Znanje i stavovi beogradskih studenata medicine i stomatologije o upravljanju medicinskim otpadom

Introduction/Objective Knowledge and practical skills in medical waste (MW) management are of equal importance for medical and dental doctors. The first comparative study on the knowledge and skills in the field of MW management among Belgrade students was conducted with the goal of examining whether students of medicine and dentistry are equally familiar with this extremely important field. Methods a cross-sectional study included 558 students of the sixth year of studies (430 medical and 128 dental students) who completed an anonymous semi-structured questionnaire to determine attitudes and knowledge on MW management. Results the majority of medical and dental students had no training in MW management (79.5% and 74.6%, respectively). Dental students use protective equipment more frequently than medical students (94.5% vs. 42%, p lt 0.001). However, full vaccinal protection against hepatitis B is better among medical students compared to dental students (57.7% vs. 39.1%, p lt 0.001). Complete knowledge on postexposal prophylaxis is better among medical students compared to dental students (44.5% vs. 13.3%, p lt 0.001). However, dental students are more disciplined in reporting injuries (63.1% vs. 52.4%, p = 0.038). The students' knowledge on primary separation of infectious waste (93% vs. 77.8%, p lt 0.001) and used needles (80.3% vs. 70.4%, p = 0.007) is better among dental students compared to medical students' correct answers. Conclusion Dental students show better knowledge on MW management and are more disciplined in using personal infection protection compared to medical students. The students support continued training on MW management and investigations on this topic.Uvod/Cilj Znanje i praktične veštine upravljanja medicinskim otpadom su od posebnog značaja za doktore medicine i stomatologije. Komparativna studija o znanju i veštinama iz oblasti upravljanja medicinskim otpadom sprovedena je među beogradskim studentima prvi put, u cilju ispitivanja da li ovom izuzetno važnom oblašću studenti medicine i stomatologije vladaju podjednako dobro. Metode Ova studija preseka obuhvatila je 558 studenata šeste godine studija na Beogradskom univerzitetu (430 studenata medicine i 128 studenata stomatologije), koji su popunili anonimni upitnik o znanju i stavovima o upravljanju medicinskim otpadom. Rezultati Većina studenata stomatologije i medicine nisu imali nikakvu posebnu obuku iz upravljanja medicinskim otpadom (79,5% i 74,6%). Studenti stomatologije su češće koristili zaštitnu opremu (94,5% prema 42%, p lt 0,001). Vakcinalna zaštita od hepatitisa B je kompletnija među studentima medicine u odnosu na studente stomatologije (57,7% prema 39,1%, p lt 0,001). Znanje o profilaksi posle izloženosti bolja je među studentima medicine (44,5% prema 13,3%, p lt 0,001). Međutim, studenti stomatologije su ažurniji u pogledu prijavljivanja povreda na radnom mestu (63,1% prema 52,4%, p = 0,038). Znanje studenata o primarnoj separaciji infektivnog otpada i korišćenih igala je bolje među budućim stomatolozima (tačni odgovori 93% nasuprot 77,8%; p lt 0,001 i 80,3% prema 70,4%; p = 0,007). Zaključak Studenti stomatologije imaju bolje znanje o upravljanju medicinskim otpadom i disciplinovaniji su u pogledu korišćenja zaštitne opreme na radu u odnosu na studente medicine. Studenti podržavaju kontinuiranu edukaciju o upravljanju medicinskim otpadom i dalja istraživanja o ovoj temi

Effects of acute stress on gene expression of splenic catecholamine biosynthetic enzymes in chronically stressed rats

The aim of this study was to examine how acute immobilization stress affects the concentrations of catecholamines in the plasma and the expression of the splenic catecholamine biosynthetic enzymes tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), dopamine-Я-hydroxylase (DBH) and phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PNMT) in chronically socially isolated rats. We found that acute immobilization increases the plasma catecholamine levels and splenic PNMT protein levels in chronically socially isolated rats. These results show that acute stress of chronically stressed animals activates the sympatho-adrenomedullary system and increases synthesis of splenic PNMT by 37%, both of which can modulate the immune function. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. III 41027, br. III 41022 and br. ON 173044

Animal Models for Chronic Stress-Induced Oxidative Stress in the Spleen: The Role of Exercise and Catecholaminergic System

We examined the effects of daily exercise on the gene expression of catecholamine biosynthetic enzymes (tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), dopamine-β-hydroxylase (DBH), and phenyl ethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PNMT)), vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT 2), antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx)), concentrations of catecholamines (noradrenaline (NA) and adrenaline (A)) and malondialdehyde (MDA), activities of monoamine oxidase (MAO), and antioxidant enzymes in the spleen of chronically psychosocially stressed rats. Exposure of chronically stressed rats to exercise increased the levels of PNMT protein by 19%, VMAT 2 mRNA by 100%, NA by 160%, and A by 140%; decreased/unchanged MAO enzyme activity; returned concentrations of MDA to control level; and increased CAT and GPx mRNA levels (50% and 150%, respectively). Exercise induced the accumulation of the catecholamines and a decrease of stress-induced oxidative stress in the spleen, which may significantly affect the immune-neuroendocrine interactions in stress conditions. Also, exercise induced the catecholaminergic system and antioxidant defense to become more ready to a novel stressor, which indicates that exercise may induce potentially positive physiological adaptations. Our combined model of chronic social isolation and long-term daily treadmill running in rats may be a good animal model in the research of therapeutic role of exercise in human disease caused by chronic stress

Antioxidant Status and Sex Hormones in Women with Simple Endometrial Hyperplasia

Cancer of the reproductive tract is an important source of morbidity and mortality among women worldwide. Factors affecting endometrial cancer and endometrial hyperplasia are known to be similar. Endometrial hyperplasia is abnormal proliferation of the glands and the stroma resulting in architectural and cytological modifications. Due to hormonal changes, this condition is most common among women who are nearing the menopause or have reached the menopause. Antioxidant system has a role in preventing cancer initiation and promotion. Since the carcinogenesis occurs in several stages, it is likely that the antioxidant defense depends on the type of cell and tissue. The objective of this study was to investigate whether antioxidant enzymes activities and lipid hydroperoxides concentration in patients with endometrial hyperplasia are influenced by the changes in sex hormones level (estradiol, progesterone, FSH, and LH) during the menstrual cycle and in postmenopause. The material we used consisted of blood and endometrial tissue specimens of women diagnosed with endometrial hyperplasia simplex. Patients were divided in groups depending on the phase of the menstrual cycle: follicular phase, luteal phase and postmenopause. The activities of antioxidant enzymes and the lipid hydroperoxides level were compared among the phases to test the differences and a linear regression model was used to evaluate the associations between hormone levels and antioxidant/oxidant variables. In the blood of examined patients, we observed a phase-related changes of LOOH concentrations. Significant negative correlation between FSH concentration and GR activity (r= -0.42, p<0.05) and significant positive correlation between LH and LOOH concentrations (r= 0.038, p<0.05) was found. In hyperplasia simplex tissue we recorded significant phase-related changes of LOOH level as well as of AO enzyme activities. SOD and CAT had similar activity pattern, which was higher in luteal phase and in postmenopause, compared to follicular phase (p<0.05). GPx and GR activities did not show any statistical difference. Also, negative correlation between progesterone and GR activity (r=-0.036, p<0.05) was observed. Hormonal influence on AO system is of importance in gynecological diseases etiology since they may promote cell proliferation but are also used in conservative therapy, especially for hyperplasia simplex. However, the role of ROS production as a risk factor for endometrial hyperplasia still needs to be clarified as well as the role of AO status in response to gonadotropins and sex steroids

Changes of Hippocampal Noradrenergic Capacity in Stress Condition

This study aimed to investigate the effects of chronic restraint stress (CRS) on the protein levels of dopamine-β-hydroxylase (DBH), noradrenaline transporter (NET), vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), as well as the concentration of noradrenaline (NA) in the rat hippocampus. The investigated parameters were quantified by Western blot analyses and ELISA kits. We found that CRS increased the protein levels of DBH by 30 %, VMAT2 by 11 %, BDNF by 11 % and the concentration of NA by 104 %, but decreased the protein levels of NET by 16 % in the hippocampus of chronically stressed rats. The molecular mechanisms by which CRS increased the hippocampal NA level are an important adaptive phenomenon of the noradrenergic system in the stress condition. © 2020 Charles University. All rights reserved

The effect of sociodemographic characteristics on the self-evaluation of health among the population in Serbia

This paper analyses the impacts of various demographic and socioeconomic characteristics on the way Serbian people assess their own health. Marital status, education level, and occupation were analysed using the threeway ANOVA statistical method. The results of the statistical analysis show that each of the selected features significantly affects the subjective experience of health conditions. Regarding marital status, unmarried people assessed their health status most favourably. In terms of education, a better perception of health was observed in people with higher levels of education. And considering gender, only marital status had an impact on the self-assessment of health in both sexes. For men, education had an impact, whereas for women, it was the type of occupation. The specificity in perception of one’s own health in the elderly population of Serbia (above 60 years old) is reflected in the fact that occupation was the only factor that influenced the subjective experience of health status. © 2022 Demographic Research Centre. All rights reserved

Antioxidant Enzymes in Women with Hyperplasia Complex: Relation with Sex Hormones

Endometrial hyperplasia complex is gynecological disorder characterized by morphological irregularities of glands shape and size. Antioxidant enzymes (AOE), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione reductase (GR), have an essential role in preventing oxidative damage in cell caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS). In this study, we examined the AO status in hyperplastic tissue of patients in menstrual cycle (follicular and luteal phase) and in postmenopause, as well as the relationship between sex hormones and AO parameters. The phase-related activity of GPx and GR in examined patients was significantly different than in healthy women. A significant negative correlation between FSH/LH level and GPx activiy was observed. Endometrial hyperplasias are considered as precancerous lesions and are treated either conservatively or surgicaly, and also by radiation therapy. Since the effects of these therapies are associated with AO and hormonal changes, our results may contribute to the prediction of potential therapeutic efficacy and to selection of the most effective treatment for hyperplasia complex.3rd International Conference on Radiation and Applications in Various Fields of Research (RAD), Jun 08-12, 2015, Budva, Montenegr

Antioxidant Enzymes in Blood of Women With Uterine Hyperplasia

The literature emphasizes the involvement of oxidative stress in the etiopathogenesis of many uterine diseases. Antioxidant system (AOS) represents the protective mechanism used by cells to neutralize overproduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) and prevent oxidative stress. We have previously shown that in gynecological patients with various diagnoses, the reproductive and other factors may be associated with antioxidant capacity and the ability to defend against oxidative damage. In this study, we examined the changes in expression of antioxidant enzymes (AOE): superoxide dismutases (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and glutathione reductase (GR) in the blood of women with endometrial hyperplasia. Our results indicate that hyperplasia induces perturbance in oxidative balance, particularly in glutathione redox cycle enzymes

Reconstructed Malacothermometer July Paleotemperatures from the Last Nine Glacials over the South-Eastern Carpathian Basin (Serbia)

In this study, the compiled malacological record of the two most important loess–palaeosol sequences (LPS) in Serbia was used to reconstruct the Malacothermometer July Paleotemperature (MTJP) of the last nine glacials. The sieved loess samples yielded shells of 11 terrestrial gastropod species that were used to estimate the MTJP. Veliki Surduk (covering the last three glacial cycles) and Stari Slankamen (covering the last fourth to ninth glacial cycle) LPSs previously lacked the malacological investigations. After the sieving, a total of 66,871 shells were found, from which 48,459 shells were used for the estimation of the MTJP. Through the studied period, the reconstructed MTJP was ranging from 14.4 °C to 21.5 °C. The lowest temperature was recorded during the formation of the loess unit L5, equivalent to the Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 12. The second-coldest summers were occurring during the MIS 16 glacial. Although the warmest glacial was L8 (MIS 20) according to MTJP, these July temperatures might be overestimated due to only two samples from the poorly preserved L8 unit. The malacological material derived from the loess units at Veliki Surduk and Stari Slankamen LPSs showed great potential for July temperature reconstruction, as the comparison with other regional records showed similar climate changes. Further work is necessary to validate the age scale of the oldest samples, and a higher resolution sampling could lead to more detailed July temperature fluctuations, as was shown for the youngest glacial in this study. Likewise, estimating the July temperature using different proxies (e.g., pollen) from the same LPSs could be used to confirm the observed climate trends

The effect of antioxidant status on overall survival in renal cell carcinoma

Introduction The oxidative stress contributes to all three phases of carcinogenesis and represents a concomitant condition in renal cell carcinoma (RCC). RCC is the most common type of neoplasm of the kidney, and despite numerous studies the set of predictive and prognostic markers of survival are still unknown. The aim of our study was to examine the relation between antioxidant (AO) status and overall survival (OS) in RCC patients. Material and methods Our study included 95 patients with RCC, who underwent radical nephrectomy. We analysed the prognostic role of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione S-transferase, glutathione reductase, glutathione, and malondialde-hyde) and other clinicopathological factors (size, grade, stage, and histological subtype) on the OS of RCC patients. Results The 5-year OS was 54.6%. The survival analysis related to AO parameters showed no significant difference in survival of RCC patients. The concentration of malondialdehyde, an indicator of lipid peroxidation, also had no significant effect on the survival rate of RCC pa-tients. Univariate and multivariate analysis confirmed the significance of clinicopathological parameters (size, p < 0.001; Fuhrman grade, p = 0.001, and stage, p < 0.001) for patients’ survival. Conclusions In our cohort of patients, different antioxidant parameters were not found to be predictors for OS of patients with RCC, who underwent radical nephrectomy