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Biomedical subjects

D Kovacević

Publications and source records attributed to D Kovacević.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Loss of heterozygosity of DPC4 tumor suppressor gene in human sporadic colon cancer.

We investigated the prevalence of DPC4 loss of heterozygosity in sporadic colorectal cancer. Thirty-six cases of human sporadic colon carcinoma and corresponding normal tissue samples were examined to evaluate loss of heterozygosity at the DPC4 tumor suppressor locus using variable nucleotide tandem repeat (VNTR) analysis and three polymorphic markers. From 36 analyzed samples 35 (97%) were heterozygous or informative. Loss of heterozygosity at the DPC4 locus was detected in 18 (51%) of informative tumor DNAs. The DPC4 LOH was more frequent in smaller tumors (<5 cm) than in larger ones. There was no correlation between DPC4 LOH and age or sex of patients. There was a negative correlation between DPC4 LOH and histological grade or Dukes' stage of tumors, but without statistic significance. Observed results are in agreement with the view that malignant progression is consequence of many genetic changes. It can be concluded that inactivation of the DPC4 gene plays a role in a multistep process of outgrowth and progression of colon cancer.

Aged↗

Effect of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug indomethacin on proliferation and apoptosis of colon carcinoma cells.

PURPOSE: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs lower the incidence of and mortality from colon cancer. In this paper, we present the effect of indomethacin on growth inhibition and alterations in the expression of several genes involved in cell cycle and apoptosis in CaCo-2 colon adenocarcinoma cells. METHODS: We used the MTT test to evaluate the effect of indomethacin on the proliferation rate of colon cancer and normal fibroblast cells in vitro. The expression of c-myc oncoprotein and p53 and p27 suppressor proteins was examined using the immunocytochemical method. RESULTS: We have shown that indomethacin reduces the proliferation rate of CaCo-2 colon cancer cells (up to 60% at the concentration of 4 x 10(-4) M), alters their morphology, and induces cell death by apoptosis. The most pronounced inhibitory effect was observed at the concentration of 6 x 10(-4) M where the growth was completely suppressed. However, the growth of normal fibroblasts (Hef 522) was much less inhibited (about 30% of inhibition at the concentration of 6 x 10(-4) M). Indomethacin reduces the proliferation rate and induces apoptosis in CaCo-2 colon cancer cells through enhanced expression of c-myc, p53, and p27 proteins. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report about p27-increased expression in colon carcinoma cells induced by indomethacin treatment. Increased expression of p27 represents a new mechanism of apoptosis in cells treated with NSAIDs (indomethacin). This effect probably contributes to the anti-proliferative effect on colon cancer cells in vitro.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Kineziographic research of patients with cross bite.

The paper describes the use of an objective method for the quantitative analysis of the relationship between the posterior cross-bite and the occurrence of occlusive interferences and damages to the mandible muscle elevator. Two groups of subjects were selected for the analysis: 10 patients with unilateral cross-bite and 10 students without any symptoms of temporomandibular disorders (TMD). By means of the Robert Jenkelson K5A kinesiograph we measured maximal opening velocity of the mandible (mm/s), maximal-closing velocity (mm/s), first tooth contact velocity and displacement in the vertical plane at the maximal intercuspidation (mm). The following values were obtained: maximal-opening velocity in the first group was 349 mm/s and 380 mm/s in the control group. This difference was incidental. The maximal closing velocity in the study group was 204.9 and 345.2 in the control group (p < 0.05). The first tooth contact velocity in the study group was 75.93 and 325 in the control group (p < 0.01). Displacements in the vertical plane at the maximal intercuspidation in the investigated group was 0.24 +/- 0.01 mm, while in control group that value was 0.12 +/- 0.012 mm.

Adolescent↗

Loss of heterozygosity of APC and DCC tumor suppressor genes in human sporadic colon cancer.

We examined 36 cases of human sporadic colon carcinoma and corresponding normal tissue samples to evaluate loss of heterozygosity at the APC and DCC tumor suppressor genes loci using restriction fragment length polymorphism polymerase chain reaction and variable nucleotide tandem repeat analysis. Observed informativity was 83% for APC and 75% for DCC. DNA from 6 (20%) of 30 informative tumors exhibited loss of heterozygosity at the APC locus. Loss of heterozygosity at the DCC locus was observed in 7 (26%) of 27 informative tumor DNAs. Our results support the view that malignant progression is a consequence of more than one genetic change and suggest that inactivation of APC and DCC genes plays a role in a multistep process of colon tumor progression.

Adenocarcinoma↗

[Radiographic analysis of condyle position in patients with TMJ dysfunctions].

Decreased joint space is one of the basical radiographic signs of joint disease and correlation with crepitus the real clinical symptom of structural joint damage. The aim of this investigation is to find out if there is any correlation between the intrajoint condyle position and joint dysfunction symptomatology, by means of TMJ tomography evaluation. Among the patients with characteristic symptoms of TMJ dysfunction examined in our Departments, a group of hundred were tomographed (Polytom--Philips-Massiot). Thirty students not showing any anamnestic or clinical symptoms formed the control group. In the evaluation of radiographic findings we accepted the static relation between condyle and glenoid fossa in the maximal intercuspal position, where the joint space was divided in three almost equal parts. The radiographic findings of the relationship between condyle and glenoid fossa in the maximal intercuspal position are presented on with the intention of establishing the most characteristic differences between the groups. The statistical elaboration has been carried out by multivariante analysis of variance. The characteristic radiographic findings in our group of patient are: --excentric condyle position, --posterior condyle displacement and --marked asymmetry. Therefore, these findings represent efficient aid in TMJ dysfunction diagnosis, and show direction for repositioning of condyle in therapy dysfunction.

Adult↗

[Clinical and immunologic aspects of chlamydial infections in infertile women].

UNLABELLED: Chlamydia Trachomatis (CT) infection of the genital tract ranges from clinically severe to the silent subclinical forms of pelvic inflammatory diseases which can result in fallopian tubes obstruction and subsequent infertility. Our investigations: The serum antichlamydial antibodies of 30 infertile patients and the cultures of Chlamydia Trachomatis from specimens of endometrial biopsies were determined as well as HSG and laparoscopic examinations. METHODOLOGY: The evaluation of serum antichlamydial antibodies were measured by ELISA test. The endometrial specimens for culture of Chlamydia Trachomatis were collected transcervically from the uterine cavity. The statistical analyses were calculated on the basis of Student t test. RESULTS: Immunological determinations showed the presence of antichlamydial antibodies in 43.6%. The endometrial cultures yielded growth of CT (36.6%) and histological signs of chlamydial endometritis were also discovered. This study pointed to the positive correlation between the results of endometrial biopsies (cultures), immunological (serological) investigations and clinical examinations showing that the chlamydial infection reached the Fallopian tubes from the endometrium which could result in infertility.

Chlamydia Infections↗

Primary hypertrophic osteoarthropathy (PHO) and changes in the joints. Clinical, X-ray, scintigraphic, arteriographic and histologic examination of 19 patients.

Nineteen patients with PHO with onset in childhood are presented. In 7 cases the syndrome was found in other family members too. In clinical, X-ray scintigraphic, arteriographic, and plethysmographic investigations, joint affection was found in 14 patients. Clubbing of the fingers and toes was seen in all the patients and a periosteal reaction was found in the long bones in 11 patients. Arteriography was carried out in 5 patients and showed hypervascularization and arteriovenous anastomoses in the clubbed fingers. The gas analysis of the arterial blood did not show any pathological changes. The histological finding showed poorly vascularized and oedematous periarticular tissue and ossification in the periosteal area, while in the synovial membrane, slight, nonspecific inflammatory changes were seen.

Adult↗