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Biomedical subjects

Z Jaksić

Publications and source records attributed to Z Jaksić.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

A microplate assay for DNA damage determination (fast micromethod).

A rapid and convenient procedure for DNA damage determination in cell suspensions and solid tissues on single microplates was developed. The procedure is based on the ability of commercially available fluorochromes to interact preferentially with dsDNA in the presence of ssDNA, RNA, and proteins at high pH (>12.0), thus allowing direct measurements of DNA denaturation without sample handling or stepwise DNA separations. The method includes a simple and rapid 40-min sample lysis in the presence of EDTA, SDS, and high urea concentration at pH 10, followed by time-dependent DNA denaturation at pH 12.4 after NaOH addition. The time course and the extent of DNA denaturation is followed in a microplate fluorescence reader at room temperature for less than 1 h. The method requires only 30 ng DNA per single well and could conveniently be used whenever fast analysis of DNA integrity in small samples has to be done, e.g., in patients' lymphocytes after irradiation or chemotherapy (about 3000 cells per sample), in solid tissues or biopsies after homogenization (about 25 microg tissue per well), or in environmental samples for genotoxicity assessment.

Animals↗

Albuminuria, cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in diabetic and non-diabetic subjects in a rural general practice.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to estimate the frequency of albuminuria in patients with and without diabetes mellitus, answering the question: 'How relevant for general practice are epidemiological findings that albuminuria is a significant risk indicator for the development of cardiovascular syndromes?'. METHOD: The relationship between albuminuria and vascular disease was studied in two groups of subjects: one group consisted of 138 patients with diabetes mellitus and the other of 160 patients without diabetes, randomly selected from a stratified sample comparable with known diabetics by age, sex and profession. The groups were examined in the same way and mortality was followed over 5 years (1994-1998). RESULTS: Albuminuria was significantly more often present in diabetics (P < 0.0001). Peripheral arterial occlusive disease was diagnosed in 27.3% of patients with diabetes mellitus, and in 8.8% of the control group (P < 0.001). In the diabetic group 40 (29%) had microalbuminuria, but only 20 (12.5%) of the other group had the condition. In the presence of albuminuria, the incidence of arterial occlusive disease was 53.6%, but in those without it was only 9.8%. CONCLUSIONS: Our study has demonstrated that albuminuria is frequently present with diabetes mellitus, peripheral arterial occlusive disease, hypertension, coronary heart disease, hyperlipidaemia and in cases with increased concentration of blood fibrinogen. The albuminuria was significantly more frequent in those who died in the observed 5-year period after first examination. Although albuminuria indicates higher risks of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in diabetics and in non-diabetics, it is necessary to study further how useful is this evidence for general practice.

Adult↗

Design and methodology of the Zagreb preliminary study: response rates at the study stages.

A procedure for recruitment of a trial cohort from a demographically defined population is described. Provision was made by means of a prescreening survey to determine demographic and attitudinal characteristics in the group invited to screening before the invitation was extended, thus providing information on non-participants as well as participants. Men who satisfied the criteria for borderline levels of one or more of the three risk factors on at least two of possible three occasions were invited to participate in a radomized multifactor treatment trial either being treated by medication for the appropriate risk factor [or factors], or observed during the same intervals in the same fashion as those treated. During follow-up attempts were made to measure adherence to the prescribed medication.

Cardiovascular Diseases↗

Effect of repetitive health examinations on blood sugar levels: the Zagreb preliminary study.

In this study recruitment rates of subjects with borderline glucose tolerance were investigated (using the specific procedure described below) and were shown to be 1.8% of the population approached and 2.5% of the population screened. 75 g glucose load yielded higher numbers of subjects with borderline glucose tolerance levels at screening than a 50 g glucose load. However, the numbers of the people finally recruited into the cohort by confirmatory screening were the same when only the 50 g load was used at confirmatory screenings. Subjects recruited in this way remained in the study for 24 months. Repeated health checks had an effect of lowering concentrations of blood glucose after an oral load in treated and control groups, and in those with borderline and those with normal blood glucose values at the initial screening. It is concluded that the process of screening and observation itself has an effect upon glucose tolerance, independent of formal 'treatment'.

Attitude to Health↗

Repetitive health examinations as an intervention measure.

A cohort of 107 men aged 51-53 years with borderline levels of blood pressure, serum cholesterol, or glucose tolerance was recruited from a general population in central Zagreb, Yugoslavia, and randomized into two groups; one was treated with drugs and the other observed in a similar fashion but not treated. Ninety-five men appeared regularly for the check-ups over a 2-year period. Levels of systolic blood pressure, cholesterol, and glucose showed a substantial decrease over a period of 2 years in both treated and control groups. The possible effect of repeated check-ups and their implications are discussed.

Blood Glucose↗