IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME, ANXIETY, DEPRESSION AND PERSONALITY CHARACTERISTICS

Background: Numerous studies have suggested that 54%-100% of patients with IBS may have associated psychiatric illness and personality pathology. This transversal controlled study was realized in order to evaluate anxiety and depression levels, as well as the personality characteristics of patients with IBS and to compare the results obtained with patients with episodes of depression and healthy individuals. Subjects and methods: The experimental group consisted of 30 IBS patients, while two control groups consisted of the same number of inpatients with episodes of depression and healthy individuals from the general population. There were equal number of men and women in the study sample and all subjects were aged between 25 to 65 years. Standard psychometric instruments employed included Hamilton anxiety scale, Zung depression scale, Hamilton depression scale, Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI), Eysenck Perosonality Inventory (EPI). Results: The average Hamilton and Zung depression scores were significantly higher in patients with depressive episodes compared with the IBS patients, while the mentioned scores among them were also significantly higher compared with the healthy controls. There were no significant differences between IBS and the group with depressive episodes in the average Hamilton anxiety levels, EPI neuroticism and extraversion levels and MMPI neurotic scales levels (Hs, D, and Hy). The significant differences were observed comparing the IBS patients to healthy individuals. Conclusion: The patients suffering from irritable bowel syndrome who asked for medical help (consulters) because of their intestinal symptoms, presented emotional problems such as depression and anxiety and expressed neurotic personality characteristics

Establishment and in-house validation of stem-loop rt pcr method for microrna398 expression analysis

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) belong to the class of small non-coding RNAs which have important roles throughout development as well as in plant response to diverse environmental stresses. Some of plant miRNAs are essential for regulation and maintenance of nutritive homeostasis when nutrients are in excess or shortage comparing to optimal concentration for certain plant species. Better understanding of miRNAs functions implies development of efficient technology for profiling their gene expression. We set out to establish validate the methodology for miRNA gene expression analysis in cucumber grown under suboptimal mineral nutrient regimes, including iron deficiency. Reverse transcription by "stem-loop" primers in combination with Real time PCR method is one of potential approaches for quantification of miRNA gene expression. In this paper we presented a method for "stem loop" primer design specific for miR398, as well as reaction optimization and determination of Real time PCR efficiency. Proving the accuracy of this method was imperative as "stem loop" RT which consider separate transcription of target and endogenous control. The method was verified by comparison of the obtained data with results of miR398 expression achieved using a commercial kit based on simultaneous conversion of all RNAs in cDNAs

Language attitudes towards Serbian Sign Language and experiences with deaf education in Serbia

In this paper, we report on data obtained from interviews with 28 deaf signers and three hearing teachers of deaf pupils regarding their experiences with and attitudes towards deaf education and Serbian Sign Language (SZJ). Following transcription of the data, we conducted thematic analyses of the deaf informants’ and teachers’ comments. Data, which indicate that a change in language attitudes among deaf people has taken place compared to the oralist ideology still prevalent among teachers, are considered within a broader historical context by giving the first account of SZJ, its place in education and its history. In the light of the results, we highlight the importance of teacher training for promoting a cultural-linguistic minority perspective in deaf education in Serbia that would allow for deafness to be viewed as human diversity rather than disability

Silicon mitigates oxidative stress in cucumber at copper excess

Beneficial effects of silicon (Si) are well demonstrated for many crop species, although its essentiality is SI still not proven. Some mechanisms of Si-mediated alleviation of different stresses in plants have been proposed in the literature, however the molecular bases of these mechanisms are poorly understood. Metal toxicity It, considered as an important environmental problem in many agricultural soils worldwide. Copper (Cu) is an essential microelement for plant growth and development. As a redox-active transition metal, Cu is a cofactor in many proteins involved in electron transfer chains including respiration and photosynthesis. However, in excess Cu can induce oxidative stress via several proposed mechanisms, including direct generation of ro active oxygen species (ROS) through the Fenton reaction. The aim of th is study was to elucidate the molecular mechanism of Si-mediated alleviation of oxidative stress caused by excess Cu in cucumber. Hydroponically grown plants were subjected to different Cu concentrations, with or without Si supply. The high Cu-treated plants showed higher biomass and better root growth when Si was applied. The parameters of oxidative stress lipid peroxidation, total phenolics and tissue Cu concentrations were measured. Expressions of the genes involved in antioxidative defense and biosynthesis of phenolics were in accordance with the biochemical findings, clearly demonstrating the multiple role of Si in alleviation the harmful effects of ROS in cucumber

The Impact of Global Changes on the Transformation of Politics, Economy and Education

This study was supported by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development of the Republic of Serbia, and these results are parts of the Grant No. 451-03-68/2022-14/200132 with University of Kragujevac - Faculty of Technical Sciences Čačak.Society faces many challenges in transitioning toward sustainable development, and education is key to make this transition happen. Through education we influence on human consciousness, create their needs and changing behavior. One of most important educational programs is environmental education. It brings motivations, skills, values and commitment that people need to efficiently manage their earth’s resources and take responsibility for maintaining environmental quality and understand the problems they face. The limitation of access to certain resources is getting closer and we need to be aware of those limitations and put those in center of our life and work. The most effective way for doing it is throught environmental education started from earliest age. The limitation of access to certain resources is getting closer, and this fundamentally changes our relationship to economics, politics and ecology. This paper discusses the imperative of action within the limits of the finite world. The paper emphasizes the pressure on natural resources, which means that politics and the economy will have to undergo a radical transformation in order to be suitable not only today, but also in the future.Publishe

Effects of Si on the expression of miRNA398 and miRNA408 and its target gene, superoxide dismutase (CuSOD) in Fe deficient cucumber plants

Silicon (Si) is a beneficial element in several crops enhancing growth and alleviating different biotic and abiotic stresses. Iron (Fe) deficiency stress in plants includes changes in the expression and the activity of certain antioxidative enzymes. Our previous study suggested the role of Si in alleviation of Fe deficiency stress by an increased root Fe acquisition (Pavlovic et al., 2013). MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of endogenous small RNAs (21 to 24 nucleotides) playing a crucial role in the development of both plant and animals by down regulating gene expression at the post-transcriptional level. Here we studied the expression of miRNA398 and miRNA408 and its target gene superoxide dismutase (SOD) in Fe deficient cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) plants grown with or without addition of Si. The expression of miRNAs and target gene was measured in roots, stems and leaves as well as in the leaves of different ages. lntercostal chlorosis in the young leaves was markedly decreased in the Si treatment. Plants treated with Si also showed increased expression of miRNA398 and miRNA408 in all organs, and consequently lower level of CuSOD transcripts. The expression of particular miRNAs followed this pattern; the highest level in the old fully developed leaves and the lowest level in young chlorotic leaves. Our results indicate that Si reduces (or at least respond on) the oxidative stress in Fe deficient cucumber plants on the posttranscriptional level mediated by miRNAs398 and 408

PHENOLIC COMPOUNDS CONTENT AND RADICAL SCAVENGING CAPACITY OF WHEAT-LENTIL DOUGH

The lentil (Lens culinarisL.) is a legume plant, one of the oldest known food crops and medicinal plants. The health benefits of lentil are well known: its consumption reduces the risks of cardiovascular diseases and some cancers. It has a low glycemic food index and is important in the dietary treatment of diabetes mellitus.Unfortunately, its consumption in many countries is low. Since bread is a daily consumed food this can be improved by adding the lentil in wheat flour. In this paper the content and DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) scavenging capacity of phenolic compounds from wheat dough and dough obtained by wheat flour supplemented with 40% of lentil flour were examined and compared. The dough with lentil flour had higher content of phenolic compounds than the dough with wheat flour only (2144.7 and 1592.5 g of chlorogenic acid/g, respectively) and achieved higher DPPH scavenging capacity (SC50 value was 21.2 and 56.3 mg/mL, respectively). Results showed that, after baking, the dough retained the same value of DPPH scavenging capacity, while baked wheat-lentil dough had near three times higher antioxidant activity than baked wheat dough. These investigations indicate that the lentil flour is useful food ingredient for improving the antioxidative potential of wheat flour.Key words: Lentil, dough, phenolic compound, scavenging capacit

Analysis of cardiac manifestation and treatment of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children related to SARS-CoV-2

Cardiovascular manifestations are common (35–100%) in the multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children. Our study aimed to analyze treatment impact and cardiovascular involvement in patients with multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children. The retrospective cohort included 81 patients treated between April 2020 and December 2021 (9.3±4.6 years). Elevated cardiac troponin I and pro-B-type natriuretic peptide were observed in 34.2% and 88.5% of patients, respectively. Myocardial dysfunction was observed in 50.6%. Children older than 10 years had a 4-fold increased risk of myocardial dysfunction (odds ratio [OR] 3.6, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.4-8.9; p=0.006). A moderate negative correlation was proved between left ventricle ejection fraction and C-reactive protein (rr = - 0.48; p < 0.001). More than one-fifth of the patients presented with shock. Coronary artery dilatation was observed in 6.2% of patients. Mild pericardial effusion was detected in 27.1% of children. On standard electrocardiogram, 52.6% of children had negative T waves in the inferior and/or precordial leads; transient QTc prolongation was registered in 43% of patients. Treatment failure was observed in 19 patients. Patients initially treated with intravenous immunoglobulins had 10-fold higher chances for treatment failure than patients treated with corticosteroids (OR 10.6, 95% CI 3,18 – 35.35; p < 0.001). Cardiovascular manifestations were observed in more than half of the patients, with acute myocardial dysfunction being the most common, especially in children older than 10 years. We established a negative association between the degree of elevation of inflammatory markers and left ventricular ejection fraction. Patients treated with intravenous immunoglobulins who had cardiovascular manifestations had treatment failures more frequently than patients treated with corticosteroids