Welfare Assessment on Different-Sized Dairy Goat Farms in the Northern Serbian Province of Vojvodina

This research aimed for the first time to identify the essential welfare problems on 46 goat dairy farms in Vojvodina,based on the goat AWIN welfare protocol. The study showed that space allowance per goat was 1.55, 1.86 and 2.50 m2/goat (large, medium, small-sized farms, respectively). Most farms possessed the soil floor and straw as a flooring material. The small and medium farms more allowed access to the outdoor area. Contrary, large-sized farms mostly kept goats in fully housed systems with reduced opportunities for the goats to express their natural behavior. Management procedures were significantly different (p < 0.05) between the investigated farms. Differences were mainly in bedding, feeding and culling strategies. Low productivity was the main cause of culling in all farm types. Small-sized farms carried out more often disbudding (42.9%) in comparison with medium (21.4%) and large-sized ones (14.3%). Group level observation showed that the main areas of concern were associated with hair coat condition and kneeling at the feeding rack (p < 0.05). Inadequate BCS, udder asymmetry and claw overgrowth were frequently recorded. The prevalence of thin and fat goats was highest in large-sized farms All farm size categories and management systems showed certain welfare weaknesses. Thus, the findings highlighted the need for higher implementation of animal welfare principles and improvement of management techniques to meet the welfare requirements of dairy goats.

Modification of N-doped TiO2 photocatalysts using noble metals (Pt, Pd) - a combined XPS and DFT study

Nitrogen-doped TiO₂ (N-TiO₂) is considered as one of the most promising materials for various photocatalytic applications, while noble metals Pd and Pt are known as good catalysts for hydrogen evolution. This work focuses on the determination of structural and electronic modifications of N-TiO₂, achieved by noble metal deposition at the surface, as a starting indicator for potential applications. We focus on the properties of easily synthesized nanocrystalline nitrogen-doped anatase TiO₂, modified by depositing small amounts of Pd (0.05 wt%) and Pt (0.10 wt%), aiming to demonstrate efficient enhancement of optical properties. The chemical states of dopants are studied in detail, using X-ray photoemission spectroscopy, to address the potential of N-TiO₂ to act as a support for metallic nanoparticles. DFT calculations are used to resolve substitutional from interstitial nitrogen doping of anatase TiO₂, as well as to study the combined effect of nitrogen doping and oxygen vacancy formation. Based on the binding energies calculated using Slater's transition state theory, dominant contribution to the N 1s binding energy at 399.8 eV is ascribed to interstitially doped nitrogen in anatase TiO₂. Given that both structure and photocatalytic properties depend greatly on the synthesis procedure, this work contributes further to establishing correlation between the structure and optical properties of the noble metal modified N-TiO₂ system.

How often absence of palmaris longus and functional deficiencyof flexor digitorum superficialis occurs ?

This study was designed to find a possible correlation between the presence of the palmaris longus and function of the fifth flexor digitorum superficialis. We examined 300 participants to assess the absence of palmaris longus and flexor digitorum superficialis function by several clinical tests. Overall absence of palmaris longus, was seen in 157 participants (52.3%). Overall deficiency of flexor digitorum superficialis was noted in 100 participants (33.3%). In 15 participants (5%) we noted bilateral absence of palmaris longus and flexor digitorum superficialis deficiency. Five participants (1.7%) had unilateral absence of palmaris longus and flexor digitorum superficialis deficiency on the same, left or right hand. Bilaterally presence of these muscles we noted in 95 participants (31.7%). We believe that there is no connection between absent palmaris longus and absent function of flexor digitorum superficialis. We found a much higher prevalence of muscles absence individually and jointly than in other studies.

Transabdominal and transrectal ultrasonography of fetuses in Württemberg ewes: Correlation with gestational age

It is useful to determine the gestational age in sheep to provide essential information for effective flock management practices. The aims of this study were to evaluate the efficacy and practical aspects for using two ultrasound techniques, transabdominal and transrectal, in determining the gestational age in Württemberg ewes. Monitoring of embryo and fetus developmental stages during the ewes' gestation was carried out with real time ultrasound using a transabdominal convex probe, frequency 3.5 MHz, and a transrectal linear probe, frequency 7.5 MHz. The size of the embryonic vesicle during the period from the 23rd to the 38th day of gestation can be used as a confirmational indicator of gestational age when the transrectal probe is used. The occipital nasal diameter correlated with the gestational age with both transabdominal (P < 0.05) and transrectal probes (P < 0.01) from the 46th to the 63rd day of gestation. The biparietal diameter of the fetal head measured by transabdominal probe during the period from the 46th to the 63rd day of gestation correlates with gestation age (P < 0.05). The diameter of the fetal eye orbit monitored by transrectal probe from the 46th to the 63rd day of gestation also correlated well with gestational age (P < 0.05).

Effects of the inclusion of Equex STM into Tris-based extender on the motility of dog spermatozoa incubated at 5 degrees C

The aim of this study was to estimate the effects of Equex STM on sperm motion characteristics in chilled dog semen extended in Tris-based diluent. Thirty-two ejaculates were collected from 12 proven German shepherd stud dogs. The sperm-rich fractions were diluted in Tris-based extender with 1% (v/v) Equex STM (sample A) and in Tris-based extender with no addition of detergent (sample B). The extended semen was incubated for 240 h at 5 degrees C and the motility parameters were evaluated by CASA system at 24-h intervals. Addition of Equex STM to Tris-based extender led to an initial activation of motion activity of spermatozoa, followed by a rapid decrease, shortening the lifespan of spermatozoa incubated at 5 degrees C. Computer-assisted sperm analysis clearly showed that Equex STM-induced changes of sperm motion characteristics resemble the hyperactivation (HA) of spermatozoa associated with the capacitation process.

An alkylpolyglucoside surfactant as a prospective pharmaceutical excipient for topical formulations: The influence of oil polarity on the colloidal structure and hydrocortisone in vitro/in vivo permeation

There is a growing need for research into new skin- and environment-friendly surfactants. This paper focuses on a natural surfactant of an alkylpolyglucoside type, which can form both thermotropic and lyotropic liquid-crystalline phases. The aim of this study was to relate some physicochemical properties (characterised by polarisation and transmission electron microscopy, thermal analysis and rheology) of the three formulations based on cetearyl glucoside and cetearyl alcohol, to the results of in vitro and in vivo bioavailability of hydrocortisone (HC). The three formulations contained oils of different polarity (medium chain triglycerides: MG, isopropyl myristate: IPM and light liquid paraffin: LP), respectively. In vitro permeation was followed through the artificial skin constructs (ASC), while the parameters measured in vivo were erythema index: EI (using instrumental human skin blanching assay), transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and stratum corneum hydration (SCH). The vehicles based on cetearyl glucoside and cetearyl alcohol showed a complex colloidal structure of lamellar liquid-crystalline and lamellar gel-crystalline type, depending on oil polarity. Rheological profile of the vehicle was directly related to the in vitro profile of the HC permeation. In vivo results suggested that the vehicle with MG retarded the HC permeation, whereas less polar IPM and non-polar LP enhanced it. It is suggested that the enhancement is achieved either by a direct interaction with lipid lamellae of the SC or indirectly by improving skin hydration. There were no adverse effects during in vivo study, which indicates a good safety profile of this alkylpolyglucoside surfactant.

Symmetry of post-movement beta-ERS and motor recovery from stroke: a low-resolution EEG pilot study

The inter-hemispheric symmetry of electroencephalographic (EEG) post-movement beta-event-related synchronization (PMBS) after movements on a drawing board was studied in eight acute stroke subjects with mild hemiparesis and eight normal subjects. A follow-up testing was conducted 3 months after the initial recordings with a twofold purpose: (1) to validate the reproducibility of the experimental protocol in normal subjects; and (2) to study changes of inter-hemispheric PMBS-symmetry as a response to recovery of motor function. PMBS values were calculated and their topographic distributions illustrated at various time instances following movement offset. Significant PMBS patterns were present in all normal subjects, with only minor differences within consecutive recordings. The side of hemiparesis in acute stroke subjects could be distinguished (P = 0.04) on the basis of the signed symmetry index, a quantitative measure of lateralization. The follow-up testing on three recovered stroke subjects revealed a trend of changes in the lateralization towards the contralateral side of movement, an indication that the cortical organization of movement following recovery turned out as reported for normal subjects. Further clinical investigations need to be carried out to evaluate the relationship between recovery and PMBS symmetry on a large number of subjects, using the method presented here.

Intima-media thickness of common carotid artery, carotid atherosclerosis and subtypes of ischemic cerebral disease

It has been shown that common carotid intima-media thickness (CCA-IMT) is a useful outcome measure in clinical studies and intervention trials reflecting early stage of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular risk. The present study examined the association between CCA-IMT and incident ischemic stroke and its subtypes in 75 cases and 21 controls. Cases with ischemic brain infarctions (IBI) were consecutively recruited and classified into subtypes by CT and Bamford's classification (the size and site of infarct) like total anterior circulation infarcts (TACIs), partial anterior circulation infarcts (PACIs), posterior circulation infarcts (POCIs) or lacunar infarcts (LACIs). Controls were recruited among individuals hospitalized at the same institutions and matched for age and sex. Patients and control subjects underwent B-mode ultrasonographic measurements of IMT of the distal wall of both common carotid arteries. Of 75 patients with an acute ischemic stroke, 10 (14%) were classified as TACIs, 34 (45%) with PACIs, 12 (16%) with POCIs and 19 (25%) with LACIs. Mean CCA-IMT was higher in cases (1.03+/-0.18 mm) than in controls (0.85+/-0.18 mm; p<0.0001). The difference in CCA-IMT between cases and controls was significant and the relation between CCA-IMT and IBI remained after adjustment for main cardiovascular risk factors. Regarding the subtypes of IBI, IMT values were significantly higher in patients with TACIs and PACIs versus those with LACIs and POCIs. An increased CCA-IMT was associated with the all subtypes IBI and was significantly higher in those with anterior circulation infarcts versus posterior circulation and lacunar infarcts.

Modulatory effects of garlic extracts on proliferation of T-lymphocytes in vitro stimulated with concanavalin A

Different active components from the garlic (Allium sativum) possess immunomodulatory activity both in vitro and in vivo. However, mechanisms of their actions are not sufficiently elucidated. In this study we examined the effects of garlic aqueous extract (GAE) and garlic ethanolic extract (GEE), prepared from two different garlic powder samples, on proliferation of rat thymocytes and splenocytes in culture, stimulated with concanavalin A (Con A). It has been shown that the extracts from both samples significantly modulate lymphocyte proliferation, triggered by this potent T-cell mitogen, depending on the type and dilutions of extracts and concentrations of Con A. The extracts, alone, were not mitogenic for lymphocytes. Generally, higher concentrations of the extracts showed inhibitory effects, whereas lower concentrations significantly augmented proliferation of lymphocytes. The stimulatory effect of GAE was stronger using splenocytes and suboptimal concentrations of Con A as a consequence of increased interleukin 2 (IL-2) production as well as the expression of IL-2 receptor alpha (IL-2Ralpha). The relationship between these two phenomena was demonstrated using neutralizing anti-IL-2Ralpha monoclonal antibody. The inhibitory effect of GAE correlated with a decrease in IL-2 production, but was not followed by down-regulation of IL-2Ralpha expression. The addition of IL-2 almost completely abolished inhibition of lymphocyte proliferation in the presence of higher concentrations of GAE.

[Importance of self-assessment of functional and communication abilities on the outcome of rehabilitation in patients with hemiplegia after cerebrovascular stroke]

INTRODUCTION

Cerebrovascular insult causes focal damage of the central nervous system structures consequently causing loss or disturbance of their functions. Motor deficit is often associated with personality alterations generally speaking, as well as changes in behavior and loss of numerous neuropsychological functions. Rehabilitation of such patients should be defined by all members of the team, including the patient himself and members of his family.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This is a case report on a male patient 49 years of age with rightsided paralysis accompanied by aphasia. Thirty days after cerebrovascular insult he was transferred from the Clinic of Neurology in Novi Sad to the Clinic of Medical Rehabilitation. Functional disability assessment was made using Barthel Index, whereas communication was assessed by Boston Diagnostic Aphasia Examination. The rehabilitation program included, apart from the usual team, the patient himself and members of his family. The patient became the center of the team and was informed about the disease. Personal assessment of the patient on his functional and communication abilities and their importance for further progress was used to set the objectives of the rehabilitation program. The rehabilitation program was performed by a speech therapist and a psychologist, including kinesis, work activities, occupational therapy, individual and group therapy.

RESULTS

The outcome of the rehabilitation program in this patient was significantly better than expected.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

This case report shows that being the center of the rehabilitation team the patient takes an active part in setting objectives of the rehabilitation program, whereas involvement of the family, knowledge on necessary medical issues about the disease, contribute to better motivation and better outcome of the rehabilitation program in patients with hemiplegia caused by cerebrovascular insult.

Garlic extracts stimulate proliferation of rat lymphocytes in vitro by increasing IL-2 and IL-4 production

Garlic components are known to modulate certain immune functions. However, mechanisms of their action are not sufficiently elucidated. This study was, therefore, undertaken to examine the effects of aqueous and ethanolic extracts prepared from a garlic powder sample on proliferation of rat spleen lymphocytes in culture. Cells were stimulated with the combination of phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) and a Ca ionophore (A23187) or R73 monoclonal antibody (mAb) directed to the alphabeta chain of T cell receptor. It has been shown that both extracts significantly stimulated proliferation of lymphocytes. The effect correlated with upregulation of the Interleukin 2 receptor alpha (IL-2R alpha) expression and the increase in IL-2 production. Stimulation of IL-2 production by the extracts was higher in cultures with PMA/Ca ionophore than in cultures with R73 mAb. In contrast, both extracts stimulated production of IL-4 by splenocytes triggered by R73 mAb. The complete dependence of lymphocyte proliferation in cultures with R73 mAb and garlic extracts on IL-2 and IL-4 was demonstrated using neutralising mAbs to IL-2R alpha and IL-4. These results suggest that the potentiating effect of garlic extracts on lymphocyte proliferation in vitro differs depending on specific stimulators of cell proliferation and probably on the type of responding cells.

When nonwords activate semantics better than words

We conducted a strong test of the idea that visual word processing and the activation of a printed word's meaning proceeds at a rate scaled by the temporal evolution of a unique and stable phonological code. Using the lexical decision task, and readers fluent in the two alphabets of Serbo-Croatian, we compared the priming of a target word such as automat by the semantically related word ROBOT and by the nonword ROBOT. Whereas the Serbo-Croatian word ROBOT can support two phonological codes, /robot/ and /rovot/, the nonword ROBOT composed by illegally mixing Roman and Cyrillic letters can support only the phonological code /robot/, that corresponding to the word whose meaning is related to automat's. At a prime duration of 35 ms, the lexical decision on the target automat was facilitated by ROBOT but not by ROBOT. At a prime duration of 125 ms, the word ROBOT was the more effective prime. One consequence of phonology's leading role in visual word recognition is that a nonword can sometimes activate a given word's meaning better than the word itself.

[New trends in immunosuppressive therapy in patients with kidney transplants]

Following the transplantation of visceral organs, two populations of immunocytes survive which derived from the donor's and the recipient's bone marrow. The rejection process of transplanted organ or graft versus host reaction could result from their mutual stimulation. On the other hand, the immunocytes of the donor and recipient could deny the effects of their MHC antigen disparities directed against each other, to favor the transplant acceptance through the processes of the donor specific tolerance. The spontaneous chimerism has been shown even in patients with the heart or kidney allografts which contain few numbers of donor's passenger lymphocytes. The frequency of chimerism is augmenting more than 1000 times following the combined and simultaneous transplantation of both kidney allograft and donor bone marrow cells. Theoretically, the continuous peroraly giving of high doses of synthetic peptides homologous to immunodominate epitope(s) of the donor MHC molecules could sustain the state of "stable chimerism" with donor immunocytes. This immunosuppressive protocol permits long-term survival of organ (kidney) allograft without diminishing the donor immune system that provokes the present immunosuppressives with non-specific effects.

[Results of repair of severed nerves in war injuries]

The results of surgical treatment of 397 wounded with 482 neurotmeses (64 median, 97 ulnar, 100 radial, 7 musculocutaneal, 120 peroneal and 94 tibial nerves) were analyzed. The treatment outcome was determined 12-36 months postoperatively by analyzing the sensorimotor recovery, EMNG status and operated person's attitude to the repair outcome. The change of all the four mentioned parameters was graded from 0 to 5 points, and the outcome was qualified as poor, moderate, good or excellent according to the point sum total. The majority of good and excellent results was obtained after radial (85%) and musculocutaneal (100%) nerve repairs and the less after peroneal nerve repair (13.3%). Based on the obtained results, it was concluded that radial and musculocutaneal neurotmeses should always be repaired, disregarding the height of lesion. Repair of high ulnar and peroneal lesions was unsuccessful. High lesions of tibial and median nerves should be repaired because of the possible recovery of protective sensibility in autonomous nerve zone.

[Craniocerebral injuries at the Vukovar battlefield]

In Neurosurgical Clinic of Military Medical Academy 33 wounded persons with craniocerebral injuries (CCI) from Vukovar battlefield were treated from September 16 to December 3. After the follow-up period of average 48 months the outcome of treatment was analyzed compared to the clinical status on admission and to the extent of cerebral lesion. All wounded with minor CCI (GCS = 15) and majority with mild injuries (GCS = 13-14) had the good outcome, and all the wounded with severe injuries (GCS = 3-8) died (p < 0.01). After unilobar penetrating CCI the outcome was mostly good, but after multilobar and transventricular injuries the outcome was worse or lethal (p < 0.01). Total mortality rate was 27.3%. Our conclusion is that bad clinical status on admission and more extensive cerebral lesions correlate with worse outcome of treatment of war CCI.

[Lesions of the peripheral nerves associated with pseudoaneurysms of the major arteries caused by gunshot wounds]

Ten wounded persons, operated on for gunshot-induced peripheral nerve lesion in which pseudoaneurysm of the main artery was found intraoperatively, were presented. Preoperative clinical course, intraoperative neurovascular topography and pathoanatomy, operative procedures and postoperative results were analyzed. The correlation was established between preoperative neurologic deficit and intraoperative findings on arteries and nerves. It was concluded that such patients have to be operated on as soon as possible, but not later than five days from the beginning of neurologic aggravation, to prevent the development of irreversible neural damage.

[Progression of chronic renal insufficiency in chronic rejection: the role of chronic transplantation glomerulopathy]

Chronic rejection of kidney transplant is a chronic and progressive decline of kidney transplant function related to certain morphologic changes, such as obliterate vasculopathy, interstitial fibrosis, tubular atrophy, and transplant glomerulopathy [1]. The purpose of this study was to investigate the involvement of chronic transplant glomerulopathy in the progression of chronic renal failure.

METHOD, PATIENTS

Of 16 transplant patients with histologic diagnosis of chronic kidney transplant rejection in biopsy specimens, 8 patients had chronic transplant glomerulopathy (ChR-1), and in the other 8 patients glomeruli were relatively preserved (ChR-2). Transplant biopsies were performed between the seventh and the 15th month in ChR-1, and between the ninth and the 34th month in ChR-2 group. Morphologic vasculopathy cv2 changes, tubular atrophy ct1 and ct2 in the half of each group, and interstitial fibrosis ci2, were graded according to the BANFF criteria [2]. During the follow up the patients received similar doses of prednisone, as well as of azathioprine and cyclosporine A.

IMMUNOHISTOCHEMICAL INVESTIGATION

The expression of MHC I antigen, MHC II antigens, CD3, CD25, CD54 (ICAM-1) was analyzed by indirect immunoperoxidase technique of staining on the frozen sections, (DAKOPATTS). The immunoreactivity score was 0 to 3.

BIOCHEMICAL INVESTIGATION

The renal function was expressed as reciprocal serum creatinine values (1/mumol/L) reflecting the mean monthly levels, over the period between the third and the 22nd month following the transplantation. In each patient a decline in kidney functioning was determined in two ways: 1. by the slope of the curve representing the function of regression of the reciprocal serum creatinine over time, started from the third month after the transplantation, 2. by the rate of regression (percent) of the reciprocal serum creatinine values at the sixth, the ninth, the 18th and the 22nd month, compared to the attained serum creatinine level at the third posttransplantation month.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Glomeruli with present chronic transplant glomerulopathy (patients of the ChR-1 group) had moderate expression of MHC I antigen [1-2], week expression of ICAM-1 (CD54), whereas DR antigens were almost absent. In cortical tubuli the expression of MHC I antigen was very low. The relatively preserved glomeruli in patients without chronic transplant glomerulopathy (ChR-2 group) showed high expression of MHC I antigen [2], moderate expression of ICAM-1, and low (up to 1) DR expression. The CD25 molecules were not detected in any analyzed glomeruli (62 in total), except a positive cellular crescent formation, seen in 3 patients with chronic transplant glomerulopathy. The regression slopes of reciprocal serum creatinine values according to months, over the third and the 22nd month were similar in both groups of patients, and the speculating mean graft survival time was 44 months, in both groups. However, 4 of 8 patients of the ChR-1 group, and only 1 of 8 patients of the ChR-2 group returned to the haemodialyses because of the graft functioning loss. Besides, the mean percentual rate of the decline in renal functioning, as the rate of decrease of serum reciprocal creatinine values in the chosen growing periods in time after the third month were higher in group ChR-1 with present chronic transplant glomerulopathy in biopsy specimens. The difference was of statistical significance at the end of the 18th month, t = 4.10, p less than 0.01. In this period proteinuria exceeding 3 grams a day was discovered in 6 patients of ChR-1 group, and in 4 patients in ChR-2 group. Our results suggest that the early appearance of chronic transplant glomerulopathy induces a slightly higher loss of function of the kidney transplant with chronic rejection, despite of the absence of the immune activation in the glomeruli with the present chronic transplant glomerulopathy. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED)

[Repair of a severed nerve with denatured muscle graft--preliminary results of a new surgical technic]

In Neurosurgical Clinic of Military Medical Academy prospective study about the use of denatured muscle graft in nerve repair is in progress, based on numerous experimental and sporadic clinical literature data. The first, experimental part of the investigation is directed to operative technique details and also to find out the manner and duration of muscle denaturation which provide ideal conditions for regenerating axons sprouting. It is concluded that greater pectoral muscle have to be muscle graft donor for nerve defects shorter than 6 cm, and sartorius muscle for those longer than 6 cm. Denaturation for 30 seconds in liquid nitrogen and after that in distilled water for 3 minutes results in micromorphological status in muscle graft which is optimal for axonal regeneration. In the second, clinical part of the work reparations of missile neurotmesis of radial nerve with denatured muscle grafts are performed. Preliminary results 9 months after operation are quite comparable with results after sural nerve graft reparation.

[Post-gunshot wound lesions of the peripheral nerves which may be prevented with adequate primary surgical wound care]

The retrospective study includes 24 wounded persons with iatrogenic peripheral nerve lesion and 94 wounded whose neural damage occurred due to peripheral nerve engagement in scar tissue after main artery reconstruction, missile bone fracture or after soft tissues defects covering by Tiersch transplants. The authors analyzed frequency and localization of these lesions, intraoperative findings, applied operative procedures and clinical findings during preoperative follow-up. It is recommended to create the new bad for exposed peripheral nerve from adjacent muscles as part of primary surgical wound treatment. This procedure eliminates the risk of subsequent epineural scar formation in all situations that have been described (soft tissue defects, artery reconstruction and bone fracture) and makes the later operations on peripheral nerves unnecessary.

[Peripheral nerve injuries during the 1991-1993 war period]

In the period 1991 - 1993, 931 casualties with 1435 injured peripheral nerves were surgically treated at the Clinic for Neurosurgery of the Military Medical Academy. The statistical analyses of these series was done according to the type of the injured nerves, the age and sex of the wounded. The cause of injuries, associated and combined injuries, distribution of single and multiple lesions of certain nerves, as well as employed surgical procedures were analyzed.

[Anatomic characteristics and clinical signs of congenital anomalies in the circle of Willis]

Anatomical characteristics and clinical importance of congenital anomalies of cerebral arteries were examined based on the results obtained by dissection of the circle of Willis blood vessels of 70 native cadaveric brains. Anomalies were most frequently found in posterior communicant artery and their most frequent type was hypoplasia of the blood vessel. Multiple anomalies of the circle of Willis were found in 3 cadavers. Premortal neurological symptomatology (PNS) existed in 5 cadavers. There was no significant difference in PNS occurrence at autopsy in cases with or without anomalies. Association of aneurisms with anomalies of the circle of Willis was found in two cases, but it was not significant in comparison to the control group with no anomalies.

[Nonparasitic true cysts of the spleen]

Nonparasitic true cysts of the spleen are rare, but not so rare as it has been thought. Thanks to the new imaging techniques, first of all ultrasonography, they are discovered easily and quickly. Usually, there is only one cyst. Rarely, the patient may have the polycystic liver and the kidney, and the pancreatic disease. We present four patients with nonparasitic true cysts of the spleen. There were three women and one man, 37-years-average age (range from 31 to 45 years). Three patients had solitary splenic cysts. In one patient a large dominant cyst and many small cysts up to 0.5 cm in diameter were found. All patients suffered from left subcostal pain. The size of cysts varied from 6 to 8.5 cm in diameter (average size of 7 cm). All patients were treated surgically by splenectomy, without complications or mortality. Histological findings revealed lyphangiomatic cysts in three patients and epidermoid cyst in one subject. All patients are symptom-free so far.

[Pseudocyst of the adrenal gland causing hypertension]

We describe a 45-year-old women in whom during the investigation of hypertension a small, 2 cm in diameter, cyst of the left adrenal gland was found, which continued to grow up to 9 cm in diameter for a year. At the operation a three-locular cyst of the left adrenal gland was entirely removed with all surrounding organs undamaged. The postoperative recovery was uneventful. Histological examination showed a pseudocyst probably of posthaemorrhagic origin. Blood pressure dropped to normal and left abdominal pain disappeared. Since then the is symptom-free.

[Fibrosarcoma of the pancreas]

Fibrosarcoma of the pancreas is a very rare tumour. Its localisation in any part of the pancreas causes various dominant symptoms. Tumour is often enormously enlarged, very vascular, often with central necrosis and penetration into the gastric wall causing ulcers and bleeding. Prognosis of the tumour is not always bad due to low malignancy. The authors describe a 53-year-old woman with fibrosarcoma of the pancreatic body. The first symptom was an epigastric pain when subcardial gastric ulcer was diagnosed and conservatively treated. One year later a huge palpable epigastric tumour was found with massive gastrointestinal bleeding as a dominant symptom. Gasher was dislocated from the less curvature side by the tumour. During the operation a great, solid and highly vascular tumour was removed, 2100 grams of weight and 15 cm in diameter Subtotal gastric resection with Billroth II anastomosis was done because of the infiltration of the posterior gastric wall and bleeding ulceration. Histopathology showed the first stage malignany of pancreatic fibrosarcoma. The patient is symptom free, without local recidivation and distant metastases over 3 years after the operation.

Discomforts and laboratory findings in workers exposed to sulfur dioxide

In a broom manufacturing factory the authors performed microclimatic measurements, measurements of sulfur dioxide concentration and dust content. Workers (n = 190) were polled regarding discomforts characteristic of sulfur dioxide effects. Sulfates were determined in urine of 56 subjects, and methemoglobin and sulfhemoglobin were determined in blood. Sulfates were determined in 43 controls and methemoglobin and sulfhemoglobin were determined in 39 controls. Sulfur dioxide concentration in work environment ranged from 17.1 to 149.4 mg/m3 in winter and from 0 to 0.75 mg/m3 in summer. The exposed workers complained most often of coughing (94.2%), dyspnea (91.0%), burning in nose, eyes and throat (from 74.7 to 83.7%), substernal pain (75.3%), sore throat (74.7%), tearing (64.7%), etc. Sulfate concentrations were found to be statistically significantly higher (P less than 0.01) in urine of workers exposed to sulfur dioxide than in the controls. Methemoglobin concentrations were also significantly higher in blood of the exposed workers, whereas no difference was found in concentrations of sulfhemoglobin.

Hemispheric asymmetries in phonological processing

In Serbo-Croat, lexical decision to phonologically bivalent letter strings is slowed relative to their phonologically unique counterparts. This feature was exploited in order to assess the linguistic capacity of the two hemispheres. Lexical decision to laterally presented words and pseudowords revealed a right visual field advantage for both males and females in words and pseudowords. But the demands of phonological processing were not met in the same way by the two hemispheres, the two hemispheres did not respond in the same way in the two sexes, and the pattern of these differences was opposite for words and pseudowords.

Grammatical priming of inflected nouns by the gender of possessive adjectives

Two experiments examined the effect on lexical decision times for inflected Serbo-Croatian nouns when the nouns were preceded by possessive adjectives (my, your, our). For any given pairing the possessive adjective and the noun agreed always in number (singular) and case (nominative) but only agreed half of the time in gender (masculine or feminine). Lexical decisions were faster when the noun targets were of the same gender as their primes. This gender congruency/incongruency effect was shown to hold whether the inflections of the adjective and noun were the same (as is the case for typical Serbo-Croatian nouns) or different (as is the case for atypical Serbo-Croatian nouns). The results are discussed in terms of a postlexical influence of grammatical processing on the recognition of individual words.

Grammatical priming of inflected nouns by the gender of possessive adjectives

Two experiments examined the effect on lexical decision times for inflected Serbo-Croatian nouns when the nouns were preceded by possessive adjectives (my, your, our). For any given pairing the possessive adjective and the noun agreed always in number (singular) and case (nominative) but only agreed half of the time in gender (masculine or feminine). Lexical decisions were faster when the noun targets were of the same gender as their primes. This gender congruency/incongruency effect was shown to hold whether the inflections of the adjective and noun were the same (as is the case for typical Serbo-Croatian nouns) or different (as is the case for atypical Serbo-Croatian nouns). The results are discussed in terms of a postlexical influence of grammatical processing on the recognition of individual words.