Assisted fertilization outcome assesment using ovarian reserve tests

Uvod: Optimizacija i individualizacija kontrolisane ovarijalne hiperstimulacije postaje sve značajnija, pa se brojna ispitivanja bave identifikacijom kliničkih parametara koji mogu da utiču na ovarijalni odgovor, kao i da povećaju efikasnost i bezbednost primenjene stimulacije. Cilj ovog istraživanja je ispitivanje mogućnosti predviđanja ovarijalnog odgovora i ishoda asistirane fertilizacije na osnovu biomarkera funkcionalne ovarijalne rezerve, kao i identifikacija onog koji bi imao preciznost nezavisnu od primenjenog protokola stimulacije. Metodologija:Prospektivna kohortna studija je obuhvatila 363 pacijentkinje u postupku asistirane fertilizacije u okviru Nacionalnog programa na Klinici za ginekologiju i akušerstvo Kliničkog centra Srbije. Svima su određeni starost, indeks telesne mase, uzrok i vrsta infertiliteta. Broj antralnih folikula i vrednosti AMH, Inhibina B, FSH, LH, estradiola, progesterona i testosterona u serumu su mereni drugog dana ciklusa pre započinjanja stimulacije. Broj i kvalitet dobijenih oocita i embriona i stope biohemijskih i kliničkih trudnoća su korišćeni za evaluaciju prediktivne mogućnosti ovih biomarkera. Rezultati: Pokazano je da su starost ispitanica, broj antralnih folikula, vrednost AMH i odnos FSH/LH prediktori broja dobijenih oocita kao i stope trudnoća. Dodatno, broj antralnih folikula je bio najvažniji paramtar koji je uticao na broj dobijenih oocita i stopu trudnoća, nezavisno od primenjenog protokola stimulacije..

Tourism Policy in Montenegro - Current Situation and Future Challenges

Located on the coast of the Adriatic Sea, Montenegro has been an important receptive market for decades. In accordance with strategic documents, tourism has been identified as а leading economic activity in Montenegro. Although it has а diversified tourist offer, the emphasis has been put on coastal tourism. Adapting to changes in the market, the offer has been transformed from mass, social vacations towards individual products intended to premium customers. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to evaluate the effects of the current tourism policy defined Ьу Montenegro tourism development strategy to 2020. The analysis includes the key indicatшs of the tourism industry. The results have shown that seasonality is the major obstacle for the balanced tourism development. Hence, all eff orts should Ье directed towards creating products that exceed classic "sun, sand, and sea" tourism model

Insulin resistance and inflammatory response following abdominal surgery

Pojava prolazne i vremenski ograničene insulinske rezistencije tokom hirurškog zahvata je povezana sa vrstom operacije kao i sa veličinom povrede tkiva. Cilj naše studije je bio da procenimo insulinsku rezistenciju merenu matematičkim modelom HOMA-IR i faktore inflamacije IL-6, TNF-α i CRP-a pre i posle laparoskopske i otvorene holecistektomije i otvorene rekonstrukcije ingvinalnih kila tokom sedmodnevenog praćenja, kao i ispitivanje prediktivne vrednosti preoperativnog odnosa neutrofila i limfocita u proceni težine bolesti kod bolesnika sa holecistitisom i njegove eventualne povezanosti sa stepenom insulinske senzitivnosti.. Metode: Istraživanje koje je sprovedeno po tipu ne-randomizovane prospektivne studije obuhvatilo je 192 bolesnika sa kamenom u žučnoj kesi (operisanih primenom otvorene ili laparoskopske holecistektomje) ili sa ingvinalnom kilom (operisanih otvoreno metodom) koji su operisani na Klinici za Urgentnu hirurgiju Urgentnog centra Kliničkog centra Srbije u toku sprovodjenja studije. Glukoza, insulin, CRP, IL-6, TNF- α, Le, Ly i Ne su određivani pre operacije (0 dan) i 1., 3. i 7. dan posle operacije. Rezultati: Veće vrednosti indeksa HOMA-IR su nađene kod pacijenata nakon otvorene operacije žučne kese u poređenju sa laparoskopskom operacijom u trećem postoperativnom danu. (p=0,036). HOMA-IR je bio značajno veći nakon otvorene rekonstrukcije kila u poređenju sa grupom nakon laparoskopske operacije žučne kese prvog postoperativnog dana (p=0,045). Vrednost CRP je bila značajno veća u prvom postoperativnom danu kod bolesnika nakon otvorene operacije žučne kese u odnosu na laparoskopsku operaciju (p=0,046). IL-6 se značajno povećao 1. i 3.dana u odnosu na 0.dan (p<0,0005) u grupi nakon laparoskopske operacije žučne kese i nakon otvorene rekonstrukcije kile. Povećanje IL-6 je bilo statistički značajno veće 1.postoperativnog dana nakon otvorene operacije kile u odnosu na laparoskopsku operaciju žučne kese (p=0,044). Pozitivna korelacija između CRP i HOMA-IR (r=0,46; p=0,025) i između IL-6 i HOMA-IR (r=0,44; p=0,030) postojala je u grupi sa otvorenom rekonstrukcijom kila prvog dana...The development of transient and temporal insulin resistance after surgical intervention is associated with the type and magnitude of operation and tissue injury. The aim of our study was to evaluate insulin resistance assesed by homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and inflammation factors IL-6, TNF-α and CRP before and after laparoscopic and open cholecystectomy and open hernia repair during seven days follow-up, as well as the predictive value of preoperative neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) to asses the severity of cholecystitis and its possible association with the degree of insulin resistance. Methods: a non-randomized prospective study included 192 patients with stones in gallblader (treated with laparoscopic or open cholecystectomy) and inguinal hernia repair treated with open method. Study was conducted at Clinic for emergency surgery, Emergency center, Clinical Center of Serbia during the course of the investigation. Results: Significantly higher values of HOMA-IR were found in patients with open cholecystectomy in comparison with patients with laparoscopic cholecystectomy on third postoperative day (p=0.036). HOMA-IR was significantly higher after open hernia repair in comparison with laparoscopic cholecystectomy at first postoperative day (p=0.045). CRP was significantly higher in patients after open cholecystectomy in comparison with patients with laparoscopic cholecystectomy, at day one (p=0.046). Statistically higher values of IL-6 were found at day 1 and 3 in comparison with day 0 in group with laparoscopic cholecystectomy and in group with open hernia repair (p<0.0005). IL-6 was significantly higher at day 1 after open hernia repair in comparison with laparoscopic cholecystectomy (p=0.044). Positive correlation between CRP and HOMA-IR (r=0.46; p=0.025) and between IL-6 and HOMA-IR (r=0.44; p=0.030) was found at day one in group with open hernia repair. More severe cholecystitis was found among patients in high NLR group (p<0.0001) and higher level of CRP and white blood cells counts (WBC) (p<0.0001). The NLR of 4.18 could predict severe cholecystits. Significant correlation between preoperative NLR and HOMA-IR values at first postoperative day was established (r=0.254, p=0.030)..

AUTOMATIC DETERMINATION OF FILTER COEFFICIENTS FOR LOCAL CONTRAST ENHANCEMENT

This study proposes an algorithm whose main advantage is in enabling the automatic determination of non-linear homomorphic filter coefficients used for local contrast enhancement in digital image processing. The presented algorithm is tested in a real production environment. The obtained results are compared with relevant examples in literature, showing the advantages of the achieved results or a relatively high level of their correspondence with reference results. The proposed procedure can be used for various applications in mechatronics, robotics and automatized production systems

Effect of acute exercise on serum growth hormone and fatty acid levels in elite male water polo players

The aim of study was to estimate the effect of acute exercise on serum growth hormone (GH) and fatty acid (FFA) levels in elite water polo players. Twelve male water polo players (20.50 ± 2.02 years) and eleven non-athletic male subjects (20.55 ± 1.04 years) participated in this study. In order to determine GH and FFA responses to acute exercise, a treadmill-running test was performed following an incremental protocol. Pre-exercise blood samples for both athletes and non-athletes were taken at 9 AM. Post-exercise samples were taken immediately after and 30 min after the treadmill running test. Water polo players had significantly lower baseline values of serum GH concentration compared to controls, whereas serum FFA concentration was significantly higher in water polo players compared to controls (p<0.01; p<0.05, respectively). In both groups, concentration of GH was significantly higher immediately after and after the 30-min of recovery compared to baseline levels (p<0.05). In water polo players, the concentration of FFA was significantly decreased immediately after and after the 30-min of recovery compared to baseline levels (p<0.05). No significant response to maximal exercise test was observed in the control group for serum FFA concentration. Our research indicates that acute exercise resulted in a significant increase in serum GH and reduction in fatty acid levels in elite water polo players. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. OI 175067

Collagen type I alpha 1 gene polymorphism in premature ovarian failure

Introduction. Premature ovarian failure (POF) is characterized by amenorrhea, hypergonadotropism and hypoestrogenism in women bellow 40 years. Osteoporosis is one of the late complications of POF. Objective. To correlate collagen type I alpha1 (COLIA1) gene polymorphism with bone mineral density (BMD) in women with POF. Methods. We determined the COLIA1 genotypes SS, Ss, ss in 66 women with POF. Single nucleotide polymorphism (G to T substitution) within the Sp 1-binding site in the first intron of the COLIA1 gene was assessed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by single-stranded conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis. Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured at the lumbar spine region by dual X-ray absorptiometry. Statistics: Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA, Chisquare test, Spearman correlation test. Results. The relative distribution of COLIA1 genotype alleles was SS - 54.4%, Ss - 41.0% and ss - 4.5%. No significant differences were found between genotype groups in body mass index, age, duration of amenorrhea or BMD. A significant positive correlation was observed between BMI and parity. Conclusion. The COLIA1 gene is just one of many genes influencing bone characteristics. It may act as a marker for differences in bone quantity and quality, bone fragility and accelerated bone loss in older women. However, in young women with POF, COLIA1 cannot identify those at higher risk for osteoporosis.Uvod. Prevremena insuficijencija jajnika (PIJ) se odlikuje amenorejom, hipergonadotropizmom i hipoestrogenijom kod žena mlađih od 40 godina. Osteoporoza je kasna komplikacija ovog stanja. Cilja rada. Cilj istraživanja je bio da se uporede genski polimorfizam kolagena tip I alfa 1 (COLIA1) sa gustinom koštane mase kod žena sa PIJ. Metode rada. Određivan je COLIA1 genotip SS, Ss i ss kod 66 žena sa PIJ pomoću eseja za reakciju lančanog umnožavanja DNK (engl. polymerase chain reaction - PCR). Polimorfizam jednog nukleotida (zamena G u T) u okviru Sp1 vezujućeg mesta u prvom intronu gena COLIA1 određivan je primenom PCR, nakon čega se pristupilo analizi konformacionog polimorfizma. Gustina koštane mase je merena na nivou lumbalnog dela kičme pomoću apsorpciometrije. Hormonske analize za folikulostimulišući hormon, luteinizirajući hormon, estradiol, prolaktin, progesteron i testosteron urađene su primenom metoda RIA. Pri statističkoj obradi podataka korišćeni su: Kraskal-Volisov (Kruskal-Wallis) ANOVA test, χ2-test i Spirmanov (Spearman) test korelacije. Rezultati. Relativna distribucija alela COLIA1 genotipa bila je: SS 54,4%, Ss 41,0% i ss 4,5%. Nije utvrđena značajna razlika između grupa prema genotipu za gustinu koštane mase, starost ispitanica, period amenoreje ili indeks telesne mase žena. Značajna pozitivna korelacija je uočena za indeks telesne mase i paritet. Zaključak. COLIA1 je samo jedan od mnogih gena koji utiču na karakteristike kosti. Kod žena starije životne dobi on može biti marker kvaliteta, kvantiteta i osetljivosti kosti. Kod mladih žena sa PIJ COLIA1 ne može da ukaže na one žene kod kojih postoji veći rizik za nastanak osteoporoze.Projekat ministarstva br. ON 17305

Rosemary essential oils as a promising source of bioactive compounds: Chemical composition, thermal properties, biological activity, and gastronomical perspectives

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) is a plant worldwide cultivated mainly for essential oils, extracts, and as a spice. Up-to-date results showed diversity in composition of the essential oils, which may influence their quality, biological activity, and thermal properties. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the chemical composition, antimicrobial activity, and thermal properties of the rosemary essential oils originating from Serbia and Russia. Additionally, oils were added to the sunflower oils in order to investigate possible antioxidant activity during the frying. Investigation of the chemical profile marked α-pinene, eucalyptol, and camphor as the most abundant compounds in both oils. However, overall composition influenced in such manner that Russian oil showed significantly higher antimicrobial activity, while Serbian oil proved to be better antioxidant agent in case of frying of sunflower oil. This would significantly influence possible application of the oils, which could be used as an antioxidant agent for extension of the food shelf life, or antimicrobial agent for protection against different microbial strains

Collagen type I alpha 1 gene polymorphism in premature ovarian failure

Introduction. Premature ovarian failure (POF) is characterized by amenorrhea, hypergonadotropism and hypoestrogenism in women bellow 40 years. Osteoporosis is one of the late complications of POF. Objective. To correlate collagen type I alpha1 (COLIA1) gene polymorphism with bone mineral density (BMD) in women with POF. Methods. We determined the COLIA1 genotypes SS, Ss, ss in 66 women with POF. Single nucleotide polymorphism (G to T substitution) within the Sp 1-binding site in the first intron of the COLIA1 gene was assessed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by single-stranded conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis. Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured at the lumbar spine region by dual X-ray absorptiometry. Statistics: Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA, Chisquare test, Spearman correlation test. Results. The relative distribution of COLIA1 genotype alleles was SS - 54.4%, Ss - 41.0% and ss - 4.5%. No significant differences were found between genotype groups in body mass index, age, duration of amenorrhea or BMD. A significant positive correlation was observed between BMI and parity. Conclusion. The COLIA1 gene is just one of many genes influencing bone characteristics. It may act as a marker for differences in bone quantity and quality, bone fragility and accelerated bone loss in older women. However, in young women with POF, COLIA1 cannot identify those at higher risk for osteoporosis.Uvod. Prevremena insuficijencija jajnika (PIJ) se odlikuje amenorejom, hipergonadotropizmom i hipoestrogenijom kod žena mlađih od 40 godina. Osteoporoza je kasna komplikacija ovog stanja. Cilja rada. Cilj istraživanja je bio da se uporede genski polimorfizam kolagena tip I alfa 1 (COLIA1) sa gustinom koštane mase kod žena sa PIJ. Metode rada. Određivan je COLIA1 genotip SS, Ss i ss kod 66 žena sa PIJ pomoću eseja za reakciju lančanog umnožavanja DNK (engl. polymerase chain reaction - PCR). Polimorfizam jednog nukleotida (zamena G u T) u okviru Sp1 vezujućeg mesta u prvom intronu gena COLIA1 određivan je primenom PCR, nakon čega se pristupilo analizi konformacionog polimorfizma. Gustina koštane mase je merena na nivou lumbalnog dela kičme pomoću apsorpciometrije. Hormonske analize za folikulostimulišući hormon, luteinizirajući hormon, estradiol, prolaktin, progesteron i testosteron urađene su primenom metoda RIA. Pri statističkoj obradi podataka korišćeni su: Kraskal-Volisov (Kruskal-Wallis) ANOVA test, χ2-test i Spirmanov (Spearman) test korelacije. Rezultati. Relativna distribucija alela COLIA1 genotipa bila je: SS 54,4%, Ss 41,0% i ss 4,5%. Nije utvrđena značajna razlika između grupa prema genotipu za gustinu koštane mase, starost ispitanica, period amenoreje ili indeks telesne mase žena. Značajna pozitivna korelacija je uočena za indeks telesne mase i paritet. Zaključak. COLIA1 je samo jedan od mnogih gena koji utiču na karakteristike kosti. Kod žena starije životne dobi on može biti marker kvaliteta, kvantiteta i osetljivosti kosti. Kod mladih žena sa PIJ COLIA1 ne može da ukaže na one žene kod kojih postoji veći rizik za nastanak osteoporoze.Projekat ministarstva br. ON 17305

Application of Landsat-derived NDVI in monitoring and assessment of vegetation cover changes in Central Serbia

This paper evaluates the application of the Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) in the monitoring and assessment of temporal vegetation cover changes (from 2006 to 2014) in three municipalities of Central Serbia: Topola, Jagodina and Kuršumlija. Additionally, special focus is placed on the analysis of the forest areas and the possible use of NDVI in the forest management sector. Results of the NDVI applied through Idrisi software identify all vegetation cover types and their typical values for presented case studies and observed periods. Obtained results for Serbian case studies indicate two major observations outlined for the investigated period. It was noticed that vegetation cover is experiencing a certain decrease, and that certain discrepancies exists between the NDVI and official forest area statistics for certain municipalities. The study outlines the positive outcomes of the applied remote sensing techniques, especially for southern Serbian municipalities where illegal logging activities are pronounced. Hence, this method proved very promising for countries performing national forest inventories, such as Serbia, providing local forest managers with several essential up-to-date information about vegetation cover changes on an annual basis. © 2019 Carpathian Journal of Earth and Environmental Sciences