FOLLOW-UP OF BIOCHEMICAL PARAMETERS AND INTENSITY OF OXIDATIVE STRESS IN PATIENTS WITH EXTRAHEPATHIC CHOLESTASIS

In cholestasis, due to impossibility of gall flow into duodenum, there occurs a subsequent return of gall constituents to hepatocytes and circulation. Extrahepatic cholestasis is the result of mechanic obstacle of gall flow through ductus hepaticus, choledochus or papilla Vateri, leading to the occurrence of manifest icterus. In cases leading to liver damage, hydrophobic gall salts and non-conjugated bilirubins have the most important toxic effects.The aim of this study was to follow up the biochemical parameters, enzyme activity AST, ALT, *-GT and AF, bilirubin concentration and albumins, and intensity of oxidative stress in blood plasma in patients with different types of extrahepatic cholestasis.The study included 60 subjects divided into two groups. The first one was control group (30 healthy subjects), while II group involved 30 patients with intraluminar extrahepatic obstruction.Significant increase of enzyme activity of AST, ALT, *-GT and AF in plasma of cholestatic patients was present in comparison to the control group (p< 0,001). The levels of total direct and indirect bilirubin in plasma of cholestatic patients increased (p<0,001) when compared to the control group. The level of albumin in plasma of cholestatic patients significantly decreased in comparison to the control group (p<0,05). The intensity of oxidative stress measured through the levels of malondialdehide (MDA) and carbonyl group concentration in plasma of cholestatic patients increased (p<0,001) when compared to the control group.Significant increase of cholestasis enzyme markers (AST, ALT, *-GT and AF) and bilirubin levels in blood plasma was noticed in patients with extrahepatic cholestasis. Cholestasis leads to significant disorders of synthetic function of the liver that are manifested by decrease of albumin concentration in plasma

Quantitative analysis of the dystrophin gene by real-time PCR

Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy (DMD/BMD) are severe X-linked neuromuscular disorders caused by mutations in the dystrophin gene. Our aim was to optimize a quantitative real-time PCR method based on SYBR® Green I chemistry for routine diagnostics of DMD/BMD deletion carriers. Twenty female relatives of DMD/BMD patients with previously detected partial gene deletions were studied. The relative quantity of the target exons was calculated by a comparative threshold cycle method (ΔΔCt). The carrier status of all subjects was successfully determined. The gene dosage ratio for non-carriers was 1.07±0.20, and for carriers 0.56±0.11. This assay proved to be simple, rapid, reliable and cost-effective

Student Perception of Benefits from Being Engaged in International Case Study Competitions

The main aim of this research paper is to present experience of the students who participated in international business case competitions from Serbia. The findings indicate the six main benefits for students at case competitions are: skills improvement, knowledge, contacts, self-realization, employment opportunity and the role of mentor. Additionally, we identified some perceived advantages of domestic students compared to colleagues/students from developed countries: presentation, preparation for competition, creativity, multidisciplinary approach to problems and teamwork, while the perceived advantages of colleagues/students from developed countries are: more advanced business environment, the availability of multiple sources for learning, more practical experience, student exchange programs, larger budgets and university reputation. This paper shows the innovative way of active learning for business schools through business case competitions valuably contributes to gaining skills and knowledge, personal improvement for students and better preparing them for their future caree

Analysis of association between polymorphisms of MTHFR, MTHFD1 and RFC1 genes and efficacy and toxicity of methotrexate in rheumatoid arthritis patients

A folate analogue methotrexate (MTX) is the most commonly used disease-modifying drug in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. However, the clinical response of RA patients treated with MTX shows interindividual differences and 30% of patients discontinue therapy due to the side effects. In a group of 184 RA patients treated with MTX we have investigated whether polymorphisms in MTHFR (rs1801133, rs1801131), MTHFD1 (rs2236225) and RFC1 (rs144320551) genes may have impact on MTX efficacy and/or adverse drugs effects (ADEs). The efficacy of the MTX therapy has been estimated using the disease activity score in 28 joints (DAS28-ESR) based on EULAR criteria and relative DAS28 values (rDAS28) and all adverse drug events were recorded. Patients were genotyped for selected polymorphism by PCR-RFLP method. According to the EULAR response criteria after 6 months of MTX therapy 146 (79.3%) patients were classified as responders, (17 patients (11.6%) were good and 129 patients (88.4%) were moderate responders) and 38 patients (20.7%) as non-responders. ADEs were observed in 53 (28.8%) patients. The majority of ADEs were mild (36 (19.56%) patients) to moderate (12 (6.25%) patients). Five patients (2.7%) had serious ADEs. Association studies have been conducted between obtained genotypes and the efficacy and toxicity of MTX. We have observed no association between polymorphisms and efficacy or toxicity of MTX in RA patients. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. 175091