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Biomedical subjects

V Nikolić

Publications and source records attributed to V Nikolić.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Myocardial bridging of the left anterior descending coronary artery in monkey hearts.

The presence of myocardial bridges over the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) has been studied in 55 monkey (Cercopithecus aethiops) hearts. The resemblance between the Cercopithecus LAD and the one in humans has been revealed. Cercopithecus LAD was the most frequently (70.9%) overbridged artery. The bridges were usually single. Only in 2 hearts (3.6%) LAD was overbridged by 2 MB. Their length varies from 0.5 mm to 31.6 mm (average 11.7 mm). No statistically significant sexual differences in the incidence and length of MB have been reported. Atherosclerotic lesions have been reported in overbridged parts of the vessel as well as in the subepicardial ones. Intimate correlation between the presence of myocardial bridges and atherosclerosis could not be suggested.

Animals↗

Locus ceruleus and immunity. I. Suppression of plaque-forming cell response and antibody production in rats with lesioned locus ceruleus.

Earlier research had demonstrated that lesions placed in different brain structures may alter the immune responsiveness. Norepinephrine is one of neurotransmitters which plays a role in immune reactions, and the locus ceruleus represents the largest group of norepinephrine-containing neurons in the brain. The present study concerns, therefore, the relationship between the locus ceruleus and humoral immune reactions. For this purpose, rats with electrolytically induced lesions in locus ceruleus were used in the study. Locus ceruleus-lesioned animals showed a decreased ability to produce hemolysin-releasing cells, hemagglutinins, and antibodies to bovine serum albumin. In brain-lesioned rats, thymus tended to the smaller in size, and there was a depletion of CD4+ helper/inducer lymphocyte population in the peripheral blood.

Agglutinins↗

Locus ceruleus and immunity. II. Suppression of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis and hypersensitivity skin reactions in rats with lesioned locus ceruleus.

Rats with lesions restricted to the locus ceruleus were tested for immune inflammatory reactions. In these rats, Arthus and delayed skin hypersensitivity reactions to bovine serum albumin and old tuberculin were suppressed. The ablation of locus ceruleus completely inhibited the development of clinical signs of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis, markedly diminished the occurrence and intensity of lesions in the central nervous system, and significantly reduced the production of antibody against the rat brain myelin basic protein. These results establish a link between the locus ceruleus and immune inflammatory reactions in the rat.

Animals↗

Brain-applied magnetic fields and immune response: role of the pineal gland.

In an attempt to clarify the mechanisms underlying immunopotentiation induced by prolonged exposure of the rat brain to static magnetic fields, and to evaluate the role of the pineal gland in that phenomenon, experiments were carried out on the following groups of adult rats (maintained under a 12 hr light/12 hr dark photoperiod): pinealectomized rats (Px); rats with micromagnets implanted to the occipito-parietal region of the skull (M); rats pinealectomized and implanted with micromagnets to the skull (PxM); sham-pinealectomized rats with non-magnetic beads implanted to the occipito-parietal area of the skull (ShPxMx); and intact controls (IC). Twenty-one days after surgery, animals of all groups were immunized with sheep red blood cells and tested for plaque forming cell (PFC) response and serum hemagglutinin level. Humoral immune reactions decreased significantly in Px rats, while increased markedly in M rats in comparison to the ShPxMx and IC controls. Compromised immune function induced by pinealectomy was restored by prolonged exposure of the brain to magnetic fields (PxM rats). Thus reconstituted immune responsiveness in PxM rats reached the level observed in controls, but was lower than that in M rats. The results imply that magnetic fields applied to the rat brain may exert their immunoenhancing activity in the absence of the pineal gland. However, this activity of magnetic fields is more pronounced in the presence of the pineal organ. The latter finding suggests the involvement of the pineal in the immunopotentiation induced by magnetic fields, but does not imply that magnetic fields operate solely via the pineal gland.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

[Habituation and effects of protein synthesis blockers on neuronal activity in the cerebral sensorimotor cortex in rabbits].

The investigation of brain functions has been for many years an exciting and at the same time a very complex and enigmatic domain of research. In our experiments we followed the occurrence of habituation, a simple form of learning, during a peripheral light stimulation, in sensorimotor cortex neurons of rabbits. In the majority of the mature neurons habituation occurred with repeated light stimulations with same features, while in immature rabbits it was less frequently observed and was slower. Since in basic patterns of habituation and learning, cell protein plays a significant role, we followed the effects of protein synthesis blockers in the process of training and electrogenesis. Microiontophoretic application of actinomycin D and cyclohexamide compromised the occurrence of habituation in high number of registered neurons, while the application of a neurotransmitter, acetyl choline, promoted habituation in the sensorimotor brain cortex neurons of immature experimental animals.

Acetylcholine↗

[The effect of homocarnosine on neuronal activity during satiation and starvation].

We investigated effects of homocarnosine (gamma-aminobutyric-histidine) dipeptid on neuron nucleus caudatus and hypocampus activity in small and hungry experimental animals--awake grown-up rabbits. In the given conditions, through glass microelectrodes having several channels, an extracellular registration of impulse discharge was performed as well as the microapplication of homocarnosine (HC) in the immediate surroundings of registered neurons. The obtained results show that the investigated different functional conditions of the organism are manifested in the neurons' activity of the investigated brain structures. Homocarnosine represses the activity of most registered neurons in both satiated and hungry experimental animals, while that effect is more manifested in satiated animals. The demonstrated effects of homocarnosine point to its probable neuromediator role.

Action Potentials↗

[Epidemiologic characteristics of Lyme borreliosis in Vojvodina].

In the period 1988-1992 in the region of Vojvodina diseases caused by Borrelia burgdorferi were investigated for the first time. This investigation encompassed 398 persons with tick bites. There were 340 clinically healthy and 58 affected by Lyme borreliosis. Lyme borreliosis was registered in all age groups. The youngest patient was 5 and the oldest 75. Erythema migrans, clinical disease marker, was found in 94.8% of affected persons. Rheumatic disorders--arthralgiae were found in 3.5% and Sclerodermia circumscripta in 1.7%. Antibodies to Borrelia burgdorferi antigen were found in 46.9% of 32 patients tested by IFA test. In 55 (94.8%) patients the infestion took place in region of Vojvodina.

Adolescent↗

Structural analysis of the mandible by quantitative computed tomography.

The study presents quantitative computed tomography (QCT) as a noninvasive method for analyzing the inner bone structure. Randomly selected mandibles from the osteological collection of the "Drago Perović" Institute of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Zagreb were CT-scanned in five bone areas. Analyzing the densitometry curve in two horizontal levels the relation between the compact and spongy bone and the total amount of bone substance in each area were determined. The smallest bone quantity was found in the area of the neck and angle of the mandible, the areas of most frequent bone fractures. The alveolar part of the bone, apart from the area of the angle, was considerably less thick than the base of the mandible. The compact bone was predominant in all CT-scans.

Adult↗

[The effect of clonazepam on experimental epilepsy induced by electrostimulation].

The investigations were aimed at the study of effects of preparations which belong to the benzodiazepine group-Clonazepam (CZ), on total bioelectric activity (EEG) and epileptic discharge induced by electrostimulation of the hippocampus in the experimental animals (awake adult rabbits). Clonazepam was administered both intramuscularly (i.m.) and intravenously (i.v.) at a dose of 0.2-2.5 mg/kg of the body mass. The obtained results show that the administration of clonazepam prolongs the duration and the arrangement of the spindle in the bioelectric activity in rabbits and stops epileptic attacks of the grand mal type.

Animals↗

[Hereditary sensory-motor polyneuropathy. Case report and problems in differential diagnosis].

The study reports a family in which three children were found to have marked sensory-motor polyneuropathy. Clinical investigations revealed a recessive hereditary form of highly progredient mostly motor polyneuropathy with atrophy and weakness of distal muscle groups and electrophysiologic evidence of neurogenic lesion-delayed neural conduction. Apart from the peripheral nerves, clinical examination and additional investigations showed that the degenerative process encompassed central nerve system structures, posterior bundles of the spinal cord, spinal cerebral pathways, cerebellum and cerebrum (cerebral sings, mental retardation, epilepsy, brain atrophy on CT, increased IGG in the liquor are present). Although clinical and electrophysiological analyses suggest type III HSMN, muscle and nerve biopsy, as well as additional diagnostic methods broaden the differential diagnostic range toward other forms of hereditary polyneuropathy, whose differentiation in practice is, in spite of clear diagnostic criteria, rather difficult, due to the presence of its transitive forms.

Adolescent↗

Follow-up of the intracranial supernumerary tooth.

A rare case of an intracranially located supernumerary tooth was described, observed over a period of 14 years, where movement was established laterally in relation to the referent Carthesian coordinate system, down and forward with rotation around the anteroposterior axis. During skull growth, the skull base angle changed by 20 degrees, but this movement only affected the change in tooth position slightly. During the observation period, no further changes in the neurological findings were observed.

Child, Preschool↗

Haemolytic-uraemic syndrome associated with Aeromonas hydrophila enterocolitis.

Haemolytic-uraemic syndrome (HUS) associated with Aeromonas hydrophila enterocolitis is reported in a 23-month-old female infant. The A. hydrophila strain isolated from the patient's stool sample produced cytotoxin against verocells; increasing levels of cytotoxin-neutralizing antibody in the patient's sera were demonstrated, suggesting a recent infection. This report indicates that A. hydrophila should be suspected as a possible cause of HUS, and that this pathogen should be looked for in cases of post-diarrhoeal HUS.

Aeromonas↗

[Social factors related to deficient mental development].

The authors examine the outer-social factors which contribute and sometimes even lead to insufficient mental development. In the first place, they point out that the children of socially inferior surroundings are underfed, then, that during pregnancy, the mother of a poor environment is not only underfed, but also subjected to a series of physical strains of hard labor, and to maltreating as well. Apart from that, social inferiority is also expressed through the lack of information and the unpreparedness of the pregnant woman for childbirth, as well as for childbirth outside of organized delivery facilities. A special emphasis is placed on the unfavorable social factors in the postpartal period, which are expressed through the bad nursing, feeding and health care of the newborn. In further discourse, also considered are the immediate influences of social inferiority on the child at the time of starting school. Finally, the authors point to the possibilities of preventing unfavorable sociogenetic factors.

Child↗

Influence of teeth loss on morphometric characteristics of the maxilla.

Using Martin and Saller's method in analyzing 90 skulls which belonged to adults of both sexes established are twelve basic morphometric characteristics of maxillas in the recent population of Croatia. Presented are differences in the morphology of dentate and edontulous jaws. Morphometric characteristics of maxillas in the recent population of Croatia do not significantly differ from maxillar characteristics of other white ethnic groups of the same absolute age. By the change of biomechanical conditions and interaction of forces caused by the loss of teeth, reabsorption of bones occurs. The alveolar process atrophies the first, causing the reduction in the maxillar length and width in the molar, as well as in the anterior part of the bone. Although the width of the palate is constant, the reduction of its length occurs. The foramen infraorbitale approaches the alveolar margin of the bone due to the reabsorption of the alveolar ridge, but its distance from the orbital edge gets reduced too, due to the overall atrophy the bone. Advancing of age, if not accompanied with the loss of teeth, does not significantly influence morphometric characteristics of the maxilla.

Adult↗

[Post-vaccination reactions and complications of pertussis, diphtheria and tetanus vaccines].

Clinical manifestation of postvaccinal reactions and complications and the presence of sensibilizating antibodies to certain components of the applied vaccines was analyzed in 80 children immunized by Di-Te-Per, Di-Te or Te vaccine. Most children showed a mild reaction; concerning statistical significance it was most frequently limited to the site of the vaccine application if the immunization was performed by Di-Te and Te vaccines, as compared to the immunization by Di-Te-Per vaccine. Indirect basophil degranulation test revealed that 50% of the analyzed reactions were of allergic origin. Sensibilizating antibodies to pertussis antigen are statistically significantly more frequent than to other vaccinal antigens (diphtheria and tetanus toxoids) and additives contained in the vaccines (methiolate, sodium benzoate).

Child↗

[The "Cradle" yesterday, today and tomorrow].

On the occasion of the 250th anniversary of the organized health care of the city of Subotica, the authors present the development as well as the present functions of the establishment for the care of little children, which exists for 100 years already and is undoubtedly meritorious for the people of this region, justifying it's existence since the time of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. This establishment has gone through many stages and hardships always sharing the destiny of the people it served. Today, it is a contemporary social institution with an extended service for the care of handicapped children also, now situated in a specially constructed building, but nevertheless with a whole array of problems, primarily of a financial nature, which are otherwise present in the whole of our society. The authors predict the further development of the institution from the standpoint of an already proven social benefit, and further on as an establishment for the care of small children, but with polyvalentness and elastic programs which will be a demand of the 21st century and of the exceptional dynamics of future human relations.

Child Health Services↗

[Methodology in studying laterality in developmental neuropsychiatry].

The extent of literature and research dedicated to the laterality of cerebral functions and it's relation towards peripheral laterality gives the impression that this problem is precisely determined to a greater extent. The fact that can be accepted by the examination of literature is that the relation behavior (in the sense of acting)--brain (in the sense of a material determination of behavior itself) cannot be accepted as precisely determined or according to definition, not by nature nor by the mechanism of establishing this relation. From the perspective of the clinical viewpoint of the meaning of left-handedness the most acceptable is the theory of Satz Orsini and Sopper from 1986 in which they consider that non-righthanded people present a heterogenous group with a few individual sub-types: pathological lefthanded persons; ambivalent persons, in other words, ambidexters and the group of lefthanded persons by nature. On the basis of present neuropsychological research and in accordance with the psycho-neuro-vegetative approach to the semiotics of the developmental age of Popov et al., a complete battery is given which enables the neuropsychological analysis according to Orzbut's principals.

Dominance, Cerebral↗