Biomedical subjects

Katarina Vilović

Publications and source records attributed to Katarina Vilović.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2005

Cell death in developing human spinal cord.

Cell death in the developing human spinal cord was investigated in 5-12 week human conceptuses using immunohistochemical and TUNEL methods. Expression of pro-apoptotic (Fas-receptor, caspase-3) and anti-apoptotic (bcl-2) markers and marker for internucleosomal fragmentation (TUNEL) were analysed in the cranial and caudal parts of the human spinal cord. In early developmental stages (5-6 weeks) of the cranial spinal cord, bcl-2 positive cells were seen in the ventricular zone and in the roof plate, while in the caudal part they were seen surrounding the central lumen. Subsequently, bcl-2 expression appeared in the basal plates of the grey matter and in the spinal ganglia, and from the seventh week on they also appeared in the intermediate horn of the grey matter. In the fetal period, bcl-2 expression appeared in the dorsal horns of the grey matter (9 weeks) but ceased in the ventricular zone (12 weeks) . In the trunk region, TUNEL-positive cells were found in ventricular and mantle zones along the whole length of the spinal cord. Caspase-3 positive cells and Fas-receptor positive cells appeared only in the grey matter of the cranial segments (head and trunk) of the spinal cord, but they were missing in the caudal parts. Caspase-3 dependant pathway, probably activated by Fas-receptor, seems to operate only in the cranial part of the human spinal cord. In the caudal (sacrococcygeal and tail) parts, cells seem to die by caspase-3 independent pathway. The interplay of pro-apoptotic and anti-apoptotic factors may be associated with cranial spinal cord morphogenesis, adjustment of cells number and selective survival of neurons, while in the caudal regions these factors cause massive cell death associated with regression of the caudal spinal cord.

Apoptosis↗

PubMed2005

Apoptosis and active caspase-3 expression in human granulosa cells.

OBJECTIVE: To document the expression of activated forms of caspase-3 in human granulosa cells. DESIGN: Laboratory study. SETTING: In vitro fertilization (IVF) laboratory of the Split University Hospital and laboratory of the Department of Anatomy, Histology, and Embryology. PATIENT(S): Ovarian tissues were obtained from women undergoing hysterectomy/ovariectomy for benign conditions and human granulosa cells were obtained from women undergoing oocyte retrieval for IVF. INTERVENTION(S): Immunostaining of tissue sections and cell smears using antibody to active caspase-3 and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT) assay (TUNEL) for detection of internucleosomal DNA fragmentation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Microscopic evaluation to assess the presence and cellular co-localization of active caspase-3 and TUNEL-positive cells. RESULT(S): In human ovarian tissue, no apoptosis was observed in primordial and primary follicles. Apoptosis in granulosa cells was detected only in atretic antral follicles. Granulosa cells classified as apoptotic on the basis of their morphologic features contained a single condensed nucleus, multiple nuclear fragments, or apoptotic bodies. All apoptotic granulosa cells expressed active caspase-3, but only few contained fragmented DNA detected with the TUNEL method. The expression of active caspase-3 was also demonstrated in human granulosa cells of preovulatory follicles obtained from patients undergoing IVF. CONCLUSION(S): Caspase-3 dependent apoptosis occurs in human granulosa cells and activates when follicles begin to leave the resting pool. After initial formation of the antrum, activation of caspase-3 is a normal physiologic process of the follicle during atresia and luteinization. Higher numbers of granulosa cells positive with caspase-3 than cells positive with TUNEL suggest an earlier activation of caspase-3 compared with the DNA fragmentation detected by TUNEL assay and also a longer detection period of caspase-3 than DNA fragmentation in apoptotic granulosa cells.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

The gynaecological-obstetrical practice of the renaissance physician Amatus Lusitanus (Dubrovnik, 1555-1557).

OBJECTIVE: A gynaecological-obstetrical causation review in Dubrovnik from 1555 to 1557. Extract from the book "Curationum Medicinalium Centuriae V et VI" Amatus Lusitanus. METHOD: A thorough life and work archive study of Amatus Lusitanus has been made and, for this review, extracted his gynaecological-obstetrical causation observations and annotations. RESULTS: Amatus Lusitanus was an undisputed, reputable and respected medical figure during the mid 16th century. He decisively focused on intern medicine, incorporating the gynaecological-obstetrical field. His work and skill, most assuredly, contributed to the better comprehension, acknowledgement and reputation of the gynaecological-obstetrical practice, thus leaving repute and respect in medical history latitude. CONCLUSION: All these cases occurred in Dubrovnik during 1555-1557 and Amatus is assuredly an excellent observer and exactist, extracting the "relevant from the non-relevant" even in Dubrovnik's gynaecological-obstetrical daily happenings. He thoughtfully concludes his inability to remedy a malignant, advanced illness of the uterus, presumes an utero-vesico-intestinal fistula and openly speaks of medical ineptness of this causation. Proud of his invention in treating "contracted nipples"; correct in his advice and recommendations of "long and difficult births". Impartial in his perception of puerperal sepsis and its unfavourable pathology outcome. His description of "hormone insufficiency" is concise and precise; the preferred procedure in an "abortus in tractu" is purposeful and meaningful. He closely works with other physicians living and working in Dubrovnik; conscientiously directing surgeons in procedures of stillborn child births. He explains and treats pyschosexual disturbances "without fault" and in concurrence with, not only, the contemporary knowledge of such sexual disturbances, but also in concurrence with contemporary psychiatric procedures that, even today, are applied in such pathology treatment.

Croatia↗