Protein Gas Vesicles of as Enhancers of Ultrasound-Induced Transcriptional Regulation.

Gas vesicles (GVs) are large cylindrical gas-filled protein assemblies found in diverse aquatic bacteria that enable their adaptation of buoyancy. GVs have already been used as ultrasound contrasting agents. Here, we investigate GVs derived from , aiming to minimize the number of accessory Gvps within the GV gene cluster and demonstrate the use of GVs as enhancers of acoustic radiation force administered by ultrasound.

Evolutionary Analysis of Dipeptidyl Peptidase I.

Human dipeptidyl peptidase I (DPPI) belongs to the family of papain-like cysteine peptidases. Its distinctive features are the unique exclusion domain which enables the eponymous activity and homotetramerization of DPPI, and its dependence on chloride ions for enzymatic activity. The oligomeric state of DPPI is unique in this family of predominantly monomeric peptidases.

Vitamin D in pediatric patients with obesity and arterial hypertension.

The purpose of this study was to find potential differences in vitamin D levels between different groups: overweight children with hypertension, normal-weight children with hypertension, overweight children with normal blood pressure and normal-weight children without hypertension, representing the control group. We also wanted to determine whether there are correlations between vitamin D levels and other clinical laboratory parameters, to evaluate the potential need for substitution. We measured vitamin D, homocysteine, total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, triglycerides, uric acid, glucose, apolipoprotein A1, apolipoprotein B, alkaline phosphatase, calcium, phosphate and magnesium serum levels in all groups.

The associations between some biological markers, obesity, and cardiovascular risk in Slovenian children and adolescents.

Introduction: The occurrence of cardiovascular diseases and metabolic disorders steadily increases with the body mass index (BMI). Since the latter is not the best and earliest indicator of obesity and cardiovascular risk, the aim of the study was to evaluate some potential biological markers that would allow us to detect children and adolescents at higher risk at an early stage.

Methods: A sample of 330 children and adolescents were included in the study and divided into four groups: obese patients with hypertension, normal-weight patients with hypertension, patients with mildly elevated lipids and a control group of healthy children and adolescents.

[Formation of bone in critical calvarias defects in rats under the influence of bisphosphonate alendronate Na complex].

The aim of the study was to investigate dynamic of tissue structures in critical defects of calvaria of rats after inoculation of bisphosphonate (BF) alendronate Na complex into bone defects. Animal model included 24 Wistar rats divided in 3 groups: spontaneous healing under blot clot (1), inoculation of carbonate hydroxide apatite β-tricalcium phosphate blocks (2) and BF alendronate Na complex (3) on 15, 30, 60 and 90 experiment day. New bone formation was observed in group 3 as opposed to groups 1 and 2.

Arterial Compliance Measurement in Overweight and Hypertensive Children.

Objectives: To investigate the pulse wave velocity (PWV) and augmentation index (Alx), measures of arterial stiffness, in relation to hypertension and obesity, the main risk factors for cardiovascular diseases.

Methods: Two groups of pediatric patients, 31 children and adolescents with hypertension and 85 with overweight, were analysed and compared to the control group (50 healthy individuals). Subjects were sampled by opportunity sampling at the Department of Pediatrics, Maribor.

[A comparative study of bone regeneration potency of alfa and beta-tricalcium phosphate bone substitute materials].

Review of the literature and our own investigations describe structure, synthesis and participation in biomineralisation of bone of synthetic bone scaffold tricalcium phosphate with original surface.

Self-reported adherence behavior in adolescent hypertensive patients: the role of illness representations and personality.

Objective: This exploratory study examined the role that illness representations and personality play in the various adherence behaviors of adolescents diagnosed with essential hypertension.

Methods: The participants were 97 hypertensive adolescents. They completed self-report questionnaires pertaining to (1) demographic and medical data, (2) adherence, (3) illness representations, and (4) personality.

Metabolic syndrome in the pediatric population: a short overview.

The metabolic syndrome (MS) in adults is defined as a concurrence of obesity, disturbed glucose and insulin metabolism, hypertension and dyslipidemia, and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes. Studies now indicate that many of its components are also present in children and adolescents. Moreover, the clustering of these risk factors has been documented in some children, who are at increased cardiovascular risk in adulthood.

Functional magnetic stimulation: a new method for the treatment of girls with primary nocturnal enuresis?

Objective: The aim of our ongoing study was to evaluate the potential clinical and urodynamic effects of functional magnetic stimulation (FMS) compared to a placebo in the treatment of girls with primary nocturnal enuresis (PNE).

Patients And Methods: Twenty girls with PNE (mean age 10.8 years, range 6-14 years) were included in the study and randomly divided into two groups, the active FMS group (10 girls) and the placebo group (10 girls).

Eighteen-year follow-up of a patient with partial hypoxanthine phosphoribosyltransferase deficiency and a new mutation.

Hypoxanthine phosphoribosyltransferase (HPRT) deficiency is an inherited disorder. Complete deficiency of HPRT activity is phenotypically expressed as the devastating Lesch-Nyhan syndrome. Partial HPRT deficiency usually causes hyperuricemia, precocious gout, and uric acid nephrolithiasis.

Carotid artery intima-media thickness and angiotensin-converting enzyme gene polymorphism in the offspring of parents with premature stroke.

Aim: To determine some common cardiovascular risk factors, alterations in the measurements of intima-media thickness (IMT) and the distribution of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) polymorphism in children of parents with premature stroke, and to investigate the cardiovascular risk of these children and the potential need for some preventive measures.

Methods: A family history of cardiovascular disease represents a cardiovascular risk factor in the offspring. This association has not yet been clearly determined for cerebrovascular accidents.

Twenty-four-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring in infants and toddlers.

During the past several years, 24-hour (24-h) ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) has become a useful tool for the diagnosis and management of children and adolescents with elevated blood pressure (BP). Some reports have also provided blood pressure nomograms for particular devices. However, there are very few reports of the use of this method in very young children.

A diagnostic approach for the child with hypertension.

Hypertension during childhood is not rare, with an estimated prevalence of between 1% and 2%, although it is often an underrecognized clinical entity. Elevated blood pressure may be a sign of underlying disease or it may represent early onset of essential hypertension. In recent years the measurement of blood pressure has been emphasized as an important component of the routine pediatric physical examination that enables early detection of children with hypertension.

G-protein beta3 subunit gene C825T polymorphism in patients with vesico-ureteric reflux.

The C825T polymorphism in the GNB3 gene encoding a beta3 subunit from heterotrimeric G-proteins correlates strongly with the variation in activity of the G-proteins. It has so far been associated with a variety of medical conditions, but has not been tested for association with vesico-ureteric reflux (VUR). Primary VUR is a condition of genetic origin that appears to be inherited in an autosomal dominant mode, but with reduced penetrance.

Early renal insufficiency in a neonate with de novo partial trisomy of chromosome 10q.

Partial trisomy of the long arm of chromosome 10 is a well-defined but rare syndrome. Clinical features of this chromosomopathy are a distinctive dysmorphic appearance, developmental delay, growth retardation, and in some cases, abnormalities of the extremities and renal, cardiac and ocular anomalies. This report describes a neonate with symmetric growth retardation and multiple dysmorphic features, in whom chromosomal analysis revealed a partial trisomy of chromosome 10q with a monosomy of the 13q34 region.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme gene polymorphism as a cardiovascular risk factor in children.

A family history of cardiovascular disease predicts cardiovascular risk in the next generation, which is either the result of inherited traits or certain living habits in some families. The aim of our study was to evaluate both variables and particularly the role of one of the possible genetic risk factors--angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene polymorphism. History and anthropometric and biochemical parameters, ACE gene polymorphism and carotid wall thickness--intima media thickness (IMT) were studied in two groups of children: in children whose parents had a stroke before the age of 45 years and in children without a positive family history.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme gene polymorphism as a cardiovascular risk factor in children.

A family history of cardiovascular disease predicts cardiovascular risk in the next generation, which is either the result of inherited traits or certain living habits in some families. The aim of our study was to evaluate both variables and particularly the role of one of the possible genetic risk factors - angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene polymorphism. History and anthropometric and biochemical parameters, ACE gene polymorphism and carotid wall thickness - intima media thickness (IMT) were studied in two groups of children: in children whose parents had a stroke before the age of 45 years and in children without a positive family history.