Stigmatization of persons with mental illnesses

Cilj ovog rada je utvr�����ivanje stepena i vidova stigmatizacije osoba sa različitim mentalnim poremećajima u opštoj populaciji. Za utv�����rivanje stavova o odre�����enim mentalnim poremećajima (depresija, fobija, schizofrenija, demencija, poremećaji ishrane, alkoholizam i narkomanija) korišćen je strukturisani intervju, zadavan u formi upitnika. Od ispitanika je traženo da odgovore koliko se svaka od osam izjava odnosi na osobe sa navedenim poremećajima. Izjave se odnose na opasnost po druge, nepredvidljivost, teškoću uspostavljanja razgovora sa tim osobama, da li se osećaju drugačije od većine ljudi, da li treba samo sebe da krive za stanje u kome se nalaze, da li mogu da se saberu ukoliko to žele, da li će se oporaviti sa tretmanom ili se nikada neće u potpunosti oporaviti. Za svaku izjavu ispitanici su birali odgovor na petostepenoj skali Likertovog tipa. Uzorkom je obuhvaćeno 336 ispitanika, oba pola (206 žena i 130 muškaraca) uzrasta iznad 16 godina. Analiza rezultata pokazuje da kao najopasnije (AS 1.92; AS 2.05; AS 2.02), kao najmanje predvidive (AS 2.01; AS 2.08; AS 1.94) i kao osobe s kojima se najteže razgovara (AS 2.14; AS 2.17; AS 2.17) ispitanici opažaju osobe s bolestima zavisnosti (narkomanija i alkoholizam) i sa shizofrenijom. Ispitanici tako�����e opažaju da su osobe s bolestima zavisnosti u najvećoj meri same krive za stanje u kome se nalaze (AS 2.24; AS 2.30). Osobe s demencijom i shizofrenijom smatraju se osobama čije se stanje ne može popraviti tretmanom (AS 3.17; AS 3.00) i osobama koje se nikada ne mogu oporaviti (AS 3.57; AS 3.59). Na osnovu dobijenih reyultata mo\e se yaklju;iti da su najstigmatizovaniji poremećaji bolesti zavisnosti i shizofrenija. Osobe s bolestima zavisnosti i shizofrenijom se opažaju kao opasne, nepredvidljive i osobe s kojima se teško razgovara, što obeshrabruje uspostavljanje bližeg kontakta s njima. Stavovi o prognozi i tretmanu u pogledu različitih mentalnih bolesti su generalno realistični. Osobe za koje se smatra da se neće popraviti sa tretmanom i koje se nikada neće oporaviti su osobe s demencijom i shizofrenijom. Ovi nalazi ukazuju da postoji razumevanje nekih aspekata mentalnih poremećaja na kojima se buduće anti stigma kampanje mogu bazirati. ,The aim od the study was to determine the forms and the degree of stigmatization by general public of persons suffering from different kinds of mental disorders. Aiming at exploring attitudes towards several mental disorders (depression, phobia, schizophrenia, dementia, nutrition disorder, and alcoholism and drug abuse) structured interview, applied in the form of questionnaire, was used.. Respondents were presented with eight statements and asked to asses the relevance of each statement for each of the mentioned disorders. The statements claimed that persons suffering from some disorder i) presented a threat for other people, ii) were unpredictable, iii) had difficulties to get engaged in conversation, iv) felt odd, v) should blame themselves alone for their condition, vi) could not compose themselves at will, vii) would not get better by any treatment and viii) they would never entirely recover. For each statement the respondents could chose an answer from five levels Lickert type scale. The sample comprised 336 respondents (206 females and 130 males) who were all 16 years and older. Analyses of the results obtained showed that as the most dangerous (AS 1.92; AS 2.05; AS 2.02), the least predictable (AS 2.01; AS 2.08; AS 1.94), and the most difficult to engage in conversation with (AS 2.14; AS 2.17; AS 2.17) the respondents assessed to be persons suffering from addiction (drug abuse and alchocolism) or schizophrenia. Addicts were also assessed to be themselves the most responsible for their condition (AS 2.24; AS 2.30). The condition of persons suffering from dementia or schizophrenia was considered to be beyond recuperation by treatment (AS 3.17; AS 3.00) and the recovery of these persons was considered impossible. (AS 3.57; AS 3.59). The results lead to conclusion that addictions and schizophrenia are the most stigmatized disorders. Persons suffering from these disorders are deemed to be threatening, unpredictable, difficult to talk with, which discourages close bonding with them. Opinions on prognosis and treatment for different mental illnesses are realist cal in general. Persons who were assessed to stand no chance for improvement by treatment or for recovery are those suffering from dementia and schizophrenia. These results indicate that general public understands some aspects of mental disorders, what could be useful for anti-stigma campaigns in future

Stigmatization of persons with mental illnesses

Cilj ovog rada je utvr�����ivanje stepena i vidova stigmatizacije osoba sa različitim mentalnim poremećajima u opštoj populaciji. Za utv�����rivanje stavova o odre�����enim mentalnim poremećajima (depresija, fobija, schizofrenija, demencija, poremećaji ishrane, alkoholizam i narkomanija) korišćen je strukturisani intervju, zadavan u formi upitnika. Od ispitanika je traženo da odgovore koliko se svaka od osam izjava odnosi na osobe sa navedenim poremećajima. Izjave se odnose na opasnost po druge, nepredvidljivost, teškoću uspostavljanja razgovora sa tim osobama, da li se osećaju drugačije od većine ljudi, da li treba samo sebe da krive za stanje u kome se nalaze, da li mogu da se saberu ukoliko to žele, da li će se oporaviti sa tretmanom ili se nikada neće u potpunosti oporaviti. Za svaku izjavu ispitanici su birali odgovor na petostepenoj skali Likertovog tipa. Uzorkom je obuhvaćeno 336 ispitanika, oba pola (206 žena i 130 muškaraca) uzrasta iznad 16 godina. Analiza rezultata pokazuje da kao najopasnije (AS 1.92; AS 2.05; AS 2.02), kao najmanje predvidive (AS 2.01; AS 2.08; AS 1.94) i kao osobe s kojima se najteže razgovara (AS 2.14; AS 2.17; AS 2.17) ispitanici opažaju osobe s bolestima zavisnosti (narkomanija i alkoholizam) i sa shizofrenijom. Ispitanici tako�����e opažaju da su osobe s bolestima zavisnosti u najvećoj meri same krive za stanje u kome se nalaze (AS 2.24; AS 2.30). Osobe s demencijom i shizofrenijom smatraju se osobama čije se stanje ne može popraviti tretmanom (AS 3.17; AS 3.00) i osobama koje se nikada ne mogu oporaviti (AS 3.57; AS 3.59). Na osnovu dobijenih reyultata mo\e se yaklju;iti da su najstigmatizovaniji poremećaji bolesti zavisnosti i shizofrenija. Osobe s bolestima zavisnosti i shizofrenijom se opažaju kao opasne, nepredvidljive i osobe s kojima se teško razgovara, što obeshrabruje uspostavljanje bližeg kontakta s njima. Stavovi o prognozi i tretmanu u pogledu različitih mentalnih bolesti su generalno realistični. Osobe za koje se smatra da se neće popraviti sa tretmanom i koje se nikada neće oporaviti su osobe s demencijom i shizofrenijom. Ovi nalazi ukazuju da postoji razumevanje nekih aspekata mentalnih poremećaja na kojima se buduće anti stigma kampanje mogu bazirati. ,The aim od the study was to determine the forms and the degree of stigmatization by general public of persons suffering from different kinds of mental disorders. Aiming at exploring attitudes towards several mental disorders (depression, phobia, schizophrenia, dementia, nutrition disorder, and alcoholism and drug abuse) structured interview, applied in the form of questionnaire, was used.. Respondents were presented with eight statements and asked to asses the relevance of each statement for each of the mentioned disorders. The statements claimed that persons suffering from some disorder i) presented a threat for other people, ii) were unpredictable, iii) had difficulties to get engaged in conversation, iv) felt odd, v) should blame themselves alone for their condition, vi) could not compose themselves at will, vii) would not get better by any treatment and viii) they would never entirely recover. For each statement the respondents could chose an answer from five levels Lickert type scale. The sample comprised 336 respondents (206 females and 130 males) who were all 16 years and older. Analyses of the results obtained showed that as the most dangerous (AS 1.92; AS 2.05; AS 2.02), the least predictable (AS 2.01; AS 2.08; AS 1.94), and the most difficult to engage in conversation with (AS 2.14; AS 2.17; AS 2.17) the respondents assessed to be persons suffering from addiction (drug abuse and alchocolism) or schizophrenia. Addicts were also assessed to be themselves the most responsible for their condition (AS 2.24; AS 2.30). The condition of persons suffering from dementia or schizophrenia was considered to be beyond recuperation by treatment (AS 3.17; AS 3.00) and the recovery of these persons was considered impossible. (AS 3.57; AS 3.59). The results lead to conclusion that addictions and schizophrenia are the most stigmatized disorders. Persons suffering from these disorders are deemed to be threatening, unpredictable, difficult to talk with, which discourages close bonding with them. Opinions on prognosis and treatment for different mental illnesses are realist cal in general. Persons who were assessed to stand no chance for improvement by treatment or for recovery are those suffering from dementia and schizophrenia. These results indicate that general public understands some aspects of mental disorders, what could be useful for anti-stigma campaigns in future

Struktura i korelati stavova studenata, budućih pomagača, prema osobama s oštećenjem sluha

The aim of this study was to explore the structure and the correlates of students attitudes towards persons with hearing impairments. The sample consisted of 103 first year students of The Faculty of Special Education and Rehabilitation (F-93; M-10), divisions Prevention and treatment of conduct disorders and Speech therapy. These attitudes were assessed by The revised version of Multidimensional Attitudes Scale Toward Persons With Disabilities, Empathy by Empathy Quotient, dimensions of personality by The Big Five Inventory, the attachment by Experiences in Close Relationships Scale, the motivation for studying the Faculty of Special Education and Rehabilitation by the scale assembled for this research. It was found that in the domain of basic dimensions of personality only tendency to collaborate with others negatively correlates with absence of pro-social thoughts (-0.204), scale of anxiety in close relationships, in attachment domain, positively correlates with inhibiting thoughts and feelings (0.220), while the empathy quotient negatively correlates with the absence of pro-social thoughts (-0.226). The motivation for studying Faculty of Special Education and Rehabilitation was not associated with components of the attitude towards people with hearing impairment. Future researches should try to identify predictors of negative emotional and behavioral which lead to ignoring and rejecting of persons with disability.Istraživanje stavova stručnjaka, kao i studenata, budućih stručnjaka je važno jer su u pitanju osobe koje su u direktnom kontaktu sa osobama sa ometenošću i utiču na kvalitet njihovog života. Cilj ovog istraživanja je ispitivanje strukture i korelata stavova studenata prema osobama s oštećenjem sluha. Uzorak su činila 103 studenta prve godine Fakulteta za specijalnu edukaciju i rehabilitaciju (FASPER), sa smerova Logopedija i Prevencija i tretman poremećaja ponašanja (Ž-93; M-10). Stavovi prema osobama s oštećenjem sluha ispitani su pomoću revidirane Multidimenzionalne skale stavova prema osobama s ometenošću (MAS). Revidirana MAS ima subskale Emocije, Misli i Ponašanje. Empatičnost je ispitana pomoću skale Koeficijent empatije, Dimenzije ličnosti pomoću Inventara velikih pet, afektivna vezanost pomoću revidirane Skale iskustva u bliskim odnosima, a motivacija za studiranje FASPER-a pomoću skale sastavljene za potrebe ovog istraživanja. Ustanovljeno je da iz domena bazičnih dimenzija ličnosti jedino saradljivost ima korelaciju od 0.204 sa odsustvom prosocijalnih misli; skala anksioznosti u bliskim odnosima, iz domena afektivne vezanosti, ima pozitivnu korelaciju od 0.220 sa inhibirajućim osećanjima i mislima, dok koeficijent empatičnosti ima korelaciju od - 0.226 sa odsustvom prosocijalnih misli. Naredna istraživanja treba da se usmere na otkrivanje prediktora sklopa negativnih emocija i ponašanja koji vode odbacivanju i ignorisanju osoba s ometenošću

Endorhizosphere of indigenous succulent halophytes: a valuable resource of plant growth promoting bacteria

The adaptability of halophytes to increased soil salinity is related to complex rhizosphere interactions. In this study, an integrative approach, combining culture-independent and culture-dependent techniques was used to analyze the bacterial communities in the endorizosphere of indigenous succulent halophytes Salicornia europaea, Suaeda maritima, and Camphorosma annua from the natural salt marshes of Slano Kopovo (Serbia). The 16 S rDNA analyses gave, for the first time, an insight into the composition of the endophytic bacterial communities of S. maritima and C. annua. We have found that the composition of endophyte microbiomes in the same habitat is to some extent influenced by plant species. A cultivable portion of the halophyte microbiota was tested at different NaCl concentrations for the set of plant growth promoting (PGP) traits. Through the mining of indigenous halotolerant endophytes, we obtained a collection representing a core endophyte microbiome conferring desirable PGP traits. The majority (65%) of the selected strains belonged to the common halotolerant/halophilic genera Halomonas, Kushneria, and Halobacillus, with representatives exhibiting multiple PGP traits, and retaining beneficial traits in conditions of the increased salinity. The results suggest that the root endosphere of halophytes is a valuable source of PGP bacteria supporting plant growth and fitness in salt-affected soils. © 2023, The Author(s)

Regulation of S100As Expression by Inflammatory Cytokines in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

The calcium-binding proteins S100A4, S100A8, and S100A9 are upregulated in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), while the S100A9 promotes NF-κB activity during disease progression. The S100-protein family has been involved in several malignancies as mediators of inflammation and proliferation. The hypothesis of our study is that S100A proteins are mediators in signaling pathways associated with inflammation-induced proliferation, such as NF-κB, PI3K/AKT, and JAK/STAT. The mononuclear cells (MNCs) of CLL were treated with proinflammatory IL-6, anti-inflammatory IL-10 cytokines, inhibitors of JAK1/2, NF-κB, and PI3K signaling pathways, to evaluate S100A4, S100A8, S100A9, and S100A12 expression as well as NF-κB activation by qRT-PCR, immunocytochemistry, and immunoblotting. The quantity of S100A4, S100A8, and S100A9 positive cells (p < 0.05) and their protein expression (p < 0.01) were significantly decreased in MNCs of CLL patients compared to healthy controls. The S100A levels were generally increased in CD19+ cells compared to MNCs of CLL. The S100A4 gene expression was significantly stimulated (p < 0.05) by the inhibition of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in MNCs. IL-6 stimulated S100A4 and S100A8 protein expression, prevented by the NF-κB and JAK1/2 inhibitors. In contrast, IL-10 reduced S100A8, S100A9, and S100A12 protein expressions in MNCs of CLL. Moreover, IL-10 inhibited activation of NF-κB signaling (4-fold, p < 0.05). In conclusion, inflammation stimulated the S100A protein expression mediated via the proliferation-related signaling and balanced by the cytokines in CLL

Plant growth promoting Halomonas from roots of halophytes as a strategy to improve crop resistance to soil salinity

Increased soil salinity has numerous negative effects on plant growth and poses a significant threat to agricultural productivity worldwide. The diversity of endophytic bacterial communities found in various indigenous halophytes such as Salicornia europaea, Suaeda maritima, and Camphorosma annua, may reveal beneficial bacteria with various plant growthpromoting (PGP) properties. Members of Halomonas, the largest genus of the family Halomonadaceae, are rod-shaped, gram-negative, moderately halophilic bacteria that have been increasingly isolated from various saline environments, including halophyte tissues. As part of the halophytic microbiota, halotolerant plant growth-promoting endophytic bacteria can contribute to plant host growth, productivity, and fitness under abiotic and biotic stresses. The use of halotolerant PGP bacteria represents a good alternative strategy to mitigate the effects of salt stress in crops and to recover saline soils. The aim of this study was to isolate halotolerant bacteria from halophyte roots, and evaluate their PGP ability and their effect on germination parameters of selected crops. The endophytic bacterial communities in the roots of halophytes from natural saline soil in Slano Kopovo (Serbia) were analyzed using culture-dependent techniques. The genus Halomonas was the predominant among the halotolerant root-associated bacteria of analyzed halophytes. We have isolated seven Halomonas sp. strains, six of which were closely related (>99,86% similarity) to Halomonas songnenensis, a moderately halophilic bacterium from saline and alkaline soils. Obtained isolates were tested at different sodium chloride concentrations for a range of PGP traits at different concentrations of sodium chloride. The selected strains were used to inoculate seeds iand monitor of the germination process of barley, sunflower, and wheat under conditions of elevated salinity. Most of the isolates tolerate the NaCl concentration up to 18% and showed multiple PGP features with some of them retained even in the presence of additional salt concentrations. The germination test results showed that Halomonas seed inoculation positively affected barley germination parameters in conditions with and without added salt. The observed traits can be further exploited to improve plant growth and augment the salt tolerance of agricultural production on saline soils

Inflammation Promotes Oxidative and Nitrosative Stress in Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia

Chronic inflammation is characterized by the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), reactive nitrogen species, and inflammatory cytokines in myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs). In addition to these parameters, the aim of this study was to analyze the influence of ROS on the pro-liferation-related AKT/mTOR signaling pathway and the relationship with inflammatory factors in chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). The activity of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dis-mutase, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase is reduced in erythrocytes while levels of the oxidative stress markers malondialdehyde and protein carbonyl are elevated in the plasma of patients with CML. In addition, nitrogen species (nitrotyrosine, iNOS, eNOS) and inflammation markers (IL-6, NFkB, and S100 protein) were increased in granulocytes of CML while anti-inflammatory levels of IL-10 were decreased in plasma. CML granulocytes exhibited greater resistance to cytotoxic H2O2 activity compared to healthy subjects. Moreover, phosphorylation of the apoptotic p53 protein was reduced while the activity of the AKT/mTOR signaling pathway was increased, which was further enhanced by oxidative stress (H2O2) in granulocytes and erythroleukemic K562 cells. IL-6 caused oxidative stress and DNA damage that was mitigated using antioxidant or inhibition of inflammatory NFkB transcription factor in K562 cells. We demonstrated the presence of oxidative and ni-trosative stress in CML, with the former mediated by AKT/mTOR signaling and stimulated by in-flammation

Plant growth promoting Halomonas from roots of halophytes as a strategy to improve crop resistance to soil salinity

soil salinity has numerous negative effects on plant growth and poses a significant threat to agricultural productivity worldwide. The diversity of endophytic bacterial communities found in various indigenous halophytes such as Salicornia europaea, Suaeda maritima, and Camphorosma annua, may reveal beneficial bacteria with various plant growthpromoting (PGP) properties. Members of Halomonas, the largest genus of the family Halomonadaceae, are rod-shaped, gram-negative, moderately halophilic bacteria that have been increasingly isolated from various saline environments, including halophyte tissues. As part of the halophytic microbiota, halotolerant plant growth-promoting endophytic bacteria can contribute to plant host growth, productivity, and fitness under abiotic and biotic stresses. The use of halotolerant PGP bacteria represents a good alternative strategy to mitigate the effects of salt stress in crops and to recover saline soils. The aim of this study was to isolate halotolerant bacteria from halophyte roots, and evaluate their PGP ability and their effect on germination parameters of selected crops. The endophytic bacterial communities in the roots of halophytes from natural saline soil in Slano Kopovo (Serbia) were analyzed using culture-dependent techniques. The genus Halomonas was the predominant among the halotolerant root-associated bacteria of analyzed halophytes. We have isolated seven Halomonas sp. strains, six of which were closely related (>99,86% similarity) to Halomonas songnenensis, a moderately halophilic bacterium from saline and alkaline soils. Obtained isolates were tested at different sodium chloride concentrations for a range of PGP traits at different concentrations of sodium chloride. The selected strains were used to inoculate seeds iand monitor of the germination process of barley, sunflower, and wheat under conditions of elevated salinity. Most of the isolates tolerate the NaCl concentration up to 18% and showed multiple PGP features with some of them retained even in the presence of additional salt concentrations. The germination test results showed that Halomonas seed inoculation positively affected barley germination parameters in conditions with and without added salt. The observed traits can be further exploited to improve plant growth and augment the salt tolerance of agricultural production on saline soils.Book of abstract: ICGEB WORKSHOP; Trends in microbial solutions for sustainable agriculture, 13 – 15 September 2023. Belgrade, Serbi

VEGF Regulation of Angiogenic Factors via Inflammatory Signaling in Myeloproliferative Neoplasms

Background: Chronic inflammation has been recognized in neoplastic disorders, including myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN), as an important regulator of angiogenesis. Aims: We investigated the influence of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and pro-inflammatory interleukin-6 (IL-6) on the expression of angiogenic factors, as well as inflammation-related signaling in mononuclear cells (MNC) of patients with MPN and JAK2V617F positive human erythroleukemic (HEL) cells. Results: We found that IL-6 did not change the expression of angiogenic factors in the MNC of patients with MPN and HEL cells. However, IL-6 and the JAK1/2 inhibitor Ruxolitinib significantly increased angiogenic factors—endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), VEGF, and hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α)—in patients with polycythemia vera (PV). Furthermore, VEGF significantly increased the expression of HIF-1α and eNOS genes, the latter inversely regulated by PI3K and mTOR signaling in the MNC of primary myelofibrosis (PMF). VEGF and inhibitors of inflammatory JAK1/2, PI3K, and mTOR signaling reduced the eNOS protein expression in HEL cells. VEGF also decreased the expression of eNOS and HIF-1α proteins in the MNC of PMF. In contrast, VEGF increased eNOS and HIF-1α protein expression in the MNC of patients with PV, which was mediated by the inflammatory signaling. VEGF increased the level of IL-6 immunopositive MNC of MPN. In summary, VEGF conversely regulated gene and protein expression of angiogenic factors in the MNC of PMF, while VEGF increased angiogenic factor expression in PV mediated by the inflammation-related signaling. Conclusion: The angiogenic VEGF induction of IL-6 supports chronic inflammation that, through positive feedback, further promotes angiogenesis with concomitant JAK1/2 inhibition

Inhibition of proinflammatory signaling impairs fibrosis of bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells in myeloproliferative neoplasms

Although bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (BM-MSCs) have been identified as a major cellular source of fibrosis, the exact molecular mechanism and signaling pathways involved have not been identified thus far. Here, we show that BM-MSCs contribute to fibrosis in myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) by differentiating into αSMA-positive myofibroblasts. These cells display a dysregulated extracellular matrix with increased FN1 production and secretion of profibrotic MMP9 compared to healthy donor cells. Fibrogenic TGFβ and inflammatory JAK2/STAT3 and NFκB signaling pathway activity is increased in BM-MSCs of MPN patients. Moreover, coculture with mononuclear cells from MPN patients was sufficient to induce fibrosis in healthy BM-MSCs. Inhibition of JAK1/2, SMAD3 or NFκB significantly reduced the fibrotic phenotype of MPN BM-MSCs and was able to prevent the development of fibrosis induced by coculture of healthy BM-MSCs and MPN mononuclear cells with overly active JAK/STAT signaling, underlining their involvement in fibrosis. Combined treatment with JAK1/2 and SMAD3 inhibitors showed synergistic and the most favorable effects on αSMA and FN1 expression in BM-MSCs. These results support the combined inhibition of TGFβ and inflammatory signaling to extenuate fibrosis in MPN