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Exposure to acute intermittent hypoxia (AIH) evokes persistent increase in respiratory activity that lasts up to 60 min after hypoxic episodes have ceased. This persistent increase in phrenic nerve activity (PNA) is known as phrenic long-term facilitation (LTF). AIH-induced phrenic LTF in anesthetized rats is serotonin dependant. The present study was performed to determine whether microinjection of methysergide (4 mM, 20 +/- 5 nl), a broad spectrum 5-HT receptor antagonist, into the caudal raphe nuclei influences phrenic LTF. Peak integrated PNA and respiratory frequency were recorded at 15, 30, and 60 min after five 3-min episodes of normocapnic hypoxia in urethane-anesthetized, vagotomized, paralyzed and ventilated male Sprague-Dawley rats. In control animals, phrenic nerve amplitude was elevated 66.7 +/- 8.6% from baseline 1 h after episodic hypoxia, indicating phrenic LTF. Experimental microinjections of methysergide prior to AIH exposure attenuated phrenic LTF (amplitude increase 2.62 +/- 2.9% over baseline). We conclude that methysergide microinjections into the caudal raphe region attenuated phrenic LTF induced by AIH, indicating involvement of 5-HT receptor activation at a supraspinal level.

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency protects from severe forms of malaria. It is interesting therefore to analyze the molecular basis underlying G6PD deficiency in regions such as the Mediterranean basin where malaria was present for a long time in history. Here we report on the genetic characterization of G6PD deficiency among inhabitants of one Mediterranean region-the Dalmatian region of south Croatia. We analyzed 24 unrelated G6PD-deficient male subjects. Molecular testing revealed several different mutations: G6PD Cosenza 9, G6PD Mediterranean 4, G6PD Seattle 3, G6PD Union 3, and G6PD Cassano 1. Furthermore, we have identified one novel G6PD variant that we named G6PD Split. This variant is caused by a nucleotide change 1442 C fi G leading to the amino acid substitution 481 Pro fi Arg and is characterized by moderate enzyme deficiency (class III variant). This study reveals a higher prevalence (37.5%) of the Cosenza mutation in the Dalmatian region than anywhere else previously investigated and overall shows the considerable molecular heterogeneity underlining G6PD deficiency that can be observed in Mediterranean populations.

AbstractTo investigate the influence of the wars in Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina on incidence and perinatal outcome of singleton preterm births at the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics in the Split University Hospital. Data were collected by reviewing patients’ files at the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics from three periods: the three years before the war (1988–1990), during the war (1992–1994), and after the war (1996–1998). A total of 2,358 patients’ files of singleton preterm delivery were analyzed. Singleton preterm delivery rate decreased during the war (5.02%) and post-war period (4.74%) compared to the pre-war period (6.19%). Stillbirth and early neonatal mortality rates of singleton premature babies significantly increased during the war to 226%, compared to 193% before the war and 134% after the war. Early neonatal mortality rate was 215% during the war, 209% in the pre-war period, and 156% after the war. Despite the continuous decrease in singleton preterm birth rate throughout the observed periods, the increase in stillbirth rate and early neonatal mortality rate during the war might have been caused by the war. This may be due to primary gynecological care being inadequate for many pregnant women.

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