Customer perception of service quality in public transport

This paper presents the research and analysis process showing that transport system customers have a specific perception of service quality, as an indicator of transport system. Determining satisfactory level of service quality implies knowledge of travel demand and travel behaviour. There are a lot of elements that define the transport system quality. The goal of this paper is to identify the public transport system’s service quality elements that should be primarily acted on, in order to increase the level of service quality from transport system users’ (public transport users’ and non-users’) point of view, with minimal investment. The paper describes a specifically defined research methodology for determining service quality elements that should be primarily acted on, from the transport system users’ point of view. Methodology involves the use of Importance Performance Analysis (IPA) which is upgraded with the state preferences analysis. Presented methodology, which is used to determine user perception of service quality, can be considered to be universal. This methodology can be applied in other cities, with additional research that must precede its use. The methodology was tested on transport system users in Belgrade

Neuobičajen klinički tijek neurosarkoidoze s razvojem hidrocefalusa

Approximately 5% to 15% of patients with systemic sarcoidosis develop neurological complications. However, the actual prevalence of subclinical disease may be higher. Symptoms are not specific, and may resemble those of other neurological diseases. Hydrocephalus occurs in 6% of patients with neurosarcoidosis. Acute hydrocephalus is extremely rare and when it occurs, it is usually difficult to diagnose, thus leading to possible complications. We present a patient who developed acute hydrocephalus due to neurosarcoidosis, for which he had to be operated on; soon after the operation, cranial infection developed that required definitive drainage system and ventriculoperitoneal shunt had to be implanted. In further complicated clinical course, after four years on corticosteroid therapy (corticosteroid dependent sarcoidosis), he had to be urgently operated on because of significant ventricular catheter adhesions, but several days after the operation he died in coma because of progressive brain edema not responding to treatment. As hydrocephalus due to neurosarcoidosis has high morbidity and mortality, early diagnosis and proper treatment are of utmost importance.Oko 5% do 15% bolesnika sa sistemskom sarkoidozom razviju neurološke komplikacije. Međutim, stvarna učestalost subkliničke bolesti može biti veća. Simptomi nisu specifični, a mogu sličiti onima drugih neuroloških bolesti. Hidrocefalus se pojavljuje u 6% bolesnika s neurosarkoidozom. Akutni hidrocefalus je iznimno rijedak, a kada se pojavi obično se teško dijagnosticira, što dovodi do mogućih komplikacija. Prikazujemo bolesnika u kojega se razvio akutni hidrocefalus zbog neurosarkoidoze, zato je morao biti operiran, no ubrzo nakon operacije kranijuma razvija se infekcija koja zahtijeva definitivnu kanalizaciju, ugradnju ventrikularnog šanta. U daljnjem kompliciranom kliničkom tijeku, nakon četiri godine kortikosteroidne terapije (o kortikosteroidima ovisna sarkoidoza), morao je biti hitno operiran zbog značajnih priraslica na ventrikularnom kateteru, ali je nekoliko dana nakon operacije umro u komi zbog progresivnog edema mozga koji nije reagirao na liječenje. Kako hidrocefalus kod neurosarkoidoze ima visok pobol i smrtnost, rano otkrivanje i odgovarajuće liječenje osobito su važni

Risks for First Nonfatal Myocardial Infarction in Belgrade

The aim of this study was to investigate which one among possible risk factors are independently related to first nonfatal myocardial infarction (MI) in Belgrade population. Case-control study was conducted in Belgrade during the period 2005–2006. Case group comprised 100 subjects 35–80 years old who were hospitalized because of first nonfatal MI at the coronary care unit in Urgent Center, Belgrade. Control group consisted of 100 persons chosen among patients treated during the same period at the Institute of Rheumatology, Institute for Gastroenterology, and Clinic for Orthopedics, Belgrade, Serbia. Cases and controls were individually matched by sex, age (±2 years) and place of residence (urban/ rural communities of Belgrade). According to the multivariate analysis risk factors for MI occurrence were »good« socioeconomic conditions (OR=2.76), total alcohol consumption (OR=2.62) and consumption of brandy (OR=6.73), stressful life events taken together (OR=3.13) and stress because of close relative Ns death (OR=3.35), great financial problems (OR=31.64) and small financial problems (OR=8.47), hypertension (OR=2.39), MI among all relatives (OR=3.66), MI in father (OR=6.24), and low level of high density lipoprotein cholesterol (OR=152.41). Amateur sport activity in the past was negatively associated with MI development. The results obtained are mainly in accordance with other studies results and can be of help in development of strategy for coronary heart disease prevention in Serbia

Germline Variants in Cancer Predisposition Genes in Pediatric Patients with Central Nervous System Tumors

Central nervous system (CNS) tumors comprise around 20% of childhood malignancies. Germline variants in cancer predisposition genes (CPGs) are found in approximately 10% of pediatric patients with CNS tumors. This study aimed to characterize variants in CPGs in pediatric patients with CNS tumors and correlate these findings with clinically relevant data. Genomic DNA was isolated from the peripheral blood of 51 pediatric patients and further analyzed by the next-generation sequencing approach. Bioinformatic analysis was done using an “in-house” gene list panel, which included 144 genes related to pediatric brain tumors, and the gene list panel Neoplasm (HP:0002664). Our study found that 27% of pediatric patients with CNS tumors have a germline variant in some of the known CPGs, like ALK, APC, CHEK2, ELP1, MLH1, MSH2, NF1, NF2 and TP53. This study represents the first comprehensive evaluation of germline variants in pediatric patients with CNS tumors in the Western Balkans region. Our results indicate the necessity of genomic research to reveal the genetic basis of pediatric CNS tumors, as well as to define targets for the application and development of innovative therapeutics that form the basis of the upcoming era of personalized medicine

BREAD AS INDICATOR OF AGE-CHANGING DIETARY HABITS AMONG YOUNG

Kruh je često konzumirana hrana na Balkanu te je samim time pogodan za istraživanje prehrambenih navika. Cilj ovog rada je istražiti prehrambene navike populacije mladih (14-26 godina) obzirom na konzumaciju različitih vrsta kruha. Ukupno je u istraživanje bilo uključeno 173 ispitanika (37% mladića i 63% djevojaka), nasumično odabranih među učenicima osnovne škole (30), srednje škole (45) i fakulteta (98) sa područja Novog Sada. Uočen je porast konzumacije kruha od cjelovitih žitarica od 15% među učenicima osnovne škole do 26% među učenicima srednje škole i studentima. Obzirom na spol, konzumacija kruha od cjelovitih žitarica je bila 9% veća među djevojkama u usporedbi sa mladićima. Svi ispitanici su pod utjecajem obiteljskih prehrambenih navika najviše konzumirali bijeli kruh (56-69%). Dobiveni rezultati pokazuju povezanost promjena prehrambenih navika sa odrastanjem i jači utjecaj okoline nego obitelji. Najveći utjecaj obitelji i običaja je uočen među osnovnoškolcima (54%) dok je među srednjoškolcima i studentima bio slabije izražen (34%).Recognized as a staple food consumed in large quantities in the Balkans region, bread is suitable for the investigation of dietary habits. This survey was conducted to gain insight into the dietary habits, related to intake and knowledge about various bread types, of the young population (14 to 26 years of age). The total number of surveyed respondents was 173 (37% males and 63% females). They were randomly selected among students from an elementary school (30), high school (45) and university (98) in the Novi Sad Municipality. A correlation between the respondents’ age and the practice of “healthy food” intake was observed, as whole wheat bread consumption increased from 15% in elementary school to 26% among high school and university students. Considering gender, whole wheat bread intake among female respondents was 9% higher in comparison with male respondents. Still, white bread was most commonly consumed by all respondents (56%-69%), as a result of a habit adopted in the family. However, the obtained results indicate a strong correlation between agechanging dietary habits (“healthy” food awareness) and the impact of the environment rather than the impact of the family. Namely, the greater impact of family and tradition is noticed among elementary school pupils (54%) while among high school and university students the corresponding impact was significantly less pronounced (34%)

Dietary fibers and bread: Attitudes, beliefs and knowledge among young population

The link between dietary fibers and prevention of non-communicable diseases is well documented in the existing scientific literature. Despite that, most of the population still do not have enough knowledge about fibers and their presence in certain food. This study intended to make an insight in the knowledge of the Serbian young population about dietary fibers and bioactive compounds through a questionnaire survey. A survey was conducted to a sample of 173 individuals, (37% male and 63% female) randomly selected among students from elementary, high school and university in the Novi Sad municipality. Topics covered by the questionnaire included knowledge of the term dietary fiber, fiber content in different bread types, the relationship between fibers and health and bioactive compounds sources in food. The results for each of the particular topics addressed varied among studied groups, but generally level of knowledge was related to the education level. The highest overall knowledge about dietary fibers and bioactive compounds was expressed by the university students, although elementary and high school students showed a considerable level of knowledge on the subject. Male participants appeared as more familiar with the questions related to bioactive compounds, while females were more informed on questions regarding dietary fiber. This survey revealed that young population in Serbia is well informed about the contribution of dietary fiber and bioactive compounds in promoting health. However, further expansion of existing knowledge will be beneficial in order to improve general health of the entire community

Dry olive leaf extract (DOLE) down-regulates the progression of experimental immune-mediated diabetes by modulation of cytokine profile in the draining lymph nodes

We have recently demonstrated the beneficial effects of dry olive leaf extract (DOLE) in two preclinical models of type 1 diabetes. Here we analyze the potential mechanisms underlying diabetes amelioration at the level of lymph node drainage. Treatment of C57BL/6 mice with DOLE during induction of diabetes with multiple low doses of streptozotocin (MLD-SZ) modulated cytokine expression and production in pancreatic lymph node cells, thereby changing the balance between potentially pathogenic and down-regulating cytokines. These results support the immunoregulatory potential of DOLE which takes place at the level of lymph node drainage and preserves the target tissue from autoimmune attack

Dried leaf extract of Olea europaea ameliorates islet-directed autoimmunity in mice

The health-promoting effects of various constituents of the olive tree (Olea europaea) are mainly associated with hypoglycaemic and insulin-sensitising activities and have been widely demonstrated in the metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes. However, their biological activity in autoimmune type I diabetes (TID) is poorly characterised. Therefore, the influence of O. europaea-derived components present in dry olive leaf extract (DOLE) was examined in two established preclinical models of human TID, which differ in some aspects of diabetogenesis: multiple low-dose streptozotocin-induced diabetes in susceptible C57BL/6 and CBA/H mouse strains; cyclophosphamide-accelerated diabetes in non-obese diabetic mice. In both T I D models, in vivo administration of DOLE significantly reduced clinical signs of diabetes (hyperglycaemia and body weight loss) and led to complete suppression of histopathological changes in pancreatic islets. In line with these, insulin expression and release were restored in DOLE-treated mice. Interestingly, inducible NO synthase expression and NO production were significantly elevated in peripheral tissues but were down-regulated within the local environment of the endocrine pancreas. This interference was reflected in NO-mediated suppression of T lymphocyte proliferation and lower production of the proinflammatory cytokines interferon-gamma, IL-17 and TNF-alpha in the spleen. with subsequent blockade of beta-cell destruction. The results suggest that DOLE interferes with development of autoimmune diabetes by down-regulating production of proinflammatory and cytotoxic mediators. Therefore, the potential use of a DOLE-enriched diet for prophylaxis/treatment of human T I D. and possibly other autoimmune diseases, is worthy of further investigation.Serbian Ministry of Science [143029B