Lgr5 marks stem/progenitor cells contributing to epithelial and muscle development in the mouse esophagus.

The existence and function of Lgr5 cells within the developing esophagus remains unknown. Here, we document multiple discrete Lgr5 populations in the developing mouse esophagus, predominantly within nascent epithelial and external muscle layers. Lgr5 expression initially emerges in the developing proximal embryonic epithelium, but progressively extends distally and persists within the distal epithelium of neonates.

BENIGN MULTICYSTIC PERITONEAL MESOTHELIOMA MIMICKING GYNECOLOGIC PATHOLOGY.

Benign multicystic peritoneal mesothelioma is a rare pathology that arises from the abdominal peritoneum. It has an affinity to develop on the surfaces of pelvic viscera. It predominantly occurs in women of reproductive age.

Interactions of Silicon With Essential and Beneficial Elements in Plants.

Silicon (Si) is not classified as an essential element for plants, but numerous studies have demonstrated its beneficial effects in a variety of species and environmental conditions, including low nutrient availability. Application of Si shows the potential to increase nutrient availability in the rhizosphere and root uptake through complex mechanisms, which still remain unclear. Silicon-mediated transcriptional regulation of element transporters for both root acquisition and tissue homeostasis has recently been suggested as an important strategy, varying in detail depending on plant species and nutritional status.

Cellular Immune Response Induced by DNA Immunization of Mice with Drug Resistant Integrases of HIV-1 Clade A Offers Partial Protection against Growth and Metastatic Activity of Integrase-Expressing Adenocarcinoma Cells.

Therapeutic DNA-vaccination against drug-resistant HIV-1 may hinder emergence and spread of drug-resistant HIV-1, allowing for longer successful antiretroviral treatment (ART) up-to relief of ART. We designed DNA-vaccines against drug-resistant HIV-1 based on consensus clade A integrase (IN) resistant to raltegravir: IN_in_r1 (L74M/E92Q/V151I/N155H/G163R) or IN_in_r2 (E138K/G140S/Q148K) carrying D64V abrogating IN activity. INs, overexpressed in mammalian cells from synthetic genes, were assessed for stability, route of proteolytic degradation, and ability to induce oxidative stress.

Silicon Alleviates Iron Deficiency in Barley by Enhancing Expression of Strategy II Genes and Metal Redistribution.

The beneficial effects of silicon (Si) have been shown on plants using reduction-based strategy for iron (Fe) acquisition. Here we investigated the influence of Si on Fe deficiency stress alleviation in barley (), a crop plant which uses the chelation-based strategy for Fe acquisition. Analyses of chlorophyll content, ROS accumulation, antioxidative status, concentrations of Fe and other micronutrients, along with the expression of Strategy II genes were studied in response to Si supply.

Caspase-3 Regulates YAP-Dependent Cell Proliferation and Organ Size.

Apoptosis culminates in the activation of caspase-3, which plays an important role in implementing the cell death program. Here, we reveal a non-apoptotic role of caspase-3 as a key regulator of cell proliferation and organ size. Caspase-3 is specifically activated in the proliferating cells of the sebaceous gland, but does not instruct cell elimination.

Pneumothorax and Pneumomediastinum as a Rare Complication of Laparoscopic Surgery.

Occurrence of bilateral pneumothorax, pneumomediastinum and subcutaneous emphysema during gynecologic laparoscopic procedure is very rare. We report a case of a 23-year-old woman who developed bilateral pneumothorax, pneumomediastinum and subcutaneous emphysema during laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy. Carbon dioxide extravasations outside the peritoneal cavity during laparoscopy may have fatal consequences.

Isolation of Stem Cells and Progenitors from Mouse Epidermis.

The epidermis consists of several distinct compartments including the interfollicular epidermis (IFE), sweat glands, sebaceous glands (SGs), and the hair follicle (HF). While the IFE and SGs are in a constant state of self-renewal, the HF cycles between phases of growth, destruction, and rest. The hair follicle stem cells (HFSCs) that fuel this perpetual cycle have been well described and are located in a niche termed the bulge.

MESONEPHRIC ADENOCARCINOMA OF ENDOCERVIX WITH LOBULAR MESONEPHRIC HYPERPLASIA: CASE REPORT.

Mesonephric adenocarcinoma is a rare variant of cervical adenocarcinoma. We present a case of mesonephric adenocarcinoma of endocervix with cervical and vaginal lobular mesonephric hyperplasia in a 57-year-old woman. Vaginal bleeding persisting for 12 months was the only symptom.

Silicon enhances leaf remobilization of iron in cucumber under limited iron conditions.

Background And Aims: Retranslocation of iron (Fe) from source tissues enhances plant tolerance to Fe deficiency. Previous work has shown that silicon (Si) can alleviate Fe deficiency by enhancing acquisition and root to shoot translocation of Fe. Here the role of Si in Fe mobilization in older leaves and the subsequent retranslocation of Fe to young leaves of cucumber (Cucumis sativus) plants growing under Fe-limiting conditions was investigated.

Isolating Hair Follicle Stem Cells and Epidermal Keratinocytes from Dorsal Mouse Skin.

The hair follicle (HF) is an ideal system for studying the biology and regulation of adult stem cells (SCs). This dynamic mini organ is replenished by distinct pools of SCs, which are located in the permanent portion of the HF, a region known as the bulge. These multipotent bulge SCs were initially identified as slow cycling label retaining cells; however, their isolation has been made feasible after identification of specific cell markers, such as CD34 and keratin 15 (K15).

[VASCULITIDES IN CHILDHOOD: A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY IN A PERIOD FROM 2002 TO 2012 AT THE DEPARTMENT OF PAEDIATRICS, UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL CENTRE ZAGREB].

The aim of our study was to analyze clinical features, laboratory findings, treatment, course and outcome of different types of vasculitis in children. All children aged up to 18 years that have been diagnosed with a vasculitis disorder from 2002. to 2012.

Kinetic and phenotypic analysis of CD8+ T cell responses after priming with alphavirus replicons and homologous or heterologous booster immunizations.

Unlabelled: Alphavirus replicons are potent inducers of CD8(+) T cell responses and thus constitute an attractive vaccine vector platform for developing novel vaccines. However, the kinetics and memory phenotype of CD8(+) T cell responses induced by alphavirus replicons are not well characterized. Furthermore, little is known how priming with alphavirus replicons affects booster immune responses induced by other vaccine modalities.

The adjuvant activity of alphavirus replicons is enhanced by incorporating the microbial molecule flagellin into the replicon.

Ligands of pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) including Toll-like receptors (TLRs) stimulate innate and adaptive immune responses and are considered as potent adjuvants. Combinations of ligands might act in synergy to induce stronger and broader immune responses compared to stand-alone ligands. Alphaviruses stimulate endosomal TLRs 3, 7 and 8 as well as the cytoplasmic PRR MDA-5, resulting in induction of a strong type I interferon (IFN) response.

Consensus HIV-1 FSU-A integrase gene variants electroporated into mice induce polyfunctional antigen-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cells.

Our objective is to create gene immunogens targeted against drug-resistant HIV-1, focusing on HIV-1 enzymes as critical components in viral replication and drug resistance. Consensus-based gene vaccines are specifically fit for variable pathogens such as HIV-1 and have many advantages over viral genes and their expression-optimized variants. With this in mind, we designed the consensus integrase (IN) of the HIV-1 clade A strain predominant in the territory of the former Soviet Union and its inactivated derivative with and without mutations conferring resistance to elvitegravir.

[Opatija study: observation of hemodialysis patients and titration of CERA dose just switched from another erythropoiesis stimulating agent].

Introduction: Anemia is a well-documented consequence of chronic kidney disease, its frequency increases with the progression of renal failure and occurs in up to 95% of patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD). Erythropoietin stimulating agents (ESAs) have become the standard of care in the treatment of renal anemia. The use of methoxy polyethylene glycol-epoetin beta, continuous erythropoietin receptor activator, represents an important benefit in clinical practice.

Role of innate signalling pathways in the immunogenicity of alphaviral replicon-based vaccines.

Background: Alphaviral replicon-based vectors induce potent immune responses both when given as viral particles (VREP) or as DNA (DREP). It has been suggested that the strong immune stimulatory effect induced by these types of vectors is mediated by induction of danger signals and activation of innate signalling pathways due to the replicase activity. To investigate the innate signalling pathways involved, mice deficient in either toll-like receptors or downstream innate signalling molecules were immunized with DREP or VREP.

Generation and immunogenicity of novel HIV/AIDS vaccine candidates targeting HIV-1 Env/Gag-Pol-Nef antigens of clade C.

Recombinants based on the attenuated vaccinia virus strains MVA and NYVAC are considered candidate vectors against different human diseases. In this study we have generated and characterized in BALB/c and in transgenic HHD mice the immunogenicity of two attenuated poxvirus vectors expressing in a single locus (TK) the codon optimized HIV-1 genes encoding gp120 and Gag-Pol-Nef (GPN) polyprotein of clade C (referred as MVA-C and NYVAC-C). In HHD mice primed with either MVA-C or NYVAC-C, or primed with DNA-C and boosted with the poxvirus vectors, the splenic T cell responses against clade C peptides spanning gp120/GPN was broad and mainly directed against Gag-1, Env-1 and Env-2 peptide pools.

[Gingival and dental parameters in evaluation of esthetic characteristics of fixed restoratons].

This paper argues on importance of gingival and dental parameters in evaluation of esthetic characteristics of fixed restorations. Human beauty is a specific category which is not easy to define by means of any known criteria or with mathematic formula. But, it is also important for practitioners to take into consideration some objective rules determining what is really nice and appealing.

[Sutures in digestive surgery].

Anastomotic leakage remains the most important cause of morbidity and mortality in digestive surgery. Despite the development of new surgical techniques and devices, intestinal anastomose continue to be complicated by leakage even in the best and most experienced of hands. One may explain the persistence of anastomotic leakage in spite of these technical advances on the basis of the dynamic effect that multiple factors (shock, peritoneal sepsis, inadequate intestinal preparation, advanced age, malignancy, malnutrition, coagulopathy, steroid dependence, uremia, radiation therapy, diabetes, perforation, anemia, fecal soiling and deficiency of vitamin C, iron and zinc) have on the healing of an anastomosis.

[Radiographic study of teeth restored with porcelain and gold veneered crowns].

Radiographic study was performed to assess the results of the prosthetic therapy of teeth restored with porcelain and gold veneered crowns. Retroalveolar radiographs were used to evaluate the cast post-core-root ratio the presence of empty spaces between post-core and root canal filling. Also, bone resorption, marginal fit of the crowns, caries and proximal contacts were investigated.

[Recurrent acute pancreatitis and biliary microlithiasis].

The ease with which biliary microcalculi migrate through the cystic duct and their frequent involvement in choledochus, may be a high risk for developing of recurrent acute pancreatitis, especially if papilla of vater is blocked. The concomitant presence of acute pancreatitis becomes an indication for litothomy, thorough lavage and surgical or endoscopic sphincterotomy. Twenty-one patients with biliary microlithiasis are reviewed in this article.

[Drug and surgical therapy of hydatidosis].

Surgical treatment of hydatidosis carries the risk of dissemination and recidives. In this paper authors present their experience with combined medico-surgical treatment with Albendazole in 13 patients. Ultrasound, computerized tomography and serological tests were used for diagnosis and follow-up.

[Retroperitoneal collection in acute pancreatitis].

According to the actual universal knowledge and the authors personal experience in treating patients with retroperitoneal collections in acute pancreatitis particularly in severe forms of the sickness, represent a great problem in detecting, diagnostics as well as in the therapy. Antibiotics may be helpful only in preventive care. Meanwhile, the established collections have to be treated only surgically.