Functional properties of galectin-3. Beyond the sugar binding.

Contemporary diseases like diabetes, asthma, atherosclerosis etc. are marked by chronic inflammation, often supported by the activity of different macrophages. Proteins from galectin family were found to contribute to disease pathophysiology. Therefore, there is an intensive interest in understanding different galectin functions. The aim of this thesis was to pin-point specific galectin-3 roles in differently activated macrophages. Additional aim was to understand the mechanism and consequences of galectin-3 ligand binding. In the first paper galectin-3 endocytosis was studied in a system of differently activated macrophages. We found that inflammatory, M1, and alternatively activated, M2, macrophages have a large capacity to internalize externally added galectin-3, besides expressing and secreting galectin-3. Additionally, we found that galectin-3 does not require the functional carbohydrate recognition domain (CRD) for its endocytosis. In the second paper we used M2 macrophages to study how galectin-1 directs the endocytosis of hemoglobin-haptoglobin complex. Our results indicated that galectin-1 bound fraction of the complex takes a recycling intracellular route instead of the pathway for degradation. The third paper shows how certain complex carbohydrate ligands can induce galectin-3 self-association that involves CRD to CRD binding. This “type-C” self-association engages more galectin-3 molecules than there are available glycan ligands and can explain certain biological events that require fast galectin-3 mobilization. In the fourth paper we tested the inhibitory potential of a few plant products for several galectins. We found that their activity was very weak, hence the search for more potent anti-galectin, perhaps also anti-inflammatory remedies continues

My Three Angels (2008 SSDT program)

Performed July 24-27, August 1-2, 2008. Part of the 2008 Searcy Summer Dinner Theatre season. Cast:Felix Ducotel: Zak HolderEmilie Ducotel: Wendy SmithMarie Louise: Amber WilliamsMme. Parole: Julee HolderJoseph: Steve FryeJules: Steve HolderAlfred: Caleb KeeseHenri Trochard: Phil DixonPaul: Brandon RagsdaleLieutenant: Keith Fisherhttps://scholarworks.harding.edu/theatre-history/1277/thumbnail.jp

Neurological Complications of Influenza

Neurološke komplikacije influence smatraju se rijetkima i pojavljuju se najčešće u dječjoj dobi. Od posebnog su interesa encefalitis i encefalopatija (IAEE) povezani s influencom zbog nepoznate patogeneze, dramatične kliničke prezentacije, dijagnostičkih teškoća, nepostojanja učinkovitog lijeka te često nepovoljnog ishoda osobito među malom djecom. Opisane su kliničke karakteristike neuroloških komplikacija influence. Neurološke komplikacije povezane s cjepivom protiv influence ekstremno su rijetke.Neurological complications of influenza are considered rare and occur mainly in children. Influenza associated encephalitis and encephalopathy (IAEE) are particularly interesting because of their unknown pathogenesis, dramatic clinical presentation, diagnostic difficulties, lack of effective treatment and frequently poor outcome, especially in small children. The clinical features of neurological complications of influenza have been described. Neurological complications associated with influenza vaccination are extremely rare

Determination of the influence of the process parameters on the size and zeta potential of the particles produced by spray drying

U okviru ovog diplomskog rada uspješno je proveden i evaluiran plan pokusa sa svrhom ispitivanja utjecaja procesnih parametara na veličinu i naboj mikročestica s melatoninom pripravljenih tehnikom sušenja raspršivanjem. Poznavanje veličine čestica ishodnih sirovina te gotovih pripravaka važno je za terapijski učinak lijeka, stabilnost, oblikovanje i skladištenje. Naboj na površini čestica uvjetuje stabilnost uzorka, koja se manifestira većom otpornošću na flokulaciju i agregaciju čestica. Za dizajniranje plana pokusa te statističku obradu dobivenih podataka analize mikročestica s melatoninom korišten je JMP program. Temeljem statističke obrade utvrdili su se faktori s najvećim utjecajem na ispitivani parametar. Mijenjanjem procesnih parametara brzine pumpe (20-40 %), omjera lipida i kitozana (31,25-62,5) te temperature zraka (110-125 °C) dobiveno je 13 uzoraka mikročestica koje se razlikuju u veličini i vrijednosti Z-potencijala. Metodom linearne regresije nije dobivena krivulja koja pokazuje povezanost između predviđenih i dobivenih veličina čestica. Stoga je utvrđeno da u ispitanom području omjera lipida i kitozana, brzine pumpe te temperature sušenja ne dolazi do značajne promjene u veličini pripravljenih čestica. Matematičkom analizom JMP programa utvrđeno je da najveći utjecaj na vrijednost Z-potencijala ima omjer lipida i kitozana što je i očekivano budući da kitozan nosi pozitivan, a lipidna komponenta negativan naboj. Temperatura zraka ima umjeren utjecaj na Z-potencijal, dok brzina pumpe ima slabi utjecaj.Within this graduate thesis, a plan of experiments whose purpose was to examine the influence of process parameters on the size and charge of micro particles containing melatonin prepared using the spray drying technique was successfully carried out and evaluated. Knowing the size of the raw materials as well as the size of particles in the drug product is important for the therapeutic effect, stability, shaping and storage of the medication. The particles' surface charge influences the stability of the sample, which is manifested in a greater resilience to flocculation and aggregation of the particles. In order to design the experiment plan, and for the statistical analysis of the data acquired from the analysis of the micro particles containing melatonin the JMP program was used. The factors with the biggest influence on the target parameter were determined by the statistical analysis. By changing the process parameters of the pump speed (20-40 %), the lipid-chitosan ratio (31,25-62,5) and the air temperature (110-125 °C), 13 micro particle samples which differed in size and Z-potential values were obtained. Using the method of linear regression did not result in a curve that showed the linear relation between the predicted and obtained particle sizes. Therefore, it was determined that in the tested lipid-chitosan ratio, pump speed and drying temperature there were no significant changes in the size of the prepared particles. The mathematical analysis of the JMP program determined that the lipid-chitosan ratio has the biggest influence on the Z-potential value, which was expected seeing as chitosan carries a positive, whereas the lipid component carries a negative charge. The air temperature has a moderate influence on the Z-potential, while the speed pump has a weak influence

Development of disease symptoms on leaves - thecase study on Horse chestnut

Divlji kesten (Aesculus hippocastanum) je važna ukrasna vrsta u urbanim sredinama. Razvoj simptoma gljivičnih bolesti Guignardia aesculi i Erysiphe flexuosa prati se zbog direktnog utjecaja zdravlja lišća na vitalnost stabla u cjelini. G. aesculi je gljiva koja uzrokuje sušenje i smeđenje lišća divljeg kestena te u slučaju jakog napada može zahvatiti cijelu krošnju, što dovodi do prerane defolijacije. E. flexuosa je pepelnica podrijetlom iz Sjeverne Amerike. Unatrag nekoliko godina ubrzano se širi Europom. Na uzorku od deset primjernih stabala istražena je kronologija i opseg simptoma ovih dviju bolesti tijekom vegetacijskog razdoblja 2017. godine. Praćenje simptoma se obavljalo u Parku dr. F. Tuđmana u Zagrebu

Development of disease symptoms on leaves - thecase study on Horse chestnut

Divlji kesten (Aesculus hippocastanum) je važna ukrasna vrsta u urbanim sredinama. Razvoj simptoma gljivičnih bolesti Guignardia aesculi i Erysiphe flexuosa prati se zbog direktnog utjecaja zdravlja lišća na vitalnost stabla u cjelini. G. aesculi je gljiva koja uzrokuje sušenje i smeđenje lišća divljeg kestena te u slučaju jakog napada može zahvatiti cijelu krošnju, što dovodi do prerane defolijacije. E. flexuosa je pepelnica podrijetlom iz Sjeverne Amerike. Unatrag nekoliko godina ubrzano se širi Europom. Na uzorku od deset primjernih stabala istražena je kronologija i opseg simptoma ovih dviju bolesti tijekom vegetacijskog razdoblja 2017. godine. Praćenje simptoma se obavljalo u Parku dr. F. Tuđmana u Zagrebu

Severova bolest komplicirana osteomijelitisom

Sever’s disease is juvenile osteochondrosis of calcaneus, manifested with posterior heel pain and mild swelling, usually in young athletes, caused by repetitive microtrauma. The standard diagnostic procedures include radiographs and ultrasound examination. It is a self-limiting condition, usually treated conservatively. We present a case of Sever’s disease complicated with calcaneal osteomyelitis. A 9-year-old boy with a several month history of left heel pain was admitted to our institution for further clinical evaluation and therapy. Bilateral Sever’s disease was clinically diagnosed, confirmed by radiographs and ultrasound examination. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed osteolytic zone in the posterior left calcaneus with peripheral enhancement after contrast administration and surrounding bone and subcutaneous edema, suggestive of osteomyelitis. After six weeks of parenteral antibiotic treatment, the patient’s condition improved. Follow up MRI performed 3 months later showed significant regression of osteolytic lesion and replacement with granulation tissue surrounded with new bone formation. To our knowledge and literature search, this is a previously unreported complication of Sever’s disease. MRI should be done in all atypical cases of Sever’s disease to rule out any other possible disorders including osteomyelitis.Severova bolest je juvenilna osteohondroza petne kosti koja se manifestira bolovima i oteklinom u stražnjem dijelu pete, najčešće u mladih sportaša, uzrokovana opetovanim mikrotraumama. Slikovna dijagnostička obrada uključuje rendgenske snimke i ultrazvučni pregled. Bolest se liječi konzervativno, budući da prolazi sama od sebe. Prikazali smo devetogodišnjaka sa Severovom bolesti kod kojega standardna terapija nije polučila klinički učinak. Učinjen je pregled pete magnetskom rezonancijom (MR) koji je pokazao Severovu bolest i osteomijelitis petne kosti. MR pregled pete bi trebalo učiniti u svim atipičnim slučajevima Severove bolesti kako bi se isključila druga patološka stanja uključujući osteomijelitis

Kasni nastup teške nozokomijalne pneumonije uzrokovane bakterijom chlamydophila pneumoniae

We report two cases of severe late-onset nosocomial pneumonia caused by Chlamydophila pneumoniae. The clinical course of the disease in these patients suggests that nosocomial pneumonia caused by this agent can lead to profound respiratory insufficiency and acute respiratory distress syndrome, particularly in patients with significant comorbidities and during the postoperative period. Intravenous azithromycin treatment was used to cure pneumonia in both of our patients.Prikazuju se dva slučaja kasnog nastupa teške bolnički stečene pneumonije uzrokovane bakterijom Chlamydophila pneumoniae. Klinički tijek bolesti u ovih bolesnika ukazuje na to da bolnički stečena pneumonija izazvana ovim uzročnikom može dovesti do teške respiracijske insuficijencije i sindroma akutnog respiracijskog distresa, poglavito u bolesnika sa značajnim istodobno prisutnim bolestima i tijekom poslijeoperacijskog razdoblja. U oba bolesnika se za liječenje pneumonije primijenio intravenski azitromicin

Atipični slučaj subakutnog sklerozirajućeg panencefalitisa u odraslog bolesnika

Although subacute sclerosing panencephalitis is almost exclusively a childhood disease, it can occur in adults as well. We present an atypical case of adult-onset subacute sclerosing panencephalitis. The disease was characterized by prolonged insidious course followed by accelerated and aggressive phase, atypical EEG findings, and absence of myoclonic jerks. The diagnostic and treatment-related pitfalls are discussed.U ovom radu prikazujemo atipični slučaj subakutnog sklerozirajućeg panencefalitisa u odraslog bolesnika koji se prezentirao nalik multiploj sklerozi. Bolest je bila obilježena dugotrajnim i podmuklim tijekom s naknadnim razvojem brzo progresivne faze uz atipičan EEG nalaz i izostanak mioklonizama. U raspravi se analiziraju teškoće u interpretaciji dijagnostičkih testova, kao i nepovoljan utjecaj terapijskih postupaka u postavljanju definitivne dijagnoze