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Biomedical subjects

M Savić

Publications and source records attributed to M Savić.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Symmetry of post-movement beta-ERS and motor recovery from stroke: a low-resolution EEG pilot study.

The inter-hemispheric symmetry of electroencephalographic (EEG) post-movement beta-event-related synchronization (PMBS) after movements on a drawing board was studied in eight acute stroke subjects with mild hemiparesis and eight normal subjects. A follow-up testing was conducted 3 months after the initial recordings with a twofold purpose: (1) to validate the reproducibility of the experimental protocol in normal subjects; and (2) to study changes of inter-hemispheric PMBS-symmetry as a response to recovery of motor function. PMBS values were calculated and their topographic distributions illustrated at various time instances following movement offset. Significant PMBS patterns were present in all normal subjects, with only minor differences within consecutive recordings. The side of hemiparesis in acute stroke subjects could be distinguished (P = 0.04) on the basis of the signed symmetry index, a quantitative measure of lateralization. The follow-up testing on three recovered stroke subjects revealed a trend of changes in the lateralization towards the contralateral side of movement, an indication that the cortical organization of movement following recovery turned out as reported for normal subjects. Further clinical investigations need to be carried out to evaluate the relationship between recovery and PMBS symmetry on a large number of subjects, using the method presented here.

Aged↗

Intima-media thickness of common carotid artery, carotid atherosclerosis and subtypes of ischemic cerebral disease.

It has been shown that common carotid intima-media thickness (CCA-IMT) is a useful outcome measure in clinical studies and intervention trials reflecting early stage of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular risk. The present study examined the association between CCA-IMT and incident ischemic stroke and its subtypes in 75 cases and 21 controls. Cases with ischemic brain infarctions (IBI) were consecutively recruited and classified into subtypes by CT and Bamford's classification (the size and site of infarct) like total anterior circulation infarcts (TACIs), partial anterior circulation infarcts (PACIs), posterior circulation infarcts (POCIs) or lacunar infarcts (LACIs). Controls were recruited among individuals hospitalized at the same institutions and matched for age and sex. Patients and control subjects underwent B-mode ultrasonographic measurements of IMT of the distal wall of both common carotid arteries. Of 75 patients with an acute ischemic stroke, 10 (14%) were classified as TACIs, 34 (45%) with PACIs, 12 (16%) with POCIs and 19 (25%) with LACIs. Mean CCA-IMT was higher in cases (1.03+/-0.18 mm) than in controls (0.85+/-0.18 mm; p<0.0001). The difference in CCA-IMT between cases and controls was significant and the relation between CCA-IMT and IBI remained after adjustment for main cardiovascular risk factors. Regarding the subtypes of IBI, IMT values were significantly higher in patients with TACIs and PACIs versus those with LACIs and POCIs. An increased CCA-IMT was associated with the all subtypes IBI and was significantly higher in those with anterior circulation infarcts versus posterior circulation and lacunar infarcts.

Analysis of Variance↗

Modulatory effects of garlic extracts on proliferation of T-lymphocytes in vitro stimulated with concanavalin A.

Different active components from the garlic (Allium sativum) possess immunomodulatory activity both in vitro and in vivo. However, mechanisms of their actions are not sufficiently elucidated. In this study we examined the effects of garlic aqueous extract (GAE) and garlic ethanolic extract (GEE), prepared from two different garlic powder samples, on proliferation of rat thymocytes and splenocytes in culture, stimulated with concanavalin A (Con A). It has been shown that the extracts from both samples significantly modulate lymphocyte proliferation, triggered by this potent T-cell mitogen, depending on the type and dilutions of extracts and concentrations of Con A. The extracts, alone, were not mitogenic for lymphocytes. Generally, higher concentrations of the extracts showed inhibitory effects, whereas lower concentrations significantly augmented proliferation of lymphocytes. The stimulatory effect of GAE was stronger using splenocytes and suboptimal concentrations of Con A as a consequence of increased interleukin 2 (IL-2) production as well as the expression of IL-2 receptor alpha (IL-2Ralpha). The relationship between these two phenomena was demonstrated using neutralizing anti-IL-2Ralpha monoclonal antibody. The inhibitory effect of GAE correlated with a decrease in IL-2 production, but was not followed by down-regulation of IL-2Ralpha expression. The addition of IL-2 almost completely abolished inhibition of lymphocyte proliferation in the presence of higher concentrations of GAE.

Animals↗

Garlic extracts stimulate proliferation of rat lymphocytes in vitro by increasing IL-2 and IL-4 production.

Garlic components are known to modulate certain immune functions. However, mechanisms of their action are not sufficiently elucidated. This study was, therefore, undertaken to examine the effects of aqueous and ethanolic extracts prepared from a garlic powder sample on proliferation of rat spleen lymphocytes in culture. Cells were stimulated with the combination of phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) and a Ca ionophore (A23187) or R73 monoclonal antibody (mAb) directed to the alphabeta chain of T cell receptor. It has been shown that both extracts significantly stimulated proliferation of lymphocytes. The effect correlated with upregulation of the Interleukin 2 receptor alpha (IL-2R alpha) expression and the increase in IL-2 production. Stimulation of IL-2 production by the extracts was higher in cultures with PMA/Ca ionophore than in cultures with R73 mAb. In contrast, both extracts stimulated production of IL-4 by splenocytes triggered by R73 mAb. The complete dependence of lymphocyte proliferation in cultures with R73 mAb and garlic extracts on IL-2 and IL-4 was demonstrated using neutralising mAbs to IL-2R alpha and IL-4. These results suggest that the potentiating effect of garlic extracts on lymphocyte proliferation in vitro differs depending on specific stimulators of cell proliferation and probably on the type of responding cells.

Allium↗

When nonwords activate semantics better than words.

We conducted a strong test of the idea that visual word processing and the activation of a printed word's meaning proceeds at a rate scaled by the temporal evolution of a unique and stable phonological code. Using the lexical decision task, and readers fluent in the two alphabets of Serbo-Croatian, we compared the priming of a target word such as automat by the semantically related word ROBOT and by the nonword ROBOT. Whereas the Serbo-Croatian word ROBOT can support two phonological codes, /robot/ and /rovot/, the nonword ROBOT composed by illegally mixing Roman and Cyrillic letters can support only the phonological code /robot/, that corresponding to the word whose meaning is related to automat's. At a prime duration of 35 ms, the lexical decision on the target automat was facilitated by ROBOT but not by ROBOT. At a prime duration of 125 ms, the word ROBOT was the more effective prime. One consequence of phonology's leading role in visual word recognition is that a nonword can sometimes activate a given word's meaning better than the word itself.

Adolescent↗

[Nervous system plasticity in the recovery of patients after cerebrovascular stroke].

Plasticity is a very important characteristic of the nervous system structures, due to which it alliterates the functioning way, recompenses deranged function and adapts to new conditions caused by damage. Deranged brain circulation is very frequently caused by the arteriosclerosis which can finally cause stroke. Stroke usually appears at the age of 60-69 years, but in persons of different ages as well. The aim of rehabilitation is to ensure quality of life as much as possible. In young persons recovery after stroke is usually successful, whereas the plasticity of the nervous system is completely preserved.

Adult↗

[Correlation of comprehensive diagnosis and functional results after cerebrovascular stroke].

Cerebrovascular insult is a focal neurological disorder with sudden onset and fast development caused by pathological changes of the blood vessel and accompanied by functional disorder which requires rehabilitation. The program of rehabilitation differs from patient to patient depending on physical, emotional and social-economic factors. The aim of this paper was to underline the degree of sensibility of electroencephalography and somatosensory evoked potentials, which can serve, with other corresponding methods and clinical parameters, as criteria in prognosis of the further course of the disease, in planning rehabilitation and therapeutic treatment and functional result prognosis in hemiplegic patients.

Cerebrovascular Disorders↗

[Human placental lactogen levels in normal pregnancy monitored by serial ultrasound].

Parallel to the great use of ultrasound in diagnostical purposes the interest for biological effects of ultrasound is growing every day. The present studies of the biological action of ultrasound concerned the cytogenetic investigations as well as those of animals and men. Taking into account that the extrapolation of results from animals to men is uncertain all data obtained in human population are of utmost importance. We tried to define the possible biological action of routine diagnostical ultrasound on foetoplacental unit. Women with physiological pregnancy were exposed to ultrasound during regular antenatal control-examinations in the 20th, 30th and 38th week of gestation. The follow-up concerned HPL levels in the serum 1 hour before and 1 hour after exposure to ultrasound. There was no significant difference in concentrations of the examined hormone in both blood samples.

Embryonic and Fetal Development↗

[Duodenal obstruction caused by gallstones (Bouveret syndrome)].

Gallstone obstruction of the duodenum (Bouveret's syndrome) is a very rare complication of biliary calculosis. A great biliary calculus with long-term persistence causes cholecystoduodenal fistula and after passing through this fistula into duodenum, subsequent duodenal obstruction develops. The authors present a 73-years-old woman with Bouveret's syndrome. She was admitted to the Institute of digestive diseases with clinical signs of high intestinal obstruction. Preoperative radiographic examination detected gallstone obturation of the duodenum. At operation, two large gallstones were extracted from the duodenum, a thickened gallbladder was removed and duodenal suture was done. Post-operative course was delayed, due to respiratory complications and the patient went home on the 37th day after the operation in good condition.

Aged↗

[Multicenter study of the therapeutic efficiency of glycvidone (Beglynor)].

Results of the multicentric investigation of therapeutic efficacy of glycvidon were presented in this paper. The investigation was performed in 15 centres and comprised 768 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. A considerable improvement in metabolic regulation was attained which led to the reduction in glycemia level on an empty stomach and after the meal, to the reduction or elimination of glycosuria and to the significant decrease in glycolized hemoglobin. A parallel improvement in serum lipid levels was also registered. Tolerance of glycvidon was good and hypoglycemic incidents were very rare and as a rule of mild degree.

Adult↗

Discomforts and laboratory findings in workers exposed to sulfur dioxide.

In a broom manufacturing factory the authors performed microclimatic measurements, measurements of sulfur dioxide concentration and dust content. Workers (n = 190) were polled regarding discomforts characteristic of sulfur dioxide effects. Sulfates were determined in urine of 56 subjects, and methemoglobin and sulfhemoglobin were determined in blood. Sulfates were determined in 43 controls and methemoglobin and sulfhemoglobin were determined in 39 controls. Sulfur dioxide concentration in work environment ranged from 17.1 to 149.4 mg/m3 in winter and from 0 to 0.75 mg/m3 in summer. The exposed workers complained most often of coughing (94.2%), dyspnea (91.0%), burning in nose, eyes and throat (from 74.7 to 83.7%), substernal pain (75.3%), sore throat (74.7%), tearing (64.7%), etc. Sulfate concentrations were found to be statistically significantly higher (P less than 0.01) in urine of workers exposed to sulfur dioxide than in the controls. Methemoglobin concentrations were also significantly higher in blood of the exposed workers, whereas no difference was found in concentrations of sulfhemoglobin.

Humans↗

Hemispheric asymmetries in phonological processing.

In Serbo-Croat, lexical decision to phonologically bivalent letter strings is slowed relative to their phonologically unique counterparts. This feature was exploited in order to assess the linguistic capacity of the two hemispheres. Lexical decision to laterally presented words and pseudowords revealed a right visual field advantage for both males and females in words and pseudowords. But the demands of phonological processing were not met in the same way by the two hemispheres, the two hemispheres did not respond in the same way in the two sexes, and the pattern of these differences was opposite for words and pseudowords.

Adolescent↗

Grammatical priming of inflected nouns by the gender of possessive adjectives.

Two experiments examined the effect on lexical decision times for inflected Serbo-Croatian nouns when the nouns were preceded by possessive adjectives (my, your, our). For any given pairing the possessive adjective and the noun agreed always in number (singular) and case (nominative) but only agreed half of the time in gender (masculine or feminine). Lexical decisions were faster when the noun targets were of the same gender as their primes. This gender congruency/incongruency effect was shown to hold whether the inflections of the adjective and noun were the same (as is the case for typical Serbo-Croatian nouns) or different (as is the case for atypical Serbo-Croatian nouns). The results are discussed in terms of a postlexical influence of grammatical processing on the recognition of individual words.

Adult↗