Anthropometric study of the facial index in the population of Central Serbia

The aim of this study was to determine the craniofacial parameters in the population of the central part of Serbia. The research was conducted on 700 persons (360 males and 340 females), aged 18-65 years, selected randomly. The measured parameters were morphological facial height and breadth. The standard spreading caliper with scale was used for the measurement of facial parameters. There were significant differences in the facial parameters of male compared to female subjects in all observed parameters. The mean value of the morphological facial height in the study population was 116.8 mm ± 7.28, maximum facial breadth 124.12 mm ± 8.44, while the mean value of the total facial index was 93.68 ± 6.86. The total facial index was calculated according to the formula and the obtained results were analyzed statistically using the t-test. The dominant phenotype in the studied population was leptoprosopic. The data obtained in our study may be useful in anthropological research, forensics, genetic research, as well as in medical clinical practice

NASTAVA MATEMATIKE U DOBA KOVID-19 PANDEMIJE – ISPITIVANjE MIŠLjENjA UČITELjA I NASTAVNIKA MATEMATIKE

The aim of this study was to investigate how class teachers and math teachers in Serbia perceived the possibilities, effects, and challenges of teaching mathematics online during the COVID-19 pandemic. We prepared a questionnaire that was implemented at the end of 2019/2020. The sample comprised 239 teachers, 141 class teachers and 98 math teachers. Both quantitative and qualitative methods were used for data analysis. The results suggest that, although the experience of online teaching had a positive effect on the teachers’ self-reported competence in using ICT tools, even more attention should be given to strengthening teachers’ pedagogical skills referring to teaching mathematics in an online learning environment. In general, teachers were satisfied with the quality of instruction they demonstrated. However, they were not satisfied with the quality of student knowledge. In addition, they faced certain challenges in the implementation of online teaching and learning, such as objective grading and assessment, as well as monitoring student progress, maintaining communication with parents, and motivating and engaging students. The majority of teachers stated that teaching math online had more disadvantages than advantages. Teachers' responses also indicated that they tended to use ICT tools in a more traditional way.Publishe

USING JAPANESE LESSON STUDY IN PREPARING PRESERVICE KINDERGARTEN TEACHERS FOR PERFORMING DIRECTED ACTIVITIES IN THE FIELD OF DEVELOPMENT OF ELEMENTARY MATHEMATICAL CONCEPTS

Zbornik radova sa četvrtog međunarodnog naučnog skupa održanog 2-3. novembra 2017. godine na Fakultetu pedagoških nauka u JagodiniThe presented study aimed to investigate the attitudes of preservice kindergarten teachers about the effects of two models of Mathematics Teaching Practicum teaching practice (Lesson Study model and traditional model of teaching practice) on the development of their professional competences to teach mathematics concepts. The quasi-experimental design with two parallel groups was used. The sample of research consisted of 49 students which were divided into control (27) and experimental group (22). The experimental group worked according to the experimental program which included the application of the Lesson Study design of teaching practice, while the control group worked in the traditional way. The results indicate that, although the students of the experimental group expressed more positive attitudes towards the usefulness of the applied model of teaching practice for the development of their professional competences, there was no statistically significant difference in attitudes between the two groups. As the most useful segment of the experimental program, students singled out the possibility of carrying out directed activities in a simulated environment and, after the evaluation, carrying out the same activity in a real environment in the kindergarten. Although the findings of the study cannot be generalized due to the small sample size, we believe that the results of this research have significance for both researchers and educators involved in teacher education preparation programmes.Publishe

Optimization and Prediction of Ibuprofen Release from 3D DLP Printlets Using Artificial Neural Networks

The aim of this work was to investigate effects of the formulation factors on tablet printability as well as to optimize and predict extended drug release from cross-linked polymeric ibuprofen printlets using an artificial neural network (ANN). Printlets were printed using digital light processing (DLP) technology from formulations containing polyethylene glycol diacrylate, polyethylene glycol, and water in concentrations according to D-optimal mixture design and 0.1% w/w riboflavin and 5% w/w ibuprofen. It was observed that with higher water content longer exposure time was required for successful printing. For understanding the effects of excipients and printing parameters on drug dissolution rate in DLP printlets two different neural networks were developed with using two commercially available softwares. After comparison of experimental and predicted values of in vitro dissolution at the corresponding time points for optimized formulation, the R2 experimental vs. predicted value was 0.9811 (neural network 1) and 0.9960 (neural network 2). According to difference f1 and similarity factor f2 (f1 = 14.30 and f2 = 52.15) neural network 1 with supervised multilayer perceptron, backpropagation algorithm, and linear activation function gave a similar dissolution profile to obtained experimental results, indicating that adequate ANN is able to set out an input–output relationship in DLP printing of pharmaceutics

The Potential of SGLT-2 Inhibitors in the Treatment of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: The Current Status and Future Perspectives

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most frequent endocrinopathy during women’s reproductive age. PCOS is a heterogeneous disorder featuring specific cardiometabolic properties. The association between the presence of metabolic disorders and PCOS supports the claim that the regulation of glycemic status is very important in these patients. There is a wide range of therapeutic options (including those treating diabetes mellitus type 2) with potential advantages available for the management of PCOS. Sodium–glucose cotransporter type 2 inhibitors (SGLT-2is) improve glucose metabolism, reduce fat tissue, lower blood pressure, reduce oxidative stress and inflammation, and protect the cardiovascular system. Currently, the use of SGLT-2is is not widespread in PCOS therapy, although these drugs represent a promising new therapeutic approach. Therefore, it is necessary to initiate further study in order to determine more effective therapies for PCOS and investigate the effect of SGLT-2is, both as a monotherapy and in combination with other drugs. It is necessary to understand the mechanisms underlying SGLT-2is in PCOS and their effects on long-term complications, especially since the gold standard treatment for PCOS, such as metformin and oral contraceptives, do not have long-term cardioprotective effects. The effects of SGLT-2is seem to involve cardiac protection, while diminishing endocrine and reproductive abnormalities in PCOS. In the current narrative review, we examine the most recent clinical evidence and discuss the potential applications of SGLT-2is for PCOS therapy

Anthropometric study of the facial index in the population of central Serbia

The aim of this study was to determine the craniofacial parameters in the population of the central part of Serbia. The research was conducted on 700 persons (360 males and 340 females), aged 18-65 years, selected randomly. The measured parameters were morphological facial height and breadth. The standard spreading caliper with scale was used for the measurement of facial parameters. There were significant differences in the facial parameters of male compared to female subjects in all observed parameters. The mean value of the morphological facial height in the study population was 116.8 mm ± 7.28, maximum facial breadth 124.12 mm ± 8.44, while the mean value of the total facial index was 93.68 ± 6.86. The total facial index was calculated according to the formula and the obtained results were analyzed statistically using the t-test. The dominant phenotype in the studied population was leptoprosopic. The data obtained in our study may be useful in anthropological research, forensics, genetic research, as well as in medical clinical practice

High Fat Diet Exaggerate Metabolic and Reproductive PCOS Features by Promoting Oxidative Stress: An Improved EV Model in Rats

Background and Objectives: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a frequent multifactorial endocrinopathy affecting women in the reproductive period, often associated with infertility and metabolic disorders. The use of animal models helps to better understand etiopathogenesis, enabling the examination of the effects of certain drugs in order to discover the best possible therapeutic approach. We tried to investigate the additional effect of estradiol-valerate (EV) and high-fat diet (HFD) in female rats to explore PCOS-related alterations with special focus on oxidative stress. Materials and Methods: Animals were divided into three groups: control group (CTRL, n = 6), estradiol-valerate group (EV, n = 6), and estradiol-valerate group on HFD (EV + HFD, n = 6). PCOS was induced by single subcutaneous injection of long-acting EV in a dose of 4 mg/per rat. We tried to improve the metabolic characteristics of the PCOS animal model by adding HFD, so the CTRL and EV group had a regular diet, while the EV + HFD group had HFD during the induction period of 60 days. Results: We observed alterations of anthropometric parameters and hormonal disturbances, along with estrus cycle impairment reassembly to obese-type PCOS phenotype. Moreover, glucose metabolism was impaired after addition of HFD to EV protocol, contrary to EV administered alone. Histological analysis confirmed more numerous cystic follicles after the combination of EV and HFD protocol. The alterations of oxidative stress markers could be related to and serve as the mechanistic base for development of PCOS-related endocrine, reproductive, and metabolic properties. Conclusions: The additive effect of EV and HFD was obvious in the majority of the parameters observed. Our study strongly demonstrated metabolic as well as reproductive properties of PCOS in rats