The importance of the blood levels of homocysteine, folate and vitamin B12 in patients with primary malignant brain tumors.

Purpose: Glioblastoma multiforme and anaplastic astrocytoma represent one of the most frequently occurring primary brain tumors with dismal survival rates. The aim of our study was to investigate whether values of homocysteine, folates and vitamin B12 can be prognostic markers in relapse diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of adult patients with malignant brain tumors.

Methods: Twenty-seven patients from the Neurosurgical Clinic, Clinical Center of Serbia with diagnosed malignant brain tumors (anaplastic astrocytoma GR III and glioblastoma multiforme GR IV), were included in the study.

Vitamin D Is Inversely Related to Obesity: Cross-Sectional Study in a Small Cohort of Serbian Adults.

: Vitamin D (vitD) mediates numerous health conditions other than bone health and mineralization. Its role in cardiometabolic condition is still inconclusive. : We conducted a cross-sectional study in 87 apparently healthy Serbian adults.

The Clinical Importance of Cystatin C and Hepatic Artery Resistive Index in Liver Cirrhosis.

Background: Data suggest cystatin C (CysC) levels and hepatic artery resistive index (HARI) correspond to the progression of chronic liver disease. We aimed to evaluate the clinical significance of these parameters in assessment of fibrosis in patients with liver cirrhosis.

Methods: The cross-sectional study included 63 patients with liver cirrhosis.

The effects of L-cysteine and N-acetyl-L-cysteine on homocysteine metabolism and haemostatic markers, and on cardiac and aortic histology in subchronically methionine-treated Wistar male rats.

Methionine is the precursor of homocysteine, a sulfur amino acid intermediate in the methylation and transsulfuration pathways; methionine-rich diets were used to induce hyperhomocysteinemia, and cardiovascular pathology was often observed. Other sulfur amino acids interfere with this metabolism, i.e.

Vitamin B complex mitigates cardiac dysfunction in high-methionine diet-induced hyperhomocysteinemia.

This research is designed to test the hypothesis that elevated homocysteine (Hcy) levels in vivo, caused by a deficit in vitamin B complex, promote changes in cardiac function and redox status that lead to heart failure. In order to conduct the study, we used adult male Wistar albino rats (n = 30; 4 weeks old; 100 ± 15 g body weight). Hyperhomocysteinaemia (HHcy) in these animals was achieved by dietary manipulation.

Effects of atorvastatin and simvastatin on oxidative stress in diet-induced hyperhomocysteinemia in Wistar albino rats: a comparative study.

Considering the well-known antioxidant properties of statins, it seems important to assess their impact on major markers of oxidative stress (superoxide anion radical, nitric oxide, and index of lipid peroxidation) to compare the antioxidative potentials of atorvastatin and simvastatin during the different degrees of hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) in rats. This study was conducted on adult male Wistar albino rats (n = 90; 4 weeks old; 100 ± 15 g body mass) in which HHcy was achieved by dietary manipulation. For 4 weeks, the animals were fed with one of the following diets: standard rodent chow, diet enriched in methionine with no deficiency in B vitamins (folic acid, B6, and B12), or diet enriched in methionine and deficient in B vitamins (folic acid, B6, and B12).

Anxiety-related behavior in hyperhomocysteinemia induced by methionine nutritional overload in rats: role of the brain oxidative stress.

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of a methionine-enriched diet on anxiety-related behavior in rats and to determine the role of the brain oxidative status in these alterations. Adult male Wistar rats were fed from the 30th to 60th postnatal day with standard or methionine-enriched diet (double content comparing with standard diet: 7.7 g/kg).

Vascular endothelial growth factor in peritoneal dialysis patients.

Background: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a glycoprotein which exerts mitogenic effects on endo thelial cells, enhances neoangiogenesis and microvascular permeability, influences leukocyte kinetics when upreg ulated by hypoxia and high-glucose concentration in experimental conditions and in human pathology. Peritoneal synthesis of VEGF has been demonstrated in patients on peritoneal dialysis (PD) treated with glucose-based dialy sate solutions.

Methods: The aim of the study was to determine the serum and peritoneal effluent VEGF concentrations in patients on chronic PD and to assess the relationship between age, gender, comorbidities, dialysis modality and vintage, therapy with erythropoiesis stimulating agents (ESA), angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEi) and statins and VEGF concentrations.

Hyperhomocysteinemia induced by methionine dietary nutritional overload modulates acetylcholinesterase activity in the rat brain.

Methionine is the only endogenous precursor of homocysteine, sulfur-containing amino acid and well known as risk factor for various brain disorders. Acetylcholinesterase is a serine protease that rapidly hydrolyzes neurotransmitter acetylcholine. It is widely distributed in different brain regions.

Role of cystatin C and renal resistive index in assessment of renal function in patients with liver cirrhosis.

Aim: To evaluate the clinical significance of cystatin C and renal resistive index for the determination of renal function in patients with liver cirrhosis.

Methods: We conducted a study of 63 patients with liver cirrhosis. A control group comprised of 30 age and gender-matched healthy persons.

Effect of Long-term Topiramate Therapy on Serum Bicarbonate and Potassium Levels in Adult Epileptic Patients.

Background: Topiramate (TPM) is a sulfamate-substituted monosaccharide that is structurally different from other antiepileptic drugs. TPM inhibits carbonic anhydrase activity, which is associated with loss of bicarbonate from the kidney and consequently metabolic acidosis or electrolyte imbalance.

Objective: The objectives of the study were to investigate the influence of TPM therapy on bicarbonate and potassium levels in adult epileptic patients.

Plasma homocysteine levels in patients with liver cirrhosis.

Background/aim: Homocysteine (2-amino-4-mercaptobutyric acid) is an amino acid that may be found in small quantities in all cells, and is quantitatively the major methionine metabolite. The most prevalent form is protein-bound homocysteine (about 80%), mostly to albumins. If catabolism of homocysteine is impaired either due to enzyme defect or deficiency of required intracellular cofactors, homocysteine accumulates in cells and reaches the circulation.

Serum cystatin C levels in normal pregnancy.

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the levels of cystatin C, creatinine and creatinine clearance in different trimesters of uncomplicated pregnancy in women with normal kidney function.

Subjects And Methods: A total of 109 pregnant women were included: group 1 - 38 women (average age 29.63 ± 4.

Increased total homocysteine level is associated with clinical status and severity of white matter changes in symptomatic patients with subcortical small vessel disease.

Objective: Elevated plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) is an independent risk factor for ischemic stroke and has been linked to cerebral small vessel disease (SVD), in particular. Controversy persists as to whether increased tHcy is associated with functional status and cognitive decline in these patients.

Methods: Plasma tHcy, MTHFR polymorphism, vascular risk factors, functional and cognitive status and severity of lesions on MRI, assessed with the Age-Related White Matter Changes (ARWMC) visual grading scale, were analyzed in 95 patients with SVD and 41 healthy control subjects.

Firing duration of masseter motor units during prolonged low-level contractions.

Objective: The study aimed to determine whether motor units (MUs) of the masseter muscle can be continuously active during a prolonged low-level sustained contraction.

Methods: Intramuscular fine-wire EMG activity was recorded unilaterally from the masseter muscles of 13 pain-free volunteers (mean age ± SD = 26.7 ± 7.

The importance of defining serum MMP-9 concentration in diabetics as an early marker of the rupture of atheromatous plaque in acute coronary syndrome.

Unlabelled: Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is the main cause of mortality in diabetics. Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in diabetics is much more often than in non-diabetics. MMP-9 activity could ease the formation of atherosclerosis, destabilization and plaque rupture as well as thrombocyte aggregation.

Cerebrospinal fluid and serum uric acid levels in patients with multiple sclerosis.

Background: Peroxynitrite was hypothesized to be involved in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS) through its various neurotoxic effects. Uric acid (UA) was shown to be a strong peroxynitrite scavenger.

Methods: We analyzed cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum UA concentrations in 30 MS patients and 20 controls with non-inflammatory neurological diseases (NIND) and correlated these findings with demographic and clinical characteristics of MS patients.

Risk factors for aortic valve calcification in patients on regular hemodialysis.

Introduction: Aortic valve calcification (AVC) accelerates development of aortic valve stenosis and cardiovascular complications. Hyperphosphatemia is one of the key risk factors for aortic valve calcification.

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of AVC in patients on regular hemodialysis and to assess the impact of different factors on its appearance.

Calcitonin gene-related peptide levels in saliva of patients with burning mouth syndrome.

Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) is an intraoral burning sensation for which no medical or dental cause can be found. Recent studies suggest that primary neuropathic dysfunction might be involved in the pathogenesis of BMS. Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) plays an important role in the development of pain and serves as a biological marker of trigeminovascular activation.

[Correlation of C-reactive protein with echocardiographic parameters of hypertrophic and ischemic heart disease in patients on regular hemodialyses].

Introduction: Cardiovascular diseases are the most frequent cause of morbidity and mortality in patients on hemodialysis. The reason for this is a high prevailance of risk factors for the development of cardiovascular complications with these patients. Microinflammation is one of the risk factors for the development of atherosclerosis of coronary arteries in patients on hemodialysis.

[Left ventricular hypertrophy in patients on hemodialysis: importance of anemia].

Introduction: Cardiovascular diseases are the most frequent cause of mortality in hemodialysis patients. Left ventricular hypertrophy is the main risk factor for development of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in patients on hemodialysis. Anemia is the only main risk factor for the development of left ventricular hypertrophy in patients on hemodialysis.

[Cardiac troponins and left ventricular hypertrophy in hemodialysis patients].

Introduction: Cardiovascular diseases are the most frequent cause of death among hemodialysis patients. Left ventricular hypertrophy is a potent predictor of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in those patients. Cardiac troponins (cTnT and cTnI) are indices of myocardial cell damage.

Cardiac troponins and left ventricular hypertrophy in hemodialysis patients.

Background: Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death in hemodialysis patients. Left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy is an important predictor of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in these patients. Cardiac troponins (cTnT and cTnI) are indicators of myocardial cell damage.

[Damage to proximal tubular epithelial cells in type 2 diabetes mellitus].

Introduction: Kidney damage from diabetes mellitus is called diabetic nephropathy. At the beginning it is a functional disorder, but later it results in an irreversible damage. The aim of this research was to establish damage to proximal tubular cells in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, and various degrees of proteinuria by determining the urinary N-acetyl-beta-D-glucose-aminidase and gamma-glutamyl-transferase; to compare obtained results with the results in healthy examinees; to establish the correlation between these enzymes, and to investigate their sensitivity.