Showing papers by "University of Rijeka published in 1999"
TL;DR: This new construct represents a versatile basis for construction of MCMV mutants since virus generated from the construct loses the bacterial sequences and acquires wild-type properties.
Abstract: Recently the mouse cytomegalovirus (MCMV) genome was cloned as an infectious bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) (M. Messerle, I. Crnkovic ´, W. Hammerschmidt, H. Ziegler, and U. H. Koszinowski, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 94:14759‐14763, 1997). The virus obtained from this construct is attenuated in vivo due to deletion of viral sequences and insertion of the BAC vector. We reconstituted the full-length MCMV genome and flanked the BAC vector with identical viral sequences. This new construct represents a versatile basis for construction of MCMV mutants since virus generated from the construct loses the bacterial sequences and acquires wild-type properties. Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a ubiquitous pathogen that can cause severe disease in immunologically immature and immunocompromised patients (5). The strict species specificity of HCMV precludes investigation of the HCMV infection in an animal host. Infection of the mouse with mouse cytomegalovirus (MCMV) is a valuable in vivo model for studying various aspects of CMV pathogenesis (13, 14). Fast and efficient mutagenesis procedures for MCMV are desirable in order to analyze the role of CMV genes during the disease course in vivo. However, current mutagenesis schemes are difficult, laborious, and time-consuming since CMV replicates rather slowly and mutagenesis relies on rare recombination events in eukaryotic cells (12, 15, 18, 27, 28). Recently, we reported on a new approach for the generation of herpesvirus mutants that is based on homologous recombination in Escherichia coli (21). To this end, we cloned the MCMV genome as
322 citations
TL;DR: A novel viral mechanism for downregulation of MHC class I molecules is established by directly binding surface‐destined MHC complexes and exploiting the cellular di‐leucine sorting machinery for lysosomal degradation.
Abstract: Mouse cytomegalovirus (MCMV) early gene expression interferes with the major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC class I) pathway of antigen presentation. Here we identify a 48 kDa type I transmembrane glycoprotein encoded by the MCMV early gene m06, which tightly binds to properly folded beta2-microglobulin (beta2m)-associated MHC class I molecules in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). This association is mediated by the lumenal/transmembrane part of the protein. gp48-MHC class I complexes are transported out of the ER, pass the Golgi, but instead of being expressed on the cell surface, they are redirected to the endocytic route and rapidly degraded in a Lamp-1(+) compartment. As a result, m06-expressing cells are impaired in presenting antigenic peptides to CD8(+) T cells. The cytoplasmic tail of gp48 contains two di-leucine motifs. Mutation of the membrane-proximal di-leucine motif of gp48 restored surface expression of MHC class I, while mutation of the distal one had no effect. The results establish a novel viral mechanism for downregulation of MHC class I molecules by directly binding surface-destined MHC complexes and exploiting the cellular di-leucine sorting machinery for lysosomal degradation.
252 citations
TL;DR: Results prove that MHC-reactive functions protect CMVs against attack by CD8+ T lymphocytes in vivo, and delete of the m152 gene has no effect on virus replication in cell culture, whereas after infection of mice, the m 152-deficient virus replicates to significantly lower virus titers.
Abstract: Cytomegaloviruses encode numerous functions that inhibit antigen presentation in the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I pathway in vitro. One example is the mouse cytomegalovirus (MCMV) glycoprotein gp40, encoded by the m152 gene, which selectively retains murine but not human MHC class I complexes in the endoplasmic reticulum–Golgi intermediate compartment/cis-Golgi compartment (Ziegler, H., R. Thale, P. Lucin, W. Muranyi, T. Flohr, H. Hengel, H. Farrell, W. Rawlinson, and U.H. Koszinowski. 1997. Immunity. 6:57–66). To investigate the in vivo significance of this gene function during MCMV infection of the natural host, we constructed recombinants of MCMV in which the m152 gene was deleted, as were the corresponding virus revertants. We report on the following findings: Deletion of the m152 gene has no effect on virus replication in cell culture, whereas after infection of mice, the m152-deficient virus replicates to significantly lower virus titers. This attenuating effect is lifted by reinsertion of the gene into the mutant. Mutants and revertants grow to the same titer in animals deprived of the function targeted by the viral gene function, namely in mice deficient in β2-microglobulin, mice deficient in the CD8 molecule, and mice depleted of T cells. Upon adoptive transfer of naive lymphocytes into infected mice, the absence of the m152 gene function sensitizes the virus to primary lymphocyte control. These results prove that MHC-reactive functions protect CMVs against attack by CD8+ T lymphocytes in vivo.
127 citations
TL;DR: Peripheral blood lymphocytes of healthy pregnant women produce progesterone‐induced blocking factor (PIBF), which inhibits NK activity, which might contribute to low decidual NK activity during the first trimester of pregnancy.
Abstract: PROBLEM: During the first trimester of pregnancy, nonclassical (CD3 - , CD56 + , CD16 - , perforin [P] bright+ ) natural killer (NK) cells comprise the major decidual lymphocyte population. These cells, in spite of their high perforin content, exert a low cytolytic activity. Peripheral blood lymphocytes of healthy pregnant women produce progesterone-induced blocking factor (PIBF), which inhibits NK activity. PIBF-producing cells are likely to be present in decidua and might contribute to low decidual NK activity. METHOD OF STUDY: Decidual cells obtained from elective pregnancy termination were double labeled for CD56 and PIBF. We tested the effect of PIBF on perforin liberation by activated peripheral blood NK cells. RESULTS: Sixty percent of decidual lymphocytes were CD56 + and expressed PIBF at the same time. PIBF-treated and untreated peripheral blood NK cells were incubated with K-562 cells, and perforin content of target conjugated NK cells was detected with immunocytochemistry. PIBF treatment of peripheral blood lymphocytes significantly reduced lysis of K-562 cells. Among target bound lymphocytes in PIBF-treated samples, we found a significantly (P<0.01) higher rate of P + cells than in untreated samples. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that PIBF inhibits cytotoxicity of NK cells via a block of degranulation, and since decidual NK cells are PIBF + , it cannot be ruled out that this effect of PIBF contributes to low decidual NK activity.
119 citations
TL;DR: The CD8+ T‐cell‐dependent attenuation of a m152 deletion mutant virus proves for the first time that inhibition of antigen presentation is indeed essential for the biological fitness of CMVs in vivo.
Abstract: Summary: Cytomegaloviruses (CMVs) represent prototypic viruses of the (i-subgroup of herpesviruses, Murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) infects mice as its natural host. Among viruses, CMVs have evolved the most extensive genetic repertoire to subvert MHC class I functions. To date three MCMV proteins have been identified which affect MHC I complexes. They are encoded by members of large virus-specific gene families located at either flanking region of the 235 kb MCMV genome. The MHC I subversive genes belong to the early class of genes and code for type I transmembrane glycoproteins. The ml52-encoded 37/40 kDa glycoprotein interacts with MHC I transiently and retains class I complexes in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) Golgi intermediate compartment on its journey to the endolysosome. In contrast, the m06-encoded glycoprotein of 48 kDa complexes tightly with ternary MHC class I molecules in the ER, Due to sorting signals in its cytoplasmic tail, gp48 redirects MHC I to endolysosomal compartments for proteolytic destruction. Likewise, the 34 kDa glycoprotein encoded by mO4 binds tightly to MHC class I complexes in (he ER but the gp34/MHC I complex reaches the plasma membrane. The CD8+ T-cell-dependent attenuation of a m152 deletion mutant virus proves for the first time that inhibition of antigen presentation is indeed essential for the biological fitness of CMVs in vivo.
111 citations
TL;DR: Examination of the apical sealing ability of five root canal sealers using a fluid transport model found all five sealers produced a satisfactory seal.
Abstract: Aim The aim of this study was to examine the apical sealing ability of five root canal sealers using a fluid transport model. Methodology A comparison of root canal scalers AH26, AH Plus, Diaket, Apexit, and Ketac-Endo were tested on 60 single-rooted teeth. The coronal part of each tooth was removed at the amelo-cemento junction, and also 3 mm of the root tip. Root canals were instrumented using the 'step-back' technique with Gates Glidden drills and irrigated with 2.5% NaOCl. The specimens were divided into five groups of 10 samples each and filled with test materials and gutta-percha points by the cold lateral condensation technique. Ten teeth were used as a control group, out of which five served as negative and five as positive controls. The leakage was measured by the movement of an air bubble in a capillary glass tube connected to the experimental root section. Results The differences in leakage amongst Ketac-Endo (0.318 microL: SD 0.084), AH26 (0.319 microL; SD 0.075), AH Plus (0.330L; SD 0.085) Apexit (0.360 microL; SD 0.127) and Diaket (0.387 microL; SD 0.140) were not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Conclusions Under the conditions of this study, all five sealers produced a satisfactory seal.
69 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors developed a Croatian inventory for assessing coping strategies that people use when under stress and compared the results of the original version of the COPE with the translated Croatian version.
Abstract: The primary aim of this study was to develop a Croatian inventory for assessing coping strategies that people use when under stress. As a basis for this inventory, a translation of the multidimensional coping inventory (COPE) by Carver, Scheier and Weintraub (1989) was used. The second purpose was to compare the results of the original version of the COPE with the translated Croatian version. Three additional scales (Humour, Turning to Religion, and Drug and Alcohol Use) were also analysed. The results were obtained using a sample consisting of undergraduate students (N=403) from the University of Rijeka, Croatia. When comparing the original version of the COPE inventory with the Croatian version, a similar factor structure emerged. The differences obtained are interpreted by taking into account different sociocultural and economic conditions in Croatia and the USA. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
68 citations
TL;DR: A recent case of unborn Croatian seven twin babies, which polarized the lay public in Croatia about the question whether to grant the pregnant woman's request to maintain three fetuses, urged the need for bioethics education of the members of the existing ethics committees in hospitals and other medical facilities in Croatia.
Abstract: A recent case of unborn Croatian seven twin babies, which polarized the lay public in Croatia about the question whether to grant the pregnant woman's request to maintain three fetuses, urged the need for bioethics education of the members of the existing ethics committees in hospitals and other medical facilities in Croatia and for establishing a national bioethics commission trained and qualified to debate and make decisions about these and similar issues. Croatia is actually the only country from the former Yugoslavia which, since its idependence in 1990, "has discovered" bioethics as a new interdisciplinary science and an academic discipline, and has paid an ever increasing attention to it.
61 citations
TL;DR: It is shown by transmission electron microscopy that L. micdadei replicates within an endoplasmic reticulum (RER)-free phagosome within human macrophages, alveolar epithelial cells, and within the protozoan Hartmannella vermiformis, and in contrast to L. pneumophila, there was no significant intrapulmonary replication of L.micdadeI in the A/J mice animal model.
59 citations
TL;DR: It is shown that progesterone directly and indirectly affects perforin expression in cytolytic cells through its role as a ‘spatially aggregating force’ in the reprograming process.
Abstract: Laskarin G, Faust Zs, Strbo N, SotoSek V, Szekeres-Bartho J, Podack ER, Rukavina D. Progesterone directly and indirectly affects perforin expression in cytolytic cells. AJRI 1999; 42:312–320 © Munksgaard, Copenhagen
PROBLEM: Decidual lymphocytes (DL) expressing the cytolytic molecule perforin represent approximately 55% of DL in the first trimester of human pregnancy. Progesterone dominates this phase of pregnancy and controls the production of uterine cytokines and growth factors. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of progesterone and progesterone-induced blocking factor (PIBF) on perforin expression in DL and peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL).
METHOD OF STUDY: Perforin expression was analyzed in PBL and DL incubated either in culture medium or with decidual adherent cells (DAC) and peripheral blood adherent cells (PBAC) and their supernatants with or without progesterone or PIBF. Perforin was detected by flow cytometry in PB and in decidual first trimester pregnancy lymphocytes.
RESULTS: Progesterone in high concentrations directly affects perforin expression in DL but not in PBL. Progesterone in a concentration dependent manner indirectly blocks perforin expression in DL and PBL cultured with adherent cells or their supernatants. PIBF blocked upregulation of perforin expression of DL cultured with DAC, but none of those cultured with PBAC. Similarly, PIBF was inefficient when PBL or DL were cultured with PBAC.
CONCLUSION: Progesterone present in a high concentration locally at the maternal-fetal interface modulates perforin expression in the first trimester pregnancy DL.
54 citations
TL;DR: While the most frequent cause is glucocorticoid excess, a number of other diseases, as well as drugs and nutritional deficiencies, can cause secondary osteoporosis.
TL;DR: Addition of decidual adherent cells (DAC) to the culture ofdecidual lymphocytes (DL) prevents the downregulation of perforin expression in these cells.
Abstract: PROBLEM: We have shown that addition of decidual adherent cells (DAC) to the culture of decidual lymphocytes (DL) prevents the downregulation of perforin expression in these cells. Because DAC are a mixture of various cell populations, the aim is to analyze immunophenotypic characteristics of DAC and to determine which cell population is involved in the regulation of perforin expression. METHOD OF STUDY: First trimester pregnancy decidual cells were obtained by enzymatic tissue digestion. Decidual cells and peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) were centrifuged on Ficoll-Hypaque density gradient and cultured overnight to obtain adherent cells, which were analyzed by flow cytometry and immunocytochemically. RESULTS: Almost all peripheral blood adherent cells (PBAC) (ca 90%) expressed monocyte/macrophage markers but only 10-20% of DAC. The rest of DAC expressed markers of stromal cells. HLA-DR depleted population of DAC (stromal cells only) could not prevent downregulation of perforin expression in cultured DL and PBL. CONCLUSION: Decidual macrophages are involved in the regulation of perforin expression in DL.
TL;DR: In this article, a map of recent marine sediments and the seabed of the Kvarner region (Adriatic Sea, Croatia) is presented on a scale of 1:500 000.
Abstract: A lithological map of recent marine sediments and the seabed of the Kvarner region (Adriatic Sea, Croatia) is presented on a scale of 1:500 000. The map was compiled from existing published and unpublished data. This is an area characterised by a number of islands located between the Istrian Peninsula and the Vinodol-Velebit coast. Water depths in channels between the islands reach up to 125 m, compared to depths of 40-50 m in the open waters of the adjacent northern Adriatic. Over most of the Kvarner area, muddy and sandy sediments cover the seafloor. Mud (M) is found on the bottom in Rijeka Bay, the northern part of the Kvarner, in Kvarneric, and in the Vinodol and Velebit channels, whereas over the rest of the Kvarner region seafloor sandy mud (sM) prevails, with subordinate occurence of gravelly mud (gM). Sandy sediments, i.e. muddy sands (mS) dominate in the SW part to the open Adriatic, and west of Rab Island, in the Pag and Velebit Channels. Previous investigations indicate that the fine grained particles that are found in deeper parts of Rijeka Bay, Kvarneric, and Vinodol Channel are of recent origin, and are deposited at water depths below the wave base. Sources of these particles are local permanent and temporary streams and the direct input from weathering processes, along with input by submarine springs (vrulje) near the coast. The large areas of the bottom not covered with sediments, or covered with gravelly and sandy sediments are found above the wave base, i.e. in the erosional wave zone. Coarse-grained material is lithic and/or biogenic. However, due to the very rapid Late glacial-Holocene transgression, when sea-level rose more than a hundred metres, coarse sandy sediments are found below the recent wave base in the SW part towards the open Adriatic, and west of Rab Island, in the Pag and Velebit Channels. Therefore the sediment distribution in the Kvarner region is only partly in dynamic equilibrium with modern hydrodynamic conditions.
TL;DR: The lateral coexistence of different lipid domains in the human red blood cell membrane was investigated by employing spin-labelled phospholipid analogues and the molecular nature of those domains is discussed.
Abstract: The existence of different lipid domains in the monolayers of the human erythrocyte membrane was investigated at 4 degrees C by employing spin-labelled phospholipid analogues. Spectra of analogues located exclusively either in the exoplasmic or in the cytoplasmic leaflet of erythrocyte membranes were recorded. Spectra were simulated by variation of order parameter describing the average amplitude of motion of the long molecular axis of the nitrogen 2 p pi orbital of the spin label and of the respective correlation times. For both leaflets at least three components were required to fit the experimental spectra, differing mainly in the order parameter. While the parameters of each component are not very different between both membrane halves, the relative contribution of each component to the spectrum is different between the exoplasmic and cytoplasmic leaflet. The order parameter of the most fluid component, presumably resembling the lipid bulk phase, is smaller in the cytoplasmic leaflet in comparison to the exoplasmic one. The lateral coexistence of different lipid domains in the human red blood cell membrane is concluded. The molecular nature of those domains is discussed.
TL;DR: In this paper, the frequency dependence of spontaneous emission rate in a Fabry-Perot microcavity containing a Lorentz dielectric was studied, with emphasis on modifications of the spectrum under the circumstances of the strong medium cavity coupling, and it was shown that the spontaneous emission power spectrum consists of a multi-wave version of the familiar lowfrequency vacuum Rabi split peak and a broad structure on the high-frequency side coming from the enhanced spontaneous emission into the continuum of the obliquely propagating waves.
Abstract: We discuss the frequency dependence of the spontaneous-emission rate (power) in a Fabry-Perot microcavity containing a Lorentz dielectric, with emphasis on modifications of the spectrum under the circumstances of the strong medium-cavity coupling. With the standard-cavity tuning, the total spontaneous-emission power spectrum consists of a multiwave version of the familiar low-frequency vacuum Rabi split peak and a broad structure on the high-frequency side coming from the enhanced spontaneous emission into the continuum of the obliquely propagating waves. This form of the spectrum derives from the properties of the (single-wave) radiation-intensity spectrum of the molecule. Depending on the observation direction, the radiation-intensity spectrum exhibits either a double-peak structure characteristic of the vacuum Rabi splitting, as observed in light transmisssion and reflection experiments, or a single-peak structure describing the enhanced spontaneous emission at the corresponding cavity resonant frequency.
TL;DR: A higher intensity of oral disease is found in the non-secretor group, and the occurrence of epithelial dysplasia was found exclusively in theNon- secretor group.
Abstract: It has been demonstrated in a number of earlier studies on the aetiology and pathogenesis of certain diseases that the patients' secretor status (ABO (H) blood group antigens) may possibly be a factor influencing the development of systemic oral diseases. This likelihood has prompted the present study, to examine the differences in the saliva secretor status by comparing patients with oral pre-cancerous lesions on the one hand, and the healthy population on the other; (i) in relation to the intensity of the clinical manifestation of diseases and (ii) in relation to the intensity of epithelial dysplasia of patients with oral pre-cancerous lesions. In total 122 subjects were examined, half of whom suffered from oral pre-cancerous lesions (excluding Candida albicans in oral smears), while the other half were the healthy control group. All were subjected to clinical oral examinations and standard evaluation tests in order to establish the secretor status of their saliva. In the group of patients with oral pre-cancerous lesions (experimental group), a pathohistological examination of the oral mucosa was performed. The results have demonstrated that the large majority of the people examined in both groups were secretors and no significant difference between secretors and non-secretors was found in the comparison between the experimental group and the healthy control group. However, (i) we found a higher intensity of oral disease in the non-secretor group, and (ii) the occurrence of epithelial dysplasia was found exclusively in the non-secretor group.
TL;DR: The aim was to analyze the kinetics of P expression during in vitro culture and modulation of Pexpression by adherent cells, their supernatants and mitogen (PHA) stimulation.
Abstract: PROBLEM: Perforin (P) is a cytolytic molecule located in intracellular granules of cytotoxic lymphocytes both in the peripheral blood and decidua of pregnancy. The aim was to analyze the kinetics of P expression during in vitro culture and modulation of P expression by adherent cells, their supernatants and mitogen (PHA) stimulation. METHOD OF STUDY: P (intracellular antigen) was detected by flow cytometry in the suspension of first trimester pregnancy peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) and decidual lymphocytes (DL). RESULTS: A decrease of the percentage of P + cells was obtained after 1 hr incubation and was prevented by addition of 30% of decidual adherent cells (DAC) or their supernatants. Upregulation of P expression was obtained when, in addition to adherent cells, DL and PBL were stimulated by PHA. DAC present in the culture in physiological concentrations prevent downregulation of P expression. CONCLUSION: DAC located in the vicinity of decidual cytotoxic lymphocytes, owing to their unique ability to produce a wide range of substances on demand, contribute to the high level of P expression in the decidua of pregnancy.
TL;DR: The results demonstrate that i.c.v. injection of penicillin was associated with significant increase in the brain FFA concentration, which is not predominantly associated with a disturbance in calcium homeostasis via L-type voltage-sensitive calcium channels, but by some other membrane and/or intracellular mechanisms.
Abstract: 1. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the calcium channel blockers, nimodipine, nicardipine and amlodipine, on the brain free fatty acid (FFA) level in rats with chemically-induced seizures. 2. The study was carried out on Hannover-Wistar rats. Animals were anesthetized and placed in a stereotaxic apparatus. Each of them received an injection of penicillin (5000 IU/5 microliters) into the left lateral ventricle (i.c.v.). Various doses (1, 3, 10 or 30 mg/kg) of nimodipine, nicardipine or amlodipine had been injected i.p. 30 min before the penicillin application. The rats were decapitated 5 min after the occurrence of epileptic seizures. FFAs were quantified by gas chromatography using the internal standard method. 3. The results demonstrate that i.c.v. injection of penicillin was associated with significant increase in the brain FFA concentration. Tested doses of nicardipine and amlodipine did not influence the increase of the brain free palmitic, stearic, oleic and arachidonic acid level while nimodipine prevented the accumulation of free palmitic, oleic and arachidonic acid in rats with penicillin-induced seizures. Statistically insignificant decrease of steric acid was observed in animals pretreated with nimodipine. 4. It maybe assumed that the brain FFA accumulation caused by i.c.v. penicillin administration is not predominantly associated with a disturbance in calcium homeostasis via L-type voltage-sensitive calcium channels, but by some other membrane and/or intracellular mechanisms.
TL;DR: The case of a woman who introduced 20 mL of diquat concentrate intravaginally was reported in this paper, where abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, burning chest pains, and somnolence appeared within the first 24 hours.
Abstract: Case Report: We report the case of a woman who introduced 20 mL of diquat concentrate intravaginally. Abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, burning chest pains, and somnolence appeared within the first 24 hours. The vulva and vagina were corrosively inflamed. Acute renal failure appeared on the third day and was treated by 6 hemodialyses over 6 days. The patient was dysarthric with spastic tetraparesis for 3 months. The electroencephalogram, diffusely slow on day 3, was normal on day 28. The electromyoneurogram was normal at all times. Biopsy of a peripheral nerve performed on day 57 following intoxication showed no myelin or axonal alterations.
TL;DR: Women without aCollege education were significantly less likely than those with a college education to be aware of Down syndrome prior to pregnancy and many of them reported being unaware of it even after they had been counseled and tested.
Abstract: Objectives: This study was undertaken to assess women’s self-reported awareness of Down syndrome before they became pregnant and after they were supposedly informed about screening.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors proposed a new approach to sensitivity analysis and can result in sufficient and necessary conditions on the changes which do not alter the efficiency of DMUs, however, in certain instances the results presented by Zhu do not hold.
TL;DR: In this paper, the extent to which university teaching is respected in Croatia higher education was examined based on 15 criteria, which showed that teachers and students differ substantially in their view of quality as applied to an ideal form of teaching and a real form, i.e. what actually happen at university.
Abstract: This paper examines the extent to which university teaching is respected in Croatia higher education. The results of the assessment, which is based on our analyses of 15 criteria, show that teachers and students (203 teachers and 469 students) differ substantially in their view of quality as applied to an ‘ideal’ form of teaching and a ‘real’ form, i.e. what actually happen at university. The tests (Wilcoxon matched pairs test and Mann‐Whitney U ‐test) show that teachers assess the quality of actual teaching at university higher than students, and that the differences between teachers and students, regarding some of the criteria, could be called radical (for example, concerns about the fairness of teachers' assessment and their readiness to help).
TL;DR: According to the experience the Lich-Gregoir antireflux method does not give good postoperative results in patients with greatly dilated and aperistaltic ureter (megacystis-megaureter type), while all other examples show a high percentage of postoperative success.
Abstract: In the period between January 1980 and December 1990 we had applied the operative Lich-Gregoir antireflux method on 166 patients, all of whom were children and adolescents, and performed 275 antireflux surgical procedures. The application of the above mentioned method on our patients yielded a success of 97.8%. There have been no intraoperative complications which would affect the ultimate successful result of this antireflux operative method. However, early postoperative complications occurred in two of our patients, causing infection of the wound, which resulted in further ureter stenoses. Recurrent reflux occurred in 4 (2.2%) and the stenoses also in other 4 (2.2%) operated ureters. The follow-up lasted from 4 up to 14 years. We added our personal detail to the original Lich-Gregoir antireflux method considering it to be a further improvement in achieving better results. We fixed the ureter to the detrusor with additional stitches in the newly formed hiatus, i.e. at the exit of the ureter out of the new submucous canal. The possibility of arousing postoperative paraostial diverticula is thus avoided, enabling us, at the same time, to enhance the newly formed ureteral hiatus in the detrusor. In this way the possibility of postoperative ureter stenoses is reduced. According to our experience the above mentioned antireflux method does not give good postoperative results in patients with greatly dilated and aperistaltic ureter (megacystis-megaureter type), while all other examples show a high percentage of postoperative success.
12 Jul 1999
TL;DR: The parts of the system which are used for Slovenian dialogs are described in more detail, and some results with respect to word accuracy, semantic accuracy and dialog success rate are shown.
Abstract: We present the architecture of a multilingual spoken dialog system. The system was developed within the Copernicus project, Spoken Queries in European Languages (SQEL). Such a system is capable of handling dialogs with users in Czech, German, Slovak and Slovenian languages. The modules of the multilingual system are presented. The parts of the system which are used for Slovenian dialogs are described in more detail, and some results with respect to word accuracy, semantic accuracy and dialog success rate are shown.
TL;DR: The T‐cell antigen receptor (TCR) has been reported to be down‐regulated on T‐cells in the decidualized endometrium in early pregnancy.
Abstract: PROBLEM: The T-cell antigen receptor (TCR) has been reported to be down-regulated on T-cells in the decidualized endometrium in early pregnancy.
METHOD OF STUDY: The expression of CD3ζ, a component of the TCR complex, has been investigated in human first-trimester decidual T-cells using flow cytometric analysis of permeabilized cells.
RESULTS: Levels of CD3ζ expression were significantly lower in decidual than in peripheral T-cells from non-pregnant women, as assessed by mean fluorescence intensity (4.2 vs. 5.5. logarithmic scale, P 0.1). CD3ζ was not substantially down-regulated systemically as mean cytoplasmic CD3ζ levels did not differ significantly between peripheral blood T-cells from pregnant women and non-pregnant controls (P > 0.2). CD8+ cells outnumber CD4+ cells in decidua, but neither the proportions of these two T-cell subsets positive for cytoplasmic CD3ζ nor the mean levels of CD3ζ were significantly different.
CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that human decidual T-cells do not greatly down-regulate CD3ζ, but it is unclear if a small decrease in mean levels may be sufficient to compromise their capacity for activation.
TL;DR: The thoracodorsal artery was used as a free conduit for left anterior descending artery (LAD) in a 58-year-old female for the second revascularization and the perioperative course was uneventful and the graft can be recommended as an alternative for such cases.
Abstract: Arterial myocardial revascularization using different arterial conduits as mammary, radial, gastroepiploic, subscapular and epigastric arteries are well documented. This report describes a preparation and use of thoracodorsal artery as a free graft for coronary artery bypass grafting. The preparation and removal of thoracodorsal artery were performed through right axilla. The artery was used as a free conduit for left anterior descending artery (LAD) in a 58-year-old female for the second revascularization. The saphenous veins, mammary arteries, right radial artery and epigastric artery were not available. The perioperative course was uneventful and we can recommend the graft as an alternative for such cases.
Journal Article•
TL;DR: Clinical follow-up, as well as echocardiography and bronchoscopy, have yielded normal results 14 months after surgery, and there is no other report in the literature of a patient with this combination of anomalies.
Abstract: We report the clinical course of a 6-month-old girl with recurrent infection of the left lung, persistent wheezing, and a suspected congenital heart anomaly (patent ductus arteriosus. Chest radiography revealed hyperinflation and slight inflammation of the left lung. Tracheobronchoscopy and left-sided bronchography showed a collapsed segment of the left main bronchus, 3 cm long. Computed tomography confirmed hyperinflation of the left lung and atelectasis of the superior lobe. There were no signs of extramural compression. Color-flow Doppler echocardiography confirmed the suspicion of patent ductus arteriosus. To the best of our knowledge, there is no other report in the literature of a patient with this combination of anomalies. After receiving 2 weeks of antibiotic treatment, the patient underwent surgical repair The patent ductus arteriosus was closed by means of a triple-ligature procedure, and during the same operation a bronchopexy was performed, securing the left main bronchus to the closed ductus tissue by means of sutures. There have been no complications in the postoperative period. Clinical follow-up, as well as echocardiography and bronchoscopy, have yielded normal results 14 months after surgery.
TL;DR: In this paper, the polaron wave function and ground-state energy of a Wigner lattice was analyzed in the extended small-polaron theory, which is based on the complete set of Wannier functions.
Abstract: We analyze the polaron in a Wigner lattice, i.e., the interaction of an external electron with electrons in a quasi-two-dimensional Wigner crystal, configured on a dielectric layer with a metallic substrate. Particular attention is paid to the dynamics of the system and to the electron-phonon interaction. The polaron wave function and ground-state energy of the system are calculated in the extended small-polaron theory. The theory is based on the complete set of Wannier functions, which enables us to treat also the polaron dispersion and the first correction to the standard polaron self-energy. We also discuss the T=0 Wigner phase transition, i.e., melting of the electron lattice due to increased electron density. The general agreement with the results obtained previously within the Schrodinger-Rayleigh perturbation theory is good, but also we found some significant differences. The new calculations show that (i) the polaron dispersion is significant at all electron densities and in most cases it resembles the dispersion of lattice electrons; (ii) the critical density parameter rc for a Wigner phase transition in a high density region is close to the value rc≈40 predicted for a strictly two-dimensional Wigner lattice, regardless of the dielectric layer thickness.
TL;DR: In the exponential growth phase fatty acid moiety of ceramides was characterized by unusually high degree of unsaturation and relatively high proportion of odd-numbered fatty acids, however, the proportion of both, unsaturated and odd- numbered fatty acid decreased significantly in ceramide of the stationary phase.