AbstractWe investigate global dynamics of the following systems of difference equations xn+1=α1+β1xnA1+ynyn+1=γ2ynA2+B2xn+yn,n=0,1,2,… where the parameters α1, β1, A1, γ2, A2, B2 are positive numbers, and the initial conditions x0 and y0 are arbitrary nonnegative numbers. We show that this system has rich dynamics which depends on the region of parametric space. We show that the basins of attractions of different locally asymptotically stable equilibrium points or non-hyperbolic equilibrium points are separated by the global stable manifolds of either saddle points or non-hyperbolic equilibrium points. We give examples of a globally attractive non-hyperbolic equilibrium point and a semi-stable non-hyperbolic equilibrium point. We also give an example of two local attractors with precisely determined basins of attraction. Finally, in some regions of parameters, we give an explicit formula for the global stable manifold. Mathematics Subject Classification (2000) Primary: 39A10, 39A11 Secondary: 37E99, 37D10

Endothelial dysfunction is associated with diabetic micro- and macroangiopathy as well as with the decline in creatinine clearance. It has been suggested that endothelial dysfunction presents in patients (pts) on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). The objective of this study was to examine the plasma biomarkers of endothelial dysfunction and their association with IMT of carotid arteries in diabetic and non-diabetic patients on CAPD. This study included 37 CAPD pts (25 with type II diabetes and 12 non-diabetic pts) mean age 59.2 years ± 2.48. Plasma von Willebrand factor (vWF) activity, serum albumin, glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides and lipoprotein (a) levels, as well as serum level of homocysteine, parathyroid hormone (PTH) in plasma and microalbuminuria was determined. Ultrasound examination of carotid arteries was performed in all patients by measured bilateral intima-media thickness of carotid artery (CIMT). Mean IMT value was significantly higher in type 2 DM patients (0.86 ± 0.04 mm) compared to non-diabetic patients (0.52 ± 0.06 mm) on peritoneal dialysis (p<0.0001). There was also a significant difference in lipids /triglycerides and Lp (a)/, procoagulation (fibrinogen, von Wilebrand factor, factor VIII) and inflammatory markers (CRP) level between type 2 DM and non-diabetic CAPD patients. A stepwise multiple regression analysis revealed that log triglycerides and factor VIII were independent factors for the IMT. The results of this research impose that diabetic type 2 CAPD patients have developed systemic alteration of endothelial function and higher risk of cardiovascular complications compared to non-diabetic CAPD patients.

Complexity of multifactorial diseases as Parkinson's disease (PD) often complicate identifying causal genetic factors by traditional approaches such as positional cloning and candidate gene analyses. PD is etiologically and genetically complex disease and second most common neurodegenerative disorder after Alzheimer's disease. The most cases of PD are idiopathic and small growing subset of individuals have single gene defect as the cause. The main goal of this research was to identify the potential candidate genes for idiopathic PD by using biomedical discovery support system (BITOLA). For detecting the potential candidate genes for PD was used opened system of bioinformatics tool BITOLA. Data of chromosome location, tissue specific expression of potential candidate genes and their potential association with PD were obtained from Medline, Locus Link, Gene Cards and OMIM. By using BITOLA system is identified 17 genes as potential candidate genes for PD. The role of three genes (MAPT, PARK2, UCHL1) in PD were confirmed earlier. Discovering the novel candidate genes for multifactiorial diseases by using specially mentioned bioinformatics tool BITOLA could offer the new opportunity for researching genetics base of PD without using tissue samples of patients.

Malignant tumors of the thyroid gland account for about 1% of thenewly diagnosed malignant tumors each year, and their incidence inwomen is twice the incidence in men. According to the WHO classification (2004) thyroid tumors are divided into: carcinoma of the thyroid,adenoma and similar tumors, and other thyroid tumors whichinclude: teratomas, angiosarcomas, paragangliomas and others, as wellas primary lymphomas and plasmacytomas. Primary thyroid lymphomasare defi ned as lymphomas which originate in the thyroid gland.Th is study presents the case of a 68-year-old patient with a thyroidlymphoma, which caused compression of the airways. In the patientpresented there was reduced activity of the thyroid gland. Th e dominantsymptoms were: breathing diffi culties, hoarse voice and the enlargementof the thyroid. An ultrasound examination was performedbefore surgery on the neck, which showed a multinodular thyroid,with compromised and compressed trachea to the right and rear. Anemergency surgical procedure was performed to reduce the tumor.Pathohistological diagnosis confi rmed diff use large B cell lymphoma.Th e aim of the study was to present a patient with a thyroid lymphoma,who had previously not had any immunological changes to the gland,that is, she had not had any chronic lymphocyte thyroiditis, but due tothe compressive syndrome it was necessary to perform an emergencysurgical procedure to reduce the tumor.

A portable instrument that measures heavy metal concentration from a colorimetric sensor array is presented. The use of eight sensing membranes, placed on a plastic support, allows to obtain the hue component of the HSV colour space of each one in order to determinate the concentration of metals present in a solution. The developed microcontroller-based system captures, in an ambient light environment, an image of the sensor array using an integrated micro-camera and shows the picture in a touch micro-LCD screen which acts as user interface. After image-processing of the regions of interest selected by the user, colour and concentration information are displayed on the screen.

Food allergy most often begins in the first 1 to 2 years of life with the process of sensitization, by which the immune system responds to specific food proteins. Symptoms of a food allergy reaction commonly involve localized hives and worsening eczema, with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis a frequent comorbid condition of food allergy. Acute urticaria is much more likely to be caused by food allergy than is chronic urticaria.

A strawberry allergy is an allergy to certain proteins found in strawberries . The specific symptoms that can vary considerably amongst children from a severe anaphylactic reaction to asthma , abdominal symptoms, eczema or headaches. Some experience an allergic reaction with itching and swelling in mouth and throat.

Background The pediatrician plays an important role in contributing to the management of children with food allergies. Antihistamine drugs are used to control or alleviate the allergy symptoms like, skin rash or hives and breathing difficulties, by counteracting the effects of histamine. Dexamethasone is a potent corticosteroid and it acts as an anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressant. Adrenaline or epinephrine is the drug of choice for treating anaphylaxis.