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M Marusic

Publications and source records attributed to M Marusic.

10 recordsLinked to original sources

The effect of the zeolite clinoptilolite on serum chemistry and hematopoiesis in mice.

Zeolites are natural or synthetic crystalline alumosilicates with ion exchanging properties. Supplied in fodder, they promote biomass production and animal health. Our aim was to assess the effects of the natural zeolite, clinoptilolite, on hematopoiesis, serum electrolytes and essential biochemical indicators of kidney and liver function in mice. Two preparations differing in particle size were tested: a powderized form obtained by countercurrent mechanical treatment of the clinoptilolite (MTCp) and normally ground clinoptilolite (NGCp). Young adult mice were supplied with food containing 12.5, 25 or 50% clinoptilolite powder. Control animals received the same food ration without the clinoptilolite. After 10, 20, 30 and 40 days, six animals from each group were exsanguinated to obtain blood for hematological and serum for biochemical measurements as well as to collect femoral bone marrow for determination of hematopoietic activity. Clinoptilolite ingestion was well tolerated, as judged by comparable body masses of treated and control animals. A 20% increase of the potassium level was detected in mice receiving the zeolite-rich diet, without other changes in serum chemistry. Erythrocyte, hemoglobin and platelet levels in peripheral blood were not materially affected. NGCp caused leukocytosis, with concomitant decline of the GM-CFU content in the bone marrow, which was attributed to intestinal irritation by rough zeolite particles. The mechanically treated clinoptilolite preparation caused similar, albeit less pronounced, changes. In a limited experiment, mice having transplanted mammary carcinoma in the terminal stage showed increased potassium and decreased sodium and chloride levels, severe anemia and leukocytosis, decreased bone marrow cellularity and diminished content of hematopoietic progenitor cells in the marrow. The clinoptilolite preparations ameliorated the sodium and chloride decline, whereas the effects on hematopoiesis were erratic.

Administration, Oral↗

Staging in untreated patients with small cell lung cancer.

In order to describe the real biological behavior of the small-cell lung cancer we have analyzed survival rates of 66 patients with small-cell lung cancer who did not receive any specific anti cancer therapy. Also, objective of this study was to evaluate the staging system of the small-cell lung cancer. Untreated small-cell lung cancer patients with limited stage disease had statistically significant (p < 0.05) better survival rates in comparison to patients with extensive stage disease. T and N factor of the TNM classification did not influence the survival in untreated small-cell lung cancer patients. It appears that the TNM staging system is not predicting survival probabilities of untreated patients with small-cell lung cancer, while the two-stage system appeared very well based on survival probabilities of these patients.

Adult↗

Small scientific journals from small countries: breaking from a vicious circle of inadequacy.

In this editorial we describe the confounding factors that contribute to the poor international recognition of small journals: author pool, review process, finances, language, and visibility. These factors originate from relative scientific inadequacy of the local environment and close a positive feedback loop (vicious circle) of journal inadequacy. We argue that small journals may provide important information and outline the ways in which they can be assisted.

Croatia↗

Analysis of data on leukocyte surface markers for recognition of leukemia/lymphoma phenotype pattern.

OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to test the algorithm for the recognition of leukemia/lymphoma pattern, based on cell immunophenotype assessed using specific monoclonal antibodies and measured using flow cytometry. DESIGN AND METHOD: Analysis was performed by comparing phenotyping data with reference data, followed by scoring of such comparisons. Output of the recognition was designed as a report list of possible diagnoses (defined as objects in the informatic system). Reference data were compiled from the respective literature. RESULTS: From 57 blood and bone marrow samples tested in this study, accurate recognition of the real diagnosis (object) appeared on the first four places of the report list in 54 (94.7%) samples. CONCLUSION: The list of the objects recognized by the use of algorithm appeared to be helpful in making a differential diagnosis, occasionally pointing to the states that the physician had not in mind at the start of the analysis.

Algorithms↗

Effect of pharmacological purging on natural killer cell number and activity in human bone marrow.

We assayed natural killer (NK) cell activity and phenotype from human bone marrow (BM) following "purge" with 4-hydroperoxycyclophosphamide (4HC) at 60 micrograms/ml for 30 min in vitro. In all cases studied, lytic activity against the K562 cell line was either significantly decreased or abolished following 4HC purge. Although NK activity was significantly affected by 4HC treatment, no major differences in the phenotype between the purged and unpurged population were seen. Further, while in vitro culture of BM with IL2 resulted in a significant increment of NK activity, no IL-2 responsive cells were found in the 4HC purged BM after 14 days of culture. This study demonstrates that pharmacological purging of bone marrow results in a persistent functional decline of NK cell activity and may serve as a useful model for the study of the ontogeny of NK cells.

Bone Marrow↗

More on Bosnian rapes.

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Bosnia and Herzegovina↗