THE INFLUENCE OF THE APOEε4 ALLELE ON PRO-INFLAMMATORY CYTOKINE LEVELS IN THE CEREBROSPINAL FLUID OF PATIENTS WITH ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) rs429358 and rs7412, the most commonly investigated variants in the apolipoprotein E gene (APOE) are crucial for APOEε4 carrier status determination. However, their association with inflammatory cytokine levels in patients with dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease (AD) remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the influence of the APOEε4 allele on pro-inflammatory cytokine levels in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients with AD dementia. The research was conducted on 36 patients with probable dementia due to AD. APOE rs429358 and rs7412 were analyzed using the Real-Time PCR method with allele-specific TaqMan assays, followed by the analysis of APOEε4 allele carrier status. Patients carrying at least one APOEε4 allele were assigned as APOEε4+. Core biomarkers (Aβ42/40 ratio, t-Tau, p-Tau levels), as well as pro-inflammatory cytokine (Tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a) and interleukin-1b (IL-1b)) levels, were determined in the patient’s cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) using Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). Seventeen patients (47.22%) were assigned as APOEε4+. CSF TNF-α levels were significantly higher in APOEε4+ AD dementia patients in comparison to APOEε4- patients (p<0.001), while no significant differences in IL-1b levels between these two groups were obtained. Correlation analysis showed that TNF-α negatively correlated with the Aβ42/40 ratio (p=0.033), while positive correlation with t-Tau and p-Tau was observed (p=0.001, p=0.015, respectively). These findings highlight the potential significance of TNF-α in the context of APOEε4 positivity and its implications in AD pathology

CHATBOT APPLICATION AS SUPPORT TOOL FOR THE LEARNING PROCESS OF BASIC CONCEPTS OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND WIRELESS NETWORKS

There are several applications for Chatbots in education, as well as their contributions to mentoring in the learning process. Bots can assist teachers with staying up to date on new standards and evaluation methodologies. Bots can assist students in understanding tough subjects in a way that makes it appear as if they are being taught by another person. Chatbots serve as virtual assistants in the educational setting, improving efficiency or answering frequently asked questions. In this case, we work on the premise of investigating the potential of Chatbots as analytical tools for analyzing preferred types of learning material in a mobile learning environment, which leads to the acquisition of a proper level of knowledge on the topics of telecommunication and wireless networks

GRAIN-SCALE DEFORMATION MECHANISMS IN AN ADDITIVELY MANUFACTURED ALUMINIUM BRONZE OLIGOCRYSTAL

Oligocrystals provide a unique material for in-depth analysis of deformation mechanisms in metals and alloys. In this paper, the deformation mechanisms in a Cu-7.5 wt.% Al oligocrystal are investigated experimentally and numerically. An experimental sample containing several coarse columnar grains is produced by wire-feed electron-beam additive manufacturing. Based on the experimental data, a crystal plasticity finite element model is built to consider realistic grain shape and orientations. This study involves a comprehensive analysis of experimental data, numerical results and analytical estimates to reveal the peculiarities of slip activation in oligocrystal grains under compression. Experimental and numerical findings have shown that along with slip systems with the highest Schmid factors, other slip systems are activated in most grains to accommodate their plastic deformation. To elucidate why the slip systems with non-maximal Schmid factors became active, we examined the stress fields within the grains. It was revealed that the stress state at the grain scale deviated from uniaxial. Finally, a detailed numerical analysis of strain rate dynamics demonstrated that plastic deformation in particular grains developed in the form of narrow fronts. These fronts periodically generated near the moving punch and subsequently propagated towards the opposite side of the sample. The study has shown that oligocrystal analysis provides valuable insights into the linkage between the intra- and intergrain deformation mechanisms with the overall material behaviour

PERCEPTIONS, ATTITUDES, AND PERSPECTIVES OF PEOPLE IN SERBIA TOWARDS WELLNESS FACILITY VISITS AS A PART OF A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

The concept of wellness encompasses various dimensions of health, aiming to promote proactive and preventive behavior for overall well-being. This cross-sectional study investigated the characteristics and benefits of visiting wellness centers. A total of 186 participants (average age of 41.31±10.475, including 49 males and 137 females) in Serbia were included, and data were analyzed using the Pearson χ2 (chi-square) test and independence test. The questionnaire was distributed from 25 to 31 December 2022. Results revealed no significant associations between age, gender, education, and marital status, but monthly income showed significant differences (p=0.002). Wellness was found to positively contribute to the physical, mental, and social aspects of health. The main motivators for visiting wellness centers were relaxation, reduction of mental tension, and travel for happiness and pleasure (p=0.001). Wellness centers were identified as promoting a preventive and proactive approach to lifestyle improvement, with 97.2% of respondents acknowledging its positive impact. The pleasure of free time and the desire to escape from everyday life were crucial motivators among Serbian wellness center visitors (p=0.013). These findings highlight the role of wellness centers in promoting proactive and preventive approaches to improve physical, mental, and social well-being. The main motivators for visiting wellness centers were identified as relaxation, reduction of mental tension, and travel for happiness and pleasure, with pleasure with free time and escape from everyday life being key motivators among visitors in Serbia

VALIDACIJA UPITNIKA ZA PROCENU FIZIČKE AKTIVNOSTI ADOLESCENATA U SRBIJI

Physical activity (PA) remains the most important modifiable risk factor in chronic diseases prevention. Instruments to assess physical activity, especially for youth, are needed for (inter)national monitoring systems and comparison. The aim of the present study was to test the validity of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) in a group of urban Serbian adolescents. We hypothesized that the IPAQ has good validity compared with the objective standard (pedometry) in this population. Convenient sampling of secondary school students was employed in this study. For that purpose, twenty-nine (N=29) healthy adolescents (15-17 years old) from the city of Niš, Serbia voluntarily participated in the study. PA levels derived from the Serbian long version self-administered IPAQ were compared with pedometer-recorded data of step counts. PA was expressed as a metabolic equivalent-minute per week (MET-min/week) and classified as light, moderate, and vigorous. Then, the participants were asked to register pedometer-based step counts for seven consecutive days. Significant correlations were found between the IPAQ and the pedometer in all components, except light PA. Pedometer-based PA was strongly correlated with moderate and vigorous activity (r = 0.746, p < 0.0001), as well as with overall PA (r = 0.998, p < 0.0001). Comparing the four domains of IPAQ determined PA (leisure time physical activity, domestic and gardening activities, school-related physical activity and transport-related physical activity) and pedometry-based PA, significant correlations were found for three domains (p < 0.0001), excluding transport. The findings of this study provided support for the validity of the Serbian version of the IPAQ as an instrument for the assessment of habitual PA among adolescents.Fizička aktivnost (FA) predstavlja jedan od najvažnijih promenljivih faktora rizika za mnoge hronične bolesti. Instrumenti za procenu fizičke aktivnosti, posebno kod mlađih osoba, su neophodni za sistematsko praćenje nivoa FA i poređenje na nacionalnom i međunarodnom nivou. Cilj ovog istraživanja je bio je da se ispita validnost Međunarodnog upitnika o fizičkoj aktivnosti (engl. skraćenica IPAQ) u grupi urbanih adolescenata iz Srbije. Postavljena je hipoteza da IPAQ ima dobru validnost u poređenju sa pedometrijom za populaciju adolescenata. U istraživanju je učestvovalo 29 adolescenata (uzrasta 15-17 godina) iz Niša, Srbija. Nivo FA je dobijen upotrebom duže verzije upitnika IPAQ na srpskom jeziku i podaci su upoređeni sa objektivnim podacima izbrojanih koraka dobijenim pedometrom koji je nošen 7 uzastopnih dana. Upitnikom dobijena FA je izražena u metaboličkim ekvivalentima na nedeljnom nivou (MET-min/nedeljnо) i klasifikovana kao niska, umerena i živahna. Statistički značajna korelacija je dobijena između nivoa FA utvrđene upitnikom IPAQ i nivoa FA dobijene pedometrom, osim za adolescente  koji su bile nedovoljno fizički aktivni. Pedometrom utvrđena FА је čvrsto korelirala sa umerenom i živahnom FA dobijene upitnikom (r = 0.746, p < 0.0001), kao i sa ukupnom FА (r = 0.998, p < 0.0001). Poređenjem sva četiri domena FA dobijenih upitnikom (FА u slobodno vreme, aktivnosti u domaćinstvu i bašti, FA u školi i FA povezana sa kretanjem do škole) i FA utvrđena pedometrom, nađena je značajna korelacijan za sve domene (p < 0.0001), sem transportnog. Zaključujemo da je Srpska verzija upitnika IPAQ validna kao jednostavan instrument za ocenu FA adolescenata

EFEKTI RAZVOJNE GIMNASTIKE NA RAZVOJ MOTORIČKIH SPOSOBNOSTI DEČAKA

The aim of the study was to determine the effects of the developmental gymnastics program on the motor skills development of boys of a younger school age. The total sample consisted of 107 boys (E-54; 10.07±0.91 years old; C-53; 10.36±0.68 years old), from the “Dušan Radović” Elementary school from Niš. The experimental program lasted 16 weeks (3x a week for 60 min) and included the training of the compulsory compositions of the development gymnastics program for younger school age children. The control group attended regular physical education classes. The following tests were used for motor skills assessment: the countermovement jump, squat jump, medicine ball throw, hanging pull-ups, sit-ups on the bench, push-ups, the 20m run from a high start, the backward polygon, and deep forward bend on the bench. The T-test revealed significant differences between the groups at the initial measurement, while all the observed differences in arithmetic means were statistically significant at the final measurement. The results of the univariate analysis indicate significant differences in six of the nine applied variables, whereas at the multivariate level, a significant difference (p=.000) can be observed. The obtained results exactly indicate that the experimental program contributed significantly more to the motor skills transformation than the current physical education program. The realized program of developmental gymnastics proved to be adequate and acceptable, so it is recommended for active application in practice, and the greatest contribution would be realized by its implementation in physical education classes.Cilj istraživanja bio je da se utvrde efekti programa razvojne gimnastike na razvoj motoričkih sposobnosti dečaka mlađeg školskog uzrasta. Ukupan uzorak činilo je 107 dečaka (E-54; 10,07±0,91 godina; C-53; 10,36±0,68 godina) iz OŠ „Dušan Radović” iz Niša. Eksperimentalni program je trajao 16 nedelja (3 puta nedeljno po 60 min) i obuhvatao je obuku obaveznih kompozicija programa razvojne gimnastike za decu mlađeg školskog uzrasta. Kontrolna grupa pohađala je redovnu nastavu fizičkog vaspitanja. Za procenu motoričkih veština korišćeni su sledeći testovi: skok iz stojećeg stava sa rukama na kukovima, skok iz čučnja, bacanje medicinske lopte, zgib u visu, trbušnjaci na klupi, sklekovi, trčanje na 20 metara sa visokim startom, stazu sa preprekama unazad i hiperekstenzije na klupi. T-test je pokazao značajne razlike između grupa na inicijalnom merenju, dok su sve uočene razlike u aritmetičkim sredinama bile statistički značajne na finalnom merenju. Rezultati univarijatne analize ukazuju na značajne razlike u šest od devet primenjenih varijabli, dok se na multivarijantnom nivou može uočiti značajna razlika (p=.000). Dobijeni rezultati tačno ukazuju da je eksperimentalni program znatno više doprineo transformaciji motoričkih sposobnosti od dosadašnjeg programa fizičkog vaspitanja. Realizovani program razvojne gimnastike pokazao se adekvatnim i prihvatljivim, pa se preporučuje za aktivnu primenu u praksi, a najveći doprinos bi se ostvario njegovom primenom na časovima fizičkog vaspitanja

APROPOS OF THE SIMULTANEOUS ABSENCE OF SOME EMBRYOLOGICAL VASCULAR FORERUNNERS AND PERSISTENCE OF OTHER ONES ON THE BRAIN BASE IN LATE ADULTHOOD

Associated arterial abnormalities and variations on the brain base were discovered in a cadaveric specimen of the male gender of older life age. This case was found by a retrospective analysis of 388 forensic cases in a common data archive of the authors of this report. Arterial abnormalities were related to the aplasia of (intracranial part) of the right vertebral artery and (large) fenestration of the pre-communicating part of the right posterior cerebral artery. Arterial variations included different morphological statuses such as a special origin, double vessels, and small or oversized caliber. The brain angioarchitecture in the present case was not the base for the aneurysm's development, probably because of the lesser influence of hemodynamic factors on the walls of persistent primitive and definitive arteries, as well as due to good collateral circulation till to the end of the sixth decade of life.

ANTIOXIDANTS SUPPLEMENTATION BASED ON NATURAL PRODUCTS IN THE TREATMENT OF THE THERMAL SKIN INJURY

Thermal injuries are a major medical, economic and social problem, whose severity, morbidity, mortality, prognosis and treatment outcome directly depend on the surface and depth of the burn, but also on the patient's age, health status and accompanying complications. The treatment of thermal injury is long and complex, and the outcome is often uncertain with a very complex rehabilitation process, because the injury damages both physical and psychological health. Constant innovations in the protocol of medical treatment and the search for new mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of burns can be helpful in successful treatment. Therefore, there is a constant search for adjuvant therapies that will improve results like HBO, AO, platelet- rich plasma, negative pressure wound therapy and others. In recent years, the application of antioxidants as  adjuvant therapy for the care and treatment of wounds  has been the subject of various researche. Antioxidants are biologically active molecules that prevent the creation of free radicals in the body and at the same time neutralize the existing ones, this way participating in maintaining the oxidative status at the desired level. Antioxidant -rich natural products may provide a solution to improve  wound healing. The application of antioxidant therapy has shown numerous benefits in improving the outcome of burns. However, more information is needed from the clinical trials on the use of natural products, especially in combination with other therapies. Keywords: thermal skin injury, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, antioxidant rich natural product

NON-INTRUSIVE LOAD MONITORING USING CURRENT HARMONIC VECTORS AND ADAPTIVE FEATURE SELECTION

The non-intrusive load monitoring method presented in this paper uses changes in current harmonic vectors to identify the operational state of appliances. The algorithm based on this feature has low complexity, but it may suffer from an information loss caused by a random fluctuation of the current harmonic vectors. In order to deal with this problem, we propose the algorithm which includes a stage which identifies and select a subset of relevant features in the set of available appliance features. The proposed load disaggregation algorithm is demonstrated through experiments on a representative set of household appliances