Morphometric study of the T6 vertebra and its three ossification centers in the human fetus.

Purpose: Knowledge on the normative growth of the spine is critical in the prenatal detection of its abnormalities. We aimed to study the size of T6 vertebra in human fetuses with the crown-rump length of 115-265 mm.

Materials And Methods: Using the methods of computed tomography (Biograph mCT), digital image analysis (Osirix 3.

Cross-sectional study of the neural ossification centers of vertebrae C1-S5 in the human fetus.

Purpose: An understanding of the normal evolution of the spine is of great relevance in the prenatal detection of spinal abnormalities. This study was carried out to estimate the length, width, cross-sectional area and volume of the neural ossification centers of vertebrae C1-S5 in the human fetus.

Materials And Methods: Using the methods of CT (Biograph mCT), digital-image analysis (Osirix 3.

The normal growth of cross-sectional areas of the aorto-iliac segment in human fetuses - an anatomical, digital, and statistical study.

Background: The intraluminal size of the aorto-iliac segment is relevant in both the clinical and echographic settings. The aim of this study was to compile both the absolute and relative age-specific reference intervals for cross-sectional areas (CSAs) of the aorto-iliac segment.

Material/methods: Using the methods of anatomical dissection, digital-image analysis (Leica QWin Pro 16) and statistical analysis (Student's t test, one-way ANOVA, post-hoc RIR Tukey test, linear regression), the growth in CSA (in mm2) of the abdominal aorta, the common, external, and internal iliac arteries in 124 (60 males, 64 females) spontaneously aborted human fetuses aged 15-34 weeks was examined.

Cross-sectional study of the ossification center of the C1-S5 vertebral bodies.

Purpose: Knowledge on the normative growth of the spine is relevant in the prenatal detection of its abnormalities. This study describes the size of the ossification center of C1-S5 vertebral bodies.

Materials And Methods: Using CT, digital-image analysis, and statistics, the size of the ossification center of C1-S5 vertebral bodies in 55 spontaneously aborted human fetuses aged 17-30 weeks was examined.

New anatomical data on the growing C4 vertebra and its three ossification centers in human fetuses.

Purpose: Detailed knowledge on the normative growth of the spine is of great relevance in the prenatal diagnosis of its abnormalities. The present study was conducted to compile age-specific reference data for vertebra C4 and its three ossification centers in human fetuses.

Materials And Methods: With the use of CT (Biograph mCT), digital image analysis (Osirix 3.

Genetic data from Y chromosome STR and SNP loci in Ukrainian population.

We have tested a sample of 154 unrelated males from Lviv region (Ukraine) for 11 Y-chromosomal single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and 17 Y-chromosomal STR loci (DYS19, DYS385a, DYS385b, DYS389I, DYS389II, DYS390, DYS391, DYS392, DYS393, DYS437, DYS438, DYS439, DYS448, DYS456, DYS458, DYS635, YGATA_H4.1). Haplotype and haplogroup diversity values were calculated for the population under study.

New quantitative patterns of the growing trachea in human fetuses.

Background: Rapid progress in perinatal medicine has resulted in numerous tracheo-bronchial interventions on fetal and neonatal airways. The present study was performed to compile normative data for tracheal dimensions at varying gestational ages.

Material/methods: Using anatomical dissection, digital image analysis (NIS-Elements BR 3.

Endothelial cell markers in patients with pseudoexfoliation syndrome.

The aim of the study was the assessment of the von Willebrand antigen (vWF Ag), E-selectin, and P-selectin concentration in blood plasma of patients with pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PEX). The group studied comprised 30 patients with PEX, aged from 50 to 86 years (mean 73, SD ± 8 years). Patients with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus, infectious disease, cancer, renal or liver insufficiency, connective tissue disease, current smoking, and hormone, antiplatelet, hypolipidemic, antioxidant, or antihypertensive drug therapy were excluded from the study.

Mitochondria in anthropology and forensic medicine.

Mitochondria's role in crucial metabolic pathways is probably the first answer which comes to our minds for the question: what do these tiny organelles serve for? However, specific features of their DNA made them extremely useful also in the field of anthropology and forensics. MtDNA analyses became a milestone in the complex task of unraveling earliest human migrations. Evidence provided by these experiments left no doubts on modern humans origins pointing to Africa being our cradle.

The normal growth of the common iliac arteries in human fetuses - an anatomical, digital and statistical study.

Background: The present study was carried out to compile normative data for dimensions of the common iliac arteries at varying gestational ages.

Material/methods: We used anatomical dissection, digital-image analysis (system of Leica QWin Pro 16) and statistical analysis (Student T test, one-way ANOVA, post-hoc RIR Tukey test, and regression analysis) to examine the increase in length (mm), proximal external diameter (mm), and volume (mm³) of the common iliac arteries in 124 (60 males, 64 females) spontaneously aborted human fetuses aged 15-34 weeks.

Results: Neither sex nor right-left significant differences were found (P>0.

Giant post-infarction pseudoaneurysm of the left ventricle manifesting as severe heart failure.

A 57 year-old female was admitted for chronic heart failure (HF) with NYHA class IV symptoms. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed ruptured left ventricular (LV) lateral and posterior wall between their basal and middle segments resulting in giant, round pseudoaneurysm formation with a diameter of 12 cm. Bidirectional flow through a 2.

Analysis of LOXL1 single nucleotide polymorphisms in Polish population with pseudoexfoliation syndrome.

Purpose: To assess the possible association of lysyl oxidase-like 1 (LOXL1) gene variants with pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PEX) in Polish population.

Methods: The group studied comprised of 36 patients with PEX (men and women) who presented to Department of Ophthalmology Collegium Medicum UMK in Bydgoszcz, Poland, and 30 control subjects. Blood samples were obtained from each patient via peripheral venipuncture, and genomic DNA was isolated according to the standard procedures.

Diversity of 15 human X chromosome microsatellite loci in Polish population.

X-STR analysis is a powerful tool in both phylogeny reconstruction and forensic investigation. Hereby, we provide new population data concerning 15 X-STR loci (included in commercially available typing kit Mentype Argus X-8 (Biotype AG, Dresden, Germany) (DXS10135, DXS8378, DXS7132, DXS10074, HPRTB, DXS10101, DXS10134 and DXS7423) and another seven (DXS6807, DXS9898, DXS101, DXS7424, DXS7133, DXS8377 and DXS10011) that were previously described by Poetsch et al. [1] obtained from a sample of 311 individuals from Poland and compared to the results previously obtained from other populations of European, Asian and African origin [2-4].

Local pulmonary opioid network in patients with lung cancer: a putative modulator of respiratory function.

Recently, there has been growing interest in the opioid regulation of physiological respiratory function. However, evidence for a local opioid network that includes endogenous opioid peptides and their receptors is scarce. Tissue samples from patients with lung cancer were examined by immunohistochemistry to identify the components of the opioid network: beta-endorphin (END); its precursor, proopiomelanocortin (POMC); the key processing enzymes prohormone convertase 1 and 2; carboxypeptidase E; and END's corresponding opioid receptor, the mu-opioid receptor (MOR).

Similarities and distinctions in Y chromosome gene pool of Western Slavs.

Analysis of Y chromosome Y-STRs has proven to be a useful tool in the field of population genetics, especially in the case of closely related populations. We collected DNA samples from 169 males of Czech origin, 80 males of Slovakian origin, and 142 males dwelling Northern Poland. We performed Y-STR analysis of 12 loci in the samples collected (PowerPlex Y system from Promega) and compared the Y chromosome haplotype frequencies between the populations investigated.

Enkephalin, its precursor, processing enzymes, and receptor as part of a local opioid network throughout the respiratory system of lung cancer patients.

Evidence is accumulating regarding the local opioid regulation of physiologic respiratory functions. However, anatomical evidence for a local opioid network of the respiratory system is scarce. In this study, tissue samples from 12 lung cancer patients undergoing lobectomy or pneumonectomy were examined immunohistochemically for the expression of the opioid network components met-enkephalin, the respective precursor proenkephalin, the key processing enzymes prohormone convertases 1 and 2, carboxypeptidase E, and the delta opioid receptor in different areas of human lung.

Results of operative treatment of the pectus carinatum.

Aim Of This Study: Evaluation of the efficiency of the operative treatment for pectus carinatum depending on the type of deformity.

Material And Methods: 65 subjects following surgical procedures due to pectus carinatum deformity between 1997 and 2003 were analyzed. Surgical correction of the deformity depended on the localization of the sternal protrusion, grade of asymmetry and severity of the deformity.

Digital-image analysis of the left common carotid artery in human foetuses.

The rate of growth of the left common carotid artery during gestation has not been sufficiently evaluated. The present study was performed on 128 spontaneously aborted human foetuses aged 15-34 weeks to compile normative data for the dimensions of the left common carotid artery at varying gestational ages. Using anatomical dissection, digital image analysis (system of Leica Q Win Pro 16) and statistical analysis (ANOVA, regression analysis), a range of measurements (length, original external diameter and volume) for the left common carotid artery during gestation was examined.

Morphometric study of the brachiobicarotid trunk in human fetuses.

The study was conducted to define a normal range for the length, external diameter and volume of the brachiobicarotid trunk during gestation. The material examined consisted of 128 human fetuses of both sexes (63 male, 65 female) aged from 15 to 34 weeks, from spontaneous abortions or stillbirths. The arterial bed was filled with white Latex LBS 3060, specimens were fixed in a 10% formalin, and then branches of the aortic arch were dissected, recorded using a camera, and digitalized to JPEG images.

Morphometric study of the ascending aorta in human fetuses.

The present study was performed on 128 spontaneously aborted human fetuses, aged 15-34 weeks, to compile normative data for ascending aorta dimensions at varying gestational age. Using anatomical dissection, digital-image analysis (system of Leica QWin Pro 16) and statistical analysis (ANOVA, regression analysis) a range of measurements (Length, original and terminal external diameters, volume) for the ascending aorta during gestation was examined. No significant gender differences were found (P > 0.

Y-chromosome haplogroup N dispersals from south Siberia to Europe.

In order to reconstruct the history of Y-chromosome haplogroup (hg) N dispersals in north Eurasia, we have analyzed the diversity of microsatellite (STR) loci within two major hg N clades, N2 and N3, in a total sample of 1,438 males from 17 ethnic groups, mainly of Siberian and Eastern European origin. Based on STR variance analysis we observed that hg N3a is more diverse in Eastern Europe than in south Siberia. However, analysis of median networks showed that there are two STR subclusters of hg N3a, N3a1 and N3a2, that are characterized by different genetic histories.

The normal growth of the thoracic aorta in human foetuses.

The present study was performed on 128 spontaneously aborted human foetuses aged 15-34 weeks in order to establish normal values for thoracic aorta dimensions at various gestational ages. Using anatomical dissection, digital-image analysis (the Leica QWin Pro 16 system) and statistical analysis (ANOVA, regression analysis) the growth of the length, the original and terminal external diameters and the volume of the thoracic aorta during gestation was examined. No significant gender differences were found (p>0.

The normal growth of the pulmonary trunk in human foetuses.

The rate of growth of the pulmonary trunk during gestation has not been sufficiently determined. The present study was performed on 128 spontaneously aborted human foetuses aged 15-34 weeks in order to compile normative data for pulmonary trunk dimensions at various gestational ages. With the use of anatomical dissection, digital-image analysis (the Leica QWin Pro 16 system) and statistical analysis (ANOVA, regression analysis) a range of measurements (length, diameter and volume) was analysed for the pulmonary trunk during gestation.

Complex interactions of the Eastern and Western Slavic populations with other European groups as revealed by mitochondrial DNA analysis.

Mitochondrial DNA sequence variation was examined by the control region sequencing (HVS I and HVS II) and RFLP analysis of haplogroup-diagnostic coding region sites in 570 individuals from four regional populations of Poles and two Russian groups from northwestern part of the country. Additionally, sequences of complete mitochondrial genomes representing K1a1b1a subclade in Polish and Polish Roma populations have been determined. Haplogroup frequency patterns revealed in Poles and Russians are similar to those characteristic of other Europeans.