Diversity of nuclear short tandem repeat loci in representative sample of North-eastern Bosnian and Herzegovina population

Diversity of nuclear microsatellite markers were analyzed in a reference sample of the population of northeast Bosnia and Herzegovina. 437 samples taken from unrelated individuals were processed and three samples of paternity proof were shown. Detection effectiveness profile of the research, points to a valid choice of method of extraction, amplification and genotyping short tandem repeat (STR) loci with PowerPlextm16 kit. Genetic analysis of allelic variants of the 15 STR loci PowerPlextm16 kit detected 17 samples determined as rare allelic variants or microvariants. Samples were divided into 15 different allelic variants at 7 different loci, and are: in locus D7S820, D16S539, D3S1358, D18S51, PENTA D, PENTA E and in locus vWA. Genetic analysis of mutations in cases of paternity determined three examples of single-step mutations in the loci FGA, Penta D and D3S1358. Genetic analysis of observed STR loci detected three allelic variant of genotype combination 7/10/11.3 in locus D7S820 Type II. Population genetic analysis of STR loci in a representative sample of the population of northeast Bosnia and Herzegovina included the application of the assessment tests of within-population genetic diversity and interpopulation diversity, as well as genetic differentiation between populations: North-eastern Bosnia and Herzegovina (BH) and BH general reference, then the Croatian population, Macedonian, Serbian and Slovenian. Based on the result analysis of specific forensic parameters, it can be assumed that the most informative marker is PENTA E for population genetic analysis and forensic testing in the population of northeast Bosnia and Herzegovina. Research results fit regional STR database of this part of Europe

Efekat korektivnih vežbi na funkcionalne deformitete kičmenog stuba kod dece predškolskog i školskog uzrasta

Introduction. Poor muscle development, accompanied by insuffcient physical activity and non-physiological forces which act on the bone and joint system, often causes improper body posture. Objectives. To examine whether performing corrective exercises which stretch shortened and strengthen weakened muscles regularly can improve body posture in preschool and school-aged children. Methods. The prospective study included 110 children, 63 (57.2%) boys and 47 (42.8%) girls (the average age being 6.6 ± 2.4). Corrective exercises were performed four times a week for six months, in periods of 90 minutes. We used somatoscopy and somatometry methods to assess body posture. Results. On the initial checkup it was found that 18 children (16.4%) had some kind of spine deformity; 11 of them (10%) had scoliosis, six (5.5%) had kyphosis and 1(0.9%) had lordotic body posture. The first follow-up checkup was performed 3 months later when we found a decrease in the number of children with a bad body posture. The second follow-up checkup was repeated 6 months later. Out of 18 children (16.4%) who had been registered at the beginning, 4 (3.6%) had scoliotic, 2 (1.8%) had kyphotic and 1 (0.9%) had lordotic posture 6 months later. Conclusion. Based on the obtained results, it can be said that regular performance of corrective exercises (strengthening weakened and stretching shortened muscles) for six months had a positive effect on certain spine deformities. Kyphosis correction was visible after only three months, scoliosis correction was visible after six months, while lordosis correction was not achieved by corrective exercises in the only registered case.Uvod: Slaba razvijenost mišića, praćena nedovoljnom fzičkom aktivnošću i nefziološkim silama koje deluju na koštano-zglobni sistem, često uzrokuje nepravilno držanje tela. Cilj: Ispitati da li se redovnim izvođenjem korektivnih vežbi kojima se isteže skraćena, a jača oslabljena muskulatura, može popraviti držanje tela kod dece predškolskog i školskog uzrasta. Ispitanici i metode: Prospektivna studija obuhvatila je uzorak od 110 dece, od kojih je 63 (57.2%) dečaka i 47 (42.8%) devojčica (prosečne starosti 6.6 ± 2.4 godina). Korektivne vežbe su izvođene u periodu od šest meseci, četiri puta nedeljno, u trajanju od 90 minuta. Za procenu držanja primenjivane su metode somatoskopije i somatometrije. Rezultati: Na inicijalnom pregledu utvrđeno je da 18 (16.4%) dece ima neki od deformiteta kičme. Njih 11 (10%) imalo je skoliozu, šest (5.5%) kifozu i jedno (0.9%) lordozu. Prvi kontrolni pregled obavljen je posle tri meseca, kada je zabeležen pad broja dece s lošim držanjem. Drugi kontrolni pregled ponovljen je nakon šest meseci. Od ukupno 18 (16.4%) registrovanih na početku, nakon šest meseci njih četvoro (3.6%) imalo je skoliozu, dvoje (1.8%) kifozu i jedno (0.9%) lordozu. Zaključak: Na osnovu dobijenih rezultata može se reći da je redovnim izvođenjem korektivnih vežbi (jačanjem oslabljenih i istezanjem skraćenih mišića) u trajanju od šest meseci ostvaren pozitivan efekat na određene deformitete kičmenog stuba. Korekcija kifoze je bila vidljiva već nakon tri meseca, skolioze nakon šest meseci, dok korekcija lordoze u jedinom zabeleženom slučaju nije postignuta korektivnim vežbama

The Polyphenols as Potential Agents in Prevention and Therapy of Prostate Diseases.

In recent years, the progress of science and medicine greatly has influenced human life span and health. However, lifestyle habits, like physical activity, smoking cessation, moderate alcohol consumption, diet, and maintaining a normal body weight represent measures that greatly reduce the risk of various diseases. The type of diet is very important for disease development. Numerous epidemiological clinical data confirm that longevity is linked to predominantly plant-based diets and it is related to a long life; whereas the western diet, rich in red meat and fats, increases the risk of oxidative stress and thus the risk of developing various diseases and pre-aging. This review is focused on the bioavailability of polyphenols and the use of polyphenols for the prevention of prostate diseases. Special focus in this paper is placed on the isoflavonoids and flavan-3-ols, subgroups of polyphenols, and their protective effects against the development of prostate diseases

Population-genetic analysis of seven qualitative traits in the population of the municipality Maglaj (Bosnia and Herzegovina)

On the basis of the complex seven monogenic qualitative characteristics (shape of the earlobes, hairiness of middle phalange, flexibility of lateral tongue edges, the extensiveness of the distal and proximal joint of the thumb and the flexibility of the distal phalanx of the little finger) and one sexually conditioned property (digital index) we analyzed the genetic structure of four populations of rural municipality Maglaj: Kosova, Novi Šeher, Jablanica, Moševac, then one isolated local population Ravna and one urban population area called Maglaj. The survey covered a total of 440 students (213 girls and 227 boys) aged 11-18 years. According to the degree of genetic heterogeneity, values of Wahlund variance that are obtained for each trait belong in the category of low genetic differentiation. The maximum value of Wahlund variance was identified for the property shape of the earlobes (by Cavalli - Sforza, Bodmer = 0.0452), and the lowest for phenotypic system flexibility of lateral tongue edges (by Cavalli - Sforza, Bodmer = 0.0000). Studied set of population is the most heterogeneous according to the frequency of recessive allelogene for phenotypic characteristic shape of the earlobes, and the most homogeneous for the phenotypic trait flexibility of lateral tongue edge. Based on the analysis of genetic distance for seven phenotypic traits in populations of municipality Maglaj we established the minimum genetic distance between populations of Kosova and Maglaj (fθ = 0.0007), and the largest genetic distance between populations of Jablanica and Moševac (fθ = 0.0144). It was noted that the lowest average coefficient of kinship has a local population of Kosova (fθ = 0.0028, while the highest average coefficient of kinship has a population Moševac (fθ = 0.0081). The greatest characteristic has a population of Moševac (fθs = 0.7556), and the lowest characteristic has a population of Novi Šeher (fθs = -0.0795). Based on the obtained values of genetic distance between the studied populations, it can be concluded that it is a relatively low level of genetic heterogeneity

Corneal Stem Cells as a Source of Regenerative Cell-Based Therapy

In the past few years, intensive research has focused on corneal stem cells as an unlimited source for cell-based therapy in regenerative ophthalmology. Today, it is known that the cornea has at least two types of stem cells: limbal epithelial stem cells (LESCs) and corneal stromal stem cells (CSSCs). LESCs are used for regeneration of corneal surface, while CSSCs are used for regeneration of corneal stroma. Until now, various approaches and methods for isolation of LESCs and CSSCs and their successful transplantation have been described and tested in several preclinical studies and clinical trials. This review describes in detail phenotypic characteristics of LESCs and CSSCs and discusses their therapeutic potential in corneal regeneration. Since efficient and safe corneal stem cell-based therapy is still a challenging issue that requires continuous cooperation between researchers, clinicians, and patients, this review addresses the important limitations and suggests possible strategies for improvement of corneal stem cell-based therapy

The quality of life of patients after lumbar microdiscectomy

Introduction/Objective. The quality of life (QL) is a modern concept of observing the outcome of the disease and the success of the therapeutic procedure in all fields of medicine. The aim was to assess the QL of surgically treated patients with lumbar radiculopathy (LR) at the beginning of treatment and three and six months after the initiation of prescribed and applied medical rehabilitation. Methods. The study group included randomized and stratified sample of 50 patients treated with lumbar microdiscectomy (LM). Conservative treatment was carried out using physical therapy procedures, and kinetic and ergonomic therapeutic procedures and educational training program in ergonomics were carried out in all the patients. To assess the condition of the patients, the QL and the efficacy of the rehabilitation treatment, we used two standardized questionnaires, the Short Form Survey Instrument (SF-36) and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Results. The lowest values of the SF-36 – PCS, SF-36 – MCS, and of the ODI were recorded at the beginning of the rehabilitation (PCS: 28.8; MCS: 37.8; ODI: 56.1%). The most significant improvements of the scores were observed three months after the treatment initiation (PCS: 42.8; MCS: 45.2; ODI: 38.9%). At six months of treatment, the scores were slightly higher (PCS: 49.2; MCS: 52.5; ODI: 23.7%) (p < 0.001). Conclusion. The QL and the functional status of patients after LM are significantly better after three and six months in comparison with the beginning of rehabilitation, and the state for six months compared to the state for three months

Production of Soluble Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor Kappa-Β Ligand and Osteoprotegerin by Apical Periodontitis Cells in Culture and Their Modulation by Cytokines

RANKL, a bone-destructive cytokine, and OPG, its osteoprotective counterpart, are expressed in periapical lesions (PLs), which represent hystopatological manifestations of apical periodontitis. However, their regulation in PLs has not been elucidated yet. Therefore, our aim was to study the production of RANKL and OPG and their modulation by pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in PL cell cultures. Isolated PL cells were cultured alone or with addition of TNF-α, IFN-ϒ, IL-17, IL-4, IL-10, and IL- 33, respectively. The levels of RANKL and OPG in supernatants were measured by ELISA. The proportion of CD3+ (T cells) and CD19+/CD138+ (B cells/plasma cells) within isolated PLs was determined by immunocytochemistry. The levels of RANKL were higher in cultures of symptomatic PLs compared to asymptomatic PLs and PLs with the dominance of T cells (T-type lesions) over B cells/plasma cells (B-type lesions). A higher proportion of osteodestructive processes (RANKL/OPG ratio>1.0) were detected in symptomatic PLs. The production of RANKL was upregulated by IFN-ϒ and IL-17 and higher concentrations of IL-33. IL-10 and lower concentrations of IL-33 augmented the production of OPG. The addition of either RANKL or anti-RANKL antibody to the cultures did not modify significantly the production of OPG. In conclusion, this original PL cell culture model suggests that increased bone destruction through upregulated production of RANKL could be associated with exacerbation of inflammation in PLs with the predominance of Th1 and Th17 responses and increased secretion of IL-33. In contrast, IL-10 and lower levels of IL-33, through upregulation of OPG, may suppress osteolytic processes

Expression of regulatory proteins and proliferative activity in relation to phenotypic characteristics of upper urothelial carcinoma

Background/Aim. Deregulation of the normal cell cycle is common in upper urothelial carcinoma (UUC). The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of regulatory proteins of the cell cycle (p53, p16, cyclin D1, HER-2) and proliferative Ki-67 activity in UUC, and to determine their interaction and influence on the phenotypic characteristics of UUC. Methods. In 44 patients with UUC, histopathological and immunohistochemical analyses (p53, p16, cyclin D1, HER-2, and Ki-67) of tumors were done. Results. Overexpression/ altered expression of p53, p16, cyclin D1 or HER-2 was detected in 20%, 57%, 64%, and 57% of tumors, respectively. Eleven (25%) UUC had a high proliferative Ki-67 index. Forty patients (91%) had at least one marker altered, while four (9%) tumors had a wild-type status. Analysis of relationship between expressions of molecular markers showed that only high expression of p53 was significantly associated with altered p16 activity (p &lt; 0.05). High Ki-67 index was associated with the high stage (p &lt; 0.005), solid growth (p &lt; 0.01), high grade (p &lt; 0.05), and multifocality p &lt; 0.05) of UUC, while high expression of p53 was associated with the solid growth (p &lt; 0.05). In regression models that included all molecular markers and phenotypic characteristics, only Ki-67 correlated with the growth (p &lt; 0.0001), stage (p &lt; 0.01), grade (p &lt; 0.05) and multifocality (p &lt; 0.05) of UUC; Ki-67 and HER-2 expression correlated with the lymphovascular invasion (p &lt; 0.05). Conclusions. This investigation showed that only negative regulatory proteins of the cell cycle, p53 and p16, were significantly associated in UUC, while proliferative marker Ki-67 was in relation to the key phenotypic characteristics of UUC in the best way

Potencijal za diferencijaciju mezenhimalnih matičnih ćelija iz masnog tkiva čoveka

Knjiga sažetaka i originalnih radov

Combined effects of electromagnetic field and low-level laser increase proliferation and alter the morphology of human adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells

In recent years, electromagnetic field (EMF) and low-level laser (LLL) have been found to affect various biological processes, the growth and proliferation of cells, and especially that of stem cells. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of EMF and LLL on proliferation of human adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hAT-MSCs) and thus to examine the impact of these therapeutic physical modalities on stem cell engraftment. hAT-MSCs were isolated from subcutaneous adipose tissue of six persons ranging in age from 21 to 56 years. EMF was applied for a period of 7 days, once a day for 30 min, via a magnetic cushion surface at a frequency of 50 Hz and an intensity of 3 mT. LLL was applied also for 7 days, once a day for 5 min, at radiation energies of 3 J/cm(2), with a wavelength of 808 nm, power output of 200 mW, and power density of 0.2 W/cm(2). Nonexposed cells (control) were cultivated under the same culture conditions. Seven days after treatment, the cells were examined for cell viability, proliferation, and morphology. We found that after 7 days, the number of EMF-treated hAT-MSCs was significantly higher than the number of the untreated cells, LLL-treated hAT-MSCs were more numerous than EMF-treated cells, and hAT-MSCs that were treated with the combination of EMF and LLL were the most numerous. EMF and/or LLL treatment did not significantly affect hAT-MSC viability by itself. Changes in cell morphology were also observed, in terms of an increase in cell surface area and fractal dimension in hAT-MSCs treated with EMF and the combination of EMF and LLL. In conclusion, EMF and/or LLL treatment accelerated the proliferation of hAT-MSCs without compromising their viability, and therefore, they may be used in stem cell tissue engineering