylthreonine (DMT) and stability constants of its complexes with Cu+2, Ni+2, and Co+2 were determined in aqueous solution by means of potentiometric titration. UV/Vis spectra were also taken during the titration. It is suggested thatDMT acts as a bidentate ligand toward copper(II) by engaging either (a) amino and carboxyl groups (in [Cu(DMT)] and [Cu(DMT)2]), or, (b) upon dehydronation, amino and hydroxyl groups (in [Cu(DMT)H−1], [Cu(DMT)2H−1], and [Cu(DMT)2H−2]). It is suggested that the coordination in threoninato andallo-threoninato complexes is similar to that described under (a).

Correlation energy of a two-dimensional electron gas

Abstract: Extending the Hedin-Lundqvist approximation, originally developed for the three-dimensional electron gas, we derive the correlation energy Ec for the two-dimensional electron gas as a function of electron density ρ. A simple two-parameter function Ec(ρ) reproduces very well the first-principles numerical results in the whole density range. We also present a simple and accurate form of the correlation part of the chemical potential, which can be used, e.g., as a correlation part of the effective potential in the local-density approximation for two-dimensional electron systems.

Traumatization of group leaders in their work with displaced persons

Abstract: Displaced persons are a special, threatened group of people, participants in this war, who were suddenly forced to abandon their homes. The majority of them were, “overnight,” left without anything they had, some even without their closest family. They all have one thing in common: they have all lost so much. Work with such people is directed toward overcoming their feelings of loss and abandonment and preventing psychical decompensation. Groups of displaced persons temporarily sheltered in the Rijeka region have been observed to be markedly regressed, with increased sensitivity, a low degree of tolerance, great demands on society and strongly expressed projective tendencies. Therapists suffer personal traumatization in working with displaced persons. This paper describes the reactions and feelings of group leaders caused by manifestations of group dynamics in different phases of exile.