Browsing by Author "Levic, Z. (7003341242)"

[No abstract available]

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and nitric oxide (NO) are implicated in the pathology of multiple sclerosis (MS). We have investigated the levels of these mediators in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from 50 patients with MS and 23 control subjects. Mean CSF IL-6 level was higher in the total MS group in comparison with controls, but not significantly, whilst the difference between patients with stable MS and controls reached the level of statistical significance. Mean CSF nitrite/nitrate level was significantly higher in the total MS group compared with the control group, as well as in active MS patients versus controls. There was significant difference neither in the mean CSF IL-6 nor in nitrite/nitrate levels between active and stable MS patients. Interestingly, we observed a significant negative correlation between IL-6 and nitrite/nitrate levels in the CSF in the total MS group. Such a trend existed in both subgroups with active and stable MS, but without reaching the level of statistical significance. Our data further support the involvement of IL-6 and NO in ongoing pathological processes in MS, suggesting their potential interplay within the central nervous system in this disease.

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and nitric oxide (NO) are implicated in the pathology of multiple sclerosis (MS). We have investigated the levels of these mediators in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from 50 patients with MS and 23 control subjects. Mean CSF IL-6 level was higher in the total MS group in comparison with controls, but not significantly, whilst the difference between patients with stable MS and controls reached the level of statistical significance. Mean CSF nitrite/nitrate level was significantly higher in the total MS group compared with the control group, as well as in active MS patients versus controls. There was significant difference neither in the mean CSF IL-6 nor in nitrite/nitrate levels between active and stable MS patients. Interestingly, we observed a significant negative correlation between IL-6 and nitrite/nitrate levels in the CSF in the total MS group. Such a trend existed in both subgroups with active and stable MS, but without reaching the level of statistical significance. Our data further support the involvement of IL-6 and NO in ongoing pathological processes in MS, suggesting their potential interplay within the central nervous system in this disease.

[No abstract available]

Objectives - To estimate the distribution of multiple sclerosis in the Belgrade population. Methods - All persons who were affected and/or died from multiple sclerosis (Poser's criteria), with residence in the Belgrade region had been collected from January 1, 1985 to December 31, 1996. Prevalence was adjusted by direct method, using world population. Results - From 1985 to 1996, 823 patients were suffering from multiple sclerosis. Sex ratio was 1:1.9. The mean age at onset was 32.2 ± 9.8 years. A relapsing-remitting course of multiple sclerosis was reported in 50.7% patients, secondary progressive in 36.4% patients, and primary progressive in 12.9% patients. On December 31, 1996, age-adjusted prevalence of multiple sclerosis in Belgrade was 41.5/100,000, 28.2/100,000 for males, and 54.1/100,000 for females. During the period studied, statistically highly significant increasing trend of multiple sclerosis prevalence was observed (P = 0.0001). Conclusions - According to findings presented in this study, Belgrade is an area with high prevalence of multiple sclerosis.

Objectives - To estimate the distribution of multiple sclerosis in the Belgrade population. Methods - All persons who were affected and/or died from multiple sclerosis (Poser's criteria), with residence in the Belgrade region had been collected from January 1, 1985 to December 31, 1996. Prevalence was adjusted by direct method, using world population. Results - From 1985 to 1996, 823 patients were suffering from multiple sclerosis. Sex ratio was 1:1.9. The mean age at onset was 32.2 ± 9.8 years. A relapsing-remitting course of multiple sclerosis was reported in 50.7% patients, secondary progressive in 36.4% patients, and primary progressive in 12.9% patients. On December 31, 1996, age-adjusted prevalence of multiple sclerosis in Belgrade was 41.5/100,000, 28.2/100,000 for males, and 54.1/100,000 for females. During the period studied, statistically highly significant increasing trend of multiple sclerosis prevalence was observed (P = 0.0001). Conclusions - According to findings presented in this study, Belgrade is an area with high prevalence of multiple sclerosis.

Using isoelectric focusing (IEF) and immunoperoxidase staining of proteins transferred to nitrocellulose membranes, we have examined the IgG band pattern in tears and matched serum and CSF specimens of 28 patients with MS, 4 patients with optic neuritis (ON), 30 individuals with systemic, inflammatory, or other neurologic diseases, and 5 patients with tension headache. We found no evidence of positive oligoclonal IgG in tears in any MS or ON patients, while 10 out of 16 cases with systemic immune disorders or infections of the CNS had positive tear oligoclonal bands. We are thus not able to support the hypothesis that tears from MS patients reveal abnormalities in their humoral immune response. © 1990 American Academy of Neurology.

The purpose of this study was to determine possible changes of the tooth pulp evoked potentials in patients with multiple sclerosis, and to compare these with other types of evoked potentials, in the same patients. The results showed TPEP changes in all multiple sclerosis patients. In 12 patients the changes were observed on both sides, while in 6 on one side only. It is interesting to note that the second negative wave was characterized by two peaks. The first peak possessed latency of approximately 125 ms that was significantly shorter than in the control group. The second peak appeared after about 195 ms. The significant prolonged latency of the second negative wave was observed in 100% of TPEPs, 95% VEPs and 72% AEPs. In only one case the changes were observed in TPEPs, while VEPs and AEPs were normal. It could be concluded that TPEPs, as well as other types of evoked potentials, are a sensitive indicator of the demyelination process.

[No abstract available]

As part of an investigation of phenobarbital (PB) pharmacokinetics in patients with status epilepticus (SE), urinary excretion of PB and its main metabolite, hydroxyphenobarbital (HPB), was studied in patients who had an episode of SE, as well as in non-convulsing ones. Eleven in-patients were studied: (group 1) five patients (4 M + 1 F; 48 ± 28 years old; 64 ± 6 kg body weight; mean ± SD) with convulsive status epilepticus, and (group 2) six patients (5 M + 1 F; 37 ± 13 years old; 71 ± 15 kg body weight) with epilepsy, seizure-free at the moment of PB administration and without established anti-epileptic therapy. All subjects received a single intravenous dose of PB (15 mg/kg) at a rate of 100 mg/min. PB and HPB concentrations were measured by high performance liquid chromatography with UV detection at 220 nm in urine samples collected throughout 24 h. The comparison of pharmacokinetic parameters of urinary excretion of PB and HPB showed a statistically significant difference in the values of recovery of HPB and total barbiturate (higher values in the patients with SE) in 24 h urine. Differences in the excretion of PB between the two groups of patients - higher values in the patients who had had an episode of SE, and in urine flow - slightly elevated volumes in the same group, failed to reach statistical significance, probably due to the small number of participants in the study.

As part of an investigation of phenobarbital (PB) pharmacokinetics in patients with status epilepticus (SE), urinary excretion of PB and its main metabolite, hydroxyphenobarbital (HPB), was studied in patients who had an episode of SE, as well as in non-convulsing ones. Eleven in-patients were studied: (group 1) five patients (4 M + 1 F; 48 ± 28 years old; 64 ± 6 kg body weight; mean ± SD) with convulsive status epilepticus, and (group 2) six patients (5 M + 1 F; 37 ± 13 years old; 71 ± 15 kg body weight) with epilepsy, seizure-free at the moment of PB administration and without established anti-epileptic therapy. All subjects received a single intravenous dose of PB (15 mg/kg) at a rate of 100 mg/min. PB and HPB concentrations were measured by high performance liquid chromatography with UV detection at 220 nm in urine samples collected throughout 24 h. The comparison of pharmacokinetic parameters of urinary excretion of PB and HPB showed a statistically significant difference in the values of recovery of HPB and total barbiturate (higher values in the patients with SE) in 24 h urine. Differences in the excretion of PB between the two groups of patients - higher values in the patients who had had an episode of SE, and in urine flow - slightly elevated volumes in the same group, failed to reach statistical significance, probably due to the small number of participants in the study.