Biomedical subjects

Valentina Nikolić

Publications and source records attributed to Valentina Nikolić.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2004

Third coronary artery in monkey heart.

Investigations were carried out on 55 monkey (Cercopithecus aethiops, Macaca fascicularis) hearts by stereomicroscopic dissection and measurements. Latex-injected specimens and corrosion casts showed that, as in humans, the hearts were usually (in 98.2% of the cases) supplied by two coronary arteries (CAs)--the left (LCA) and the right coronary artery (RCA), and occasionally (in 1.8% of the cases) also by a third one (TCA). Furthermore, the orifice of the TCA was situated in the right aortic sinus at the same level as the RCA and 0.2 mm in front of it. The LCA and the RCA originated from the corresponding aortic sinuses and the external diameter of the LCA was greater [average: 1.65+/-0.39 (SD) mm] than that of the RCA [average 0.94+/-0.15 (SD) mm] and the TCA (0.8 mm). The LCA orifice was more often above (76.3%) than below the free edge of the left aortic valve leaflet. The longitudinal axis of the aortic root and of the initial part of the LCA formed an angle of 45-120 degrees (average: 52 degrees). The orifice of the RCA was usually above (82.3%) the free edge of the right aortic valve leaflet, and less frequently below it (17.7%). The longitudinal axis of the aortic root and of the initial part of the RCA formed an angle of 70-150 degrees (average: 103 degrees). The resemblance of monkey CAs to their human counterparts make them a suitable model for experimental studies on coronary circulation.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

A histological study of cerebral aqueduct.

Cerebral (sylvian) aqueduct is a narrow channel in the mesencephalon. It lies between the tectum and the tegmentum of the mesencephalon and is surrounded by the periaqueductal gray matter. The aim of this study was to determine the shape of the aqueduct of sylvius and the structure of its walls in a series of transverse histological sections. Serial transverse sections of the mesencephalon were examined in twenty adult brains of both sexes. Six sections were stained by the hematoxylin-eosin method. The rostral part of the the aqueduct has a triangular shape with dorsal concavity caused by retrocommissural fossae. In the middle, its shape is oval to irregular, the rostral part has a T shape due to isthmic recess on the floor. Walls of the aqueduct are coated with a layer of prismatic cells. Determination of the morphological and histological features of the mesencephalic aqueduct is important for differentiation between physiological and pathological processes in this region.

Cerebral Aqueduct↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Disturbances of protein C activity in abdominal sepsis: diagnostic and predictive importance].

BACKGROUND: Despite improved diagnostic modalities, potent antibiotics, modern intensive care, and aggressive surgical treatment, more than one third of patients still die of severe secondary peritonitis. Clinical difficulties in the treatment of abdominal sepsis were related to inherent problems of limited clinical signs and the rapid spread of infection. An inflammatory process is often well under way before the presence of clinical signs and symptoms of sepsis. The aim of this prospective study was to assess diagnostic and prognostic significance of protein C in abdominal sepsis. METHODS: Twenty-two patients with severe intraabdominal infections with sepsis syndrome were treated surgically as compared to 15 patients with hernia repair (control group). During the study, the following parameters were analyzed daily: protein C, AT III, plasminogen, alfa-2 antiplasmin, HMWK, C5a and C5-B9 complement, C1-inhibitor, CRP. RESULTS. The mean APACHE II score was 17 points, with actual mortality rate of 23%. Each parameter evaluated in the abdominal sepsis group differed from the one evaluated in the control group to a great extent (p = 0.001). The results and multivariate regression statystical analysis confirmed the following parameters as sensitive biological markers of septic cascade (p < 0.0001-0.026): protein C, AT III, HMWK, C1-inhibitor and C5-B9 complement. According to the results the low level of protein C consistently correlated with disease severity and suggested the development of septic shock and poor outcome. CONCLUSION: Early diagnosis of plasma proteolytic disturbances was very important, from the diagnostic and predictive point of view, in abdominal sepsis. According to the results protein C was the most significant marker of sepsis and early predictor of the outcome of septic complications during severe intraabdominal infections (r = 0.761; p = 0.0001).

Abdomen↗